Labor Day Weekend/ Fall Shopping

Necklaces: Cobalt, Orange | Chambray jumper | Chambray Shirt | Camo Sweater | Elbow Patch Sweater | Leopard Heels | Perforated heels | Moto Jacket | Olive Vest

Unless you're stocking up on summer clearance stuff for a late vacation, to me, Labor Day weekend shopping is synonymous with preparing my closet for fall. I thought I'd give you some inspiration for some fall basics as you head out to fill your shopping bags this weekend. These are some of the sales I will be enjoying:

Stella and Dot: Additional 25% off sale items

Anthropologie: Additional 20% off sale items

JCrew Factory: 40-60% all (most) items

LOFT: 50% off select items

Hey, why isn't Express listed in there? Oh, maybe because I've already placed THREE orders that are on their way to me. OK, I'm lying. Only two are on their way to me, the first package already arrived today, so I can share those try-on photos with you. This is hot off the press, so you'll have to excuse the post-Pilates hair and workout leggings. And I have crazy eye in the second photo because I was staring at a certain beagle creeping in the background.

Plaid portofino | Diamond print portofino | Checked (aka Buffalo plaid) boyfriend top

So, the plaid portofino was a lot more sheer than the rest of my portofinos. I have a dot portofino, a white portofino, and the ivory with contrast piping, and I don't wear a cami under any of them. I will have to for this one though. Not my favorite, but I still love it enough to look past that slight negative.

The diamond print portofino is THE BEST! I really like this one a lot. It's definitely something that will easily dress up or down. It's the normal weight of the traditional portofinos, and I love that the print is just a touch preppy. This will be on repeat, I know it.

I had been on the hunt for a buffalo plaid top for awhile. But I didn't want one that was flannel because I wanted to be able to wear it year round, and just the thought of flannel during weather like this makes me wanna run nekked in a walk-in cooler. That's why I think this one is perfect and if you've been looking for one, too, look no further. It's pretty lightweight, so that means perfect for layering and still manageable for warmer months. And check out the side view - perfect length on me for leggings. (I'm 5'-2")

Plaid portofino | Diamond print portofino | Checked boyfriend top

And in case your body is shaped like a model, I figured I'd post the stock photos for you. As soon as my other packages arrive and I am able to try stuff on, I shall share those goodies with you, too!

Still not convinced you need Buffalo Plaid? Hop over to see Shay's Pinspiration and that may change your mind!

 Shay (Mix and Match Family)

So, spill it. What are you shopping for this weekend?!

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Inspired by my necklace

This outfit was completely inspired by my necklace, probably my most favorite necklace I have in my collection. It was quite the splurge when I originally bought it from Stella and Dot, but I bet my price per wear is next to nothing right now. I wish it were still available so you guys can benefit from its awesomeness, and I can never find anything that even remotely looks like it as an option to buy.

This is the last of the four Barcelona camis I purchased a couple weeks ago. (I also have it in lace, snakeskin, and a shiny black.) I guarantee you will see it one other time in the near future because it's reversible! It's teal colored on the other side. As I was debating on which color/side I wanted to wear today, I realized this necklace would be perfect regardless. And the the olive skinnies (last seen here) and mint shoes fell into place pretty quickly. I honestly would not have thought to piece this outfit together had I not known the colors already worked because of this necklace.

Sunnies: Gucci | Earrings: Stella and Dot | Necklace: Stella and Dot | Bag: Tory Burch (option, dressier option, budget option)  | Top: Express (in Royal Purple) | Bracelet: Stella and Dot 1, 2 | Bottoms: Express (option) | Shoes: Kate Spade (other colors here and here, budget option)

If I look terrified in these photos, I promise I am not. I am just trying to cover up how hot I am and how much my clothes are sticking to me. But I must say, I'm loving my hair! It had been curled, and I put it up in a high pony, spun it into a bun shape, but instead of using bobby pins to secure it, I used another hair tie over it to keep it in place. Then I started pulling and tugging to loosen it up and give it more height and randomness. I've seen videos of others do this, but I've never actually tried this myself until now. When I just needed my hair off my back and didn't want to spend too much time on it. Literally took one minute. I just love big hair, don't you?

Before I go - Elle and Jacqueline are featuring one of my looks today - so be sure to link up with them and check me out here!

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Pretty. And hot!

Sunnies: Oakley | Necklace: Honestly can't remember?? My guess is Express | Bag: Chanel (budget option) | Top: Express (option, option)  | Bracelet: Express | Skirt: Tinley Road (option, option, option)  | Shoes: Tahari (option, option, swoon)

Pretty. That's the one word I would use to describe the outfit. The cut and print of the skirt and the ruffle detail in these heels make this outfit simply pretty to me. I should have gotten a back view of this top because it's got a bit of a ballet back and dips lower than the front, which just adds to the pretty factor.

The last time you saw this skirt was way back here. (I know you miss staring at my front door, huh.) I'm digging the styling today better. Even though I'm still somewhat monochromatic, I swear nothing beats a crisp wide stripe.

I hate talking about the weather because I feel like it's the one topic that you talk about when you don't have anything else to talk about, but let me just tell you - it was FREAKING HOT while taking the photos this weekend. I only had 3 outfits to photograph on Sunday, and I tried my best not to make sudden movements lest I start sweating profusely in my photos. I had to tell you this because you'd never know that it was sheer torture standing here smiling for the camera. 105 degree heat index certainly made me question my life choice for taking photos. I told the husband that we should do the ice bucket challenge again after my pics were done - even though we both did ours last week. That's how freaking hot it was!!!

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The chambray dress and August Ipsy

I love easy outfits. I love chambray. I love wrap dresses. So basically, I love this outfit. Nothing super unique or out of the ordinary, but this dress always makes me feel good. You know it's good when this is the third time you're seeing it on the blog. I figured this time I would actually style it for warmer weather since the other two times were fall and winter looks. (PS I don't know why it gives me a happy when I pull up old photos of me wearing the same piece and my hair is styled differently in each look!)

Left | Middle

Sunnies: Vince Camuto (option) | Necklace: Stella and Dot (worn w/out pendant) | Bag: Kate Spade | Tank: Express | Bracelets, watch: Kate Spade | Dress: Kate Spade Saturday (option, option)  | Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (option)

I knew I wanted to wear this dress, and I instantly grabbed a little red, white, and blue to accessorize it. It just seemed like the natural, most "summer" color combo for this dress. It also reminds me that I have not shopped the Kate Spade Saturday site for awhile. I gotta get get on that!

Speaking of things I have not been doing lately… I have been a bad Ipster. I've been loving my Ipsy Glam Bags every month, but outside of posting a random picture of my bag on Instagram, I haven't really been giving proper reviews about the products. So, since this week's Trend Spin with Erin and Laura is all about favorite make up and nails, I figured it would be a good time to blog about my August Ipsy.

If you can't tell, I feel like my August Ipsy was all about neutrals and simply accentuating your natural glow. Your naked face, just better. Here's what I'm wearing - and I've indicated which products were part of my glam bag(s).

Face:

1. Befine Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 (July Glam Bag): I have been using Philosophy's Oil Free Hope for as long as I can remember. While I loved it, and still love it, I felt like it was a little heavy for the summer. I was looking for something that was both lightweight but moisturizing, so I was very excited to see this arrive in my July glam bag. I've been using it for about a month now, and I really love it a lot. Exactly what I was looking for, and once my sample runs out - I'm definitely going to buy it. It's moisturizing, but doesn't leave me looking or feeling "wet" if that makes sense. And it's really lightweight.

2. Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation in medium tan honey (my own purchase): Much like my moisturizer, I was also on a hunt for a new foundation. I had been using Chanel mat lumi foundation for a couple years now, but lately I've been feeling like it doesn't give me good coverage. I was really wanting something, again, lightweight, but with just enough coverage to even out my skin tone. I picked up the Tarte foundation on a whim, the last time I was at Beauty Brands, and I have to say, I'm obsessed. It does have a clay like consistency when you first apply it to your face, but it quickly blends and is extremely lightweight. I love the coverage it gives me and the staying power.

3. Sheer Glo by Manna Kadar Cosmetics (August Ipsy): So, you mix this with your foundation or your body lotion to give you a youthful, dewy glow. Yeah. I couldn't tell a difference at all. I like that you can mix it with stuff you already own, but I really didn't notice anything different. I may finish this little tube just because it makes me not have to use as much foundation, but yeah. 

4. MAC blush in Peachtwist (my own purchase): This is definitely my holy grail of blushes. Even if I don't have time to do anything else, I always feel put together brushing on this blush on an otherwise naked face.

Eyes:

1. Bare Minerals 5-in-1 BB Cream Shadow in Divine Wine (July glam bag): I will be honest and say that I had to look up what 5 features this cream shadow was supposed to do. Basically primes, protects, conceals, illuminates, and provides long wearing color. I am still on the fence about how I feel about this. I love the color it gives me - just the slightest hint of a shadow. But, it feels too slick to work as a primer for me. I'm such a huge fan of Urban Decay's eye primer (it changed my life) that I just don't see myself in the market for a new primer. And since I think this is too slick of a formula to wear on its own without any shadow on top of it, it's really kind of pointless to me. So I guess you can say, I could do without this.

2. J Cat Beauty shadow in Half Naked (August glam bag): I have been using Urban Decay's Naked Basics on the regular lately, so this was right up my alley. The package was very cute - I didn't even realize there was a mirror and applicator in there. A layer of this worked great over the BM cream shadow. If I saw this while I was out and about, I may consider buying more, but I'm not sure it's blown me away where I would seek this out.

3. Urban Decay Perversion mascara (August glam bag): I always get really excited to see mascara in my bag. The last mascara I got was Be a Bombshell Lash Out Mascara (June glam bag) and I did not like it. It was difficult to apply - the formula was either too dry, or I just got a bad tube. Plus it stank like a permanent marker. This UD mascara is great though. I'll have to continue to use it and see if I continue to like it, but so far, so good. I only used a thin coat today since my look was otherwise natural.

Lips:

1. Revlon balm in Tease (my own purchase): I'm in love with this orange balm. It comes across as the perfect coral color on me, but it's too "dry" to wear on its own.

2. NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel (June glam bag): This is the perfect gloss to throw on as a finishing touch, either over top regular balm, or my Revlon color burst balm. It's not sticky at all and has great staying power. Great formula for the price.

Whew. That was a lot there, but it was nice to get proper reviews of this stuff out there on the interweb. Overall, I've been very happy with my Ipsy subscription. Definitely well worth the $10 a month, and I swear I use the bags for anything and everything - purse organization, travel (perfect for small things like jewelry, bobby pins, and hair ties), I've even used it for junk drawer organization. I always get super excited the week my bag has shipped. It's like my own personal gift to myself! Are you a fellow Ipster?

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Manic Monday: The conspiracy bag

Last Manic Monday, I shared with you all how awesome my birthday weekend was. It was great - date night Saturday, dinner with the in laws Sunday, a cake baked for me by a coworker, and a low key dinner on my official birthday last Monday. I was exhausted and more than satisfied with the celebrations. The husband had gotten us all-inclusive tickets to see the Cardinals at the end of the month - I've been wanting them ever since I became a super fan, so I was extra happy. He gave them to me at dinner Saturday night before my birthday.

Well, as we are pulling into the driveway after work on Monday, my actual birthday, there is a box in front of the garage (which is really strange that it wasn't on the front porch.) I knew (for once) that I wasn't expecting anything, and the husband said he wasn't either. The box had his name on it, so I handed it to him. He gave it right back to me and said it was actually for me. Hmm. Weird. I mean, I'll admit that I've drunk shopped before and forgotten about it…

I open the box and see this bag. SAY WHAT??

Let's rewind to a few weeks ago. Gina and I are texting and I tell her how much I hate myself for liking this Tory Burch bag. I'm honestly not a Tory Burch fanatic, but I was just drawn to this leopard print. Especially when Rachelle and Danielle are constantly flaunting it at me!

L: Rachelle | R: Danielle

Well, apparently, Gina filed that tidbit of knowledge into her Carylee archives, so when the husband solicited her help for birthday gift ideas, she suggested this bag. I had no idea he even reached out to her! It's sold out everywhere, just so you know, and from what I understand, Rachelle was actually able to locate it. He had intended to put the tickets *in* the bag, but since it didn't arrive as soon as he had hoped, and since I'm an impatient Nancy when it comes to gifts, he caved and gave me the tickets before the bag got here. So, all day last Saturday as I'm giving Gina the sob story about how my birthday makes me sad and how the husband didn't plan anything for me; she knew all along that this bag was on its way to me. Yes, yes, I was wrong, and I clearly don't have enough faith in my loved ones. I was so happy and flattered and grateful to have these two ladies involved with this conspiracy bag!

Earrings: Express | Bag: Tory Burch | Top: Express (option) | Bracelet: Stella and Dot (1,2), Kate Spade, Forever 21 | Shorts: Express (option, option)  | Shoes: Sam Edelman

It's just been sooo ridiculously hot here. As in heat index of 105+. It's so thick and humid out that your glasses fog up stepping from inside to out (and the camera lens did, too.) We had a date night with his cousin and her husband on Saturday, and usually when it's hot like this, I reach for a knit dress of some sort. None of my dresses were really grabbing me though, so I decided to just dress up these camo shorts instead. I had about 4 different pairs of shoes I was debating for this outfit, but ultimately, I just couldn't say no to these heels again, and Gina validated my decision - so much so that she recreated this look herself here!

Left: See outfit details here

I almost didn't post this outfit today because I just wore this cami a couple of Manic Mondays ago (here). But I thought it was good to just do it anyway since this really is such a different look than the other. Same great top, two different ways.

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Summer sweater

I got some really good news last week - I was selected to be an Ambassador for St. Louis Fashion Week (#stlfw) this October! I have never been able to attend in the past, so I am extra excited to not only attend, but to be able to witness everything up close and personal! I was checking out the designers, and was really excited to learn more about Tess Giberson and shop some of her pieces. My search turned up this sweater, which I thought was absolutely perfect for the summer.

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (black version, budget option, budget option) | Sweater: Tess Giberson (black version, option, budget option, ) | Bracelet: Chloe + Isabel | Shorts: Express (option) | Wedges: Sam Edelman (option, option)

Say what? Sweaters in the summer? Even as the temperatures encroach into the upper 90s, I still love loose knit sweaters like these because inevitably I'm cold indoors wherever we are at - restaurants, movies, at the house, doesn't matter! It's lightweight enough outdoors, but provides enough coverage to keep me comfy inside, too. And the sweater is an accessory to me in and of itself. A simple wrap bracelet and this studded bag was all I needed to complete my look. I felt like one of the girls from Laguna Beach in this outfit. I wish I could be frolicking around on the beach around a fire with my own version of Stephen Colletti.

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Blacked out

It's been such a busy month, I can't hardly believe that August is almost over! Two busy travel weeks for work, and then my birthday weekend, and before I know it, my nephew will be here! My sister is due on September 4th, so literally this could happen any day now! I commiserate with all the other bloggers who have posted about their busy schedules, I'm definitely feeling that also, but still love blogging enough to torture myself to push through and share my outfits with you! 

Necklace: Kate Spade | Blazer: Frenchi (option, cheaper option) | Top: Express | Bracelet: Express (option)  | Watch: Kate Spade (option) | Bottoms: Express (option) | Shoes: MICHAEL Michael Kors (option)

It's pretty rare when I wear all black, so I kinda welcome it every now and then. I do still love to mix textures as much as possible with pops of interest like this bauble necklace and caged sandals. I'll admit that I felt like I should be working at Victoria's Secret in this outfit, but meh, I'll go with it. :)

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