This Week in Outfits

I figured I'd start a little weekly roundup of what I wore to work (I can also throw in workouts if you'd like to see those) and where you might be able to pick some of these pieces up (or similar).  I have REALLY reduced my closet (hopefully a mini tour soon) so you'll probably see a lot on repeat/remix!

Monday:

I threw this Banana Republic shirt with some New York and Company trousers.  I will note that I should be wearing some kind of heel with this due to the pant length and where it breaks....but I was lazy and just put on some basic black loafer flats.  Tip from this outfit is that the shirt is one of those high-low hems and really blousy, so I kind of wraps the excess in the back and made a faux tuck so it was a little more fitted!  Jewels by Stella (obviously)

Top - similar, similar
Pants - exact, similar, curvy fit
Shoes - exact, similar, similar

I picked up this pencil skirt at Clothes Mentor when I was bringing in my huge winter purge...I hadn't yet worn it, but it's got a fun back detail (will have to remember to get a picture of that next time).  I paired it with a black cross back tank and a coral cardigan for the office (it's back is also really cool).  Most of these pieces are cosigned or old, so I'll link some similar styles!  My shoes are an old purchase from DSW and necklace is Stella.

Tank - similar, similar
Skirt - similar, similar
Cardigan - similar, similar
Shoes - similar, similar

By Wednesday sometimes comfort is calling me, so I wanted to wear my joggers and a t-shirt, but that won't fly alone in the office.  But throw a blazer on it and some chic flats and you're more business casual (which is allowed in my office). Necklace link here, bracelets here and here

Blazer - similar, similar

T-shirt - exact (I recommend these in all neutral colors)

Joggers - exact, similar

Flats - similar, similar

I had a burst of stylish inspiration on Thursday and wanted to wear my navy 'skinny' trousers....they'd be a little risque for the office, but the shirt I bought with them (at Target) is longer in the back so it makes everything a little more decent.

Blouse - similar

Pants - similar, similar

Pumps - exact (again, recommend these above anything...have in black and brown)

Some weeks Friday rolls around and I feel like making it special and others I feel like just being comfy to get through the day....can you guess which type of Friday this week was???  Necklace here

Top - similar, similar

Vest - similar, similar

Pants - exact, similar

Flats - exact, similar

I hope you like this week in review, I'll try to start posting these on Saturdays!

Have a great evening, and follow me tomorrow on social media (mainly snapchat: laura.jones2585) for Oscar commentary.  I'll have a Best/Worst list out on Monday!!

First Stitch Fix!

I finally got my first Stitch Fix!  I was very pleased with it, but before we dive in, a little background.

Stitch Fix is a website that is essentially a personal shopper.  You set the frequency of when you get your 'fixes' (every two week, month, two months) and for $20 they will pick 5 pieces and ship to you.  Try them on, keep what you like, send back what you don't.  Your $20 fee gets credited to any purchases you make, but if you don't buy anything that fee doesn't roll over.  If you're interested, click here!

The survey you take is pretty comprehensive.  You tell them about your style, price points you're willing to pay, and how conservative/flashy/versatile you want the pieces to be.  You can also link to any Pinterest style boards you have so they can look at what you're liking.  I made sure they knew I wanted pieces that could transition from work to casual.

I got my fix yesterday and couldn't wait to see what was in it!  It comes in a pretty small box, but don't be fooled, there is some great stuff in there!

Each Fix comes with your 5 items, instructions on what to do next, a shopping list with prices (if you buy all 5 you get 25% off!), style cards showing you how you can style each piece and a pre-paid return shipping bag.  Now, let's get into how I styled all my items!

First item is a 'soft' terry blazer.  I had been looking at one on Banana Republic's site just last week.  I enjoy that this can be used for both work and the weekend, but I wasn't thrilled with the color.  The fact that is it so close to a denim color limits the casual outfits I could wear it with.  I ended up sending this back. NOTE: disregard my horrible modeling below

Next piece was a high waisted pattern skirt.  Again, it fit and I enjoyed the unique print, but I wasn't feeling like my best self in it, so I figured it wasn't worth the money.  I got to play around with mixing patterns for the work look, and for casual I went a little more date night.  I styled it with a long knot necklace that was also in my fix....I really loved this delicate piece, it seems really versatile (wearing it at work today!) so I bought it!

My fourth piece is a casual dolmain sleeve top.  I wasn't able to make a work look for it, but the fabric felt more like a fall/winter transitional piece, so I sent it back.  Although I did make a note to my stylist to send something like that again in the fall because I would have bought it if it were October!

My last piece is by far my favorite from the fix, and I didn't even know if I'd like it pulling it out of the box.  It's a printed blouse that I would also call a tunic.  I can see myself wearing this as we transition to warmer weather.  I enjoyed the cuff detail, the neckline and that it's neutral enough I can wear it with both silver and gold jewelry.

I really enjoyed this Fix, and maybe it's encouraged you to take the dive and try it out.  I can't wait to see what spring/summer looks come at the end of April!  Feel free to ask me more quesitons in the comments or on my Facebook page!

I'll see you back here, in my closet!

Favorite Polishes for Winter!

After reading that one of my favorite bloggers, Kate, at The Small Things Blog mentioned that she got her first monthly Julep Maven box, I thought....do other people not know about this?

Right now a lot of my friends get Birchbox....and I LOVED Birchbox when I used it for about a year over a year ago.  My problem with the company at the time is that I started to accumulate samples of things I probably would never use.  I think over time it's gotten better brands, but it wasn't worth the money so I quit.

I like Julep Maven because you get to choose the polishes or products you get every month...and you can skip if nothing catches your fancy.  I have been skipping recently just because I seem to have similar colors.  It seems like one year on a subscription service is it's max shelf life for me.

Below are a few of the colors I like to wear during the winter, along with a variety of brands I use.  I attempt to do my own nails as much as possible since I do pay $8 per bottle and have a pretty steady hand.  I've learned over time that nail prep is the key to having polish that lasts.  I do a 4 stage file once a month to have a smooth surface and I make sure to use a base coat and a no chip top coat.  Tips I've learned in magazines is every few days reapply the top coat...but I've never had to do that.  Polish never really lasts on my nails more than 4-5 days....I get tired of it.

Sephora for OPI - Metro Chic...I was really into the 'grey-iege' thing a few seasons back and this was and has since been my go to color.  I just learned while writing this post this line has been discontinued in leu of the new Formula X line at Sephora.  I do love those polishes as well.

OPI - Russian Navy...it looks navy in the photo, but actually looks more purple on my nails

Julep - Laura (aptly named)...this has become a recent favorite since it's a muted color I make it into a neutral for cold temps.  Plus I feel like it's camo for my nails (I know...I'm weird)

Essie - Mink Muffs...just a good neutral that doesn't blend in too much

Sinful Colors - Black on Black....nothing says winter like black...it's the way most of us feel dealing with the frigid temps

Besides these 5 colors, I will consistently reach for my go to red no matter the season.  Nothing is as classic as a red nail.  The color looks good on long or short nails and unless you're wearing something really out there, it goes with everything.  Mine is the L'Oreal Paris Pro 'Lady Luck' and as you can see from my husband's practice photo below, I'm nearly half way through this bottle.  

And to end this post, I know I haven't had any OOTD photos in a while, so I'll dump a few below....

I'll try to get a post set up for when we're in Mexico....but I'm just going to enjoy weather that's above freezing!!!  See everyone later, back here in my closet!

How do you dress when it's -14 degrees outside?

WARM! That's how....last week we got the #polarvortex here in Peoria and the temp was that low, not even adding the windchill in!  I actually worked from home because I wasn't about to venture outside with a growing baby when it feels like -42.

But getting back into the work flow after 2 full weeks off has been fine.  I've been in major nesting mode, mainly with my own closet and clothing and other (non nursery) areas of the house...should see a post about that soon.  I'm still waiting for the magic 'mother-fairy' to purchase baby J's furniture so I can get a better feel for how much extra room I have to work with.

Here's what I've been putting together for work!

Hopefully I'll actually start posting more regularly!

Bump fashion!

Over the holidays my bump has gotten much more visible and I've been having fun dressing it!  I've been loving leggings, tunics and long sweaters for this mild winter we're having in St. Louis.

More pics to come!