Red Suede Shoes

~ Photography by Zeke and Wendy Smith ~

~ Outfit Details: Coat by J.Crew (on sale right now!) ~ Jeans (old) but I also love these similar jeans at Nordstrom (which have a great fit!) ~ Sweater (old) but THIS sweater is AMAZING ~ Flats by ASOS (on MAJOR sale, too!) ~ Headband (old) by J.McLaughlin, but loving this season’s fur headbands from them as well! ~ Watch (old) by Movado ~ Sunglasses by Ray-Ban ~ Clutch by GiGi New York ~ Pearl Cluster Earrings are vintage ~

I just got back from my best week of Staff Meetings yet in Maryland! It was fun to be back on the Eastern Shore of MD, where I went to college. It’s such a beautiful area and SO many great memories of mine have been made there. The best part of this past week was getting to see all of my co-workers from all over the East Coast and spend some quality time together. My FOCUS co-workers inspire me to be a better person….each and every single one of them. I know how blessed I am to be able to write that sentence and I felt like this past week, I delighted in them more than ever.

I LOVE THIS LOOK that I wore at Staff Meetings! I think that I might have to repeat it soon (no shame)! My red suede shoes from ASOS are so bright and fun and are on sale for under $30! Did I mention how many compliments I get on them every time I wear them?! I’m trying to be a little bit bolder this year. I think that I sway towards classic timeless pieces and that’s OK, however, moving into my late 20’s, I still want to make sure that I’m being brave with my fashion choices, too. I think that figuring out how to make the trends of the season “me” and styling them to fit my unique style has always brought me so much joy and I want to be sure I don’t fall short on that in 2016!

ALSO this toggle coat has been on my wish list for quite a while and I am PUMPED that it finally lives in my closet! I have to admit that it is a petite… AND it fits perfectly! AH why haven’t I been buying more petites forever?! It’s so important to dress for our bodies and I’m starting to realize more and more that petites are just cut to fit my size and frame better. If you are short like me, definitely give it a shot! I’d love to hear your experience with this topic (whether you are a tall/regular/or petite)!

Lastly, and I know I shared this story already on my instagram, but my Grammy got me this monogrammed clutch from GiGi New York for Christmas and there’s such a sweet story to go with it. She said that it’s good luck (and tradition, which I didn’t know!) to put a penny a handbag when you give it as a gift. She happened to have a 1988 penny (the year I was born) and my dad helped her find a 1927 (!!!) penny, which is the year she was born! I now have both pennies in my Gigi New York clutch and I carry it with such pride and think of my Grammy every second 🙂 I hope that you all had such a wonderful NYE and that your 2016 is off to a great start! Personally, I felt like this quote from such a bold and proud woman was a perfect way to start off the year. Cheers to rocking the world in 2016!