Favorite Wears: Jeans with an Edge

  I'm LOVING all the new and fun styles of jeans this season. It really makes them a bit more fun and more of an eye-catching piece to an outfit than just the basic - and my favorite are these uneven hemmed jeans (by my favorite jeans brand).  These ones show off my favorite part of my leg... a tiny sliver of ankle. ;) hahahaha - but really, I love the way they look with all shoes - especially my black sneaker slides (they come in a lot of colors, and are very comfortable).
This is one of my few fall outfit uniforms: a long cardigan with a t-shirt over jeans (or leggings) with comfy footwear. Perfect casual work day and weekend look in my book. And you can really change it all up easily by the style and look of the t-shirt, color of the cardi and/or pants.
What is YOUR fall uniform??
Shop this look:

Photos by the talented Elizabeth of Elizabeth Ladean Photography.  

She shoots portraits, family, engagements/weddings and lifestyle sessions all around Kansas City.  You can follow here on Facebook here and on Instagram here to see more of her work! 

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Favorite Wears: Styling the Fringe for Spring

I think fringe is the perfect trend this season. That pep in your step, sashay in your hip and kick of your foot has that skirt dancing right into spring with you! I've been craving a fringe skirt, and while at first I wanted a leather (or faux-leather) one, I started to think that wouldn't be super practical for warmer weather. And then.... 
Then I found this skirt while looking for Easter presents for the kiddos for and it was under $50!  And when taking a trend for a test drive, I love a more affordable price tag!  And I'm loving the comfort and fun of this frilly skirt, styled simply with black and white.
Not cheap, but TOTALLY splurge and investment worthy are these sunglasses and new summer sandals. Both of these spring-summer must-haves are classic pieces that will last me many years.  Plus, I'm not a big heel wearer anymore... I prefer wedges, but these block heels, and the fact that they are well made by a quality brand, let me spend many hours on my feet, going out, dancing and walking around the past few weekends with NO problems. That's a a must in my book, and I'll gladly spend a bit extra for that kind of comfort, especially when they're this cute.
{Outfit Details: Shirt (on sale!), Skirt, Block Heels, FitBit Bracelet, Gold Bracelets - Madewell, Sunglasses}
Are you taking the Fringe Trend for a swing?

Shop this outfit:

P.S. Kansas Citians - did you notice the Spanish steps on the Plaza got a facelift?  They are so clean and pretty!  The whole plaza is just ready for Spring with flowers blooming, the fountains renovated and on and flags waving in the breeze!

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Favorite Wears: White & Grey

Ok, I was super excited to wear this outfit for four reasons.
1. Finally I got an oversized tartan scarf I'd been wanting since late Summer in preparation for this cold weather.  I've been wearing this one since I got it from  my parents for Christmas.  I love how plaid can add a bit of unexpected to any outfit.
2. Everytime I'd find a pleated faux leather skirt I loved, immediately it'd be sold out, at least in my size.  So when I found this a few months ago - I didn't hesitate and snapped it up before it  was gone. (Don't worry, found some really cute similar options for you listed in outfit details below).
3. I will have these wedges is every color/print soon.  I got these metallic ones for myself and a pair of nude ones from my sister-in-law for Christmas.  I love this style of shoe so much.  Early last year I got rid of all my high heels.  They just weren't practical for me anymore and I wasn't wearing many heels.  Wedges are my answer to getting that hight and staying supported and comfortable.  These ones are great.
4. New bag I'd saw during a limited time sale Kate Spade had end of October and wanted!  My mom snatched it up before it was sold out and I got it for Christmas.  I love a good cross-body bag in a great color that will go with everything. 
{Outfit Details: White Tux Jacket - Target (in all black here, similar in white here, polka dot blazer here); Shirt; Faux-Leather Skirt - ASOS (similar here & here), Purse - Kate Spade (in pink and green here or similar style here); Silver Wedges; Plaid Scarf}

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Fab Favorites Link Up!

Today I'm excited to be over at Style Elixir as part of Lauren's Fab Favorites Link Up!  But you don't need to go too far as you can link up right here at the bottom of this post!  The details and rules are all below - you can link up anything you want! Just make sure to hop around to the other links to meet some new bloggers.
I'm sharing a few things on my fall wish list (I do have a birthday coming up in a month after all...the perfect time to be wishing for some fall goodness).  What's on your fall wish list?

Gold Watch; Leopard Flats; Investment Black Bag; Tassel Necklace; Burgundy Midi-Skirt

Style Elixir (follow here!) | Chasing Davies (follow here!) | Mrs. American Made (follow here!)

 

Friday's Fab Favorites Link Up:

1. Please follow your Host Style Elixir (via Bloglovin') and your fabulous Co-Hosts...

Megan from Chasing Davies (follow via Bloglovin')

Ana from Mrs. American Made (follow via Bloglovin')

2. Link up anything... it could be one of your previous posts that you like, or a post about your favorite things!

3. Please include a link back to this post within your post (because it's such a nice thing to do!)

4. Now simply add your link below! We hope you all enjoy meeting other bloggers and discovering some new things.

5. If you would like to Co-Host Friday's Fab Favorites, email stylelixir@gmail.com for more details!

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Join The Link Up Now!
 

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Top Knots for Summer

Summer's do right there folks. It's easy, cool and outta my face/off my neck.  I've been whipping my hair up in the mornings and trying to get {as creative as you can} with my buns. Today I split my ponytail in two sections and braided each one for a total of two braids. Then I just wrapped them around the base and used bobby pins for securing.
It didn't come out exactly as polished as I'd hoped, but I think it'll just take some playing around. Helps to have longer hair for this particular top knot...and I think mine is still in the middle length area (which, why isn't it growing... I mean, isn't pregnancy supposed to induce fast hair growth at least?!).
What's been your go-to summer hair do?
{Outfit Details: Dress (on mega sale now), Chambray (similar), Earrings, Necklace (similar), Watch, Flats}

P.S. I'm speaking at Go Blog Social tomorrow and attending this first-ever Kansas City blog conference. Are you going to be there? Hope to meet a lot of you! If you are around, tweet me!

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Thoughts on turning 30...

A little over a week ago I turned 30. My husband, some good friends, my sister and I had a fun little night on the town.  Keep reading to see how I mixed Old Navy and Kate Spade for a night out and a few of my thoughts on this BIG birthday.

Mixing Light Pink & Coral Orange

Warm hues start to become my favorite colors to mix and match as the temperatures start to cool. I think I tend to be drawn to the opposite during the summer times, so it makes sense...  To achieve today's look, I actually pulled a skirt over a dress.

Keep reading to see my complete outfit...

A lot of leopard for a sweet wedding

Leopard print has been an increasingly favorite pattern to mix into my wardrobe over the last couple of years and for a sweet little wedding I decided to go all out. Mainly because it turned cold fast and this dress has sleeve! Long sleeved dresses are a real favorite of mine, and kind of hard to find. 

Keep reading to see more of this full on leopard dress and a few artsy wedding pics...

And then I met Tim Gunn...

Thank you Sandy for taking my outfit pics!
{Jacket - Marshalls/Cynthia Rowley (similar); Tee - Forever21; Skirt - TJ Maxx (similar); Bag - Old Navy; Flats - ASOS, watch - MK; Ring - VanEshna, Lipstick - NARS, Earrings - Kate Spade, Necklace - DIY}

After the awesome fashion show (with tips from the expert himself) and Q&A session, I got to meet Tim Gunn!  I stood in line with Erin from Pretty, Polished, Perfect making friends with others in line along the way.  When it was my turn, I enthusiastically bounced on stage and shook hands with Mr. Gunn. He immediately commented on my pattern mixing and said I did it great! He was just as charming in person as on TV.

After the quick meet and greet, we sipped a bit of champagne and talked with new friends!

Watching Erin get her pic taken with Tim Gunn after mine!

New friend, Jennifer in a vintage dress and super fun Kate Spade bag!

 Old friend, and fellow blogger, Emily of Dresses, Denim & Diaper Bags - wearing the super cute Kate Spade Silverscreen Dress

I'll definitely be sharing some further things I learned from Tim Gunn soon!

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Tim Gunn Hosts a Kate Spade & Lucky Fashion Show

Like I mentioned in my favorite things of April and wrote about here, Tim Gunn was in town this past weekend!  He was hosting a fashion show put on by Kate Spade New York and Lucky Brand Jeans.

It was not just any fashion show, he had lots of insight and fashion tips to provide along the way!  Here are a few of my favorite outfits and tips (I put the full load of pics I took on Facebook).

Mr. Gunn and Leah (wearing the Kate Spade Celina dress - so fabulous)

Let the show begin:

Love both these bright dresses!
Tim warns petite women from wearing big prints like this floral dress.
He put to bed that old wives tail that horizontal stripes will make you look wide, and said that this dress and these type stripes would look good on almost anyone (similar dress w/ different colors)!

Two well fitted dresses! Mr. Gunn says, and said multiple times, "try clothes on!" Everything fits everyone differently.  Stretch Cotton Jillian Dress in Sumac (also comes in black) and Sweeney Dress in Black (also comes in white).

Tim Gunn raved about white - for boys and girls!  A great pair of white jeans, for instance is a staple for this spring.  Loving this "Dive In" tee and print blouse, myself.

One amazing Kate Spade trench coat worn two ways. A dressy piece can be worn dressed down. Makes the investment worth it!

A Kate jacket and a Lucky tank intermixed to make 3 outfits.
Neon clutch, white skirt & bold turquoise link necklace (also comes in yellow) help shape these outfits!

Beautiful Statement Necklace with a simple dress (also comes in pink).

Fun dresses can be taken from day to night! The Brittany Dress is the perfect white summer dress and Hana Dress is on trend for color blocking! And can we just take a minute to look at this turf bag (also comes w/o the turf...).  The straw hat is also very cute (and funny).

 Turquoise looks good on almost anyone, Mr. Gunn says.  Light or dark - this is a very versatile color!
Love both this jacket and dress!

A bold jewel tone also is a very flattering color, as this pretty purple dress (also comes in turquoise).
As flattering on most anyone? The wrap dress.  Tim suggests finding a dress that fits well in the shoulders, than the rest is easily customized to your current size - He also adds, this is a good investment if you are in the midst of losing weight!

I have posted a lot more pics to the Tim Gunn Fashion Show Event album on Facebook with their corresponding tips, including maxi dresses and swim suites!  So check there for more tips! Also to come, some video - including Tim Gunn talking about the background of his famous saying, "Make it Work!"

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