Spring Wardrobe Essentials // Acid Wash Denim Under $100

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Acid wash denim hasn't been something that has caught my attention in the past, but as soon as I saw the image above in madewell's latest catalog, I was sold. The image seems to be the embodiment of effortless-chic, and I can't help but think the 90's take on denim displayed is a large factor. 

I've mentioned  before I'm a big advocate for investing in timeless pieces, but when I'm looking to purchase more trendy items I'm on the hunt for a good deal. With this is mind, I've rounded up a few of my favorite acid-washed looks, all under $100! I'd love to know, what are your thoughts on the trend?

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Browse a few more acid-washed looks below!

Monday Blues

Happy Monday Everyone! Anyone else seems to have a chronic case of the Monday Blues? It seems like every time my alarm clock rings on the first day back to work, I'm wishing the week away in an effort to get back to the weekend. There seems to be two solutions: learn to enjoy the workweek grind or have less fun on the weekends. I think I'll choose door #1. Here's to embracing the 9-5!

old hat (similar) / free people jacket / j.crew t-shirt / gap jeans / j.crew factory belt / guess booties / old clutch (similar)

Sunday Browsing Vol. 7

• To smile: I'm a big fan of the Kid President, because well, he's awesome. Check out his letter to "a person on their first day on earth" here. 
• To browse: I was reminded this week of how Target is really bringing their A-game when it comes to affordable fashion - a few favorites here, here & here. 
• To giggle: Stumbled across this post from 2010, which appears to be timeless considering it's pretty much a summary of my inner monologue. Also found these cartoons of fashion icons as kids rather amusing. 
• To get excited: What could possibly be better then food trucks? Fashion trucks. 
• To eat: Pretty excited to try out this recipe for mini flour-less chocolate almond cakes.
• To blog: Loved Julia's casual look for weekend errands & brunching - perfection!

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4 Jackets Your Closet Needs

denim / varsity / leather / cargo

This post was inspired by my husband, Mr. Jacket King himself. For a long time I would poke fun of the amount of his closet space that is consumed by jackets, but then I began to realize the man has a strategy, and a good one at that. 

Jackets have obvious benefits, such as you know, keeping one warm in sprinner (our spring-winter) - but the real beauty? The ability to completely transform an outfit. Want to toughen-up a feminine floral dress? Thrown on a leather jacket. Want to soften an all black look? Add a jacket of the cargo variety. Want to instantly look like Jenna Lyons (let me answer that for you: yes)? Pair a varsity jacket with just about anything - and thick rimmed glasses, of course. 

A few ways I style my must-have closet item here, here & here, and few of my favorite options below!

Denim:

Varsity:

Leather:

Cargo:

Spring Wardrobe Essentials // Tickled Pink

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In years past, pink has almost been non-existent in my closet. I think it had always felt too obvious and feminine in an obnoxious way.  With so much pink on spring runways last year and the flawless translation to everyday clothes for this season, the color feels fresh (I mean that leather jacket is amazing). So this year I am signing a different tune, starting with this jacket. I've picked out a few of my favorites above and below that I think would get Miss Piggy's stamp of approval. What are your thoughts on pink for spring?

Whatever You Like

ray-ban sunglasses / old blanknyc jacket (similar) / old tank / abercombie joggers / guess booties (on sale!) 

I wore a version of this outfit a few weeks ago to meet a friend for dinner (full disclosure - did not wear these booties, but couldn't stand another outfit post with winter shoes) and found myself in an interesting conversation while in the bathroom line. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a man eyeing me up and down and then proceed to ask with the most puzzled look on his face, "so you just throw on whatever you like or something?". I found this hilariously amusing and was glad I could provide a bit of entertainment to mr. bathroom line's night. Man Repeller moment? I hope so. 

Sunday Browsing Vol. 6

My weekend was exhausting in the best possible way - while the husband was out of town celebrating the holiday weekend aka March Madness, I spent time with some great women in my family. It was a rough two days - happy hour with my mom on friday, followed by breakfast & the farmer's market early saturday with my aunt and some quality shopping time with momma saturday afternoon.

With chicken avocado soup in the crockpot for dinner tonight, my plan is to lounge the rest of the day. Here's a to hoping you are able to enjoy the same, & a few links below to assist in some casual Sunday browsing. 

• Home Tours are my preferred mode of transportation when riding into down into the deep place also known as the internet rabbit hole. This one may take the cake for my all-time favorite, it's gorgeous!
• This recipe looks just like summer, can't wait for fruits to be in season! It's coming soon, right?
• Have you guys used Airbnb before? I'm currently finalizing plans for a long weekend in DC and am hoping to use this awesome, cost effective service. A little weary about it? Jump over here and start drooling. 
• Discovered this shop while reading a post by one of my all-time fav bloggers, looks like the perfect place to pick up some easy summer staples. 
• This song has been stuck in my head all week.

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#WorthIt

If you're like me and not independtly wealthy (harsh reality, I know), you have to decide where to spend and where to save. For me, I am willing to splurge if one of two criteria are met: 1) a clothing item or accessory is timeless and will be in style for many years or 2) an expereince with people I love. Using those two filters, here are 5 items I think are #worthit: 

1. Luxe Handbag - A handbag in a timeless silhouette & color will always be money well spent. For both my graduation from high school & college, I splurge and purchased a coach handbag and used both for many years. Currently I'm saving for up for this handbag, but love almost anything by this designer too. 

2. Leather Jacket -I believe a well-fitted leather jacket can be one of the most versatile pieces in your closet - it can easily be dressed up or down, and worn during all 4 seasons if some layering is employed. I purchased a leather jacket this fall from blanknyc and it has quickly become a go-to piece for me. The leather jacket pictured is from zara and is fabulous. 

3. Adventure - To me, this is the ultimate #worthit. Travel can be expensive, but seeing the world and experiecing different cultures (even if it's just in the good ole USA!) with friends & family is worth every penny. Looking for a few accessories? - this passport case is just too cute, and check out my dream travel bag. 

4. Concert Tickets - There are few things that bring me more joy then live music, theres nothing that can top the energy of seeing a favorite artist do what they love. Check out live nation for concerts near you, and don't be afraid to pull the trigger - you never know when a band might break up, dang it Civil Wars. 

5. Quality Denim - To date, I've only splurged on one pair of designer denim - I call them my tax return jeans. I purchased them few years back, and still wear them at least once a week. This is a clothing item where designer really does make the difference. Don't believe me? Go try a pair on, turn around and look at your tush - sold!

I'd love to know, what are some things you think are #worthit?

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A Camouflaged St. Patrick's Day

As I was getting dressed to meet friends downtown for a little St. Patrick's Day dinner this weekend, I quickly realized my closet is pretty much void of the color green. I quickly decided that camo counts and threw this favorite shirt and successfully avoided any unauthorized pinches from strangers.

warby parker sunglasses / old as dirt blazer, great options from h&m and asos / old tee (last seen here), love madewell's version / old jeans, similar at  / j.crew factory clutch / jeffery campbell shoes (on major sale!)

Sunday Browsing Vol. 5

This weekend was the perfect medley of relaxation & activity. We celebrated a friend's birthday Friday night, vetnured downtown on Saturday and tried out Callie's gluten free banana pancakes for brunch this morning - review: amazing. 

To top off this lovely weekend, about an hour ago I found out one of my best friends is engaged! So. dang. excited. Gah, I love weddings. I mean really love them. I know not every shares my sentiment here, but seriously they are just so happy and freakin' fun, especially when you have my crazy friends as dancing partners. Anyways, I'll stop now. Back to the task at hand - links! Here are some great things around the web I'm loving this week. 

• Speaking of weddings, about a month ago I mentioned a bridal-inspired project I was working on with some fab ladies - well, it's finally live! Check it out here!
• Loved Gaby's 10 tips for better living this week. So easy & true!
• Thoroughly enjoyed Jenn's post on the wonderment of a different life. It is so beautifully written and instantly resonated with me. 
• Started reading this book, I liken it to Law & Order: SVU in novel form. I'm enjoying it, but it's also causing me to look over my shoulder in the dark. Is that a bad thing?
• How fun are these jelly sandals? They're bringing me back to my childhood in the best way possible. 

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I Believe In // Failure

This quote has been on my mind for the past few weeks. I first stumbled across it while reading one of my favorite books and it resonated with me instantly.

A few weeks ago, a dear friend and I had a conversation about failure and I quickly realized that if I'm honest with myself, I am afraid to fail. If you're like me (& maybe I'm on an island here), I generally like to appear like I have my crap together, even if reality tells a different story. I do treat failure as something that is final, and I know it prevents me from taking risks, voicing my honest opinion, or really learning something. It's easier to exist between lines I have created for myself, lines between which I know I can succeed. 

It would be great if I could say that I took a crazy risk that didn't pan out lately, and hey, "I'm better for it!". But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Instead I'm reminding myself of this truth and hoping to take a few real risks as a result. 

Loving Lately // Lazer-Cut Detail

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One trend I find myself gravitating to more and more as I browse my favorite shops online are items with lazer-cut details. I love how basic pieces are instantly transformed when intricate designs are applied, making them feel fresh. I mean, how fun is that pink tote bag? Here is a little round-up of my current laser-cut favorites - I'd love to know, what do you think of this trend?

Borrowed from the Boys

jared: blazer / jeans / heels / top / clutch 

ryan: jacket / shorts / tank / bralette / booties

matthew: jacket / midi skirt / tank / heels

I've heard mixed reviews on the men who adorned white suit jackets for this year's Academy Awards, but I was sold as soon as I saw mr. seacrest interview his first guest. To me, it felt refreshing and was more visually pleasing then the traditional black that is a yawn year after year. And let's be honest, I'm pretty sure jared leto would have looked good in whatever he decided to throw on.

With these three men as inspiration, I put together three ways to translate this look into your wardrobe. What did you think of the white suit jacket, was it a win?

Impulse

I don't consider myself an impulse shopper, as most of my shopping is done online where I can bookmark items before actually pulling the trigger. This jacket however, was an exception. As soon as it caught my eye in h&m this winter, I snatched it right up in preparation for warmer temps. Even though it hovered barely above 40 yesterday, I considered this a win and pulled this sucker right out for a little test drive. Let me just say, I'm so glad I did. I have a feeling Mr. Pink Coat & I are going to be BFF's this year. 

h&m jacket (similar here & here) / ray-ban sunglasses / old j.crew shirt / gap jeans / bp booties / old clutch/ thrifted ring

Sunday Browsing Vol. 4

Hey friends! How was this weekend? Mine was pretty relaxed - checked out a new restaurant with friends on Friday, did our taxes (3 cheers for adulthood!), and visited friends' precious new baby boy - holy cow is that little man so sweet & small! 

Breaking news - it was sunny! I wasn't sure if Mr. Sunshine lived in this part of the country anymore, but he has re-emerged! I sure hope your weekend was filled with warm(er) temperatures and sun because let me tell you, it has serious healing power. Here are a few things I'm loving this week, enjoy!

• How fun is this sweatshirt?! Those cheery colors are the perfect compliment to springlike weather.
• Did you guys catch the post written by the BFF of America's fave gal-pal (aka Jennifer Lawrence's best friend)? It's pretty hilarious so check it out. Summarized version here. 
• Have you heard of TwentyOne Pilots? Trust me, I am not one to jump on the local band train, but these two have such a great, unique sound and have energy I've never seen before when performing live. A few favorites (1 & 2). Fun fact, I was at the concert when they filmed this music video. Don't worry, I'm all the way in the back. 
• Make sure to check out ASOS, you can get an additional 20% off sale items with the code 20more. 

Sporty Spice

Clearly I can't get enough of hats as of late, may or may not be correlated to the frequency of which I wash my hair. 

On Sunday I woke up to snow, but decided to (try to) embrace the cold and throw on one of my favorite thrifted baseball tee with a bright skirt for a little sporty spice vibe. 

husband's beanie (similar) / thrifted tee (great options at gap) / old necklace / timex watch / j.crew skirt / urban outfitters tights / old booties (love these)

Spring Wardrobe Essentials // Track Pants

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Like a bear in hibernation, I've been slowly collecting track pants this winter in preparation for spring. In my opinion, they may be the perfect transition piece - covering your legs for chilly mornings, but light enough to protect from feeling like you're sitting in a swimming pool by the end of the day. Extra bonus - super comfortable!

I plan on pairing mine with heeled sandals or ballet flats, and topping with a basic tee, crop top, or blazer for an elevated feel. Thoughts on track pants? How do you style yours?

Layers & The Oscars

Happy Monday! Who watched the Academy Awards last night? I have to admit I went to bed before best actress/actor and best picture were presented but was pleased to hear Matthew McConaughey & 12 Years a Slave took home Mr. Oscar. 

Okay, what were some favorite moments? Personally, I think Ellen killed it (not surprising) - I mean come on, feeding mega-movie stars decked in designer dresses pizza? Genius and hilarious. Also loved good ole Meryl Streep shaking what her momma gave her with Pharrell. 

In other news, it actually hit 50 degrees Satuday (don't worry, it's currently 12) which means I was able to layer up and run errands without my bulky winter coat. It was glorious. 

 old fedora (great option) / old navy jacket (this year's version) / bb dakota vest (similar) / timex watch / old floral top, love this updated look / zara pants / sam edleman booties

Sunday Browsing Vol. 3

If you're like me and half of the country, you've woken up to the beginning of yet another snowstorm. In my opinion, it's the perfect excuse to curl up on get your web surf on -  here's what I'm lovin' as of late -

• 10 fashion tricks from industry insiders.
• I have quite the love affair with paper goods, these cards are as beautiful as they are unique.
• This feature on The Everygirl has 5 fresh ideas on styling collegiate gear for March Madness
• I'm using the snow as an excuse to spend the better part of the day baking. First on the list, oatmeal peanut butter bars, yum!
• I picked up my first pair of high-rise jeans from Gap yesterday during their sale, 35% off everything through Tuesday!
• Looking for a new blog to follow (I always am!)? Check out Hammer & Heels - I stumbled across this last night and have already spent way too much time scrolling through all of it's goodness.
• If you look to your right, you may see a new little edition to the blog - I added an e-mail button! Feel free to reach out with any questions and thoughts - can't wait to hear!

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