Blogging Besties: Cozy Cardigan

Hello, friends! Happy Friday! Whitney had the cutest Michigan pride outfit last week:

It made me want to go get a Kansas shirt! I don't know where I would find one of those, haha. She layered her graphic tee with a cozy cardigan and a cargo vest!

I decided to "pass on" the cozy cardigan because newsflash: It's cold! It's cold pretty much everywhere in the US right now, unless you live in a beachy Southern area. This day was warmer (high in the 40s,) so I didn't have to layer TOO much, but as I write this, it's a chilly 19 degrees, our high for the day. Brrrrr.

Top: Thrifted (similar, similar, similar)

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar, similar, similar)

Jeans: Forever XXI (similar, similar, similar)

Shoes: Target (similar, similar, similar)

Scarf: Forever XXI (similar, similar)

The elements of this outfit are: cozy cardigan, printed tank, solid scarf, skinny jeanns, loafers/moccasins, florals, and suede!

Previous editions of Blogging Besties

If you "passed on" something from Whitney's outfit last week, by all means link it up!

An InLinkz Link-up

February Budget

Wow!  It has been a few months since my last budget post!  I mentioned in October that I had already blown my final quarterly budget for the year.  That paired with all of the Christmas shopping I needed to do meant that I wasn't spending money on myself towards the end of 2014.  As the new year rolled around, I found myself feeling content with what I have and content with life in general so I didn't buy a single piece of clothing during the month of January!

Now that February is coming to a close, however, I have added some fun new additions to my wardrobe!

1.  Anthropologie Pinnacle Textured Dress: Original Price- $158 Price Spent- $52.95

2.  Capelli New York Printed Triangle Cork Pouch: Original Price- $24.50 Price Spent- $24.50

3.  River Island Pansy Print Swing Dress: Original Price- $64.20 Price Spent- $33.02

4.  ASOS Swing Dress in Spot: Original Price- $65 Price Spent- $33.02 

5.  Wanderlust + Co Loop Crystal Gold Ring: Original Price- $34 Price Spent- $27

6.  Glamorous Jersey Drop Hem Dress: Original Price- $40.34 Price Spent- $23.85    

7.  Shiraleah Clutch: Original Price- $73 Price Spent- $36.50 

Total Spent February- $229.92Total Spent this Quarter- $229.92 (Total Saved $258.33)Total Remaining- $20.08

ASOS hosted a fabulous sale this month so I was able to get the pansy print dress, the swing dress and the drop-hem dress for a really great deal!  I feel like these three dresses along with the little Anthro number (purchased especially for my Valentine's Day date) have given me some fun and fresh pieces with which to work.  I'm already having fun styling them in multiple ways!  Add the sparkly ring and some new clutches, and I'm feeling pretty excited about my wardrobe these days!

Linking-up with Fran's Budgeting Bloggers

Brighten It Up

This month, I've been participating in a fun challenge over at my friend Carrie's blog, A Lovely Little Wardrobe.  Carrie has been hosting Create 28, a wardrobe remix that encourages us to wear 28 brand new outfits using what's hanging in our closets.  What I'm loving about this challenge is that it's totally flexible.  I don't have to limit my number of pieces and I don't necessarily have to follow any rules.  Each day, though, Carrie gives us a prompt that we can follow to get the creative juices flowing.  I'm finding that this is a really fun way to get dressed and think about my clothes every day!

While I've been having a lot of fun participating, I haven't been on top of photographing my outfits (#stylebloggerproblems), so this one is actually from a few weeks ago.  Can you guess the prompt?  You got it!  Carrie challenged us to wear bright colors!

Carrie's cry for bright colors was timed perfectly with the arrival of my most recent ASOS order.  As soon as I saw this floral number, I knew I had to wear it!  Since the dress stands on it's own, I kept the rest of the outfit neutral with navy.

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: ASOS (exact)

Tights: France (similar, similar)

Flats: France (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:

A Lovely Little Wardrobe- Create 28

The Brandied Pair and Style Honestly- Fab Five Friday

I Do DeClaire- Confident Twosdays

My Closet Catalogue- TARDIS Tuesday

Pink Sole and Cha Cha the Fashion Genius- #HowIFall

Blogging Besties: Cargo Vest

It's Friday, and (spoiler alert) as my t-shirt states, "Life is Great!"  Alex looked cool and casual in her ensemble from last week!  

On Wednesday I enjoyed a relaxing snow day by having lunch with some of my teacher friends.  For this outing, I chose to pass on a cargo vest from Alex's look to create a warm, layered and comfy outfit.

I purchased this purple-hued vest about a year and half ago and it is still one of my favorite wardrobe pieces.  Cargo vests can be so versatile and I love that mine is a slightly unconventional and feminine color.  To add a little extra warmth, I decided to go for a monochromatic look with a purply-taupe cardigan over a Mitten State graphic tee.

What are you going to pass on next week?  here are your choices: skinny jeans, a graphic tee, a cargo vest, a cozy cardigan, winter boots or a monochromatic style.  I can't wait to see your creations!

What I'm Wearing:

T-Shirt: Smitten Design Studios (similar)

Cardigan: LOFT (similar, similar)

Vest: Eddie Bauer (similar, similar)

Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Boots: Uggs (exact)

Linking-Up:

The Brandied Pair and Style Honestly- Fab Five Friday

Rachel the Hat- Passion 4 Fashion

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Featured On:

Whitney à la mode

Undergraduate Style

Let's see what you passed on from Alex's look last week!

An InLinkz Link-up

Guest Posting at Work Clothes, I Suppose

Good morning!  I'm just dropping in today for a quick "hello" and to encourage you to pop over to Bri's blog, Work Clothes, I Suppose.  Bri is cute, genuine and stylish (of course)!  Not only that, but I'm guest posting today while Bri is off enjoying her honeymoon!  Here is a sneak peek at what you'll find there!  I hope to see you soon!

Blogging Besties: Cobalt Blue

Hello, pals! Thank goodness it's Friday--time for another Blogging Besties! I loved Whitney's outfit from last week--that blue dress is SO pretty on her!

Last Week's Blogging Besties

My first thought was to go the easy route and pick tights--because it gets cold here in Kansas and I wear tights all the time. But then this bright blue top in my closet caught my eye! I don't wear much cobalt blue, but I have this one top in that color and I love it to death. I threw on my cargo vest and a statement necklace and was good to go! 

Blouse: Thrifted (similar, similar, similar)

Jeans: Forever XXI (similar, similar, similar plus size)

Vest: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Flats: Target (similar, similar, similar)

The elements of this outfit are: cobalt blue, olive green, printed blouse, skinny jeans, cargo vest, nude leather, geometric prints, and glitter/metallics!

Previous editions of Blogging Besties

If you "passed on" something from Whitney's outfit last week, please do link up!

An InLinkz Link-up

Blogging Besties: Peplum

TGIF, my friends!  Are you as relieved as I am that we've (almost) made it to the weekend?!  I'm sure you remember Alex's chic ensemble from last week:

I'm not sure if I cheated in the "take one, pass it on" challenge this week, so I will let you be the judge...

I received this cozy cardigan-ish blazer for Christmas from my fashionable mother.  When it is buttoned, it definitely has a peplum flare to it!  So I'm saying that I passed-on the peplum from Alex's look...but I didn't wear the blazer buttoned.  So does it count?

And now for your "pass it on" inspiration for next week: a fit-and-flare dress, a cardigan or blazer, tights, suede wedge booties, a bow belt, cobalt blue and animal print!  

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Gap Outlet (similar, similar)

Blazer: Gift (similar, similar)

Belt: Anthro (similar, similar)

Tights: Nordstrom (exact)

Booties: DSW (exact)

Linking-Up:

The Brandied Pair and Style Honestly- Fab Five Friday

My Closet Catalogue- TARDIS Tuesday

Rachel the Hat- Passion 4 Fashion

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Featured On:

Whitney à la mode

Undergraduate Style

Now show us what you've got!

An InLinkz Link-up

Currently: February

hearting: This little lover, my niece Eloise!  Could she be any cuter?  I just can't get enough of those smoochable cheeks, those wide eyes and her chic little outfits (nice work, sister)!

reading: This month it is my turn to choose something to read for book club.  Many of my friends have never read anything by my all-time favorite author, Agatha Christie, so Death on the Nile it is!

pinning: Lots of random stuff!  Healthy meals, cute clothes and inspirational quotes!

eating: This delicious cassoulet that I have made twice in the past month.  It's easy, tasty and healthy!

anticipating: An upcoming visit from a very special someone.  Valentine's Day is going to be particularly sweet this year!

Linking-up with Anne and Jenna for Currently.