Pink and Fuzzy

Sweater- c/o Aeropostale, Shirt- Forever 21 (similar), Jeans- Forever 21 (similar), Heels- Asos (similar)

Photos by Laura Ross

Every time I wear my boyfriend jeans I think to myself that I need to wear them a lot more. I just always gravitate to my skinnies! I do love dressed up looks with boyfriend jeans though, so I decided to give it another try. I've heard a lot of people talk about getting your proportions right when wearing baggier jeans on bottom, but I kind of like the look of them with a looser top rather than something more fitted. 

I ordered this sweater in a medium from Aeropostale since I was afraid it would be a bit cropped, and I like the slighly oversized fit. (P.S. It's on sale for $15 and comes in four really nice pastel colors! I kinda want them all!) This sweater is incredibly soft. It pairs well with a semi-dressed up look, but its also something you can lay around the house in while wearing your pj pants. A touch of embellishment on my collar and silver heels finished off the look.

Varsity Sweater

Sweater- c/o Oasap, Jeans- Forever 21 (similar), Boots- Forever 21, Bag- Old Navy

This Oasap sweater gives off the old-school cheerleader vibe with its striped detail, and I'm digging it. If only I had paired it with a pleated plaid mini skirt...Ha! That look is one I am not dying to recreate. But I have been talking about how I'm all about the sporty details this season, and this piece falls right in line. I kept it simple with all black everything else and of course, dark lipstick and nails.

I always find it interesting to find out a blogger's height. When you only ever see them in pictures alone, its hard to tell how tall someone is. I am 5'3" and I have pretty curvy thighs for my height. Anything I can do to make my legs seem longer, I'm all for it. Tucking black skinny jeans into black boots? I think its a definite leg-lenghtener.

By the way, this sweater is one size fits all and I find it perfectly oversized on me. It also comes in black, which I also love!

Leopard and Leather

Coat- old (similar on sale 30% off), Sweater- Target, Skirt- Piperlime, Boots- Shoedazzle, Necklace- Forever 21 (similar), Tights- Target

Last weekend was definitely an interesting one! We had a crazy ice storm in Dallas that made driving a real chore. I still got out a little and did a silly blog photoshoot in the ice that was a little bit of a fail. I am definitely ready for the ice to melt, and I'm happy that the temperatures are staying in the 30s so I can dress in layers! It may be December but I still haven't gotten a chance to wear a lot of my winter layers in Texas.

I've been wearing a lot of neutrals lately, but that doesn't mean what I'm wearing is boring! Leopard is a neutral and pairs with pretty much anything. I paired it with my favorite cognac leather skater skirt and black over the knee boots.

Work Wear: Fair Isle

Coat- Zara, Sweater- JCPenney (similar), Shirt- Kohls, Pants- Target, Heels- Forever 21 (similar)

Last winter, I discovered the greatness of JCPenney. I hadn't shopped there in years, but I ventured in one day and haven't turned back. They have a really good clothing selection and are always having sales. Nicole Miller's more affordable line Nicole by Nicole Miller is sold there, along with Charlotte Ronson's I Heart Ronson and Mary Kate and Ashley's Olsenboye. Some other brand favorites they carry are Bisou Bisou, Joe Fresh, and MNG by Mango. I got this sweater from the MNG by Mango line for cheap. Then, I realized it looked extremely similar to this $600 J.Crew sweater from last winter. Any store that sells J.Crew dupes at low prices is definitely for me!

This sweater is incredibly soft and thick, so it's perfect for the cold weather we are FINALLY having in Texas. I styled it in this preppy look that reminds me of something Blair Eadie would wear. Sometimes I feel a little silly wearing a sweater with exposed ankles, but hey, I'm really only outside for a few minutes on a typical day, so I can deal!

Linking up with Three-for Thurdsay: Bethany & Meghan | Spotlight of the Week: Jacqueline & Elle | Tres Chic Thursday |  Mix and Match Fashion | Working Girl With Style

Let's Try That Again

Sweater- Gap (limited sizes online, similar here), Jeans- c/o Aeropostale, Boots- Calvin Klein, Coat- Zara, Necklaces- Nordstrom, similar, Scarf- Forever 21 (love this, only $13.99!)

Budgeting. Ugh. Its hard. And its not fun. But it's necessary. I feel the need to confess after I shared my shopaholic nature last month. I went a month without shopping, and I felt great about my progress. As I shared closet cleaning, wishlist making, and smart shopping tips, what I was really doing was trying to ingrain those concepts into my own thick skull.

So I'm going to tell you just what happened after I ended my shopping ban halfway through October and decided I was ready to embark on my journey of shopping on a budget. First, I spent my October budget. Then, I kept going. I definitely overspent. I felt bad, but not bad enough to stop. I overspent in November too.

I'm not too far gone, but I felt like I need to be honest in case you start to notice me wearing some recently purchased clothes and wonder if I am really sticking to my budget. The only thing I can do at this point is try again. I am going to try to curb the shopping to a minimum until January. I have Christmas presents to buy after all! I'm going to spend some time brainstorming better ways to stay on budget. If you have any tips to share, I'd love to hear them!

Linking up with: Trend Spin | Style Sessions

Day to Night: Black Boots

Sweater- Marshalls (love this), Jeans- H&M (similar on sale! ), Boots- Shoedazzle, Bag- Phillip Lim for Target, Necklace- Just Svara, Sunglasses- similar

Chambray- Kohl's (on sale $18! ), Dress (worn as skirt)- Forever 21, Necklace- similar

I've seen the Stuart Weitzman 5050 boots in just about every magazine I've read lately, so when I saw these boots in a similar style on Shoedazzle, I decided to retire my 2 year old black boots for this pair. I got them for $24.95 since it was my first order on the site. Such a great price, and the quality doesn't disappoint.

Since my journey through shopaholic recovery, I'm trying to be better about buying pieces that are versatile. Of course flat knee-high boots can be styled tons of ways for casual daytime looks, so I set out to prove that they could work for a nighttime look too. Now, when I say "nighttime," I'm not talking clubwear, but for dinner out on the weekend, this look is perfect. The boots make the shorter hemline of my skirt a little more tasteful, and help to keep my legs warm (well, once it gets cold here they will).

For another versatility challenge, I am determined to style my windowpane print dress in at least 4 ways. I especially love it as a skirt!

Linking up with I Feel Pretty | Keeping It Casual | Wardrobe Wednesday | Wednesday Style Connection

Effortless

Sweater- J.Crew Factory (25% off with J.Crew card, enter CARDPERK  at checkout), Jeans- Zara, Heels- Shoemint (20% off first pair with code shcart20 ), Bag- Phillip Lim for Target, Sunglasses- similar, Necklaces- Express, similar, similar, Ring- Baublebar

I've been obsessed with effortless, neutral outfits lately. The kind that are easy to put together in a hurry, but still leave you feeling stylish. For me, the key to feeling polished in simple pieces is to choose a pair of shoes with a little interest. The snakeskin print of these Shoemint heels is neutral but still fun and pairs perfectly with my tan sweater and lightwash jeans. I'm still trying to perfect my half-tuck and sleeve-rolling abilities to create an effortlessly cool look! I think I'm getting a little better at it, what do you think? :)

Linking up with My Style Monday | Style Sessions | Real Girl Style