Trending: Dress over Jeans

This trend is perfect. Short dress? Layer with jeans. Running around but want to look fancy? Layer with jeans. Like the layered look but don't know what to layer? Layer with jeans. Too cold to wear the dress alone? LAYER WITH JEANS! 

I just started to see this trend pop up & I am 100% on board. I bought my dress at my Madewell Event on a big discount. I love it without the jeans, for sure, & actually wore it that way for Easter. But one of the reasons I bought it was specifically with this trend in mind. 

I love having the full flexibility of jeans. It really comes in handy!  For example, even in this photo shoot:  jumping on walls was a breeze, the actual breeze was no concern to me (no Marilyn Monroe's for this gal), high kicks? No prob bob. 

This was the first time I've tried the dress over jeans trend, but I can betchya it won't be the last. Lately, spring means mornings in the thirties, afternoons in the sixties & evenings down to the forties. Dress over jeans = dress for all weather. It's a win-win-win.

Anyway, I miss you guys! I've got some exciting things going on. I just signed up for Studio DIY's Can't Crop this Class. We are announcing some fun Thread Cincy shannenigans  next week. Our event season at work is in mega-full swing. & this weather makes me smile :D  How are you?!

Dress: Madewell 2015
Jeans: Curate Boutique 2014 (same in limited sizes) (Similar from Guess)
Shoes: Madden Girl... seven years ago, folks! (Similar)
Earrings: Madewell 2015 .... totally on sale!
Photog: Natalie Folchi of CincinNatalie

& here are some outtakes! In case you're into that kind of thing ;D

Curate Your Style

People are so inspiring. That's why I do the lessons from a dreamer segment. I love to learn from my peers. Ask their advice. Understand their success. See their drive. 

& though I haven't made it to her yet, Courtney PeGan at Curate Boutique is a perfect candidate for the series. From what I've learned (partially from my blogging partner in crime, CincinNatalie), Courtney left her corporate job to open what we know as the quaint, lovely & ever so stylish Curate Boutique. 

& today we get to celebrate Curate's anniversary! I'm heading over as soon as the work day is over to celebrate with champagne & a sale. My favorite kind of party ;D

I'll see you tonight!!!!!!!

& in the meantime, a little trip down memory lane, featuring my fave Curate finds : 
(all the photos are links!)

Styling a dress that is a littttttle too small

I have a problem. Sometimes I buy cute clothes that don't fit me. Take this daffodil dress:

Brand: Alice + Olivia
Size: 0
Annie's Size: NOT zero

I wasn't a zero when I bought it either. But there it was at TJ Maxx, just languishing in the final sale rack. I can't afford Alice + Olivia in real life. Not even close. & it was sooooo stinkin' cute. I tried it on. It was tight, I'll admit. But, hey, incentive to work out, right?

Wrong. I bought the dress 10 months ago & haven't worked out in about as long.  But now it's spring & high time to find a way I can wear this gorgeous daffodil dress. What to do when you're styling a dress that is a little too small?

Answer: you layer.

Too tight dress + sweater = pencil skirt & adorable shirt combo. 
I haven't done math as friendly as that that since  the jumpsuit/crop sweater post a few weeks ago ;D

Here, let me push my glasses up real fast because that was fashion-math nerdy of me. 

Really though, layering has saved a lot of cute clothes in my closet. & you don't only have to layer when your dress is too small. My friend CincinNatalie can tell you that.

In other news: I'm leaving for Denver tomorrow. From there I fly to North Dakota, to South Dakota, to Minneapolis. (You all can keep up with my travels if you'd like on instagram or twitter. I usually run into some pretty comical situations.)  Easter was really lovely & so was my Madewell Event! Yesterday, Cincy Chic published an article about Thread Cincinnati (remember that group of amazing fashion bloggers I've been talking about?). We have more plans for Thread coming up :D

I hope you are having a really awesome spring & going crazy with color in your wardrobes. Send me snapchats of your bright outfits (anneabutler) & I'll send you back some love. 

xo

Dress/skirt: Alice + Olivia 2013 via TJ Maxx (similar via Alice + Olivia) (similar via Michael Kors) (similar via Talbots)
Sweater: Banana Republic 2014 (similar)
Sneaks: Jack Purcell
Photog: Jacob Heath

5 spring pieces you need (or 1 Easter outfit you want!)

1. Sleeveless peplum top

2. Laser-cut circle midi skirt

3. sunnies

4. The d'Orsay Flat in snake spot

5. Trench cape

---

Oh boy! Easter really snuck up on me this year! Don't get me wrong, I am pumped. I'll probably celebrate with about 15 different dark chocolate desserts. Not that you'd be able to tell from my outfit suggestion (spill much, Annie?) Regardless. I've pulled together one little ensemble for Eater that is Mass, Grandma's, boyfriend's parents or brunch with friends approved. I also think each of these pieces are wonderful additions to your wardrobe individually. Reason being: SPRING. Photos are links, but they're also below. Let me know which is your favorite. xo 

Oh, oh & p.s. did you know if you rotate the coffee lid on to-go paper cups so you're not sipping over the seam, spillage chances decrease by about a million? So, yea... save your shirts, don't sip on the seam. #droppingknowledge

1.. Sleeveless peplum top/ H&M/ $29.95
2.. Laser-cut circle midi skirt/ JCrew/ $128
3. Le Specs/ net-a-porter/ $50
4. The d'Orsay Flat in snake spot/ Madewell/ $108
5. Trench cape/ The Limited/ $124.60

Sleeveless Tuxedo Vest

Saturday was the first day of spring & this weather is killing it. 

It's weather for bottomless mimosas on the patio. It's weather for short & long sleeve graphic tees. This is the kind of weather people relocate for. This weather is amazing.

So a few things. First: sleeveless tuxedo vests. My blogging friend Liz introduced this fad in the fall. I've been on the lookout for a discount version & scored big time at a ladysfriend clothing swap a few weeks ago. Can you say spring layers?

Next: high rise denim. Good heavens. I recently acquired two pairs & I've worn them (alternating) every. single. day. Crazy flattering. Graphic tees: You all know I love a good graphic tee. My friend Aimee gave me this long sleeve one. It's perfect. & don't you all just love sneaker season?  The best.

Anyway, I hope you're having a phenomenal start to spring. I can't wait to see you at my Madewell event April 2nd. There's going to be a twenty per cent discount. I've been eyeing my favorites for weeks. Sneak peek:

These. 
These. 
This.

Love you guys.
xo.

Tuxedo vest: via Friend Clothing Swap (similar via Nordstrom) (similar via Forever21)
Graphic tee: gifted 2014 (similar) 
Denim: via Madewell (2015)
Sneaks: Jack Purcell via JCrew 2010 (same)
Photog: Jacob Heath