When I first saw this shirt, I thought it would be a great casual piece  I could wear with jeans and sandals and couldn’t wait for Spring/warmer weather to wear it that way. Then I started putting looks together and realized it would make a good dressy piece, as well. I don’t normally do the half tuck because I’ve realized it doesn’t work very well with my body shape – my short torso looks even shorter with a half tuck – but with the drape of the fabric, it works here. I find myself loving this shirt more and more each time I wear it. Thanks, Stitch Fix!

Isn’t the detailing on this shirt just amazing?

Another Sunday Funday! The weather has been beautiful in my neck of the woods for the last few days, so I’m in a good mood! I’m serenading you with a happy, upbeat song today that reflects love and summer, “Summer Day” by Sheryl Crow.

This Week’s Top 5 Awesome Things

1. Sushi Date. I love sushi; it’s my all-time favorite food in the world. I haven’t had any in a while so Nick and I had a sushi date this week. It made up for a rough couple of days I had at school.

2. Nick’s Spirit Animal. Nick can be grumpy sometimes, so I told him his spirit animal was Grumpy Cat! After seeing this, how can anyone disagree?

3. All the Silly Ways that Mia Sleeps. She’s super cute when she does it but seriously, how can any of these positions be comfortable?

4. Breaking in New Shoes. It would be awesome if all shoes automatically formed perfectly to your feet, but since that doesn’t happen, you have to break them in yourselves.

5. Grown-up Dining Room Table. We’ve finally upgraded from our Ikea table to a real, grown-up table from West Elm. I’m not very good at decorating so I snapped this photo of the table they way they decorated it in the store for some inspiration.

Have a great week, everyone!

1 Piece 3 Ways: Striped Top | NCsquared Life

Today I’m linking up with Work Clothes I Suppose and the theme is remix! So I’m showing one piece worn three ways. I practically lived in this top this past weekend so I thought it was a great candidate for the link up. I wore the first outfit for a day of shopping and running errands. Then I changed into these drapey/almost harem pants and heels to go to a small dinner party at a friend’s house. I wore the last outfit while travelling on our last daycation this past August.

When I first picked up this top, I couldn’t tell if the stripes were black or navy blue. Honestly, I still can’t tell so I wear it both ways!  Click through to see more photos and information about the three ways I’ve worn this top. Which outfit do you like best?

Sometimes you’re in a hurry or don’t feel like putting much effort into getting dressed, so you want to keep it simple. I feel you. I have those days all the time, and when I do, I go for a simple top and cardigan, scarf (especially in the spring), jeans and cute shoes. I’ve accumulated quite a number of cardigans over the seasons so follwing this formula is really easy.

Since the top and cardigan are both solid, the patterned scarf adds a little interest, and I’m all about adding interest. Same for the shooties (which is bootie + shoe combo). So, you can have several simple pieces and kick it up a notch with a patterned scarf and interesting shoes.  You’re welcome.

And here’s the fun one:

I cannot get enough of this cardigan. It’s probably the best purchase I’ve ever made in my life because I wear it All. The. Time. And it looks great with a leopard scarf! Last fall I wore this white tee/mustard cardi/leopard scarf combo with jeans and boots, thanks to Audry at Putting Me Together. But jeans and boots didn’t seem appropriate in the warm weather so I went with a striped skirt and oxfords. Not too shabby, eh?

And here’s the fun-ish one: I’m trying not to blow away in the wind!