peplum

Britt and I’s swimsuits are from Kortni Jeane

If you have seen my Instagram lately, you might think that I’ve taken up a new profession as a swimsuit connoisseur. Well let me tell you, there is this funny thing about recovery and being cooped up all day. It forces you to buy an absurd amount of swimsuits. That’s right, it’s the darndest thing and I’ve yet to figure out why this is the case. I’m hyping it up to be a side effect of the pain meds. Since I am going on SO many beach trips in the near future it’s totally justifiable though. Well I mean I’ve thought about going on vacation so that is kind of the same thing right…it’s like maybe if I just buy enough swimsuits it will force me to plan a beach getaway. Or is that not how it works?

I love that there are more options than ever when it comes to swimwear this season. And not just the ity bity bikinis, but one pieces and all over coverage is making a major fashion statement. I have to admit that I was pretty worried when I heard that Victoria’s Secret was going to quit carrying swimsuits. It’s where I got ALL of my swimsuits so branching out has been quite the adjustment for me. Change is hard guys. I’m that girl that orders the same item off the menu every single time at every restaurant so just imagine the dispare I went through to learn that I’d have to completely turn my life upside down to find a new favorite swimsuit retailer.

Me dramatic? Never.

So what did my search results find? Well for starters, Kortni Jeane was an obvious girly girls’ heaven. They have so many different patterns so that you can mix and match your top and bottoms. I also love that they are the perfect mix of modest and cute! Another bonus is that the majority of their swimsuits are high waisted and flattering on ALL body types, even expecting mamas! Just for sizing reference I ordered an XS (my normal size) but definitely regretted not getting the small so if you are in between sizes, I would size up! Other retailers that I have bought swimsuits from this year are ASOS, Nordstrom, Dillards, and Shein. Check out some of my favorites from these retailers below.

Bikinis

One Pieces

Business chic style: leather pencil skirt + peplum top

Photography by: Banavenue

It has been way too long since I did a Work Wear Wednesday post! Today I wanted to bring you all one of my favorite outfit combos for work: the pencil skirt and peplum duo. It’s not new news that I am a fan of peplums. I think they are so flattering for all body types and add extra dimension to any outfit. I specifically love peplums paired with pencil skirts for a few reasons.

You don’t have to tuck any material into your skirt! GENIUS. Any other type of top that you wear with a pencil skirt will require you to tuck in your shirt. The less time I have to spend in the morning getting ready, the better. I think we all know how long it can take to get your tuck just right. You then have to pull a little out, make it look a little less straight laced and not so proper, you all know the drill. I’m telling you, peplums are the way to go, friends!
A little extra room. Who else loves a top that you can hide a food baby in? You would be lying if you said no! Peplums add a little “fluff” in the belly region so after lunch food babies are a worry of the past!
Great all year round. Peplums work for more than just a cute Summer top. For cooler temps (or a chilly office), peplums pair great with a light sweater or cardigan. My office is usually pretty cold so you would find me pairing this look with a cardigan, similar to this one.

Ok now let’s talk about this faux leather skirt for a minute. I’ve had serious doubts if leather is appropriate for the office. My answer is yes but hear me out. Moderation and feminism is key. My simple rules of thumb are this. 1) If you would consider wearing your outfit out to a bar, it is not appropriate for work. 2) It cannot be tight or short. Like at all. If you are still scratching your head after those two rules, I promise I will have a more in depth post up about wearing leather to work at a later date!

As always, feel free to add a pop of color into your outfit with your accessories. Since my top and skirt were both neutral colors, I knew that this purse would be the perfect pop of red. A big thanks to Macy’s Backstage for gifting me my purse and heels. Macy’s Backstage is such a great way to get designer items for a steal! Y’all must check it out if you have not heard of it yet.

I should be back with another work wear post in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I would love to hear from you what all you would like to hear about concerning anything about business. I love sharing my office outfits with you, but I also love sharing and tips and advice that I can as well. If you think of something you’d like to read about, please let me know! Have a great day, friends!

*Thank you Macy’s Backstage for making this post possible. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*