Category — On a Budget

This week’s final T.J.Maxx Style Scout post is all about prints. I’ve always loved wearing and mixing prints.  When it comes to pairing bolder prints, it’s best to stick with certain color tones or shades.  I’m also a big fan of mixing a smaller pattern with a larger pattern, or here, in the case of the small floral print on this swing skirt (perfect for every season, I might add), stripes were an easy pairing (cue purse and sweater).  And because the lace on the scarf was black, I knew I could slip that into the mix easily as well. (The scarf selection at T.J. right now is bananas. Check my instagram for pictures!)

The oversized sweater was something I have been on the hunt for for quite a while now, and this one was designer, on a major discount thanks to T.J. Maxx, soft as could be, and with the added bonus of stripes.  I wore a designer-score tank top from T.J. under the sweater, and bought the same tank in two other colors (black, grey, and white – tank top staples in my book.)  The striped purse went into my cart the second I saw it – adorable, functional, and the black and white stripes make it incredibly versatile (New mantra: stripes go with everything!)  By the way, ever consider T.J. for your beauty purchases?  They have an awesome selection of hair care, beauty appliances (hello, new blow dryer!), and beauty items (often times, department store finds at a fraction of the price.)  It’s hard to see in the pictures, but even my shimmer nude name brand nail polish was a find from my local T. J. Maxx.  Win.

Side note: now that it’s warming up again, T.J. Maxx tends to put all of their tights (and winter wear in general) on sale; stock up now while the prices are reduced … you’ll be happy you did when Fall rolls around again.

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I actually wait for the Shopbop Friends and Family Sale each season.  In Spring, just after taxes, Shopbop rewards us all with a whopping 20% off the entire site.  {Get 20% off your purchase with code WEAREFAMILY13 through Thursday, 4/18.}  So when the Shopbop Friends and Family Sale comes along, I try to stock up on the items I know will be staples in my closet.  I’m a newly converted fan of Rag & Bone JEANS … seriously, I pledge allegiance to these jeans … forever and ever (and I am sooo picky when it comes to jeans).  (By the way, I have to thank Grace and Alicia for this love affair — both girls swore Rag & Bone made the most flattering jeans around, and boy were they right!)  At last year’s sale, I finally went for my dream bag – the Alexander Wang Rocco – and I have never once looked back ( … this bag does not go on sale, so a 20% reduction is huge.)  This sale, I’m also seriously considering a pair of Tory Burch flats and/or a second pair of Rag & Bone booties.  And since I’m half-dreaming, so in love with this Shoshanna lace dress.

My Friends + Family Sale Picks:  Rebecca Minkoff MAC Bag // Karen Walker The Number One Sunglasses // Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Trifold Wallet // CLARE VIVIER Haircalf Wallet Clutch // Rag & Bone/JEAN The Ripped Skinny Jeans // Rag & Bone/JEAN The Boyfriend Jeans // Rag & Bone/JEAN Skinny Jeans // Tory Burch Chelsea Ballet Flats // Jenni Kayne D’Orsay Flats // Rag & Bone Classic Newbury Booties with Perforated Panel

By the way, if you’re new to Shopbop, you must must get acquainted. Full of covet-worthy brands, designer and new-to-the-scene names in fashion, the site even boasts a “Heart” feature, where you can click the heart beside an item you’re loving and watch it over the next few weeks and months to catch it when it goes on sale … brilliant. They’re customer service is also top notch and they offer free shipping and returns — so you can try on five pairs of jeans from the comfort of your own home (sans harsh dressing room lights and the lure of the food court … errr, is that just me?)

What will you be splurging on this Shopbop Friends and Family Sale season?

I’ve been working on coming out of my t-shirt shell (the shell I crawled into post summer camp so many years ago … you can read more on that crazy here.)  So you can imagine, when Old Navy asked me to style a t-shirt … the dreaded t-shirt … I thought, “uh oh.”  But I marched into my local Old Navy store, found the blackest of black tees (plus an adorable little pocket … I have a thing for pockets), and figured I can totally “edge” this up.  What does that mean, exactly?  Add lots of accessories, of course.

Please excuse the wind; Miami was having one of those days.

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This week’s T.J.Maxx Style Scout post was hands-down my favorite to style; the trend for spring: black and white, a.k.a., the contents of my entire wardrobe.  I’ll forever be a fan of the classics, and black and white make that perfect statement, in any season.

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