Welcome to my new series, Real Talk, where I talk openly and frankly about my experiences with brands, products, life hacks, etc. The following are my opinions based on my own experiences. Please remember that not everyone will have the same experiences so what may be true for me won’t necessarily be true for you. 

I have a love/hate relationship with ModCloth.

I was really excited when I first discovered them years ago because the clothes were really stylish but had a cute, unique spin to them. They offered classic shapes and styles adorned with animals, food, and/or planets. I loved the vintage feel of a lot of the pieces, and I always thought the outfits looked like they would be worn by cool librarians who wouldn’t shush you for laughing too loudly in the reading nook.

As part of my attempt to update my closet so that it reflects my current life and the person I am now instead the person I was four+ years ago, I’m wearing certain pieces one last time to determine if they have a place in my new lifestyle. This navy and white polka dot skirt is one of those pieces that I liked but I wasn’t wearing; it hung in my closet for several years, every day getting passed over. So, it’s on the chopping block; I’m wearing it today to decide whether I keep it or donate it, and I decided to recreate/update an outfit I’ve worn before with this skirt.

If you follow us on Instagram, you’ve probably already seen a little peek of this outfit. It seems a little silly to wear sweaters in the summer, but the office where I work as a graduate research assistant loves to keep the temperature approximately arctic so sweaters are necessary. I won’t lie, I kind of like it. The only downside is you have to walk outside in the heat to get inside to the chill, but those few minutes are worth it.

I had trouble deciding if I wanted to wear the belt or not. Ultimately, I went with it but I started out without it. You can see in the photos below that it’s missing. What do you think, belt or no belt?

Here’s the fun one: This was just a test picture so I could get the lightening right (or, at least, as close as possible) and just as the camera snapped, my neighbor jogged by and made me laugh. It’s a cute photo so you get to enjoy it, too.

Linking up with More Pieces of Me | Monday Bloom | Still Being Molly

Sweater: J. Crews (thrifted)
Skirt: Target
Shoes & Belt: Banana Republic
Cami & Necklace: Target
Earrings: gift
Handbag: Franco Sarto via Ross

I’ve been wanting a rust-colored top so that I could recreate this pin, and this one, and even this one, and I found one while thrift shopping. I snatched it up as quickly as I could and wore it the very next day. That’s just how I do.

We spent the weekend cleaning out our closets and made a ton of donations, so I don’t feel quite as bad about adding another cardigan to my wardrobe. In my opinion, cardigans are the most versatile piece in the world (next to denim) so you can never have too many. When you have at least three+ pins to inspire you, I think it was meant to be!

So, more ruffles. I think I’m going to have to take back my previous statement of not liking them because I realize I have several tops with ruffles that are totally adorable. They’re very subtle, though, so I guess I like ruffles as long as they’re not in your face. We’ll leave it at that.

Top: J. Crew (thrifted) | Scarf: Amazon | Belt: Banana Republic | Denim: Loft | Heels: Target | Earrings: Target | Bracelet: Old Navy