Categories
Fashion

Summer Closet Refresh

Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far!

At the start of the summer season, I did a bit of a closet refresher for some work clothes. Whenever I am out and about I always see what dresses or tops are in stock at Marshall’s or T.J. Maxx, but back in May, I made a trip to the outlets to get some deals and get a few clothing staples.

Here’s a bit of a summer clothing roundup of outfits I have been loving this season and wearing to work. This is a mix of dresses, tops, pants, and blazers. I got a number of items of clothing for the fall season too and will share those once the weather gets cooler, but why rush the warm weather and sunshine? We all know the cold weather will be here soon enough. 

Here’s some of my favorite new clothing items from a recent shopping haul.

J. Crew pink dress– Pink has been my go-to color for summer. I wore this dress for my birthday back in May and it has easily become a new favorite dress. I got it from J. Crew. It’s professional enough to wear to work, but could also be a great dress to wear to a bridal or baby shower, a cocktail hour or even a wedding depending on the dress code. Some of my favorite details include the V-neck top, and the flowly-ness of the bottom. You can dress it up with a pair of heels or dress it down with sandals. I would tend to dress it up for a fun summer occasion. 

J. Crew Coral Pants and White Blazer-I teased this outfit a few weeks ago, but here’s a full look of this blazer and pant combo. Both the white linen blazer and coral/pink pants are from J. Crew. The black and white top is a few years old from Calvin Klein.  I have been adding more blazers to my collection. So far, I have a black, navy, tan, red and now white blazer, all great colors to mix and match with dress pants. I think this white linen blazer is great for the summer season. I paired it with the pink pants which just makes the outfit fun, but you can pair this blazer with navy or black pants. 

These pants have been so fun to mix in with my wardrobe. I told you pink has been my color this summer. It can be a hard to find a top to go with a pair of bold pants, but I have found neutrals go best. I wore the black and white top with it, a plain black top and a plain white blouse. 

I typically go with neutral pants, but these bold pants are fun for summer and are professional too. Once again, I wore white heels from DSW to match the blazer and white piping in the top, but you can wear a neutral or even pop of color heel with them too. If you are looking for a more comfortable look, you can dress the outfit down with sandals or a white or black sneaker too.

J. Crew Sweater Set-This next look is a bit more conservative and would probably be best worn in the office. I love a classic sweater set and light blue has been my other go-to color this summer (remember the tennis skirt and dress from Amazon?). I love the matching short sleeve and long sleeve sweater. I am always cold no matter the temperature outside, you can catch me with a sweater on most days at my desk. This matching sweater set kills two birds with one stone, not only is it professional, but comfortable and you can shed a layer if the temperature changes through the day. Once again, I wore white pants with this sweater set, but you can wear navy blue pants or maybe even a tan, depending on the color. You can also match this sweater set with a navy skirt too.

Ann Taylor Floral Top-Back with the pink, but throw in some white. I really love Ann Taylor for their tops. They always have so many different prints and colors to add to a dress pant or even blazer combo. In this outfit, I paired this floral top with a pair of navy blue pants and heels. The top is sold out, but here is one similar. You can pair this top with a pair of white pants, black pants or even a neutral skirt. I love the colors in the top and the little bow too. This would work great for a day in the office as it pairs well with suits and skirts, but I still think you could pair with some capris if you want to elevate a casual look.

Ann Taylor Purple Top– When I saw the color of this top, I knew I had to get it. I have purple tops and pink blouses, but not this shade of the two. I am always on the hunt for bright tops and patterns, and this certainly checks the boxes. I actually have this same top in white and when you find something you like and that works for you, there’s no shame in getting it in another color or two. Unfortunately, it’s sold out, so I don’t have a link for it. Because it’s a brighter and bold color, I would recommend a neutral pant or skirt, white would be best in the summer and black would work well in the winter. As far as skirts go, any neutral works well. If you want to dress up a casual look, you can pair this top with some fun jewelry and capris (I would recommend white capris or jeans), then add some fun sandals or made a pair of cute sneakers.

That’s a peak into my closet with my summer wardrobe for work clothes.

Tell me, have you made any fun clothing purchases recently? What stores or brands are you loving?

Let me know in the comments below! 

See you on Friday for another edition of Friday Favorites!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #120

Hey friends! It’s Thursday, I hope your week was filled with productivity and some fun. 

Although, we are in the midst of September, it doesn’t feel like fall yet, it’s still warm in the 70’s with some cooler air. I’m soaking up as much warm weather before it’s boots and sweaters. But, who am I kidding, I will be excited to start changing my wardrobe for the new season. Today’s outfit is one that is perfect for the pre-fall days. I have started wearing darker colors to get into the fall mood. 

Transitioning summer into fall

I have worn this top for more business casual outfits for the office, but I love how you can dress it down with a pair of jean capris and sandals. I got this blue beaded top from Francesca’s Boutique. I love the material and the gold accents. 

I decided to match this top with blue jean capris from Old Navy, my go to denim. I am thinking about adding a pair of skinny jeans to the mix this fall. 

Even though it is the end of fall/ beginning of fall, I am still wearing these cute gem sandals when I wear jeans or sundresses. 

This fall, I’m still wearing more neutral makeup as I am back to school. I loved the way my skin felt in the summer by wearing minimal makeup and I want to try and continue to do that in the fall. I am mixing in more darker hues and deeper pinks and plum colors in my lip color or eye shadow. By slowing adding darker colors into my makeup and wardrobe, I am getting into the fall mode.

All natural with a touch of pink for end of summer

As much as I am enjoying this warm weather, I will be happy when it’s all fall, all the time! Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the changing weather!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #71

LOTD

Hello All!

It’s Thursday! Also known as TGIT!! Anyone else out there looking forward to the return of Grey’s tonight?! I know I am ready for all my fall shows to be back! This has been a busy but productive week! I’m looking forward to a fun weekend with little to no work. It is a well deserved weekend off. I hope you have something fun planned for this weekend!

Now, that it is officially finally fall…I hope the weather continues to cool off. This past week the weather varied from being hot to rainy and cool. I’m ready for some consistent weather. The outfit I am wearing today is perfect for getting ready for the fall weather while it is still warm out.

A mix of summer and fall

I am wearing this light tank top from Old Navy. I also have it in orange and I love to wear them both with shorts, jeans, or leggings like today. I love the contrasting colors between the blue and the black.

I am wearing a pair of black leather leggings. This also have a fun print on them which breaks up the black. I got these leggings from Target. These pants were a great addition to my outfit. Although, it was sunny outside it was only in the high 60’s so I stayed comfortable with these pants.

I matched my pants with these cute dress sneakers. I got them for summer but I have worm them a lot in the fall. As always, Target was my go-to for these fun shoes. They go perfect with jeans, shorts, and leggings…not to mention they are comfortable and stylish. What more could you ask for?!

I can’t wait to bring out my fall wardrobe and wear it full time and not just mix and match outfits. Until then I am going to soak up the last bit of sunshine before the cold weather hits.

Have a great weekend and do something fun!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #54

LOTD

Hello and Happy Summer (I think we are in the clear for summer weather)!!  Yay!! It’s been a long time coming but I think it is safe to take out the shorts, grill supplies and umbrellas as summer is here to stay.

Today, I am sharing an outfit I wore for a Memorial Day picnic. I had a great 3 day weekend spent with barbecuing, seeing family and kicking off summer. It was a well spent holiday weekend. In addition, the warm 80 degree weather made it even better to celebrate the start of summer.

White and Blue for the start of summer!

When it comes to fashion,  I am a firm believer of wearing white after Memorial Day, so I was very excited to break out these white capris.  I have worn all these items with other outfits but, for this outfit I decided to match them all together.

I got these white Capris from American Eagle. I haven’t shopped there in a while, I got them a few years back, but they were a great buy and I have worn them again and again with different outfits in the summer.

I love this top. I got it from Francesca’s Boutique last year. I love the material as it is very lightweight.  I have worn it with shorts in the past but loved pairing it with the capris for a more dressier look.  I also love how it is one shoulder, it really changes up an outfit. The blue and white combo is one of my new favorite pairings.

Since, I went to a picnic, I paired my capris and top with a pair of nude wedges. These are my favorite summer sandals to wear to picnics, grad parties, and other summer events. A wedge is crucial to have in your wardrobe. Whether, it is high or short, a wedge can go with any summer outfit.

My biggest accessory are not having glasses, I finally decided to make a change and get contacts for my 20th birthday. It took some practice but I am very happy with the final result.

That’s a look into my Memoial Day outfit and a start into my summer wardrobe. Have a great weekend filled with sunshine and warm weather.

 

 

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #53

LOTD

Hello All!

Happy Thursday! We are almost to the end of the  work week and then there is a long weekend ahead for Memorial Weekend! How are you celebrating the holiday weekend? Pool party? Cookout? Fireworks? I’ll be spending time with family and at some fun barbecues. I’m ready to kick off summer!

To start off today’s look of the day, I do have a disclaimer, last week I promised to share more business outfits and I will, but I wore this outfit over the weekend and I couldn’t resist sharing it. I’ll be sharing more business casual outfits coming up soon!

I will admit, I am a short girl, I’m only 5’3”, so most of the time, I can’t wear maxi dresses or skirts. If I do wear them I typically have to wear them with heels or wedges or I must find short maxi dresses or skirts which can be a challenge. When I do find a dress or skirt that works, I immediately pick it up. I love how they are flowy, comfortable, versatile and great for traveling.

Fun for the summer sun!

Onto the dress details. I got this maxi dress from Old Navy a few years ago and I love to wear it since it hasn’t gone out of style. I chose navy blue since it is a neutral color and you can mix and match it with other colors and patterns. The fabric is so soft which makes it even more comfortable to wear. Plus, can we talk about how cute the open back is?! I love the cut out and it adds a great style to this simple dress.

How cute are these shoes?!

I decided to pair my maxi dress with a pair of leather peep toe boots. I got them from T. J. Maxx and they were a great buy!  I will only be able to wear these for a few more weeks since they are more of a spring and fall boot. I love how the navy and brown work so well together. Also, the heel makes sure that my maxi dress won’t drag on the ground. Another must for us short girls!

I love the open back and this purse went great with the outfit.

I was looking for a more unique purse and realized this would be the perfect opportunity to use my new bag from my trip to Chicago. I got it from Bloomingdales. It was the perfect size to hold a sweater, my phone, and wallet. I love how it really changed my outfit and made it more fun and functional!

I hope this gives you a new idea to mix and match your summer outfits up. What is something essential you always have to have with you when you are out and about? Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day with your family and loved ones. Have a great start to summer!!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #47

LOTD

Happy Thursday!

This week has been packed full and I have a busy weekend ahead.

It may be spring but it hasn’t been acting like it. Yes, it is mid-April and its still snowing. I’m SO ready for Spring and warmer weather. I tried to brighten my wardrobe with hopes it will make spring come faster.

That brings me to today’s look of the day. I brighten up my look with a bright color and bold necklace. I had a few meetings but a long day, so I wanted something that looked professional but also comfortable for a 10-hour day.

I wore my favorite shoe boots from DSW, I am ready to transition out of these shoes but it’s not time for peep toe shoes yet. I wore these in Chicago and they were very comfortable for walking around the city.

I wore my faux leather leggings from Target, they feel like leggings, but don’t look like leggings. Win-Win!

I brightened up my dark outfit with a bright blue flannel button down from Old Navy. It is made from soft material but also holds up well with washing. I have had it for a few years and have paired it with numerous outfits.

I changed my look up with a bright, bold necklace from Old Navy as well. I love necklaces that can change an outfit as well as dress an outfit up. My bright lip color is from House of Color. I try to keep my lips neutral, but I was feeling the bold color to brighten my mood.

If you know me, then you know I am always cold, therefore it was crucial that a long sweater was necessary. I got this sweater from Tilly’s. I wear this so frequent, with jeans, dresses, leggings or skirts. It’s so versatile and its so easy to throw on.

Here’s to hoping warmer weather is around the corner. I need it, you need it. We all need sunshine in our lives.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #46

LOTD

Hello All!

Happy April!

I hope your April’s are all off to a good start. I am back to school for the last leg of the semester. This semester and year has flown by!  My April is jammed packed, if I survive this month, I think I can tackle anything. Haha.

Today, I am sharing the outfit I wore on Easter. I spent my Easter Sunday by attending mass and spending time with family. I couldn’t have asked for a better day.  I think Spring is finally upon on, I wanted to get in the spirit with this bold print floral dress. I don’t often wear these colors, but I saw the dress a few years ago and couldn’t resist.

I actually purchased this dress two years ago from Nordstrom’s . Unfortunately, it is no longer in stock.  I wore it for my high school Baccalaureate Mass. It was held at the end of the year and I love the bright colors. I love to buy things that are very good quality so i can wear them on numerous occasions especially as I will be heading into the real world soon. I love the dark blues and greens, but I love the pop of yellow even more. I decided to bring out the yellow with these light-yellow heels from Kelly and Katie, I got them at DSW a few years ago as well. I added some simple but classic to go along with the dress and shoes.

I don’t often wear bold dresses like this, but I decided to change up my look for Easter. I often choose to wear simple colors and add bold jewelry or accessories as my statement pieces. Today, however, my dress was my statement piece.

I can’t wait for Spring to get fully underway for all things spring fashion. What trends are you looking forward to this spring/summer season?

Also, I will be out of town this weekend, to follow along with my adventures, check out my Instagram for all things travel @elspethsdaybyday

See you next week!!

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #42

Happy March!

Spring Vibes here on out!

Although, it may not be acting like Spring yet, I’m going to start transitioning my clothes from winter to spring. This is always the hardest part of the year, its cold in the mornings but warm in the afternoon. Its always so hard to plan ahead.  This outfit I have planned for today is perfect for chillier temperatures by giving off Spring vibes.

I love to layer my clothes and this outfit is no exception. Changing it up, I am going to start from the top and work my way down. I am a fan of GAP and their shirts. I am a sucker for long sleeves and stripes, so when I saw this on sale, I had to get it. This preppy pink is my favorite shade of pink and I love how it contrast against the gray.

I wore this thin blue vest from Francesca’s Boutique, this has been a staple in my wardrobe this year. I have mixed and matched it with so many outfits. The vest is versatile, so you can dress it up or down. For example, I dressed it down with jeggings today. The blue vest matches my blue jeggings excellent. I got these jeggings from Target. I try to stick with jeans but sometimes you have those long days where jeggings are necessary.

I wore my favorite shoe boots to top off the outfit. I wore simple gold jewelry to dress up my outfit. I typically wear a pair of gold studs and my birthstone necklace unless I have something else picked out. My go-to hair style is a simple high pony tail. It’s up and out of my face which is how I work best.

That’s a look into my closet for today. What are you most looking forward to for Spring?

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #10

LOTD

Gotta love a pop of pink in the middle of the summer. Thanks to my talented cousin for all the pictures.

Lots to talk about on this lovely Thursday! Today, I decided to change it up and show TWO different looks for two different women.

First, I want the give a HUGE shout out to my cousin for taking these amazing pictures. You will see more in future posts but here’s a sneak peek. She is so talented and I was so lucky to have her help me with these new shots.

A HUGE thank you to my cousin for all these amazing pictures (more to come in future posts)

Plus, how cute is her outfit?! I’m kinda obsessed. Her bold pants are so comfortable and are from TJ MAXX (one of my favorite stores) In a previous post I talked about how it’s good to have a few solid t-shirts in your wardrobe and its paying off. The white t-shirt complemented her pants perfectly. She got her shirt from TJMAXX as well and her shoes are from Marshalls. I love the straps on them!  Thank you so much Anna!!

I’m in love with this outfit. The pants are a must have for me!

Now, for today’s looks I’m showing two different styles of dresses. Another big thank you to my mom, who stepped in front of the camera this time to show off her outfit.  Both dresses are from Old Navy. They are both light weight which are great for summer and come in a variety of colors. I personally like to go with bright, bold colors so, I went with pink. My mom decided to go with blue, which is a more relaxed color.

Gotta show my mom some love on the blog. And i had to show her dress off!

Starting off with my look, I went the bright pink dress. I loved the cutouts in the front and back and I love how it was loose fitting. Since it is a solid color I can add different statement pieces. I decided to down play my look with just a simple pair of wedges. But, I could also add a sweater, jacket, or bold necklace to change up the look. I am always wearing these shoes. They are super comfortable, they are nude (gotta love a neutral color), and they are versatile. I can wear them with a dress, capris, or even jeans. Wedges are on my summer must have. I got mine from DSW.

Gotta love a pop of pink in the middle of the summer.

My mom decided to add more accessories to her outfit. She went with a similar dress in blue (her favorite color). She also decided to get a style with longer sleeves. They are ¾ quarter length and the dress works great for a night on the town with a bit of a breeze. My mom decided to add some jewelry. Her necklace and bracelets are from Old Navy as well. I love to use jewelry to make a statement but I love dhow my mom had her jewelry match her dress. I also like how she wore a pair of sandals to dress down her outfit. I, on the other hand dressed it up with wedges.

My mom is showing off her blue dress, on sale from Old Navy.

I love how she matched her jewelry perfectly to her dress.

I love how you can see two very different styles and outfit puts together from dresses that are so similar. I hope this gives you a few ideas for outfits to wear in the middle of the summer. As well, as show you how you can wear similar dresses in different ways.

Categories
Fashion

Fourth of July Recap + Look of the Day #8

 

Well, the celebrating has come to an end and we are at the halfway mark of summer. I hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July. Mine was shared with family, friends, LOTS of food and fireworks. It’s always nice to take time to spend with family and relax.

My pinterest treats weren’t a complete flop. Granted, they didn’t turn out just like the pictures (but do they ever?!). Overall, everyone loved them from snacks, to desserts and displays. If you follow me on Instagram I showed preparations throughout the day. Down below I also share the before and after of all the goodies. Almost all the snacks were easy to make and devoured. To read more about the treats feel free to follow me on pinterest to see the full recipes. I got in the patriotic spirit with my outfit and nails as well.

My outfit is from Francesca’s. I loved the one shoulder top, it was also lightweight which was perfect for a warm day. The blue and white got me in the holiday spirit

My scalloped shorts were also lightweight and matched my top perfectly. You can’t have blue and white without red!

I did my nails in red and silver to celebrate but I didn’t want to do anything too crazy since I had to be at work the next day! Haha!!! My nail polish is from Chrome Girl Nails. The sparkly red is called Pretty Pout and the silver is called Party Star.

Well, that wraps up my Fourth of July. I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing day! Check down below for my outfit and dessert details. Happy Thursday!

Outfit details!

Rocking my Red, White, and Blue today!

Up close view of my outfit!

Sporting my Chrome Girl Nails for the day. The red is Pretty Pout and the silver is Party Star.

Here come the sweets and treats!

Gonna give this one a shot!

Here’s how it turned out!

Some yummy desserts!

The finished product!

Red, White, and Blue snacks.

How the snacks turned out

Easy dessert cake?

Surprisingly pretty easy!

Fun fruit salad

HUGE hit

Something fun to snack on

Looks as good as it tastes

The finished product of Pinterest treats!

Centerpiece idea

Successful centerpiece