My best friend got married on Saturday and I was a bridesmaid, so I had a very busy weekend. On Friday, all the bridesmaids met up for wine and mani/pedis in the afternoon and then the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner were later that night. Saturday was the wedding, so it was full of preparation and celebration with lots of love, good food, and plenty of wine! The wedding was absolutely beautiful, despite the rain we got, and my friends are now relaxing on a white, sandy beach in Mexico as huband and wife. And I couldn’t be happier for them!

On Sunday, we went for brunch with another friend. She’s moving across the country for school at the end of the month so we wanted to spend a little time with her before she leaves. We had a wonderful meal at Watt’s Grocery, a delicious little Durham favorite that prides itself on offering classic favorites and Carolina tradition with local and seasonal goods.

Watt’s Grocery restaurant in Durham, NC

I absolutely love the mural on the side of the building; it’s so beautiful!

The drizzly weather that morning meant my adorable trench was calling my name! I got this skirt in my latest Stitch Fix box, and it was the only item I kept because nothing else fit. I’m loving the pattern and the colors in it because it’s different from anything I probably would’ve picked out for myself. I’ve also been trying to figure out how to wear these shooties/booties in the summer because they’re slightly outside of my comfort zone. What do you all think; do these shoes go with this sweater/skirt combo?

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

Sweater: Banana Republic
Skirt: Loveappella via Stitch Fix
Shoes: Fioni via Payless
Trench: Banana Republic
Pink & Beaded Braceletes: Old Navy
Blue Link Bracelet: Light Years
Handbag: Franco Sarto
Necklace: bridesmaid gift from my BFF

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:

Check out these shooties! They’re a cross between a shoe and a bootie. Before I started reading fashion blogs and then blogging myself, I never would have bought anything like these. I would’ve taken one look at them and thought to myself, “How impractical. My feet will get cold!” But now that I’m in the know, I took one look at them at thought to myself, “I have to have them.” Also, before blogs, I probably wouldn’t have rolled my jeans, and I certainly wouldn’t have rolled them in a carefree cuff like this, but I like how it gives my otherwise polished look a little casual feel. I wore this outfit to the grocery store and my feet only got cold once, when we opened the pizza freezer. It was a  worthy sacrifice.

And here’s the fun one: