May Budget

Happy Friday, lovelies!  I'm back with round two of my monthly budget posts.  I splurged a little bit this month but with good reason: my birthday was on Wednesday!  Now you know, with birthdays come lots of lovely little birthday coupons...and it would be a shame to let them go to waste.

Each year I am most excited for my 15% off birthday coupon to Anthropologie.  With its feminine and unique pieces, Anthro is one of my favorite stores...but it is usually out of my price range.  That being said, each May I allow myself to splurge on a couple of Anthropologie items with my birthday coupon.  Cue this adorable little peplum and the cute scalloped shorts!  I have to say that what I ended-up buying at Anthro is not at all what I expected to choose.  I am not a frequent shorts wearer (I sometimes struggle with my body image, especially when it comes to my legs) but I just couldn't pass-up on high-waisted shorts with scallops...I mean, come on, scallops!  I'm really excited to wear them with my new peplum and to pair them with other tops all summer long.  I also think they will look cute with tights and boots this fall!

While I splurged on the two Anthropologie items, I super-saved on the other things!  I've already mentioned the deal I got on the top pair of Target shoes...and I purchased the other pair for only $6!  I think it's okay to indulge in a couple pairs of shoes when they cost $11 total, right?  Also, I had been looking for a pair of replacement sunglasses for my faves that broke last summer when I happened upon this clearance pair at LOFT!

Not pictured are a graphic tee that I purchased at an art festival featuring my favorite state, Michigan, as well as the items that I rented through Rocks Box that I will be reviewing on the blog shortly.  Also, my parents gifted me with another graphic tee from a wonderful new East Lansing restaurant called Hop Cat and a beautiful ring made with an antique button from Paris (I'm sure you will see pictures of it soon).

Now it's time to talk moola:

Peplum Top: Anthropologie- $61
Shorts: Anthropologie- $70
Espadrille Shoes: Target- $6
Patterned Shoes: Target- $5
Sunglasses (plus case): LOFT- $13
Michigan Tee: EL Art Festival- $24
Rocks Box Subscription- $10
Hop Cat Tee: $0
Paris Button Ring: EL Art Festival- $0

April Total: $68
May Total: $189

Total Remaining for April-June: -$7

Now you may have noticed that I already messed-up my first ever quarterly budget.  I'm feeling a bit guilty, but at the same time, this was my first try and I'm still learning a lot about my spending habits.  I can't imagine how much I would have spent if I didn't have this budget in mind!

I also have one more month left for this quarter and am already in the hole by $7.  Fortunately, for my birthday, my friends and family gave me some fun new accessories and my parents gave me a generous amount of money to be spent on a few fun things.  I won't be counting those purchases towards my budget since they were gifts (is that cheating?  I'm going to go ahead and say "no").  Since I won't have any budget purchases next month, I will feature those things in my June budget round-up.

Linking-up with Fran and a few other budgeting bloggers!

By the way, don't forget that today is the last day to enter the giveaway for a $250 gift card to LOFT!  Click the button below for a chance to win!

Spring Shower Style

I know that yesterday marked the unofficial start to summer...but I don't think we're quite clear of springtime showers, do you?  In fact, the Washington D.C. weather forecast for the next few days is calling for thunderstorms.  What's a girl to do when it rains but look cute while keeping dry?

Actually, earlier this spring it occurred to me that I did not own a single waterproof jacket.  This problem was quickly remedied with the help of Target's adorable raincoat collection.

I chose this little striped number because I liked that the colors were neutral but it still had a fun pattern. Now I'm actually looking forward to the rain because I get to wear my lovely little raincoat!

Here are a few other raincoat options from Target (the navy polka dot jacket is my second favorite)!

Also, don't forget about the giveaway that I'm co-hosting this week!  Click the button below to be redirected to the Rafflecopter...you could win a $250 gift card to LOFT!

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: Gap Outlet (similar, similar)

Necklace: Francesca's (similar, similar)

Jacket: Target (exact)

Jeans: LOFT (exact)

Shoes: Gift (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:

Because Shanna Said So- Random Wednesday

Style Elixir- Style Sessions

LOFT Gift Card Giveaway!

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope that you have a fun cook-out or some pool time planned with friends and family today.  It's time to break-in those new swimsuits, sandals and sunglasses!

Also, a huge thank you is in order to our service men and women of past and present (I'm looking at you, Bradford, Grandpa Emery and Grandpa Jim)!  Thank you for putting your lives on the line for us so that we may enjoy this and every day with the people we love.

To make your holiday a little bit sweeter, I'm co-hosting a fun giveaway this week with some of my favorite blogging ladies.  You could win a $250 gift card to LOFT!  What is the occasion, you ask?  We are celebrating Marissa from The Modern Austen's two-year blogiversary.  Marissa writes sincere, interesting and intelligent posts about life as a twenty-something (content that I know I can relate to) and I hope you will stop by and visit her blog!

Enter using the Rafflecopter below and keep in mind the following details:

• The giveaway will run from May 26- May 30 at midnight.
• It is only open to continental U.S. residents.
• The winner will be chosen randomly and emailed by Marissa on Saturday, May 31. If the individual does not reply with their contact information by June 6, she will randomly generate a new winner.
• The winner's entry will be verified for authenticity.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In case you need any more motivation to enter, here are a few things from LOFT that I wouldn't mind adding to my closet! 

 

Splurge vs. Save

I was recently contacted by Credit Card Insider (a provider of practical information about credit and credit cards) to participate in a fun campaign called "Splurge vs. Save."  In order to take part, I'm going to show you something pricey that I've been coveting lately as well as what I've actually purchased to fulfill this desire...but at a much easier to stomach price!

Espadrilles are back in a big way this summer!  There is something about the canvas shoes and fiber soles that have me ready for those laid-back summer afternoons.  As I started to notice other style bloggers sporting their espadrilles, I decided that I would like to add a pair to my closet.  Here are some espadrilles that sparked my fancy:

c/o Neiman Marcus ($43)

c/o Carnet de Mode ($80)

You probably already know that I love all things striped so obviously some fun, striped espadrilles are just the thing to spice-up my summer wardrobe!  Now, $40-80 shoes like the ones above might not be considered "breaking the bank" to others, but for this girl on a budget of $250 for three months, I wasn't quite sold.

Now, cue Target, arguably the greatest store around!  While shopping for some apartment decor at my local Tar-jay, I just happened upon these gems on clearance for only $5!  They also come in red and white stripes.

Target ($16.99 online)

You may remember seeing these shoes on me last week because I love them so much that I've created multiple outfits around them already!  Here is another outfit featuring these espadrilles that I wore to a sunny art festival this weekend.

These shoes are oh-so-comfortable and were perfect for a day full of walking and admiring the artwork!    

I also want to send a shout out to Ada from Elegance and Mommyhood who featured one my looks on her blog today.  Please stop-by her blog to say "bonjour" because she is one of the sweetest bloggers out there!

What I'm Wearing:
Tee: Everlane (similar) <-- If you purchase through this link, I will receive credit towards more Everlane tees!
Denim Jacket: Old Navy (exact)
Necklace: Gorjana c/o Rocks Box (exact) 
Pants: c/o Stitch Fix (similar, similar)
Shoes: Target (exact)

Linking-Up:
Because Shanna Said So- Random Wednesday
Penniless Socialite- Favorite Fashion Friday and Look What I Got
Perfectly Coutured- Three-fer Thursday
Rachel the Hat and Lena B, Actually- Passion for Fashion
Simple Sequins- Fashion Item Friday
Style Elixir- Friday's Fab Faves
Vodka Infused Lemonade- Très Chic Fashion Thursday

My Style Profile at Undergraduate Style

Good morning, lovelies!  Please pop-over to Alex's blog, Undergraduate Style, today!  She is so generously featuring me in her new series about "Style Profiles."

Take a peek as I define my personal style and show you some of my favorite looks since starting Whitney à la mode!

Summer Style

Earlier this week the D.C. temperatures soared into the 90s for the first time this year.  I feel like summer has arrived and it's not even June yet!  I'm not quite ready for the heat, but the weather does make for good timing of Bri's latest Third Thursday Threads theme: sandals!

I purchased these sandals a few years ago during a trip to France!  I'm glad that they've held-up well because they are some of my favorite summer shoes.  I love that they are simple and classic but with a bit of pretty, feminine detail.

I've worn this dress on the blog before but underneath a cardigan and a denim jacket.  While I've loved layering the dress, I knew it would be great for warmer weather, too!  The dress has enough detail that it can stand on it's own...especially when I add a statement necklace.

I do have to say, though, that I don't get as excited about summer style as I do about dressing during the cooler seasons.  I love the creativity in adding blazers, cardigans, tights and scarves.  There is only so much you can wear when it's swelteringly hot outside.  Although, this will be my first full summer with a style blog so I'm hoping that I can be inspired and creative as the temperatures soar!

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: LOFT (similar, similar)
Necklace: Etsy (exact)
Sandals: France (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:
Penniless Socialite- Favorite Fashion Friday
Perfectly Coutured- Three-fer Thursday
Rachel the Hat and Lena B, Actually- Passion for Fashion
Simple Sequins- Fashion Item Friday
Style Elixir- Friday's Fab Faves
Vodka Infused Lemonade- Très Chic Fashion Thursday
Work Clothes I Suppose- Third Thursday Threads

Nautical

Yep, I'm wearing this dress again.  I meant it when I said that I grab it every time I'm standing, clueless, in front of my closet.  Admittedly I wouldn't usually feature it twice in a row on my blog, but I wore it recently in this nautically-inspired outfit...and I wanted to participate in Andi and Laura's "Nautical Week" link-up today!

Nautical is a popular look right now and is perfect as we transition into summer with dreams of relaxing on a boat with the wind blowing through our hair.  Okay, maybe not the wind part as I will wind-up with a tangled puffball as a hairdo.  Anyways, nautical is pretty trendy right now.  I think that "nautical" can be pretty widely interpreted but here are a few style concepts that I associate with this trend: the color navy, anchor prints, boat shoes, and stripes.

These striped, espadrille flats are, to me, what makes this outfit nautical.  I picked them up on clearance for five dollars (!!) on a recent trip to Target.  They are so cute and comfy.  I have a feeling that these flats are going to be favorites this summer.

So, favorite basic dress + striped espadrilles = the foundation of this outfit.  The day I wore this, the weather was a little bit too chilly for a short-sleeved dress.  So, I decided to wear an open chambray for a little bit of extra warmth.  An open chambray is a great alternative when a denim jacket is too heavy!  The belt was a last minute detail because I thought it made the outfit a little bit more nautically.

Here are a few fun nautical pieces that I've found.  Are you on board (pun intended) with the nautical trend?

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Gap (similar, similar)
Chambray: Old Navy (similar, similar) 
Belt: Francesca's (similar, similar)
Shoes: Target (exact)

Linking-Up:
Because Shanna Said So- Random Wednesday
Just Another Smith and I Do DeClaire- Nautical Week

Pop of Pink

Every once in awhile you need a no-brainer outfit.  You know, for those mornings when you hit snooze a few too many times and just can't think of anything creative to wear.  This was one of those outfits for me!

The key to a no-brainer look, in my opinion, is having favorite basics with which to work.  You've seen this sweatshirt dress on me bunches of times and I still can't get enough!  It is comfy, can be for work or play, and is so basic that it is easily re-mixable.  Almost every single morning that I find myself staring vacantly at my closet, I end-up pulling out this dress.

Once I've got this dress on, the rest is easy...I grab a cardigan or jacket or blazer or tights or statement necklace...you catch my drift?  Today the spring weather called for my denim jacket and in order to add a pop of color, I threw-on my pink statement necklace.

What's the first piece you pull out of your closet when you are in a bind?

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Gap (similar, similar)

Necklace: Francesca's (similar, similar)

Denim Jacket: Hand-Me-Down (similar, similar)

Shoes: Lindsay Philips (similar)

Linking-Up:

Basic Training Corporate Style- Fashionably Employed

Cha Cha the Fashion Genius and Pink Sole- #How I Summer

DC in Style- Monday Bloom

Elegance and Mommyhood and Life's A Party, Dress Like It- Stylish Tuesday

Fizz and Frosting- Mix It Monday

Greater Than Rubies- Remix, Rewear, Restyle: Pop of Color

I Would So Rock This

Style Elixir- Style Sessions

Merci, Teachers

To all of my fellow teachers out there, Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!  Thank you for all of the hard work (and it is hard work) that you do caring for and shaping the minds of those youngsters that we love so much.

And the world is showing their appreciation today (and really all week) with some really great deals for teachers!  I've compiled a list of a few retailers and restaurants that are providing specials for teachers this week or that have programs for teachers year-round!  If you know of any others, please let us know in the comments below!

Deals and Discounts for the Occasion:

Chick-Fil-A: Grab a chicken sandwich on the house today!

Chipotle: Stop by between 4:00 and closing time this evening for a BOGO deal on burritos, burrito bowls, salads and tacos!  You know that I'll be eating a burrito for dinner tonight!

The Limited: Use #LTDLovesTeachers to nominate your favorite teacher to win a $150 gift card!

New York and Co.: 30% off for teachers (and nurses ahem, sister) with a coupon until Wednesday.  The online code is 1810.

Year-Long Deals and Discounts:

J. Crew: 15% off all year when you show an educator's I.D.

Jo-Ann Fabrics: Sign-Up for a Teacher Discount Card for deals this week and always.

LOFT: Register as a teacher to receive 15% off every day (you must show a teacher's I.D.)!

So many of the outfits I wear on this blog are appropriate for teachers because I show you what I actually wear in real life.  And let's face it, five out of seven days a week, I'm teaching!  Here are a few of my favorite looks from the blog that I wore for a day at school!

 

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And again, teachers, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do!  You are amazing!

Creative Layering

Ahhh, the weather is finally warming-up and it's time to pull-out my favorite maxi dress!  I know that maxi dresses have been all the rage for a few summers now and it looks like this one will be no different.  Unfortunately, despite the millions of maxis for sale, I have the hardest time finding ones that are flattering on me (strange, I know).  Except for this dress that I purchased last summer...I absolutely love it!

From reading other style blogs, I know that a great way to remix dresses is to start layering!  You can layer a shirt or skirt over a dress to create a separates look.  While I know this makes sense and is an easy way to create more looks out of what you already own, I was hesitant to try it with this dress because I love it so much!  Does that sound weird?  The fit is so flattering that I didn't want to mess with the lines but adding a layer on top.

However, I attended a wine festival last weekend and the weather wasn't quite warm enough to go sleeveless but it was too warm for the denim jacket that I had planned to wear.  What's a girl to do but try a little bit of creative layering?!  And you know what, I liked it!  Granted, I don't love this look as much as I like the dress on its own, but I like it enough to wear it again!

Which look do you prefer?  Would you ever layer a shirt over a dress?

What I'm Wearing:
T-shirt: Gap (similar)
Dress: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar)
Necklace: LOFT (similar, similar)
Wedges: DSW (exact)

Linking-Up:
Basic Training Corporate Style- Fashionably Employed
DC in Style- Monday Bloom
Fizz and Frosting- Mix It Monday
Greater Than Rubies- Remix, Rewear, Restyle: Spring Layers
Style Elixir- Style Sessions
The Style Records- Monday Must Haves