2015 Outfit Favs: Winter & Early Spring

Today, I thought we'd do a little flash back into some of my favorite looks in 2015 thus far! I've shared a lot of cute outfits this year on the blog, but the following ones really stick out for one reason or another. So lets start out walk down outfit memory lane back in January...

I love this icy outfit post from back in January... I remember how much I enjoyed putting it together! I love playing with the idea of a monochromatic color palette, but I think I'd don't try it nearly enough. So I'm glad I took such a public chance, and hopefully you liked it as much as I did! (Original Post)

This sweater from Stitch Fix has changed my life. It's comfy, it's cozy, it's colorful but not unwearable-- it's the perfect winter cardigan! When I got it in my box, I was a little hesitant (I don't wear a lot of red) but after I ended up putting it on to go out to lunch with Kyle nearly immediately after I got it, I knew we would be besties, the cardigan and I. (Original Post)

This look is my favorite look from spring break, partially because that whole week was amazing but also partially because it's a perfectly layered late winter/spring look... Soft sweater, lightweight jacket, cozy scarf, cuffed jeans, and booties... What better outfit for a springtime day?! (Original Post)

These last two looks perfectly show how you can change up the entire vibe of one dress just by switching a couple accessories! I put a sweet & stylish spin on this dress with a pastel necklace and metallic flats, but then added leather leggings and booties for an edgier look for the Eric Church concert with Kyle later in the week. (Original Sweet Post, Original Edgy Post)

As I write this, I realize how funny it is how some of my favorite outfits are my favorites because of the memories made in them. And then that gets me thinking about how I can still remember what I wore the day I asked Kyle out back in our junior year of high school, the outfit I wore on our first date... I'm glad no one took a picture of either! lol! But does anyone else remember things like that? Is that a fashionista thing?

Have a great week, and a belated Happy Easter to you all!

--Caroline

A Sandal Story

Today I'm skipping over spring and dreaming of summer sandals! I love all shoes, but I especially love a good sandal, for two reasons:

1) It usually signifies warm weather, which I adore. (Except we did have a Senior Superlative at my high school in Colorado that was "Most Likely To Wear Flip Flops In A Blizzard"... It happened more than you'd think!)

2) Being small footed (5/5.5 on a good day) the shoe types that I have more wiggle room with (and can usually wear a 6) are tennis shoes, boots, and sandals. So many more options in that size!!!

Shortly after I moved to Florida back in 2012, I was at Dillard's in the fall and they were having a fantastic shoe clearance, and I picked up several pairs. My favorite pick from this trip was a pair of silver Nurture brand sandals. To this day, they are my favorite sandal, and on my "essential shoes" part of my personal shoe collection. They are so cushy and comfortable, and go with literally everything! As you can image, they have definitely seen a lot. While there are a couple tears in the footbed now, I am not ready to give them up! At least not until I find a worthy replacement. 

The most recent times you've seen me wear them on This Styled Life. Seeing these pictures make me yearn for summer now!

But there is another sandal I love that came into my life last summer, on my trip to Europe with my family. After walking around Prague & a couple cities in Germany for the first part of our trip, I developed a pain in my heel that I believe was Achilles Tendonitis, and I'm certain the culprit was my sandals that had a back heel strap. We still had the bulk of our trip to go, and all the shoes I brought had backs. So what's a girl to do? Go shoe shopping in Wurzburg, Germany of course! Thankfully, I found an awesome shoe store and purchased a pair of Gabor sandals that lasted me through the rest of the trip. I grew to love them so much that, anticipating a similar problem might develop next summer on my study abroad, I asked for another pair for Christmas.

Rocking my first Gabor sandals in Miltenberg, Germany. (original post)

Wearing my new pewter pair on the blog a week or so ago. (original post)

We will see what happens with my beloved silver sandals... I'm eyeing this Born option and this Isotoner option right now, but I really think I'm going to wear mine until the day they give out! As far as the Gabor sandals go, I love them, and I can't wait to bring both pairs to Europe next summer. You can shop the style I have internationally here (shipping will be a lot more) or you can shop through a US retailer here or here. 

Do you have a style, brand, or favorite shoe you are obsessed with? What story do your shoes tell?

--Caroline

Linking Up With: The Fashion Canvas and Walking In Memphis In High Heels for the Trend Spin Linkup.

Red

GAP Sweater (similar) / LC Lauren Conrad Skirt (similar) / Herringbone Vest c/o Jane.com (similar) 

Vintage Cowboy Boots (similar) / Premier Designs Jewelry

The other day I spent an hour or so taking some outfit pictures... with my tripod. 

If you've been following for awhile, you might know that the tripod and I have not always been friends. You might also know that I feared the tripod after Berlioz knocked it down, camera attached, and broke my camera. But I decided to be brave and try it again, this time with success! Aside from the fact that there isn't really a great place to take pictures inside my apartment, and the light on my back porch was not conducive to picture taking at the time, they didn't turn out as bad as I feared. My roommates foster cat even found herself wanting to be apart of the action! :)

Since I started this blog back in the summer of 2013, I have certainly come a long way and learned a lot. Something I've become to realize is that, while it's great to be inspired and driven by what other bloggers are doing, I am vastly different from them. I don't have the latest trends off J.Crew, Zara, or high end stores--I'm in college, and am on a tight budget. I don't always have someone to help me take outfit pictures, nor any sort of professional photographer. But despite those things, it's been a fun process, so thank you for letting me share my inner thoughts with you all everyday!  

This outfit kind of reminds me of my first ever outfit post on This Styled Life, with the neutrals and pop of red. A great classic combination that stands the test of time!

--Caroline

Linking Up With: Sincerely Jenna Marie for the Weekly Linkup

Circa 2011

I recently went through all my photo albums on my computer for both a class project and a project for my mom, and it made me very nostalgic. In the process, I came across pictures from the Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens in Jacksonville, FL, where I went back in 2011 for an art history trip while attending SCAD. To this day, it is still probably my favorite museum, or at least in the top three. I just remember having an absolute blast; it was a beautiful day, I was looking at art and flowers, and I remember not wanting to leave the gardens to get back on the bus. 

I also remember being very excited about my outfit, thinking it was so on point. Of course it's been a few years so I own none of these pieces still, but I do still agree that it has the bones of a great classic look with a modern twist. Funny how some things never change, right? I still feel like that is my style in a nutshell, with a little more trendy mixed in from time to time. 

Do you remember your favorite fashion moments? How has your style evolved over the years? 

--Caroline

Linking Up with the Three-Fer Thursday Linkup hosted by Perfectly Coutured and White Coat Wardrobe