Nov 28, 2013

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:
Perfectly Coutured
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Nov 11, 2013

Fall Twist

Happy Monday and Happy Veteran's Day!  Thank you to all who have served and to those who are currently serving to make the United States a safe place to live and to pursue happiness.

It's that time of the week again!  Time for another Remix, Rewear, Restyle challenge at Greater Than Rubies.  This week we are featuring a fall twist on a favorite summer look!

I originally purchased this navy, eyelet dress last spring for my sister's bridal shower.  A few months later it was a cute and easy dress to throw-on when the temperatures rose.  The navy color and the structure of the dress made for a good basic layer.  However the eyelet hem and the texture of the dress added some interest.



Here is a typical way in which I wore the dress this summer.  It was way too hot to add a scarf or cardigan.  However, a leopard print belt added pizzazz and worked nicely with my comfy cognac sandals.


I think that the remixing possibilities of this dress are vast but here is one way that it works for cooler weather.  Grey is a favorite neutral of mine and a grey tights and boot combination is comfortable and warm.  A striped cardigan and a chunky yellow scarf add more details and extra protection against the chill!


What I'm Wearing:
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Nov 7, 2013

Better than a Sweatshirt


This ensemble is my answer to those chilly, lazy mornings when you still want to look put together!

My primary motivation in starting Whitney à la mode was to motivate myself and to hold myself accountable for dressing more fashionably.  One area where I have always struggled with looking put together has been with comfy clothes.  Before discovering personal style blogs, my go-to outfit on lazy mornings was a sweatshirt and jeans.  While there is absolutely nothing wrong with sweatshirts, I have been trying to step up my game!

I love this outfit because it is as comfortable as a sweatshirt while looking like I put a little bit of thought into my clothing.  The key to this ensemble is an extremely comfy dress!  Then I just added cozy layers until the look was completed.



What I'm Wearing:
Linking-up for Third Thursday Threads!

Perfectly Coutured
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Nov 4, 2013

What does the fox say?

Comfy and cozy?  A cute fox wearing pink glasses?  What's not to love about this sweater?!?

Clothing featuring animals are definitely in style this fall.  When Old Navy had a 50% off one item sale a few weeks ago, I knew that this sweater would be a fun and trendy addition to my closet.  I have to give a little "thank you" shout out to my dad who bought the sweater for me while he was visiting for a long weekend!

I'm linking-up with Caitlin at Greater Than Rubies for a sweater Remix, Rewear, Restyle challenge!


I think that this sweater has enough character to wear alone but is also a fun layering piece.  I was excited that my pink-toned gingham shirt really made the fox's glasses pop.  I'm also looking forward to wearing a chambray shirt underneath.


I wore this outfit on a pumpkin-picking, cider-drinking, donut-eating adventure!  I added my new vest for an extra layer of warmth.  The vest has a really great tweed texture and is super cozy.  It is definitely puffy, though, so I think it works best as an outdoor layer as opposed to an indoor accessory.

By the way, have you seen this video?  My high school students are all a-buzz about it and, consequently, I can't get it out of my head while I'm wearing this sweater!

What I'm Wearing:
  • Sweater: Old Navy (exact) <--No more fox sweaters, but they have birds, dogs and owls!
  • Shirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
  • Pants: Gap (exact)
  • Booties: Old Navy (exact)
  • Vest: Old Navy (exact)
P.S.  I didn't intend for this to become an "I heart Old Navy" post, but I guess I really do love Old Navy!
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Oct 29, 2013

Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Scarf Edition


It's time for another edition of my Fall Capsule Wardrobe Remix!  For those of you new to the remix, I have been linking-up with Caitlin at Greater Than Rubies to showcase how I'm using 20 items of clothing already in my closet to create 30 fall-friendly looks!  Caitlin and some other fashionable ladies have already completed the challenge.  I'm a little behind (sometimes time just flies, ya know?!) but I'm especially enjoying the remix now that the weather is seasonally appropriate.

One of the absolute easiest ways to change-up the look of your wardrobe basics is to add a scarf!  Not to mention scarves are particularly appealing when the temperatures drop.  As simple as it is to throw one on, sometimes the world of scarves can seem a bit overwhelming.  There are just so many cute ones out there!  How do you know which to choose and with what to wear it?  When purchasing a new scarf, I try to keep several factors in mind in order to build a varied collection.  I think about:
  • Texture: I try to incorporate thick, chunky scarves as well as light, airy scarves that work in different temperatures and with different outfits.
  • Color: In my opinion, buying scarves that are always in the same color scheme will limit your options.  Branch out!  Having lots of different color options will open-up your closet to more possibilities.  (Scarves are also a less expensive way to experiment with colors you might not typically wear.)
  • Pattern: Patterned scarves add interesting detail to an outfit but sometimes a plain colored scarf adds that pop that your ensemble needs.
  • Detail: Scarves with lace, fringe and other details also add variety to your look.
In keeping these four ideas in mind, I think I have a varied collection of scarves that allow me to dress-up the basics without too much thought.  Did I miss anything?  What do you look for when buying scarves?


Even though this post is about scarf variety, for some reason this is the only scarf I've wanted to wear lately.  It is warm and cozy while still having a cute little neutral print at the bottom.  I bought it while on vacation in Northern Michigan so it also holds sentimental value.  Stay tuned for more outfits featuring this scarf!


I receive this scarf as a birthday present and I have gotten SO much wear out of it!  Never underestimate the power of a pretty floral scarf!  I love this one because the flowers make it fun for spring and summer but the colors also lend themselves well to fall!


As a Michigan State Spartan, I have a slight problem with this color combination (our biggest rival's colors are maize and blue).  I get over it by telling myself that this outfit is, in fact, mustard and navy.  Right?


Again with the neutrals!  All-neutral ensembles are hot this fall and I'm having some fun with this neutral pattern mixing!


Check-out my previously remixed fall ensembles!
What I'm Wearing:
  • Pink Top: Gap Outlet (similar, similar)
  • Jeans: Zara (exact) <-- I think these are the same...I bought mine forever ago.
  • Floral Scarf: Gift/Target (similar, similar)
  • Green Flats: Old Navy (exact)
I'm also linking-up with Lauren at Style Elixir for Style Sessions!
Style Elixir
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Oct 28, 2013

Easy Does It


Today I'm linking-up with Caitlin at Greater than Rubies for this week's Remix Rewear Restyle session.  This week's challenge has been, in my opinion, one of the easiest so far...fall boots!  Who doesn't love a good pair of boots when the weather turns chilly?

It seems that when the leaves start falling, boots are the easiest shoes to throw on with any outfit.  I wore this ensemble for a casual evening on the town.  Boots, a vest and a scarf are such easy and comfortable ways to dress-up the basics!  What is your favorite way to wear boots?


I would also like to take a moment to talk about these pants.  Franziska recently reviewed them here on her blog, Franish (one of my favorite personal style blogs)!  These Gap 1969 Ponte Legging Jeans are possibly the most comfortable pair of pants I've ever worn!  For those of you unfamiliar with ponte, I would call it a glorious mix between dress pant material and leggings.  I am apprehensive about wearing leggings in public but with these pants, I feel both appropriate and comfortable.  They are thick enough to be flattering on my not-so-perfect bottom half!  I would most definitely recommend these pants!

What I'm Wearing:

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Oct 22, 2013

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:
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