Engagement Photos: Outfit One

Dress: TJMaxx {similar}

Belt: Gap {similar}

Boots: Aldo

On Joel:

Jeans: {American Eagle}

Sport Coat: {Halbertstadt's}

Shirt & Tie: {Brook's Brothers}

Shoes: {Johnston & Murphy}

Joel and I had an amazing time getting our photos taken by our very talented photographer, Jenn Hoffman.  We even danced around a bit, as you can see in this photo.  

With the Fall colors were just beginning to show during our engagement session, so naturally, I opted for this burnt orange sheath dress with brown accessories to correspond well with the natural colors.  Joel's yellow tie also popped well.  I purchased these Aldo boots specifically for our photos, and was so excited once I got to wear them.  They're actually comfortable for a heeled boot and the leather is oh-so-soft! 

Joel and I just want to say thank you to Jenn again!  If you're in the Des Moines area and need a photographer for weddings, maternity, babies, family or boudoir, we would definitely recommend her.  She's just fabulous to work with and is so good at what she does!

One last photo (in the same boots and color scheme, of course!) - this is my manager, Alex and I working at Aldo this past weekend.  It's probably one of the most fun jobs I've ever had.  If you're looking for some extra holiday money, we're hiring!  Stop in and say hi and here about the awesome deals you can get for working with us. :)

Thanks for reading!

Weekend Outfit: Faux-Fur & Faux-Leather

With all the instagram-love I got in regards to my outfit this past Saturday, I thought I'd do a quick post with the 2 photos I have from it.

Saturday morning, I spent a few hours at Shaffer's Bridal on a hunt for bridesmaid dresses.  {For those of you not in Iowa, Shaffer's is like the Kleinfeld's of Iowa - aka Tons of fun!} After that, I picked out tuxes and then flowers.  Hello, wedding-planning!

I wore a pair of booties that were gifted to me, originally from Target. {Here is a similar pair}.

My leatherette leggings are one of my fabulous eBay finds.  

My tunic is from H&M, which is no longer available, but here is a similar Calvin Klein one.

My Chanel-inspired necklace came from an instagram giveaway I won, but the style can still be found on eBay.  

Finally, I topped the look off by piling on a stack of bracelets.  One is from Stella&Dot, one is a tennis bracelet I stole from my mom {sorry mom!} and the other is an old one I found on eBay {yes, another eBay item}.

In the evening, my fiance, Joel, and I went out to dinner and attended an Iowa Wild hockey game with a group of friends.  Sitting by the ice, I needed to warm up the outfit I had on earlier in the day, so I added this faux-fur vest from Forever 21.  The guys all made fun of me, but what do they know?  ;)
It was a very jam-packed day, but it's always better when you're dressed up!

As always, thanks for reading!

Maroon, Blush & Black

Flats: Aldo {similar}

Pants: Banana Republic

Top: Forever 21 {similar}

Blazer: Forever 21 {similar}

Necklace: JCrew {totally loving this one}

Showing off my band-aid from getting a flu-shot at work today - I will not being getting sick this year! (Knock on wood.)

This is a lot of Fall for one picture.  Check out that orange tree in the back: Love it!  

Today's outfit is easy and timeless.  One can never go wrong with a classic blazer.  This maroon one is from Forever 21 and, although it's not online, they have it in a multitude of colors at my closest store right now.  So perhaps you can take a gander at yours!

Something else I might pick up?  These Arianna flats from Aldo.  The flats I'm wearing have been in my possession for at least two years.  And they're trashed, to say the least.  It's been time to get new ones for a while now, Aldo just hasn't had a similar style until now.  Seeing as I'm in love with these ones, I might have to purchase two pair of the Arianna flats and save one for a later date!

I hope you all are enjoying Fall! 

Thanks for reading.

Des Moines Just Got a Lot More Fashionable!

Welcome home, Nordstrom Rack!!

Did you go to the Nordstrom Rack Grand Opening today?  I did!  Was it hectic?  Indeed it was.  But boy am I excited to say that there are new labels available in the area!  

Head over and have some fun - it's a wonderful catered event (we're talking beer, chips, sliders, etc. people!) and do some shopping.  

Happy shopping!

Black & Yellow Bodycon Dress

Dress: eBay {short sleeved version here}

Heels: A'gaci {similar}

(This is my *Who wore it better* shot from instagram)

This is my friend, Lauren, whom I haven't seen in several years.  Seeing old friends is one reason weddings are so fun!

One of my college roommates, Kristina!

How fun is the celebrity-look-alike bodycon dress?  I have owned this dress for about a year now and this was the first time I've worn it!  How does that always happen?  Anyway, I got tons of compliments on this dress, probably due to the bold patterned paneling on the body and sleeves.  I think that my lace-up heels complemented the dress well, as they both have an edgy characteristic to them. 

If you're looking for a fun Fall-ready date-night or wedding-attendee dress, this might be a viable option for you!  It's also available in White & Black, as well as a Short-Sleeved version.

As always, thanks for reading!

Green Maxi + Local Sale Alert!!

Booties: Aldo {similar}

Dress: Target {$8.50 on clearance in stores; similar}

Bracelet: JCrew {Love this one}

Necklace: eBay {similar}

I fell in love with this dress when it first came out at Target in July/August.  It comes in 4 colors, green, navy, purple and black.  I am a sucker for heathered material, so I was immediately interested.  The price was about $30 when it first came out, and being short on money, I chose to wait and hope that it would be available in my size on clearance eventually.  Sure enough, it was!  I got it last week for $8.50!!  There were several left at my store, so if you're in love too, head to your Target and get it before it's gone! The extended sleeve length is even good for Fall, so it's not like you'd be buying a dress you won't be able to wear till next Summer.  :)

Sometimes I don't know what to wear with maxis, as I feel like when I wear heels with them, they hit at an awkward length.  As I was attempting to "Fall-ize" this look, I went for a pair of booties.  I could have gone for solid black, but opted for the leopard print backed for a pop of print!

*LOCAL SALE ALERT*

Also, if you are a reader in the Des Moines area, one of my favorite local stores, Blond Genius, is having their Anniversary sale this Thursday evening from 10am-8pm.  15%-30% of your purchase and there will even be some bubbly!  Their "Jean Bar" is fabulous; they have some of my favorite brands, such as Citizens of Humanity.  They sell women's and men's clothes, so you can buy something for the main man in your life as well!  Stop in for some good deals on awesome apparel!

Thanks for reading,

Faux Leather Pencil Skirt

Heels: Aldo

Skirt: Forever 21

Top: Ann Taylor {similar}

Bracelet: Banana Republic {similar}

Today's look was inspired by the adorable Olivia, from The Corporate Catwalk.  Although I don't think I could get away with knotting the bottom of my button-down at work, I adapted the look by tucking it in, although knotting may be a fun alternative for date night sometime!  This faux leather pencil skirt has been sitting around waiting to be worn, so I finally wore it paired with my Ann Taylor embellished-collar button-down {last seen here}.  I wore my silver pumps from Aldo to complete the look by coordinating it to the silver embellishment.  Finally, I wore a top-knot inspired by the Kate Spade runway show during Spring's Fashion Week.  Overall, I'd say this was a fun look to wear, and I'm glad I was finally brave enough to bust out the faux-leather and can't wait to wear it again!