Graphic Tee + Blazer

Tee (similar) and Blazer (similar) - J. Crew / Jeans (similar) - LOFT / Flats - BP / Bag - Old Navy / Earrings - BaubleBar

There's something about the combo of a tee and a blazer that always gets me - I love the mix of casual and dressy. Paired with some fancy flats and blinged-out earrings that I forgot to photograph (hand palm) and I was ready to party - I wore this to my cousin's surprise party last week. Combos that mix dressier and more casual pieces are perfect when you don't quite know what the dress code is - they help you feel appropriate in any situation. I could have worn this for a dinner date, running errands, or even work (because we don't have a dress code - I assume distressed jeans may not be okay in your workplace!). 

In unrelated news, I keep getting requests for a tutorial for how I curl my hair - is that something you'd like to see?

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Previously on KDTI - Blazers & Tees:

 

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Striped Blanket Scarf

Scarf - Hinge / Jacket (similar) - Loft / Tee (similar) - J. Crew Factory / Denim - Gap / Booties (similar) - Target / Watch - Wristology

We had a string of really warm and sunny (ahem - according to these photos, a little too sunny) days last week, and I celebrated by taking lots of walks, ignoring my coat closet, and breaking out my new favorite accessory instead - this striped blanket scarf. I had it in my cart for weeks until it went out of stock, and then obsessively checked it until it was back in stock and made my move. I love the colors and pattern, and have been wearing it nonstop since it showed up on my doorstep. How many blanket scarves does one person need? Looks like I haven't hit my limit quite yet.

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Previously on KDTI - more blanket scarves:

 

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Blue & Leopard

Tee (similar) - JCrew Factory / Sweater (similar) - Gap Factory / Scarf (similar) - Sole Society / Jeans - Gap / Boots - Sam Edelman / Bag (similar) - Coach Factory / Necklace (similar) - Yuni Kelley / Watch - Kate Spade

I have the writer's block, and am getting ready to fly off to DC for the weekend, so I'll leave it at this for today.  C'est la vie ;)

Enjoy your Thursday!

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The Last Shorts of the Year

Blazer - JCrew / Tee (similar) - JCrew Factory / Shorts (similar) - Gap / Flats (similar) - Tory Burch / Necklace (similar) - Baublebar

Shorts and I had a pretty good run this year.  I wore them with blazers, with long sleeves, with graphic tees, and with boots.  But I think it may be time to pack them up until next year, because, well, last weekend, I had to put on a winter coat.  Don't worry shorts, we will definitely meet again.

Have you packed in all of your summer clothes yet, or are you trying to sneak in a few more wears?

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C'est La Tee

Tee (exact, similar) and Jacket - JCrew Factory / Shorts - The Limited / Sandals - Target (similar) / Watch - Kate Spade 

Laughing because someone was catcalling me from the street.  Oh this blogging thing, it's kinda awkward.

I realized I now own three almost identical graphic tees like this one.  I just can't help myself.  They're just a little more fun than wearing a plain old white tee shirt, and so versatile.  Here I was wearing it with some tailored shorts, but I've also worn these tees with skirts to dress them up, jeans and boyfriend shorts, and of course blazers.  I'm excited to add some scarves and boots into the mix once the temperature cools down a little - maybe this coming weekend?

We're heading down to the good old University of Illinois for some football on Saturday, so some fall weather would actually be pretty nice.  I'm really excited to go down, I haven't been back to campus in two years and am ready to see the Alma Mater all shiny and coppery, see some old friends, do some tailgating, and eat some amazing donuts made by my friends at Pandamonium Donuts.  Oh, and the football too I guess.

Linking up with Summer Style, Style Me Wednesday and Random Wednesday.

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Daily Uniform

Tee (old, similar) and Blazer - JCrew / Shorts (similar) - Gap / Sandals (old) - Hive & Honey / Necklace (similar) - Baublebar / Watch - Kate Spade 

Whenever I'm not sure what to wear as of late, I've been sticking with a simple uniform: tee, blazer, and denim.  It's an easy combination that can be worn in a lot of ways that always looks cute and pulled together.  You can see it here with my floral blazer, here with boyfriend jeans, here with stripes and a statement necklace, and here with some casual sneakers.

I used to hate blazers, but that was really because I didn't have one that fit and didn't know how to style them.  I always thought they made my look too "corporate" rather than casual, but I was wrong.  When you roll or scrunch the sleeves and pair with more casual items like boyfriend jeans, tees, sneakers, or sandals, they can feel very casual while still pulling together an outfit.

Do you have a daily uniform that works for your style?

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Holy Chic!

Tee - Old Navy / Jacket - Target (old, last seen here) / Jeans - Gap / Shoes - Madewell / Bag - F21 (old) / Necklace - c/o Lovelywholesale.com / Bracelet - Michael Kors

I saw these graphic tees at Old Navy (that are totally JCrew copycats) and I just couldn't resist.  Even though I maaaaay already own an almost identical one from JCrew Factory.  I actually sized up for this tee (something I NEVER do, usually I'm sizing down to get the fit I want) because I wanted it to be a little loose instead of tight like most Old Navy tees tend to be.  I usually don't find myself getting that into trends, but I am all about graphic tees these days.  I'm hoping it's a trend that really sticks around.  Here I paired my graphic tee with boyfriend jeans and flats, but I definitely want to dress it up with a pencil or a-line skirt and some heels too.

Oh, and can we talk about these flats?  They are so adorable that I want to wear them all the time, and then I walk one block in them and basically want to cut off my feet they hurt so much.  I often find myself ignoring foot pain when trying on shoes because "it's not that bad," or "my feet will get used to them."  It's definitely a bad plan, because I now own so many shoes that I never wear, or can only wear if we aren't planning on walking anywhere (which basically never happens in Chicago).  Struggles of a style blogger/shoeaholic/Chicagoan.

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Natalie Merchant on the Brain

Tee - JCrew / Jacket (old, similar) and Pants - Old Navy / Flats - Madewell (on super sale!) / Necklace (old) and Bracelet (similar) - Baublebar

Every time I wear this shirt (last seen here), I end up with These Are Days by Natalie Merchant stuck in my head for the entire day.  It was on an album my mom listened to when she cleaned when we were little so I always think of it as mom music, along with Carol King's "Tapestry" and the Miss Saigon soundtrack.  Well, Miss Saigon she really just played around the holidays, so for years I thought it was Christmas music.  Really weird, sad Christmas music.

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