Work Wear: Leopard Print

Who doesn't love a little leopard print? This is one of my favorite pencil skirts for work. I like that it is only two-toned with cream and black, so its not as busy, and easier to pull off in the work environment. Surprisingly, it works as a great neutral piece that I can pair with so many different tops. Here, I paired my skirt with a black studded chiffon button up. 

 Top- Forever 21, Skirt- Loft (similar here and here), Shoes- Target

 Watch- Fossil, Bracelet- Glam Grab (similar), Necklace- Forever 21

How do you incorporate leopard into your wardrobe?

<3 Katie

More Dots

Its pretty obvious while reading my blog that I really like polka dots. Its a really easy pattern to mix. I love how my floral scarf paired with the dots.

 Shirt- Marshalls (similar here, here), Jeggings- Jessica Simpson, Wedges- Forever 21, Scarf- Marshalls

Jacket- Target

Bracelets- Forever 21, Glam Grab, Watch- Fossil

<3 Katie

Currently Craving: Pencil Skirts

I LOVE pencil skirts. I wear them to work almost every day and I own at least 10 of them. I want to mix up my wardrobe with some printed pencil skirts that are on trend for spring. Check out my favorites!

Floral 1 / 2 / 3

Stripes 1 / 2 / 3

Dotted / Geometric / Paisley

<3 Katie

Warming Up

We don't get much of a winter here in Texas, which makes me crave spring clothes way before the season actually starts. These colored jeans are totally a spring color. I dyed them by hand using Rit royal blue liquid dye. They didn't exactly turn out royal blue, but I really like the periwinkle shade. I feel like I'll get a lot of use out of them come spring, but why wait! While the weather is starting to warm up, I've already started to get some use out of them.

 Sweater- Aeropostale (similar), Shirt- Old Navy (similar), Jeans- Target (similar), Boots- Wanted, Watch- Fossil

Necklace- (similar), Bracelet- (similar)

What spring trend are you most excited for?

 <3 Katie

Work Wear: Double Dots

Pairing similar prints is easy when the prints are a different scale. I paired this polka dotted sweater with a polka dotted chambray shirt for a fun work outfit. The black pencil skirt makes it office appropriate, and these heels are just tall enough to still be comfy all day.

 Sweater- Gap (similar), Shirt- Old Navy, Skirt- (similar), Heels- Target, Belt- Target, Watch- Fossil

Necklace- Express (similar), Bracelet- Glam Grab

Has anyone been watching The Carrie Diaries on the CW? Carrie wore this sweater on this week's episode. Maybe its a little silly, but I love seeing items I own on celebrities!

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion for "What I Wore to Work."

<3 Katie

Hint of Plaid

Scarves have been a total necessity lately, even in Texas! Up until this week, it has been pretty cold here, so any chance I get to wear scarves and layers, I take it! I am wearing the Mossimo Ponte Pant from Target in the color bloodstone and I highly recommend picking up a pair. They are a little thicker than leggings but still super comfy and stretchy. They have seaming down the outer edge on the front and back to add a bit of detail. I got them in black too!

 Leather Jacket- (similar), Tee- Forever 21, Pants- Target, Heels- Target, Scarf- Gift

Here's my "pin-spiration" for this outfit:

<3 Katie

Shopping Ban

One of my New Year's resolutions was to try my luck with a shopping ban. From January through March, I am only allowing myself to buy the essentials (I'll explain what that means here in a bit). Here's why I decided to try out a ban:

1. I want to reduce the amount I spend on clothes.
2. My closet is overflowing. When I moved into my new place over the summer, my closet space was cut in half. Not only do I not need anything new, but I am in the process of getting rid of anything that doesn't fit my style anymore.
3. I am going on a trip to Europe in March, and I plan to do most of my spring shopping in London and Paris (so stinking excited for this!!) I am currently saving money for my big trip.

So how is it possible to accomplish a shopping ban?

• Avoid the mall! This one is a little tricky considering I live right across the street from my favorite mall. The only way to keep this ban going is to avoid that place like the plague! I also have to stay away from stores like Target, because, if you are anything like me, you know how hard it is to walk out with only the item you went in for.
• Have a goal. In this case, my goal is my trip to Europe. If I'm ever tempted to buy a new pair of shoes or a new sweater, I ask myself, "Would I rather have these shoes, or would I rather buy more in Europe?" That usually is enough to convince me to to put whatever is tempting me back on the rack and walk away.
• Shop your closet. I read a lot of fashion blogs and spend a fair amount of time on Pinterest, so I use these to get ideas for more ways to wear the pieces I already have.
• Get help from your friends so they can help remind you if you get carried away.

I can't begin to give advice on this subject unless I let you in on how its been going for me. This month, I have allowed myself to buy some essentials for my trip- t-shirts, leggings, and other staple clothing items that will be good for travel. I am backpacking through Europe (or "backpacking in style" as I like to call it), so I will be packing as lightly as possible. I also caved (oops!) and bought 2 tops during a J. Crew Factory sale that were majorly marked down. They were really reasonably priced ($10 and $25 each) and are pieces I can carry through to my spring and summer wardrobe.

So there you have it! Just a little insight and some tips on how I plan to successfully complete my shopping ban. Stay tuned in a couple months for my European haul!

I'll leave you with a quick OOTD:

Sweater- Forever 21 (similar), Tank- Forever 21, Leggings- Seven (similar), Boots- Charlotte Russe

<3 Katie

Runway to Real Life: Project Runway All Stars

Project Runway is one of my favorite shows on tv. I love fashion, but the talent that must go into creating original pieces is something I can't even begin to imagine! Here are my favorite looks from Season 2 of Project Runway All Stars, and how you can recreate them on a budget.

Anthony Ryan Auld- Finale

I love this finale look from Anthony Ryan. Its such a classy look with a pop of yellow. The back of the top is amazing- see it here!

top, skirt, booties

Uli Herzner- Finale

I would love to own an Uli dress (like this one!), but my favorite look from her this season was this one from the finale. I love those metallic brocade pants! The fur vest and suede booties make it so trendy. I would totally wear this one.

top, vest, pants, booties

Anthony Ryan Auld- Episode 7

Anthony Ryan was my favorite this season. This dress is from the unconventional challenge, so it's actually made of decorations from a Christmas store! I love the graphic detail of it, and the metallic materials are flashy in just the right way.

 top, skirt, shoes

Ivy Higa- Episode 1

This jacket from Ivy is so classic, and the leather shorts give it a bit of edge.

blazer, tank, shorts, shoes

<3 Katie

5 Ways to Wear: Faux Fur Vest

After much searching, I found the perfect faux fur vest! I have been dreaming up outfits that I could wear it with since before I bought it, so I've been wearing it nonstop.

First, I paired it with a simple striped tee, colored jeans, and metallic flats for a trip to the mall.

Shirt- H&M, Vest- Sears, Jeans- Target (hand dyed), Flats- Old Navy (similar), Watch- Fossil

Necklace- Forever 21

On a casual Saturday, I wore it with a gingham shirt and cognac boots.

Shirt- J. Crew, Jeggings- Jessica Simpson, Boots- Rack Room Shoes, Bracelet- Glam Grab

Necklace- Glam Grab

My favorite had to be this super comfy all black outfit.

 Shirt- Zara, Leggings- Target, Boots- Charlotte Russe

 

Necklace- Forever 21, Bracelet- Target (on sale!) 

For dinner out, I wore a sequin shirt and maroon wedges to dress up my vest a bit.

 Shirt- J.Crew Factory, Wedges- Forever 21 (similar)

Bracelet- Glam Grab

 

And finally, I paired my vest with my favorite lace dress from Zara for a more elegant look I am saving for a special occasion.

 Dress- Zara, Heels- Sole Society, Belt- Forever 21

 

Do you have a faux fur vest? What is your favorite way to wear it?

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<3 Katie

Work Wear: Green and Gold

Forest green has been one of my favorite colors throughout the fall and winter seasons, and I just love how it looks paired with gold accessories! I got this pencil skirt on clearance for $10 at H&M. My subtle leopard print top is one of those finds from Forever 21 where you feel like you have hit the jackpot! Very affordable and well made, not to mention, in my opinion, very stylish!

Top- Forever 21, Skirt- H&M, Belt- Forever 21, Booties- Tahari

Necklace- Glam Grab

And what do you do after work when you need to run out the door and don't have time to pick out a new outfit? Switch out your green skirt for some green skinnies!

Jeans- Target

<3 Katie

Leopard Scarf

In my opinion, leopard is always the right choice. I won this Stella and Dot Scarf in a giveaway from the lovely Kristin at Living in Color Print and I absolutely love it! Its super soft and the rectangular shape allows me to wear it in a variety of different ways. Definitely a great addition to my wardrobe!

Sweater- Forever 21, Jeans- Bisou Bisou for JC Penney (on sale!), Boots- Wanted, Scarf- Stella and Dot

Watch- Fossil, Love Bracelet- Glam Grab, Cross Bracelet- Style Love Living (gift), Clover Bracelet- Glam Grab

This outfit was "pin-spired" by this photo I found on Pinterest:

<3 Katie