Amazon Fashion Favorites: Summer 2018

This has been such a long anticipated post! I have found so many amazing pieces this summer from Amazon and if you follow me on Instagram I've been sharing each item as I get them, but how much easier to just be able to shop ALL of my amazing finds in one place. I've rounded up all of the items I'm loving from Amazon in this blog post for your convenience! Yay!

Check out my friend Jenna’s post for take on Amazon shopping and her affordable fashion finds!

Ok, let's get started. 

You all know my obsession with woven bags this year so of course I had to take advantage of the amazing affordable options I found on Amazon. Here are the bags you've seen me carrying over the past couple months: 

Another trend I've been all over is the hats! They hide the "mom-hair" nicely and step up an outfit of basics instantly to the next level! Fedoras and panama hats have been the two styles I'm loving, but anything woven has my heart (as you've noticed) so if you have any other great hat suggestions, send them my way! Here are the ones I've been wearing non-stop. 

So fun sunnies have been super on trend this summer and I am loving all of the different affordable styles that are available, no need to shell out for the designer ones when there are identical dupes on Amazon! Here are the sun glasses I've found and have been on repeat this summer. 

Ok some last random things here, I wear this Gucci inspired belt at least once a week, and I recently found out that my favorite felt hangers are available on Amazon for cheaper than I've been able to find anywhere else and they include pant clips too! Woop woop! Check those out below

Hope you all enjoyed this first edition of Amazon fashion finds! I'm sure I will be doing a post similar to this every few months as I find more and more amazing pieces to order.  Let me know in the comments your best Amazon fashion find! I'd love to add more to my collection! 

Thanks for stopping by!

xo

Huge May Instagram Recap

Ok so I must admit, I've been on a role with the outfit posts lately so I figured I'd do a round-up for those of you that don't use Instagram (I know there are more than a few of you)! I got a ton of good sale and non-sale stuff from Nordstrom hence all the outfits recently! I've linked it all for you in this post if it's still available. Also, if you have Instagram but don't follow me yet, click HERE and give me some support! Comment on my most recent post that you came from the blog and I'll give you some love on your page! Happy June, y'all! 

"Gucci" Tee

This top got so much attention when I originally posted it, yes it is fake but who want's to spend hundreds of dollars on a cotton t-shirt? Not me! Grab one while they're in stock! They tend to sell out pretty fast each time they're re-stocked.

Top: ETSY //  Denim Jacket: SIMILAR // Sunnies: SIMILAR on SALE!

Leopard Print

Clearly I love Target! This is such a signature outfit for me, t-shirt, jeans and a fun top. Unfortunately this top is sold out and I couldn't find a good enough similar one for you all, but J-crew sells the best fun tees and graphics click HERE to check them out. I'm always stocking up.

Neck scarf: Target  // Denim: TARGET // Shoes: TARGET 

Cool and Casual

Kale Shirt: HERE, plus size version HERE, Jeans: NORDSTROM, Shoes: DSW on major sale right now!

Blush Stars

Sweater: EXPRESS marked WAY down now! // Jeans: SIMILAR // Shoes: TARGET and SIMILAR

Weekend Tee

Bag: AMAZON (under $20) // Top: SIMILAR // Denim: NORDSTROM // Shoes: NORDSTROM and SIMILAR (exact dupe at a fraction of the price)

Cargo Vest

Top: GAP // Vest: SIMILAR (on sale) // Jeans: H&M (only $10!!!) // Sandals: TARGET // Bag: NORDSTROM // Sunglasses: RAYBAN or similar $14 dupe HERE

Free People

Top: FREE PEOPLE // Jeans: EXPRESS // Shoes: TARGET 

Black and White 

Blazer: H&M // Denim: MADEWELL // Booties: NORDSTROM

Cozy Henley

Hat: AMAZON // Top: URBAN OUTFITTERS (I have three colors, best top EVER!)// Jeans: OLD NAVY

Pop O' Leopard

Sweater: SIMILAR // Denim: SIMILAR // Top: GAP // Shoes: NIKE you'll see me wear THESE similar ones all the time too // Sunglasses: AMAZON 

Seeing Stars

Top: H&M (on sale) // Cardigan: OLD NAVY // Jeans: H&M // Sandals: TARGET

Nordstrom Girl

Hat: RAG AND BONE // Top: SIMILAR // Shorts: NORDSTROM (obsessed) // Booties: NORDSTROM // Necklace: GORJANA // Belt: AMAZON 

Ruffle Jumpsuit

Jumpsuit: NORDSTROM (SOOOO comfy) // Jacket: NORDSTROM // Shoes: SOLUDOS // Necklace: GORJANA // Belt: AMAZON 

Summer Florals

Top: TEN SIXTY SHERMAN (from the half yearly sale) // Jeans: H&M // Shoes: SAM EDELMAN // Bag: AMAZON // Hat: AMAZON 

LBD

Dress: NORDSTROM (best, most flattering, comfiest dress you'll ever own) // Duster: OLD NAVY // Bag: AMAZON // Shoes: TORY BURCH // Necklace: Gorjana

Cozy Culottes

Top: SUB URBAN RIOT (similar) // Pants: NORDSTROM // Shoes: NIKE // Hat: AMAZON // Sunglasses: BP

Ice Cream Date

Shoes are from last summer, I couldn't find anything similar enough to link, sorry! 

Top: NORDSTROM // Duster: OLD NAVY // Jeans: ARTICLES OF SOCIETY // Necklace: GORJANA 

I don't know why I'm always so surprised by how long these Instagram round-up posts take me to create. The time and effort are always worth it though because these posts are always some of the most popular ones, so I hope you all enjoyed this one! I had a lot of fun with Instagram this month since I taught myself how to edit with Lightroom and have been working on being more consistent. 

As always, please comment below if there is something I forgot to tag or if you have any questions. Also let me know what you think of my new Instagram vibes. Do you love the new editing? Hate it? Love all the outfits? Miss all the flatlays? Please, please, please let me know. This kind of feedback helps me continue to create content you all love to see. 

Thanks for reading!

xo

*Some of the links used in this post are affiliate links, all opinions are my own. I may receive a small commission when you purchase an item with these links but they are completely free for you to use. All sales that I make help me to fund and up-keep my blog. Thanks for all the support!* 

A Smocked Jumpsuit for Memorial Weekend!

Happy long weekend, friends! Despite all of the sales going on right now, I ended up finding a lot of new goodies when I was out shopping the other day that were not part of the sale, but are SO worth mentioning.

This post will be featuring the most comfortable piece that I found which is this cute smocked top jumpsuit. I normally don't find pieces like this to be flattering on me but lately I've been loving anything that has smocking on it so I gravitated toward this piece and was pleasantly surprised when I tried it on. Not only is it super flattering on, but it feels like actual PAJAMAS. It fits true to size, I got a medium and it is perfect. I plan to wear this beauty with some fun platform sandals or even dress it up with heels and blazer! I think it could be a fun alternative to a dress for summer occasions like weddings, wine tasting, parties, brunch, etc! I have a good gauge (from working at Nordstrom for forever) at how quickly things will see out, and I can tell this piece will be one that flies off the rack.

Make sure to also pick up this cute, super soft and stretchy denim jacket while you're at it! I told myself no more denim jackets this summer, but this one was soooooo comfy I could not say no. Plus it is the updated version of their classic denim jacket and it's even better than before! Definitely a great addition to your summer wardrobe. 

Another item you need is this designer inspired belt for under $20. I plan on ordering it in brown too. I've been wearing it a ton this Spring! 

// Jumpsuit // Jacket  // Shoes // Necklace //

^ How beautiful is my parent's backyard?! ^

I hope you all have an amazing, long holiday weekend! We'll be enjoying the farmers market tomorrow and then enjoying the company of family and laying low for the rest of the weekend! 

Thanks for reading!

xo

My Picks, Tips, and Tricks for shopping Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale!

Here it is! One of the best sales of the year is upon us. Now this isn't "the big one" that one isn't until July so stay tuned for that, but this particular sale is one of my personal favorites of the year since it is all Spring and Summer clothes marked down just in time for the warm months! I always wait to stock up on my summer clothes until this sale happens. This is the first year I'm not actually working for Nordstrom, so I thought it would be fun to compile my picks from the sale for you all to shop with ease! Remember, sizes go SUPER fast so buy everything you like now and then return what doesn't work later. I would hate for you to miss out on something, so don't think, just shop (for real though, I've seen things sell out in a matter of a few minutes).

One HUGE insider, game-changing shopping tip

that I have for you lovely ladies, if you see something you want online but your size is not available, call any Nordstrom store

***DON'T CALL THE ONLINE #, call any store DIRECTLY***

Nordstrom salespeople have the entire company's inventory at their fingertips and are quite often able to track down items that you need in a size that may now reflect in the online inventory! They are always happy to help because, duh, Nordstrom, best customer service of any retailer. But also they are paid on commission so really you're doing them a favor as they're doing you one as well! Moral of the story: never feel bad about calling and asking for help. 

Ok, here we go!

MY NORDSTROM HALF YEARLY SALE PICKS

CUTE TOPS:

COMFY/LOUNGE-Y TOPS:

SHORTS/JEANS:

DRESSES

THIRD PIECES:

SHOES:

ACCESSORIES:

WORKOUT CLOTHES:

Alright loves, happy shopping! Never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, need help shopping, styling and outfit, etc. 

xo

My Favorite Denim Styled 2 Ways!

You all know I wear denim every day. Whether or not I start the day in a dress or sweats or whatever, I always end up in a pair of jeans half way through the day because that's just what I feel the most comfortable in. Denim fits my style profile better than any other kind of clothing and it is so versatile, I don't know how you couldn't love a good old pair of jeans!

I recently got the opportunity to partner with Prosperity Denim, by the time you read this they will have officially launched on the Nordstrom website so go check them out as soon as you're done reading this post! They sent me over an amazing pair of girlfriend-y, straight legged, structured pair of high waisted jeans in a light wash with very minimal distressing and it's as if they knew exactly what kind of denim was missing from my wardrobe. I could not love these jeans more. They fit my style so well, they are extremely comfortable, and feel like premium denim but the best part is that they are a super affordable price point! If you get this exact pair I would suggest sizing up one since they have zero stretch to them. They did fit me a little snug but as I wore them they became more and more comfortable, although they don't stretch out or sag like some jeans do half way through the day, which is always so annoying!

I went ahead and styled these jeans two ways so you all could see first hand how versatile they are, you really can wear them with anything! This first look is sweet, and summery and I love the woven bag paired with the gingham and light denim, so many country summer feels!

I've been dying to style a denim on denim look and this was the perfect opportunity! I'm really into graphic tees, and I went all out with the 90's vibe here, but I love it so much! Give me all out the round Lennon inspired sunnies and silver accessories! 

I am so excited to add more styles of styles of Prosperity Denim to my denim collection!

xo 

*This post was sponsored by Prosperity Denim, all opinions are my own*

Gingham in The Tulip Field

I dragged my poor family out in the rain again for another floral photoshoot! This one has also been on my bucket list for a couple years, and this Spring I've finally gotten multiple opportunities to shoot with different photographers at this beautiful location! Located about 30 minutes away from us, these beautiful floral fields take up 40 acres of land in the middle of the nowhere in Woodburn, Oregon. It's amazing being able to live in a metropolitan city and be able to take a quick drive to these magical places. One of the many reasons I love living where I do! I shot with the amazing, talented Portland area photographer Brianna Swan who I've gotten to shoot with a few times now (if you're in the area check her out for family shoots, she is SO amazing) and I love how the shots turn out each time! Ok, ok. On to the pictures because I know that's the main reason you clicked over to this post. I'll start with the outfit details. Do you all like when I put them higher up in the post, or at the bottom? Let me know in the comments! 

Thanks for reading as always! Happy weekend.

xo

A Spring Outfit and Cotton Candy Trees

I was so desperate to get cherry blossom pictures this year.

Last year I was very pregnant and hoped to snag some maternity shots with the amazing blooming trees, but I never got the opportunity. There is a very small window of time, I'm talking 7ish days that these trees bloom before the petals fall off, and with all of the rain this month I knew it would be an even smaller window. Of course there wasn't one nice day in the forecast in the foreseeable future, but the trees were already blooming to their full potential and even dropping petals already so I knew I had to trek out into the cold and rain to get my pictures if I wanted them at all, and hope for a break in the rain (spoiler: it only rained harder).

Although it was cold and wet, Stella and I had an amazing time with our good friend (and volunteer photographer) Krysta. We drove all the way down to the State Capitol building, almost an hour away from Portland! We even got to stop by and visit the Salem, Oregon Nordstrom store to say goodbye, one day before they shuttered it's doors for good! Here are some of the shots we got. You can tell by my soggy hair that the rain was relentless... I really had to brighten up the exposure to make these pictures look like Spring and not mid-Winter. All of my outfit details are linked below! Enjoy! 

Necklace: Gorjana, Top: J Crew, Blazer: H&M, Denim: Universal Thread, Shoes: A New Day 

Trendy Woven Bags for Spring (and Affordable Dupes)!

Hi gals and guys! Happy first day of Spring! What's the weather like where you live? We are on a two day streak of 60 degree weather here in Portland and it feels and looks like summer outside, I'm loving all of the sunshine! I'm attempting to soak up all of the vitamin D that I can before the rain starts tomorrow... we even have one day of snow on our forecast later on this week which is so insane. I'll enjoy this beautiful, short-lived weather while we have it! 

I figured I'd start of this season with a fun post on one of my favorite trends that appears year after year around this time, and that would be woven bags! These babies come back consistently every year during the Spring, and this year is no exception! Although where I live I'm still trending toward denim and booties with a cozy jacket, I'm already stocking up on my favorite straw bags to wear when the warm weather comes back for the Summer!

In this blog post, I've rounded up some of my favorites from Clare V., to Amazon, and every price point in between for any budget! I've heavily curated this post to only include my absolute favorite styles. There are a handful in each category and it was SO hard to narrow it down, but just know I took hours scouring all of my favorite shopping sites so you don't have to. This is one of those posts you bookmark and save for later, I plan on updating it throughout the next few months as new styles come out and prices drop, I'll send out reminders here and there but just a heads up so you know to keep checking back as well! 

The Cult Gaia Arc Bag

We'll start with an iconic silhouette from Cult Gaia. This bag comes back with a vengeance every year, and each time sells out before I can get my hands on it so this year I made sure to snag one during the off season so I can use it all summer long and not be waiting and waiting for it to be re-stocked (it didn't last year)! Click here to get the iconic Arc Bag. Click HERE for a SUPER affordable dupe! More Cult Gaia favorites and dupes are included in the following carousel:

The Clare V. Alice Bag

Another iconic bag that comes back each year is this circular shaped, versatile sisal bag. I love this style because it is beautiful like the Arc bag but it is a tad more casual, which is more my vibe. I couldn't shell out for the full price one HERE, unfortunately they never go on sale, but I found an affordable dupe that I couldn't pass up right HERE.  Also, this one by Loeffler Randall is also a fun option at a similar price if you don't want to stand out from the other fashionistas! I also tagged additional affordable options below:

The Half Moon Straw Tote

I wish I could tell you exactly who made THIS half moon design first, but this one is another classic shape that seems to have been on the scene longer than I have, and now everyone makes their own version of it. I'll tag a bunch from different retailers below so you can shop from your favorite, but honestly they all look identical and are around the same price point. This was the most affordable one I found right HERE. 

The Fun Straw Tote

This is one of my favorite categories! I got an amazing pom pom straw bag from Asos last year and I wore it a ton last year, you may remember it from THIS post back when I was pregnant. There are so many new fun bags this year I could hardly narrow it down and I'm sure I'll be updating this post as the summer goes on, but here are my current favorites: 

The Woven Basket Bag

THIS little cutie is in my cart right now, I'm just waiting to get paid so I can buy it! I've loved this thing since I saw it last summer. I think this style is essential if you want to be a part of this trend for Spring/Summer, and is a great dupe for the ICONIC (how many times can I use that word in this post, thesaurus, anyone?!) Jane Birkin basket bag. How fun would this be to wear to Easter brunch?! In fact, I most likely will be styling this with my Easter dress this year! Check my favs out here:

The Straw Clutch

I love these bags because they're often reminiscent of a fun beach bag but in a compact and more formal style. Usually they pack a punch with fun colors and details and most of the time are a less expensive alternative to a larger straw bag. One can never have to many fun clutches! Here are some of my favorites for this season:

I really hope you all found this post helpful in your search for the perfect woven bag to fit your needs and budget this year! I wish there had been a post like this last year that I could have referenced for my straw bag shopping needs, but alas I never found one that I could shop that included affordable options and great dupes. Not sure why it took me a whole year to realize that I could just do the research myself and combine it into a resourceful post for you and I find the best, cutest spring bags! 

Thanks for taking the time to read, hope you all are having a lovely first day of Spring!

xo

Polka Dots and Ruffles For Spring!

Hi guys, long time no outfit post! As I've been experimenting with different blog post topics, I've been able to determine that you all really love to follow along with me for my fashion posts, so I plan on creating more awesome style/fashion related content, just make sure you're either following me on Instagram or subscribed via email so you never miss a post! Get ready for some great Spring outfits coming your way over the next few weeks! 

Moving on to this weeks topic. Polka dots. I knew I needed this top the second I saw it. How could one resist pink and white polka dots with ruffles, AND cold shoulder details?! I'm excited to peel off the layers when it starts to warm up outside and wear this top on it's own with some dainty, gold, layered necklaces and a great sandal. In the meantime, find me bundled up while it's still cold here in the PNW (it actually snowed this past week. In February. UGH), until then. Scroll to the bottom for outfit details! PS. these pants have also been on repeat in case you live under a rock and don't follow me on Insta. Buy them ASAP if you want to look 10 lbs. lighter, no joke! 

Outfit details here (the necklace is old but I put a couple similar options)!:

Building Your Wardrobe | 10 Basics You Need In Your Closet!

Hi friends! 

**DISCLAIMER: The into to this post is long. If you'd like to skip to the actual "10 basics you need in your closet" part of this post, just scroll on down to the first large heading and begin there. OR skip all of the reading and scroll all the way down to watch my VIDEO!**

This series is something I've been wanting to create for some time now and I'm so excited to bring you the first post today! This type of post is a change from my usual content, but will be a useful tool you can return to time and time again, so make sure to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss any part of the series, or bookmark this page so you can check back for the next posts if you'd like! 

As this is the first post I'm publishing in the "building your wardrobe" series I wanted to give a little bit of info on what the entire thing is going going to be about. Obviously I love fashion, and the whole idea behind me creating this blog initially was to give you all some insight into the thoughtful decision making behind my personal style and the reasons why I choose to wear what I wear, as well as how I generally put together an outfit based around a specific item (or items). 

Sooo... this series. I've been doing a lot of thinking about the amount of STUFF that I have in my closet. A lot of it I don't wear, let alone even think about and it is just filling up space that I could be using for much more important things, or even just space to BREATHE. I wanted to simplify my life this year and that means getting rid of the extra junk, and having a clean slate, a fresh start to the year and to my life! This series is going to basically chronicle me starting my wardrobe from the ground up... and no, this does not mean I'm throwing everything away and starting from scratch, but I will be more intentional with my purchases and I'm going to be better about buying things that I actually want vs. things that I think others would enjoy seeing on my Instagram. No one wants to see the same sweater on me as they've already seen on 9 trillion other bloggers.

I am going to re-build my wardrobe, starting with items I own, and getting rid of items that don't work, while categorizing things into guides for you all to easily follow along and do the same thing if you wish! Does that make sense? I'm basically pretending I have nothing and then shopping my own closet to decide what I need and don't need, being intentional with what I'm keeping and buying new, and really focusing on items that I love and need vs. items that I'm buying just because I think someone might like to see it in an Instagram post.

JEEEEZ this sounds RAMBLE-Y. If you have Q's leave 'em in the comments. I'm sure this is going to end up confusing AF.

This first article is going to be about the 10 basics you need to make sure you have in your closed that will build the foundation to any wardrobe. These pieces are fundamentals that you can mix and match with anything and create a million outfits with. They are basic items that will never go out of style and pieces that you feel and look amazing wearing. The specific garments I'm showing you are the items that work well for ME. This list is a general guideline to follow, I am by no means an expert, this is just my opinion, not the gospel! So take from it what you will, but I hope you do gain at least a nugget of good information from this whole thing! All right, here we go!

[PS. This is in no particular order, every item is just as important as the others in the list.]

[PPS. Remember, this is a bare bones list of basics, you can add or subtract from your own basics as you wish!]

10 WARDROBE BASICS 

1. T SHIRT

Everyone needs a good T-shirt in black and white, and in whatever shape and size fits them best. I prefer an oversized v-neck, since I find it to be the most versatile shape and it flatters my broad shoulders and tall frame nicely, but really as long as you have an amazing tee that fits you, any shape will do! If you have any old tees in your closet that you never reach for, donate them, get rid of them, you don't need that negativity in your life (or closet).

2. BLACK SKINNY DENIM

Ok, this is a DUH. And I'm sure I don't even need to tell you how a super skinny, stretchy, high-waisted, super dark, black skinny jean will be the most flattering and versatile pair of pants you own, but then, I just did! this is the pair you need, but I'll tag some affordable options too for you thrifty gals. But I promise you won't regret splurging on premium denim. You'll end up buying ten pairs of cheap jeans anyway so overall you'll spend more if you don't buy premium denim in the long run, ya feel me?!

3. MEDIUM WASH JEANS 

Get these in any fit and any wash that you prefer. I only say medium wash because I feel as though it goes with everything and also is sliiiiightly less casual than a lightwash jean. Of course dark wash will always be the most slimming, but medium will always be the most versatile!

4. LEATHER MOTO JACKET

This jacket is my ride or die. I've had it for ever and I wear it often. Try, like 3-4 days a week... In my opinion real leather is superior to faux as it only gets more squishy and buttery as the years go by, and it will last forEVER. But I understand some of y'all are vegan, and if you prefer a synthetic material, I'm okay with it! I also have a few faux leather options in my collection. I'll tag a few of each down below.

5. DENIM JACKET

I really love my Topshop denim jacket, unfortunately it is no longer available, but I do see it come back in stock seasonally on the Nordstrom website time and again! but there are so many other cute distressed styles out there these days, basically every retailer has their own version! Denim jackets will never go out of style and you can even wear them with jeans, you can literally wear them with anything. The darker the denim the more you can get away with. Lighter washes give off a more casual vibe!

6. WHITE BUTTON UP TOP

I'm not going to lie, I have a whole section of these in my closet [I know, I know, this is one of the areas I'm working on]. I've tagged my staples though, these are my favs that never go out of stock and tend to be the ones I reach for the most. You'll find yourself wearing a white button up layered over a graphic tee with your leather moto jacket on top, or to your office job interview with a pair of slacks. There's no limit to how far you can take this piece!

7. LBD [Little Black Dress]

The little black dress. This dress in particular is without a doubt, hands down, my favorite item I own. It is the only thing I can throw on when I literally have NO CLUE what to wear out of the 34,987,349 items in my closet. This dress is magic, and I've work it to everything from a job interview, to a wedding, to the grocery store, to date night. It's seen the world I tell ya! So click on over to Nordy's and buy this dress ASAP. I promise it is worth every penny. If you hate this particular dress, just find another that you feel as passionate about. I won't judge you [too much] for not choosing my favorite. 

8. STACKED HEEL BOOTIE

A comfortable heeled bootie is KEY. Hands down the most versatile shoe you'll own. If you don't have any, These are my die hards fa sho. They are shoes that look and act like a heel, but feel like a dream in comparison. I can wear my booties all day at work on my feet and not have to change into flats half-way through, which is saying something [low pain tolerance, hah!]. Make sure you own a pair that do you right, girl!

9. BLACK FLATS

These are for when the heels fail you half way through the day. They feel great and look stylish, and they come in a million different styles so you can get whichever look suits you the best! Unfortunately the ones I showed in my video are no longer available but I linked some of the others I've tried and loved as well!

10. BLACK BLAZER

My favorite way to wear a black blazer is with an oversized graphic tee, faux leather leggings, my Nike's and a beanie. Sooooo... NO they aren't just for job interviews anymore. You can wear a blazer with anything, it will totally UP the cool factor of your casual looks! This one is my tried and true! I love that its oversized and a little more casual, yet you can throw it over a dress for a night out too! Obsessed!

We'll that just about sums up our time here today, and just in time too because this post is now VERY long. I had a lot of fun coming up with this series so I hope you enjoy following along! Make sure you subscribe at the bottom of the page so you don't miss any of the articles to come.

If you'd like to watch my video further explaining my picks, here it is: 

Next up.... shoes!

xo

2017 Portland Style And Fashion Awards

A NIGHT OF FASHION, FRIENDS, AND FUN

I have a great friend and mentor who has always talked to me about the importance of networking and how shaking hands with the right people and growing your network can help your business invaluably. Thanks to her originally pushing me to start a blog, paired with this nugget of networking knowledge has helped me grow quickly in the short time that I've been blogging, and from what I've observed it can be as easy as just saying yes to an invitation to a local event, even if it is short notice and you have nothing to wear (haha!). As you may have read in my last post, this week has been full of full fashion related events and opportunities to network and hand out some business cards. I've been reaching out to more and more local bloggers and people working in the industry locally here in Portland, who have turned me on to some great opportunities, one of which I was lucky enough to attend last night! 

Earlier this week I ran into my friend Kristina at a different event, she creates for the blog Visual Treasure Hunt, amongst a myriad of other things she does (girl is the ultimate boss babe!). Kristina told me about the Portland Fashion and Style Awards that were only a few short days away, and urged me to go with her and a few other bloggers. Of course the first thing that went through my mind was, would I have enough time to find an amazing outfit?! But of course I was like DUH, I NEED TO BE AT THIS EVENT. 

Cut to last night, of course everyone was dressed up in their Portland best, which may be a little different (or a lot different) from many other larger city's award shows, but Portland for sure has one of the most interesting and creative fashion scenes in the country (aside from NY, in my opinion of course). Luckily I found this cute velvet dress the previous day, I envisioned it with a white bootie and that was as far as I had gotten but as I was getting ready I threw on my signature, leather moto jacket (who else has a lucky item of clothing?!)  and a metallic statement clutch and just went with it. 

There was a red carpet with a step and repeat

so lots of photo ops of which you'll see on my Instagram (obviously we shot the look seperately for this post) we also were interviewed for a magazine which I can't remember the name of now but I will post the interview when I find it! Kristina knew more people that I did so she introduced me to some really cool and interesting designers and creators who I hope to see more of at future events! 

The show was so fun! Hosted by local drag queen, and nonprofit volunteer, Poison Waters, who made an otherwise long and boring awards show hilarious and entertaining to watch. A few of the categories that were recognized included: best fashion publication, best fashion wardrobe stylist, best female and male model, there were awards for salons, local boutiques, photographers, fashion designers, amongst many others. You can imagine the length of the show. 

Overall I had an amazing time, and my outfit turned out better than I could have planned even if I had more that 3 days to do it! I can't wait to go back next year! 

As always, thanks for reading! 

xo

Chenille and Ripped Jeans

Sweater: EXPRESS, Jeans: HERE, Shoes (sold out): similar and on sale HERE, HERE, and HERE  

THE PERFECT FALL OUTFIT

This week has been extra busy, full of amazing events! I think since I started blogging this has been the busiest I've been between blogger meetings, the Create & Cultivate panel, and the Portland Fashion and Style Awards (in a few days), amongst others! I've been having the time of my life and I couldn't be happier that I've gotten the opportunity to be a part of these amazing gatherings. I've exchanged information with more creative entrepreneurs than I can count on my fingers and toes combined and I'm excited to cultivate these relationships and business partnerships! 

That being said, there has been much outfit planning and preparation going into this weeks festivities and I was happy on my off days to wear something a little more casual. Cue this fabulous chenille sweater! This cutie is SO comfortable, and comes in so many fun colors it was hard for me to choose! As most may know, I used to lean (heavily) toward only neutrals (namely, black) for essentially everything in my wardrobe, but when I became pregnant I had the opportunity to branch out with some fun maternity pieces because I knew they wouldn't be permanent staples in my closet. Needless to say, I wish they were! I had so much fun with color I decided to begin wearing more of it regularly, after my little one was born too. Color is so much fun and I realized it isn't something to be scared of. Also (SUPER IMPORTANT) there's no such thing as "I can't pull this color off" or "that color doesn't suit me" I don't believe in those sayings and I think if you like the damn color, wear the damn sweater! On the other hand I'm super guilty of saying things like "that color looks great on you!" or "this is SO your color" I guess I need to take my own advice and stop saying that since I really believe anyone can wear any color (except skin colored leggings, please don't wear those).  I get so many comments like that on Instagram, and nothing drives me more nuts. I think becoming a mom helped me to realize that you can essentially do anything and style is no exception (plus all modesty is gone anyway, so why worry about anything, especially something as significant as the color of your shirt?)

Once I overcame my irrational fear, when I stopped really caring what anyone else thought of my outfits, fashion became even MORE fun (didn't even know it was possible, honestly) and my wardrobe became more well-rounded and exciting. I wasn't looking at ten white shirts that all looked the same, or 25 pairs of black jeans. I got to look at my pieces and discover amazing colors and textures and prints, of course I still like my black jeans but I've added denim with more interest... distressing, embellishments, etc. And who ever knew that it is actually easier to create an outfit with color and patterns than it is an all black ensemble?! Yeah. I never would have know either. 

Ok, ok I'll get back to this outfit. 

TOP TREND OF 2017: CHENILLE EVERYTHING

I knew I wanted to jump on the Chenille trend ASAP. I've loved anything soft since I was a little one, my mom can vouch for this as she reminds me when I was young, once she felt a little hand tugging on the side of her velvet dress feeling the fabric. I've always loved interesting textures and fabrics so Chenille was a no-brainer, and I'm stocking up majorly so when they're no longer on trend I'll have back stock for a long time (haha).

I'm not going to lie, I saw this on a few people before I went to try it on. I wasn't sure if it would be TOO cropped on me since I'm a giant and often cropped sweaters show too much and defeat the purpose of keeping me warm, which is important in the Pacific Northwest. The color is AWESOME, and such a rich hue of pea soup (HAHA), I was instantly obsessed, I actually ordered the hot pink and the cream later on since they went on sale a day later.

These jeans are also from Express and although I ordered the tall thinking I was tall enough, I had to cut the hems to make them about a foot shorter (does my sarcasm translate through here?) so if you're shorter than a giraffe (5'9") order the regular length. The distressing is perfect though, just the right amount and the jeans are a really BLACK, black which can be hard to find sometimes. 

Sorry, the shoes went on sale and sold out in about 5 minutes, but I'll link some others that are almost identical and just as cute! But if you have yet to get a pair of leopard shoes this season, just pick up a pair already! It is such an easy, fun, statement trend that anyone can rock. Just do it. 

I guess I should stop rambling, I feel like my posts are much wordier in the AM when I'm working and drinking my coffee at the same time. Let me know your thoughts below, if you think anyone can wear anything they want, or if you just liked the outfit (or not) I want to hear from you!

xo

Scarf: here

...and a cute baby to end the post.

Bye!

Perfect Plaid Dress For Fall

Happy November!

I love this month, it's Scorpio season, I'm a November baby and I am so in my element this season. Can you believe this year is almost over?! It's been quite eventful to say the least. Had a baby, bought my first ever new car, quit my job to become a stay at home/work from home mom, started blogging full time, the list could go on fo eva! 

My sister and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and shoot some fall looks. It was the first Halloween in 10 years that it didn't rain here in Portland, and it could not have been more perfect outside for photos. We had a lot of fun with this shoot so get excited for some goofy pics mixed in.

This plaid dress has been on repeat lately, and it's super affordable, but almost sold out so hurry! It was a great transitional piece for when it was still warm out and now I can pair it with tights through the fall! I'm also featuring this AMAZING scarf. For some reason it's not available online yet (I'll let you know on Instagram when it is!) so here's a similar one in the meantime! It is actually the softest thing I own, and Stella loves to snuggle into it when I'm holding her, it's too cute! 

THESE. If you are looking for the perfect bootie, you need these ASAP! I searched for ever for a brown bootie for fall and these fit the bill perfectly! They're also under $90, and extremely comfortable. I just ordered a second pair in black!

Thanks for reading! Get excited for lots on new fall content com ing your way very soon! 

Where Have I Been? + Huge Instagram Round-Up!

Soooooo...

I've been gone for a minute, and I'm sure if you follow me on any of my social media outlets you know that I had a baby! I'm sure even if you just follow me through my blog you most likely gathered that was what had happened based on the timeline of my pregnancy updates. Well, I'm back now and I plan to get back on track with a good routine of posting. Now that baby girl is two months old (HOW?!), and Dustin is back at work after his bonding leave, I'm really working hard on getting myself back into a good daily routine with my little one!

I recently went through a little internal conflict with myself and posting pictures of the baby bean on social media. I really want my family to be able to see pictures of her if they aren't able to see her often in person, but I was feeling a slight unease posting her to a public profile with thousands of followers. I've spent the good part of a year growing my social media account and it was a little sad to start over, but it was also nice to begin with a clean slate and have an Instagram account devoted solely to style and my blog. And who knows, maybe some day I'll be more comfortable posting pictures of Stella on my public accounts, but for now you can catch snippets of her in my Instagram stories if you aren't a close friend or family. I've been spending my hiatus working on the beginning growth of this account and if you aren't following me over there, click HERE to head on over and check it out for daily outfit pictures! 

I figured I'd kick off my return with a good ol' Instagram round up! There will be more items linked here versus my ShopStyle account since they don't work with some of the brands I like to wear but I still want you all to be able to buy them even though I won't be gaining any commission out of it. On that note, make sure if you love something that you've seen me wear, click the links I post to purchase it! I only get a small portion of the sale, but now that I'm not working this is my sole income so if you want it and I don't have it link, just ask! I'll send it your way :)

Thank you all for being loyal followers and sticking around, I hope to continue to remain consistent for you all, and feel free to comment on this post and let me know what else you'd like to see in the near future! 

Keep scrolling for the Instagram round up->

Topshop TOP, Zella LEGGINGS, Nike Roshe SHOES

Shein Gingham SHIRT, AG JEANS, Sam Edelman SHOES

Asos striped TOP, Express distressed JEANS, Converse SHOES

Shein lace TOP, Blank NYC leather JACKET, Express distressed JEANS, Shoes similar HERE

Shein off-shoulder TOP, Topshop white JEANS, Marc Fisher ESPADRILLES

Shein gingham TOP, Articles of Society JEANS, Jimmy Choo HEELS

Asos SHIRT DRESS

Topshop bell sleeve SWEATER, Zella LEGGINGS, Marc Fisher ESPADRILLES

Chic Wish star SWEATER, Zella LEGGINGS, Target SHOES

Shein off shoulder ruffle TOP, Articles of Society JEANS, Shoes [sold out] another emboridered pair I love HERE

Topshop denim JACKET, Loft MAXI DRESS, Romwe HANDBAG, shoes [sold out] another pair I love HERE

Top [sold out] another favorite HERE, Zella LEGGINGS, Chloe HANDBAG, super affordable handbag dupe HERE, Romwe creeper platform SHOES 

Gentle Monster SUNGLASSES, Jcrew top [sold out] similar HERE, 

Karen Walker SUNGLASSES, Blank NYC leather JACKET, Topshop TOP, BooHoo PANTS, Nike SHOES

As always, thanks for reading!

xo

Julianne

The Best Maxi Dress

Had to put a closeup of this necklace because I need you all to stop what you're doing and order it ASAP! It is by far my favorite necklace I think I've ever owned. I wear it almost every day, and it's super affordable. Click here to purchase, it's under $50! 

This definitely doesn't look as precarious as it felt! 

Ok so I don't normally wear maxi dresses since I'm 5'9" and they usually fit me a little too short, but despite the length on this one (which isn't as bad as some that I've tried) I am in love with this Pink Blush dress! It is SUPER comfy, like I want to wear it to sleep, comfy. The color is perfect, and it comes in a bunch of other colors if the olive green isn't your cup of tea! I decided to pair it with my favorite necklace because I love gold and olive green together! These yellow mules are perfect for giving a little height but are still really comfortable to wear when pregnant (or otherwise for that matter), and I love the pop of color they give to this outfit. My belly button is officially showing through my clothes now, although it hasn't "popped out" like many people said it would. I still have an innie, people! There's four weeks to go though so I guess anything can happen in that time. 

xo

Summer Whites

My belly button is starting to show haha and yes, I made the rookie mistake of hairband on the wrist. Oops!

I'm totally obsessed with this cute white dress! I'm all about wearing crisp whites in the summer, and this year I'm loving white paired with denim. I ordered this Pink Blush dress in hopes to get it in time to wear to my baby shower, sadly it arrived two days after. That's okay, I still have plenty of time to wear it this summer! The great thing about the maternity dresses from Pink Blush is that they can also be worn after pregnancy and not look like a maternity piece! I know I already talked about this in my last post with this brand, but it excites me that I won't have to store away any of these beautiful dresses that I've gotten from their boutique when the baby is born. I'm totally going to continue wearing them all for as long as I can get away with! All of you non-pregnant babes can get away with wearing these Pink Blush pieces, but I also made sure to link this dress down below, it's one of my favorite white dresses that I own that I wore all the time pre-pregnancy. It's currently on sale for under $50 too!. I've featured this denim jacket before, it's my favorite denim jacket that I've had for going on four years now, and I still pull it out at least once a week. I'm also repeating these espadrilles (ultimate shoes of spring/summer 2017), can't get enough of these babies! Price per wear, totally worth it. Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend! It finally stopped raining here in Portland, and I'm excited to finally be able to go outside and enjoy the sunshine! 

xo

Pink Blush Florals

This week has been anything but eventful. It's Friday and I feel like I've gotten so much done, but I can't really remember DOING anything. Do any of you ever feel that way? Since I left my full time retail job about two weeks ago, I've been keeping busy with blogging full time, but I've also been planning for the baby and the baby shower, grocery shopping and making dinners every night, and keeping up on cleaning which is actually so much more time consuming that I imagined (haha). I really am enjoying not having to go into work anymore, and I can tell my pregnant body is thanking me for not being on my feet for 9 hours in heels anymore as well. 

That being said, I've definitely been putting less effort into my appearance. I've only been putting makeup on if/when I leave the house or when I'm taking pictures. Leggings and a t-shirt have been my go-to uniform unless I'm doing a photoshoot as well. Don't get me wrong, I love saving the extra time in the morning when I'm getting ready, but there's something to say for putting on a little makeup and a cute outfit (at least cuter than leggings) even if you're just staying home. Sometimes I feel this makes me MORE productive, as if I were getting ready to go into work. Also it saves me time later if I do end up having to leave the house for anything. Either way, I'm loving the reduced stress of not working retail and focusing solely on MY passions and what I want to do on a daily basis. I am so fortunate to be able to take this time for me before the baby arrives to reset, and plan. Trust me, I don't take it for granted one bit! 

I took some pictures the other day when it was in the 90's here in Portland. 90's. In MAY. Way too hot, but we found some shade and my sister was so kind to take the time to photograph this blog and the last blog for me. Thanks, Miranda! This cute dress is from Pink Blush, just like the previous post. I can't seem to get enough of their cute maternity dresses, and they definitely are helping me get out of my t-shirt and leggings rut when I just need to wear SOMETHING to feel cute. I've been choosing styles from their site that I know I can wear after pregnancy too, which is part of the reason this dress was so perfect. The tie around the waist will allow me to wear it at my post-pregnancy size, but also through the last few weeks (can you believe it?!) that I'm pregnant. Their clothes aren't just for pregnant mamas either, like I said they can be worn by any size, they just have those added details that make it easier to transition (stretchy material, ties around the waist, etc.) for those like me who will be fluctuating in size quite drastically in the coming months. You can access their website here to see the rest of their cute styles! Also, they're having a 25% off sale for the holiday weekend, site wide! Perfect time to check them out if you've been curious. I also wore these shoes that everyone is always asking about, well they are finally on sale, and under $100! Here is a link to my bag too, I featured this bag in this blog post not long ago, definitely a great affordable designer bag if you don't want to spend thousands!

Hope you all have an amazing weekend! We're gearing up for some birthday fun, and a third day off for Memorial Day! Plus it's supposed to be in the 90's again, woohoo! 

xo

The Perfect Lace Dress

Dress: PINK BLUSH, Shoes: MARC FISHER, Bag, CHLOE, Necklace: BAUBLEBAR, Hat (similar): RAG AND BONE

The weather this week has been SO amazing in Portland! We went from rain and cold, to sunny and 90 overnight, and I'm not complaining one bit about it. I am officially 23 weeks pregnant this week and I've been growing out of most of my summer clothes, I recently discovered an online brand called PinkBlush that carries super cute maternity clothes that are transitional to post pregnancy as well! I've had the hardest time getting myself to buy maternity clothes because they are pricey, and I know I won't be wearing them for more than a few months. Pink Blush is perfect for my shopping habits because I can wear the clothes during and after pregnancy without having to sacrifice style since they look nothing like traditional maternity clothes, they're WAY better! 

Since it is only about a week away from my baby shower, I decided to order a couple summer styles that I could potentially wear to my shower, and dress down to wear casually as well! I chose this cute lace dress and added some brown accessories to dress it down for a more casual look. I can just as easily add a pair of pumps to dress up the look as well! Stay tuned this week to see the second dress I chose from their website. I'd love to hear what you think about how I styled this look! 

Thanks so much for reading! Hope you all are having a wonderful start to the week.

xo

Casual T-Shirt and Camel Cardi

Necklace: BAUBLEBAR, T-shirt: TARGET, Leggings (maternity): TARGET, here are my favorite leggings when I'm not pregnant: NORDSTROM, Cardigan (similar): HERE, Booties: SAM EDELMAN, Bag (a new favorite!): MADEWELL

Today was a full day of baby shower planning and errands! I feel super accomplished, and much less anxious about my baby shower which is only a couple weeks away now. I can't believe how quickly it came up on us... it feels like only a second ago that is was still two months away. Everything about this pregnancy is going by SO fast!

It was so nice outside again today! I wanted to be comfy, but still put together, I threw on a t-shirt and leggings and decided to dress is up with this new layered gold necklace that I just got in the mail, and of course my favorite booties that you've seen a million times already! No shame. This cardigan is old, but I found a similar one for anyone interested, it's linked below! 

Thanks for reading, have a great week!

xo

Yellow Shoes and an Ice Cream Date

Jeans: EXPRESS, Shoes: SAM EDELMAN, bag (under $50!): GLAMOROUS, Top: similar HERE and HERE,

Today I wasn't feeling the greatest, between being almost 32 weeks pregnant and starting my day off with a bad headache, I spent most of the day laying on the couch registering for the hospital and signing up for pregnancy classes. I also got a nice long nap in before Dustin got home from work. He convinced me to get up and go for a walk and ice cream to see if it made me feel any better. DUH ice cream makes everything better! We walked by the river while we ate our ice cream cones, it was so perfect outside! 

I've been looking all over for the perfect yellow shoes that are compatible with my third trimester baby belly getting in the way of buckling or tying anything onto my feet, and these fit the bill. They aren't only easy to put on, they're super comfortable and reasonably affordable! In case you haven't noticed I've been on a shoe buying spree for the past few months since my feet are one of the only parts of my body that haven't expanded to the point that I don't know what to put on them, so shoes, shoes, and more shoes it is!

I'm wearing one of my favorite t-shirt dresses since it is long enough to cover the fact that my pants don't button or zip up (they aren't maternity, obv). I just scrunched it up to make it look like a shirt! Unfortunately it's no longer available, but I'll link some similar options at similar price points. I am so obsessed with these jeans, I got them to wear after the baby was born but I couldn't wait. They are super comfy and stretchy and under $100! 

Can we just talk about this woven bag?! I linked it in my last post as well, but I just can't get enough of it. I love all the color it adds to the most basic outfit and of course the poms are too cute!

I'm going to start dinner now, and then go to bed early. I hope you all are having a great week, thanks for reading!

xo