Functional Style Wednesday

Top: Maurices / Vest: Maurices (similar) / Jeans: Rock & Republic for Kohls / Shoes: Gap circa 2007 (similar)

Happy hump day ya'll!

Today was one of those days that was more about comfort then style - though I attempted my best 'functional' style! I had a lot of content population, site testing and graphics work to do today, which meant a lot of sitting at my desk for long periods of time. Comfort was a necessity, style was secondary! I've actually had this vest for probably 8 months and hadn't yet worn it. I'm not sure why. To me this outfit's a bit boho meets country, no?

I see functional style as an outfit that's comfortable and easy-to-wear without being frumpy or careless. It should still have a little bit of pizzazz without requiring too much effort. 

What's your favorite clothing item or accessory that helps you achieve 'functional' style?

Floral Tuesday

Dress: Maurices (similar) / Cardigan: New York & Co. (similar) / Shoes: Mossimo for Target / Earrings: Target circa 2002

We survived Monday and made it to Tuesday ya'll!

The sun isn't out here, which makes me super sad, but the high is supposed to be 75 and I'm ok with that! So yesterday I broke out the sandals, and today... I broke out the bare legs!! Which is great, but it reminded me of one thing -- I supremely need a tan!! Hopefully a trip to Vegas in a couple weeks will remedy that :)

This is my first Everybody, Everywear - check it out!

These are a few of my favorite style sites...

As may now know I haven't been blogging for long. In my first couple weeks of research and actually getting the ball rolling, I have come across so many AWESOME sites - blogs and otherwise - that offer some really cool things.

These are a couple non-blogs that ya'll probably already know about but I'm just now experimenting with and I can't get enough!:

www.birchbox.com - $10/month for premium beauty samples. We are talkin' nail polish, face creams, makeup, perfume -- you name it! Its an amazing way to discover new products without spending loads of money buying full sized items.

www.stylitics.com - I discovered this site on a freak (but awesome) accident Superbowl Sunday. You can add your clothes to your virtual closet, and with an easy drag and drop format, plan out your week's (or even your month's!) outfits, while giving you stats about your wardrobe like how many times you've worn a piece, a color, or a brand, or how much your wardrobe is worth. I enter my outfits daily to build up my closet, and after a couple months of doing so my wardrobe is pretty stocked! I also love that I can jump on at work and plan my outfit quick for the next day!

www.stichfix.com - review to come on this guy - Ill be getting my first fix next week! The idea is you fill out a style profile about your style, your sizes and your wardrobe desires, and they pluck 5 unique pieces, ship them to you for at home try on and you can purchase what you want or ship back what you don't! Its $20 per fix, but if you do decide to purchase, that $20 acts as a credit toward those purchases, which is pretty awesome! Shipping both ways is also free!

Style away!

KathrynLaine.

Maxi Monday

Cardigan: Maurices circa 2006 (similar) / Tee: American Eagle / Skirt: Target / Sandals: American Eagle (similar) / Necklace: Maurices

Happy Monday!!

I'm feeling great today. I managed to get up (for pretty much the first time in history, I think) at 6am and do a pre-work workout! Typically I wake up around 7:45 and straggle into work around 8:10 barely awake and with my hair in a bun. That was not the case today. I worked out, showered up, straightened my hair, put on eye shadow for the first time in ages and left actually feeling prepared for the day ahead! I hope to make a habit of it, but I know it only takes one sleepy morning of staying in bed to throw me off course, so fingers crossed I can keep it up!

I digress. Its another beautiful day in the Tri-Cities, and I've pulled out sandals for the first time this season!! Score! There's also something about a maxi skirt that screams sunshine to me. I scored this one at Target for $20 a few months back and I already know its going to be in HEAVY rotation this season.

Hope its beautiful wherever you are - Spring is in the air!

Casual Friday

Tee: Loud Lion / Sweater: New York & Company (similar) / Pants: Gap circa 2004 / Shoes: Mossimo for Target

Casual Friday in an already casual work environment is quite the conundrum. Nonetheless people dress especially down on Friday's, myself included. I rarely wear a full on t-shirt to work, even on Friday, but this lucky lady works with a lovely girl who (with her fiance, soon to be hubby!) owns a little t-shirt shop called Loud Lion. This makes it acceptable for all of us in the office who own Loud Lion tees to sport them with pride! Score!

*And - if you dig Loud Lion's designs - follow them on Twitter! @loud_lion

Feelin' Fringy Thursday

Dress: Maurices circa 2003 (similar) / Sweater: Sonoma for Kohl's (similar) / Boots: Target (similar) / Necklace: Maurices (similar)

Wow Thursday? Already? I love when my weeks fly by... as much as I enjoy my job, the weekends are my favorite (I'm mean really, who doesn't love the weekend).

I have to say this dress is one of my favorites in the world. I wear it at least once every 1-2 weeks thanks to its simple silhouette and neutral color. Its just a simple, long sleeved, empire waist dress. I need to get better at remixing it, although I regularly try to switch it up with different sweaters and accessories, I almost always wear it with these boots. That's part of the reason I'm loving (and loathing) daily blogging! Its pushing me to keep changing things up!

Lets see what else I can do with it... anyone have any ideas??
Stay tuned!

My Review of Ribbed Waist Short

Originally submitted at Maurices

These comfy shorts are a great casual option for t-shirt or tank top day, or at the beach to cover your suit. The stretch ribbed waistband is comfortable and the drawstring lets you cinch. Cute side ties add detail. Imported.

Ribbed Waist Short

OBSESSED w/this for comfy spring/summer!

By KathrynLaine from Tri-Cities, WA on 4/5/2012

4out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size
Pros: Well Made, Quality Materials, Figure Flattering, Comfortable, Practical
Best Uses: Date Night/Night Out, Casual Wear
Describe Yourself: Trendy/Stylish Dresser
Was this an online or in store purchase?: in store
Do you have a maurices store in or near your town?: Yes
Comfort vs Style: Style Driven
Was this a gift?: No

I picked these up in black because that was the only neutral color in my size in-store, but Im actually really glad I did! They are really casual, however, when I paired them with a dressier black and white patterned shirt in my closet, it made for a dressy summer date night outfit!
Excellent Maurices! Ordering in 2 more colors!

(legalese)

Jegging Wednesday

Sweater: Elle for Kohls (similar) | Jeggings: Hue for Carson Pirie Scott | Tee: American Eagle | Necklace: Maurices (similar) | Shoes: Mossimo for Target

I seriously love jeggings. No really. I LOVE jeggings. Not only are they comfortable, they function as jeans, without all the annoying zippers and buttons.

Today I woke up waaaaay late (oops) and really needed comfort and quick, over style. Enter my love - jeggings! They are my go-to for quick and cute!

Also, I chose this picture, not because I look the best, but because I love the look my kitty is giving me in the background. Oh Rosie. She's my bulimic cat, and I dont mean that in a negative or mocking way. She doesnt eat much, but when she does, she eats and eats and eats, and then walks away and throws up. But shes quite svelte. Oi. My other chubby kitty more then makes up for her though!

Lilac Tuesday

Skirt: American Eagle (similar) / Tee: American Eagle / Cardigan: American Eagle (similar) / Shoes: Mossimo for Target / Jeans: Rock & Republic for Kohl's / Necklace: American Eagle

Happy Tuesday!

I'm still trying to get the hang of remembering to chronicle my outfits! We went out for B's birthday dinner last night, and I completely forgot to take a picture of my cute outfit. Tsk tsk!

Today I started the day wanting to dress a little nicer today for a mid-day client meeting, but also wanted to be comfortable for the anticipated 70 degree weather! I paired a simple summery skirt with a tucked-in oversize tee and cardi, making the perfect casual yet professional outfit.
By lunch time I was struggling with wanting to sit indian style (which i often do at work, dont judge me!) So on lunch at home I switched it up for some comfy jeans.

In both outfits I'm loving the lilac and navy mixed with a neutral sweater and patterned shoe.
What do you guys think?

Mondays are for Stripes

Dress: Sonoma for Kohl's (similar) / Sweater: Gap (similar) / Boots: Blowfish  / Belt: Maurices (similar)

First of all, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the wonderful man that loves me just as much as I love him. He's the reason I get up every morning and I'm so blessed to have such an amazing person in my life. Love you babe! Happy 34th! :)

Second of all, I've hit my first bump in the road on linking to similar outfits here! The dress I'm wearing today is brand new from Kohl's but I cant find it anywhere on the internet... the sweater is probably 5 years old and I cant find any good comparisons... my boots are new too but I got them on clearance and you cant find them on Blowfish's site any more, and my belt isnt sold at Maurices any more! Weird!
But regardless, its 60 and sunny in the Tri-Cities today and this is a perfect, easy wear Monday outfit. :)

Now time to go celebrate with my babe!