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!

The Good Kind of Blues...and my Indiana Jones Hat!

Today was one of the first days that it was consistently cool all day; but not cool enough to be breaking out the big guns (my heavy jackets).  I went with my J. Crew denim vest (at under $100, its a great investment piece because you can wear it all year round, like I did here, during the summer!) because it was just thick enough to keep away the chill, but not so heavy as to make me overheat as I ran around at work.  Perfect for layering on top of a popover!

I'm not a big hat person, but I certainly love buying them (um...#shopaholic...oops, lol).  I do however, love wearing this H&M wool hat in the fall.  It's great to throw on when you're having a bad hair day (or even when you're having a good one!), and still look super cute.  

My dad calls it my Indiana Jones hat, haha.

This black leather saddle bag was a major thrift find at my favorite, Paper Doll Vintage Boutique (only $10!!!!).  I've only had it for a week and I've worn it everyday since!  Plus, the little gold details compliment my Fossil watch that I never go anywhere without (score!).

And last but not least, my flats.  I'm totally on the lace up flats bandwagon!  However they seem like they can get expensive, and as a girl on a budget I was super surprise, over-the-moon happy when I found a pair in Charlotte Russe, perfect for all y'all on a budget too (they're under $30 and come in black as well!)!

Vest: J. Crew || Stripe Popover: Old Navy, old; similar here || Watch: c/o Fossil || 

Lace Up Flats: Charlotte Russe (sale alert: buy 1, get one $10! Comes in black too!) || 

Saddle bag cross body: Paper Doll Vintage Boutique, vintage; similar here || Jeggings: Old Navy || Parrot Pin: Savers, thrift find || Hat: H&M, old; similar here

Dusters For Days

Lightweight, layerable (I know its not a word, buuut...), duster jackets are perfect for the cooler weather ahead!  Especially on a day like today, where the mornings are cool and crisp, but the afternoons are still warm, the duster is great for layering; when it gets warm later in the day, these jackets aren't too heavy where you're going to overheat. 

In honor of my obsession (oops...#sorrynotsorry, but I have three already!), I've done a big ol' round up my dusters, styled. 

Check out my other duster looks (and scroll to the bottom to shop them all)!

You can pair a duster with pretty much anything and wear them anywhere!

First off, I love the burnt orange color of this H&M duster, it just screams autumn!  Secondly, the shape is so relaxed and flowy that it gives your outfits a cool boho feel.  This one is my favorite and I've paired it with pretty much every type of clothing: jeggings, a dress, a jumpsuit...I just love the ease of it (and it doesn't hurt that it's super comfy either!).

Kim Kardashian-West can do no wrong style-wise; her confidence and risk taking with her outfits is amazing fashion inspiration!  She's also the person who's influenced my love for the duster jacket!  Kim K can rock a duster jacket like no other, and makes it work with any outfit. 

In my own personal styling, I've paired it with my GAP ripped boyfriend jeans and flats (or you can go sophisticated and do heels!), and also with my Old Navy jeggings and lace up flats.  The shape of this particular duster is great because of it's sleek structure; it can be belted or worn open, either way it'll make your outfit instantly chicer. 

This look was great for a girls' night out; not too dressy, but also not too casual: a great middle ground!

Okay, so this one isn't really considered a duster jacket, but it's pretty similar in the way it can be styled in my opinion.

Check out the rest of this post, here! :) 

Shop all of my looks here!

Travel Style: Camo + Sailor Stripes

...plus a 90s throw back: Spice Girls buns!  When I travel I like to keep my hair out of my face (one less thing to worry about if I'm not fiddling with my hair!); so I usually stick to buns or braids--chic and easy.  Especially when I'm driving long distance, like I did this weekend, I hate it when my hair gets in my face (I have long, crazy hair with a mind of it's own).

Just a side note, I'm not pregnant, my shirt is just baggy, lol.

Can I just say I love my car (it's a 2015 Chevy Equinox...in champagne!); it's perfect for road trips!  It's super spacious, with lots of room for luggage (and I always travel with a lot of it; I haven't quite gotten acquainted with "packing lightly", haha) and friends...and more luggage (because a girl needs options!)!

This Vera Bradley duffle is an oldie, but a goodie.  I got it as a Christmas gift a few years ago while I was still in college.  It's perfect on short trips and I can fit a TON of stuff in it (the zipper is basically magic, because no matter how much I stuff in there, it always seems to be able to close!)!.

And this palm print Old Navy tote (sadly, sold out, but I did post some similarly inspired bags down at the bottom!)?  I use it for everything!  Trips to the beach, my gym bag, and when I go on trips it holds my toiletries and shoes (I like to have lots of options, lol).

My favorite travel outfits are loose, but still have some structure to them; this makes them both comfortable and stylish.  This nautical striped top and joggers are perfect; the patterns provide interest, and everything looks put together but isn't stuffy and uncomfortable (the worst things that your outfit could be when traveling--especially on a long car ride).

Upstate New York is ridiculously gorgeous!  Nature is everywhere and it's all beautiful.  Leaving Long Island and heading upstate for a couple of days is just the refreshing getaway that I needed (I've been feeling tired and in a slump for a couple of weeks now).

#selfie.  I snuck this one in while Richie was still out of the car, before we left for our hike...  No matter what anyone says, you can never have too many selfies!  Plus, I love these aviators (another Old Navy find!), which I think are the perfect sunnies for any adventure!  And check out my ombré; on point!  ;)

Yes, I make Richie take selfies with me (and there are a million more of just me when he refuses to get in the picture, lol).  I took a really cool, little video selfie, but it was one second short of the three second minimum to post it to Insta (not cool, Instagram, not cool; insert sad, teary emoji face here).  But this one is just as cute.  :)

I'm not gonna lie, the hike was much harder than I thought.  I was sweaty and achy...and cranky.  I have a weird love/hate relationship with heights: I'm totally okay with them and love them when I'm strapped into something, but the trail wasn't a typical, well-wen dirt path, there was lots on climbing, and narrow pathways, and drops off the sides; in short, I was a giant weenie during most of it.  I wish I would've just taken a deep breath and enjoyed it more, because it was truly beautiful; but I was so worried of slipping, and falling off the path and breaking something, that I let my anxiety take over, and it sort of ruined some of the adventure.  Luckily, Richie was a really good sport about it all.

When we finally got to the waterfall, it was all definitely worth it.  Pictures don't do this place justice.

I had to stick my hands under the waterfall.  It was just so, so hot on Saturday; especially since this was the end of the hike, and then you had to turn back to hike back down (so, I guess it was really the middle of the hike, haha).

When my sister (and blogger photographer), Rachel, isn't around, that means it's up to Richie to snap some shots for me--whether he likes it or not...and he doesn't, lol.  During our hike I wanted to get in a quick outfit pic, with this amazing backdrop.  His response, "Not everything is a fashion show!".  

He's lucky he's cute.

After the long hike, Richie took me to a nearby watering hole that people go to after a long hike.

Jumping off this ledge into the watering hole was so much fun (and my goodness, so refreshing too!)!  Even though I love adventure, and crazy roller coasters, heights anywhere else, kind of freak me out (like I said, love/hate relationship); it was a little scary to stand on that ledge, getting ready to jump into waters that I didn't know how deep they went, but I'm super glad I did!  Richie and I were the only people jumping from the highest ledge, and it gave me a pretty good confidence boost (and it totally cooled me off from our hike!)!

*Check out one of my other upstate adventures, here, where Richie and I went underground at Howe Caverns! *

The next day, we just took it easy: sleeping in late and then, hitting the Crossgates Mall for some date night fun (they have everything there!)!

Ever since I went to Dave and Busters a couple of months ago, I've been hooked (is that dorky? lol #sorrynotsorry)!  So Sunday night  we went for date night; it's easy, fun and has everything in one place (food, drinks, and entertainment)!  Plus, I'm super competitive (with pretty much anything, especially Monopoly...), and I love winning tickets; I don't know what it is, and Richie finds it hysterical that I get so amped when I win (hitting jackpot is the best feeling in the world, haha).

As you can see, I'm super sad that Dave and Busters went electronic with their tickets. One of my favorite parts is when all the tickets comes shooting out of the game (especially when you hit jackpot!!!).

 I hope ya'll had a fun weekend like I did!

What's your favorite way to travel in style? :)

Shop my look (and similar pieces!) here:

Trends I Love: Blush

After seeing (and then obsessing over and buying) this Bebe moto jacket from Marshalls (check out my original post here), I have been seriously digging blush-colored everything!  It's spring's perfect neutral and looks great paired with everything!

Similar jacket (here)

I put together some blush-colored picks I've found (plus my DIY mani from earlier in the week!):

Ciaté Mini Paint Pot nail polish (mix and match 3 for $18!  They have a bunch of colors and "effects"--glitter, studs, etc.)

River Island Crepe Drape Trench

I love this trench because you could wear it casually with a cool graphic tee and some jeans, or dressed up for a night out with friends!

ASOS Sleeved Draped-back Midi dress (on sale now for only $28!)

The shape is super flattering (and there's even a little open back action!) and is perfect for any spring event!

J. Crew Laser-Cut Circle Midi skirt

J. Crew does it again.  This skirt is super cool, and looks great just how J. Crew styled it!

H&M Jersey Blazer

Jersey blazers are like dressy sweatshirts.  They're super comfortable but you still look pulled together, which makes it the perfect piece for literally any outfit.

Sole Society "Libry" jeweled flats

Pointy flats and jewels?  Check and check. 

Rebecca Minkoff "Leo" Envelope Clutch

Envelope clutches are like the basic accessory that every girl should have because it's simple and chic and goes with everything.

Kate Spade Cat Eye sunglasses.  Love the color and especially the style!  Very Pink Ladies!  ;)

What do you guys think of blush for spring?