Chambray Can Mean Business Too

Hi there!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Mine consisted of Monster Jam (aka Monster Trucks) with my husband, father-in-law, and a couple of friends & a food truck festival with my mom and sister & coffee with two awesome girlfriends & a 9 mile run & and a chili cookoff at church. Whew! ;)

Like I said Friday, this is my last week at work where I'm allowed to wear jeans. Boo! :P I am having fun experimenting new "office appropriate" ways to wear some of my older clothes, such as this chambray top and striped blazer--both of which have been shown on Katie's Style Project plenty of times!

Chambray top Charlotte Russe // Blazer Target // Pants Zara ($19.99) // Watch Vernier (Amazon) // Heels Tahari (DSW) // Necklace Forever 21 ($12.80)

One of the best things about chambray tops is that, just like jeans, they go with any color! I felt a bit patriotic wearing red, white and blue. :)

I put the blazer on top to take the look from casual to business casual.

Cropped pants with nude heels help elongate legs!

ACTION SHOT! Ready to kick Monday's booty! ;)

It's the last week of January already!! I hope yours is a good one. :)

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Pencil and Plaid

Hi there! TGIF! :)

My Friday Favorite! this week is this Slow Cooker Honey Parmesan Pork Roast! Last Saturday, I stuck this in the crock pot (dontcha just love the crockpot?), poured a few luscious ingredients on top, let it warm for 6 hours, and at the end of the night when it was done. . .mmmmmmm it just melted in my mouth! It was so yummy. I was seriously obsessed with it for a few days afterwards! haha :)

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At my job, employees have been allowed to wear jeans (instead of "business casual") everyday through the end of the year until February 1. It's definitely been a nice perk--jeans are just so easy! As January comes to a close, I'm starting to think about new ways to mix pieces I already have into some business casual outfits.

Top American Eagle // Skirt Forever 21 // Necklace Now on sale at Charlotte Russe! // Booties H&M // Watch Vernier (Amazon) // Knot Ring Forever 21 // Turquoise Ring Old

To ease myself back into my normal office uniform, I put together a very casual plaid top and added a simple black pencil skirt, as well as a watch because watches can make any outfit look put together!

I cinched my waist with a red belt to accent the very thin red line that runs through the plaid print.

I also threw on my arrowhead necklace that I've been loving lately.

I'm not ready to give up my jeans quite yet! Good thing I have another week. 

Thank you for reading! Have a fabulous weekend! :)

Spotted: My Oversized Sweater

Hi there!

I hope you're having a good week! I went to the gym last night to lift some weights with a friend, and whew, she kicked my booty! I'm definitely feeling a little sore this morning. After our gym sesh, we went into the sauna. I have never been in a sauna before and WHERE HAS THAT BEEN ALL MY LIFE? haha I am a biiiig fan of heat (works well considering I live in a desert!), and now that my husband has finished building us a bed, I am considering asking him to build me a personal sauna. Not sure where it would fit in our tiny apartment, though! :P

Anyways, on a more "stylish" topic: If you know me well, you know I love wearing the color red, and I love wearing leopard. Combined? Oooh I just love it!

Sweater and Boots Charlotte Russe ($24.99 and $7.50) // Bubble Necklace Etsy ($17) // Pants Zara ($19.99) // Owl Ring Wet Seal // Turquoise Ring Old

I added my blue bubble necklace for a nice pop of color against the (neutral!) leopard print. Then, to stick with the animal theme, I added my owl ring that I found at Wet Seal a few years ago!

Thank you for reading! Enjoy the rest of your week! :)

Black and White (and ready for Date Night!)

Hi there!

Friday Favorite! This week it's. . .my bed!

That probably sounds odd, but hear me out: A few weeks ago, I mentioned to my husband that eventually, someday, in the future, I would like our bed to have a tufted headboard. A black one with gold buttons. I see tufted head boards all over Pinterest, and I think they look so luxurious!

A couple of nights later, he had found a tutorial online about how to build a tufted headboard from scratch, and we were standing in the middle of the fabric aisle at JoAnn's picking out the perfect fabric to use. He didn't just stop at the headboard--oh no. He also built a new bed frame (with the bottom wrapped in the same velvety material that the headboard is made out of), with matching nightstands. He even drilled perfectly round holes in the back of the nightstand to stick cords through so we can plug in a lamp, clock, or phone charger without any cords hanging in the front. It sure is handy being married to a guy who loves to build things! ;)
 

 It's soooo soft! The fabric also has a faint zebra pattern. :)

He finished building it this week, and I just love it! Next, we need to figure out what color sheets and comforter we should get to match!

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Valentine's Day is coming up fast (wasn't New Years just yesterday? It feels like it!), and I thought it would be fun to share an outfit idea to wear that night--whether you're going out with your significant other or with your friends!

Top The Limited (50% off) // Skirt Zara (orig $25.90, sale $12.99) // Tights Target // Boots H&M (25% off coupon) // Necklace Charlotte Russe ($10.99) // Bow Bracelet Charlotte Russe // Chain Bracelet Forever 21

As you can see, I added a statement necklace and some fairly large bracelets to the outfit. Otherwise, it looked a little too plain for my liking--I don't want to be mistaken for a referee!. ;) I kept my jewelry black and gold, but any color would work! A bright statement necklace would look great with this outfit! For today, I decided to keep my blue nails the main source of color.

I found these booties at H&M! I have been wanting black booties all season, and I think these are so cute! I was standing in line at the register waiting to pay when I remembered to pull out my phone to pull up the "RetailMeNot" app to see if there might be a coupon for H&M that day. There was--for 25% off! I was so happy I checked!

These boots were (not) made for walking (in dirt). :P

Thank you for reading! Have a great weekend! :)

Minty Fresh

Hi there!

Today I am wearing a simple outfit that would be perfect to wear while running errands, meeting a friend for lunch, or just lounging around the house. I recently found this sweater at Forever 21. I think mint is such a pretty color and it reminds me of spring! (It is also currently the color of polish on my toes!)

Sweater Forever 21 ($19.80) // Jeans Levi's // Scarf Charming Charlie (2 for $20) // Boots Target: Merona (20% off on Black Friday) // Sunglasses Nordstrom ($12) // Ring Forever 21 ($1.80) // Earrings Francesca's

 The sweater itself is soooo comfortable (love that!), so I "dressed it up" a little bit with this pink and white chevron infinity scarf!

I was wearing Victoria's Secret lipstick, so I wanted to make a kissy face like a VS Model. My sister said I just look grumpy! I guess it's hard to "smize" behind a pair of sunglasses. ;)

Are you bringing out your spring colors, or do you think it's still too early? (It is only mid-January!)

Thank you for reading! :)

The Time I Tried On Red Pants

Hi there!

Raise your hand if you're dreaming of a vacation! A tropical destination, maybe? I've been dreaming of sand between my toes while feeling the ocean breeze through my hair, but it doesn't look like that will be happening anytime soon. In the meantime, I'll be wearing floral-patterned blouses and cropped pants, ready to be whisked off to the beach at the drop of a hat! (Speaking of hats, I really wish I had a wide-brimmed black hat to complete this look. Oh well, I went hatless today!)

Top Zara ($19.99) // Cami Charlotte Russe // Bottoms Zara ($19.99) // Flats DSW: Adrienne Vittadini (last seen here) // Bracelet and Ring Forever 21 ($6.80 and $1.80) // Bag Francesca's 

Zara was having a huge sale this weekend! That is where I bought both this top and pair of cropped pants. The top was originally $35.90 and the bottoms were $59.90, but I scored both for $19.99 each. Woohoo! :) I don't know how long this sale will be lasting, but if you are a Zara fan (or just a fan of big sales), check out their website soon!

I have wanted to own a pair of colored pants for the past few years. Not just any color, though. I wanted a pair of red pants. Cherry red, to be exact. However, I've never even had the courage to try on a pair! I had convinced myself I wouldn't be able to pull them off.

When I found these at Zara, I thought to myself "you know what, why not?? It's the beginning of a new year--time to get out of my comfort zone a little bit and take some fashion 'risks'!" As soon as I had them on in the fitting room, I was dreaming up all of the possible outfits I can create with these pants mixed with what's already in my closet! What trends do you want to try? I encourage you to go for it! Don't wait as long as I did to try on a pair of red pants. . .or whatever it is you're curious to try. You just might be as surprised as I was. :)

Thank you for reading! Have a good week! :)

Friday Favorite!: Running Like a Girl

Hi there!

It's time for another Friday Favorite! This week, I want to share with you a book that my sister gave me for Christmas. I loved it so much, I finished it in 3 days!

Running Like a Girl: Notes on Learning to Run is about Heminsley's experience becoming a marthon runner in her 30's, and what she learned along the way. It is a blend of funny stories mixed with some useful information specifically for female runners (sports bras, anyone?). I am currently training for a half marathon, and this book just made me even more excited for my race! This will be my first half marathon. In fact, it will be my first running event, period. A year ago, I honestly don't know if I could have run one full mile. Tomorrow morning, I am planning to run 7 of them! [[Tonight, I fueled up with this Italian Chicken, which I served with some fettucine alfredo. Mmmmmmm it was tasty! :)]]

I also have an outfit to share tonight!

Sweater Gap // Plaid Top American Eagle // Jeans Levi's // Boots Target // Watch Vernier (Amazon) // Necklace Charlotte Russe

Just being goofy.

I gave this preppy outfit some "edge" by pairing it with this arrow necklace that I found a few weeks ago at Charlotte Russe! A sweet friend of mine had given me a gift card for $10, and this necklace was only $8.99 so it completely covered it. Thank you, Alicia! :)

Thank you for reading! Have a great weekend, and good luck finding some good deals if you're going shopping! ;)

My New Obsession with Gold

Hi there!

It's Wednesday! We're that much closer to the weekend. :)

I keep hearing about this "Polar Vortex"! I complain when my husband turns the fan on at night when we sleep, but sheesh! Just hearing about these sub-zero temps is making me shiver!

Apparently the Southwest corner of the country missed the memo that it's supposed to be really, really cold right now--it's been a high of 70 degrees in my neck of the woods all week. Perfect temperatures for a cardigan and a light scarf. :)

Cardigan J. Crew // Top Wet Seal // Cami Wet Seal // Jeans Lucky Brand (Costco) // Boots Target // Scarf Charming Charlie // Watch Vernier (Amazon)

Lately, I have grown a brand new obsession with the color gold, especially when paired with black or white! It's just so dang pretty! [[and shiny ;)]] I am loving my new white and gold infinity scarf from Charming Charlie--they currently have all scarves for 2 for $20, so if you're looking for a fun, easy way to accessorize an outfit, I suggest you head over there first!

On a completely unrelated side note, can I just mention how grown up I'm feeling lately? Last weekend, Michael and had dinner with a couple of friends and we brought a broccoli salad as our side dish [[OK, we brought onion dip and Ruffles chips too]]. This morning, I went to a spinning class before work. At 5:30 in the morning. By choice. And just look at the photos I posted today--I'm wearing a watch. Those are "grown up" things, right? 

A large part of it probably has to do with the fact I got married 6 months ago, but I just finally feel like I'm easing into adulthood. It's a little weird, but I like it.

Thank you for reading! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Love, Buns, and Polka Dots

Hi there!

I hope you had a fabulous weekend!

I wore this outfit to have dinner with Michael and a couple of our friends. Sweet friends and homemade mac and cheese? It doesn't get much better! :)

 

Chambray Top and Boots Charlotte Russe ($15 and $7.50, Summer 2013) // Skirt and Necklace Forever 21 ($6.80 and $12.80, Winter 2013)

I got this skirt a couple of weeks ago from Forever 21 for only $6.80! It wasn't even on sale. What a steal! I also picked up this necklace from Forever 21 that I am completely obsessed with. I love that it is colorful, but is also versatile enough to wear with so many different outfits! I have been shopping for accessories from Forever 21 for what feels like. . .well, forever! They always have a great collection of trendy jewelry at an affordable price.

It's only January 5. . .can you believe it's warm enough outside to be wearing this?

I hope you have a great week! Not gonna lie, the holidays were making me pretty used to having only a 4 day work week. Oh well, back to the normal routine!

Thanks for reading! :)

Now Introducing. . .Friday Favorite!

Hi there!

I do not have an outfit to share with y'all today. It happens.

But I do have a new weekly post I am beginning right now called "Friday Favorite!", where I will share my favorite thing/person/place/whatever from the week!

"Friday Favorite!" does not have to be anything clothing or fashion related because it's my blog and that's what I have decided. :) After all, the name of my blog is "Katie's Style Project", and according to Google the definition for "in style" is:

"in an impressive, grand, or luxurious way"

On Fridays, I will be sharing anything that has impressed me with its grandness. Or luxuriousness. ;)

And now allow me to introduce. . .FRIDAY FAVORITE!

There is actually a tie for this week!

1. Frozen

I saw this movie with my sister last weekend and ahhhhh I'm obsessed. I thought it was one of the cutest movies I have ever seen! I also have not read the story this movie is based off of (The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen), so I had no idea what to expect!

I also loved the soundtrack!! It reminded me of old Disney classics! I am particularly fond of the song, "Let It Go"!! I made my husband listen to Demi Lovato's cover. . .he wasn't nearly as enthused about it as I am. :P

2. Bath and Body Works' 3-Wick Candle: Gelato

I love Bath and Body Works' 3-Wick Candles! There are so many different scents, and they last for such a long time. I am such a sucker for for their "2 for $22" sales too! I just can't say no to that!

This candle smells so yummy. Trust me! If you like sweet-smelling candles, you will love this! It is also a light scent, so it is not overbearing at all.

I will be honest--I almost didn't even smell it in the store. I used to work in an ice-cream shop when I was in college, and while I definitley never minded eating ice cream all day, I didn't particulary care for smelling it all day. It's dairy, so what do you really expect? I couldn't imagine how a Gelato-scented candle will smell. Then I had two people in the store ask me if I've smelled it, and somehow it ended up home with me.

I have it sitting on my nightstand, and even if it's not lit, I get a whiff of it before I go to sleep at night. If that doesn't give a girl sweet dreams, I don't know what will! ;)

Speaking of "sweet", I hope you all have a "sweet" weekend! Thanks for reading! :)

New Years Day at the Botanical Garden

Hello there!

When my husband asked what I wanted to do on New Years Day, I said the first thing that came to my mind: "See the Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden!"

I love blown glass. I can't describe why, but I think it is so beautiful. I can spend an entire day in a glass gallery, looking at the exquisite designs and beautiful colors of the plates, vases, and figurines. Last year, Michael even surprised me by taking me to an "Intro to Blown Glass" class, where we made glass flowers to use as paper weights! When I heard the Chihuly glass exhibit was back in town, I knew we would have to go.

Today was the perfect day to go to the Desert Botanical Garden too! It's currently 70 degrees outside--is it seriously January 1?? Since we've been home, I've had this beef stew from Iowa Girl Eats simmering on the stove. . .oh man, the delicious smell of dinner has filled up our entire apartment and I am getting hungry!

Not made of glass, but I thought this flower was beautiful!

Shirt and Skirt Wet Seal (old) // Leggings Rue 21 // Boots Gift // Scarf Charming Charlie (December 2013, 2 for $10)

There are so many beautiful images of glass artwork that you can find online if you just Google "Chihuly"!

Thank you for reading!

This is My "I Have to Work on New Years Eve" Outfit

Hello, sweet friends! Happy New Year!

I love New Years! I love the idea of starting a fresh,  new year full of endless possibilities! For me, the New Year brings feelings of ambition and motivation to reach my dreams--some new and some old! I can't wait to see what this year brings. Did you make any New Years resolutions? What are they?

If you know me well (and OK, if you know me not-so-well), you know that girlfran over here loves some sequins. The Holiday Season seems to be the only time that sequins are generally accepted to be worn out in public if you're between the ages of 10 and 65, so I wanted to make sure I ended the season with some major sparkle! Since I had to work on New Years Eve, I combined my gliz and glam with some clothing appropriate to wear to the office.

Chambray Top Charlotte Russe (Summer 2013, $15) // Red Sequined Top Wet Seal (Old) // Blazer Target (Winter 2013) // Jeans American Eagle // Boots Target (Fall 2013, 20% off)

No need to accessorize when you're wearing an entire shirt full of shine.

I hope this 2014 brings you an abundance of love and laughter!

Thank you so much for reading!