Shopping Adventures: The Perfect Ankle Boot.

1  Apt. 9    |  2  J.Lo   |  3  SO    |  4  Sonoma

Even though I love fashion and style, I'm always late on trends. I don't know if it's because of my cautious, have-to-know-#ALLthethings-before-I-jump-on-the-wagon personality, or because I live in a small city and popular trends hit us much later than other places. Either way,  it took me a long time to warm up to ankle boots. My stylish mom was wearing them for at least a year before I convinced myself to buy a pair and try to incorporate them into my wardrobe. But once I learned how to style that first pair, I fell in love. Living in a cold-weather state, they can seriously save your sanity by breaking up the constant monotony of rain boots, riding boots, and winter boots. And with Fall just around the corner, I've been on the look-out for new ankle boots. However, I didn't want to spend an arm an a leg on just one boot because I was hoping to buy at least a couple of pairs in different colors. 
Since I had found my ankle boots at Target last year, that's where I decided to begin my search. To my surprise, however, I wasn't overly impressed with Target's selection this year. I checked out a few other online stores before landing on the Kohl's boot page. And I have to say I was blown away. I don't have a Kohl's near my workplace anymore, so checking their website for shoes was on a complete whim. But, WOW. They have such a great collection of boots right now!  
I ended up buying four pairs-- all on sale under $60! I can't wait until they come in the mail so I can style these pretties. 

Fingers crossed that they all work out! ;) 

Shop Ankle Boots:

Pretty Little Layered Dress.

Even though I've been trying to hold off on my excitement for Fall, the weather this month has been all over the place. My favorite thing to do in shifting weather is to wear layers over a cute dress. That way I can pull the layers on and off as appropriate. 
And this particular dress was perfect for layering. I can't even lie to you, I have feelings for this dress that are usually reserved for shoes. It's so pretty, feminine, and fits like a glove. It will even be perfect in the Fall with boots. 

Dress c/o Catch Bliss Boutique
Navy Cardi: Target | Similar 1, 2, 3
Grey chunky knit cardi: Forever 21 | Similar 1, 2, 3, 4
Navy flats: DSW | Similar 1, 2, 3 | Love
Scarf: Forever21 | Similar | Love
Headband c/o Bauble Boutique

Shop the Look:

Labor Day Weekend.

Every Labor Day weekend we head out to our friend's cottage on Lake Michigan to give summer a proper send off.
Packing for this annual getaway used to send me into a tizzy. But, as with most things in life, I've gotten better at packing with each passing year. Now I only pack very basic tank tops, shorts, and sweatshirts. But, I always make sure to have a few things with some spunk and personality. 
This year I grabbed this adorable "Chic Happens" sweatshirt and this fun fedora from TJMaxx.

Hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Labor Day!

Sweatshirt c/o T&J Designs | Use code YASI20 for 20% off
Shorts: American Eagle | Similar 1, 2
Tank: Target 
Bikini: Victoria's Secret | Similar 1, 2, 3
Hat: TJMaxx | Similar 1, 2, 3
Flip flops: Target
Bracelets: Similar

Shop the Look:

Classic Shirt Dress.

I can hardly believe how long I went without owning a classic sleeveless shirt dress. Shirt dresses are such great pieces to layer and build around. I have almost three layers on in the outfit below!

Shirt dress c/o Catch Bliss Boutique
Striped sweater: TJMaxx | Similar 1, 2, 3, 4
Cargo vest c/o Avery Lane | Similar 1, 2, 3, 4
Pencil skirt: Zara | Similar 1, 2, 3
Ivory belt: Target | Similar 1, 2, 3
Flats: Target | Similar 1, 2, 3, 4
Necklace c/o T+J Designs - use code YASI20 for 20% off

Shop the Look:

Casual Friday: Football Edition.

Although my workplace is fairly casual and we partake in "Casual Fridays", we are still expected to look presentable.

 Here's how I cheered for my team while still looking work-appropriate!

Spartan tee: Similar 1
Blazer: H&M | Similar 1, 2, 3
White Jeans: JCP | Similar 1, 2
Flats: Target | Similar: 1, 2
Watch: Wristology | Use code GORGEOUS20 for 20% off
Necklace: Similar 1, 2, 3

Shop the Look:

Blue Maxi.



When J and I got married exactly five years ago (tomorrow!), many of our friends and family members had either already tied the knot or were in the process of planning their upcoming nuptials. But, after our wedding, there seemed to be a relative lull in wedding celebrations (which had quickly been replaced by baby showers). 
The wedding hiatus came to a screeching halt this past year when we received not one, not two, but SIX wedding invitations for the summer of 2015--four of which were going to be held out of state (Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, and California). So, after we got through the initial chaos of planning out vacation hours, plane tickets and hotel rooms, we put on our dancing shoes and decided that we would spend the next few months burning up dance floors and teaching the youngins how it's really done. Because, as my favorite Colombian blonde once proclaimed: these hips don't lie. ;)

Since posting the above pic on Instagram (from our Colorado trip/wedding), a number of people requested outfit details. Given that I had just bought the dress from Macy's a week or two prior, I thought that I would be able to easily find it online and share the link with you. But, the dress turned out to be my unicorn.
I couldn't find the exact dress anywhere, even when I searched for it by brand name. So, I did the next best thing and put together a few lists of similar dresses and accessories that I love just as much as the ones that I wore to the wedding. For those looking to purchase this exact dress, I suggest hitting up your nearest Macy's.
It might be hiding out in the clearance section!

||Blue Maxi Dresses||

||Black & Gold Belts||

||Chunky Gold Necklaces||

||Gold Cuffs||

||Purses/Clutches||

||Black Pumps||

Ann Blanche Ballerina Flats & Scarves--Exclusive 50% Off Sale + Giveaway!-- CLOSED.

It's funny how much personal style can change over time. 

If you've been following my blog since the beginning, you have probably seen me go through a lot of different stages. But there's one thing that I'll always come back to: ballerina flats. 

And I am completely head over heels in love with Ann Blanche ballerina flats. 

I don't know where these beauties were when I was coming of age and finding my own style. (Truly, I had ZERO style before my twenties. I like to think that I'm still making up for not having fun with fashion for so many years.) But, these flats are the perfect shoe. They look amazing with jeans, skirts, ankle pants, and dresses. They come in a variety of colors and adorable designs. They are comfortable, lightweight, and can be folded up and carried in a purse. AND they are totally affordable!

Now, what if I told you that I have teamed up with Ann Blanche to bring you an exclusive sale:

50% off 

the entire Ann Blanche website (including their gorgeous scarves!) through next Wednesday, Aug. 12th

(Coupon Code: YASI50)

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! 

No, seriously. Shut the front door and get to shopping this fabulous sale. Just plug in the 'YASI50' discount code at checkout. 

As an added bonus, use the Rafflecopter app below and enter to win a pair of these gorgeous flats. Happy shopping!

The small print: The exclusive Ann Blanche/Hello Gorgeous sale and giveaway ends Wednesday, August 12th. The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Winner will be announced on the Hello Gorgeous Facebook page and must claim prize within 48 hours. If prize is left unclaimed within this time, a new winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway