FROM DAY TO NIGHT

Ever plan an evening out with the girls and only have 10 minutes to stop home after work to change and look like you haven't been sitting in a meeting for the last three hours? Well, whether you just change your jacket or add a pop of color on your lips, this outfit is the perfect look to transition into a night out of any kind.

The only pieces I kept the same for this outfit are the basics, a top and bottom, so no need to change you're entire outfit after work.

My black and white Halogen top is from Nordstrom and its the perfect chic top for the work place or for going out.  Even though it has horizontal stripes it's super flattering because it's so stretchy and form-fitting.  It's versatility makes it easy to switch from day to night, from work to going out.  I kept it comfy but chic in my favorite high waisted black jeans from Urban (which go perfect with this top because it's cut a little high.)  

For a professional look I wore a fitted black blazer (I got it about two years ago from H&M but I linked a bunch of similar ones below - keep scrolling!) Nude pumps are always a chic touch and keep this outfit super professional.  I kept my makeup natural and my hair in a low ponytail.

Just switching your jacket, shoes, hair, and lip color make life so much easier and changing so much faster.  These small details change the whole outfit from a professional daytime work or business meeting outfit to a fun, edgy night time look in seconds.  You don't need to change every single one of these details, though.

I kept my jewelry simple with some studs and a minimal gold necklace so there's no need to worry about that.  If you want to add a little something extra at night that's also such a quick and easy add-on.

I switched out my blazer for a leather moto jacket, nude pumps for my fave black booties, I traded in a low ponytail for a higher do with some volume on top, and I added a darker red lipstick for a little bit of edge to make the look more nighttime!

Black and White Mock Neck Top: Halogen | Black Jeans: BDG | Bag: Similar - Marc by Marc Jacobs | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban  DAYTIME - Black Blazer: old via H&M (almost exact here, similar here and here) | Nude Pumps: BCBGeneration | Stud Earrings: Nordstrom | Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Lip Gloss: NYX Mega Shine in Beige  NIGHTTIME - Leather Moto Jacket: older via Bebe (similar jacket here!) | Black Booties: Zara - very similar here  | Watch: Michael Kors | Lipstick - Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 01 or Nars Cruella (they're the exact same color!)

I kept my bag the same (no having to switch everything into another bag!) Unless you want to bring a smaller bag, take out all the essentials (phone, ID, money, lip color) and leave the rest.  

You can even bring the things you want to change to work with you since it's not too much to carry and change in the bathroom there! (Been and done.) 

By keeping the foundation of the outfit constant and basic, it's easy to just slip on a few different accompanying pieces to change your entire outfit into something different.

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SPRING WISH LIST WITH SHEIN

I was just boppin around the SheIn website the other day and I found a bunch of pieces that I am just loving and I think would be perfect for Spring, so I just wanted to share them with you all! A lot of these pieces would go great together and be perfect to mix and match, plus everything on SheIn is SUPER affordable.  Let me know what you guys think! (all the pictures below are clickable!)

xo

                                                                                         

                            

                            

                            

1 YEAR

Dress: SheIn | Cardigan: old via Forever 21 - Similar Cardigan Here | Nude Heels: BCBGeneration 

1 year ago today I posted my very first blog post thanks to some very special, very pushy (encouraging) people in my life...and I could not be more grateful!  I feel like I've finally found something I'm passionate about, that motivates me and inspires me everyday.  

Thank you to everyone that's followed along on my fashion and blogging journey this past year and I hope you stick around for all the fun things I have in store for you this year! I've learned so much and I've made some amazing blogger friends along the way who are only a portion of the list of people who have been so unbelievably supportive, positive, and encouraging. 

And a special, SPECIAL thanks to my Momma, who takes all of my pictures and is my number one supporter.  From standing in the rain (while I stood under an awning, eek sorry ma) to walking through 3 feet of snow for the perfect shot.  From dripping sweat in humid heat to freezing ourselves to the bone (and I mean literally, it was 20 degrees and windy and we were outside for a good hour.  We didn't defrost until the next day.) From handing me clothes while I did a quick outfit change in the back of the car and being on a constant lookout to make sure there was no one around to see some weirdo changing in the back of her car, to my constant nagging to take "just take a few more shots!"... She's just the best and I couldn't be more grateful to her for putting up with me.  

For this 1 year bloggiversary (that is a word, look it up) I'm wearing this adorable little white dress from SheIn and it's just the cutest! I love fit and flare dresses so much, they're just such a flattering, classic style.  (I'm usually a medium but this dress runs a little small so I would recommend sizing up) and this one is on sale right now for just under $20!  The material is thick and feels really nice and it's such a perfect dress to accessorize and dress up a bunch (because it's white duh)! I was feeling that whole 'winter white' thing so I kept it neutral. 

Anyway, sorry for carrying on and on and I hope you enjoyed this post! Again, THANK YOU!!

xo

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LOTS OF LAYERS

Cardigan: Halogen - Sold out - Similar here, here, and here | Shirt: Halogen | Leggings: Gap (best leggings in the world!) | Boots: old via Matisse - very similar here and here | Bag: old via Coach - Similar here | Hat: Merona (at Target) | Glasses: Forever 21 | Watch: Michael Kors

I look and feel like Inspector Gadget in this outfit.  But in the best way possible.  A cute, modern, stylish Inspector Gadget.

It was freezing this day and I really wanted to wear this cardigan (because I just got it and I'm obsessed - the exact one sold out but I linked a really similar one above by Hinge!) but it was too long to go under any coats I had and I didn't really like the way it looked, so I decided that the only way to wear it was to layer a whole lot!  I wore a thick long sleeve t-shirt (over a tank top) and underneath the cardi. I layered this long scarf that's practically like a blanket over top (if you follow my posts on Instagram you know I've been wearing this scarf WAY too much but I can't stop - it's so warm!)  I wore my thickest, most comfortable leggings (they're the best leggings in the whole world, right here), some tall boots, and my favorite hat and let me tell ya, I was so nice and toasty walking around outside all day. 

I've been wearing this combination of layers a lot lately because its a warm and stylish alternative to a big bulky coat and sometimes you just want to switch it up!

Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day and have a wonderful week!

xo

CHOCOLATE CHIP COFFEE CAKE RECIPE

Yesterday my mom and I had the evening free so we decided to try out this new coffee cake recipe that my mom's been wanting to try for a while now (plus coffee cake is my FAVE) and it turned out amazing! Taste and presentation wise!

It's so good and the perfect cake to go with coffee or tea at night or in the morning.  With Valentine's Day this Sunday, this is such a great idea to make for your significant other or for a get together with your girlfriends! I mean, who doesn't love chocolate and cake?

We changed up a few things to make it just a teeny bit better for healthier.  The recipe called for sour cream but we substituted in Greek Yogurt instead as a bit of a healthier option.  We also added in some chia and flax seed.  You can make a ton of other substitutions, like using coconut sugar instead of regular sugar or coconut oil instead of butter but make sure to calculate the right amount for the recipe.

Serves 12, takes about 1 hour. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour (we used Bob's Red Mill Organic Whole Wheat Flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick butter
• 1 1/4 cup of sugar (we used organic raw cane sugar) 
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of sour cream (we used Greek Yogurt instead, Fage full fat)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely cut (we used milk chocolate because that makes everything better!) 
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Grease a 1 1/2-quart Bundt or tube pan
3. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a bowl
4. Cream the butter in a separate bowl
5. Add 1 cup of sugar to the butter and gradually beat until the mixture is blended, 2-3 minutes
6. Add the eggs to the sugar and butter mixture at a time, beating in between additions
7. Beat in dry ingredients and sour cream alternately, beginning and ending in flour
8. Add vanilla
9. In a separate bowl, combine the chocolate, walnuts, cinnamon and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar.
10. Sprinkle a third of the chocolate and nut mixture over the greased pan, then spoon in half the cake batter.  Sprinkle a little more of the chocolate and nut mixture over the batter, but save some for the top. 
11. Pour the rest of the batter into the pan, smooth it out evenly and then top it with the remaining chocolate and nut mixture.
12. Bake for 45 minutes.
13. Let it cool for an hour (this ensures that it will come out of the pan easy and in one piece)

Let me know if you try this recipe and how it turns out! Enjoy!

xo

V-Day Part 2: Bright and Flirty

Dress: Cynthia Steffe (Similar styles and more affordable versions below) | Heels: old - Similar here and here (more below!) | Earrings: Nordstrom | Clutch: old via Coach - Newer version here | Watch: Guess

Nothing says Valentine's Day like a bright red (or coral) dress!
This Cynthia Steffe mock neck shift mini is the perfect little flirty number to pair with a some staple white pumps for the perfect dressed up look this Valentine's.  White pumps go with just about everything; fancy, casual (see my last post here for a casual Valentines day outfit with these pumps,) or somewhere in between.
I love a great shift dress, its just such a great staple fit of dress to have in your closet because they're so flattering. This one fits and falls just perfectly and the mock neck comes around into a collar in the back (it's my favorite part!) It would look so cute with a polished ponytail or bun to show off the back.
I kept jewelry simple with a silver watch and some large studs.
Getting all dressed up and fancy, whether its for a special someone or just yourself, can always make a girl feel special.  Between being snowed in and staying in your jammies all day to waking up for school or work overwhelmed and throwing on the first thing you find in your closet, I think a girl can use the excuse ;)

Have a wonderful rest of the week and very special Happy Valentine's Day pretties!!
xoxo