Cutouts & A Rant

(Click picture to shop)

Cutouts are everywhere you look these days. From shirts to shoes to bags, you just can't get away from this fun trend that is perfect for spring and summer.

I've focused on a cute little button-up shirt to show you a few different ways that you could wear this trend.

(Click here to shop)

(Click here to shop)

I can definitely see myself wearing all of these outfit sets, but my favorite is probably the last. I don't usually wear skirts and when I do, they tend to be made of leather. This little flippy skirt is so cute, though, and I love the chunky heel shoe with it as well.

Now on to my rant:

Lately I've decided that I want to start embracing pieces that I don't typically wear. I seem to always stay stuck in the same fashion rut and I'm itching to shake free from it. I love classic pieces but I have always been drawn to funky/edgy pieces as well. I think it is time that I (and all of us) should stop caring about what others think of what we wear. Who cares if people don't like it? If you like it then that is all that matters. 

I ordered a dress a little while ago that is SO me but is something I normally wouldn't buy for myself. I think it was one of those, 'Oh this is a little too out there for some people,' but then I thought to myself, 'Who cares?!' I love it and it won't be for everyone but, like I said, it doesn't matter. 

This isn't to say that I don't love classic, girly pieces. I love every single piece pictured above and would wear them in an instant. I think the point that I'm trying to make is that I'm tired of holding back from things that I love because I worry about what others will think. Does that make me insecure in a way? Maybe. But I think we might all have that feeling within us.

Embrace who you are. Wear whatever you want. And if someone doesn't like it, too bad, so sad.

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.

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 - 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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Stripes and Dots

Loft blouse, F21 blazer, pants, and earrings, Steve Madden clutch, Shoedazzle heels (here)

I feel like I am getting a little braver when it comes to mixing prints. I am definitely one of those girls who naturally pairs a solid color shirt with printed bottoms but I am trying to step outside of my comfort zone by mixing more prints together. It definitely gives me more options for outfits, and that is a good thing.

Sometimes writing a blog post can be difficult. Don't get me wrong, I love my blog. It's just that I'm sitting here trying to think about what I'm saying while my two boys are fighting. They are both at the age now where they irritate each other. I don't know how many times I have said, "Stop making your baby brother cry!" to my four year old. I've also gotten up a couple of times from my chair to pull them off of the curtains. And the four year old is now standing on the ledge of the window. 

Now when I really stop and think about it, yes, it is sometimes annoying when kids fight, whine, and cry. But at least my little boys are alive and healthy. You see, a week ago, my family lost a very special woman. My step-sister suffered her whole life from Epidermolysis Bullosa. It is a rare skin condition that causes open sores over the body. To someone who has never seen a person with EB, they may mistake them for a burn victim. They suffer from chronic on-going pain, they have to have their bandages changed daily, and often their fingers and toes end up fusing together.

I've watched my mom and her husband (her high school sweetheart) of three years take care of my step sister with nothing but love. Never once did I hear them complain. My mother grew to love her as one of her own and has been devastated by this loss.

Sometimes I struggle with what to share on my blog. Yes, it is a fashion blog, but behind the images is a real person who deals with issues just like the rest of the world. I think sometimes we get so used to seeing just pictures of people that we sort of forget that the person is actually real. I've struggled with whether or not to share this aspect of my life but then I realize how many people I connect with daily. Just by sharing this story with you, I have hopefully made you aware of something you may not have known before. If you want to learn more about EB, please click here. 

Coincidence

F21 blouse, pants, and earrings, Lazaro clutch, Shoedazzle c/o heels (here)

When we showed up to Mass on Saturday, I found my mother-in-law and sat down beside her. When we bring both boys with us, the hour goes by a little easier when she is there to help us. I glanced over at her and realized that we were wearing the exact same colors. She had on a sweater the exact same shade as my blouse and her jeans were the exact color of my pants. It was pretty funny and we couldn't stop laughing about it for a while. 

Well, you know how I am when I get a new pair of shoes; all of my other shoes get neglected. Expect to see these babies frequently because I am in LOVE!

Have a great day!

Wallis Contest and Flashback Friday

Blazer c/o Wallis (here), Worthington top via JCP, A.N.A jeans (here), Shoedazzle heels (here), Aldo clutch

Let me fill you in on a little contest that I am a part of. A U.K. clothing company (Wallis) contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would like to be in a contest with other bloggers to become their U.S. Ambassador. Of course I said yes. I am so excited that I have even been selected for this competition. There are 27 other bloggers and they are all amazing women with great blogs. I was a little shocked that they wanted to include little ole me in the mix!

I chose this blazer from Wallis and I love how the stripes go with this blouse. You all know that I'm obsessed with black and white. It was the only obvious choice for me.

Here is the deal. The five girls with the most votes will be the contenders for the grand prize (a trip to London and a year of working to promote Wallis in the U.S.). So that means that I have to get in the top five. Please help me out by voting! You start by liking the Wallis facebook page here. Then you look on their page for the purple box that says 'blogger ambassador contest' and click it. A little pop-up by Offerpop will come up and you have to accept it in order to go to the page to vote. Look for Fashion and Beauty Finds, click the link which takes you to another page and VOTE. Thank you so much to all who have been voting already and I hope I can get more votes. Let's get in the top five!!

Here is my post from one year ago today:

Read post here

Ah, the trip to Vegas. I had a blast hitting up my favorite stores in the mall. I remember that I made my husband go with me to H&M as soon as we got to Vegas. I picked out this look and we went to dinner where I about face-planted in my meal because I was so exhausted. Good times.

Have a great weekend!

* Don't forget that you can vote every 24 hours for me until Tuesday. Thanks!

Neutrals

F21 top, H&M blazer, Frock Candy pants, Nine West heels, Urban Expressions clutch, sunglasses (here)

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a good, restful weekend. I was on spring break and while I thoroughly enjoy my job, it was nice to let my brain rest. 

I picked up these Nine West heels on sale a few weeks ago and fell in love. They are suede so to me they feel like a 'winter' shoe but I will wear them all year long if I want. Who said we had to follow any kind of fashion rule?

I had a reader ask about how I style my hair this way so I will have a post devoted to that very thing on Thursday. I've also had another reader (a few weeks ago) ask about how I do my top knot. I'll make sure I explain as best as I can. I'm pretty flattered that anyone would want to know about my hair. 

***

Please please please with a cherry on top be so sweet and go vote for me in the Wallis Ambassador Contest. Go like their page here, make sure you accept the little pop-up and look for my picture, click it, then vote. The winner gets flown to London. Hello, LONDON! Is there any place cooler? I would SO appreciate your help! 

AND, I've got a little surprise for you all tomorrow... Have a great day!

* Congrats to Amy Michaels for winning the Sephora gift card! Amy, watch for an email from me!