Navy Striped Flounce T-Shirt

I was recently introduced to an online store called SheIn, and let me tell you, I am so glad I was! This store offers cute and affordable clothing and accessories. I find myself loving so many pieces from their selection. I made my first purchase last week and I could not have been happier with the quality and with the customer service. After scrolling through numerous pages on SheIn, I fell in love with so many items! Once I narrowed down my shopping bag, and placed the order, I had a few questions. SheIn has a "My Ticket" link that connects you with their customer service staff. I could not have been more pleased with my experience. The person helping me got back to me the day after and was very kind and thoughtful. It was a very pleasant experience and sealed the deal for me shopping their again!

One of the wonderful pieces I purchased was this Navy Striped Flounce T-Shirt. This was perfect for my Sunday birthday brunch. I had just finished up an amazing workout, and wanted to feel comfortable and stylish for my family gathering. This shirt was perfect for the occasion! It was flowy enough that I did not feel bad indulging with one of my mother's homemade cinnamon rolls. 

I also love how this top is very girly. In my opinion it can be worn casually, as I did today, or dressed up with a nice pair of wedges or pumps. No matter how you style it, this versatile top will have you feeling adorable.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Navy Striped Flounce T-Shirt: SheIn. Booties: DSW (Brand: Minnetonka). These specific booties are no longer sound at DSW or Minnetonka. Similar booties: Minnetonka Rancho Western Bootie, Minnetonka Tramper Fringe Western Bootie, and Minnetonka Back Zip Western Bootie. Faded Medium Wash Blue Mid Rise Jean Legging: Express. Sunglasses: Marshalls. Similar sunglasses: Coffee Oversized Round Sunglasses and Leopard Oversized Round Sunglasses. Leather purse: Aldo. Unfortunately, this purse is no longer sold. Similar purse: Cercenasco. My necklace was a gift, and was purchased in Africa.

As always, thank you for stopping by!

Lace Up Western Booties

The weekend is finally here! All week I have been sick the flu, and I am just now starting to get better. Although this week has been a tough one, I am thankful to work for such a wonderful family! When you feel appreciated and respected, you wake up every day ready and excited to spend time with those great kiddos. As my fellow nannies, educators, and childcare providers know, even when you're sick, you go to work. Consistency is important for any job, but especially when you work with children. I have never been one for calling out, however, it seems I have the weekend off from Express. I will be taking full advantage of this rare occurrence by staying in bed!  

 

I am so excited to share with you, my new Liv Lace Up Western Booties from Minnetonka! I have always loved Minnetonka, and the quality shoes the brand produces. I find that they make incredibly comfortable shoes, that are perfect for every day use. For for anyone who is on their feet for most of the day, this is an important quality for a shoe to have. 

Another quality that I like about Minnetonka's shoes is that they last. These booties are made of genuine suede that moves with me when I walk.  Unlike some Minnetonka boots/booties, these have a flexible rubber sole that is perfect for daily activity.

Not only are these suede booties comfortable, they are adorable! After being sick all week, I wanted to be comfortable today. These booties had me feeling just that, while still being on trend this season. The moment I saw these, I fell in love and knew I had to have them. These Western styled booties have enough fringe to add flare to any boho chic look. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: Minnetonka Western Bootie: DSW. Leggings: Express. Poncho: Purchased in Barcelona, Spain. Link to similar poncho here. Long-sleeved Fitted Tee: Old Navy.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend and stay healthy! 

Thank you for reading!

3 Simple Steps to Layering an Outfit

Happy Hump Day!  I hope you all had a great  start to your week!  Tonight I will be be sharing a simple "how to" for laying an outfit.  Throughout the week I have heard such comments as "nice weather we're having" and "what a beautiful November week".  It's true!  This week has been gorgeous and I have made sure that the boys and I take advantage of the nice weather by going to the park as much as possible.

With this great weather, I have also heard many people mention how they do not know how to dress for it.  In New England, during the fall, it is cold in the the mornings, hot during the days, and freezing once the sun sets.  Which, thanks to Day Light Savings, is much earlier now.  As I've mentioned in previous posts, the weather plays a big part in what a nanny does during the day.  Every morning I check the weather, and try to be outside as much as possible.  As a nanny, my work days begin at 8 AM and end at 6 PM.  I need to be ready for any temperature.  Layers always help.

At Express, they encourage the team to wear three layers.  I try to follow this rule at my nannying job as well.  If you are not used to layering an outfit, don't worry!  Here are three simple steps that will help.

1.  Choose a base.

It is easier to form an outfit if you start with a simple base.  This can be a romper or dress in a solid color or simple pattern.  Your base can also be a simple t-shirt and jeans.  Once you have that core item, you can work from there.

For the fall time, I tend to wear light tees and cotton dresses as my base item.  This is a good idea for when you're running in between sporting events, swim classes, parks, and errands at the house.  That lighter layer is important for when you are feeling warm.  If you only wear warm layers, you wont be able to enjoy the 60 and 70 degree weather that the fall days have to offer.  

Here I chose dark wash jeans with a black basic tee, as the base to my outfit.  Here are a few other pieces that I love, and would use as a base for an outfit.  

Gray Plush Jersey T-Shirt Dress from EXPRESS 

Metallic Snakeskin Jacquard Sweater Dress from EXPRESS

Mock Neck Sweater Dress from EXPRESS

2. Add an accent piece.

This is where the outfit starts to get fun!  You may have loved your base item, but this is when you make the outfit pop!  An accent item can be a sweater, a vest, a cardigan, a scarf, and many other things.  This item is going to have a different, maybe bolder, color or pattern than your base item.

My accent item was my red, plaid flannel.  The red brightened my outfit.  However, there were darker tones that kept my outfit looking pulled together.  If you are wearing a flannel or collared shirt underneath a sweater, make sure to make the collar neat and cuff the sleeves.  Here are various accent items that I love.

Fuzzy Textured Cover-Up from EXPRESS

'Autumn' Plaid Scarf from NORDSTROM

Factory Fair Isle Sweater from J. CREW FACTORY OUTLET

Crêpe Jacket from H&M

3. Accessorize.

The final step in layering an outfit is accessorizing.  This is my favorite step to layering an outfit!  I have always loved jewelry.  However, when accessorizing a look it does not always have to mean jewelry.  You can add a watch, a belt, or a pretty headband as well or instead.  It is all based on your likes and dislikes.  I tend to wear less earrings and more necklaces and belts to complete my look.

Here I wore one of my Nigerian necklaces as a statement piece.  I also wore a bright brown, leather belt to break up the darkness of my black top and dark wash jeans.  Here are a few of my favorite accessories.

Tulipa Ring from LIA SOPHIA OUTLET

Cadilassi Necklace from ALDO

Taupe Knot Headwrap from ALDO

When layering an outfit, it is important to keep your sense of style in mind.  This will help make a cohesive look that will better portray who you are as an individual and as a fashionista!  I hope this helped! 

My look...

Flannel: Chaps.  Similar flannel: Here.  Jeans: Express.  V-Neck Jersey Top: H&M.  Moccasins: Minnetonka

Thanks for stopping by, Cute Teachings!

Pattern Play

Lately I have been loving the trend of mixing prints!  I enjoy the way it looks and the way it can really make an outfit pop.  I feel as though the beginning of the leaves turning has inspired me to mix things up a bit!  Therefore, I decided to fully embrace this new inspiration by focusing on mixing prints this week.  But where to begin?  For those who want to embrace this new trend with me, but feel out of their comfort zone, I have a few tips!

An easy way to begin mixing prints is to replace your solid colored top with a monochromatic pattern in the same color.  Monochromatic colors are all the colors or shades of a single hue.  For example, you might pick a light blue top with dark navy polka dots.  I suggest initially choosing colors and patterns that you are familiar with.

Next, try mixing two prints with one unifying color.  You want to match colors, not prints.  So for that blue polka dot shirt we just mentioned, you could layer a plaid scarf over it with similar coloring.  As you become better at pattern play, you can try adding a third print to your outfit!

While creating an outfit with pattern play, it is important  to remember- mix small and large prints, not prints that are the same size.  Your outfit needs to have a stand out piece.  You can double up on the same print, or you can off set prints with one another.  Have fun with it!  Also, in my opinion, gingham is a great base.  And leopard goes with anything!

During my week of pattern play, I had a lot of fun styling my outfits.  I wanted colors that would be great for fall, and clothes that would be comfortable for work.  Living in New England, this week was perfect for layering.  It was cold in the mornings, hot during the days, and back to freezing during the nights!  

Monday

I absolutely love that scarf I wore on Monday!  It was a thrift store find during my trip to Virginia this summer, and I am so glad to finally be able to wear it!!  It is thin, which makes it perfect for the fall.  The orange and blue pop against each other, which brings a contrast that I really like. 

  My stripe shirt is extremely comfortable!  I like to wear leggings with this top because it is so long and flowy.  My burgundy sweater complemented the orange in my scarf and was great for the changing temperatures throughout the day.

Finally, I was excited to wear my new denim jacket!  For years I have been looking for my version of the perfect jean jacket, and I finally found it at The Loft!  The best part was that it was 40% off!  

My Leggings are from Express.  My Long T-shirt is from H&M.  Mine is from a few seasons back, however, that link will bring you to a similar tee.  My Leather Riding Boots are from G.H. Bass & Co.  They are from last winter.  The link above will take you to a similar leather pair.  My Jet Set Logo Tote is from Michael Kors.  My Denim Jacket in Sterling Blue Wash is from The Loft. My burgundy sweater is from Forever 21.  It is from a few seasons back, but there are similar sweaters here and here.

Tuesday

Tuesday I tried something different and mixed the pattern of my shirt with print of my shoes.  This outfit was a casual look and the pattern play was a little more subtle.  My down vest is extremely comfortable and is one of my fall/winter favorites.  Plus, the vest brought color to this outfit.

I love the small bows on my Tahari flats.  They give a hint of 'girly' to my outfit.

My Down Vest is from Lands End.  It does not come in this color anymore, however, it does come in eleven other others.  Right now this vest is 25% off with Promo Code STAYWARM at check out.  But buy it now!  The sale ends today!!  My Faded Medium Wash Blue Mid Rise Jean Legging are from Express. My black and white striped shirt is from Forever 21, but is from last year. Here is a similar top that Forever 21 is currently selling.  My leopard print flats are from Elie Tahari, however, I purchased them at Marshalls.

Wednesday

As one could tell by now...I love stripes.  Wednesday I wore a light striped sweater over a pair of black jeans.  The stripes on my sweater were not as bold as the stripes seen in my previously worn shirts.  Therefore, I went with a bold pattern to layer with-leopard print.  

I enjoy moccasins more than I probably should.  This specific pair is extremely comfortable and I will definitely be buying them in other colors! 

I love my scarf because, as I stated before, leopard print goes with everything.  Also, who doesn't love a good infinity scarf?

My Lightweight V-Neck Sweater is from Old Navy.  That link will bring you to the current season's style.  Here is a similar sweater, on clearance at Express.  My Black Mid Rise Jean Legging are from Express.  I am wearing 'regular' length, and have them rolled.  My Kilty Hardsole Moccasins are from Minnetonka. My leopard print scarf is from Express.  Here is the current style they are selling.  However, they tend to bring this infinity scarf back every winter.  Keep an eye out! 

I hope that this helped those who are interested in incorporating pattern play into their outfits.  Let me know what you love to mix and match!  

Until Sunday!  Thanks for reading!