on my radar/january2015.

Just a few lovelies that have been on my radar lately… I'm attempting a "no-shopping" month this month… but these pieces are making it very hard to stick to that!

xo bracelet

Gorjana is my favorite and they are having a CRAZY 70% off sale right now. GO! Hurry!

leopard sandals

Is it too early to start thinking/dreaming about sandal season. I hope not. These!

skinny jeans

My new FAVORITE jeans, seriously, I wear these constantly! They fit amazing and don't sag out, ladies, you know what I mean. Perfect with knee high boots too!

drapey tee

I would like 10 of these and then I would like to wear them everyday from now until eternity. Right!?!

rose water

Obsessed with this simple pleasure.  Try the Beautycounter version or the less expensive Boots version… either way, treat yourself to this indulgence for your face.

kate spade two-tone bag

Ahem, this bag. Insert heart-in-eyes emoji.

asymmetrical zip sweater

This baby is UNDER $30 and so perfect for winter layering. Want, want, want.

Also a few blogs on my radar this month…

Style Bee: love her minimal fashion sense.

Goop: nothing new, but for some reason feels so fresh to me lately.

Kim Ray Style: this gal is an IRL friend and she is doing a fun house tour with outfit photos thing on her blog right now. Worth the check out!

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!)

sale alert: shop the sales!

I can never (ever!) resist a good after Christmas/New Year's/end of winter sale. Never! Especially since we are looking at another solid three months of cold weather here in the mid-west. I'm just getting started on wearing my winter clothes…

Here are a few great sale picks to boost up your winter wardrobe for the long haul… and maybe to get a little spendy with those gift cards and Christmas money that you just KNOW is burning a hole in your pocket.  Yes, you know what I'm talking about!

1. cowl back sheath dress - so gorgeous and classic! 2. camel wool blend coat 3. houndstooth loafer 4. chunky link bracelet 5. wink iPad mini case 6. belted wool cardigan 7. marled infinity scarf 8. skinny jeans - one of my faves! 9. leather cross-body bag 10. riding boots - stunning! 11. 'the stars' iPad air case 12. earrings 13. long tweed blazer - LOVE!

my outfit: a fresh start!

January marks the anniversary that I started this blog way back in 2008 (SEVEN years ago!)  Back then I had a three year old and a six month old, I was a working full time outside of the house and I was about to turn 30.  In the coming year I would proceed to quit my job twice, watch my hopes dashed as my dream job/industry would become a wasteland due to the economy and wade into the scary and unknown-to-me land of being a stay-at-home mom. In that year I don't know if I "found" blogging… or if blogging found me. I have a feeling it was the later.

I created this blog to help find my personal style and hopefully help others do the same along the way.  In 2014 I wondered if it was time to bow out of blogging.  2014 was an amazing year for the blog… on paper, it was the best year yet. But in my heart something wasn't feeling right. But every time I seriously thought about quitting… the computer drew me back, my readers drew me back and before I knew it I was publishing another post.   While no one knows what the future holds I don't think blogging is done with me yet. And with a fresh year upon us, I am more excited than ever about this blog, where it's going, what it's intended to do and the place it holds in my life.  I'm so thankful for my readers who make this blog what it is.

This new year and a fresh start couldn't come at a better time.  I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for us! Cheers!

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:
Coat, J.Crew (similar or similar)
Bag, J.Crew (similar or similar)
Sweater, Gap
Jeans, Gap (similar)
Flats, Madewell (similar or similar)