Contrasting Basics

Hey friends! I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas season! It seems like it always takes so long to get here and then, bam, it's over. I guess that's true with most things we get excited about though, huh? Was it everything you hoped it would be? Or even more than you imagined? For our family, Christmastime is always so busy. We have many celebrations with different family and lots of traditions we like to continue. So, I try extra hard to be super intentional about the things we do leading up to Christmas Day and making sure we remember to slow down during the craziness. There are so many things I love about this time of year and I want to be sure I'm enjoying it, not just trying to get through it. It turned out to be pretty great though, as always!

Something I struggle with in the post Christmas season is getting sucked into that after holiday let down. Like, the excitement and celebrations are over and now it's just a cold and yucky mess outside (and sometimes inside) and there's nothing to really look forward to until Spring. It kinda stinks. But, there are a few things I've come to find that help me enjoy the rest of winter so much more. 

Using free time off from schoolwork to organize and purge is a huge part of it. I find I can think more clearly and feel like I'm beginning the new year with a fresh slate when I'm not surrounded by clutter. So, while the boys enjoy endless hours of free play, I clean and purge and sort and bag things to donate or sell. It's soooo refreshing.

Usually, while going through my closet, I find things that I've been holding onto for a long while but can't actually remember the last time I wore. I like to bag those things up and consign them so I can replace them later with things we need and will really wear and use. It also helps me get a fresh look on some of the things I own. Like a sweater that's been tucked away or a pair of shoes I had forgotten about. It's kind of fun for a clean-freak mama like myself. LOL 

I wanted to share this fun sale find with you guys. This sweater is so soft and cozy. It's the perfect length and fit and I love the contrasting colors. I found it for $7 at my local Rue 21 and instantly loved it. It also looks pretty great with white skinnies, a contrasting boot and this fun neutral (and SUPER warm) coat! I love the longer length on it, as opposed to most puffer coats you find, and the fur around the hood is a fun little touch. 

My grandmother gifted me this cuuuute MICHE bag for my birthday and I just love it!! It's so neat that they make shell coverings for them so you can switch out the look as often as you like! This pretty black leopard patterned shell came with it and, so far, I haven't had the slightest urge to change it. I'm basic, I know. LOL 

Anyway, I hope your week was a great one and that your weekend it even better! We're supposed to get a ton of snow so, we'll probably by hunkered down by the fire with some board games and chocolate. ha. Happy weekend!!

| outfit details |

sweater | Rue 21 (in-store only, other cute styles here & here)

white skinnies | Walmart

otk boots | Circus by Sam Edelman

earrings | Nickel & Suede (size medium)

Purse | Base Bag & (couldn't find shell online but, I also love this shell)

Blue Suede Mules

Do you ever come across a trend that you really love but, just can't seem to find the gumption to try for yourself? That is "mules" for me. I think they are seriously SO CUTE. I just have a hard time feeling like I'm doing them justice with what I'm pairing them with. Does that make sense?

Anyhoo...

I stumbled upon this super cute pair of faux suede mules at Rue a few months ago. They were on sale for a measly three bucks. THREE BUCKS. How could I not buy them?! Really though, they are so cute, very trendy right now and so SO versatile. I love the light dusty blue color and finding sweet tops and dresses to pair with them has been so much fun. 

Often times, in life and fashion, I find myself feeling hesitant to jump into things I really feel drawn to. Whether it be a friendship, a commitment of some kind, something concerning our family's future or, fashion and style choices. Isn't it funny, though, that more often than not, when I actually do get the courage to give into whatever IT is, I almost always come out feeling happier and more fulfilled. I mean, I get it. It's a pair of shoes.. But, still. Why not just do something because it feels right to YOU? Not always. I don't mean to insinuate that you should be totally and one hundred percent about yourself and fulfilling your wants twenty four seven. But, every now and then, it's okay to take the risk (and spend a few dollars) to do something for you. Even if you're not sure you'll enjoy it in the end or you decide a little while later that it's just not for you. That's alright. Just don't be afraid to give new things, new places, new trends a try. You never know what you might end up loving and learning about yourself in the process.

These shoes are definitely one of my fave sale finds and I don't even care that they're not some high priced brand. They make me happy and that's all that really matters. Isn't that the goal and purpose behind our fashion choices, after all? Have a lovely week friends! We're halfway to the weekennnnd!

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

SHEER DRESS/TOP : thrifted

WHITE SKINNIES : Jordache

FAUX SUEDE MULES : Rue 21 (old, these are similar) Also LOVE these!

EMBROIDERED BAG : similar style here (also love this one)

EARRINGS : Nickel & Suede (Lip Gloss, size large)

And, here's a few other styles of heeled Mules that I love!

    

Diy Friday : Loose Peplum Top

With the changing of seasons, I always get fresh inspiration and new motivation to do more, be more, and put more into my life. Whether that means deep cleaning and purging things we no longer need/use in an effort to simplify or finally deciding on a project to make with that perfect fabric I've been saving, a new season often feels like a new lease on life. And, I love it. I scored some pretty dollar rack fabrics a few weeks ago and stocked up for just this reason. They were the types of fabric that catch your eye in passing and you know it's just waiting to be made into something beautiful. That may be the creative in me talking, the way something just pops out at me and I immediately think of all the possibilities it holds. But, go along with me on that one. ;) 

In my last post I shared some of the pieces I'm gaining inspiration from this spring and how I planned to sew a few for myself soon. Well, this is the first. And it turned out to be everything I had hoped for. Soft and flowy and perfectly girly. It's what my throw-on-and-go dreams are made of and I wish I had more similar pieces in my closet. I also really love the subtle rose color and how it will go with so many things, like these distressed white skinnies (a walmart diy).  

While I haven't perfected the making of a tutorial yet, one of my favs (and where I gain a ton of inspiration from) Merrick has. I've shared her blog here before and I'll share it again because there are literally endless possibilities of projects to create. Here's a post you can use to make a similar top (just make the peplum a bit fuller and longer) and here's another on distressing your jeans for that trendy grunge look. It's super simple and actually a lot of fun. Careful though, you may get hooked and find yourself with a closet full of destructed jeans. lol 

Happy creating and have a wonderful start to your weekennnnnd! It's FRI-YAY!

Light Blue Ruffles

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

Ruffle Hem Tunic | (sold out) similar options here

White skinny jeans | thrifted but similar here

Faux Suede Booties

fringe bag | similar

earrings | old

So, the craziest thing happened. After getting my pieces from the instagram giveaway I won a few weeks back, I won ANOTHER giveaway!! I couldn't believe it because I hardly ever win anything! I was so grateful and excited though and couldn't wait to get shopping.

The first place I went was Magnolia Boutique because, I LOVE their shop and they have some of the cutest styles. I've been searching and searching for some taupe faux suede booties like these for what seems like forever. I've searched my local thrift shop over and over and never come up with any my size. But, by winning this giveaway, I was able to snag these gorgeous ones! They are so comfortable, the heel is the perfect height, the color matches my skin tone to a tee and the die cut outs are such a pretty detail. They are my new favorite shoes! I wear them with these invisible socks so they don't rub blisters on my feet. They're like hosiery and work great. Though a thicker style may work better for cooler months..

I saw this tunic through their insta account a few times and always loved it so, this was right at the top of my list as well. I was able to get it on final sale (sorry it's not available anymore) so I got a great price on it and I loooove it! I would seriously wear it everyday if I didn't think people would look at me a little funny. lol 

Since both pieces are fairly neutral colors, they paired perfectly with some white skinny jeans and a natural colored earring. I thrifted these Maurices brand skinnies and tailored them to fit better after baby boy got here. And these earrings have been my faves for years and especially since I got a short cut. I love them and they add a little extra something to any outfit without going overboard. This is such a great outfit for spring temps that don't always know what they're doing and it's definitely been on repeat the last couple of weeks. I'll be featuring the other items I scored through this giveaway in future posts also, so be looking for that! They're pretty great as well!!