Hello Monday: My day job

Jacket: LOFT (option) | Necklace: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (gifted) | Top: bp | Bracelet: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Bottoms: Express | Flats: Halogen

Happy leap day! It's the bonus last day of February, which happens to kick off an extra busy travel month for me! I may look relaxed in these photos, but the anxiety of having to pack and travel is haunting me! It's all good stuff though - my first trip happens today. I will be in Birmingham, AL for the night, then on Friday I leave for Jupiter, FL to see my beloved Cardinals play a couple of spring training baseball games. I also get to have dinner with some special blogger babes, so this weekend is extra exciting for me! Then I head to San Antonio Tuesday through Thursday next week - it's for work, but I get to squeeze in some family time as well, which is awesome! And finally, I will be in Dallas for a conference that following Sunday through Wednesday. Tired yet? Because I know I am!

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Random roundup

Happy Friday! I'm extra happy today because this time next week, I will be in Florida for a long weekend! Wooo! Super excited! I've been mixing it up a little bit on Fridays lately, but figured I'd go back to my roots and just give you a good old random roundup today. Let's get started!

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Buying lately: Spring basics

Here's what happens. I wake up in the morning, I grab my phone, I check my emails, I see sale stuff, and I may accidentally shop. All before 7am. This is what happened Sunday morning. And this time I was on a mission to find some spring basics like layering tees and new shorts. Let's take a better look.

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Femininely nautical

Sunnies: TOMS | Jacket: Gap | Necklace: Kate Spade | Bag: Kate Spade (option, budget option) | Top: Altar'd State (option, option) | Bracelets: Paperdolls Boutique (c/o) (here and here) | Skirt: Gap | Heels: Kate Spade (budget options here and here)

Nothing gives me greater joy than seeing one of my new purchases pair perfectly with one of my older pieces. OK, maybe one thing gives me even greater joy and that's when I can style things that make them look completely different than they what they're made for - like styling dresses to look like skirts, tops to look like dresses, or two pieces to look like one piece. As I was looking through my closet to see what I could pair with this skirt, I decided to try it with this peplum top and all of a sudden, I felt like I was wearing a brand new dress! To jog your memory, you can see this peplum when I originally posted it here.

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Warm weather style tricks

With the quick taste of spring-like weather this weekend, I've been thinking of all things warm weather, including my favorite tips and tricks. There have been a few secrets I have shared over the past 3 years on this blog that definitely merit digging out of the archives, especially since they are still relevant today. As we prepare to show more skin and let our boots go into hibernation, here is some helpful info to keep in mind!

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Hello Monday: Spring has sprung

Plaid top: Express | Necklace: Kendra Scott | Tee: Express (option, cheaper option here) | Bag: Kate Spade (option, budget option) | Bottoms: Express | Heels: Vince Camuto (options here and here)

I love the first warm day of the season! There's a buzz everywhere, people out and about, bike trails crazy busy, and everyone in such good moods! It doesn't matter that it's going to be in the 20s and 30s again later this week, all that matters is that we were THISCLOSE to 80 degrees and it felt LIBERATING! The husband and I decided to take the Camaro out for a cruise on Saturday and enjoy an early dinner about half an hour away from the house. I couldn't help but wear spring colors for the occasion!

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Remix Friday: The military vest

Happiest of Fridays to you! Friday means I have another roundup for you and this week, I thought I would share some inspiration for styling a military vest. I've actually remixed this before in this post here, but I've accumulated a ton more outfits since that post that it was time for another! This vest is seasonless and classic and I would be absolutely mortified if anything ever happened to mine. It's the perfect layering piece, and I'm laughing at myself a bit because I remember when I first got it, I had trouble styling it so I had to scour Pinterest for ideas. Now I have to refrain from wearing it with all the things. Funny how that happens. Well, let's get started!

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Spring cravings

We don't get President's Day off at work, but I certainly didn't shy away from all of the sales! I mentioned Express' crazy sale late last week, and I may or may not have window shopped other sites as well. 

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Snow day

Sunnies: TOMS | Jacket: JCrew | Sweater: Mindy Mae's Market (shop here) | Bottoms: BP (limited sizes) | Boots: Sorel (shop other colors here and here)

Even though I've been wishing for snow since November, Mother Nature decided she didn't want to grant me my wish until February… when I'm basically over winter. But alas, I do love waking up to a winter wonderland outside. There's not many things prettier than a clean slate of fresh, white, fluffy snow. I figured I would make the most of it and have some fun for today's post.

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The Orly obsession

Orly top coat | Shop Orly polish here

I thought I would do something different today and put together a beauty post for you! This is what happens with it snows the day you are supposed to take outfit photos. But in all honesty, I've been meaning to do a proper post about this anyway, and there is no time like the present! Back in 2014, I made the New Year's resolution to paint my nails on the regular, and it's the one resolution I have completely aced! To this day, I am still fulfilling it! My most commonly used brand is Essie followed closely by OPI and then Chanel when I want to feel extra fancy. I recently discovered Orly, and it's my current obsession right now. I stumbled upon it randomly at Walgreens last November and I've been hooked ever since!

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Hello Monday: Out of the woods

Sunnies: TOMS | Jacket: Express (option) | Necklace: Paperdolls Boutique (c/o) | Bag: Charming Charlie | Top: bp | Rings: Charming Charlie | Bottoms: Gap | Boots: Vince Camuto (option, option)

I was trying to think of a title for this post, and this was the best I could come up with. I felt it was appropriate given the nature-inspired colors of my outfit as well as the backdrop. This feels like a very fall palette even though spring is imminent and winter is almost behind us! I say "almost" but it was 22 degrees when I was taking these photos! I think I'm in denial that it's still very much winter.

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Flat Lay Favorites

Happiest of Fridays to you! Hope you have an exciting and/or romantic weekend planned with your loved one. All I know is that I have a lash fill tomorrow and I'm hoping to squeeze in my fave barbecue place, but otherwise, I guess I'll just wait and see what the weekend has in store for me! I thought I would leave you with some of my flat lay favorites. These particular flat lays were created for outfits I actually wore on the blog and took proper photos of, so I thought it would be fun to share the flat lay views of some outfits you've already seen. Flat lays are the most helpful for me when it comes to color and pattern pairing. Hope you get inspired!

Outfit details HERE

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Black, white, and blush

Sunnies: TOMS | Earrings: Stella and Dot | Jacket: Express | Scarf: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Bag: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Top: Express | Bottoms: American Eagle (option) | Shoes: Halogen

I felt a little 50's sock hop-ish wearing this scarf around my neck plus this moto jacket, but meh, I liked it anyway. The color combo is really great, and I love how the sweetness of the light pinks are spiced up a bit with the tougher moto jacket and destroyed skinnies.

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My favorite accessory + a new look

Sunnies: Tom Ford | Earrings: Premier Designs  | Necklaces: Kendra Scott here (c/o) and here | Ring: Kendra Scott | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (shop more colors HERE) | Tee: Amazon (option) | Plaid top: JCrew Factory | Bottoms: Gap | Booties: Joie (limited sizes here, option here)

I'm currently wearing this outfit, writing this post, and watching the half time show all at the same time! Oh, and I was just Snapchatting as well. Funny how much we can multi-task, eh? I think I have a crush on Bruno Mars. Or perhaps it's just that I can't hear "Uptown Funk" and not get all excited and start moving to the music. So good!

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Valentine's Day outfit ideas + giveaway

I'm honestly not quite sure how Valentine's Day is upon us already. The year is 1/12th over, you guys! That's just crazytown! The husband and I don't really do much celebrating, but for all of you that do, I figured I would consolidate some Valentine's Day friendly outfits in hopes that you find some inspiration. Let's get started!

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Hello Monday: Kendra Scott GALentine's Day party

Sunnies: Ray Ban | Necklaces: Kendra Scott (here and here) | Blazer: Express (option) | Bag: Lo&Sons | Top: Frenchi  (option) | Bracelet: Kendra Scott | Ring: Kendra Scott | Bottoms: American Eagle (option here and here) | Heels: Valentino

I mentioned last week that Jenna and I were hosting a couple of blogger events this weekend. Unfortunately, the Madewell event was canceled. I say "unfortunately" but I have to admit that a part of me was a little relieved - the part of me that had to pick my outfits for both events! Madewell and Kendra Scott have two totally different vibes. I wanted casual layers for Madewell but something more feminine and springy for Kendra Scott, and I really didn't feel like changing in between the events. With Madewell's cancelation, I wish I could say outfit planning was simplified, but I was still at a complete loss.

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Friday repeats

A couple weeks ago, we were out for happy hour celebrating a co-worker's 30th birthday. As I was sitting there enjoying my Grey Goose cosmo, another co-worker was checking out my outfit and said, "You never repeat outfits." She's partially right. While I may not completely re-wear an outfit 100% from head to toe, I certainly re-wear individual pieces all the time. I just like to spread the love and mix and match pieces in my closet so to the naked eye, it appears like it's a brand new outfit yet I'm not wearing any new purchases. I decided to start a regular series on the blog called "Friday repeats" and share some of my remixing ideas. Let's get started!

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Irresistible Me Hair Extensions

Irresistible Me Silky Natural Black, 20 inches, 200g (c/o)

One of the things that I was surprised to learn in my blogging career is that many people wear hair extensions. Call me naive, but I had no idea. Yes, this shock is coming from someone who wears lash extensions. I've always been intrigued to try them and my curiosity has just continued growing, but I never have. When Irresistible Me approached me to receive a free set of hair extensions in exchange for an honest review on my blog, I was torn.

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Shifting

Sunnies: Gucci | Earrings: Forever 21 | Necklace: JCrew Factory | Bag: Tory Burch (option) | Sweater: JCrew | Bottoms: Current Elliott (option) | Shoes: Vince Camuto

I scored this adorable fringe sweatshirt on crazy sale thanks to a tip from Ailsa. It is way too fun and I absolutely love it! As I was putting this outfit together, I realized that it's just a modified version of my outfit here from last fall. I guess if the outfit combo isn't broke, don't fix it, right? But yes, this sweatshirt was a pretty awesome buy. I love that it's just a basic sweatshirt but the fringe makes it extra special!!

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Olive skinnies

Sunnies: Gucci | Necklace: Gifted from Rachelle | Bag: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Top: Express (shop current colors HERE) | Tee: Express | Fit Bit: Charge HR | Bottoms: Gap | Heels: BCBG

I have been on the lookout for jeans in the perfect shade of olive. I have a few olive-ish bottoms, but they aren't quite the right color and my eyes have always been straying to find THE perfect olive. When these came up on Gap's website, I didn't hesitate. Especially since I had a $45 reward plus they were having $45 off $100. Done and done. I was worried because I had to buy them in "petite" vs. a "short" length, and sometimes petite clothes fit my body weird. These are great though, and I absolutely give them two thumbs up!

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Offset stripes

Sunnies: Oakley (borrowed from the husband) | Jacket: Express (other colors HERE) | Necklaces: Kendra Scott here (c/o) and here | Bag: Charming Charlie (c/o) (option) | Sweater: Trouve | Ring: Kendra Scott | Bottoms: Gap | Booties: Joie (more sizes and colors HERE)

It was unseasonably warm on Saturday when the husband and I were out and about running errands. So warm. Too warm for this jacket even as it ended up coming off shortly after taking these pics! It definitely made me excited for longer days and warmer temperatures even though this winter really hasn't been that bad.

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