Lace Up Flats

Sweater (similar) - LOFT / Tee and Bag (similar) - J. Crew Factory / Denim - Banana Republic / Flats - BP / Necklace - Madewell

Sometimes I see a trend, and I'm like, "nah." Sometimes I see one and I think I maybe like it, but it takes me a while to jump on the bandwagon. And sometimes, in the case of lace-up flats, I love them immediately, and then try to buy a pair for myself and try on all of the shoes and can never find one I actually like. Seriously, I've tried on tons of lace-up flats, and they either weren't comfortable or didn't come in my size (Do I need to complain about being a size 10.5 again? No, I talk about it all the time and probably don't need to bring it up again? Okay cool.). Or, you know, they were so adorable and in leopard print but also $350. Not happening.

I was so excited to find this pair by BP. Cute, comfortable, my size, and in my budget. Shoe dreams really can come true! I've maybe worn them the past 4 days in a row and am going to keep going - they add such a fun touch to every outfit! Plus my sister says she both "loves and hates them," which is better than her usual "oh god why would you buy that!" response, so, you know, winning.

Are you into lace-up flats? Would you buy a pair?

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Previously on KDTI - Striped Tee:

 

Linking up with Style Sessions, Confident Twosday.

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Blanket > Scarf

Shirt - J.Crew Factory (Christmas gifty!) / Denim (similar) - Gap / Scarf (similar) - SheIn / Booties (similar) - Target / Necklace (similar) - BaubleBar / Watch - Wristology / Bag - Gap

What to do when the wind chill is negative 15? Ignore the whole "scarf" thing, and just completely cover yourself with your blanket scarf. Oh, and add your new little red bag, because you love it and you just can't help yourself. Even when it makes you look like you're a month late style wise #bringbackchristmas.

Linking up with Friday Fab Favorites, Style Me Weekly, Style Sessions, Trend Spin Linkup, Confident Twosday.

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Buffalo, Stripes, & Chambray

Tee (similar) and Chambray (similar) - Loft / Jeans - Madewell / Scarf - Old Navy (gifted) / Boots - Sole Society / Watch - Kate Spade

Pattern mixing used to be such a scary thing (I remember being totally freaked to try this combo back in 2013!) but now I don't even realize I'm doing it. A little buffalo plaid with stripes? No problem. I probably should have tossed in some leopard to really make it fun. I got this scarf for Christmas and I love how easy it is to wear. It's just one small loop that goes right over your head so you don't have to worry about twisting it around or getting it to fall right. Scarves for beginners.

Oh, and yes, you're right, I am wearing those Madewell jeans again. I was this close to taking them back, and then my go-to pair started to disintegrate. I decided I was just being a bit hypercritical of them, the knees really aren't any bigger than any other pair I own. And in case you're wondering, I did break my "no more boots" ban and grabbed another pair during Sole Society's after Christmas sale. They were final sale, which was a bit of a mistake because they hit my ankle bone a little funny. With extra thick socks it isn't that noticeable, but I'm hoping they break in a little better.

 In other clothes related news, I have to get my headshot taken at work today, which was weirdly stressful to plan an outfit for. It feels like getting ready for school photos all over again. I'm writing this post in advance, so fingers crossed I didn't freak out and pick out something totally crazy this morning!

Linking up with Friday Fab Favorites, Random Wednesday, #stylemeweekly and Style Me Wednesday.

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Two Ways to Wear JCrew Factory Mini

Shirt and Skirt - JCrew Factory / Belt - Old Navy / Watch - Michael Kors (similar) / Sandals - Target (similar)

Are you sick of this skirt yet?  Because I'm not!  It is definitely still on heavy rotation for me.  Today I'm partnering with Jacquelyn from justjacq to show two ways to wear it.  I've already paired this skirt with chambray and a simple tee, but this time I decided to for a little pattern mixing.  If you're mixing patterns and still want to look put together, try pairing patterns in the same color family, like navy and white.

Be sure to hop over to justjacq to see Jacquelyn's full look.  I love that she added in a little pop of color with her adorable red shoes!

Linking up with Mix It Monday and Monday Bloom.

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Date Night Pattern Mixing

I wore this for a casual date night with the boyfriend over the weekend to go get some chicken wings and beer.  I was never that into wings before I started dating the boyfriend, but now I love them.  We probably go out specifically for wings at least once a month.

  I'm not sure boys can handle pattern mixing so I may stay away from it for date nights from now on.  The boyfriend didn't say anything about this particular outfit, but the next day when I got dressed he told me he liked the way everything in my outfit matched ;)

Top - Chloe K (old, similar) / Shorts (similar) and Bag - F21 / Shoes - NY&Co (old) / Bracelet - Baublebar (similar)

Would you rock pattern mixing for a date night?


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Pattern Mixing

Happy Friday!  Today I'm collaborating with some other lovely bloggers to show different ways to mix patterns.  I know I was just chatting about pattern mixing yesterday, but I clearly can't get enough of it!  I'm starting to feel like stripes might be a neutral ;) 

Check out the other ladies' stunning print mixing outfits featured in this post:

Mega from Dress Up on a Cloudy Day
Reid from The Fashion Blender
Cayli from Nightchayde
Elizabeth from Undeniably, me
Brittany from Piece, Love and Sole
Terry from Oh, Ivory
Jo-Anne from Myself Expressed

Top - Loft / Skirt - Gap (old, similar here) / Bag - F21 (similar here) / Heels - Nine West / Necklace - Baublebar / Watch - NY&Co

This afternoon I'm heading off to Vegas for a long (not relaxing) weekend.  I hope you have a great one!




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Guest Posting on CB&BP

Hey guys!  I'm guest posting over at Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins today, hop on over to check it out.

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Ensemble: Stripes & Florals

Last week I tweeted that I went into Loft to return some things and then had to restrain myself from buying everything in their spring collection.  Seriously, everything is so adorable.  Luckily they had a sale later that week so I was able to snag a couple of things, including this striped top.  I love stripes, so duh, this was a no brainer, but what really got me is how thick the fabric is, it makes the shirt super flattering.

And, of course, as I've been commenting all over the place, I've been dying to try my hand at mixing prints with stripes and florals.  I've actually had this skirt for a couple of years now, it was something I was dying for and then amazingly went on clearance only in my size.  Huzzah!*

 Shirt - Loft / Skirt - Daisy Fuentes (similar here) / Belt - Old Navy / Bag - F21 (similar here) / Booties - Kelly & Katie (similar here) / Bracelet - Michael Kors

This necklace was a birthday gift from my brother and almost sister-in-law.  It's an old CTA token, cool right?!  It's made by a local Chicago artist, but unfortunately I lost the card that came with the necklace so I'm not sure where it's from.  It's funny to think that people used to have to carry these around to ride the bus!  The boyfriend joked that in twenty years they'll be making Chicago Card necklaces.

I wore this last week to meet my boyfriend and his co-workers out for happy hour and then to go to dinner at The Girl & The Goat.  Yes, I know I'm about three years late, but I finally made it!  Totally worth the hype, the pig face (yes, you read that correctly) was one of the top five things I've ever had!

*Whenever I say "Huzzah!" I'm specifically referencing an old episode of Gilmore Girls where Luke goes to live with the carnies.  I think 90% of the things I say are actually references to tv shows/movies that no one will ever realize I'm referencing.  It's a problem, unless I'm talking to one of my siblings since they understand immediately.  Huzzah!




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