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!

Little Changes + Link-Up

Before I got into reading personal style blogs, I would wear one clothing item only one particular way.  Take a shirt, for example.  I would wear said shirt with the same pair of pants, same necklace and same pair of shoes every.single.time.

Remixing has definitely been the biggest lesson I've learned in being more creative with what I've got hanging in my closet.  One thing that I still have to remind myself of, though, is that remixing doesn't have to be drastic.  You can make little changes to create an entirely different outfit.

Let's compare the above outfit to this outfit, for example.  Essentially, each outfit consists of jeans and the same lace top.  I think they both have a casual yet slightly more glamorous feel (perfect for a date night)!  But a different glitzy necklace, different colored denim and different shoes make for a completely different outfit without much extra effort.

Which lace look do you like better?  And what's your favorite little change that helps to create an entirely different look?

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: LOFT (similar, similar)

Tank: Old Navy (exact)

Necklace: c/o Rocks Box (similar)

Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Flats: LOFT (similar, similar)

And now it's time for our weekly Lovely à la Mode Link-Up!

Create28: Favorite Winter Look

You guys, where have the last few months gone?!  It's already time for the next seasonal round of Create28!  This time, Carrie, Casey and I will be joined by some of our blogging friends to show you 28 brand new looks inspired by our daily prompts.  We hope that you will join in the fun by linking-up your looks on Mondays or by posting pictures to Instagram (#create28winterlooks).  Here's a look at what we have coming-up this week:

When deciding what my go-to look has been this winter, I thought about what I've been reaching for in my closet the most frequently.  My most-worn items have definitely been thick, over-sized cardigans!

One of these cozy little numbers with skinny jeans, camp socks and booties have been my uniform lately!  So much so that you will see similar combinations for a few other prompts this month!

A lot of the cardigans that I have been drawn to are in soft, neutral tones like these.  bb dakota sweaters just seem to have the perfect drape to them, don't you think?

What's your favorite look lately?

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: LOFT (similar, similar)

Cardigan: Gap Outlet (similar, similar)

Necklace: Raw Sugar Sunday (exact) <--Can't say enough about this Etsy shop!

Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Socks: L.L. Bean (exact)

Booties: Kohl's (similar)

Where I'm linking-up!

And now it's time for that Lovely Little à la Mode Link-Up!

Lace + Link-Up

On Saturday, Carrie posted the style prompt Upstyle, Update for Downtown.  I had so much fun participating in her little challenge from the previous Saturday that I immediately knew I wanted to try this one, too.  One little problem though, I had no plans to get gussied-up to go downtown this weekend.  In fact, my plans were quite the opposite.  I wanted to do absolutely nothing!  You know, this kind of weekend:

So this may be considered cheating, but I had these pictures sitting on my computer from the last time I dressed-up for a night!  I wore this outfit to my parents' restaurant's holiday party.  Have I ever mentioned that my parents own a restaurant?  If you are ever in Lansing, Michigan and are looking for a delicious bowl of soup, fresh salad or sandwich, please head to Zoup! and say hello to Mark and Sue!  Anyways, I've worked for them before and am there eating frequently enough that I'm friends with most of the crew.  I was pretty excited when they all wanted me to attend their holiday party so that we could have an opportunity to socialize beyond work hours!

Now, there's something about lace that just feels so fancy to me!  I know that you can wear it during the day as well, but it really does add a little something to an evening outfit.  The same thing goes for white jeans and heeled booties.  They feel a little bit more special than the usual jeans and and flat shoes that I wear to work and run errands.  Do you agree?

If you are looking for a special something to spice-up an evening look, here are some beautiful lace blouses, good quality white jeans, and fun taupe booties!

What I'm Wearing:

Lace Blouse: LOFT (similar, similar)

Necklace: Gift (similar, similar)

White Jeans: LOFT (exact)

Booties: Target (similar, similar)

And it's that time of the week again!

Fall Transitions for the Lovely Little à La Mode Link-Up

I know that I'm just one of many personal style bloggers to profess my love of fall.  Not only do I love fall fashion elements like layering, blanket scarves and booties, but I also love the exciting start to the school year, football season, and acorns crunching under my above mentioned booties.  And of course I have to throw in the mandatory shout-out to the pumpkin spice latte!

It can be so hard (in a first world problems kind of way) when you are ready for fall but Mother Nature is still enjoying summertime.  What's a cool weather loving girl to do?  My favorite way of transitioning into fall attire while it's still warm outside is to throw on a light, gauzy scarf!

I love scarves because they are one of the easiest ways to add interest too an outfit.  Not to mention they are a cool weather staple which makes my fall-loving heart very happy.  However, if the scarf is lightweight, it's perfect for transitional days...plus you can obviously take it off if it gets too hot!

You are also witnessing my first step into the world of joggers.  I received this pair in a Le Tote delivery and really enjoyed wearing them because, well, who doesn't enjoy sweatpants that are acceptable to wear in public.  I did feel a bit nervous, though.  I went shopping with my mom and kept asking her if it looked like I was just wearing your average sweatpants.  She assured me that this pair is truly worthy of a public appearance.  So here you go!

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: LOFT (similar, similar)

Scarf: Le Tote (exact)

Joggers: Le Tote (exact)

Sandals: DSW (similar, similar)

Before we head into this week's Lovely Little à La Mode Link-Up, I just want to remind you that Carrie, Casey and I are starting Create28: Fall Looks on Thursday!  We hope that you'll join in by creating 28 brand new looks based-on our daily prompts.

And now it's that time of the week!

Blogging Besties: Cardigan

Didn't Alex look perfectly ready for fall last week?

Speaking of perfectly fall, I'm excited to announce that Carrie, Casey and I are hosting our next seasonal Create 28 Style Challenge.  Create 28 Fall Looks starts next Thursday and we hope that you will join us in creating 28 brand new outfits based on our daily prompts!  You can link-up your looks every Monday and share your looks on Instagram with #Create28FallLooks!

Alright, back to the task at hand!  The primary component of Alex's outfit that I decided to pass on is a cardigan but I also incorporated lace and flats into my look!

This striped number is another borrowed Le Tote item!  I can't stress enough how Le Tote is helping me transition into fall.  It's keeping my look fresh while I try to hold off from shopping until I see what I really need for the season.

Here are your choices of pieces to pass on for next week: a cardigan, a lace top, colored pants, pattern paired with texture or something borrowed!  But first let's see what you passed on from Alex's look!  Please link-up below!

What I'm Wearing:

Top: LOFT (similar, similar)

Cardigan: c/o Le Tote (exact)

Pants: c/o Stitch Fix (similar, similar)

Flats: Land's End (exact)

Watch: c/o JORD (exact)

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Featured On:

Whitney à la mode

Undergraduate Style

Where I'm linking-up!

An InLinkz Link-up

This Skirt Again

Do you ever go through phases when you just can't get enough of a certain clothing item?  Oh good, me too!  Right now I can't stop wearing this skirt!  I love that the polka dots add a fun feminine touch.  At the same time, the dots are so small and the skirt is grey so it works as a wonderful neutral base to an outfit.  (And the elastic waistband doesn't hurt.)

I went with a neutral and lace look for this outfit by adding a white lace top, grey tights, grey and lace shoes, and a pearl necklace (of course).  I think the overall look is soft and feminine and I love it!

I'm participating in some fun link-ups today!  One of my link-ups is with the Modern Austen for the Pantone-Inspired Color Challenge (I'm wearing Paloma).  I'm also linking-up at Greater Than Rubies for a "one piece many ways" challenge.

What I'm Wearing:
Shirt: Loft (exact)
Skirt: Loft (exact)
Necklace: Simply Charming Boutique (similar, similar)
Tights: Anthropologie (exact)
Shoes: Gift (exact)

Linking-Up:
The Brandied Pair and Style of One's Own- Sit-Down Style Sessions

Cayenne

Until a few months ago, I had no idea there was such thing as an "official" color of the year.  Did you know that there is an organization, Pantone, that is the ultimate authority on all things color?  They have determined that the color of the year is "Radiant Orchid" and that the colors below are the it colors for spring.

The lovely Alex from Undergraduate Style has done a great series featuring products in each of the spring hues.  She is rounding-up here series by hosting a link-up today for which she has challenged us to create an outfit inspired by Pantone's spring line-up.

Last week I wore this outfit that combined five of the ten spring colors: Radiant Orchid, Placid Blue, Hemlock, Paloma and Sand.  But it would be cheating to reuse an outfit (on my blog at least, I'm all about rewearing outfits in real life)!  So, in honor of the Color Me Tuesday Link-Up, I've created two outfit variations inspired by the color Cayenne.

For each of these outfits, I let my Cayenne pants be the star of the show!  I paired these pants with a white lace shirt to add texture rather than color.  Are bubble necklaces completely out?  If so, I apologize, but I thought that adding my pink bubble necklace added another pop of monochromatic color.

For my first look, I wore a grey (or shall we say Paloma) and white striped cardigan and for the second look I wore a denim jacket instead.  Which look do you prefer?

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: Loft (exact)

Pants: Loft (similar, similar)

Cardigan: Loft (similar, similar)

Denim Jacket: Hand Me Down (similar, similar)

Bubble Necklace: Francesca's (similar, similar)

Wedges: DSW (exact)

Linking-Up:

Because Shanna Said So- Random Wednesday

DC Style- Monday Bloom

Fizz and Frosting- Mix-It Monday

Style Elixir- Style Sessions

Undergraduate Style- Color Me Tuesday