HOW TO WEAR WINTER WHITE'S

One of my very favorite styles during the winter is the winter white trend. It's easiest to start with white jeans as your base, so pull them back out of storage and try these tips for wearing this chic and cozy combination!

1. Wear obvious winter pieces. If you're wearing cotton or linen, your outfit feels summery. Choose white pieces that are obviously winter pieces, like sweaters, coats, scarves, cardigans, wool hats, and turtlenecks. They'll automatically make your outfit feel cozy. I chose this pretty oversized sweater from Nordstrom, and I love the button details on the back.

2. Play with various shades of white. Cream, gray, camel, tan, blush....these are all good choices that pair well with crisp white and make them feel more winter-y.

3. Keep your accessories and shoes in the same color family. I like to wear darker shoes, like these gorgeous brown ankle boots from Nordstrom, because the dark piece helps ground the outfit. A pair of gray or brown over the knee boots would look gorgeous with this outfit too.

4. Play with texture. I have a knitted sweater, button details, raw hemmed jeans, a leather bag, and shoes with perforation details. You don't have to go overboard, but if you have a variety of texture in a monochromatic outfit, it has a lot more interested.

SWEATER (wearing size small)  ||  SIMILAR JEANS  ||  ANKLE BOOTS  ||  BAG  ||  SUNGLASSES 

For a dressier look, you could start with a white dress or skirt as a base and add cozy neutral layers like an oversized cardigan or a cream wool coat.

There are so many possibilities with this style. Think you can wear it??

Also I've rounded up some of my favorite cozy neutral pieces that would be perfect for those winter white outfits!

thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post
photos by rad and happy 

HOW TO MIX FEMININE AND MASCULINE PIECES

sponsored by zappos

LOOK 1:  SIMILAR SHIRT  ||  JEANS  ||  BAG  ||  SUNGLASSES  ||  HEELS

LOOK 2:  DRESS  ||  SIMILAR LEATHER JACKET  ||  SNEAKERS  ||  BAG c/o GIGI NEW YORK

One of the biggest styles that I saw over and over at New York Fashion Week this year was menswear inspired. I think it's such a fun style for any woman to try, and today I've teamed up with Zappos to share two ways to wear it.

1. Boyfriend jeans and heels. I love the look of boyfriend jeans paired with heels, and for this look I took it a step farther and wore them with a white button up -- another piece that feels a little masculine.  I've tried a lot of boyfriend jeans over the years, and this pair is my absolute favorite. They're so comfortable and are perfectly distressed (I have a tutorial on how to patch the thigh hole if you need it).

I paired them with these velvet heels that I had to have the second I laid eyes on them. They're stunning and so great for fall, and make a statement with this very basic look. I added a large, simple bag and some funky sunglasses, and feminine/masculine outfit number one is complete.

2. Sneakers and a dress. If you've read my blog or followed me on instagram for the last year or two, you know how obsessed I've become with sneakers. They're an absolute closet staple for me. I wear them with everything, including dresses, because I love the mix of masculine and feminine that it creates.

Typically I choose shorter dresses to pair with my sneaks, but this midi dress looked so great with my velvet superga's that I just couldn't say no. Add a leather jacket for a little bit of edge, and you have one of my favorite outfits ever.


Zappos has such a huge selection of sneakers, dresses, jackets, accessories -- you name it. They're definitely my go-to for great pieces in my closet. And now with their new free VIP rewards program, you can earn points every time you shop. Check out the program and sign up right here!

photos by rad and happy

BODY CON DRESSES + THE BEST SHAPEWEAR

DRESS  ||  HEELS (less expensive version here)

With the holidays approaching, we're heading into party season. I love a good party dress, but along with all the holiday treats, I also like some good shapewear to make sure those dresses look the best they can. 

Shapewear is tough, so I did the grunt work for you today and tried out a few different brands and styles to tell you all the pros and cons of each!

Every woman should have at least one piece of shapewear in her closet, so do yourself a favor and pick one up now so you're not scrambling at the last minute when you're headed to a holiday party and that dress just isn't laying quite right. 

There were three styles that I tried: slip dress, bodysuit, and shorts. 

BRAND #1: Commando. 

I hadn't ever tried this brand, but I tried both the shorts in a small and the slip dress in a small, both in the "nude" color. I really liked the color -- it was a good, natural nude so it wouldn't be obvious if it showed. They had no hems, so the bottom laid flat against my legs and didn't create a line under my clothing. 

The fabric on both of these were really lightweight but gave great control. You could wear these all day and night and never feel constricted or uncomfortable. The shorts were great for tummy control, and smoothed everything out nicely without being tight. The slip was the same -- great smoothing capabilities, and I liked that it came all the way up over my bust, rather than cutting underneath. It even gave my bust a little lift which I'll never complain about ;) The length is a little longer, which gives great coverage and shaping down your leg, but not great for shorter dress hemlines. It hit me a few inches above my knee and I'm 5'6".  

The price on the Commando brand is very reasonable -- the shorts are under $60 and the slip is just under $100, and based on the fabric they are sturdy and will last for many, many wears. Definitely recommend. 

BRAND #2: Yummie. 

I tried both the slip (in x-small) and shorts (in x-small/small). The slip was definitely more of a standard slip, but in a strange plastic-y fabric. It claims to smooth and slim, but honestly it was so paper thin that it did nothing for me, and the straps felt like they were going to snap because they were so thin. And even in the x-small it was slightly loose. I don't recommend this one. 

However, the shorts were great. They were thick and very fitted -- a little more challenging to get on, but comfortable once they were on and had great control. They do have a hem though so if you're wearing a dress with thin fabric, the hemline could show through. It had built in silicone dots at the waist for no-slip control. I actually liked these quite a bit, and these are a great price point. 

BRAND #3: Spanx. 

Of course Spanx is the most commonly known brand of shape wear and has become a proprietary eponym (have you ever looked up a list of proprietary eponyms? So interesting). Since it's such a well known brand, I was excited to see how it stacked up against these other brands. I tried the high waisted shorts in a small, this bodysuit in a small, and this bodysuit in a small. 

The shorts were my least favorite of the three Spanx pieces I tried, and definitely not as good as the Commando or Yummie ones. You can't tell from the product photo, but the nude is more of a gray color rather than a true nude. Also the tummy was very tight on me, while the legs were normal. Probably great if you're a pear shaped body type. 

I liked both of these body suits -- the one with the open bust was very thin and comfortable and a good nude color (although fairly light), but if you carry weight in your tummy and have a large bust, this cut-out will probably cut you off in the wrong way, and the next one will probably be better. 

The second bodysuit was perfect. Great color, super comfortable, sucked everything in, and I loved that it had built in shaping elements you could actually see. Plus it had chest support and, like the Commando one, gave my bust a little lift. 

Shop the post here:

photos by rad and happy

LITTLE WHITE DRESS

DRESS (wearing size medium - sized up for length) ||  HEELS  ||  BAG (30% off right now!)  || SUNGLASSES 

Here I am, over a month after New York Fashion Week, finally posting my last look from the week. I bought this dress a few weeks before my trip, and I was completely unsure if I would wear it or not. I loved how it looked on the model, but once I tried it on, the sleeves were so bold that I just wasn't sure if I could pull it off. 

Even once I was in NYC, I was feeling undecided about wearing it. But after putting it on, Leanne and Jordan went crazy over it and those two votes of confidence were all I needed. And then it turned out to be my very favorite outfit from the week! 

It's definitely a bold statement piece, but fashion is all about taking risks and honestly anyone can wear anything if you just have the confidence to wear it. How is that for deep Monday thoughts?? ;) 

a few similar and other pretty white dresses linked below, many of which are under $100! 

photos by jordan zobrist

THE BEST SLIPPERS + A LOUNGE PANTS TUTORIAL

One of my favorite things is to be cold and then bundle up and get cozy. Cuddling up in a warm blanket with a cup of hot cocoa, or slipping into cozy slippers after walking on the cold hardwood floors just feels so winter-y and cozy.

We're heading into the cool months, so it was the perfect time to get myself a new pair of cozy slippers. I'm kind of particular about my slippers because I want my toes to be warm, but not my entire foot to be covered because then it gets too hot. So this pair of Koolaburra by UGG slippers is absolutely perfect with a cozy front and an open back. I've been wearing them non stop around the house and my feet are so comfortable and never too hot. Plus I love that they're easy to slip on and off.

They're fantastic quality, so soft and comfortable, and these slippers come in three other pretty colors (I'm kind of regretting not getting the peacoat blue now...it's so gorgeous!)

SWEATPANTS (made by me, similar HERE!)  ||  WHITE TEE  ||  SLIPPERS c/o KOOLABURRA BY UGG  ||  SIDE TABLE  ||  HEADBOARD  

And to go with my comfy slippers, I made this cute pair of striped lounge pants. I've also been wearing these non-stop. They're the perfect loungers for around the house, sleeping, or even wearing with a tee and sneakers for running errands. Throw on a denim or leather jacket for a little more put together look!

I'm sharing the tutorial below, so grab yourself a pair of slippers, make a pair of lounge pants, and then settle in for winter hibernation!

Click READ MORE below to see the full tutorial or click here!

DIY BELL SLEEVE SWING DRESS

SIMILAR DRESS HERE  ||  HUNTER BOOTS (ON SALE with code MAINEVENT16!)  ||  NECKLACE 

Bell sleeves and ruffles are two huge trends this season, and I can't get enough of them! I'm adding ruffles to a few of the pieces I'm make lately (like this top) because it makes them so visually interesting, and they're super easy.

I teamed up with Janome sewing machines today to create this pretty little fall dress and try out their brand new Janome Skyline S9 Embroidery and Sewing Machine. My original sewing machine that I got as a hand-me-down from my mom after I got married was a super old Janome, so I love seeing how far they've come since my days of using that old beater, and these are incredible!

Most of the clothing I create requires pretty basic techniques, but the S9 machine that I'm sewing on is a brand new machine in their Skyline collection and it has a bunch of new features that are actually super helpful in creating a smoother sewing experience. Like the amazing needle threader, the automatic foot lifter, and some new stitches. I also love the wide foot pedal (it took some getting used to) because my foot never slips off, the easy touchscreen to change options, and I love that it comes with a complete embroidery system, which I haven't tried, but I'm excited to soon!

But more importantly than all the bells and whistles for me is that it makes the basics of sewing easy and efficient. I'm always sewing during naptime, so the time I have to sew is limited and super precious. The s9 makes it easy to add a quick zipper, put in a neckline, add buttons, or create pleates or pintucks, all so quickly and efficiently.

I'm excited to share this really cute fall dress on the blog with you today! It's a perfect dress for wearing in the summer with sandals, but in the fall with boots. I paired mine with navy Hunter boots for a pretty "apple picking" dress and I love how it turned out.

Click READ MORE to find the tutorial or click HERE.

photos by rad and happy

APPLE PICKING

MY OUTFIT: SHIRT (wearing size small)  ||  SCARF  ||  SNEAKERS  ||  JEANS (size down one size!)

FOS' OUTFIT:  SHIRT  ||  JOGGER PANTS

SAN'S OUTFIT:  SWEATSHIRT (sold out, similar HERE)  ||  JEANS

This week we've been down in Las Vegas visiting my parents. I grew up in Las Vegas, so it's always fun to be back, and October is one of the best months of the year. It's finally cooled down and the evenings are especially gorgeous, so you can go outside and actually enjoy the outdoors without dying of heatstroke.

Earlier this week we went to Gilcrease Orchards to check out their pumpkin patch, straw maze, donuts, apple cider, and apple orchards. It had been cool early in the morning when we left, but by the time we got over there it was warm and all the clouds were gone, so our fall clothes were a little toowarm. But we had fun, drank frozen apple cider to cool off, and the boys had a blast riding around in the wheelbarrow and picking the rotten apples off the ground.

Doing fall activities gets me so excited for real cool weather when San can wear this quilted sweatshirt all day long, and I can wear this big winter scarf on the regular. Old Navy is always my go-to for kids clothes, and I love their pieces for fall this year. And of course they're my favorite for budget friendly pieces for myself -- this shirt was only $25!

created in partnership with old navy