August 20, 2018

70's Vibes: Pom-Pom Blouses and Wide Leg Crop Jeans

Blouse: Madewell ||  Wide Leg Crop Jeans: Madewell ||  Bow Sandals: Old Navy (blush) — Blouse: Madewell || Wide Leg Crop Jeans: Madewell || Bow Sandals: Old Navy (blush)

I'm excited to share these two looks with you today because both of these pom-pom blouses are majorly on sale right now, at $29.99 each!! This white butterfly blouse with small pom-pom trim is from Madewell and this mustard top below (very popular color right now) with pom-pom sleeves is from J-Crew Factory. I paired them with my favorite wide leg crop jeans with the cutest front buttons (also from Madewell) that I've been living in all spring/summer but you can also rock these shirts with any high waisted denim (skinny or wide leg). The key is to do a front tuck or fully tuck in (see yellow blouse below). I've been really into the 70's trend lately so have been having fun with loose fitting peasant tops like these or I'll pair my wide leg cropped jeans with a fitted, short sleeve colorful striped tee like this one. Madewell has so many cute stripe shirts right now with a 70's vibe and they're all pretty affordable! If you really want that retro feel, opt for a vintage stripe design that's multi-colored. And when you're shopping for wide leg crop jeans, I've found that the button front style really is the most flattering, not to mention gives you the vintage look. Oh and make sure they are high waisted of course! For a casual outing, throw on a pair of slides. I'm obsessed with these bow sandals from Old Navy. Only $14.97 right now! And in a variety of colors. Woo hoo! So hurry before they're gone!! :)

Blouse: J. Crew Factory  ||  Wide Leg Crop Jeans: Madewell ||  Bow Sandals: Old Navy — Blouse: J. Crew Factory || Wide Leg Crop Jeans: Madewell || Bow Sandals: Old Navy

June 8, 2018

Summer Dress Staples: Stripes and Polka Dots

by Laura Perkins

Stripe Dress: Target  ||  Heels: Pikolinos (old) similar style at Madewell — Stripe Dress: Target || Heels: Pikolinos (old) similar style at Madewell

I'm excited to share these two summer dresses with you that I found at Target and will be wearing all season long. They are super affordable and so cute!! As you guys know, I'm obsessed with blue and white stripes (it might be a problem) so I was immediately drawn to this stripe dress. I just love the feminine ruffles and wrap silhouette with a tie at the waist, making it a fun twist to this summer classic and very flattering. I'm all about breezy, comfortable dresses this time of year (especially when it hits 90 degrees! Eek!). And you can dress it up or down with block heels or flat sandals.

Polka dots are having a huge moment right now and were all over the spring runways. Although saying that also makes me laugh because doesn't it seem like stripes and polka dots are always in style?! But seriously - ladies, don't ever get rid of your stripes or polka dots because they will always be a classic look. I love that this polka dot dress has a fun little cut out detail with a knot in in the front giving it a modern feel to this retro style dress. Oh and there are pockets!!! There are a ton of adorable polka dot dresses at Target right now including this white and black one that I also love!

Polka Dot Dress: Target  ||  Heels: Old Navy — Polka Dot Dress: Target || Heels: Old Navy

May 28, 2018

Memorial Day: Gingham Style

by Laura Perkins

Shirt: Old Navy  ||  Jeans: American Eagle (mom jeans)  ||  Sandals: Old Navy (Blush) — Shirt: Old Navy || Jeans: American Eagle (mom jeans) || Sandals: Old Navy (Blush)

I love Memorial Day Weekend! Maybe it's because that's the weekend my husband and I got married. But I love wearing patriotic attire, hanging out with friends and family, eating BBQ and celebrating the start of summer! And of course our deepest gratitude for all the men and women who have fought for our freedom.

Gingham has always been very American (and very in right now!) so I thought what better way to represent our country than a gingham shirt tied up with my favorite pair of mom jeans. I've really been into collared shirts this spring and this gingham top has definitely become my go-to casual look. It's very effortless and still feels put together. I am also completely obsessed with these bow sandals. Aren't they so cute?! I just love how feminine they are. They look just like the Madewell bow sandals but for a fraction of the price! Huge win in my book! In fact, I love them so much that I also bought them in gingham! Haha. (hey, it was buy one get one half off....I was practically losing money by not getting a 2nd pair!) And now I see that they have them in blue and white stripes online! I really need to restrain myself. I might have a stripe addiction. Haha. But seriously, these slides are super comfy and I know I'm going to wear them all summer. Blush is also the new neutral and I have found myself wearing this color more because it just goes with everything. Also with a toddler on my hands, I'm a fan of anything that saves me time so it's nice to just slip these on and not have to worry about buckles. Moms out there....ya feel me?! We actually just moved down to Georgia for a few months for my husband to shoot a film and he laughs at all the shoes I brought with me when all I've really worn are these two pairs of sandals on rotation. Whoops! :)

Styling Tip: I like to wear these collared shirts (I have a few similar styles in solid white and two different stripe patterns (told you I had a stripe addiction) from Old Navy, Target and American Eagle...so all super affordable) either knotted up or I do a front tuck and pair with high-waisted mom jeans, skinny jeans or high-waisted wide leg cropped jeans. And sometimes for fun, I'll throw on a bandana scarf around my neck, in my hair or tie one around my purse.

Happy Memorial Day everyone! All of these items are on sale so hurry before the holiday weekend sales end!

P.S. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of me over the past few months. I know it's been awhile since my last post and to be completely honest, it was hard for me to get motivated with everything going on with my mom's health. But this brings me joy so I don't want to stop just because life gets hard and really sad sometimes. So I want to encourage anyone out there who has stopped doing something they love because of a difficult season, kids or just overall busyness, and make time to do things that bring you joy and bring you life. xx

October 16, 2017

Americana Trend to Try: Wide Leg Denim Jumpsuit and Bandana Scarves

by Laura Perkins

Denim Jumpsuit: Anthropologie (now available on Poshmark and Ebay) ||  Bandana Scarf: Madewell (in Vintage Gold) ||  Low Block Heels: Target — Denim Jumpsuit: Anthropologie (now available on Poshmark and Ebay) || Bandana Scarf: Madewell (in Vintage Gold) || Low Block Heels: Target

Hey guys! I wanted to share this outfit I wore during New York Fashion Week for one of the shows I attended. I apologize for the delay (it's been a bit of a difficult month with some family stuff going on. But God is good and getting us through it. Will maybe share more about all of that at another time.) In the meantime, appreciate your prayers.

When I was deciding what to wear to NYFW, I was feeling very Americana (a big trend we've been seeing on the runways - think denim on denim, bandanas, a little western/cowgirl, all-American looks). So last spring, I fell in love with this wide leg cropped denim jumpsuit I saw in the Anthropologie catalog (when my obsession with all things denim started) but thought it was a little pricey for my budget. Whenever I'd go in to check the sale rack, I always kept a look out to see if this jumpsuit would magically appear. Well one day in early September, it did!! It was the only one left (and in my size! yippee!). I was so excited to try it on. I had been looking for some hi rise wide leg cropped jeans for awhile now but hadn't found any that I really loved...until this jumpsuit. And it was 75% off during Labor Day weekend!! Woo hoo! I felt like this would be a really fun and different piece for my closet. I wasn't sure how much I'd get to wear it immediately with the season ending but it's been surprisingly warm in NYC this month so I've actually gotten a few good wears out of it. And will definitely be rocking it next spring/summer. So I'd say I'm pretty proud of this purchase! While I don't see this jumpsuit online anymore at Anthro, fear not b/c it is available on Poshmark and Ebay for a discounted price. Also - here are some cute jumpsuits that Anthro does have available in stores and online. They also have some super cute hi rise wide leg jeans at Anthro right now; this style looks almost identical to the Americana wash (which I love!!) and looks like a very similar fit to my jumpsuit. The key for styling a hi rise wide leg pant is to wear a fitted blouse (or crop top) to show off your waist. While the top of my jumpsuit is flowy, I think the reason it works is because it cuts off right at my waist, giving the illusion of a smaller waist.

Another trend I would definitely recommend trying is a bandana scarf. I bought this one from Madewell in two colors (mustard yellow or "Vintage Gold" and a faded red or "Spiced Rose."). You can wear them all different ways (I like to tie them in my hair whether it's down or up...even better for a bad hair day and I instantly feel cuter!) or wrap them around my neck (once or twice to change up the look). You can also tie them on your purse. It's such a cheap way to add a lot of style to your outfit. They're only $9.99! At first I wasn't sure if I could pull it off around my neck, but now I love it! I know I say this a lot, but whenever you feel like you can't pull something off, just give it a try! You never know how great it might look on you. Same thing with this jumpsuit! Be bold guys, take risks! It pays off. :)

Jewelry Style - These threader earrings are some of my favorite statement earrings from Madewell (only $28) and have become my go-to choice even for everyday outfits. You can change the length since it threads through your ear and instantly gives you that rocker chic look.