Momma Style | Striped Ruffles

top: J. Crew // jeans: Old Navy // necklace: J. Crew // earrings: Lavish Leathers // boots: Target (old) // clutch: Clare V

Happy Friday friends!!!  Are you ready for the weekend???  This week seemed to fly by, as does this vague time in January.  It's after the holidays, a sense of routine and normalcy has returned...and I feel we're in that "no-man's-land" of the beginning of the year.  Anyone know what I mean?  I think we all do best when we have something to look forward to...whether that's the next holiday, a vacation, a pedicure, or what have you.  That's where I am right now...in-between things to look forward to and I just need to set some goals for myself. ;)

I think I'll put together a goal post soon, but for today, I want to share this darling J.Crew top my momma gave me for Christmas.  I've had my eye on it and loved when I tried it on and it fit!!!  Not fit meaning the right size, but fit as in layed right and didn't look too boxy.  Right now, it's 20% off at both Nordstrom and at J. Crew.  I styled it with simple skinny jeans, but am looking for a pink or navy pencil skirt to pair it with...Lots of possibilities for this top!!!

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!!!  For those in the winter storm, stay warm and safe!

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Smart Style: Comfortably Chic

Howdy y'all!!!  It feels really great to be back from our vacay, but oh it sure is hard coming back to real life.  Monday morning packs a punch when you've had no worries or cares for the last 7 days!  We had SUCH a wonderful time and I can't wait to share it...but for today I have for you a "smart style" outfit post!

You know those days when you want to look really put together and chic?  Yesterday was one of those days.  I was speaking in church in the morning, but knew I'd be in the clothes for most of the day and comfort was key.  When I put this outfit together, I originally intended to tuck in the blouse (read: re-tucking required all the day long), but decided belting it was both easier and made the look a bit more interesting.  Who doesn't love a neon pink belt!?!  But really, when comfort trumps, there's usually always a work-around to make an outfit a bit more easy to wear.

Now these shoes on the other hand...ouch.

Outfit details:
striped blouse // Loft skirt // Target (similar) heels // Steve Madden via Nordstrom belt // old (similar) glasses // Bonlook Honeybadgers necklace // Stella & Dot Rebel Pendant earrings // Kendra Scott Skylars


*Shop this Look (hover on image for brand/price):

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Smart Style: Stripes & Leopard

Happy Spring Break!!!!  Spring has sprung and it's glorious!  I know I talk a big talk about loving cold weather (and despising everything else), but man...it's hard to beat a crisp morning that blossoms into a clear, cool, beautiful day!  

This striped tee is on repeat and I'm not sorry about it.  Mainly because I just snagged another (almost identical one) from Old Navy this morning, and I think I may have a little obsession...Hello my name is Kristen, and I'm a striped tee addict.

This week, we're doing dance intensives for Tyler Bree, headed to H-Town tomorrow for the Houston stock show, and then turn around and head back to Houston again this weekend for a wedding (it's formal attire and I have NOTHING to wear!!!).  Spring Break sure filled up with a bunch of little things that prevented us from going anywhere special, so I'm hoping we can make Houston kind of a getaway of sorts for the kids.  Definitely for the girls at least, as their entire goal for the trip is to step inside the American Girl store...aka, "heaven" for little girls and "money pit" for adults.

What are your plans for Spring Break???  I hope it's a great one!!!!  XOXO!

Outfit Details: skirt: c/o CAbi striped tee: Target kimono: similar // similar wedges: Toms (via Nordstrom) necklace/bracelet: Stella & Dot earrings: handmade (email me for details)

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Spring/Summer Closet Must-Have: Striped Tee

I've been on a major striped tee kick lately.  I found one that I loved from H&M, but sadly it just didn't work.  Ever since that disappointment, the hunt has been ON like Donkey Kong.  Sure, I have several stripe variations in my closet, but what better time to refresh and renew your striped tee options than right now as we head into Spring!?!

And I have a suspicion that I'm not the only stripe-lover out there (holla!), so I went ahead and did you all a solid by bringing together my favorite striped tee options in stores right now...

ALL UNDER $30!!!!!

Happy Shopping!!!!

Target Merona Striped Scoop Neck Tee

{bought this one yesterday}

Forever 21 Striped V-Neck Tee

Nordstrom "Layered Look" Striped Tee {On MAJOR sale right now!}

ASOS striped tee

Gap Striped Boat Neck Tee 

Gap Striped V-Neck Tee

Calvin Klein Striped Tee

ModCloth Striped Tunic

Old Navy Mixed Striped Top



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Taking Brights Into Fall

Style Tip:  Take brights into Fall by pairing them with black and tan color patterns to mute the overall vibe, while also letting the bright be the stand-out piece.

Outfit Details:  blouse (exact): Piperlime (gift from SIL), skirt (exact): Old Navy, earrings (exact) and ring: Kendra Scott, heels (option): Nine West, bag (option): Target

Confession:  This outfit was chosen solely on the basis that I didn't have to button anything.
You know those days where your stomach just cannot bear to have anything constraining around it?  I was definitely having one of those days and combined with the fact that I was off to eat Mexican food....well, an elastic skirt was clearly the only option.
I'm so excited about this week for a number of reasons, but one worth mentioning is that I have my editorial calendar completely planned out this week!  I know this may seem a small feat, but in terms of blogging, this is big for me.  {patting self on back}
I hope y'all have a wonderful week ahead of you!  Isn't Fall just glorious???  It's my absolute favorite...when the weather cooperates, that is.  In case you missed it last week, go check out the "Trend Week" events from last week on Zulily.  They still have some of the best pieces left, but I'm sure they'll be wrapping things up pretty soon, so don't miss out! (You can view my round up post of everything HERE.)
Sincerely, Happy and in a Good Mood

Florals+Stripes²

striped top (similar): CAbi, floral top (similar) and skirt (exact): Target, bracelets and earrings: Stella & Dot, necklace (exact in mint): c/o Kendra Scott, heels (exact): JustFab
This was one of those outfits that fielded several disapproving remarks and the "not so much" look...to which I said "I don't care" and gave the "who asked you?" look right back.
So there.
Thankfully, they were all family members from whom I'm used to brutal honesty thrown my way...but the one family member about who's opinion I do actually care is that of my 6 year old daughter.  She's almost always spot on in terms of what looks best.  I seek out her advice often on which shoes to wear, how my hair is styled, jewelry, etc.  The girl's got taste.
And by the way...
She did approve of this outfit.

Patriotic Just Because

A few weeks back I vowed to not save Americana outfits just for patriotic holiday-wear...but to sport red, white, and blue more often because it's simply a great color combo.

So here I am.

Wearing it just because.  And I liked it.  Granted, when wearing this outfit I thought I may be hoisted up a flag pole at any given moment...but hey, that was a chance I was willing to take.  :)

I know everyone has seen this adorable awning skirt all over the place (shoot, I would wear mine on the daily if I could), but have you seen her latest creation?  It has that same nautical feel that I just die over....so chic and simple!
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Now, I'd like to introduce to you a fellow southern gal who specializes in getting her DIY on!  Make sure you check out her etsy goodies!

Twitter//Facebook

I'm Tessa, a 22-year-old currently living in the southern US. I work part time as a nanny and part time as a waitress, and I love all things DIY and crafty! My blog is kind of a mash up of whatever projects I'm working on, styles I'm loving, food I'm cooking and books I'm reading. I'm excited to share my little corner of Mississippi with you and I'm looking forward to getting to know you. 

Knitting and crochet is a big hobby of mine and I run a little etsy shop called 'tessacotton'. My favorite thing to make is scarves, scarves and more scarves, but I also have some computer/eReader cases and lots of coffee cozies!

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***If you're name is Cindy Brickley, congrats to you!  You're the winner of the swimsuit giveaway!
linking up with Monday Mingle, Shanna, WIWW, Stylelixir

How To Dress Like Your {Patriotic} Momma

Are you tired of me telling you just how much I love the Fourth of July?

Well, if this is news to you, I just luuuuuuv the 4th.

It's my second favorite holiday.

Oh and hey...you know what???

I love Independence Day.  Betcha didn't know that, did ya?  :)

And you know what else?

I'm proud to be an American....Where at least I know I'm free!

Okay I'll stop now.  Until Thursday, and then I can't be held responsible for my patriotism.

I also love patriotic music, dressing in Red, White, and Blue....

and above all-Fireworks.

And this girl...who let me dress her like her momma yesterday for church.

On me: bag, bracelets, and necklace: Stella & Dot, earrings (exact): Kendar Scott, shirt (exact): CAbi, skirt (option) and shoes (option): Target

I know there is a very small window of time that my daughter will be okay with this.  But I'll take it while I can. What are you plans for the 4th???

How Do You Wear It? {Summer Hats Edition}

We're back today with the 2nd round of "How Do You Wear It?", this time showing our summer hats.  I've professed my love for hats before, so it's no news that they're one of my summer staples....especially of the straw variety.

My momma always told me that I "can wear hats".  I don't really know why she says this (besides the fact that they do suit me), as I think all people can wear hats (unless you're headless, of course)...but really, who can't?  Even if one doesn't think they look that great sporting a hat, it still serves many other purposes (like as the counterpart to your sunglasses for your incognito grocery store run), so I say, who cares?  Wear it anyway!  I'm willing to bet that in the 1800's, people didn't just not wear hats because of the way they thought they looked!  Gah.

Okay, this post has gone in a different direction than I intended....so, because of my laziness, I'll opt to forego the delete button rather than rewriting the above paragraph, and just pretend you're nodding your head in agreeance, choosing to be totally in sync with my tangent.

Let's move along, shall we?

***Side note: I was so excited to be featured on the CAbi blog wearing this outfit (along with some other CAbi looks) yesterday.  You can check it out here!

Shirt & pants: CAbi, necklace (option in mint): Kendra Scott, bag (option): c/o Francesca's, hat (exact): UO, shoes (option): Blowfish

Check out how the other "How Do You Wear It?" ladies style their summer hats!

Ashley of Dancing With Ashley, Chelsea of Haute Child in the City, Jamie of Stylin' Mommies