Fall Style Collaboration with A Grain of Glitter

~ Outfit #1 ~

First things first: We did NOT plan on wearing matching hats!  It just happened.  Great minds think alike. ;)  And now for the real stuff:

I am very excited to finally be posting this amazingly fun collaboration Jordan from A Grain of Glitter and I did a few weeks ago.  We've been lucky enough with timing to do two previous collabs {Luck of the Fashionable Collab and One Blazer|Two Looks}, but never before have we done a shoot together, so this collab is extra special!  

I'll be listing my two outfits' details below, but definitely head over to A Grain of Glitter to see Jordan's!  {And take a peek at her post Room Tour - her Master bedroom that she just got done decorating!  I'm in love with the decor, personally.}

Booties: Aldo {similar}

Black Skinnies: Citizens of Humanity

Oversized Sweater: Old Navy {love this cable-knit one}

Necklace: Forever 21{similar}

Hat: Borrowed {similar}

Lipstick {MAC's Rebel}

I chose this outfit because the two things I actually look forward to about Fall are boots and sweaters!  This oversized sweater can be paired with jeans of different colors, be it black, blue or even a raspberry!  Oversized everything (sweaters, coats, etc) is going to be popular again this Fall, so be on the lookout while you're shopping, be it at a mall or online.  A site with some killer oversizing ideas is Sheinside.  There are virtually endless outfit possibilities with the statement of an oversized piece! 

I also busted out my leopard print booties that I purchased at Aldo last year, as leopard is also going to be popular again this year.  {Read more on that here.}

A shot of us taking this instagram selfie! {Be sure to follow Jordan and myself on IG!}

~ Outfit #2 ~

Heels: Coach {similar}

Tights: TJMaxx

Skirt: {Express - 40% off right now!}

Top: JCrew {this year's version}

Scarf: Hand-made by my mother!

Handbag: Coach {similar}

I decided that my second outfit needed my very favorite midi {last seen here} so I can show how I'll be wearing into Fall and Winter!  I love wearing patterned tights, as long as they aren't too crazy.  These ones I got at the end of winter on clearance at TJMaxx for a pretty decent price.  I've been looking for more ever since, but haven't lucked out - maybe I will now that it's time for a little more on the legs!  Also, as mentioned above, I had to break this amazingly soft alpaca scarf, since scarves are one thing I love about Fall.  I also thought the burnt orange color of my silk JCrew blouse was ideal for a Fall-transition post!  I mean, isn't it the first color we all think of when we think about fall? 

Black & Neon

Heels: Coach {similar}

Skirt: JCrew

Top: Kate Spade Saturday {this one's cute}

Blazer: Forever 21 {this one is SO COOL!}

Earrings: Target {similar, although I think mine are  much bigger}

Lipstick: Chanel {Color: Mademoiselle}

Jump Around!! <<---click to jam!

Poppin' my color. ;)

I'm desperately hanging on to summer, you guys!  I am really not ready for Fall.  I'm trying to get out my scarves and boots, but honestly, I'm in denial!  #NotReady.

With that said, I thought I'd bring out the neon one last time before I have to pair it with something more Fall/Winter appropriate (ie. boots, scarves, tights, etc).

When I found my Kate Spade Saturday top in a pile of clean laundry (whoops!  Mom, if you're reading this, please don't be disappointed in me!), I thought it would be the perfect pairing with my neon-green fluted-skirt from JCrew.  

I also have the skirt in the Pack Green that's currently, I kid you not, $19.99 if you use promo code WEEKEND right now! (Thinking to self Hmmmm Do I need another color?) The dark green will be a little more perfect for Fall - grab one before they're gone!  Even if you have to get a bigger one to alter, it's a price that will never be beat for JCrew.  There are eBay listings for used JCrew skirts for more!

It rained a lot today in Iowa (and I worked out before doing my photos), so my hair didn't look the same as it did in this photo - yes, a snap-chat screen-shot! 

I tried a curling wand for the first time ever this morning, and was very please with the results.  I just borrowed one, but I thin I might have to invest soon!

Finally, I thought I'd share my new gym tee with the motivational message "Take less. Give more."  It's an easy message to try to think about more often and live by every day!  Have you seen any other motivational tops that I could wear while pumping iron?  If so, leave a comment!

Thanks for reading, and be sure to follow along on Instagram!

Instagram Lately

Here are a few photos I missed blog posts on - enjoy!

Heels: Nordstrom Rack {similar}

Skrit: Loft {loving this print!}

Top: HM {similar sleeveless version}

Necklace: eBay {similar}

Flats: Nordstrom Rack {similar}

Pants: Banana Republic {and on sale!}

Top: Kohls

Cardigan: Forever 21

Heels: Coach

Dress: Macys {love this one and the price!}

Blazer: Forever 21 {similar}

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

This casual outfit was perfect for a chilly Friday!

Flats: Aldo

Jeans: Paige Premium Denim {similar or actual in "shiraz" or "forest green"}

Chambray Top: Dillards {similar}

Vest: Germany {similar}

Necklace: Francesca's Collection {similar}

Flats: Aldo

Pants: Banana Republic

Top: Forever 21 {similar}

Cardigan: Forever 21

Necklace: Forever 21{similar}

Shorts: JCrew {this color is a couple years old though}

Belt: Gap {similar}

Top: Forever 21

Watch: Fossil

Falling in Love with Leopard

Heels: Coach {similar here or here}

Skirt: Target {similar}

Top: Forever 21{similar here, here or here}

Lipstick: MAC {Color: MAC Red}

Starbucks: Americano

If you've been shopping recently, you may have notice that this Fall, one of the most popular prints is leopard!  Whether it's a scarf or a blazer, a pencil or a pair of classy heels, leopard print is going to be everywhere this Fall.  The print is one you have to be careful with however, as it is easy to overdo (as can be seen if you google "70's leopard print").  It may have been great the, but Fall 2014 is asking for smaller doses.  

The skirt I'm wearing above was purchased last year at Target.  I got it on clearance for somewhere around $10, I believe - it was a lucky day!  They do have the same style available this year in other prints online, and I also saw a super cute one yesterday while I was browsing my local store.

More on Leopard - here's a list of other leopard print items I'm loving:

BCBG d'Orsay Pumps

Diane von Furstenburg Clutch

Tory Burch "Ocelot Leopard" Infinity Scarf 

{This scarf has a perfect mixture of patterns!}

These casual kicks from Aldo are awesome!

{Sorry for the lack of link - their site is currently down!}

As you can see, there are a lot of possibilities for leopard print this year.  Another print that you might be seeing quite a bit of: Camouflage.  Between Michael Kors bags, True Religion jeans, Loft pencil skits and even workout apparel from Lululemon, the print is making a comeback this season. 

Thanks for reading!

PLEASE HELP! Operation Ball Gown

I am reaching out to you, all of my readers, to assist in Operation Ball Gown.  This is a charity run by the Marine Corps base in Cherry Point, NC.  Every year, they have their annual Marine Corps Ball, but many female Marines or wive's of Marines are unable to afford ball gowns to wear to the event.

Now is your time to help!  Just think about all the men and women in the USMC do for us every day, both here and on deployment in Iraq, Afghanistan and everywhere else around the world.  

Donating one dress that you probably won't ever wear again is really the least you can do!  I'm going to be calling my mom to send a dress or two because I want those women to be able to enjoy the event as much as they can.  And don't we all know how great it feels to wear an amazing gown??  (Okay, maybe not you men, but do any ladies in your live's have dresses to donate?)

Please call 252-466-4637 for more info on how to donate and PLEASE share this post with anyone else that may have a dress or two to spare!

Also, if you follow me on instagram, tag anyone on the photo I post in regards to this!

Thank you, and God bless!

JCrew No. 2 Pencil Skirt

Flats: Aldo {similar}

Pencil Skirt: JCrew

Top: JCrew Factory {similar here and here}

Necklace: JCrew {love this one}

Bracelet: JCrew {this tiny bow one is adorable!}

The No. 2 Pencil Skirt from JCrew is a classic!  It is currently priced at $130, but if you shop with code NOWANDLATER, you can get 25% off.  If you're in need of a classic pencil skirt, I would highly recommend this one.  It is structured so well and it's my favorite pencil that I've ever had.  I have it in the double-serge wool.  The thickness of the material might seem heavy and overwhelming at first, but I wouldn't change it for anything - it really makes the skirt.  I'm sure the cotton twill version is fabulous too, I just love the thickness of the double-serge wool and it will be more conducive for the Fall and Winter seasons quickly approaching.

Thanks for reading!

Mint Top & Silver Accessories

Heels: Aldo {here in black - see below!}

Skirt: Express

Top: Forever 21 {here in cream}

Necklace: Ralph Lauren {similar}

Bracelet: Banana Republic {Kate Spade version}

Hello all!  I hope y'all had a fantastic Monday - I sure did!  My morning started out great, and the day just kept getting better and better - I'd say I had the best "case of the Mondays" possible! ;)

Today's outfit consisted of my infamous black midi skirt {last seen here}, my tie-neck top from Forever 21 {last seen here} and some dashing silver accessories.  Let's start with my heels, shall we?  I've been wanting the Coach Nala pump in silver for quite some time.  I love my black ones, I just haven't had the $75 to purchase some silver ones (even though that is a great deal, as they were originally $158).  These Ann Taylor ones were a runner up (when they were an additional 60% off at the store), however, they were extremely uncomfortable.  

So when the Galelawen style from Aldo finally went on sale for a whopping $20, I pounced.  Seeing as the only size we had left was my size and they were only $20, it was a given.  Right?  :) I would still love to get the Nala in silver (round toe vs pointed, thank you! And they're the most comfortable heels I own), but for now, these Aldo ones will definitely calm down that metallic-shoe hunt I've been on.

The silver ones aren't available online anymore, but head to your closest Aldo to see if they have some in stock - you just might get lucky!  This style in the pewter color is very cute too if you're just on a mission for metallics, like I have been.

As for the rest of my accessories: I've had the necklace and bracelet for a while - the Banana Republic knot bracelet is one of my fav bracelets.  I kinda wish I had gotten the gold too.  Shucks!

Sorry for the quick post - I've had a very busy (yet awesome) day, and now I'm off to bed.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Thanks for reading,