Happy Wednesday!! Isn't it always so nice to have a shorter work week?! I mean, hello, it's already hump day - we're almost to the weekend again!
I realized recently that my options for shorts had gotten kind of boring - I basically was rotating between one pair of denim shorts and one pair of white shorts. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's nice to have the basics. Sometimes it's fun though to change things up though - so hellooooooo, striped bow shorts!! These actually have an elastic waistband so they're super comfortable, and they can be worn with a tucked-in shirt with the bow like I'm doing here, or you can take off the bow and wear them with an untucked shirt.
I actually tried on this tank and these shorts together in my Instastories and said I would never wear them together, and then yep, you guessed it, I did like, two days later. It's not the most flattering look on me, but sometimes an outfit is so fun I have to go for it anyway! Just wearing something with confidence is usually enough to trick others into thinking you look good. That's a little life lesson right there ;)
How to improve a gloomy, rainy spring day? With white jeans and some bright red rain boots, of course!
It's been raining all.the.time lately (come on Chicago, you were supposed to be done with that in April!) and I'm trying everything to keep from collapsing in on myself like a dying star. And when I say that, I mean refusing to go outside and turning into a couch potato. So, white jeans and red rain boots it is.
I'm still out of town volunteering, so I'll keep this one short and sweet. Find me on Instagram (@kristinadoes) to see what I'm up to!
Every month I post about my clothing budget. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some and a little to others, but feels just right for me. You can read my thoughts on my 2016 budget here.
Another month, another budget post. This month I shopped. And shopped and shopped. In case you couldn't tell from my last try-ons post ;) I ended up returning a lot though, and just squeeked in under budget. I really didn't think I was going to get there because at one point my budget tracker said I had spent close to $600!! I managed to snag a couple of really fun pieces, plus some practical ones for work (but sadly, the search for dress pants continues). So here's the damage for May:
J. Crew Sweater - originally $89.50, on sale $62.65. Seriously the best sweater ever. I probably wear it more times than is socially acceptable in a week. I wore it here. J. Crew Straw Hat - originally $34.50, on sale $24.15. I actually added this to my cart to get free shipping, but I love it!! Perfect for beach days. LOFT Striped Shorts - originally $49.50, on sale + used rewards $19.70. BP. Bow Mules - $69.95. Definitely my favorite purchase of the month, I've been wearing them non-stop. So comfortable! I wore them here. Bobeau Bell Sleeve Tee - $49. Love love love. Wore it here. J. Crew Factory Striped Dress - originally $108, on sale $54. This just came in the mail over the weekend and it's perfect - somehow the fit is in between a fit and flare and a sheath dress, which makes it perfect for work or fun. SUGARFIX by BaubleBar Earrings - originally $9.99, on sale $7.99. Wore them here. J. Crew Carnation Earrings - originally $25, on sale $17.15. I freaking love these, I probably wear them way too much. Seen here. LOFT Bow back tank - originally $34.50, on sale and used rewards $10.70. This is cute and simple and is definitely getting a lot of wear this summer!
Total spent: $315.29
Total saved: $154.65
I'm pretty pleased that I ended up under budget this month, giving myself a big pat on the back for that one ;) So what am I shopping for this month? I'm still looking for dress pants (ugh) and hopefully another item or two that can make the jump from office to weekend.
Where did the warm weather go? I wore this a couple weekends ago for a fun Saturday afternoon. (Is there a Saturday Funday equivalent? Or do we all just assume that all Saturdays are fun days?) I showed up and my friend pointed out that I was wearing all of the balls. Nothing like combining a little pom pom trim, more pom pom trim, giant pom earrings and a fun pom pom tassel! Obnoxious dressing at its finest ;)
I actually was expecting really warm weather this week because, as you read this, I'm already en route to Knoxville, Tennessee for the week. I go down there fairly regularly this week in the spring to volunteer with Destination Imagination, and usually it's hot. Like, sweating to death, hair a frizzy mess, lay in front of the air conditioner hot. Seriously, I don't know how you southern ladies do it, your average spring day is our hottest one in summer! Well anyway, it looks like it's going to actually be cool this week - we're talking low 70s / high 60s - what?! I won't know what to do with myself.
So what's my week of volunteering going to look like? I'm an appraiser (which is basically the nice way of saying you're a judge - instead of judging the kids I'm praising them ;) so I'll be watching and scoring hundreds of improvisation performances by kids from all over the world - I think there are 22 countries participating this year! Wish me luck - I'm going to need a looooot of sugar to get through this ;)
...Had some friends staying with us, and since the weather was crappy instead of doing touristy stuff, took them to a couple of our favorite neighborhood places like Half Acre, Fork (mmmmmm, burrata...), and Over Easy.
...Had a similar girl's day where we were hiding from the weather, and hit up The Kitchen for happy hour (they have happy hour every day of the week!), Hampton Social for dinner and Instagramming (because duh), and then more drinks at Highline.
...Discovered that these pants are finally on sale and decided to give them a chance - fingers crossed they fit! This dress on my wishlist is also on sale and I'm considering pulling the trigger.
I hope you had a good one!
Follow along with everything Kristina does via Bloglovin!
Happy Friday!! What are you up to this weekend? We have some friends visiting, so we're planning on playing the tourist here in Chicago. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates!
Have all I've been doing lately is trying things on, or have all I been doing lately is trying things on? Really, I had so much to go through on Sunday I was a little embarrassed! Here are a few of the things I've tried lately:
First up is this ruffle sleeve striped top, which I love in theory but not in reality. On the left I'm wearing a large, and the right a medium. The medium fits so much better, so I'd definitely say it runs large. The bell sleeves are super cute, the fabric is nice and thick, and I love the stripes (of course) but I just didn't love it on me.
Isn't this one shoulder lace dress so fun?! I snagged it because I have a hard time passing up a pretty dress, and ended up wearing it the next day to a friend's wedding. I'm wearing a 12 tall here, which is loose fitting but not too baggy - the way a shift should fit! I also love that it actually made it down to my knees and that it isn't see-through at all. I'm wearing it with a belt here, but I ended up going sans belt when I wore it and loved it that way too.
Next up is this pom-pom trim shift dress that I'm so sad didn't fit!! I ordered a 10 tall because that was what was in stock, and it was just a tinge too tight. I can see now that 12 tall is back in stock but not on sale, and I'm trying to figure out if I can bring myself to pay full price. The sleeves with the little hint of pom pom sleeves are so cute, the cut is really flattering, and it's the sort of piece that would work really well for work or for play.
This petal-sleeved top is super adorable. The fit is perfect, the petal sleeves and shirttail hem are so cute, and I love the fabric - perfect for dressing up or down! The only caveat? Ummm right, it's completely sheer! It's too bad because I really love the color of this one, but I may reorder in another color like black that will be less likely to be see-through. Wearing a large here.
Swing dresses were my favorite last year - they're really comfy and easy to wear. This one from LOFT is no exception, plus it has a cute bow and v-back. I just wasn't quite feeling it though - maybe I'm over swing dresses? It just felt a little juvenile so it's going back. Wearing a large tall here and it's still above the knee.
Aren't these striped shorts the cutest? I don' they're the most flattering on me, but honestly I don't really care! They have an elastic waistband so they're super comfortable, there are pockets, they're not too short, and the bow is removable so they don't have to be worn with a tucked-in shirt. I may never wear them with the bow, but I'm definitely keeping them because they're so cute and comfy! Wearing a 12 here.
The top is a basic white tank with some cute back detailing, and I'm always looking for white tops for summer so it's definitely a keeper. I love that it isn't super sheer like most white tops, that it's a comfy tee shirt material that's easy to wear, and the back ties are so fun! Wearing a large here.
I haven't shopped for dress pants in years (really, I think maybe 2013?) and I forgot how terrible the process is. This pair is baggy, has a really unfortunate crotch situation, and has a super weird ankle situation. Aaaaaand, return! If you have any favorite dress pant brands/styles, please let me know! Wearing a tall 14 here - way too big!!
I was so excited about this jacket for spring - online it looks like such a cute little mini trench with those adorable striped cuffs. In reality though? It's just way too boxy and cropped on me. It definitely is cut for a girl with zero curves. The cuffs are cute, but really, they just make me feel like the sleeves are too short, and I found it awkward to get my hands into the sleeves through the faux cuffs - they're only buttoned onto the jacket. I did like the fabric - it feels really high quality - and it has an adorable lining. I also loved the contrast collar. Really wishing it worked on me! It's currently on super sale so go snag it before it sells out if it'll work on you!
I thought I'd take a chance on this white mini from J.Crew, but it didn't quite hit my expectations. It's the teensiest bit see through (I hate when I can see the pockets!) and while it fit cute from the front, I didn't like it so much from the side or back. It's also a tinge shorter than what I was hoping for. Once again, this is probably one of those things that's super cute if you aren't curvy. Wearing a size 31 here.
Oh look, another swing dress I don't want! It actually is super cute you guys. Like super super cute. I love the dark denim color, but that it's actually made out of Tencel versus chambray so it's super soft and comfortable. It's just huge. I'm wearing a large tall here, and look how big it is! I'm not thinking that the smaller size will fit well in the bust, shoulders, or sleeves though, so this one is just going back.
Whew. Have I been doing too much shopping?!
Follow along with everything Kristina does via Bloglovin!
