Budget & Brunch

Maternity Friendly: How to Style Leggings

So, the secret is out! I am pregnant…wow! I am about 5 months pregnant and I cannot stand maternity jeans…they SUCK. If you know a good pair, please drop a comment below, because I have yet to find any.

With that being said, all I have worn are leggings. Since I wear them pretty much daily, I think it is important to invest in a quality pair. I have some from ASOS, Lulu Lemon, and Athletea, I would say the Lulu Lemon ones are my favorite (of course right?). So to help all you mamas to be or all that are constantly searching for comfort, I have put together 4 outfit formulas that have saved me!

Tee Shirt + Leggings + Sneakers

For the first “formula” it’s pretty simple, pair a tee shirt with your leggings. This can be a plain white tee, a graphic tee, or a vibrant color-the possibilities are endless. Not to mention, changing up your tee can totally change the vibe of an outfit. I like to either front tuck it (even with my bump) or tie a knot to help break up my shape a bit!

Jean Jacket + Tee Shirt + Leggings + Sneakers

Simply add an oversized jean jacket and viola! You have a casual chic look that is soooo comfy especially when you feel like you’re about to fall asleep at any moment from exhaustion. Adding some layered necklaces dress it up a bit too to make it even more chic and adds a bit of femininity.

Hoodie + Leggings + Sneakers

Hoodie | Tee Shirt | Leggings | Sneakers

This is one of my favorite looks, because it is SO COMFORTABLE! I bought this hoodie a size up so that it could accompany my bump as I grow. The material is super soft and one of my absolute favorites.

Washing tip: don’t put your super soft material in the dryer, it wears them out faster and takes away from the softness. Simply air dry them and it helps make them last!

Blazer + Tee + Leggings + Sneakers

Blazer | Tee Shirt | Leggings | Sneakers | Jewelry 1 | Jewelry 2

I think this look pretty much speaks for itself, you simply throw on a blazer and jewelry and suddenly you look put together and as if you don’t want to eat everything in sight (😉 ).

Vest + Sweater + Leggings + Sneakers

This one is another favorite of mine and it’s probably because of this super soft sweater from J Crew! It’s one of those “never wanna take it off” sweaters, because it’s so cozy. I don’t recommend this if you get super hot super easily, but if you’re going to be in the cold, it’s a keeper! I love how the vest adds just a little bit of shape to any outfit.

I hope you find these outfit formulas helpful and comfortable through whatever season your life is in! Be sure to follow me on instagram @budgetandbrunch

Madewell Insider Sale Picks

February 11, 2021February 11, 2021by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

Madewell is having another insider sales event and everything is included! Here are the links to my top picks! I either have these, have a similar version, or have tried these on!

Suede Slippers

MWL Half-Zip Pullover

Sneakers

Tie Dye Shorts

Toggle Chain Necklace Set

Perfect Vintage Jean Regular

Perfect Vintage Jean Petite

Perfect Vintage Jean Tall

My Madewell Sale Picks (up to 70% off)

January 14, 2021January 14, 2021by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

Hope you find some great pieces for your wardrobe. Hurry while there are still sizes!

Click here to view my review on Madewell Denim!

Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas (Maternity Friendly)

November 24, 2020by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

Casual & Comfy

Top | Leggings | Coat | Sneakers | Earrings

Pairing a button down with faux leather leggings both keeps you warm and feels like a little extra oomph for any outfit! I paired it with this amazing coat from Madewell, but you could easily pair it with a plain camel colored coat and it would look just as amazing. I thought sneakers looked the best with this outfit, but you could easily do boots or even mules for a more dressed up look. Throw on some accessories and you’re ready for Thanksgiving…even if it’s just in your house!

Elevated & Comfy

It may seem pointless to some, but dressing up (even at home) can make you just feel better sometimes. I decided to go for a classic Thanksgiving look by pairing some ruby red plaid pants with a black turtle neck. I chose white mules to help brighten up the darker tones (not to mention these particular mules are SO comfy) and threw on a long vest for layering. Visually this outfit is toned down and to me it just screams holidays. Throw on a dark red lip and “ta-da” you are all dressed up, with possibly no place to go haha.

“Dressy” & Comfy

Dress | Petite Dress | Body Suit | Shoes | Socks

When I want to “dress up” but I’m not in the mood for jeans or pants, a dress is my go-to outfit idea. Wearing a dress can instantly make you feel like you are more dressed up when all you really did was throw on one article of clothing 😉 . I of course jazzed this dress up a bit with some layers. I am not quote sure why the 90’s gal in me came out for this outfit, but I love it. This look feels super chic and says “I’m the cool one” in the family. You can even add a fun pop pf color like I did with the red socks!

Sophisticated & Comfy

Jumpsuit | Shoes | Coat | Hair Accessories

When I think “sophisticated”, I think jumpsuits…just me? That’s ok, you might change your mind when you take a look at this black on black polka dot jumpsuit from Madewell. This piece is so chic and I love that you don’t have to really add much to the outfit. Of course I added a few accessories, but truly, throw your hair up or let it down and you are ready to go (virtually) anywhere!

Comfy Working from Home Outfits

March 29, 2020March 29, 2020by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

Ok so…wow. This is just…wow. Very surreal what is going on in the world. For those of you that are new here, I teach Interior Design and now I am officially out of school until May. Of course, things are changing daily, so we will see how that goes.

With that being said, I am thankful that I am still being paid and am working from home. Let’s face it though, I am dressing super comfy on the daily now. By comfy I mean sweats and leggings most days 😉!

I don’t know about you, but actually getting dressed and even (sometimes) doing my hair and make-up just makes me feel more productive. So, I decided to put together 5 outfit ideas to get you through the week.

Side note: I used leggings with every look, but you could swap them out for jeans (or sweats) depending on your mood!

I hope you enjoyed this little read. Stay safe out there and continue to practice that #socialdistancing folks! Click here if you’re interested in my work from home schedule!

Mini Packing Capsule

March 5, 2020March 5, 2020by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

Ok, so I have mentioned maximizing your suitcase for the summer in an older blog post, see here. But when you’re going out of town for a shorter time, sometimes packing (at least for me) is harder, because I only need 3 and it’s hard to decide!

So, I thought I would share what I do when packing for a mini trip. For reference, we are heading to Charleston for a long weekend. This is a joint bachelorette/bachelor party that my husband and I are attending. We will be spending some time jointly and other times seperate so I’ll be with the girls.

Consider the Activities

When packing, I try and consider what I will be doing. For example when going to the beach, I know I will mostly be in a bathing suit and I will need more “cover up” type clothes that are easy to throw on over a bathing suit. For this trip, our itinerary is flexible and I know some key activities we will be doing.

We are going to a concert one night and I don’t know about you, but concerts tend to be a little gross and I want to make sure I pack clothes/shoes that don’t easily show dirt and aren’t fragile.

Us girls are going to be doing a lot of Charleston exploring (eeek)! So I know I want to pack comfortable shoes as well. I also know we will be attending some semi-dressy restaurants.

Consider the Weather

I mentioned this in my How to Maximize Your Suitcase this Summer post last summer. Considering the weather is one of the most important things when packing. I’m sure you already knew that! So I know that in Charleston, it will be in the 50s/60s and mostly sunny on the days we will be there! Therefore I want to pack layers, we will be walking quite a bit and while it may start out chilly it can quickly get warmer with all that movement (at least for me haha).

Consider how You’re Styling Your Hair

What? Haha, yeah I say this, because a straightener or curler will take up room in your bag and if you aren’t planning on styling your hair much, it will probably be an unnecessary space taker.

Consider Your Accessories

I tend to not wear a ton of accessories anyway, but when I travel I especially don’t. This is in part due to the fact that I don’t like the carry the extra things and also in part due to the fact that I don’t want to lose things that I care about! So I may pack a cheap necklace or pair of earrings, but not much.

I also consider my purses. Am I going to need a huge purse or would a belt bag be better? Or maybe I need both? These are questions I ask myself.

All things Considered…

Now it’s time to plan out your wardrobe for your trip! I sometimes jot down a few notes about what I need or want. This is just an organizational tool I use, but it isn’t for everyone!

So, here are the key things I wrote down for this trip:

I need shoes of some sort that won’t get ruined at an outdoor concert.
I need comfortable shoes
I may need semi-dressy clothes for dinner one night.
I will be styling my hair so I will need my styling tools
I need to pack layers for the weather.

And with that here is my Mini Packing Capsule:

Outfit 1 (travel day)

Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 12.10.00 PM.png

Outfit 2

Day Time Outfit

Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 12.26.47 PM.png

Night Time Outfit

Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 12.35.46 PM.png

Outfit 3

Day Time Outfit

Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 1.45.39 PM.png

Night Time Outfit

Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 1.52.56 PM.png

Outfit 4 (travel day): Outfit Repeat!

Screen Shot 2020-03-05 at 12.10.00 PM.png

Links:

Day 1 Outfit (travel day)

Day 2 Outfit Day

Yellow & White Striped Tee

Day 2 Outfit Night

Day 3 Outfit Day

Layer 1 Top

Layer 2 Top (similar)

Jeans

Shoes

Bag

Day 3 Outfit Night

Day 4 Outfit (travel day)

Hope this helps!

Why I tuck…

February 23, 2020February 23, 2020by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

Let me preface by saying that I am aware that not everyone likes the look of a tucked in shirt and that is totally fine. However, if you’re on the fence about it or just simply wondering why some people tuck their shirts I am here to tell you!

I have thick thighs, it’s something I used to struggle with when shopping for jeans, because they would fit my legs and not my waist or vice versa. Now that I have found a store that carries jeans that fit my body type (thanks Madewell) I have found some style hacks to help make me feel like my best fashionista self. Hence the tucking.

So, let’s cover the different types of tucks and why they do for your outfit…

The Front Tuck

Turtle Neck | Similar Sweater | Jeans | Shoes

The front tuck is probably my favorite tuck. This tuck looks particularly good when you are layering shirts as I did in the picture above. If you try and tuck layers all the way around it can sometimes add bulk to your jeans.

Since I have thick thighs, as I mentioned earlier, when I wear shirts that aren’t tucked in, they tend to hit me at the widest part of my body. This gives me no shape whatsoever. Tucking the shirt not only creates a shape, but it leads the eye to the smallest part of my body. Not to mention, the slouchy look gives off a very effortless, but put together vibe and I am here for it.

*Interested in layers? Check out my layering for winter post here.

The Side Tuck

Similar Shirt | Similar Jeans | Shoes

The side tuck is similar to the front tuck in the way it creates a shape for your body. I like to side tuck with shorts and lighter jeans. To be honest, this is just a personal preference, because it gives me summer vibesI think it’s because I wear a lot of tees in the summer!

Side tucks look best with tees (i.e. not button down shirts) and regular button jeans (i.e. not button front jeans). Otherwise, the eye would be carried in different directions and this would appear odd visually.

The Complete Tuck

Turtle Neck | Cardigan | Jeans | Similar Shoes

I don’t rock the complete tuck as much as I would like to, I tend to just front tuck and walk out of the door, but I love to tuck all the way around when I am feeling a little bleh with my outfits. A complete tuck just gives a whole different vibe to an outfit.

This tuck is nice when you layer a cardigan over a shirt and you wear the cardigan open (as pictured), because it creates less bulk under the cardigan. A complete tuck also looks good when you are going for a casual look with a tee shirt and jeans!

*Keep in mind that for each tuck, I wear high waisted jeans. This is because they hit my waist at its smallest point. Every body is different, so of course you should do what works for you and makes you feel the most comfortable.

Hope this helps! Also, keep in mind that tying your shirts in knots can also create a shape, not just tucking! Play around and find what works best for you! I love to see you guys recreate looks, so tag me on insta if you try any of these out (@budgetandbrunch)!

4 Easy Valentine’s Day Looks

February 11, 2020February 11, 2020by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

I don’t know about you, but I’m not one to “dress up” on Valentine’s Day. I don’t typically celebrate it per say, we may go to dinner, but we don’t buy things it’s all part of our new year’s resolution to stop buying so much STUFF!

However, I do like to dress in reds and pinks. So I raided my closet, because I typically wear very dark or neutral colors. I put together a few outfits to give some ideas of how to dress in the spirit of Valentine’s day without having to go buy a special outfit (unless you’re going somewhere super chic and cool for v-day!). Below are four “outfit formulas” that anybody can put together for Valentine’s day!

Outfit Formula Number 1:

Sweater + Jeans + Sneakers = Dressed Down for Valentine’s Day

Similar Top | Jeans | Shoes

Outfit Formula Number 2:

Blazer + Cardigan Sweater + Jeans + Loafers = Slightly Elevated for Valentine’s Day

Outfit Formula Number 3:

Cardigan + Sweater + Jeans + Loafers = Dressed Cozy, but Elevated for Valentine’s Day

Outfit Formula Number 4:

Hair Clips + Button down + Bandana Scarf + Jeans + Loafers = Stylish for Valentine’s Day

Hair Clips | Bandana Scarf | Top | Jeans | Shoes

*Petite Jeans

20 x 20 Challenge–What does it even mean?

January 13, 2020January 15, 2020by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

Ok, so I have done a lot of research on this. I first saw it when I was in the Instagram rabbit hole. Intrigued, I clicked on the # and began scanning. Essentially, the idea is to select 20 pieces from your closet and make 20 days worth of outfits.

I decided to do this, because I have entirely too many clothing items and I really want to hone in and figure out what pieces I need. This sounds simple, but in reality I had a hard time deciding what I did and didn’t want in my wardrobe for this challenge.

I decided to use Conni Jespersen’s (from @artinthefind) advice and ask myself some essential questions:

*FYI She is an amazing person to follow along with especially if you want style/organization tips!

Look at the piece in question: how does it make you feel?
Do you love the the cut, color, and style?
Is it a piece you are “iffy” about?
How much wear do you get out of the piece? (versatile pieces are key)
How often do you wear it?

For me, I try to select neutral pieces that can be worn repeatedly.

I consider the pieces I typically buy as investment pieces.

What I mean by this, is that I wear them for years–if you didn’t know, I am a recovering fast fashion addict and I have tried hard to get back to repeating outfits/pieces. The cool thing about the 20×20 challenge is that the goal is to create 20 different outfits with 20 pieces!

So, I decided to hone in on a color scheme for this challenge which wasn’t hard, because I typically buy neutral clothes.

Below are the pieces I selected. I have linked each piece based on the number listed beside it (or similar options).

Brown Sweater
Chunky Sweater (size down)
Striped Turte Neck
Black Turtle Neck
Blazer (size down)
Cardigan (size down)
Stripe Sweater
Graphic Tee | Similar Graphic Tee
Vintage Jeans | Petite Option
Cali Demi Boot Jeans (size down)
Skinny Button Fly Jeans | Petite Option
Black Skinny Button Fly Jeans | Petite Option
Everlane Loafers | Madewell Loafers
Mules
Similar Boots
Sneakers
Bag
Bar Necklace
Horn Necklace
Bandana Scarf

Below are the 20 outfits I put together.

Keep in mind these are outfit combinations that you can probably go in your closet and create. The pieces do not have to be exactly like mine, but rather use the formula. For example:

Cadigan + Graphic Tee + Straight Jeans + Sneakers = My outfit number 13

Hope this helps! Be sure to leave a comment for any questions and catch me on the gram trying to sport these outfits!

Click below to see how I maximized my suitcase this past summer!

How to Maximize Your Suitcase this Summer

Layering for Winter

December 19, 2019December 19, 2019by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

When it comes to layering, there are a few tips and tricks that I live by. Since I hate getting super hot, I thought I’d share how I layer in order to stay cool in those warm places…

I start with a basic neutral outfit. For example, a black or striped turtle neck + jeans + boots.

Next, I layer something warm and easy to take off, i.e. a cardigan, flannel, or sweater.

Then, I put on my outerwear, a coat, hat, and/or scarf.

When layering, I always make sure you can see the bottom layer. This is why I like to build on top of a long sleeve turtle neck. It is easy to make sure the neck and sleeve peek out ever so slightly. The turtle necks pictured are from Madewell, they’re nice and thin which makes them great for layering, then you don’t get too hot. They’re also easy to tuck and don’t add a lot of bulk. Pro tip: I always size up in coats in order to have enough room to layer.

Left to right:

Outfit 3: Turtle Neck | Similar Sweater | Similar Coat | Jeans | Similar Boots

*The Old Navy Sherpa Coat is SOLD OUT as of 12/19/19 which is why I didn’t link that one.

That’s it, it is really that simple! Don’t overthink layers, they are meant to be easy and basic. If you want tips on how I “cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go” click here. I also mention pattern stacking in that blog post if you’re interested 😏!

Monday: Layers

Tuesday: Black on Black & Denim

Wednesday: Hump Day Cas Graphic Tee

Thursday: Button Back Collard for Sophisticated Vibes

Friday: TGIF Cas Graphic Tee

Consider the Activities

Consider the Weather

Consider how You’re Styling Your Hair

Consider Your Accessories

All things Considered…

Outfit 1 (travel day)

Outfit 2

Day Time Outfit

Night Time Outfit

Outfit 3

Day Time Outfit

Night Time Outfit

Outfit 4 (travel day): Outfit Repeat!

Day 1 Outfit (travel day)

Day 2 Outfit Day

Day 2 Outfit Night

Day 3 Outfit Day

Day 3 Outfit Night

Day 4 Outfit (travel day)

The Front Tuck

The Side Tuck

The Complete Tuck

Sweater + Jeans + Sneakers = Dressed Down for Valentine’s Day

Blazer + Cardigan Sweater + Jeans + Loafers = Slightly Elevated for Valentine’s Day

Cardigan + Sweater + Jeans + Loafers = Dressed Cozy, but Elevated for Valentine’s Day

Hair Clips + Button down + Bandana Scarf + Jeans + Loafers = Stylish for Valentine’s Day