Often Overlooked Purple

Gretchen Scott Designs | Work Wear | Neutrals

Isn't it the best when you discover something so great and you feel like none of your friends probably know about it yet and so when you tell them you are going to be, like, their hero?  Well thats how I feel right now as I introduce you to *drumroll please* Gretchen Scott Designs!

I first found this brand on Instagram and fell in love with their classic yet modern patterns and styles. I always describe my style as modern traditional (why yes that IS an oxymoron!) and this brand does it perfectly.

Since graduating in May, I have been in the professional world.  Now I thought I had a rather large professional wardrobe (especially for someone just starting out!) but after just a few months I feel like all I do is wear the same stuff each week!  So these two new tops were like a breath of fresh air into my closet!  I am just now realizing they are kind of inverses of each other - patterned top and plain skirt, then plain top and patterned skirt.  Funny!

Hope you enjoy these two examples of how to rock neutrals (oh and also enjoy the photos, somehow this shoot ended up being more outtakes than actual good shots #bloggerproblems)

Outfit #1

First up is the Boyfriend Shirt in Solstice.

I paired it with a tan pencil skirt and nude heels, making this top the clear star of this look!

I love the detail of every piece by Gretchen Scott, roll up the sleeves for stripes!  Pairing a really busy top like this with a solid shirt and shoes makes it office appropriate.

Outfit #2

I LOVE this skirt!  It is Aqua from Bloomingdales and it has pockets!! The only problem is I never had a great top to go with it, until now.

This ¾ length sleeve Grosgrain Heaven Blouse is so easy and can go with anything! I want it in every color, again the details are so stunning.

I love twirling in this skirt too!  Although twirling (or walking, standing, etc.) in heels is a challenge for me!

P.S. That whole thing about nude heels making your legs look long - TRUE!

Don't forget to Sparkle!

XO ~ Katie

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Work Week #ootd

I decided to take a quick #ootd pic every day last week so I could share an entire week of work outfits with you guys!  Let me know if you like this sort of thing and I can try to take better pictures in the future.  All though no guarantees - trying to take outfit photos at 7am isn't always easy :P

Monday: Classic black and white dress from Aqua, black Tahari flats, gold monogram necklace

Tuesday: Green lace peplum top from Express, tan pencil skirt, white flats from DSW, gold monogram necklace, and pink Kate Spade watch

Wednesday: Adrianna Pappel top, grey pants, navy flats, Kendra Scott druzy necklace, Skagen watch

Thursday: dress, black flats, necklace from Rocksbox, Skagen watch

You can get a free month of Rocksbox with code katiexoxo1 - it's perfect for us working women, your co-workers will think you have the largest jewelry collection!

Friday: Calvin Klein maroon dress, black flats, {can't tell or remember my necklace lol}

And that's that folks! I tried to link as many things or similar things as I could so hopefully you can find something you love! :)

Don't forget to Sparkle!

XO ~ Katie

Navy and White Night

I kind of love Thursday nights.  I know it sounds odd, most prefer Friday or Saturday night.  And for obvious reasons!  I like Thursday night though, there is something about knowing tomorrow is Friday that makes staying up late on a work night okay.  Friday is usually an easier day so you can live it up on Thursday and make it through the last day of the week on a little less sleep somehow.

So tonight we decided to take a stroll around a nearby outdoor mall.  It was a nice night with a nice breeze!

I wore these navy J Crew chinos, white and navy striped crop top from The Limited, and one of my new favorite necklaces from Rocksbox!  Use code katiexoxo1 for a FREE month of Rocksbox, learn more here.

My shoes have been on repeat.  I mean REPEAT!  Like every day!  These Jack Rogers from Neiman Marcus Last Call are the MOST comfortable shoes EVER!  Sorry for virtually shouting but I just love them that much!! 

What is your favorite color combo?

Don't forget to Sparkle!

XO ~ Katie

Casual Campus OOTD

 As you know from this post, I graduated!! The day before graduation I went around campus with my boo for one last time.  And naturally I had to take some #ootd pictures during our final tour ;)

I wore what is now one of my favorite Aqua (from Bloomingdales) dresses.  It is so light and perfect for summer!  It's the perfect fit up top and just the right amount of flowy on the bottom.  The waistline is a lace cutout for a super feminine touch.

My sunglasses, while a little crooked, were just $2!  Totally worth it for some simple gold aviators - they go with everything.

The picture below is right outside one of our favorite study spots - not too sad about leaving that spot!

These steps lead into my major's building, I'll kind of miss that building, but when I go back in the future I'll definitely be visiting this area.

The main road through campus, I wonder how many times I walked/biked/road the bus up this hill?

If you're about to head to college, remember to enjoy every minute!  I took a picture like the one above each year I was there and I can't believe how fast the time has gone by.  College is the hardest thing you will do in your life so far (well maybe it will depend on your major, but I bet they're all pretty hard!  If you're doing engineering like me then you can trust me - it is hard!) but it is also a lot of fun.  Even those late nights in the library are some pretty good memories.  

Don't forget to Sparkle!

XO ~ Katie

Easter Sunday

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter this year!  I spent the day at my Grandma's house with family, the usual scene every holiday.  

I love any opportunity to get dressed up!  I wore this Gianni Bini dress because of the bright, springy colors and bold stripes that kind of reminded me of an easter egg!

My shoes are strappy mint sandals, I believe they are from DSW but I've had them for a while.  

This entire outfit came to be because of this gorgeous necklace from my latest Rocksbox!  As soon as I saw it I knew it would be perfect for Easter.

If you would like to try Rocksbox, you can get your first month free with code sugarspicesparklexoxo.  Trust me when I tell you - you will NOT regret it!  I love this service so much, I get to wear so much beautiful jewelry because of it, I never have to wear the same thing twice!

My bracelet is also from Rocksbox!  Yes they send you Loren Hope!! Now you really want to give it a try, right? ;)  This bracelet is the perfect pop of sparkle that goes with absolutely everything.

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with all of my posts and new products for my shop (plus other fun stuff!) 

Don't forget to Sparkle!

XO ~ Katie

Valentine's Day Outfit: Part 1

Happy Valentine's Day!  Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because you can just feel all the love everyone has for each other and no one wants to stress or fight, at least for the day.  Today has 2 parts - day and night.  Today we went out to do a little shopping.  We went to Sports Authority, TJ Maxx and Home Goods, Ulta, and the mall.  It was so much fun and we got some great stuff!  More to come on that.

In the spirit of V-Day I wanted to wear my hot pink Lilly Pulitzer Beckett Dress.  Unfortunately the weather had other plans for me so I went with a maroon sweater and pants.

Sunglasses - Fossil

Top - Ked's Sweater from Macy's

Pants - Levi's

Boots - can't remember :)

My necklace is always available in my Etsy shop but is on sale through Instagram today only - check it out.

Stay tuned for Part 2 and Happy Valentine's Day!

Warm Winter Plaid

For several months now I have been swooning over Instagram and Pinterest pics with amazing fall and winter outfits!  I adore the layered look, J Crew vests, and leather boots.  Can we all take a minute to swoon together?

Unfortunately I have been stuck in summer over here and if I layered my outfits may end up with heat stroke!  This is the first week I have actually been able to "bundle up" (I used quotes because that consists of a long sleeve top and my North Face jacket...) and wear some boots!

But up to this point I have been trying to transition to fall and winter without being able to wear the typical warm clothing.

My solution?  Wear darker colors and add plaid wherever possible!

I love this plain navy dress from Aqua.  It is so versatile you can bet you'll be seeing it again!

The matching headband and scarf are hand made by yours truly!  Find them in my Etsy shop if you'd like one of your own!

These Michael Kors loafer style flats add a pop of color!

Last but SO not least is this Loren Hope bracelet.  It looks like a little bow and that makes it beyond perfect!  I got this bracelet through Rocksbox,  a jewelry subscription service.  Check out this post to learn more (we are talking designer jewelry for $19/month!!).

Okay okay I can not possible complain about warm weather - I wouldn't want it any other way!  But if there is one upside to living somewhere cooler (and I think there is only just this one up side) it would be the clothes!

The sources for the first three pictures can be found here:

Follow Sugar Spice and Sparkle's board My Style on Pinterest.

Fashion Friday - Purple and Blue Hues

According to the calendar it is fall, but according to the Florida sun it's still summer!  So I have to find ways to look ready for fall without dying in the heat!  I chose to do this by wearing a summer dress in fall colors.

This dress is from Francesca's Collections and I. Love. It!  If you took it apart you would find a strapless blue dress and a sheer floral top as an overlay.  The top actually has a light purple-pink color background.  It is hard to tell these details in pictures but in person they really make the dress.

My accessories were all purple and blue too!  My bracelet is a one-of-a-kind, made by my grandma :)  She actually has made me a lot of jewelry so you may be seeing more from her in the future!  My watch was a gift from my boyfriend.   I had been eyeing it for a while and he surprised me with it on Valentine's Day.  The clutch is also a one-of-a-kind... made by me!  Get yours here.

 My earrings (which I apparently did not get a close up of) are Kate Spade - my fav.

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for more outfit ideas!

I also just created a Facebook page last night! Head over and give us a like if it suits your fancy.  Happy Friday! 

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I've included a few fall dresses for warm weather since the dress I'm wearing is no longer available.