Keeping It Casual - 8 (Link Up)

F21 t-shirt (here) & jewelry, A.N.A blouse via JCP (here), Gap jeans & sandals, Croft & Barrow tote via Kohls (here)

My husband and I decided to go out for a late breakfast after church this past Sunday. There is nothing like relaxing over a good cup of coffee (and chocolate croissant) on a Sunday morning. I ate my croissant in under three seconds and sat there staring at my husband's. I told him that he better get rid of it because I was about to grab it from him and I didn't need a second one. Zero self control in the sweets department, people. It's a problem.

I realize that I wore this same floral t-shirt just last week but I couldn't help wearing it again. I thought adding it under the pink blouse gave this outfit a little something extra. I think subtle details, such as this, are great ways to add a little excitement to an outfit. 

I've noticed that lately I tend to wear either loud colors together or just black and white. No in-between, it seems. Do any of you seem to follow a pattern?

Let me also say that I can't seem to find the exact blouse on the JCP website that I am wearing. The link I used looks exactly like the blouse that I am wearing but I only paid $16 for my blouse (web version is $28). There is a 'tall' version of this blouse (not this color) for $16 if you are interested. Did I thoroughly confuse you?

Link up your casual looks below! Please make sure that the post is relevant to this link-up, that you link back to my blog, and that you are a follower of this blog. Have a great day!

* I'm linking up today with Shanna for Random Wednesday.

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RetailMeNot Spring Fashion Challenge

I was thrilled when RetailMeNot contacted me and asked if I would like to participate in their Spring Fashion Challenge. If you have not heard of this website, you best click here right away before you make any more purchases. This website is updated daily with coupon codes and discount alerts from some of the best online and in-store retailers. 

They were kind enough to provide me with a one hundred dollar budget for this fashion challenge and I quickly saw that I was going to have a blast. Using the coupon codes and discount alerts, I was able to save more than what I would normally save if I had been shopping without their aid.

Necklace c/o Lilac Bijoux, F21 bracelets (not included in purchases for this challenge)

I'm pretty proud of myself for scoring this outfit for under $100 with extra cash to spare:

• Gap slim cropped print pants - Regular price: $49.95, on sale for $39.99; Gap online offer for 25% off brought the total to $29.99
• JCPenney relaxed fit blouse - Regular price: $16; in-store coupon for 20% off brought the total to $12.80
• Payless Jordyn T-strap pump - Regular price: $26.99; online coupon for 20% off brought the total to $21.59
• Payless Moonbeam aviators - Regular price: $9.99, BOGO $5 off; online coupon for 20% off brought the total to $4
• Croft & Barrow tote via Kohls - Regular price: $59, on sale for $21.99; coupon for 20% off brought the total to $17.59 

Total spent - $85.97

Total saved - $75.96

If you are tech savvy, make sure you download the RetailMeNot app. I consulted the app before making any of these purchases. It is so handy to have coupon codes and sale alerts right there on your phone! I will never make an online or in-store purchase again without consulting this app.

You can also sign up for their coupon newsletter (here) if you are too busy to manually search for coupons each day. They will email you with the top weekly coupon codes, eliminating any work on your part.

Find out more about the Spring Fashion Challenge on the Real Deal (here)! Have a great day!

* Disclosure: This post is sponsored by RetailMeNot but all opinions are my own.

Top Three April (Link-up)

Read post here

Read post here

Read post here

Here are my top three looks for the month of April. Yes, I realize that we are still in April but I wanted to post this early because I have a different post scheduled for tomorrow. Don't worry, I won't do this all the time.

Link-up your top three looks from April below! I will leave the list open for a few days to give you adequate time to get a post ready. Please make sure that you link back to this post in your post and that you are a follower of this blog.

Have a great day!

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Cherry Limeade

F21 top and jewelry, Gap jeans, Shoedazzle heels (here), Lazaro clutch

You ladies don't know how hard it is for me to get a decent picture without sunglasses these days. If I'm lucky enough to find a super shady spot, I might be able to ditch the glasses. My eyes are so sensitive.

I tried forgoing the sunglasses for these pictures but only came away with a handful of pictures because of the crazy eyes in all of them. I guess my shutter speed was a little slow because the camera caught every expression in mid-blink. You know, that drunk look. I'd rather not share those pictures with you. 

On another note, have I already worn this outfit before? I usually remember what outfits I have worn on the blog but for some reason I just can't remember. If I have, oh well. If not, well, here's a new one for you!

* Please make a note that my Top Three link-up (see an example here) will take place on Monday. I typically do these link-ups on the very last day of the month (unless the last day falls on a Saturday or Sunday as I do not post on the weekends) but I have something different planned for Tuesday, the last day of the month. I will keep the link-up open for a few days, though, to give you time to get your posts in. Have a great weekend!

Keeping It Casual - 7 (Link Up) & A Giveaway

Forever 21 top (here), blazer, and earrings, Old Navy shorts, Topshop sandals

Remember this post where I talked about being hesitant to try the floral trend? Well, I found this floral t-shirt at Forever 21 and decided to give it a go.

You know me; I'm super dependent upon my blazers. I don't know what I'm going to do when the weather really heats up. No, wait, I do know what I will do. I'll keep wearing the blazers even though I'm burning up. I'll just crank up the A/C.

Linking up today with Because Shanna Said So for Random Wednesdays. And with that said, I will leave you with a few random facts:

• I love Harry Potter and used to read the whole series every summer. I fell out of that habit and I'm itching to start back this summer.
• I tell the same stories over to the same people because I can't remember if I already told them. 
• I am probably the only person who did not like Les Mis. 
• I'm a planner. I had my outfits planned months in advance for our last vacation. I'm already planning the next vacation even though it is probably two years away. 

Brought to you by:

Katie of The Nerdy Katie

Amy of Fashion And Beauty Finds

Catherine of Small Town, Big Wardrobe

Renae of Simple Sequins

Sharon of The Tiny Heart

  

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Basic White Tee

It's such a classic American staple that has been around for many years and has remained an important piece as fashion has evolved. When it comes to the white tee, there are countless ways to wear it. There are now many versions of the basic white tee and I selected a slightly dressier version to feature in this post.

(Click here to shop)

T-shirts have come a long way from the three-packs that you can buy at Wal-Mart. While a t-shirt is to jeans like fries are to burgers, a t-shirt can also be worn to the office. If you pick the right fabric (think silk or another luxe-type fabric) and add a pretty pencil skirt, your outfit will be 9-to-5 appropriate.

(Click here to shop)

If pencil skirts aren't your thing, maybe you could go for a laid-back, all-white ensemble (with pops of color, of course). There is something so chic about an all-white look, and adding color in your accessories keeps it appropriate for spring and summer. Leave the heels at home and opt for cute flats.

(Click here to shop)

There is something so chic about these pastel pants. The pleating in the front and the waistline give this pair of trousers a face lift. Add some cut-out heels, a basic tote, and simple jewelry, and you've got an easy, chic look.

Get your casual outfit posts ready for tomorrow's link-up! Please make sure that you link back to my blog and that you are a follower of this blog. Have a great day!

No Color

F21 blouse and shorts, Wallis blazer c/o (here), Zara shoes, Aldo clutch

Well, I realize that I did a black and white mixed print outfit last post, but I just couldn't resist doing it again. I do love color, but black and white has always been my favorite. Normally I would throw in a pop of color with so much black and white, but at the last minute, I changed my mind and grabbed my black and white clutch.

Okay, this was all a complete lie. If you look really closely, you can see that I'm wearing green nail polish. 

Have a great day!

Print Mix and Flashback Friday

Worthington top via JCP, F21 shorts and jewelry, Shoedazzle wedges c/o (here), Francesca's clutch

I'd like to apologize once more for the glaringly bright white legs. Wow. It seems like every year spring suddenly arrives and my prepping (exercise/tanning) seems to fall by the wayside. I could at least use a little self-tanner. I've never tried a spray tan before. Any of you have luck with that?

I mentioned before in this post that I was starting to get a little braver where mixed prints were concerned. I know I might be a little slow to jump on a trend but that's okay. I'm not trying to win any trend awards. I say just try things when they feel comfortable and don't feel like you have to jump on a trend right away (or even at all).

Here is my post from one year ago today:

Read post here

I think these might be two of my favorite looks that I have put together. I want to recreate these looks since spring is finally here!

Have a great Friday and an even better weekend!

Keeping It Casual - 6 (Link Up)

A.N.A blouse via JCP (here), H&M jeans, Shoedazzle wedges c/o (here), Francesca's clutch, F21 jewelry, belt via
TJMaxx

I've been a 'jeans' kind of girl for as long as I can remember. I honestly like to be comfortable (who doesn't?) so jeans will always be my go-to look. For some reason, wearing a skirt, a dress, or even dress pants takes too much effort sometimes.

Since I am linking up with Because Shanna Said So for Random Wednesdays, I thought I would share a few random facts about me that you may not know:

• I'm obsessed with cleaning my house. I'm cleaning literally every single day and my husband keeps telling me to stop it already.
• I hate beer and football and I live in the South. You might wonder how that is possible...
• I can't straighten my left leg when I lift it past 90 degrees. For a dancer, this is not good.
• I've had two babies and am ready for the third but nearly have a panic attack when I think about labor. Don't ask me why. I haven't had any labor and delivery issues but I think I'm just a controlling person and that is one part of your life you definitely can't control.
• I love burgers (and sweet potato fries) with all of my heart. 
• I've tried to eat healthy and it hasn't worked out. 

Make sure you link-up your casual looks below, follow my blog, and please link back to my blog in your post. Have a great day!

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Chambray in Spring

(Click picture to shop)

Just because the weather is warmer, doesn't mean that it's time to put away the long-sleeve shirts. Your chambray shirt can be one of the most versatile pieces in your closet. While you might have layered it with blazers in the winter, now is time to roll back your sleeves and pair the light-weight garment with other spring pieces.

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To me, there is nothing better than a pair of wide leg pants (with a great print!) in spring. Roll up your sleeves to your elbows and tie your chambray shirt at the waist for a laid-back feel. A pair of aviators keep this outfit looking cool.

(Click here to shop)

Nothing brightens up a chambray shirt more than pink! It's such a fun color and screams spring. Polka dots add a playful touch to an already fun outfit.

(Click here to shop)

Who said chambray couldn't be dressed up? A lace (or eyelet) skirt is the perfect way to bring a polished look to a laid-back shirt. Adding shoes and accessories in fun eye-catching colors amps this look up even more.

Have a great Tuesday!