Remix & Shop!

A great solid colored blazer is a staple piece everyone should have in their wardrobe. I have lots of blazers (both solid and prints) as they mix and match with almost anything I want to wear year-round. I don't care if you don't have a regular 9-5 job or not, everyone over 25 should have quite a few blazers in rotation...just saying ;) 

I love my blue blazer for many reasons, but when I found it 2 years ago at JC Penney, the price tag & vibrant color where what drew me in. The blazer dressed up a graphic tee and boyfriend denim, made my LBD pop by tossing it over and adding a scarf, and matched effortlessly with a tank and print heels as well.

You really can't go wrong when styling this beauty...

1 // 2 // 3

Do you have a lot of blazers in your wardrobe? Which of the styles above do you like best?

Need a blue blazer? I've got you covered. I searched all over the web for great blue blazers at every price point.

Simply click on the photos below to shop! 

Rocked it & Swapped it

Kaitlyn's Old Navy blouse is beyond perfect for spring and summer outfits. Honestly, you could probably style this beauty for year-round wear by adding a blazer or trench over it!

She recently wore the top to our family photo shoot when the color scheme was navy, white, and khaki. Her styling was on point by adding skinny white denim, a mint colored bag, nude wedges, and pink sunglasses. The color palette here is Spring perfection, no?

This past weekend in Wisconsin, I decided to summer it up a bit by tucking the blouse into cream lace shorts. To keep this look on the more casual side, I added navy flats, my favorite nude bag, and great jewelry...(My full outfit post details will post on Stilettos and Diaper Bags on Monday!) 

Here is how we both styled this floral Old Navy blouse:

Do you like how we both styled the blouse?
Is your floral collection getting as big as ours? (We just can't stop shopping florals!) 

Shop the look here:

Four Five Seconds to Summer

Memorial Day Weekend always feels like the unofficial start to Summer, as if the endless days of grilling, shandy's and street festivals are so close we can taste them. The season doesn't officially begin for three weeks but with no free weekend in sight on the calendar, I am taking this opportunity to start early and soak up every second beneath the sun (covered in SPF, of course!)

Whenever I'm at the lake with the family, I hope time will suddenly stand still - When we head down to our pier, I stare out at the beautiful lake that I'm so lucky to experience year after year and wish that the moment would last just a little longer or the sun would set just a second slower. It's when I realize time is the most valuable thing I have to spend because nothing is better than time spent with my favorite people at our favorite place. I must continually remind myself though, not to focus on how fast time is going but to be present and enjoy life as it's happening...

Speaking of time, I've been keeping track of it lately with a new wrist addition. I have generated quite the collection of watches over the years but this wooden watch is the first of its kind and I absolutely LOVE it's unique presence. JORD is Swedish for "earth, soil and land," three elements that are embodied in the modern wood design. 

The different tones in the wood are beautiful but it is the turquoise color that truly makes it pop so I am looking forward to styling this with bright whites and a tan this summer :) 

Jacket: Urban Outfitters (similar) | Dress: MNG by Mango (love this one too!) | Sandals: LOFT (similar)

Bag: Old Navy | Watch: JORD | Necklace: E Street Denim (similar) 

P.S. I'm slightly in love with this fauxhawk braid. Shoutout to Lisa for making me feel like a bad ass...now I am one step closer to the braid magic that is Daenerys Targaryen.

Would you guys be interested in seeing a braid tutorial of this? Let us know! 

Side note: I felt slightly guilty opening the packaging because it was put together so beautifully. This brand does great job of staying consistent with their vision by delivering the product in a gorgeous wood box carved with the company logo. 

This is one of those designs worth keeping for years to come as the package is just as quality as the product, not to mention, it makes you feel like you are opening something really special...#winning.

Does anyone else sometimes wish they could pull an "Age of Adaline" and pause time during the best moments?

Wood Watches by JORD

Bacon, Not Stirred

Everything tastes better with bacon...or at least this is the opinion of most of us in 'Merica. For some reason, we have started to incorporate it into every recipe including ice cream sundaes, fudgy brownies and classic milk shakes. I tend to think we've gone a little bacon crazy, especially since it's not on my top 10 list of side dishes but there is fine print on that statement when it comes to salads...

I love adding a crunch to everything (chips on my sandwiches, yes please!) so bacon is a tasty way to incorporate some texture and flavor, especially if you go with applewood smoked. Harvest and red, white and blue salads are my go-to's for daily lunches..I love the combination of strawberries, blueberries, apples, goat/feta cheese, pecans, etc. so I often stock the fridge with these ingredients to recreate these meals at home. 

And while the crumbled bacon adds a savory flavor, let's not kid ourselves...Gaffigan said it best: 

"Once you put bacon in a salad, it's no longer a salad...it just becomes a game of 'find the bacon in the lettuce,' like you're panning for gold." 

For some protein, I cut up some grilled chicken strips (I love these from Trader Joe's) and we also had a lot of produce in the house so I included some blackberries as well...I could eat berries all day long, no matter what kind.

What is your favorite salad recipe? How do you add extra flavor?

Blog of the Month: Own Way of Inspiration

For the month of May, we’re featuring one stylish gentlemanwho we have been following on his journey for a while now. As a male blogger based out of Germany with many travels in his back pocket, Simon captures some great moments from daily life around the world along with his personal style. Find out what he had to say about blogging and beyond...

SM: What made you decide to start a blog?

SS: I grew up in a very small town in Germany and never felt connected to the people around me. Instead of playing soccer or talking about video games, I’d love to photograph people, go to exhibitions as well as dancing. Also, I started developing a huge interest in the worlds fashion metropolis like New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, Copenhagen etc. 

By realizing how international the fashion/ art industry is I always wanted something more then living the "ordinary life" in Germany. In order to share my opinion and experiences, I started my style diary that is now turning into something bigger.

SM: How would you describe your style?

SS: My personal style is inspired by many different aspects. It can be jazz, hip hop, the 70's, a building and it’s graphic structure or a feeling. In general I’d say I am dressing more chic then casual. Suits, Shirts, Brogues and Hats are my usual choice yet trying to keep it authentic by adding a cotton t shirt instead of a chambray shirt. If it’d be possible I’d probably wear a hat each and every day.

SM: What do you find most challenging about being a men’s style blogger?

SS: Definitely not taking the same "dapper" menswear route. Even though I do like to dress chic and in a suit, I want to explore a more interesting perspective on fashion. Being a feminist makes me question gender roles especially when it comes to fashion. Why are men not socially not accepted when they wear a skirt? Will I be socially accepted when I’d wear platform shoes out in public? I definitely want to be part of changing both men’s and women’s roles in fashion...Hopefully even in society. 

SM: What is your favorite style to see on female fashion bloggers? Any girl fashion do's and dont’s?

SS: Absolutely not. Who would be able to judge you on what you wear? The question itself is probably the point. There are no do’s and dont’s in fashion, like matching two different color tones would not work. Personally, I think a fashionable girl is a confident woman that doesn’t care about what other people say is trend. It sounds really easy but a lot of my girlfriends asked me what to wear and how to wear it and for me it’s always a lack of confidence. A fashionable girl wouldn’t really care what other people think.

SM: We love that you’re advancing the trend for more guys to be comfortable sharing their style. What advice would you give to another man (or anyone) who is interested in starting his own blog? 

SS: Don’t care too much what other people say. Try to find your own voice and start doing it. I am a big fan of getting things done, doing a lot of research, save outfit inspiration, graphic design aspects or music you’ve come across (for example on Tumblr or Pinterest). Then try to relax yourself and make sure to be clear about what you like the most and what would represent your voice. From this point on, you should be able to share whatever you like. 

Who are your favorite bloggers? Let us know, we're always looking for inspiration!

Prepp(ing) for Memorial Day

I was talking to my co-worker the other day about how the sunshine and anticipation of summer events can affect your mood, especially for those of us who tough it out in the Midwest. Just knowing there was a 3 day weekend coming up means I am no longer hitting the snooze button on a Monday morning but instead, hopping out of bed, enjoying my morning routine and riding to work with the windows down...and loving my Spotify premium trial...I'm such a sucker because now I'm hooked! How else can I listen to old school BSB whenever I want? (Priorities). 

With Memorial Day weekend around the corner, I am feeling good and ready to kick of summer in the city...and the woods, as we're heading north this weekend for much needed family time at the lake. I wasted no time breaking out the anchor print pants, straw hat and boating knot bracelet in anticipation of that moment I am sitting by the water with my favorite people. 

P.S. last time I styled these printed pants, it was around the exact same time of year...I am nothing if not a creature of habit ;) 

P.S. I am loving these sunnies from ZeroUV...they're actually my husband's but the minute I tried them on, I tried to convince him they looked better on me. Not too sure he's convinced, so I ordered a few pairs of my own ;) The prices are so on point which is great for somebody who loses sunglasses ALL THE TIME (and my Fitbit, apparently...why did anyone ever think this model was a good idea? Fail.) 

Top: H&M (similar) | Pants: Old Navy (shop similar prints) | Blazer: Forever 21 | Shoes: Just Fab | Bag: It Luggage

Hat: Forever 21 (similar) | Sunnies: ZeroUV | Anchor knot bracelet: Evelyn Jane | Watch: T+J Designs

Now, let's get this show on the road!

What are your Memorial Day Weekend plans? 

Happy Dog, Happy Life

When it comes to our dog, we are those people. You know, the married couple without kids who treats their pet like an actual human being? Those people who take their dog to doggie day care and look forward to the "pawgress report"....But let it be known, we have no shame. 

My husband and I don't always agree but we have bonded over our love of animals and dogs specifically since day one. After we brought Fitz home, I will admit, the first few weeks of puppy life were challenging and I may have uttered the phrase, "take him back!" more than once. I may have even compared our new life to Lisa's life with children...sorry for the comparison, Moms, but in my mind, it was another life I was responsible for and that was new to me. 

Flash forward a year later and this adorable lab/pit mix is our pride and joy...our family and the one makes us the three best friends anyone could have. 

He has a wonderful temperament and will kiss you until you can't breathe. We can leave him alone all day and he will never destroy anything in the house..mostly because that would get in the way of him snoring on our Tempurpedic bed. Hey honey, remember when he was never going to sleep with us? Oh and he will sleep until 9:00am, never waking us up early to go outside...not going to be the same way with kids, my friends ;) 

He truly feels like our four-legged son so it's important to us to keep him healthy and happy. We regularly bring him home new treats and these grain-free Greenies have become our go-to in the health department. Like I mentioned earlier, kissing attacks are frequent and sometimes his breath is LESS than unpleasant so we started giving him these chews to help clean his teeth which we're all thankful for! Not to mention, they are great for join support which is something we have to be weary of with labs.

Eyes are wide and ears are perked...there must be a treat in somebody's future ;) 

What are your go-to dog treats? Anyone else feel like they have 4-legged children?