How to Wear a Fur Vest After the Holidays

Well hello, lovelies!  As I'm getting back into the groove with outfit photos and blogging, I've been looking to The Blended Blog for some inspiration.  We're starting to add themes to our Wednesday style posts and this week we're talking about vests.

After years of wanting the perfect (faux) fur vest, I finally found one this December.  It isn't too over-the-top, came in the color I wanted and has a sweater-back instead of fur all over.  I'm telling you, this is the fur vest of my dreams.  Not to mention it was a total steal at $35 instead of the usual $70+ that I see for fur vests.  And good news!  It is still on sale and comes in multiple, fun colors (I think I need to add the red one to my closet now).  If you've been looking for the perfect fur vest, definitely check this one out!

Faux fur (because I would never wear real), to me, seems so perfect for the holidays!  The material exudes warmth and a little bit of glam.  I had fun wearing this vest to Christmas get-togethers but when December ended, I wasn't quite ready to hang it up until next year.

Now, I'm normally not one to prescribe to style "rules."  I generally think that you should wear what makes you happy, but that doesn't mean that I don't feel a little self-conscious sometimes when I think I'm wearing something out of the ordinary.

So, I've come-up with three ideas to help you transition your fur pieces to the new year:

1.  Wear fur with neutrals.  I think bold colors add to the festive feel of the holidays so I stuck with shades of brown and blue to calm the fur down in the new year.

2.  Dress-down the fur.  I also think that wearing fur with a dress makes for a pretty fancy ensemble.  Wearing it with jeans and a tee feels more "everyday" to me.

3.  Own it.  Sometimes you just gotta step outside your comfort zone and wear what you want to wear!

What I'm Wearing:
Striped Tee: Boden (exact)
Vest: Macy's (exact)
Jeans: American Eagle (exact)
Ankle Boots: Nordstrom (exact)

Don't forget to link-up your favorite looks with The Blended Blog below!

Common Threads Challenge: Week 4

Well, friends!  We've made it to the end of the Common Threads Challenge!  I've loved this challenge but I'm also happy that it's coming to a close.  I figured-out lots more ways to remix the five pieces that I chose but I'm so ready for the freedom that comes with wearing whatever I want!

Overall I'm proud of how I did.  On top of my increased creativity in remixing, I managed to use each of my pieces just about equally:
Ankle Boots: 5 wears
Mustard Cardigan: 5 wears
Olive Skirt: 4 wears
Skinny Jeans: 5 wears
Tunic: 5 wears

I do have to admit to a few days of not complying with the challenge and these were days that I didn't change out of either pajamas, yoga pants or grubby work clothes.  I also cheated and wore my Halloween costume yesterday (picture included at the bottom of this post for good measure).

So, without further ado, here were my final outfits of the Common Threads Challenge!

October 23rd featuring my Mustard Cardigan: I had originally planned to wear this on Friday but I woke-up on Monday morning and couldn't bare the thought of what I had planned.  Luckily I work in a school where it's okay to occasionally wear jeans during the work week.

October 24th featuring my Olive Skirt: Up until this point I had been wearing basics plus cognac accessories with this skirt.  I changed things up a bit this time with grey and black accents.

October 25th featuring my Skinny Jeans: There's nothing quite like a sweatshirt and sneakers for a morning full of professional development (and the leisurely sipping of coffee instead of running around with students).

October 26th featuring my Skinny Jeans: You may remember this outfit from last weeks edition of Blogging Besties.  I knew I had to wear hot pink so my fun, new coat from Belgium was paired with they skinnies.

October 27th featuring my Ankle Boots: We had a pink-out at school to promote breast cancer awareness and research.  Luckily these boots are neutrals and worked perfectly with the top and scarf.

October 29th featuring my Tunic: I finally got to break-out the Barefoot Dreams Cardigan that I ordered from the Nordstrom sale this summer!  I felt so cozy for a day of unpacking boxes but still put together.

October 30th featuring my Olive Skirt: Please forgive the terrible photo backgrounds throughout this challenge as I've been moving and unpacking all month.  Although it was a slight relief to take mirror selfies as opposed to actual blogging pictures for the month!  And I think I saved my favorite olive skirt outfit for last.  I loved it with this grey, bell-sleeved top!

October 31st as a Social Butterfly: It wouldn't be October without a Halloween costume, right!?

And there you have it!  The conclusion to the Common Threads Challenge!  Make sure to link-up your looks below!
SaveSave

An InLinkz Link-up

Common Threads Challenge: Week 3

Is the Common Threads Challenge flying by, or is it just me?  I feel like this series has motivated me to use some of my lesser-worn pieces and to dress more intentionally and creatively.  Those were my original goals when I started Whitney à la mode, so I think I've been pretty successful in this challenge!

Although I do feel myself slowing down so I'm glad the month is almost up!  On the mornings that I'm super tired, I'm finding myself frustrated with having to wear a a pre-planned outfit that I don't want to wear or being tied to certain pieces in my closet.  All good things must come to an end, right?

If you missed the beginning of the CTC, here are my previous posts:

The Pieces

Week 1

Week 2

And now let's get to my Week 3 outfits!

October 16th featuring my Mustard Cardigan: This sweater is always one of my favorites but I've been particularly fond of pairing it with neutrals this fall!

October 17th featuring my Olive Skirt: This is a piece that's been in my closet for years but rarely gets worn.  I'm really glad that I've been able to remix it so much during this challenge but I am afraid the people are starting to notice that I wear it once a week.  I'm probably just paranoid...

October 18th featuring my Skinny Jeans: Okay, so I kind of cheated.  The particular skinny jeans I chose for this challenge weren't very comfortable.  And these jeans are.  So I switched.  That's allowed, right?!

October 19th featuring my Tunic: I totally stole this outfit idea from Ada.  Thanks, friend, for helping me out when I'm starting to run out of fresh ideas!

October 20th featuring my Ankle Boots: Gotta love dressing down on a Friday!  Although it was picture day.  Who wants to do picture day on a Friday!?

October 21st featuring my Skinny Jeans: Happy Game Day!  The Spartans won, if you were wondering.

And on Sunday, I wore my pajamas all day!  Sorry not sorry.

Don't forget to link-up your looks for the CTC below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Thursday Moda: Ankle Boots and Basic Tops

Happy Friday Junior, friends!  I'm so ready for a weekend full of Spartan football and relaxing (read: unpacking boxes) at home.  But before we get there, I'm back with another Thursday Moda link-up with my good blogging buddy and co-collaborator in the Common Threads Challenge, Ada.

We picked so many similar items for the CTC that we decided to showcase some of our outfits together!  Last week we featured our mustard cardigans and today we're back with two pieces: ankle boots and a basic top.

I love that both of our pairs of ankle boots have interesting side detailing.  I don't know about you, but I have a few pairs of booties now that they've been in style for a few fall seasons.  It's fun to add pairs that are a bit unique

Okay, so I love Ada's take on the plan, v-neck top so much that I might try to recreate this look tomorrow (stay tuned for next week's CTC post to see if I pulled it off).  I have a similarly-colored cardigan and some denim trousers that will work for a day of teaching!

Alright, stylish friends!  Please link-up your best fashion posts below and thanks for stopping by today!

Common Threads Challenge: Week 2

Well hello!  I hope you're all having awesome and stylish weeks!  For those of us participating in the Common Threads Challenge, we're over halfway done.  Can you believe it?!  I'm still loving this series and how it's stretching my creativity and my closet.

Previous Common Threads Challenge Posts:
Introduction
The Pieces 
Week One

But y'all, one thing I've learned about myself is, no matter the intention to get dressed, I will wear leggings and a sweatshirt on the days when I don't have to leave the house.  And I had two of those days this week.  So here you are, the five outfits I wore for the CTC this week!

October 10th featuring my Tunic: I'm pretty darn pleased with this outfit!  I wore it during a sixish hour drive to Madison, Wisconsin.  Even though I was wearing leggings and a fuzzy tunic, the scarf and d'Orsay flats made me feel very put-together.

October 11th featuring my Skinny Jeans: Like I mentioned in a previous post, I knew I would be attending lots of sporting events this month so I included my skinny jeans as one of my five items.  Nothing beats jeans and a sweatshirt, right?!  Go Edgewood Eagles!

October 12th featuring my Ankle Boots:  I purchased this swingy, boxy cardigan in Belgium and have been waiting for the weather to be cool enough to wear it!  They are all the rage in Europe this season, by the way.  I thought it would look classic and chic with stripes and these ankle boots!  I felt great for a day touring Milwaukee and the Lakefront Brewery.

October 13th featuring My Ankle Boots: Ever since my boyfriend told be about a local apple orchard and shop, I've been so excited about spending a fall day there.  And this was the day!  We found our way through a corn maze, tasted wine, went for a hayride and enjoyed donuts and cider.  Shades of olive and the ever-popular blanket scarf felt so very fall for this autumn excursion.

October 14th featuring my Tunic: Okay, so I did manage to get dressed on one of my lazy days this week.  Although I was quite productive despite not leaving my house.  Anyways, at least I'm wearing one of my pieces even though it's not that exciting, right?

So I realize that I didn't wear my mustard cardigan or olive skirt this week!  That's probably because I think of them more as "work" pieces and I had the week off.  Don't worry, they are getting lots of wear and you will see them again soon!

And don't forget to link-up your Common Threads Challenge looks below!

Common Threads Challenge: Week 1

We are already one week into the Common Threads Challenge!  You know, the style challenge where you choose five pieces to incorporate into each and every outfit you wear during the month of October?

I'm having so much fun with this series!  It's getting my creative juices flowing without being too much to handle for this tired teacher brain.  Granted, it is only the beginning, there is a chance that I will begin to struggle towards the end of the month.

But I'm trying to plan in advance so that won't happen.  I have a list of outfits I've already created in my head that I can pull from as the month progresses.  As I'm making this list, I'm making sure that each of my five pieces are represented equally.  I've also started a Pinterest board where I'm pinning looks that are easily replicated with my five items and other pieces from my closet.

The only thing I'm struggling with are my days off when I wouldn't necessarily get dressed.  Admittedly, on day one (October 1st), I ran a 5k and then spend the rest of the day moving in a sweaty t-shirt and shorts.  And today?  Today (as in the day I'm writing this) has been the first day I've spent resting at home since July (I'm not exaggerating) so I'm shamelessly still wearing my pajamas.  I do have outfits planned for these days so I plan to feature my unworn outfits at the end of the month and vow to wear them in November so that I can say that I fully participated in this challenge!

How are you doing?  Are you finding this to be easy or a bit tricky?  Are you having fun being creative with your wardrobe or wish you wouldn't have committed to this challenge?  Please share your ups and downs with us on our Facebook support page.  We're also having fun sharing some of our daily outfits over there!

Now that I've gotten the words out of the way, here are my looks from the first week of the challenge:

October 2nd featuring my Olive Skirt: It's still pretty warm in my neck of the woods but I love that I was able to channel some fall with some autumn hues in this outfit.  And it was fun to put this skirt back into rotation since it's been so long since I've worn it.  Why did it get shoved into the back of my closet again??

October 3rd featuring my Ankle Boots: The jury is out on this look.  While I liked the idea of a pretty dress with these ankle boots, I don't think the combination is quite right.  But a really stylish girl I met in the bathroom of a restaurant told me she loved my outfit.  So maybe it works?  In any case, experimenting is a part of this challenge so I'm glad I tried the outfit!

October 4th featuring my Tunic: I'm finding this challenge is helping me to use lots of pieces I haven't worn lately beyond my chosen five.  This vest and pair of ankle boots used to be fall staples so I'm excited to be using them again this fall.

October 5th featuring my Mustard Cardigan: This is my favorite outfit of the challenge so far and it was so simple to put together!  Comfy dress + favorite cardigan + scarf = how can you go wrong?

 October 6th featuring my Skinny Jeans: I'm a teacher so most Fridays you'll find me wearing jeans and a school shirt.  Although this particular Friday, I attended a football game at my high school!  Yep, this sweatshirt is over a decade old!

October 7th featuring my Mustard Cardigan: My whole family convened in my hometown this weekend for a number of events including family photos.  It's a good thing the decided-upon color combination for the shoot was mustard, burgundy and grey!  Mustard cardigan for the win!

October 8th featuring my Mustard Cardigan: And to round out the weekend of festivities, my nephew was baptized on Sunday morning.  This cardigan is the only one of my pieces that works for really dressy occasions so I wore it two days in a row.  Luckily, cardigans are such a basic staple piece that no one seemed to notice!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll join us as we continue this really fun challenge!  If you're already playing along, make sure to link-up below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Fun, Little Details

Hi, friends!  I'm back from China and I've missed you!  I took so many photos during my vacation and am in the process of sifting through and editing them.  You can look for a Beijing post sometime next week!

In the meantime, can I get a little pat on the back for actually getting dressed and looking like a human today?!  I got home at 12:30 last night after 23.5 straight hours of traveling and my body still doesn't know what time zone its in!  But two of my lovely friends invited me to coffee this afternoon and I couldn't resist a latte with good company.  Plus there's nothing like showering and putting on a cute outfit to get you going again!

For the most part, I consider my style to be pretty classic. I own lots of fit-and-flare dresses, dark wash jeans, basic cardigans and classic, well-made pairs of shoes.  But even in a classic wardrobe, it's so much fun to have pieces with unique details!  Often times these are my favorite clothing items and by pairing them with my other pieces, they still fit into my style.  It's that little addition of whimsy that makes my style truly "me."

When Romwe offered me the opportunity to choose one of their pieces to review, I couldn't pass up this blouse!  It has so many fun, little details that make a great addition to my wardrobe.  The print is unique and the pleated peplum adds an extra bit of oomph to any outfit.  Plus there is a little tie on the back of the top and the sleeves have cute elastic cuffs.

If you are looking for unique or trendy (and inexpensive) items to add to your closet, look no further than Romwe!  And I would highly recommend this top!  It can be dressed up or down and is just so much fun.  I typically wear a size medium and I sized up to a large since the material has no stretch to it.  The large fits perfectly!

What I'm Wearing:
Blouse: c/o Romwe (exact)
Cardigan: Macy's (similar)
Jeans: American Eagle (exact)
Ankle Boots: Nordstrom (exact)

And don't forget to link-up with The Blended Blog for our Fall Favorite Finds today!  I'm so happy I've found this blouse to wear throughout the fall and beyond.  What have you found lately?