A Chambray Collar

 Top- TJ Maxx (similar in black, white), Skirt- Lulu's (similar), Sandals- Target, Watch- Fossil, Bracelet- Target

I hope you all had a great weekend! I spent it taking a little trip to Austin, TX and floating the Guadalupe river, which was so much fun. I definitely want to make it an annual trip!

I bought this shirt knowing I wanted to pair it with my chambray skirt. I love the extra touch of the chambray collar. So fun! I also tried my hand at layering necklaces. They were both pretty dainty so you can see they got a little tangled. I really love my evil eye necklace. I got it this spring at a jewelry shop in Athens, Greece! It was the perfect souvenir.

Linking up with Kayla | Lauren | Amber

<3 Katie

Work Wear: Paisley Polka

 Blouse- c/o Oasap, Skirt- Forever 21, Heels- Zara, Necklace- BaubleBar (similar), Watch- Fossil, Bracelet- similar

I have been looking all over the place for printed pencil skirts and found this adorable one at Forever 21 of all places! I love the mix of colors it has in it. Being pattern-mixing obsessed, I paired it with my Oasap polka dotted blouse. This blouse is perfect for summer because even though it is long sleeved, it has the strap and button combo on the sleeves so you can roll them up above your elbow.

I've worked at the same place for 3 and a half years now, but I started out in the hospital where open-toed shoes are a big no-no. A year and a half ago, I transitioned over to IT and work in a different building where the dress code isn't as strict. I am so glad to be able to wear these chunky heeled sandals to work since they are perfectly comfortable and perfectly summery. Now, I wouldn't wear just any pair of open-toed shoes to work. Here are my rules of the road:

1. Get a pedicure. Whether you do it yourself or go to a nail salon, make sure your feet are looking their best. (And that includes those crusty heels...yuck.)
2. Don't go too strappy. Make sure the shoes provide some coverage so that your foot isn't completely bare.
3. No flip flops. I hesitate to wear them even on casual Fridays. Save those for the weekend.
4. Choose something close-toed if you have a big meeting with a new client or higher ups you don't work with every day. Those are times to make a professional first impression, not to expose your neon toe nail polish.

How strict is your work dress code? Can you wear open-toed shoes?

Don't forget to check out my group giveaway if you haven't already! 

You can win 1 of 3 gift cards to do some summer shopping!

Linking up with Tara, Bethany and Meghan for Three-fer Thursday, and Agi!

<3 Katie

Summer Lookbook: Peppermint Stripes

I'm starting a new series today called Summer Lookbook! Every Wednesday throughout June and July, I'll be posting an easy summer outfit incorporating staple pieces from my summer wardrobe. I'll also show you two more ways to wear this look down below and links back to all the items so you can recreate this look!

Today's look is very easy to put together, and is great for hotter weather. A classic skater circle skirt pairs perfectly with a tucked-in sleeveless blouse. I chose to do a little pattern mixing here with a striped blouse and polka dotted skirt. Since my top and skirt are lighter colored, I added some kelly green with my necklace and bag for an extra pop of color. Sometimes I look a little hippy in skater skirts, so I wear mine a bit high-waisted so it skims right over my hips and doesn't make me look wider than I am. You can also put a belt on top to really cinch in your waist.

Blouse- TJ Maxx, Skirt- Lulu's, Sandals- Charlotte Russe (identical), Necklace- Francesca's, Watch- Fossil, Belt- Forever 21 (similar), Bag- Forever 21

I used Barefoot Blonde's twisted braid tutorial to do something a little different with my hair!

How You Can Wear This Look:

Don't already have the pieces to recreate this look? Here are two additional outfits I put together featuring a skater skirt and sleeveless blouse. Click on any item below to see where you can buy it!

If you have any questions on how to wear this look, feel free to email me or leave a comment down below! Stay tuned next Wednesday for my next Summer Lookbook featuring hi-low dresses!

If you love to shop, be sure to enter my group giveaway here for a chance to win 

a gift card to Lulus.com, Victoria's Secret, or Sephora!

Linking up with Alison, Lauren, Amy, Savannah and Kelly!

<3 Katie

Dots and Stripes

Blouse- c/o Oasap, Skirt- Forever 21, Wedges- Target, Watch- Fossil, Link Bracelet- Glam Grab (similar)

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend. I spent some time by the pool (and am now sufficiently burned) and indulged in some retail therapy with one of my BFFs. Now we're starting the week off right with two spring trends- print mixing and black and white! I love the way this Oasap polka dot top looks paired with my Forever 21 striped skirt. Can you believe this skirt was only $13? The shape of it makes me feel like a tulip! I added these mustard wedges that I got on clearance at Target for just a little pop of color.

Linking up with Kayla!

<3 Katie

Seeing Spots

My final guest post is really special- let me introduce you to my BFF Katie! We are affectionately known as "Dos Katies" by all our friends. Numerous times, we have been mistaken for sisters, and once even twins! I think its just the height and hair color :). This girl may be petite but she has a big personality! We always think we are so funny that we should have our own reality show...not sure others would agree, haha! So glad I got to shoot these pics and show off my bestie!

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When it comes to fashion, I’m not as much of a risk taker as Miss Style Diary. My style is more subdued, and not as bold and daring. I’m currently obsessed with all things ultra-girly. My favorites are bows, lace, pearls, pink, ruffles, and of course, polka dots! Polka dots have always been my favorite pattern, and I was so excited when they came back in style. I went through a phase where I really wanted to wear them, but was afraid they made me look too juvenile. The spots are back now and in a big way that even we young professionals can enjoy. I was a little daring and decided to do dots-on-dots in one look, and then mix patterns by adding a leopard scarf in the other!

 

Chambray shirt, jeans, shoes- Forever 21

Blazer- Express, Top- Forever 21, Scarf- Charlotte Russe, Jeans- Hollister, Boots- Forever 21

I had so much fun with this post and am grateful to Katie for saving me a guest spot. Now I’m off to pick up Miss Style Diary from the airport and hear about her fabulous shopping adventures in Europe!

XO Katie

Guest Blogger: 23 Miles To Go

Today I'm super excited to feature one of my real life friends, Mallory! We had so much fun with this shoot and loved how these photos turned out. Check out how cute her polka dot jeans are down below! Mallory also has a blog- 23 Miles to Go! Be sure to visit to see more from her!

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Hey Hey Style Diary followers! I hope your Thursday is going wonderfully and if nothing else you are all smiling from ear to ear because tomorrow is Friday (PRAISE!!!)! I'm Mallory and I'm jumping into the world of style blogging head first with a guest post! I know what you're thinking... How in the world did this no name blogger get a guest spot!? Well lucky me, I've got connections. I'm very excited and thankful that my sweet friend Katie asked me to be a part of her blog while she's gallivanting around the world. Anyone else super jealous that she's shopping in some of the most fantastic places?

Anywho... on to the trend that I'm most excited about for spring! This spring I'm going to be rocking pastels as much as possible. And as you can see from my photos I'm still hanging on to mint as a key color this season.

Top: H&M, Jacket: Forever21, Denim: H&M, Shoes: Bakers, Watch: Marc By Marc Jacobs, Shades: Relic Brand

Jacket: OldNavy, Top: H&M, Denim: Target, Shoes: Target, Watch: Fossil, Shades: Target

Many thanks again to Katie for saving me a spot in her guest line up! You better be shopping for the both of us and enjoying every minute of it!

You can find more of my outfit posts and everything from embarrassing funny stories about my life in the big city to my job at Fossil, Inc. at 23 Miles To Go.

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Thanks Mallory for letting me feature you on my blog!

Be sure to follow @stylediaryblog on twitter and instagram to get updates from my European vacation!

<3 Katie

Work Wear: Dressed up Dots

Here's a look straight out of Marshalls. This polka dot top is so comfy and soft, so why not incorporate it into a work look? I also found this colorblocked pencil skirt there for $13! Total score.

Top- Marshall's (similar), Blazer- Gap (similar), Skirt- Marshall's (similar), Heels- Zara (love these)

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

Linking up with Tara of Mix and Match Fashion today!

<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