Summer Skirt: Two Ways

Well hello there! I've been a little absent from this blog lately and I'm sorry about that. Sometime life just takes over and you have to prioritize. That's kind of what I have been doing lately- but I would like to get back into blogging soon if I can! 

MikaRose recently sent me this gorgeous pleated, flowy skirt and it's currently one of my favorite things in my closet. It's the perfect piece for summer. It's really a versatile item and can be worn in a variety of ways, so today I'm showing how I wore it both dressed up and dressed down! 

For a dressed-down look, I paired this skirt with a chambray shirt (tied at the bottom), strappy leather sandals, and a statement necklace. I absolutely love this look- it's perfect for an easy going Saturday afternoon. Also, how gorgeous is this sunflower field? This is probably my favorite place I've ever done a shoot!

For a more dressed-up look, I wore this skirt with this dressy top from MikaRose. I absolutely love the bow detail and how it completely transforms this outfit! 

Be sure to check out MikaRose's site. They have some really gorgeous dresses, skirts, and tops that are perfect for a variety of occasions! 

MikaRose top c/o | MikaRose skirt c/o | Target heels | Ann Taylor bracelet 

This post was created in partnership with MikaRose. 

Read more »

How to create a Casual Put-together Outfit

One thing I always think about when I  put my outfits together is how the outfit looks as a whole... Does it look frumpy? Or does it look professional and put-together? Obviously, the latter is what I am always going for. It may seem silly, but even when I'm going to the grocery store I like looking nice. 

When I was in college, this was key. Being in school all day, I wanted to be comfortable, but I still wanted to look put together and fashionable. During my senior year, I took a marketing job that I worked in between classes. I didn't have a strict dress code, but I still found it to be absolutely vital to look professional, without being too overdressed for school.

Over the past couple years, I've found several ways to wear the casual pieces that make up my closet in professional and put together ways. Here are 10 tips to help you do the same!

original post

1. Collared Shirts: I seriously love collared shirts. While I was working the marketing job, people would joke about how that's all I owned because I wore them so often. My favorite thing to do was wear them with jeans because it was comfortable and stylish. 

original post

2. Statement Jewelry: it's amazing what a statement necklace can do to an outfit. Whether it's a colorful piece or a monochromatic piece, statement jewelry can make any outfit pop and can bring multiple pieces together almost effortlessly. Also try: chunky bracelets, bold rings, and sparkly earrings. 

original post 

3. Tuck your shirt in. One of the easiest ways to pull a casual outfit together is with a lose, casual tuck. It's easy, it only takes a moment, and it will look like you put in more effort than you actually did. 

original post 

4. Wear a neat ballerina bun: Second day & third day old hair is my totally my thing... and when I go a few days without washing my hair, top knots are my go-to hairstyle. However, something about messy top knots just aren't that put together, but ballerina buns are and they require minimal effort!

original post

5. Loafer flats: Meet my favorite types of shoes... ever. Loafers are casual, chic, fashionable, comfortable, and look good with almost any outfit! They're my go-to shoes to wear with jeans for a casual look. 

1 2 3 4

6. Layer, Layer, Layer. This is honestly the best tip I can give on this topic. Adding layers to an outfit can completely transform a look, whether it's casual or dressed up. Try wearing collared shirts under other tops, layering blazers, scarves, etc. 

original post

7. Wear Ankle Booties with Jeans! Need an effortless way to bring an outfit from drab to fab? Throw on a pair of ankle booties! I promise this trick will pull any outfit with jeans together. 

original post

8. Don't be afraid to mix Colors. Get away from neutrals and blacks and whites. Although those are great color schemes, wearing lively colors will give you the 'put-together' look you're trying to achieve. 

original post

9. Wear a blazer. Blazers aren't just for the office. A blazer paired with jeans can create the perfect casual & put-together look!

original post 

10. Rock a bold lip. Last, but certainly not least, put on some lipstick. A bold, bright lip will brighten your face and liven your outfit in one quick step!

I hope you've enjoyed this guide on how to create a casual put-together outfit! I've linked some similar items below to these outfits if you interested! 

Read more »

Vintage Nautical

This Oasap skirt is one of my favorite items in my closet right now. It is the perfect tea length and I love the vintage feel it has! I dressed it down with leather sandals and a tied t-shirt, but it could easily be dressed up for church or a date night. Also, who knew that the white on white affect worked with necklaces and t-shirts? If you ever want to wear a statement necklace but you don't want it to stand out, try this method- it may just work for you! Blue and white stripes tend to remind me of a nautical theme, which reminds me of anchors. So it's no surprise that I wore this anchored hair bow from 9th & Elm with this outfit.

 9th & Elm is a website that features fabulous handmade fashion items made by independent designers. They consistently have new and exclusive deals on their site each week. On their homepage, you can find "featured events", which will show you all the latest/newest pieces. Be sure to check out my other post with 9th & Elm here and their website here. 

This post is sponsored by 9th & Elm, but all opinions are my own. 

t-shirt: JCPenney // skirt: c/o Oasap // sandals: Target // purse: old, similar // bow: c/o 9th & Elm

Thanks for following!

Read more »

Styling a Shift Dress: Day to Night Series

 Lately, I have really been loving shift dresses. They are a perfect staple for summer- or any season, for that matter. Shift dresses are simple pieces that can be dressed for many occasions and they are extremely versatile. 

I recently purchased this cute striped cotton shift dress from Target (on sale!) and today I'm going to show you how I wore it for a daytime look. 

For this daytime look, I kept it really casual. I love how the dress is very light-weight and loose-fitting, but it doesn't look frumpy. A statement necklace and ankle strap sandals add a little bit of glam, without being too much- in order to stay with the simple theme of the outfit. 

Be sure to check back on Thursday to see the full evening look with this dress! 

Do you have a shift dress that you love wearing? How do you like to style it? 

Thanks for reading!

dress: Target (not available online) // sandals: target, old 

Spotlight Weekly Link-up

Read more »

Coral Monochrome

I love the monochrome look. There are so many ways to wear it and it make it look different, depending on what color you choose to incorporate.
Okay, so this outfit isn't completely monochrome, but close enough, right?

On another note, I have been on a coral craze lately. This striped shirt is actually a dress that I found at Old Navy for only $4. It works great as a shirt too though!

This is an old skirt, but I've linked up some similar options below. I love mixing bold stripes with soft floral patterns- it creates such a fun and feminine look. 

The shoes I'm wearing are actually my wedding shoes. I've only worn them a few times. After wearing them once more, I was reminded of why I went barefoot my entire reception. They will probably just look pretty in my closet for now on!

Read more »

My Go-to Summer Look

If you've followed this blog for a while or are somewhat familiar with my style, then you probably know that I love an easy and casual look that looks put-together... I mean, who doesn't?

This look is just that. It's pretty effortless and I've had it on repeat a lot lately...

a solid tee or cami, a tied button-up oxford shirt, jeans or shorts, and simple oxfords or sandals. 

This has been the perfect outfit for me all summer. I love tying a button-up shirt and leaving it open instead of buttoning it up. It creates a casual look and allows you to be cool, especially with warmer temperatures. 

This also works well with sandals, but working in an office or from home often, I usually like to wear closed toed shoes- especially comfortable loafers. 

When you're going for a simple look like this, try mixing patterns- which will make even the most casual outfit pop. Wearing a striped button-up, like this one from J.Crew Factory and leopard loafers give that effect. 

shirt: J.Crew Factory, last season, similar here and here // jeans: old, loving these and these // loafers: Mindy Mae's Market, old, loving these and these // aviators: Grand Lake boutique, similar here 

To see a similar styled look, with a tied gingham shirt look here. 

Thanks for following! What is your go-to summer look? Please share your thoughts in the comments, I love hearing from you! 

Style Sessions

Read more »