Spring Fling

Hi Lovelies!  Inspired by the beauty that is spring, I wanted to create a few looks for you: for work, date night, and the weekend.  These three stylings really sum up my weekly rotation of outfits - heavy on the work wear [hello, 50+ hour workweek!], date nights [every other week], and the weekend [my all time fave].  When I think spring, I think floral, lace, delicate, pastel, soft, light colors, and just . . . pretty.  What's your favorite look for spring?

[For Work]

I absolutely love this dress, you instantly look polished in it.

 This is one of my go-to work bags.  The top handle and structure make it a perfect fit.

 If these colors and flowers don't scream spring, I don't know what does.

[Date Night]

 I love pairing this little floral bustier with anything high waisted and could've easily transitioned it to weekend wear by slapping on some high waisted denim, a sweater, and flats.

 Although my boyfriend loves when I enhance my eyes, I just can't stay away from a good bold lip!

 I've been holding off on styling these shoes for an edgier / nighttime look, but they're actually a lot more casual and comfortable than they look.

[Weekend Wear]

 I thought my most dainty of my three pup companions would be perfect for this look (:

 I've wanted an off-the-shoulder top for a while and for some reason have never added one to my repertoire.  This one is perfect as it's so wearable and can be dressed up or down.

Denim, studs, and fringe. What more could a girl ask for?

What I'm Wearing in Look 1:

Earrings - Gifted

Bangle - Bebe

Dress - Mint & Pink [< - - click the link!]

Purse and shoes - Forever 21

What I'm Wearing in Look 2:

Bustier, clutch, ring, and armlet - Forever 21

Skirt - NY&CO.

Shoes - Crossroads Trading Co.

What I'm Wearing in Look 3:

Choker and backpack - Forever 21

Blouse - Bliss Boutique [< - - click the link!]

Denim - Gifted

Shoes - Wanted Shoes

*This post is sponsored by Mint & Pink and Bliss Boutique

OOTW

Below are my outfits of the week!  I know they're super grainy, but I got a new phone this weekend [went from iOS to Andriod :O] and am trying to work out a lot of kinks.  I figured I would throw them up here anyway, and you can see better quality images over on my Instagram @trendingcheaply.  The looks [in chronlogical order] are from Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I absolutely love this tweed jacket with hints of neon green.  It really can dress up / business-i-fy any outfit.  My boyfriend really likes it too.

What I'm Wearing:

Jacket - Crossroads

Shirt - Zumiez

Jeans - Zara

Purse and Booties - F21

I felt very spring-y [amidst a California winter] in this number.  I had fun repurposing the head scarf too.  It's actually a sash from one of my robes (:

What I'm Wearing:

Head Wrap, Blazer, Leggings, and Boots - F21

Necklace and Dress - Francesca's

Friday night date night!!!  This night was so much fun.  My boyfriend wrote me a sweet love note, opened the car door for me, and paid for dinner at one of our favorite sushi places.  What more can a girl ask for??

What I'm Wearing:

Earring, purse, and booties - F21

Top and Jeans - Crossroads

Boyfriend Jeans for Fall [in California]

Boyfriend jeans have become one of my wardrobe staples, so I felt it only right to style them for Fall [in California].  I've been wearing them quite often, and there are many ways to style them in a chic way, despite their slouchy feel.

According to my actual boyfriend, "They're called boyfriend jeans, because you wear those when you are comfortable...ain't nobody actually getting a boyfriend in those jeans."  If you'd like to see my [non-PG] response to his comment, navigate to 8:48-8:54 of this video by Jenna Marbles: Things Boys Don't Understand.

O.K. back to our regularly scheduled fashion programming.  First up, we have boyfriend jeans styled for work.  Now, I work in a casual/business casual [mostly casual] business environment in California.  Have you seen the show 'Silicon Valley'?  It's all jeans and flip-flops people, no joke.  Oh, and if you live in the bay area and have not seen that show, stop what you're doing, set your TiVo to record it / download it / whatever you have to do, and then come right back.  Phew, now that that's settled.

If you're donning the boyfriend for work, I feel like there needs to be some structure to your outfit.  I chose to add that structure with a classic tweed jacket and a boxy handbag.

I love the subtle green color of this jacket that adds a hint of color to an otherwise neutral palette.

Comfort is huge to me when I'm dressing for any occasion, but especially for work.  How much more comfy can you get than these bad boys?!

I'll let you in on a little secret . . . this is my go-to hairstyle when I have dirty hair.  I just let the part fall naturally, and pin back the front [most dirty] part of my hair and curl the rest.  Wha-la!  Judgment free hairdo.

What I'm Wearing:

Jacket - Crossroads Trading Co

Top and Necklace - Francesca's Collections

Black and White Bracelet - Icing

Gold Bangle, Bag, and Booties - Forever 21

Jeans - TJ Maxx

Up next we have the slouchsters styled for everyday / casual wear.  To be honest, this is my favorite way to wear clothing.  "Off duty", if you will.  I just feel most like myself when there are absolutely zero restrictions as to what I can wear / how I can wear it.

I just love orange.  I think it's one of my favorite colors, like ever.  It just makes me happy.

I think I have a post back in the day [when I very first started blogging] about this bomber.  It is one of my most worn / loved pieces, and for a long period of time I found myself wearing it over and over and over again.

Remember how I said I like to be comfortable and myself?  Well, part of that is being lazy.  [Hey, I'm embracing it.]  These slip-ons are a lazy girl's dream.  You really don't have to try at all, and the studs somehow make it look like you did.

“Whatever!!” One of my all time favorite movies is ‘Clueless’.  Yup, I’m that girl.

Look who decided to make an appearance . . . Mickey!  O.K. I forced her, but same difference.

What I'm Wearing:

Beanie - Zumiez

Earrings, Jacket, and Tank - Forever 21

Ring - Crossroads Trading Co

Shoes - Wanted Shoes

Jeans - TJ Maxx

Last, but definitely not least, we have the pair styled for a night out.  For a night out on the town, I'll need an overcoat for walking in and out of places, but I better be wearing something more slinky underneath cuz mama gets HOT.

Wearing black and a red lip is pretty much my go-to for "dressing" things up.  Add a pair of chunky fancy earrings, nude pumps, and you're good to go.

I just had to include my baby Mac in this one.  I love the way she sits up so straight, like the queen she is.

This is my Inspector Gadget / Audrey Hepburn coat.  You take your pick.

I think this outfit would be great for a holiday party at someone's home if jeans are approps, like they are at every one of my family's functions.  My dad's even worn jeans to a wedding, but we won't delve into the shame and embarrassment surrounding that here.

What I'm Wearing:

Earrings - Francesca's Collections

Top - Supre'

Trench - Metropark

Nude Pumps and Clutch - Forever 21

Jeans - TJ Maxx

I hope everyone's having a wonderful Sunday like we are.  Do something fun outside of the house to get your mind off the pending doom of Monday. Also, let me know which outfit was your fave, I'd love to hear from you!  Oh, and for anyone who was wondering, Marley had prior engagements and could not be bothered to be a part of this photo shoot.

Lots of Love,

J

Workweek Outfits

Lo and behold, my work outfits for the week!  I'm going to TRY to do this every week . . we'll see what happens (;  Hope you enjoy and maybe get some inspiration to jazz up your own workweek!

Necklace - Francescas

Top - Francescas

Skirt - Necessary Clothing

Booties - F21

Tuesday = Jury Duty, and no one wants to see what I looked like going there . . 

Necklace - Francescas

Tank - GAP

Skirt - Francescas

Shoes - I forgot / really old ):

Earrings - Francescas

Scarf - Aldo

Bodysuit - Francescas

Belt - Francescas

Bracelets - F21 and thrifted

Jeans - I forgot / really old ):

Wedges - Francescas

Jade Necklace - The Jade Factory in New Zealand

Gold Necklace - Stella and Dot

Top - Francescas

Bracelet - Bebe

Jeggings - GAP

Studded Slipons - Wanted Shoes

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

On Duty Vs. Off

I think it's interesting to compare how one's style changes compared to when they're at work and when they're off of work.  At times I dislike dressing for work because I feel confined to wear only what the corporate world has deemed 'appropriate'.  However, at the same time, it broadens my horizons in a way and forces me to dress differently than I normally would in my off days.  I love denim (especially acid wash), chunky jewelry, and (combat) boots.  If I didn't work in a corporate environment, I would probably dress like this most days, and my style would be easily copy-able :D

I don't feel comfortable wearing anything too trendy or edgy at work, even if it is not necessarily revealing or provocative.  For example I have this faux leather jacket with spikes and enhanced shoulders that I wouldn't dare wear at work.  I'm completely covered, but it just doesn't feel . . . right. What styles would you wear in your off time but not at work?  Should we care or just go all out if it is not offensive and is tastefully done?

Lots of Love,

J