Tag Archives: spring fashion

NOLA hurrah – part 1

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Y’all (southern style), I am overdue for a post! I apologize for the delay; I was on vacation with my hubs and am now back to work and life! Thanks to lots of sunshine and warmth, I managed to snag some great photos and will post them over the course of the next few posts. I miss the sun, food, people, culture, music, and everything else already! But, everything’s not lost, I’ve got the memories and photos to share…

Dress: Voom via Thred Up ($7 retails for $100)

Shoes: Crocs (seriously, magical for walking 10+miles a day)  ($40 marked down from $60)

 

sunshine shades (of yellow)

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Sorry for delay in posts this week, readers! We had some bad weather, so it made it a little challenging to take photos outdoors without snow boots, mittens, and a giant down jacket (not so glam). But, hurray! Sunshine and warmth this weekend! I couldn’t resist sneaking some sun photos in throughout the weekend…

Our dog, Annabelle, couldn’t be happier to see the sun. Neither could I! I picked an outfit of sunshiny yellows to celebrate.

Top: vintage Carolina Herrara via thrift ($3) (shoulder pads and all!)

Blazer/jacket: Ann Taylor via thrift ($7, retails for approx $150)

Jeans: Levi’s ($88)

Necklace: Bauble Bar ($24 marked down from $38)

Boots: Not Rated via DSW ($50 marked down from $75)

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Fashion Huntress tips:

1) As I’m sure you know from reading the blog, I rarely buy anything full price. However, jeans are one of the rare items I tend not to try and find on sale (if I do it’s a lucky day indeed). I generally just buy one light pair and one dark pair and then rotate them. In the past, I had a bunch of pairs of jeans, but usually ended up wearing the same pair over and over because it was the one pair that I favored and fit me best. Now, I just keep a couple of pairs and wear them all the time- and save myself the trouble of finding a specific fit on sale. Of course, that’s just me! I’m impressed by anyone who can find their fav pair on sale! If you’re in downtown Chicago, the Levi store is on Michigan Avenue is totally worth a visit. My favorite salesperson is Alex- he’s super helpful and honest! 

2) I recently made my first purchase online at Bauble Bar (necklace featured above). I really like what I got, but I felt like the pieces were a little off in color from what I saw online. I also felt as though the scale and size was a little off from online too. However, in the end, I kept everything I got and, for the price, the quality was good. I think next time, however, I will likely measure out pieces before I order them, as clearly the scale and color was a little off (could be me, could be them, who knows). They also sell their jewelry at Nordstrom, so that might be an easier way to assess the size and colors of pieces. 

Anyone else have Bauble Bar reviews? Sending you sunshine and warm vibes from Chicago! Thanks so much for stopping by, readers!

from sevilla to chicago (black and white outfit and besties)

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Readers, it really warms my heart to share these photos with you today. They were taken by dear friend, Andrea of A Spoonful of Sugar Baking, who I met many years ago in Sevilla, Spain. Many moons ago, Andrea and I lived abroad together. Now back in our respective hometowns (Boston and Chicago), we have remained in contact and occasionally even get to visit in person! Our visit involved a lot of thrifting, photos, and snacking. It was a Sevilla to Chicago, black and white outfit and besties reunion- a joyful occasion indeed!

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Top: Ann Taylor ($5, retails for approx $60)

Skirt: TJ Maxx ($12 marked down from approx $50)

Blazer: Forever 21 ($5, retails for approx $40)

Necklace: Asos via giveaway from Windy City Wardrobe

Shoes: Chanel via consignment ($140, retail for approx $500)

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Fashion Huntress tips:

1) Finally! After many years of searching, I finally found a pair of Chanel flats on consignment. This was quite the search, and difficult to find a pair that was both my size and my price point! If you’re looking for a particular item, often times, staff will make note of what you are looking for and call you if anything comes in. I did not take this route, as I wasn’t aware of this option! But, now that I know, I think that’s a great way to save time if you’re on the hunt for something specific. 

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2) In an effort to convey “spring” in my looks, I’ve completely overlooked black and white spring looks! I think sometimes we all can think in a narrow way about our wardrobes: “spring is for pastels” or “no tights in spring.” But, really, anything goes! Black, white and neutrals can definitely be spring-y! If you’ve found yourself feeling limited in your “spring options,” consider broadening your horizons to encompass more of your closet into a variety of seasonal looks.

A big thank you again to Andrea of A Spoonful of Sugar Baking for her amazing friendship and photography skills!

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Andrea!

I hope everyone is having a good week! Thanks so much for stopping by; I appreciate it so very much!

jazzed in a jumpsuit

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Umm, I haven’t been this jazzed about a trend since I realized I could wear denim tops to work, readers. I decided I am LOVING the jumpsuit trend. For the record, I had tried on shorts/rompers many times in the past, before I realized I just feel more comfortable in a full length/pant jumpsuit. My fiance, J, is endlessly supportive of my quirky fashion, but he just could not get on board for this trend, noting, “you will definitely look back and question this one.” I laughed and decided he may be right…but, for real, today, I’m totally jazzed in a jumpsuit.

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Jumpsuit:Asos via giveaway from Windy City Wardrobe

Blazer: Elizabeth and James via Rue La La ($55 marked down from $500)

Shoes: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack ($50 marked down from $90)

Belt: Urban Outfitters ($5 marked down from approx $60)

Necklace: gift (from Anthropologie)

Purse: Nine West via the Nine West outlet in New Orleans, LA (approx $20 marked down from approx $75)

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Fashion Huntress tips:

1) To order a jumpsuit or a romper is pretty challenging due to the specificity of the fit of these types of pieces. However, once I busted out my tape measure and got really committed to using the “size chart” offered online, I was able to order this jumpsuit online and have it fit perfectly! I generally ignore the size charts online, to be honest, which, I know, is probably surprising and a bad habit! Size charts really do help with knowing whether a piece will fit and whether some basic alterations, on your end, will help ensure that your online pieces will fit like a glove. 

2) While many people can sport a jumpsuit/romper without a belt, I quickly identified that the no-belt look wasn’t going to work for me and my proportions.  Additionally, the blazer helped add a better sense of proportion and balance to the look.  Overall, the jumpsuit was one of the more challenging pieces I’ve styled, but I found that patience was key. Once I tried on a few belts, some heels, and various blazers, I was able to find a combination that looked professional and balanced. As with most trendy pieces, I highly recommend styling your challenging pieces by trying them on with a variety of combinations. The “flat lay on the bed” method just doesn’t seem to work for me when I’m styling a “trendy” piece. 

Anyone else have jumpsuit and/or romper styling tips? Thanks so much for stopping by, readers! I hope everyone had a good weekend!

surprisingly sewn

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I wouldn’t consider myself a seamstress by any stretch, readers, but I do like to sew. I decided it was high time to try and mesh my love of sewing with my love of fashion- the outcome? My first-ever handmade grown-up skirt. Admittedly, it has what I would call some “structural issues” mostly because I had to sew it on myself (patterns? eh. that seemed complicated) and then hem it while half way on (again, this is what happens when you don’t use a pattern), but nonetheless, this bad boy is my first creation! I think my pride in having done something I hadn’t done before outweighs any structural issues there may be. Belts really help make a lot of things work, right? Anywho, my point is that it’s really fun to surprise yourself sometimes and do something different. You never know ’til you try…

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Skirt: made it! (fabric $6 at Joann’s, had a coupon, of course!)
Top: Forever 21 ($20)
Tights: Hue via Nordstrom Rack ($3 marked down from $15)
Belt: Urban Outfitters (approx $5 marked down from approx $60)
Shoes: Express ($20 marked down from $70)
Necklace: Vintage via resale ($6)
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Fashion Huntress tips:
1) Clothing DIY is a great way to use creative energy and try new things. However, I’ve noticed that fabric can really add up, so I like to remember that it’s not always the most cost effective way to obtain new clothes. On the other hand, I always use coupons at places like Joann fabrics. Their app has daily coupons for 40-50% off any cut of fabric. Additionally, the creative part of it is well worth the cost of the fabric. I’m guessing skirts must be the easiest thing to make and take minimal fabric, though shout-out to any of the sewers that read the blog. I’d love your feedback and tips!
2) Denim is a big staple for me. I would pretty much wear denim daily if I could. With all the patterns that are popular right now, denim is an easy way to wear bold patterns in a more casual way. Because I cannot wear denim pants at work, I tend to collect denim tops instead. I recommend having one light version and one dark. Gap is known for their denim, and tend to have great sales on all of their denim (pants, jackets, tops). I also like Forever 21 and Old Navy for denim- they both have denim that is surprisingly very durable!
Anyone have denim tips? Sewing tips for a novice like me?
Thanks so much for stopping by, readers! I appreciate it an all of your tips and feedback!