Olive bomber + Shake Shack pop-up

Charming Charlie sent me a gift card to shop their site and my immediate reaction was, "Challenge accepted!" I have a few clothing pieces from Charming Charlie that I love, and I hadn't sifted through their apparel in awhile, so that was my first stop. I started with sweaters, then tops, then moved to jackets. That's when I found this adorable number! It's olive, it's a bomber, and it's embroidered. Win, win, and win!

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Gingham ruffle skirt

Sunnies: Tom Ford | Earrings: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Necklace: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (option) | Tank: Grace and Lace | Bracelets: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Skirt: Topshop | Sandals: Sam Edelman "Willow"

If you follow me on Snapchat, then you may have seen my snaps about this skirt. I saw it online and loved it - I love a good mini and the gingham print + ruffle detail give me all the feels! Topshop is so weird with sizing though and I just can't seem to figure it out. I usually wear a 4 and I knew I wanted to size up to a 6 because I size up in mini skirts regardless of the brand. Going by the "fits like" size recommendation on Nordstrom's website, I ordered an 8 since it said it fits like a 6/8. Welp, it showed up and it was HUGE. 2 sizes too big. I returned it and ordered a 4 and voila! It fits great. The 4 allegedly fits like a 0-2 and I can assure you, I am neither a 0 nor a 2, so this skirt definitely runs on the big side! Also, I'm 5'-2" if you need a height reference!

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The State Capitol

Outfit details--- Sunnies: Tom Ford "Iris" (other colors here) | Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 (shop other colors here) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff "Love" cross body (in pink on super sale here, Target dupe here) | Top: Charming Charlie (option, see the coral version on me here, splurge option) | Bracelet: Nadri | Bottoms: American Eagle | Shoes: Louis et Cie "Hermosah" (other colors here, purple pump option here and here) ---

On Labor Day, we celebrated our 7 year anniversary! We didn't really have any big plans. We've been going and going and going lately, that both of us welcomed a weekend of doing nothing. But then on Sunday we decided to take a cruise and find someplace new to try for dinner. We decided to make our way out to the state capital of Springfield, IL and dine at Coopers Hawk.

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Coral and turquoise

Sunnies: Oakley "Kickback" | Earrings: Purple Peridot | Necklace: House of Harlow | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff "Regan" (similar color here and here) | Top: Charming Charlie (other colors here, option here) | Bracelets: Kendra Scott "Blake" (gifted) | Bottoms: AG Jeans | Sandals: Sam Edelman

Coral and turquoise is one of my most favorite color pairings! And maybe it's because I'm a little sad that summer is already saying goodbye to us, but I've been craving these colors even more lately. I met Jenna at my favorite BBQ restaurant as a little post-birthday meet up. I had a lash appointment to go to right before meeting her, and I'm always cold when I'm in that room! Jeans were a must, but the cold shoulder top still made me feel summery!

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How to shop for sunnies

Splurge or save--- 

Kate Spade "Scottie" Retro sunglasses | Charming Charlie "Venetian" Square sunglasses

Gucci 55mm Retro sunglasses | Charming Charlie "Throwback Clubmaster" sunglasses

Ray Ban Octagon mirrored sunglasses (shop more Ray Ban mirrored sunnies here) | Charming Charlie "Mod Squad" Square sunglasses ---

I mentioned in my summer survival post last week that sunglasses are a must for me when I'm at the beach or the pool! I only get one set of eyes in a lifetime, so it's a priority to protect them! I used to pick up all my sunnies at the $5 kiosks at the mall, but since the husband basically collects sunglasses, he has definitely influenced my shopping habits. I understand that everyone has different priorities, so I thought I would put together a splurge vs. save comparison so you can see how easy it is to find on trend styles for a fraction of the price.

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Heavy metal

Outfit details--- Sunnies: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Necklaces: Kendra Scott "Lizzie", Kendra Scott "Jayce" (other metals here) | Bag: Charming Charlie x StyleWatch (c/o) | Vest: Gap (option) | Top: Express Barcelona cami | Bracelet: Kendra Scott "Gavin" | Bottoms: AG Jeans | Shoes: Vince Camuto "Kain" ---

Happiest of Mondays! Seriously have no idea how it's basically almost mid-August, which means it's almost September, which means it's almost SNOWING!!! Ok, perhaps I am getting a little bit ahead of myself. Time just flies and I have no idea where it all goes! This week is going to be a whirlwind. Tomorrow I'm headed to Chicago for a working overnight trip. That literally means that I will be working overnight. We're not even getting hotel rooms because we will work in the wee hours of the night. It's a photo shoot of one of our sites, and it's taking place after business hours. So. I plan to sleep all day tomorrow and then all day on Wednesday when we are back and hope that the rest of the week falls into place!! Fingers crossed! But let's move onto this heavy metal outfit.

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Hello Monday: The Drowsy Chaperone

Earrings: Kendra Scott Adela (option) | Bag: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Dress: JOA (c/o Shopbop) (shop JOA dresses here) | Ring: Kendra Scott Odette | Sandals: Joie (limited sizes)

You've seen this dress already a couple months ago in this post HERE. I normally like to remix things if I end up wearing something on the blog so soon, but as you can see, I kept the formula the same. That's certainly ok to do in my book, especially when different audiences are going to be seeing you. I still wanted to get proper photos of this look though because a) this is the very first time I have done a fishtail braid and b) these sandals needed photos on the real camera.

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Red, white, and blue at their finest

Outfit details--- Sunnies: TOMS | Hat: Forever 21 (option) | Bag: Charming Charlie | Top: Charming Charlie | Shorts: Banana Republic | Wedges: Kate Spade (budget option) ---

It's that time of the year again where red, white, and blue outfits are at the top of mind. Sometimes it's nice to be obnoxiously patriotic and other times it's nice to be festive but subtle. I'll call this outfit the latter. Navy and white are a natural combo, but you know I can't resist a pop of color. Charming Charlie previously sent me this bag in yellow (seen here), and I loved it so much, I ended up ordering it in red because it will be perfect for Cardinals games! I posted a flat lay of this outfit on Instagram and said it was red, white, and blue at their finest. It really is though.

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Coral cold shoulder + olive

Outfit details--- Sunnies: TOMS | Necklace: Charming Charlie (c/o) (other colors here, option) | Bag: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Top: Charming Charlie | Shorts: American Eagle (similar here) | Sandals: Sam Edelman ---

So, um. I love this shirt! I have been getting so much use out of the white cold shoulder top I got from Charming Charlie that I decided to order it in a second color. Except that I ran into this coral one on their website and I fell in love with the color and literally placed it in my cart and had it ordered before everyone on the plane was even boarded. Yes, I shopped from my seat on the plane. If that's not impulse shopping, I don't know what is!

I wore this to his parents house for a quick visit and then a casual dinner at a local BBQ restaurant that we all love. I have a feeling this won't be the last time I'll be wearing this combo. I was honestly not quite sure how I felt about this gold bag, but it really styled perfectly with this outfit and holds quite a ton of stuff! Two thumbs up from me! This outfit and accessories are really the epitome of summer!

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Linking up with: Oh, Hey Girl!, What I Wore Wednesday

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Messy hair, don't care

Outfit details--- Sunnies: Ray Ban | Necklace and Earring set: Charming Charlie (c/o) (other colors here) | Bag: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Top: Halogen | Bracelet: Jcrew | Shorts: Gap | Sandals: Vince Camuto ---

There are times I love to get all done up for the blog and then there are times like this when I'm all about real life. On the weekends, especially the day after a long night out, it's not uncommon for my hair to be thrown up in a messy pile with easy pieces I can grab that require little thought and no fuss. This outfit is the epitome of my summer weekend uniform.

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Ann Arbor

Outfit details--- Sunnies: Ray Ban | Earrings: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Necklace: Kendra Scott (gifted) | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Top: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Bottoms: American Eagle (option here) (shop AE jeans here) | Sandals: American Eagle (this year's version here) (other option here) ---

Not really sure why I decided to post these out of order, but this is the outfit I wore for our first day in Michigan. You can see the second day's outfit in yesterday's post here. We really didn't have any plans other than the airport, and while the husband had a meeting up in Michigan State, I tried to blend with the college kids and I worked out of the food court. It's always a bit chilly on the plane, so I opted for jeans, and I couldn't resist taking this top with me. It received quite a few compliments from strangers, which is always a good feeling.

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Falling back in love with the Tribute sandals

Blazer: Banana Republic (option, option) | Necklace: Express | Bag: Deux Lux (c/o Shopbop) (blue fringe bag option here) | Top: Express | Bracelets: Charming Charlie (c/o) and Nadri (option) | Bottoms: AG Jeans | Sandals: Saint Laurent (pre-owned here, shop other Saint Laurent Tribute Sandals here)

If you read my guest post on Kate's blog a few weeks ago, you'll know that I have a pretty big girl crush on Style Me Tactical. She's so edgy and fierce and we share a mutual love for shoes. She has this pair of Tribute sandals (that I now wish I had, BTW) and it made me realize that I never wear mine with jeans! What the heck? Each time I have worn them (here and here) on the blog, they've been with a dress or skirt. Whenever I think of doing heels with jeans, I always reach for one of the many pair of pointy toed shoes in my collection. After after seeing Style Me Tactical's Instagram post, I've realized it's a shame to not wear my Tributes with jeans!

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Hello Monday: Charming Charlie giveaway

Blazer: Express | Necklaces: Charming Charlie (c/o) (Find the long one here) | Bag: Charming Charlie (enter below to win!) | Dress: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Bracelet: Charming Charlie | Sandals: bp

Hello! Hope everyone had a great Easter! I shared a flat lay of this outfit last week on Instagram. Thankfully the weather wasn't terrible, so I was able to wear this yesterday. I added the blazer for a little warmth, but the bare legs were still bearable. I really just needed to walk from the car to indoors anyway. This dress is too adorable, and it's only $29! I read a comment about how everyone dresses like a peep on Easter, but #sorrynotsorry. I couldn't resist. The color is too good and the pleat details down the bodice make me happy! It just screamed, "EASTER!" It would have been a disservice not to let it shine for the holiday!

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New Year's Eve-spiration

Sunnies: Ray Ban | Earrings: CS Gems (use code CARYLEE15 for 15% off) | Ring: CS Gems | Dress: Forever 21 (currently not online, but other options HERE and HERE) | Bag: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Tights: wine colored DKNY layered over grey colored DKNY for more opaqueness (similar here, more tights available HERE) | Jacket: Express (other colors HERE) | Heels: Joan and David (option, option)

I've done four shoots now with CS Gems, and this may be my favorite yet! It's hard not to love these photos though given the festive scenery! Stacy and Carrie asked us to wear some NYE appropriate outfits, so naturally I reached for sequins first and foremost. This shift dress from Forever 21 is perfect and very forgiving for a night of eating and drinking.

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Evergreen

Sunnies: TOMS | Earrings: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Necklace: CS Gems | Bag: Clare V (Shop other "Margot" style clutches HERE) | Top: Gap (shop other flannel tops HERE) | Jacket: JCrew (outlet) (similar) (shop other military style jackets HERE) | Bottoms: Express | Shoes: Hinge

Well if you couldn't tell from my lack of post yesterday, I only have 3 posts planned for you this week, which was for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I figured I should enjoy the long weekend to the fullest and not stress about shopping. I also figure everyone is as shopping hungover as I am, so I thought I would give you a break from all my enabling. Ha!

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Black Friday purchases

If you're lucky, you saw the whole Black Friday recap on Snapchat. I *thought* I downloaded that whole snapped video that I could share on my blog also, but apparently I only downloaded one 10 second video and not the entire recap. (Insert crying emoji here.) So, I have been agonizing about how to share my Black Friday purchases with you! Anyone can share stock photos with you - I love being able to share real life outfits with you, or at minimum, a flat lay that I've styled. There's no way I could capture real life styled outfits of every piece I purchased within one post! But, at the same time, I do think there is value in sharing my entire haul, stock photos or not, in case it does spark some interest. Since today is Cyber Monday, I figured I needed to recap everything for you today and not later in the week and risk you missing out on a good sale find!

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50% off Express + free shipping

If you saw yesterday's post, it was all about my shopping list for Black Fridayweek and what I had my eye on. If you noticed, there were no Express items on that list! That's because Gina summarized my wish list items in her post HERE. I honestly wasn't planning on posting anything else until after my Black Fridayweek purchases were complete, but then Jenna said she was waiting to see some outfit collages from me of all the things she needed from Express! I figured she may not be the only one with this request, so here is YOUR shopping list post! For the sake of time, I am only linking to those items I know are available and on sale, so if there is something I have not linked to that you'd like to know more about - please let me know, and I'm happy to dish the product info!

These distressed jeans are my absolute favorite!

Other items pictured on sale: Black lace top ($10!) | Clare V Clutch | Rebecca Minkoff satchel | Camo sweater

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Hello Monday: Holiday Style

Leggings: Express | Heels: Vince Camuto

Happy Thanksgiving week! Now that the holidays are upon us, I've got all things sparkly on the brain! I've been wanting a pair of leggings like these for awhile but not all sequin leggings are created equal! I have this pair that are more like joggers, but I've been hunting for a true legging style. Express posted these leggings on their Snapchat before they were released, and I stalked their website (even more so than usual) until they were available! I'm glad I ordered them when I did because they're no longer available online and listed as "in store only." I'm sorry to tease you with them, but hopefully you can find them in store while you are Black Friday shopping. They are seriously amazing and I certainly plan to wear them to a holiday gathering or two.

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Smile, Sparkle & Shine

Necklaces: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Top: Charming Charlie (seen here) (c/o) | Bracelet: Charming Charlie (c/o) (seen here) | Bottoms: Express | Shoes: Miu Miu

Charming Charlie reached out to me to see if I would help promote one of their holiday campaigns. The premise is that you post a selfie on social media wearing your favorite Charming Charlie items and tag one of your friends who you feel deserves to smile, sparkle, and shine. You and your friend are then both entered to win a box of goodies from Charming Charlie. I obliged before finding out that they were going to send me another box of goodies for this promotion, and while they did gift me some pieces, all views expressed in this post are my own. I thought this was a great idea - I wanted to use it as a way to shine a light on and thank a handful of ladies who have been following along with my antics on my blog and on Instagram. 

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Weekend errands

Sunnies: TOMS (shop mirrored aviators HERE) | Necklace: House of Harlow (shop more House of Harlow mini sunburst pieces HERE) | Bag: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Top: Charming Charlie (c/o) | Ring: Banana Republic (option) | Jeans: Express | Booties: Dolce Vita (shop more Dolce Vita booties HERE)

This weekend was crazy busy, specifically Saturday! Ok, who am I kidding? The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of all the things, but I felt extra busy on Saturday. I decided I wanted to pay a visit to the new Charming Charlie that just opened - they were having a grand opening sale. Then I had back to back hair and lash appointments. I had to find time to take a couple of blog photos and flat lays. And then the blogger dinner and wrap party for fashion week that I recapped for you on Monday. So what does one wear when they are running around like a chicken with their head cut off? The easiest breeziest tunic and booties of course!

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