Gingham and Rose

Ahh, it's finally feeling like fall around here!  And while I'm brushing the dust off of my scarves and ankle books, I'm saying goodbye to some of my favorite outfits of the summer...and this is one of them!

I love pairing feminine dresses with a classic pair of Converse.  Pink Converse that match my pink Nickel and Suede earrings solidified this outfit's position at the top of my list.  But do you know what really made this outfit number one in my book?!

The first time I wore it, Justin proposed!  Yep, my beautiful, rose gold engagement ring completed this look.  And now, every time I wear this combination, I think back to that happy moment in May.

And with that, my friends, it's time to head into fall fashion!  Over at The Blended Blog we're celebrating all things plaid.  Make sure to link-up your best plaid looks below.  By the way, gingham counts as plaid, right?!

Travel Capsule: Springtime in Europe- Outfits Six and Seven

Well we've made it to the final installment of my European travel capsule!  In case you missed it, I took ten items of clothing with me on a trip through Italy, Switzerland and France in April and loved every outfit I created.

Introduction and Outfit One

Outfits Two and Three

Outfits Four and Five

For our very last day in Paris, I brought out the striped dress from day one in Venice!  I made it a little more sporty this time with a pair of Converse instead of loafers and my utility jacket instead of the floral scarf.

And last but not least, a travel outfit!  Although I have to admit, I wore this on the way to Europe, not on the way home.  These pictures were taken after an eight-hour flight to Amsterdam so please excuse the wrinkles and the groggy expression.

I also have to admit that this polka dot tee (from LOFT outlet) was not listed in my Introduction post.  When I originally created the capsule, I had the scarf in the "extras" category and this t-shirt on the list.  But when I went to write that post, I totally forgot about it!

I actually think that I could have created more than seven outfits with these ten pieces (a few of them were only used once)!  But ultimately I only need seven outfits for this trip.  Which was your favorite?

And while you're here, link-up your latest fashion posts with The Blended Blog!

Blogging Besties: Distressed Denim

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 Selah looked oh so pretty in pink and gave me the following prompts from which to choose: floral, distressed denim or ballet flats.

I really debated which prompt to use because I love all of them and am so ready for some spring-time floral in my life!  But ultimately, I went where inspiration took me and landed on distressed denim.

I purchased this sweater vest at the GAP Outlet this fall and didn't love my first attempt at styling it.  Since then, though, I think I've got it figured out!  I definitely prefer it with longer sleeves sticking out.  I wore the vest with lace during my trip to China and have added stripes here!

Alright, Alex is up next and here are her prompts for next week: a sweater vest, blue and brown or multi-colored stripes!
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Create28: Smitten with the Mitten State

As soon as Carrie mentioned wanting to do a Deep in the Heart of Texas prompt for this round of Create28, I knew that I wanted a chance to represent my beloved Michigan!  Though I love to travel and have moved around a bit, a large part of my heart can always be found here.  You can't beat the beautiful beaches of Southwest Michigan, the charm of Mackinac Island, the unharnessed wild of the Upper Peninsula or the kindness of my fellow Michiganders.

Did you know that Michigan is called the Mitten State because the Lower Peninsula is shaped like a mitten?  Hence my "Smitten with the Mitten" tee!  I also decided to play-up the prompt (and the monochromatic purple look) a bit by wearing my new pair of mittens with the matching hat.  I suppose it's only fitting because you need to wear these cold-weather accessories if you are even thinking about stepping foot outdoors in Michigan these days.

Embarassingly, this was my attempt to show you how to form the state of Michigan with your mittened hands.  But I did it backwards.  Oops!

I hope that Create28 still inspired you to make a new outfit today.  Did you dress with Michigan in mind?  Or perhaps you let your own home state inspire you?  We want to see your look on Instagram (#create28winter17) and don't forget to link-up tomorrow!

What I'm Wearing:

T-Shirt: Michigan Awesome (exact)

Cardigan: Old Navy (exact style)

Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Hat and Mittens: Gap (exact)

Shoes: Converse (exact)

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Create28 and New Year Styled: Go-To Winter Look

Oh my goodness, I have so much going on here at Whitney à la mode today!  First of all, today is the kick-off of Create28 Winter 2017!  This month, Carrie and I are challenging you to create 28 new-to-you outfits inspired by the prompts we've created.  We encourage you to pull yourself out of that winter slump that we're all feeling and to be excited about what you're wearing again!  You can find all 28 prompts at the bottom of this post.

To get started, today we want you to wear your Go-To Winter Look!  I've found for the past few years that all I want to wear while it's cold outside is a warm, chunky cardigan and from there, my go-to look was established!

I love the soft color and texture of this marled blue cardigan.  It's the perfect completer piece on a chilly day!  So perfect, in fact, that I wore this exact sweater for my Go-To Winter Look on this very day last year!  And you know what that means!  This cardigan is a perfect candidate for my New Year Styled Challenge with The Blended Blog!

Last year, I let this cardigan be the pop of color in an otherwise neutral outfit and chose to feature texture (lace) over color.  This year, my look is similar featuring a simple combination of skinny jeans, a t-shirt and the cardigan.  But this time I added color with my favorite LuLaRoe Randy shirt and my pink chucks.

Which look is your favorite?  And how have you been styling your looks this year?  Make sure to link-up below with The Blended Blog and me!  And don't forget to take a look at our Create28 prompts!  We hope you'll play along by linking-up with us on Mondays and adding your looks to Instagram with #create28winter17!  Also, make sure to visit Carrie today to see her Go-To Winter Look.

Jacket Weather?

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that I was a little bit cold wearing this outfit on a snowy day in Michigan.  You would think that being a born-and-bred northerner would mean that I always make practical decisions regarding the weather, but no.  I'm actually the worst!

Nonetheless, I'm loving my new jacket from Shein!  When they presented me with the opportunity to choose and review another product, I immediately fell in love with this classic utility style jacket with a plaid twist (the inside lining and the hood are plaid)!  I get so much use out of my coral utility jacket during the spring and I think this one will be perfect for the fall.

As usual with Shein, I'm impressed with the quality of this garment.  While it's definitely not a winter coat, it is lined and the material feels really soft to the touch.  I'm wearing my typical size medium and it fits well with plenty of room to button-up!

I can't wait for the weather to warm-up a bit so I can add this jacket to my rotation!

What I'm Wearing:
Shirt: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Jacket: Shein (exact)
Leggings: LuLaRoe
Converse: (exact)

New Year Styled: Rose Quartz Blouse + Link-Up

Hey there!  If you haven't stopped by in awhile, welcome to the New Year Styled Series with The Blended Blog!  Since I've been busy remixing my closet (and not shopping) lately, I'm taking old favorites and styling them in a new way for the new year!

Here are my previous posts:
Green Striped Dress
Utility Vest
Lace Peplum

For this week, I'm restyling a delicate blouse with Rose Quartz details.  Last year I kept it simple with skinny jeans and metallic flats.  This year I wanted to try a slightly dressed down version.  A pair of distressed jeans and a big, cozy cardigan did the trick!

Now let's see what you are styling for the new year!  Link-up with us below!

New Year Styled: Lace Peplum + Link-Up

Happy Hump Day, y'all!  I've been having so much fun remixing some of my favorite pieces from 2016 for this season's New Year Styled series with the Blended Blog.  If you've missed my first couple of installments, I've already remixed a striped dress and a utility vest.

For today's post, I've decided to create a new outfit with this pretty lace peplum.  Last year I wore it to a holiday party and for date night.  This year I wanted to try something new and create a casual look.  I struggled a bit with this because, to me, the nature of the top lends itself to a more dressy occasion.

It doesn't get more casual than distressed jeans and sneakers, though!  So I knew by adding these elements I would definitely be creating a dressed-down look.  To change the effect of the top, I layered it over a striped shirt.  To be honest, I'm not actually sure how I feel about this layering.  What do you think?

What I'm Wearing:
Lace Peplum: LOFT (similar)
Striped Shirt: Banana Republic (similar)
Jeans: American Eagle (exact)
Converse: DSW (exact)

And while you're here, please link-up your latest remix or a look featuring this year's trends below!

The Coziest of Cardigans

Hey, y'all!  I'm here with a quick post today to participate in The Blended Blog's Cozy for the Holidays Series.

I recently purchased this cardigan from Old Navy and it seriously is the coziest of cardigans!  Not only is it over-sized and drapey, the material is super soft!  I couldn't recommend it more for those cold, winter mornings when getting dressed feels like a struggle.  I purchased it in a pretty green but it's available in two other color and pattern combinations.  Not only that, but it's less than $20 right now!

I also want to give a quick shout-out to my blogging buddy, Carrie, for gifting me with a discount code so I could purchase my second JORD watch!  JORD's wood watches make for a great conversation piece.  I receive compliments and questions about mine every time I wear them!

And since the blooper in my last post went over so well, I'll leave you with one more!

What I'm Wearing:
Cardigan: Old Navy (exact)
Tee: Old Navy (exact)
Watch: JORD (exact)
Jeans: American Eagle (exact)
Converse: DSW (exact)

And please link-up below with your coziest December looks!

LuLaRoe Week: Classic Tee and Leggings + Giveaway

Welcome back for day two of LuLaRoe week at Whitney à la mode!  I'm so excited to be sharing this fun, flattering and comfy brand with you.  Plus, don't forget about the awesome Carly giveaway compliments of my friend Betsy Friedrich (enter below)!

If you missed it, make sure to check-out yesterday's LuLaRoe introduction post.  I shared with you a little bit about the company, information about how to browse and buy their fun pieces and styling tips for their swing dress (the Carly featured in the giveaway)!

A Fall Vest

Back when Lisa proposed her ideas for our weekly style posts with The Blended Blog for October, I immediately signed-up to style a vest with this exact one in mind!  I purchased it at the Gap Outlet during my annual back-to-school shopping trip with my mom.  It's super soft and cozy, perfect for those chilly fall mornings when you don't want to get out of bed and want to stay comfy all day!

I'm so very excited to wear this vest with a basic, white long-sleeved tee and boots or even a navy-striped top!  Unfortunately (for this fall weather lover), temperatures reached the mid-seventies the day that I wore and photographed this outfit and I couldn't wear the outfits of my dreams.  Oh well, the weather forced me to be creative and think of a different outfit combination...and hey, that's what I created this blog to motivate myself to do!  Ultimately I'm glad that I chose to feature a vest for this series because vests are perfect transitional pieces when you want to layer-up but the temperatures aren't agreeing with you.

What is your favorite kind of vest for fall?  A puffer vest or perhaps a utility vest?  Show us how you've styled them by linking-up below!

Since I am an official member of The Blended Blog's blog hop today, please please please head over to visit Christy next to see how she has styled a fall vest or jacket! And thanks for stopping by today!

What I'm Wearing:

Vest: Gap Outlet (similar, similar)

Lace Tee: LOFT Outlet (similar)

Watch: JORD (exact)

Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Converse: DSW (exact)

What I Wore with My Pink Converse

Hey, y'all!  I'm back with the third and last post in my mini-series featuring one of my favorite pairs of shoes, my pink Converse!  If you missed it, here's where you can catch days one and two.

You're probably sick of hearing me tell you that these shoes work perfectly with neutrals, but they do!  Today, I'm totally recommending that you pair your sneaks with stripes!  It doesn't necessarily have to be a striped dress, either.  I'm looking forward to wearing these shoes with skinnies and a striped top now that the weather is getting a bit cooler.

So as a quick review, a pop-of-color pair of Converse looks great with solid neutral dresses, denim layers, chambray and stripes!  Do you own a pair of colored Converse?  How do you wear them?

And don't forget that today is is part of the What I Wore Series with The Blended Blog!  Don't forget to link-up below!

Rose Quartz Converse

Hey, friends!  I'm back today with my second post in my Pink Converse Mini-Series!  Yesterday I let the shoes shine when paired with a neutral dress and denim.  Today I'm still sticking with neutrals by wearing the sneakers with a simple, chambray dress!

This seems like a warm-weather outfit but could transition easily into the fall with a long-sleeved chambray dress or a chunky cardigan!

And do you remember my monthly Rose Quartz Series?  I totally dropped the ball in August but considering these shoes are pretty darn close to Rose Quartz and that I'm posting three outfits in a row featuring these shoes, will you forgive me (although you probably didn't notice that I forgot in the first place)?

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Amazin (exact)
Shoes: DSW (exact)

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