Denim on Denim

Yep, that's right - I am in head to toe denim! I had always thought that wearing an all denim outfit was a fashion faux paux, but apparently no longer. Seriously, if you look at sites like J. Crew, Madewell, and The Gap, this is the look. The key here is to vary your shades, and of course, my top is chambray so it's a bit different texture. I'm not going to try to claim credit for this outfit..... the top was my Anthropologie via TJ Maxx find, and when I was looking at it on the Anthropologie website I pinned the look you see at the end. I even tried the half tuck thing I was having a hard time with previously. Good Lord, look at me...... I am really jumping on the trend bandwagon lately, investing in pieces I normally would not have looked twice at (and LOVING them). Colored jeans, chambray, moccasins...... You know what they say, if you see something long enough, it grows on you. If you see me sporting those wedge high top sneakers though, kick me in the a$$ would ya? Those things are so fugly! Thanks.

 

Daydrifter Denim Tee - Anthropologie or TJ Maxx

A.N.A. Jeggings - JC Penney

Candies Sandals - Kohl's

Necklace - made by me

Case of the Mondays

Ahhh, Office Space - LOVE that movie! I think a lot of people had a case of the Mondays today. Oh well, nothing a bright outfit and a smiling 2 year old can't fix! Wearing:

Annalise Top - Matilda Jane
Apt 9 Crops - Kohl's
Gomex Sandals - Zulily
Roberta Chiarella Necklace - her site or Anthropologie

Mom Shoes

You might notice that I am usually teetering around on some pretty serious wedges. While wedges do offer more security than say, stiletto heels, there is still the danger of walking on uneven ground when you wedge starts to tilt sideways and you almost roll your ankle. Come on, I know it's happened to you. Now that my son is growing and becoming more mobile and independent, I have quickly realized that I need to invest in some "Mom" shoes. You might be thinking, "why don't you just wear your gym shoes on the weekends?" Well, because this gal does not wear gym shoes unless she is in the gym. Sorry, just can't. Any, unfortunately, all of the cute little ballet flats out there just DO NOT work with my bone structure. You see, the bone on top of my foot which leads down to my big toe is always pinched where the edge of the shoe is. So while you may scoff at the heights of my footwear, they truly are what is most comfortable to me.

I do have that ONE pair of flat gladiator sandals that you'll often see me in here. They are truly my favs and I hate to think about the day when they fall apart. I need to give them a rest. Plus, they aren't the best for the Spring or Fall transitional weather. One of my very good friends is a Minnetonka lover, and several blogs I follow have been promoting Minnetonka. When I was growing up and we took our family vacations in Northern Wisconsin, OF COURSE I had Minntonkas! It wouldn't be the same if you didn't pick out a new pair each year, with the seed bead Native American design on the top! So, I thought, why not go back to my roots and get some Minnetonkas? Am I glad I did! They are so comfy, I feel like I am wearing slippers!

This cute navy blue pair gives a great nautical feel........

Porridge "Gabby" Sweatshirt in Navy/Rope Print - Anthropologie
(*thin t-shirt material, but sweatshirt style)
Simply Vera Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans - Kohl's
Ship Necklace - Forever 21
Apt 9 Aviator Sunglasses - Kohl's
Boat Moc in Navy - Minnetonka (found these at TJ Maxx)

Deco

Today, I remixed my Deco Palazzo Pants (seen previously here) with a belted chambray and my newish wedges (seen previously here). Sorry for the wrinkles - can't help it sitting at a desk all day!

Harlyn's Deco Palazzo Pants - Anthropologie
Nine West Chambray Button Up - TJ Maxx
Belt - taken off a dress from Kohl's
Apt 9 Aviator Sunglasses - Kohl's
Dolce Vita Jury Wedges - TJ Maxx

Impromptu Afternoon

Yesterday was kind of a weird day..... We were awoken by the sounds of a huge storm. It poured all morning. It was the kind of rain where, when it stops, it looks so lush and green outside. That's probably what inspired me to wear this greenish outfit. I've been wearing this color green a lot I've noticed.

Anyway, I took the afternoon off to spend some much needed time with my husband. We had a lunch date and I firmly believe that you should never stop courting your spouse. Hence, the fact that I am always excited to dress up for him - even if it's just lunch.

This maxi dress is from Tommy Hilfiger, and I bought it at the same time I bought this shirt. Same print, but 2 different pieces and 2 different background colors? I just couldn't decide so I got both.

From dressing up, to dressing down, we took our son to the County Fair in the evening. He sure loves animals! And I sure love getting some fair food once a year! We finished up right before another storm rolled in.

And speaking of lush and green...... even though I don't have a fashion deal for you today, I do have a landscaping deal. We were at Lowe's over the weekend, and this corner trellis was marked down to $9 from $69!!! I tried to find it online, but could not, so head on over to your local Lowe's to pick one up! I wish we had is assembled and planted for pictures, but this will have to do for now.

"Stacking" up the Deals

I fell off the radar there on my good deals posts, but I am back again today with one. Today's focus? Some super sweet wedges! And, once again, TJ Maxx comes through (I have had the best luck there lately). While browsing the clearance shoe section, these unusual sandals caught my eye. Upon further inspection, I saw they were the Dolce Vita brand that Anthropologie carries. What did I like about them? The strappy design across the feet, especially around the ankles. The camel colored leather, which wraps around the entire wedge. The fact that they were comfortable, despite not looking like it. Once again in the back of mind I thought I had seen something like this at Anthropologie. And sure enough, when I got home I found them to be the Strapped Angles Wedges. Since these are no longer available on their website, I did a little more searching to find that even when they went on sale, they were $49.95. That leads me to believe the retailed for at least $100. Dolce Vita still has them on their website for about $65 (originally $99). What did I pay at TJ Maxx?

$25!!!

 

For real leather sandals that have great quality and workmanship? You can't beat it!

What else am I wearing?

 

Simply Vera Distressed Boyfriend Jeans - Kohl's

Brown Tank - Old Navy

Skippers and Sulphers Jacket - Anthro

Necklace - JC Penney

Apt 9 Aviators - Kohl's



Today's Deal

Continuing my week of good deals, today's spotlight is on this lovely necklace. Again, an Anthropologie piece (the Ocean Bauble Bib which retails for $68). As soon as I saw it on the website, I was in love. Statement piece? Check! Ombre colors? Check! These turquoise and mint colors are easily my faves. To find a better deal on this baby, I looked up the artist - Roberta Chiarella - to see if it was sold anywhere else. In fact, it was, right on her brand's website. It was the same price as Anthropologie, but I noticed two things. First, she had a large sale section with the same necklace in melon colors already on sale. Second, she offers a free necklace with every order! I mulled it over for a while.... getting a freebie certainly seemed like a good deal.

But then, my patience paid off as eventually the turquoise color moved to sale....... for $13.60!!!! 80% off!!!! Plus, the bonus free necklace (the free piece changes quite often, so check back often). By the time I paid shipping, I had 2 necklaces for $20!

While the turquoise color is currently sold out on the site, you can get even a third color combo - Chocolate - here.

A few weeks ago, Anthropologie had a jewelry sale. I think it was either 20% or 25% off. But even then, nothing could beat buying directly from the artist! Today, I paired this necklace with pieces I've already shown on the good ole' blog here. My mint jeans (Macy's) and chambray button up (TJ Maxx). See how easily you can dress up a simple jean/top combo! I'll show my equally cute Roberta Chiarella necklace (the freebie) here soon.

Sails and Sales

This week, I thought I would try to do several posts capturing some awesome deals I have found lately. Even though I have a lot of clothes, I almost never buy anything at full price. I am always looking for sales, coupons, price adjustments, better deals, etc..... It is one of my greatest thrills to get a good deal on something. However, this often takes some time and research. But, I've learned to be pretty good at it.

For example, today's top is what I want to focus on here. I was at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago, and this chambray tee-like top caught my eye. My mid-thirties, now Anthroesque eye. I thought to myself, "That looks like a top I've seen at Anthropologie." The brand sounded familiar too (like one they carried). So out comes my smart phone (haven't even had this thing a year yet and I already wondered how I lived without it) and I promptly found it on Anthropologie's website as the Daydrifter Denim Tee. Yep, it's the exact same shirt! On Anthro's website, the brand is Bella Dahl. At TJ Maxx, it is labeled Cloth & Stone. A bit more internet research, and I found out the labels are in fact, one in the same. Anthropologie is still retailing this shirt for $78. TJ Maxx price? $29.99

When Anthro does put this top on sale, I am guessing it will either be $29.95 or $39.95. But, who wants to wait? Not me. Even though I recently took the chambray plunge, the previously shirt I bought is a long sleeved button up and a darker wash. This one is more of a t-shirt style, a lighter wash, and softer than you can ever imagine! I am finally starting to see what all the fuss was about chambray! It is going to go with so much in my closet, firstly a nautical themed skirt!

Leifnotes Sailaway Circle Skirt - Anthropologie ($148 now down to $39.95)
Bella Dahl Daydrifter Denim Tee - Anthropologie (via TJ Maxx)
Ship Necklace - Forever 21 ($5)
Gomex Sandals - Zulily (under $20 if I remember correctly)

TJ Maxx had a lot of different styles of chambray shirts by the Cloth & Stone brand. Head on over there to snap up your deal!