what to wear | st. patty's day

Happy St. Patty's weekend, y'all!

I don't normally post on Saturdays but thought I'd share my festive outfit with anyone who might need some inspo. I'm planning to spend my afternoon with good friends on a patio somewhere, enjoying this beautiful day. Goodness knows I need to soak up a few rays of sunshine--winter did a number on my skin!

I am pairing my Old Navy green gingham button-down [seriously one of my new favorite additions to my wardrobe] with a pair of pale pink roll up Banana Republic shorts for a fun take on the "green" theme. Some gold jewelry, casual sandals, and of course a good pair of sunnies are my only accessories. This is the kind of day where I just want to keep things simple! And yes, my shirt will be rocking J. Crew's signature half-tuck.

What are you doing for St. Patty's day? xo.

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monday must haves

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it's got me thinking about what I will be wearing while celebrating with my family! Though it's not quite cold enough here in Texas, I can still incorporate fall colors without adding too much bulk. Here's a few of my must haves for my trip home; reds and golds are cozy hues that are also very festive and perfect for the holidays! xo.

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pumpkin picking

One of my favorite things to do when fall comes around is to get a pumpkin! I'm not really sure why this is--I guess it just brings out my inner child!

Thinking about hunting for the perfect pumpkin inspired me to put together a comfy, cozy outfit for braving the chilly weather at the pumpkin patch. Warm neutrals with a pop of this season's "it" color, burgundy, exude style without being too over-the-top. After all, it's just a pumpkin patch. Which may include a stop at the local Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte. xo.

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love & lust | boyfriend watches

Until recently, I haven't been much of a watch girl [I'm guilty of checking my iPhone whenever I need to know the time] but lately I've been loving the style and functionality of boyfriend watches. They are perfect accessories to dress up my wrist candy/arm party. I love that the Michael Kors watch mixes silver and rose gold, so it pretty much goes with anything. However, the price tag is not ideal which is why this Target watch is a perfect wallet-friendly swap, saving you $250! I actually went out and bought the Target watch this past weekend and am L-O-V-I-N-G it. xo.

Michael Kors / Target

Sporting my new watch with some extra wrist bling!

monday must-haves

First of all: Happy October!

Second: I've got wrist candy fever. Any and all sparkly, colorful, and unique wrist baubles make me absolutely starry-eyed! I'm especially into anything with some gold in it, since I've just noticed that I've got plenty of silver jewelry. I rounded up some adorable little treasures from a few of my current favorite online shops but would love if you could share a few of your go-to online jewelry boutiques! xo.

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love & lust | wedge booties

I am dying over these wedge booties, y'all! I saw the Jack Rogers booties the other day and fell in love... until I saw the price. Yikes! Not good on my wallet. I decided to do some digging and found a very similar pair for a steal! The Etienne Aigner booties from Macy's have a nearly identical silhouette, a great heel height, and come in a variety of colors.  For $99, you can bet these are on my fall shopping list! Are you into wedge booties for the fall? xo.

Jack Rogers Booties / Etienne Aigner Booties

monday must-haves

Right now I am obsessed with vintage-inspired jewelry, structured bags with interesting textures, and demure peplum--especially in emerald and ruby hues for fall. Touches of gold and nude pull everything together. xo.

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put some grey in it

"Greige" [grey/beige] was a huge nail trend last year. If you ask me, I don't think it's going away anytime soon. In fact, I am seeing lots more of this non-color mixed with other hues like blue, green, and purple. The combinations are truly endless! From a gorgeous, true grey to a dusty blue, here are my top five picks from the web. xo.

1 - Timeless / 2 - Trustafarian / 3 -  Merino Cool / 4  - Greycian Goddess/ 5 - Evvie

look for less :: stripes + colored pants

More often than not, Gwyneth Paltrow can be spotted in the chicest outfits; always simple, understated, and classic. For example, in this photo she looks so effortlessly put together with a striped blazer and colored pants, yet she is completely on-trend for fall! I've found similar pieces, all at Target [hey, I'm a fan of instant gratification and I don't want to shop around 10 different stores for a single outfit sometimes!] What do you think of Gwynnie's look? xo.

via

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mother's day gift guide

Mother's Day is a week away! Here's a few gift ideas to show mom [or aunt, grandma, etc.] how much they mean to you. Tropical brights and soft pastels are prominent in my selection and are sure to give serious style cred to your recipient. Happy shopping! xo.

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delightful dressing room

Oh, to have a spacious boutique-style closet to display clothing and accessories worthy of magazine photo spreads and MTV cribs tours. It's every girl's dream, right?

I'll admit my closet is pretty much at the bottom of my home decorating priority list since I prefer to spend my time and money on spaces that people besides the hubs and I will see. However, I spend so much time in the closet picking out what I will wear for work, dinner dates, weddings, or simply weekend errands--why not spruce it up and make it a beautiful space like I aspire our other rooms to be?

To create a special dressing area without breaking the bank, look to sources such as Overstock.com, Target, and IKEA for inexpensive yet stylish decor. A pretty chair or ottoman, soft lighting, and organizational items that are both beautiful and functional are key for a boutique-style closet. xo.

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suit up

Swimsuit season is almost upon us and I've got my eye on several cute suits. I own a few halter-style bikinis already but I am absolutely obsessed with the retro, sweetheart style tops that are out now. I'm also noticing more and more equally adorable one-pieces and will have to try some of those on as well. I haven't worn a one piece since probably middle school and the ones on the market now are definitely MUCH cuter these days. What kind of swim suit[s] are you adding to your summer repertoire this year? xo.

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navy + raspberry

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I seriously adore this color combo, don't you?? Navy is an essential spring/summer neutral for me. Raspberry pink adds a nice pop of contrast. xo.

hubby's birthday

My hubby's birthday is in a few weeks so I've begun a mental list of things I know he likes and/or wants for his special day. This little gift guide I compiled would be good for any style-conscious, tech-savvy dude in your life--husband, brother, fiance, etc. If you have a birthday or anniversary coming up, I hope this will provide some shopping inspiration! Let me know what you think and if you have anything you would add. xo.

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Ruche Wedding

Attention engaged or soon-to-be engaged ladies: Ruche just added a wedding collection to their existing line of adorable clothing and accessories. I'm in love with many of the dresses already--if only this had been around a few years ago when I was wedding dress shopping! The prices are perfect, the sillouettes are stunning. Yes, it's nice being able to try on gowns before purchase, but if you know the silouette you want but are unable to find the style you love, you might want to check these out! If anything, Ruche also has gorgeous bridesmaids dresses that your besties really CAN wear again. They will thank you for that. xo.

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*This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

mad men party

The Mad Men season 5 premiere is this Sunday. I. Am. So. Excited.

You have no idea! Or maybe you do, if you like Mad Men, too.

I had never seen the show until a few months ago when the hubs signed us up for Netflix. We watched the pilot episode, got hooked, watched 2-3 episodes a night and finished season 4 before we knew it! Now we are all caught up and ready for season 5. I'm so enamored with Mad Men style, the New York City setting, and really just everything about the show. It inspired me to come up with two Mad Men party theme ideas based on two of the main characters: Betty and Joan. These ideas could be excellent premiere party ideas or really themes to use at any time. xo.

Betty is the quintessential  housewife. Inspired by her love of Italy [she had a short-lived modeling career there during college and returned with Don in season three to acompany him on a business trip] a menu consisting of Italian hors douerves is perfect for a Betty-esque soiree. Don't forget the sweet A-line dress channel your inner Betty.

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Both at the office and at home, Joan excels at coordinating meetings and social gatherings with ease. She possesses a sophisticated and somewhat exotic aura, which inspired this menu of asian cuisine. Rock a figure-hugging frock [Joan is notorious for wearing these] to mimic the red head siren.

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perfect picnic

Spring weather is officially here [at least in Texas.] I'm beyond excited about this! I plan to enjoy our short spring fully before the sizzling summer heat arrives. At the top of my to-do list is picnic-ing at the the park! I've got my basket but there are a few other essentials I will need to complete a picturesque afternoon under the trees and sunshine. What is your favorite spring activity? xo.

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sssnakesin cinchers

My most recent favorite accessory has to be my snakeskin belt! [faux, of course.] I've found that it goes with nearly everything and is a perfect way to accentuate my waist when I wear cardigans or dresses. I purchased my belt from Plato's Closet a while back for about $3, which was a steal considering how much I've worn it. I've found three similar styles that are sure to add some spice to your spring/summer wardrobe. I love that they all include black, cream, and brown, which guarantees they will match perfectly with any outfit! xo. 

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feelin' green

St. Patty's is right around the corner, and if you are a holiday fanatic like I am, here's list of lovely green things for you to try to get into the Leprechaun spirit [or spring mode if you don't like St. Patty's Day.] Why not try a yummy green smoothie? Or deck yourself in some emerald-hued baubles? Nothing says "spring" like fresh grassy green colors! PS: Having a St. Patty's party this weekend? Give these adorable Irish-inspired cupcakes a shot! xo.

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off to austin

Well, friends, I'm heading to A-town for the weekend. Seems like I was just there, but I'm going back for a girls' weekend with some friends. We are hoping to experience some SXSW [if we can navigate the schedule.] I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and share with you next week.

On a final note, here's a few things I plan to pack and bring along with me. Since rain is in the forecast, I can't forget my rainy day uniform since we will probably be outside walking around a lot. xo.

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