Birthday Fab

In the midst of our latest winter storm warning, I celebrated a birthday this past weekend. Here’s my birthday looks as well as a peek at my birthday gift 🙂 It was a cold and windy weekend with a fair amount of snow. But I still had a great weekend – met my  mother-in-law for lunch during the day on Saturday and then Saturday evening went out with friends. Despite the snowy weather, it was a wonderful weekend, and I always enjoy celebrating my birthday! First up is my lunch look, however weather dictated that the shoes were a no-go, but like I said on my Instagram page…let’s just pretend!

20140125_115048

20140125_115213

Jeans/Blouse/Shoes: J.Crew, Sweater: Banana Republic, Bag: Kate Spade (outlet)

This is one of those outfits that I think describes me perfectly – basics with pops of color. This shade of pink and purple are some of my favorites and mixing them with a few classic patterns – windowpane and leopard, was a perfect combination. I will probably modify this outfit to wear to work I loved it so much! Here’s a closeup of these gorgeous shoes, the J.Crew Martina Wedge in calf hair. I took my usual 1/2 size up in these shoes. I’m sad they had to stay  home since it was so snowy out, but I’ll be wearing these in the office until the weather improves outdoors. I was also excited to recently find this shade of pink at Banana Republic  – they call it wild orchid and it is a perfect magenta hot pink.

20140124_203659

And here’s what I really looked like bundled up to go outside! (yes, I put a coat on). Scarf: Free People / Gloves: J.Crew (old). Bracelets: J.Crew, Kate Spade, Tiffany’s, Groopdealz

20140125_120933We have a local store where I live that lets you pick out one item for 40% off on your birthday…no brand restrictions. So…this is usually how I pick out  my birthday present! I had a few things in mind this year, I looked at the watches as well as shoes, but finally settled on the Tory Burch Robinson Double Zip Tote which I’ve had  my eye on. After seeing it in real life, the decision was a no-brainer. It will be a great spring/summer neutral!

 

20140125_142104

And finally, here’s my outfit (again, had to swap the flats for boots) to go out to dinner with DH and then meet our friends out for drinks. I am lucky to have great family and friends and wonderful people to spend birthdays with! It was a great weekend. I could use one more day to the weekend!!

IMG_20140126_110839

Blouse & Jeans: J.Crew / Necklace: Ameera Noor (J.Crew inspired) / Blazer: Cynthia Rowley via Marshall’s / Shoes: Old Navy / Bag: Banana Republic

I had grand plans to pick out a brand new outfit but that just didn’t happen – wanted to wear the blouse so swapped out the necklace and added my faux-leather sleeve blazer (via Marshall’s) and a fun bag. So what do you think of my birthday weekend outfits? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

signature

Weekend Fab

Hi everyone! Just popping in to share some of my outfits from this past weekend – after several weekends of holiday parties, etc. it was sort of nice to get back in to my casual weekend style. It was also fairly mild this past weekend so I was able to shed the heavy layers for some lighter ones!

For Friday’s outfit I pretty  much wore my work outfit out to dinner…swapped out the black pants for jeans…but I will still share since I kept it pretty basic – the main goal of Friday was showing off my newest J.Crew bling, the Crystal and Metal Necklace (what a fab name right?) I grabbed this on popback with some holiday J.Crew cash I had burning in my pocket and after seeing it stacked over pearls on Instagram…I had to have it.

20140110_082134Sweater: J.Crew Cashmere Bateau Stripe Sweater  (last year), Jacket: J.Crew Factory Bella (via eBay), Shirt: J.Crew Factory Classic Chambray

Pants: Banana Republic Sloan, Shoes: Gap (sold out). Jewelry: J.Crew Crystal and Metal Necklace

 Closeup of my jewels20140110_081942

 And arm party…bracelets are J.Crew and J.Crew Factory, bow bracelet is via Groopdealz:

20140110_082401

And a shot of the outfit minus the jacket…

20140110_082340

Saturday it was off to run some errands and check out J.Crew’s 50% off sale…I’m pretty sure the J.Crew Chandelier sweatshirt looks good any time. I love this sweatshirt so much. I have to brag because the SA at J.Crew told me she loves when I come in because I always have such great J.Crew outfits. I should probably not give up my secret of all of the lovely ladies I follow on the interwebs via blogs and Instagram. Our little secret!

20140111_121818

But of course I had to switch it up for my niece’s birthday party later that night…wanted to stay casual for an evening with my inlaws…so opted for my new J.Crew Cheers tee  (from the 50% off sale), J.Crew long merino cardigan (in black…the words on the tee are navy but…you can’t really tell) and J.Crew Matchstick jeans in classic rinse wash. And the crystal/pearl necklace stack again. I really loved this outfit – so easy and I will definitely be implementing again soon. I sort of got away from graphic tees after their height a few years ago…I think I got worn out…this shirt got me right back in to it! I just ordered the Kiss kiss tee this morning as well and plan on recreating this outfit with that t-shirt.

20140111_155509

Closeup of shoes (Banana Republic)

20140111_155629

AND HOW CUTE WERE MY NIECE’S CUPCAKES??

20140111_190626

And finally, for Sunday dinner…I’ll be honest, my Sunday outfits usually consist of some combination of yoga pants, t-shirts and sweatshirts, but I hosted dinner on Sunday so, here was my other casual, going with the J.Crew Crinkle Boyshirt in Blackwatch Plaid, J.Crew long merino cardigan (again), J.Crew Matchstick jeans in classic rinse wash, J.Crew pear bracelet (which is currently $24.99 + 40% online!!!) and J.Crew leopard Nora flats (via ebay).

20140112_165850

Closeup of bracelet

20140112_170117

So there you have it…my weekend fab! Any favorites? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

signature

Layered Up

This winter has been all about the layers – mostly because of the frigid temperatures but also because of the fluctuating temperatures – all cold, but just varying degrees. When I’m picking out layers, I try and pick lighter shirts underneath so as to not create a lot of bulk. My favorite shirt for layering throughout the fall and winter has been the J.Crew Tilda top since it is sleeveless – you get the fun collar and extra layer in your torso without the bulky arms. I’m also a big fan of layering a vest over a blazer (over a sweatshirt/sweater that is over a button down…) if it means I don’t have to hide my outfit with a coat. Granted, sometimes the coat completes the outfit, but this fall and in to winter (ok, aside from the single/negative temps) I’ll try to squeeze out the vest/blazer combo as much as possible. This is obviously a fall picture, but here’s a shot of some of my fall layers.

20131111_121053

IMG_20131124_141037

This fall/winter has also been the season of fun sweatshirts. This is going to sound strange but I’ve honestly never owned that many sweatshirts, or at least any that I wear regularly out of the house, so this whole jeweled/lace/embellished sweatshirt thing is right up my alley. This has also been the season for me to rediscover plaid. I think eight years of tartan-wearing in grammar school has made me shy away from plaid, but in the first picture, I’m actually sporting the tartan I wore for eight years…now that’s some progress all these years later! I also feel that way about white turtlenecks (and polo shirts) and I also seem to be getting over that as this was another layered outfit I wore out to dinner with DH and some friends the other night (also featuring an embellished sweatshirt…and plaid. Yes I see a fall/winter theme).

IMG_20140104_105413 All J.Crew minus the boots which are Hunter Boots!

Just in case you thought I was all about the red themed plaid…never fear, I have not abandoned my love of pink. I just need more pink plaid in my life, that’s all. This was worn prior to all of these subzero temperatures.

PhotoGrid_1387564606238Sweatshirt: Forever 21 / Shirt, Jeans, Vest: J.Crew / Boots: Ecco via Nordstrom

And finally, cold weather day layers for our recent subzero temperatures. Cashmere and my heavy wool Hacking Jacket from J.Crew have helped me out big time! And my long down coat!

PhotoGrid_1388762028233

So there you have it…lots of layers. How about you…any that you love or not so much? Ready for all of this layering up to be done? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting! I know I’ve been a bit MIA over the holidays and I blame the ease of Instagram for that…but I’m trying to stay inspired and stay out there!

signature