Friday Finds: Lauren Conrad at Kohl's

Happy Good Friday, everyone! Hopefully you all are enjoying a gorgeous three day weekend, like I am! This weekend is exactly what I needed coming off from my big trip. I needed a vacation from my vacation! It has been so much harder getting back into the swing of things than I thought it would be! I am looking forward to doing some heavy relaxing, uploading all of my photos and researching decor ideas for the lake house. Of course, I also have to hit up J.Crew Factory at some point since they are offering an amazing 50% off everything in stores! I need to get that striped dress from this post.

It feels like spring might finally be here - knock on wood! Few people do spring like Lauren Conrad. I am loving her LC Lauren Conrad Collection at Kohl's. She has the perfect pieces for a soft, feminine spring look. Her collection features pastels, lace, bows and polka dots - the ultimate feminine accents! I think she designed it for me. Lauren is a style icon and an inspiration to many (including me!), and I love how affordable she keeps everything!

Here are a few of my favorite pieces from her sweet and charming collection at Kohl's:

Shop the post:

So cute, right? Will you be heading to Kohl's to shop Lauren's spring collection? 

If so, let me know what you get!

Also, DON'T FORGET to shop my Stella & Dot trunk show today to be entered to win the amazing Jolie necklace! The trunk show ends tomorrow, March 30, at 2:00 EST!! Keep an eye out for the silver statements - if you spend $50, you get 50% off these items! See details on my giveaway here!

I hope everyone has a great Easter!

Style Crush: The Nautical Trend

The nautical trend isn't exactly new, but it definitely is hot for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. I have always been a fan of preppy stripes and nautical accents. It makes me think of summer - BBQs, being on a boat or hanging out at the beach. But, the nautical trend is not just limited to summer. We can start introducing it in the spring. An easy way to start incorporating the nautical trend is by simply pairing items in the nautical palette together - navy, white and red. I, personally, also love pairing navy and white with pink. Pair the striped dress below with a denim jacket for spring. Wear the sweatshirt with white jeans now, and then white, or even seersucker, shorts later. The items below are perfect for incorporating the nautical trend, and more importantly, they are affordable!

Forever 21 hat // J.Crew Factory dress // J.Crew Factory Starfish earrings // J.Crew Factory Chainlink Bracelet //  Target Espadrille Wedges // Old Navy Tank Top // Forever 21 Lacquered Nautical Studs // Target Mossimo Braided Belt // J.Crew Factory Anchor Shorts // Target Merona Sandals (on sale!) //  Etsy Anchor Shirt // TOMS shoes // J.Crew Factory Bangle // J.Crew Factory iPhone Case // Forever 21 Anchor Stud Set

Here are some of my key rules for pulling off the nautical trend:

1. Don't go too crazy with the nautical accents

For instance, if you are going to wear the bold anchor sweatshirt above, skip the anchor jewelry. 

2. Do add bright accents 

Navy and white work well with a pop of color. I love adding pink accessories like jewelry or a handbag. Red, yellow and green also work!

3. White pants are your best friend

Seriously, they are a staple item to the nautical look. Wear with navy and add some gold accents - an easy and classic look!

4. Stripes, stripes and more stripes

Nothing says nautical like stripes. Stripes are classic, so stock up and wear with your white skinny jeans or shorts - done and done!

I am so obsessed with the nautical look right now! It is really versatile and easy to mix and match! I love how the striped dress above can have completely different looks based on the shoes and accessories that are paired with it. Wear flat sandals for a casual look and wedges for a dressier look. I also think the dress will look amazing with the J.Crew beaded rose necklace, and I am loving it with the starfish earrings for the summer! The nautical look is just so easy and so classic - you can't go wrong!

Are you loving the nautical trend too? 

Do you have any tips for pulling off the nautical trend this season?


Only *4 days* left to enter my giveaway for the Stella & Dot Jolie necklace!
Details here

Link ups this week: 
Coffee Beans & Bobby Pins, Real Girl Glam, Fashion & Beauty Finds, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir

Stella & Dot Giveaway!

Hi, everyone! I am back! Stacey and I had an amazing trip, and I cannot wait to share photos and tell you more about it. If you follow me on IG, then you have probably seen a few of the photos - we hit a few WiFi spots along the way ;)  I am still getting into the swing of things, unpacking and catching up on life and work. Did I miss anything good while I was gone?

My Stella & Dot trunk show with stylist Jackie Dugayo closes in 5 days! Time flies! As promised, I am doing a special giveaway for those who purchase from the trunk show and follow Everyday Fashion and Finance on BlogLovin'. Check out the details below:

Such an easy way to add this great statement piece to your collection!

Click here to shop the trunk show

Click here to follow me on BlogLovin'

Check out my earlier post for some of my Stella & Dot picks. When you are shopping the trunk show, make sure it says "Shopping Meghan Crane's Trunk Show" at the top of the page, so that your purchase gets counted towards the giveaway! And, don't forget that the trunk show ends March 30!

Also, while I was gone, I was selected again by Amy over at Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins as a part of her Friday's Five! I am having such a fun time being a part of her link up and getting to know other bloggers. Learn more about her Friday's Five link up and see my feature on her blog!

Hope everyone is doing well!  Looking forward to catching up with you and getting back into the swing of things!

Guest Blogger - Renee from Style with a Story

Hello! I'm Renee, and I blog over at Style with a Story. I'm so happy to be guest blogging at Everyday Fashion and Finance while Meghan is having the time of her life in Ireland and Scotland (I'm so jealous!). I've been a huge fan of Meghan's blog since the first day. Like me, Meghan is a fashionista on a budget and has incredible tips on saving money, getting the look for less and recognizing splurge worthy classics. I love knowing that I'm not the only budget conscience fashionista out there...all of us gals on a budget need to stick together! I have found so many deals and steals from Meghan and others who share their secrets and finds:)

I always say that you don't have to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks- and I am a firm believer in that!

Recently, Meghan did a post on finding the J.Crew look for less at Old Navy. See this post for the details. I was amazed at what a great look-a-like Old Navy produced, but the best part was the price!

Regarding Meghan's price per wear rule, it was not worth it for me to spend $150 on the J.Crew Liberty shirt, but it was absolutely worth spending $25 at Old Navy!  I decided to steal rather than splurge on this item.

Here's how I styled it:

Outfit Details

Old Navy Floral Shirt // Gap Yellow Cardigan // J.Crew Jeans

Steve Madden Flats - sold out, but loving these // J.Crew Factory Pearls

J.Crew Factory Bracelet // Bakelite bangles from an old antique shop

Earrings - old, but similar style at J.Crew Factory

Friday Fun: Stella & Dot Online Trunk Show!

Happy Friday! Even though I am on my trip, I have something fun to share with you! I am hosting an online Stella & Dot trunk show with Jackie Dugayo. Jackie and I connected through Instagram (@iadyjae), and I was excited when she asked me if I wanted to do an online trunk show!

The trunk show will run until March 30, so you can browse online at your convenience and order. Simple! There are some fun March trunk show promos going on as well!

**Check out the Trunk Show here!**

Shop My Picks
Gilded Golden Arrow Bracelet // Jolie Necklace // Julep Bangles (pink & green, white)
Serenity Small Stone Pendant // Signature Initial Charm // Signature Clover Necklace

Also, I was going to keep this a secret, but I just cannot... 

When I get back from my trip, I will be doing a special giveaway! That is all you can know for now ;) 

Stay tuned for more details!

If you are lucky enough to be Irish, then you are lucky enough

Top 'o the morning to ya! Today is "Meghan and Stacey go to Ireland and Scotland" day! I am working a half day, catching a quick flight to Chicago and meeting Stacey at O'Hare! From there, we will be off to Dublin!

Quick summary of our plans:

• Land in Dublin, push through the jet lag and do some sightseeing!
• The next day we embark on a two day tour visiting the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. We will stay in Killarney at a bed and breakfast. We will be traveling two of the most scenic drives in Ireland.
• Back in Dublin! Ready for an eventful St. Patrick's Day - church at St. Patrick's Cathedral and then parades, concerts and other fun events throughout the city!
• After St. Pat's, we head to Edinburgh, Scotland, which will be our home base while in Scotland. We will tour Edinburgh, but also plan to take the train to some surrounding areas - you know, to see more castles that Stacey's family has lived in ;) In case you missed it, her 12th great grandfather was a King of Scotland. She's related to Henry the 8th and Mary Queen of Scots. Basically everything we see and do in Scotland will be about her family - how cool!
• After Scotland, we head back to Dublin and then catch our flight back home, but we opted for a 24 hour layover in Zurich, Switzerland, so the fun is not over yet! I used Marriott points to score us an awesome hotel room for free in Zurich. Thank goodness, because Zurich is an expensive city, and I am sure we'll be broke by then!
• Once we make it back to Chicago, we have to rest up because we have Stacey's 30th birthday party at RPM Italian (hoping to see my girl Guiliana Rancic - hasn't happened yet, but she will for sure make an appearance for Stacey's big birthday, right?!)
• Justin is meeting me back in Chicago for the birthday weekend, and then we're driving back to Michigan. Sorry, Justin, but I think I will sleep the entire way home!

Obviously I will be pretty MIA from the blog and Instagram for the next week and a half, but I do have a couple things planned for while I am gone, including a special guest blogger on Monday! So, stay tuned to see who! Of course while I am gone, I will make sure to take tons of photos to share as well as make note of any fun fashion finds or trends!

I will leave you with an Irish toast:

"May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night."

Spring Forward!

Usually the weekend that we "spring forward" is a big bummer - we lose an hour of sleep and for some reason it affects us for days. This year, though, I didn't hate it. Sunday was so beautiful that I forgot that I lost an hour (until Monday morning, that is). It was sunny and a high of 65. It felt like spring. I was more than happy to break out my chambray shirt dress for the occasion. I didn't even need a coat.

Since we had our home inspection on the lake house the day before, we thought it would be fun to go to Home Goods and check out some potential decor for the house! With the money we will be spending on renovations, I will have a limited budget for decorating, so there will be a lot of Home Goods, Target (loving the Threshold line), Etsy and thrift store shopping in my near future - which I love! Luckily, we basically have all the furniture and kitchen items we need, so we don't need to worry about that. I also had to run some errands for my Ireland and Scotland trip with Stacey (I cannot believe we are leaving on WEDNESDAY! So excited!) And of course, I hit up The Limited to take advantage of the buy one, get one free blazers, pants and skirts promo that they have going on. I bought four pairs of much needed pants for work and two blazers in a red/coral color and mint (obsessed). I must say, I am pretty proud of my spring purchases. I have managed to get great deals and buy items that can be mixed and matched in a variety of different ways. Sunday's weather was a sign that I will soon be able to wear all of these new things!

Although I was excited to wear my chambray shirt dress, I was the most excited about finally getting to wear my Tory Burch Shelby Ballet flats! Justin bought me these for Christmas, and I am in love with them! He picked them out himself, and I was so impressed with how well he knew my style. I shouldn't have been surprised though - Justin has always been good at knowing what I like. I cannot believe I was able to wait until March to wear these shoes, but I did not want to wear them in the snow at all. Sunday was the first day where I felt it was nice enough to wear them - still love them!

I accessorized my chambray shirt dress with pops of pink and a polka belt that I recently got for 40% off at Loft. How cute is that Forever 21 necklace? Yes, Forever 21! I am loving their super affordable jewelry options right now! I also threw in my Target zebra bangle for some fun (please don't mind my naked nails). There are numerous ways you can style the chambray shirt dress, though. It basically goes with everything. It is a staple item in my spring and summer wardrobe. Switch the belt and the jewelry (or add a scarf), and you have a whole new look - totally worth it! It also makes for a great bathing suit cover up (I clearly have lake house on the brain).

Outfit Details

Chambray shirt dress - J.Crew (last season - similar at J.Crew Factory)

Leggings - H&M // Belt - Loft (on sale and an additional 30% off!) // Bag - Target

Necklace - Forever 21 // Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar at Zappos)

Bracelets - J.Crew bangles (wide and medium) and Target 

Flats - Tory Burch // Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Of course, after such a gorgeous Sunday, it is going to get cold again this week. I remain optimistic though! When I get back from my trip with Stacey, it WILL be spring. It. Will. Be. If you will it, it will come - right? Speaking of my trip, the packing is ongoing, but I think I am in pretty good shape. I am far ahead of my typical packing schedule. I am usually that last minute, stressed out person who then completely overpacks. This time I feel somewhat prepared. Most of my things are already in my suitcase, and I don't think I will overpack - shocker! Who AM I?! I am sure there will be a little stress tomorrow night and Wednesday morning, regardless, but none of that will matter once I get on that plane. If I need anything, I can always buy it over there. I am going to Ireland and Scotland with my best friend. And that is all that matters.

How are you adjusting to "spring forward?" What are you most looking forward to wearing once spring is officially here?

Stripes, Leopard & Baubles

The weekend was pretty exciting for Justin and me. We had our offer accepted on a lake house earlier in the week, and our inspection occurred on Saturday. It was fun to see the lake house again and start planning for summer! The inspection went well - no major issues! Yippee! The house requires a bit of work to fix it up, so we are excited to start the process. Goal is to close next month and be renovated by Memorial Day! 

I thought the weather on Saturday was going to be much nicer, but it was such a gray day (not great for pictures). As you can see, we still had some snow on the ground (and it was still a little cold), but I am so over my boots and was wearing my leopard tuxedo flats no matter what! I feel like every time I wanted to wear them these past couple of months, we would get a ton of snow. I am bound and determined to wear them as much as possible before it is officially spring. They are cute, comfortable and affordable! I tried to mix a bit of spring and winter on Saturday by pairing my new Loft sweater with my leopard flats, my fave Loft jeggings (don't judge) and a turquoise bubble necklace. I was also feeling a little nautical heading to the lake house, so the navy and cream stripes worked well. I am anxiously awaiting this super cute anchor skirt from J.Crew Factory to show up on my doorstop! I think I am even more obsessed with anchors now that we are lake house bound.

As I am sure you can tell, I love a good arm party. I have only recently gotten comfortable with a stacked wrist, but now I am obsessed. I am jewelry-obsessed in general these days, though. Accessories can completely transform an outfit, and usually at a low cost. I felt that the Target fish bangle was a necessity for visiting the lake house. Of course, I incorporated a few of my favorite staples as well. I love how these bracelets mix and match so well.

Two of my other favorite staples are my Hello Fab Diamonds and Bows ring and my Kate Spade Spence Convertible Satchel that I scored on Gilt a couple of years ago at major discount. I wear my bow ring almost daily and carry the Kate Spade satchel quite a bit during the spring and summer.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Loft / Denim: Loft / Flats: Target / Necklace: Pure Stunning via Etsy 

Bracelets: J.Crew Factory, Target, Gigglosophy via Etsy / Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar)

Ring: Hello Fab / Bag: Kate Spade Spence Convertible Satchel via Gilt (sold out - try eBay!)

The lake house purchase and renovation is obviously very exciting, but it will also require some changes in our budget. Luckily, I have already purchased quite a bit of spring clothing, and I have a ridiculous amount of bathing suits that I purchased for our honeymoon last year! In all seriousness though, I do try hard to find the best deals and find the balance between the J.Crew style and the more affordable items. I think I will be okay. I just may have to buy a little less and do a bit of a closet remix challenge every once in awhile, as inspired by my many Instagram friends. I plan to blog throughout the process and will keep you posted on how I am keeping to my fashion budget. All that can wait until AFTER my Ireland/Scotland trip though!

Until then, I will definitely be dreaming of this:

I still cannot believe we are in the process of purchasing a lake house. I cannot wait for the Fourth of July fireworks on the lake, the Lobster Fest and all the other fun summer activities! 

It is not even spring yet, and I am dreaming of summer. I need to slow down a bit!
What are you most looking forward to for spring and/or summer?

Friday Favorites: Budget-Friendly Beauty Buys

TGIF! I am so thrilled that it is almost the weekend! For some reason, this week seemed to drag on. It is probably because I am anxiously awaiting my big trip next week! Although, I am not fully prepared, so the time cannot go by too fast.

Today's post is all about budget-friendly beauty buys. I like luxury brands as much as the next gal, but often times I cannot squeeze them all in my budget. While there are some beauty products that are worth the splurge, there are also many drugstore options that work just as well. For instance, I have learned over time to not splurge on mascara. It dries out fast and is not worth the extra money. I have also found that most do not work as advertised and still clump, flake, etc. I have tried many brands at many different price ranges, and I always end up back with the classic Maybelline Great Lash. It was the first mascara I ever used back in high school, so there's some nostalgia there, but it is cheap and it works.

Here are a few of my other favorite budget-friendly beauty buys THAT WORK:

I'm not even kidding you - that Suave dry shampoo beats out anything more expensive, and the E.L.F. blush/bronzer duo (color St. Lucia) is a dead ringer to the NARS favorites that cost much more. Trust me, I was skeptical, because they do look different sitting side by side. However, when worn, they look exactly the same. And at only $3, you really can't get more budget-friendly than that! (Target also sells the blush on its own - look for the "Twinkle Pink" color - I tend to just go for the blush)

I am also SUPER excited to report that I was selected by Amy at Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins to be a part of her Friday's Five this week! Amy has started a Friday's Five Link Up on her blog where each Friday bloggers can submit their favorite post from the week, and then she will select five of the posts she particularly enjoyed to feature on her blog the following week. The link up is a great way to build relationships with other bloggers, find new blogs to read and just support one another! This was my first link-up, and I am thrilled to be a part of it! I am looking forward to connecting with other bloggers and making new friends!  Make sure you check out Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins! Amy has great style, and her blog is a lot of fun to read!

Which beauty items do you splurge on and which do you save on?  Do you have any budget-friendly beauty buys that you swear by? HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Etsy Love!

It's official. I think Etsy is the greatest site ever. I fell in love with Etsy while wedding planning last year. It is an AH-MAZING resource for brides! I went a little Etsy-crazy, but found so many great items at great prices. Etsy is perfect for finding unique items, DIY solutions and looks for less. It is also perfect for the extra busy bride who would love to DIY, but just cannot pull it off for everything - which was totally me! (Look for an upcoming post featuring all my Etsy wedding vendors - they were all fantastic!)  

Luckily for me, my Etsy obsession can continue, as it is also one of my go-to sites for budget-friendly jewelry and decor. Once a month I plan to feature some Etsy finds and favorite vendors. This post will focus on my current favorites for trendy jewelry items.

Gigglosophy

I have featured Gigglosophy briefly before - in my very first J.Crew Look for Less post. But, I cannot do a post on my current favorite Etsy vendors for jewelry without including this shop again! Tanya is absolutely a pleasure to work with and the products are gorgeous and quality items! If you follow me on Instagram, you see how much wear I get out of my pavé link and spike bracelets. Here are a few of my current favorites from Gigglosophy:

(Left to Right)  Clover Bracelet - $14 // Enamel Link Bracelet - $24 // Gold Chain Link Bracelet - $10 (on sale!)

Bip and Bop

Words cannot express how much I am loving Bip and Bop right now! I love how dainty the pieces are. I am totally lacking dainty pieces in my jewelry collection right now - they are PERFECT for layering! Here are a few of my current favorites from Bip and Bop (it was hard to narrow it down to three!):

(Left to Right): Darling Bow Bracelet - $22 // Anchor Necklace - $26.25 // Carrie Bracelet - $20
(Also loving the XO necklace and the Sweethearts necklace)

GlamourMeJewels

I am loving all the bright colors in this shop! So many cute and on trend pieces here. This shop also has some gorgeous J.Crew looks for less! I guess I cannot just limit the J.Crew Looks for Less posts to once month, no matter how hard I try! I think they are finding me! How identical is the Jasmine necklace to the sold out J.Crew Color Drop necklace?! Still pricey, but definitely an excellent look for less! Here are a few of my current faves from GlamourMeJewels:

(Left to Right): Mollie Bracelet - $20 // Jasmine Necklace - $75 // Lilly Necklace - $29
(Also loving the Anchor bracelets and the Delia bracelet)

I just cannot say enough about Etsy! It is so much fun just to browse around online! It is also a great place to find cute and personalized gifts. And hello, monograms! Tons of cute monogrammed items on Etsy! My "Favorites" is jam-packed with items that I love and have my eye on! I see so many fun Etsy posts in my future...

Are you an Etsy shopper? I would love to hear about your Etsy purchases and favorite shops!