Four

coat (similar) // top // skirt (similar) // boots // bag // hat

Breaking out my favorite classic holiday pieces of my last four work days of 2016.

This shimmery skirt is one of my all time favorites and I always find myself reaching for it this time of year. It adds just the right amount of sparkle to an outfit without being over the top. And these boots, well, they just speak for themselves.

Countdown is on...

Happy Monday everyone!

New Month, New Post

 

Outfit 1: cardigan c/o // turtleneck // jeans // shoes c/o // bag // belt

Outfit 2:  sweater c/o // cami // jeans // boots

 

Andddd... I'm back!

After a long and lengthy debate about whether or not to continue my blog, I decided that I do love being a part of the blogging community and that I am not ready to give it up just yet.

Classroom Couture has been part of my life for almost FIVE years now (wow - have never said that out loud and just realizing how long that really is), and has seen me through a career change, IVF, the birth of my beautiful baby girl, and two moves.

While my blogging habits have certainly changed over the years, I am thankful for you all who have been with me throughout.

It feels great to be back - happy November 1st everyone!

That's a Wrap

Dress:  Lisakai, Bag:  Sophie Hulme (also loving this style), Shoes:  Ivanka Trump

Pun intended ~ dress and shoes!

Loving this easy breezy wrap-around summer number that's great for the office, a girl's night out or a weekend rendezvous with my husband.

Happy hump day everyone!

Time Flies

Top:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Jeans:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Bag:  Free People, Shoes:  Steve Madden, Bracelets:  c/o Gold & Gray Jewelry

Hello and happy Tuesday readers! 

Sorry for my short absence ~ I was busy planning a flamingo-themed first birthday bash for my baby girl who turns one today. We celebrated with family and close friends this past Saturday and it was absolutely magical and surreal at the same time. 

This year flew by. It seriously feels like just yesterday I was unsure as to whether or not I was actually in labor ~ ha!

Many party pics to come.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Black Sheep

Dress:  Tularosa "Payton", Bag:  Street Level, Shoes:  Schutz, Belt:  ASOS ~ also loving this identical one,  Ring:  c/o Happiness Boutique, Earrings:  c/o Happiness Boutique **use code classroomcouture for 10% off at www.happinessboutique.com

The color of my outfit reflecting current NJ weather situation.

Happy Monday everyone!

Sleeveless Trench Vest

Vest:  Nordstrom, Top:  Madewell, Jeans:  Frame Denim, Shoes:  Marc Fisher (Chloé version here), Bag:  Street Level

After wearing this winter-weight shawl collar vest for essentially six months straight, I decided it was time to pack it up for the season and find myself a spring version.

This Leith number won me over immediately.

I've just been loving the easy long layers lately.

Hope everyone had a very Happy Mother's Day yesterday!

Wrap Fringed Skirt

Look 1 // Blazer:  Helmut Lang (love this linen blazer), Tee:  Splendid, Skirt:  Anthropologie, Shoes:  Steve Madden, Bag:  Street Level

Look 2 // Jacket:  Madewell, Top:  Splendid, Skirt:  Anthropologie, Shoes:  Zara, Bag:  Sophie Hulme (also love this one)

Although my personal style leans more to the preppy side, it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of fringe, tassels or anything with a boho '70s vibe. Put together the prep and the boho and you have this perfectly punchy skirt. 

I styled it first for work and then for more of an off-duty chic look.

Happy Monday everyone!

Work It

Finally, 10+ months after the birth of my daughter (and 10+ months of excuses), I've resolved to get into a regular workout routine.

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, but having a little one makes "you time" really difficult. I've finally realized that one thing that will help me to be the best mother I can be is to take a little time for myself every day.

Once I wrapped my mind around my new plan of action, I decided I needed to look the part (obviously). Below are some pretty pieces I picked for inspiration:

Lolë bra // Lolë leggings // Nike sneakers // Moon Juice action dust // Lolë bra // Nike hoodie// APL sneakers // APL sneakers // Lolë leggings

Happy hump day everyone!

Spring Has Sprung

Blazer:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Top:  J.Crew (this year's version here), Jeans:  7FAM, Shoes:  Steve Madden, Bag:  c/o Torregrossa ~ click here and use code ClassroomCouture20 for 20% off!!!

Spring has FINALLY sprung and I had the best weekend ever with my little family. There wasn't a cloud in the sky ~ we basically spent the entire weekend outdoors.

One of those weekends that you never want to end.

Happy Monday everyone!

Navy Lace

Dress:  Zara (similar here, here under $50, here, some amazing Self Portrait options here), Bag:  c/o Torregrossa "Brooklyn Mini" Bag ~ use code ClassroomCouture20 for 20% off of your order!, Shoes:  Zara (old, similar here, this similar pair is on my wishlist) 

Getting myself dolled up for an event / holiday / or just to leave the house seems like a distant memory these days.

In my head I envision Ella and me in matching outfits, both to the 9's, looking like the perfect mommy and mini pair. Reality is that by the time I get her all ready to go there is about 30 seconds remaining for me, and I end up leaving the house looking like her flustered assistant.

That said, this spring I'm vowing to get it together. Easiest way to do so is with the perfect throw-on-and-go dress. While this Zara frock may look fussy, it's anything but. Best part is that it resembles those gorgeous Self Portrait dresses for a fraction of the price!

Of course I had to pair this neutral number with a bright bag. My new Torregrossa duffle is the perfect shade and size.

**Use code ClassroomCouture20 for 20% off of any bag on their site.

Happy Monday everyone!

Fancy Foulard

Outfit 1// Blazer:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Sweater:  J.Crew, Jeans:  Frame Denim, Bag:  Street Level, Foulard:  c/o Liz Nehdi

Outfit 2// Sweater:  Club Monaco (old, similar here), Jeans:  AG, Shoes:  Steve Madden

This fancy foulard on repeat bringing that spring feeling to my in-between wardrobe.

Happy Monday everyone!

Weekend Wear

Vest:  Anthropologie (identical here under $25!), Jeans:  rag & bone, Scarf:  Zara (old, identical here), Bag:  Mansur Gavriel, Sneakers:  Adidas

A quick shot of what my weekend looked like.

Happy Monday everyone!

Shaggy

Coat:  John + Jenn (sold out, similar here, here, here under $100), Top:  H&M, Jeans:  Frame Denim, Bag:  Mansur Gavriel, Shoes:  Gianvito Rossi (LOVE this similar pair, budget-friendly version here)

This fun faux fur coat kicked my simple all black ensemble up a notch.

Happy Monday everyone!

Same S***, Different Day

Coat:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Top:  Petit Bateau, Jeans:  Frame Denim, Shoes:  Zara (old, similar here under $20!!), Bag: Mansur Gavriel

As ya'll probably noticed, the title of this post is racier than that of my normal posting {sorry Mom}.

However, those four words are my style mantra of late.

I have virtually no time for shopping these days, which presents me with the challenge of wearing the same pieces over and over without looking as though I'm wearing the same pieces over and over. In truth, this may be one of my favorite wardrobe seasons to date.

Sometimes less really is more!

Cheers to Tuesday and this week being a short work week.

XOXO

Coat:  J.Crew (old, similar here, and here for $100), Sweater:  H&M (old, similar here), Jeans:  7FAM, Shoes:  Gianvito Rossi (LOVE this similar style, budget-friendly), Bag:  Street Level, Bag Charm:  Etsy

Looking forward to celebrating this year with my best guy, and my best gal.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

Vested

Vest:  Anthropologie (identical here for $22!!), Fur Stole:  Topshop (sold out, similar here), Sweater:  J.Crew (old, similar, also here), Pants:  Forever 21 (old, similar here for under $8!!), Bag:  Street Level, Shoes:  Classique Entier (old, lusting over these)

This vest should have been included in last week's "Favorite Things" post. If you follow my Instagram, then you know that I wear it entirely too frequently.

Not only is it neutral ~ seriously matches everything in my closet ~ but it's the perfect weight for the unusually warm winter weather we've been having.

I paired it with some grey pieces for lunch with my loves on Saturday, but already have it lined up to be worn over a shift dress to work this week {sorry, not sorry}.

Happy Monday everyone!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Sweater Coat: c/o SheIn // under $30!!, Sweater:  Free People (old, similar here, also own and LOVE this one), Leggings:  Spanx, Boots:  Givenchy, Bag:  Street Level, Bag Charm:  Etsy, Hat:  Topshop

What better way to kick off the coldest month of the year in NJ, than with a long awaited blog post?

- AND - 

What better way to kick off said long awaited post, than with a compilation of my current favorites that I've steadily been wearing on a biweekly basis?

Not even exaggerating about the frequency of wear. I could easily write a separate post about every piece I'm wearing, but I'll pick my top 3 and keep it short and sweet...

These leggings. Oh. My. GOODNESS. They are by far the best I've ever owned. Not only are they designed to look like leather, but since they're Spanx, they suck and smooth everything. They can easily be dressed up for work, and then dressed down with sneakers for a day with the babe. 

The boots. Okay, okay. Yes, they are super-pricy, but to me worth the investment. Not only is the quality there {buttery-soft leather, and beautiful details and hardware} but they are ridiculously comfortable. I easily wear them to the office all day and leave them on for after-work festivities. 

This reversible tote that doubles as a diaper bag. Right after Ella was born I was using two bags, a diaper bag {an old tote that I could wipe down easily} and something fancier that I would use if I was going out without her. I soon realized a few things. One, I went out without her maybe once in the first 6 months of her life. Two, I didn't have time to switch between two bags, and would forget important things each time I left the house. So I decided to consolidate into one bag that I didn't mind getting a little messy. This faux leather tote did the trick for under $50, and looks just as good as any of my more expensive bags.

See how I style these same three pieces with different outfits on my Instagram: 

@classroomcouture

Happy Monday everyone!