wear now & later: winter into spring!

Winter is far from over - at least in my neck of the woods - but the new spring items that are popping up in my favorite stores are oh so tempting! It's this time of year that I start craving a new spring wardrobe. Am I alone?

While we won't be wearing sundresses, shorts or sandals anytime soon there are a few new spring items we can easily start working into our wardrobe right now.  Here I chose two new tops I have had my eye on for spring (this striped top and this grosgrain embellished blouse) and showed how to style them for both winter and spring!  Simply by adding a cozy vest or cardigan and boots you can layer these spring tops up and they are suitable to wear now. Then this spring you can pair them with shorts, skirts, and sandals.

(get the look above: vest, jeans, bucket bag, ankle boots, striped top, scarf, shorts, clutch, sandals)

(get the look above: cardigan, jeans, grosgrain embellished blouse, ring, boots, necklace, skirt, bag, flats)

What spring pieces do you already have your eye on?

my everyday style: warm up!

January's weather is always ferocious and this year is no exception.  Bundling up isn't just a fashion decision, it's a necessity. The trick is trying to make it look effortless and stylish… sometimes it doesn't go so smoothly and it looks more like a 5 year old just throwing on a bunch of crazy clothes.

Other times, (thankfully) it comes together just as I'd hoped and looks cozy and stylish. A big fluffy scarf always helps…

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Coat, Gap (similar or similar - both are on sale!)

Scarf, Zara (similar or similar)

Striped Top, J.Crew - on sale! 

Jeans, AG

Boots, Sam Edelman (similar or similar on sale! or similar also on sale!)

Bag, J.Crew (similar or similar - love this one!)

winter whites!

January calls for a fresh start.  I'm craving an organized home, a fresh new calendar and simple and fresh updates to my wardrobe. Like clockwork this time of year I crave fresh, fresh, fresh!

Winter white is the perfect way to freshen up your wardrobe. Not only are these pieces great paired with grey and black for winter… but they are a gentle nod to spring as well.  They will be great paired with pastels as the weather thaws.

vest, turtleneck sweater, gold stripe clutch, white peplum top, bracelet, earrings, blouse, sequined mini skirt, white jeans, cardigan, necklace, puffer coat (on sale!) , side stripe oxford (on sale!), zip dress, flats (on sale!), cross-body bag

my everyday style: bling out your basics!

Winter and cold weather has a certain novelty in December when all we can think about is the holidays. But come January scarves, boots and layers upon layers can quickly get old. I find January and February some of the hardest months to keep my looks fresh and fun and to get excited about getting dressed each day.

A little creativity goes a long way and here I layered a jeweled collar top with a sweatshirt to add some fun to this look.  This jeweled collar happens to be more of a short mandarin style collar, but this would work great with any type of jeweled collar.  Layering a bit of sparkly underneath your favorite sweatshirt is a fun way to bling out your basics.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Sweatshirt, J.Crew (similar or similar or similar on sale!)

Jeweled collar top, J.Crew (almost the exact same one or similar)

Jeans, Old Navy (similar on sale!)

Bag, Madewell (similar or similar)

Shoes, Coach (similar on sale! or similar less expensive)

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

12 gorgeous winter essentials!

Today I've got twelve gorgeous winter essentials for you… because, let's face it Christmas may be over but winter is just getting under way.  We've got a few months left of bundling up and multiple layers.  So now is the perfect time to invest in a few more basics especially with all the after Christmas sales and Christmas money burning a whole in your designer bag.

Now is a great time to snag new
 coats, boots, sweaters, and all the cute winter goodies you didn't get as a gift but still desperately need!

top row, from left:

faux fur cowl, white duffel coat (I'm obsessed with this!), hunter boots, plaid pajamas

middle row, from left: 

plaid top, hat, black jeans (on constant rotation in my wardrobe lately!), two-tone back zip sweater

bottom row, from left:

brown ankle boots, navy shawl coat (LOVE!), striped lounge pants, plaid scarf (only $10!)

three ways to style your LBD this winter!

A LBD (little black dress) is a classic wardrobe staple that can get your through all your holiday wardrobe needs.  A little black dress can be styled up or down for the holiday parties on your schedule large or small and even through Christmas into New Years. Here I styled it up three fun ways… and BONUS! These great dresses are all UNDER $20 - can you believe it? So snag one now and you will be set for the holidays!

top:

dress, plaid top, red shoes, necklace

middle: 

ring, necklace, cardigan, ankle boots, dress

bottom: 

dress, faux fur scarf, clutch, earrings, shoes

Or shop the pieces below!!!

my everyday style: fully vested!

Vests are the perfect alternative to jackets on winter days.  They layer well, can go under a heavy winter coat… and really spruce up the whole sweater and jeans or in this case, sweatshirt and jeans combo that I tend to gravitate to each fall and winter. 

Here I paired an army inspired vest with a faux fur shawl and voila! Not only does this vest have new life… (see how I wore it here this past summer) but so does this sweatshirt (which I have worn before here).  

Maybe you've realized, or I know I've said it before, this blog is less about showing off new clothes or the new styles of the season (which I DO love to do!) and more about showing how your closet can be versatile from one week to the next or even one season to the next.  I don't believe that "fall" clothes or "winter" clothes always have to fit into that one season.  The more you can make pieces bend and stretch to your will all year long, the more wear you can get out of them.  Thus, making your entire wardrobe not only a good value or return on your money but also making your clothes a fun and rewarding part of your day.  Like I've always said: getting dressed each morning should be fun!

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Faux Fur Shawl, Asos (similar, similar or similar)

Vest, Old Navy ℅ - old (similar or similar)

Jeans, AG

Boots, Sam Edelman (similar or similar or similar)

Lace Sweatshirt, LOFT (similar or similar)

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

Bracelet, Banana Republic - on sale!

Or shop the pieces below!

my everyday style: bundled up!

Every now and again I like to bust out a monochromatic look and since I'm not exactly the queen of color these days - neutrals are the way to go.   Here I paired cream and camel hues together for a cozy winter monochromatic look and I really liked the result.

Winter has been pretty kind to us so far (except that big 3 foot of snow storm in November, which has since melted) and it's been fun to experiment with two or three layers instead of the standard five to six layers that it seems is necessary to keep warm in winter.  It's always surprising to me how warm a vest can be and paired with a cozy sweater and scarf it was nice to be warm enough to ditch a coat for a bit.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Scarf, J.Crew Factory (similar less expensive)

Vest, J.Crew Factory (or similar)

Sweater, J.Crew Factory - on sale! (or similar - also on sale!)

Jeans, Gap (similar or similar less expensive)

Ankle Boots, Sam Edelman (similar or similar)

Bag, J.Crew (similar or similar)

Or shop the pieces below!

my everyday style: winter classics!

I love nothing more than throwing a bunch of classic wardrobe pieces together to create an everyday look.  The result is always simple but sophisticated.  And let's be honest: way, way too easy! Who doesn't love a look that comes together in a snap?  I seem to have a major obsession with black pumps lately (see Pinterest for proof) and really, why not? They look great with just about everything and really dress up even the simplest of looks.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:
Faux Fur Infinity Cowl, LOFT (old, but similar or similar)
Blazer, Forever 21 - ℅ (similar or similar)
Striped Top, Gap (old, but similar or similar)
Waxed Jeans, Gap (similar or similar)
Bow Pumps, Sole Society
Earrings, Kendra Scott
Or shop the pieces below!

my everyday style: neutrals and a HUGE thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you eat yourself silly and are wearing your favorite (and most stylish!) stretchy pants today!  But on a more serious note I hope that all of the blessings of Thanksgiving are with you today: friends, family, fellowship, love, patriotism, gratitude and peace.

It's also really important for me to send each of you a huge Thanksgiving hug.  I am so thankful for you - my readers - who let me do what I love each and every day and never give up on me and continue to encourage me.  Your comments, visits, sending your friends my way and emails brighten my day each and every day. I don't know what I would do without this little corner of the internet.  Life just wouldn't be the same!

So, THANK YOU!  You visiting here each day gives me lots of gratitude!

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Scarf, Banana Republic (or similar less expensive)

Coat, J.Crew Factory (similar or similar less expensive)

Sweater, LOFT

Jeans, Old Navy (or similar - on sale!)

Shoes, Coach (similar or similar or similar less expensive)

Purse, Madewell (similar or similar)

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

Or shop the look (and more options!) below…

What to wear to holiday parties with Piperlime!

Are you asking yourself what to wear to holiday parties and events these days? This time of year every gal needs to have a dress or two waiting in her closet for all the holiday events that are the highlight of the season.  It's important to dress to impress… but also to be smart about our clothing budget at the same time!  If you don't have the budget to buy a new dress for every occasion, all you have to do is invest in one or two you love and them make them work for the entire season.

Here I've taken a few holiday dress styles and layered them up to prove that with a little creativity you can find the perfect holiday dress that won't only be worn once this holiday season! Simply by switching up accessories, shoes and adding a few layers you breathe new life into your beloved pieces and really stretch your holiday budget.

top:

holiday soiree - faux fur coat, necklace, flats

polka dot dress

santa's helper - cape, striped tote, hunter boots, earrings

bottom:

office party - faux fur & vegan leather jacket, clutch, black pumps

navy sequined dress - less than $100!

cocktails with your bff - denim jacket, earrings, leopard flats

Shop the pieces below, too!

This post is kindly sponsored by Shopstyle and Piperlime. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

It's time to put a coat on it...

Coat weather is here… and it's not going anywhere!  Here I pulled some photos from the archives on how to make your outfit stand out with an awesome coat this season.  

Shop the looks here…

outerwear! (at all price points!)

Oh my! Winter is here in the northern mid-west. I can't believe how cold it is already and with snow in the forecast no less.  I'm prepping my closet to bundle up… what about you? Are you ready for this cold weather in style?

Here I've got some amazing outerwear pieces at all price points… no matter your budget, I've got the perfect coat for you.

$

from left: belted camel coat, navy peacoat, fur hood puffer coat, grey shawl coat

$$

from left: two tone black/white, army/black zip up coat, grey double breasted coat

$$$

from left: navy bow puffer coat, coral cocoon coat, grey shawl collar, camel double breasted coat

or shop more options below!

my everyday style: a wool camel coat!

Of all the investments I've made for my wardrobe I think that a wool camel coat is the one that earns the most dividends.  I try to add a new coat (or two!) to my closet each winter and I never regret it.  And for some reason, this simple coat is my favorite of the bunch.  A warm and beautiful coat can really dress up any outfit.  Not to mention help pass the dreary winter days that we are in for over the next couple of months.   

I particularly like a belted wool coat like this one to define my waist, even while wearing several layers.  It feels lady like and slim while still keeping me warm.  

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Coat, J.Crew Factory (similar or similar)

Scarf, J.Crew Factory 

Chambray Top, J.Crew Factory (similar)

Jeans, Gap (similar)

Boots, Coach (similar)

Bag, J.Crew (similar)