FASHION FRIDAY: HERE WE SNOW AGAIN!

It's the first day of Spring today and Old Man Winter is preferring to stick around!  That's right...more snow today!!!  When will it end?  We snapped these pictures a couple of weeks ago and I didn't know if I would ever post them because the weather was warming up and it seems Spring was coming, but with this forecast...I thought why not?  At least it's supposed to warm up tomorrow!  These are also the first pictures I've posted on the blog with my new bangs.  I wanted to do something different and thought I'd give them a shot.  I'm not too sure how long I'll keep them though because I have curly hair and they are very high maintenance!  (they also look a bit messy here as I was wearing a hat) Anyway, hope you all have a great weekend and see some sun wherever you are!

Top: BB Dakota via Lord & Taylor
Leggings: Forever 21
Coat: Zara (old)
Hat: Purchased in Iceland
Boots: Rachel Zoe
Necklace: Stella & Dot
Bracelet: Sira & Mara
Sunnies: Italia Independent

FASHION FRIDAY: KRAZY FOR KIMONOS

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I am "Krazy" for Kimonos!!!  They are lightweight, great for travel, perfect to wear with a shirt and pants or over a bathing suit.  I got this kimono recently from one of my favorite boutiques at the Jersey Shore, Foolish Ginger- located in Asbury Park, New Jersey.  I love the colors and the pattern, and I know this will be on heavy rotation heading into spring and summer.  On another quick note before I go, I wanted to say that I am looking forward to this weekend, as I will be meeting other New Jersey bloggers at a brunch on Sunday!  I'll have more details about it next week.  Happy Friday!!!

Kimono: Foolish Ginger

Top: Marshalls (love this)

Leggings: LOFT

Booties: Rachel Zoe

Clutch: Deux Lux

Sunnies: Dolce & Gabbana

Necklace: Sira & Mara

Bracelet: Sira & Mara

#SISTERHOODOFTHETRAVELINGNECKLACE

Last Friday I told you guys about Sira & Mara and the story behind the #sisterhoodofthetravelingnecklace.  I wore it last time with jeans and a sweater.  So today, I wanted to pair the necklace with a dress since it is so pretty and fancy.  I will be wearing this dress (that I scored for $24.99 at TJ Maxx) on Valentine's Day when we go to a a co-worker's vow renewal.  I won't wear it that day with the necklace because I am going to ship it onto the next sister :(...but, that is the fun of it!!! I can't wait to see how the next ladies style it!

Dress: Jessica Simpson via TJ Maxx (available here)
Tights: Hanes
Necklace: Sira & Mara
Clutch: Stella & Dot (similar)
Bracelet: Stella & Dot (love this)
Shoes: Just FAB

FASHION FRIDAY: SIRA & MARA

For those of you who read this blog or who follow me on Instagram, you know that I am a HUGE fan of Sira & Mara.  Sira & Mara is a fantastic online accessories boutique that sells everything from pretty necklaces, to fun bracelets, scarves and leg warmers.  The motto of the company is "Accessories that break the rules, not the bank!"  And, as a mom of two who loves to shop and loves to wear stylish things, that definitely is something I like!  I mean really...who doesn't love to wear on-trend accessories that you can buy ranging in price from about $5.99-$21.99???  But, the real reason why I continue to shop at Sira & Mara is because of the owner and founder Sandy Bodeau!  Now, Sandy and I have never met in person, we've only become friends through Instagram (which may sound crazy), but we've really connected and continue to do so almost every day.  Sandy has a special way about her that she loves to connect with people and she makes her customers feel like friends, not just people placing orders online from her website.  I only know a little bit about Sandy's story, but it is truly amazing.  She moved here less than a decade ago from Spain with only a few hundred dollars in her pocket, but she had a vision and she had a dream and that was to create Sira & Mara.  And since then she has worked so hard to make her business become a success.  She mostly uses social media outlets like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to promote her line instead of marketing.  She is dedicated, she is kind, she is compassionate, she loves her family and her friends, and she has a really big heart and soul!  That's why I really love wearing her stuff!  I wear it with pride!  I get compliments all of the time from people asking me where I got my necklace from.  I'm always so happy to introduce them to Sira & Mara, and they're always excited to know that they can get the beautiful jewelry without burning a hole in their wallet!  I hope to meet Sandy one day in person because she is just AWESOME!!!

Now onto this gorgeous necklace!!!  There's a really fun story behind it!

The other night I got a package in there mail from Sandy with this necklace and a letter inside to me and two other fashion bloggers (Lauren McBride and Theresa Millio).  Sandy wrote that this necklace never actually made it into production for Sira & Mara, but she loves it so much that she wants to share the love by letting us "borrow" it and wear it before finally mailing it back to her.  She calls it the #Sisterhoodofthetravelingnecklace!!!  I mean, how fun is that?  I can keep the necklace and wear it as many times as I want to before mailing it off to Lauren, and Lauren to Theresa.  Here I paired it with a new fun and colorful aztec sweater, boyfriend jeans and booties.  I think I want to wear it with a dress next because it is just so stunning!   Anyway, I just had to tell you all about Sira & Mara, Sandy Bodeau and the fun story behind today's post!  Hope you all have a great weekend, and I'll catch up with you here on Monday!

Necklace: Sira & Mara (not available, but love this and this and this)
Top: Forever 21
Sweater: Katherine's Boutique
Jeans: Forever 21
Booties: DV by Dolce Vita via Marshalls 
Bag: H&M
Sunnies: Marc Jacobs (old, similar here)

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: RED LACE AND LEOPARD

Valentine's Day is coming, and so I thought I'd pull together a look with a bit of red in it!  I'm not a Valentine's mush, but I love being festive (especially for my kids), and I also LOVE the color red!  I scored this top in store at H&M on sale, and got this leopard scarf online on sale too!  This time of year I tend to spend my money on accessories.  I feel like my closet is filled with enough winter clothes for now, and I prefer to wait and save up to purchase spring clothes.  That being said, I can't pass up a good sale!

Top: H&M

Pants: H&M

Shoes: Rack Room Shoes

Scarf: Aritzia

Earrings: Stella &Dot

Bag: Deux Lux

Bracelet: Sira &Mara

FASHION FRIDAY: BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

If you live in the northeast like me, then you know how cold it has been this winter!  Not much snow yet, but absolutely freezing and frigid!!!  I really should commit to dressing like a snow bunny from this moment forward (snow boots, snow suit, face mask), but the problem is when you spend so much time in and out of the car like I do, you just can't...it's way too bulky!  Enter this sweatercoat from Anthropologie.  It's warm enough for the quick trips into and out of the car, it has a faux fur collar, is long, and for those really cold days it can even be worn under your winter coat.  I feel like this will be a great piece in my wardrobe for years to come.  Hope you all have a fun weekend!  Catch up with you here on Monday!

Sweater: Anthropologie

Jeans: LOFT

Boots: Steve Madden via Amazon

Bag: Michael Kors via Marshalls

Hat: Target

Sunnies: TJ Maxx

Earrings: Stella & Dot

Ring: Forever 21

Bracelet: Sira & Mara

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: FEELING FANCY

I styled this dress and coat (both from Forever 21), and intended to post these outfit pictures leading up to the holidays as inspiration for what to wear to parties, etc.  But, life happened, and we got sooooooooo busy over the holidays, that I'm finally doing it now.  The holidays may be over, but sometimes it's good to dress up and feel fancy- whether it's because you are going on a date, have a wedding to attend, or maybe you just want to wear it at home on a Friday night for a little while to feel good about yourself.  It's a new year, which means it's time for new beginnings.  Maybe dressing up more is one of them for you!  Hope you enjoy!  Happy Wednesday!

Dress: Forever 21

Coat: Forever 21

Tights: Target

Heels: Nine West (old, similar here)

Necklace: Sole Society

Bracelet: Sira & Mara

Sunnies: Target

Bag: Michael Kors (old, similar here)

STYLE INFUSIONS: POLKA DOTS

If you follow this blog, or follow along on Instagram, you may know that I am a huge fan of Sira & Mara jewelry, and the owner, founder and creator Sandy.  

Sandy has become a friend of mine (even though we haven't met yet), and I admire her persistence, strength, warmth and all around amazing personality!  

That is why I was beyond thrilled when she contacted me to collaborate and do a Style Infusions post to show off how we wear polka dots! 

 I realized that I don't have a lot of polka dot prints in my wardrobe because this was the only thing I could find.  This top is from Old Navy and it is quite old.  

I bought it for two reasons, 1- It is a classic style that I can see myself wearing for years, and 2- It was a knock off of a much more expensive J Crew version.  I updated my look by adding new denim jogger pants, booties, a blanket scarf, and one of my favorite Sira & Mara necklaces.  

I love making old pieces in my wardrobe come alive again by wearing it with new things.  

Top: Old Navy (old, similar here)

Pants: Forever 21

Boots: DV by Dolce Vita 

Blanket Scarf: Zara

Clutch: Forever 21

Sunnies: Target

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: Sira & Mara (similar)

My friend Sandy styled her polka dots over on, Style Pledge, with camouflage pants and a gorgeous bracelet from her line.  

I love how she is rocking two bold prints together- pattern mixing is so much fun!  

Head on over to her blog for more photos and outfit details!