Hey, y’all! I was so excited to put this post together because using the same pieces different different ways is my absolute favorite! So, I’ve put together two outfits that you can wear casually during the day, then out for date night! Hope you like!

Casual look for daytime outtings

Dressier look for date night

The first photo is a casual day time look that’s super comfortable but not sacrificing style. I got my leopard cardigan at Ross Dress for Less but I found a few other animal print cardigans for less than $13. My fur mules add a little extra to the outfit but I cannot find them online anymore. The black Gucci dupe belt basically goes with everything.

Transitioning to the nighttime look, I added Spanx leggings and black wedge sandals. Also, using the belt around your waist will make it look more put together and that you have a waist. Sometimes in cardigans you lose your shape but this way, it will slim you down!

So, if you’ve been following me for any amount of time at all, you know I’m obsessed with wearing dresses with sneakers! It’s the perfect casual daytime attire for a spring or summer day and did I mention comfy! It makes you look somewhat dressy and put together on top but sporty and casual on bottom. I just feel so confident and cool when I’m dressed that way!

Transitioning to the nighttime look, I added leopard booties and a denim jacket. Two things I cannot live without. Leopard and pink just go so well together…and you know leopard is a neutral right? 🙂 This would be a perfect look for date night, dinner with your family or whatever casual evening outing you have planned. I’m not really a hat-wearer but I think this would look super cute with a wide brimmed hat!

It only takes just a few pieces to make your outfit take on a whole new look without having to go buy something completely different. Hope you enjoyed this! Make sure and subscribe so you won’t miss out!

XOXO

Lauren

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I’m sure you are being flooded with posts about “what to wear” or “what to buy your partner” so I’m going a different route. With a day that is devoted to love and happiness, it has inspired me to list things that make me happy! I thought it would be fun, maybe you could do the same!

1. My sweet hubby who loves me no matter what!
2. Christmas
3. Sundays
4. The beach
5. Clearance racks
6. Taco Bell
7. My Family
8. Sneakers
9. Planners
10. Sushi
11. Blogging/Creating
12. Free Shipping
13. Helping others
14. Peppermint Tea
15. Coffee Mugs
16. A Good Book
17. Netflix (mainly for Gossip Girl and Grey’s Anatomy)
18. Sunny Days by the Pool
19. Yellow Flowers
20. When All of My Laundry is Done
21. A Clean House
22. Lazy Days
23. Seeing others succeed
24. New Makeup
25. Fingernail Polish
26. When Caden does things the first time I ask
27. When I finish a project
28. Shopping, OBVI
29. The Scent of Sun-Washed Citrus
30. Quiet Time in the Morning before Everyone Wakes Up
31. Andes Mints…ya know, the kind you get after your meal at Olive Garden
32. Weekend Getaways
33. Target Dollar Spot
34. When I meal plan and actually stick to it!
35. British TV series
36. Dinner with a View
37. Church with my Family
38. My Spanx Faux Leather Leggings
39. Leaving Work for the Day
40. Pumpkin Spice

SO, what do you think?! Do any of these sound HAPPY to you? I encourage you to sit down, especially if you are feeling down and make a list of all of the things that make you happy. Happy Valentine’s Day sweet friends!

XOXO

Lauren

I just finished reading “Girl, Wash Your Face” and let me tell you, if you have not read it, get on that! Rachel Hollis is completely amazing at motivating you to get up and get yourself together! I was inspired to write this post because to be completely honest with you, I’m not sticking to my New Year’s Resolutions as well as I thought I would because I’m just feeling very overwhelmed at the moment and I had way too high expectations of myself. January 19th was my son’s birthday so that means that three weeks after Christmas I have a birthday party to plan and pay for. This weekend will be his party and maybe after that I can relax (fingers crossed) for two seconds, maybe! Another thing Rachel speaks a lot about in her book is goal setting. She sets some major goals for herself but for now in my life, I will set monthly goals that are attainable each month.

Here are the goals I’m setting for myself for February and I’ll keep them short and sweet. Afterall, it’s the shortest month of the year! 🙂

1. Read “The Simplified Life” By Emily Ley. I love sitting down with a self help book and I’ve heard this is a really good one for getting organized.
2. Save $200 towards summer vacation.
3. Do a daily devotion EVERY morning for the entire month.
4. GET A NEW PLANNER!

This has nothing to do with goals but everything to do with me as a blogger, creator writer, whatever you want to call my little space on the internet. If you are a blogger or content creator, LISTEN UP! We create because we believe that God has given us the ability to do so and we are we are so blessed to be given the platform for that. We create even when people don’t like it because we like it and it’s what we do. Someone else’s opinion of me is none of my business! That resonates with me still after reading the book. She says these words are never more profound than when we are creating something. I truly believe that. Staying true to my own style and self is so important to me because honestly when I try to pose like someone else or recreate someone else’s photo, it sucks. Why? Because that’s not me!

She also writes a few chapters about the lie she told herself about being a bad mom and her children not being the most behaved, well spoken, etc. This spoke to me because being a working mom it’s hard and you wonder if you are giving your child the most care and attention they need. I would love more than anything to be a stay-at-home mom. That’s just not possible right now and I worked hard to work nights and go to school for the job I have now and I’m proud of that.  I have to pray and trust and know that my husband and I are teaching him at home the valuable lessons that will carry him through life and make the absolute most out of our weekends! All us mamas are doing our best, working or staying at home!

But, really y’all, this book is amazing. The chapters are short and it takes no time to read. I’ve had the book since last year but just now got around to reading it (see, this is why I have to set goals). You will laugh, you will cry and then you will want to start training for a half marathon! HAHA!!

XOXO

Lauren

Okay, I’m going to be honest…I’m the last person to ask about fitness but when it comes to what to wear when you’re “working on your fitness”, I’ve got you covered. I’ve recently discovered Old Navy’s activewear line and I’m basically obsessed. Even though I don’t hit the gym, I do love a good athleisure outfit and these are are my three favorite looks for the winter. Just add a fleece jacket or hoodie over the short sleeves!

Tee | Leggings (my exact ones are sold out so I linked similar ones) Adidas

If you know me or have been following me for any amount of time, you know that I love glitter! This is by far my favorite look! I just feel like it’s unique and not your typical athleisure look.  I sized up in the shirt so I could knot it. These are both from Old Navy and sold out but similar options are linked.

Leggings | Longsleeve Tee | Sneakers

These leggings are also so fun and also from Old Navy! They are so comfy, high waisted and the print is great. I grabbed this top from Walmart and it’s super breathable in the sleeves and lightweight. I’ve had the sneakers for about a year and they are still one of my favorite pairs.

Core Twist T-Shirt | Leggings | Sneakers

This top is so cute and I love the twist detail in the front. It’s also very lightweight and breathable. These leggings are from Aerie and I love them and this color is perfect for this season.

Until next time!

XOXO

Lauren

Before I buy clothes, I ask myself, “what all can I wear this with?” And, usually if I can’t style it multiple ways, then I don’t buy it. Styling one piece several ways is also one of my favorite things to do! And, will stretch your closet 🙂 In this post, I’ve taken a chambray/denim button down blouse, which is such a classic piece and will always be on trend, and styled it five ways. I found this top at the thrift store! But, you can find them literally anywhere. I’m going to link one that I found at Old Navy and comes in two different washes.

Denim on Denim: This is such a classic look. Less is more in my opinion. You could also unbutton and tie the shirt at the waist for a little more dressy look.

Peep-toe Booties | Jeans | Chambray Shirt

Over a dress: This is the ultimate weekend style! I absolutely love wearing tennis shoes with dresses. The denim top pulls the casual look together.

Chambray Shirt | Swing Dress | Adidas

Date night denim: This would be perfect for a casual date night! Unbutton and tie the shirt at the bottom, add some leopard booties, black jeans, simple accessories and you’re out the door.

Chambray Shirt | Black Skinny Jeans |Leopard Booties

Denim and leggings: Anything you can wear with Spanx, is a winner in my book! With this look, you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort, and that’s pretty much what I always go for when I’m styling an outfit.

Chambray Shirt | Spanx Faux Leather Leggings | Fur Mules

With a Skirt and Sneaks: Such a fun, flirty and casual look! It would be perfect for a day date or a sunny stroll through Botanical Gardens for my Alabama ladies!

Chambray Shirt | Mini Skirt (this exact skirt is sold out so I linked some similar options) Blush Sneakers

XOXO

Lauren