Fade to Grey: {Outfit Pics}

I had the chance over the weekend to get out and snap a few pics of outfits that are in my current rotation - and it was glooooooorious (!!) Three cheers for non-maternity clothing!

Granted, I'm spending the majority of my days in yoga pants and long sleeved tees lately, but a few days a week, I love to get a little more dressed up. Just makes a girl feel good, ya know?

Casual Class Braided Sweater in beige c/o Riffraff // the BEST Faux Leather Leggings (ON SALE NOW!) // earrings c/o Rocksbox (use code LESLIEBFF11 to get a one month subscription free!) (similar here for purchase) // bracelet is old (nearly identical style here) // Seychelles Wedge Bootie c/o Maude Boutique (now on sale!)

This super cozy sweater/legging combo is the perfect marriage of polish and comfort. It's fun dressed up with some glam earrings and a big 'ol chunky bracelet, or just as stylish paired with a plush, warm infinity scarf.

Classic Crochet Knit Infinity Scarf in black c/o Riffraff

Also, I think Starbucks cups have taken the place of cute purses in outfit pics for me lately. Caffeine is my very favorite accessory nowadays ; )

Cheers to a quiet return to outfit blogging-- xoxo

Rich Red + Silky Suede

Outfits like today's are exactly why I prefer fall/winter clothing to any other season. The rich colors, the dreamy textiles, the print mixing, the luxe fabrics and the coziness of everything...I'm sorry summer, you just can't compete, sartorially-speaking.

The breakdown:

Sunnies here (less than $10!)
Double Breasted Knit Coat (size small) c/o Maude Boutique
Scuba Maternity T-shirt in Leopard Print (size small), (non-maternity option here!)
Prada Saffiano Tote in caramel (very similar here and here)
Fade to Blue Secret Fit Belly Skinny Jean in Indigo Wash (size LS)
Overjoyed Wedge Bootie c/o Maude Boutique
Necklace purchased at DSW in store last week (very similar here with FREE shipping!)

*I'm 5'4" for sizing reference

I've always liked a rich red, but haven't ever owned a red coat, so this one from Maude won itself a place in my closet. It's a good length, with the hemline falling below the booty, and the sleeve length is perfection.

(Tip: want to elongate your arms and make them appear more slender? Look for sleeves that are cut ever-so-slightly above the wrist, (like half an inch or so), or just roll them up to that length. That's why jackets and shirts on store mannequins often have the sleeves cuffed or rolled juuuuuust so.)

I've been in search of a pair of suede black booties for a while and when the girls at Maude suggested these, I flipped. SO cute and incredibly comfy! I wore them for about six hours last Monday while I was on my feet and they passed the test handily.

Also, if you live in Fayetteville or the Northwest Arkansas area and love Maude as much as I do, be sure to join me at their 7th Birthday Party this Thursday, November 13 from 5-7 p.m. I'll be there hanging out and you should, too!

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What color (in terms of clothing) do you most associate with fall? For me, it's this oxblood shade of red, but I want to know yours!

Citronic: {Outfit Pics feat. Maude}

Dress c/o Maude Boutique, bracelets via Groopdealz, belt via Target (very similar here), shoes by Sam & Libby for Target, purse by Louis Vuitton

Citron: the color of summer 2013. I had my reservations about wearing such a vibrant color, (especially since I'm fair skinned and blonde headed), but now I'm hooked. I recently wore this little citron number from Maude to my brother's wedding and loved how it looked in photos!

The color helps to make you look even more tan, (if you're like me and can use all the help you can get in that department), and the cut of the dress works so well with my nearly 31-week baby bump - bonus!

Don't forget that Maude also has a full line of baby and kids' clothing (Mini Maude) and a great home and gift store, which you can also purchase from online.

I have a sneaking feeling *hint, hint...wink, wink* that they'll be debuting some fun new pieces very soon for fall, so stay tuned to their website and Facebook page for the latest.

Also, if you have a sec, I'd appreciate your vote for a little color contest inspired by Dasani Drops! Vote here!

The Other Side of Maude

Many of you know Maude Boutique for their amazing selection of on-trend women's clothing, shoes and accessories, BUT did you know that located mere steps away from the racks of dresses, tops and pants is a literal treasure trove of gifty goodies? Well, there is. Meet the other side of Maude.

She's a real beauty, too.

With everything under the blazing Arkansas sun, this gift + home store is the perfect spot to pick-up a unique birthday gift for a friend, special outfit for your little one or eclectic piece for your home. And, most importantly, for a budget-friendly price.

Girls Floral Jumpsuit

Girls One Shoulder Bow Dress

Boys Tuxedo Romper and Girls Floral Romper

The Maude Home + Gifts gammit runs deep; I'm talking greeting cards, one-of-a-kind Ruf Nek collars for fur babies, Tocca fragrances, Voluspa Candles...you get the pretty picture.

Ruf Nek Paracord Dog Collars

The sweet girls at Maude recently gifted sweet Caroline with this PRECIOUS little dress, which I plan to put on her next Easter. I mean, really - have you ever seen anything more perfect for a baby girl? I think not.

They also generously sent some of this amazing new fragrance, which has become my new favorite: Library of Flowers. Have you ever tried it? Because, um, you must. It's clean, crisp and downright perfect for this discerning critic's nose. (Trust me, as a pregnant gal, your sense of smell is in hyperdrive.) I have a feeling one bottle won't last very long!

Check out some of these other gems...gaw, so chic!

What I'm trying to say is, next time you're in Maude, take a few steps back into the gift store. I betcha a Grande Carmel Macchiato with Extra Whip you won't walk away empty-handed.

Mark my words.

Happenings

Lots going on around here lately, so I thought we'd just talk randomness today. Sound good?

1. First off, MANY thank yous to Aubrey Kinch for working her magic on this blog with the new design. She took all of my crazy ideas and turned them into a beautiful, clean finished product. Her turnaround time was the quickest I've ever seen out of a designer and she was beyond professional. And her pricing? Affordable. {Read: You won't have to take out a small loan to get yourself a shiny new blog look.}

If you're in the market for an updated design for your website or blog, do yourself a favor and contact sweet Aubrey.

2. My girls at Maude are having a killer contest right now - $500 to spend in their store! Go here to read the instructions for the New Year - New You giveaway and be sure to enter before midnight tonight. All it involves is adding a new board to your Pinterest account and pinning a couple adorable outfits from their site. Easy enough, right? Get on it, bunnies.

3. From my surgery on Friday until I went back to work yesterday, I went without make-up. My face felt amazing being so bare and clean for five days. Although I love make-up as much as the next girl, it felt nice to let my skin breathe.

4. Any of you NWA girls going to Paint the Town Red on January 26th? Stephen and I are going, which I'm really excited about! I was thrilled to donate a 2 hour Personal Styling Session, which will be auctioned off at the event! Best of all, it benefits the American Heart Association, a cause which is very near and dear to me, as y'all know. Stay tuned for more details in a post next week...I'd love to see y'all there, too!

5. I was SO elated to find all of you on Instagram yesterday! I love being able to connect to all of you outside of just the blog, so be sure to shout out your Insta handle and I'll be sure to follow ya.

6. Confessional Friday RETURNS tomorrow. Be here to link up for all the venting and confessing. It's a grand 'ole time.

7. Anyone have a good soup recipe? I love making a big pot of soup for a budget-friendly meal during the cooler months. I'm thinking of having a soup recipe link-up, where we'll all share our fave recipes. Would y'all like that or want to participate?

8. I have had SO many of you girls ask about the pants featured in the side banner for The Rage. I could tell you how perfect these will be for spring, or how they could be dressed up or down, but I'll just let you figure that out for yourself. When you buy them. Here. 

Be blessed, lovelies-

Leather-ette {Outfit Pics}

Are y'all loving this new look? (Not my outfit - the blog.) Lots more on this new design later, but a HUGE thanks to Aubrey Kinch for her genius and talent. She took this blog, worked her magic and created something that (I feel) looks so chic and clean. Full post on this wonder woman coming tomorrow!

However, on to leather! (Or "leatha" if you want to pretend you're part of the cast of Goodfellas.) This has been the winter of leather, (nay, the season of pleather), at least for this chick. From leggings and jackets, to ice skater-style skirts, faux leather has been calling my name. (And rather loudly, it seems. I have accumulated a stupid amount of leather/pleather items this fall. Just ask my bank account.)

One of said faux leather items was the nifty ice skater-style skirt, purchased at Maude Boutique for a mere $30, or so.

I paired it with light denim on top, just to add some softness to an otherwise harsh look. I also added this gorgeous acrylic geo necklace, also purchased at Maude recently. I thought it polished off the top half of the ensemble nicely.

Top: J.Jill (2011) // Skirt: Maude Boutique // Earrings: Target // Tights: Express // Necklace: Maude Boutique // Shoes: Old Navy
Photo Credit: Keely Yount

I pulled on some black tights, a pair of grey booties from Old Navy and added the usual wrist accoutrements, collected over the season from various boutiques. (Speaking of wrist-wear, is anyone else tired of the term "arm party"? Just me?)

Remember that there are no rules when it comes to leather. Just be confident. You can spend a bazillion dollars on the hottest cow hide money can buy, but if you don't have the stones to really wear it...well, it's a wash. Go confidently in the direction of your fashion dreams (!!) (Sage advice. It's what you get around here.)

And, if you're feeling frisky, wear a red lip. Nothing says, "I am woman", quite like a rouge lip. Your man's knees will buckle  ; )

Okay, bunnies - I'm off.

Be blessed, lovelies-