blazer – the Spiff

What to Buy Tax Free

July 23, 2019 No Comments

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And the sales just keep on coming…

We’re about to hit tax free weekend, which means the sales are just getting deeper.

There’s really no wrong thing to buy during this time unless you fall in love with something over $100 in which case, you’re going to pay tax.

But I did want to pull together options of one particular item I like to look at this time of year (honestly, I’d buy this piece all day any day). And that’s a good jacket. I bought the one I’m wearing in the picture from Banana Republic on tax free weekend years and years ago. It still looks great and I didn’t pay more than $60 for it.

It’s hard to get your hands on a well made jacket at a deep deep discount unless you’re buying out of season. But right now with sales the way they are and at the very least a 10% discount (no tax), you can get your hands on a quality piece you’ll wear with so many things for so many years.

Here is a round up of my favorites from two stores in West Town Mall…White House Black Market and Chico’s.

White House Black Market:

This metallic jacket *heart eyes* would go so beautifully over a summer dress now and just as easily pair with a black shirt, dark jeans and heels at Christmas time.

From now until the end of time, a black blazer will always be a thing.

I stand by that statement and not just because I love both black things and blazers. They’re a staple in any closet, even if it never sees the inside of a boardroom. Get a well made version (with stretch!) in this classic shape.

Chico’s:

My current denim jacket came from Chico’s. It was the answer to all my denim jacket needs and relatively inexpensive for a good denim jacket – right under $100. So I’m going to continue keeping an eye on Chico’s jacket options. Take a look at the couple I found that you might also enjoy…

I wore this jacket on air one time and got multiple compliments from the people in studio. I was just borrowing it but you better believe I’m going for it at some point. The nice thing about a black denim is you can wear it with jeans without doing exact denim on denim. It also acts as a more casual answer to a blazer. Yep, I’m going for it.

This is the lighter version of the jacket I own. I was drawn to it because of the lack of pockets (wanted to stay far away from the ho-down vibe), the long lines in the front (so flattering) and the stretchy fit. It’s probably the most comfortable denim jacket I’ve ever worn.

Don’t hesitate to buy yourself something this weekend that you’ll reach for over and over again – and love doing it!

Fashion, Spiffy, style

A Stylish Outfit With Zero Accessories

April 17, 2018 No Comments

~~Sometimes~~ less is more ~~on point~~.

I walked out the door dressed for church a couple weeks ago without a single accessory.

I tried to accessorize, even put on a necklace, it just seemed odd not to. I think sometimes we wear things because it’s “what you’re supposed to wear” or it’s our little routine – “I always wear a ____”. But I want to change that. When you box yourself in to what you think you’re supposed to wear, you begin to stop wearing things because you feel good in them and do it out of obligation or habit. Let’s only wear things that make us feel like our best, wearing only things we love and feel beautiful in.

It’s not always the case, (and don’t tell Dolly I said this) but sometimes an outfit doesn’t need embellishing.

So how do you know when an outfit doesn’t need embellishing? The best answer is, when jewelry doesn’t highlight anything.

Now if you could see my ears better, I would have added some studs (probably pink ones), but you can’t really see my ears through all my hair.

So if you don’t have this going on, remember even the smallest of earrings can make an impact, add polish and make you look purposeful. That’s always the goal – looking purposeful. Like you put time and effort into your look (without having to put lots of time/effort into your look), and it doesn’t require a pile of jewelry!

A bold patterned anything – sweater, jacket, top – help to give life and visual impact which means you can minimize the jewelry.

Remember you’re adding highlights with accessories, and a page that’s fully highlighted isn’t easy on the eyes.

Sweater is from J Crew (exact sweater link! Ha, that never happens) | jacket and jeans Express | shoes Target (all of which I’ve owned for years)

Spiffy, style, west town mall

Blazer + Jeans Four Ways (Part 4)

May 2, 2017 1 Comment

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Do you get excited when someone tells you how little they paid for something? (If that’s the case you may want to skip over a few lines).

When I hear people talk about super sales it makes me want to drop what I’m doing and go shopping. Every time.

These shoes I’m wearing in the pictures? They cost $11. I got them at JCPenney in West Town Mall. So you’ve either smiled at that fact, gotten mad, or your no longer reading because you’re in your car headed to the nearest JCP.

For the rest of you let’s talk about this outfit…

Deconstructed this is a simple jeans and t-shirt look. In fact, I love this look for so many reasons. It’s a perfectly balanced look that works in many scenarios.

Also…

I could keep the blazer, heels and necklace in my car for a simple outfit upgrade on a crazy day. With some simple tennis shoes this would be a great outfit to run around in.

But look how much it’s transformed by adding those details!

That’s what you have to do to get more out of your closet – take a simple combination and edit. The bright pink updates the look and gives it a punch of color. The white blazer makes wearing a jacket in 90 degree weather seasonally appropriate. The necklace pulls both worlds of dressy and casual down to a table and says, “let’s all work together.” Simple as that.

Doesn’t have to be a long, loud necklace or a printed tee (in fact, keep this a secret, this is a maternity tee but I still wear it because it’s soooo loooong…don’t tell anyone).

The blazer is from Express but here’s a similar one I’d consider cheating on it with. The jeans are American Eagle (and so very comfortable) and while I can’t find my exact shoes…here’s a version that’s on sale. Pair it with a JCP coupon and you’ve got yourself a deal!

This is the final installment of my blazer + jeans looks. This one is the most dressy; this one is great for a night out; and this one is perfect for a comfortable Saturday.

Also I have a Pinterest Jacket board I’m adding too aall the time. I FREAKIN LOVE JACKETS. :)

Finally, all pictures are brought to you by Sarah Moser! She’s an amazing talent who is so fun to work with. Check her out!

Spiffy, style

Blazer + Jeans Four Ways (Part 3)

April 28, 2017 1 Comment

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My home-bodyness was truly tested last week. Turns out I’m even MORE of a homebody than I realized…

Half way through last week I was hit with a stomach bug. This landed me at home for….well the entire weekend (also Thursday and most of Wednesday). And you know, I was perfectly ok with that.

The fact that it was super rainy all weekend made hunkering down even more appealing. In fact by Sunday night it had been…well a long time since I had even left the house and I could have kept the streak going. Listen, I work hard and I do nothing hard. ;)

On pretty weekends, I am all about getting out for brunch (in fact, it’s on tap for this weekend!). Sure the idea of it sounds more appealing mid-week then it does at 8 o’clock Saturday morning, but once I get everyone dressed and out the door it’s pure enjoyment (dang it! We WILL enjoy it!).

This outfit is perfect in those moments where you want to look cute for a breakfast or brunch but don’t want to put the effort in. I have this on standby for any such occasion. The blazer is cotton (got it a while back on clearance at Target but here is a similar one). It’s definitely the most comfortable of the blazer + jeans looks I’ve been showcasing all month (first one here, second here).

The fact that it’s cotton makes it a comfy but perfectly cute thing to throw on Saturday morning!

The shirt! I’m all about a good graphic tee and this one I could get behind (or in? I guess?)

While it’s no longer for sale at the little online boutique I got it at, it is for sale on Amazon…click on the picture below to get it!

I hope you have some brunch plans in your future – or whatever two meals you want to combine and eat leisurely with friends. Linner maybe? Dunch? ;)

Spiffy, style

Blazer + Jeans Four Ways (Part 2)

April 21, 2017 No Comments

I can’t imagine a day in fashion when a blazer and jeans won’t be a classic go-to look. Maybe the blazer will change – really high shoulders perhaps? Maybe that silver aluminum look we always see in the “future”?

Regardless, it’s a classic look that’s easily customize-able to your style and taste. Not to mention, throwing on a blazer makes you look pulled together and purposeful pretty quickly.

My favorite thing about blazers? You get extra use out of your tops. This sleeveless top takes on a new look under the blazer. Especially when pattern mixed with some great snakeskin heels. These heels are from Ann Taylor in West Town Mall and were only $15! (Similar here).

This blazer is probably one of the most written about pieces on the blog. I picked it up at Banana Republic in West Town a couple years ago during tax-free weekend. I would advise taking your time with a purchase like a blazer and make sure it’s something you do in person. It’s important to see how it fits and where it hits you so as not to overwhelm your frame or look like it shrunk in the wash.

Finally, this cute just-the-right-size blush clutch is one of my Ipsy bags! As soon as I pulled it out I thought of what a great bag that will be to grab and throw in the diaper bag with my phone and some touch up makeup. Another big perk to Ipsy.

I hope you’ll consider this classic blazer + jeans combo for your next…anything!

Here’s another look that might tickle your fancy…