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: poncho

photos by Morgan Piccini

poncho - ny&co (similar) | shirt - gap (similar) | jeans - gap | shoes - old navy (similar) | bag - target (splurge) 

Happy Monday friends!  It's now March and I'm ready for this Lion to head to bed!  I opted for no coat yesterday (not smart, Be Tee Dubs) while wearing this blanket poncho.  Seriously one of my favorite colder weather pieces.  It's so warm; however, not so great for eating or preparing dinner.  My "wings" were all over everything - oops! Sorry fam. 

I also styled this poncho here.

I'm also introducing my new handbag (the word just sounds fancy enough to be in italics).   I haven't come up with a name for her yet, maybe I'll call her Kelly in honor of her color.  She sure is beautiful and roomy and she sure was lovely on my bank account ($34.99).  I literally squealed in Target on Saturday when I found this gem; I've been eyeing the Kate Spade version but was pleasantly surprised when I found the same style at a fraction of the cost.  

  

How was everyone's weekend?

Linking up with Lauren today!

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 

{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!

Mix It: Color Block Sweater

sweater - gap, similar // skirt - h&m, similar // boots - shoemint, similar, love these!

The last time I wore this sweater I styled it like Blair from Atlantic Pacific.   This time I used Pinterest as my inspiration for an "oversized" sweater and tiny skirt keeping with the color blocked theme.  

Well, Happy Monday peeps!  How was it?  Did you all get snowed in like me this weekend?  I'm almost finished with Veronica Roth's Divergent Series.  Holy crow, what a great book series.  I always wonder, though, why I set myself up for reading 3 books at a time.  

Next on the list is White Girl Problems which I hear is absolutely hilarious.  

What are you reading these days, anything good?

Linking up with Lauren @ Fizz and Frosting today!

REMIXED: all the plaid

coat, shoes & plaid shirt - old navy // jeans - gap (ON SALE!) // bag - kate spade

On days off or weekends I tend to grab the most comfortable pieces and head out the door.   Most of the time that is boyfriend jeans and some kind of loose fitting top.  My favorite striped sweater or a button down of some kind.  I've been reaching for this flannel plaid shirt because it's soft and cozy and fits really well.    I love the unexpected pattern mix of the plaid an leopard.  

I wore this Friday for my errands.   I decided last minute to take Friday off to have a long weekend (My office is closed today).  You may have seen on Instagram that I slightly changed up my hair, too!   Saturday I spent a lot of time with good friends laughing and planning for St Patrick's Day and all that entails.   Sunday is a good day for laundry and relaxing and today my mom and I are going out for lunch.  

Did you have a good weekend?

I'm linking up with Lauren for Mix It Monday

midi

dress - vintage, similar skirt (could not find black!) // sweater - old navy // heels - sole society // clutch - gap

First full week back to work and back to dance and I'm ready for a weekend or vacation!   I'm hoping I can stay off the online stores this weekend as I'm starting to feel the gimmies setting in.   I have been doing a good job remixing, though.  This outfit is made of a sweater I may have just purchased in December but the dress was my grandmothers, the clutch I bought last spring and the heels in November.   

My name is Nina and I'm a shopaholic. 

I'm 8 days sober and plan to stay that way...for now.  

Is every one else on a shopping ban too?  I see a lot of remix challenges on Instagram and Twitter as of late. 

time to remix

coat - h&m // sweater - gap // jeans - gap // shoes - old navy // necklace - old navy

Today I'm linking up with Fizz and Frosting and Living in Yellow for Mix it Mondays.  A linkup for remixing is perfect for me this time of year (and maybe you, too!) since I'm not shopping (dum, dum dahmmmmm).   

Although this sweater is new, you've seen that h&m coat here, and here. 

You've also seen these jeans here (pre hole in the knee and ass) and here

Since said holes have arrived I try to keep the wearing to the weekends.  A trip to the tailor is soon to come because I cannot part with these babies.  

This sweater is so luxurious at a price I couldn't pass up (pre shopping ban, of course) while Gap was having their big winter sale plus an additional 40% off.   The cut is perfection and the fabric being a cotton cashmere blend, luscious.   You will be seeing a few new pieces that I purchased in December but I will be taking part in the infamous #2014closetremixchallenge join the party on Instagram!

Or, see how I mix it up here each week!