Today's Fashion: Crochet + Chambray

These pictures were taken at kind of a funny angle. I only had one day in Orlando in between travel, and of course it rained all day long. It was too dark to take pictures inside, and so I was huddled up underneath an overhang. I wanted to photograph my new crochet skirt (I've been talking about buying one for months!), and my newcognac heels. Taking pictures is so helpful to see how things look on, and decide if I want to keep something or not - in this case, it's a yes! I recommend this method for anyone though - especially if you want to see how a new shape of pants or a skirt looks on you. Chambray and crochet are one of my favorite combinations and I can't wait to wear this outfit. With heels for a dinner date, or flat sandals (bottom picture) for errands. Would you wear crochet and chambray?

Top: Mudd c/o Kohl's, old

Skirt: Conversation Pieces c/o, $36 (similar, similar, similar)

Heels: Steve Madden/Piperlime, $64

Flats: Nine West/DSW, $60 (similar, similar, similar)

Purse: Karen Millen, gift (similar) 

Necklace: Spiegel c/o, $39

Today's Fashion: The Conference

I was the Friday Finale speaker at Go Blog Social conference in Kansas City last week and this is what I wore! ! shared my personal lemonade from lemons story and how I became a full-time blogger in a tough situation. The eighty or so ladies in attendance were fabulous, and I was so excited to get to meet and take a picture with almost all of them afterwards. I plan to share my speech by either video or a written article soon, but in the meantime, this is what I wore. I bought this dress in the after Christmas sales for a steal ($24!) and am just now getting around to wearing it. It needed to be altered and I got it back from the tailor just in time for the conference. White and nude is one of my favorite color palettes so this is consequently one of my favorite outfits. How would you style a neutral sheath?

Dress: Banana Republic, $24

Shoes: Chinese Laundry c/o, $69 (same)

Necklace: My Stella & Dot, $118

Purse: Calvin Klein/Saks Off Fifth, $130 (similar)

Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3, 4

Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2

Today's Fashion: Aztec Skirt

I call this my couch skirt. It's super-thick and feels slightly like upholstery. ;-) Couch or not, I'm a fan of this material because the thickness hides lumps and bumps and holds your stomach in. I found it on sale at Zara about a month ago and loved the cute pattern and colors. I took these pictures on my way to a birthday party with still-wet hair. (I always let it air dry, but it looked much more presentable by the time I arrived at dinner!) I haven't been able to locate this skirt online, so I shared a bunch of fun alternatives below. My favorites are 2 and 4, and almost all of them are under $60. Which ones do you like? 

Top: Forever 21, $18 (similar)

Skirt: Zara, $39

Necklace: My Stella & Dot, $79

Shoes: Windsor Store c/o, old (similar, similar)

Clutch: LOFT c/o, old (similar, similar)

Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3

Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2

Today's Fashion: Emerald

I will never tire of using inspiration photos to come up with outfits, because they give me new ways of looking at my ("old") closet! I love the idea of pairing this striped skirt with an emerald top, and from there I styled a more casual outfit with the same top and wore it for errands. Which outfit do you like better?

Top: Banana Republic Outlet, $36 (similar, similar, similar)

Skirt: Harmony Belle c/o, old (same)

Heels: Windsor Store c/o, old (similar, similar)

Purse: Calvin Klein/Macy's, $130

Necklace: My Stella & Dot, $118

Shorts: Gap, $15 (similar, similar)

Flats: Nine West/DSW, $17 (similar, similar, similar) 

Purse: Karen Millen, gift (similar) 

Necklace: My Stella & Dot, $89

Today's Fashion: Lemon Zest

INSPIRATION: ELEMENTS MAGAZINE

A reader submitted today's inspiration photo and I've been craving lemons ever since. As soon as I spotted this lemon top on clearance I snapped it up, and can't wait to wear it with my yellow pencil skirt as pictured! What's your take on lemon prints: fresh to death, or a total lemon?

Top: Victoria's Secret, $25
Skirt: J.Crew, $45 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Chinese Laundry c/o, $69 (same)
Purse: Calvin Klein/Saks Off Fifth, $130 (similar)
Necklace: Spiegel c/o, $39
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2

Today's Fashion: Favorite Things

I have such a bad habit of saving my favorite things instead of wearing them. I paid a pretty penny for this dress, and so it's been hard to rip the tags off and wear it. It should be the opposite - I should wear it a ton because I paid so much! The day finally came during my trip home to Kansas. I wore it all day with flats as pictured for brunch, visiting a friend and her kiddos, and then dinner. It was so comfy and fun, I definitely plan on wearing it a lot in the next couple months, like with the white heels for a night out. Do you ever save your favorite things?

Dress: Banana Republic, $85
Heels: Windsor Store c/o, old (similar, similar)
Flats: Nine West/DSW, $17 (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Calvin Klein/Macy's, $130
Necklace: My Stella & Dot 1, 2
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3, 4
Rings: My Stella & Dot 1, 2