Midwest Style Bloggers Brunch

This weekend I was invited to the Midwest Style Bloggers brunch at Quay. Naturally, when a bunch of Chicago style bloggers are together in a room, there is endless chatting about fashion, shopping and of course our fabulous city.

I had such a blast meeting other girls who have the same passion for blogging as I do. Some I had seen around Instagram and their blogs before, but most were new to me. Two of them (Peggy and April) were teachers like myself, which was refreshing to hear.

I learned so much from hearing what everyone had to say about how they run their blogs and how they find time for it all. I also learned how grateful I should be for my husband and Amy being such awesome supporters of Hot Pink Style by being my photographers. Lots of these talented gals use tripods! Props to them for making it happen however possible! 

All in all, it was a great eperience with great company, tasty food and amazing goodie bags! I look forward to the next event with these newfound friends! Thanks again Midwest Style Bloggers!

 Megan and I became real-life friends! Not just Instagram friends anymore!

Erin and I found out we are neighbors! We live just a few blocks apart! 

 What do a bunch of Fashion bloggers do at a blogging event? Take pictures of our outfits of course!

After the damage had been done to the room it still managed to look pretty. Great venue with tons of natural light!

Amanda and I taking a photo break.

 And now on to the outfit details...

Skirt and Shoes (sold out): Zara

Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

Chambray shirt: Nordstrom BP by Rubbish

Jacket: Nessacary Clothing NYC

Navy Purse: Target (I know, right?!)

Sophisticated Yellow Floral

I'm ok with admitting this: I miss the days when the label size actually meant something. 

Enough with the vanity sizing! I'm aware I'm not a waif of a woman, so J. Crew, as much as I love you, stop lying to me. I have no business fitting into 4s and 6s and smalls! I'm 5'9! This skirt however is back from when the vanity sizing wasn't as ridiculous and fits the way it should.

And you know I'm always down with a great yellow skirt! Here is one that you can still get your hands on! 

Skirt: J. Crew Factory (old but similar here in a print, here in solid yellow)

Shoes: Express

Tee: Forever 21

Purse: Sam Edelman (same colors and brand, tote version)

Sunglasses: Kate Spade

Bracelet: Vintage

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: Forever 21 (similar here)

Girly Girl

I am shocked that I have even three workable pictures to show you of this outfit. It was so ridiculiously windy this day that I could barely keep my clothes down. In fact tiny bits of the Chicago streets were blowing at my legs at high speeds making it downright painful to be in a skirt!

When I picked out this outfit, I didn't intend to wear the cardigan. I just grabbed the light blue J. Crew sale find as an afterthough as I went out the door just to stay warm at work. I wound up wearing it pretty much all day, so it worked out well. The whole thing felt a little too teachery so I toughened it up by adding the cheetah heels. 

Sweater: J. Crew (similar)

Skirt: J. Crew (last seen here in a less windy setting) (similar)

Shoes: Zara (similar)

Purse: Sam Edelman

Necklace: H&M

Top: H&M

Belt: J. Crew

Sunglasses: Target

Polka Dots & Stripes

I wore this outfit to school for casual Friday. My students are always pretty mystified when they see me wear pants, so I had to explain to them that on Fridays the teachers get to wear jeans. I guess they like my skirt/dress ensembles better. Tough crowd, those 10-year-olds.

Jeans: Target (on clearance)

Belt: Old Gap

Striped top: Anthropologie

Cardigan: J. Crew

Shoes: Zara (similar here)

Strawberries and Stripes: Kid Inspired

Some days you just want to dress like a 7-year-old, so that's what I did. 

The strawberries on top and stripes on the bottom seemed to compliment each other well. Naturally I couldn't wear this to work or I might get mistaken for one of my students, so I saved it for a casual weekend trip to the Fashion Outlets of Chicago (yes, I went again). 

What's your favorite way to get away with wearing juvenile trends? Share in the comments! Check below for some other kid-inspired looks that work for grown-ups too!

Strawberry top: Forever 21 (sold out online)

Red skinnys: Forever 21

Shoes: Bare Feet

Nails: OPI "Do you Lilac It"

How great is that camo tee?? Bought it! Love it!!

Green, Yellow and Cheetah

This is what I wore for open house at my school. No parents were going to miss me coming or going! And if it weren't attention-holding enough with all the bright colors, I added the cheetah pumps for a little texture. I had been wearing my favorite neon necklace as well, but forgot to put it back on after I worked out. 

I've had my eye on this blouse for some time now. I even recommended it to one of my clients I was shopping for. I finally caved when I saw it in person at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago's J. Crew Factory store. Especially when it was 40% off AND an additional 15% off with my teacher discount! Just another silk blouse to add to my ever-growing collection.

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Shoes: Zara (sold out but here's a similar new favorite of mine)

Skirt: Target (on clearance for $16.08) (last seen here)

Silk blouse: J. Crew Factory (I'm obsessed with the color)

Click either the links above or the pictures below!

J. Crew Sale!! 25% off Everything!!!

Last year around this time I remember being on strike, and at the same time scoring great deals at J. Crew!

Since I live pretty much in the heart of the Loop downtown, there was absolutely NO parking when strike time was over, around three in the afternoon. Instead of having to pay to park in my own neighborhood, I just drove to Old Orchard Mall in the north suburbs and enjoyed some outdoor shopping.

That time of year is upon us again - and I have found some killer deals again. All the necklaces below are gorgeous in person; I know this because I tried all of them on. I bought the one on the top right corner and got a million compliments on it.

Also those wedges I've been wanting all summer finally went on sale too. They seriously match with everything and are so comfortable!

Even better deals await you in-store so get in there before it's too late! 25% off EVERYTHING in stores and online lasts till the 25th!

Shop the post below! 

All the Pretty Party Girls!

Last weekend was my friend Erica's engagement party on a swanky downtown rooftop. With so many pretty ladies dressed up in their party clothes and with these cool backdrops (hello pool) I just had to document it and feature them on Hot Pink Syle. Because these girls have it!

Here's what we were wearing! Thanks, girls, for being your fabulous and ever-so-stylish selves!

Katie's dress (far right): Target (similar here on clearance!)

Erica's green dress: ASOS

Yellow shoes: Sole Society (only a 2 1/2 inch heel!!)

Karina's dress: Bought in Paris but similar here: Save, Spend, Splurge (of course I like the most expensive one the best!)

Shoes: Vince Camuto (similar here)
Necklace: Betsy Johnson

Elisa's dress (you may remember her from this post): Ann Taylor (not avaliable online but check out this hot hourglass Ann Taylor dress)

Earrings: Old Navy

Angelique's dress (you may remember her from this post): Lavender Brown via Haute Look (Angeligue's go-to shopping website!)

Heels: Enzo "Tanen"

Skirt and tank: Crazy-old Forever 21

Necklace: eBay

Shoes: Zara

To close out, here is a shot of the lovely Mr. & Mrs. to be!

Lady Like White

I wanted to wear this top for so long now, but pretty much since the day I got it the temperatures were far too hot for a sweater, even a short-sleeve one like this. This sweater is surprisingly warm which is nice because I'm constantly hot .This is almost winter weight for me. 

If you are a normal human and prefer actual arm coverage in your sweaters, check out the one linked below at the J. Crew Factory store which I honestly like better than mine, but it came out after I bought this one. And lord knows I don't need two sweaters that similar!

Sweater: J. Crew (sold out but 3/4 sleeve version here from the J. Crew Factory Store)

Eyelet skirt: Forever 21

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelet: J. Crew (worn at my wedding)

Snake skin shoes: Naturalizer (similar for just $25!)

Snake skin belt: J. Crew (similar)

New Fall Flat

I have wanted a pair of these Janey flats for about as long as they have been out at J. Crew but couldn't decide on a color worth the splurge. 

I found these blue ones on sale at the J. Crew Factory store in the new Fashion Outlets of Chicago store. They were on sale for 30% off plus on top of that my teacher discount of 15% off and I had my fall rewards card bringing them down to around 45 bucks. I think the color is a fun shade that can be worn with almost anything. It's like the blue jeans of shoes! And that gold heel adds just enough sparkle to any casual look.

They remind me of my favorite Sam Edelman Trina sandals that have that interesting gold heel as well. This is the fall version I suppose of my wear-with-everything summer Trinas. Expect to see lots of these flats in the months to come!

Skirt/ Shoes/ Necklace (sold out Forever 21)/Top (old Ralph Lauren)/ Belt (similar)/ Sunglasses