Fruity Favorites

Let me first start out this post by explaining that I am a huge fan of patterns! Don't get me wrong I love basic tees and jeans but over the years I love anything plaid, floral, houndstooth, Vera Bradley, nautical, you name it! I just think patterns amp up any outfit whether you are wearing jeans and a patterned top to the grocery store or pairing a pattern pant or skirt with basic top for work. Mixing it up with pattern and color makes you instantly look more pulled together!

To more accurately explain where my love of patterns came from. Even as a young girl I remember my mom dressing me in patterned shorts, overalls and dresses. When you're young being pattern crazy is adorable and it truly is funny how things come full circle as an adult! Seen here in my throwback picture I am about 5 wearing an early pattern: OshKosh strawberry print overalls! So needless to say I am glad fruit patterns are back! (Think I could rock this in a larger size now? ;)

My first love of this trend was the J. Crew factory Charley sweater in the tangerine print! Then Target had a "must have" pineapple button down blouse but I opted for the cardigan version to wear over dresses and such in the summer on a cool night.
I recently wore this over the Citron Old Navy eyelet dress for my brother's high school graduation and should have left the cardigan on because my shoulders got major sunburn! Ouch! (If you see any of these Old Navy dresses on sale at your store- get it ASAP because it is comfortable, flattering and can be dressed up or down!)

I paired it with a necklace from here but here is another option and Old Navy sandals (old).

The most recent pattern trend has me super excited because not only is it adorable but as a dietitian, I am able to express my love of fruit and fashion in one shot! Pineapple prints especially with other fruit prints as strong contenders such as lemons and oranges! Yellow and orange are always colors I wear in the summer and this is such a fun new print to create a conversation piece! (aka you will get adorable comments ladies!)


Would you wear this trend?

Fruity Favorites by ahealthyportionoffashion featuring an orange sweater

Old Navy eyelet dress
oldnavy.gap.com

J Crew orange sweater
factory.jcrew.com

Shirts top
target.com

Old Navy drawstring shorts
oldnavy.gap.com

Kate Spade woven handbag
neimanmarcus.com

Kate Spade starfish jewelry
katespade.com

J Crew tech accessory
factory.jcrew.com





Stay healthy, Stay trendy!

xoxo
Lauren

Steal vs Splurge

Left is J. Crew factory version and right is the Our World Boutique version

I have always loved J. Crew factory and it definitely seems to be my store of choice lately! I have mentioned I like a mix of price points in my wardrobe and as much as I love their style, I just cannot spend a lot on more trendy pieces like certain accessories. However, there are tons of trendy jewelry stores and websites that offer fun statement necklaces, bling-bling earrings and bracelets that can be layered up that we can afford and do not feel guilty about if we do not get a certain number of wears out of them to make the piece feel like a good fashion investment.

The J.Crew factory version this season is available in several colors after the red beaded rose was such a huge hit with J. Crew retail last year. Check out the yellow, coral and white factory versions here. Promotional pricing may vary from time to time.

A few months ago I discovered Our World Boutique for their on trend pieces with great quality, great service and not to mention great prices that you can pick up some statement pieces in multiple colors ;) So during one of my J. Crew factory trips and drooling over the jewels I found a yellow beaded rose necklace that would be a nice sunny addition to my spring and summer wardrobe. However, the ticketed price was $69.50 (sales fluctuate 30-50% off from week to week) I was determined to find a similar necklace at a more budget friendly price! I was thrilled when Our World Boutique restocked these in 3 flower, 5 flower and 7 flower versions in a wide variety of colors! But wait for the price! Wait for it... wait for it... Only $7.99-$12.99! My yellow version is available in the 7 flower version. Like I said get yourself a bouquet of colors to brighten up your wardrobe at that price!! Wowza! Check them out here.

I cannot wait to wear the yellow beaded rose necklace with lots of color combos and a variety of clothing with both button downs for work or even sundresses on the weekend!

Happy Spring!

*Note this necklace was courtesy of Our World Boutique to showcase the item for styling options as well as a review.*

Splurge vs Steal

Now I love good quality pieces but I also love a good deal. J. Crew Factory and Old Navy are two of my go-to stores but J. Crew Factory can also run a little pricey. Nautical looks are one of my all time favorite trends and this trend is back with avengance this spring and makes an anchor loving gal very happy to pick up more pieces! On the left is the Old Navy sweater available now for $15 and the J. Crew Factory sweatshirt with nautical ropes for $45.

            Old Navy                                                       J. Crew Factory

I also wore the sweater shown with an anchor print white chambray shirt from Old Navy available here.  It is super soft and the perfect length to layer early in the spring or wear tucked in or open with shorts. Did I mention I am a new chambray shirt addict?

Do you like designer looks for less? Have you jumped aboard the nautical trend?

Anchors away!

Lauren

Bath and Body Works Insider

Hello All!

Today I have some fun product reviews to share with a new sample program called "Bath and Body Works Insider" #BBWinsider. I applied through Facebook and was approved based on some basic demographic information. Each "campaign" becomes live throughFacebook at a set time and there are limited sign ups to receive these samples. These 2 are the only ones I have received so far but there have been a few others. 

First off let me start of by saying these little goodies have shown up after the longest work days and were like little "spa days!" I have always shopped at Bath and Body Works since I was a pre-teen buying roll on glitter. They are very inventive and creative with new products and I rarely try a scent that does not appeal to me. 

 The first package was Oahu "Coconut Sunset." I love switching to coconut scents for summer and this will be a treat for my everyday use. It is sweet with a hint of floral and coconut. Definitely not the classic "suntan lotion" style coconut but more of a high end perfume like scent. Layering scents is key to getting it to last and I can't wait to smell this every morning in the showe and then layer with lotion and body spray. The sleek new packaging of the fine fragrance mist is a great addition too. There are 2 other varieties available too: Maui and  Hawaii. 

The next series was the preview of different blends of French lavender. This 3 wick candle is a beautiful, earthy classic lavender. I have been burning it in my room after a long day. Lavender is one of my new favorite scents and I am excited to see the other twists on this spring classic. Did I mention this came with a Parisian inspired post card? Oh la-la! A girl can dream about a romantic trip to Paris but for now these scents will have to do!

Included with the candle was a French lavender and honey body lotion. This was  a great scent for a body product because this more floral and sweet scent is better in this form than in home fragrance. I also like lavender with vanilla for body products like the "Sleep" lotion from the Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy line.  There have also been some previews of lavender with apricot from this collection as well. 

I can't wait for the rest of this program and the sneak peeks of new products!

What looks like a good one to you?

*Note: I received these products for free from Bath and Body Works. I was not compensated for this review nor was a review required. 

 

WinterMint!

Many times I "save" certain items or colors in my wardrobe for certain seasons but anymore fashion has no rules: "Wear white after Labor Day!" "Mix Prints" "Wear navy and black!" "Of course plaid and stripes match!" So I figured why not brighten up my winter wardrobe with pops of mint. I jumped on the mint bandwagon last year and it surely has staying power in the fashion industry and I am always looking for new ways to incorporate it into my wardrobe.
My love for mint usually is saved for spring but with the winter being very snowy and yuck and spring feeling far, far away, I decided to winterize these mint looks especially with my new necklace from Our World Boutique! How can you say no to this J.Crew inspired piece at only $7.99? Just wait until you see the matching bracelet too!

Mint Blouse: Old Navy Similar Style this Season
Sweater: Old Navy (old)
Pants: Kohl's (old)
Necklace c/o Our World Boutique

This is another typical winter outfit for me but the warm and cozy feel is brightened up with some more mint with my "bliss set" c/o  Our World Boutique

All clothing items are last season:

Cords: American Eagle 

Sweater: Express

Fur Vest: Forever 21

Boots: DSW

Purse: Michael Kors

Hope my early fashion posts keep you inspired! Can't wait for more color once all the snow melts!

Lauren

Valentine's Day and Date Night Outfits

If anyone has tips for finding time to blog I would love some inspiration! Many times when I find a task daunting I simply avoid it and my attempt at creating a cute and creative blog is a work in progress! Well I wanted to do my first official outfit idea post and wanted to use Valentine's Day as inspiration! I have learned to LOVE love day! However, with it being in February, the snow and cold can take the fun out of getting dressed up. (one of my favorite things!) This winter has been one for the books and has certainly tested my fashion skills and put a damper on wearing cute shoes! So here are my ideas that were for my own Valentine's Day looks and general ideas for cold weather date nights for all you northern ladies! I made sure to incorporate red and pink! I will let you know what I ultimately went with!

This outfit offers lots of layers with a touch of bling! A warm skirt, tights and boots are an easy way to get dressed up but stay warm!

Skirt, Sweater and Vest and Polka Dot tights: J. Crew Factory (sold out)

Necklace: Very Jane Similar Purple Peridot

            Boots: Target (old)

Watch: Michael Kors
Love and Crystal Wrap: Alex & Ani

Next I have a very comfortable look that can easily transition from a casual bite to eat to being comfortable at the movies or even look cute for a movie night at home! I love these Kohl's Elle brand jeggings! They are a true jegging with a lot of stretch and not super tight. Confession I actually own 2 pairs!

Thermal: Old Navy
Sweatshirt:Victoria's Secret Pink Similar
Jeans: Kohl's (last season)
Shoes: Minnetonka via DSW

Lastly is what I actually decided to wear: I am a sucker for red and also I love dressing in the holiday spirit. (I will probably be one of those moms that dresses in holiday attire always! haha) The red jeans are casual but different and are the perfect canvas for accessories. My shirt also had a little added spice with a lace back panel which is not shown and was also a Christmas gift from my guy last year!


 Jeans: Old Navy Similar
Shirt: American Eagle (last season)
Necklace: BrinaBox


I must say my typical date night outfits are more on the casual than fancy side. What are some of your favorite date night looks?

Pretty in Pink

Pants (similar)  Sweater (sold out online) Mug (in stores only) Naked 3 Palette 

Quick shopping post! No shop January went very well so last weekend I decided to treat myself with some GREAT deals. The Urban Decay Naked 3 palette I purchased several weekends ago online from Sephora while stuck inside on a snowy night! I blame it on cabin fever but hey, I did save on gas and used a gift card for it! I decided to jump on the bandwagon but I am overall very pleased. The colors are very different than other colors I have and I already own Naked 1. It will be a great transition into summer as well and blending these shades over the whole eyelid really make my blue eyes pop and give more of a complete eye look. I am still on the hunt for new combinations and check out YouTube for tutorials as well.

The sweater I found at J. Crew factory for only $13! It is merino wool and was on clearance plus I used my old (shh don't tell!) student ID for an extra 15% off. 

These pants are ankle length dress pant style pants at Target for...drum roll please... $2.48! These came with a belt I might add! I have a navy pair as well from the spring and they are great for the days that you want to be both cute and comfortable! This cute mug that says "I Love You a Latte!" is also from Target and for $2.99 was too adorable not to pick up... even if it was for me!

I have always loved pink but I guess my love for Valentine's Day and desire for spring is showing! I hope to post more about Valentine's Day and some outfits soon.

What are some of your favorite Naked 3 combos?

Happy Shopping! 

xoxo Lauren