Black & White

You know what this shoot was not? Warm. But it was the first sunny day since I can remember so I took advantage of it. In the midst of putting off laundry for far too long, I was running out of pants options (no, I totally wasn't, but my favorite pair of jeans was dirty so basically, yes I was) so I dug out these gray pants from Express as an alternative to my dirty white jeans. In these completely frigid Connecticut temperatures, I have been opting for pants, boots and oversized, warm sweaters. 

This is what I actually wear in 20 degrees. 

Outfit Details | Sweater: Gap, no longer online, similar here | Pants: Express (old, similar here) | Booties: Kohls (old, similar here) | Coat: J.Crew Factory | Scarf: Target (no longer available, similar)| Necklace: Baublebar | How do you dress for the cold? 

Mad for Plaid

By now, you've seen this red plaid shirt a few times, mostly around the holiday season. While I was in Charleston, I threw it on with a vest and some leopard flats while exploring the city and the very windy Folly Beach. I love mixing patterns that are pretty neutral, like the plaid, herringbone, and leopard (leopard is a neutral, afterall). 
Also, I always love when everyone else wears fun colors on their lips, but I hate it on myself! I'm trying to sport more colored lips in 2015, first attempt pictured here. If anyone has any tips on how to find a good color for your skin/face/whatever suggestions you have, let me know! I'm still not a fan. 

Outfit details | Shirt: Old Navy, similar here | Jeans: Joe's (T.J. Maxx), similar here | Flats: DSW | Necklace: Amazon, similar here | Watch: Kate Spade | Sunglasses: Icing | Tote: Michael Kors | 

Ropes & Plaid

Happy Tuesday! Only 2 days til the weekend (today doesn't count and Friday doesn't count - logical math)! 
This weekend I had my first Dave & Busters experience, and let me tell you, it is nothing like Laguna Beach made it seem like. You know the episode, where Kristin and Jessica make Alex H. get a random balding guys number and they look totally cool just having a casual girls night at 17 years old. Well, in reality, it's mostly screaming children. It was still fun, and I am the reigning basketball shootout champion, so all is well in the world. 
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen a little preview of this outfit. I was getting ready one morning last week, throwing clothes all around my room, happy with absolutely nothing in my closet. Until I threw this Banana Republic sweater and plaid button down next to each other and I had my morning epiphany - the two obviously needed to be worn together. I used to LOVE the sweater layer trend. In high school, this was my go to outfit - a cable knit sweater (probably from the Gap), usually paired with two polos and... I'm seriously cringing as I write this... two intentionally popped collars. (Ouch. That was rough.) Anyway, put on some booties and voila! I threw on my utility jacket and was off to work. 
P.S. My hair had started out straight the morning these pictures were taken... 

And just for good measure.... 

Outfit Details | Sweater: Banana Republic (old), loving this | Plaid Shirt: T.J. Maxx, similar here and love this | Jeans: Joe's, T.J. Maxx, similar | Booties: Lauren Conrad (on sale!) | Jacket: T.J. Maxx, similar here 

Do you like to layer sweaters? 

Pleather Skirt

Well, I knew it would be sooner rather than later that I dedicated a post to some faux leather that lives in my closet. I'm not going to lie, I was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers, Sydney, over at Summer Wind, who posted this outfit a few weeks ago. I wear my (p)leather skirt all the time once the colder weather rolls around, so when I saw this outfit inspo and realized I had everything in my closet already, I tried it practically the next day. Cashmere and leather? Sold. 
This is a great outfit to wear flats with at work and then throw on some heels for happy hour (I'll pretend like that's what I did, but really I took my shoes off and bummed a homemade meal off my parents after work...)
The wind was out of control while I was taking these photos, so I apologize for the lack of flattering shots. There's a high possibility someone got a little show during this photoshoot, if you know what I mean. I'm also so mad I forgot to take my hair band off my wrist for these, so please disregard :) 

Outfit Details | Sweater: Ann Taylor Factory Store (old), similar here | Skirt: T.J. Maxx, loving this | Necklace: Macy's (old), loving this | Watch & Bracelet: Kate Spade | Flats: Express (old) | Heels: Target, similar here
In other news, I spent the weekend relaxing, spending time with friends and watching my friend kick butt in her first marathon, but missed all the Columbus Day sales! My bank account thanks me, but I'm going to have to take advantage of some of these "extended sales". Did anyone find anything good?! 

Shirt Dress

Happy hump day! Wednesday also means the day after one of my favorite shows airs, Chicago Fire (hello Jesse Spencer and Taylor Kinney). To avoid any spoiler alerts, all I will say is oh.my.god. Those writers sure know how to get a girl's heart race up at 11 pm.
This shirt dress (is that even the real name?) was part of my mini T.J. Maxx shopping spree last week. I've been looking for one since the summer but they always seem to be see-through. When I saw this Cloth & Stone (this brand can be found at Anthropologie) shirt dress at TJ's last week, it was love at first sight. It is so comfortable but still makes you pulled together. It was perfect for running errands around town on the weekend. And a special shoutout to the lovely ladies of Ulta who made me feel like a supermodel giving me so many compliments on this look. 
I love wearing dresses and hate tights, posing quite a little problem for the colder weather that's quickly approaching. I loved that this dress was a dark neutral for fall, but I can still wear it without tights. I added in a little pop of color with my earrings because I'm just not ready to give up neon season. Also, the gold necklace I'm wearing was my bonus necklace Baublebar sent me I talked about last week! 

And a squinty-eyed and coffee shot for good measure

Outfit details | Dress: T.J. Maxx (not online) | Earrings: J.Crew (old) | Booties: LC Lauren Conrad | Bag: ASOS (old), loving this and this | Watch: Kate Spade | Bracelets: Francesca's (not online) & Kate Spade (similar) | Necklace: Baublebar (similar) | Sunglasses: Icing 

Have you given the shirt dress trend a try?