Skies of Blue

At the end of the week, I'm shot from working 10-11 hour days, so when I get dressed in the morning I want something that's comfy but still chic at the same time.  My solution to that is a pair of classic jeans and a fun sweater that adds interest to an otherwise casual outfit.

Enter the amazing fringe goodness that is one of my latest sales find!  I'm totally in love with this American Eagle fringe sweater (currently on sale for $35!); it's thick, but not heavy...does that make sense? lol.

Cardigan: American Eagle || Tassle Tee: J. Crew, old (this tee has a similar feel, and only $15!) || Watch: c/o Fossil || Sunnies: Wish app (it's free to download! similar sunnies here) || 

Tassel Necklaces: J. Crew, old (similar here, here, and here)  || 

Fringe necklace: Dynamite (similar here and here) || Boyfriend Jeans: GAP || 

Lace Up flats: Charlotte Russe (similar here, and only $30!) || 

Fringe cross body: Marshalls (this BP. bag has a similar vibe!)

The fringe that lines the edge of this cardi has great, subtle movement that takes it from just a sweater to a statement piece!

For a fun monochromatic look, this fringe goodness paired perfectly with my GAP boyfriend jeans!  And a classic white tee with some added white-on-white detailing (in this case, fringe and embroidery), just amps up the interest in this outfit, making it look more stylish and thoughtful, rather than thrown together *high fives*.

And you can never go wrong with a touch of leather and gold.  I've worn this Fossil watch everyday since Fossil sent it to me!  It's so classic and easy-to-wear that I never want to take it off!

How do you stay cozy and chic on the weekends?  :)

Leather Clad Ballerina

It's universally know that Mondays kinda suck, and when it's freezing outside (hello single digits), they suck even more.  So an all black ensemble seems appropriate for such a blah day, right?  Absolutely!  But, even though Mondays are blah, your monochromatic OOTD doesn't need to follow suit!  My favorite way to make an all black (or any color) outfit cool is to play around and mix textures; today I mixed leather (faux, as I'm a fashionista on a budget, haha), knits, and netting, with gold and snakeskin accents for some added interest.

And like I said, it's freezing over here (my car was reading like one degree, *sigh*), so how to mix up those textures?  Layer!  I paired my (faux) leather peplum tank (because I love to preach versatility in a wardrobe; make your clothes go the extra distance outside their made for seasons!), with a ballerina wrap sweater.  Not only does this mix knits and leather, but both pieces paired together give you a bangin' hourglass silhouette (*high fives*); between the sweater that cinches you in at the waist, and then the peplum flaring out from the same point you have created some killer curves whether you were born with them or not--easy peasy.

I've been after a veiled beanie for ages, and I finally found one the other day while I was shopping at H&M...needless to say I am a super duper fan of this classy meets cool accessory!

And how simple and perfect are these Gorjana earrings from my latest Rocksbox?!  These can be worn with pretty much any outfit; sign up for their months subscription box, and use code 'xoxoclassicallycait' to get your first month free!!

I absolutely love an all black outfit with pops of shiny gold; it's so simple, and yet edgy at the same time!  This ring set was also part of this month's Rocksbox, and I loved them so much that I bought them immediately after trying them on and falling in love with them!

And this watch?!  The perfect blend of classic and modern!  I love the mix of gold and silver, and then a clean leather band.

This little crossbody is one of the reasons I love thrifting; only $2, and it's classic style makes it a staple piece! 

Totally got caught by my neighbors across the street when I was taking these pictures...haha.

SHOP MY LOOK

Leather Leggings: Kohls, old (similar here; ASOS also has a similar pair, available in regular, petite and curvy!!) || Peplum: old, similar here || Wrap Sweater: aerie || Snakeskin sneakers: Poshmark* find, similar, high top version, here || Watch: c/o Fossil || Ring set + Earrings: c/o Rocksbox* || Collar Necklace: Forever21 || Initials Necklace: b-day gift from Richie; etsy, BipAndBop || Hat: H&M outlet (similar here)

*Poshmark: use code PNXBH when you sign up (it's free!), to get a $10 credit towards your first purchase!
*Rocksbox: use code XOXOCLASSICALLYCAIT when you sign up to get your first month free!

Summer to Winter

Today's one of those "ehhh" days; it's still snowing on the East coast, but I didn't wake up to a "snow day, don't come into work" text (...the worst), which kinda made me feel blah, so I wasn't really trying to put any effort into my outfit.  Luckily, all the pieces I grabbed this morning kinda happened to go together (phew!).

I wore this super twirly cotton kimono, over the summer (see how I styled it in this post!)...that's right, this is from aerie's summer 2015 collection--it's a beach cover up.  What's great about pieces like this, is that you can wear them year 'round, depending whether you layer it over a sweater or a swimsuit!

If you're one of the lucky ducks escaping the cold and heading somewhere warm for winter break, a cotton kimono (like this one from Steve Madden) is the perfect addition to your travel wardrobe.  You can layer it over your sweater for some comfy chic airport style, and then once you've reached your destination, it doubles as a cute beach cover up!  Talk about versatility!

And because cotton kimonos are relatively nice and light, they don't take up a lot of space in your luggage!  Win.

SHOP MY LOOK!

Beach Cover Up: aerie, old () || Sweater: aerie, old (similar here) || Turban: Paper Doll Vintage Boutique (similar here) || Puff keychain: Wish app (similar here) || Bag: Michael Kors || Boots: Macy's (similar here) || Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters || Sunnies: Wish app (similar here) || Watch: c/o Fossil || Rings: Slate, c/o Rocksbox (similar here)*

*use code classicallycaitxoxo to get your first month of Rocksbox for FREE!

Layers on Layers

Even though it's still summer it doesn't mean that you can't layer (I layered clothes and accessories today)!  Which also means, it's back to basics.  If you layer your accessories, I would say to keep your clothing layers more on the simple side, otherwise your outfit could become a circus (I love me some basics!).

Layering necklaces adds a lot of interest to an outfit; especially if you're keeping it simple like I did today.  A plain white tank is like a blank canvas, and adding a couple of special necklaces takes the outfit from plain and blah, to ooh-la-la sparkly.

If you haven't noticed yet, I'm obsessed with these cat eye sunnies (from Paper Doll Vintage Boutique, which I talked about here)!

P.S. My Princess Leia buns are a throwback to my 90s childhood (although one of the older librarians at work told me I look like a little Dutch girl, haha), a.k.a my Spice Girls phase (which I pretty sure any 90s girl went through and rocked this hairstyle at least once!).

I'm seriously in love with these druzy dainties (mentioned in this post last week) sent to me by the lovely Angel, of August Jewelry Chicago.  She was so lovely to work with, and I can't say enough good things about my new necklaces.  Plus, they go perfectly with my long J. Crew tassel necklaces (they were obviously made for each other!)!

Check out Angel's Insta, @augustjewelrychicago, and make sure to snag your own druzy necklaces before they're all gone!  (You can order through: augustjewelrychicago@gmail.com).

Layering tanks and sweaters is perfect for where I work; I do a lot of running around so sometimes I get really hot, and then other times if I'm in one spot for a while, I cool down in the AC and start to freeze.  A cute and simple tank under a simple sweater is the solution to the constant temperature change.

And, bonus!, throwing on a sweater gives you a whole other look!  It's basically two outfits in one (#score!).

And don't forget your Sperry's!  These white canvas ones make any outfit more summery (especially since my entire wardrobe consists of winter colors, lol).

Shop my look (and similar pieces) here!

How do you guys feel about summer layers?  :)

April Faves

April was a pretty good month for me. I turned 24 (guess that means I'm kind of an adult now, lol)!  

I'm starting to become more confident as a blogger and really getting into the swing of things (posting more regularly, getting/taking more quality photos).  My personal style has also come a long way since I started blogging; I like how I look and feel good in the things I wear, which has definitely helped with my self-confidence and overall made me happier with myself! :)

I'm positive May is going to be a great month and I'm confident I'm going to improve my blogging even more!

Unfortunately, I'm still pretty sick, but I still wanted to share my roundup with you guys anyways (I promise I'll try and get the rest of the links up as soon as I'm feeling better!) :*

Old Navy | Eyelet dress | $44.94

Savers | Ralph Lauren belt | thrifted

Marshalls | Lace-up Booties | old purchase

Marshalls | BCBGeneration Moto Jacket | old purchase  

Marshalls | BCBGeneration Moto Jacket | old purchase 

Call It Spring | 'Hey You' flats | sale find

Target | Striped Skirt | purchase from 2 summers ago

Ann Taylor | Faux Leather sleeve striped top | old purchase

Savers | Ralph Lauren belt | thrifted

Fossil | Cecil watch | c/o Fossil

Kate Spade | Glasses bangle | $78

Lokai | Lokai bracelet | gift from Richie

Old Navy | White tunic top | on sale, $22

Forever21 | Abstract Frond Print Skirt | $23

Michael Kors | Selma bag | gift from Richie (not available online in navy, but they have some other color options, here, or this gorgeous color block option, here)

Old Navy | Classic Blazer | on sale, $35

Old Navy | Graphic tee | (an old purchase, but Old Navy has a ton of graphic tee options, here!)

GAP | GAP 1969 Authentic Boyfriend Jeans 

Target | Leopard print flats | purchase from last year

Old Navy | Striped tunic top | on sale, $14.99

Old Navy | jeggings

Nine West | Riding boots | gift from mama

Fossil | Cecil watch | c/o Fossil

Forever21 | Pearl & Bow bracelet | old purchase 

Lokai | Lokai bracelet | gift from Richie 

Fossil | Cecil watch | c/o Fossil

Forever21 | Bow bracelet | old purchase 

Lokai | Lokai bracelet | gift from Richie

Marshalls | Sperry boat shoes | (similar here)

Old Navy | Magenta Pixie Pants | (the magenta was a clearance find, but there's a ton more prints and colors, here!)

Old Navy | Striped tunic top | on sale, $14.99

Michael Kors | Selma bag | gift from Richie (not available online in navy, but they have some other color options, here, or this gorgeous color block option, here)

Etsy | Monogram necklace | $36

Etsy | Love Initials necklace | gift from Richie

What were your April favorites?

You Are the Pine-Apple of My Eye!

Pineapples (especially in sunglasses) are still definitely a major trend; and I'm totally okay with that.  It's cute, it's fun, and when the picture's been taken you can turn it into a pool drink or a tasty snack!  Inspired by this trend are a lot of pineapple accessories, clothing, decor, you name it!  I've rounded up a few of my favorite picks (thank you Pinterest!) to share with you guys!

DIY Pineapple Lamp

This lamp is made out of plastic spoons and plastic bottle!  Can you believe it?!

Pineapple Moon phone case

This is definitely my next iPhone case for sure; I love the mix of playful prints and the color palette!  (Plus it's only $20.25 and you can get it for the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy)

Pineapple Bottle Stopper

Waaaaay better than your ordinary (and boring) wine cork.

Gold Pineapple wine glass

And what goes better with your pineapple bottle stopper than a matching stemless wine glass?

Variety is the Slice of Life necklace

I would wear this with all of my sun dresses!

Pom-pom trim Dolphin shorts

I love the print and the pom poms together; it's so fun!

Ked's Pineapple print sneakers

Nice, bright statement shoes that are also comfortable (it's a win win!)!

This Anthropologie Pina Lace top is definitely a splurge piece; but there's no shame in the mantra: "Treat yo self"!

What do you guys think of the pineapple craze?

Easter Eyelet

In less than a week I'll be 24 (on Thursday the 9th to be exact), and for a while now, holidays like Easter aren't really celebrated with as much gusto as when I was younger (anyone else miss Easter baskets and egg hunts?); but I still like getting dressed up for Easter dinner with my family (it's now basically a second Thanksgiving, and I'm totally okay to celebrate any holiday by stuffing my face!).

This year I went for something simple and easy.  A while back I shared a post about the Old Navy eyelet dress that I had just got for spring/summer.  I put it on for the first time today, and I was in love as soon as I put the dress on!  It fits like a dream, and it's lined so it's not see-through.

If you haven't seen it or purchased one yet, I highly recommend this dress!  And right now it's on sale at Old Navy for $35 (plus, today and tomorrow you can get an extra 20% off your order when you order online!).  It's nice and light, but isn't flimsy.  And, for tall girls like me (I'm 5'7"), it's not too short at all--perfect length!

Dress: Old Navy

Jacket: BCBGeneration from Marshalls 

Earrings: old from Forever21 (slightly similar here)

Belt: thrifted Ralph Lauren

Shoes: 2 months ago from Marshalls

Necklaces: old sale find from J.Crew (slightly similar here)

I mention in this weekend recap post, the tutorial I used to wand my hair, and it's been a really big help!  I used to end up with these weird, really tight curls that make me look like Shirley Temple (I don't know how I even did it, but it was horrid lol).  Now when I curl my hair it looks a million times better, thanks to my friend Sam.  And the best part is that she shows you how to do it in like 10 minutes!  So if I can learn how to curl my hair with this tutorial, every one of you can too!  :)

Happy Easter!  And happy curling!  :*