Finding the 'A-ha' Moment

This past weekend I had the pleasure of helping a college friend talk through her wardrobe and work through what concerns she has.  It was a step in the direction I'd love to take, helping women feel confident that they can reach into their closet and put something together that makes them feel good.

When I asked her what was her biggest concern, it was 'not feeling finished'.  And I get that.  Her workplace is very casual, so we didn't have much to discuss there, so she uses the weekends to feel more put together and like an adult.

I talked to her about finding that 'weekend uniform' which works for her.  Mine is a pair of shorts (printed, colored or denim) and a tunic style pop-over top.  When it gets warm outside I pretty much wear this combination both Saturday and Sunday.  But to feel 'finished' I work with jewelry, a cute scarf or pair of fun sandals.  Finishing is all about the extras....but not necessarily about having a lot to choose from.

Here are two weekend looks I put together using the same denim button down top.  Adding a dark layer over helps make the pieces more a 'look' and help create a slimming illusion by creating some vertical stripes on top.

This was really an 'a-ha' moment for my friend...she had never even thought to wear her button up shirts unbuttoned!  She even made the statement that is even doubled her wardrobe options!  You can do the same with neutral denim and a printed button up!

Before we left I wanted to challenge her to put together an outfit for her evening mass that she would be attending later that night.  She started by selecting the base pieces, then we starting talking about how to finish the look with jewelry and an extra layer.  Here's her finished look, and I think she looks amazing!

I had a great time just talking through what items she could slowly incorporate into her wardrobe to help increase her options (BLAZERS!!) and how important it is to do a ruthless wardrobe purge every once in a while!

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend, I'm still mentally recovering!  Keep interacting with me on Facebook, and if you're interested in a little wardrobe overhaul, contact me!  I'll see you all later, back here in my closet!

This Week in Outifts

Another week down, another week putting together outfits!  You'll start to soon realize I have a more 'capsule' style wardrobe and rotate and mix and match pieces a LOT.  Which isn't a bad thing! Most of us don't have the disposable income to be able to buy a new outfit every weekend.  I'm going to forego the normal links this week since I'm short on time, but if you ever have questions about an item I wore, leave a comment on catch me on Facebook!  So let's get into what I wore this week:

Monday - 

I actually had this blouse on last Thursday, St. Patrick's Day, and couldn't bring myself to not wear green on such a storied holiday for me.  I purchased this top at TJ Maxx a few summers back and I wore it all the time while pregnant with a white maternity tank underneath.  Paired with my trusty H&M crops and Target heels and it was a great mood boosting outfit for a Monday.

Tuesday -

When your schedule calls for you to be in the office before sunrise, it's going to be a long day.  I wanted to feel put together but comfy, so I paired my trusty joggers and Target v-neck t-shirt with this blazer I got from Nordstrom and a statement necklace to feel a little more put together.  Never underestimate how put together a shirt and blazer came make you feel.

Wednesday -

My fitness routine has been very consistent recently, and I've been pleased with the results I'm seeing. Today was no exception as I was feeling really long and lean.  To enhance that I did reach for black, which is naturally slimming, but make sure if you're still wearing something that has great fit!  Just because a shirt is black doesn't mean that the cut will flatter and enhance the slimming effect.

Thursday -

Last workday this week!  Kept it pretty simple with my crop pants and this layered shirt from Talbots.  I always through on at least one necklace to help me feel like I've finished a look.  Accessories do help create diversity in your wardrobe and I recommend investing strategically.  Once of the main reason I joined Stella & Dot is the opportunity it gave me to purchase modern, fashionable pieces cheap!!

Friday -

Good Friday!  I was in St. Louis at my parent's house, but was still wanting to look put together.  I was going to see my girlfriend and work with her on getting the most out of her wardrobe (see next week's blog post for more on that).  I couldn't travel with much, so I brought tops and bottoms that could be mixed and matched based on my mood for that day.  I picked this blouse up from my Talbots adventure and kept it neutral with my olive chinos from H&M.

Well, that's this week!  I've enjoyed summarizing these outfits and I hope you've all been getting some inspiration from them!

Have an amazing Easter weekend, whether you spending time with family or friends...and I'll see you later, back here in my closet.

Feeling Put Together for Easter

I'm so excited to announce my partnership with my local Talbots store for this post!  It's been a place I've always known about, but never felt was my style.  That is until I went for a little fall fashion event with my alumnae chapter in November.  I was amazed that they'd updated their look for the fashion forward working woman....with a preppy under current.

I worked with the ladies there to put together a few looks that you could wear at your family gathering, no matter it's level of formality!

Let's get into the looks!

This first look is what I consider most traditional for Easter.  If you were going to church and then a more formal brunch after with a full family affair.  Right when I walked into their 'staging' area I saw these pieces together and it just screamed 'EASTER' at me -- directly.

I'm wearing a sz 12 in the dress and a medium cardigan.  The dress is a classic sheath cut and hits me just above the knee.  I would recommend some great nude flats or heels to finish this look off, and your favorite Stella & Dot accessories(although most jewelry in these pictures is from Talbots as well)!

The next dress is for those who might not want something so form fitting.  I would still consider it perfect for church and after events!  The skirt is really flowy and I loved spinning around in it!  Again, for reference I was a size 12 in this as well, but I felt I might have been able to go down a size for my personal fit preference!

The next sets of outfits are for those that aren't incline to wear dresses, or are maybe just getting together with family and want to feel 'adult' and put together.  I went into today's styling knowing that I would be buying these pants, since I saw them in the catalog just two days ago.  But when I paired them with this blue and cream peplum-esque top, the whole outfit HAD.TO.BE.MINE.  I feel it really is the epitome of my style - modern classics.

I realized when I got home, Rob never got a full length view for the pants.  They are a skinnier fit, cropped right at the ankle bone.  I'm in a size 12 pant and size 10 top.  I can see me getting some MAJOR use out of both these pieces come full spring/summer weather!

I also wanted to put together a look in case it was a little chillier in your neighborhood, or if you don't happen to like your arms (which is totally OK).  I got a large in this sweater, and definitely could have gone down a size!  It's a great weight for summer days with shorts and will keep you warm when it gets a little brisk at night!

The final look I really wanted to make sure I put out there is the casual one.  I know not everyone goes to church, or has a big to-do with family.  Sometimes it's just you, your fur baby and some Netflix on Easter.  Although, even if you were with family, I think this next outfit would still make you feel 'together' in front of your in-laws.  I even rocked the completely casual vibe by being barefoot!

It's from the T by Talbots active wear line.  These jogger style pants have a heathered-like print that gives them interest, and the whole darn outfit was just comfy.  I could definitely see pieces from this line fitting easily into a busy mom's weekend wardrobe.  I was a large in all these pieces, would probably only go down to a medium in the cardigan for fit.

I recommend if you're still looking for that nice outfit for Easter, swing into your nearest Talbots to give some of these options a try!  They are investment pieces, so go in knowing you may pay more than you normally would, but you're going to get an item that will power through several trendy seasons.  I look forward to working with Talbots in the future!

  


I'm excited to go home for the holiday, see friends and help a few college friends style their wardrobes! I hope you all get to spend quality time with your loved ones!

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