Side by Side Denim Collaboration

Amanda // Jeannie // Jill // Lisa // Julien

Today I'm doing a fun collaboration with three lovely Chicago bloggers and two DC bloggers! We all styled denim in our own way. From dressed up for work in a pencil skirt (guess who?) to Lisa's cool and casual weekend look, denim can work in just about any situation if you pair it right. 

Don't you just love the versatility of a denim jacket or vest? I must say Julien's look is making me want to dig out my old jean vest and make it work with a skirt for work!

For details, click through the names above to visit each of their blogs. If you are looking for my outfit details you will have to stop back later this week! A full report and a little surprise will be included!

Loft Moto Jacket & Oxfords

Ever since I had the chance to explore LOFT for the Best Dressed Teacher event a few weeks back, I have been obsessed with the Lou and Grey Line. I can't get over how all their cute jackets (and all their pieces) look so put together yet feel like your wearing a cozy sweatshirt! Genius! And Loft keeps having these amazing 40% sales so it's easy for me to pick up a few. I may also have the convenience of my husband working one building over from LOFT so lets just say I'm not the only one stopping in there!

Lou and Grey Jacket // Ann Taylor Skirt (currently stalking this one)// J. Crew Factory Silk Blouse // La Mer Collections Watch (love this rose gold one)//  Sam and Libby Target Oxfords // YSL Glossy Stain #9 // Topshop Necklace

Heroine + Window Pane

Yes. Thats right, it's STILL cold enough that I'm wearing my faux-leather shearling vest! Sigh. At least it provided me a pretty subdued background to test out my new ultra violet lip color Heroine by Mac. I unknowingly saw it on Bachelor contestant Cassandra on the Women Tell All episode and loved it! I asked her on Instagram what it was, and to my delight it was the same color I had just bought! Don't you just love when stuff like that happens?! And how nice of her to answer me so quickly too, right? 

Lips: Heroine by Mac // Forever 21 Vest (old) // Zara Blouse // Madewell Legging Jeans

Graphic Tee and Camo

I told you I've had a thing for Graphic tees lately and here is even more proof of that. This one was a great find at Forever 21, especially paired with my favorite spring camo jacket that I didn't get to wear much last year. By the time I found it on sale at Urban outfitters, it was already too cold for such a light layer. Can't wait to wear light jackets like this more often and be free of the winter outerwear!

Forever 21 Tee // Theory Jeans // Urban Outfitters Jacket (great one here at a great price) // Forever 21 Necklace // Urban Outfitters Booties // Revlon Balm Stain stick In Lovesick

Vintage Pea Coat

A few weekends ago I joined my Blogger friend April of Knocked up Fabulous on a thrifting trip organized by Troy the Thriftanista herself! It was a two-stop party bus full of mimosa-drinking thrifting lovers! What a wonderful way for a novice like me to enter the thrifting world! I was in the presence of pros! They are seriously the best at what they do and they helped me get some pretty amazing pieces for such amazingly low prices. Case in point, this pea coat with great gold buttons was just $9! I also scored a silver La Mer watch for $2 as well a few random pieces that I'm sure will make their way onto the blog soon enough.

Vintage Pea Coat ($9 from Goodwill) // Joe Fresh Sweater (scored for $3 at JC Penny!!) // Theory jeans (found at the Theory store in The Fashion Outlets of Chicago) // Converse Sneakers // Revlon Matte Stick // Sparkle and Sophistication necklace (named after me!)

Workout Wednesday: Bright and Patterned

So as it turns out, Spring break made for lots of time to work out. And some time to make some new workout buddies. I'm happy to say that my blogger buddy Jalpa of Samosa Pop tried out Bar Method and liked it enough to sign up! Yay! She was even kind enough to take pictures of this outfit for me!

Even though it was Spring break, the beginning of the week was still really chilly so I layered up in this bright Ellie top and patterned Gap pants combo.

Forever 21 hat // Ellie top //  Gap Leggings (similar) // Sunglasses //  Nike sneakers (from this post)

Dressing Up a Graphic Tee

Lately I've had a weird obsession with graphic tees. I'm not usually attracted to them since they don't really fit in with my teacher attire. I've been trying to find ways to add them in though and if disguised with a blazer and a pencil skirt I can totally wear them to work!

What are your thoughts on graphic tees at work?

Uniqlo Blazer (similar) // Forever 21 "Dream on Dreamer" Graphic Tee // TopShop Necklace // J. Crew Factory pencil skirt and tights (similar) // Sam and Libby Target Oxfords // J. Crew silver belt (similar) //Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain in Smitten // Zara sunglasses

15 Pieces: The Hot Pink Edition

This list has been years in the making: some of my favorite pink things. Some are old and some are new but all go to prove that pink is such a strong presence in my life! And my hope is that sharing some of these pink wonders will prove to be just as indispensable to you!

1. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion: Magic pimple eraser that I've been using for years. Smells so strongly that my husband can identify it in the dark, but if you put a dot of this magic lotion on at night when you wake up it will be GONE! Magic, I swear! And at a pretty great price too!

2. Pink Luggage: It's easy to spot your luggage in a sea of black bags at baggage claim with a bag like this!

3. Portable Wireless Speaker: I use one of these everyday in my classroom and on breaks I take it home with me so I can keep the party going where ever I go. Also to ensure nobody steals it. Truth.

4. YSL Glossy Stain: This stuff is awesome. It's like a science experiment for your lips. Goes on wet and then instantly turns into a balm. And bonus, it's a stain but has a ton of lasting moisture. My favorite is #16 which is a bright pink with just a hint of purple.

5.  Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Lotion: Some of the best facial lotion I have ever used. Gentle, pink and has a great, almost addicting scent. Oh, and you can get it at Target.com so that's pretty awesome!

6. Essie nail color in Bahama Mama: The perfect shade of dark pink thats not too dark and not too bright. The perfect color in my opinion for a professional setting. My go-to when I don't know what color to choose.

7. Nars "Yu": My signature lip color. and the best part is that its like liner and color in one easy stick.

8. Viviscal: Ok, it's not pink but the box is. This twice-a-day pill that has been the ONLY thing that has made my hair grow: so quickly and so well that my hair stylist was shocked at the results even after only 2 months!

9. Nars the Multiples Stick in "Orgasm": This color is just the right balance of peachy pink and shimmer that it just looks amazingly flattering on EVERYONE! And who doesn't love a blush that you don't need a carry a brush around to apply!

10. Silk Blouse: I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love me a good silk blouse and even more so when it's in a great shade of pink!

11. Pink Running Shoes: I coach an all-girls running team despite my loathing of running. One constant source of motivation is a good (pink) pair of well-fitting supportive running shoes. I went to Fleet Feet and got fitted before the season started and these were the winners.

12. Valentino Knock offs: I can't afford Valentino Rock Studs. But I am always open to a good affordable knock off and these ones are pretty spot-on!

13. Blush Tote Bag: This is currently my work bag. It looks like real leather but its a fraction of the price.

14. Rose Lensed Ray Bans: Ive been in love with these since I saw them on the cover of the J. Crew catalog but I have yet to see a pair in real life with my own two eyes. If that day comes and I still like them I just may have to make them mine.

15. Yosi Samra Rose Gold Foldable Flats: I discovered these foldable flats on Catherine Giudic's (Sean of the Bachelor's new wife) Instagram! They made her a custom pair for her wedding but she has been rocking them in her everyday looks and I'm loving them!

Blue Tweed With Silver Oxfords

I was almost certain that I shouldn't buy this tweed jacket a few months back at Target, but as it turns out I was wrong. I wear it all the time. Even one of my students told me it was her favorite. 

Since this is the first time these sunglasses have been on the blog, let me tell you a little story about them. I had their tan-framed sister for almost a year when they snapped in half right at the bridge of the nose. They had been sitting in a plastic ziplock baggie designated for broken Nordstrom accessories for months now. Since I had a solid baggie full built up of bits and pieces, I finally made it to Nordstrom Michigan Ave and cashed in my broken-bits bag for over $50. Point of the story is, if you have something from Nordstrom, even as cheap as my $12 sunglasses, and they break, Nordstrom has such great customer service that they will look up your purchase on your Nordstrom card and refund you your money!  And this is why they get my continued business and why I bought these as replacement glasses!

Sunglasses // Target Jacket (similar here &love this option) // Nordstrom Pants (similar) // Target Oxfords // H&M socks (old) // Lips: YSL Glossy Stain // Forever 21 Necklace (old) // Ralph Lauren Oxford Button Down // J. Crew Silver Belt

Workout Wednesday: Casual Sneakers

This is the very first time ever that all the shots for today's post were taken with my IPhone! You see I'm on spring break so although that leaves me with no photographer to take outfit shots, it also leaves me with a very good reason to NOT get dressed in anything more than workout clothes! 

Since this week is so casual I needed shoes to match. I don't like wearing my running shoes just to walk around so I needed some "walking-around" shoes! While making a return to the newly opened Nordstrom Rack on North Avenue (free parking!) I discovered it's pristine shoe selection with an abundance of pink Nike options! All under $60 too! My heart skipped a beat! 

I finally decided on these black canvas ones with a faint blush trim to replace my beloved yet salt-stained Nike Victoria's, and the hot pink and raspberry pair below! If you are in the market for some new casual shoes stop over there before the place looses it new-store-smell and turns into a disaster! Selection is great right now! Happy shopping! 

So much PINK! How do I decide? 

Shop these bold sneakers below!

Hunter Tour Boots Save the (Rainy) Day

I've been getting alot of use out of these packable Hunter boots lately with all the rain we have had. Although The black heels I had packed to wear to work would have been alot more professional, I really never had much time to change out of these so I kept them on all day! These boots really are so comfortable and light compared to the original Hunters. The packables are so much lighter and can roll up to be stored in your bag! Perfect for luggage or your work bag! If you are thinking of getting a new pair of rain boots consider the "Tour" packable Hunters! Every bit as cute as the originals and in lots of fun colors!

Lips: YSL Glossy Stain // Calvin Klein Dress (similar) // J. Crew Snowcat Shirt (similar on sale)// Michael Kors Watch // H&M Necklace // Hunter "Tour" Boots

Shop the look below.

Beauty for Bloggers Workshop

A few weeks back I attended The Beauty for Bloggers Workshop taught by hair and beauty expert Maritza Buelvas! Maritza was kind enough to welcome fellow Chicago blogger Drew of Catfish and Caviar and I into her beautiful in-home studio where we learned step-by-step tutorials on how to create some fun and easy hair styles. All hairstyles captured by Julie (a fellow teacher too!!!) of Riddle Road Photography.

I went in to this workshop wanting to know a way to make the side pony an everyday look for me which is challenging when your hair is as short as mine, but Maritza made it happen! Drew had this fun leopard hair wrap that she wanted to figure out cute ways to incorporate into hairstyles. Maritza made Drew's thick shoulder length hair look like she had way more hair than just that with a top knot using the wrap. She also did one more tutorial on Drew creating an easy casual pony that looks glam but is simple enough for everyday!

Check out all these looks below. All photos by Riddle Road Photography. 

Surrounded by beauties Maritza and Drew!

For more Info on Maritza's Beauty for Bloggers Workshops see her post covering this event or go check out her site!

Basic Black

Most days black isn't my color of choice, but this silk blouse had been sitting in my closet since I found it in the Joe Fresh clearance section for just $8 back in December! And we all know I love me a good silk blouse. So since it was casual friday I committed to the casual look with jeans, this silk blouse and loafers. Of course a bold red lip didn't hurt either!

Zara Jeans  // Target Loafers (similar) // ASOS Belt // LOFT bag // Joe Fresh Blouse (cute version here) // Vintage bangles and necklace // Bahama Mama by Essie Nail Polish // Revlon Matte Stick

Workout Wednesday: Neon Gapfit

This time of year, workout clothes are all about layers. I recently started my 4th year as a Girls on the Run coach/site coordinator at my school. Although I love that we have an outdoor track, this winter has been relentless! When running outside with my girls, I try to show them how important it is to wear lots of thin layers that way you always have the option of losing one as you warm up. Seems like a simple concept but maybe kind of mind-blowing for a 10 year old!

This neon pullover is a perfect layer to add over one of my favorite Lululemon racerback tanks. It doesn't hurt that it was on sale with an additional 40% off at the Gap last weekend either! I also found a great mint long-sleeve workout top for just around $10. Pretty sweet deals going on in store, so if you have a chance, go check them out!

Pullover // Tank // Nails +glitter on tips // Leggings // Sneakers // Sun Glasses