Dressed for Time | Spring and Summer Style Tips from a Chicago blogger

Mustard and Slate Ladylike Look

September 23, 2015

I’ve had this ASOS skirt for a few months now, and to be honest, have never really known what to wear with it. I was reading my friend Shannon’s facebook page (Layered by Cake), and came across her color wheel post. It inspired me to research color wheels a bit and I instantly thought of looking for shades to pair with this skirt! Mustard wouldn’t have been my initial thought, but I really like the way they play off of each other.

I love pieces like this necklace that bring together a couple of hues you wouldn’t normally think to pair up. I think accessories like necklaces and scarves are fantastic for inspiring new color combos. Next time you go to your closet, I fashion dare you to find a scarf with a couple different colors and plan an outfit around it!

On the note of a fashion dare, this look is number three in the style challenge I’m co-hosting with Shannon on Instagram for our #makeyourjeansjealous giveaway. There’s still time to join, you just have to post 5 looks by Friday. That could be a work look, a date night outfit, errand-running ensemble, etc. Just no jeans! Check out our pages on Insta for more details.

Midi skirt / ASOS (similar) // Button down top / Forever 21 // Cutout heels / Dolce Vita (similar) // Clutch / vintage // Necklace / eBay (similar) // Rings / LA finds

Photography by Holli Zenko.

Nude Tones

September 23, 2015

You may recognize this Pleione midi skirt from a recent post.. I decided to go more tone-on-tone this time, pairing it with nude heels and a slate blue and blush patterned crop top. The bag is one of my picks this round from Le Tote, the clothing & accessory subscription service. For more info on Le Tote, or to sign up, click here to get $25 off your first Tote. If you do sign up, I get a commission, but obviously I’m using the service because I like and recommend it, it’s totally up to you! 🙂

This is day two of my Instagram style challenge with Shannon from Layered by Cake Boutique. The idea is to #makeyourjeansjealous and I think this outfit does just that! I would totally wear this top and heels with jeans, but swapping them out for the colorblocked skirt lends a more polished, feminine vibe.

For more details, check our Instagram accounts here and here, there’s still time to enter and we are giving away some fantastic prizes, including shop credit and designer earrings!

Silk tank / Gilt sale find // Skirt / Pleione // Necklace / LA find (similar) // Bag / Le Tote (similar) // Bracelets / Forever 21 // Heels / Calvin Klein (similar) // Sunglasses / Amazon (Karen Walker-inspired) // Rings / Forever 21

Photography by Holli Zenko.

Button-Shoulder Midi Dress

September 21, 2015

DFT- University of Redlands23 Sometimes, you put on a dress and you just feel all the feels… Sexy, pretty, edgy, trendy, girly. This dress did that for me! I had to cut the lining out of it because for some reason, Forever 21 makes their lining about 5 inches too slim, but I threw on my Jockey Skimmies and you can’t tell the difference. I also took advantage of the Nippies I got in my last Box of Style, as a strapless bra is quite out of the question with this open-backed number. I could easily wear this to brunch, on a date, to an event.. So comfortable and so flattering.

This is outfit one of five in my #makeyourjeansjealous challenge I’m doing with Shannon from Layered by Cake Boutique on Instagram. We’re giving away some great prizes for the gals who participate, like store credit to her adorable online shop and gorgeous rose gold ear climbers. All are welcome to join!

Dress / Forever 21 // Booties / Forever 21 (similar) // Bag / Monet // Sunglasses / Amazon (Karen Walker-inspired) // Zigzag bracelet / J.Crew // Black-tipped cuff / LA find // Screw bracelet / Forever 21 // Rings / Forever 21

Side note, please excuse my unpolished fingernails, I’m trying to give them a break by strengthening them with vitamin-enriched base coat every day.

Photography by Holli Zenko.

Instagram Style Challenge

September 19, 2015

Are you ready?!? It’s almost time for the #makeyourjeansjealous challenge on Instagram!
In case you missed the blast, Shannon from Layered By Cake and I are hosting a style challenge, encouraging everyone to lay off the denim for a whole week. We want you to get creative with some of the things that have been lingering in the back of your closet (skirts, pants, shorts, etc.) or the tops you always default to wearing with jeans.

We’ll even be giving away some fantastic prizes for the winner of the challenge, including store credit to Layered by Cake, a pair of ear climbers, and the winner will have all of their looks posted right here on the blog! More details to come, so be sure to keep an eye out for the rules and timeline on mine and Shannon‘s Instagrams. The challenge starts Monday!