Sneaks

Coat- c/o Sheinside, Sweater- Gap (similar), Jeans- Loft, Shoes- Asics, Necklace- J.Crew Factory, Sunglasses- Forever 21

I've joined the bandwagon of wearing skinny jeans with sneakers. (Does anyone else call them tennis shoes? For some reason I feel weird saying sneakers.) I hadn't bought a new pair of tennis shoes in so long, but I needed a pair for work recently so I picked up these emerald ones. Looking back, I think I would have preferred a gray or black pair, but I do really like the color of these. I have worn them several times with skinny jeans when I am running out on the weekends with neutral outfits, but they also felt right in a monochrome scheme. Most comfortable errand running outfit ever.

What I Bought This Month: January Haul

I did it...I stayed within my budget this month! Thanks to Loft's amazing 60% off sale and a $20 off coupon for Charming Charlie, I was able to get some really good deals in January. I'm excited to be off to a good start this year as far as clothes budgeting goes. I'm trying to focus on getting some more work bottoms since a lot of mine don't fit anymore. I finally got into a healthier eating and workout regimen towards the end of last year, and good progress means a really awesome reason to need new clothes!

Here are the details: 

1. Over the Knee Boots (Forever 21, sold out) - A great affordable way to get the look of Stuart Weitzmans without paying several hundred dollars. You can read more about what I think about them in my post from yesterday.

2. Crossbody Bag (Charming Charlie) - I love forest green and have been wanting a darker colored small bag for days I don't want to carry a big bag with me. Seen here.

3. Faux Leather Skirt (Loft) - Even though this is supposed to be a mini skirt, it's knee length on me so it works for a lot of different occasions. One of my goals this year is to buy more knee length skirts that I can wear to work/church/etc, and less mini skirts which are way less practical. Worn here.

4. Jacquard Pants (Loft) - These pants have a great subtle pattern on them that can be easily mixed with other prints. I've only worn them with solid tops so far but I'm going to break out of my comfort zone for some pattern mixing soon.

5. Black Jeans (Loft) - I haven't had a pair of black jeans that fit in a while, aside from a pair with ripped knees. I wanted a pair that I could dress up or down and I managed to get these in store for only $14! I've been wearing them constantly when I'm not a work. Worn here.

6. Gray Booties (Forever 21) - I had a pair of Zara gray boots on my wishlist, but they never came back in stock. These are pretty similar and look really cute with skinnies tucked in. Worn here.

7. Gold Necklace (Forever 21) - A fun simple piece that I can pair with everything.

8. Gray Wool Skirt (Loft) - Another great Loft steal from their 60% off sale. This would be perfect to tuck a plaid shirt in to. I wore it once but forgot to snap a picture for Instagram.

9. Stud Earrings (Forever 21, sold out) - I am a lover of stud earrings of all shapes and sizes. This is a fun pair that have a retro, art deco vibe.

10. Maroon Hat (Anthropologie, sold out) - I waited to pick up this hat until it went on sale so I got it for a great price. I didn't care for the gold braided detail around it, so I cut that part off. Such a cute hat!. Worn here.

Not Pictured:

Double Layer Top (Loft, sold out) - Absolutely love this faux layered top that looks like it has a white button-up underneath it. It makes "layering" easy! Worn here.

Faux Fur Stole (Charming Charlie, sold out) - I love a little faux fur detail, and this $5 stole is perfect to thrown on over any simple coat or jacket. Worn here.

Gray Hat (Charming Charlie, sold out) - Snagged this great hat for only $8! You can see it in my post from yesterday here.

Black Dress (Charming Charlie, sold out)

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers

Over The Knee

Blazer- Target, Sweater- Old Navy, Jeans- Loft, Boots- Forever 21, Hat- Charming Charlie (similar under $20), Bag- Forever 21

I found myself being drawn more and more to Stuart Weitzman over the knee boots, particularly the highstreet style. I cannot ever see myself wanting to spend that much on anything, let alone a pair of boots that aren't super practical for every day wear, so I went with a much more affordable pair from Forever 21 instead. They aren't an exact copy so I don't feel cheesy sporting designer knock-offs.

My one complaint about these boots? They get pretty bunchy around the knees. I think they would fit a little nicer in that area if they laced up the top 6 inches in the back. Laces would also help them fit better over jeans (they can be a little hard to pull on all the way), and would be nice to help tighten them up when I've worn them bare legged with skirts. But hey, they are from Forever 21, so what can you expect? Overall they are a very cute and comfortable boot at a great price.

Work Appropriate Leather

Top- Loft, Skirt- Loft, Booties- Nordstrom (similar), Coat- Forever 21, Tights- Target, Necklace- Anthropologie, Bag- Forever 21

I rarely shop at Loft. I think its a combination of the prices being a little too high than I like to pay, the shipping fee being $9, and that when they have their big end of season sales (which, I will admit, are awesome), the items become final sale. I have placed too many online orders and either had to return the item because it didn't fit and lose my $9 shipping charge, or I ordered something final sale that didn't fit and I couldn't do anything about it. Maybe I'm just picking the wrong sizes, but I am usually pretty good at doing that when placing online orders. Or maybe its just bad luck.

Anyway, I went to Loft with my mom after Christmas and was able to get both this top and skirt for great prices with the 50% off promo (the skirt was $18!). Then I saw the additional 60% off sale email come through inbox and I took another look. I went to a different store that had a ton of sale inventory and came out with three more great items at unbelievable prices! I guess the moral of the story is that I need to stop ordering online and go to the store when I want to shop there.

I have one more short story to tell today, and that is about this stunner of a statement necklace! My boyfriend picked this out for my for Christmas and I love it. The next time I looked at my Pinterest wishlist board, I realized I had pinned the same one a few weeks before! And no, he doesn't look at my Pinterest, he is just THAT good at picking out things that I like. I'm lucky :)

Jeweled Beanie

Coat- H&M (similar under $40), Sweater- Old Navy, Jeans- c/o Aeropostale (similar under $20), Boots- Calvin Klein, 

Beanie- Target, Fur Collar- Charming Charlies (similar), Gloves- Target (similar), Bag- Rebecca Minkoff

Am I the only one who gets excited to see 30 and 40 degree days when I check my weather app? I have been thrilled that we have had some really cold days in Texas so that I can bundle up in lots of layers! It isn't often that I can get away with wear a hat, faux fur collar, coat, and gloves, so when the opportunity arises, I have to soak it up. I chose this outfit based around my rhinestone beanie and faux fur collar (that I found at Charming Charlie's for $5 might I add). My pink coat was screaming for the addition of the faux fur, and I love the mix of light pink, cream and gray. I couldn't resist adding the beanie on top, because it was cold, and because it's cute! I can't wait to style more cold weather looks in the weeks ahead.