STYLE | Embroidery

Anyone who knows me knows that I am like an old lady, grandma at heart! So I am super thrilled that one of my grandma loves (embroidery) has become stylish not only for pillows and doilies. The embroidered trend is something that you are going to be seeing a lot this year and on just about everything. Add a little floral, butterflies or bees to your wardrobe with some colorful thread! 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Madewell Pop Up!

I am so excited to be Popping back up at one of my favorite stores, Madewell! I will be there THIS Friday March 24th from 5:30-7:30 pm with my wears plus treats from local bakery Dough Baby! Madewell is offering you 25% off your purchase of $125 or more! Treats, Jewelry, Madewell, its going to be a fun evening.

Madwell Hilldale Mall
710 North Midvale Blvd
Madison, WI

Milkhaus Lookbook

I have always loved styling my own work and lookbooks, but working with Milkhaus Designs to style her goods was so much MORE fun! I never imagined I could do it for makers, but I have to say  I cant wait for the opportunity to do it again. Hanah and I both really loved this project. I didn't even mind modeling for this shoot; it was really fun to be in front of the camera for someone elses work. The hard part was not taking every bag home with me.. particularly her newest design, the Backpack.

For this shoot Bethany had a vision of really telling a story, a story about the women who owns one of her bags. Bethany's bags are made for life, travel, shopping, work you name it. They are made for using and looking effortlessly stylish at the same time. We shot simple 'layflats' where the bags are shot on a clean white background; then we took the bags out around town to shot a day in the life of a Milkhaus bag!

About Milkhaus Designs-

Bethany Nelson, the creator behind Milkhaus Design, creates pretty and practical items for you, your family, your friends, and your home. She believes every item you own should be stylish, no matter what it is. It’s often the little details that make life just a little bit better and a little bit sweeter.

The Milkhaus Design aesthetic is simple, modern and classic. Bethany’s love for the beauty of natural materials is balanced with her love of vibrant and bold colors.  All Milkhaus Design screen printed products are printed with Bethany’s original designs that are inspired by the everyday details she notices as she goes about her day. All dyed pieces are considered happy accidents — she custom mixes all dyes based on feeling rather than formula and is (almost) always pleasantly surprised at the results.

Shot by H. Claire Photography 

STYLE | the Velvet Trend

I love this trend, I hope it stays around longer then a few seasons. The rich color, texture and shine of velvet really scream richness, luxury and history! Every time I see velvet I think of royalty, kings and queens. For spring the soft pinks, blues and golden tones are perfect, mixing the jewel tones with them is on point. Check out the photo via Vogue from fashion week, a long soft tone skirt + deep jewel tone top, ah LOVE IT!
Because this trend is so big there are a lot of places you can find yourself some velvet! Dont be afraid to add it in a statement like a jacket, skit, or pants; OR sprinkle it in with a bag, shoes, jewelry or a fun hair scrunchie! Find the goods with the links below. 

LINKS : main photo, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Midwest Wednesday | The Office

Well you will have to forgive my pasty white legs.. they havent seen the sun in who knows how long! Also as you know I don't work in an office.. I could not shower and wear sweats to work and see no one; shh.. sometimes I do!
This outfit was inspired by my friend who just got her real estate license (insert huge cheers!!!!!). I was helping her style a look for her business card and it made me think about office attire. I think traditional office attire is BORING and BLAND. I realize its suppose to be, but I don't think it has to be.
I looked through my closet and realized, I DO own a PENCIL skirt! Then I knew I had to do a blazer or jacket with it to look polished + you will pretty much always look business appropriate in a blazer or jacket. Its what you pair under the jacket that can make you look a little more fun and less bland.

I choose a soft cotton football jersey style shirt, but you can go with any graphic T! There is something to be said about a powerful first impression that means business AND has an air of comfort and ease.

Get the look with the links below!

Blue Blazer $30  | Shirt $20  | Pencil Skirt $45  | C. Alexandria Earrings $62  | Shoes $35 | 

Midwest Wednesdays are a collaboration with the lovely and talented H. Claire Photography!

Midwest Wednesdays | Capris Weather!

Hanah and I have shot several of our high school seniors in green houses, it makes for gorgeous colorful shots. We thought since SPRING is finally here we should probably shoot at Midwest Wednesday in one! Thank you Kopke's :D
This weeks look is ultra simple. Because its time to roll out the capris and open-toed shoes we thought we would come up with a look that was suitable for work + picking up flowers on your way home for the weekend!

Simple black capris, paired with a spring pastel top and layered with my fav- denim jacket. You could rock this look with flats, but I thought I would kick it up a notch with this fun snake skin heels!
We added some killer C. Alexandria chandelier earrings for drama, cool round shades and vintage envelope clutch. This look is easy and comfy.

Rock this look with the links below!

Jean Jacket $40  | Blouse $12  | Black Capris $18  | Heels $35  | Shades $18  | Earrings $72  | Lipstick $12  | Bag $16 

Midwest Wednesdays are a collaboration with the talented H. Claire Photography!

Midwest Wednesday | So Many Stripes!

This was an easy causal outfit~ these photos were taken right before Jr. Prom photo MADNESS at the state capital! So since I was going to be helping Hanah with shooting our girls I need to be comfy, be able to move and still look professional and chic! 

Well this t-shirt maxi -which I got for my bday from the amazing ladies at our local dress shop Stori Anne Co. was the perfect thing! I added a jean jacket.. duh its a NO BRAINER for when the sun goes down + making this outfit look finished. We all know how much I LOVE LAYERS. 

Next I jazzed up this look with a bold lip, necklace (created by yours truly), and matching clutch. So simple, this look goes from work day to a dinner on the square!

Try the look with these links!

Dress $23  |  jacket $59   | Bag $-   | Necklace $108   | Shoes $19  | Shades $42  | Lipstick $32 

Midwest Wednesdays is a collaboration with H. Claire Photography!

Midwest Wednesdays + Evolve

Tomorrow I get to rock this fly vintage dress for Hand Crafted Happy Hour at Bos Meadery. 

The highlighted maker is Evolve ~ where this fabulous dress comes from! 

Evolve is a Madison based online boutique specializing in vintage and recycled women's fashion. Rachel, the owner and curator of Evolve is such a doll! I visited her apartment to try on this dress and I got to see her place filled with clothing, shoes and accessories, her apartment is a little piece of heaven! In honor of making your clothes work and getting the most miles out of them, I took this vintage dress and styled it FOUR different ways. 

^^  No. 1 Classic & Dressy  ^^

(above) 

What Can I say, this dress doesn't really need much, there is twinkle of silver threads woven into the navy blue fabric. The floral is outlined in sliver as well, giving this dress a very glam feel. Simply added a fab pair of shoes, simple jewelry and a sequin clutch. Ready for a fancy night out!

v v  No. 2 A little Rocker  v v

(below)

Juxtapose this fancy dress with a bomber jacket, kick ass heels, a silver collar and silver clutch from Evolve. 

Done and done, concert or dinner, you're ready. 

v v  No. 3 A Daytime Gallivant  v v 

Make your night time clothes work for you in the day! A denim jack is a STAPLE on mine. You can make anything into a casual look with it! I choose these great nude lace-up flats and matching belt to give this dress some warmth. Lastly a little brown clutch for your lipgloss and phone. Now get going to your lunch date :)

v v  No. 4 A bit of Bohemian  v v

Think of this out of the box look as a bit of J. Crew mixing. You know how they love to put some unconventional things together, but they work somehow? This is one of those times. I love the floral in this dress mixed with the texture of the faux fur cream vest. By adding warmth to this dress with a nude belt, brown clutch and espadrilles in all the best neutral colors it makes this look another casual daytime feel.

 Shop Evolve | Find them On FB

Photographed by H. Claire Photography

Find What to Wear Wednesdays on Intsagram

What to Wear Wednesdays | Easy Pattern Mixing

Easy pattern mixing- keep it all neutral. Its a fail safe. If you keep mixing PALLET NEUTRAL, pretty much no matter the pattern it will look brilliant together. Another rule of thumb is to mix the pattern scale. Meaning, mix a large pattern with a smaller one, try not to have all your pattern be the same scale, this is hard on the eyes.

Like I said before in the Evil Kneviel post about mixing patters: stripes and polka dots 

are an easy pattern to mix with plaid and camo.

This is a great spring outfit with layers that can be shed with the weather is nice during the day and cooler at night. I'm totally in LOVE with all the lace up shoes that are on trend this season; get them in a nude and rock them with anything day or night.

pants $23 | T-shirt $12  | Jacket $40  | shoes $60  | bag $68  | shades $35  | earrings $56

Midwest Wednesdays is a collaboration with the talented H. Claire Photography!