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Look Cute For Under $50 This Summer

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Nothing hustles you along in your seasonal shopping like an unexpected trip! My husband has been hopping back and forth to Florida for business and I had enough of being jealous so we booked a little jaunt for the two of us. And then I realized 1) I wasn’t feeling particularly excited about my carry over Spring and Summer wardrobe as I once was and 2) definitely wasn’t feeling confident in it. It is true what they say that you never appreciate your body in the moment, but once it’s changed you certainly do.

I meant to do some really meaningful shopping prior to the trip, but since we only had about ten days between when we booked and left paired with a hectic work schedule, it just didn’t happen. I was stuck with trusty old Amazon, Target and Old Navy. I have to say, I was NOT disappointed. When all was said and done I was packed with some items that were within budget and more importantly, made me feel fabulous. Oh, and did I mention they are all under $50? Did you expect anything less?

Tie-Shoulder Shirred Crop Top From Amazon

KAMISSY Women’s Frill Smocked Crop Tank Top Tie Shoulder Strap Vest

I first bought this top (Amazon – $12) in royal blue for a Snow White inspired ensemble for a Disney World trip. I have been looking for the right white crop top that I could go braless with and the texture is perfect for that. Not feeling the white? That’s ok, it comes in 19 other colors and patterns. The bows are functional so you could make it more cropped or as long as it gets (shown here). I’m wearing a size small.

Sleeveless Swing Dress from Old Navy

Sleeveless Tiered Swing Dress for Women

This dress is SO light and airy. It’s no surprise it’s selling out quickly, but they have it in multiple colors in patterns so act fast and you may be able to grab one for yourself. I’m wearing a size XS and I find it does run big (I wear a 2-4 and in most brands that would be a standard small). It’s listed here for $45 at Old Navy, but as we all know, they always are running coupons and specials to bring the price down. I mean it – NEVER pay full price at Old Navy!

Cropped Short Sleeve Tee from Target and Wide Leg Linen Pants from Old Navy

Women’s Short Sleeve V-Neck Cropped T-Shirt and High-Waisted Wide-Leg Linen-Blend Pants for Women

By my second full-day in Florida I was really starting to sink in to vacation. I woke up ready to be relaxed and comfy. Without thinking I grabbed these separates which paired together for the perfect look which I dressed down, but with the right accessories could be a great look out and about.

The cropped tee from Target is only $5. It comes in both standard and plus sizes and is available in six colors. I’m wearing the small and have already ordered three more colors!

The linen pants are outrageously comfortable. The drawstring is functional so it cinches at the perfect spot in your waist. These graze the floor on me so they are perfect with flat sandals. REAL pockets in the front and back. You can grab these in any of five colors at Old Navy for $32.

Levi’s White Skinny Jeans from Target

Levi’s® Women’s 721™ High-Rise Skinny Jeans

I haven’t found the right white jeans for about 2 seasons. I was on the hunt for a real “adult” pair this year and feel great about these 721s from Levi’s. What does an adult pair of white jeans look like? 1) Not a TON of stretch. I find that a high spandex percentage would mean a thinner fabric which showed texture on my legs – a nice way to say cellulite. 2) A thicker material so it wasn’t completely see-through. It’s one thing to wear nude undies under white jeans, it’s another when you can SEE those nude undies. No one wants that. Finally, 3) high-waisted. Since I have a long torso, short legs and a defined waist this really is the best silhouette for me.

I sized up in these to a 27 and it was the right choice. Just the right amount of fit without being tight. Plus, I had a nice big meal without feeling like I was a stuffed sausage. I still can’t believe you can get these at Target for $49!

Tiered Ruffle Mini Skirt from Amazon

Hibluco Women’s Floral High Waist Tiered Leopard Mini Skirt Layered Casual Ruffle Skirt

Raise your hand if you are a paired-shaped lady! My hips and thighs are the first place that gains weight, so it’s hard to keep items through the seasons if they are fitted in those areas. Not to mention, it’s nice to have a breeze in the summer months if you know what I mean.

This flowy, ruffle skirt is SO (omg, SO) flattering for all shapes and beyond comfortable. It is a little on the long side, I have the waistband folded over once here and it feels much more “mini”. This style comes in 5 colors on Amazon for $18 and I’m wearing the size small (runs big).

High Waisted Faux-Leather Shorts from Amazon

SCHHJZPJ High Waisted Wide Leg Black Faux Leather Shorts for Women

How I’ve lived 32 summers without these shorts I will NEVER know! They are definitely a thick material, so many not for your 90-degree days, but I can see these being a three season item. Some tights and boots would be AMAZING with these, too. Another piece with a functioning drawstring and real pockets.

The other key thing I love about these shorts is the inseam. I didn’t need to worry about bending over in these and felt comfortable moving around without feeling bare. I sized up for a medium and it was the right choice. Could I have gotten away with the small, sure, but the structure of these makes it work. $27 and worth every penny here.

Ponytail Scarf at Target

Satin Long Tail Twisters

I love a summer pony. This is a trend that whenever I see someone else do it I think it looks darling, but when I do it I feel silly. I finally just said “no” to the doubt in my head and went for it. I bought this red one plus a snakeprint hair scarf and have worn both SEVERAL times since. It looks great with a high pony, a low bun or even the tail of a braid.

These retail for $8 at Target, but I got both on sale. Here’s a link to the snake print version, but there is just about any color you can imagine!

Colorblock One-Piece Swimsuit from Target

Juniors’ Colorblock One Piece Swimsuit – Xhilaration™ Multi Stripe

As mentioned, I definitely didn’t feel ready for a swimsuit on this trip so I went in search of fairly modest suit that covered up some insecurities, without looking like I was doing it on purpose. The bright colors of this suit are SO much fun. I love a colorblocked style since trends in patterns comes and goes so quickly between seasons and solid can get old after a while. Consider this the best of both worlds.

It does come in junior’s sizing so I sized up to a medium and it fit great. It also is very high cut on the sides which I love for my short legs, but does mean that it is cheeky in the rear. Target had a TON of great bikinis and monokinis like this that will help you conceal areas that you’re not comfortable showing without sacrificing style. This $30 steal is out of stock online, but may be picked up at your local store.

Nippies Ultimate Nipple Covers from Amazon

Nippies Skin ULTIMATE ADHESIVE NippleCovers Pasties & Travel Case – Creme

I have been on the hunt for the best nipple covers for YEARS! Trust me, I have tried every option on the market and some solutions I thought up at home – band aids, medical tape, swimsuit inserts with double-sided tape. I mean it, I’ve done it all.

This is graphic, but the last time I wore this bodysuit braless I overheard someone call me “nippers”. Cringe…. and cringe again. However, when I wore a strapless bra with it, the sides would show and I would be hiking it up all night. Some of the most popular nipple cover brands draw MORE attention to your situation.

I did a TON of research on the best product on the market. These are a matte finish, so they don’t shine through fabric in photos and have a skin-like texture. Additionally, the edges are tapered so it’s a seamless transition. Oh yeah, did I mention there are two sizes and THREE shades for all skin tones? We stan an inclusive brand.

The biggest change I notice is the size. They are notably larger than most covers I’ve used before and I actually think this is the trick. Most tops are their most clingy on your breasts, so by expanding the surface area, the edges are in places that aren’t as critical so it doesn’t look like a nipple on top of a nipple.

These are reusable and washable to keep the adhesive fresh. It is a more significant investment ($25 for a single pair – I went with the A-C size), they come in great packaging to preserve the quality and shape and already I’ve worn them with my most challenging tops and dresses. I’ve always wanted to attempt a “braless” summer and with these bad boys, this just may be the year.

How To Wear Leopard Print Everything

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I come from the school of thought that leopard is a neutral. It pairs with every color, can carry and entire look or is a perfect accent piece. Now, I absolutely understand that not everyone feels this way. It can often be seen as a go-to for tacky-themed Halloween costume. I never let this get me down. I love it and I own it and I own a lot of it. 

I have just about every variation of leopard you can imagine: pants, dresses, tops, scarves, bags, jackets, shoes, etc. If you can wear it, I probably have one in leopard. 

This week, I needed to step up my “fierce” mentality and this was the perfect way to do it. This print is perfect when you want to make a statement of confidence, but want to wear something that isn’t too “out there”. 

Today’s lesson is to pair it with black. If you’re wanting to find more ways to wear leopard or want to invest in more of these pieces, black complimentary items will ensure the look stays grounded.

This leopard jumpsuit – from the target clearance rack – is a LOT when worn by itself. Add a black blazer and some neutral pumps and this could easily pass for a great Friday at the office outfit or a dinner date look.

Similar Jumpsuits can be found here: Asos $26, IVRose $30, SelfieLeslie $76

This is an easy one. A leopard scarf goes with any color. I especially love to pair them with bright-colored coats to add some additional texture. You’d be amazed at how leopard can actually TONE DOWN a brightly colored look.

Leopard Scarves here: Walmart $12, Amazon $13

If you don’t have leopard shoes in your closet, HOW ARE YOU EVEN LIVING?! If you put an outfit together with all solid colors this is when a patterned shoe can elevate a look. Here are a few of my favorites: Old Navy $20, Target $25

I have been obsessed with these leopard joggers since the moment I laid eyes on them. I’ve dressed them up with a gauzy black button down shirt and heels and dressed them down as you see here. A perfect travel item and always brings a million compliments. This pair is Zara from a while back, but here are a few similar options. Labeye $48, Amazon $18

The key to a great leopard item is to make sure the print doesn’t feel oversized or cartoon-like. Too-big spots can come across feeling “cheap” and for a pattern that is already perceived from some of the population as tacky, you want to be cautious.

This top is a great example of more two dimensional interpretation of leopard. The high-low is dramatic, so I kept the bottom-half simple. Faux Leather leggings and black pumps help put an exclamation point on this edgy outfit without being too far out in left field.

Here are a few leopard tops to add to your wardrobe. Venus $44, Amazon $17, Amazon $20 (plus sizes!)

Moral of the story…..

Can you be more dramatic with your leopard outfits than I was? ABSOLUTELY. I hope this week’s article reminds you, though, that leopard can work with just about any item in your wardrobe. Have fun with it and remember… Leopard is a neutral!

How To Wear A White Button Down Shirt This Fall

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It’s hard to think of a wardrobe item that could be considered more classic than a white button down shirt. And before we dive in, let’s address a quick debate. Is it button down shirt? Or button up shirt? 

I would also consider a classic white shirt to be the only clothing item that can stand alone as a Halloween costume. Think Tom Cruise in Risky Business – a white dress shirt plus tube socks and sunglasses and you are good to go!

I’ve owned a lot of white dress shirts over the years. For the longest time I struggled to find one that was tapered properly for my narrow frame. I just felt like it would swallow me whole. Then I did find some that were more feminine cut, but then it felt like it lost its chrispness.

So, thanks to my trial and error I have finally determined that the ideal white button down shirt for women is one that is proportional but not fitted. This way it’s still feels and looks classic but isn’t completely unflattering.

The one I am wearing here is from the company UNTUCKit (UNTUCKit $78). I want to say I first saw them on Shark Tank and kind of guffawed at what a simple concept the brand was – same old shirts the perfect length for not tucking in. Someone gave me a gift card to the site and I treated Kevin to a few men’s shirts and snagged this “Jackie” style for myself. I will say they are in-fact the perfect length to wear without tucking in. I guess they nailed it!

It is also wrinkle-resistant and MACHINE WASHABLE which is a huge adult win. Nothing is more demoralizing than steaming or ironing a garment and then sitting down for two seconds only to undo all of that effort. I don’t think the shirt is perfect in that sense, but it does take a lot more to be so wrinkly it is unwearable.

Side note – your white shirt should also be thick enough that you cannot see a bra or undershirt underneath. That alone will make your vibe look way sloppier and less quality.

Here’s Four Ways To Wear… plus, a bonus look!

This is the easiest way to wear as far as number of pieces involved. Wear your white button down shirt as it’s meant to be worn and pair it with leggings and boots or booties. Because there is very little structure in the top half of this outfit, I went with sock booties to keep my bottom half tight for balance.

I would suggest pairing with a structured purse to, again, add shape where there is none.

A little less dressy than the previous option, but still chic all the same. This time grab skinny jeans and your favorite knee-high boots for the bottom half. Coordinate that with a long line chunky sweater of your choosing. I didn’t happen to have a chunky enough sweater in a bright color or a pattern but I would highly recommend going that direction instead of a neutral.

I am only suggesting that because that is a lot of neutrals for one outfit and you know I can’t be too basic for too long.

OMG This is my favorite one! As you know, I’m already obsessed with these $30 jeans from Target. I did a whole article about how to wear them here if you need a refresher. I tucked in the front of the shirt and let the back hang out so it didn’t feel too stuffy.

I wore nude pumps here, but quite literally ANY shoe will do. Even some slim-line sneakers would work here and still feel appropriate with this top.

And now for something totally different! I saw a cast member from one of my favorite Bravo shows (Summer House – hey, Amanda!) wear a button down shirt like this once and I’ve not forgotten it. Hers was leopard, but still the same effect.

Unbutton the shirt enough to be able to drape it over your shoulders. This will mean the front will be way shorter than normal, so you absolutely MUST pair it with something high waist. Otherwise it will be all weird and baggy where you don’t want it to be.

This is my wildcard look – what do you think? Does it work or does it flop?

BONUS LOOK: Remember this look from my crew neck sweater ideas for game day? Layer your dress shirt with a sweatshirt for a cute and casual style!

Which of these looks would you wear?

How To Wear A Sweater Dress

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The first few weeks of the fall season is my absolute favorite. Your closet should be its absolute fullest right now. We are halfway between putting away our summer seasonal garments and pulling out the heavier items. Open toe shoes are still fair game, but so are sweaters! It’s a great place to be.

Especially if you live in a cold weather climate, you live for days where you don’t need to bundle up in a coat. So a sweater dress is a great option for this in-between. In the winter I layer these with tights or leggings – but in the fall, I can still take advantage of showing off what tan I have left before my legs go into hiding until June.

Everyone should have a great sweater dress in their repertoire. My personal favorite sweater dresses have the following features: full-length sleeves (for those of us who are always cold), just a tad oversized for versatility and thin enough to layer, but not thin enough that you can see through it.

Mine was a hand me down from my friend, Thea. (Did you read my article about how to get a deal?) Here’s two that fit the bill:
Lulus $43
Forever 21

Let your sweater dress hang loose and pair it with over the knee boots. I love these shoes and I always struggle to find ways to wear them when I’m not on a night out. They can very easily teeter into “lady of the night” territory. The slightly oversized sweater dress prevents this from happening here.

Plus, since this is a transitional outfit between the seasons, it’s just enough skin to be comfortable in that walk to the car as you run from place to place.

Okay, I thought long and hard about posting this because I knew people would ask me about this trench coat. It’s from 2014, my favorite item and I’ve never been able to find anything like it. So, I’m SO SORRY in advance for showing this off without providing you with a link to shop it. It’s from New York & Co and is easily the most feminine trench coat I’ve ever worn. Ugh, I’m sorry again.

ANYWAY – a thinner coat, like a trench is how you MUST layer on a sweater dress. Going bare legged may require an extra layer. A long-line trench will keep you warm without adding a ton of bulk. Bonus points if it is a contrast to your dress itself.

I love a popped collar, I don’t care how Dick Tracy it looks. Say what you will.

A fall special – cognac tones and black – is always a perfect match. It feels earthy and brightens up the wintry black. I don’t know about you, but I always thought black and brown was a no-no. However, turns out, you just need the right shade of brown to make this combination work.

I paired a skinny belt to cinch my waist with ankle booties. Be warned that booties this height tend to shorten your legs, so you’ll either want to come to terms with this (me!) and rock this cute look anyway, or go with a higher heel for the boost.

How to decide what to eat for dinner every night

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Have you ever seen that meme that says “being an adult is just deciding what you want to eat for dinner every night for the rest of your life“? I see a lot of Memes, and nothing comes even close to that as far as level of truth this goes.

I don’t know about you, but food is pretty much the center of my universe. I think about what I’m having for dinner on Tuesday when I am eating dinner on Monday at the absolute latest. Some people are not like this, and I have a hard time trusting them.

I love going out to eat. I also love a Friday night date night. However, after a long day for both of us, neither of us have the energy to pick a place to go and sometimes the most exciting places are already booked up by the time we do decide. This really ticks me off because by the time we decide, I’m already HANGRY.

Then, we end up defaulting to the same three or four restaurants on a recurring basis. We absolutely love these restaurants, but we live in a great food city and are really missing out on opportunities. So I took matters into my own hands!

For this life hack you only need two items: popsicle sticks and some kind of container. I had an old Yankee candle container with lid that I removed the wax from for mine, but a mason jar, small vase or any other cylindrical item will do.

Next, I wrote the names of our favorite familiar restaurants and new restaurants we have heard great things about or want to try. I color-coded my options thanks to colored popsicle sticks from the Dollar Tree – for example, the priciest restaurants are on green sticks (green for money, obviously) and the casual dining is on orange which has no real significance, but play along.

The rules are as follows: on Thursday night we will pick from the jar. This leaves plenty of time to call and make a reservation for Friday night. Most places won’t have a problem in our area for a table of two. If you do not like the selection or don’t have a taste for what you picked you can either a give an immediate change or select again. You then have to choose one of the two sticks you picked. You have already missed your opportunity to go rogue.

If you are not a big restaurant person and prefer to cook dinner at home, this hack could totally work just as well with meal ideas instead. Your sticks could have specific meals on them or even color-coded for different proteins to select based on what you know you already have in the house. If you are more adventurous in the kitchen, your sticks could have the name of different food categories Blake Mediterranean or Cajun. The possibilities are endless.

I should offer a disclaimer that this could either be the best idea ever or a big fat flop. It all depends on your person or people being flexible enough to trust the sticks. Here’s hoping it brings me some foodie joy and potentially some excitement in your household too.

What do you think, would this make life easier for you?

Three Ways To Wear: Black Joggers

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I am so excited to share with all of you the pants I wear more than any other pair of pants in my entire closet. Black joggers have become my go to for just about every occasion.

When I first got them, I thought they would be limited to only athleisure type outfits or more loungewear focused because they are so out of this world comfy. Then, I stopped ignoring the fact that they had a killer flattering high waist line that was muffin top slayer. Most joggers are either elastic waist or drawstring so you have the ability to customize the fit to your perfect liking.

I thought about starting with my go-to outfit with these joggers – a tank top with sneakers – but, that look is a no brainer. I wanted to show you three different ways you can style joggers that maybe you hadn’t considered before.

Here are some of my favorites on the web right now:

Old Navy $35
Amazon $24
Express $70

Workplace Casual

First is an outfit you can wear in a professional setting. Joggers are a great transition piece as we go from summer office wear to the winter. Pair joggers with a loose-fitting thin sweater and tuck in the front to maintain some structure. Because the top and pants don’t have a lot of shape on their own, I pair of them with these overly designed booties to elevate the overall style.

Still not feeling business enough for your style? Add a blazer and leave it open can you put together a comfortable and stylish look for any meeting.

Night Out

As I mentioned before, joggers are so flattering on the waist line that it feels like they were meant for a crop top opportunity. Just about any crop top will do from a fitted, casual knit, or a ruffle style that is not quite fitted – either will work.

I wanted to show these joggers as a night out of style with a dramatic flair. Trust me, wearing these is like wearing SWEATPANTS in the club. You will never want to go back to tight fitting clothing again after giving them a try.

The Everyday

I have a ton of satin camis in my closet that are perfect for layering. At first, I wasn’t sure how a slouchy pant would do with a slouchy top. However, the satin paired with the light material of the joggers is just the right amount of dressy.

I opted for some two-strap mini wedges in order to elongate the line of sight from top to bottom. The gathered ankles hide the strap here, but I could easily pull the legs up to emphasize that detail.

Do you have joggers in your wardrobe? If not, what’s holding you back?

5 Things To Know Before Starting Your Own Blog

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Did you know by the three month mark, 80% of bloggers have already quit?

When I started my blog three months ago today (YAHOO!), I was unemployed and staying at home most of the time with no social life. Things have changed pretty dramatically since then. I was called back to work just two weeks later, and then I decided it would be a great idea to plan a wedding in three weeks time, all while maintaining my side hustle. Did I mention my side hustle is not my blog? So yeah, I guess you could say things got pretty busy pretty fast.

Leading up to my June 16th launch I spent hours and hours researching the necessary steps to start a blog and, of course, became consumed with articles from “professional bloggers“ and how they had monetized their blogs.

Titles like “How I made $10,000 in three months, how I landed my first brand deal and how to make money in your first month.The opportunity is intoxicating and the impression of how hard can it be? Spoiler alert: it’s really hard!

Have you seen those memes complaining about how a recipe website has a six page description of how that person learned to cook alongside their grandmother over a wood stove wearing a lobster shaped pot holders? Well, not exactly that meme but you get my drift. Did you know there are several actual reasons behind that? It all boils down to how you can get more people to read your website across search engines and social media. It’s a science and a skill.

Please note this article is not meant to complain about my chosen hobby as a blogger. Instead, my hope is to give mad props to anyone who has developed their own and to give an honest account of the entire process.

1. It takes way more time than you think

It takes WAY more time than you think to take really fancy and beautiful photos, write an article and post than you would ever imagine. In fact, whatever you think it would take, multiply that times five.

Over time, I have gotten so much better at being strategic with my time. I listened to some great podcasts (shout out to Thrive Podcast) about creating batch content and being more efficient with my time. Sometimes just coming up with the content ideas is the most time consuming and exhausting part!

Then, don’t forget you can’t just take pictures at any old time. If you’re shooting outside you need natural light, but not too much light, and all the right tools, and pray it doesn’t rain, and don’t forget to have your tools charged, and not too windy or your tripod will blow over. SHEESH! I already have PTSD.

One thing that helped was when I got back to work, I didn’t have the same amount of time to write my articles. I took advantage of my commutes to do talk to text as I came up with ideas or create the framework of my articles. You have to make it work for you!

2. Prepare to be embarrassed

Lucky for me, I totally missed the embarrassment gene. It takes a lot, and even still, rarely happens. BUT, there are cringeworthy moments nonetheless. For example, I am a 32 year-old woman and when I have my tripod set up on my front steps doing all sorts of goofy poses with a self timer and I hear the 4 year-old neighbor kid say “WHAT’S THAT LADY DOING?!” I want to shrivel up. Also, am I old enough to be a lady? FML.

You just have to own it! Act like you are that professional blogger making that dough, even when the closest you are getting is eating cookie dough.

Side note, have you seen that brands are coming out with “safe” edible cookie dough for those worried about salmonella? Just wondering what percentage of people were really NOT buying and eating it raw before because they were genuinely worried.

3. You need to know things

You just can’t “blog”. I mean, you can, but there are all sorts of rules you have to follow. Like – are you doing enough to “rank” on google searches? Are you using enough keywords (still don’t know what keywords are)? Is your title using enough uncommon words? What hashtags do you use? Are you scheduling your pins on Pinterest? What’s the optimal word count?

Yo, it’s a LOT! And to be honest, I can’t keep up most of the time. The other day, I paid someone on Fiverr to make some pins for my Pinterest because 1) I have no idea what I am doing and 2) who has all this time? but 3) apparently that’s important.

There are a TON of free resources and articles. I already mentioned podcasts, but do a quick Pinterest search (oh wait, THAT’S why it’s so important) and you’ll get up to speed.

4. You don’t make money right away (MOST of us)

I THINK I have a decent “following” for a regular person. I don’t think I’m necessarily interesting, but I’ve lived a few different places and done some cool things and met some amazing people that I have connected with over the years. When you do those things and you get to know people, that just happens.

However, my blog isn’t based on “selling” items. It’s an “inspo” blog to help people get excited about their closets and feeling great about themselves in what they are wearing. All the while doing it when you are in a rush. I have some key experience in this area.

To date, I have earned $4.35. That’s a real number. That said – I didn’t do this to make money, it’s just fun for me.

Unless you already know the things (see point three), this is a slow crawl. I can see how people buy into the blogging dream and then give up quickly. You’re reading all these romanticized articles about people making boatloads of money and then you don’t so you think you’re a failure. NOT TRUE. Most people spend YEARS building their brand and owning their content.

You can’t get discouraged. Hopefully, you started this because you just enjoy this subject matter so this shouldn’t be a huge issue. Apparently it is?

5. People are seriously amazing

Any time someone likes, shares or sends me a message about my blog I literally GLOW. It makes me feel like a superstar. I know I am not, but I am consistently surprised and touched and who engages with my content. Like I said above, it’s not a lot right now, and that’s ok.

So to those who have been cheering from the sidelines, you are the freaking bomb. You help make all the energy I put into this worth it.

Worried about how your group will react? Just do it. You may be surprised and who steps up and supports you. For a blogger, every single like, share or comment is a dang TREAT. If I haven’t said it enough to my hype squad – THANK YOU – for being alongside me.

In conclusion…

If you have a skill or an interest and are on the fence about starting a blog. Do it. Do it now. Don’t wait until it’s perfect or until “you have more time”. I can promise you that day is not coming. Do it for YOU. It’s been a fun three months and each week I feel like I’m finding my voice even clearer.

Peace, love and champagne!

The Best Black Jumpsuit on Amazon

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Once upon a time I thought jumpsuits were VERY weird. The year was 2013, actually. One-piece anything was on the no fly list of my closet. I don’t truly know what or when my mind change, but those that know me, know I cannot get enough of this trend! In fact, I wore not one, not two, but THREE jumpsuits on the day of our wedding. So, I guess you can say I’ve fully converted.

Things you shouldn’t do in a dress, but can easily do in a jumpsuit: high kick, bend down, jump up-and-down celebrating a touchdown, reach the top shelf at home goods without worrying about your butt hanging out, the bend and snap, running after your cart as it rolls away in the parking lot, chase after a small child, go several days without shaving your legs… need I say more? The benefits are endless.

I’ve been searching for the perfect long-sleeved, casual black jumpsuit for YEARS (not an overstatement). Finally, I had enough and I looked in one of the last places, but the most obvious – Amazon Fashion! I spent a bit of time searching and scrolling and I stumbled upon THE ONE.

Now, let’s say this jumpsuit comes in a soft fabric, is less than $30 and has POCKETS. Are you sold yet? I sure as heck was. Want to buy it and have it in two days? Here’s the exact one on Amazon! Once you get it, you’ll be amazed at the amount of black jumpsuit outfit combinations you can make with this new closet staple.

The Hero

Date Night Outfit

This is the best representation of what the actual jumpsuit looks like. It has a scoop neck with elastic waistband and tapered legs. I used to only go for wide leg jumpsuits, but the jogger style is a great option for any shoe choice. For the first look, I was thinking about all those times that I pack my gym bag the night before and then forget to think about what I’m going to wear there and after. Enter: the one-piece wonder!

I’m not quite ready for the off-the-shoulder style to go away anytime soon so I LOVE that I can arrange the neckline this way. A jumpsuit, especially a long sleeved jumpsuit is a LOT of fabric. Shifting the fabric to show off a little more skin romances it up for a date night outfit and blows up the range of occasions you can wear this to. How many other clothing items do you have that can genuinely go from sneakers to heels in a snap?

Casual Jumpsuit Outfit

This version allows you to wear a jumpsuit and cardigan in a stylish way that doesn’t overtake your figure. Because the jumpsuit itself has a cinched waist, the sweater just prevents it from being monochromatic and still looks nice and cozy as we head into the fall season. Remember, your jumpsuit doesn’t have to be the whole outfit, you can mix and match style pieces to help wear it more often!

Jumpsuit For Work

Can you wear a jumpsuit for work? I wasn’t so sure until I put this little number together. Just like I played around with the neckline on the date night outfit, I skewed this one to be slightly asymmetrical so it didn’t feel like a t-shirt. Then, I paired it with a sleek low bun, my favorite black heels and a clutch (you could use your favorite tote bag, too) and felt like a total boss.

Are you convinced yet?

I know, I know, you’ve heard me say it before, but this really is a wardrobe MUST have. Think about all the times you had no idea what to wear. At least 30% of the time lately that I’ve had that thought, I’ve reached for this jumpsuit. Imagine having THAT much time back in your day/week/month when you knew you would look fantastic just by putting on this one item.

Last chance, click here to buy. You won’t regret it!

Be A Better Bargain Shopper

by Filed Under: Great Finds, Throwin' It Together Leave a Comment

Today I have the urge. I’ll be honest, I have the urge a lot. I have the urge when I have a terrible day and I have the urge when I am looking to celebrate.

The urge for something new is real for me. However, I’m not too picky on what that could be. Once I had the urge and I bought a $10 orchid from Home Depot that just took three ice cubes a week to live. Immediate relief – just from the swipe. Yikes! This sounds sad? scary? all of the above? 

You’ve been there right? As a serial shopper I have come up with ways over the years to satisfy this feeling without putting myself too much in financial strain. So I thought I would share with you some of my favorite ways to inject the new into your life at little or no cost.

Head to Toe under $100
Glasses (Prescription) Zenni Optical $16
Top Old Navy $16
Jeans Old Navy $30
Shoes Payless $15
Clutch Express (secondhand) $12

Set a Budget

First is the easiest of all. You made the conscious decision to shop. Before you leave the house identify how much you want to spend. This step can also determine where you are even going. If tomorrow my limit is five dollars, I will probably hit up the dollar tree for some plastic bins for storage solutions. Or glassware to reinvent. 

$20 as my limit brings me to home goods and TJ Maxx territory. I can usually find one or two adorable things that really light up my life. Plus, I will spend a ton of time there so I get my shopping fix as well.

$50 gets me into the target zone which as all of us know can really get you into trouble if you don’t exercise self-control. Stick to that budget!

Now, if you really want to push your self to your limits with a good adventure, limit yourself to only the sale and clearance section. Now it is a game and you have to find the best item at the greatest deal.

The best part of this game is that you are always the winner!

Nifty and Thrify

This next way is actually my favorite way to shop. Thrift shops or secondhand boutiques are an absolute gold mine and a breath of fresh air for the serial shopper. You can get insane deals if you look hard enough. For example, I found my Tom Ford sunglasses for $50 brand new and they retail for over $300! By some kind of miracle, I have not lost them like every other two dollar pair I have picked up over the years. Score!

I think about some of my absolute favorite pieces in my closet today. My high waisted Levi’s, leopard print Coach clutch and others that I’ve worn one million time and they were all secondhand finds. Most of the time my shopping cart averages less than $10 an item. Honestly, this has been my saving grace for keeping my closet fresh constantly. Where I live there is a duo of stores – one for juniors and one for women and they are always side by side so I will always usually hit up both. You may even have these near you – Plato’s Closet and Clothes Mentor. Look them up to see if there is a location in your area.

Have Standbys

When I’m looking for a specific wardrobe item, there are a few sites I beeline to first for a few reasons. I usually know my sizing, the quality I can expect (a one-time wearer or a wardrobe staple), the timing of the shipping and how great of a value I’m looking for. Some of these go-tos for me are Venus, Old Navy, Lulu’s – who has the BEST user reviews and Fashion Nova. 

I’m sure you already have your own shops! As you can tell from the description on this picture two of these pieces are from Old Navy. I have to be honest I have shirts from Old Navy that I bought in high school that are still hanging in my closet. Those that don’t still hang in my closet from there are some of my favorites looking back. Hello, rainbow sequin ballet flats. Plus, many of these stores have consistent coupon offers that are readily available both for online shopping or in store.

Facebook Groups/Online Sites

If you really like winning, you will love this strategy. If you have favorite luxury brands, odds are there is a facebook group or instagram account geared toward buying or selling. I got my very first Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 bag, which retails for $1,600 for just $329! WHAT?! And believe me, that thing is AUTHENTIC! You don’t usually get all the pretty packaging, but really – who cares. 

I’ve also gotten some Lululemon leggings for $15 this way too. Want some help finding the right sites? Let me know what brands you are looking for and I would love to help. I’m even in a few Brides Buy and Sell groups – there is a way to get literally anything for a deal as long as you are game for the hunt.

Don’t sleep on sites like Poshmark either, which is a large-scale secondhand website that makes the world your own thrift shop. 

Rewards Programs

This one doesn’t necessarily help out the shopping urge, but can help you earn rewards or save money on items you are already spending money on. If you’re not already on Rakuten – girl, you sleepin’ on some serious opportunity. The way it works is you go there first, search the site you are going to purchase from and click through to it from there. They get a commission for sending you to that site and they share a percentage with you! No cost to you, just cash back, baby! If you sign up using my link and you spend $30 on a shopping trip, we BOTH get $30 so….. What are you waiting for: https://www.rakuten.com/r/JESSEL540?eeid=28187

The next is a web app you can install, called Honey. It will do all the searching for coupon codes for you and apply them to your cart. I will be honest, 80% of the time, I already have the best price. But, remember, I’m a professional. I usually already know the deals and codes. I still will do a scan just to be safe because WHY NOT! 

Friend shopping

My last tip is the most fun, but doesn’t always reap the best rewards. If you have friends that share your size and style, a closet swab is an amazing way to spend an afternoon. Bonus points if you have an entire group of friends. Everyone brings items still in good condition that they have grown tired of or no longer fit their style. This works especially well if you have friends that you constantly find yourself admiring how they dress.

Over COVID I did a virtual try on where I put together a group text and sent photos and whoever liked a picture first, got the item. Everything that doesn’t get picked up, can be donated to your local organization of choice. An amazing way to purge and restock for no cost to you or your pals!

In Summary….

LOT of information here, I know. I hope you learned at least one new thing to help your shopping addiction lighten the load on your wallet (or super cute purse of choice). What are some of your favorite tips?

Three Ways To Wear: Little White Dress

by Filed Under: Uncategorized Leave a Comment

As we close in on the unofficial end of summer and gearing up for Labor Day festivities, I always think of one of those antiquated fashion rules. Can you wear white after Labor Day?

I have always been a believer that white is a true neutral and can be used all year round with appropriate styling. However, if you fall into a different school of thinking, first of all, you’re wrong. This is 2020, wear what you want, when you want. Here are three outfit ideas for taking your little white dress and making it all-season approved. 

My white dress is an oldie but a goodie from express. It is double layered to combat sheerness that you can often get with white dresses, and the ruching adds even more coverage.

This one is long gone on the website, but here are a few others at a steal:
Venus $20 MY PICK!, Windsor $35, Wal-Mart $9

I Put A Spell On You

This first option is moody as heck and guaranteed to get you into the fall spirit. It is not for the faint of heart as it takes boatloads of confidence to pull off this floor-length sheer duster. (Ooooooo witchy woman)

I got this particular piece from Amazon in preparation for our family trip to Italy as a light layer in the mild temperatures. Click here for this $22 beauty!

In order to keep this look casual and not completely over the top, I went with simple patterns slip on sandals. If you really wanted to turn heads you could pair some beehive boots with this book at some point too. Yowza!

Fall Flower Child

You already know how I feel about a good kimono. This is a great last ditch effort to work through my summer colors before the season passes us by. I love pairing slouchy items with something fitted because it keeps things both sexy and romantic.

FYI – this is ANOTHER Amazon find – only $17 and you can get it in two days!

Since we are getting into cooler temperatures, I shied away from fun, bright colored shoes as hard as it was and went with neutral nude heels instead. Trust me, I already miss color blocking and bold combinations! 

Ready For Anything

I’ve decided that this will be my fall uniform. Everyone has or should have a great plaid flannel in their closet. Any color and any length will do. I could have let the shirt hang open as well, but tying it up emphasized my waist line and made me feel more put together with structure.

I’m always looking for new ways to wear the flannel shirts in my closet that help them feel less seasonal or theme-y. As I mentioned in the culotte jumpsuit article, always be thinking about untraditional ways to layer versus your standard cardigan or blazer.

You’ve already been introduced to my favorite slip on black sneakers – perfect for everyone’s favorite fall activities. I have been wearing my sandals non-stop because I know the window of opportunity is closing quickly. However, low profile sneakers are a must as we transition into fall.

I finished this fall ensemble with a grey wool wide brim fedora by New Era Cap. I did’t love the sides rolled up as it came so I just flipped them over for this chic final look.

All in all – don’t be so quick to pack up your summer apparel. Stretch your seasons with layers, playing with color contrast and mixing and matching your favorite cross-seasonal basics.

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