Feminine Floral

Happy Wednesday! or is it Thursday? Sorry, totally can't remember because I'm on SUMMER VACATION!!! (And yes, I am 100% rubbing it in).

I've been pretty MIA on this blog here of late; I actually had these pictures taken at least two weeks ago! The past few weeks have been a total whirlwind for me - lots of new BIG changes happening in my life that I can't wait to share with everyone!

Anyway, on to the good stuff...

Floral Vest - Brooklynn's - Similar here
Peasant Tank - Branches - Similar here
Dark Denim - Old Navy - Check it out here
Gold Sandals - Rue 21 - Similar here
Statement earrings - Charming Charlie - Similar here

Honestly, my favorite thing about this outfit is the comfort factor. I've always preferred flowy, feminine looks over extra structured pieces, so this look really embodied my style! When I saw this floral vest hanging up at one of my favorite boutiques, I knew it had to be mine. I may or may not feel like I belong at Woodstock...or I guess Coachella would be more time appropriate ;) Add a colorful accessory or two, and you've got an easy bohemian look for an affordable price! I've linked all brands on this post.


Hope you all are having a beautiful week!

Bloom where you're planted

Happy Monday!

I apologize for the week long hiatus; I've been on spring break this week, and to be honest, I haven't felt like doing anything. Literally, my entire week has mostly consisted of napping, taking walks, Zumba, googling random topics, more napping, and of course, eating. What's not to love? 

A few weeks ago, I picked up a new t-shirt from Kohl's (see below). I loved the look of the shirt, but what really stood out to me was the message behind it. In big, floral letters, the shirt proclaimed "bloom where you're planted." Y'all, I can't even begin to describe how applicable that saying is to my current situation. For those who don't know me that well, I graduated with a degree in English/Secondary Education from Appalachian State in North Carolina. I was really looking forward to finally having my own classroom and helping as many students as I could, both with their writing and life skills. As fate would have it, however, I was unable to find a teaching job. Instead, I was given the title of paraprofessional at a local high school. Basically, a para is a one on one for a particular student who has some sort of special need.

I've really wrestled with this title. On the one hand, I love the student I work with and feel so blessed to have this position. But I can't help but think to myself, "I worked my butt off for four long years. Why isn't it paying off?" I consistently worry about what my family and friends think of me in regard to my career, and at times, I can get down on myself about it. "I wasn't good enough for a teaching position" is an unfortunate statement that creeps into my mind more often than it should. What makes it even more difficult is the more time I go without teaching a class, the less capable I feel in that sort of position. It's a pretty vicious cycle and, if you let it, your confidence can dwindle as a result.

What I've learned (and am still learning) is that God doesn't put you in tough situations for no reason. He uses these times of confusion, frustration, and sadness to grow you into the person you're meant to be. 

I don't know if I'll end up being a teacher next year. I don't know if I'll be a para, a writer, or maybe a housewife. Whatever comes my way, though, I know it is in God's plan, and I should do my best not to question it.

Tshirt, Jeans, Sandals-similar

May we all bloom no matter the season,

Flower Child

Oh haaaay, Thursday!

We're almost to the weekend, thank goodness! Next week is my school's spring break, and I am so looking forward to a staycation with nothing to do and nowhere to be (cue the John Mayer song reference). Maybe it's just the "old lady" in me, but traveling over school breaks can become kind of exhausting. Sometimes it's just nice to relax in your own home, ya know?

In the look below, I decided to style a new dress I posted about here a few weeks back. Aside from the awesome price tag, I adore this dress because of the flowy, bohemian feel. Call me a flower child at heart, but I've always gravitated toward a laid back, hippie inspired look. I just love how effortless it feels!

I styled the dress with simple accessories: my go to black leggings, tall black boots, and a few gold embellishments to match. It's quick, easy, stylish, and comfy.

Disclaimer: Kyle took these pictures of me about ten minutes after I woke up from my afternoon nap (yes, I am still a child), so excuse my groggy eyes.

 

Floral Baby Doll Dress Similar

Black Leggings here

Black Boots Similar (HOLY good deal!)

Gold Accessories Similar

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Latest Bargains

Happy Monday!

Well, kind of happy. This time change thing is for the birds. I woke up this morning feeling like I had been ran over by a truck! I'm plotting to have my entire workplace protest time change. No, totally kidding...maybe.

This past weekend, I found some awesome deals at a very unexpected place. I try to avoid clothing shopping in an effort to save money, but I couldn't help but drag (literally) my husband into Rue 21 to check out their latest deals. I know, I know, Rue 21 is definitely a teenager brand. However, they have always been my go-to place for trendy accessories and clothing at a ridiculously affordable price. And when I say ridiculous, I mean cheaper than Goodwill ridiculous.

By the time I left the store, I managed to pick up three dresses, one pair of sandals, and a pair of leopard canvas shoes. Wait until you see my total cost, y'all...

1.  Navy Striped Skater Bow Dress

Anyone who has spent more than five minutes shopping with me knows that I am a sucker for bows. I would put them on everything if I didn't look completely crazy! The nautical feel of this dress, matched with the feminine touch of the plunging bow back, made me fall in love without a second thought. I simply could not leave without it, and for the price, I didn't have to!

Regular Price: $16.99
What I paid: $5.20

Get it online here! Fair warning though - it's A LOT cheaper in stores. 

2. Polka Dot Tunic

Ok, so it's a tunic on me. I'm a bit taller than the average gal (5'7), and while I could pull it off as a dress, it's just slightly too short for my taste. If you're any smaller than me, you can absolutely rock this as a dress. My favorite thing about this look is the v-neck and pockets. Even though I paid basically nothing for it, the product looks well made and sophisticated. No complaints here!

Regular Price: $17.99
What I paid: $5.20
Available in store only

3. Floral Baby Doll Dress with Bell Sleeves

I am in loooooooove with baby doll style dresses. They are so comfy, yet so chic! With this dress, though, the colors and bell sleeves are what really sold me. I have nothing in my closet that looks anything like it, and if you've seen my closet, you know that's quite an accomplishment. It's the perfect feminine look for spring, and with its affordable price tag, I just couldn't pass it up.

Regular Price: $17.99
What I paid: $5.20
Available in store only

4. Leopard Canvas Shoes

I've been looking for a new pair of leopard shoes for the past few months. The ones I bought from Target 3 years ago were literally falling apart before my eyes, but I couldn't bear to throw them out before finding a replacement. Thankfully, I found them at Rue 21 for an awesome price!

Regular Price: $16.99
What I paid: $3.00
Available in store only

5. Gold Dusted Sandals

It's ironic - I was just telling Kyle that I needed to be on the look out for a neutral pair of sandals for spring. Fast forward about thirty seconds, I found these beauties! My favorite part about these sandals is the ankle strap. To me, it makes the sandals look a little nicer than the average pair you'd find elsewhere. And for the price? I just couldn't resist!

Regular Price: $16.99
What I paid: $3.00
Available in store only

And the total cost is...

$21.60! 

P.S. - Keep in mind this is technically a junior's store, so you'll probably need to buy a size bigger than usual in clothing.


XOXO,

Black & Creme

Hello, pretty people!


Is it just me, or is this week going by exceptionally slow? We basically had a two week vacation here in Atlanta due to snow, so maybe I'm acting a bit spoiled, but if today gets any longer I may start growing gray hair (yes, I tend to be dramatic).  To break away from the mundane day-to-day activities that a work week can bring, I chose to style one of my favorite tops:

I have a major love affair with anything flowy and feminine, and this sweater is all of the above! The multicolored ruffles add the perfect touch to make this top a real eye catcher. I've worn it a few times now, and I get compliments every single time. This is a great transitional sweater for winter to spring - it's warm enough to keep you cozy in the winter months, yet light enough to wear on a cool spring day. Add a statement necklace, and you're out the door with an easy, comfy, and stylish look. What's not to love? For more cute clothes at an affordable price, check out www.Brooklyn's.com!


Hope you have a {speedy} week!

Anniversary Recap

Happy hump day!


This past weekend, Kyle and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. We've planned an anniversary cruise for next month (WHOOP WHOOP!), so we decided to keep our weekend celebrations pretty low key. We drove down to Atlantic Station (a trendy little outlet mall in the heart of Atlanta) and spent the day there. We browsed through stores we could never afford, played in Ikea, and enjoyed the scenery/weather.

 

Ruffled Cream Top - Vintage

Old Navy Olive Skinnies- Similar style here (SALE!)

Leopard Loafers - Similar style here

Coach Plaid Bag - Ridiculously old!

For dinner, we went to our absolute favorite burger joint, The Vortex. Guys, if you haven't been there and you don't have to cross the ocean to get to Atlanta, get in your car and go - NOW. Seriously, it's that good. One of the things I love most about The Vortex is their interesting menu choices. For our appetizer, we ordered a Mac 'N' Cheesy-Changa. Basically, it was a chimichanga filled with pork, mac and cheese, and "cheesy-cheese goo." Oh, the deliciousness (aka, holy calories). But hey, it was our anniversary. We're allowed to indulge every once in a while, right? I had the Yokohama-Mama burger for my entree (a teriyaki glazed burger with a pineapple on top) and it was just as amazing. Far warning though - It is a BAR, and you have to be 21 to get in. Oh, and the menu is rife with hilarious but wildly inappropriate commentary. You've been warned.

Our celebration was simple, but it fit our personalities to a "T" and we had a great time! 


How was your weekend?

Love you forever,

A Pop of Red

Hooray for Thursday!

This week has gone by SO fast! I love waking up feeling like it's Tuesday and realizing you're almost done with your work week. As if this week couldn't get any better, on January 18th, Kyle and I will be celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. I can't believe how fast a year has flown by. People always tell me your first year of marriage is the hardest, but I think it was the best year of my life. We will probably celebrate by going down to Atlanta for a nice dinner and some exploring - we're saving the real celebration for our anniversary cruise next month. :)

ANYWAY, enough of the sappy stuff - The outfit below was something I paired together for an afternoon out with my hubs. It was FREEZING out, so I knew a warm, cuddly scarf was a must. The downside of those kinds of scarfs though is feeling like the rest of my outfit was drowning in it. I needed a pop of color to outshine the scarf, and my red cowboy boots were just the ticket! I actually got lots of compliments on this look, and I felt warm and stylish all day long.

Gap Polka Dot Boyfriend Blouse - Similar style here (ON SALE!)
Rampage Walden Red Boots - Peep them here (ON SALE!)
Levi's 535 Leggings - Similar style here (Style "Indigo Affection" ON SALE!)
Loose-Knit Fringe Scarf - Similar style here (ON CLEARANCE!)