Umbrella Required + Sparkly TOMS

So it was raining pretty hard yesterday but I really wanted to try out my new lens, so Jon and I ventured out with our umbrellas and snapped a few pictures before we went to the mall, where I burned through some gift cards and started working on April's budget.  I wore a comfy outfit with some casual basics and threw on my sparkly TOMS.  I don't usually think to wear them but I like how they add a little bit of fun interest to this casual outfit!  I'm also wearing my new Tory Burch prescription sunglasses in the last picture.  I just picked them up recently and I think they will be really useful for sightseeing in Europe.  I usually only wear my glasses for driving or movies, so these will be really useful for the first of those!

Rain was pretty much hitting me in the face - hence the squinting!

Jacket and purse last seen together here

Outfit Details:

Jacket:  Old Navy Military Jacket (similar)

Shirt:  Apt. 9 Tunic, Kohl's

Jeans:  Super Black jeggings, AG

Shoes:  Glitter TOMS, Nordstrom

Purse:  Botkier Valentina Bag (Amazon)

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch (similar)

Linking up with Fizz and Frosting and Undergraduate Style, On the Daily Express and More Pieces of Me!

Rainy Saturday Dinner Date

It was very rainy this weekend, which made for a lot of relaxing indoors.  It was nice to chill a bit since we're going to be pretty busy in the next few weeks with my half-marathon next weekend and then our trip to Europe soon afterwards.  I didn't even mind the rain because it was close to 50 degrees all weekend!  Way better than snow!  I wore this striped dress with leggings and waterproof boots to dinner last night at Rex 1516.  It was a really good meal and a cool relaxed vibe; we'll definitely visit there again!

 

Outfit Details:

Dress:  Elle, Kohl's (similar by Elle, other colors at F21, BCBG) 

Sweater:  Boyfriend Cardigan, Loft

Leggings:  NY & CO (similar)

Boots:  Aquatalia by Marvin K. Orso Boot, Nordstrom (similar on sale)

Bag:  Michael Kors Crossbody (larger version

Jewelry:  Stella & Dot Isla Drop Earrings and Gold Statement Necklace, gift

March 2014 Shopping Budget

So I cut down on my shopping this month because I got a new camera, but I still got a few fun pieces!

March Purchases: (after 40% off of sale on J. Crew & a special sale at Bauble Bar)

• J. Crew Merino Tippi Sweater in Ivory, $35.70
• J. Crew Amour Tee, $14.99 (sold out)
• Timing Fashion Blue Necklace Top, Obvi Boutique in Conshohocken, $26.50
• Bauble Bar Love Inscription Bangle, $5 (a SWAT surprise)
• Bauble Bar Yellow Bullseye Bangle, $10 (sold out)
• Bauble Bar Blue Marquise Earrings, $10 (sold out)
• Bauble Bar Chevron Studs, $5 (a SWAT surprise- sold out)

March Overall Total: $103.19

My shopping budget is generally $250 per month, so the extra $150 or so is going towards my camera and lens purchase.  I'll be trying to keep my April spending down too.  Although I would like to buy something memorable in London or Barcelona in a few weeks!

Linking up with Franish!

Pink & Silver

Easy look for work.  I wore a comfy lightweight pink sweater with a snake-print textured open cardigan, basic black work pants, and taupe kitten heels.  I originally tried it with a gold necklace but I decided to pair it instead with my silver fringe necklace.  I really like this light pink and silver color combination. (I also wore this same color combo here.)  Comfortable weekday outfit!

Outfit Details:

Sweater:  Charlotte Russe, old (similar at F21)

Cardigan:  JM Collection, Macy's (similar)

Pants:  Julie Slim Boot Cut Pants, Loft (similar)

Shoes:  Nine West Illumie Kitten Heels, Macy's

Necklace:  Fringe necklace, Target

Mixed Stripes Dress

So it has been really cold this week, especially with the wind.  It's technically spring though, so I have been drawn to my brighter pieces, like this blue and purple dress.  The other times I have worn it for casual events (here and here), so this time I paired it with a black blazer, tights, and wedges for work. Hopefully the next time I wear it will be with bare legs and nude shoes!

Outfit Details:

Dress:  Lilly Pulitzer Evelyn Dress (similar in B&W) 

Blazer:  Express, old (similar)

Tights:  Simply Vera, Kohl's

Shoes:  Apt. 9 Wedges, Kohl's

Purse:  Michael Kors Tote, Macy's

Jewelry:  Rose-gold pearl cluster necklace & earrings, Bauble Bar (similar, Target)

Bracelets:  Yellow Bullseye Bangle, Bauble Bar, and White/Gold bangle, Nordstrom

Work Outfit: Lace Peplum & Red Blazer

I've been wearing my colorful blazers a lot this winter and (almost) spring.  Some more colored blazers are definitely on my shopping wish list!  I often like the extra structure of a blazer versus a cardigan. Do you wear blazers or cardigans more often?

 

Outfit Details:

Blazer:  I.N.C., Macy's (similar at Macy's)

Top:  H&M Lace Peplum (similar at JCP)

Pants:  Julie Slim Boot Cut, Loft (similar)

Shoes:  Nine West Illumie Kitten Heel, Macy's

Jewelry:  Stella & Dot Trinity Pendant & Isla Drops 

Bag:  Michael Kors Tote, Macy's

Watch:  Fossil

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy & Transatlantic Blonde.

Stella & Dot Brighten Your Life Tour

On Monday evening, I attended Stella & Dot's Brighten Your Life Tour at the Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia with my Stella and Dot stylist, Nicole.  It was a really fun event!  I loved getting to check out some of their new offerings for spring and summer.  I also received the pretty Wisdom Bracelet as a gift for attending!

This room at the Hotel Monaco with its glass chandeliers and tall windows was the perfect location for the girly event! Stella and Dot's founder, Jessica Herrin, led the event with a presentation about the company and about some of the newest products.  She talked about the advantages of being a stylist or hostess, such as free product!  I should have snapped a few more pictures - but one of my favorite new items for summer is a clear jelly bag with different linings available.  I also love all of their lightweight scarves, like this zebra print and this nautical scarf!  Of course there was also gorgeous statement jewelry, as well as pretty delicate pieces!

Jessica, Stella & Dot's founder and CEO, was so sweet and inspirational!

Jessica also talked about their Autism Awareness Collection.  20% of retail sales from this collection in April will support the HollyRod foundation!

The tour is still going on for a few more days.  Wednesday it's in New York City and Halifax and Ottowa on Thursday.  I definitely recommend checking it out if it's in your area!  Click here for more details!

Sammy Dress Review

Sammy Dress contacted me to review some of their products as part of their I-Try Program.  I picked out the following owl sweatshirt and blue dress.  Read below to see my review!

First up is this cute owl sweatshirt:

I really like the cream and gold coloring on this sweatshirt, as well as the cute owl graphic.  It's also a very comfortable sweatshirt.  The fit wasn't perfect on me.  Sammy Dress offered this sweatshirt in Medium and Large.  Based on the size chart, I picked a Large.  It was still a bit short on me lengthwise as well as in the sleeve length.  I'm planning to try it again with a high-waisted skirt sometime in a dressy sweatshirt look!

Outfit Details: 

Sweatshirt: Sammy Dress c/o, Puffer Vest: Aeropostale (similar), Jeans: Banana Republic, old (similar), Shoes: Sole Society Loafers (similar)

I also received this pretty blue a-line dress!

I love the color of this dress!  I also like that it has a higher neckline and a defined waist. Again, I had a minor issue with the fit of this dress.  Give the choice between Medium and Large, I picked the Large. I'm glad I did because of the extra length.  It's a little big in the body but the seaming at the waist helped.  The price on this dress is pretty awesome and the cobalt color is really pretty, so I'd be willing to overlook the fact that the fit is not totally perfect.  I wore this blue dress outfit to a fun Stella & Dot event yesterday.  I'll be writing about it in a post tomorrow!

Overall I was really happy with Sammy Dress and would recommend ordering from them.  Their prices are great and they have a large selection of products.  Keep in mind that shipping can be lengthy because it is coming from overseas.  For 10% off, use discount code: 2014new.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Sammy Dress c/o, Blazer: Loft (similar), Tights: Simply Vera, Kohl's, Shoes: Sole Society Skylar Booties, Nordstrom (similar, splurge), Bag: Michael Kors (similar at Macy's)

Military Jacket in Baltimore

We went down to Baltimore this weekend to visit with some of Jon's friends from college and we got great weather on Saturday!  I wore this casual jeans outfit for the Loyola-Lafayette lacrosse game and then for more fun afterwards.  After the game, we headed down to Fells Point for some food and drinks with more friends! Follow me on Instagram for more weekend pics. :-)

Outfit Details:
Top:  Old Navy (similar)
Jacket:  Old Navy (similar)
Jeans:  Hudson Leigh Boyfriend Jeans
Shoes:  Sole Society, Nordstrom (similar, splurge)
Jewelry:  Premier Designs, old (similar at Loft)
Purse:  Mossimo, Target
Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

Last seen here

Linking up with Fizz and Frosting, On the Daily Express & More Pieces of Me

Classic Trench

Guess who got a new camera!  I've been wanting to make the jump to DSLR as I've started to get more into photography, so when I saw a good deal on a barely used Canon Rebel T3i on Craigslist I jumped on it. (This also means my Nikon Coolpix p520 is available for sale.  Email me at seewhatkatiewears@gmail.com if you are interested.)  I am really looking forward to growing my skills and improving my photography.

I wore classic pieces to work yesterday - a white sweater, black cropped pants, black pumps and work bag, and a tan trenchcoat.  I put on a pretty handmade scarf and statement earrings to give it some interest.  (I also forgot to take my fitbit off again.  I can't wait to see what Tory Burch comes up with as accessories because a black rubber band doesn't go with most of my outfits, but I love wearing it and counting my steps!)

Outfit Details:

Sweater:  Ivory Merino Tippi Sweater, J. Crew

Pants:  Express, old (similar, splurge at Nordstrom)

Coat:  Banana Republic, old (similar in cocoon, Michael Kors, Burberry splurge)

Scarf:  Handmade (similar)

Earrings:  Target (similar)

Bag:  Michael Kors, Macy's

Linking up with Style Elixir, Sparkles and a Stove & My Fashion Forward Blog, Vodka Infused Lemonade

Wedding Wednesday: Kate Spade Surprise Sale

Kate Spade's latest surprise sale is going on right now!  This sale includes her wedding line at up to 65% off. I've picked out some of my favorites below.  These pieces are perfect for springtime.  If you are getting married, these items would be great for all of the events during your engagement and wedding or to take on your honeymoon.  There are also some great gifts for bridesmaids in this sale!  If you see something you like, act fast because the sale ends tonight!

1. I Married Adventure Cell Phone Case, $40
2. Chandelier Earrings, $29
3. Come Full Circle Carousel Watch, $125
4. Kaleidoball Teardrop Earrings, $25
5. All That Glitters Keegan Dress, $129
6. Prince Charming Ring, $19
7. Wedding Belles Francis, $248 (full price - but such a cute carry-on or beach bag!)
8. Gold Coat Ginnie, $99