Top Three - February

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Here are my top three looks for the month of February. I'm so glad that spring is right around the corner. I am looking forward to wearing a lot more bright colors like these in the near future. Of course, spring where I live only lasts for about three days before the blazing hot summer rolls in. 

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Keeping It Casual

F21 top and earrings, Old Navy vest and sunglasses, H&M jeans, New York Transit heels, Limited clutch, belt from
TJ Maxx, handmade necklace

This past weekend was pretty busy. We spent Saturday afternoon with my brother-in-law who came in to town for a visit. We went to lunch, to church, to dinner, and hung out a bit at my mother-in-law's house. For a weekend of running around, I kept my look very casual. I think this is actually the first time that this vest has made an appearance on the blog without some kind of jacket layered on top. 

Get your posts ready for tomorrow's Top Three link-up! The post should include your top three (your favorite or most popular) outfit posts from February. Please make sure that you link back to my blog. You must also be a follower of this blog.

I can't wait to see what you come up with. Have a great day!

Two Toned

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Everywhere I look, two-toned items are popping up. Mostly in accessories, the two-toned trend is a great way to bring some interest to your look without having to try. A bag or simply a pair of shoes is all you need to take a simple jeans and blouse look up a notch.

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Of course the two-toned trend is not limited to just shoes and accessories. You can find many dresses, etc., with color blocking already on them. If you are feeling creative, it isn't that difficult to create a two-toned look on your own. I am a huge fan of black and white but lately I have been drawn to bright colors. There isn't much guesswork when it comes to pairing bright colors together. Keep it simple and pair two bright colors together. Be careful about adding too many other bold colors, as you don't want the look to become busy.

Don't forget about the link-up happening this Thursday! Have a great day!

Jailbird

F21 blouse, dress, and earrings, Aldo clutch (here), heels from Target, sunglasses (here), Charming Charlie bracelet,
H&M belt (check your local store... only $6!)

My advanced tap class is dancing to Jailhouse Rock this year for their recital dance. I originally picked out an Elvis-type costume (with a cape and everything) with the intention of having them dance to You Should Be Dancing. I know, I know, two totally different eras. But I was having the hardest time coming up with a 70s-appropriate costume. Somehow the Elvis costume (minus the cape) could almost pass for a 70s costume (think white polyester, sequins, and flare pants). I guess the costume designer didn't realize how 70s it really looked. 

I had a change of heart and picked Jailhouse Rock at the last minute. I joked that had I known what song I would have ended up with, then we would have picked out black and white striped costumes instead. Oh well, better luck next time. Maybe I will wear this dress and crash their performance...

Have a great day!

Busy Bee

Asos Top, Francesca's blazer, Gap jeans (similar), Target heels (similar), Aldo clutch, sunglasses, Charming Charlie jewelry (except for F21 earrings)

I got to hang out with my sister and my sweet little niece (she is 3 months) this past weekend. My sister lives an hour away from me so we don't see each other as often as we would probably like. 

We started by meeting a mutual friend (and her sweet baby) for lunch at a sushi restaurant. Then we hit up a couple of boutiques and I helped her pick out some new clothes. It is always so exciting to shop after having a baby. I remember exactly how much fun I had after my babies... Sorry hubby.

Next Thursday will be the next Top Three link-up. Gather your favorite three outfit posts from this past month and make a post with them. Don't forget that you must be a follower of this blog, and kindly link back to it in your post.

Have a great weekend!

Styling Color

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On Tuesday, I shared with you some of my favorite colors for spring and some of my favorite pieces. While it's great to see new, fashionable choices every now and then, sometimes it is helpful to know how to wear them. 

With color you can be as subtle or as bold as you wish. For a bold approach, try wearing a bright color heel.  If you want to take it up a notch, try pairing a bright heel with another bright color in your pants, blouse, or a blazer. 

A more subtle approach to color would mean wearing a bright color necklace with neutrals, or perhaps just a bright nail color.

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Have a great day!

Bronzed

Francesca's blouse and earrings, F21 blazer, Loft pants, Target heels (similar), Limited clutch, bracelet from Dillards

I'd love to say that I titled this post 'bronzed' because of my super tan skin. The only bronzed beauty in this post is my new clutch that I picked up a week ago at the Limited for only $7. I realize that I don't really pay full price for anything anymore (with the exception of places like Forever21), which is nice. I love the thrill of finding something marked down 50 - 75% off. Sometimes you just have to dig, and sometimes it's just luck, but it's totally worth it.

Have a great day!

Color Love

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With spring just around the corner, it is easy to get excited about all of the new fun colors that are popping up in stores everywhere. Here are a few of my favorite things in fun, bold colors.

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1. Baublebar necklace - $34
2. Yellow pump - $40
3. Yellow clutch - $36.50
4. Sunglasses - $32

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1. Necklace - $10
2. Clutch - $31
3. Blue pump - $60
4. Essie polish - $8

(Click here to shop)

1. Orange pump - $60
2. Clutch - $26.50
3. Necklace - $36
4. Essie polish - $8

Have a great day!

Sunny Side Up

F21 blouse, sweater, blazer (option), necklace, bangle, and earrings, H&M jeans (check your local store), Old Navy sunglasses, Nine West heels, Lazzaro clutch (cute option), pink bracelet from Dillards

I found this yellow sweater last weekend at Forever 21 and I couldn't resist the bright sunny color. There is something so refreshing about wearing a bright yellow sweater after a long, cold winter. Well, long and cold for some people. I shouldn't complain about Louisiana winters.

Have a great day!

Safari Fringe

Tobi top, Old Navy vest, jacket, and sunglasses, Zara skirt, Steve Madden clutch (love this one), New York Transit heels, bangles from Dillards and Charming Charlie, F21 earrings

My husband and I took a quick trip last weekend to Dallas for Chinese New Year. He does Kung Fu and his school was doing a demo. I tagged along to watch, and to go shopping in the 'big city.' I was like a kid in a candy store! Forever 21, H&M, and Zara all under one roof just about had me jumping up and down with excitement. I will be sharing all of the fabulous things I found (like a clutch for only $7!) in future posts to come.

Have a great weekend!

Just Dance

That's me in the middle!

I had a reader mention the other day that she didn't know I taught dance. Dance has been such a big part of my life for the past fifteen years. I started late (at age eighteen) but loved it from the moment I started and was very serious about it. Of course starting that late in the game, I was pretty much guaranteed that I would not be 'professional.' At the time I desperately wanted to become a professional ballerina, despite my late start.

I'm so glad that God knows a lot more about what's good for me than I do. I struggled through ballet and pointe classes trying to make myself be the best. I thought I loved it but it was in jazz class that I felt 'home.' 

Now at almost 33, I realize that my passion has always been for jazz and I would never have been happy as a ballerina. I still take ballet classes every now and then because the foundation of any good dancer (or teacher) is ballet. 

Being a teacher is the best part about being a dancer. I realize that performing is not really for me (although I did dance in our recital last year and that was fun). I enjoy teaching my awesome girls and watching them grow each year. This year is my fifth year to teach and some of the girls were just little girls when I started. I've watched them grow into beautiful young women and am so impressed with how far they have come. I can't keep up with them!

Just one of the many awesome girls that I teach. My goal is to be as flexible as her by the end of the year!

Another one of my sweet girls. I can't get my leg up that high. Unless someone is holding it up.

It's never too late to start dance!