one for me and one for you (leah lerner giveaway)

While I love to see what bags are currently the "in" purse to have, I know that in the long run, a classic bag is going to get a lot more use. Simple leather purses with classic shapes will always be in style, which is why I was thrilled with Leah Lerner gifted me one of their beautiful tote bags. With a very similar style to my Madewell tote, the grey color adds a cool feel while remaining super versatile. The leather is seriously so soft, and I think it's definitely one of those purses that gets better with wear. I need to make a bag shaper for it so I can start using it for school more often (I don't want to stretch out the bottom with a heavy computer!), but I'm very excited to add such a beautiful bag to my closet.

Interested in owning your own timeless bag? We're giving away one of their navy small pouches - just enter the rafflecopter below (it's open internationally!) Or use that left over Christmas money to buy this beauty of a bag!

Purse: c/o Leah Lerner [exact]

Cardigan: thrifted [similar]

Tee: Everlane [exact]

Pants: Paige c/o Zappos [exact]

Scarf: Banana Republic [exact on sale!!]

Shoes: suuuuuper old [similar]

Bracelet: gift from miss lizzi [similar]

a Rafflecopter giveaway

mismatched leathers

Is the fact that my purse and belt match, but my shoes don't, driving you crazy? I didn't even notice how much they aren't the same color until I looked at these pictures. Yikes! To be honest, these shoes are also looking to be replaced, or at least I need to add a pair in a darker leather to put into the rotation to give these a break. Cognac is one of my closet neutrals though, so a simple flat such as these Clarks, these Fryes, or these Steve Maddens would get a lot of wear. I think a simple ballet flat will also help some of my looks not be so old man.

but like...cute old man, right? 

Blouse: Calvin Klein Outlet [similar]

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Scarf: Target [exact]

Belt: Gap [slightly darker version]

Shoes: Crown Vintage [similar]

Bag: Madewell [exact]

Watch: gift from my sister [similar]

Nails: Essie Lapiz of Luxury

of course I'm linking up with Heidi and Marissa for their pantone challenge!

playing favorites

I think I have fallen madly in love with this Gap shirt. I'm not one to choose favorites with my clothes (I want to love all of them equally!) but I wore it on Friday, and then again on Saturday. I think popovers/button up tunics are my favorite of all the types of shirts, as evidenced by this, this, and this purchase. What can I say, I'm loyal! I like that it can be both more dressy (because of the collar and buttons) but also casual when worn untucked, or with a fun scarf. 

Plus sometimes you don't have to iron them if you are going for that more casual vibe ;)

Blouse: Gap [exact]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Scarf: Forever 21 [save for under $10 | splurge]

Belt: Gap [similar]

Purse: Madewell [exact]

Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | splurge]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Earrings: Tiffany & Co. [exact]

Rings: Galisfly [exact]

Nails: Color Club Age of Aquarius 

P.S. I really wanted to participate in the Pantone-inspired challenge today but I realized I don't own anything emerald. I've actually wanted an emerald scarf for several months now, so I went looking for one in the mall last Thursday but didn't find one anywhere! If I don't find one this weekend in Minneapolis, I may look for one on etsy. This one is adorable, and this one is simple but the exact color I want.

P.P.S. Have you entered both giveaways going on right now? You can enter to win a scarf/clutch here and a $50 Gap card here. Good luck!

unexpected

A year ago I said that I don't really do florals. Isn't it funny where I am a year later, happily wearing a bright floral blazer? Okay, this blazer is still a bit out of the comfort zone, but I think it'll be a really fun piece to own. The shoulders are a bit more padded than any of my other blazers, but I was told it makes your waist look smaller so you girls on instagram better not be lying to me! 

Like I mentioned last week, blogging isn't changing my style but I do think it's pushing me to try new things. Is there something a year ago you thought you wouldn't wear? Besides florals I really didn't think I'd be wearing skinny jeans as much as I do. They're just so dang comfortable!

Blazer: Zara [save | exact]

Tee: Fruit of the Loom*

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | awesome "Cat" splurge]

Necklace: gift from Kimmie

Watch: Kate Spad [exact]

Nails: Color Club Age of Aquarius

*I'm pretty sure I used to work out in this tee. I really need to go find a non sweated on replacement. I've tried on a few so far, including this J.Crew Factory Version, this J.Crew version, and this Gap version but I'm not really thrilled about any of them. The search continues...

Looking for more ideas on how to wear a blazer like this? AJ and I have the same one, and she wore it yesterday and looked SO CUTE.

P.S. Heidi and Marissa are holding a Pantone-Spring Color Challenge next week. I know many of you enjoyed the 5 Days, 5 Ways Challenge Whitney and I held, and I think this one will be just as fun so if you are looking for another blogging challenge (who isn't, amiright?) I hope you join them! I'm already excited to see what everyone comes up with.

5D5W: Casual Friday

I think this may be one of my most favorite outfits I've ever worn. I was trying to figure out why that is exactly. Some theories:

+ I just feel best in these jeans. I think bootcut really just looks best on me. I haven't had any luck finding a second pair on eBay yet, but I continue to be hopeful that a pair will come my way eventually. I still will not pay full price for them because once school starts I won't be wearing jeans much, but some days I'm tempted. Some one hold me back.

+ This blazer rivals my schoolboy blazer for most worn top. I love the neutral color, the fit, and the elbow patches. The blazer is from H&M which has always been kinder to me than Forever 21. I may have to see if they have anything similar currently...in April (side note: budgeting bloggers goes up tomorrow! eek.)

+ My new soft striped tee. This outfit was inspired by Chioma - I don't think I would have paired stripes and plaid like this on my own, but it works. right? yes. stripes + plaid = win

+ Cognac on cognac - my closet neutral color. 

Okay so I may not have a concrete answer...but I really did like wearing this.

Blazer: H&M  [similar]

Tee: Tahari via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Joe's Jeans [same style]

Belt: H&M Mens

Shoes: Crown Vintage [similar]

Watch: Kate Spade [exact]

Bracelet: "J.Crew" via eBay [similar for less than $20]

Nails: Essie Fifth Avenue

Today is the last day for the 5 Day 5 Way link up I put together with my good friend Whitney. It brought such a smile to my face going to all of your blog posts and see you guys commenting, encouraging each other, offering advice, and just connecting in general. I love blogging because of my new found group of friends - you guys honestly bring so much joy into my life with every comment, email, and tweet. I hope this little challenge brought new readers, followers, and friends into your lives. Can we do this again soon? Maybe a end of spring 5 Day 5 Way Challenge? Please say yes.

Now onto the challenge - Casual Friday. Every day of the week is "Casual" for me - I could wear jeans and sweatshirts every single day. I make the effort to look just a little bit more pulled together than that (mostly so I can blog about it, amiright?). Here are 5 of my favorite "casual" looks from the past couple months. Jeans, flats, layers - doesn't get a lot more "work appropriate" casual than that! Go check out everyone else's definition of Casual Friday over on Along the Lines of Style....and thank you again for reading / participating / bringing joy into my life. You are all great :)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Linking up with Plane Pretty.

fall forward

Happy Friday! Today you can find me in two different locations - here you can learn a little bit more about me, blogging, what I looked like as a high schooler, and my closet and here you can learn about the three things I'm hoping to add to my closet this spring.


Other than that, not much to report. Three people told me that I look like fall today - even though these are flowers and not trees! Oh well,  like I've bitched about, it's still winter here so it's only appropriate-ish.

Sweater: Thrifted  [save | extreme splurge]
Blouse: H&M  [save | splurge]
Jeans: American Eagle  [exact]
Necklace: H&M
Belt: Thrifted
Purse: Madewell  [exact]
Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington  [exact]
Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | splurge]

via Instagram

chance of flurries

oh hey! surprise! it's still snowing here in Wisconsin. I know that if you read any fashion blogs at all you would think that spring has sprung, that the birds are chirping, and that flowers everywhere are blooming.

not here.


don't worry, we're used to having flash blizzards in May so a few flurries in March is fine...

...except when you try to take pictures of yourself outside.

Blazer: H&M  [similar]
Tee: Forever 21  [exact]
Jeans: Joe's Jeans  [same style]
Scarf: H&M
Shoes: Crown Vintage [save | splurge]
Purse: Madewell  [exact]
Watch: Target [check in stores]
Glasses: c/o Firmoo*


*I received this pair of glasses from Firmoo last week and I've really enjoyed having a second pair to rotate with my other glasses. I really like the color and style of frames available - I had a pretty hard time deciding which frames to get so I choose to get something similar to what I already works on my face. The glasses are great - my only hesitation with ordering glasses online is that no one fits them specifically to your head like they would at the optometrists. If you are interested in trying out a pair, Firmoo offers first time customers a free pair - you can find out more here.

Also. The nice thing about documenting what I wear every day (ok, most days) is that I can go back and see how I've worn items in the past. I went to go see how I've worn this blazer and I realized that the second to last time I wore it was the day after I found out I was rejected from my #1 school choice. Today when I wore it I turned in my notice for my last day of work for when I leave to go to my #2 choice. Kind of interesting, no? No? Fine.











Linking up with Style Elixir and wiww. 

inspired

This is a slight rip-off of this outfit with a few adjustments to my accessories. My second favorite part about blogging (the first is all of you ladies) is how inspired I am by other bloggers. I sometimes I look at my closet and wonder how I have all of these clothes but can't come up with an outfit...but then I just head to my Pinterest board full of outfits I pinned with pieces I already own and instantly find something to put together. Isn't providing and finding inspiration the whole point of blogging? 

But don't forget - there is a difference between finding inspiration and straight up copying. Give credit where credit is due and find your own style somewhere in the middle :)

And if you need more inspiration for styling a mustard cardigan, check out Audrey's recap of the way she's worn hers! I'm also doing a little guest post for her so please check it out!

Cardigan: thrifted  {save / splurge}

Blouse: H&M  {similar}

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}

Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet  {similar}

Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}

Purse: Madewell  {exact}

Shoes: Crown Vintage  {save / splurge}

hussy ankles via Instagram

I wear your granddad's clothes, I look incredible

A little fisherman, a little old man, a lot of comfortable. I got this sweater this weekend while doing a little thrifting and although some may not be as enamored with it as I am (I was called a fisherman twice today), I'm excited to add it to my closet. Plus for less than $3, a grey wool sweater can't really be beat.

Sweater: Thrifted

Button-up: Gap  {save / splurge}

Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}

Shoes: Crown Vintage  {save / splurge}

Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}

...and if you've spent any time thrifting, you'll appreciate this song. plus it's so damn catchy!

 

Franziska, Everyday

I read a lot of blogs and am constantly wishing I had all of the amazing pieces of clothing you ladies have. Unfortunately, I have a budget I (try to) stick to, so I generally just try to be inspired and recreate what you wear with items from my own closet rather than go out and buy a bunch of clothes every week. I say generally because once I saw this bag on Kendi, I needed it to be mine. I checked on it every few weeks, hoping it would go down in price. It did go down about $20 over Black Friday, but I still held off. Then two weeks ago when I was again telling someone about this bag, all bags happened to be 25% off, making it cheaper than it was on Black Friday...and I finally had to press buy. It took a little bit to get to me because I wanted a little monogram added, but it was definitely worth the wait.

To fund this purchase I sold this purse on eBay for the price I bought it for in the store. I know that I'll get a lot more wear out of this new purse as it works well for work now and will be great in the future (if I get into school). A smaller bright green purse just can't compete with a big leather tote.

Have you ever purchased something after seeing someone on a blog wearing it? Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Sweater: Target  {exact on sale for $13}
Gingham: J. Crew Factory (with tank top in between)  {exact}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Scarf: H&M
Purse: Madewell  {exact}
Shoes: Crown Vintage  {save / splurge}
Watch: Kate Spade  {exact}
Bracelet: DIY
Nails: Seen here

via Instagram

P.S. Two days left to enter the Firmoo Giveaway!