My New Favorite

This is usually the part of the program where I say something sarcastic or self-depracating about what I’m wearing. Because that’s just the kind of blogger I am. But just for today, I have to be serious with you because I love this outfit SO freaking much. It was one of those where I felt confident and comfortable all day, and even by the evening (when I took these pictures) a few wrinkles and baggy knees weren’t enough to alter my love for this look.

As you’ll see below, I’ve worn the jeans, shirt, and cardigan all before, but never together, and never with my new adorably 90s shoes that I’m now in love with. I think I love this combination because each piece has something special or unique about it, but as a whole it doesn’t come off as overwhelming because the overall equation (button-up, cardigan, skinny jeans) is a classic one that never goes out of style.

OK. Thanks for sticking with me while I turned into one of those bloggers that explains their outfit to you as if you’re blind. You’ll have to forgive me; it was a special occasion.

Shoes (on sale) // Shirt (on sale) // similar Cardigan // similar Jeans // Bracelet (extra 30% off w/ code SALE30) // Coat // similar Bag (on sale) // Lips “Crush”

Cardis and Oxfords and Jeans, Oh My! It’s the Real Life Remix…

Flaming Cheese and Other Stuff

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As you might remember, Tuesday was my wedding anniversary. And because I am the best wife ever, I planned a whole surprise weekend of fun for Kristin in Bloomington. In case you don’t know, Bloomington is the best college town in the universe – and more importantly it was OUR college town. If you ever find yourself in southern Indiana, you MUST go. But first send me an email and I’ll tell you everywhere you need to check out. I’m serious about this.

Over the next couple days, I’ll share what I wore and some of the fun we had, too. By the end you’ll probably be packing your bags as fast as you can to go to Bloomington. You should be, anyway. Actually, just stop reading now and start packing.

On Saturday I dropped Kristin off for some pampering at Massage on the Square, then sent her on a scavenger hunt around the IU campus. Then we went out for brunch at FARM, did some wine tasting at Oliver, and checked into our awesome room at the Walnut Street Inn. See how I’m planning your trip for you already? You’re welcome.

This outfit was from Saturday night, when we went out to dinner at the Trojan Horse and then went back to FARM for a cocktail. On any normal day, a plate of flaming cheese would be the high point. OK, maybe it was still the high point. It’s hard to compete with flaming cheese. But the other stuff was pretty damn awesome too.

(See more photos of the weekend on my Instagram feed.)

Blazer (under $15) // Jeans* // Shoes (on sale) // similar Bag (on sale) // Necklace // Bracelet // Lips “Corail in Touch”

*Jeans gifted to me by Lucky B Boutique.

Blue Jean Baby

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (I’ve never understood how that living situation would work anyway – do you pay property taxes?), you probably know that colored jeans have been trending over the past couple years. But here’s a conundrum: aren’t all jeans “colored” unless they’re white? I mean when people say “colored jeans” or “colored denim” they’re talking about jeans that aren’t blue. Right? But blue is a color, people.

And as if that’s not enough of a conundrum, what do we call these jeans? They’re not regular jeans, but they’re still blue. So they’re blue colored jeans? Is anyone else’s mind exploding?!

Jeans* // similar Shirt (on sale) // Necklace // similar Shoes (on sale) // Bracelet // Watch

*These jeans were gifted to me LuckyB Boutique. All opinions and conundrums are my own.

Imaginary Friends

The other day, my blogger buddy AJ (we’re buddies, right AJ? No? I’m too clingy?) waxed poetic about how sometimes the Target limited edition designer collections trap you into impulse buys because you’re afraid everything will sell out in 5 minutes. I totally agree with her, and yet I bought this shirt from the Prabal Gurung collection as soon as Target opened and before I had my coffee.

Luckily, we’ve become fast friends (or am I only friends with this shirt in my head just like I am with AJ?). In fact, this is the third time I’ve worn this shirt in the past month (first here, then here). This time I let the shirt hang loose and topped it off with a lace-collar-effect necklace. Because what else does a lacy collared shirt need but another lace collar? Exactly.

Shirt // Jeans // similar Boots // similar Necklace

Blown Away

Here we are in my living room again. Can the background of my photo be my repeat item today? No? OK, well good thing I also wore these green skinny jeans for the second day in a row (along with the coral bracelet, which was sort of an accident). This time I didn’t hide inside because of the cold. In fact, it was in the mid-50s, but there was a storm rolling through and I was worried I might blow away if I went outside. I mean my car almost blew off the road, and my car weighs a few hundred pounds more than I do. Seriously…Midwest weather is the craziest thing ever. To be fully prepared, you should just wear a bikini under a snowsuit, and keep rain boots and sunscreen in your purse.

P.S. I have a couple outfits backed up in the queue, so I’m going to post another outfit later today. So y’all come back now, ya hear, because Day 18 might be even more awesome than Day 17. Or it could be super lame. You’ll just never know unless you check.

Sweater // similar Jeans // similar Boots // similar Pyramid Bracelet // similar Coral Cuff // similar Necklace

Casual Kitten

The Take One, Pass it On remix gets a little challenging for me going from Friday to Saturday. On Fridays I spend the day at my internship, and on Saturday, well…it’s Saturday. I decided to repeat these kitten heels because they’re perfectly comfy for lunch and shopping. You know what they didn’t help with though? Keeping me warm in the bitterly cold wind. Seriously…it was so cold I didn’t even want to spend 4 minutes outside taking outfit photos. So here we are in my living room, in front of a bookshelf that quite possibly has embarrassing contents. So just don’t look too closely. But the Twilight books are NOT mine. Seriously.

Sweater: Forever 21 (similar on sale)

Jeans: The Limited (similar on sale)

Necklace: Bead for Life

Shoes: Kensie (similar)

Bracelets: J. Crew, Madewell (similar)

Lipstick: NARS Schiap

Simplify

This might be the most low-key outfit I’ve worn in a long time. There’s something about fashion/style blogging that makes you want to try something daring every day, even if you’re not doing it consciously. At least that’s what I’ve discovered over the past 8 or so months.

I’m actually kind of glad this outfit happened, because it reminded me I do still love simple, classic, and comfortable dressing. (I also love ranch dressing.) Statement necklaces and print mixing are not required on a daily basis. Calm down, Sarah. Keep it real.

Necklace: Forever 21

Sweater: (similar)

Belt: J. Crew (similar)

Jeans: The Limited (similar)

Flats: Steve Madden (similar)

Sunglasses: Kate Spade

P.S. The repeat item from my last outfit is the belt! Read more about the Take One, Pass it On challenge here.

Buried Treasure

Over the weekend, I cleaned out our coat closet and found this denim blazer. I know it’s mine because it’s too small to be Kristin’s, but I honestly do not remember when or where I bought it. This is really strange for me, because normally I remember everything about my clothes: where I bought it, why I bought it, whether it was on sale, whether I got it as a gift, what I was doing the first time I wore it, the phase of the moon the first time I wore it. You know, normal stuff like that.

But this jacket is a mystery! I can’t complain, though, because the roller coaster that is Midwestern weather is at a high point right now, so this little guy was the perfect layer for my trip to campus today.

Thanks, denim jacket. See you in another 10 years.

Shirt: J. Crew

Jacket: Nine West (similar)

Jeans: The Limited (similar on sale)

Scarf: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar)

Shoes: Steve Madden (similar)

Bracelet: J. Crew

Earrings: Kate Spade

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Mustard Greens

I have a couple people to thank for helping me with this outfit.

First is Wendy of Wendy’s Lookbook, who recently posted this yellow top/green bottom outfit. The weather was hideously cold this day, so my freakishly warm cashmere cardigan was the only thing I could think about wearing. I probably would have worn plain ol’ blue jeans, but I had just seen Wendy’s outfit the day before so I busted out the green. I do love an unexpected color combo.

The second person to thank is Patricia, one of my readers who also makes jewelry and who sent me this blue and white beaded necklace. To keep from looking too First Ladyish in my lace and cardigan, I layered it over my spike necklace. I really like how it turned out!

Patricia sells other unique pieces in her Etsy shop, and for the rest of this month, she is offering 25% off any order just for Sarah’s Real Life readers. Find her shop here and use the code “REALLIFE1” for your discount!

Shirt: Ann Taylor (another option in more sizes here)

Cardigan: Nordstrom, old (similar)

Necklaces: Target, c/o Designs…By Patricia

Jeans: The Limited (similar)

Shoes: Steve Madden, old (similar)

Relaxed and Pizazzed

I ordered this necklace from LOFT recently (on sale – score!) and I knew it would make a great addition to any party dress. However, my list of parties to go to in the immediate future is rather slim (read: nonexistent), and I didn’t want to wait a couple weeks!

So I decided to let my new statement necklace come out and play at school with an otherwise very casual outfit. I’m not sure if I’m dressing up the sweatshirt or dressing down the necklace. It’s one of those questions we may never answer…like “Why did the chicken cross the road?” and “Is global warming real?” Oh wait. To get to the other side, and YES.

Necklace: LOFT (sold out online but similar here and here)

Sweatshirt: Forever 21, sold (similar cardigan here)

Pants: JAG Jeans

Shoes: Target, old (similar)