Remixing a Dress as a Skirt

So this is actually a dress (last worn here) that I wore as a skirt!  I layered my beige turtleneck on top and then my maroon and navy blazer.  This dress is a nice comfortable jersey and I liked wearing it as a skirt.  I threw on black tights and wedges, plus a bun.

February 2014 Shopping Budget

February Purchases & Cost (after discounts/coupons/giftcards):

1. Catherine Malandrino Faux-Leather Moto Jacket, Kohl's, $11.20
2. Sandalwood Silk Cami, J. Crew - $29.70
3. Diamond Tile Silk Tee, J. Crew - $25
4. Striped Cotton Layering Tee, Loft - $14.48
5. Elle Striped Fit & Flare Ponte Dress, Kohl's - $29.75
6. Shimmer Shower Midi Dress, French Connection (same) - $78.74
7. Straight Leg Pants in Drapey Satin Crepe, Loft - $20.43
8. Purple Midi Skirt, Choies - $20.49
9. Deep Blue Midi Skirt, Choies - $13.22
10. Lucky Bag, Choies - $8.91 (2+ mystery items valuing approx. $45 - can't wait to see what I get!)

Kohl's:  $40.95

J. Crew:  $54.70

French Connection:  $78.74

Loft:  $34.90

Choies:  $42.62 

February Overall Total:  $251.91

I'm really excited about my February purchases.  I got some good basics - the silk cami & tee and striped tee.  I also decided to try some new shapes - like the soft black pants and the midi skirts.  The French Connection dress was on major sale and I'm forward to wearing it for a wedding this summer.  I can definitely see myself wearing all of these pieces as we move into spring and summer!

Linking up with Franish and the Budgeting Bloggers!  

Modcloth Lead by Example Dress 2 Ways: Now and Later

Lead by Example Dress 2 Ways by seewhatkatiewears

Vintage day dress / Single button blazer / Harlequin tight / Lace up ankle boots / Chain link necklace / Leather wedge shoes / Multi colored necklace

ModCloth invited me to participate in their Polyvore outfit challenge.  This week the challenge was to create a look using the Lead by Example Dress and 7 or less other items from ModCloth.  I decided to create two elegant looks, perfect for a date or the office!  The first is for winter - with printed polka dot tights, ankle boots, a blazer, and a mixed metal pendant necklace.  For the summer look, I liked the idea of keeping it pretty simple with wedges and a pretty statement necklace.  I definitely think this is a dress you can style all year round!

Teaser Early Spring Weather!

Sunday was another nice day!  I started the day off with yoga (free at Lululemon in Wayne on Sunday mornings in February & March) and brunch with friends.  Then I came home and changed for some afternoon fun in the city.  

Pinspiration: Olive, Stripes, Yellow, and Gold

Inspiration from Simple, Classy, Chic via Pinterest This striped shirt was one of my February purchases.  Last time I cleaned out my closet I realized that I was lacking in good tees.  So I scooped up a white tee last month and this long sleeve striped top this month.  I'm already thinking of and pinning things to pair it with this upcoming season.  I found this pin last month and realized that I had all the pieces now to recreate it.  It was such a nice day on Saturday; I loved only having to wear a light jacket!  We had a nice lunch at Seasons 52 with my lovely in-laws, who gave me these pretty gold bracelets for my birthday.  :-) Outfit Details: Top:  Striped Layering Cotton Tee, Loft Jacket:  Old Navy Military Jacket (similar) Jeans:  7 for All Mankind (similar) Boots:  LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's Necklace:  Kenneth Jay Lane (similar from J. Crew Factory) Bracelets:  Gifts from Nordstrom - Gold & White Bangle, Pave Link Bracelet Purse:  Botkier Valentina Bag (Amazon) Earrings:  Mint earrings, gift (similar) Remixing my yellow Botkier purse -  last seen with a dinner date look here! Linking up for Mix It Mondays with Fizz & Frosting & Petite Career Girl!

Puffer Vest Casual Look for the Movies

Casual look for the movies on Friday night.  It was pretty warm this weekend so I could get away with just a puffer vest and ankle boots.  Note the huge bag - perfect for stuffing some goodies from a Wawa run on our way there!

Work Outfit: J. Crew Diamond Tile Silk Tee & Khakis

This silk tee was one of my February purchases from J. Crew.  I paired it with cropped khakis and my navy Lilly sweater.  I wore it with my black Nine West heels.  (Side note:  I love the Nine West flax heels.  They are super comfy for wearing all day at work.  I have them in black and leopard.)  I don't mind mixing neutrals like black and navy or black and brown. I think the khaki pants provide a good break between the navy sweater and black pumps.

Work Outfit: Printed Jacket, Blue Top, & Skirt

Wednesday work outfit - I paired this printed cropped jacket with a silk blue top and my suit skirt.  I added a little interest with a gold necklace and belt and patterned tights.

Mother-Daughter Day in Historic Philadelphia

I had off for Presidents' Day today so my mom came down for a visit!  She took me out to a nice lunch for my birthday and then we walked around Old City Philadelphia and visited Carpenter's Hall, which is where we took these pictures- and also the spot where Jon proposed!  After that we took a tour of Independence Hall.  It was another cold day but very sunny and nice for walking around.

Here's my mom at Carpenter's Hall, wearing a Coach scarf I gave her for Christmas last year:

Another day for layering!

 

Outfit Details:

Coat:  H&M (similar at Macy's)

Scarf:  Stella & Dot (similar at Macy's)

Sweater:  New York & Company (similar at Macy's)

Jeans:  Super Black Jeggings, AG

Boots:  BCBGeneration (similar by Nine West)

Bag:  Michael Kors (similar)

Necklace:  Bauble Bar (similar at Macy's, Target)

Striped Dress Layering in the Wintry Mix

 

I was so not prepared for the wintry mix yesterday!  I wasn't planning on wearing my earmuffs for these pictures but this rain/snow/sleet was too cold for me to take them off.  Plus my hair was going pretty wild after walking a mile or so in the messy weather.  I can't really complain too much because at least it wasn't completely freezing out like it has been most of this winter.

I bought this striped dress during the summertime along with a few other American Rag dresses for my honeymoon.  The dresses are great for layering in the colder months with tights and sweaters too.  They are technically a juniors brand but I found they really fit me well and they had classic prints and styles that weren't too young looking.  Here's another one that I styled for fall/winter.  I also got a few summery maxis and high-low dresses that I can't wait to pull back out this summer!

Outfit Details:

Coat:  Guess (similar at Modcloth)

Sweater:  Macy's (similar at Modcloth)

Dress:  American Rag, Macy's (similar, hi-lo style, cute gray & white)

Scarf:  Cashmere, gift (similar at Macy's)

Earmuffs:  Amicale, Rue La La (similar in black)

Necklace:  Stella & Dot Trinity Necklace

Boots:  BCBGeneration (similar by Nine West)

Bag:  Michael Kors (similar)

Valentine's Dinner at Home

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day!  We decided to have dinner at home this year.  Jon cooked pork, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.  I set the table using our wedding China and also put out a wedding candle and vase we received.  :-)  Jon gave me these pretty flowers and I got him a new robe.  It was a nice quiet holiday!  Then we watched some of the new season of House of Cards.  (I of course fell asleep in the second episode, probably because I was too shocked by something that happened in the first one.)  Today we are meeting my brother and his girlfriend for crepes brunch!

What did you do to celebrate Valentine's Day this year?  Did you wear red or pink?

Outfit Details:
Blazer:  Macy's (similar at Forever 21, Macy's)
Silk Top:  J. Crew (didn't realize how close this sandalwood color is to my skin tone)
Jeans:  Hudson (similar)
Necklace:  Stella & Dot Trinity Necklace (on both chains)
Clutch:  BCBG (similar in cobalt, Stella & Dot)

Love our funky cow butter dish!  Another wedding shower gift.

P.S. Get an extra 50% off at J. Crew on final sale with code Extra50!  Also Loft is having big sale - no code needed.

Fur Snood in Park City and More Trip Pictures

 

Some more pictures from our ski trip!  I wore this for dinner after a long day of skiing.  Jon calls this my skunk scarf but I know he secretly likes it, plus it keeps me nice and warm.  I added a few pictures from our trip below!  It was such a nice getaway!  

Side note:  I started reading the Divergent series on our trip and I am hooked!  I read the first two books during our trip and am planning to start the third one soon.  Can't wait to see the movie when it comes out next month!  If you like the Hunger Games, you will love Divergent!

Outfit Details:

Leather Jacket:  Michael Kors (similar at Nordstrom)

Sweater:  J. Crew, old one of Jon's (similar at J. Crew)

Scarf:  Fur Snood. ASOS

Jeans:  7 for All Mankind

Boots:  Cole Haan Nike Air, old (similar from Zappos)

Earrings:  Bauble Bar (similar at Nordstrom)

More pictures from our Park City Ski Vacation:

Great day for skiing!

What a view!

Making my way down a blue with Jon and Zach.  It was so beautiful out there!

High West Distillery & Saloon - "the world's only ski in gastro distillery".  We went for the tasty food and house made whiskey.  A few bottles made their way home!

Jon and our friend Zach in town.

Jon and I with the mountain in the background at the end of a great trip!

Guest Post: Shannon's Sparkly Dinner Look

Shannon wore this chic outfit to dinner a few weeks ago.  I loved how she paired a sparkly top, green blazer, and ankle boots, so I asked if I could take her picture for the blog and she happily obliged.  :-)  It's a really fun winter nighttime look!

 

Outfit Details:

Top:  H&M (similar)

Blazer:  H&M (similar)

Jeans:  Jessica Simpson, Macy's

Boots:  Aldo (similar)

Greetings from Park City, Utah!

Jon and I made it to Park City for our ski trip!  We are staying with our friend Zach and his family right at the base of the mountain.  It's just a short walk to the ski lift as well as to Main Street for restaurants and shopping.  I wore this outfit last night for strolling through town and then dinner.  I was wearing a cashmere sweater and doubled up on tights, so I was nice and warm.  (Tired eyes though from a long day of traveling.)

I'm really enjoying this ski trip, but beach vacations and sight seeing trips in warmer weather are definitely still my favorite!  (Jon loves the cold weather trips, so I am glad we will get to do both this year.)  Do you like cold weather vacations or warm weather trips better?  

Outfit Details:

Leather Jacket:  Michael Kors (similar)

Sweater:  J. Crew (similar)

Scarf:  Stella & Dot (similar)

Skirt:  LC Lauren Conrad (similar)

Boots:  Aquatalia by Marvin K Orso boot (similar)

Ear muffs:  Amicale Shearling & Leather, Rue La La (similar, black)

Craft Time: Chalkboard Cheese & Dip Tray

I wanted to share a fun craft that I did this week.  I got the idea to make some chalkboard crafts from seeing stuff on Pinterest as well as these fun chalkboard place mats at Crate & Barrel.  I found this tray at Goodwill for $3 and realized it would fit my small CorningWare perfectly.  This was my first foray with chalkboard paint and I'm really happy with how it turned out!  Next up is chalkboard placemats!  Here's the steps I took below:

Here are the supplies!  Chalkboard paint and brushes from A.C. Moore and the chalk came from the Dollar Tree.  Wood tray was from Goodwill.

First I taped the sides of the two circles because I did not want them to be painted.  Then I wiped the tray and applied the first coat of chalkboard paint.

I made sure to apply an even coat to the entire tray then I let it dry for an hour.

After the first coat sat for an hour, I applied another even coat.  I took my chalkboard paint a little down the side of the tray.  After the 2nd coat was applied, the tray needed 24 hours to completely dry.

The next day, once the tray was completely dried, I covered it in a thin layer of chalk.  (This adds a base layer of chalk, so when you write on it, the words don't stay on it after you wipe it off.)

Then I pulled up the tape and cleaned off the chalk with soap and water.

Then it was all finished and ready to be used!  

I pulled out these crackers and cheese to test it out.  Planning to use the bowls for dips in the future or olives.  I love the way it looks and can't wait to use it next time we have company!  :-)

Hope you enjoyed this craft post.  It was a really easy craft and a lot of fun.  It would make a really nice housewarming or hostess gift!  There is a good amount of chalkboard paint in the container, so you could make a whole bunch of projects with it, like place mats, name cards, or coasters.

What project would you do with chalkboard paint?  Are there any other crafts you have done lately?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments!