Classic Preppy Outfit For Work Or Play

I became drawn to classic preppy style in my 20's when I was in college and interning. It was a very busy time in my life where I wanted to look professional and be taken seriously, but I also wanted to be comfortable while I was commuting to campus. I was doing a lot of presentations and going on various interviews so my wardrobe needed to be functional. It consisted of mostly blazers, sweaters, ballet flats, and either black ponte pants or black jeans depending on the level of formality. Looking back, it was such a period of growth in my life, and it's where i started finding my true personal style. It was powerful in the sense that my new found style gave me confidence. It was liberating because getting dressed each morning wasn't such a chore any longer.

Today, I still reach for many of the same classic preppy pieces. I know I can count on them to look instantly polished with little to no effort. In fact, I've never felt the need to drastically tailor my style between work and play. I've been lucky to work in places that allowed for a more casual dress code, so no need to change much!

Wearing // Similar sweater here & here, Black jeans, Similar cap toe heels here, here & here, Exact bag in different classic colors

Most of the items here are fairly old and no longer available, but that's another bonus of wearing such timeless basics - there are so many similar pieces out there! You can't go wrong with a smart cable knit sweater in a classic shade, and I think most women have a pair of black jeans or pants in their existing wardrobe. This would be appropriate in a lot of work places, but if yours is more formal then you can switch out the jeans for ponte pants like these, or perhaps a pair of gorgeous wide-leg trousers. My favorite part of this look however are the cap toe slingbacks. They are so chic! Reminiscent of Chanel, they tie the outfit together quite nicely. If I still worked in an office, I'd wear some combination of this outfit daily. Since I don't, I'll still pull it out as often as I want!

What's your formula for instant polish, or what pieces do you like wearing to work/school?

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The Monthly Edit // Jan. 2020

"Own The Day"

I'm thrilled that so many of you have enjoyed my monthly edit posts, so I will definitely keep bringing them to you at the end of each month! They're probably my favorite to put together, and I've actually learned a lot about myself in the last year by documenting the things I do, places I go, and even the more mundane aspects of my life. Even if you don't blog, I seriously recommend writing a few things down each month that stood out for you -  it's a great way to put things into perspective, reflect on any areas where you need improvement, or to simply take note of things you are currently grateful for.

I keep hearing people say that January has felt like a lifetime and I sort of agree. After the buzz of the holidays wears off, January can feel like one big hangover. But it's also nice to get back to reality and into a more positive mindset. I was fairly productive this month, and I didn't even put any pressure on myself. I'll take that as a win! Now let me see what else January had in store:

I didn't go on any cleanses or special diet, and I didn't do dry January (although I commend those who did). Instead, Nate and I went to one of our absolute favorite places to eat dinner. I met my friend Gina there before the holidays, and I wanted to go back so badly that we stopped in earlier in the month after the beach.

The nut-crusted baked brie is to die for

I got my balayage freshened up. I always like to start a new year with a solid trip to the salon. I'm going back in a couple days to get a healthy trim as well. My hair gets so heavy that I need some longer layers.

I bought a few things from the Anthropologie sale, including my new day planner that I'm loving! It's a great medium size, and I believe it was under $12.00 after the sale. And really, I need to see those three small words - no, not "I love you" but "own the day" - every damn day.

Other Things of Note:

1. I'm turning the awkward loft space we have in our home into a little office. I bought a small desk and am working on getting a couple pieces to complete the room. I usually blog, write, read, and listen to music in our bedroom but I want a space that's more practical for getting things done. It's hard to do that on the bed or floor of our room! It's also just terrible for my posture. I've also been wanting to take more daily outfit and product photos and the loft has the best lighting in the house. I can't wait until it comes together.

2. Nate secured an office/shop space for his business, and I could not be happier for him! To see his dream become a reality has been inspiring to say the least.

3. Unfortunately, Nettie hasn't had such a fun time. She's been dehydrated and sickly for the past few days, but thankfully she's on medication and is starting to resemble her fun-loving self slowly but surely. We still don't know what the trouble was, but the vet said probably something she ate that didn't sit well.

4. My beautiful lash extensions are no more. Well, mostly. I'm letting them grow and fall out and I have a couple stragglers leftover that makes me look a bit crazed but we're going with it. I bought a new tube of mascara for the first time since August and let me tell you...I'm not impressed.

5. We received a generous gift from my in-laws for Christmas, an air fryer. I must admit, I had no clue what an air fryer was, but now I'm singing its praises. I haven't used our regular oven once this year! It's amazing just how useful it is, and I've been pinning different recipes to try. Let me know if you have one too!

How did January treat you? Please share in the comments, and have a happy weekend!

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The Ultimate Moto Jacket For Petites

When it comes to my Winter wardrobe, there's nothing I love wearing more than a great suede jacket. I remember seeing photos of my mom wearing a fabulous fringed camel jacket in the 1970's, and ever since then, it's basically been a goal of mine to recreate similar outfits. My mom's even more petite than I am, standing at 4 foot 9, but she looked miles taller in her suede jackets (and platforms). I'm definitely more conservative in my dressing than she was, but the one thing that always stood out to me was how beautifully tailored her jackets looked. It can be challenging to find things off the rack that are suitable for petites, but this moto jacket I bought a couple years ago remains one of my favorites for that very reason.

Wearing // Moto jacket (comes in a few colors) and some on sale, Express shirt, Wit & Wisdom jeans, Similar leopard scarf, Similar booties, Gorjana necklace

This moto jacket is from BlankNYC and I bought it during the Nordstrom anniversary sale. As soon as I saw the rich vibrant carmel color, I knew I wanted it to be mine. Warm copper tones are so beautiful in the colder months to mix in with other neutrals. However, I was super skeptical that the jacket would fit correctly. Usually arms are too long, shoulders too droopy, and the overall look is just "off". I sized up one and the fit was surprisingly spot on. It's a rare occurrence, so trust me when I tell you my reaction was a little bit giddy! My number one tip for fellow petites: look for jackets that hit at the top of the hips for a flattering silhouette that makes legs appear longer. For curvy petites, this also creates the illusion of a smaller waist.
Unfortunately this exact shade is sold out, but it comes in other neutrals that would look equally gorgeous on. It's a heavier weight, which makes it perfect for cold evenings and nights. Plus, it provides just the right amount of edge to any look.

Do you like moto jackets, and if so, what's your favorite way to wear one?

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My Everyday Winter Outfit Formula

I don't know about you guys, but once we reach the middle of a current season, I always begin feeling a little bored with my everyday outfit choices. It doesn't matter if it's mid-Winter or mid-Summer - after awhile, options narrow and I lose all sense of creativity. In the past, I would start browsing online for more clothes to fill the void, but now I (mostly) stick to the pieces in my existing wardrobe. This is the perfect time where having a simple formula for getting dressed is so helpful. It may not be the most exciting, but if the goal is to look put-together, then having a formula is an easy solution.

Wearing // Revolve sweater (Similar options here & here), Wit & Wisdom jeans, Madewell booties (Similar here)

My everyday Winter outfit formula works well with our warmer climate, but you could easily make this appropriate for yours by adding a coat, scarf, and different boots. I can't pretend to know what a real heavy duty Winter is like because I have no experience with that! But this has truly been my go-to look for the last couple of weeks and I've been wearing some variation of a pullover sweater + ankle jeans + these fabulous cognac booties more often than not. I rotate between four or five cozy pullovers that serve as the focal point since the rest of the outfit is so basic. I've had this particular sweater since last year, but there are so many beautiful options at every price point right now. These ankle length jeans and the cut of the boots work really nicely. I don't have to worry about any bunching or riding and no need to try and tuck the jeans into the boots! I used to love that look but now the trend has steered towards straight leg or looser fitting jeans that skim the ankles. It's actually quite flattering so I'm a big fan. 

What about you, do you have an everyday outfit formula? I swear it's the way to go!

Linking up with On The Daily Express & Straight A Style

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