Yellow and Gray

Today, my outfit of the day is all about yellow and gray (and a fun, floral necklace that my Mom bought for me!)! This is a color combo that I don't wear much but I'm really liking it in this outfit... the yellow button down gives this all-business-no-fun dress a pick me up... adding a statement floral necklace, some polka dots, and leopard totally changes the whole look! I don't like to take my clothes too seriously... getting dressed should be about having fun and trying out new outfit combos to see what works and what fits your personality! What do you think? Are there any fun outfit combos you'd like to try?
Also, it's worth noting that this was one of the first days that I wasn't shivering during our mini photo shoot! Spring is coming :)




dress- Banana Republic, shirt- J. Crew, tights- Hue (old), flats- Rocket Dog (old), sunglasses- Ray-Ban, necklace- Premier Jewelry, bag- Target (old), lips- Stila liquid lipstick in beso

Hope you're all having a wonderful Thursday! I'm still recovering so I'm glad the weekend is so close... lots of R&R!! Of course, instead of making soup last night, I made some really tasty muffins (What can I say? I couldn't resist my sweet tooth! Plus, I let Joe weigh in on the vote and he definitely wasn't voting for soup that's good for you!)... good news is I'll be posting the recipe here tomorrow so you can try them too!

❤Britt

Many Shades of Green

Yes, more green over here... I just can't help it... I'm consistantly drawn (whether its consciously or subconsciously) to anything and everything green (and if something I like doesn't come in green, I move to blue, purple, or some other strong and non-neutral color). Unfortunately, that leaves my wardrobe lacking in many basic pieces...and yes, that even includes a simple, white button down! However, this will be one of my next purchases, along with a classic trench coat, as I believe these are two pieces that every girl should own!
Anyway, I chose this top because the blue-green shade of the hearts compliments the green in the pants and necklace (believe it or not, I styled this outfit around this necklace... it is one I've had for a while but I love it because it is such a pretty combination of colors and it is so versatile!).




top- Ann Taylor Loft, pants- J. Crew, heels- Steve Madden, necklace- Lia Sophia, sunglasses- Ray-Ban, clutch- GiGi New York

Hope you're all having a great day and stay healthy! I'm definitely fighting something off... I've been eating soups and drinking fruit/veggie smoothies and tea with honey for the last two days! Maybe I'll make some homemade soup tonight :) Any suggestions?

❤Britt

Not a Cloud in Sight

I love the colors of this scarf! Scarves can be the perfect accessory to either brighten up an otherwise rather dull outfit (especially in the colder months) or to pull an outfit together (as in my case here). This scarf is the connecting element in this ensemble... it ties in the pink from my tote, the blue of my skirt, and even the purple of my sweater (and even though it does not have the same shade of eggplant, it still works). Do you wear scarves often for the same reasons I do?
On another note, I'm loving the blue of this nail polish!




skirt- J. Crew, sweater- J. Crew, belt- J. Crew, scarf- Anthropologie, bag- Kate Spade, flats- Sam Edelman, tights- old, watch- Fossil, sunglasses- Kate Spade, nail polish- Not a Cloud in Sight by L'Oreal

Hope your week is off to a wonderful start! I'm starting to feel a little under the weather so I'm starting my week off with lots of liquids, tea with honey, and vitamins :)

❤Britt

Denim on Denim

I know I told you I wanted to try denim on denim soon... so here's my first attempt! I think it works here because the chambray is so much lighter than the color of the jeans... also, the belt helps to break it up :) I threw in a red bag to go with my new red liquid lipstick from Stila in beso... love it! I have seriously worn it every day since I bought it on Friday.




jeans- J. Crew, top- J. Crew, flats- Sam Edelman, belt- J. Crew, necklace- Forever 21, bag- Avon (old), bracelets- J. Crew and Forever 21

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Did you watch the Oscars? Who was your vote for best dressed? I loved Amy Adams in Oscar De La Renta, Jennifer Aniston in Valentino, and Jennifer Garner in Gucci (of course, I couldn't choose just one... they were all beautiful colors and reminded me of princess gowns!). Jennifer Garner's dress was similar to the colors my bridesmaids wore in our wedding :) I also loved Anne Hathaway in Prada and Tiffany & Co. (so classic).

❤Britt

P. S.
I just thought I'd share a picture from our dinner on Saturday for my friend's birthday... it was a really nice break from an otherwise really busy weekend :) Sometimes, all you need is some time with your girlfriends (and some good food and wine)!

Spring Staple: Floral Pants

So, it's finally Friday! After an especially hectic week, I'm really looking forward to this weekend :) Aside from doing some work for the blog, I plan on spending lots of time relaxing with my husband and our puppy (except for tomorrow night when we're going to dinner to celebrate a good friend's birthday... can't wait!)! What are you most looking forward to this weekend?





pants- H&M, sweater- J. Crew, booties- Sam Edelman, necklace- vintage, bag- Bling It On! (old), sunglasses- Target (old)

I have really been wanting to try this trend out so when I saw these pants in H&M (for only $24.95!!), I just had to buy them. I really love this particular pair because there are so many different colors which makes them wearable with so many different items (super versatile... definitely a must in my book). They are also nice enough that they can be dressed up (think sleek pumps, a sweet blouse, and a bold statement necklace), but you can dress them down too (think flats, a white tee, and simple jewelry)... I think I'm somewhere in between with this outfit. I'm definitely making these pants a staple in my spring wardrobe! How do you feel about patterned pants? My next adventure? Denim on denim :)

❤Britt

A Classic Twist

Sometimes I think a neutral palette can be so classic and classy... I paired this light gray and camel colored sweater with my ivory skirt and gray tights for a twist on the classic khaki and white combo. I like how it turned out :) I've also been really into leopard print lately so I added the flats and clutch to amp up the vibe a bit and to keep on trend. I love a good, eclectic look and I think the classic stripes and pearls mixed with the edgy pyramid stud bracelet and leopard accents creates just that. What do you think? What is you favorite type of look to put together?




skirt- J. Crew, sweater- Madewell, clutch- South Moon Under, tights- J. Crew, flats- Rocket Dog, necklace- Forever 21, bracelets- Forever 21 (pyramid studs) and J. Crew Factory (pearls), sunglasses- Ray-Ban

I know I say this every week (if not to you, definitely to myself) but I can't believe it's already Thursday! Sometimes I wonder where my time goes... and then I get totally scatterbrained and stressed out and start to feel like I'm forgetting things (especially during a hectic week like this one)... sound familiar? Sometimes you just need a time out! So, I thought it was about time to leave you with another quote...

“There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.”

-Bernard-Paul Heroux

So, that's exactly what I plan to do tonight :) I hope you get to do the same!
❤Britt

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

I made this sour cream coffee cake over the weekend and it was really good! It is the perfect cake to have for breakfast with a hot cup of coffee or tea... of course, I'm pretty sure we ate this at least twice a day until it was gone so it is also a good anytime cake! I'll admit, I was a little leery about adding the sour cream at first (I do love sour cream donuts though) but I decided to give it a try... it really does make a difference in both the texture and taste of the cake... so, so good! Let me know if you get a chance to make this :) I'd love to know what you think!





Sour cream coffee cake from Just a Matter of Thyme by Roxie Kelley and Friends, Illustrated by Shelly Reeves Smith, serves 10-12

Ingredients:
For cake:
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups cake flour
1 cup sour cream

For filling:
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions:

Cream together butter, sugar, and eggs. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix, then fold in the dry ingredients. Spoon half the batter into a greased bundt or tube pan and cover with filling. Add the remaining batter to the pan. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Let cool in pan for 10-15 minutes before removing. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Enjoy!

❤Britt

P.S. Let me know if there is a particular recipe you'd like to see me post :)

Bright Colors and Nude Accessories

I really do love these cobalt toothpick jeans from J. Crew... the pop of blue is bright enough to make them on trend but neutral enough to go with almost everything in my closet. I like pairing color on color and even though there is no cobalt in this striped top, it works because of the similar shades of purple and blue in the stripes. I paired this outfit with a nude belt, tan flats, and a sand colored clutch (with a fun snakeskin pattern) to anchor the bright hues. What do you think about color on color? If this is too much for you, color blocking is another fun way to play with brights... it is also much easier to tailor to your own style (you can tone down the colors, add more neutrals, use just one pop of color, etc).





pants- J. Crew, shirt- Anthropologie, clutch- Target (old), belt- J. Crew, flats- J. Crew, sunglasses- Kate Spade, watch- Kate Spade

Happy Tuesday :) Hope your week is off to a good start! It is cold and rainy outside here today... sending wishes for warmer weather ASAP! We're going to Florida in a few weeks to visit my grandparents where it is currently fluctuating between the high 70s and 80s :) I need to start packing soon (or at least start getting organized... I always wait until the last minute and end up forgetting something... or multiple somethings!)!

❤Britt

Pink, Polka Dots, and Kate Spade

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a lovely weekend :) We didn't have as much downtime as we've had the past few weekends but we did have fun... we went golfing (indoors), had some really good drinks and apps at a cool, tropical restaurant that made me want to go back to the Dominican Republic, and did some shopping (there are some really good sales going on right now: J. Crew and Madewell are just two of the stores I had a lot of luck with). Did you do anything exciting this weekend?



pants- Kut from the Kloth, shirt- J. Crew, flats- J. Crew, necklace- American Eagle (old), rings- Madewell, Charlotte Russe (old), bag- Kate Spade (thanks to Joe!!), sunglasses- Kate Spade

Well, here I am sporting my new Kate Spade tote... love it!! I paired it with my pink flats for some extra punch and a simple polka dotted lavender button down with a pretty statement necklace to up the romance factor. Also, Kate Spade is launching a new line in March called Kate Spade Saturday! Check it out- it is all about fun patterns, bright colors (especially yellow!), and really cool pieces at affordable prices... there are lots of cute sayings too! Saturday is #thebestdayever :)

Have a happy day!

❤Britt

Liebster Award

I hope you'll forgive me for not posting the usual recipe post for today but I have some other really exciting news that I absolutely could not wait to share! I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Lili of Satin & Scotch! I'm so totally honored and grateful... thank you Lili!! Check out Lili's blog- I love her latest outfit post- she pairs black leather pants with a red plaid shirt and some really cool accessories :)

About the Liebster Award:
The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. Bloggers are nominated by other bloggers as a way to network and recognize newcomers to the blogging world!

Rules:

1. List 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions that the blogger who nominated you gave you.
3. Ask 11 new questions for your nominees to answer.
4. Nominate 11 more bloggers with less than 200 followers.
5. Let each blogger you've nominated know that you have chosen him or her for the award.
6. Thank the blogger who nominated you and put a link back to his or her blog in your post.

11 facts about me:

1. I'm a huge Jane Austen fan. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book (and my favorite movie) and my blog is actually named for the two oldest sisters in the book.
2. I married my highschool sweetheart.
3. I changed my major three times in college. I started out as a fashion marketing major, switched to English and Secondary Education, then I changed to straight English (and I have a minor in Spanish)... but I still graduated in four years :) 
4. I love to travel! I've been to Spain, Italy, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic and we're going to Ireland in May!
5. I'm an aspiring gardener. Last year, I grew tomatoes, peppers, green beans, spinach, and about eight different herbs (this year I'm adding strawberries)!
6. I love to bake and try to do so at least once a week but baked goods never last long in our house (my husband always brings them into work to share)!
7. The ocean makes me happy. I grew up going to my Grandparents' house on the beach- you can see the ocean from their deck. It is so calming to listen to the sound of the waves... and sometimes you just need to feel small... the sea is a great reminder of that.
8. I get my love of jewelry, vintage items, and lipstick from my Grandmom. When my sister and I were little, she would always let us play dress up with her make up and old jewelry (and some of her older dresses!).
9. I won best dressed in high school for our senior superlatives.
10. Green has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember. I love pretty much any shade of green. It's my Dad's favorite color too.
11. Someday, I want to write and publish a novel.

Questions from Lili:

1. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would go to England. I've been dying to see London and the English countryside for years and I'm obsessed with anything and everything Britsh (just ask my husband!).
2. What is your favorite time of day? (Morning, After noon, Night?) My favorite time of the day is the morning... especially a weekend morning when I can have my morning coffee and just sit, relax, and enjoy... preferably with a good book or movie.
3. If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? I would have to say my Grandmom's spaghetti and meatballs with her homemade gravy... so good (does that count as one food?)!
4. What song (old or new) describes your life right now? Babylon by David Gray... I also think there is a Counting Crow's song for every one of my moods.
5. What's the one piece of make-up you can't live without? (i.e. blush, lip gloss, etc) Definitely lipstick... I'm loving bright pink right now.
6. What's the best gift you've ever received? For my college graduation, my Aunt gave me a framed quote from Dr. Seuss:
   “Be who you are… Say what you feel… Those who mind don’t matter… and those who matter don’t mind.”
7. What's the best gift you've ever given? I gave my sister a plaque before I got married with a quote from A. A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh,
   “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”
8. Which celebrity's closet would you most like to raid? Olivia Palermo's- I absolutely LOVE her style.
9. Who has been the greatest influence in your life? I feel like I've been really lucky to have had multiple great influences in my life during the various times when I have needed the most support and guidance... therefore I find myself utterly incapable of choosing just one.
10. If you were given a $500 gift card to a store of your choice - who would you pick? I would choose Piperlime... there are so many amazing items there and I always have multiple things in my cart at any given time (shoes, clothing, jewelry...).
11. Heels, Wedges or Flats? Tough question! I wear flats most often and I am always looking for a great wedge, but I'd have to say heels. I think a good pair of heels can save almost any outfit and adds class and polish instantly.

Questions for my nominees:

1. Do you prefer coffee or tea?
2. What is your favorite place you've ever visited and why?
3. Who is your favorite designer or style icon?
4. Would you choose a beach or mountain vacation and why?
5. What are three items that you have in your bag at all times?
6. What is your favorite quote and why?
7. Do you have a signature item? If so, what is it? (piece of jewelry, color, bag, etc.)
8. How would you describe your personal style in three words?
9. Who is your favorite author or the most influential book you've read?
10. What motivated or inspired you to start your blog?
11. What do you think is the most important thing to remember about blogging?

My nominees:

1. Stylelista Confessions
2. Urban Flip Flops - Becca
3. Think. Wear. Style. - Talia
4. Plucky Picaroon - Sarah
5. For the Love of Frock - Danielle
6. Style Wire - Elissa
7. Vive la Mode! - Julie
8. Floral Mess - Katy
9. My Style Diary
10. Steal Stylist - Abbigayle
11. Prim Style - Hannah

Thanks for following along! I hope you get the chance to check out these really great blogs :) And I just want to say thank you to Lili (again)... this has been so cool and has made me aware of so many more awesome blogs that I may not have discovered otherwise!

 

Have a wonderful weekend!!

❤Britt

 

Studs and Lace

Happy Thursday and Happy Valentine's Day! Do you have any exciting plans? We're just going to enjoy a low key night watching my youngest sister's basketball game (since we had our date night last night). Are you wearing anything pink or red today for Valentine's day? I decided to don my neon azalea ballet flats from J. Crew with my new tote that Joe gave me (so I didn't go overboard!)... I'm very excited! As for this outfit, I bought this dress a few years back and I haven't really worn it much since so I tried to have some fun with it and add some color. It really is a pretty lace pattern (would look great with a leather moto jacket)- I love Target's designer collaborations! Have you checked out their newest one- Prabal Gurung for Target? There are some really great pieces and everything is so fun in bright colors and/or an amazing pattern!




dress- Rodarte for Target (old), belt- J. Crew, cardigan- Gap (old), bag- Kate Spade, tights- Hue, booties- Nicole, bracelets- Forever 21 and Bedazzled Boutique, sunglasses- Kate Spade

Hope you enjoy whatever you decide to do tonight (and I hope it involves good food, good wine, and sweets... preferably chocolate!)!!

❤Britt

P.S.
I just had to post my surprise Valentine's Day present from my amazing husband :) Joe says that it isn't a Valentine's Day gift (since we technically weren't supposed to be exchanging... my gift to him was a card and a homemade candlelit dinner!) but it is gorgeous whatever excuse he uses to give it to me!