Micro pleat Flutter Sleeve Top//Flutter-Sleeve Dress//Whisper Cotton Crew Neck Tee
Juno Circle Crossbody Bag//Bandana//Side-Tie Tee
Quinn Sandals//Palisade Button-Front Midi Skirt//Tassel Earrings
I don’t about you, but I FINALLY got inspired to start cracking on my spring wardrobe. We’ve had a string of overcast and rainy days, so all I’ve been wanting to wear are warm snuggly sweaters, broken in jeans, and booties. Last week the sun finally broke through and gave me the energy to tackle my closet.
The other day, I got a chance to pop into Madewell and try on some clothes. I was making an exchange for this darling silk wrap blouse I had snagged on sale (one of those flash sales that last for 2-3 days) – except I accidentally bought the wrong color! I put a lovely “bowling green” into my cart instead of “black.” So off I went downtown to pop into Madewell to make the exchange.
It was a GOOD hair day after all, and I so went for it: an impromptu photo shoot! Impromptu because I had on NO make up except a little mascara and tinted sunblock. I’ve been doing the Parisian “all natural, air-dry do” the last several months. But not today – I had extra time to indulge in a blow dry sesh and trim my bangs = new look.
I had a blast taking some outfit shots in the dressing room. The poor sales lady checked in on me at least three times! Poor gal had no idea what I was doing in there for who knows how long – probably at least 30 or 45 minutes! Why was I in there so long? 1. I usually bring at least two sizes of each garment to try on. 2. I was trying to put multiple outfits together to share with you all. 3. This was my FIRST dressing room “photo shoot”. 4. I’m pretty rusty on taking selfies. 5. BOY, did I miss Jaclyn, my blog photographer!
Here are some of the pieces I grabbed to try on.
//Flutter-Sleeve Dress//Palisade Button-Front Midi Skirt//Micro pleat Flutter Sleeve Top //Embroidered Gingham Tank Top
These two skirts were at the front of the store and this lovely rust midi skirt immediately caught my eye. The size I grabbed didn’t fit, but the indigo version was perfect.
Here is me trying on the indigo, “altamira wash” version. I paired it with this “whisper cotton crew new neck tee“. (I have the “nectar gold” tee in my closet which is a chic color to pair with blue denim. It’s only $19.50 – great to grab on sale!) I apologize for the grainy selfies – still learning the art of getting a good picture using a mirror + iphone!
This spring/summer, my main style uniform is shaping up to look like a neutral top (white, ivory, black, striped) + various skirts and jeans. I’m still in process of finalizing my pieces, but this seems to be the direction I’m headed in. I’d really love for everything to be mix and match, but will settle for 95% working out.
I think I could wear a white top every single day! I love adding new silhouettes and styles to the rotation every season. This cute “Micropleat Flutter Sleeve Top ” is currently on sale for $29.99 from $45.00.
This season I’m experimenting with high rise denim. Here’s the ivory version of the Micro pleat Flutter Sleeve Top with my beige, JBrand high rise skinny jeans, (via Stitch Fix) and my new fav sandals, “Karolyn” slides by Steve Madden. The top also comes in dark green and black. The shirts I grabbed are a little shorter than I normally wear but not quite a “cropped” length; this makes them both age appropriate, modest, and perfect for pairing with my new high rise jeans.
I also couldn’t resist trying on this side tie tee. It has a soft almost terry cloth-like fabrication and I appreciate it being a little thicker – always a great feature in a light colored tee.
Lastly, I found this dreamy “Orchard Flutter-Sleeve Dress in Fan Floral Mix. Even though it’s created from a polyester fabric, the lining has a soft, “higher end polyester” feeling. It has elements similar to dresses from french designers I’ve been drooling over: v-neck, dainty buttons, fitted bodice with a flowy silhouette, lovely floral print. I’d prefer a midi length frock but this was a great alternative! This dress is definitely better in person than online!
Thanks for joining me on this little shopping adventure! I hope to be able to pop in online more often this spring!
Welcome back! I’ll have to admit I was a bit worried about you and then I remembered you had little ones;) I’m heading to London (during the Royal Wedding!) and Paris in May to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. I did a lot of shopping for the trip yesterday but there is still some room for a few more pieces. I do love that skirt! I’ve been obsessed with all things French recently-especially the easy makeup and hair. However, the less is more when it comes to building a wardrobe just hasn’t taken hold yet. I love a good sale and an impulse purchase/retail therapy! Congratulations on your promotion. I look forward to your next post.
Thank you, Jayne! It warms my heart to know that you were concerned about me. Yep, I’ve got little ones at home still. I’m an “older mom” so most mothers my age have older children in jr. high, high school and going into college. 😉 I’m THRILLED to hear about your trip to London and Paris! How wonderful & romantic. What an exciting time to be in London as well. You must report back and tell us all what trends you see in Europe while you’re there! What are some travel pieces you are most excited about? I’d love to take a peek. Feel free to attach the links here in the comments or send me an email. 🙂 I’m always looking for new ideas. I’m obsessed with French style as well!! xx-S
So glad to hear from you again! I always appreciate you. I will look forward to more posts whenever you can do it – no pressure. Once a year is great.
Hi, Patty. Your words of encouragement me so much to me. I missed posting and hearing from all my sweet style sisters on the blog and you are definitely one of them. Lord willing I’ll be able to squeeze out a post for next week. Thanks for taking the pressure off. You’re the best! xx-S
Love the cognac slides and the midi skirt! I have a Madewell Whisper V-Neck Tee and it is very soft and comfortable!
Hey, Lady. I had to hold back from buying the tee-shirt. Since I already have one I am making myself wait for the next sale! xx-S
What a nice surprise this Friday to see you back…. You have such a gift of putting outfits together and I just love your style. Thank you for sharing and totally understand that life be busy.
Hi, Robin. Thank you for the sweet words of encouragement! I love being able to send style inspo out to anyone who wants it. 🙂 Sometimes I feel like there are so many better bloggers out there so I’m always thankful when someone clicks onto G&S for new ideas. Thank you again for all your support! xx-S
So glad to see you’re back! I always appreciate your budget friendly and modest styles!
Hi, Leigh. Thank you for taking time to read and comment! I’ve received such a warm welcome back my heart is so full! I’ll admit, it can be challenging to come up with fresh outfits when I, myself, am on a limited budget – I can’t afford to buy a whole new wardrobe each season. But, it does stretch my creativity in finding ways to send you new looks with out spending money! It’s feedback like yours that keep me going! xx-Shannon
Great to see you !
Hi, Lori! I’ve missed seeing you online too. Thank you for noticing that I was on hiatus! I truly missed this fun little community we built up and am thrilled to be back in a place where I can try to get back online a couple time a month. 🙂 xx-S
Missed you! I actually checked your Facebook page a couple of times to make sure you were OK. Thought maybe your job (and congrats on the promotion) plus kids and family life was keeping you busy, but so glad to read this post. Several of the items you shared are very tempting! Might be going shopping this weekend.
It’s so good to be missed. Thank you, Phyllis! Not a day when by that I didn’t think about the blog and our community with ideas of things I wanted to share, but just didn’t have the time to write a post. You are exactly right, the styling job, family life, and kids were keeping me busy. Almost a year later, my kids are slightly more independent so I think I can jump back in here and there. Thanks for checking in on me – it warms my heart to know you thought about me! xx-S
What a nice surprise to get your post in my e:mail today. Life has it’s own timetable, no matter how much “we” try to plan. Glad to see you back and congrats on the promotion!
Thank you, Susan. You are right, sometimes we just have to do the best we can and roll with it! Great to see you back. xx-S
So glad your back!,, Missed your sweet elegant style.
Hi, Janet! It’s so good to be back. Thank you for stopping in. I’ve missed hearing from you all! xx-S