Happy Monday, ladies!  Last week on the blog was everything Yellowstone-inspired.  We went jacket and boot heavy and really leaned into the Western-themed look.  This week we’re shifting gears and today we’re focusing on inspired business chic.  

Inspired Business Chic 

Today, I’ve gone with an all-neutral look by layering a black crewneck from Banana Republic with a long black cardigan (out of stock similar here).  The monochromatic layers really make these plaid pants from Ralph Lauren pop.  Combined with these spectator pumps from Ann Taylor  (similar here), we’ve nailed business chic.

Style tip:  When in doubt, stick with neutrals for a business chic look.  

Plaid pants (Ralph Lauren) | Black crewneck (Banana Republic) | Long black cardigan (out of stock similar Banana Republic similar here) | Spectator pumps, (old Ann Taylor similar here) | Handbag (old  Ralph Lauren  similar here and here) | Watch band | Bangle | Earrings

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Leather satchel

A leather satchel is a perfect handbag to complement business chic.   This is an old one from Ralph Lauren, but I’ve found a similar here and here.  

Style tip:  Match your bag with your top to emphasize your bottom.

Plaid pants (Ralph Lauren) | Black crewneck (Banana Republic) | Long black cardigan (out of stock similar Banana Republic similar here) | Spectator pumps, (old Ann Taylor similar here) | Handbag (old  Ralph Lauren  similar here and here) | Watch band | Bangle | Earrings

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Long cardigan

Long cardigans are perfect for, well, that elongated look many of us are going for.    Paired with slacks and heels, you can’t go wrong. 

Plaid pants (Ralph Lauren) | Black crewneck (Banana Republic) | Long black cardigan (out of stock similar Banana Republic similar here) | Spectator pumps, (old Ann Taylor similar here) | Handbag (old  Ralph Lauren  similar here and here) | Watchband | Bangle | Earrings

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In case you missed it

Every Sunday this year, we’ve gone deep into the essentials every woman should have in their wardrobe.  In case you missed it, yesterday we took a look at Five classic winter essentials.

We’re continuing Yellowstone week over here on the blog.  Yesterday was a big success, and it was nice to know that I’m not alone in my love of the show.  Honestly, it shouldn’t be that surprising given what a cultural phenomenon this show has become.  Everything from the music (Ryan Bingham anyone?) to the fashion is quietly (or not so quietly) becoming iconic.  And if you haven’t checked out the official podcast hosted by Jefferson White who plays Jimmy, you should.   With that, I’ve got another Yellowstone-inspired outfit for you—the key piece being a cardigan.  

Yellowstone-style cardigan

I love, love, love both Monica’s and Beth’s fashion.   It seems like in every episode at least one of them is rocking a chunky cardigan with a unique and beautiful design and pattern. Today, I’m featuring a Yellowstone-style cardigan from Banana Republic.  (Nope, not Pendleton.)   I’ve layered it on top of this mono-colored Vince sweater, which nicely accentuates the cardigan’s pattern.  Combine that with a pair of slim jeans also from Banana Republic, you’ve got a simple but striking outfit.  Really don’t want to take away from the cardigan itself—that’s the key.    

Cardigan (Banana Republic) | Sweater (Vince)  | Denim (Banana Republic) | boots (similar) | ​boots (similar 2) | handbag (Patricia Nash) | sunglasses

Winter boots

Jackets and boots, boots and jackets.  They’re what make winter dress so much fun.  And they’re half the bulk of capturing the essence of Yellowstone-inspired dress.  Yesterday, I featured a pair of suede boots from Banana Republic.  Today, I’m featuring another pair of suede ones from Frye.  I’ve had these for a while, so I pulled two similar boots (and similar). 

Cardigan (Banana Republic) | Sweater (Vince)  | Denim (Banana Republic) | boots (similar) | ​boots (similar 2) | handbag (Patricia Nash) | sunglasses

Patricia Nash saddle bag

Loving this Patricia Nash handbag, so much so that it’s the second day in a row that I’ve featured it.  Perfectly complements the boots adding to the Western-style feel of the whole outfit.  If you’re looking to invest in a handbag, make sure to check out our deep dive into bags from this past Sunday.

Cardigan (Banana Republic) | Sweater (Vince)  | Denim (Banana Republic) | boots (similars) | ​boot (similar 2) | handbag (Patricia Nash) | sunglasses

In case you missed it

Today’s Yellowstone-style Cardigan is a winter favorite.  And if you’re looking for more Yellowstone-inspired fashion, make sure to check out the faux suede jacket I featured yesterday. 

another friday rolls around and we bid adieu to another week. i have had a busy week over here at the blog. we have been talking about home organization. this week, we started with a look at my kitchen. we have also been talking about all things summer fashion. whether it’s how to wear denim this summer, or how to wear a blazer this summer – the season is officially here this sunday. today we are going to stick with our casual cool, i have an easy hummus recipe to share and the cocktail is a delicious julep, just perfect to beat the heat! join us today as we keep it easy like friday morning.  we’re talking how to wear a cardigan this summer. 

how to wear a cardigan this summer

i have my linen striped drawstring shorts (similar here) back in action today for a casual, cool outfit. perfect for lounging and taking care of things at home. today i am pairing my shorts with a crewneck and a linen cardigan. both are lightweight and so comfortable. 

linen beach shorts | similar shorts | crewneck tee | cardigan | similar cardigan | similar cardigan 2 | gold sandals | similar sandal | similar sandal 2 

elevate an ultra casual outfit by mixing in some gold accessories like metallic gold slide sandals from Ann Taylor, gold bracelets and necklace and my casual ootd has purpose and comfort.  

easy hummus

i used to make my own hummus all the time. it’s my go-to healthy snack. it’s great on salads too! recently, i discovered that my favorite hummus brand used sunflower oil in its recipe. sunflower oil is high in omega-6 which can contribute to inflammation in the body. it’s important to me to avoid foods that cause inflammation, so my favorite hummus was off my list. 

i decided it was time to pull out the food processor and make my own hummus – with olive oil. 

hummus is a blank canvas for all kinds of toppings too. today we have olive tapenade, chimichurri sauce, a drizzle of olive oil and pine nuts. every bite can be a different flavor experience. grab your favorite veggies and it’s a great appetizer or light lunch.

Romeo and Julep

a classic mint julep is evocative of a warm day, spent outside, under an umbrella, just enjoying the afternoon. today’s cocktail is from a fun cocktail recipe book called Tequila Mockingbird, by Tim Federle. all of the cocktails are based on literary classics. this one is based on Romeo and Juliet and it definitely captures the romance of a summer day. 

fridays with oscar

linen beach shorts | similar shorts | crewneck tee | cardigan | similar cardigan | similar cardigan 2 | gold sandals | similar sandal | similar sandal 2 

i hope you have a moment to enjoy the first days of summer this weekend. summer’s start is gorgeous here in athens, so we will soak up the mild temps as long as we can. be sure to stay tuned to the blog as we gear up for summer and fourth of july. we will continue exploring tips and tricks for home organization and design, and of course more summer fashion! oscar, ollie and i wish all of you a wonderful weekend!

what were you doing one year ago today?  that’s a question i spent last evening mulling over after all of the comments we received on yesterday’s post:  does fashion still matter?  i read through every single bit of feedback we got, not only on the blog, but on our other social channels too.  first of all, thank you.  i’ve got such wise readership, and i love hearing your perspective on what’s going on.  at a really high-level, there were two major themes in the comments.  1)  it’s not that fashion matters right now per se, but rather it’s looking and feeling our best even in times of uncertainty like these.  such a smart point, and i totally agree.  and 2) the new “normal” isn’t normal nor should it be thought of such.  and it’s this point that prompted my lead question for today.  one year ago today, i was starting to plan for my son’s and daughter-in-law’s wedding.  had just begun to dress shop, and mr. style was starting to suit shop.  to remind myself—to remind ourselves—of real normal, i thought i’d do something fun today and raid the archives.  i went back to April 2019 and pulled together 3  spring fashion how tos for you.  i hope you enjoy the fashion distraction again today, and let me know in the comments what you were doing one year ago today. 

how to wear a jumpsuit

happy Monday, ladies from the glorious south where the birds are chirping, bees buzzing, and trees bursting with buds. if it’s spring then snowball viburnums are in full bloom. what a glorious sight! and the perfect backdrop for a simple black jumpsuit. every year we try to snag a photo in front of this gorgeous tree. so i’ve vigilantly watched this neck of the woods for the past few weeks. today was the day!

this up for anything black jumpsuit from Ralph Lauren has a flattering bateau neck and tapered legs. it can be dressed up for dinner and a show or dressed down for “let’s do coffee.” for a casual cool outfit that takes sixty seconds to create throw on a denim jacket and white sneakers. voila, instant casual chic

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similar jumpsuit | similar jumpsuit 2 | similar jumpsuit 3 | similar jumpsuit 4 |  sandals | bracelet | earrings 

how to wear a jean jacket

my fling with spring continues! but if there’s one thing we know about this season it’s that the weather can change in a heartbeat. one reason i grab a jacket before i head out the door. sometimes it’s a raincoat other times a denim jacket will do the trick. since today’s ootd is casual through and through a military inspired denim jacket from Ralph Lauren is the perfect companion. details like metallic soutache, epaulets, and silver buttons add a jaunty flair. princess seams and darts at the front and back of the collar update this classic officer’s jacket and give it the spit and polish it deserves.

since the temps are already on the rise i know my denim days are short-lived. typically when the summer heat arrives i transition to shorts, skirts, and dresses. so i grabbed a pair of white denim, chose a lightweight sweater, and decided yellow driving mocs  were the perfect addition to add a pop of color. but the star of this show is the denim officer’s jacket. am i right?! good old ralph takes a classic wardrobe staple and puts a spin on it. which is exactly what we need from time-to-time to stay modern and fresh.

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similar jeans | similar sweater | similar jacket | similar shoes 

how to wear high low

good morning, ladies. happy monday! i hope you enjoyed the long Easter weekend. our spring weather was sprinkled with tornado watches and flash floods on friday and saturday with a high of fifty-something. it was downright cold and dreary! but sunday was a glorious sunshiny day which seemed to make up for the chilly ones. mr. style and i wandered parts of the UGA campus for photos sunday afternoon. hopefully, you can catch a glimpse of the beauty that surrounds these historic grounds. the University of Georgia was founded in 1785 and is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. people always ask why mr. style and i decided to make athens our home. the university had a big part to play. it offers sporting events, concerts, an art museum, and, of course, the energy of the students that abounds for nine months out of the year. and an adorable english bulldog mascot that goes by the name of uga.

there’s been much discussion on the blog recently about fashion price points. so i’m sharing how i wear high low items. of course, on any given day you will see me wearing mid-price brands: Ann Taylor, Talbots, J.Crew, Everlane. their classic styles will always have a place in my closet. but if i’m shopping at Target or Akris Punto and something catches my eye, it has a 100% chance of coming home with me. because if you find something that makes your heart go pitter patter you’ll wear it. isn’t that the point of a stylish wardrobe? and i love to mix luxury items with basement bargains. i’ve always had the mindset that clothes should be worn. and worn regularly. i feel the same way about my home decor. why should my china be relegated to special occasion dining? why not mix and match them with other pieces all through the year? 

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similar jeans | similar shirt | similar cardigan | similar cardigan 2

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