With florals literally EVERYWHERE this season, I stepped out of my comfort zone and scooped up this fun outfit! Come on ladies, Hillary Clinton can’t be the only one to rock a pant suit! What I love most about this outfit was that I was able to wear it more than one way. I’ve rocked it three ways so you can see how to maximize on one outfit!
If I must say so myself, this set from Akira is AH-mazing. For those of you who don’t know, Akira is a Chicago based boutique that has several locations all over the city and suburbs! This store truly has something for everyone – you just have to dig it out 🙂
Getting More Out of the Outfit
The set I am wearing is a size small jacket paired with a medium pant. You can wear the set with both the blazer and pants, or the pants with bodysuit, or just the blazer with jeans….it’s truly up to your imagination! Additionally, you can dress it up with stilettos or down with sneakers. Wearing something you feel good in makes it easy to find creative ways to wear something multiple ways! When I picked this up, I realized the entire outfit cost me around $140, but was worth every penny given that I could be worn 3 ways.
Hope you love this floral piece as much as I did! To shop this look or others, check us out on @liketoknow.it and see what other outfits might fit your fancy!
What every girl wants may vary, but what every girl needs is Hautelook! What is Hautelook you ask? Hautelook is a Nordstrom owned online store. They offer limited-time sales events that introduce new brands from up and coming companies at an affordable price- this means that if you like it, scoop it up right away because items sell out quickly.
The Skinny
With two young children and a work-a-holic hubby, it is simply too hard to run to the store and take the time to find and try on clothes! Thanks to the internet, online stores like Hautelook sell the latest trends (not to mention unique pieces) at a steal price…and what can be better…they deliver them straight to your doorstep! With an app and the convenience of being able to return the items to your nearest Nordstrom Rack, Hautelook has been my savior for gala dresses, vacation outfits...AND they even sell kids clothing and shoes…I’m in heaven!
My latest favorite purchase is a high waisted, asymmetrical zippered leather skirt….’cause let’s face it, every girl needs one in her closet…am I right? I personally love the brand Romeo & Juliet Couture, they create unique pieces which are more of my style. Needless to say, when that vegan leather skirt popped up, it was in my cart within minutes! I scooped this up on Hautelook for $30, but because they use a flash sale model, the same skirt is now for sale for $62 (it is on sale right now for 30% off), this skirt is budget friendly, and with it’s high waist line, it is mom-friendly for women who are conscious of their love handles.
I have styled this skirt casually and formally! For a sexier look, I have pulled up the zipper a little to show some leg, but for a more casual look, the ‘midi’ length has paired well with this t-shirt. It also layers well with a loose fitting sweater. I tend to have an edgier style and love to wear things that are less main stream, I’d love to help piece together some outfits for you if my style speaks to you!
I look forward to “spring cleaning” every year! It’s my chance to be “out with the old and in with the new!” A fun place for me to start is always my closet. Every year I’m reminded of how I’ve been in rotation of the same clothes throughout the winter… especially since us Chicago folks have the ability to hide behind our parka jackets. With nice weather creeping up on us (hopefully ??) I wanted to think about how to re-surface out of my hibernation and back into the balance of life, fitness and just being ME and I have come up with 5 ways to do it!
Put away your leggings!
I have finally come to terms with the fact that summer is around the corner. My recent harsh reminder to put my leggings away was when I tried to squeeze into my jeans from last summer – not gonna lie, my fly kept falling down! Come on chicks, I can’t be the only one who has leggings as their go to piece in the fall and winter. Leggings can be a dangerous “go to” item because it’s easy to expand and not notice. Also, it doesn’t help that the temptation to grab for Spanx leggings is real since they help squeeze in the extra pounds! With March finally here, it’s time to kick back into gear and work towards getting back into shape…bye bye leggings….hello jeans, dresses, and skirts!
(For the Pink Top – Size Down- I exchanged my Medium for a Small)
Consider a Change of Hair Style or Color
The winters in Chicago can be brutal! The wind chill in the city will make you feel like you never want to leave the house. I don’t know about you, but going for a cut and color has fallen by the wayside over the last couple of months. My split ends need to be gone…pronto! I am so looking forward to a fresh change. Perhaps cutting off a few inches and going a little lighter in my highlights would be fun. Change it up and be bold! It’s amazing how the way we look can influence the way we feel about ourselves.
My biolage was done by Anna George Salon at the Illinois Center – Ivana is amazing!
Add a Pop of Color to Your Spring Wardrobe
My husband always tells me that he’s tired of seeing me in grays, whites and blacks. When I look at my wardrobe I definitely fall into a sea of similar colors, cuts and styles. There is something about spring….the flowers, the sun, and getting out of the house that gives me an extra pep in my step. When Spring shopping, I am usually looking for something with a pop of color that makes me feel like I want to smile and spread the positivity. I recently bought this really fun white blazer that is making me feel springy! A couple bright pieces is all you need. Don’t try to buy a new wardrobe — otherwise you’ll end up with several items that you don’t even wear.
Grab a Buddy and Join a Fitness Program
Over the years I have yo-yoed in my dieting and exercise routine. To be honest, I used to avoid having a workout buddy when going to the gym for fear of letting them down when falling off the bandwagon. What I’ve learned is that the accountability helps when committing to a fitness program. I recently joined ClassPass which had helped me work out with an array of different people who enjoy different styles of exercise. I’m not only getting in shape, but I am also able to socialize and hopefully work towards fitting into those jeans from last summer!
Start Planning Your Next Chick Trip with Your Tribe
I can’t believe it’s already been 8 months since my last chick trip with my chicks! If you haven’t seen it, check out our vlog to Miami on YouTube. When I take the time to focus on myself with the people I love most, coming back to home-life feels so much more refreshing. With the weather warming up, I’m really looking forward to coming together with my chicks and seeing where we are headed next (hint hint: DC and Charleston are on the horizon)!
I recently attended the Atlanta Apparel trade show in Atlanta. A world class experience where boutique and business owners go to shop. It happens five times a year in order to showcase different seasons of fashion! This year on display were a few notable trends that you’ll start seeing as the season turns. With a few helpful tips by blogger and influencer Kathleen Barnes, I have compiled what I think are 4 things that you can easily add to your wardrobe to stay on trend, fun, and fashionable this Spring.
Pastel colors, particularly the pinks and purples, are the IT colors this Spring. It is a feminine tone that makes an outfit instantly feel elegant. This Free People top I am wearing has a lace covered cold shoulder that mixes a little bit of edge with lady-like detailing. I am wearing a size medium. This top is one of those versatile pieces… dress it up with some capri pants and stilettos or dress it down with jeans and sneakers.
Lavender is HOT this Spring!
Loving On Lavender
Floral and Prints in General
There was clearly a pattern across all of the vendor booths: prints, prints, prints! In particular, florals were VERY popular on skirts, tops, blazers, dresses and pants. There is no doubt that Spring will bloom inside and outside of boutiques. This skirt I am wearing is MSGM is a size 6. The fit to flare look of this outfit is flattering for mom’s who are conscious of waistlines (I am also wearing my Spanx under this look). Throwing in a floral print can not only brighten an outfit but also your own mood.
Feeling Extra Pretty With these Florals
Going Hands Free With a Belt Bag
Feathers
So this one is a little trickier for me. As a mom, I just could not find a practical way to incorporate a feather vest or skirt into my wardrobe – I just don’t see myself having the opportunity to rock those. BUT there are other ways to incorporate this trend through the use of accessories, from scarves to jewelry. I did find some cute accessories that would allow me to be ‘trendy’ without overspending. Check out some beautiful feather earrings that add just enough sass to a spice up a daytime or nighttime look.
Feather Frenzy
Blazers
Casually or formally, there is clearly no right or wrong way to rock a blazer this Spring. This trend is one of my favorites – there are so many ways to wear them. The weather in the Spring can be unpredictable but a jacket may be too much. A blazer is the best way to layer and prepare you for some of the unexpected weather that comes with spring. My cami pictured below is reversible (cool, right? Two pieces for the price of one). Paired with my Hudson white bell bottoms, this look has Spring written all over it!
Pop Of Color Blazer
WHBM Reversible Cami
WHBM Reversible Cami
The only thing I had before I went to the tradeshow were blazers so adding some trendy pieces to my closet was fun. It helped to focus on bring new energy to my closet through the use of certain colors, prints, and textures. Follow us on Instagram to see how we mix and match these pieces into our daily looks and check out what is on our Nordstom Winter Clearance wish list.
