Feeling Fab-BOO-lous

Happy happy WEEKEND! I’m super happy this weekend because I’m on fall break! Even though it’s only four days and pretty much a tease before Thanksgiving and winter break, it’s still a nice treat to take (somewhat) of a break from my busy class schedule. While most people go out of town for a quick weekend getaway over the break, I decided to go back home and visit my parents and dogs. This year has been insanely busy with my sister’s wedding, spending a month in Italy and juggling both my class and work schedule, so going back home to relax was exactly what I’ve been needing. And besides, nothing is better than cuddling with your dogs and having home-cooked meals!

As you all obviously know, it’s almost been a full month of autumn. I’m going to be honest, fall was not my favorite season while growing up because I just thought it was kind of boring, too cold and I also was not a big fan of Halloween (it actually scared me when I was a kid, and sometimes it still does at the age of 23!). But now as an adult, it’s the season I look forward to the most and I’ve come to enjoy the simple seasonal pleasures, such as the colorful leaves, crisp atmosphere, pumpkins (hence every single photo in this post) and fashion. Basic much? I guess, but whatevs. Speaking of fashion, I have the PERFECT fall outfit that I want to share with y’all! It’s pretty fab-BOO-lous! See what I did there? 👻🎃

This lightweight rust cowl neck sweater and green corduroy skirt, both from Anthropologie, are two pieces that absolutely speak out autumn. The sweater is made for this time of year, as it’s light enough for the warmer days of fall but heavy enough for the chillier days of fall. The material is incredibly soft as it’s 100% wool (FYI: this sweater must be dry cleaned, NOT hand washed!), and I absolutely love the rust color. As for the skirt, I love the color, length and corduroy fabric. Some people think that kind of material is too old fashioned or “grandma style” (no offense to all you awesome grandmas out there!), but I think it’s super chic, especially in this color and style of skirt. It’s not only perfect for fall, but also with Christmas coming up!

I’ll no doubt be wearing this sweater and skirt on repeat this fall and winter. I’m already planning on wearing this outfit for Thanksgiving!

Fun fact: the makeup I’m wearing is actually my mom’s makeup because I left all mine at my apartment, so thank you Mom! 😂

What do you love most about fall? Comment below and share!

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Outfit Inspo for a Job in Retail

Hey, y’all! I hope everybody is having a fabulous week so far!

I don’t think that I mentioned it on my blog before, but I now have a part-time job as a stylist at the Francesca’s boutique! I’ve been working there for over a month now and I absolutely love it. I love the team, the setup of the store, the location, the fashion (obviously), the flexible schedule, pretty much everything. It was my top choice for when I applied for part-time retail jobs, and I’m so blessed that I was given it! It works out perfectly with my busy class schedule, and I love being a stylist overall. It’s a wonderful opportunity!

When it comes to dress code for a retail job, it’s pretty simple. There’s not really professional business attire that’s necessary, but it just really depends on the store. It’s a pretty flexible dress code at Francesca’s, but there are still certain restrictions on what to wear such as shorts, crop tops, open-back shoes, spaghetti straps, face piercings, etc. etc. etc. When I’m working a shift, I usually wear something that’s comfortable and appropriate but still fun and chic. If you’re in a retail position but need some inspiration on what to wear, here’s one of my favorite go-to looks!

Francesca’s is known for having an array of feminine, trendy, and vibrant style of clothes and accessories. It’s somewhat like a boutique that you would find in the South. The seasonal collections are all simple but still funky and fun! So my go-to outfit is my mock neck tank top (which is actually from Francesca’s), chambray crop pants from Madewell, layered cross necklace from Altar’d State, and laser cut sandal heels (also from Francesca’s!). Of course I have other outfits that I wear for different shifts, but this one definitely fits the style of the brand and is comfy enough for a three to four hour shift!

If you work in retail, what’s your go-to outfit? Comment below and share!

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Summer to Fall: Yellow, Blue, and White Striped Crop Sweater

Hello, lovelies! I cannot believe summer is coming to an end. I’m officially moved into my new apartment in Kent and have already started my classes for the semester. I couldn’t be more excited though. After commuting for two years, I’m finally living closer to campus and downtown, where I can access everything more easily! Plus I can hang out with my friends more often, so that’s another bonus! Don’t get me wrong, I loved living with my parents and my dogs, whom I definitely miss dearly. But everything is a little easier now that I actually live in Kent and I’m becoming more independent with my lifestyle. I’m feeling very confident, organized, and mature ☺️ Plus my previous commute was only 15 minutes, so I’m still fairly close to my hometown!

Am I sad that summer is almost over? Of course! I love warmer weather, the sun not setting till 9 pm, not having to worry about classes, and paddle boarding in the lake back at home. However, it’s nice to watch seasons transition overtime. It’s something I look forward to every year, as cliche as it sounds. I’m currently getting excited for fall and watching the leaves change color and the weather becoming more mild and crisp. I also look forward to the holiday season, and even Halloween! While I’m going to soak up the sunshine and enjoy these last summer days as much as I can, I can’t complain about a new season being just around the corner!

And since summer is currently in the process of transitioning into fall, I have a super cute cropped boat neck sweater that’s appropriate for sweater weather but still acceptable for summer when the temperature isn’t boiling hot!

I originally saw this sweater by Urban Outfitters being worn by Olivia Rink, one of my favorite bloggers, on one of her Instagram posts. I ordered this sweater two months after to wait for it to go on sale, and when it finally did it was only $35! A major steal for a good quality sweater! Even though I say every sweater is my favorite sweater (because I’m obsessed with sweaters), I honestly think this might be my favorite one in my wardrobe right now. And thanks to it being cropped, it’s a perfect transition from summer to autumn. It’s great for chilly, casual bonfire nights with your friends or when going on a morning trip to the farmer’s market when the weather is in the 60’s! You can wear a lot with it besides shorts like I am: high-waisted denim jeans, black leggings, denim skirts, and white jeans.

I’m sad to say that this specific sweater is no longer available in the store and online, but you can find very similar ones with the same price or even lower! And who knows, they may make more and put them back in stock because this sweater was so popular. So don’t give your hopes up!

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Pastel Season

Jesus resurrected from the dead, the Avengers are going to resurrect the fallen this weekend (at least I hope they do), and now I’m resurrecting pastels back into season 🙌🏻 I hope everyone had a very blessed Easter weekend! I certainly did, it’s one of my top favorite holidays! Probably my fourth, with Christmas, 4th of July and Thanksgiving being the top three. I love celebrating this special day of the year by attending church, spending time with my family, appreciating the beautiful spring weather, and finally having whatever I gave up for Lent … which in my case was dessert! It’s been a few rough weeks for my sweet tooth y’all, but my love for Jesus made it worth it!

Easter is the perfect way to ring in spring aka pastel season! This lavender purple turtleneck from Target (designed by Wild Fable) is a perfect way to bring pastels back into season. I didn’t wear it on Easter, but it can be worn on the holiday with a cute classy skirt or nice, chic pants! It’s not the best thing to wear in the warmer weather, but the cropped bottom definitely makes it easier on the more mild days. I will admit that it was in the high 70s when I took these pictures and I was definitely sweating … but hey, it’s either take them now or take them never!

I found this pullover when it was in full stock back in early March. It was around $30, which is a pretty good deal (like most of Target’s other product deals!) I decided not to buy it at the time though (even though I really wanted to) and instead wait till it was put on sale. I ended up making the right choice after all! I went back early April and decided to see if it was still available, and thankfully it was … in the CLEARANCE SECTION! And guess what? It was only $12! What. A. STEAL!

I got it in a size small, and thankfully it didn’t look super short. My mom loved it when I showed her, she said it looked super chic, feminine and trendy … and she’s absolutely right! Unfortunately, I don’t believe this mock neck is in full stock anymore. However, you might be able to find a few sizes left in the clearance section where I found mine. You should definitely buy it if you find one, the material and cheap price is so worth it!

S/O to whoever randomly wrote “rap music” on the pillar 😂

There’s a lot of different ways to style this sweater. With the warmer weather, you could wear cute denim skirts or shorts. My favorite way to style it, on a cooler day, is with my favorite boyfriend ripped jeans from American Eagle and tan booties from Anthropologie. I did not wear these jeans for Easter Sunday obviously, and I wouldn’t recommend wearing them for the holiday. It can get a little annoying when your grandparents see you and ask, “Are you aware that there are holes in your jeans?” 😂

What’s your favorite thing about Easter? Comment below and share!

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Kimouflage Possible

It’s finally sunny and a little warmer outside, which means I don’t have to wear pants as often ... you probably knew a camouflage joke was gonna happen at some point.

Not gonna lie … I feel like a total badass in this outfit! Sunglasses always add a sassy effect to every outfit, but there’s also the combat boots, chic back bomber jacket, layered necklace, and, of course, the camo pants!

These Zara camouflage jeans were a sweet gift from my mom a few weeks ago when she and my dad went to Las Vegas (I wasn’t invited, LOL). Camo outfits have been super trendy lately, so I was super excited when she gave me the pair of jeans! At first, I was a little worried when I tried them on because they felt a little tighter than they should have felt. But thankfully the longer I wore them, the more comfortable they became. I mean they kinda have to be since they’re invisible … I had to, I can’t help myself when it comes to jokes!

You’re probably still a little confused about the title of this blog post and what it actually means. I posted this outfit on my Instagram a little over a week ago, and one of my friends said that I looked like Kim Possible. Since I’m wearing camouflage, that would make me ... Kimouflage Possible! 😂 It a HUGE compliment for me because Kim Possible was my favorite TV show as a kid! I still want to be Kim Possible as a girl in my twenty-somethings (because who doesn’t?), so thanks to John Iacucci for making my childhood fantasy come true! Just call me, beep me if you wanna reach me 😎

What was your favorite TV show/character during your childhood? Comment down below and share!

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Jacket: styleNmotion - similar jacket

Shirt: Target - similar shirt

Jeans: Zara - similar jeans

Shoes: Steve Madden - similar shoes

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Necklace: Civion

Blue Hood in Da Neighborhood

To be honest, I’m more proud of the title of this blog post than any other title I’ve written for a post 😂

Tomorrow is a big day, y’all … it’s the first official day of spring! I couldn’t be more excited than I already am! I’ve been in such a good mood lately because of it. There’s finally more sunshine, it’s a little warmer, the sun doesn’t set till 8 pm, there’s tons of of purple crocuses popping out of the ground, and this school semester only has a few weeks left. I should also mention that spring break is next week and I’m traveling to Seattle for the first time with my mom to visit my cousin who’s working there right now! Safe to say, there’s a lot of reasons for me to smile.

Now even though Mother Nature is being super good to us Midwestern folks down here, it ain’t summer yet. The temperature is perfectly mild, but it can still be cold and bitter at times. Even though forty degrees to us feels warm, it’s definitely not a good time to start wearing shorts, tank tops, or flip flops. My outfit being featured in this post is a perfect way to transition from winter to spring. It doesn’t require a lot of layers, but it still helps fight the cold air that remains!

I’m loving this new blue hoodie of mine from Anthropologie. I bought it last month and it was on sale for only $50. I gotta say, I’ve been super lucky with these Anthropologie sales lately! First the red ruffled turtleneck and now this hoodie … that’s a blessing if you ask me! I love everything about it: the soft Terry cloth texture (I’m pretty sure that’s the fabric), the royal blue, and of course, the hood. It was certainly worth the purchase, especially since it was on sale!

You can style almost anything with this hoodie. My go-to fashion pieces to pair with it are my black skinny jeans from American Eagle and black Steve Madden booties. They’re simple, comfortable, and don’t take too much attention away from the sweater. I also have on my big silver hoop earrings (I can’t remember which brand they’re by), which I feel like gives the outfit a touch of chicness. I feel like I give off a sassy attitude with this look, and I love it! I’m a sassy person, so it fits well with my personality! Either that or Little Blue Riding Hood 💙

What do you love most about spring? Mine would have to be the blooming flowers, specifically red tulips 🌷 Comment down below and tell me!

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Red & Black Velvet Embroidery

Happy Monday, y’all! Here’s to another week that hopefully flies by as quick as possible! My spring break this next week, so I for sure want to press fast forward and go to Seattle. I need a freaking break!

This semester has been pretty stressful, I’m not gonna lie. My fashion technology class, to be more specific, has been driving me crazy. There’s literally two projects every week. We are required to use Illustrator and Photoshop, and it’s so damn time consuming! My other classes aren’t that bad, but I still have projects for some of them. I also had two exams two weeks ago that I was overwhelmed by. Thankfully, now that midterms are over and it’s almost spring break, I can breathe a little more. I also have a little more time to finally write more blog posts, like this one that you’re about to read!

Well, you’re technically reading it right now. I’m just referring to my outfit, not my rant about college …

I’ve actually had this shirt for a while now. I bought it back in December when it was on sale at Altar’d State. The red and black velvet embroidery on the sleeves immediately caught my eye. I was a little hestitant at first since it was a week before Christmas, and I didn’t want to buy anything for myself ahead of time. However, one of the employees told me it was buy one get one 40% off, which was perfect since it was already on sale! So I got it and a pair of striped wide-legged pants which were also on sale, so I managed to save some money before Christmas and get some cute clothes in exchange ☺️

 I think that this shirt works for any season really. Maybe not summer, it may be too hot to wear then (but chilly summer nights with shorts or a skirt could work!) It’s absolutely one of many favorite shirts, and I’ve been getting so eager to finally post about it. It’s so bold and elegant! 

My gold cross layered necklace is also from Altar’d State. It wasn’t on sale when I got it, but it was still a pretty decent price and it was worth it. It’s literally my favorite necklace and I wear it practically all the time. Although I’m a little cautious because I love it, and I don’t want to ruin it or lose it! I also don’t want it to get tangled up, so I don’t travel with it. #necklaceprobz  

My go-to pants for this shirt are my American Eagle denim skinny jeans and my go-to shoes are my black high knee boots from Steve Madden. Nothing else can match with it better than these, they make the whole outfit look so chic and modest. I love everything about it! 

Are you ready for spring yet? I certainly am, I’ve been ready since December 26th! 😂 Mild temperature, sunshine, and flowers sound great the moment. I just saw the first small purple crocuses of the season bloom in my backyard a few days ago. That’s when I know that springtime is getting closer by the minute. The first official day of spring is only two days from now, we’re almost there!

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Ruffle It Up

Happy Hump Day! Hopefully you’ve already had your cup(s) of coffee and are thriving through your workday, whether that be with your job or classes! I also hope you’re still not thrown off from losing an hour of sleep from a few nights ago, thanks to a little something called Daylight Savings. It threw me off for sure, I’m still a bit tired. But on the bright side, that means we now have longer days with more sunny and clear evening skies! That’s just another sign that spring is getting closer and closer, and I could not be more happy about it. The weather here in Ohio has warmed up a little bit which is nice. However; it still gets pretty chilly every now and then, sometimes even snowy if we’re unlucky. Thankfully, I have a new OOTD that helps transition from winter to spring!

I bought this red turtleneck from Anthropologie last weekend during my trip to Chicago. The crazy thing is … the sweater was on sale for only $40! That’s a great deal since most of Anthropologie’s sweaters cost around $90 dollars or more. I say take the opportunity while you can, and that’s exactly what I did! At first when I saw it, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But as soon as I tried it on, I fell in love. There’s so many reasons why I love it: it’s red (my favorite color), it’s a turtleneck (duh), it’s cozy (everything I wear has to be cozy), the ruffles add an aesthetic touch (I love anything with an aesthetic touch), etc. etc. I also happened to have on the same gold Francesca’s layered necklace that I’m wearing in these pics while trying on the sweater, and it made it look even more chic! The woman helping me at the store asked if I was Italian because she said it looked like something a fashionable Italian girl would wear. It’s a good thing I’m a quarter of Italian! It was absolutely worth purchasing ❤️

I have a lot of options of pants and shoes in my wardrobe that I can pair with the sweater. Jeans or leggings, boots or flats (when it’s warm outside), you name it! For the blog post, I paired it with my favorite skinny jeans from American Eagle and my black high knee boots from Steve Madden. I thought the boots would especially look really good with it, making it a perfect outfit to wear in the autumn and winter. The jeans work perfectly because they not only match but they’re tight enough to make the boots easily fit. They both add much more chicness to the look!

I’m gonna be honest. Even though I’m really eager for spring to come and for the weather to warm up, I’m gonna be a little bummed when it gets too warm to wear cute cozy sweaters. So until it gets up to seventy degrees, I’m gonna enjoy bundling up in this turtleneck as well as all my other turtlenecks and sweaters as much as I can!

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The Banyan Tree Look

Hey, y’all! It’s just about mid-January and the weather outside has actually been pretty mild. I honestly don’t mind it at all. I’m much more of a warmer weather type of person, and the months leading up to March, or even April, are usually pretty brutal with the cold air. And when Christmas is over, I’m ready for spring to come. So the fact that it’s this nice and warm in the winter is a treat!

Ohio is very bipolar though, so I cannot guarantee the weather to be like this for the rest of winter. I’m pretty sure were gonna have at least a few long weeks with snow, ice, negative temperatures, and potholes (insert sad emoji 😢). On a positive note, that would mean cancelled classes and some nice days off!

I have the perfect outfit that works for both chilly and mild temperatures. It’s also great for both fancy and casual occasions. It’s basically perfect for anything!

Banyan Tree is one of my newest obsessions. It’s a local company in the Northeast Ohio area. There are three locations: one in Crocker Park, one in Legacy Village, and one in Tremont. It’s such a cute branch (ha, see what I did there?) with a variety of styles to choose from. It’s trendy, chic, and affordable. What more could you ask for? From Banyan Tree, I have a grey sweater with a criss cross back and burgundy velvet skirt. I received them both as a Christmas gift and they match perfectly. The sweater is nice because it’s light enough to wear for warmer weather but still appropriate for chilly weather (with a coat or jacket). The velvet skirt is a little more fancy, but can still be worn for plenty of fun occasions.

I decided to go with a preppy look by styling the outfit with my Steve Madden black knee high boots, my black Kate Spade satchel aka my “big girl purse”, and black pantyhose. I’m gonna be real honest for one hot second … I do not enjoy wearing pantyhose. I don’t hate them, but I find them uncomfortable, especially around the waist area. The only reason I’ll wear is because they make outfits look cute and they’re kind of an essential item for fancy outfits in the winter. It helps that they look cute with this outfit especially!

By the way, this post is NOT sponsored. I just really love Banyan Tree and I encourage you to check it out if you’re a Cleveland native! Be sure to also follow them on Instagram: @shopbanyantree to keep up with their styles and items.

I hope y’all have a wonderful rest of your week. Happy Hump Day!