A great pair of white denim paired with a feminine top is one of my favorite looks. White tends to elevate any look, looking oh so crisp and clean, hopefully ;) These jeans have the perfect amount of stretch with a mix of distressing. I love the straight leg fit on this pair in particular. No matter what, white is always at least somewhat see-through, so the relaxed leg and looser fit allows me to be more comfortable overall in this pair. As I typically do in Madewell, I sized down in these for the best fit. The top is one of a couple that I have recently ordered from Boden. I love their fun prints and attention to detail, not to mention their excellent quality. I started ordering from them when Jack was a baby because I couldn’t handle their adorable line of baby clothing! It didn’t take long for me to cross over to the women’s section where I continue to find stand-out pieces that become instant favorites.
top (runs slightly small) / denim (run slightly large) / bag / sunglasses / earrings / shoes (TJMaxx, see similar below)
After two days of non-stop rain, the sun decided to make an appearance so that we could enjoy Mother’s Day this past weekend! We hosted a low-key afternoon at our house for our mother’s and family and celebrated Audrey’s 7th birthday in conjunction. My kids graciously cooperated for some pictures and worked with their dad to add to the scrapbook that has become a Mother’s Day tradition for us. It’s something I treasure more and more each year! I feel as though we are at such a sweet spot with our kids at the ages they are, but now more than ever the years seem to be fleeting. I cried while I scrolled through pictures of Audrey, my baby, on her birthday. It’s such an emotional journey as you mourn those baby/toddler years while at the same time you enjoy the stage of life they are currently in. Each of them are so unique with their own strengths and talents and it’s such a blessing to watch them grow into their own individual self.
I could wait to break out the spring colors, pairing this beauty of a top with these bold pink trousers. These pants filled a void in my closet (ie a major lack of color) and I can’t wait to continue to style them in a variety of ways. The printed top paired perfectly with the trousers but it also looks beautiful with white denim. It’s flowy and light-weight, perfect for the warmer months and also comes in a blue/pink combo if that’s more your style. And these sunglasses have been my some of my favorites for years and I continue to get asked about them regularly. At the moment you can find them marked down!
With Mother’s Day on the horizon, I’ve gathered some gift ideas for all the special women in your life. From the newest mother to the most seasoned, and every important motherly role in your life (because we all know it takes a village), I hope you’re able to express your gratitude to them all this Mother’s Day. Below you’ll find a number of gift ideas which I hope you’ll find as a helpful resource!
Click on images above for shopping details
From pretty to practical and functional, I for one, would be thrilled to receive any of the above! Cute pj’s and the coziest slippers are always a good go-to. As is a pretty pitcher that you could overflow with her favorite flowers. For the mom that’s on the go, running kids here and there, check out this chic cooler, this practical belt bag or a cute visor to hide from the sun during all those games and practices. I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t love a great tunic for layering or wearing with leggings. Pair it with this beautiful clutch or a fun pair of earrings or even a pair of woven sandals for summer. There’s also pretty stationary that you could personalize, a fabulous cosmetic case or a puzzle that the whole family could join in on. No matter how you decide to express your gratitude this Mother’s Day, I know she’ll be thankful!
This salad is a fan favorite that I have been making for years. Someone made it at a school function many years ago and I immediately asked for the recipe which I’ve kept tucked into my notes since then. I love mixing fruit into a salad and when you pair it with slivered candied almonds and raspberry vinaigrette, it makes for one incredibly delicious salad! It’s great for summer gatherings or even paired with some grilled chicken for a quick and healthy dinner.
The only tedious step (which is 1000% worth it) is preparing the candied almonds. I’ll detail the steps for you below, but know that just when you think you’ve burnt them, you’re doing it right ;) I typically double the recipe (or even triple based on the size of the salad), but you may want to do it in batches until you get the hang of it.
Strawberry Salad:
Ingredients:
1/2 C Sliced Almonds (or 1 C if doubling) 3 TBSP Raw Sugar (or 6 TBSP if doubling) Salad Mix (Spring Mix or Spinach works well) Sliced Strawberries 1 can Mandarin Oranges Raspberry Vinaigrette (I use Ken’s)
Directions:
To prepare the candied almonds, over medium heat add the sliced almonds and raw sugar to a skillet and stir constantly for about 3-5 minutes. They will begin to get golden brown. Just when you smell them begin to burn, toss for 30 seconds more and then remove from heat. Spread the almonds across non-stick foil to cool. Once cooled completely, break into small, bite-sized pieces.
To prepare the salad, place washed greens in a large bowl and layer strawberries and oranges on top. I typically arrange them in circles. Top with candied almonds and hold of on the dressing until just before serving.
As a Christian, Easter is always a celebration that I look forward to. On our way home from school yesterday, my girls were discussing whether Christmas or Easter was a bigger day to celebrate. We concluded that although Easter couldn’t have come to be if Jesus had not in fact been born, the Good News of Easter and his resurrection is what we are so thankful for. Then as I tucked Audrey (6yo) into bed last night, she reminded me how silly the Easter Bunny is….it was so matter of fact that I didn’t even attempt to convince her otherwise! I’m not sure what will come of Santa, but I’ll keep you posted come December ;)
Easter baskets are still a huge hit in our house (I think my mom put baskets together into my college years!) and I love filling them with little gifts and treats that they’ll enjoy. I put together a mix of cute ideas that may be helpful for your little ones as you celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Simply click any image above for the shopping link and have a wonderful weekend!
I realize that I opened with the spoiler on this exterior project, but my hope is that when you scroll to the before, it’ll be all the more impressive! This was a project that I worked on last summer, but with the way things go, I rarely have the time and/or final images to share all of the color projects that I get to work on. It’s an area I’d love to dedicate more time to (the documenting that is), but I can’t make any promises ;) Since this homeowner was kind enough to share some of the after images with me, I wanted to share them all with you as well. Without keeping you in any more suspense, I present to you the before….
Before, you ask, yes, paint was all that it took. There are certain projects that I walk into and have clients expecting paint to work miracles. In a lot of cases, paint cannot be the only component to achieve the updated look someone would like. In this case however, paint was the shining star!
BEFORE
When I first saw the house, my gut knew how beautiful it would look with an updated green-grey palette. We bounced around a few ideas and eventually landed on what we have here. An updated color scheme that went from drab to eye-catching!
AFTER
As many projects as I continue to work on, and as confident as I feel in my recommendations, some afters still catch me off guard. This was one of them. This refresh turned out even better than I could have expected. And the homeowners have shared that they continue to receive ongoing compliments from their neighbors.
BEFORE
Don’t ask me any details on this plant that totally steals the show! How gorgeous is that?! It goes to show how far those final touches and decorating details can go. Once you are satisfied with your exterior, don’t forget those final steps of adding plants, rugs, chairs, stools etc. Think of them as your finishing accessories just as you would with an outfit!
AFTER
The drama of this painted chimney alone makes a world of difference…
BEFORE
AFTER
Not to mention their rear deck where they’ll be able to sit and enjoy all of their beautiful updates.
BEFORE
AFTER
We used three colors, for this project. Ben Moore Ballet White, Ben Moore Pashmina and Ben Moore Dragon’s Breath. I was very specific in detailing where each color was to be used so that the colors could be balanced throughout the entire exterior body of the home. The dark accent was used for the doors only which helps to break everything up and add a bit of drama to the home.
BEFOREAFTER
The end result was even better than I expected. I love that this home now has a whole new life full of beauty and character. These projects are no small investment, but boy can they pay off!
Spring is starting to makes its appearance on the shelves at Loft! Our weather may not be there just yet, but I love seeing the bright colors and floral prints alluding to the fact that sunshine and warmth is somewhere on the horizon! Today I’m sharing some things that caught my eye that include a mix of work to casual wear and ideas on how you can mix and match those pieces. Most of the store is on sale currently and you can also earn Loft cash to spend later while you’re at it!
I did mention color was arriving, right?! This floral top paired with these fun sailor pants make for such a fun combo. The pants run large, so I’d size down but the top runs true to size. This look would be great for work or church and you could easily pair the top with jeans for weekend or a date night.
Navy is a classic color that works year-round, but I adore when it’s combined with pretty florals. These tie-waist pants are a perfect work pant. Comfortable but cute and playful with the tie at the waist. I can’t track down this top online yet, but I’ll update once I see it available!
Pink and blue in any shade has always been one of my favorite color combinations. This sweet pullover looks so fresh paired with these blue pants, but it would also look fabulous with white denim. I also tried this pink cardigan which makes for a practical spring layer for work or to top over jeans and a tee for the weekend.
I was very impressed with the quality of both of these jackets that I tried. Whether you prefer a longer anorak or a short swing jacket, you’ve got some great options! The yellow is soft and not overwhelming and the navy is a great classic piece. Both have attached hoods which would come in handy for those spring showers!
Pairing a classic white button-up makes for the easiest, chic look, regardless of what you pair it with. These drawstring pants were one of my favorite pieces that I tried on. They are relaxed but not frumpy and could be worn from work to weekend easily. I also tried on this adorable striped pencil skirt that is so fun for the season. It does run large, so I’d recommend sizing down. It would obviously look great with heels, but I’d consider throwing on somee cute white sneakers and a jean jacket for a great casual look as well.
For anyone that’s never loved the high-rise jeans or for someone who’s looking for a change, these mid-rise girlfriend jeans are fantastic! Their curvy fit works best on my body, but they offer regular fit as well. I love the lighter wash and the relaxed (but not overly) fit. Here you can see them paired with more of a work-wear top as well as with a casual, lace up sweatshirt. I size down in Loft jeans and the sweatshirt runs true to size.
You know those pieces that you put on and they just feel perfect and fit right into your everyday life? That was these pants and the above waffle top for me. I bought these pants in this ‘toasted coconut’ and know I’ll get a ton of wear out of them. These are the same pants I shared above in coral and they fit true to size (I’m wearing the xs). The waffle top is cute and casual and one I’ll wear with jeans and sweatpants often. I also thought this striped button-up was a fun find. It comes in a few colorways, would be perfect with tailored pants, skirts, or worn open as a swim cover up.
Finally, I thought this ombre sweater was another fun piece. It also comes in a very pretty yellow, has a subtle puff sleeve and could be worn tucked or untucked, depending on your preference.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I broke out one of my favorite sweaters in a beautiful shade of pink. I own this tunic sweater in a couple of colors and it’s easily one of my favorite styles to wear. I pair it with leggings and sneakers just as easily as I do with a pair of trousers and flats as I did here. It’s on the pricier side, but after owning it for a few years, it still looks brand new. It’s been a bit frigid lately, so I’m still wearing this neutral coat religiously as I likely will continue for the next few weeks at least. We have a Disney trip planned for spring break in March and I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to some warmth and sunshine! In the meantime, I’ll focus on bringing some color and liveliness to my outfits ;)
I don’t know how it happened, but Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! We as a family don’t go overboard for this particular holiday but we aren’t ones that pass up a day to show others some love either! Jack and I typically try to squeeze in a brunch together to avoid the dinner crowds and I always gather a basket of goodies for each of the kids. Below I’ve gathered a bunch of gift ideas for anyone you may be showering with love this Valentine’s Day.
Once in a while I come across a piece of clothing and immediately wonder what I ever did without it in my closet! I recently purchased this sleeveless, terry jumpsuit from Everlane (currently on sale and available in a few colors) and loved it at first sight. The best part is likely the level of comfort it offers for lounging, traveling or day to day wear. It’s perfect for warmer months when all you’d need is a pair of sneakers or sandals, but this jumpsuit can be a great piece to grab all year long. I was brainstorming all the ways that I could put it to use and wanted to share what I came up with. These ideas would work with almost any jumpsuit you may already own, so take a look and see what you may be able to piece together form your own wardrobe!
One of the most obvious ways to style a jumpsuit would be to toss on a jean jacket and sneakers. Such an easy, laid back look for weekend errands. This jacket in particular is my favorite denim jacket that I’ve ever owned. It was worth the investment to get that perfect, relaxed fit without feeling too oversized. Not to mention fantastic quality that will last me countless years.
This is a look you can achieve by layering a shirt or shacket over top of the jumpsuit. I love this particular shirt because it can be worn either as a shirt or a jacket as it’s more of a heavy weight piece. Great to have during the winter to spring months to layer with.
The great thing about jumpsuits is that you can also treat them like sweatpants, yet you still have a cohesive feel and an added layer underneath. Layering a sweater or sweatshirt over top creates a completely different look. Just be sure to find one that falls around your natural waist, otherwise it could look odd.
I’m not going to attempt to call this a business casual look, because I think this particular jumpsuit is still a bit too casual for that. However, there are certainly other jumpsuits out there where this could be accomplished. By layering a casual blazer on top and tossing on some loafers you’re at the very least stepping it up to casual chic level!
One final look that’s perfect for the chilly weather many of us are experiencing involves wearing a cozy fleece jacket with the jumpsuit. Adding a comfy pair of sneakers immediately creates an on-the-go look that’s comfortable yet pulled together.
I hope these looks provide some inspiration and allow you to dig around in your own closet to create a look you may not have previously thought about pulling together! Have a great week!
