TGIF: thank goodness for 4 day weeks

Y'all. I don't know what has happened to me, but my motivation lately has been sub-par. Maybe its the realization that this is my first working-full-time-summer, or maybe its just that there aren't any big events right now to count down to. Either way, I've gotta get back in gear - so if you can offer any tips, I'm all ears! Here are a few things I've got going on, what have you been into lately? 

The Bachelorette is Back!

Okay, I admit it. I watch the Bachelorette. This was the second week of JoJo's season, and I will say, its been a little boring so far. Is it just me? I was waiting for everything with Chad to blow up last week, but so far JoJo seems to appreciate his honesty, so I'm not sure how long it will take for that to progress. The previews for the rest of the season look juicy as always, I'm just curious to see how long it will take us to get there. Who are your front runners right now? I'm really digging James Taylor, Wells, and Jordan.

Planning My Outfits

I feel like I have been in a rut lately in terms of my wardrobe. Again, I think this is starting to come back to working full time, all the time, and feeling like I never get to wear my "fun clothes" anymore. Nevertheless, I wake up every morning and moan about not knowing what to wear. At least we are finally (fingers crossed) late enough into spring, with temperatures consistently warm enough that I know I can skip the leggings and sweaters, but with a closet full of dresses, that doesn't necessarily make it an easier decision. Every now and then I get the itch to just plan it all out, no questions asked, I write down everything I'm going to wear to work for the next month and I stick to it. I mean, honestly, why not? It if is in my closet, I should want to wear it at least with in the next month or so. If not, it should be in the toss (donate/sell/etc.) pile. 

If this sounds like any of you, I would highly recommend planning out what you want to wear for the next month, give or take a week. It keeps my morning routine a little less stressful, and cuts down on time that I have to spend figuring out what I want to wear. Added bonus: I am not a fan of wearing the same thing withing less than two to three weeks of the previous occasion, and this is almost a sure-fire way to avoid that happening. Because lets be real, no matter how good you think your memory is days and weeks start to run together and you have no idea what you wore last Monday. If you are seriously interested in this and would like some more guidance please feel free to reach out! 

Inflatable Pools

We bought an inflatable pool last weekend. It might have been the best $30 dollars we've spent on something seemingly silly in a while. You can judge away, because I might have, but don't knock it 'til you try it. We used to live in a condo that had a pool, so for the last three summers we spent almost every weekend at the pool hanging out. Well, Memorial Day came around this year and while we were fortunate to have bought a house during the winter, but that house did not come with a pool. My husband's solution was to buy an inflatable pool, and let me tell you. It was not his worst idea. I know, I know, it can be bad for the grass, but we have already taken it down and the grass underneath is still a-okay! 

Blush VoxBox

I've shared a few of the other VoxBoxes I've received on here before, but I think this one might be my favorite. When I got the email to expect it in the mail and saw that it was titled "Blush VoxBox" I was expecting to text out some type of blush. Well, I was 100% wrong. The Blush VoxBox includes 4 products and samples, plus a coupon code for 15% off at a retail store. So far the only product I've had the chance to use are the Simple Face Wipes, and I really liked them.  I am terrible about taking my makeup off at night which is clearly bad for my skin, but also makes scrubbing off mascara the next morning zero fun. These face wipes worked so well to remove everything! The only thing I'm unsure about with the wipes is the lack of fragrance. I think it is a nice idea in theory, and they are designed for sensitive skin, but I personally enjoy at least a minimal scent that makes me feel more clean and refreshed.After I have a chance to use the rest of the products, featured, I will definitely report back! If y'all are interested in becoming an Influenster, you can click here. I joined a little less than a year ago and have received four VoxBoxes, in addition to participating in some VirtualVoxes. It is fun way to try out new products and have the opportunity to give honest reviews!

StitchFix

I am on my second Fix and I'm still not sure how I feel about it overall. I received my first Fix about two months ago and I sent it all back. It just wasn't me. I was a bit concerned with how off it seemed, considering I'd completed my style profile, left notes for the stylist, and created a Pinterest board. I decided to give it another go (and I had a gift card) a month or so later. This time around I ended up keeping two of the pieces and I've worn both already a few times - definitely good choices! I'm still just not sure its for me. I joined a facebook group with a lot of women who subscribe and it has put a lot of things about it in perspective for me. I am admittedly picky in some of the things I just flat out don't like, and at this time in my life, if I felt like I needed a certain piece for an upcoming event, I do have the time to shop for it myself - usually. So maybe I'm not the targeted audience, but that doesn't mean I don't love getting a box of clothes picked for me and delivered every other month. What is your take on this? How many of you subscribe, did it take a while for your stylist to really "get you"? I have another Fix scheduled for the end of this month, but I'm still undecided how I feel about it in the long term.

I hope y'all have had a nice short week after a long weekend. I know I have definitely enjoyed one less work day!

Have a great weekend, y'all! 

xoxo

linking up with:

Oh Hey Friday | Five on Friday |  Casual I Friday | xoxo Rebecca | High Five for Friday | Friday Favorites 
The Wednesday Showcase

Spring Break: Sunshine, Swimsuits, & Sandals

Spring break is almost here and I could not be more excited! All week I've been trying to figure out what I needed to pack and what "warm weather" clothes I needed to pull out of hiding. Then the more I thought about it, the more I realized I'll be spending every day at the beach or pool, and only going out to dinner one or two nights. So, all I really needed to worry about are my swimsuits and sandals. 

Last year I bought six separates from Victoria's Secret, and I have been so happy with them. I tried to buy pieces that I could mix and match so that over 4 or 5 days, I would have at least that many "matching" combinations. Their website has a bikini mixer feature that lets you look at all of the different styles and colors at once, so you can decide what pieces look good together and which ones you can easily pair with multiple tops or bottoms. If you're willing to have a little fun, the possibilities are endless! 

Here are a few favorite matches I like from this season's colors and designs! 

What are your favorite bikini styles? Do you like to splurge on a new suit each season? 

In addition to swimsuits, obviously you need to put something on your feet to wear down to the beach, along with a cover up. Sometimes I'll throw on a cotton dress because it's so easy, but I tend to stick with Nike Shorts and a Tank Top when I'm heading to the beach. In terms of shoes, I always tend to underestimate how hot sand can be! Ouch! These are some of my favorite sandal options, some I own and some I think I need to get in my closet ASAP. 

(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) 

What are your true essentials when heading to the beach? 

Happy almost spring break, y'all!

xoxo 

linking up with

                                          Style Me Wednesday | Trend Spin | Doused in Pink

appropriately comfortable

As y'all are probably aware (because it's all I seem to talk about), I am in my third year of law school. This means my classmates and I have endured almost three years of interviews, exams, class, moot court, all nighters, you get the picture. It also means that we have endured three years of administration telling us what is is appropriate to wear to class and to interviews and what is not. For the most part I think we're all generally aware of what to wear to an interview, but the amount of people who still look so... sloppy, for lack of a better word, in the day to day is shocking to me. 

I get it, we want to be comfortable. After all, we're in class some days from 8:30am until 8pm, but that is not a excuse to look like you just got out of bed for the WHOLE DAY. Some schools have dress codes required, ensuring that the students are always in business casual attire and I honestly wouldn't mind that. However, even if that is not the case, I think it is still important to look put together. Especially in the case of law school, these classmates are soon to become colleagues. You are going to refer clients to them and hope that they refer clients to you, this is your time to make a good impression because once you are out of school that is what they are going to remember. Maybe it sounds petty that what you wear is that important, but it is. And it is such an easy  fix - why not spend a few more minutes in the morning getting dressed, fixing your hair etc. It will make a difference and I bet it will make you feel better for the rest of the day too, I know it definitely does for me! 

Here are a few of my favorite go to outfits that let me still feel comfortable but look much more put together than a pair of norts and an oversized t-shirt. 

This is one of my favorite go to outfits! First, I am absolutely still in love with Furman, and welcome any and all questions about it. Secondly, the purpose of these outfits is to show you you can still wear something like a crew neck sweatshirt and look put together. I think adding an oxford underneath a sweatshirt make it look so much nicer, and like you're actually trying. Bonus - only the collar and cuffs usually show, so it doesn't even have to be ironed! A cute pair of flats also can really make an outfit look put together. I have these flats from Marley Lilly (in pink w/ navy text) and they are very comfortable, and I always get tons of compliments on them! 

 I featured this dress a few months ago here, and I still think it is just as great. I mean y'all it is made out of sweatshirt material, but looks like a dress. It is so dang comfortable I wish I could wear it everyday. Plus, how cute is that scarf?? I am obsessed with polka dots right now, to the point that I have to actually stop my self from buying more things with polka dots because it's starting to get ridiculous. But, I mean Kate Spade, a girl can only say no so many times. 

This is another super comfortable, yet still appropriate look. What could be easier than black denim and a white v-neck? Then just add a colorful scarf and you're good. to. go. This look also gives you a lot of room to play around with accessories since the basic layers are black and white. You can add a scarf, or a statement necklace, maybe a colorful cardigan. Seriously, the possibilities are endless(ly easy). 

Hair & Make-Up

For the record - I am not saying you need make-up to look put together or that you need to curl your hair every day to be respected. But, what I am saying is that a little goes a long way. Throw on some lip gloss and run a brush through your hair. Sounds obvious, I know, but you'd be surprised how many people literally look like they just rolled out of bed and never walked past a mirror. Stick a brush in your car and run it through your hair at stoplights if you're that worried about time, but just find a way, it's worth it. 

Jewelry
Jewelry is another easy peasy way to look put together with out trying very hard. A pair of pearl studs or monogrammed disc earrings instantly make any look very classic. The same goes for a nice watch or a couple of bangles. I am working hard on my "stackable bracelet game" as I like to call it for this very reason. Having a few go to pieces that you put on every morning can make this such an easy process!

What do y'all think about these outfits? Are they still too casual, or exactly what you need to look put together, yet still remain comfortable for an eight or twelve hour day of class? I'd love to hear what y'all like to wear to class or think is totally inappropriate!

Have a great day, y'all!

xoxo

linking up with:

Style Me Wednesday | Trend Spin | Humpday Happenings | Celebrate Southern
| Pumps and Pushups | What I Wore | Fashion Files | Living in Color

winter whites, aka a place holder for spring

As I sit here on this snow day, I can't help but yearn for the warmer days of spring. After five years of living in South Carolina, I think I had let myself forget just how cold and annoying winters in Kentucky can be. The worst part is how long I have to wait to wear my favorite Lilly dresses and pastels. Luckily, winter white has become a real thing and keeps things bright during this dreary season.

Here are a few of my favorites keeping me occupied while I'm waiting to pull out my seersucker :) 

sequin sweater

sequin sweater -- I received this sweater for Christmas (after a lot of well placed hints) and I am in love with it! It is SO warm, while still looking cute and put together. Plus it is such a nice, light white color that it keeps the dreary winter days nice and bright - a necessity in my book

colored cords

colored cords -- I have about five pairs of colored cords and I am always looking for more. Corduroy tends to be considered more of a winter/fall material so it still works well for this time of year, but you can play with that and use them as a great way bring some color back when it feels like spring is an eternity away

colorblock sweater

colorblock sweater -- this piece might be sightly more spring than winter, but it is a sweater, so that means you can wear it now, right?

fit & flare dress

fit & flare dress -- pairing a pastel with black is always a great way to make it work in the winter while still adding a pop of color to your wardrobe and fit and flare dresses look great on everyone!

pixie ankle pants

pixie ankle pants -- How cute is this color?? These pants are currently on sale for $30 and they have them in a dozen colors - what more could you want? 

How do you bring in color to your winter wardrobe? Or do you love and embrace the chance to wear all of the dark colors that the season will allow? 

Have a great day y'all & stay warm!
xoxo 

linking up with: 

Celebrate Southern | Trend Spin | Shop My Closet | What I Wore | Because Shanna Said So | Spotlight Weekly Link Up

Winter Formal Dresses

During the spring semester in law school we have what our school calls Barrister's Ball, I think it is a pretty common thing among law schools, whether it be in the fall or spring. Essentially, it's Law School Prom. I personally love it because I will take any chance I can to put on a pretty dress and doll myself up. One of my favorite parts is picking out a dress to wear. Most of the time I get a new dress, but I still try to make it something that I think I can wear again.

In undergrad there was always a function to go to and choosing a dress was the high light for me. It was always a good excuse to buy a new dress or some new jewelry to go with something you already had.

While it was (and is) always a ton of fun, it can definitely be stressful trying to decide what to wear, what your date should wear, and making sure that you and your friends are all relatively on the same page because you don't want to stand out as the one who is way over dressed and especially not the one who is under dressed.

At least for us, the dress tends to be cocktail attire +, so there is always a wide range of dresses, which I think is great. There are people who love to go bold, while others tend to stick to the basics and they all look absolutely wonderful. If you are trying to save money, or just have a LBD you really love, this event is a great time to play with some statement jewelry to still feel like you're wearing something new. One of the best parts about having this event every year is the opportunity to change things up and try things that might normally be outside of your comfort zone. Plus - what a great reason to wear all of the glitter and sequins you can get your hands on!

Below are a few of my favorites this season, including the dress I've chosen - which is currently on sale!

save | splurge

save | splurge

save | splurge

save | splurge

MondayDress

What events do y'all have this semester? Do you have a dress picked out yet??

Have a great day, y'all!
xoxo

linking up with: 

What I Wore

Wear-to-Work Wednesday

As it has gotten drastically colder here lately, I've (unfortunately) had to result to wearing pants to work more often than I would prefer. I don't think there is anything wrong with pants, but as I've expressed before, I would much rather wear a dress. However, I am starting to get a little tired of having to wear tights and boots every. single. day. because it is so cold! 

These are a few looks I really love to wear with pants. First is a simple cardigan and top paired with neutral pants. Cardigans are always a great option because you have the ability to take it off at any point in the day if your office tends to run hot. For that reason, I always make sure to wear an office appropriate shirt underneath, i.e. no camisoles. Pants also can give you the option of wearing flats or heels (or wedges) depending on the hem of the pant and what you are comfortable with. 

cardigan | top | flats | wedges | trousers

In addition to easily pairing a cardigan and top with pants, I also love the look of colored pants and a neutral(ish) sweater. These pants, although "colored", I think would still be office appropriate because they are still a darker, classic color.

sweater | trousers | heels  

How do you deal with colder temperatures when you have to still dress for the office? 

Have a Great Day, Y'all!

xoxo

linking up with:

Style Me Wednesday | What I Wore | Random Wednesday | Cappuccino and Fashion 

Favorite Fall Staples

As it starts to get cold I find it harder and harder to get dressed. I just want to throw on a pair of jeans and a sweater and be done, but sometimes even that just feels like too much effort. I know this sounds so lazy, but I'm going to associate part of these feelings with it corresponding with the end of the semester as well.

Despite not wanting to make the effort for whatever reason, I still refuse not to look at least somewhat put together on a daily basis. I've found that pairing a vest with almost any outfit can really make you look put together, and the same goes for a scarf. Even if it was something I just threw on, it makes it look like I tried. At least I think so, maybe no one is honest enough to tell me that I still look as exhausted as I feel. The best part about these pieces is that they add a warmth and layering factor, which can be especially important during this transitional weather.

I have also become obsessed with boots in the last few years. Maybe it's because prior to law school I was in South Carolina most of the time and the weather there was much warmer and there was less of a need for boots, or maybe I just didn't know what I was missing. Having a great pair or two of boots can make all the difference in the fall and winter. Not only do they look cute, but they can really help keep you warm as well!

Here are a few of my favorites: 

1|2|3|4|5

I like the idea of having some neutral scarves that go with everything as well as colorful ones to brighten up a dreary winter day. I tend to have a lot of color in my wardrobe already, so I've been "collecting" scarves that are neutral in color, but still have some kind of pattern or design to them, like the black chevron one. It will go with pretty much everything!
Check out some other great ways to style scarves here - Spotlight of the Week: Scarves

1|2|3|4|5

Like with scarves, I tend to be drawn toward neutrals when it comes to vests as well. This makes it ten time easier to just throw one on and not have to worry about if it's going to match whatever  you're wearing. 

1|2|3|4|5

When it comes to boots I pretty much stick the same style - just below the knee, and about the same color - a brown/cognacish color. I have the monogrammed boots featured here and pretty much wear them everyday. I really like the quilted ones as well, they look so nice and also so comfortable!

for more southern inspired posts check out Celebrate Southern

What are some of your favorite fall staples? 

Have a Great Day, Y'all! 

xoxo