Navy + Plaid

Shirt (in Black Watch) - L.L. Bean / Sweater and Necklace (similar) - J. Crew Factory / Denim - Madewell / Booties - TOMS / Bag (similar less than $100!) - Coach Factory / Earrings (similar) - c/o Shopbevel

I love love love my red plaid. I was looking through my closet the other day and it is literally taking over. I think I have about 10 options at this point, I could literally wear it every day if I wanted. I'm really glad though that I managed to step back from the obsession and pick up this navy and green plaid shirt too. The more subtle pattern is really easy to wear, and I can see wearing this all winter long (as opposed to those Christmas plaids, which definitely have a defined shelf-life). I love it with this navy sweater because it's basically acting as a neutral, but it also works well on its own or paired with my ever-expanding puffer vest collection.

Oh, and what's even better about this shirt is its flannel, so it's super cozy for the chilly weather coming this week! Did you hear we're supposed to have a "polar blast" tomorrow? So not ready for that!! We're actually heading to adults night at the Lincoln Park Zoo tomorrow night and you had better believe I'm getting super bundled up! Last winter was so mild that I don't think I pulled out my Joan of Arctic boots at all, and since I hadn't worn them in so long I was worried I had lost them or given them away! After a frantic search I'm glad to say that I did locate my giant boots, as well as about a million hats and scarves I forgot I owned, so I should be nice and cozy outside. And if not, there's also a bar at the event that should help to warm me up ;)

Shop the post:

Previously on KDTI - navy sweater:

 

Linking up with Style Me Wednesday, Mix It Monday, Style Sessions, Confident Twosday.

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Bloglovin!

More Stripes, More Blazers

Sweater (similar) - J. Crew Factory / Blazer (similar Factory version) - J. Crew / Jeans (similar) and Loafers (similar) - Madewell / Bag - Sole Society / Necklace (similar) - BaubleBar

I almost managed to forget that this blazer existed. Almost. I saw a couple of posts on Pinterest where girls were layering navy blazers over navy sweaters and loved the look so I had to pull the old blazer out again. I've been looking for the perfect navy sweater ever since, but I'm super picky with sweaters (sleeves too short! too thin! too itchy!) so I haven't found "the one" yet. Until it comes into my life I'll have to settle for this rugby striped option.

Settle is a weird thing to say though, because I freaking love this sweater. I love the stripes, I love that it's thick and cozy but not too hot, and I love that it has the little faux-layered chambray underneath. With the faux layer I can add a blazer and still be comfortable. I never understand how girls can actually layer more than two items, it makes me feel bulky and I always end up overheating. Of course, I overheat a lot. I'm that weirdo who hops on the subway and immediately rips off all of my outerwear, and then has to awkwardly hold it all in a large bundle while simultaneously trying not to fall down. Don't judge me.

Shop the Post:

Previously on KDTI - rugby striped sweater:

 

Linking up with What I Wore to Work, Mix It Monday, Style Me Wednesday.

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

A Little Ikat

Dress (similar) - The Limited Factory / Heels and Bracelet - Michael Kors / Bag (similar) - Coach Factory / Necklace - Stella & Dot

I saw this dress during my outlet mall binge a couple of weekends ago, and it was so cute I had to have it. One of the sales people asked what occasion I was buying it for, and I said I didn't know but I was sure I'd find a reason. So far in two weeks I've already found two reasons - first a work event, and then this weekend for a baby shower tea party. I hadn't been to a tea party since my American Girl dolls were also invited, and frankly the last time I was a bit more concerned about what my girl Molly was wearing than my outfit. I was a little worried about what to wear when I first got the invite, but the prim and proper cut of this dress definitely fit the bill. In an ideal world I would have paired it with nude pumps, but I somehow don't own those (?) so they're definitely on the shopping list for next time! 

Shop the post:

Previously on KDTI - coral bag:

 

Linking up with Mix It Monday, How I Spring, Flashback Friday, Friday Fab Favorites, What I Wore to Work, Style Me Wednesday, Confident Twosday, Style Sessions.

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

Navy + Green

Blazer and Skirt (similar) - JCrew / Sweater - Banana Republic / Boots - Sam Edelman / Watch - Kate Spade

 Do you find it weird that a lot of the pieces at JCrew Factory this season are remakes of last year's pieces from JCrew?  I know this is something they often do (like the infamous herringbone vest), but walking through the factory store last week was literally like looking through my own closet - there are so many repeats of things I purchased last year.  It's great if you want to grab something you were lusting after last year (I definitely recommend checking out this skirt!) but for me it's not so bueno to shop there this year since there isn't a lot of new stuff.  Although based on yesterday's budget post, I probably don't need to buy anything else this fall.

Linking up with Life & Style,  Monday Bloom.

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

Navy & White

Top - JCrew / Jeans - Old Navy / Sandals - Target (old) / Bracelet - BaubleBar (similar) / Necklace - c/o Anjolee

Seriously, the cool summer weather has got to stop.  It's so confusing, because I still want to dress summery (even though my new fall clothes are calling my name from the back of my closet) but don't want to be too cold.  Enter white jeans and a sweatshirt top.  White jeans just say warm weather to me, and while this top is a sweatshirt, it has eyelet on the sleeves which adds to the summery vibe.  Plus, the classic nautical combo of navy and white is just about as summery you can get.

Have you been experiencing cooler weather in your part of the country?  I still haven't fully thawed from last winter, so I'm hoping for more warm days before fall rolls around.

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

Eyelet & Dots

Top - JCrew / Shorts - The Limited (on sale!) / Sandals - Shoe Mint (old) / Watch - Kate Spade / Necklace - Stella & Dot

We've hit a weird weather phase in Chicago where every day the weather man says it will be eighty degrees, except for by the lake, where it'll be sixty.  The lake effect is REAL.  Apparently the Great Lakes are still partially frozen/colder than usual because of the polar vortices (yes, that is the plural for vortex, I looked it up), which means instead of slightly cooler by the lake, it's been really really really cooler by the lake.  I put this on for a dinner date with a friend after hearing an optimistic weather report, but sadly had to head back inside and add some pants to the mix.  Someday it'll be your day, adorable polka dotted shorts, I promise!

Linking up with Trend Spin Linkup, Stylish Tuesday and Little Friday.

Follow along with everything Kristina does via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!

Navy & Green

Navy and green do not make up my typical color palette.  I wear them separately but I don't think I've ever tried them together.  Then a Saturday came along when I felt like actually getting dressed instead of hanging out in my pajamas until it was time to go out to dinner, and the blue and green really caught my eye.

Shirt - JCrew Factory / Sweatshirt (old) and Skirt - JCrew / Booties - Kelly & Katie (old) / Bag - Coach Factory / Bracelet - Baublebar

Aaaaand just realized I was wearing all JCrew.  Oh dear.  This blog thing seems to be changing me, especially since I didn't buy my first piece from JCrew until last summer.

I also wore this skirt here and here.  

Linking up:

Follow along via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin!