Travel Capsule: Springtime in Europe- Outfits Two and Three

Last week I introduced you to a series that I'm really excited about: my packing capsule for an eight-day trip to Europe during the spring.  In my first post I shared the ten pieces included in the capsule as well as outfit number one!  I'm back today with outfits two and three.

The items included in this outfit are a navy peplum, a floral scarf, skinny jeans, Converse and my coral jacket (the links to the individual items are in my first post).  I wore this outfit for a day when I really needed a variety of layers.  We started the day in Venice, spent most of it riding on a bus (comfort being key), cruised around sunny Lake Como for a few hours and then ended-up in the mountains of Switzerland.

The stretchy skinnies and loose-fitting peplum were comfy on the bus.  The jacket and the scarf were easy to throw on or take off depending on the current temperature!

This next outfit consists of a pink sweatshirt, that floral scarf again, boyfriend jeans and Converse.  My coral jacket was also tossed into this mix because this was the coldest day of the trip.

I wore this outfit for a walking tour of Lucerne, Switzerland and then to travel to the top of Mount Pilatus (more on Switzerland tomorrow).  Again, the layers worked for the varying temperatures and my Converse were practical enough for being in the mountains.

Well, we've been from sun to snow in one post!  Thanks for stopping-by today and make sure to link-up your favorite style post below for Fashion Files with The Blended Blog!

Create28: Stripes Stripes Stripes

Do you want to know something fun about blogging friends?  Sometimes they understand your style even better than you do!  Take this shirt, for example.  Carrie picked it out for me!  She totally nailed it by choosing a pretty peplum in my favorite pattern: stripes!

Speaking of stripes, I was reorganizing a portion of my closet the other day and wound-up with a stack of at least seven different striped shirts.  I may have a problem but I'll never admit it!  I love stripes too much!

Are stripes your favorite, too?  How have you been styling them lately?

I just want to add a quick note about this top before I wrap-up this post.  It was generously given to me by Zaful in exchange for a review.  As usual, I'm super impressed with the quality of the garment. The material is a good weight and is very crisp.  My one complaint is the fit.  I sized up to a large and the top is still really tight across the bust.  I love the style but you might want to consider other tops if you are at all busty.

Alright, friends!  Thanks for stopping by today!  Come back tomorrow for a discussion on how to be practical yet stylish at the same time!

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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!

A Peplum, A Special Guest and Thursday Moda

Well friends, I've got some fun things happening on the blog today!  First of all, I'm co-hosting the Thursday Moda link-up with Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood.  But before I get into the details of our collaboration, I would like to introduce you to my niece, Eloise!  Isn't she the cutest?!

(She wore a strawberry dress because strawberries are my favorite.  And those tiny Converse?!  My heart is melting!)

I spent last week at my sister and brother-in-law's house outside of Nashville.  My mom and I got to watch Eloise while Kayla and Brad were on vacation!  I loved having a whole week of niece snuggles and kisses.  Eloise is so smart and can say and do all sorts of things already.  She is really good at pointing to her various facial features when you ask her "Where's your nose?" and so on.  While I was there, I started asking her, "Where's your heart?" and I'm proud to say that she now points to her chest when you ask her.  SO cute!

Since I'm co-hosting with Ada today and Ada always posts cute outfit pictures with her adorable daughter, Vivian, I thought it would be fun to have a photo shoot with Eloise for our collaboration!  Her red and white strawberry dress matched my peplum perfectly and we are even wearing matching shoes.  I really love these pictures of us and will always cherish them.

When Ada invited me to co-host, she mentioned that we both own this red and white striped peplum top from Old Navy (on sale for less than $9, by the way)  and that it would be fun to show it styled in two ways.  I love that she threw in a little bit of pattern mixing and that she is wearing a fun pair of shorts for the summer.  Ada is always bold in trying the season's latest trends -- is she rocking those fringed sandals or what?!

The last time I wore this top, I styled a pretty and slightly more dressed-up look.  This time I wanted to go in the opposite direction with a super casual and comfortable outfit.  My distressed boyfriend jeans are about as casual as I get (unless I'm in my yoga pants #teacheronsummervacation) and I love my Converse for any comfy look!  The peplum is so breezy and I love that it's cute enough to stand on its own without adding too much to the ensemble.

What I'm Wearing:

Peplum: Old Navy (exact)

Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Converse: DSW (exact)

And now on to that link-up I know you are itching to participate in!  Eloise and I thank you for stopping by today!

One Outfit, Two Challenges: Create28 and Blogging Besties

Blogging Besties is a weekly series featuring Whitney of Whitney à la mode, Alex of Undergraduate Style, 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 ready for summer in her shorts and eyelet top!  She gave me the following prompts from which to work: pajama clothes, eyelet lace, floral jewelry or new hair.

I always enjoy Selah's creative prompts that motivate me to think about my wardrobe in a different way!  While Selah's inspiration didn't disappoint, I feel like my execution fell a little bit flat this week.  I decided to go with "pajama clothes" as my prompt since this peplum is just so darn comfortable!

Alex, here are your choices to pass on for next week's Blogging Besties: a peplum, stripes, white bottoms, metallic shoes, a glitzy necklace or a state-themed background!

While I could have taken Selah's prompt and run a bit further with it, I did double up on challenges today.  I am also participating in The Blended Blog's Create28 Summer Challenge.  Today is my day to wear a "pretty peplum!"  So here you go: a pretty peplum that feels like pajamas!

I think this top will be a staple this summer.  The stripes and peplum detail give it enough interest that the top can stand on its own without lots of layers.  It is also really light-weight and rather swing-like so it will keep you cool in the summer sun.  The top is currently on sale in navy stripes and peach!

While I think the peplum is pretty on its own, I really tried to run with the "pretty" part of my prompt.  Instead of blue jeans and casual sandals, I dressed the top up with white jeans, metallic flats and a little bit of sparkle!

Isn't this background fun?!  It is one of the walls of a delicious restaurant in Lansing, Michigan called the Soup Spoon.  Delicious food and fun blogging backgrounds?!  My kind of place!  They even have a fun gratitude wall where diners can use chalk to express their thanks.  It just so happened that the wall already had an entry about birthday dinners and I was there to celebrate my birthday with one of my best friends!

If you are wearing a pretty peplum today, make sure to show us on Instagram with #theblendedblogstyle and by linking-up with us on Wednesday.  You can find the daily prompts below if you want to play along!  And please visit Sheila at Making the Most of Every Day to see how she styles "nautical navy" for day three of Create28!

What I'm Wearing:

Top: Old Navy (exact)

Necklace: Rocksbox

Jeans: LOFT (simliar)

Shoes: DSW (similar)

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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!

Blogging Besties: Ombre

I don't know about you, but perusing my favorite style blogs over a cup of coffee is one of my favorite ways to relax!  I find myself inspired by all of the creative looks that are put together by these beautiful ladies.  However, every once in awhile, one of my blogging friends nails it and I know that I have to try to recreate her look.  Alex did just that last week with her unique ombre-inspired outfit!

I've already found a couple of ombre combinations in my closet but I decided to try a blue-hued look this week!

Ok, so I know that my top maybe verges on green instead of blue, but I do think my mint necklace and cobalt skirt worked together to create the ombre effect.

Blooper!

I wore this ensemble for a very special date!  A blogging blind date, that is.  You guys, I met the incredibly sweet Ada (pronounced ahhhdahhh-- I was saying it wrong in my head this whole time!) of Elegance and Mommyhood while she was vacationing with her family in my hometown.  I have to say that she is just as sweet in person as she is online and her daughter Vivian is quite the cutie!  I can't wait for an upcoming shopping trip together!

We braved a windy day at Silver Beach!

And finally, here are your options to pass-on for next week: blue hues, mint, cobalt, a peplum, a (J.Crew) mini skirt, stripes or sling backs! 

What I'm Wearing:

Top: Anthro (similar, similar)

Skirt: J.Crew Factory (exact in different colors)

Necklace: Etsy (similar, similar)

Flats: Land's End (exact)

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Featured On:

Whitney à la mode

Undergraduate Style

What did you pass-on from Alex's look last week?

Peplum Pairings

I am loving the peplum trend right now!  Who doesn’t love a style that gives you a tiny-looking waist?!?  Peplums make me feel really feminine and sexy without showing too much skin.   

When I started reading personal style blogs regularly, however, I started to shy away from peplum tops because I struggled to remix them into unique-looking ensembles.  To me, a peplum has such a distinct style and structure.  How do you alter it to create a new look?

When I get stuck in a fashion rut, I often return to Audrey’s blog, Putting Me Together.  Audrey is a whiz at looking stylish and, well, put together while dressing in an affordable and down to earth manner.  She also provides very focused advice and directions for creating a remixable wardrobe.  I am an organized, detail-oriented person and Audrey’s logical approach to fashion really works for me!

In her series, “Building a Remixable Wardrobe,” Audrey writes about shopping for remixable pieces.  When she gives tips on purchasing shirts, Audrey suggests finding tops that can be worn alone, belted, tied and tucked.  That way you can get four different looks out of one shirt…and we haven’t even thought about the bottoms yet!

So back to remixing peplum tops… I got to thinking about tucking peplums.  I don’t think this would work with just any old bottoms because of the particular structure of the top, but with the right outfit, it works!  AND it makes the shirt look totally different!

Peplum Untucked!

Peplum Tucked!

What do you think?  Are you into the peplum trend?  I would love to see some links to peplums that you’ve been coveting!

What I'm Wearing:

• Peplum Top: Anthropologie (exact) <--(on sale!)
• Skirt: Banana Republic (exact)
• Cognac Belt: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)
• Cognac Sandals: Target (exact)