Crossbody Lovin.

Michael Kors Jet Set Item Flap Crossbody Purse c/o Macy's* (Exact here)//
Shop outfit details and similar items below

I don't know about you, but by the time Spring rolls around each year, I am just dying to get out of my repetitive winter uniform slump. And after months and months of wearing the same sweaters, boots, and heavy coats, I can't wait to throw on a light jacket and a pair of flats and run out the door. And really, who doesn't get excited about all the new Spring designs, colors, prints, and BAGS?! I rest my case. Springtime is the best time. 
(Other than Fall. Because, let's be honest, Fall is right up there with Spring in terms of seasonal awesome-ness.) 

This Spring season, I am absolutely loving bomber jackets and small crossbody bags. The former, I've always loved. I mean, there are very few ways that you can go wrong with a chic little fitted jacket. The latter, I've fallen in love with relatively recently. I think my love for crossbody bags came from carrying so much literal bulk on my person over the Winter. So, in preparation for my Spring wardrobe, I thought-- the less room I have to store junk in, the less clutter I will have in my purse. And the less cluttered my purse, the less time it will take for me to quickly find my phone and snap a pic of those super cute shoes that I've been eyeing. Hypothetically speaking. ;)
Give me a beautiful crossbody bag that will house just my bare essentials and I will wear that baby until it goes out of style. 

How do you guys feel about crossbody bags? Love them? Hate them? I'd love to hear your opinions in the comments!
 Check out my favorite crossbody purses from Macy's below and check out Macy's new Spring 2015 pieces here! 
***
*My love of crossbody bags and this post were made possible by Macy's and Shopstyle. <3

Ann Blanche Spring Giveaway!

Today marks the first official day of Spring. 
(Can I get an Amen up in here?!) 

Today is actually twice as special for me because this long-awaited first day of Spring is also the Persian New Year! 
During our new year we visit with loved ones, eat way too much food, and exchange gifts. So, to celebrate this tradition of gift-giving (and since I can't feed delicious Persian food to all of you), I figured-- why not host another giveaway with the one and only Ann Blanche?! 

One lucky gal will win a beautiful pair of Ann Blanche flats AND a gorgeous summer scarf. Just use the Rafflecopter app below to enter.

Happy Spring, friends! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The small print: Giveaway ends on Friday, March 27th, and 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.

Turtlenecks + Hope.

It's that time of year again--
The time when it feels like it's been Winter for approximately twenty seven months.
The time when those of us living in cold climates have worn the same sweaters and pants and tights for months on end.
So, what's a girl to do??
Pair cozy tops with fun bottoms that give you a glimmer of hope for warmer months to come, that's what!
Spring is right around the corner... I can feel it!

Black turtleneck (Similar here, here, & here)//
Pleated blush midi skirt c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Wide stretch belt (Exact old; Similar here, & here (just turn the buckle to your back) )//
Black booties (Very similar here; Similar here; LOVE this open toe pair here & this almond toe pair here)//
Black opaque tights (Similar here & here)//
Resin statement necklace (Exact here; Other cute versions here, here, here, & here)

Black turtleneck (Similar here, here, & here)//
Pleated blush midi skirt c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Wide stretch belt (Exact old; Similar here, & here (just turn the buckle to your back) )//
Black booties (Very similar here; Similar here; LOVE this open toe pair here & this almond toe pair here)//
Black opaque tights (Similar here & here)//
Resin statement necklace (Exact here; Other cute versions here, here, here, & here)

Grey turtleneck (Exact here; Other cozy knits here, here, here, here, & here)//
 Red dress pants (Similar here, here, here, & here)//
Leopard print smoking flats (Exact here; Other cute versions here & here; Obsessed with these pairs here & here!)//
Glasses c/o Firmoo (Exact here)//
Oversized brown watch (Exact here; Love these ones here, here, here, & here)

Grey turtleneck (Exact here; Other cozy knits here, here, here, here, & here)//
 Red dress pants (Similar here, here, here, & here)//
Leopard print smoking flats (Exact here; Other cute versions here & here; Obsessed with these pairs here & here!)//
Glasses c/o Firmoo (Exact here)//
Oversized brown watch (Exact here; Love these ones here, here, here, & here)

Pattern Play & Current Obsession With Flats.

The title of this post says it all.

Have a great week, Loves!!

:)

Plaid dress c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Cargo vest c/o Avery Lane Boutique (Exact here)//
Patterned tights (Similar here, here, & here)//
Red plaid scarf (Love these options here, here,& here)//
Brown riding boots (Similar here, here, here, & here)//
Brown braided belt (Similar here, here, & here)//
Glasses c/o Firmoo (Exact here)//
Wonka bar necklace c/o Accessory Mercado (Exact here; Use discount code YASI to get 15% off)

Black and white polka dot sweater c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
White ankle pants (Almost exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Black jeweled flats (Exact here; Love these ones here & here)//
Black and white chunky pearl necklace c/o Blossom Jewelry Design (Exact here)

Mint green blouse (Similar here)//
Light grey sweater (Similar here, here,& here)//
Skinny black dress pants (Exact here; Similar here and here)//
Grey smoking flats (Exact here; Other cute grey flats here, here, here, & here)//
Necklace and bracelet c/o Sira & Mara (Exact here & here)//
Oversized brown watch (Exact here; Love these ones here & here)

Ann Blanche New Year's Giveaway!-CLOSED.

Usually I'm not a big proponent of of New Year's resolutions. I think making big life changes should happen when you're ready and not necessarily because it's the turn of the calendar year. But, something feels different this year. 
I'm excited about turning over a new leaf and I actually have a whole list of resolutions. Most of them are uber exciting things like: be more organized, don't save a task for tomorrow when you could do it today. And the always popular: get back in shape. 

(Although, to my defense on the last point, my gym unexpectedly closed this past Fall. Not being able to lift and do BodyPump anymore was absolutely devastating. But, one of the gym owners just opened a brand spanking new gym. So, I can't wait to get back into the game and regain the tone and muscle that I've lost!)

Like many, one of my other resolutions has to do with personal style. In 2015, I want to continue having fun and experimenting with fashion and my everyday style. And what better way to kick off this particular resolution than by giving away a pair of gorgeous ballet flats from Ann Blanche?! 

One lucky winner will be able to *step* into the new year with a pair of these fabulous flats! (Seriously, they are SO cute & versatile.) Just use the Rafflecopter app below to enter. 

Good luck and Happy New Year, Loves! Here's to an amazing 2015!

(P.S. I will be back to regular outfit posts soon!)

The small print: Giveaway ends on Friday, January 9th, and 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.

Angel Reinares Handbag Giveaway (and $150 coupon code)!!-CLOSED.

So.... remember this incredible, beautiful, gorgeous, amaaaaahzing Angel Reinares handbag that I reviewed in this post?

Well, you can WIN IT and make this baby your own. (Say whaaaat?!!)

Just enter the Angel Reinares Santa Angel Giveaway here in the next 2 days and enter to win your choice of any of these three luxury handbags:

One Angel Reinares "Bobal Satchel ": Approximate Value USD $585.00

One Angel Reinares "Macabeo Tote ": Approximate Value USD $615.00

One Angel Reinares "Cabernet Tote ": Approximate Value USD $605.00

And what's even better?! An exclusive coupon code ("angelsanta150") for $150 OFF any purchase over $300. Amazing!

So, if you like chic luxury handbags, do your closet a favor and enter the Angel Reinares handbag giveaway here. 

(But, hurry, the winner will be chosen this Saturday, December 20th!)

Good luck, Loves!!

...
The winner of this fabulous contest is Jessica Westfall of Elkview, WV. 
Congrats, Jessica!!

(Click here for the original announcement)

Work & Play.

It's been years since I have bought more than a handful of clothing items that were strictly for "play". Due to my very exciting night life (or lack thereof), almost everything in my wardrobe tends to pull double duty. If I can't use a piece as part of my work wardrobe, it's very likely that it will hang out in the back of my closet for a very long time.

However, with a little creativity, many things can be fashioned into workwear.
A chiffon dress? Great! Let's put a sweater over it and make it work appropriate. 
A fitted pencil dress? Let's put an oversized cardi over it and belt it.

I guess it must also be said that my office environment is pretty casual. So, I often use the term "work wear" loosely. Regardless, the idea still holds true. Pieces that can be used in different situations often give the best bang for your buck--easy peasy day to night transition is where it's at!

Here's what I've been wearing lately--

Polka dot blouse (Similar here & here)//
Black and white sweater (Almost exact here; Similar here)//
Red ankle pants (Similar here, here & here)//
Pearl necklace c/o Avery Lane Boutique (Exact Sold Out; Cute versions here, here, & here)//
Skinny black watch (Similar here & here)//
Black (patent leather) flats (Similar here & here;Not patent, but love these here)

"Striped Sensation" tunic dress c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact here)//
Opaque black tights (Exact here)//
Black wedge boots (Exact here; Similar here & here)//
Black and silver chainmaille bracelet c/o Blossom Jewelry Design (Exact here; Love this one here)

Black turtleneck (Similar here, here, & here)//
Oversized burgundy sweater & faux leather pencil skirt c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here & here)//
Leopard print cuff c/o Sira & Mara (Exact no longer available; Love this bracelet in similar colors here)//
Sheer black tights (Exact here)//
Black wedge boot (Exact here; Similar here & here)

"Cayla" dress c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Black crew neck sweater (Similar here, here, & here)//
Fringe tribal scarf c/o Sira & Mara (Exact here)
Opaque black tights (Exact here)//
Black booties (Similar here, here, here, here, & here)//
Skinny black belt (Similar here & here)
Black and silver chainmaille bracelet c/o Blossom Jewelry Design (Exact here; Love this one here)



Maci dress c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact here)//
Rosa cardi c/o Sugar Love Boutique (Exact here)
Black wide stretchy belt (Similar here, here, here, & here)
Opaque black tights (Exact here)//
Black booties (Similar here, here, here, here, & here)//
Pearl dangle earrings c/o Blossom Jewelry Design (Exact here)