WWJW: Wear tunics and leggings like a pro

It can be so hard to figure out how to wear leggings with tunics without looking frumpy or too casual.  Shanna suggested posting about different ways to wear them for every day or work outfits (if you have a slightly more business casual dress code).  Great idea!  I usually wear leggings to work out or lounge around in but there are so many other things you can do with them.  Take a look!

Adorable.  I wish my feet looked that cute in flats because I would rock this outfit on weekends.  Loving the plaid top with the leggings, it is such a relaxed, fun look yet still very put together.

Source: fashionblog-cococouture.blogspot.com via Susan on Pinterest

This look really works because instead of the tunic just being long and straight with no shape, the drawstring pulls in right at the waist giving a slimming effect:

Source: polyvore.com via Meghan on Pinterest

The striped shirt is a little on the short side but the whole thing is pulled together once it's paired with the trench.  The trench gives it a little more length making the short shirt more acceptable to wear out in public (in my opinion at least).

Source: thebudgetbabe.com via Kyla on Pinterest

This top is incredibly frilly so I know it may not be for everyone but what I like about this one is that it has a drawstring like the second picture, however, this one is a bit lower creating the illusion of a skirt/dress if pulled a little tighter.  I know this "dress" would be just an eensy weensy bit short but once you pair these items with leggings you will see your comfort level with slightly shorter pieces of clothing increase (it's safe to bend over :) ).

Source: venus.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Here is something similar but instead of boots we have heels.  For me, it's usually easier to wear a longer tunic when you have heels on since more of your leg is showing to keep you looking long and lean.  Try it out, you may feel like you can wear a shorter top when you have your knee high boots on. 

Source: ruelala.com via Becca on Pinterest

I adore the third style, I need to go stalk these items out next time I go shopping, MUST GET A WHITE BLAZER!  The fourth style is my next favorite, I love the pop of color and the deep v-neck keeps this straighter shape from looking too boxy.

Source: cabicanary.com via Kathy on Pinterest

OOOH man this look makes me want spring in the worst way!  White legging/jeggings with a tunic and tan wedges?  Yes please and these pops of coral are to die for!

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

What do you think?  Have any favorites from this post?  Do you wear leggings and tunics and how do you pair the two?

See you swoon,

An Unstoppable Rebel Force

{My friend Colleen knows exactly what I am talking about}

That's me.

via

I have been going on a total spending bender lately.  This is bad.  Really bad.  And it's not even house stuff, which I can always justify spending money on, because, well, it's "for the house".  No no no, I have been spending money on me: clothes, shoes, pretty things.  I think it started when Jamie and I went to Lancaster for the weekend.  It had been a really long time that I went shopping for clothes for myself.  I've also lost some pounds this year, which was a goal of mine.   Honestly, this weight loss has made me feel amazing about myself - such a nice confidence booster, especially when others tell me they see it (and so do I). And with that, I unleashed my inner varsity shopper.  She's been lurking for years and now she is out and oh man.  Unstoppable Rebel Force.

I thought I'd share what I've been buying.  Care to see?

First thing's first, my friends.  I present: my new shoes by the amazing Manolo Blahnik:

I have a pair of Manolos already - a basic black pump. Yes, the are expensive. But, they are worth every red cent. I wear heels every single day to work (hello: I'm 5'1").  Manolos are super comfortable: like butter on your foot.  I am not exaggerating. I wanted a new pretty pair and found these gorgeous pinky colored slingbacks with patent cap toe and quilting.  They are divine.

Now for the clothes!

I've been buying more feminine things: dresses, skirts, etc.  I started to get into a rut of wearing work pants and a top every.single.day.  And while that is super easy and totally fine, I realized it was starting to affect me a bit.  Fact is, I feel better about myself when I'm wearing something pretty.  I've also come to realize that wearing a dress is quite possibly the easiest way to look put together and polished: grab dress, grab shoes, grab jewelry = instant sophistication and very little work to make it look good.  Here are some dresses I bought:

New York & Company Blue Wrap Dress

Banana Republic Jersey Wrap Dress

And finally: my new skinny jeans! I have found that Gap jeans fit me best, so that's what I go with.  I was psyched to get their Always Skinny jeans, which are available in a mid-rise.  Yay.

And there you have it!  A little tour of my shopping excursions of late.  I am taking a break for awhile from shopping ... at least until Spring when I look at my closet and realize I have *nothing* to wear.  Ha.  What about you? Found any lovelies lately? Please share!

See you swoon,

A shower head for my shower

This was about two and a half years ago but we did get a shiny new Moen shower head for my bridal shower and since Kelly and I lived in an apartment we held off using it until we bought a house.  Well, even after buying our first home the shower head we were given went unused.  Thank you Bed Bath and Beyond for being so understanding and letting me exchange my shower head for one that we could use...two years after the gift was given!
Here is what we had before.  A fixed Speakman shower head with a second shower head attachmnet that we could remove, you can see why using the Moen shower head that had a cord of its own would just be too much.  I think we would risk getting tangled and possible strangulation (yes I know, a little dramatic!).

I know you are staring at the pink tile.  Stop it right this instant!  One day, if I have my way it will all be beautiful white subway tile, this takes guts that I do not yet possess.  I will say that installing this shower head was super easy, I would show you how it was done but it really involved unscrewing some of those fasteners and then screwing them back in. 

This is our wonderful new Waterpik shower head that you saw in my favorite things post last week:

So shiny :)  I love it and now you must forgive me for not sticking around this morning because I have a date with some pink tile a shiny Waterpik. 

Happy Monday!

See you swoon,



Flat Boots! Take Three!

I have to send a huge thank you to Jamie!  A few weeks ago I was lamenting the fact that I had received a gorgeous pair of flat riding boots for Christmas and couldn't wear them to work - I just couldn't figure out how to incorporate them into a business casual wardrobe.  Jamie tonto jumped on it and posted a slew of ideas ... and boy did I take the bait!  I present three of my flat-boot outfits inspired by Jamie's post!

Dress + Tights + Boots

I loved the navy dress + white cardigan + mustard tights + riding boot combo in the very first picture that Jamie posted.  I realized I had every single piece on hand.  So I put them all together.  My navy dress is actually a j.crew strapless cotton sundress.  I knew it would be covered by the cardigan so I didn't sweat it.  The cardigan is from Target.  The belt is an oldie that I found on clearance at Kohl's.  The mustard tights are from Macys on clearance.  I did my hair in a messy bun and kept the accessories super simple.  Voila! 

Boots + Skirt + Cowl Neck + Knee Socks

I immediately swooned when I saw the picture in the middle of Jamie's post that had the boots with a skirt and cowl neck sweater and belt. It looked so effortlessly chic.  I decided to put my own spin on it . First, I tried my new (at the Banana Republic outlet on clearance for something like $5) cowl neck cap sleeve top with my green jersey wrap skirt (Target) and fun grey cable knee socks (they only look like a knit - they're actually the weight of trouser socks).  It looked really good, but I felt a little too bare for Winter. See?

So to make it a little more Winter and office appropriate, I grabbed my ombre dot cardigan (j.crew) and decided my hair would look a little better in a messy pony.  I threw on gold hoops and done!  Perfect for the office - cute and chic but not too casual.

Boots + Skinny Jeans + White Top

I normally am not in the office on Fridays but on one particular Friday I was.  My office has a jeans day each Friday so of course I was excited to wear my skinny jeans. I loved the very first casual picture that Jamie posted so I decided to emulate that one.  First, I tucked my skinnies into the riding boots.  Then I scored an adorable kind of flowy top at Gap for less than $20. I paired it with a long white tank and here is the outfit!  I paired this with my big gold hoops (to pick up the gold on the buttons on the top).  

And there you have it - three cute outfits courtesy of my dear sister in law.  Thanks Jamie!  If the weather ever cools down, I have a few more that I'd love to try out, but they require layers and wool sweaters and it has been so hot lately that wearing them isn't exactly appealing.

Have a great weekend, everyone! 

See you swoon,

These are a few of my favorite things...

I now have that song stuck in my head dang it!  As I was getting ready this morning I noticed some of my favorite things that make actual getting ready in the morning fun, well, as fun as it can be when it's early and all you want to do is stay in bed.  I am sure all of you have your daily rituals and favorite products that get you up and moving so I would love to hear what they are, you know I want you to share because then I can try them out too!

Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner-yummmmmmm

Clean & Clear Morning Burst Skin Brightening Cleanser-smells amazing!

Just bought this shower head a couple days ago...well actually exchanged it for one I received as a gift at my bridal shower (two years ago).  I am installing it this weekend but the anticipation of using it is so exciting!  Next week's showers will be fantastic!

Waterpik Aquascape Shower Head:

I do not use these every morning to get ready but I had some great finds this week that have made me so, so happy.  Not that this girl needs any more scarves or v neck t-shirts but I just cannot resist.  Oh and in my defense, Shanna was no help in keeping me from buying these, she encouraged it actually and told me they would change my life.  I have to admit, a comfy v neck really can change your life-haha!

Old Navy Vintage Tee:

And I have to thank my mom for the lovely scarves she bought for me at Target the other day.  They are so springy, and fun, and STRIPED!!!! 

Mossimo Woven Scarves:

I also got this in navy and white, surprise, surprise!  I really have to start taking more pictures of my outfits for you all!  I will, I promise...as soon as I get my new iPhone :) 

Happy Thursday everyone!

See you swoon,