Rocked it & Swapped it: Free People Turtleneck

Very similar to last weeks R&S, this week is more of a style steal. I love a great sleeveless turtleneck, but when it comes to styling, having so many options can sometimes make pairing more difficult. Take this brown knit turtleneck from Free People, it can pair with literally any solid color or honestly any print undershirt as well. When Kaitlyn wore it last year in October, she kept the styling simple pairing it with a cream undershirt, distressed denim, and brown lace-up boots. 

When I got my hands on it last month, I decided to not fix what wasn't broken! I too wore a cream undershirt, but added bootcut denim, navy boot, a cream hat, and a bold red lip. I loved both the pairings, but mine was definitely inspired by Kaitlyn's look. I honestly didn't know which way to go with the top, so I went with what I already liked.

Do you ever do that? Feel overwhelmed with too many options so you just go with the obvious or look for style inspo? 

What do you think of our pairings? 

Do you own a sleeveless turtleneck yet? 

This Free People one is listed first below and it's on sale!

SHOP THE LOOK:

Layers of Love

This is one of those moments where I feel a little late to the party. I recently visited Nordstrom Rack for the first time in years...I was doing some last minute dress hunting for a friend's wedding and the store is close to my work so I figured I would give it a shot. Not only did I leave with a dress but the second I walked in, I asked myself why I had been wasting so much time shopping elsewhere. I love Nordstrom (who doesn't?), but I'm not always willing to spend $60-70 on a shirt so I was pretty pumped to see a lot of the same styles and trends for around half the price. 

I left with a few blouses which will be considered staple pieces for years to come and my favorite purchase of the day, this Free People turtleneck. Lisa wore something similar last year and when we swapped it, I fell in love so I jumped at the chance to secure my own. I like how much warmth a piece like this can provide without feeling overly bulky or stuffy. Plus, no sleeves means you can layer a jacket over this too for a triple layered look, much like Jessica did here...Fall is the ultimate time to combine textures like leather and knits.

Also, I get really excited to pull these LOFT boots out year after year...I had them on a birthday wish list a few years ago and I was so excited when they were given to me as a gift. If I can toughen up any feminine style just a bit, I'm a happy girl. How can you not love what is essentially a hiking/construction boot turned lace up heel? These are definitely my "I do what I want" themed shoes ;) Seriously, I'm obsessed BUT one downside -- the heel is SUPER high on these and at 5'9", I do not need any help with height so unfortunately, they only come out to play on seldom occasions. 

By the way, this post is in no way sponsored...I just felt compelled to share my excitement about reigniting this NR retail relationship and wondered, who else shops there on a regular basis?

I feel like it may be very similar to TJ Maxx where it's hit or miss and you have to be willing to put in a little time to find the hidden gems. Thoughts?

Wearing: 

Turtleneck: Free People via Nordstrom Rack 

Jeans: Forever 21 (old but similar pair here)

Boots: LOFT (old but they are currently selling a very similar style!)

Long sleeve shirt: Francesca's

Clutch: Just Fab (love this style in red too)

The Faux Fur that "Stole" the Show

I am such a sucker for a great faux fur stole. I have multiple coats and vests with faux fur collars, but I also have two stoles (the one shown here and a vintage one from my grandmother). These great pieces can be mixed and matched with outerwear or worn over any dress or sweater all by itself. The styling options are truly endless! 

Now let's talk about this stunning midi dress. I have been a fan of Lara Miller for years now (I even modeled for her 2012 collection), so when she recently discounted this dress, I was very quick to reach out and see if she had it left in my size. I was in luck and I am so happy to have it in my wardrobe! I kept the styling very fall by adding brown in the stole, shoes, and necklace, and then added a pop of blue with my bag...I loved wearing this outfit! 

Dress: Lara Miller // Shoes: c/o Sole Society // Bag: c/o Shopbop (Rebecca Minkoff)
Stole: Nordtrom (similar) // Sunglasses: T&J Designs // Necklace: Free People // Watch: c/o Aibi Watch // Bracelet: Rachel Zoe via Box of Style // Rings: c/o Park Lane Jewelry

Photos by Cecilia Jean

Are you a fan of this look?
Shop for your very own stole below! 

Wrap Shoes, Wrap Necklace

Sometime it's all about the accessories. I laid this dress on my bed, knowing I wanted to add a faux leather jacket to it, and I then set out these olive wrap shoes. As soon as I saw the wrap details in the shoes, I thought about my wrap necklace. OK, now we have some inspiration! 

Sometimes I dress while music is playing in the background. Sometimes I dress using inspiration I have seen on some of my favorite bloggers blogs. Most days I lay items out and see what goes together (or new combos that I haven't matched together as of yet). I like to have a few pre-styled outfits handy so mornings can always be effortless. Work smarter not harder ladies! 

Dress: Target (similar) (similar) // Jacket: Sheinside (similar) // Shoes: Old Navy // Bag: c/o J.Jill // Necklace: Free People (similar & less then $20) // Rings: c/o Park Lane Jewelry // Tassel Bracelet: Rachel Zoe via Box of Style // Watch: Fossil

Where do you find outfit inspiration? How do you get ready each day (music, IG inspo in hand, etc.)?

If it's Not Broken, Don't Fix it

I have owned this dress since 2012 and it is still one of my summer favorites. I love how lightweight and breezy it is, and the high-low hem is subtle enough to still be "on trend" four years later. The best part, I never mix it up too much as it is beautiful as it is. If it's not broken, don't fix it, right?

When it came to styling my dress for a night in the city, I kept it easy as usual only adding a few other pieces. Strappy heels, a great cut-out bag, my favorite leather tie necklace, and a denim jacket where all I needed to take this look to city chic. In the end I added a pop of teal with my earring and in doing so, I ended up mixing my silver and gold metals... I am OK with that!

Wearing:
Dress: Gentle Fawn via TSF box service // Shoes: Just Fab // Jacket: Pepe Jeans (similar) Shoes: c/o Sole Society // Earrings: Baublebar // Necklace: Free People (similar)  Watch: Fossil // Fitbit
Here is how I have styled my dress in the past: 

source // source I've had quite the hair evolution over the years! ;)  Do you have a dress you wear year in and year out and don't mix up the styling that much? How would you style this rust colored beauty? (I'm always looking for new ideas!)

The Best Fitting Jeans

Truly finding the perfect pair of jeans is like finding a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can get denim almost anywhere, but what about the fit? We are programmed to know our number size and try on that size everywhere we go to shop for jeans. And when that specific size doesn't fit, you end up feeling like it was you that fell short on that deal, not the denim. Maybe that brand has a different fit, maybe that brand runs small or large, so maybe it's not you at all! It's time to shop for jeans a different way, don't you think? 

Enter Fitcode. As Kaitlyn pointed out in her post, you start by taking a quiz and then you give you a "fitcode" number. From there you are given a selection of jeans  that fit you based on your body shape and style preferences. Genius! For me, I decided to go with a style that was based off the premise that you would not need alterations. I am only 5'4" and most designer jeans are made to fit women upwards of 5'10". Not even a big heel would help me out there! ;) I worked with my contact at Fitcode to find the perfect bootcut jeans that were alteration free, and that was accomplished with these 7 for all Mankind beauties! 

I think these are the first pair of (non-skinny) jeans purchased in my thirties that I did not have to alter. That is a big deal folks! The fit is dreamy and I have already been living in them. What better way to highlight a classic fitting pair of denim then with a classic pocket tee? This look is perfect for everyday life and by adding mirror sunglasses and a bright pink lip I felt like a million bucks. Clothes that fit well really do make you feel like your best self! 

Top: Target (similar) // Jeans: 7 For All Mankind via Fitcode // Bag: Sole Society // Shoes: Just Fab // Necklace: Free People (similar) // Sunglasses: Quay Australia (similar & under $25) (similar & under $15) // Lips: Glo Minerals // Watch: Fossil  Have you ever heard of Fitcode? How do you shop for denim?

Maxi Dress Season

Spring has finally sprung which means maxi dress season is upon us. This is my favorite time of year to shop and stock up on some great dresses, some of which you can get year round year out of. Isn't it great what was thought to be a retro fad about five years back is now yearly mainstream fashion? Fellow maxi dress lovers can now stock up yearly like I do! 

This polka dot number was gifted to be back in 2014, and it is still in heavy rotation. I love that you can change the belt, shoes, and jacket and it really does take on a new look each time. On this day I kept the styling a bit matchy and added both brown shoes and a brown wrap belt. No spring look is complete with out a great denim jacket, then to finish the look off I added this beautiful black tassel bag. 

Dress: c/o Sammy Dress // Jacket: Pepe Jeans // Shoes: Express // Bag: c/o Sole Society // Sunglasses: Ditto (use code sisters20 & get your 1st month of designer glasses FREE!) // Belt: Free People (similar) // Earrings: T+J Designs 
Are you a maxi dress lover like myself? What do you think of this pairing?