Showing posts with label cognac sandals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cognac sandals. Show all posts

Aug 29, 2018

I Blogged!


Why hello, I'm Whitney!  You may have forgotten I existed since it's been oh, about two months since I last blogged.  I took a little bit of time off to adjust to my new work schedule.  If you missed it, I've spent the summer transitioning from being a teacher (aka having the entire summer off) to working a 9-5 gig in an office.

Overall I'm feeling quite happy with my career change!  I definitely miss parts of teaching and feel the occasional pang of panic that I don't have set breaks from work anymore, but I'm loving the steady pace of a year-round job and how fast my workday seems to fly by!

I plan to share a bit more about what I'm doing now, why I made such a big change, and how I feel about it in the future.  But instead of diving deep in my first post back, let's keep it light with a quick summer outfit!


This Target maxi dress has been a fun piece to dress-up or down this summer.  I first wore it with a pair of wedges and a sparkly necklace to chaperone a semi-formal dance at the end of the school year (is there anything sweeter than 8th graders all gussied up?!).  For a backyard celebration, I kept it more casual with sandals and my trusty denim jacket.

I'm currently thinking of ways to transition it to fall.  This is going to be a challenge since the dress is so summery.  Any ideas?

And not only did I manage to write a blog post, I managed to do it on the day of The Blended Blog's style link-up!  Make sure to link-up your favorite looks of the week below.


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Oct 11, 2017

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!


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Sep 1, 2017

Blogging Besties: Vintage Vibe


Blogging Besties is a weekly series featuring Whitney of Whitney à la mode, Alex of The Cheerful Closet, Maricel of ::My Closet Catelogue:: and Selah of A Bibliophile's Style.  Each week, one of the bloggers will choose one component from the previous week's outfit to pass on in a brand new look.  This "take one, pass it on" challenge is an inspiration to stretch your closet and your imagination!



Last week Alex looked oh-so-pretty in a pencil skirt and top with feminine detailing at the sleeves.  She challenged me with the following prompts for my outfit this week: a pencil skirt, a vintage-inspired outfit or pearl jewelry.


So here you have it, ladies, my loose interpretation of a vintage-inspired outfit.  You see, I'm in the process of moving and don't have access to most of my clothing, shoes or accessories.  While planning this outfit, I couldn't find a single pencil skirt or pearl!  I do think the colors and floral print of this dress give-off a vintage vibe, though.  What do you think?

I also have a funny story about why I acquired this dress!  When I flew back from Belgium a few weeks ago, I flew into Washington D.C. so that I could spend the week traveling up the East Coast.  Well, the airline lost my suitcase.  On a direct flight.  I suppose my luggage just never made it on the plane?  In any case, I went straight from the airport to Target to buy everything that I needed for the next few days.  I purchased everything from running clothes for my 5k the next morning, to underwear to this dress!  And I'm quite pleased with it!  You gotta love impromptu Target shopping sprees!


Alright, Ms. Selah, your prompts for next week are as follows: mustard, floral print, or a piece purchased in a bind!

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Target (exact)
Shoes: Bali Elf (exact)
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Aug 4, 2017

Blogging Besties: Crochet Detail


Blogging Besties is a weekly series featuring Whitney of Whitney à la mode, Alex of The Cheerful Closet, Maricel of ::My Closet Catelogue:: and Selah of A Bibliophile's Style.  Each week, one of the bloggers will choose one component from the previous week's outfit to pass on in a brand new look.  This "take one, pass it on" challenge is an inspiration to stretch your closet and your imagination!

I'm just loving Alex's transition from college girl to stylish professional over at The Cheerful Closet, aren't you?



From her outfit last week, Alex challenged me to pass on either a statement necklace, a crochet detail or suede.  Since I'm still in ultimate summer mode, I chose to pass on the most warm-weather-appropriate detail, a little bit of crochet!


I purchased this top while in Toronto with my girls from The Blended Blog.  I think it's just the prettiest little thing with the crocheted shoulders and simple white color.  I chose not to go crazy with the jewelry because I wanted the blouse to be the star of the show.  Some pop-of-color jeans and neutral sandals complete the look.


I also happened to have a couple of photo bombers during this photo shoot.  Can you spot the first one?  Hint: check the window!  And take a peek at the pictures below to see photo bomber number two.


Gotta love having a little fun with blog pictures, right?!

Okay, Selah, for next week you can pass on a white top, beyond basic denim, bright lips or photo bombers!
SaveSaveSave
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Jul 7, 2017

Blogging Besties: Favorite Outfit Formula


Blogging Besties is a weekly series featuring Whitney of Whitney à la mode, Alex of The Cheerful Closet, Maricel of ::My Closet Catelogue:: and Selah of A Bibliophile's Style.  Each week, one of the bloggers will choose one component from the previous week's outfit to pass on in a brand new look.  This "take one, pass it on" challenge is an inspiration to stretch your closet and your imagination!

Last week Alex looked ultra-professional making me almost miss getting dressed for work in the morning, almost.


From her outfit, Alex presented me with the following prompts: maroon, a statement necklace, a blazer or a favorite outfit formula.  I decided to go with my current summer outfit formula!



My favorite way to keep an outfit interesting during the hot summer months is by wearing a top with a fun print (in this case, gingham), bottoms, flat sandals and a big 'ole messy bun on the top of my head.  That way I'm cool, comfy and somewhat put together!

Selah's prompts for next week are gingham, distressed jeans, cognac shoes or a hair do!
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May 4, 2015

Birthday Dresses and Wishlists

When the month of May rolls around, I find that the sun shines a little brighter and the flowers smell a little sweeter.  Because spring has truly arrived, you ask?  Well, perhaps, but it's also my birthday month!  I don't turn a year wiser until the 28th but I love the entire month, nonetheless!

Do you know who else has a birthday this month? My sweet friend Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood!  Every year, Ada picks a few of her blogging friends to style a special birthday dress look for her to feature on her blog.  I'm so excited that I'm one of the chosen few this year...especially because I love a good birthday dress!


I chose a relaxed yet pretty ensemble, perfect for a fun evening out with friends and family!  Wearing a maxi dress made of jersey material is a great way to look feminine while staying super comfortable.  A denim jacket is one of my springtime staples because it's cute and easy to throw-on when a the weather is a bit too chilly for a dress alone.  Finally, something sparkly is a must for a perfect birthday look and these sandals fit the bill!


With my own birthday coming-up, I've got a birthday list on my mind!  My trusty tote bag that I bring to school with me every day is beginning to wear-out and I've been itching to upgrade to a sleek, leather bag.  I really like the three below.  Which one do you like the best?  

Madewell        J.Crew        Nordstrom

Here are a few other things I've been thinking about.  My favorite singer of all time, Jewel, just released a line of shirts featuring some of her lyrics and I'm in love with the one below.  I've also been  admiring the clothing from Boden for quite sometime but it's a little bit out of my price range.  Perfect for a birthday list, right?  And finally, I wear my leopard-print flats so much that a pair of similar heels might be a future closet staple for me!  What do you have on your wish list currently?

Jewel        Boden        Sole Society

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Land's End (similar, similar)
Jacket: Hand-Me-Down (similar, similar)
Flats: Target (exact)
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Sep 1, 2014

Favorite Summer Dress

I have worn this dress so much this summer that I'm surprised it's making its first appearance on my blog today!  Every season I find that I have one or two pieces in my closet that I'm constantly reaching for, and this dress was a go-to item for me over the past couple of months.


I struggle with summer fashion because, in my opinion, it's just not as much fun as cooler weather fashion.  I find that I'm a lot more creative with my clothes when the temperatures drop because I can play around with layering.  In the summer, it's just too darn hot for layers (with the exception of my favorite denim vest).


I think it's for this reason that I love this dress so much.  The dress has enough going on for it- fun colors, a bold pattern, and a cute fit- that I don't feel the need to add much more to my outfit.  Sure, I'll throw-on a long pendant necklace here or add a brightly-colored pair of flats there, but this dress stands-out on it's own!

What has been your favorite summer piece of clothing this season?

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: ASOS (similar, similar)
Sandals: Target (exact)
Purse: Longchamp (exact)

Linking-Up:
DC in Style- Monday Bloom
Greater Than Rubies and Tucker Up- The Lovely Look Book
The Modern Austen- Sunday Best
I Do DeClaire- Confident TWOsday
Pink Sole and Cha Cha the Fashion Genius- #HowIFall
Style Elixir- Style Sessions
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Aug 22, 2014

Blogging Besties

Happy Friday, loves!  I am so excited to introduce you to a new series and collaboration that I will be doing with one of my best blogging buddies, Alex, from Undergraduate Style!

If you are a regular reader of personal style blogs, you may have heard of a "take one, pass it on" challenge.  During a typical run of this challenge, I would start by putting together and wearing an outfit.  The next day, I would take one element from the first outfit and wear it in my second outfit.  The third day, I then take a different element from the second outfit and wear it with my third.  I would follow this pattern until the end of the challenge.


Here is an example of what this might look like.  You will notice that I took the dress from the first outfit to wear in the second.  From the second ensemble, I took the belt to wear in the third photo.

Got it?  Good!  And now for the twist!  Alex and I are going to do this together!  I'm kicking-off the challenge today and then next week you will see which element of my outfit Alex is passing-on.  The following Friday it will be my turn again (and so on and so forth).  Obviously Alex and I don't own the exact same wardrobes so we will be doing this challenge with items that are as similar as possible.

Without further ado, here is the first look of the series!




The basic elements of this ensemble are my beloved denim vest, a simple black dress, a long pendant necklace and flat cognac sandals.  Alright Alex, let's see what you've got!

Don't forget to check back next Friday for Alex's first installment of this series!

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: ASOS (similar, similar)
Denim Vest: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Necklace: Gift (similar, similar)
Sandals: Target (exact)

Linking-Up:
Rachel the Hat and Lena B Actually- Passion 4 Fashion
Simply Sequins- Fashion Item Friday
Style Elixir- Friday's Fab Faves
Vodka Infused Lemonade- Très Chic Fashion Thursday
Work Clothes, I Suppose- Third Thursday Threads
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