Threw This Together

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Three Ways To Wear: Boyfriend Jeans

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I remember when I exclusively wore boot cut jeans. I used to swear up and down, and I quote, “I will NEVER wear skinny jeans”. LOL! Now, skinny jeans are my UNIFORM. 

I also said I would never wear colored skinny jeans either and I owned them in every color in 2013. Oh, and once upon a time I would say the same thing about jumpsuits and rompers. So, you know what they say – never say never!

I have seen a lot of women wearing adorable, loose-fitting jeans. “Boyfriend jeans” if you will. Now, every time I try this I don’t feel like it really fits my body type to have pants that have to be made big enough to be loose around my thighs without overtaking the rest of my frame. 

I was scrolling on Instagram and a fabulous Canadian gal @cbstyled posted some jeans from Target. Now, I’ve bought my fair share of clothing from Target, but I usually don’t bother shopping for denim. Probably because I know what works for my figure (skinny jeans) and I have a zillion pairs already. 

I didn’t go to buy them, but I did a snappy little double take since I had been influenced by an influencer! 

You can’t try on clothing right now, so I had to guess my size (fun.) and hope for the best. Lucky for me, I crushed it! And oh my gosh I LOVE these jeans! They are a little more fitted than I had in mind through the leg, but the mid-rise is super flattering. 

I’m also a sucker for a destroyed denim – both effortless and stylish. I haven’t been this excited about a staple purchase in a long time and I have been wearing these CONSTANTLY. Honestly, three ways to wear isn’t even close enough to do these justice.

Oh yeah, did I mention they are THIRTY FREAKING DOLLARS?! Click here to make the best purchase ever.

Un-Basic Basic

Some outfits are just made to be accessorized and this is it. A baggy and basic black tee with a front tuck is all you need to lay a foundation for an easy, but eye catching look. 

I love wearing heels with distressed denim as we learned with our white tee article. These are no exception. In fact, since they are a lighter wash AND relaxed fit, I like the contrast even more.

Throw on a wide brim hat of your choosing and I promise every other gal at brunch will be envying your style.

Give Me The Blues

Did you ever think ripped jeans could look romantic?! Kevin LOVED this outfit. I think there are a few key things at play. First, the whole look is essentially monochromatic. 

Blue has a calming impact that many people are drawn too. Pale blue especially looks great on a tan and feels feminine. I love that I’m using adjectives I would never use to describe the jeans themselves to describe this outfit. That is TRANSFORMATION, PEOPLE! 

Slouchy Chic

Honestly, I might stop blogging after this post because I love each outfit even more than the next. How can I possibly love an outfit article more than this one? Ugh. It’s too good.

I got this button down from H&M forever ago and I love the pattern tucked into the front of these jeans. These in particular would look AMAZING with shorter tops since the rise on the waist is higher than most pants. 

This laid back look with a structured top and flats helps you look polished, but I can promise you, you’ll be comfy as heck. 

Y’all (and I’m from New York and never say that so you know I’m serious). You need these jeans. You will wear them to death in the first week you have them. I am speaking from experience. I never want to take them off and have reached for them constantly since the day I bought them.

The Perfect Gift Idea Under $25

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I live for giving a thoughtful gift. Anyone can buy something off a shelf, but because I am ridiculously and probably unhealthily competitive, my goal is to always have the favorite gift in the bunch.

This is not always so easy when you are a hot mess 90% of the time. What do I mean by this? I have great intentions and grand ideas. However, by the time the actual party rolls around I did not plan in advance to get the gift I would have wanted, and in many occasions I forgot the party was even happening until that day. This is a very real problem of mine. So much so that as a real/gag gift one of my girlfriends bought me a Calendar for my birthday.

It is really a miracle that they still let me be their friend after all, so I am really trying!

Anyway, I have the perfect solve for someone just like me who wants to win “gift of the day” but may not have a lot of time or money to make it happen. OR maybe you just want to crush the friend-game with a “just because” gift. Who doesn’t love those!

I actually stole this idea from my friend Liz, who dropped by to give us a gift on our “would-have-been-wedding day” and I was instantly obsessed and now it’s my go-to.

I give you… The perfect gift! I am actually a little sad that I am publishing this because in many ways it means I won’t be able to give it anymore. People will be on to me! Or, someone else from my group will beat me to the punch.

A sentimental photo in a nice frame is a great gift. However, we are not going for great we are going for the BEST. Don’t just print that photo on photo paper, get it printed on canvas! (OOOOOOOOOHHHHHH, AAAAAHHHHHH)

A canvas print in a larger size makes a statement. It can hold it’s on on a wall alone, as part of a gallery or standing on a surface on its own.

I feel like we are in a time where photos live forever digitally and never actually get printed or displayed so this is a great way to celebrate whatever special occasion you are looking for.

It is also inexpensive enough to be a complement to another gift. For example, I had already sent a gift to my friend Courtney for her baby shower. She had just had her maternity photos taken that week so I hustled on the way to the shower to get it printed on canvas.

Beautiful Courtney with her canvas gift!

You may ask, “But, Jesse, how did you manage to do that so quickly?” Well.. I know Walgreens for sure will have this ready same day (so will several other drugstores). Huge on a day you forgot the party was happening. Most of the time they are also offering killer deals. The canvas I got for Courtney was size 11 x 14 and after using it the coupon was less than $25.

Coupon Code: Walgreens CARDGIFTS

For the ultimate ultimate through this together trick, I picked up the canvas on my way to the party so I brought gift wrap, scissors and tape with me and wrapped it in the car to the shower. Would not recommend, but Kevin had to stop for gas on the way so it gave me a 5-minute window to be standing still.

The finished product!

So, next time you pick up that invitation you RSVP’d to three weeks ago and managed to forget about and now the party is tomorrow – I got you! OR, you’re headed over to wine night and want to get an extra thoughtful hostess gift – done! Whatever the reason, this is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

3 Ways To Wear: Poppy Maxi Skirt

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Remember a few years ago when LuLaRoe came on the scene with its buttery soft leggings and wild patterns? I’ll be honest, it’s been a while since it was on my radar. However, my longtime friend, Christina, has been cheering on the TTT blog since the beginning and reached out to say how happy she was that she felt like all of the current LuLaRoe trends seemed to be right on.

To which I thought to myself, “oh yeah, remember LuLaRoe?”. So I started peeking around and was pretty impressed at what I was seeing. So in the spirit of women supporting women, Christina and I worked out a deal for me to feature one of the new items, the “Poppy” maxi skirt. Like what you see? You can visit her site and use my code for 15% off to snag your own. 

Since we are into mid-August, a maxi skirt is a must for transitional wear and it has the uncanny ability to go from boho to elegant in a snap.  This skirt is THICK so you can tell it will survive a ton of washes and feels so soft, which, I’m not surprised since comfort is very much their staple.

Maxi Skirt: LuLaRoe $46 ($39 with code Jesse15) For reference, I’m wearing a size XS and have room.

Classy and Fabulous

Losing it over this elegant style. Really any fitted top will do to make this come together, but the long sleeve makes me feel like a dang Disney princess. The waistline of this skirt is about two inches wide so this thick belt makes the contrast look seamless. 

I went with a neutral texture and color, but a solid black would work too. For all of you who are holding out hope that your wide belts are going to come back into style, I’m not going to make any promises to you, but this one DEFINITELY works! 

I paired with heels to keep the overall look dressy as opposed to dressed down. 

Side note: this belt doesn’t have any loops so I took a paperclip and strategically weaved it into the pattern to hold it down so it wasn’t flopping all over the place. One of my quickest and easiest fixes. Last post, we used a paperclip to pull my hair back. Who would have known it was so versatile. 

Skirt Sorcery

Why haven’t I thought of this before with my maxi skirts? I have no idea, but I’m ecstatic over this transformation. Honestly, I actually LOVED it without a belt at all. So swingy and comfortable. The tiers help to add volume while keeping a bit of shape without looking like a giant piece of fabric I just hiked up.

Even this way, it is still below the knee so I wouldn’t have to worry about any wardrobe malfunctions or wind gusts, even on an active day. 

I belted it at one of the seam lines so it didn’t fight with the natural construction which feels like it was made to be worn this way and not a second-thought. No one needs to know!

Nip and Tuck

I said before that this is a thick fabric. If you want to wear your maxi, but the outside temp takes you by surprise, this is a really quick and easy trick to keep it from feeling too heavy.

Grab your maxi skirt from the knee on one side, pull it up, tuck it inside your waistband and secure it with a safety pin. You’ll need a big one given the weight of the garment. Don’t worry about harming the skirt, the fabric can definitely take it. Especially if you go for a pattern version. You’ll never know the difference.

If you don’t like the cascade look that I have here, you can do the same trick, but pull it UNDER and pin versus over. You’ll get the same high-low, Angelina Jolie effect this way too! 

The Verdict

I love love love this LuLaRoe Poppy Maxi Skirt. The quality is excellent, the shape is classic and this print is ah-mazing. Don’t see a print you love on Christina’s site? Just send her a message and she can hook you up.

Which of these styles do you like best?

10 Things A COVID Bride Wants You To Know

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Funny story… When I was right out of college, my dream was to work for The Knot (a wedding website where I had dreamed up and designed several weddings with imaginary husbands-to-be since high school). When I sent in my cover letter – two days later I realized I never updated the company within my template so it said something along the lines of, “I would be an ideal candidate for COMPANY XYZ”. Needless to say, I didn’t get called for an interview and I sulked… for a long time. Ten years later, it still haunts me.

Why does this even matter? I’m a COVID bride. I’ve been dreaming of my wedding for as long as I can remember. However, in 2020, that cover letter has basically been traded for a Save The Date that lists “Hope you’ll join us for our wedding on XYZ DATE”. Ouch. 

My fiancé and I (who have been together for seven and a half years, engaged for two and a half) were supposed to get married on May 29th. Then, back in March I saw the writing on the wall and we rebooked for November 14th. I felt pretty superior for a while for getting ahead of things so quickly, not going to lie. (hilarious)

Then, when the restrictions were clearly not improving rapidly enough to be in the clear by then, we knew the right thing to do would be to cancel and do a small ceremony to just. get. married. You know, what weddings are about in the first place. 

I’m unnaturally optimistic. There is always a silver lining in all situations. Negative people are actually painful for me to be around. Yesterday, that sunshine attitude came to a screeching halt. Our dining room table has been wedding command center since March – covered in invitations and ribbons and wax seals. Then, as I got incredibly generous cards and notes on what would have been my shower day, they accumulated there. Oh, and then our NEW wedding invitations came for November, followed by more lovely mementos we received on our would-have-been wedding date. And finally, our cancelation notices. 

The last cancelation notice has gone out and the table is now empty. That’s when it finally hit me. Even though we, like many others, are planning an intimate event in the interim with a “big wedding” eventually, it still gives me a lump in my throat to know this is not what I/we have always dreamed about. 

Everyone I talk to knows at least one of “those couples”. Here’s what COVID brides want you to know (well, my version at least)…


1. This sucks and we’re bitter.

If anyone would like to try to tell me otherwise, I will do my best to resist the urge to kick you in the shin. Whether your ideal wedding includes five people or 500 people, in a backyard or banquet hall – most couples only need to think about if it will rain on their wedding day. Now, instead of worrying about it raining, replace that with worry if all of your guests will have to wear masks, if they feel comfortable coming at all or if you will have to slice your guest list by 75%.

I would trade all of this for a downpour on our original wedding date and I’m sure every other COVID bride feels exactly the same way. 

It’s so easy to feel bad for ourselves and I have had a few down days. I have invested in, attended and help celebrate dozens of brides and their weddings. Why is mine the one that has to be like this? Ugh. This does suck.

2. We feel so guilty

Some days I feel guilty as heck for all the love and support I have been shown. I had a bridal shower parade outside my house and I had cookies and flowers and beautiful baskets delivered on our “wedding day” and even a Zoom party. I also have bridesmaids and friends who had to invest in and re-plan for showers and bachelorette. I feel horrible that they will not get that time back in some cases even get money back.

Now, I not only got extra attention on our original shower dates and May wedding date, I’m expecting our bridal party and family to come together for our small ceremony in a few weeks and then eventually our large party whenever that will be. I never wanted people to have to work so hard to celebrate our marriage. While I am so grateful, I also am embarrassed by all the extra attention. 

Not to mention, for those who didn’t get their showers or bachelorettes, we are going to eventually want those! We feel bummed that we are missing them, but guilty for expecting people to rally once this is all over, and also worried that they won’t! 

Drive-Through Bridal Shower Day Surprises

3. Details are stressing us TF out

I am a creative person. I think about what I am going to get someone for a party without ever thinking to write down the date of it. So when it comes to wedding planning, if you want to talk decor – I’m your girl. If you want to ask about logistics, excuse me while I go crawl under a rock.

Yes these are incredibly important and NECESSARY, but as soon as I start thinking about transportation and timelines, I lose the joy of the day. For most of us right now, we’re only talking about 25 people at this point. Why is this more intimidating than 250? I can’t explain why, but it is. 

Ask us the fun questions instead… and also, give us wine (or Starbucks) to keep us happy, ok? 

4. What even is etiquette?

Just an FYI, there are no articles that tell you the proper etiquette for when to send thank you notes for a shower that was canceled, intended to be rescheduled and then that person is no longer invited to your intimate wedding ceremony and you have no idea when your reception is. (REAL scenario for me and several of my guests. I swear my eyes have gone googly by now)

There are 1 million other scenarios like that one that no bride in our lifetime has had to navigate. Remember, many of us are still holding out hope that our plans may be able to happen and are waiting on further information to start the domino effect of next steps in either direction.

Please don’t get mad at us if we aren’t operating the way you would in this same situation. We love you and sometimes all of this uncertainty makes us freeze and do nothing in fear of doing it wrong. 

5. TELL us how you want to help

If I hear, “let me know how I can help” one more time, I may lose it. I know that sounds super bratty, and I don’t intend it to, but if you see point number two, some of us are trying to take all of the stress on for all of our family and friends. 

I don’t want to ask for help and, frankly, I don’t know what is too much to even ask. If your COVID bride is talking about things she has left to accomplish and something she says sounds like you could take it on for her, just tell her you will and INSIST.

This will be more appreciated than you can even imagine. It takes one less thing off her plate AND she doesn’t need to feel bad about imposing on you. If you can’t offer or aren’t sure you can deliver, don’t. She will not hold it against you!!

6. Don’t shame COVID decisions

Everyone has a right to feel differently about the world right now. I can promise that every guest attending our “mini-monies” has been encouraged to do what they feel comfortable doing. If they want to wear a mask, no one will shame them for it. If people want to take pictures without masks while less than 6 feet apart, these consenting adults have thought about and considered all risks before partaking.

Brides and grooms are not expecting anyone to put their health in harm’s way without making their own decisions. Most of us have also thought about things like hand sanitizer bottles at each table, water bottles versus shared dispensers, less crowded tables and individual glasses for the duration. Another stressor “normal” brides didn’t have do consider.

7. Understand we didn’t want this either

If your COVID couple is doing a small ceremony and you did not make the cut, recognize that they probably do want you there, but things are out of their control.

None of us want to be in the position where our party gets broken up due to too many people, get a venue in trouble, or do they want to be responsible for hurting any feelings if other guests see photos of you there. NOR do they want to contribute to the spread of the virus with a larger pool of guests present.

We had 230 people on our guest list. Now we have 25 including us! It breaks our hearts that we will not celebrate this occasion with every single person we wanted to invite. We would give anything to have you there!

Celebrating my shower in an unconventional way!

8. Help us be excited

I am in a wedding Facebook group called “Bridechilla”. Highly recommend both the podcast and the community if you are planning a wedding! One bride there said it best. She said something to the effect of, I feel like I have to comfort other people about our wedding being canceled. I am sure the people she is referring to mean well, but instead of sharing pity with us, help us feel excited for whatever their next option might be. I’ve heard so many times: “I feel so bad for you” to which I reply “oh, it’s ok!”. In my head it’s not ok, but we feel like the brave face is necessary.

This is another instance where even if you would do things differently, embrace their choices and help lift them up. The cards have been stacked against us – help us count down, ask us the fun questions (see #3) and send us fabulous wedding memes!

We NEED the positivity. 

9. Why is this so expensive??

If you have ever planned or paid for a wedding, you know it is expensive. Try planning two! Or, in some cases three if your wedding was already postponed, rescheduled and then canceled again.

COVID brides have likely put down deposits for all of their major vendors already. Most are not refunding these deposits, just rolling over to another date. Totally fine. But that is money that we do not have to spend towards this smaller event.

Not to mention several brides bought original invitations, updated invitations and now cancellation notices (ok it’s me, I am several brides) which triples the original stationery budget. Imagine what else has tripled. Yikes!

Even when we are keeping things small, there are plenty of hidden costs and duplicate expenses that exist if you are still trying to make it as magical as possible. Again, knowing this is not required to have a wedding, it still makes the day feel special when everything around it has not. We don’t need Pinterest weddings, but if a backyard event wasn’t your original vision, it’s hard to shake the “extra”. 

10. We are still getting married. 

Hey, OMG! This is the best part about all of this, that we still get to celebrate with (a small amount of) loved ones and be married at the end of it. YAY!

Sometimes I feel like less than a bride. Like because I am not having the wedding we would have wanted it doesn’t count. And, on the flip-side, I worry that when we do have our vow renewal and raucous celebration, people won’t think it is special because we are “already married”.

We can’t win and we fight this internal fight every dang day. 

In conclusion… 

Send your Covid bride a virtual hug right now… no really, right now. Let her know you think she is a badass for how she is handling this crappy situation. Tell her she is going to make a beautiful bride and you’re going to celebrate on her day (whether you’ll be with her or not). Let her know that when this is all over she gets to be a wife and her marriage will get to be celebrated the way she always wanted.

Last but not least, pray for the sunniest most perfect-weather day for that couple, because I can promise you, they deserve it.

Three Ways To Wear: White Tee Shirt

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Name a more iconic wardrobe piece than the white tee shirt…. Ok, maybe a little dramatic. Name a more basic wardrobe piece… That one might actually be right. I think about what could possibly trump a white tee shirt. MAYBE jeans? Otherwise, I don’t think much comes close.

What’s not to love? It’s comfy and you can bleach the heck out of it to look newer, longer. Especially for my cozy pieces, I’m always looking for more ways to wear them. Especially since quarantine I have a whole new appreciation for the casual. #pajamasarelife, am I right?

I always have one washed and at the ready in my closet so it’s a really easy item when I have no idea what else to wear. The possibilities are genuinely endless. Think of it as a closet’s chameleon.

Important to note – in reality, you COULD grab a mens or boys Hanes tee for all of these. However, a women’s cut is preferred. That doesn’t mean it’s tight, it just means it is tapered to flatter in a strategic way. You’ll still get the effortless look. Trust me.

Undercover Classy

Ummmm… Can I live in this? Destroyed denim paired with heels and a blazer is a MOOD. It’s classy, but not really since you can wear your favorite lived in pieces.

I tucked in the tee shirt and threw on a belt that matches the heels so they have a coordinated feel. You could absolutely go with a solid colored blazer, this polka dot just felt right to add some extra style to this otherwise simple look.

Fun fact, I couldn’t find a bobbi pin to pull back the side of my hair, so instead, I grabbed a large paper clip. You’d never know, would you 😉

A Threw This Together Standard

This is basically my uniform for if I need to run out and don’t want to put myself together, but want to look put together. Basically, it’s my step above baggy, leopard pajama pants.

This look works well with plaid and flannel shirts also, and your top of choice can be wrapped around the waist for coverage or if it’s a sweltering day like it has been (record month of heat in New York this month!). It is CRITICAL to roll up your sleeves on this. Since the tee isn’t fitted, nor is it tucked in, you need to eliminate at least one level of drapiness. The cuffs will take care of this for you.

It’s amazing how much more “ready” for the day I feel when I swap sandals for real shoes. Doesn’t need to be sneakers, just something with more of a purpose than a slide. But, trust me, I LOVE a slide.

These leggings are my all-time favorite. They are Spanx brand and the price will make you clutch your pearls, but as a self-proclaimed budget fashionista, they are WORTH IT. I have three different styles. They hold me in and form to fit perfectly. It’s also an instant butt-lift. They have sales often, so check back!

Just Rolled Out Of Bed

So you slept through your alarm… again. You scramble to do your favorite five-minute face routine and realize you don’t have time to iron or steam the outfit you had planned. YIKES!

A tee-shirt is a shockingly great pairing with all your favorite structured skirts – for work or for play.

I love a statement necklace to dress up the top half. If you wore a crew neck tee shirt, they look especially great. I tossed on a cardigan, too, to hide the casual nature of the sleeves so it really just feels like a crisp top.

I added some slip on mule loafers for a “just enough” finishing touch.

Get Yours

This shirt is one of my all time favorites and you can get it from Old Navy for just $8 by clicking here.

What’s Your Power Color?

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I feel like everyone has that color that when they wear it they feel invincible. For me, my power color is yellow. It’s a color a lot of people can’t pull off, and from a self-proclaimed weird kid (just asked everyone I went to high school with) I’m not afraid to stand out more be different. Plus, if you met me, yellow is quite literally the definition of my personality. Bright, sunny and a little fiery.

You may not know that I have been a pageant coach for about a decade. One of the most common question I get is what color looks best on me. Now, there is an organic feeling that comes up when you wear a color you love, but there is also some science to it too.

We all have days or occasions where we need a little extra confidence. Having a go-to color that can boost you in times of need is a must – a job interview, a big presentation, a first date or just when you want to be “feelin’ yourself”.

Let’s walk through the two steps you need to take in order to determining yours. Half nature and half nurture.

How To Find Yours

Nature

First, we need to determine if you are warm toned or cool tone. What does this mean? Everyone’s complexion has either yellow or pink undertones. This shows us on the color spectrum what color family naturally complements your skin tone.

How do you know if you are warm-toned or cool-toned (or neutral)? There are a few easy ways to tell. First, check the underside of your wrists where you can see your veins. If they have a greenish tent that leans toward warm tones. Blue or purple? Cool tones all the way. Next, think about the jewelry you select.

Gold tends to complement warm skin tones better and silver for cool tones. 

One way to easily skip this whole process is to look up the name of the shade of foundation do you wear. Usually it will be described with the words warm cool or neutral.

Yes, you heard me right – neutral counts too. So if you are in the middle of the road with these you can easily go either way with any color on the color wheel.

Like this graphic? Visit boxbeauty.com to say thanks for making it!

Nurture

Now comes nurture. This is all based on your personality and how you feel. I have my clients determinate three words that describe their personality. Usually, the color choices become much clearer that. For example, my personality words are spirit, authenticity, and celebration. Does that say yellow or what?

One cautionary note. You don’t want to directly double down on color choice if you have a strong personality characteristic. For example, a strong personality like mine may want to avoid red since it will communicate overconfidence. Confident persona plus confident color equals overconfidence. Make sense? 

Thanks to Canva for the color wheel!

Take a look at the color wheel and the steps above and let me know what you think your power color is. Want help determining yours? Send me a message and let’s get to work!

Three Ways To Wear: Culotte Jumpsuit

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Culottes, especially culotte jumpsuits, are EVERYWHERE right now. I personally thought I was scarred by culottes for life after the early 2000s. Turns out, time does heal all wounds because I’m back in a big way.

I’m not going to say I was an early adopter or anything, but I did grab this black culotte jumpsuit three years ago. It was secondhand, but originally from target. Shoe choice is critical with these styles. Because the length of the pant cuts us off already, go with a nude shoe or something that doesn’t cut off at the ankle.

The flow-y pants are made for hot summer days and is worry-free as far as riding up or any flash risks that come with lighter clothing.

Want to snag one of these for your own closet?

Lulus $49
Pretty Little Thing $20
Express $60

The Hero

This particular culotte jumpsuit is a VERY thin crinkle material so it basically never wrinkles and features an open back with gold button accents.

HELLOOOO, pockets. Thinking about it now, I think every culotte jumpsuit I own has pockets. That’s another part of the beauty of the flow-y pants – no need to worry about adding bulk since it has a natural a-line silhouette.

The riskiest shoe of the whole article is up first. A lace up is basically a no-go in outfits that hit below the knee because it can really shorten you. So, why did I break the the line of sight with a lace up heel? Easy – a nude heel is a natural elongator. Had I had these in black, it really would have been a no-go. 

Date Night Outfit

You guys, do not be scared of a fabulous duster. I love a long, flowy duster for the summer. My friend, Kathleen, says I look like a pianist about to toss my cape over the bench. I like to think of it more of a wind-blown elegance. Tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to. 

Honestly, I should do a whole article on this duster because even though it’s intimidating at first, it really is a show stopper and could be worn with a ton. Ok, that’s it… I’m doing one.

A pump is a great choice for culottes because it makes you look crazy tall. Look at me. 5 foot 4 inches and definitely looking more like Yao Ming. (I work in sports and he’s the tallest person I could think of, okay?)

Floral Duster:
SteinMart $30
Forever 21 $23
Walmart $14

The Everyday

You know what’s crazy? I used to think layering was only for cardigans, zip ups and button front tops. What a foolish mistake! Don’t limit your options to just these when it comes to switching things up.

A lot of culotte jumpsuits have a natural waist (my absolute fav) so a shorter top or one that can be tied up, really accentuate your waistline and make sure the bagginess of your pants don’t overtake your shape.

I couldn’t decide on the shoes. Frankly, I would go for these neutral snakeskin pumps, but I realize it’s a little elvish for most people. A lifetime of thick skin has taught me to wear whatever I darn well please. However, the actual more practical option would be to go with these strappy sandals.

Both cute, can’t go wrong!

Which outfit would you wear most often?

Three Ways To Wear: T-Shirt Dress

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A t-shirt dress is a must for the warmer months of the year. It’s often made in a loose fit without a seam at the waist. A t-shirt dress can be made in a variety of colors and fabrics and because of the unstructured nature, it is flattering on most body types and there are a ton of ways you can make this your own. 

My t-shirt dress is on the fancier side in a blue and cream snakeskin print. The fabric is a really thin polyester blend and hangs beautifully. It’s one of those easy items where when I don’t know what to wear, I reach for this. I bought it secondhand (seeing a trend?) And it has paid for itself one hundred times over. Length in a t-shirt dress is important to me. I want to be able to “belt and fluff” for the max amount of ways so it can’t be too short by itself. So consider buying one about two inches longer than you would like it to be at its shortest.

Side note: When I came downstairs ready to take photos in this outfit, Kevin (my fiancé) said, “oh, is it snakeskin edition this week?”. Which not only was a great idea, but he is clearly enjoying life as a blogger spouse. Hi dear! 

Dressed Up

The first way I wore this dress was in all its unstructured glory. I reached for a long necklace with a heavy bauble. The way it falls against my chest helps create SOME shape on the top part without actively creating a waistline. Because of the unstructured nature of the t-shirt dress, it can be a challenge to really dress it up so I went with a metallic gold theme for the accessories. 

That said, textures go a LONG way in helping to elevate this simple piece since it often comes in basic fabrics. The purse was the perfect choice because of the natural woven texture and gold tassel which went perfectly with my necklace. 

Accidental miracles like the purse and necklaces happening to match is the KEY to throwing it together. Did I think about this in advance, not quite, but does it look like I did…. Heck yes. As you get more confident in your outfits, as it’s been said, fortune favors the bold and you’ll find a lot of coincidences just fall in your lap.

Last of the group are these gold Michael Kors wedges (bought secondhand, again). These keep it casual, but still as dressed up as it gets.

Dressed For Business

If you want to look professional or give the impression of organization and control, a strong structured outfit will definitely do that for you. Each item picked for this looked was specifically chosen to give that impression.

A blazer and t-shirt dress is a winning combination for a summer event. The dress is light and airy, but the blazer adds class, sophistication and much-needed shape for this occasion. You’ll want to make sure yours is VERY fitted. Otherwise, boxy and boxy just don’t mix and will do nothing but swallow you up.

A round quilted purse feels intentional and the pointed mules are a strong statement. An outfit like this should look thought-out even if it was a last minute decision.

Dressed Down

My personal favorite way to wear a T-shirt dress! It’s classic, feminine and you can’t go wrong. A skinny belt at the natural waste totally changes the whole game without taking up too much real estate. A larger belt may take away from the ease of the look.

The rest is simple, coordinated natural purse and shoes. They don’t have to be match-y match-y, but it keeps it looking really clean. Because of the pattern, this felt like the most organic choice.

Other Ways to Play

This is where you could have a lot of fun with a t-shirt dress. It is essentially a blank canvas to play with. Want to do a neon accessory set? Fabulous. Want to play up an animal print palette? Meow. Want to jazz it up with metallics? Glam it up. 

If you REALLY wanted to kick up your t-shirt dress a notch… leave it completely unstructured (no belt or cinching allowed), toss your hair in a ponytail or top knot and toss on some stilettos. This will level up this piece in a new way.

Do you have a t-shirt dress? What’s your favorite way to wear? 

Three Ways To Wear: White Jeans

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This week’s hero is subject to one very silly rule: “you can only wear white between Memorial Day and Labor Day”. Well, 1) lucky for us that this is the case and 2) also, this rule stinks. As I’ve gotten more comfortable in my own style and care a lot less about what people think, I’ve stretched these white jeans far beyond the constraints of these dates.

White jeans can be AMAZING paired with rich autumn tones for the fall and blacks and grays before spring officially hits. I’ve already made a note to do a white jeans for fall post as I write this. 

Why are white jeans so great? The word “crisp” comes to mind. They always look put-together which makes them perfect for summer dinners out, casual Friday, etc. Consider them your summer “safety net”.  They are a great balance so that you won’t feel overdressed nor underdressed when you make this call even if you’re not sure what the dress code actually is for an upcoming event.

The trick is making sure they are fitted (best case if they have at least 2% spandex for stretch) and substantial enough so you can’t see through them. My favorite pair (linked below) is from Old Navy in the “rockstar” style. This means mid-rise and plenty of stretch. 

These EXACT jeans are on-sale right now for $25 at Old Navy. However, if you miss the sale, they are regularly priced at $34.99. Either way, a STEAL. 

Clean and Simple

What’s more classic than black and white? Literally nothing. Imagine pairing this look with a bold red lip? OMG. Yes x100.

One of the biggest concerns I hear about white jeans is “I’m a slob so I can’t wear white jeans”, or “I’m scared I’m going to sit in something”. Which, I totally hear you, but I think about the amount of times in my life that I actually have sat in something. Less than ten at most. You can wear white jeans.

Regardless, this top is longer in the back (a mullet shirt, if you will) so it gives great coverage of my behind. You can sit in confidence knowing you will not look like you’ve soiled yourself. 

I used black to dress up the rest of the look as well. I’ve had these Steve Madden tassel heels in my closet for a few years (purchased secondhand) and always forget about them, but they definitely add some fun to a simple outfit.

Paired with a black woven clutch and a black dangle earring to really tie everything together. Side note, I looked everywhere for the second earring before taking these photos. Couldn’t find it so I took it with just one. Found it the next day and put them “somewhere safe”. Went to wear them the other day and have forgotten where “somewhere safe” is. So, story of my life. 

High-Low Top: Amazon $19.99, Amazon $17.99, Walmart $15.99
Black Clutch: DSW $24.99
Tassel Heels: Amazon $15.96, Amazon
Black Dangle Earrings: Kohl’s $11.70, JCPenney $10.08

Soft and Romantic

Already loving how sugar, spice and everything nice this next outfit is. Even though this coral color is still bright, it is still in the pastel family. I almost never wear pastels, which looking at this is a huge mistake. Something to be said for a muted tone paired with the stark white that feels so soft and feminine. Plus, the off the shoulder top shows some skin in contrast to covered legs without having to be overtly sexy.

I like that this top is on the flowier side and could be tucked in or left out. Honestly, it’s a toss-up. I did a little of both and half tucked the front and pulled the rest out. This makes your legs look longer, but still relaxed overall.

I went with neutral accessories of a tan and gold purse, nude two-strap heels from Express and long coral earrings to bring it all together. 

Coral Off The Shoulder Top: NY&CO $29.9
Tan Heels: Lulus $31, Nine West $89
Tan Crossbody: Target $15, Kohl’s $19.50, Urban Outfitters $24.99
Coral Drop Earrings: NY&CO $13.77

Smart and Chic

One of my favorites of all time, truly. Someone I work with (hey, Ashley!) inspired this look and it was nearly identical: White jeans, white based button-up and some tan details. I remember seeing her and thinking, “I have all the pieces of this outfit!”. So sure enough the following week I gave it a try and told her just how much I love her style! 

Is it weird that I feel smart in this outfit? Is it also weird that I feel like someone who owns a 60 ft. yacht in this outfit? It’s sooooooooooo cool and clean and effortless. The top is a linen blend so it maintains some good structure, but still less than a standard oxford. Plus, it’s a little sheer so it feels airy and appropriate for summer temperatures. 

There’s that cognac braided belt again that I recently raved about. If I want to dress this up, I could make a few changes. First, I could tie up the shirt so it appears even more fitted. Second, I could swap my flat slide sandals for heels. Boom! This look is instantly ready for a day to night transformation. 

Striped Button Down: EXACT top Old Navy $15.00
Cognac Belt: Article and options here
Tan Sandals: EXACT pair: Target $15.99, Target $19.99

There are so many ways to make a white pair of jeans the staple of your summer. Pair it with bright colors or patterns for some extra cheer. However, I would definitely recommend bringing along a tide pen and SOMETHING to cover up with if you do happen to grab something messy to eat. Overall, don’t sike yourself out of this classic. 

7 Ways To Tie A Sarong

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7 Ways To Tie A Sarong

When I was talking about this week’s post with my friends, I mentioned that one of the swim cover up styles was a sarong. Every. Single. Time. I said this, it was met with, “Oh I have one of those, but I have no idea how to tie it”. (Light Bulb)

I live for multi-way ANYTHING – it’s basically a challenge and I ALWAYS want to win. Back in the day I wore the LeSac dress by American Apparel to death. One day I wore it three different occasions, in three different ways, all while changing it around in the car.

Have a sarong hanging in your closet? Here is a step by step video to walk you through 7 ways to tie a sarong. Feeling impatient? The speedy version can be found right below.

Best of luck and be sure to send us your photos @threwthistogether on Instagram and hashtag #threwthistogether

Speedy Version Here:

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