Isn't it so easy to get stuck in a black pant/leggings rut at work? Fortunately, we can get away with leggings and a cardigan in our school setting, but we do feel like it needs to be limited to once or twice (might even be pushing it) a week. With Spring here, ideally we see the end of the leggings/ cardi combo on the horizon (although we are in Michigan here and it did SNOW last week)... For those of you who can't wear leggings to work or just need a little inspiration for change, we've put together some ideas based on our recently made purchases. 
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PAPER BAG: You all now know we are HUGE fans of the paper bag waist trend and there are so many affordable options available right now, especially if you are concerned about this trend not lasting beyond a few seasons. This style is especially great because it can tend to be a little more forgiving on the waistline. It can hide a little tummy action and the tie cinches you in nicely, creating the look of a smaller waist! We recently purchased two different options that we plan to pair with simple basic blouses or even a dressier t-shirt. You can wear these cropped pants with heels for the office or even flats for the classroom. Click the images for details. 

  

WIDE LEG: Although these could be worn in the classroom if you are a teacher, they remind me more of an office attire pant. Both great options for Spring and Summer and are especially perfect if you don't prefer skinny or copped styles. The flare can be worn with heels or flats depending on how long they are (the short lengths that many retailers offer or alterations are great options to work with flats). The wide leg peg pants would look great with a pair of strappy heels, as shown,  or a pair of statement heels (like leopard print maybe, wink, wink). Click the images for details. 

THE JOGGER:    If you're looking for something a little more relaxed and comfortable, we found these jersey peg pants that can be worn with sandals, flats or even heels. Dress them up with a blouse for a more professional look. Click the image for details. 
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There you have it, multiple trendy and affordable ways to step out of your rut. Of course there are many other styles, options and colors available so you just need to do you and find what makes you feeling good and comfortable with a much need work pant change. 

I am a BIG fan of making basics look trendy. I would much rather spend money on staple pieces and add trend with accessories and detail. This makes my husband much happier (he doesn't even realize this) and it saves me time from having to go through my closet and ditch what's "out" more than is necessary. To me, it's also much easier to stay young and hip and trendy (just amuse me) when you can add trend in modest, simple and easily achievable ways. 
So let's do it ladies! If you haven't already added these trends, they are all very easy ways to look like you know what you're doing and really, elements that can be added and kept in your closet for a worthy amount of time. 

HELLO 90'S WITH THE NEON
This trend is bringing me back and it's making me feel so old even saying it. I grew up in prime time neon days and I couldn't love it more that it's made it's way back. It's a fun solid to add to a leopard or camo piece too. Picture a two piece bathing suit or a cute pair of camo utilities (also on trend) and neon on top. I love the two options Jenae and I found especially for transitioning into Spring. 
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  neon pink boyfriend sweater, ASOS  neon green chunky knit sweater, ASOS... I ordered the pink one! :) 

FEMININE EYELET DETAIL
I love how super pretty this simple detail makes you feel as soon as you put it on. It's a great way to transition into Spring and it'll take you all the way through the Summer.  So cute with a distressed pair of jeans or denim cutoffs. 

 Eyelet Raglin Sleeve Tee, The Loft  Eyelet Crochet Mock Neck, Forever 21

PAPER BAG WAIST STYLE 
The great thing about this trend is that it adds style to everyday wear. Black pants are a daily thing for me to wear to work (mostly leggings but who's keeping track?) and the paper bag waist is an easy way to make a black pant outfit interesting. It's also a fun, flirty trend to wear in the summer with a cute pair of espadrille wedges... can we say day date?!! 

 I WANT THESE and Jenae ordered a pair!!  Paper-bag Pants, H&M  Paperbag Waist Linen Shorts, Abercrombie 

GRACEFUL SQUARE NECKLINE 

Speaking of feminine, I feel like this screams beautiful grace. It's such a pretty detail added to a simple top that makes it cool hipster and classic at the same time. I picture these two finds with a fun and flirty skirt, distressed denim (everything looks good with distressed denim) and because of it's fit, the cream top could even paired with a pair of paper bag waist pants. 

 Cream long sleeve square neck, ASOS  Black square neck top, ASOS 

ANGASHION DRESSES 
This dress trend feels very bohemian, much like the square neck tops. It's very free, playful and youthful and makes me want to jump right into Summer. Super cute with flat thong sandals or a pair of espadrille wedges. You can add a pair of heels to dress it up for a summer wedding or shower too. Throw on a denim jacket for those chilly Summer nights or even to transition into Fall. How cute are these options that Jenae found?!

  Spaghetti Strap Midi, Amazon  Button Front Midi, Nordstroms Rack 

TRIPPY TIE DYE
Yup, you read that right. Tie dye isn't just something you wear to theme parties and make with your kiddos to keep them busy, it's a closet must for the coming seasons. I wasn't totally sold on it at first but then we found these beauties I became a little more inspired by the trend. I haven't pulled the trigger yet on a purchase but how cozy does this sweatshirt look?!

   Vintage Soft Raglin Sweatshirt, Gap  Denim Jacket, Old Navy 

ESPADRILLE 
I love the natural materials that are trending right now with accessories and adding this detail to any new shoe purchase would scream on trend for Spring and Summer. There are so many cute and desirable options so it's very hard to pick just one (or two). I had to sneak in some leopard so this was the perfect way for me to add it in! 

Flatform Wedge Sandals, Amazon  Snakeskin Wedge Sandal, DSW 

SNAKESKIN IS THE NEW LEOPARD 
It's true, though leopard is still a closet staple, snakeskin is adding to the neutral pack and can be worn with just about anything. I personally love it with bright Spring and Summer solids as an added pop to an outfit. You can find snakeskin, much like leopard, in just about anything. Jenae and I have both added it to our closets through these super classy shoe finds! 

Ruffle Detail Flat Mule, Shein    Dolce Vita Wedge Sandal, DSW 

(FAUX) TORTOISE SHELL BUTTON DETAIL 
Such a super cute way to add a little sophistication and dimension to an otherwise ordinary blouse, sweater or dress. What's wonderful is that this detail has become a neutral colored accessory in place of a necklace. It feels very pure and natural when paired with white or simple denim. 

Boxy Top with Contrast Buttons, ASOS  Puff Sleeve Top, Abercrombie 

RESIN EARRINGS, THE ACCESSORY OF THE SEASON 
I love a statement earring, but I am more of a simple girl. The great thing about resin is that it can be found in bolder colors or more modest tones. You can find it in all kinds of shapes and dimensions and can be lightweight and coy or heavier and more vivid. 

 Hexagon Hoop Earrings, Amazon     Hoop Earrings, Amazon 

It's fun to add trends in subtle ways that can be versatile and easily added to an every day outfit. It was so fun to "research" our favorite pieces of the season together and super hard not to add all of them to our carts. I will admit though that Jenae and I did find some super cute, undeniable, must have items that we added to our closet and we hope you have too. Happy shopping! 

I have always wanted glasses, like mighta faked failing a vision screening test in fourth grade just so I could get a pair. Of course that lasted a hot minute and those glasses weren't fun to wear beyond a week. Miraculously my eyes self corrected and I didn't need glasses anymore. Well now 25+ years later, I want to be able to wear glasses again! I might have a slight obsession with this new trendy accessory, but what better way to add some pop to your outfit while covering up some maybe tired eyes or natural dark circles? I don't have an actual prescription but I do have some early research on blue light exposure and multiple pairs of blue light protection glasses. A friend of mine who is an optometrist told me that early studies suggest that continued exposure to blue light over time could lead to damaged retinal cells. This can cause vision problems and age-related macular degeneration. She also warned me that the age-related part is what is alarming, the average age for developing macular degeneration is getting younger and younger. While she did point out that this research is early and it's hard to say if there is real truth to it, why take the chance? Better to be proactive and protective then to take the risk. My kiddos both also wear blue light protection glasses at various, relevant times in their day. For me though, it's a major bonus to be protecting my vision while wearing a super cute accessory. It's an all around win! 

 I've been thinking a lot this week about what people might think of me starting a blog, silly I know, but natural. Anyway, it's got me thinking a lot about my reason for doing this. Do I think that I am the trendiest person I know? Ummm a 1000% no. I am with many people on a daily basis who have way better style than I do. I do like to shop though, there's no better feeling than spoiling yourself a little with something that makes you feel good. When you buy something new to wear, naturally you can't wait to wear it and show it off. I guess for me the fashion part of this blog, and the social media part of it is to show off my finds, it's so fun to share new and exciting treasures. The ultimate compliment to me is when someone uses something I create, or find, or use, or wear, etc., so why not share it? Why not write about out? 
Truthfully I started blogging over 7 years ago. I started during infertility as a way to journal privately and then more after I finally had a baby so that I could share with my friends and family. Then I started a blog just for my classroom so that I could communicate and share with parents. It's something that I love to do, it relaxes me, I find it kind of addicting and therapeutic. So just before the new year, I thought why not blog for fun, a lifestyle/fashion blog is fun! I made it a 2019 goal to not only create a blog as a hobby for me but to share and put myself out there. It won't be perfect, I am sure it will be full of mistakes and maybe no one will actually ever read it. This week I finally said it out loud to one of my besties, THE trendiest person I know and she made me excited to actually make it real. It was almost like she gave me that reassurance that it's not stupid and that it's something I could actually do. That's when Jenae came on board, I decided instantly to make her a part of this fun journey and someday (soon) maybe she'll actually introduce herself. ;) 
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Lucky for all of us, leopard and camo are now neutrals that just make our outfits pop. Literally adding one of these prints to a standard cardigan with leggings outfit makes me SOOOO HAPPY! They're both also great ways to make basics not so basic anymore. I found this camo two piece for family vacation and my favorite way to wear it is actually with the basic black halter top, it'd look so good with white too. I could even see this with a neon pink for Spring/Summer 2019. Either way we think all things camo are amazing, Our camo game is just as strong as our leopard game. 

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New Look camo scoop top, size down if in between. 

New Look camo bottoms, true to size. 

COCOSHIP halter bikini top, true to size.