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

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

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!