Overdressed

I really look forward to any event which allows me to dress up, even the littlest bit, so fancy date nights really excite me. Except our favorite “fancy” date night spot is surprisingly casual, so, womp womp. Over the weekend we planned to grab dinner at a cute, “fancy schamncy” place in town, so I dressed right up… but we changed our plans last minute to get dinner with friends instead… at a very casual Mexican restaurant. So needless to say I was absurdly over dressed for the occasion but whatever… that’s just me.

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DRESS | JACKET | BOOTS | HAT | BAG 

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I snagged this dress off of Amazon towards the end of the summer and felt like I didn’t wear it nearly as often as I should have for how cute it was. It had been tucked into the depths of my closet since then, but in searching for something to go with my favorite over the knee boots I wanted to wear a piece I haven’t worn in a while. It may be a heinously inappropriate dress for mid-January but paired with these boots and a warm coat (not the leather one pictured here) it was perfect.

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I had worn the same faux leather jacket from H&M for the last …. 5 years? Through every season; with layers if it was too cold, with barely anything if it was too warm. It was my actual go to. Unfortunately it basically died this year. The risk you take with a faux-leather item from a store like that… it started to peel. I will say it lasted way longer than I ever thought it would, but when I finally had the courage to let it go for good I knew I needed to find something else I would love just as much, if not more, which meant I knew I had to spend a little more money this time around. Cut to Linea Pelle’s Cameron leather jacket. AND SWOON. I had not-so-secretly been lusting after this jacket for, let’s just say, a hot minute. It finally went on sale and I pounced on that “add to cart” button like a hungry jungle cat stalking its prey. Ya feel me? This particular style is sold out (biggest BOOOOOOOO ever) BUT an almost identical version with embellished sleeves is still available, and truly, just as perfect. The fit is more snug than I would like it to be… which means layering will probably not be an option… unless it just needs some time to be broken in. If you want the tighter fit, it’s true to size, if you want a more versatile look and the ability to throw this over literally anything, I suggest ordering a size up (I’m wearing a small).

SIDE NOTE! Don’t forget to enter my #giveaway to win an electronic toothbrush (read: game changer) from Smile Brilliant, happening nowwwww. Enter here/.

Wide Leg Obsession

I currently have four pairs of wide leg pants hanging on my clothing rack. It’s one of the main things I am obsessed with this year. You can also add overalls to that list… I now have 3 pairs and the collection is growing. So, naturally I adore these wide leg overalls A LOT.

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PANTS, TOP, SIMILAR SHADES, HEELS 

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LOL this last picture actually cracks me up… that’s what happens when you just keep snapping and hoping at least one picture comes out. Not that I think this picture is ‘blog material,’ so to speak, but I think it’s a pretty funny one so whatever. I tried on this ruffle top and fell in love immediately, so I purchased it without having any idea what the hell I would pair it with. I held onto it for a couple weeks, and then these Shein pants came to me and, wa-la! The perfect pair. The straps on these overalls are actually detachable, and they came with a long belt in matching fabric, and we all know versatility makes my world go round, so I was pretty stoked on that.

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Spring is in the Air… Right??

My favorite meme so far this year said, “2017 sucked but at least it had a spring.” AND MY GOD. Have truer words ever been spoken? I was starting to get spoiled thinking New Jersey was no longer going to have long, horrendous winters, but we were so wrong. Winter started late and it just won’t seem to go away. Here and there we have been catching little glimpses of warmer weather and I am here for it. I’ve been changing my outfits 4 times a day just to get everything in before it gets cold again, hah.

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TOP & SIMILAR SKIRT, SHADES 

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We’ve been spending tons of time outside trying to soak up the warm weather while it’s here, and I’ve been forcing myself to sit outside and read as well. I started a book right after Christmas and I cannot bring myself to get through it! Actually, some of ya’ll have probably read it. The Sinner? It was made into a TV show this past year for TNT. I have yet to watch it, but I feel like I should because I am more than half way through the book, still incredibly confused, and bored. DOES IT GET BETTER?! I need answers. Anyway. This top was $10 at Forever21. It’s one of those tops that you can throw on with pretty much anything, jeans… if you’re brave enough (which I am not), overalls, over a bikini at the beach. $10 seemed like a pretty legit investment for this piece. The skirt is old, but I’ve linked to a very similar style above.

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Seeing Stars

If you have been following along on my Instagram, then you’re well aware by now I have recently purchased a pair of high waisted faux leather leggings I am obsessed with. I’ve been trying to find any and every excuse to wear these bad boys as often as possible…seriously, I’d wear them to work if I thought my boss wouldn’t kill me.

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I really cannot say enough amazing things about these leggings. I am obsessed with the fact that they’re high waisted. I love leggings but I feel like they’re all super low-rise and my ass crack is hanging out half the time. I’m always stopping to hike them up… it’s just not comfortable. These fit like a little leather glove. They suck everything in like Spanx and yet are incredibly stretchy. I bought a small and when I took them out of the package they looked like they would fit Charlotte. I was like oh hellllllll noooooo. But they fit perfectly and they’re so comfortable. I wore these out for drinks last week with a long tank top and booties because it was still pretty chilly, but it’s going to be all crop tops and body suits as the weather gets warmer. They are a little more on the expensive side, especially for leggings, but Revolve has FREE 2 day shipping and they’re seriously so comfortable and flattering they are worth every single cent. It’s worth mentioning that this is in no way a sponsored post… I just really, really love them that much, haha. 

Isn’t this top so fun? I bought it in December when I had to bar tend on New Years Eve and wanted something festive… however I didn’t end up wearing it because I figured the bell sleeves would get in the way. It’s been sitting in my closet since, waiting for the perfect bottoms to pair it with, and here they are. I love the sheer star print… I’m also feeling this top, and this one!

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Over Winter Weather, Faux Real.

It’s the first week of spring and how are we celebrating? With a snow storm! COME ON MAN. I am not usually one to complain about weather but this year threw me for a damn loop. We had a very mild winter. December and January were hardly even considered winter. There was a week in February I spent in a bikini on my back deck. And now March? Snow storms galore! I took advantage of one day in between freezing cold weather and snow to snap a quick set of photos of this very 70’s inspired look I’ve been loving lately.

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CROPPED FAUX FUR JACKET (similar here, here, here), T-SHIRT, SIMILAR JEANS, SIMILAR BOOTIES, SIMILAR SHADES 

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I’ve had 90% of this outfit for over 3 years now. Basically the t-shirt is the only new thing… whoops. This cropped faux fur jacket my x-husband bought me for my 22nd birthday maybe? Or 23rd? Jesus that was so long ago! I only break it out for special occasions, typically, which is how it’s been kept in such good condition all this time. These Tory Burch sunglasses I’ve had for just about as long, really. Basically everything I’ve linked to above is a similar style as these exact items are no longer available.

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I’ve been big into my bandannas lately… they’re usually something I wear throughout the summer but I have been styling them in different ways, as shown in a recent post which you can check out here. I wore this outfit to work the other night, minus the fur and swapped out the flares & booties for skinny jeans and sneakers, and a co-worker of mine walked in wearing a bandanna tied in the exact same way! We were twinning and it was adorable. One of my favorite ways to style these is folded and wrapped like a choker, with a necklaces hanging slightly below it, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be wearing these in a variety of ways for the foreseeable future. I mean, they’re less than $2.50 at a craft store.. how can you beat that?

Leg Day, Bro.

I MISS LAST WEEK WHEN THE WEATHER FELT LIKE SUMMER! Remember when we didn’t all have seasonal depression for two days? Remember when we went out wearing dresses without tights or coats because it was legitimately 80 degrees? MAN. Those were the days.

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DRESS || SIMILAR FLANNEL || SHADES || SNEAKERS || NECKLACE || RINGS

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This is how all outfits should look; no layers! Well, I mean, technically the flannel was a layer BUT I didn’t even have to wear it because it was no joke 80 degrees. In February. It’s kind of exciting but as I was literally laying out on my back deck in a bikini I couldn’t help but think… ok yes the Earth is definitely in trouble. Also worth mentioning about this dress, I’m wearing a medium. It runs a little on the smaller side and I was way worried about it shrinking the first time I washed it.

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My brother turned 32 last week (I think he’s 32….? Yes I’m 30 so that must be it) anyway… we went out for a quick drink at our local dive bar which apparently turns into a friggen college club now on Tuesday’s. It actually hurts my heart. I spent my 21st birthday at this sports bar and now there’s a DJ, fist pumpers, girls dancing on the bar in items that I wouldn’t even classify as clothes, napkins being thrown in the air. It’s ABSURD. AH. I digress. The point of that story was that this is what I wore that day and night. I ran out of the house with a coat on because I expected it to be freezing and the air was still warm. It made me so so so so happy, for two days, and now it’s back to big puffy winter coats and boots. BLEH.

So on my instagram this week I went on a little rant about body image, and what I decided was that I am going to stop tweaking my photos to make myself appear to be physically different. I’ve only ever done this to my hips and butt area, really, (maybe a little smoothing of the skin up close) but it’s got to stop. I’ve been working very hard on my body in the gym and while I have a long journey ahead of me before I feel like I’ll be completely happy with my body, if that ever happens, I am so happy with where I’m at today. It is SO EASY to beat yourself up and compare yourself to others, ESPECIALLY if you are a blogger. It used to be oh she has more followers than me, she gets more likes than me… and then it snowballs into her boobs are bigger, her legs are longer, she has a thigh gap, her hair is perfect, she’s also had two kids and she doesn’t have any stretch marks or that extra saggy skin around her mid section that won’t. fucking. go away. It started to drive me insane. I became so fixated on how I don’t look that I wasn’t appreciating how I do look. I shit you not, it was one of the biggest factors in why I stopped blogging in October. The pressure of comparing myself to others became way too much for me. I took a little step back from social media and blogging and started working on myself. Not only physically but mentally as well, really accepting who I am and what I bring to the table. I’ve had two kids… and sometimes I’m like well jesus Kennedy is almost 4 there’s no excuse to still look like this! But then I’m like jesus Kennedy is only almost 4 and I’ve come a long way from where I was! I can’t compare my body now to the body I had when I was in college. I can’t compare the body I have now to someone else’s body who may or may not have had kids, who may work harder than me on getting the body they have, who may eat all the right things and never touch a doughnut. I am who I am and I’m working with what I got but I am going to try my absolute hardest to keep it 100% authentic moving forward. No more making my ass look thinner in my photos. What you see is what you get from now on!

xx

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Dead or Alive

You ever have one of those treat yo’self moments? Well duh, of course you have. Mine usually come when I’m buying donuts, to be quite honest, but every once in a while I like to treat mahself to something I feel like I might live in. This Skull Cashmere sweater was definitely one of those things.

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SWEATER || LEATHER LEGGINGS || SIMILAR SHADES || SIMILAR HAT || BOOTIES similar here, here (also OBSESSED with these!)

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I purchased this sweater between my birthday and Christmas and really had no where to wear it for a while. I begged people to take me out so I had an excuse, LOL. Now I pretty much wear it once a week. I throw it on with these leather leggings or black skinny jeans. When the weather starts to get a little warmer I foresee myself wearing it tucked into a black mini-skirt with my over the knee boots. Soon guys! So soon. (we hope!) It’s cashmere, so it’s obviously soft AF. I bought a size medium so it hangs a little loose. There is nothing I hate more than a tight uncomfortable sweater and I like the way the baggy tops look paired with leather leggings.

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Walk in the Sunshine

We have had two freak days of very spring-like, damn near summer weather this week. It gave me the itch to grab some things to throw in my closet for when the weather really warms up so I’m not unprepared when it happens! Also I couldn’t resist wearing them immediately… I’m weak!

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TOP || JEANS || HEELS || BAG || SHADES || RING

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I follow The Salty Blonde on Instagram and she is my life inspiration. She is always in a bikini, or crop top and wide leg pants, big hat, basking in the sun in Hawaii. Who wouldn’t want this girl’s life? I’m also obsessed with her style, and I’m finding myself going more out of my comfort zones lately… as this is not exactly something I would typically wear, but something she might be found in on the reg. When I see things like this on other girls my first thought is usually… wow I love that but I could never wear it. No more! I’m wearing whatever I want now. Trying to make the Salty Blonde herself proud.

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Not gonna lie… I’ll probably wear this exact same outfit today. I’m really feelin it. It felt SO GOOD to step outside without a coat on, bare toes… sunshine on my face. I might shed actual tears when the temperatures drop again this week. However I am looking forward to doing a little spring shopping the next month or so. I need new shoes. I am OBSESSED with these pink heels from Old Navy. They will most likely be my next purchase. I also need a new bag. I buy like one a season and I can’t remember the last time I purchased one. Someone send me some suggestions for a cute springy bag, please and thank you!

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Emotionally Unavailable

If you have never heard of this company Wicked Clothing you realllllly should check them out. I have a little bit of a…. shall we say…. a wicked sense of humor myself, so their clothes really speak to my soul (or lack there of).

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T-SHIRT || SIMILAR COAT || PANTS || SHOES || HAT

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This was one of the many t-shirts they carry that aren’t on the fucked up side, haha. I also bought this one. You see what I mean about their branding? It’s hilarious and messed up all at the same time, I love it. I got my bestie a few of their t-shirts for her birthday too because we have a veryyyy similar sense of humor. Not everything they carry makes you go, “oh my goodness!” either. They have a bunch of t-shirts and sweatshirts that speak to current events and feminism. It’s pretty fantastic. Visit their site to browse all of the fun stuff they offer.

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Guess Who’s Back? Back Again.

Rachel’s back. Tell a friend! Just kidding… but not really because I am back on the blog after months off and you really should tell a friend to come check it out. :] I’ve taken a few months to myself to basically get my shit in order, for lack of better terms. In every aspect of my life, not just blogging, but including blogging. I had to kind of remove myself from everything to be able to start fresh, and I didn’t have the energy or focus, or passion really, to put into my website anymore. I’m happy to say I am back and feeling recharged and better than ever. So here we are, let’s dive right in!

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ON ME: VARSITY JACKET (similar here, cheaper option here) DRESS, SOCKS, BOOTS, HAT

ON CHARLOTTE: DRESS (similar), JACKET, HAT (similar) 

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My poor little love. She has been sick for weeks now! She is basically fine now, but has one of those coughs that will not go away no matter what. Aren’t those the most frustrating?! She actually came home from school early this day, and you can see it in her eyes. Meanwhile she refuses to sit out of pictures, lol. Please ignore the obvious stains on her dress. She realized she had a dress that matched mine and insisted on wearing it with me, even if she had to take it out of her hamper. Listen guys, if you’re a parent you know, you have to pick your battles. This was one I did not have the energy to fight. So here she is, back on the blog, sick and wearing a dirty dress. But it made her day so what-ev-er!

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I showed this outfit on my Instagam before it landed on the blog and a friend of mine messaged me saying she had a similar jacket forever but never wears it because she was unsure how to style it. Let it be known that any day it’s not absolutely freezing or nasty out I am wearing this jacket. I wear it with little dresses, as shown above, or with black skinny jeans and booties. You’re probably going to see it on the blog a bunch moving forward. Sorry not sorry. Another thing you’re going to see me wear as a repeat offender; this hat! I haven’t taken it off since I bought it. I love it so much I’m considering getting the yellow one for spring.

So I will be doing a few things differently on the blog now. I used to incorporate a lot more content before it became just a personal style blog. I might throw in some more beauty posts, more mom stuff… maybe even some recipes again. We’ll see! If there is anything you guys want to see more of be sure to leave a comment and let me know!

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