Happy Tuesday, friends! By IG stories vote, this post won over 'winter essentials' ... However, I still have a winter essentials post in the works, so stay tuned for that one! This year one of my main goals is to focus more on our household monthly budget. One of the areas that I need a little (ok, a lot of) help with is my shopping habit budget. I want to be able to continue shopping for myself, but I'm making sure the items I buy are under a certain dollar amount AND are high quality pieces. I still believe less is more and quality over quantity. But, you can never have too many cute tops to chose from... Am I right? 😉 I've seen a few other bloggers share these 'faves under $50' posts and I decided to jump on the band wagon!
Here are some of my current favorite style pieces under $50...
Happy Friday friends! It's been a bit of a hectic week around here with contractors and painters in and out. But, I'm happy to report that we no longer have mustard yellow walls (praise hands)!! I don't have my normal Friday Five for you this week, but I have something just as good...
So many great items on sale right now! Have you guys noticed that there have been so many sales lately? I'm wondering if stores are trying to get rid of their current stock before the holiday/black Friday items come in? Anyways, I wanted to share with you some great items I found on sale right now, including this adorable double-breasted peacoat for less than $40?!!
Also, there are a lot of cute booties and boots on sale too!
Shop shoes and boots on sale here Shop all women's clothing on sale here
Some other note worthy sales: Loft is currently running their friends and family sale with 40% off everything online and in stores!
Old Navy is offering up to 70% off their clearance items!
H&M is offering up to 80% off items online and in stores!
Pottery Barn is offering 20% off your order + free shipping with code: CHEERS
Below is a round up of all my favorite items that are currently on sale. Just click on the item to link to the source. Happy shopping!
* affiliate links are used in this post which means I get a few cents on every dollar that you may spend if you buy any of these items. The commission I receive helps support my blog, so thank you in advance for your support!
I've always been pretty simple when it comes to jewelry. I like and appreciate a classic design that is timeless and that will go with everything. Since I've had my boys, I have been sticking to wearing diamond stud earrings instead of anything too dangly or something that they could possibly get caught on or grab.
When you arrive to the site, you can easily browse through their extensive collection of beautiful and unique designs. All of their pieces can be customized according to preference of metal type, diamond size, diamond/gemstone quality, and length/size. My eyes landed on the Circle Designer Diamond Stud Earrings. I just love the halo of pave diamonds around the sparkly solitaire. I went with the 1.58 ct. size. The design is so sophisticated and elegant! These earrings can be worn with a tee shirt and jeans (which is what I will be wearing them with most often, I'm sure) or with a beautiful ball gown!
Anjolee is offering all LLStyling readers 10% off their order (through Nov. 1, 2017)! Simply use the code Lindsay10 at checkout and your discount will be applied!
*I was provided a pair of cubic zirconia stud earrings from Anjolee in exchange for writing this post. All the above views and opinions are my own!
It's coming... I know it's still 98 degrees outside... But, hashtag fall will be here before you know it! Now is the time to get your fall wardrobe capsule (full post on my capsule wardrobe to come) in check! I suggest investing in a few items if you do not already have them in your closet. An 'investment' piece, to me, is one that costs over $100 and is a high quality. These items will last you several years (if not longer), so they are worth the extra money if you can get some good wear out of them.
1. Tall Leather Boots : I've decided that it is time in my life to really spend more money on shoes. Sure the target shoe isles are filled with designer dupes that cost less than $30, but how long are those going to last you? And most likely, they are not as comfortable as the full price, designer brands. When it comes to leather shoes like booties and tall boots, I say go big or go home. I own this pair of tall leather boots that I've had for almost 3 years now and they have held up so well! I have worn them through cold weather, snow and rain (make sure to spray them with this leather protectant first!) and they are still looking sharp! I also love how soft the leather is and the minimal heel makes them extra comfy. These boots also come in a wider calf version if you need a little extra room in that area.
2. Booties : I was really hoping to get a new pair of transitional booties this year. I ordered this pair during the Nordstom anniversary sale, but later got the email that they were on back order until October. I wanted a pair that I could wear a little sooner, so I decided to cancel my order. I'm currently trying to decide between this pair and this pair. How do you feel about an open toe bootie? How late in the season is it appropriate to have an open toe shoe? I'm really not sure, but I love the look!
3. Rain/all weather boots : Yes, I'm talking Hunter boots! Love them or hate them, these babies are my go to when it's raining, snowing, sleeting, etc. And in Ohio that is most of the time in the fall and winter. I have the matte navy original tall boots and I'm thinking about investing in another pair and leaning towards the glossy red (to represent my Buckeyes, of course). I also got a pair of these sock inserts last year which is a game changer during the snowy months of winter!
4. Distressed, dark wash skinny jeans - This pair has been on my wish list for a while, but I am most likely purchasing this pair soon. I just haven't been able to pull the trigger on a pair of jeans over $100 since I'm still hopeful about loosing the last 5-10ish pounds post baby (can I still blame it on the baby weight after a year?). I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out though, because this pair looks like it is the perfect stretch, wash and has the perfectly placed, modest rips. Since I'm a mom (andcough cough... over 30), I'm not really into the overly distressed denim. I'm afraid one of my babies' fingers might get caught up in all those rips!
5. Dark wash skinny jeans - You can't go wrong with a good pair of dark wash skinny jeans aka the most flattering pair of denim you own. I purchased this high waisted pair during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and I LOVE them! They have the perfect amount of stretch and the high waist just helps to suck everything in on top. No muffin top or pulling up your jeans every minute, these babies stay in place! I highly recommend them!
6. Thick, quality black leggings - I'm not talking your skimpy little see through cheapos... You need to invest in a thick, high quality pair of leggings to get you through fall and winter! I consider these an investment piece even though they are under $100 (as in half that!), because you can buy a pair of black leggings for much less, but they do not have the quality like this brand. I've had this pair of leggings for 3 years (I actually own 3 pairs now!) and I LOVE them! I suggest getting the high waisted style which are great for post pregnancy or just to keep everything snug up top! These leggings do not fall down and are not see through. Yes, they are 'athletic' leggings, but I still wear them with normal tunics, sweaters, tee shirts, etc. And they are great to wear with tall boots, booties or sneakers!
7. Neutral tone handbag - I've been wanting a new neutral tone handbag for a while now and I'm so glad I decided to splurge on this bag during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale last month. It is such a pretty color, like a blush/beige, and it goes with everything I wear. I love the size because it can hold everything I need (it even fits my mac book air!) and comes with a detachable cross body strap, which is convenient if I'm wearing it while out and about with the boys.
What wardrobe pieces have you invested in for fall?
Hey guys! I feel like a broken record here, but I must apologize for my absence! Just a busy time of year I guess. I wanted to share some of my outfits I posted on instagram last month with links to items I mentioned for those of you that do not use like to know it (although you should bc it's awesome!). So, below is a quick round up of some of my popular outfit posts from July:
I definitely did a lot of shopping last month! There were (and still are) so many great sales happening. Speaking of which, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is still going on through Sunday, so snag those in stock items while they are available! After the 6th, prices go up!
Are you completely over the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale posts yet? I'm still shopping and have found some great steals that are actually still in stock! I didn't order anything until closer to the end of our trip because I wanted to make sure we were home when the boxes arrived. So, I missed out on some of the hot items that sold out quickly like this long sleeve tee (although it is still available in some sizes and colors). But, I am happy with the items I've purchased so far! The sale is going on through August 6th, so keep checking the site for restocked items if any are currently out of stock.
I went a little over my normal monthly budget (ok, like 3 times over), but Bill and I agreed to purchase some bigger items now while they are on sale as long as they are quality, staple items that will last a long time. I'm ok with spending a bit more for a quality item (like a handbag or shoes) if I know I will get a lot of wear out of them.
So, here is what I've ordered so far...
1. Lush Raw Edge Side Slit Tee (ordered a medium because smalls were out of stock, reviews say they run a bit big)- Yes, probably the most popular $15 tee shirt ever! It sold out so quick! I didn't think I'd be able to get one, but I checked back a few days ago and saw a medium available in grey so I ordered it. I think the small would fit me best, so just waiting for it to arrive to see if the medium will work. *Everyone that has purchased this says you can still wash and line dry it even though it says dry clean only.
2. Caslon Rounded V-Neck Tee (ordered smalls, reviews say TTS)- I ordered the 'Beige Rainy Day' color and the 'Grey - White Julia Stripe' in smalls. Waiting for these to arrive to try them on! I'm sure if they fit, I will be wearing these non-stop.
3. Ruffle Cold Shoulder Sweater (ordered a small, runs TTS) - Yes, the cold shoulder trend is here to stay for fall! I received this sweater this week and I LOVE it! It is the perfect soft, not to heavy, not too light weight sweater material. And I love the ruffle detail on the shoulders. I'm thinking about wearing it for a date night or girls night when it starts to get chilly out!
4. Zella Cropped High Waist Leggings (ordered small, runs TTS) - I love love love these leggings! I have the regular length ones which I bought last year during the sale, so I had to get a pair of the cropped ones! I love the high waist because it really sucks everything in and is perfect for playing with the kids since I'm bending over all the time!
5. Kut from the Kloth Mia High Waist Skinny Jeans (ordered a 4, they fit TTS with some stretch) - I knew I wanted to order a new pair of jeans from the sale, but I wasn't ready to spend as much as these AG jeans. When I came across this pair, they just seemed like a winner. I mean, you can't go wrong with a pair of high waisted, dark wash skinny jeans. AKA the most flattering jeans you can buy! I was so happy these came in this week and they fit like a glove! Although, they are a bit too long on my 5'2" frame, so I'll have to get them hemmed a bit, but other wise I love them! They have some stretch to them which is nice and the high waist is really flattering. I also ordered these jeans, but they are back ordered and won't come in until August.
6. BP Lightweight Rib Stitch Cardigan (ordered a small in black, runs TTS) - I love this cardigan and so glad I snagged it while it was in stock. Unfortunately, it looks like it is sold out, but keep checking back to see if they will restock them. There are some great choices for cardigans on sale. This one and this one are very similar in look and price.
Now for my 2 splurges! I knew I wanted a pair of good transitional booties and a new handbag. It has been a few years since I've splurged on a handbag so I knew now was a great time to invest!
7. Vince Camuto Karinta Block Heel Bootie - When I saw a few bloggers post about these peep toe booties I immediately put them in my cart. I just love the color, detail and the block heel. I also don't currently own a pair of peep toe booties, so I like the fact that I can wear these in the late summer and carry them into fall. I have another pair of Vince Camuto wedges that I bought a few years ago and I just love the quality of this brand's shoes, so I knew they would be a great pick!
8. Tory Burch Frida Leather Satchel - Probably my most exciting purchase in a while! I have been wanting to splurge on a new handbag for quite some time, but I just never felt like it was the right time with our moving, and so many other expenses that have come up. I finally felt like it was the right time to invest in a handbag that I know will last me several years! I've been carrying this black Kate Spade cross body for several years now, so I wanted a bag with a more neutral tone and in a larger size. I'm kind of a handbag snob (fun fact, I used to work on the Nordstrom handbag department for a bit right after college!), so when I buy a handbag it has to be great quality! I love that it is a satchel style with the rolled handles and comes with a cross body strap so you can wear it a few different ways.
*I added a widget on the right sidebar at the top of the blog so you can easily shop all the items I've purchased so far from the Nordstrom sale. Or you can shop below by clicking on the image of the item.
What have you purchased from the sale? What are your favorite items?
Hi guys! Welcome back to another Friday Five post! Here are five things I'm loving from this (rather short) week:
1. I just picked up this lip gloss from my local Target and I am loving it! I got it in shade 'radiant rose' and it is the perfect mauve/pink for my skin tone. It also lasts a lot longer than any other drug store lip gloss I've owned. Like I don't have to reapply every 10 minutes.
2. This palm tree sweater is oh-so-comfy and perfect for those chilly, rainy summer days. I paired mine with these shorts yesterday and I love the combo! It is currently on sale for less than $15, so go snag it before it's sold out!
3. If you follow my instastories, you know I recently got my hair cut and I'm finally figuring out how to style it. I absolutely love the shorter 'do and I think I may keep it this length going forward! A lot less maintenance!
4. I found a few more 'mom-bod' friendly one-piece suits from Target that I plan to wear on our upcoming family trip to Outer Banks (affiliate links here and here). They are really flattering and perfect for family vacation with the boys!
5. I think we are taking the big boy bed plunge this weekend with Camden! We have a double mattress that we are just planning to put on his floor for now. I picked up these sheets (also ordered these sheets bc they were out of stock at the store) and this quilt for his bedding. I'm also planning to order these sheets because he loves trucks, planes and all things that go at the moment, so I know he will love them! Any tips on making this transition from fellow toddler mamas out there?? I'm a bit nervous!
I've been on a white and blue kick recently and all these outfits would be perfect for the upcoming holiday! Just throw on some bright red lips or a red clutch and you are set! A few of these are on sale as well, so grab them while they are still in stock!
Just for sizing reference, I am 5'2" and typically wear a size 4-6 in bottoms and Small/Mediums in tops depending on the brand. I have wider hips and bigger chest, so it just depends on the fit as to what size I order.
When I ordered this dress it was on sale, but now seems to be back at full price. However, it's still under $50 which I think is a great price for a dress! I love the blue and white pin stripe pattern and of course, I'm all about a one shoulder dress. I could not say no to this combo! I'm looking forward to wearing this dress on our family trip to Outer Banks in a few weeks! *This dress runs a bit small in my opinion and I ordered a Medium.
Shop this look:
When I saw this navy and white striped, off the shoulder top I knew I had to try it on. And after I had it on and felt how soft and comfortable it was, it had to be mine! I've tried a few off the shoulder looks and if I feel like I have to keep pulling it up or if it's too tight around my shoulders, I know I won't wear it. This top does not feel that way! It is so comfortable! Perfect summer top to dress up with white denim and heels or dress down with shorts and flip flops! It comes in a few solid colors as well. If you are thinking about ordering, I would act fast because sizes are running low! *I bought a size XS for reference. I feel as though Old Navy runs a bit big in sizing.
Shop this look:
I picked up this gingham off the shoulder top at Target on one of my recent trips. Sadly, I can not find it anywhere online! But, I've linked to some similar gingham tops I'm loving at the moment. I am loving everything gingham just as much as stripes these days! *Brand is Mossimo and I'm wearing a size Medium.
Shop similar tops and my outfit here:
Last but not least, what I will most likely wear this weekend! I have been loving this lightweight, navy striped cardigan this summer. It's perfect to throw on over tanks and shorts if it gets a bit chilly in the evenings or early morning. It's also on sale right now, as is almost everything on Old Navy's website! I recently picked up a handful of tops, these shorts and this dress on a recent shopping trip. All items from my outfit above and what I purchased linked below:
Also, there are some great 4th of July sales going on this weekend!
I've listed a few of them below...
Target | 30% off home goods and an extra 10% off patio and furniture Old Navy | Entire store on sale, up to 60% off items and $8 dresses! J.Crew Factory | 40% off New Arrivals H&M | Summer Sale is up to 70% off CODE: EXTRA40 SheIn | Up to 60% off trend styles
Feeling guilty... for not posting enough on this blog of mine. Summer time has got us BUSY! I'm working on some projects for Bennett's birthday party this weekend. Between that, taking care of my very active 2 boys, trying to keep up with house work, working and general life there just hasn't been enough time to keep up! Hopefully, I will be better about posting later in the summer. But for now it may be a bit scarce around here.
Also feeling a bit sad... about my baby turing one in a week. Like looking at all his baby photos and videos on my phone every night and getting teary eyed. How did this past year go so quickly?
Excited about... our upcoming family trip to the Outer Banks in July. We are going with Bill's family and the boys cousins so it should be a fun time! I've started my list for what we need to bring and what I need to get for the boys before we go including a puddle jumper for Camden and one of these awesome water proof beach blankets. Also thinking about getting a better sun hat for Bennett and stocking up on this sunblock for the boys.
Watching... Southern Charm and RHONY. Literally, those are the only shows I watch! I'm not even watching the Bachelorette this season. I don't know what is going on? I'm usually so tired at the end of the day I can barely make it through one show and then I'm ready for bed!
Reading... Nothing. Again, I wish I had more time in the day to read again! I've had this book on my wish list for a while... Maybe I'll bring it to the beach! Oh wait... I'll still have a toddler and a one year old with me sooooo... we'll see...
Eating... clean-ish... I'm not going all out Whole30 again (well, I only lasted 14 days last time, so it was really just Whole14 for me), but I have been trying to cut way back on dairy, gluten and sugar. So far so good. It's only been a few days so we'll see! Just trying to shed a few lbs before our trip.
Wearing...These shorts and these tee shirts like it's my job! They have definitely been my 'mom-iform' this summer!
Loving... My days at home with the boys. Even though they can be exhausting (understatement of the year), I just love being able to be home with them during this fun stage even for just a few days a week. They are both growing at such a rapid pace I'm trying to savor this time!
Hello, and happy June! I can't believe we are already into the second week of June? How did that happen? It's been a few months since I've done one of these monthly favorites posts and they always seem to be a crowd pleaser, so I decided to bring them back.
First, I'll share the top 5 most clicked on items from last month. If you are new here, I often use affiliate links (more info on what they are here) to link to the products I share on the blog in order to not only receive a small amount of commission (thank you for your support!) if a reader decides to purchase that item, but also in order to track click through rates. If you have any questions about how the affiliate links work, feel free to leave a comment below and I'll be happy to explain!
So, here are the top 5 most clicked on items I shared last month:
#5. AEO Tomgirl Short, Faded Ways - I LOVE these distressed denim shorts so much! They are the perfect length (not too short, not too long) and I get compliments/questions about them every time I wear them. AND they are currently on sale for less than $40!
#4. Target Women's Softest Scoop Tee - Merona™ - Another everyday favorite. These tees are great not only because of the price (only 8 bucks!), but I love the scoop neck style. I'm not a fan of the high/crew neck tee shirts and some of the v-necks are just too low cut! This scoop neck tee is the perfect neckline for hanging out with my boys. PS - They are currently 3 for $20!!
#3. Target Women's Lace Halter One Piece Swimsuit - Sea Angel - I love this one piece swimsuit and can't wait to wear it on our vacation to the outer banks this summer! I was on the hunt for a one piece that would be appropriate to wear around the family and my boys and this one is perfect! Also, very flattering!
#3. Target Women's Softest Scoop Tee - Merona™ - another one mentioned in my Day In the Life post! And I wear them a lot when I'm with the boys because they are so comfortable and (most importantly) washable!
#1. Last but not least, this Bell Sleeve Tee generated the most sales last month! Which is currently on sale for less than $30! I'm so glad you all are on the same ruffle sleeve kick! :)
That's all for this May's favorites!
What do you think will be popular for June? Did you purchase any of these items?
Summer is pretty much the best season for style because you can wear a comfy dress every day of the week! I loved having a baby in the summer last year because I pretty much wore flowy dresses for months before and after Bennett arrived. Goodbye buttons and zips!
I've hand picked my top 9 dresses above and 6 of the most adorable rompers below, all under $100 (and most under $50)! Obviously, I'm on somewhat of an OTS (off the shoulders) kick lately...
Oh, hey guys! I'm still playing catch up this week from the holiday weekend. It was such a fun 3 days with the family, but I trying to get back into the swing of things has been rough! But, I wanted to share this look with you before the end of the week!
It took me a few tries to find the best distressed white denim, but this pair is perfection. AND it's under $60! It has a little bit of a higher waist so it helps to suck you in and has some stretch for added comfort. The hem is frayed which I love to fold up to wear with wedges or sandals.
This clutch is quickly becoming my favorite bag to carry, mostly because it goes with everything! Leopard is a neutral, right?!
These wedges were a last minute purchase (via Amazon prime) for a wedding last summer when I realized I needed some nude wedges. The sizes for these are running low online, but some of my other favorites are here and here.
And these sunglasses are the perfect pair for summer and have a price tag of just $60. I'm actually loving all the Quay (fun fact: pronounced 'Key') sunglasses right now and have a few more pairs on my wish list.
I'm so glad I found this necklace from Target on one of my recent trips. I was so close to buying this one from Baublebar that is more than double the price (even on sale right now!).
I also wanted to show the back of this top. I love that it cuts lower in the back. Would be a fun shirt to wear with your hair up as well.
We interrupt the regularly scheduled Friday 5 to bring you some extremely important news!
Nordstrom is currently running one of it's biggest sales of the year! I've saved you a ton of time by hand picking some of the best deals on the cutest tops, dresses, bottoms, shoes and accessories below. Simply click on the image to link to the source. Most, if not all, of these items are 40% off! Hurry and snag some of these items quick before they're out of stock!
I have a confession.... I've had this pipe dream of being a fashion blogger for quite some time now. Although, I never got up the courage to ask someone to take completely awkward photos of me as I strut my stuff in my new outfits. Until now.
You see, 95% of my time is focused on my babies. I'm constantly changing diapers, wiping butts (sorry TMI), wiping faces and hands, wiping counters... Yea, I'm mostly just wiping things all day. On any given day, you will most likely see me in a tee shirt and shorts or sweats. I barely have time to put on make up, let alone shower and blow dry my hair every day (shower everyday? who has that luxury?!).
I am constantly browsing instagram and blogs for the latest fashion trends and inspiration. It is what I turn to when I need a little 'me time'. It is my guilty pleasure. Of course, who has the time (and money, let's be honest) to get dressed up everyday in a new outfit and have someone take photos of them? Not me. However, I have started to make time for this little blog of mine and am hoping to slowly turn it into an outlet that I am proud of and that fulfills me creatively.
As you can tell from my instagram account, I've been trying to share with you all my latest fashion/style finds (mostly budget friendly!). Don't get me wrong, I love a good flat lay and selfie, but sometimes you just never know how something is going to look unless you really see it on someone else. This is why I follow a lot of style bloggers, not only for their inspirational instagram accounts, but also to see their style posts.
So, my ever-so-wonderful mother agreed to take photos of me once a week. And I have to say, she did pretty dang well for her first photography shoot! The model, however, needs a bit more practice... Hopefully, I will be able to share an outfit post like this once a week if I can!
Now on to this dress! It is the one dress you need this summer. It's perfect for a wedding, bridal/baby shower, date night, girls night. Heck, throw on some flat sandals and wear it to a bbq!
Like I mentioned above, I don't get dressed up that much anymore. So, I knew if I needed a new dress I would buy one that is versatile and could be worn to multiple functions. Up until now, I've always stayed away from the one shoulder/off the shoulder looks because my fear of strapless bras. Well, the good news is I found one that is awesome! It literally does not move once you put it on so you don't have to worry about feeling like you have to pull it up all the time. It's a bit more than I would have liked to pay for a bra, but with all of these off the shoulder trends now, I knew it would be a good investment.
This shoulder bag was also an easy purchase not only because of the neutral color, but the price tag (under $50!).
