Beat the system

 Rag & Bone Talia Sweater // Boys Club Sweater

I will never be one that promotes buying replicas or "knock-off's" but my tagline is "satisfying my champagne taste on a beer budget" so, when I find things like this, I just have to share.

If I could wear Rag & Bone all day, everyday, I would 100%. I love everything about the line, designers, and the textiles they use just makes the world a better place. However, trying to justify a $400 sweater for spring (which, 'Spring' in Kansas City lasts all of about 4 weeks) is hard for anyone to do. After spending an afternoon doing what I now call "research" I came across this beauty. Be smart, people! Shop around, Google, look at other websites, you'd be shocked to see what you find!

{Amy}

THE jacket.

 Shorts: Levi // Clutch: Kate Spade // Bracelets: Trouve. By my beloved friend, Dee // Jacket: Kate Spade // Shoes: Converse // Hat: Target // Top: J. Crew

photography: Lauren Frisch

Normally, I wouldn't make two posts this close together but considering "THE JACKET" was just marked down 40%, I felt compelled to discuss it, yet again. I don’t think I have ever loved something so much in my closet like I do "The Dorothy Coat". Please, don't take what I say lightly when I say this jacket is everything. (And yes, that sounds like a typical sorority girl but hey, if the shoe fits…) Whenever I wear this jacket people will literally yell out their car windows asking me where I got it, and men stop me dead in my tracks to tell me how incredible this coat is.  I’ve actually had a little girl come up to me, starry-eyed, wanting to touch it.

We all know how incredibly talented Lauren Frisch is but trying to get the color right through the lens of a camera is damn near impossible. Think of the brightest Geranium flower you have ever seen (men, those are the really, REALLY, bright pink ones that you see in the summer time). I’ve always been certain that Pink, or any shade of pink, really, is a neutral color so make sure you tailor what I’m saying to your own style but, I really believe you can wear this coat with any color. I’ve worn it with a red silk blouse and blue jeans, a navy striped dress, even just white jeans with the jacket buttoned up, and obviously with cut-off shorts and converse.  

Yes, this is an expensive jacket. No, I never would have purchased it if I didn’t work for Kate Spade. However, with it being on-sale (and an extra 20% off this weekend online!) makes it more affordable, and I can safely say this is a piece of art that will be in your closet forever. It’s an investment piece.

{Amy}



Confession

Pants: Anthropologie, similar here // Shoes: converse // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban //  Tee: J. Crew // Necklace: Milk & Honey Boutique, similar here // Watch: Michele
Photography: Lauren Frisch

Confession: I wore my pajama pants in public. And frankly, I do it a lot. Lucky for me, these pants are back on trend for summer '14...

Hallelujah.

{Amy}

Jump around

 

Necklaces: Handmade Rosary from ATX // Eagle Pendant: similar here // Evil eye, similar here // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff // Scarf : Handmade // Jumpsuit: target // shoes: Forever 21, similar here

Photography: Lauren Frisch

Yes, jumpers (or rompers, jumpsuits, one pieces...whatever floats your boat) are back in style for this spring and summer. Yes, YOU CAN WEAR THEM! My tips for shopping for the perfect jumper are simple:

1. Let it be roomy. I know, I know, I live by this rule a little too much when it comes to my clothes but in all seriousness, it's more flattering in jumpers when it has some room to move.

2. If you decide to venture out to a shorts style jumper, more power to you! But remember, it's a one piece so if it is tight and snug up top...it's probably going to be tight, snug, and ride up on the bottom.

3. Don't believe that in order to get a quality jumper that looks great, it has to come from a big named designer. Jumpers are everywhere right now, and if you dedicate just a little bit of time in doing some research you will most likely find exactly want you want for a lot less. (I.E. Asos, topshop, TARGET)

4. Dress it up! Throw some heels and jewels on with a simple jumper and you are set for the night, talk about an effortless outfit! 

{Amy}

Home Team

Boots: Steve madden. similar here // Dress: Zara. Similar here // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban // Necklace: Vintage. Similar here //Top: Milk & Honey Boutique. similar here.
Photography: Lauren Frisch

I often refer to some of my closest friends and family as 'My Team' and 'Home base'. Growing up, I always had this idea that the more friends you had, the more popular you were. More friends and popularity meant happiness, right? I would jump from one person to the next just hoping that this next 'group' would be 'My Team', not once ever realizing that I have to recruit My Team, I have to go out and find the best people for me. It wasn't until I faced adversity square in the eye that I realized something profound; I cannot be the only party to form my home base, they have to want me, just as much as I want them.

I've learned through hardships, that my home base might not be all family members, or even 'best' friends. Some of the people that I thought would be there for me in the hard times, weren't. But, you know what, that's what makes this life such a beautiful struggle. Every single soul out there has had to deal with something that has greatly hurt them. Some of us get healing through talking about it, while others find healing in solitude, and that's what makes this world so wonderful. We are all so very different, but perfect in our own ways.

Who is on your home team? Who is going to go to bat for you when you are too weak to swing?

{Amy}

Proceed with Caution

 A "have to have now" flash site price...

A simple Google search price...

Finally, NEVER buy something that doesn't give you the original price first. And always, be sure to read the fine print...

I for one have always been a big believer in the flash-site phenomenon. Maybe it's because I lived in Chicago when Groupon was only 1 year old, and HUGE or maybe it's because my heart skips a beat when I find the perfect sale. I have over 6 flash site apps on my phone and they are checked, every morning at 10 AM or 11AM. (these are the times that the new deals are released, FYI.) Part of me looks at them for the same reason I spend hours upon hours on Pinterest...sheer boredom. But every once in a while, I find something I just have to have.

Flash sites are meant to make you feel that if you do not click "buy now" immediately, it will go out away and you will never, EVER be able to purchase that coveted conversation-starter wine stopper, ever again. I fell victim to this; numerous times. It wasn't until I saw something on a flash site that I knew I had just seen online somewhere else that I realized...they rarely sell out of certain merchandise so why not take 75 seconds and Google the item before purchasing it? That's when my outlook on Flash sites totally changed.

Just today this is what I found...same shoe, different price.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are a TON of awesome deals on these flash sites, and I still find myself purchasing anything from mani-pedi's to rugs, to toothbrushes on them. All I am saying is do a tiny bit of research to make sure you are truly getting the best deal possible before buying a "final sale" item.

{Amy}

Top 5 Boyfriend Jeans

clockwise from top left: H&M Boyfriend // 7 For All Mankind // GAP Boyfriend // Rag & Bone Boyfriend // Citizens of Humanity Boyfriend

Mastering the boyfriend jean can be a dangerous game especially when it comes to finding that perfect pair of lived-in, baggy Boyfriend jeans. Below are some tips to keep in mind when looking for your soon-to-be favorite part of jeans.

1.You always want a pair that is tailored at the ankle. "Slim straight" or "skinny" boyfriend jeans are what you always want to look for. When they aren't tailored at the ankle you run the risk of them truly looking like you are wearing jeans that are way too big.

2. Make sure they fit in the waist. Denim of all nature will stretch and grow with your body so you always want to make sure the waist fits.

3. A BF jean tends to run a little bit higher in the rise, which is what you want. The whole point of this jean is for them to be slouchy and give that laid back feeling. So, when it is a low rise BF jean you run the risk of the jean just looking like they are too big in just the butt and knees, which is never a good look (can we say mom jeans?). And dare I mention the wretched M word...muffin top?

4. Distressing. A very evil word when it comes to denim. What is too much? What is not enough? I believe that H & M and 7 For All Mankind (both seen below) have the best distressing. It's enough for anyone, of any age.

5. Finally, how do you wear your BF jeans? If you really want a more laid back look, wear them with a baggy tee, but make sure you are wearing something with a heel. (we don't want it to look like we really don't give a damn about anything!). Or, wear them with a cute flat sandal (my new favorite Birkenstocks) and a more fitted tee, maybe even tucked it.

{Amy}

When too much is a good thing

Shirt: J. Crew

I've always believed that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing...sometimes. Well, especially when it comes to J. Crew. The first rule with J. Crew is to never, EVER buy anything full price. Before you know it the item you love will be, at the very least, 25% off.  Right now, they have 30% off of sale items then an additional 25% off (or 30% off if you are a card member)...so that means it's practically free, right?

This print is everything to me right now. Um, yes, I would like to grab my passport, get on a plane and head to Paris, how'd you know, J. Crew?

{Amy}