Outfit Post: Winter Date Look

Winter may be in full force, but that doesn't mean my date night outfit needs to suffer. Tired of wearing skinny jeans, boots, and an oversized sweater, I decided to step it up and bring out the sexy in spite of the cold temps.

As I've said before, nothing brings out the sexy more than a pair of over the knee boots, especially when paired with a winter white dress and topped with a little leather and (faux) fur. 

Was I was a little overly ambitious with the bare legs? Maybe.

But that's what Uber is for.

dress: saks off fifth (for rent here)

jacket: forever21 (old, similar here)

boots: sam edelman via nordstrom rack

clutch: clare v. via willys detroit

sunglasses: ray-ban

fur: asos (similar here)

Outfit Post: Jungle Fever

This winter is really starting to take a toll on my ability to get suitable outfit posts. Between the limited daylight hours, the snow, and the bone chilling temps, it's nearly impossible to get a decent shot. To solve this issue (and survive the remainder of the winter), I've decided it's time to get creative with my locations.

First up, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle.

This is one of my favorite (not so secret) secret Detroit spots, particularly in the colder months. Not only is this place the perfect backdrop for a romantic Valentine's date, but its jungle-like temps offer a balmy reprieve from the winter snow.

So grab a date, grab a friend, or just grab a book and go warm up from the sleet and snow.

climb at your own risk - you will get yelled at

tee: express

jacket: theory via tj maxx (similar here)

pants: forever21 (old, similar here)

heels: bcbg via dsw

clutch: target (old, similar here)

earrings: kendra scott

_____

Thanks to my girl, Angela Wolf for joining me in this mini date and taking these photos.

Outfit Post: Buffalo Plaid

This past weekend I was lucky enough to escape the season's biggest snow storm and head to the beaches of Pensacola, Florida to visit my in laws for a few days.

It may not have been hot, but 50 degrees felt like a heatwave to me and was certainly warm enough for some beachside walks, a round of golf in the sunshine, and some fresh shrimp at the infamous Flora-Bama. And even if it was only for three days, it was a nice reprieve from sub-frozen temps, which I am now back home, feeling in full force.

How many more days 'til spring?

 

jacket: gap via ebay (similar here)

shirt: forever21

denim: rag & bone

booties: zara

bag: j.crew

scarf: h&m (old, similar here)

sunglasses: ray-ban

Outfit Post: Winter Sunshine

It's amazing what a difference a little sunshine can do. It's been in the single digits here in Detroit, but when the sun comes out (which is rare for these Michigan winters) my entire mood shifts.

For a brief moment, as I bask in the sun without seven layers on, I almost forget it's winter.

And then a harsh gust of win comes, wakes me out of my sunshine coma, and reminds me it's still only 12 degrees outside.

But for those few short lived moments, blind to the piles of snow around me, I can actually believe that spring is coming.

coat: zara (old, similar here)

shirt: j.crew factory

jeans: american eagle (old, similar here)

booties: zara 

clutch: clare v. via willys detroit

watch: shinola

necklace: bauble bar (similar here)

sunglasses: ray-ban

Outfit Post: Over the Knee Boots

I'm not really a "sexy" dresser.

This is not to say that I don't feel sexy in my clothes. Dressing sexily and feeling sexy are two totally different things. I'm just not really a short/tight/low cut kind of girl.

I prefer style to sex appeal.

But sometimes you find an item that just elevates the sexiness of an outfit - any outfit. For me, that item is a pair of over the knee boots. Whether they're paired with a flirty dress or worn on top of a completely covered monochromatic outfit (like here), they just ooze sexiness.

I've been on the hunt for a pair for a while now. But as a tall girl with chicken legs, most over the knee styles are either swimming around my legs or don't make it past my knees, defeating the whole over the knee concept of over the knee boots (I know, let's all pity the tall, skinny girl).

In a dream world, I'd own these Stuart Weitzman beauties, but this is reality and I don't have 800 bucks to spend on anything, let alone a pair of boots. But because of their surprising wearability, I've continued the hunt for the perfect - and affordable - substitute. 

And finally, my patience paid off.

After years of searching, I found them. Tucked away in the clearance section of Nordstrom Rack, were the most perfect pair of Stuart Weitzman look-alikes. In my size. For under a 100 dollars.

Now that's sexy.

jacket: h&m (old, similar here)

sweater: h&m (old, similar here)

leather leggings: forever21 (old, similar here)

boots: sam edelman via nordstrom rack (full price version here)

bag: h&m (old, similar here)

scarf: south moon under (old, similar here)

sunglasses: forever21 (similar here)

Outfit Post: Holiday Flannel

I've been super behind on my outfit posts. But that's what happens; life gets busy and life gets real and outfit posts take the back seat.

But now I'm back and ready to rock the new year (hopefully in outfits more original than flannels and skinnies. But it's winter and I'm lazy so there's no guarantee).

I took these photos on Christmas morning in Virginia, when the weather was 50 degrees instead of 5 degrees and coats were optional. Looking back, I should have gone camping or golfing or picnicking or something to celebrate those double digit temps. Instead I stayed inside in my flannels and slippers, playing Yahtzee with my dad, and silently cursed the universe for the lack of snow.

You win, Universe. You win.

top: target (old, but similar here)

pants: rag and bone (similar here)

heels: off saks fifth avenue

necklace: stella and dot

watch: shinola

bracelet: j.crew factory

Resolute.

When I first started blogging (and spent way too much time worrying about the unrealistic pressure to perfect every post) my husband said these words to me:

 

 I have a tendency to be overly thoughtful to the point of paralysis and B was encouraging me to stop overthinking and just write. To him, he was just trying to push his stubborn wife to put. pen. to. paper.

But to me, those words were a blaring reminder to stop worrying and just be authentic. Simple as that.  

Be authentic.

 (Warning: Jerry Maguire moment ahead.)

The world of blogging is changing. It’s becoming staged and scripted. Airbrushed and sculpted. Bought and paid for. Style blogging has always been a little bit of a fantasy. I mean, I’m not blogging about my fears and worries. I’m not even blogging about my everyday reality (if I did, there would be a lot more posts involving sweatpants). I am blogging about fashion. Sometimes unattainable fashion. It’s creative and fun and beautiful. And yes, sometimes a little bit staged. And like all social media, in blogging, we get to pick and choose what we share with the world, leading to this false image that we constantly have our shit together.

While I always try and remain authentic - in both my writing and my style - I like to believe that my readers are aware that this blog is only a tiny portion of my reality. My everyday stress and struggles, for the most part, remain off the screen and reserved for my real, non-digitized, life.

And although beautifully curated, I can't help but wonder if this constantly idealized imagery is leading to the loss of authenticity in the world of blogging? And where is the line between inspiration and insincerity?

Today, blogs are looking less like individual expressions of style and more like advertisements. Especially with affiliate marketing and paid sponsorships, all these blogs (even ones that I love) are starting to look remarkably similar. And I get it. It’s how you make money and how many are able to quit their jobs and live the dream as a full time blogger.

But where is the line?

If you are constantly getting paid to promote, how do you maintain your authenticity?

And without authenticity, what’s the point?

Seriously?

To me, without authenticity there is no point. And I am not saying you cannot make money on your blog and remain authentic. You definitely can. But it can be a slippery slope and one that for me personally, is not currently worth the time and moral energy it takes.

So what does that mean?

It means turning down affiliate marketing, ads, and paid posts. If I recommend a product it means I genuinely love it. If I team up with a shop for a giveaway or to style an item, it means I believe in that shop. If I link to an article of clothing I am wearing and you decide to buy it, it means I'm not making a commission off of that item.

It means weekly posts full of inspiration and free of insincerity. It means fashion fantasy merged with daily reality. It means full disclosure. 

For now, building my audience, finding my voice, and developing this little blog trumps the risk of selling myself out. And if that ever changes, you'll be the first to know.

But what does this all really mean?

It means I get to be authentic.

And, of course, that I get to use my voice. Not apologize. Be honest. And have fucking fun.