Transitional Moto

This past weekend, the temps went above 40 degrees, and it is about 50 degrees as I type this. To me, and possibly others in the northeast, that's a heatwave. Because of the weather, and because we are already into March, I am banking on packing my winter jacket away until the end of the year.

This is typically the time of year where I like to wear transitional jackets, like a moto jacket (and my denim jacket, too!). I usually get a lot of wear out of it in the fall (as an actual jacket). I still wear it in the winter, but more as an accessory than a jacket to keep me warm! With the weather we are having now though, it is the perfect layering piece and finishing touch on just about any outfit.

Outfit Details:

Moto Jacket: Old Navy (great option) /// Top: Target (similar) /// Jeans: Gap /// Booties: Kristin Cavallari for Chinese Laundry /// Bag: c/o Boohoo /// Faux Fur: gifted  /// Watch: Target /// Bracelets: Alex and Ani, My Saint My Hero 

Everyday Wardrobe Essentials: Part I

Happy Monday, everyone! I intended to post this on Friday, but was having some major technical difficulties, so....here it is (Part I of it) today. Enjoy!

If I have discovered anything over the last few years (especially being a Mom), it's that I have a handful of items in my closet that I constantly gravitate towards. To me, they are my go-to, my essentials.

 I know I have shared my essentials before, but my list has pretty much doubled over the last year. I don't think I added things that aren't necessary or are a stretch for most-I added things that I have found to be equally as worn and styled as my other essentials. I guess you could say my list grows/changes as my style preferences change.

One thing remains the same with all of them though- they both have style and function. Take a look at my first five wardrobe must haves and why they are essential to my closet. I also did some online shopping of these favorites, chose some of my favorites for each and shared shop-able pictures below all of my descriptions. Enjoy...

CLASSIC BLAZER 

A blazer is something that every woman should have in her closet. I would even go as far as saying multiple colors too! I reach for my black blazer at least once a week. It is so easy to transition from work to after work. Hands down, one of my favorite outfits (that I think will never go out of style) is a graphic tee, blazer, skinny jeans, and flats! I personally have more affordable blazers, but this is something worth spending money on, because it is such a timeless piece. You will be wearing it for years to come. 

BALLET FLATS

Another classic item to have in your closet. They are fun to have in different colors and prints, but it is best to start out with a basic, neutral color. A black or a nude is a great starting point. Because neutral colors can be rather boring sometimes, I like to find ones with embellishments on them, like a cute bow, or ones that have texture to them. The embellishments and/or texture add a bit of interest to an otherwise plain shoe. 

GRAPHIC TEE

I have grown to love graphic tee's over the last couple of years. Sometimes I think I have too many (which I probably do), but they can be such an inexpensive item to add to your wardrobe. They can be so versatile, from leggings, a cardi and sneakers, to pairing it with a blazer and heels.

SKINNY JEANS/JEGGINGS

Despite what some people may think, I really do believe that skinny jeans can be worn by just about everyone. I think they are so universal in that they look great with heels, flats, and sneakers. You can cuff them and wear them with ankle booties, tucked into over the knee boots, or paired with sandals. A distressed pair is obviously more casual, but if you get a slightly faded pair (without the holes/rips) they can easily be dressed up or down.

VERSATILE LBD

Who doesn't love a good LBD? Although it's something you may not have to wear often, it is certainly something you are thankful you have. I personally have a wrap dress from Express that I have had since college (that makes it over 10 yrs old). I still wear it. Being that it's a wrap dress, it doesn't go out of style. It's an even better investment when you purchase a versatile dress- one that you can wear to work, wear to a semi formal affair, or casually with a denim jacket and flats.

Next week I will share with you all the rest of my wardrobe essential list. What are some of your wardrobe must haves? Items that you can't live without?

Spring Cleaning Your Vanity

Despite the weather we are having, spring is just around the corner! Check out my latest post for Susquehanna Style Magazine. I include tips for (spring) cleaning out and organizing your vanity, and how mine looked before and after! Enjoy! 

It’s that time of year again… time for some spring-cleaning! With the start of a new season in the near future, this is the perfect opportunity to dive into areas of your home that you have been neglecting. I always love to do an overhaul of my closet. It is nice to get rid of things that are just collecting dust (and to make room for new purchases).

One place that I always seem to neglect is my bathroom vanity. The countertop is always a mess, covered in makeup brushes, makeup bags, and hairspray bottles. Why don’t I just put them away? Simply put, there is no room under the sink for them. That space is filled with so much junk.

It is filled with more makeup bags, shampoo, skincare products, rollers, and other products that I had to have and never used. Just like food though, beauty products have an expiration date. Bacteria can start to grow. Now is the perfect time to clean out, throw away and reorganize your bathroom vanity.

Here are a few tips to get you started on your organization and cleaning:

1. Purchase Tupperware containers. They are great to line your drawers and keep things organized.

2. Over-the-door jewelry organizers are great to store frequently used makeup.

3. Over-the-door shoe organizers are great to store hair products and hair tools.

4. Opened mascara or eyeliner over 6 months old needs to be thrown out.

5. Unless you sanitize them frequently, makeup sponges need tossed after a week.

6. Lip products are good for about a year. Anything older than that? Say bye-bye.

7. Nail polish over a year old should be tossed. The pigment starts to separate and break down after about a year.

8. Any type of pressed or loose powder (eye shadow, face powder) has a shelf life of two years. Anything older needs to be tossed.

Take a look at my vanity before.

I wasn’t lying, was I? Filled to the max with too much. My countertop looks like that every day too because I don’t have anywhere to put it all. So, I did a major overhaul and went through everything. I ended up with a garbage bag full of products and makeup that was either past expiration or not used.

I purchased a Tupperware drawer and some wire racks and drawers. Knowing what to get as far as storage is a bit of trial and error. I didn’t know what I would need or what would fit under the sink. I bought several different options and ended up returning what didn’t work for me. Here is the end result.

I kept items that I use daily (like face wash) on the countertop so they are easily accessible. Other daily products were moved to the vanity but with easy access.

Having a place for everything makes me feel so much more organized. Here’s hoping I can continue this organization!

Another Snowy Look

Can you believe it snowed again? At this point I don't even know whether to laugh or cry. And as I type this, we are forecasted to get more snow/freezing rain/rain over the next 2 days. Ugh...will it ever end? At this point, I can't even see spring in sight past all of the gray and black snow that is dumped everywhere!

Anyway. I first shared my new trench coat here a few weeks ago. I know I have said it numerous times, but a trench coat is something that every woman should have in her closet. It is a classic staple that will never go out of style!

I thought it would be perfect with my Hunter boots and my favorite leggings for church on Sunday. I knew it would be snowing, but I just couldn't bring myself to bundle up too much (because I am sick of it to be honest), so the trench was a good compromise.

Outfit Details:

Trench Coat: Old Navy /// Tunic: Old Navy /// Leggings: Old Navy /// Boots: Hunter /// Bag: c/o Boohoo /// Scarf: Elizabeth & West /// Hat: Target /// Sunglasses: Target

Faux Fur, Floppy Hats & Rocksbox

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend! I decided to break out my faux fur for the cold temps. Something about wearing it makes me feel extra cozy, which is needed when it's below freezing outside!

Tossing on something like a faux fur vest makes an outfit. Had I walked out the door without it, my outfit would have just been another black top, tossed on over jeans-not a complete look. The vest totally completes the look. I love something as effortless as a vest like mine completing a look (an 'outfit completer'). In the warmer months, I like to thing it's something like a fedora, panama hat, or even my favorite utility vest!

Outfit Details:

Faux Fur Vest: Elizabeth & West (similar) /// Top: Target /// Jeans: Old Navy /// Booties: Forever 21 /// Purse: c/o Boohoo/// Hat: Target /// Necklace: Gorjana c/o Rocksbox /// Earrings: Slate c/o Rocksbox /// Watch: Target /// Bracelets: Margaret Elizabeth c/o Rocksbox (paired with my watch), Alex and Ani, Stella and Dot

Another thing I love about the outfit is my jewelry! I recently partnered with Rocksbox, an awesome jewelry rental service! You fill out a quick style survey and they send you three pieces based on your survey. You wear the jewelry as often as you like for however long you want, then return when you are done, or you have the option to buy at a discounted price. Shipping is prepaid both ways, so you don't have to worry about that. Plus, the box is small enough to fit in your mailbox (I know, something so minor, but not having to go out of my way to a post office is a big deal). 

It's only $19/month for unlimited jewelry rental, and you also get $10 'monthly shine' to spend every month towards your rentals! 

Use the code mommyinheelsxoxo and get your first month's rental for free!!!!