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

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

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 ❤️!

image0.jpeg

Photo 1: Flannel | Turtle Neck | Similar Jeans / (Petite Option)| Boots | Bag | Sunglasses

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

Photo 3: Blazer | Turtle Neck | Jeans / (Petite Option)| Boots | Bag |Sunglasses

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

Dressing for the Holidays

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

35991894-f346-4ef6-b644-8c8ff416fbca.jpg

Similar Top | Jeans | Boots | Scarf | Similar Bag

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

DDA917A9-8875-4DB5-94F1-C7E7DAE0A330

Similar Top | Jeans | Similar Mules | Similar Bag

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

6ca93fa5-d454-42e2-aa84-5eea880e9bd4.jpg

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

7f7ecb5e-8481-46a4-ac3e-a4382fa1db9d.jpg

Top | Similar Jeans | Boots | Scarf | Bag

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

89cbaed3-f00d-42ba-bfef-d0763933c1e1.jpg

Top | Similar Bottoms | Similar Mules | Bandana Scarf

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

41faebcd-79a3-4308-a7a8-04676fd72b63.jpg

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

How to Style: Wide Leg Pants

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

BED4095C-29FD-42D2-BBF2-588F95BCA9D4

Outfit 1: Headband | Earrings | Necklace | Top (similar) | Pants | Bag | Shoes (similar)

Outfit 2: Hat | Earrings | Necklaces | Top | Pants | Shoes

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

F7858263-45C3-4D06-BE99-5DE08720C9E9.JPG

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

Madewell Denim vs Everlane Denim

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:

6AAF27DB-9224-4F3F-9F7E-2F03DD28DABF.JPG

Left: Madewell                               Right: Everlane

Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans | Shoes

46E03BD0-F62C-458E-A754-9DA809B42E55.JPG

Left: Madewell                               Right: Everlane

Hat | Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans | Shoes

AA8C0831-0612-4127-804E-8F84827AF8AC.JPG

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

How to Maximize Your Suitcase this Summer

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:

  1. Basic tops (tee shirt, button downs, tanks)
  2. Shorts
  3. Pants
  4. Bathing suits
  5. Shoes (limit 5 pair-this was a personal preference, you can limit this even more if you want)
  6. 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:

Screen Shot 2019-06-26 at 11.48.15 AM.png

Screen Shot 2019-06-26 at 11.49.39 AM.png

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!

Screen Shot 2019-06-26 at 11.52.45 AM.png

The pink and green earrings are by Jules Co.

Screen Shot 2019-06-26 at 11.53.10 AM.png

(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!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Madewell Overalls styled 6 ways!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Madewell Shorts styled 8 ways!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Abercrombie Pants styled 8 ways!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Madewell Slim Wide Leg Jeans styled 8 ways!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Madewell Midi Dress styled 6 ways (this exact dress is sold out, but here are some similar options: Cami Tier Midi Dress, Silk Cross-Back Midi Dress, Lanhtropy Linen Cactus Button-Front Dress)!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Number 4:

Have “fold awareness” (I just made that up). Be sure that you are folding your clothes in the most efficient way. For example, Marie Kondo folds like a champ. Now, her whole angle is to love your clothes and it isn’t about making your clothing more compact, but for me it is 😂. I want to fit AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE in my suitcase that I share with my husband 😳.

Bonus tip: Make sure your cover the bottoms of your shoes as well, a good trick is to use shower caps or plastic bags. Shoes are germ-y (haha). You could pack your shoes in a completely different bag as well, which I have done before, but I try to limit packing to three bags.

  1. Clothes
  2. Toiletries (including makeup)
  3. Towels (for the beach and bathing)

I hope this somewhat helped you! If you want to see the final product of my suitcase, let me know and I will post some photos! Be sure and share any tips and tricks you have with me, I would love to hear them!

Styling White Jeans

Styling White Jeans

Ok, white jeans…my arch nemesis. Why? Because, they show every little detail of every little detail 🙃. I thought for sure I would never wear white jeans again, until I found the High Rise Ankle  Flare Jeans from Abercrombie. They have them in short–for the record I did size up. I tend to size up in white jeans, not sure if there is something in the dying process, but they always seem to fit me a little tighter than normal jeans!

Let’s talk about why I think these white jeans are different….

First off, they have this extremely cute flare detail that is cut to make accentuate your figure and the flare makes your legs look longer and stronger 😉.

These jeans are also very comfortable, there is a good bit of stretch in them. If you prefer a tighter fit I recommend staying with your regular sizing, but as I mentioned, I sized up, because I prefer a slightly looser fit.

I noticed that I can’t see through these jeans which is a HUGE plus when it comes to white jeans. I mean…don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you can wear hot pink undies and not see though them, but I was able to wear nude undies and not see them. I know you’re probably like, well duh, they’re nude. However, I have had white pants in the past where you could still see the undies!

One issue I have with these pants is that they’re pocket-less 😢. I had pockets in my wedding dress, ok? I love pockets, but I suppose the fit and comfort level can be exchanged for pockets…I suppose

White jeans are super versatile! Below I have styled them 5 different ways to show you that even with the flare they are still a great wardrobe staple!

 

Outfit Number 1

IMG_8375

White Jeans | Shirt |Necklaces | Shoes

Outfit Number 2

White Jeans | T-Shirt | Bandana Scarf | Jean Jacket | Mules | Sneakers

Outfit Number 3

IMG_8384

White Jeans | Button Front Cami | Cardigan |Necklaces | Earrings | Shoes

Outfit Number 4img_8388.jpg

White Jeans | Button Front Cami | Blazer |Necklaces | Shoes

Outfit Number 5

IMG_8394

White Jeans | Button Front Long Sleeve Shirt | Necklaces | Shoes

 

There you have it, one pair of white jeans–5 different outfits. I tried to reuse several pieces and keep the accessories very minimal. These are a great everyday white jean and as I mentioned, a true wardrobe staple!

FYI: Here are the bags from my styling video: Transport Tote | Zip Top Transport Tote

Same jeans, four ways

Same jeans, four ways

Let’s talk about jeans for a second; if you follow my Instagram or you read “A Short Girl’s Guide to Madewell Jeans” you know that I love Madwell! I truly believe in their brand and their jeans fit my body so well.

With that being said, I often end up with jeans that are similar in style and vary in color. Don’t get me wrong, that’s cool and all, but I have challenged myself to go for jeans that are different!

I love a good pair of skinny jeans, I think they are so versatile and can be worn in so many different ways. However, I ave a closet full and I really wanted to venture out, so when Madewell came out with the new Cali Demi-Boot Jeans  I knew I had to try them on for size!

When I purchased them, even the woman that worked at Madewell said that people were afraid of them. I thought, you know what…I am gonna buy these and wear them with confidence, because want to! Below I have styled these cuties 4 ways. if you caught my Instagram stories I did a little style session, but for those who didn’t, I wrote this blog post!

These jeans fit tight through the hips and have a super stretch through the legs with a slight flare. As I’ve mentioned before, I am 5 feet tall so I tend to purchase petite or short clothing items. I got the petite size in these and they hit above the ankle to create a really fresh spring look!

 

The French Gal

Is it just me or is this “French girl style” the epitome of a fashionista? I am in love with the tied scarf around the neck look! For your inner french girl, I decided to pair these beauties with a simple, classic white shirt. The Courier Button-Back Shirt by Madewell  goes great with just about anything. My theme is versatile style so I try to only get pieces that I can style over and over and it not be obvious 😉. I gave it a front tuck to enhance my waist line and paired the Tropical Coral bandana (or scarf) with this simple outfit to add a pop of color and add a stylish little detail. I, of course, wore mules with this outfit. I mean I cannot get over mules and how perfect they go with jeans, dress pants, and even some dresses! These are the Willa Loafer Mules in Brown (not sure that these are still available at Madewell, but they might be at Nordstrom)!

*If you haven’t quite channeled your inner french girl or you simply don’t care for the bandana around the neck, you can always utilize yours differently (see above how I styled it as a headband).

 

The Valentine Gal ❤️

valentine-gal.png

To keep it true to Valentine’s Day this week, I decided to add in a cutesy valentine’s day inspired look that can totally be worn any other day of the year! I decided to pair a mock-neck black and white stripe shirt with the Cali Demi-Boot Jeans  and an oversized cardigan. I decided to tuck the mock-neck, because anytime I wear a longer layered piece, the tuck helps create a waistline and make you look taller!

The mock-neck is from Target’s Universal Thread line and I purchased it last year. I am not sure if they have it anymore in that color, but here is a link to a different colored one. You might also like this one from Anthropologie, but it is on the pricey end. They shouldn’t be too hard to find, since stripes are in style always ❤️! The cardigan is also from Target’s Universal Thread line and is no longer found in stores, however, they have some similar options here and here! Note that it is a little longer on me because of my height and I bout it in an XL even though I wear a M, because I wanted the baggy look.

I paired my Willa Loafer Mules in Glitter, because they instantly make me feel fancy, but keep the comfort levels high 👏🏻. I also used the Tropical Coral bandana again as a hairband to add some visual interest! I also thought the red and pink combo made for an extra Valentine’s Day appearance.

 

The Casual Gal

casual gal

For this look, I went for a more casual denim on denim approach. I, again, paired my Cali Demi-Boot Jeans  with the same top from my Valentine Gal look, because as I have mentioned, I am in to versatile style and pieces that I can wear over and over. The denim jacket is a little darker than the jeans so it adds some contrast and I decided to leave my shirt untucked, which is a rarity for me, to add some length since my jean jacket is shorter. The jean jacket pictured is very old (by about 2 or 3 years), so I know J. Crew doesn’t still carry it; however jean jackets are EVERYWHERE. You can find some that are oversized or fitted depending on your style and comfort level!

I, again, paired my Willa Loafer Mules and Tropical Coral bandana to keep this look fun and “put together”. You could also pair some cute white tennis shoes with this look if you are going out for a day of walking and want something more supportive, but I will say that these mules don’t hurt my feet in the slightest bit once I broke them in. Switching them out for tennis shoes would completely change this look which is another amazing thing about versatile style! The bandana adds a nice pop of color and helps hide that day 3 hair am-I-right 🤗?

The Working Gal

working-gal.jpg

This look gives me serious #boss vibes. I mean fist of all, the bright pink blazer is an eye catcher and I think it gives these jeans such a sophisticated look. I am wearing The Courier Button-Back Shirt again and tucked it in all the way around. I popped the collar too, because “ever since I can remember I been popping’ my collar” 😂 (anybody else remember that song?). The blazer is Halogen and I got it from my TrunkClub box! It is such an amazing piece and I couldn’t be happier with it. I got it in a MPetite and the length is perfect. It covers my butt just a bit and I roll the sleeves to create a more casual look. You can button the button if you want to look even more professional! You can find the blazer here, but it looks like there are limited sizes. Click here and here for similar options.

I paired The Frances Loafer Mule in the color Vintage White with this outfit. These are also from Madewell and are a great shoe, especially if you want to add some sophistication to your wardrobe! I have a wide foot and these feel great!  I skipped out on the bandana for this look, but you could definitely incorporate it if you wanted to!

 

There you have it, same jeans, four ways! I hope this inspires you to go out of your comfort zone and try some new pieces. I also hope this helps you shop your closet! Re-using pieces to create different looks is so fun and nice for the wallet 😉! If you decide to try and recreate any of these tag me on Instagram @budgetandbrunch and use the #budgetandbrunch hashtag!