Cypress

Today I'm excited to be participating in two of my favorite link-ups!  Sometimes it takes an extra push to really use your clothes creatively, which is why I look forward to some of these blogging challenges.

Heidi from Literate and Stylish and Marissa from The Modern Austen are hosting their yearly Pantone-inspired fall color challenge.  For those of you unfamiliar with Pantone, they are the ultimate authority in color.  They declare a color of the year as well as the seasonal "it" colors.  Heidi and Marissa have chosen to feature one of the fall 2014 colors each day this week, and today we are celebrating cypress, a dark olive color.  While olive is a really versatile neutral, I don't own much in this color.  Thank goodness I dug-out this cypress Everlane tee upon which to build my outfit!

I'm also excited to link-up with Andi of Just Another Smith and her co-host Danielle from Goodwillista for one of Andi's famous theme weeks.  This week blazers are in the spotlight.  Can you believe that I didn't used to like blazers?!?  I am now convinced it was because I was choosing the wrong fits and fabrics for my shape.  This is the blazer that changed my mind!  The fit is feminine and the fabric is oh so comfy...not stiff at all!

This entire outfit was inspired by the cypress t-shirt and the blazer.  At first I wasn't sure about such a boring, neutral outfit (not that neutrals have to be boring).  Then I discovered that this jeweled necklace pulled-out all of the right colors in the ensemble!

You may notice that these are not my typical type of blog photos.  I took advantage of a trip to LOFT and used their humongous mirrors for an impromptu photo shoot.  The sales girl probably wondered why it was taking me so long to try on the clothes!  Check back next week to find-out what inspired this fun afternoon shopping trip!

What I'm Wearing:

T-Shirt: Everlane (exact)

Necklace: LOFT (similar, similar)

Blazer: Anthropologie (similar, similar)

Pants: Gap (similar, similar)

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

Stitch Fix Review #2

About a month ago, I wrote this review of my first Stitch Fix box!  Not familiar with Stitch Fix?  They are a fun personal styling and clothing subscription company.  Basically, your very own personal stylist will send you a box full of goodies and you get to choose what to keep and what to (very easily) ship back.  Please read my first review for more details.

If I have convinced you to try Stitch Fix, I would be super duper appreciative if you would follow this link.  By doing so, you will give me a bit of credit towards my next box!  Merci beaucoup!

I mentioned before that my first box wasn't exactly what I wanted, but I wrote a detailed review of the fix and was hoping for improvement the second time around.  Well ladies, my stylist nailed it this time! I loved several of the items in my fix but was only able to keep one thing for financial reasons.  

Without further ado, I kept these amazing red pants!  I've mentioned before that I really struggle with finding pants that fit well.  For this reason, I was skeptical that someone could just send me a pair, without me trying them on first, and they would fit.  But they do fit!  And now I finally have a pair of colored bottoms!  I like these pants so well that I've worn them three times already (see below for these looks) and I mentioned in my Stitch Fix review that I wouldn't mind receiving more pairs in different colors, hint hint.

Here are the items that I decided to return:

While I really enjoyed the detail of the dress, the fit was off for my body.  The skirt was a bit too short for how much it flared.

If you can't tell from the photo, this shirt is covered in tiny, adorable swans.  I loved the print but the shirt was a bit too small.

I so wish that I could have kept this shirt, but alas, the pants won.  This shirt was comfy and cute but just slightly too pricey...and the pants were too good to pass-up.

I liked this necklace...but again, the pants won!

When I decided to keep the red pants, I was a little nervous about thinking of a variety of ways to wear them.  For my first pair of colored bottoms, I'm not sure I would have chosen red.  But beggars can't be choosers...and did I mention how well these pants fit??

Anyway, I shouldn't have been nervous at all considering I've worn them three times so far!

For this first look, I drew inspiration from the style card that came with my Stitch Fix.  The stylist recommended a striped top with a camel cardigan.  My striped shirt will definitely be worn with these pants again and I liked the addition of the neutral cardigan...I might not have thought of that one on my own.

I wanted to somehow make the red pants a little less bold and I think I did that by adding this floral scarf.  The scarf has red tones that work with the pants but the other colors in the flowers help to soften the look.

Nautical is back in this spring!  A navy and white striped blazer create a sharp look!

If you are interested in my future Stitch Fix reviews, please follow me at Bloglovin'!

What I'm Wearing:

Pants: Stitch Fix (similar, similar)

Striped Shirt: Banana Republic (similar, similar)

Cardigan: Target (exact)

Black Flats: DSW (exact)

Grey Tee: Everlane (exact)

Scarf: Gift (similar, similar)

Colored Flats: Toms (similar)

Blazer: Banana Republic (similar, similar)

Tassel Necklace: Loft (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:

Delusions of Grandeur- Favorite Fashion Friday

Perfectly Coutured and Everyday Fashion and Finance- Three-fer Thursday

Simple Sequins- Fashion Item Friday

Style Elixir- Friday's Fab Favorites

Vodka Infused Lemonade- Très-Chic Fashion Thursday

Work Clothes I Suppose- Third Thursday Threads

Tights will NOT protect you from monster bugs.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I am so thankful to be writing to you from my family home with a cup of coffee and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on in the background.

I am also thankful for a long weekend repose from the craziness of life and work!  And it has been a crazy few weeks, hence the reason I have neglected Whitney à la mode (please forgive me?).

Which brings me to my point, a cute pair of tights most definitely will NOT protect you from monster bugs.  A little over a week ago, while innocently walking from work to my car (which takes all of 45 seconds), some sort of bug managed to get up my skirt, up my coat and sting me THROUGH my pair of tights.  It was quite painful and this little critter managed to do quite a bit of harm.  Over the course of the next couple of days it became apparent that there was something terribly wrong with the bite and I ended up in the emergency room.  Don't worry, though, it was nothing that a strong dosage of antibiotics couldn't take care of and I'm feeling much better!

Unfortunately, doctor's visits and work sort of knocked the blog to the wayside.  But I am back with pictures of my Thanksgiving ensemble!

(Sorry about the blurry photos.)  This look was inspired by this post of Kimmie's from Blue Paper Lanterns.  When I noticed that we own the exact same Everlane tee and that it looked great with a mustard cardigan and a plain-colored skirt, I knew I had to try it!  

I love the simplicity of the basic elements and the combination of the fall colors!  Leopard print flats add some easy pizazz.

I also think that this comfy skirt and draping t-shirt will hide the Thanksgiving dinner food baby that I am sure to have in a few short hours.  What are you wearing for Thanksgiving?  Do you go festive or comfy?  Or a perfect combination of both?

In any case, have a warm and relaxing holiday!  Happy Thanksgiving!

What I'm Wearing:

• T-Shirt: Everlane (exact)
• Cardigan: H&M (similar, similar)
• Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
• Necklace: HRIM- Wolf and Moon (exact)
• Tights: Some store in France (similar, similar)
• Flats: LOFT (similar, similar)

The Power of Suggestion

While perusing my favorite personal style blogs, I've noticed, lately, that a lot of fashionistas have been attracted to all-neutral ensembles.  Well, chalk it up to the power of suggestion, but neutral outfits have been making me feel calm and put together this fall.

I'm wearing a t-shirt from Everlane in the color pine.  I love this color because it is subtle enough to be considered a neutral but is a bit more interesting than your basic black and white.  Have I mentioned how comfortable, soft and shapely the Everlane t-shirts are?

Skinnies and taupe booties complete the neutral base of my outfit.  And a scarf in fall tones is a such an easy way to add interest and pull together an outfit!

What I'm Wearing:

• T-shirt: Everlane (exact)
• Jeans: Old Navy (exact)
• Booties: Target (exact)
• Scarf: LOFT (exact)