5 College Wardrobe Essentials

Now that it has finally cooled down outside and I can wear something more than an oversized tee and Nike shorts outside without sweating to death, I've come up with 5 key essentials that are wardrobe musts for college girls. I swear all 5 of these very often and highly recommend investing in them if you're in college (or high school too!). 

pullover / baseball hat / blazer / flip flops / leggings

+ baseball hat
For days when your hair is driving you nuts or you didn't have time to wash it, I always throw on a baseball hat. I wore these a lot in high school but even more so now that I'm in college. It's always so humid here so my hair puffs after being outside for too long - trust me when I say having a few to rotate through is a lifesaver!

+ neutral flip flops
A ton of both boys and girls wear Rainbows here and at first I was really skeptical to purchase a pair because they didn't seem like something I would wear. After realizing that I didn't want to be wearing my Jack Roger sandals all the time, I caved in and have literally worn them daily ever since. Whether you're walking around on your floor or running to the dining hall for a quick bite, having a comfortable and versatile flip flop is really handy. I wear these to my heavy class days all the time and they're actually super supportive!

+ cozy pullover 
60 degree weather means I can fiiiinally take out my cozy sweatshirts and pullovers! I've honestly never been happier that it's colder outside - I need to stock up on another pullover or two because I already know I'll be living in them for the next several weeks. I adore my Southern Proper one - highly recommend if you want something more unique than the classic Patagonia snap t version.

+ blazer
If you're going into business or are planning to join any clubs that involve networking, having a blazer in your closet is a MUST. Investing in as much business casual/ professional is very helpful because you don't realize how often you'll need it until you get to college. I love my J.Crew one but would say any good quality blazer would work.

+ leggings
This is quite obvious but it didn't hit me how much I would be wearing leggings until this week. I lived in my Nike Shorts for both going to class and working out, so now that it's cold outside, leggings are my go-to. I have yet to pull the trigger and buy a pair from Lululemon, but I think that will have to happen in the near future! I prefer dark gray ones so I can wear them with my navy bean boots, but having a few pairs on hand would be a great idea.

What are your college wardrobe essentials?

xoxo

What I'm Loving Right Now

People always say that your style will change in college and to be honest, I have to agree. While I haven't done a complete 180 and want to, say, give away all of my bright colored clothes, I think I have refined my taste a bit into a more mature look. It could just be the fact that summer is ending and fall is just around the corner, but I've been really attracted to neutrals like navy, white, gray and cream lately. Distressed jeans, for example, have become one of my favorite looks and I've been searching for a pair I love. (Help a sister out if you have a recommendation or a pair you swear by!) I've also come to wear more burgundy - it's my school's color so I guess I have to like it, right? I never thought I'd be a girl that would wear burgundy nail polish or an off the shoulder top, but I'm kind of into it right now! Check out some of the pieces I'm loving right now in the graphic below.

What are you loving right now?

xoxo

10 Dresses for Formal (or Homecoming)

Happy Tuesday! I took off for Labor Day and am back today with a requested post - formal and homecoming dress ideas! I seriously miss the days of having to find a homecoming dress in the beginning of September. After 4 years of hunting for the perfect dress every fall, I think I've finally found some awesome websites that always have great options for whatever occasion you might have. I always make sure that the dresses are a) perfect for the dance, b) able to be worn for other events and c) at a reasonable price point. My two favorite places to find pieces that work with those three ideas at the moment are Tobi and ASOS (I bought most of my homecoming dresses from ASOS in the past!). Check out the guide I've put together of 10 dresses I love from these two places below. Shop any of the dresses by clicking on the links or using the scrolling widget. 

one / two / three / four / five 

six / seven / eight / nine / ten 

Have you been having good luck with dresses anywhere in particular?

Happy shopping!

xoxo

My Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

Since this entire week felt like a lifestyle recap, I thought I would skip Friday Fours for today and instead share my favorite pieces from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! For those of you who don't know, the #NSale is when Nordstrom gets in a ton of new fall merchandise and marks it down to great prices. There are always awesome designer pieces like Tory Burch riding boots and Barbour jackets that very rarely go on sale, but are great deals during this one time event. I highly recommend stocking up on some fall goodies ASAP because things are already selling quickly! The prices go up again August 8 so don't wait to pick up your favorites. I made it easy by dividing items into two widgets: one for clothing and the other for shoes, accessories and other goodies. A lot of other bloggers have done in depth shopping guides so rather than showing you hundreds of pieces, I selected 30 of my favorites for you. Check out a bunch of my picks below!

A couple pieces I especially love: 

striped cowl neck dress / plaid blanket scarf / oatmeal turtleneck tunic / mock neck pullover / Hunter wedge boots

Happy shopping!

xoxo

Charming Charlie Loves

Charming Charlie is one of those places that is in a weird location at the mall so I always forget to go. It's hidden on the outside near a Trader Joe's and away from similar clothing stores, so I never think to check out their new merchandise. Recently, however, I decided to check out their website and was amazed at how cute their clothing and home accessories are! I used to get a ton of jewelry there when I was younger because it was so affordable, but now I'm realizing that they have awesome tops and dresses for great prices, as well as fun little accents for your space. I stopped in yesterday to pick up a gift and ended up leaving with two adorable tops (the pink embroidered tank and the navy and white paisley top). Check out some of my favorites in the graphic and widgets below, as well as another widget with a few home goodies!

Shop all of these pieces in the widget below.

Have you been to Charming Charlie's lately?

xoxo

College Going Out Clothes

One area where I feel super unprepared when it comes to college is going out clothes. My current wardrobe is definitely not stocked in the going out department and since there are tons of fun welcome week activities right in the beginning of college, I want to make sure I have some basic pieces to get myself started on the right foot. I've done a lot of research (and talked to some stylish incoming college sophomores) and found several different items I love that are all at pretty reasonable prices.

*via

I would say I'm more on the conservative side when it comes to which going out clothes I like - I personally prefer classic, simple looking pieces dressed up with fun jewelry or accessories. This could definitely change as I'm obviously not actually in college yet, but as of right now this is the look I'm going for!

So far my favorite places to shop for this specific "occasion" if you will are:
Urban Outfitters // a bit pricey but usually great quality
 Forever 21 // less expensive and decent quality
 Tobi  // great for simple, classic pieces that are often on sale
 Shein  // super cheap and trendy

If you know of any good places to find going out pieces, please comment below!

xoxo

Trending: Off the Shoulder

By now, you're probably aware that off the shoulder tops are allll the rage. If you don't have at least one in your closet, you're really missing out on this fun summer trend! They're effortless, chic and easy to wear for warm days when you want to stay cool. You can wear them a ton of different ways, but I especially love how the tops look with white jeans or distressed denim shorts paired with fun sandals or white tennies. Of course, having an off the shoulder dress is so fun for summer, too! There seem to be a ton of blue and white ones everywhere at the moment (aka the best color combo known to man) so I pulled a bunch of my favorites and have them all below!

orange  |  blue + white stripe  |  blue ikat  |  navy ruffle 

Are you loving off the shoulder styles as well? 

I can't get enough!

xoxo

Summer Wardrobe Essentials

chambray button down / striped tee / white jeans / striped bikini / clubmaster sunglasses / Jack Rogers / trapeze dress / wicker clutch / Stan Smith tennies / monogrammed baseball cap 

The weather has finally been consistently warm and sunny for the past week or so and I couldn't be happier that summer temperatures are here to stay. Wisconsin is notorious for being 75 degrees one day and 40 the next, so this warm streak is a pretty big deal for us :) Anyway, this means it's finally time to break out your summer wardrobe for good and stock up on a few pieces you need to complete your closet. I've rounded up my 10 summer wardrobe essentials from a colorful dress to a great pair of white jeans to a sporty baseball cap to a must-have pair of sandals. I live in all of these pieces and think they are crucial to have in your closet for the summertime. I also just bought that striped bikini and am in love with the pretty stripe detail (and the great price tag too!). Shop all of the pieces below!

What are your essentials for your summer wardrobe? 

xoxo

Looks for Less: Summer Shoes

Buckle Heel         Metallic Thong Sandal         Gladiator Sandal

 $99   $28                   $125   $19                          $138   $35 

Target has been killin it in the shoe department lately and when I was at the store last night, I saw so many pretty pairs I wanted to add to my collection! The great thing about Target is that their shoes are often very similar versions to more expensive designer pairs, so if you don't want to break the bank on a trendy style, Target is the place to go! I rounded up 3 styles that are super in right now from Nordstrom and then 3 similar versions from Target that are at awesome price points. I'm thinking I definitely need those buckle heels for $28!! How perfect would they be for college?! 

Are you a Target shoe fan?

xoxo

Currently Coveting for Spring

Orange embroidered dress / Navy palm dress / Pink dress / 

White tassel top / Gray swing dress / Orange romper / Navy scallop tank 

Lately I've been really into online shopping. Wisconsin really does not have a surplus of good stores, and as much as I would love to go to Chicago every few weeks to look at new products, I obviously don't have the time to do so. That being said, online shopping is my savior and I don't know about you, but I find it really therapeutic! (They don't call it retail therapy for nothing :) Since I'm starting to save up more and more for college, spending a lot of money on clothes is just not in the cards. But, that doesn't mean I can't find some less expensive alternatives to my favorite expensive pieces! I've rounded up a few goodies I'm loving for spring and summer and you can shop them all above. Dress wise, I'm loving the swing and cut out trends, especially the palm print cut out dress! For tops, tanks with fun details are on my radar, and I'm dying for a scalloped cami like this one from J.Crew. Rather than paying over $100, I found this navy version for $15! Such an amazing steal. Rompers are my other addiction at the moment, and while it's often hard to find ones I like, this orange print one looks absolutely perfect. 

And the great news is that all of these pieces are under $30!!
Are there any particular trends you're dying to try for spring? 

xoxo

Graduation Dress Guide

Whether you are graduating high school or college, or you're attending someone's graduation, it's always great to stock up on a few dresses in advance so you have a few different options to wear. We have to wear white dresses at my school, but I want to keep mine a secret until the big day! No matter what graduation you are attending, I think the key is to look classy and put together. You don't want a dress that is too short or too revealing because you will be surrounded by lots of friends, family and teachers. Below I have gathered a bunch of my favorites from dressier to a bit more casual as well as more neutral to brighter patterns. I would honestly wear every one of them!

white / pink / navy / pink + green / striped 

Shop a few other options below: 

I really need to get shopping in preparation for all the parties! 

xoxo

Draper James

I had heard about a line called Draper James that Reese Witherspoon launched a while ago, but didn't look it up until recently. Oh-my-goodness. It is so darn cute that I can't even express in words how much it makes me wish I lived in the South! It sort of resembles a more southern Tory Burch or Kate Spade! From the bright sky blue and white accents to the fun fonts and witty sayings, the site design is absolute perfection. It really compliments the crisp photography and adorable products so perfectly. The origins of the company are Reese's grandparents who constantly inspire her to live a life of hospitality, good style and grace, which definitely shines through. (You can read more about the history here.)

And because I can't get enough of the pretty products, I rounded up a bunch of my favorites so you become as obsessed as I am :)

Which pieces are your favorites? 

Please tell me I'm not the only one who wants to move to the South ASAP!
xoxo

Madeline & Company Prom Dresses

Oh my goodness you guys. Remember the Madeline and Company backpacks I posted about back in August? Well Madeline and her mom decided to also launch tops and skirts that would make the cutest prom dresses and they're officially available on their website! My biggest worry is always having the same dress as another girl at school dances, so with this alternative you wouldn't have to worry! This style actually reminds me a lot of my own prom dress from last year and I think the two piece look is so fun and unique. If seniors didn't wear short dresses at my school, I would most definitely be getting that white off the shoulder top with either the navy or pink skirt. All of the pieces come in a plethora of pretty colors that make it really hard to choose your favorite. It would be so pretty to have a periwinkle skirt with a navy top too! 

Madeline is the absolute sweetest and I highly recommend you check out her website!

Do you have your prom dress yet?

xoxo

My Swimsuit Picks

navy bow / pink + orange whale tail / white scallop / periwinkle halter / white ruffle / orange tie

I leave for Spring Break in a little over a week (!!!) and it just occurred to me that I am in desperate need of a new swimsuit. Every year, I like purchasing a new suit to add to my collection because spending a lot of my summers on the lake, I get a ton of wear out of them. This season I swear nearly every bikini I find is better than the next - from bows to ruffles to scallops and fun backs, I wish I could get them all! Above are 6 of my absolute favorites I have found, and they're pretty reasonably priced (except that Kate Spade bow one, but I couldn't stand not including that!). I tend to do most of my swimsuit shopping at Target because they have options that are affordable and easy to grab right before you leave for a trip, but I just ordered this periwinkle halter bikini top from J.Crew and I'm praying it's as cute in person as it appears online! 

Where do you do your swimsuit shopping?

Are you loving the new ones this year?

xoxo

Trending: Gladiator Sandals

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A style I never thought I would ever wear is gladiator sandals (especially lace up ones). These sandals always seemed too trendy and boho for me and didn't really seem to match the rest of my wardrobe. Lately, however, I've seen these shoes all over Pinterest and countless blogs, and I have to say, I'm starting to change my mind! I used to think they could only be styled with a flowy dress or skirt, but they can totally be worn with a more classic outfit for an added fun vibe. I love how they look with white jeans or a bold dress, and think they're a super cute shoe for spring break or summer. They have popped up at a bunch of my favorite stores so I rounded up a few of my favorites to share with you! Since they are so "in" right now and there are so many different looks, you can easily find a pair that you love. I just received these for my birthday in tan and they're sold out right now, but I bet they will be restocked soon. I am so ready to don them somewhere warm! 

Are you into gladiator sandals right now too?

xoxo