{playing dress up}

Ahhh spring is here! I never thought it would arrive. 

I don't know what part of the country you live in, but here in Indiana it was the winter that would never end. 

I was doing some major wishful thinking back in February, and bought a few springy tops at Kohl's. I still have to wear them with a cardigan, but just being able to go without a coat and wear flats instead of boots is heavenly!

I love this first top...the color is so fresh and the geometric cut-outs are really unique...

The watercolor painting effect on this top, plus the hi/low hemline drew me in...

I'm wearing the same pair of dark grey cords from TJ Maxx with both outfits...they are my absolute favorite pants and go with everything. If you have any questions about my other pieces just ask in the comments! I'm feeling too lazy today to source everything. ;)

XO,

{playing dress up}

Happy Wednesday friends!

It is FREEZING here in Indiana but I managed to get gussied up yesterday. 

{just for you} 

I found some great deep turquoise cords on clearance at TJ Maxx on Monday so I just had to wear them...

And see that Fossil bag?! 

$20 at Goodwill. I kid you not. 

The thrifting Gods were looking down on me majorly. 

So here is how I styled my new cords...

The grey top and scarf are also from TJ's...earrings from Kohl's, thrifted sweater, and boots my go-to's from Ebay. They are lined and the warmest thing I have in these near zero temps. 

I haven't switched over to the bag yet {even though I'm dying to!} because it doesn't have a cross-body strap and wearing a shoulder bag with a winter coat is one of the most annoying things. Right? 

Ahhh I'm dreaming of non-coat weather so much right now. 

Actually the 40's would work for me. A high of 14 just isn't cutting it.

What have you been wearing this week?

XO,

{playing dress up}

I almost forgot that today was Wednesday and that I had not one, but TWO outfits to share with you. 

Why you ask?

Because it has been ridiculously icy and cold here and today is the first day I've been out of our house since Saturday. I never thought I would be so happy to go to work! The boys haven't gone back to school yet and our van was dead/frozen in the driveway yesterday. But I do have to say that being able to stay up late and sleep in have been heaven for this night owl. 

It felt so good today to get dressed in something other than fleece pants and a t-shirt so I figured I should document it! {and with a little nudge from my friend Suzanne}

Today I'm wearing my go-to dress that you've seen just a few times before, but I have a new cardigan to show off that was a Christmas present from my awesome mother-in-law. It is, not surprisingly, from TJ Maxx...

I love the pattern and it is the perfect slouchy oversized shape. 

I'm also wearing my new nest necklace from Melody Joy Designs...

Love this whimsical reminder of my two little birds at home. 

Speaking of TJ Maxx...last week I wore two new tops I snagged on my last retail therapy trip. Both are super comfy and flattering...

I love the pop of mustard yellow against the grey...

So the point of this week's post is...what would my wardrobe do without TJ Maxx? 

Answer...the outlook would be very dismal. :)

What is your favorite place to shop for additions to your wardrobe?

XO,

{playing dress up}

Happy 2014 friends!

And what do ya know...I actually have an outfit to share today!

I got this cute Lucky brand sweater at TJ Maxx on clearance and really love it layered with my chambray top. I also have a grey tank underneath the chambray to add some length...

Turquoise + orange is a new thing for me and I think I love it.

Chambray --- thrifted
Cords --- TJ Maxx {also Lucky brand}
Flats --- DSW
Necklace --- Charming Charlie

What color combo are you enjoying these days?

XO,

{ Styled By Tori Spelling Giveaway #ToriStyle }

Today I'm sharing two of my favorite things...jewelry and a giveaway!

My friends over at Styled by Tori Spelling sent me a ridiculously fun box full of their jewelry pieces and I've been having so much fun putting looks together!

Here are all of the goodies right after I opened the box...

Landon said "Its like you robbed a bank Mom!" Silly boy...more like I robbed a jewelry store!

It was SO hard to choose just a few to share with you, but I narrowed it down to three great necklace looks. I decided to show you how to dress up a plain top in three different ways.

First up...this turquoise beauty!

I really love how it pops against my white top. And this one was SO simple to put together. Just two connector rings and a chain on both ends made this stunning necklace!

My second look really makes a statement. I love the multiple layers on this necklace...

The faceted "jewels" are my favorite part. And this one was made with two connector rings and a chain as well. So simple!

And last but I think this one is my favorite...this gorgeous pendant...

Instead of using the Styled by Tori Spelling components with this, I grabbed a simple silver chain I already owned and threaded it through the attached ring...

The colors in this one make me so HAPPY!

Isn't it fun how a simple statement necklace can change up the look of a basic top?

And now its your turn to win your very own selection of Styled by Tori Spelling goodness! Enter via the Rafflecopter below for a prize package valued at $50-$75!

And be sure to check out the new Styled by Tori Spelling line, sold exclusively at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores! 

And follow them online:
Facebook
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Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{new glasses...a video demonstration}

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you've seen photos of my new glasses from Firmoo. As much as I would like to say I love them...they just aren't working for me.

So this is purely because I'm ridiculous and feel the need to show you all in video form why my new glasses aren't quite the right fit...

Go ahead and make the video full screen to get the total experience! ;)

And thanks again to Firmoo for these glasses...even though they aren't quite the right fit, your customer service was excellent!

{travel in style with HP + Intel}

Today I'm talking about traveling in style. 

Now let me first start by saying that for my current lifestyle, "traveling" consists of the 30 minute interstate drive my family and I take every few weeks to the closest Sonic and Target. 

We seriously LOVE those trips. Its the little things, right? 

And even a trip to grab a cherry limeade and spend $100 on a random assortment of absolute necessities {wink} at good old Tar-jay deserves a cute outfit, right?

I put together six of my favorite car trip/shopping looks that involve three basic wardrobe essentials...

• unique top/tunic
• cardigan
• skinny jeans

In my humbly fashionable opinion, these three pieces can get you through any 45 minute jaunt through the toy aisles...

The thing I love about this combination is that you only have to own a few of each piece to create SO many different looks. I'm actually wearing the same pair of jeans in 5 out of these 6 outfits! {I kind of love them.}

Then just add a cute pair of boots or flats, and if you are feeling extra adventurous,throw on a statement necklace and you will really be traveling in style! 

And now I'm craving a cherry limeade and Target popcorn...

Looking for more travel in style inspiration and a chance to win fun prizes from HP + Intel?

Enter the HP + Intel + Project Runway Pin Your Style Contest!

Pin a photo of the HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™ via the Pin It button on the Pin Your Style contest page. Then, build a board that represents that week's theme. Check out the weekly Pinsetter images on the site for inspiration.

Submit your board's URL into the site to enter. Then, share your board with friends to earn the most votes!

Win prizes like an HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™ and a gift card to bring your style to life by getting the top votes for your board.

• Then vote in the contest between April 29 - May 12 by viewing the Pinterest board submissions on the Pin Your Style contest page and vote for your favorites based on the theme.

So tell me, what is your favorite go-to travel outfit? And where is your favorite destination?



I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

{woozy for druzy}

Yes, we all know I have a thing for jewelry.

Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings...I give them all equal attention.

I've noticed a lot of druzy pieces lately and I'm in love with the natural, earthy quality of the stones. They also take me back to my rock collecting days when I was a child. I had a few geodes and pieces of agate in my collection and I soooo wish I still had them.

Here are a few pieces I've pinned from searching Etsy...

Source: etsy.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Mandy on Pinterest

What do you think of this druzy trend?

{fashionably flexible with HP + Intel}

If there is one thing I love about fashion, it is finding pieces that I can use in many different ways in my wardrobe.

Whether it be a statement necklace, a flattering dress, or a classic chambray shirt, a flexible wardrobe staple can really be a girl's best friend. Today I'm going to share with you some of my favorite fashionably flexible items, as well as an exciting contest from HP + Intel and Project Runway. {my FAVORITE reality shows ever by the way!}

Let's start with my favorite statement necklace. It was thrifted and I love the color, chunky beads, and how versatile it is...

Next is my favorite dress from Kohl's. I love the bold peacock pattern, mix of my favorite colors, and the fit is super flattering. Oh, and it was $5 on clearance!

And finally, a piece that I've come to rely on a few times a week because it is so versatile...and was also thrifted...my chambray shirt...

I don't know what I would do without these and a few other flexible, staple pieces in my wardrobe. They take a lot of the fuss out of getting dressed in the morning.

Another great place to find ideas for a flexible wardrobe is Pinterest, and HP + Intel + Project Runway are hosting a Pin Your Style contest!

Just like Project Runway contestants show off their personal fashion every week, HP + Intel want you to Pin Your Style. It’s simple: create chic boards inspired by the weekly themes, then vote for your favorites for a chance to win fabulous HP notebooks with Intel® processors and more.

Want to participate?
Pin a photo of the HP Envy x2 with Intel Inside® via the Pin It button on the Pin Your Style contest page. Then, build a board that represents that week's theme. Check out the weekly Pinsetter images on the site for inspiration.

Submit your board's URL into the site to enter. Then, share your board with friends to earn the most votes!

Win prizes like an HP Envy x2 with Intel Inside® and a gift card to bring your style to life by getting the top votes for your board.

Do you have a favorite, flexible piece in your wardrobe? Tell me about it in the comments! Better yet, link to a photo or a blog post about it!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.