Aritzia Swing Dress and Ten Friday Favorites

One of the perks of living in Salt Lake City this winter was that the temperatures were so mild. This Masion Scotch sweater from a boutique down the street from my house was pretty much my jacket most of the winter. It was the perfect weight and length to keep me warm but not too bundled up.

Whenever I'm back in Chicago or New York, I always stop in one of my favorite stores, Aritzia. When I was home in Chicago for Christmas, I picked up this dress on sale there at Watertower. They always have the most comfortable quality pieces in the most luxurious fabrics. Everything I own from Aritzia has lasted forever!

Dress: Aritzia // OTK Boots (similar here) // Hat: Sole Society // Lips // Sweater: Masion Scotch

And since it's been awhile since I posted, Ive rounded up some of my Friday Favorites that I've come across including a perfume that has seriously become something that I spray on my sheets at night to help me sleep. And a foundation brush that looks super fun to use! 

Have a great weekend!!

Loft Flippy Skirt

Skirt: Loft (new spring version here) // Gloves: H&M (similar from Macy's) // Tights: DKNY // Boots: DSW // Hat: Sole Society // Necklace: Forever 21 (similar) // Coat: Macy's (old) // Sweater: Joe Fresh (great sales right now!) (similar here and here)// Turtleneck: J. Crew

Some days the light, the outfit and all the tweeds, textures and colors just work together in perfect harmony. This was one of those days. 

 I hope you all are enjoying the begining of the week as much as I am. I started Monday with no school for MLK day and had some ladies over to do a fun little photo shoot/collaboration (more on that soon! Can't wait to share!) and see my "new" apartment.

With the rest of the day I caught up on Glee which always leads me to tracking down an item of clothing seen on the show. This time it was an amazing Trina Turk dress Quinn wore that was on Mega sale (sooo many cute dresses on sale with an extra 20%off!) and I literally got THE least one in stock! Yay for me. Anyone else think the best purchases are ones that have a backstory with a sweet ending?

Also while catching up on my magazines, something I very rarely have enough free time to do, I came across a picture of Gwen Stefani wearing these L.A.M.B heels and fell in love. The only reason I'm not seriously considering getting these is I know myself, and know a 4.25 inch heel just isn't practical for me. I rarely wear a shoe with a heel to school and if I do its a mid heel. Guess I'll just admire from afar.

Over the Knee Boots

Chinese Laundry Riley boots // Rebecca Minkoff "Love" Crossbody bag (c/o Shopbop) // Zara Sweater // H&M necklace // Forever 21 Jacket // Mac Ruby Woo lipstick // Loft Skirt

There is so much I just love in this outfit! Let's start with these boots. They are amazing knock-offs of the Stuart Weitzman 50/50 boots. The suede is gorgeous, they are truly OTK boots even on a tall girl like me, and the best part they are about 1/7th of the price!! They are on sale here at Nordstrom, Macys, and Zappos! Get em while you can!

This Loft skirt I liked so much I bought in 2 colors. This hunter green and also winter white. It was on sale for 60% off the sale price so I couldn't say no. Something about the sweet little flare shape doesn't make it seem so short and inappropriate for teaching, as long as it's worn with tights and boots or flats.

This was also the first time I tested out my AMAZING new GHD oval curling wand! It gives you these great denty waves that look like intentional bed-head! That't the best way I can think of describing it.

This statement necklace was a recent find at H&M! For under $20 it packs quite a punch, don't you think? Easily adds so much to a simple sweater like my tan cable knit one.

I also broke out the Mac classic, Ruby Woo, for my holiday look. It's such a great true shade of red and I think it looks great on so many different skin tones.

Hope you are all getting a chance to scoop up some great after Christmas sales. Don't forget to hit up my favorite sale going on at Zara right now!

Tweed Dress

This dress is one of those items that sits in my closet, and then I put it on and remember why. 

That's right, it's because this dress is not really a dress on me, more of a tunic, so I always have to wear it with leggings. Tall girl problems.

Early in the day a thread just to the left of the bottom of the zipper got tugged out after it got stuck on a binder at a meeting. You can see its sad self hanging out. The other bad part that you can't see is that this dress shed light fuzz all over the black long-sleeve button-down I wore underneath it. One student actually asked me what happend and how did I get all "dirty."

So this outfit may look put together from afar, just don't look too close.

Coat: Andrew Marc

Dress: Kirna Zabete from Target from last year

Leggings: Aritzia TNA

Boots: DSW

Necklace: Accessory Mercado "Nina"

Sparkle and Sophistication Giveaway!

Tassles are pretty great, aren't they? They add just the right amount of fun to our favorite handbags and even some of our key rings. So why not wear a tassel around your neck? Especially one as gorgeous as this?! 

That is just what Nusrat, the lovely jewelry designer over at Sparkle and Sophistication, did. 

Together, we collaborated to create this "Hot Pink Style" necklace that brings together some interesting design features like a rose gold chain paired with a luxurious pale pink (real) leather tassel. You know I love the pink, plus I always have such a hard time finding good rose gold pieces so I loved the way they looked together.

Pick your favorite color over at her shop! She really is just the sweetest and she will work with you to make the perfect length, color and design you are hoping for.

I got so many compliments on this necklace and I know you will too. 

Want one now? Get your own with a special discount for my readers of $5 off your order with code HOTPINK.

Feeling lucky? Enter the giveaway below for your very own Hot Pink Style necklace! 

Necklace: Sparkle and Sophistication "Hot Pink Style" necklace
Coat: Forever 21 (can't find online but I got it in the store about a week ago)

Sweater: Forever 21 (on sale now for $15.99! Mine is a small for reference.)

Jeans: Zara
Lips: Mac "Up the Amp"

Boots: DSW (see these and similar options here)

a Rafflecopter giveaway