When I saw this pin, I jumped to recreate it because I had everything in the photo: the vest, polka dot top, black skinnies, and leopard flats. The only thing missing is the statement necklace, but I’ll work on that. I really like how this outfit turned out in real life; the subtle pattern mixing is great and I’ve really been digging black and white lately. The weather in NC has been very mild thus far, so I wore this outfit to run errands, go to the grocery store, and again to work and school. I have a feeling it’s going to get a lot of wear as long as the weather continues to cooperate.

And here’s the blooper: That hair, that face, that wind?

Top: Old Navy | Vest & Jeans: Banana Republic | Leopard Flats: Christian Siriano via Payless | Necklace: Wal-Mart | Sunnies: Target

Linking up with InDUFFinitely Me | Work Clothes, I Suppose

Happy Monday! I’m back to school/work today after an entire month off, but this is my final semester as a graduate student (and as a graduate assistant for my professor) so I say bring it on. If all goes to plan, I’ll graduate in May and I must say that I. CANNOT. WAIT. As crazy as it may sound, I’m ready to get back to the 9-5 grind and, more importantly, to start making a difference in the health of the population.

So, my pants were part of the Mad Men collection that Banana Republic put out a few years ago. They don’t photograph very well, but I thought they were so cool when I saw them in the store. I’ve since seen some similar cropped trousers in stores that are houndstooth or some other similar pattern but I think these remain my favorite. You can see a sort-of close up below. Even though you could pair just about any color with these pants, I decided to pair them with this jeweled cardigan I recently purchased on sale at Target. I love this shade of blue but I don’t wear a lot of it. I’m liking how well it looks against my porcelain skin 😉

Blouse: Old Navy | Cardigan: Target | Trouser: Banana Republic | Shoes: Anne Klein via DSW | Necklace: gift from a friend

Linking up with More Pieces of Me | InDUFFinitely Me | Mix + Match Fashion

Well, fellow fashionistas, do I look 30? That’s how old I turned on my birthday on New Year’s Eve, and while I don’t necessarily feel old, there are a few tell-tale signs that remind me I’m not as young as I used to be. For instance,my knees have started to hurt every now and then, which I used to make fun of Nick for a while back so I’m sure it’s karma, and I’ve started experiencing side effects from medications, like headaches and drowsiness, that I never experienced before. Other than that, I feel pretty darn good!

I wore this outfit during the day of my birthday for breakfast at one of my favorite diners and then for mani/pedis with Nick – you can probably tell that my pants are wrinkly at the bottom from being pushed up to to my knees during my calf massage. I wore another outfit that night for a fancy dinner and ringing in the new year at a friend’s house. That outfit will be part 2 so stay tuned! Also, check out my special sparkly birthday shoes! Nick picked them out for me and I’m loving them 🙂

I needed a black clutch and found an old one that I’d been using. It was working out fine but then Nick bought me this one for Christmas. The textured front sparkles in the light, which, of course, is the best part.

Sweater: Banana Republic | Pixie Pants: Old Navy | Necklace: Hawthorne Collection online | Shoes: Fioni via Payless | Coat: Banana Republic | Earrings: gift from my MIL | Clutch: gift from Nick (via Nordstrom)

Linking up with More Pieces of Me| The Pleated Poppy | Because Shanna Said So | Tucker Up

This is another simple outfit that looks so put together that I lived in it for four days straight (I kid you not). I wore it to run errands, to the grocery store, to work, to class, to dinner,  to the grocery store again, and basically anywhere I went within the span of a week. Of course, during those four days, those are the only things I did outside of my home. The rest of the time I was lounging in my pajamas, writing essays and studying for final exams. So each time I wore it, I was only in for a few hours, tops. Also, I think it’s a shame when you create a simple-but-perfect outfit and don’t wear it more than once! More than a shame, really… it should be a crime! 🙂

P.S. To give credit where credit is due, this outfit was inspired by Audrey’s (from Putting Me Together) 2014 Fall packing guide.

Top: Old Navy | Blazer: Banana Republic | Jeans: Banana Republic | Shoes: Old Navy | Handbag: Franco Sarto

Linking up wth InDUFFinitely Me

This is no ordinary sweater. It’s an open-backed pullover (or something like that) which is new territory for me. I wore this outfit to lunch and then again to work, but the first time I wore it I kept trying to pull the back closed, as if I were in a hospital gown. Nick finally convinced me that it wasn’t open too wide and that it looked really nice, and now it is quickly becoming one of my favorite winter pieces!

I love how it sparkles and is cozy and warm, despite the open back. I also really like how it looks a little chunky without swallowing me up. And can you tell that these jeans are black (and supposed to be skinny)? I’ve noticed that I’ve been wearing a lot of black and white and gray lately, but neutrals are never a bad thing when they look this classy! 😉

Sweater: Banana Republic | Tank: C. Luce via Stitch Fix | Jeans: Banana Republic | Necklace: Wal-Mart | Clutch: Francesca’s | Shoes: dexflex by Dexter via Payless

Linking up with The Tiny Heart | Perfectly Coutured