Simple Stripes

Spring seems to be coming late this year, so I feel like my outfits lately have been very casual and basic. I cannot wait until it is full on "dress every day" time!!! Both of these looks feature striped tops, which are great staples to have. Layers and unique details makes it all feel a little less "blah".

Look #1

Striped Turtleneck - JC Penney

Lucky Brand Vest - TJ Maxx

Black High Rise Jeggings - American Eagle

Mi.Im Floral Slip Ons - Zulily

Anthropologie Long Tassel Necklace - found at TJ Maxx

Look #2

Puella Turtleneck Swing Tank - Anthropologie

Zuma Necklace - Anthropologie

Free People Look-a-Like Duster - TJ Maxx

High Rise Jeggings - American Eagle

Sandals - Payless

Current Obsession : Twofer Dresses

I am currently obsessed with these two-tone dresses, so I thought I would feature a few on here. I find myself gravitating more and more toward simplicity. These are great because they are effortless but polished. You can mix a lot of different accessories with them, and they are a bit more elevated than a solid color dress since they give the illusion of 2 pieces. I would have included the dress I wore in yesterdays post, but that one was 3 colors. Same idea, whether it is solid colors or either the top or bottom is a print.

 

I've been a little late to the Fixer Upper party. But since watching it, I, like everyone else quickly fell in love with Joanna Gaines! Many of the ladies on the Anthro boards I am on comment on what pieces she wears that are Anthro, and as you can imagine they sell out and then go for an arm and a leg on eBay. On the left, you'll see her wearing a simple Bordeaux dress. The look-a-likes I found lack the miniscule cap sleeve, but I am loving them. The one pictured is a midi length from Old Navy last year, and I found a full maxi at TJ Maxx (unfortunately, no longer on their site). I am sure there are a ton of other versions out there.

Loft is currently offering the Duet Dress, which is a delight!

An Anthro goodie from a few years ago, that was brought to my attention on one of the resale boards. So check there, eBay, or any of the other resale sites for Edme & Esyllte's Freya Dress.

Decorating : What the Duck?!?!

So as with any of my decorating posts, I definitely can see a "theme" in things. I just hope I am doing a good job in spacing things out in a purpose like manner, to avoid anything looking too "overdone". I might as well just say I am a lover of all bird things, with a special affinity for peacocks, owls and ducks. Above are some vintage decoys in a crate next to our front door (see original post here). 

The yellow duck above, and green duck below, are currently on my mantle. Several years ago, I got my Dad a Father's Day gift at the Meijer Gardens gift shop. It was a duck similar to this named Alan. The company was "dcuk", and we've admired him ever since. When the Antique Mercantile opened up I found these two guys in one of the booths there. You can see the color scheme of my mantle here, however I am still playing around with incorporating our new friends and not quite sure of the placement yet.

This handmade, carved duck was a Salvation Army find for 99 cents! See original post here. 

A couple of brass ducks that were "picked" and sold at the booth.......

A couple of duck baskets hold essentials near the kitchen sink. Another Salvation Army find when we were shopping for Richard's bed (see post here).

And, a duck basket for sale at the booth. Are you seeing a pattern here? One for me, one for the booth, one for me, one for the booth....... 

Jeweled Bugs

Being a lover of jeweled bugs (as shown in this post), I totally fell in love with this top from Banana Republic. They have 2 other styles available, as well as some accessories. When I snagged mine, it was during a 40% off sale. I kept it all in the blue family with dark flares but a sleeveless chambray in a lighter blue to break it up. I've got a lot of other ideas on how I want to wear this statement piece!

Jeweled Basketweave Pullover - Banana Republic

Sleeveless Chambray Button Up - TJ Maxx

a.n.a. High Rise Flare Jeans - JC Penney

St. John's Bay Anorak Jacket - JC Penney

Mossimo "Jessica" Boots - Target

Jessica Simpson Sunglasses - TJ Maxx

Get the look for Less : Meijer does it again!

What are you doing to me Meijer? I am supposed to be procuring meals for my family. And, I don't know, a never ending supply of diapers. But you keep distracting me! Luring me into the clothing section. Really though, it is right in front so there's no way to get anywhere else without walking by.

My latest find is yet another Anthropologie look-a-like. The Smocked Swing Tank by Dolan (shown left below) was offered up about this same time last year, for $68. It's final markdown price was $19.95 and it resells on eBay for about $50.

Meijer's version is by their Falls Creek brand, and it retails for $22. Watch those sales too - this past week they were offering buy one, get one 50% off. The front is a really soft, satiny material for optimal flowy-ness. I plan to wear this untucked, tucked in, belted...... alone or under a jacket or sweater........ it's a blank slate for a long necklace or a statement necklace. I really cannot say enough good things about this elevated basic! Anthropologie offered 4 colors from what I can tell, and so does Meijer - although I believe theirs are more deep, jewel tones. This lovely magenta, olive green, teal (peacock) blue, and navy blue. The other thing that I've forgotten to mention in my previous posts about Meijer, is that most items are offered in both regular and plus sizes!

Meijer's buyer must be an Anthropologie fan, from the way I have seen their clothing go the past few years. So when are you going to pick one (or two) of these up? I may ALWAYS forget something on my grocery list. but apparently I never forget what Anthropologie carried!

A Case of the Blues

Clippings from recent mailers I've gotten.

 

I've got a case of the blues. And no, not what you are thinking..... although it is snowing today and it is making me damn crabby! Blues as in denim! I recently did a post on building your denim wardrobe, and am feeling good about my *now full* jean collection. You are probably sick of me going on and on about how I became a chambray shirt believer a few years ago, and you know I adore my denim jackets which are true staples I could not live without! So why the need for more? Well, for one, I just keep coming across the most amazing pieces without even trying. Secondly, I know how much wear I get out of what I currently own, so it's a no brainer to pick something up when it is flattering and budget friendly. Our jeans go with everything, we already know that. We can throw a denim jacket on over most anything. A chambray top will pair with just about any bottom - pants, skirt, or even over a dress. A denim dress is just a blank slate for a myriad of accessories! Denim skirts...... gotta be careful with these so you don't look like Michelle Duggar! The one pictured above (Chaps at Kohl's) is really cute, but make sure you can pull it off! Anyway, I've chosen to go into further detail in 3 ways below:

 

Get The Look For Less:

Y'all know I love me some Anthropologie look-a-likes! When I saw this dress (Holding Horses doppelganger) in the Younkers ad, I knew I had to check it out. I am so glad I did! The material is sooooooo soft, and it flows beautifully. I plan to belt it when I wear it. By the time the sales and coupons added up, I think I paid around $50 for it. Sold out in a few sizes online, but here is the link anyway. My local store had a lot of them, and I am sure Younkers would be willing to do a find/send.



Something Old / Something New:

Maeve's Draped Denim Dress was sold at Anthropologie back in 2010. But thanks to the Buy/Sell/Trade boards I am a part of, I was able to snag one now. It is super flattering, and I have so many belt, cardigan, shoe options floating around in my head it is too much to count! This year, Holding Horses is offering the Seamed Denim Dress (again at Anthropologie). I have tried this on, and it too is sooooooo good for my pear shape. Fits like a dream! I have my eye on it........ In my clippings above, I pulled a Tommy Hilfiger number. I feel like if these 2 dresses below had a baby, that is what it would look like. Here are links to it at Younkers and Macy's if you are interested.



Sleeveless Tops:

Here are a couple of chambray tops I really like right now.

Sonoma from Kohl's.

Levi's Peplum from JC Penney.

The peplum flare out more than is shows, in my opinion, which I like.

Do you have a case of the blues?

Go with the flow.....

There are days when I gravitate toward simple basics that are easy and comfortable. But I like basics that have special details or twists to them, to add interest to an otherwise "plain" outfit. Here, I choose long and loose layers:

Sleeveless Chambray Top with H-Low Hem : Meijer (from this post)

Ribbed Maxi Cardigan : Free People (one of my favs)

High Rise Black Jeggings : American Eagle

Black Booties : Sole Society

Jessica Simpson Sunglasses : TJ Maxx

Necklace : made by me

Get the Look for Less : Denim Culottes

A few years ago, I treated myself to a very unique pair of jeans. I had never seen anything like them before. Even on sale, it was more than I would normally pay for jeans. But when I got them, I never regretted my purchase. They were incredibly soft and well made. I knew they would be the kind of jeans you would keep forever and would get better with age. I touched a little bit on these special pieces in my denim post.

 

Unfortunately, after having Carson my body changed so much that I truly do not know if I will ever fit in them again. Luckily though, over the years I have seen retailers jump on this style. I know H & M and Urban Outfitters carried them a while back, but I missed out. Anthropologie is carrying them again this season, even in black! They are the same brand I had.... Citizens of Humanity (shown below).

The reason I decided to do this post though, is because I have seen these turn up all over the place lately! And are they ever affordable (all under $50 when you hit up the sales). Here are the links to what I have found, from left to right.

 

Festival Crop Jean - American Eagle

a.n.a. Denim Culotte Cropped Pant - JC Penney

High Rise Released Hem Denim Culotte - Express

Stylus 5 Pocket Denim Gaucho Pant - JC Penney



I am glad to replace one of my favorite pairs of jeans - in a different size - at such a great price! I love this look, but I know not everyone likes the hippie/boho vibe. I have seen denim culottes without the ripped hem too, so if that is more your style they will be a plenty this season as they are one of the biggest trends. Good luck in your shopping adventures!