In Spades

Style... in abundance

Nautical Vibes

Nautical Look Nautical LookTop (similar here) // Jeans // Shoes (similar here) // Sunglasses (similar here)

I love a nautical inspired look.  Especially in summer.  I will never forget the scene from Clueless when Dione tells Cher all of her bridesmaids will wear sailor outfits with sailor hats.  Teehee!

My top is from Tibi and although it’s old, I break it out every spring and summer.  The shirred sleeves are so fun.  Tibi tends to revisit this style season after season, which I adore.

These jeans remind me of vintage Japanese denim, so of course I had to have them.

Last week I had a random shower thought when it comes to denim.  Go with me on this.

If jeans are 100% cotton, they need a button fly.  It just solidifies that vintage, lived-in look.  But if jeans have any type of stretch in them, they need a zipper fly.  So many denim brands are opting to do all button fly’s nowadays and the reality is that it adds a lot of extra bulk.  If your jeans have stretch in them, then you are probably wearing them pretty snug.  And who wants extra bulk in skinny jeans?  Not me.

After trying on a few pairs of mid-raise stretchy jeans (and none of them working out), I’ve realized that a zipper fly is the way to go.  I found these, and think they fit the bill perfectly.

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How to Shop a Sale So You End Up With Pieces You Actually Wear

Ulla Johnson metallic stripe dress Ulla Johnson metallic stripe dressUlla Johnson metallic stripe dress Ulla Johnson metallic stripe dressUlla Johnson metallic stripe dress

Ulla Johnson dress (similar here) // Kendra Scott necklace // Sunglasses (similar here) // M. Gemi boots

Today’s look is one of those perfect summer pieces that for whatever reason I totally forgot to share on the blog.  I got it last summer at Pink Lagoon (one of my fave local boutiques) and it didn’t appear on my feed until this post (and you guys loved it).

It’s super easy to wear thanks to its paper bag silhouette.  The beaded ties let you cinch it as tight or as loose as you want.  I love it styled with ankle boots, but as the heat index rises, I’ll be wearing it with these sandals – a recent sale find I’m obsessed with (check out this similar pair on sale).

My necklace was created at Kendra Scott and I loved being able to personalize the charms.  I chose one for my heritage (the evil eye), and two for my daughter (the pearls).  There are so many options I actually went back and created another one with my astrological sign!

If you follow me on Insta, you know I’ve been talking a lot about how to shop a sale.  Today’s post is a great example of items I found during end of season sales that have stood the test of time.  Often times we buy things just because they’re on sale.  We don’t really think how often we’ll wear them or whether they actually go with other things in our closet.

Remember to stop and ask yourself what an item goes with, how often you think you’ll wear it and whether the fit is truly flattering.  It’s very common to try and make a sale item fit or work for you when it really doesn’t.

Last week I wrote about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and how it can make people go overboard.  I updated my post so you can see the items I’m keeping and the items I returned.  It’s a great example of sticking to the basics (and your budget) and not getting caught up in the frenzy.

Here are the general guidelines I follow when shopping the sales.  If you stick to these, I promise your closet will stay stocked with things you actually wear.

How to Shop a Sale 
  1. Set a budget and stick to it.
  2. Check your wishlist items at your favorite retailers first (more on how to do that here) to see if anything you already favorited went on sale.
  3. Make a list of items you actually need (denim, tops, sweaters, etc.).  Where are there holes in your closet?
  4. Stick to brands you know and love.  This is not the time to experiment.
  5. Don’t try to fit a square peg in a round role.  If the fit isn’t flattering, the color is not one you’ve ever worn, or it doesn’t go with at least 3 items in your closet, PASS.
  6. Think about your lifestyle.  If you’re a mom that never gets dressed up then don’t buy a sequins cocktail dress unless you actually have an upcoming occasion in which to wear it.
  7. Pick one “fun” diamond-in-the-rough sale item and make the rest of your sale purchases things you’ll wear frequently (see above).
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