.:Accessories Count:.

//Sweater:  J.Crew Factory (similar)// Skirt:  Banana Republic (old; identical here)// Pumps:  old; wanting these // Necklace:  Stella & Dot//

Accessories can change a look.  This mint sweater & gingham skirt combo has been a go to for days when I am not sure what to wear for months.  One easy way to wear the same thing over and over again while still keeping it fresh is by changing your accessories.  For this look, I opted for my fabulously fringed Pegasus Necklace & fun leopard pumps.  However, in the past I have opted for a girlier necklace and spikey pumps in order to keep the look young and fun.  

Using the same basics, I have also opted for a classic look with basic nude heels and stacked necklaces.

See that blogpost here.

Using the same basics, I have also opted for a classic look with basic nude heels and stacked necklaces. See this blogpost here.

 Accessories add a breath of fresh air into your wardrobe.  Which look is your favorite?

xoxo,

Abbie

.:TJ Maxx Finds:.

//Shirt:  J.Crew Factory// Necklace:  TJ Maxx (similar version)// Skirt:  Kate Spade via TJ Maxx (similar)// Shoes:  Nine West//

I have to admit that TJ Maxx and Marshalls are some of my favorite stores.  You never know when you are going to find a treasure in one of them.  Both stores have always been my favorites for finding things for my home.  However, within the past year or so, I have found myself gravitating toward their clothing (and jewelry at TJ Maxx).  I love my Nest necklaces so very much (and actually think that they are more than worth their price tag as I wear them so much).  I was so elated to find this gem at TJ Maxx!  Also, this girl loves Kate Spade…but I'll be honest, I can't always afford a $300-$500 skirt.  In the past few months between TJ Maxx & Marshalls, I have found two incredible Kate Spade skirts in my size for WAY less than retail.  As you can imagine, I've totally fallen for these places and they have become one of my best shopping secrets.  Do you have any shopping secrets that help you score amazing pieces?

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Neon Stripes:.

//Sweater:  J.Crew Factory // Skirt:  J.Crew (similar)// Wedges:  Jessica Simpson (old; in love with these; Striped, super adorable on sale & on their way my closet here) // Necklaces:  J.Crew (identical here & similar here)// Sunnies:  Chanel// Polish:  Essie Where's My Chauffeur?//

The past week was insane.  I worked over 60 hours and it was the first week of school to boot!  That said, I spent the weekend with the husband recuperating.  

We went to a movie on Saturday and did some window shopping (I've got my eye on a pair of heels at Banana Republic).  I'm trying to think through my purchases a little more before buying…it's not the easiest thing for me to do but I'm really loving the pieces that I do purchase now as opposed to just having lukewarm feelings for them.  Let's hope this new shopping mentality sticks with me for quite some time.  

On Sunday, we did some work around the house.  The hubs installed the chandelier that hung above us at our wedding in our kitchen and started laying down new tile in our kitchen.  We moved in April to a home that we have done tons of work too.  I'm thankful to have a husband who is knowledgeable in all of these crazy projects!  I can safely say that our fixer upper is really becoming a place that I'm enjoying living in more and more with each project we complete.

.:Striped Love:.

//Sweater:  J.Crew Factory // Skirt:  Banana Republic (loving this one) // Shoes:  Sam Edelman (old; lusting after these) // Necklace:  Stellla & Dot (new version here) //

Today was the second day of teaching first grade to my new kiddos and running after school program!  I had a fantastically long day.  As I sit at my laptop at midnight, all I can think about is getting tons of sleep to gear up for the rest of the week!  I so wish I didn't have to wake up at 6am and had the luxury of lounging until 10am.  While I still plan on painting my nails before I hit the hay tonight (this girl never feels like herself with bare nails…which have happened the past 3 days), I can't help but be excited about seeing my new students again tomorrow and planning my outfit accordingly in the morning while sipping my coffee!  Hope you are having a fantastic week!

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Green Dots:.

//Sweater:  J.Crew (Factory Version here) // Skirt:  J.Crew (old; similar) // Heels:  Sam Edelman (absolutely love these!) // Necklace:  H&M (love this too!)//

My first official day back to school with my new first graders was yesterday.  We had an absolutely fabulous day and it is going to be a great year!  I also started as a lead teacher for my school's after school program this year…this equates to working about 11 hours per day!  Whew!  I love feeling so involved in my school's happenings though!  Anyway, back to the outfit!  In an effort to mingle with parents effectively yet still have a fun ensemble, I opted for brighter colors in classic silhouettes.  One of the easiest ways to make a classic outfit fun is by taking simple shapes (like a basic pencil skirt and sweater) and update them by purchasing them in fun colorful shades.  

.:Chanel Fever:.

//Blazer:  J.Crew // Sweater:  Loft (similar & 40% off!) // Necklaces:  Shop Urbanite c/o; J.Crew (old) // Pants:  Gap // Flats:  Steve Madden // Handbag:  Louis Vuitton Delightful MM //  Brooch & Sunnies:  Chanel//

This week my summer vacation ended and I'm back at work in the classroom preparing for my students who will arrive on Monday.  I am so excited for the coming school year!  

Today, because I knew that I was in district wide meetings today, I wanted to get back to looking presentable and out of distressed denim.  In order to add a more professional appeal to a basic white jeans and striped shirt ensemble, I chose to add a black blazer to dress it up a bit.  Adding statement jewelry also helped to jazz this outfit up.

On a side note, lately I've had full blown Chanel fever.  I have been loving my flats and brooch so very much and have been wearing them weekly for months upon months.  I coveted these sunnies for so long before I finally bit the bullet.  That being said, I'm totally coveting a Boy Bag.  Their gorgeous modern take on the classic flap completely has me smitten.  I've literally debated how much of my wardrobe I would have to sell in order to fund one…oh a girl can dream! :)  What is on your most coveted item?

xoxo,

Abbie

.:Last Days of Summer:.

//Cardigan:  Loft (old; similar) // Tee:  Victoria's Secret // Necklace:  TJ Maxx (identical pricier version) // Sunnies:  Chanel // Jeans:  Hudson Nico // Flats:  Kenneth Cole via Marshalls (similar; love these)//

 To me, nothing spices up a bland outfit better than an exciting shoe and statement necklace.  By updating classic pieces with small punches of color/texture, you can easily take a bland outfit to the next level.  I spent today relishing in the last few hours of vacation.  I go back to work tomorrow…back to putting together my classroom for my new 25 first graders & sitting through meetings that will guide our year.  While I am so excited to go back and see my colleagues, friends, and new students, I will incredibly miss the freedom that I've had the past few months.  I have to say, after having a fabulous summer filled with getting married to the love of my life and a fabulous Hawaiian honeymoon, I've had the best summer of my life!

xoxo,

Abbie

.:I'm Back!:.

Hi Everyone!  It's been about a month since I last posted!  Matt & I got married on July 12th and then took a trip to Hawaii for our Honeymoon!  I got incredibly wrapped up in wedding preparations/aftermath and, as a result, the blog suffered!  I can't wait to share rehearsal, wedding, and honeymoon pictures with you all VERY soon!  That said, I'm back in action and can't wait to continue to document my fashion journey.  

I have a severe weakness for anything with stripes.  A friend and I were pursuing the local mall before the honeymoon searching for some cutesy stuff to take to Hawaii and we happened to pop in the store Soma.  Now, at first, I firmly believed that they only had grannyish items and didn't think that I would find a thing inside their doors.  While the majority of their stock does seem to be aimed at an older age bracket, I can say that I will be popping the store from time to time now.  They had the softest, most beautifully fitting maxi dresses on sale at my local store.  I was literally shocked when I found this dress and have wanted to wear it so very often!  As soon as it's clean, I find myself wanting to wear it again!  In fact, it's so comfortable I wore it on the plane to our Honeymoon (more on that in a few days).  This dress just went to show me that you shouldn't judge a store until you explore the inside.  

On another note, we all know how much I love my NEST jewelry!  I wear my Turquoise Jasper necklace at least 3 times a week!  That being said, the husband and I stopped by T.J. Maxx yesterday only to find a jasper necklace in the case.  When I saw this, my heart skipped a beat…I asked the associate how much it was and then had a mini freak out session ($40!!!!).  It's safe to say that this may be my new favorite jewelry piece!

Last bit of fashion talk is all about these lovely Tory Burch Miller sandals!  When the husband and I went on our honeymoon, I was determined to bring back a fancy keepsake from our trip.  These sandals fit the bill perfectly as I had forgotten a cute pair to bring with me on the trip!

//Dress:  Soma (on sale in store!; super similar; similar) // Necklace:  T.J. Maxx (identical pricier version) // Handbag:  Celine // Sunnies:  Chanel // Sandals:  Tory Burch//

Goodness, I have missed chatting up a storm about fashion!   Be sure to check back tomorrow for another post!

xoxo,

Abbie