color punch

blazer - arden b (similar) | tee - gap (similar) | jeans - gap | bag - target | shoes - piperlime

Even though I adore the soft colors for spring time, it's not really my jam.  I get down with bold, punchy colors when the weather starts going our way.   

Get used to seeing this look because come spring (for reals) all I wear is a t-shirt jeans, blazer and whatever shoe variety I'm in the mood for that day.  What can I say, we all have our uniforms, am I right? 

Did you all have a good weekend?  It's Monday, it's St. Patrick's Day but I know most festivities went on this weekend.  We had our annual Parade here in town and although it was colder than we'd like it was a blast!  The kids always have such a great time and I was actually shocked at how many people came out!  Despite the cold, there were hundreds lined up on the street.  Must be that cabin fever pulling people out of the house.  

If you didn't drink a green beer this weekend maybe you did a little shopping?  I scooped these up and cannot wait their arrival! 

sugar and spice

jacket - target (similar) | dress - h&m purchased through IG store (similar) | tights - target | boots - shoemint (similar similar)

You may have seen on Instagram that I've gone and chopped off my locks.  These pictures were taken about an hour prior to that happening.   Don't worry you'll see the new do in due time! (wink)

I purchased this gorgeous dress from an IG bud (@memoirofapreppymomscloset) thinking I could wear it in several different ways and I plan to!  I cannot wait to get my hands on cobalt heels so I can pair them with this for spring and summer.   I toughened it up with the moto and OTK boots.  

OTK boots have been a tough style for me to nail this season.  I feel too risqué pairing them with tight denim and a top and feel they are much more chic looking with dresses and skirts.  Makes you wonder if you're too "OLD" for a trend.   

Do you guys ever think that?   I know a lot of other bloggers are in their early twenties.  Being 30 I often have to ask myself if a trend works in my life before I pull the trigger. 

Linking up for Mix It Monday 

I've styled these boots here and here and this jacket here

Mix It: Black Pencil Skirt

moto jacket - target (similar, similar, cute!) // tee - old navy (similar) // pencil skirt - old navy // shoes - sole society // necklace - charming charlie (splurge, similar, super save)

Happy Monday! Did you all enjoy your weekend?  You may have seen on Instagram that I started House of Cards on Netflix - Oh Em Gee, I'm obsessed.  What a crazy series!  I'm now on season two - anybody else watch?   

We had a little bit of warm weather and sun this weekend and it was just enough to keep the clock ticking towards the arrival of spring.    Doesn't this top just scream spring?  I am so excited for all the new spring patterns but still am pulled to stripes.  They're just so classic.  

Speaking of stripes, did you see my weekend Fab Find? 

I've worn this skirt in many a different way.  Here are a few examples:

With Plaid

With Peplum and Camo

With a Sweater and Booties

Linking Up with Lauren today 

not so original

shirt - old navy, similar // jeans - old navy // shoes - gifted, similar // bag - relic, similar

Happy Thursday friends!  We've survived the better part of this week; well, almost.   I don't know about you but I'm getting increasingly annoyed and frustrated with my ole' winter clothes.  So much so I'm welcoming 50 degree weather the next day or so with open arms, even if it is short lived.  Spring, are you out there? 

I hope you all agree that it's perfectly acceptable to wear flannel into spring.  Especially around these parts where the temps fluctuate drastically.  I'm still obsessed with plaid and even though I have a style in a lighter springier hue I still reach for this one.   The red gets me every time! 

As we enjoy the melt down stay dry puddle jumping!

Tackle it Thursday! 

hangin' tough

jacket - target, similar // chambray, tee, jeans, and boots - old navy // hat - BCBGeneration // sunnies - free at heinz field, similar 

The only thing getting me through the rest of this winter is the fact that St Patrick's Day and spring are a month away.   Historically it's in the 50's or 60's around March 17th and I'm counting down the days.  I wore this outfit over the weekend and am grateful the sun came out!

Dear Sun, 

We've missed you; please hang around more often!

Love, 

Upstate NY

Now that that is out of my system!  Is your week going well?  I'm happy to say I've stuck to my new fitness/life goals this week trying to get out of my supposed "Seasonal Depression".   I'm also happy I scored this Moto for $12 (cough, yes you read that correctly thank you very much Target!).  I struggled with if it were my style or not but scooped it anyways because it's a staple, right? Right.  

Sorry not sorry if you're tired of seeing this hat; I pinned enough outfit inspiration with hats to last 365 days so...  you'll be seeing quite a bit of it (insert emoji with the straight line of smiley teeth here). 

Happy Hump Day Friends

Linking Up with Shanna!

that 70's show

vest - JC Penney, similar // hat - BCBGeneration // turtleneck - lands' end, similar // pants - old navy, similar // booties - old navy, similar // necklace - instagram boutique, similar 

So while I'm on this kick of shout outs, I'd like to recognize Alissa from The Adorned Life because her series on how to take and edit better blog photos was near life changing for me.  That and she's freaking adorable and fun, who wouldn't want to get to know her?  I've been using iPhoto to do the normal fixing of exposure a little sharpness here and there; but, honestly the tools there are minimal and not technical at all as far as detail on your images go.  

I don't have Photoshop, I have been using Pixelmator, which is a close second.  I can say that because I've actually used Adobe before and find that the tools are the same.  Just different navigating the programs.   Not only that but she breaks down what you're doing to your image with what settings on your camera.  Honestly, I've read the flipping manual on my Canon Rebel a gagillion times and still wasn't getting it.  Honestly, it's vague (to put it lightly).    

Onto my outfit; a coworker said I looked very 70's inspired and I immediately thought this would be a look Jackie would rock all day long.  Her and Kelso skipping through the snow trails....   

This chain necklace is also my new favorite accessory, I can't stop wearing it!

Tackle it Thursday! 

{MIX IT} Black Chunk Cardi

sweater - old navy, similar, similar // hat - bcbgeneration // pants - express editor wide leg (old), similar // shoes - gift, similar 

Alright so I can't stop wearing this new hat, what of it?  It literally goes with everything and was the perfect pop of color to my all black outfit.  An outfit which I felt like Rachel Zoe in.  It must have been the hat, shades and wide leg trousers...   

As I attempt to remix my closet full of completely functional clothing I find that I'm extremely happy with last year's purchases.  Not only did I stick to investing in quality timeless pieces but I find that my "must have" list continues to be closet staples verses extras and it's also a lot smaller than it was last year.  #winning

This black cardigan is a piece I bought on a whim and seems to be tried and true.  Of course, it's the mother of all staples and most often worn with a tank and leggings around the house on the weekends or nights after work.  I last wore it on the blog here.  

{BUDGET TALK}

As far as spending goes I did do a wee bit of shopping in January.  Here's what I got

Chinese Laundry D'Orsay Flats  

BGBGeneration Panama Hat  

Gap Always Skinny Jeans, regular wash  

Target/Merona Suede Wedges in Olive

For the new year I'm taking a different approach with my shopping allowance.  I will be allotting a sum of money per season verses a monthly allowance.  This will help me really choose where to spend my money and what I actually need/want to buy that's on trend.  I feel that taking a seasonal approach is better because I wear most of my clothes inter-seasonally (is that a word?)

  How do you budget?  I'd love to know your tips and tricks!  

Linking up with the Fizz and Frosting today!