Shopping and Babies

sequin top: vince camuto (old, similar here ) // turtleneck: the limited (old, similar here ) // jeans: madewell (available here )// jacket: old navy (super old, similar here ) // shoes & bag: shoemint // watch: michael kors (available here )// jewels: stella & dot

Hello friends.......today I'm off to Myrtle Beach for my family's 10th annual outlet shopping trip....yea, we're that cool. Every year two weeks before Christmas we hit the outlets like its our job and usually our car is so loaded down with bags that we look like we just robbed a department store.

The trip means more than ever now because two years ago during the trip I had a meltdown about the possibility of never being able to have children because of a possible medical condition I had just been informed of......now let me set the record straight, I wasn't planning on having kids for another 10 years but the thought of never being able to scared the mess out of me........ The Monday after we got back from Myrtle I........found out I was pregnant. SHOCK of a LIFETIME. But the best surprise of my life!!!!

Anywhos, do you guys want to know what just ruffles my feathers? When people think that activities like running errands and shopping mean that you don't have to wear "real clothes." Um, are you out of your house? Then you NEED to be wearing "real clothes" friends........please stop wearing your sweatpants to the mall. Clinton and Stacey have been preaching this for almost as long as our annual shopping trip.....how have you not picked up on that yet?!!!

Have a great weekend skrillas :)

PS I'm on the hunt for this clutch at the Kate Spade outlet store this weekend!!! Do you guys have any items on your Christmas list that you are dying for?

available here

And a little weekly recap for ya

PS don't forget to enter the Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster Bracelet giveaway!!! (open through Sunday)



a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Copycat Lookbook: Golden White Decor

photo via goldenwhitedecor.com

top: free people (similar here )// skirt: miss me ( similar here )/ /blazer: the limited (similar here )// clutch: kate spade (available here )// shoes: 3.1 phillip lim (available here )// watch: michael kors (available here )// jewels: stella & dot
today's holiday opulence: sequins!!
photos by the amazing Molly Stillman

Ok its time for another round of Copycat Lookbook (where I find looks I love and recreate them with items I already own).....and as you can see its a very festive look from the girls over at Golden White Decor. First let me say that the 2 ladies behind this blog are absolutely stunning and they actually inspire me and motivate me on a daily basis with quotes and wisdom that they share....so you need to check them out!! Sidenote- roxthefox suggested that I open up the Copy Lookbook series to you guys.....so skrillas.....do you have any looks that you love that you would like me to recreate? If so email me a picture of the look!!!! (monikabrooke@gmail.com)

Next, I just want to say I hope you guys appreciate this clutch.....the hubs most definitely did not.....so you guys know what I'm about to say....I LOVE it!!! I mean come on, its says "arm candy"....it doesn't get much better.

PS....be sure to check out the Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster bracelet giveaway here!!! Its open till this Saturday!!!

And for the necklace du jour.....The Stella & Dot Geneve Lace Pendant

I know you are busy but if you have a second I would like to introduce you to the newest member of my jewelry collection.... The Geneve Lace Pendant Necklace. I love interesting design and pieces that have a story behind them. The Chief Creative Officer's (Blythe Harris) grandmother's ("Dot" in Stella & Dot) father had a lace factory in the early 1920's and when she passed away she left all of the lace samples to Blythe. Blythe was so inspired by the intricacy and textures of the lace that she had the design team create custom vintage inspired pieces including this one that were modeled after the samples. I wish you could see this in person because its absolutely beautiful. 

Copycat Lookbook: Anna Dello Russo- Reversed

photo via style.com

shirt: (similar here)// blazer: cabi (similar here ) // pants: asos (available here )// shoes: sam edleman ( available here )// sunnies: diy// watch: michael kors (available here )// jewels & bag: stella & dot
today's holiday opulence: jacquard pants and metallic flats!
photos by the amazing Molly Stillman

     You guys, it is safe to say that I have an obsession with Anna Dello Russo......I'm seriously in awe of her style and the deeper I dig into her philosophies on fashion the more I grow to love her. So today's Copycat Lookbook is inspired by ADR herself....I've been staring at this photo since fashion week thinking of a way to recreate it...because the Copycat Lookbook series is all about putting together looks with items I already own and all.... and last week it donned on me. I don't have a green jacquard jacket and pale pink pants......BUT I do have a pale pink jacket and green jacquard pants....plus a blue button up, crazy sunnies and an awesome clutch!!!!!! PS the shopping bag I'm holding is full of some vintage goodies I picked up during this photo sesh that I can't wait to show you guys!)

I know this outfit may seem kind of cray cray but I have to be honest....its one of my favorites, ever. By channeling Anna I almost feel more powerful and free to be me, that's what fashion does to me......I walk around every day literally with my heart on my sleeve. I figured I would leave you with some of my favorite ADR quotes, because fashion should be fun and full of joy.......(PSS I REALLY enjoyed hearing about the items in your closet's that make your spouse's cringe!!!!)

"The message is having your own fashion week, You can play with low budget, but you can renovate your wardrobe like if you were front row." 

 'Wearing lots of JEWELLERY. the sound of JEWELLERY banish bad thoughts and bad ghosts."

"Color me! ACCESSORIZE me!

shock me!"

"FASHION is such stuff as

DREAMS are made on…"

And now for the accessories du jour....The Stella & Dot Liz Drop Earrings

And the Stella & Dot Chelsea Tech Wallet

Holiday Opulence

sweater & jacket: the limited  // shorts: tobi.com (similar here )// collar: jewelmint // shoes: shoemint //sunnies: prada (available here )// watch: michael kors (available here )// jewels: stella & dot
photos by the amazing Molly Stillman

Do you guys ever find yourselves sitting at the beginning of January asking "where did the holidays go...they always fly by so fast..." I know I do every year. This year I decided to make December all about holiday opulence....sequins, leather, fur, decadent fabrics, bright colors and tons of jewels. This way I can get my holiday spirit right where it needs to be! So today's opulence: sequins of course!

Also, do you guys have any items in your wardrobe that your spouse just hates? Bahahaha this little red corvette sweater is definitely on my husband's burn list which makes me lurve it even more.

So here's to the holidays skrillas....may yours be merry and bright :)

Ps I'm linking up with Molly again so be sure to check that out!

And for the accessories du jour.....The Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster bracelets in silver and gold....ps, you NEED these!

Balance

 jacket: urban outfitters (old, similar here)// top: daven via clothes hound // pants: loft (similar here )// faux fur stole: the limited // shoes: shoemint // sunnies: prada (available here) // watch: michael kors (available here )// bag & jewels: stella & dot
photos by the amazing Molly Stillman

Happy happy Monday skrillas. I just got these shoes in the mail last week (free with my Mintsider reward points!) and they are just gorgeous....the only thing is they are super va-va-voom....now, don't get me wrong I love a little bit of voom but I wanted to tone them down a little with something more masculine....like boyfriend jeans.

This lead me on a wild goose chase which ultimately ended in defeat....every pair with either too loose or too tight. I came home and scoured through my closet (my mecca, the only place in the house that is entirely mine) and pulled out these cropped trousers from Loft. A cobalt blue light bulb went off! Just enough balance off masculine and feminine......perfect for a trunk show (one of the only times during the month that I actually get to dress up!)

PS I'm linking up with Molly today so be sure to check that out.....you really need to see her new dynamite haircut!!

And for the necklace du jour....The Stella & Dot Stevie which i just found out this morning is 50% off when you use the code "PEOPLESD" at stelladot.com/brookeallen