The Grandpa Cardigan.

    Everyone loves a good cardigan... especially me. Boyfriend styles aka grandpa cardigans happen to be my favorite fit because of their comfort. Throw them on over a cami and your pretty much good to go! Usually this style cardigan runs a little longer so leggings are an option, however I opted for my old AG denim leggings.
    Normally I would throw on a long necklace with this style cardi, but today decided to wear an infinity scarf to stay a little warmer.
Also for those of you wondering about the duck picture, my mom insisted on me posing with them and that it would make a cute picture... :)

Happy New Year to all of you!

Laura

Leopard cardi: Urban Outfitters Cardi Link (on sale now!)
Jeans: AG legging
Tank: niki biki ribbed tank

My Favorite Dress.

Isn't it just great when you find a piece of clothing you absolutely love? This is my Ark&Co. printed dress, and it's my favorite casual dress. I have a curvier shape, so I love the fact that it has a full skirt, yet still is fitted up top.
Straight fits aren't the best for my figure, so dresses with styles like this are ideal.
I've added a few accessories like this deep green suede belt (which I like because the color is a bit unexpected and NOT matchy, matchy). I've also added a pair of knee high socks to tuck outside of my boots for a little extra detail, and warmth.

Laura

Dress: Ark&Co-Jb and me $79
Boots: FOUND vintage $45
Socks: Jb and me $18
SB belt: Jb and me $26

A Fair Isle Frenzy.

    It's one of my favorite recent trends... The fair isle print has been seen on just about everything this season, so I was super excited when I opened one of my Christmas packages to find my own F.I. patterned skirt. Since it has so much going on in the pattern I paired it with a simple black top, and chunky black sweater.        
    The skirt is also quite fitted, so to make it work appropriate I made sure to add a top with some extra length, and a sweater that had a little bit of a boxy fit.
I love a good print- now I just need to find that pair of fair isle leggings I've been searching for!

Laura

Fair isle skirt $34 Urban Outfitters
Nicole boots: Jb and me
Free people sweater (Last Year)
Presh earrings

Adding a POP of Color.

    Color is everywhere this season, and it's going to be just as popular this Spring. Many of you have probably noticed celebs wearing brightly colored looks in your latest fashion magazines, some being bold, and pairing bright colored pants with a brightly colored blouse or a color block dress with a vibrant pair of tights. I love this look, but decided to tone it down a notch, and pair my new orangish/red blouse with a pair of my favorite Fidelity skinny jeans. If your not as daring but still want to try this trend find a blouse or top that still has a nice color, but is a bit more toned down.
    I've cuffed the jeans giving them that cute ankle look to show off my little black pony wedges. This is also a great way for anyone who has a pair of jeans that are a bit to long to shorten the length, and give them a trendy look all at the same time.
For jewelry I've kept it simple since the neck of the top has a lot going on with the tie. I found a pair of brushed gold earrings to wear along with my gold toned watch.

Laura

Ark & co blouse $42 (Jb and me)
Fidelity ace mid rise skinny
Nicole better in black pony

Layer it Up.

    It's that time of year (at least here in Michigan) to bundle up, because old man winter has been showing his face!  Sweaters, thermals, and over the knee socks are all on my list of go to's for layering this season.     
    In my outfit today I took my long, ivory nikibiki tank and  layered it under a wonderful Free People slip. On top of that I layered  my new sweater my wonderful boyfriend Murle picked out for me from Urban Outfitters (well picked out from my wish list that is).  I could have worn denim or leggings with this look, but I opted for some charcoal grey tights, since I decided to wear my Nicole boots in the lighter grey color.  I added my new rose vintage necklace that I pictured in one of my last posts, and I was ready for the day! 
    As you've probably started to notice I do a lot of mixing and matching in my wardrobe, I like to be able to take one item, and really make it work with numerous outfit options.  One way I make this easier to do is by stocking up on different accessories.  Belts, necklaces, slips and patterened tights can really make one outfit look totally different the next time you wear it.

Here is the link to Urban outfitters if you are interested in finding my sweater (UrbanOutfitters).  The boots can be found at Jb and me (25% off this week might I add), slip Free people (last year), Nikibiki long cami (Jb and me, $23)
Laura

Love Me Some Feathers.

    I've done the hair feather trend, and was quickly over that once everyone and their children started having them (I literally began to see lots of children with hair feathers), but there is still something about this feather trend that I'm still loving... So I was very excited when I opened these lovely earrings from my Aunt Linda and Uncle Dennis on Christmas eve! They are unlike any I've ever seen with not only very cool feathers, but also leather strips and small silver chains. They are from a jewelry line called Presh, which I researched a bit, and found some other really amazing jewelry from this designer! Here's the link for you all to check out(Presh Jewelry link)... If you ever need a gift idea this would be a really cool designer to shop from, and buy really different pieces.

Laura

Fashion the Family and leggings.

Well I arrived in lovely Napoleon, Ohio this morning to spend Christmas with my family. We just enjoyed a wonderful ham dinner, and are resting our full bellies, all while watching a Christmas movie on the Disney channel. We aren't a wild and crazy group, as you might have already guessed by the mention of the Disney movie.
Traveling always takes a careful selection of the clothing you'll be wearing while your away. My #1 choice: leggings. Leggings are the ultimate comfort item to add to any wardrobe, and are perfect when you are going to be traveling...they are pretty much like wearing pajamas out in public and you can look good while doing it! I've paired my favorite charcoal leggings with a long niki biki tank, and my new favorite Laurie B sweater jacket...which I assure you covers my fanny, because I assure you I will always stand by my rule that when you wear leggings the rear must be fully covered...I don't care how good your booty looks:)
You might also be wondering who the nice looking gentleman is pictured with me... That's my wonderful cousin Jeff. I had to picture him in my post because he is one of the most stylish guys I know- and I'm not just saying that because we're family. Jeff is wearing a ribbed cardigan from Express, grey trousers from Seven for all Mankind, and some great shoes from Sebago.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful night with friends and family. Happy holidays!

Laura

Turning a Summer Dress into a Winter Look.

    I was looking through my closet this morning, trying to figure what in the world to wear to work (i know, it was just one of those mornings). It was then I came across my nude Ark&co. dress I purchased at Jb and me this past summer. I missed wearing that dress, it being one of my favorites...so I decided to turn my summer purchase into a layered up winter look. This is one reason why I don't totally clear out all of my summer items from my closet during the winter... There are usually items that can be worn all year long if layered correctly.
    I paired my dress with a 525 America boyfriend cardi, a charcoal pair of leggings, sixtyseven lace up boots and a cute vintage necklace I just received from a special friend for Christmas. All together it turned my once Summery dress into a layered up look perfect for chilly days!

Adding Some Vintage Flare

    Even though I love new trends, old vintage clothing always inspires my everyday style and wardrobe. One of my favorite things to do on a weekly basis is visit my friend Abby at her vintage clothing store in Holland (she carries designer vintage at Found) to see all the treasures she finds at early morning estate sales. From St. John suits to herringbone skirts and feminine blouses her clothing racks are full of endless possibilities of beautiful outfits!
     Some people can pull of wearing vintage from head to toe- I, however like to mix it into my wardrobe for an unexpected touch. This high waisted skirt by B.B. Dakota i'm wearing isn't vintage, but whenever I wear it, it reminds me of something that very well could be. So I encourage you mix and match your clothing... Throw a little vintage into the mix. It will change up your wardrobe a bit, and believe me you'll have people asking where you got it!

    If you've never been to Found, and want to check out all of Abby's vintage clothing here is her facebook link so you can contact her (Found )...or if you make it into the store just look for the girl wearing the exceptional outfit with the wildly, curly blond hair:)
Laura

Sometimes You Just Want to be Cozy!

    I love dressing up for work, but sometimes those dressier clothing items aren't the most comfortable to wear all day long. Believe it or not, I love my every other Saturday off of work where I can just roll out of bed, throw my hair in a ponytail,  find my leggings and the softest hooded sweatshirt in my closet, and call it good for the day:)  This look is not the most fashionable I know, but who doesn't love a good day in their lounge wear!  My outfit today is a good example of how you can take a casual top from your closet, add a few accessories, a good boot and you not only look pulled together, but you can be comfortable all day long while wearing it. 

Today I'm wearing a lace back sweatshirt top from Lovemarks (A new brand at Jb and me with great prices), My fidelity mid-rise Ace skinny jean, a Kate Mesta dog tag & Dogeared lovestruck necklace, along with my very cozy NikiBiki tank in the long length, and my new Nicole boots in the best grey ever!

-Laura

Mixing black and brown in your wardrobe.

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet...it is more than okay to wear black and brown together! In fact I love mixing these two colors together (as shown in my outfit.)

Today I'm wearing: Free people lacy turtleneck, Jack printed skirt, survival leggings, and my favorite sixtyseven boots.

Laura

Add A Little Color to Your Life.

They're back my friends, you've seen them all over fashion magazines and in stores, have you joined the colored denim bandwagon yet? For those of you who are a little afraid to try this trend I ask that you look at my friend/co-worker Alina in her Sanctuary rust colored ankle pant. How adorable does she look?!? I think the outfit she has chosen shows that this look can be a little dressier and sophisticated... In other words not just for teenagers! For a more flattering look I would stick to darker colors such as rusty reds, teals, burgundies, etc. For those of you who are a little more daring I would suggest a softer color such as a blush-peach which is stunning paired with taupe browns and heather greys. Think about trying this trend, because it will be sticking around for a while...they were showing it in just about every collection at the spring shows! To check out more colored denim options check out the following website (the brand Alina is wearing in my photo) Sanctuary Clothing , Or come visit me at Jb and me and I can show you all of our options! Laura

The Mixing of Prints and patterns

Some may say that this is a fashion no no.  I, on the other hand say ABSOLUTELY!  This look doesn't necessarily work with all prints and patterns, but here is how I would suggest you go about knowing if something goes together or not.  In my outfit today I have a boxy striped sweater on from Free People, paired with a dark skinny jean, some jewelry and a leopard patterned shoe.  Two totally different prints on both items...one is striped and the other animal print.  The reason why this works is that it's in the same color family, which I think in the end makes the outfit flow together, all while having a little extra edge!  So I encourage you to go through your closet and find two items (clothing, shoes or a scarf) and try to play around with mixing patterns.  Colors don't have to be exact matches either, just make sure they compliment each other or that they are in the same color family. Clothing pictured: free people boxy sweater, citizen avedon skinny jeans, and the Nicole "better" leopard flat, which is still available for purchase or special order at Jb and me. Jewelry is a vintage find from the allegan flea market:

Gotta love a good reindeer poncho...or any poncho for that matter.

Alright, I'll be the first to admit I was a little hesitant when I heard ponchos were the next hot new piece of outerwear... What could be appealing about a big cape-like jacket? Especially on a short-petite person like me? Well I will say my hesitation sure changed when I found my beloved reindeer sweater poncho from 525 America. I wear this little jacket almost to much. It's the perfect look with skinny jeans or leggings and a nice tall pair of riding boots. A normal jacket is always a must have, but for something a little different I love wearing my poncho and you might too if you give this style a try:)

Any interest in the one pictured on me? You can find it at the following website or I could try and special order one for you at Jb and me!

http://www.525america.com/

Starting a new thing...

I spend 8 hours of my day working with my customers at Jb and me putting together different oufits, along with taking pictures of clothing to keep our Facebook page updated daily. With the little extra time that I have during my day ( which isn't to much, before I've relocated to my couch to watch t.v. and quickly fall asleep) I've decided to put together a blog that shows my love of fashion. It will include outfits and looks from Jb and me, outfits and looks from my own closet, along with occasionly looks I find while putzing around online:) I hope this blog inspires you, and for some hope it gives you new ideas for your own style and wardrobe! Laura