Madewell VS Old Navy: The Sherpa Coat

December 10, 2019December 10, 2019by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

Ok, by now we all know the deep love I have for Madewell! It is a land full of magical clothes that I cannot resist…however, when I saw an $84.99 Old Navy Sherpa Coat for Women dupe for the $258 Sherpa Estate Coat I knew I had to order it and give it a shot!

Lets compare shall we?

Color

The color is actually very similar in person versus how it may look in the photos. The Madewell Sherpa Estate Coat has more of an off white/yellow tint to it than the Old Navy Sherpa Coat for Women in some of the online images, but it is hard to see in person. If you like the color of one, you should like the color of both.

Pockets

The pockets are placed in the same spot on both coats and have the same lined look. Both pockets are deep and lined with sherpa!

Buttons

Both coats have a zipper and snaps. However, the Madewell version doesn’t show the snaps when it is closer whereas the Old Navy version does. You may notice it in the photos I have, but just an FYI if not. The Old Navy one seems to be sturdy. I have had it for a few weeks and wear it daily. So far, it has lived up to my expectations.

Length

Left: Old Navy Sherpa Coat for Women Right: Madewell Sherpa Estate Coat

The length looks extremely different, as you can see in the photos from above, but this in part due to the fact that Old Navy has a petite option in this coat. Other than the price, this was another reason I went with the Old Navy one, I didn’t want a coat that was quite so long and Madewell doesn’t have a petite option (yet) in this coat!

Lining

The lining of the coats are different. The Madewell Sherpa Estate Coat has italinan sherpa on the inside while the Old Navy Sherpa Coat for Women has more of a faux-suede lining on the inside. I have to say that the Madewell one seemed like it was warmer and slightly thicker because of the lining. However, as warm as I tend to get in all of the seasons, I am ok with it!

Texture

Both pictures: Old Navy Sherpa Coat for Women

The texture of these coats is pretty similar. I do think that the Madewell one is softer that the Old Navy one, however the Old Navy one is still pretty soft. The faux-suede lining inside of the Old Navy coat is also very soft and I love the way it feels!

Long story short…

…if you are on the market for an investment coat that will be sure to last throughout those harsh cold winters, the Madewell Sherpa Estate Coat may be the coat for you, but if you are looking for a warm enough coat to get you through the winter, the Old Navy Sherpa Coat for Women may be the one for you!

Side note (as of 12/10/19): Both coats are currently on sale! The Old Navy Sherpa Coat for Women is 20% off with the code: SWEET making it $67.99 and the Madewell Sherpa Estate Coat is 25% off with the code: GOODCHEER making it $193.50!

Other outfit details:

Staged photos 😏:

Fitting room photo:

Top | Similar Jeans | Mules

When in doubt, cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go!

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019by Budget&Brunch

Ya gotta love being either too short or too tall for clothes, am I right?

In my case, I am always a little too short for clothes that aren’t sized “petite” or “short” and lets be honest with ourselves, there is always a piece of clothing that doesn’t come in your size. Rather than trying to make myself fit into clothes, I am a firm believer in making clothes fit me 😏. When I find that my shirts or even my pants are too long, I “cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go”.

What does that even mean?

Well let’s take shirts/sweaters for example, if you have short arms, like me, you may find yourself constantly pulling up your sleeves of feeling like you have no waist due to your extra long top. This drives me absolutely crazy, especially when I am doing something with my hands!

To solve this issue I have learned to cuff my sleeves, tuck the front, and be on my merry way out the door. I do this with pants as well. I personally do not like to tuck my pants in my booties (knee boots are different story); therefore, I cuff my pants–only when needed.

When cuffing my sleeves I try to follow the wrist rule. When I stretch my arms out, I want to be able to see my wrist bone. I also cuff only once or twice. I don’t like to add too much bulk (especially when layering).

When cuffing my jeans I take into account a couple of things. First, my shoes. Are they high? If so, I try to cuff them just above to where a little bit of skin is showing. Are they low? If so, I definitely want to go just above my ankle–this adds height! I also consider the jean and how I want the cuff to look. Sometimes, I go for a thicker cuff. This is to add visual interest. Other times, I cuff at just the hem line. This typically depends on the top I pair it with or my mood haha!

This “cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go” technique not only adds visual interest, but it looks purposeful and thus, nobody will even notice that the clothes you’re wearing weren’t exactly “made for you” 😉.

With that being said, I pulled together some examples of outfits for you guys in which I have had to “cuff ’em, tuck ’em, and go” and I truly wouldn’t have it any other way ❤️!

Photo 2: Similar Sweater | Jeans / (Petite Option)| Boots

For reference, I am 5 ft tall. In photo one, I am wearing petite, photo two I am wearing regular, and photo three I am wearing regular!

*This also works with clothes that are slightly too short. Don’t get me wrong, there is a point of no return with some clothing, but if things are slightly too short, you can “cuff ’em” and pair them with higher boots to make the outfit look more purposeful and if you have high waisted pants you might even be able to tuck ’em 😉!

Dressing for the Holidays

November 19, 2019November 20, 2019by Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

The holidays can be stressful, from spending money to dealing with the absence of loved ones…it’s hard. I try not to worry to much about my outfits and whether or not they “look” holiday enough. Sometimes I think we get too caught up on this type of thing and forget to just be! That’s not to say I don’t buy anything or put effort in to my looks, but I don’t buy specifically “holiday” looks.

So, I teamed up with Lindsae Metz and Adriana Kincaid to bring you some Holiday inspired looks without the hassel!

P.S. Both of these ladies are amazing! I strongly suggest following them on the ‘gram and their beautiful blogs!

*Everything mentioned is TTS unless otherwise noted!

I try to shop my closet!

Monochromatic with a Dash of Holiday Cheer

If you’ve followed along with me for a while, you know I LOVE a monochromatic look, especially a white on white/cream on white situation. I feel like white on white/cream on white can certainly pass for a holiday look (think winter wonderland). Thus, I paired my cream mock neck with white denim, a brown bag, and leopard shoes (because lets face it, leopard is a neutral too).

To pull the look together I added a simple “holiday” scarf! This scarf is so soft and cozy. Not only is it super stylish, but it keeps me nice and warm in the cool temps and is easy to take off when you get into a warm place!

Just add Plaid

Another similar pair of shoes*

Plaid always reminds me of winter/holiday cheer! I am so happy I purchased this Loft top years ago! The neutral colors in it always remind me of Thanksgiving for some reason! I also adore the ruffled shoulders!

I paired this top with white denim to, again, go for that winter wonderland vibe! The sparkly mules remind me of New Year’s so I always try to wear them around the Holiday season! The great thing about this outfit is that most people own some sort of plaid in their wardrobe, so it’s super easy to duplicate!

For the Warmer Holidays

Top | Similar Jeans | Boots | Bag

I decided to throw in an outfit that could be warn in your warmer geographical areas! An easy “go -to” option for Holiday looks are jeans and a green or red top. I went with an olive green, because I don’t own a lot of “Holiday green” and since this is all about using what you have instead of breaking the bank, I went with it. I paired this top with slim-wide leg cropped pants to keep it cooler.

I added my booties since it is November/December! This is a simple outfit and can easily transition to a warmer outfit with long sleeves, a coat, and/or a scarf!

Jeans + a Scarf

Nothing screams fall/winter quite like a turtle neck! That’s why I decided to pair this black turtle neck with a plaid scarf and jeans to create a simple, no fuss outfit. Just add booties and you have a chic holiday inspired look!

Subtle Holiday Colors

Another similar pair of shoes*

If you celebrate Christmas, you know that red and green are “Christmas” colors and I don’t know about you, but anytime I pair those two colors together I always think of Christmas even if it’s July!

So, for this outfit I decided to take my green paper bag pants, black turtle neck, and red bandana scarf to create subtle Christmas colors! Just add sparkly mules and you have a true holiday look!

Slightly Dressy Vibes

Top | Bottoms | Similar Mules | Bag

Another similar pair of shoes*

I bought this dark green mock neck as part of my birthday present to myself from Madewell. I LOVE it, it fits just like my red and navy ones from last year! The color is a beautiful deep green and I decided to pair it with some black pin checkered pants and sparkly shoes to go for a slightly elevated look.

This would be perfect for a holiday office party! Not to mention these pants feel like PJs!

I hope this helps. I tried to use staple pieces that a lot of people have in their closets! Let me know if you replicate any of these looks by tagging me or using the hashtag #budgetandbrunch

The Holiday Gift Guide

November 14, 2019November 14, 2019by Budget&Brunch

Sometimes, you know exactly what you’re going to buy someone, but we’ve all had to figure out what we’re going to by “that person”. Coming up with gift ideas can be difficult. That’s why I always love to see “gift guides” and see what people have come up with! I decided to create 5 “quick gifts” for the different types of people in your life!

The Fashionista

Earrings–These are a great staple to any fashionista’s wardrobe. They are simple, chic, and come in several colors!
Printed Socks–Ok, I know what you’re thinking…”who wants socks?” but I love to show a little printed sock with booties! It adds a little flare to any outfit.
Necklace Set–The great thing about a necklace set like this is that it can instantly dress up any outfit. This is great for a minimalistic look or a more dressed up look.
Puffy Coat–That’s right, they’re back! I love puffy coats in the fall/winter! This is an affordable option that won’t break the bank in case they’re only “back” for one season.
Leopard Boots–I have linked the ones I have from Madewell, because I am confident in the durability and comfort level of them! These are a great neutral to any wardrobe and are a fun way to add a bold print without going over the top.

The Home Decor Lover

Candle–A candle is a simple gift, but one that lasts a while in a home. Every time someone smells it they’ll think of you! This candle in particular has an amazing smell. The scent is Volcano which is an odd name but I LOVE it.
Vases–This may seem like a really simple gift, but for home decor lovers like myself, this is great. It’s one of those things that I probably won’t buy myself but would love for someone else to buy me ha! They are simple and can be styles in multiple ways.
Picture Frames–These are another gift that work great, because they are multi-functional. Not only are they cute, but they hold photos. A great idea is to put in a picture of you and the person you’re gifting to!
Blanket–This may seem like an odd gift for a home decor lover, however, a great throw can really tie a room together. Not to mention, it makes for a cozy addition for movie night!
Bar Cart Accessories–Now, not everyone has a bar cart, but if they do…this is the perfect addition to it. The minimalistic sleek design is eye catching and classic! These can be functional or just for looks!

The Tech-y

Wireless Charging Stand–This is great for the tech-y in your life! I have one and it’s perfect for those nights when you don’t want to dig on the floor to find your charger…just me?
Echo Dot–We all know Alexa, well now you can have her in any room without having that bulky nonsense! I love the compact design of the Echo Dot and it will be sure to be a hit for all the tech-ys in your life!
JBL Speaker–This is a waterproof portable bluetooth speaker. I have one and adore it! I love carrying it to tailgates, cookouts, parties, or even the beach!
Dewplanter–This planter takes the humidity in the air and waters your plant for you! Is that not so cool?? If you don’t have a green thumb, no worries!
Crosley Bluetooth Record Player–This is a fun one for all your tech-ys that love a vintage look!

The Coffee Lover

Temperature Control Travel Mug–There’s nothing worse than cold coffee when it’s supposed to be hot! This is a great mug that keeps hot coffee hot! It also fits in a car cupholder!!
Cold Brew Drip Coffee Maker–This is perfect for a drip cold brew that tastes like it came straight from your favorite coffee shop! What I love about this is that you can choose whichever coffee beans you want to create the perfect blend for you!
Coffee Subscription–A coffee subscription is so much fun for a coffee lover! They will get to try new/different coffees from all over!
Coffee Bean Grinder–This would be a great paired gift with number 2! This grinder allows you to grind whole coffee beans to create the freshest brew possible!
Espresso Maker–Espresso your love with this espresso maker! This is a great cheaper alternative to buying an expensive espresso maker. It makes great espressos and is a fraction of the cost!

The Kids

When shopping for the kids I tried to come up with some quick gift ideas for kids that are 7 and older. If you are looking for younger kids gift ideas, Caitlin form The Mama Notes has some great options!

LEGO Hidden Side Shrimp Shack Attack AR–I love this gift idea! If your kids are obsessed with technology, but you are trying to broaden their horizons, this is a great toy. Kids are able to build LEGO worlds and use their smart device to watch it come to life!
UNO Themed Cards–I have linked Mindcraft UNO cards, but really any “themed” UNO card set is great, because the kids are able to play a fun game while also recognizing some of their favorite characters!
Gravity Maze–This is a fun STEM game that helps build critical thinking skills. This game has multiple options to keep your kiddo busy and exercising that brain!
NatGeo Crystal Growing–If your kiddo is interested in rocks, this is a great gift for them! Kids are able to watch crystals form. This set comes with a glowing case and different colors!
Luggage–This gift probably isn’t a “go to” for kids since it isn’t a toy, but it’s a great gift option if your kids travel frequently! Or, if you want to be parent of the year, give them a piece of luggage with tickets to a destination inside 😉!

The Chef

Garlic Peeler/Slicer—The Pampered Chef has great gift ideas for the chef in your life, including this awesome garlic peeler. This allows you to peel garlic without having your hands get dirty! Not to mention it peels and slices garlic!
Mueller Onion Chopper Pro–This thing is A-MAZ-ING! I love how this ultimately saves so much time! This onion chopper allows you to chop onions in multiple ways at the push of a lever and it’s easy to clean.
Pasta Strainer–This is a great addition to all your kitchen tools, because it allows you to simply strain your pasta and allows you to leave it in the sam pot! I, personally, hate going from pot to strainer, back to pot so this is perfect!
Cutting Boards–Ok, we all know how unsanitary it is to use the same cutting board for all of your cutting needs! These cutting boards are labeled for easy use and they’re easy to store!
Pizza & Crust Cutter–This is great for all the pizza loving chefs of the world! It is a pizza cutter and crust cutter all rolled into one!

The One That’s Hard to Shop For

Visa Gift Card–Ok, so some people don’t like to give a gift card during the holiday season (I love getting gift cards haha), but if you’re ok with getting that hard to shop for person a gift card, then a Visa gift card is the way to go. This way they are able to purchase just about anything!
Hydro Flask–I was trying to think of easy gift ideas for people that are hard to buy for and I thought who doesn’t love a reusable water bottle! I’m sure some people don’t, but hey it’s an option!
The Office Gift Set–Side note about this gift idea, I based this idea on trying to think of something the person you’re shopping for likes. For example, my friend is obsessed with The Office, but I don’t know what to buy her so this was a great gift idea! Try thinking of their interests or hobbies!
The Five Minute Journal–This is a great gift idea for just about anyone. It is a journal to help you focus on the good in your life and is even backed by science!
Essential Oil Diffuser–This is a compact essential oil diffuser that you can take with you on the go! It comes in several colors and it even has an auto shut off function!

There you have it–gift ideas for the different people in your life! I hope this helped or at least gave you some ideas! Let me know of any good gift guides you refer to during the holiday season!

4 Ways to Style a Blazer with Jeans

November 8, 2019November 8, 2019by Budget&Brunch

First off, let’s talk about the blazer. When Madewell came out with the Caldwell Double-Breasted Blazer in Desert Check I knew I wanted it; however, it didn’t (and still doesn’t) come in petite…with me being 5 feet tall, I figured it wasn’t going to fit me well. Nevertheless, I went to Madewell just to try it out and lets just say, it’s what my blazer dreams are made of! So this blazer is supposed to be oversized which helps my issue of being short and there not being a petite option. The blazer hits me just below the widest part of my hips so when wearing it I always either front tuck my top or make sure it is a fitted top–this helps create a waistline and give your body more of a shape!

I did size down 2 sizes! I would normally wear a M (medium) in something like this, but I ended up getting an XS (x-small). This could be in part because of my height, so I would recommend trying this or if you don’t live near a Madewell maybe order two and send one back after trying them on! I was worried an XS may be too small on my arms, but it seemed to fit fine, but if you plan on wearing a chunky sweater under it, that may be something to consider when choosing a size!

You could wear this blazer buttoned, but I don’t mainly because I want to create that waistline I mentioned earlier. With that being said, if you do choose to button it the sizing could vary a bit there. Now, let’s get to the fun stuff…the outfits!

If you missed my styling video, you can catch it on my IGTV channel!

I cannot get over this tee, it has honestly just completed my wardrobe! I love the effortless look any graphic tee can give to an outfit. When paring a tee shirt with a blazer it tends to give off a put together look even when you’re actually as comfy as you can be! With the colors in this blazer being more neutral, I decided the pop of green from this tee would pair nicely. You could even pair a bright tee with it to go for a bolder look–however, I tend to stay within the duller more neutral color palette when it comes to my clothes.

I wanted to go with a “fun” cut denim so I went with my demi-boot cut jeans to carry the eye down my leg and flare out. Since I wore my heeled boots, this helped create some height! I’ve mentioned how comfortable these boots are before and I’ll say it again…they’re great! No, I don’t recommend hiking in them, but they’re a nice heel to have and go with virtually anything! Tie it all together with a cute bag and there you have it, an easy comfy yet put together outfit!

*There are only two sizes in the striped top left so here is a similar top.

This outfit is one of my favorites because of the pattern mixing. This can be intimidating, but here are a few helpful tips I’ve picked up along the way…

Keep your patterns in the same color family! For example, I paired my navy blue and white striped tee with a blazer that has hints of navy blue in it as well!
Choose patterns with different scales. For example, I paired chunky stripes with a pin striped pattern.
Keep it simple. What I mean but this is that although I mixed patterns up top, that doesn’t mean I need to mix them on the bottom too, which is why I went with a dark jean and white sneakers!

If you want more advice on different ways to mix patterns and prints, let me know! I could go into a lot more detail, but for the sake of this blog post not being a mile long, I’ll move on!

*Petite sizing in jeans

For outfit number three, I paired a classic white button down with a straight jean and boots! This is perhaps the simplest and most classic option for pairing a blazer with jeans. This look is chic and probably will never go out of style! The jeans I decided to pair with this outfit go over the boots just slightly and give me all the 90’s throw back vibes, which I am loving!

Pairing minimalistic jewelry with this outfit dress up the look while also making it look effortless! If you haven’t noticed by now, effortless style is my goal in life!

*Petite sizing in jeans

The final outfit gives me all the fall/winter vibes with a cozy turtle neck under the blazer! This is perhaps the only time, if at all, that I would button the blazer. I still kept the front tuck to create the waistline, as I did with all the other tops, but this look is very easy to wear. I went with a dark solid turtle neck (mine is navy blue, but I linked a similar one in black), which draws your eye to the blazer versus the top and helps make your waist appear smaller, not that you need to girl 😏! And again, I paired this with straight jeans and boots giving off those 90’s vibes!

So, those are my tips, tricks, and ideas for how to style a blazer with jeans. I hope this was helpful on some level and helps encourage you to mix up your outfits and dress outside of your comfort zone. Thanks for dropping by my corner of the Internet and reading style advice, until next time 😘.

4 Ways to Style a Leopard Midi Skirt

November 7, 2019November 7, 2019by Budget&Brunch

Ok, so if you have followed along with me for a while, you know that I am a shortie and I often look for clothes that help elongate my legs. Needless to say, midi skirts that don’t “shrink” me even farther are hard to find; so when I found this Leopard Midi Skirt for $15 (score)–I had to try it!

So I decided to style this midi skirt with 4 different “looks” in mind!

FYI: All items featured fit TTS and although this s=midi is no longer available I have linked similar ones at the bottom of the page!

Look 1: The Relaxed Look

*(FYI: My top is from Target but it isn’t available online so I found one on Amazon to link)

If there is one thing I love it’s comfort mixed with fashion! Pairing a graphic tee with a leopard skirt may seem like a bold move, but it can truly elevate a graphic tee so much. I decided to pair my “girls” graphic tee from Target with my Midi and I truly couldn’t love this tee shirt any more. Could it BE more perfect 😏?

I completed the look with some white sneakers and felt like I was ready to take on the world. I think this is my favorite look! You could also elevate the look with some minimalistic jewelry and a denim jacket for cooler days!

Look 2: The Sweater Weather Look

I couldn’t not incorporate a chunky sweater! With the temperatures chaining-at least here in NC-I wanted to show a warmer option. I don’t know about you, but I tend to get hot very easily; so although it may be 45 degrees outside, I need to wear something breathable. Pairing a cozy chunky sweater with a breathable midi is perfect for those of us that tend to get a little warmer during the fall/winter days! I paired a cream sweater to create a monochromatic look, because I am SO in to monochromatic lately and it can be so easily done.

Side note, iff you don’t get hot easily, you could always wear tights!

I decided to pair this outfit with The Kat Chelsea Boot for a styling cozy vibe. I absolutely love these boots and I am so glad I purchased them! They have quite a high heel but because it is a chunky heel and the inside is padded they feel great!

Look 3: The Holiday Inspired Look

Is there anything more classic than leopard paired with red? Wether is a bold red lip or a bold red turtle neck, it creates a timeless look! I wanted to show a holiday inspired look sense several Holidays are right around the corner (eek)!

The turtle neck helps create a cozy feeling and warm up the outfit while the midi skirt allows for movement and a little wiggle room just in time for the eating season 😉. I decided to go with my gold glitter mules from Madewell, because I mean what else would I pair with this haha. Although these exact mules aren’t available anymore, I have linked similar pairs!

To dress this look up even more you could throw on some tights and heels!

Look 4: The Versatile Look

Let me start by saying I love this Shrunken Ex-Boyfriend Shirt from Madewell! It was the perfect addition to my closet. I think having a dressy-ish button down in your closet is important because it is such a versatile piece. You can literally pair it with anything! This one in particular is a little shorter so it fits my torso great.

When putting these two looks together I wanted to show how versatile this outfit could be! You can go from business casual to business chic by simply swapping out the shoes! Of course, you can always elevate the look by accessorizing with jewelry or tights. I also decided to tie a front knot with this shirt to create a visual was it line and somewhere for the eye to fall. It also helps create a chic look with minimal effort!

There you have it folks, 4 different ways to wear a leopard print midi. I love how each of these looks creates a different vibe and you can wear it however you’d like depending on your mood!

Here are some more similar skirts in case the one linked isn’t your style! Hope you enjoyed the read, be sure to subscribe and let me know what you’d like to see next!

Similar leopard midi

How to Style: Wide Leg Pants

September 6, 2019September 6, 2019by Budget&Brunch

I have done several style sessions with wide-leg pants. There are a lot of different retailers now that offer, the “Slim Wide-Leg Cropped Pants” and the “Wide-Leg Cropped Pants”. I love them both ❤️!

What’s the difference?

The Wide-Leg Cropped Pants

These pants have a very “wide-leg” that hugs (me) at the hips and thighs and flares out just above the ankles. The great thing about these is that they flatter your figure. By being much wider than your actual leg, they make your legs/ankles appear smaller. Bonus, they’re really comfortable.

Outfit 1 are the wide-leg cropped pants from J. Crew–these are very light weight and have a cute pocket detail in the front. I love to pair them with a white/cream top to create a fun monochromatic look. As pictured, I tied a white tee at the waist. When styling wide-leg pants, it’s important to create a waist line so that you don’t look shapeless.

Outfit 2 are the wide-leg pants from Madewell and are my fav! They are a thicker material than the ones from J. Crew and they tend to hold their shape better and get less wrinkly. The blush color is perfect for Summer and can easily transition to Fall. Again, I created a waistline by tucking in my shirt, paired with heeled mules and a hat to instantly dress up the look!

The Slim Wide-leg Cropped Pants

Outfit 1: Hat | Top (similar)| Pants | Shoes

Outfit 2: Earrings | Necklace | Top | Pants | Shoes

The slim wide-leg cropped pants essentially have the same concept, they compliment your figure. I would suggest these if you just can’t quite get on the wide-leg pant trend. They are slightly smaller. These would look particularly good on people whom have a very petite frame–that was the pants don’t swallow you whole! Pairing these with a front tucked shirt or even a body suit look good and, again, creates that waistline!

Both pants pictured above are from Madewell. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, Madewell has my ❤️! I adore the fit and quality of the Madewell brand. The burnt orange colored pant has become one of my wardrobe staples and can be dressed up or down!

Overall, finding pants that make you feel good is what is important. I know that we sometimes get swayed by popular opinions on whether or not we should or shouldn’t wear a particular pant, but I AM HERE FOR THIS TREND! I adore the way I feel in both the wide-leg and slim wide-leg pants and I won’t apologize for it 😉!

Madewell Denim vs Everlane Denim

July 18, 2019December 10, 2019by Budget&Brunch

If you know me, even slightly, you know that I love Madewell; especially their denim. I am truly Madewell obsessed 😳. Not only do I love their fit, but I love that they have fair trade denim. I first saw Everlane popping up on some larger blogger accounts that I follow and was intrigued by their ethically made clothing.

When I looked in to Everlane clothing, I couldn’t help but notice that they had some cheaper options for denim. When they had their “Choose What You Pay” sale, I knew I had to try some of their denim. Once I ordered a pair, for only $48, I noticed some similarities in my Madewell jeans and thus decided to compare them for you all!

Let me preface by saying that anytime I purchase online, I research. Meaning, I read reviews and make sure I am getting the “right” size for me–I think is so important to keep in mind that sizing is different in every store.

Just because you have to go up or down sizes, doesn’t mean you should punish yourself or your body.

With that being said, the Madewell denim that I am referencing here was trial and error to find my size. I got The Curvy Perfect Vintage Jean in Fitzgerald Wash from Madewell for $98, that’s right I said the curvy fit and I am not ashamed. The Perfect Vintage Jean in Fitzgerald Wash fit me in the waist and the sales lady told me they looked awesome, from the outside looking in, they probably did. You couldn’t tell that they literally made my butt feel (and in my opinion look) like a pancake, I could barely move in them, and I was very uncomfortable. I definitely could’ve bought them if I gave a shit about size and the “regular fit” versus the “curvy fit”…but I don’t. I ended up with the petite size 27, also keep in mind that in the regular fit of these jeans I had to go up a size.

When it came to the Everlane jeans, I got The High-Rise Skinny Jean and wasn’t expecting to see any similarities in them versus my curvy fitted Madewell jeans. For reference, I got the ankle size 29 in these. Below is a side by side photo of the jeans.

Left: Madewell Right: Everlane

You can see that they are cut differently in the hip/thigh area and the ankles seem to be more fitted on the Everlane jeans. But when I put them both on, they fit so similarly. The wash is also very similar! With the Madewell jeans being 100% cotton and the Everlane jeans being 98% cotton, I feel that I get more stretch out of the Everlanes and slightly more gapping in the waist.

The Madewell jeans fit a little looser in the hips and ankles while the Everlane jeans are more fitted. However, both give the elusion of a loose fit toward the bottom. They both hug my hips and butt very well. I will say, it’s easier to sit in the Everlane jeans, but somehow I find the Madewell jeans more comfortable. Here are three comparison photos to see how each pair fit me:

Left: Madewell Right: Everlane

Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans | Shoes

Left: Madewell Right: Everlane

Hat | Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans | Shoes

Left: Madewell Right: Everlane

Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans| Bag | Shoes

I like the look of both and I feel like both can be dressed up or down. The price comparison is $98 for the Madewell pair and $48 for the Everlane pair. So if you want to go the cheaper route, then you may want to try the Everlane pair. However, keep in mind that everyBODY is different and how these both look and feel on me may be completely different for you! Great news is, if you decide to purchase online, you can always exchange or return!

How to Maximize Your Suitcase this Summer

June 26, 2019June 26, 2019by Budget&Brunch

Ok, raise your hand if you’re an over-packer 🙋🏻. I mean yeah…I tend to over pack ok? It’s something I am actively working on. With that being said, I have tried a few different tips and tricks that I have found to be very helpful. I decided to condense these for you into one post!

Number 1:

Research the climate. This is probably something you already do, but when you’re packing for vacation, you should definitely research what the weather will be like, temperature, humidity, that sort of thing.

I am going Holden Beach soon and it looks like the weather is going to be in the 80s with humidity at about 45%. Now, this is in NC and it is HOT. In my suitcase, I have packed three pair of pants. This is because I typically find myself getting chilly when going out to eat or going in to stores. If you do not get chilly easily, your suitcase may look a little different. Also, if I am on the beach, I won’t be wearing anything but a bathing suit and sunscreen 😎.

Number 2:

Make a list. What? Make a list? Are you kidding? Nope, it actually REALLY helps me to make a list. Now, you may be thinking what a time consuming thing to do when packing for vacation. But I decided that if I made a realistic list of items I wanted to pack, it would save me time in the long run.

I literally used to just grab stuff off of hangers and throw it in my suitcase…big mistake. I rarely wore ANY of it and ended up washing it all when I got home and taking up too much time to unpack.

Ok, with that being said here was my list:

Basic tops (tee shirt, button downs, tanks)
Shorts
Pants
Bathing suits
Shoes (limit 5 pair-this was a personal preference, you can limit this even more if you want)
Accessories (a good rule to follow with accessories is to pick some that will go with MULTIPLE outfits. I also limit myself to two purse options)

I am a visual person so I layed out all the pieces I wanted to bring:

P.S. I packed two other swim suits, but wasn’t able to find a picture of them! The leopard swim suit can be found here. My other swimsuit is by Kortni Jeane!

The pink and green earrings are by Jules Co.

(FYI, you can find the linkable items here)

Number 3:

Make sure you select items that can be mixed and matched. I treated this like a capsule. Making sure my pants worked with multiple tops and vice versa. With that being said I came up with, drumroll please,

44 outfit options!

I know…probably overkill, but hey, I told you this gal likes options! See below all the outfits I put together!

Everlane Jeans styled 8 ways!