Top: A New Day via Target | Vest: my BAJEE collection via Conversation Pieces | Jeans: Liverpool via Stitch Fix | Slides: LOFT Outlet | Necklace & Bracelets: Old Navy | Watch: Timex 

Fall is officially one month away and I cannot wait. I’m preparing by pulling out all of my fall scented candles/melt cups (we have a Yankee Candle Scenterpiece Wax Warmer that we use most of the time) and brushing off this army/utility vest. It’s still 90+ degrees outside here in central North Carolina, but a girl can dream! Every time a breeze blows and a leaf falls, I can sense that autumn is just around the corner. And I am so ready for it.

I’ve been blogging for several years now — even thought it certainly doesn’t feel like it’s been that long — and I was curious as to just how much my style has changed over those years, especially now that I’m pregnant. It was really interesting to go back through the blog to see my outfits and the way I’ve evolved from year to year.

Reflections: I see consistent uses of a completer piece and denim. As much as I want to have a well-rounded wardrobe of jeans, dresses, and skirts, and non-denim bottoms, I always find myself reaching for the denim because it’s quick and easy to style. Also, I went through a phase, mostly when I was consistently working in an office, of wearing blazers ALL. THE. TIME. I still love blazers but it seems as though today’s style trends have started to move toward a more casual look, and blazers don’t feel that casual to me. I’m more interested in vests and sweater cardigans these days. Perhaps if I find another office job, I’ll be more likely to bust out my blazers. The biggest change I see is that my style and outfit formulas have gotten slightly more simple, which I think is a trend we’re seeing everywhere.  I don’t have a ton of time to plan what I’m going to wear so keeping it simple will also keep me sane! Do you think about your style evolution? Is it different or similar to what you were wearing 4 years ago?

2017 Original Post: Tee + Jeans + Boots

I wore this outfit to my doctor’s appointment and learned that I should be eating more peanut butter, avocados, loaded baked potatoes, ICE CREAM AND COOK OUT MILKSHAKES.

2016 Original Post: Girls’ Day Out

A couple of my grad school friends came to visit me and we had a wonderful girls’ day out. We started with brunch & margaritas, then went to a wine tasting, then shopping, had “hipster” coffee, and ended the night at the best sushi place in town. And this is what I wore.

2015 Original Post: Distressed Denim and New Loafers

Flats in the winter because it felt like spring. NC just can’t make up it’s mind on whether or not we have seasons!

2014 Original Post: Winter Pink

This was a January day when NC decided it actually was winter and gave us 20-degree weather. Some of you might laugh at me because you regularly deal with negative temps in the winter but this was really cold for us!

Blanket scarfs are so cozy, aren’t they? They’re also huge so I almost passed up on this trend because I thought it would weigh me down. Jean from Extra Petite convinced me to give it a try, though, when she posted her video showing a few different ways to style to it. She’s actually about an inch shorter than me (while her style sense is miles above mine) so I figured if she can make it work then so could I. Her video is really helpful so even if you’re not a shorty like me, I would recommend it. I’ve found that the trick is not only in the fold (fold it in half first) but also in rolling it a few times so it isn’t quite as long. All that folding and rolling does leave it feeling a bit bulky so I usually save the blanket scarf for those really cold days when I need the extra warmth.

A few years ago I was pinspired to wear this polka dot sweater and patterned vest together, and the resulting outfit turned out really well. When the formula works, you use it. So I did it again with a few switcharoos. Dark denim instead of black jeans and burgundy/maroon (what is this color officially called this year?) flats. I’m not sure which version I like better because they’re both really cute. I suppose that’s the beauty of learning how to work your closet.  Also: holy moly at my hair in the original post; it’s so long!

I wore this outfit on Black Friday when the only shopping we did was to pick out our Christmas tree. We go to the same lot every year because I really like supporting the organization, TROSA, a residential program that enables substance abusers to be productive, recovering individuals in the community by providing treatment, work-based vocational training, education, and care. We’ve been going to one of their lots since we moved into our house, so it’s been about 5 years now. It feels good to support a cause I care about. 

Look at that little 23-week bump peeking out!

Sweater: Old Navy | Vest: Banana Republic | Jeans: Liz Lange Maternity @ Target | Shoes: Old Navy

Linkups: Confident Twosday

This is a redo of an outfit I wore on one of the coldest days in NC two years ago that I called “winter pink.” I’m wearing the same sweater and jeans, but I switched up the details just a little. My vest is more ivory than white and it isn’t as puffy, I’m wearing ankle boots instead of tall boots, and my necklace is shorter. I’m still wearing a floral scarf but it’s a different one. It definitely wasn’t as cold this time around as it was a few years ago!

So, I was going to wear this to work yesterday but I had a bad case of the Mondays. My car wouldn’t start so Nick was nice enough to drive me to work, but when I got there, I realized that I grabbed his computer on  my way out of the house so he had to turn around and bring me home to get my computer. I decided to cancel my one afternoon meeting and work from home. I’m extremely grateful that I have a job that will allow me to work from home in a pinch like that. Btw, we had to get a new battery for my car. Blah!

Sweater: Banana Republic | Denim: Gap | Vest: Old Navy | Boots: BP Trolley via Nordstorm | Scarf: Planet, a boutique in Wilmington, NC | Necklace: via Le Tote

Linking up with Hello Monday | Let it Shine | Confident Twosday | Garay Treasures | Trend Spin Linkup