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!

Maternity Friendly: How to Style Leggings

Featuredby Budget&BrunchLeave a Comment

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

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!

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

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 😉!

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!