The World's Easiest Scarf Tying Tutorial (maybe).

There are girls in this world who can show you how to tie a scarf in ten different ways in under one minute. 

My friends, I am not one of those girls. 
Through the years, however, I have learned a couple of pretty solid ways to tie my scarves, and this particular tie is how I wear my scarves 99% of the time. I'm not really YouTube savvy. So, I apologize for the total newbie video. But, I put it together because I've gotten quite a few requests for a tutorial. So, here you go!  

See, it looks kind of fancy, but it's not! 
And isn't that the way all things should be? ;)

Forever 21, plus a few.

Holy guacamole! Two posts within two days? What's going on?!

I'll tell you what's going on-- you need to get yourselves over to Forever21 right now. They have their Fall/Winter stuff out and so many of their pieces are absolutely phenomenal. I especially like their new fur vests, sweaters, and their plaid tops.
But, shhhhh. Because I didn't just buy any of those things yesterday or anything. ;)

It's not as if it's not obvious. But, I'll just put it right out there and say that I'm a huge F21 fan. I love that I can find such a great variety of things at prices that don't make my husband freak out when he looks at our credit card bill. (Love you, babe!) 

But, back to the point. People are often surprised that I find so many of my wardrobe pieces at Forever21. But, it's true-- I have everything from blazers to skinny jeans and scarves that I bought there. And I will tell you-- sometimes I feel a little weird going into the store dressed in my work outfits and my badge and definitely NOT feeling like I'm 'forever 21'. (Let's just say that I've gotten referred to as "ma'am" more than once.) But, I keep going back (or going online. Lol.) because I genuinely like a lot of their pieces and I feel like I can find and afford so many trendy or work-appropriate things there.  

I know that to some, the store can feel a little overwhelming at first because there are just so many options. But, I guess it doesn't bother me. I have a strange laser-like focus when it comes to shopping. It must be an awesome gene that I inherited from my mother. For us, shopping is an extreme sport with one goal in mind: to WIN. 
To win at buying all of the things (without breaking the bank!). 

And now that you know about my secret shopping superpowers, here are a couple of outfits from this past week. (See how many are Forever21 pieces?!) 

Plaid Top (Exact here; Similar here and here; LOVE this version here)//
Collared button-down shirt (Great options here & here)//
Red ankle pants (Similar here & here)//
Bonded Glam Necklace c/o Sira & Mara (Exact here)//
Skinny black watch (Similar here & here)//
Black flats (Cute versions here, here, here) 

Black and white contrast trim blouse (Similar here & here; Cute sleeveless version here)//
Seamless cami (Exact here; Similar here)//
Tweed pencil skirt (Exact here; Love these pencil skirts here and here)//
Pearl necklace c/o Avery Lane Boutique (Exact Sold Out; Cute versions here, here, & here)//
Leopard print flats (Great options here, here, here. & here)

Black and white plaid button-up (Almost exact here; Similar here & here)//
Denim jacket (Exact here; Similar here and here)//
Dark washed women's skinny jeans (Similar here & here)//
Red plaid scarf (Exact here; Love these options here, here, here and here)//
Two-tone riding boots (Similar here & here)//
Skinny brown belt (Similar here & here)//
Oversized grey watch (Cute options here, here, here, here)//
Stella & Dot Renegade bracelet ℅ Erika Lehman

Oh, MK!

 

^So, I just learned how to make this cool clickable widget with pictures. I'm kind of really proud of myself, guys!! You can click on each image and it will take you directly to the Macy's page where you can view the individual items. Ta-Da!^

If you poke around my blog for even half a second, you'll notice that I am a very budget-friendly shopper. After all, there's no reason to spend big bucks to look put together, amirite? BUT (and this is a big but!), there is a time and a place for spending a little bit more and investing in quality pieces that will last for years.  In fact, I think one the best ways to have a great wardrobe is to mix classic budget-friendly pieces with pieces that are well-made (and more often than not, the "real" thing). I do this all the time. A lot of my clothes are from Forever21 and Target, but I also have a few select pieces that help "up my game". =P

This is where my love for Michael Kors comes in. I don't know exactly when I found out about MK. But, I think it was some time in high school. Me and my best shopping buddy (Hi, Mom!) would browse the aisles at Macy's and drool over MK bags, MK coats, MK boots, MK watches, and the list goes on. So,  when I got into the workforce and needed to look put-together, one of the first things I did was buy a gorgeous red Michael Kors trench (very similar to the one above!). Well, that's not entirely true. My mom actually bought that trench for me! But, the reason that she did was because she is also a big proponent of "dressing for the job you want" and she wanted me to look professional and chic at my first job.
My second big Michael Kors purchase was made this past Summer. I had wanted the Michael Kors Hamilton tote bag for as long as I can remember. So, I finally took the plunge and purchased the bag-- and let me tell you, I have never been happier with a purse. Ever. This bag is EVERYTHING. It's roomy, it's structured, the leather is beautiful and supple. I cannot say enough good things. So, if you love the Hamilton tote as much as I do, do yourself a favor and go buy it right now! You won't regret it.

So, now that you know all about my obsession with Michael Kors, check out my favorite MK pieces above-- if you click on the images, it will take you directly to each product. Personally, I'm eyeing an MK watch for my next purchase. ;)
How about you?!     

The Only Constant.

Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, wrote the following sometime around 500BC:
"the only thing that is constant is change."  

Well, Heraclitus, you did it. You hit the nail right on the head. And I can personally attest that your philosophy still holds true because the only constant thing that I have experienced in the past couple months is change.  But, that's not necessarily a bad thing. After 3 years of having a two hour commute to work (one hour each way), I was recently offered and accepted a new position in my own city!! I'm doing pretty much the same thing, but now I am the Epidemiologist for the county that I live in.  I can't even describe to you how excited I am to not have to drive in horrendous conditions on the highway in the winter.  Just thinking about it makes me giddy!

So, here's to change being a constant, and here's to y'all having a great week!
<3

Polka dot blouse (Similar here and here; Love these long sleeved option here and here)//
Yellow cardigan (Similar here and here)
Striped skirt c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Red pumps (Similar here. here, here, & here)//
Red belt (Similar here and here)//
Pearl necklace c/o Avery Lane Boutique (Exact Sold Out; Cute versions here, here)

Gingham shirt (Exact here; Similar here & here)//
Red blazer (Cute versions here, here, & here)//
White ankle pants (Similar here & here; Love these bootcut options here & here)//
Leopard print belt (Similar here & here)//
Leopard print flats (Great options here & here)//
Pearl necklace c/o Avery Lane Boutique (Exact Sold Out; Cute versions here, here)//
Tortoise shell watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)

White button-up shirt (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Red midi skirt (Great options here, here, & here)//
Skinny black belt (Exact old; Similar here, here, & here)//
Patterned satin scarf (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Skinny black watch (Similar here & here)//
Leopard print pumps (Love these styles here, & here, here, & here)

Striped dress worn as top (Cute striped tops here, here, & here)//
Layered tulle skirt c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Leopard print scarf (Similar here, here, here, & here)//
Red belt (Similar here and here)//
Red flats (Exact here; Love these here & here)

Plaid button up (Similar here, here, & here)//
"Presley" skirt c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Pearl necklace c/o Accessory Mercado (Exact no longer available)//
Burgundy riding boots (Similar here & here)

"Veronica" top c/o Sugar Love Boutique (Exact here)//
Yellow blazer c/o TeodoraB (Exact sold out; Similar here, here, & here)//
Skinny dress pants (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Multi-color pointy toe pumps (Cute version here; Same here and here on eBay)//
Somervell necklace ℅ Stella & Dot stylist Erika Lehman//
Skinny black watch (Similar here & here)

Mint blouse c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact not available; Similar here & here)//
Seamless cami (Exact here)//
Purple cardi (Similar here and here)
Multi color pencil skirt (Similar here, here, here and LOVE this one here)//
Necklace (Similar here)//
Petite bloom cuff c/o Sira Mara (Exact here)//
Nude pointy toe pumps (Almost exact here; Similar here, and love this pair with ankle straps here)

White sleeveless top (Exact here; Similar here (love!), here, & here)
Seamless cami (Exact here)//
"Kelsi" blazer c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Dark-wash skinny jeans (Similar here, here, here, & here)//
Leopard print booties (Similar here, here, & here)//
Resin statement necklace (Exact here)

Autumn, You Have My Permission.

I have a confession to make...I am actually excited for Fall. Even though autumn is usually my favorite season, I thought that I would never crave cooler weather again after the gut-wrenching winter that we just had.  But, I can't help it!  
I want to wear cute boots and cozy little sweaters.  I want to walk on beautiful crunchy red and orange leaves.  
And I really want to drink hot cider and eat delicious doughnuts!  

So, autumn, I give you permission to arrive.  You may now bless us with your wonderful presence. :)
Here's what I've been wearing to work lately:  

"Yasi" dress c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Nude pumps (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Rosa necklace c/o Accessory Mercado (Exact here)

Katelyn lace dress c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Blush blazer (Similar here, & here)//
Skinny black belt (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)//
Pointy toe black pumps (Almost exact here; Similar here, and a gorgeous pair with ankle straps here)//
Skinny black watch (not shown) (Exact old; Similar here, here)//
Michael Kors Hamilton Tote (Exact here; Love these more affordable options here, here, & here)

Black and white sheath dress (Very similar wrap dress here; Love these other options here, here, & here)//
Red blazer (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Nude pumps (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Skinny black watch (not shown) (Exact old; Similar here, here)

"All A-Bow-t Me" top c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact here; The bow on the back of this top is amazing!)//
Seamless cami (Exact here)//
White blazer (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Dark-wash skinny jeans (Similar here, here, here, here)//
Crystal frosting necklace c/o T+J Designs (Exact here)//
Pyramid stud cuff ℅ Stella & Dot stylist Erika Lehman//
White pointy toe pumps (Similar here)

Navy sheath dress (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Patterned satin scarf (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Champagne pearl cluster necklace c/o T+J Designs (Exact here)//
Skinny black watch (not shown) (Exact old; Similar here, here)//
Pink pumps (Similar here, here, & here)//
Striped Aldo bag c/o Zappos (Exact here on Aldo)

Ivory short sleeve sweater (Similar here)//
Full khaki skirt (Exact here; Similar here; Cute grey options here)//
Skinny white belt (Similar here, here, & here)//
Pearl necklace c/o Avery Lane Boutique (Exact Sold Out; Cute versions here and here)//
Orange pumps (Exact here; Love this pair here)

Black blouse (Similar here, here, & here)//
Printed pencil skirt (Cute options here, here, & here)//
Nude pointy toe pumps (Almost exact here; Similar here, and love this pair with ankle straps here)//
Somervell necklace ℅ Stella & Dot stylist Erika Lehman//
Skinny black watch (not shown) (Exact old; Similar here, here)

Summer Wind Down.

Toward the end of every Summer I always experience two very distinct scenarios:
1. A sudden and insatiable craving to go shopping for Fall pieces. (I already bought two pairs of boots-- no judging!=P)  
2. An urgency to wear every single thing that I won't be able to wear when cooler weather hits. (Hence the outfits below. ;)

Really though, this truly is the time to start shopping for boots.  Especially if you'd like to have plenty of options to choose from.  Many times when I've waited until later in the season to buy the boots that I really want, they're already sold out.  So, don't let that happen to you! ;)
Have a great week, Loves!! 

Anchor dress c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Pink skinny belt (Similar here & here)//
White cardigan (Similar here, here, & here)//
Pink pumps (Similar here, here, & here)//
Pearl necklace c/o Avery Lane Boutique (Exact Sold Out; Cute versions here and here)

White button up (Great options here, here, & here)//
Red ankle pants (Exact here; Similar here & here)//
White skinny belt (Love these here, here, & here)//
Holding a navy cardi (Exact here; Similar here & here)
Champagne pearl cluster necklace c/o T+J Designs (Exact here)//
Striped flats (Exact here; LOVE these pairs here, here, & here)//
Striped Aldo bag c/o Zappos (Exact here on Aldo)

Black and white polka dot blouse (Almost exact here & here; Love these versions here & here)//
White pencil skirt (Similar here, here, here, & here)//
Chunky pearl necklace (Great options here, here, & here)//
Pointy toe black pumps (Almost exact here; Similar here, and a gorgeous pair with ankle straps here)

Red sleeveless blouse (Similar here, here, & here)//
Striped skirt c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Princess Kate necklace c/o Accessory Mercado (Exact here)//
Nude pumps (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)

Black and white animal print blouse (Similar here, here, here, & here)//
Teal pencil skirt (Similar here, here, & here)//
Black peplum jacket (Similar here & here; Other cute blazer here & here)//
Nicole necklace c/o Bauble Boutique (Exact here)//
Pointy toe black pumps (Almost exact here; Similar here, and a gorgeous pair with ankle straps here)

Red blouse c/o Flourish Boutique (Love these solid red options here, here, & here)//
Beige pencil skirt (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Nude pumps with ankle straps (Exact here (but, only available in black now); Almost exact here; Similar here & here)//
Wonka bar necklace c/o Accessory Mercado (Exact here)

Hectic summers & a volcano.

A few times a year life in our household gets hectic. (Or should I say more hectic than the usual amount?:) 

After coming back from Costa Rica, we found ourselves smack dab in the middle of a crazy summer.  Now, I must preface this by saying that our summers are always kind of crazy.  Both of our birthdays are in the summer, as well as our wedding anniversary.  And because summertime in Michigan is short-lived, almost every weekend is booked and planned by late spring. (And both of us working full-time and my two hour daily commutes really leave the weekends as the only time that we devote to getting things done.)  

This specific summer, however, has been especially busy.  With our Costa Rica trip in early July, my 30th birthday bash last week, a few visits from out of town family (My mom is staying with us right now. Hi, mom!) and tons of other planned activities, there hasn't been much time to just sit around and well, do the normal daily things that we want to be doing.  (I can't even tell you how much laundry I have sitting in a pile, just waiting to be washed.  And hopefully you don't judge me too harshly when I tell you that a month after getting back from Costa Rica, I'm still not really unpacked.  Actually, I think I'm passed the point of worry about judgement and have sailed straight into the 'I-don't-care', 'this-is-just-how-my-life-is-right-now' zone.=P)

Inevitably though, I always get to the point where I feel like I'm stuck in a spinning tornado.  But, I know that if I just buckle down and regain my composure, I can make it out alive.   So, my lovely friends, this is me posting the last of my "real" Costa Rica pictures and trying to get my life back in order. 

Be prepared for tons of work outfit photos from the past couple of weeks!

Have a wonderful weekend! :)

Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica

_______________________________________________________

Mandie top c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)

Skirt c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact no longer available; Love this Flourish skirt here; Other super cute versions here, here, and here)

Wedges (Similar here and here; LOVE these here)

Necklace c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact no longer available; Love these options here, here, here, here & here)

Geo cuff (Love these ones here, here, & here)