Who’s ready for cold weather? ME(and my closet)! It’s like summer isn’t ready to let us go and fall isn’t ready to deal with us yet and I’m not going to be patient much longer. We are in this limbo between summer and fall where “you’re hot then your cold, you’re yes then you’re no”(yes I just quoted Katy Perry) and you are tearing your room apart to figure out how to wear something that doesn’t look summery yet doesn’t make you sweat in the heat..right? It’s almost October and I’m sure you are ready for fall clothes like me but you can’t figure out how to find a happy medium between these two seasons that can’t make up their mind. Well I feel ya and I too am aboard this struggle bus we call Texas weather. Fall is all about layering and summer is all about not yet we are supposed to find something to wear for the time being? Cool one. So to solve this problem, I have decided to style one outfit two ways, one being for warmer temps and one for early fall so that maybe you too can reuse an outfit from summer, make a few simple changes, and voila you are saving money and dressing for the season!

My summer look consists of a simple black shirt, a polka dot skirt, strappy heels, a layered necklace, and my favorite patterned purse. Yes it’s almost all from Old Navy and no I’m not addicted? That’s a question because I’m not sure what is considered addicted but I’m walking a fine line. I find seriously everything there for a decent price. It is also like 20 seconds from my house so that doesn’t help my bank account but what’s money anyways? It’s just a piece of paper that we let control our lives so we might as well use it on things we like? right…haha at least that is my logic on life. I actually found this purse in some random store in a mall that I would never normally go into but the purse caught my eye in the window. It looks like a designer purse but it was only 20 bucks! I wore this outfit probably about five times this past summer, I know I am such an outfit repeater(lizzy mcguire anyone?) Anyway, this is my summer version of this outfit, scroll on down to see how I changed it up for fall!

 My fall look consists of a short sleeve sweater, the same polka dot skirt, black booties, a leather blazer, a brown floppy hat, a statement necklace, and a black tote. Whoever said black and brown make a frown must not know anything about fashion because it is my FAVORITE color combination, especially in the fall! I basically just switched out the black t-shirt from the previous outfit for a sweater and layered with my leather blazer, changed the heels to booties, added a hat, and finally, changed the necklace and purse. & that my fellow fashion friends is the recipe for how to make a summer to fall transition outfit! It’s time to leaf summer behind and welcome fall with open arms & empty wallets.

Photography by: Nicole Ciolino

Outfit #1:

Black t-shirt/Polka dot skirt/Heels: Old Navy

Layered Necklace: Lucky Brand(TjMaxx)

Purse: Random mall store

Watch: Fossil(TjMaxx)

Outfit #2

Black sweater/Polka dot skirt/floppy hat: Old Navy

Black booties: Steve Madden(Belk)

Leather Blazer: Marshalls

Black tote: Charming Charlies

Statement necklace: TjMaxx

 

Happy Sunday everyone! This weekend was nice and relaxing, but once again went by way too fast. The weather was seriously amazing and it finally felt like we were in the month of September. Recently, I’ve been working on a way to style one item three different ways and I finally found the perfect top to do it with! I think the last time I wore a graphic tee, I was in the middle school stage of spending 30+ dollars on a shirt from Delia’s that I HAD to get because that would make me cool and I would then have friends, good times. But anyway, I’ve been seeing more graphic tees lately with fun sayings and they are growing on me. A lot of fashion bloggers I follow have started to wear more of them and layer them with jackets, flannels, kimonos, denim, and so on. They are comfy and easy to dress up or down!

I found this graphic tee at Old Navy(I know, I need to stop going in there so much) and bought it purely because it was punny and comfy(Sunday Funday). Then when I brought it home and was looking through my closet trying to find an empty hanger to put it on because those are uncommon, I realized how easy it was to layer a graphic tee with things already in your closet! You can create so many different styles from one shirt and layer away. So I decided to style my new graphic tee three different ways with outfits that were great transitions into fall and share it with you!  First I went for the most casual, relaxed look out of the three. I wore black denim cutoffs with the graphic tee and added my denim hoodie and baseball hat with my favorite pair of converse. This outfit is perfect for a rainy day, bad hair day, or a football game!

 The second way I styled my graphic tee was by pairing it with a military jacket, denim cutoffs, boots, and gold accessories. I was going for more of an edgy look that worked great as a transition from summer to fall. I have never worn boots with shorts before but this year will be the first! Because Texas’ weather is so wishy washy, boots have to make an appearance somehow and if it means wearing shorts with them, then so be it! Now, Im not talking uggs and shorts because that will never be okay.  I also like the look of short booties with skirts and dresses which is another great way to stay cool but look like you are dressing for fall. This outfit is perfect for a lunch date, shopping trip, or movie night!

The third way I styled my graphic tee was by dressing it up with a denim button up, cheetah pants, a statement necklace, black loafers, and my favorite floppy hat. This outfit is more dressy/classy and the graphic tee is a fun addition to the outfit. I love anything cheetah and these pants are no exception. They are one of my favorite finds for this fall. Recently, I have been looking for a statement necklace that was more of a fall accesory but didn’t really want to spend 50 bucks on one from JCrew. So naturally I ventured to TjMaxx and this necklace caught my eye. It was in the clearance jewelry section for only 15 dollars! I was happy to say the least. Now on to the most important part of any outfit, shoes. I actually have these loafers from Old Navy in three colors, yes I said three. I have the black, grey, and brown and they are all made of wool and have a leather trim which makes them a perfect fall staple. This outfit would be great for a dinner downtown, girls night out, or morning at the farmer’s market!

Go getcha a graphic tee, holy shirt you will get your money’s worth!

1st outfit:

Sunday fun day graphic tee/denim hoodie: Old Navy

Black jean shorts: H&M

White converse: Nordstrom Rack

Polka-dot Baseball hat: JCrew

2nd outfit:

Army jacket: Ross

Denim shorts: American Eagle

Boots/Graphic tee: Old Navy

Gold Necklace: Francesca’s Boutique

Black tote: Charming Charlie’s

Gold watch: TjMaxx

3rd outfit:

Denim shirt/graphic tee/cheetah pants/loafers/floppy hat: Old Navy

Black tote/watch: Charming Charlie’s

Necklace: TjMaxx

With school starting back, I now have early classes and work at a breakfast place which means I am up too early majority of the time. Because of this, I have forced myself to become a morning person with the help of my good friend, coffee. I used to only drink the white girl frappaccinos at Starbucks, but now that I’m an adult, I must drink like it. I prefer iced coffee over hot coffee lately. I am not typically fond of drinking a hot beverage when it is even hotter outside..thank you Texas. However, with fall around the corner and winter coming, I love cuddling up when it’s cold out and drinking a hot coffee and wasting my life on Netflix. Like everything else in my life, my coffee mugs must be stylish. My favorite mugs have come from places like World Market, Home Goods, and Anthropologie.

I don’t think I have ever been this anxious about fall. Then again, I probably said the same thing last year. Fall means football, coffee dates, cooler weather, cuddling, my birthday, better clothes, & pumpkin everything. One of my favorite ways to indulge in pumpkin during the fall is by drinking it. I am convinced that pumpkin spice lattes are an angel sent down from heaven. Besides drinking coffee, I can now advertise my love for it by wearing it. I just found this top(below) in the pajama section of Old Navy and had to get it because “Need Coffee” is basically my anthem for life. It is unbelievably comfy and can be worn to sleep or you can dress it up! I paired it with my polka-dot pixie pants and black loafers and added a floral scarf. Because this top is so simple, it makes it easy to add layers and mix patterns.

When I’m on the go and need my coffee fix, I either go to Starbucks or McDonalds(cheaper). I know, you are thinking ew McDonald’s, no thanks. I thought the same thing, but actually their iced coffees and pumpkin lattes are really good for how fast and cheap they are. I usually get the sugar free french vanilla iced coffee for only 2 dollars and it tastes just as good as Starbucks. I do like Starbuck’s seasonal drinks better like the pumpkin spice latte & peppermint mocha. However, if I am wanting to have coffee with a friend or get some homework done, I love going to local coffee shops like Roots Coffeehouse in Highland Village, TX. I love the atmosphere even more than the coffee and the coffee is great. All I need is a cold, rainy night and you’ll know where to find me. Anyway, enough talk about coffee, it’s time for you to get in a serious relationship with coffee like me and get a cute mug to drink it in, I promise it makes it taste better.

You are in for a brewed awakening.

B/W J Mug: Anthropologie($8)

Colorful J Mug/To Go Coffee Mug/Good Morning Mug: World Market

Cheetah tank top, Need Coffee graphic tee, polka-dot pixie pants, & black loafers: Old Navy

Gold Necklace, Floral Scarf: World Market

Gold Watch: Fossil(TjMaxx)

Watch out, after you find out how much these watches are, it might just be time for you to grab one for yourself! While I do love watches, I have never paid full price from a designer for one. I honestly would rather waste my money elsewhere and you can find ones that are just as cute at a much cheaper price. Francesca’s Boutique and Charming Charlie have the cutest patterned watches. I found the cheetah, world, and polka dot watch all at Francesca’s for around 20 dollars and the striped watch from Charming Charlie’s at around the same price! They are fun and make it so easy to mix patterns like stripes/cheetah or polka dots/floral which are my favorite ways to pattern mix.

When I’m wearing a watch, I feel like I have my life together. I love this all gold fossil watch above that I found at TjMaxx for just 45 dollars! It looks just like a Michael Kors watch but it didn’t break my budget. The jewelry section in TjMaxx has an entire watch section with Fossil, Michael Kors, and other name brands at reduced prices, I highly recommend checking there before spending 100+ dollars on one at full price.  This watch has a tortoise frame so it matches both black and brown and I wear it almost every day. I thought I lost it once and my world was shaken a little. Below are some other ways I have styled my different watches. Well, times up! Wear a watch, be two-faced & keep up with the times.

White blouse: TjMaxx

Jean shorts: American Eagle

Shoes: Sam Edelman(TjMaxx)

Purse: random store in mall

Map/Cheetah/Polka dot watches: Francesca’s Boutique

Striped watch: Charming Charlie’s

Gold watch: Fossil(TjMaxx)

Polka dot blazer: Loft

Green blouse: American Eagle

Floral Kimono: TjMaxx

Hello September!! Hope everyone is having a fantastic labor day. Mine consisted of labor so I guess I celebrated accurately. I love the month of September, partly because the weather gets somewhat cooler and football starts and it means fall is coming, but mainly because I made my debut in this lovely month almost 22 years ago. Wow I’m practically 30 which is basically 40 which is almost 50 and now I have grandchildren and a retirement fund. Sorry I’m back from that life realization.  I figured I would share this outfit of mine today from earlier this summer because go ‘merica!

I honestly have a weakness when it comes to polka dots and I’m proud of it! This dress was under 20 dollars from TjMaxx and don’t get me started on these shoes. Holy cow Old Navy for the win. I got these in two colors(shocker) for 8 dollars each! I love this pair and I have seen several well known fashion bloggers I follow wearing them too! Go get some while they are on sale, they have several different color combinations and are super cheap! I also am a sucker for statement necklaces and this one is from the JCrew outlet where there accessories are almost always on sale. I love statement necklaces, its like you don’t have to say anything because your neck is making a statement for you. Like what the neck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dress: TjMaxx

Sandals: Old Navy

Necklace: JCrew

Gold watch: Fossil

 

-photography by Nicole Ciolino

I feel like I was taking my final exams in May and I blinked and now I’m starting my senior year of college and summer is just yet another memory. It’s funny how fast life flies by when you don’t want it to but when it comes time for school and work, days drag on and time stops(I swear there are more than 24 hours in a day lately). I’m gonna do a little reminiscing today because I am feeling nostalgic and would do anything to be back here in this moment. For one of my many trips I took this past summer, I had the privilege of going to Michigan for the first time with my best friend and her family. It was the best getaway from the Texas heat and I loved it there! We took a trip to Lake Michigan for a day to explore downtown and spend some time at “the beach”. I think whoever named it was half asleep or something because this by no means is a lake, its a freaking ocean.  I didn’t get the chance to go to the beach this year but this definitely made up for it. I fell in love with the red lighthouse, but most of all, the weather!

Because it was in the low 70’s, I got to wear something a little warmer. I paired my black fringe kimono and flounce swimsuit top with my floppy hat and these patterned pants, which are extremely comfortable might I add. I have three pairs of pants like these in different colors/patterns and I feel like I am wearing sweat pants!  I’ve worn them on long trips in a car with sandals and to dinner or church with wedges, they are so versatile and fun! On another note, I went on a kimono kick this summer and can’t stop won’t stop. They are the best thing that’s happened to me since One Tree Hill. I don’t want to count the number of kimonos I have because it might just be pathetic. My kimono collection consists of mostly floral except for this one and I have found them at stores like TjMaxx, Ross, Nordstrom Rack, and Target. I hope they don’t go out of style anytime soon or I will be scavenging for something else to wear. Well that’s all for this week, but kimonover and check back next week for new posts coming your way! XOXO

Floppy hat: TjMaxx

Black kimono/Black v-neck: Nordstrom Rack

Flounce swimsuit top: Target

Pants: TjMaxx

Silver bar necklace: Lucky Brand Jewelry(TjMaxx)

 

photography by: Taylor Neudeck

 

Aw chucks! I cannot get enough of my white converse. I was hesitant to buy them for awhile because I tend to ruin anything that is white due to me being the messy self that I am, but when I saw them at Nordstrom Rack, I finally decided to get them. Boy am I glad I did! I have worn them so much this summer and they can be so easily dressed up or down. I like to believe that converse will always be in style and I therefore invested in a pair of red and grey ones as well. That’s what you do when you like something right? Buy it in every color because one just isn’t enough, duh! I have been cheating on TjMaxx lately with Old Navy(shh) and I couldn’t be happier with my finds. I got these boyfriend jeans for $1.99, yes you read that right, a freaking dollar!! This shirt which I also found at Old Navy matched my converse perfectly! I added some edge to my outfit with this necklace from American Eagle and my Steve Madden studded cross body bag and wore my favorite red lipstick.

 

 

I traveled a lot this summer, like a lot. I think I went on a total of seven trips and am just now settled back into being home and getting into a routine again with school and work, yippee! Don’t get me wrong, my summer was amazing and I’m so blessed to get to travel and see new places, but wow was it exhausting. Because I was always on the go, I wore these shoes a lot while traveling. I think they are cute without trying to be and can easily be dressed down to wear with a t-shirt and leggings.

 

 

Besides just wearing these shoes casually, they are great for sporting events(go rangers even though we are terrible this year) and even for dressier events like a concert. I wore them with a sun dress, fedora, and vest to see Gavin Degraw play at the House of Blues in Dallas and I ran so fast in them, I got front row. I promise you won’t regret buying a pair of these shoes, they are my sole mate.

 

Striped top/Capris: Old Navy

Necklace: American Eagle Outfitters

White Converse: Nordstrom Rack

Silver studded cross-body bag: Steve Madden(TjMaxx)

Los Angeles t-shirt: TjMaxx

Denim vest-PacSun

Chambray polka-dot hat: JCrew

White tank/Denim cutoffs: American Eagle Outfitters

Sunflower dress: TjMaxx

Fedora: Ross

 

 

 

When I’m not wearing polka dots or stripes, you will find me in floral. I love mixing patterns and tops like this one make it so much fun! There is nothing that makes me feel more complete than when my outfit is properly accessorized. Although I don’t use a watch for it’s primary purpose, it is definitely my favorite accessory.  When I spotted this top at Ross for only $12.99, I immediately grabbed it. The bell sleeves and simple floral pattern worked great with my gold and black polka-dot watch and black pendant necklace.

 

 

I paired this top with a pair of black scalloped shorts and black sandals to my cousin’s bachelorette party and again to a graduation brunch but added an oversized fedora. It was comfortable and cheap yet looked dressy and expensive. I love scavenging through places like Ross, TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Nordstrom Rack and almost never walk out empty handed. I like the hunt for great finds and enjoy putting pieces together myself rather than walking into a store that has already put outfits together for me. So put the petal to the metal and try hitting up one of these stores, you might even just find your next go-to piece!

 

Top: Ross

Watch/Bracelet: Francesca’s Boutique

Necklace: Lucky Brand(TJMaxx)

Shorts: TJMaxx

Shoes: Sam Edelman(TJMaxx)

Hat: Nordstrom Rack