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Valentine's Day Outfit Ideas

Pink and red are only worn together around Valentine's Day on this blog. Even if you don't have any plans for Valentine's Day, it's always fun to be festive! So, I have rounded up some of my past red and pink looks for this post. I am also sharing some current red and pink pieces I have been loving.




Similar coat | Similar shirt | Similar bag | Necklace | Sunglasses





from this post

Similar sweater | Similar boots | Necklace | Similar bag | Similar coat

Current red and pink favorites:


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Winter Essentials


Long puffer coat | Puffer vest | Wool peacoat | City coat | Hunter boot socks | Hunter boots |  Blanket scarf | Camp socks | Sperry boots

I don't need a lot of winter clothes living in Charlotte, we have actually had a few 70 degree days these last few weeks. But I had my fair share of cold weather during my college years in Erie, Pennsylvania. So today I am sharing what I consider to be my winter essentials and some of my favorite places to buy them. And I waited until the end of January to make this post because most of these items are on sale. So it's a great time to stock up for next year!

Coats
I had several coats for different temperature ranges in college. I had a wool coat like this one (from J. Crew Factory) for the 40ish degree days and a long puffer coat sort of like this one (that my mom found on Rue La La) for the colder than 30 degrees and windy days. Last year when I moved back to NC I bought the tweed version of this coat, and I think it's perfect for a milder southern winter. I also used to layer puffer vests like this one and this one (from J. Crew and J. Crew Factory) under the long coat for the coldest days.

Sweaters
I don't think there's really much to say here, but my favorite places to buy warm sweaters are J. Crew, Vineyard Vines, and Banana Republic.

Boots
I really loved the old J. Crew and Sperry collaboration they did a few years ago for their shearling lined snow boots that are similar to these boots. But of course, but I think most people prefer the original LL Bean boot. And you can't forget to pair them with warm and cozy camp socks!
I know some people really like Hunter boots for the snow, but I personally could never wear them when there was a lot of snow on the ground. Even with their boot socks, my feet were always freezing after walking in some snow. They are great if the walks are cleared though, and I think they are pretty good for walking on ice.

Scarves
I know blanket scarves are seen as more of a fall thing, but they my favorite for winter. I think they are actually too warm to wear in the fall, at least they are in the south. But in college I loved them because they were big enough to cover part of my face while keeping a lot of my torso warm at the same time. Plus they are always in fun prints like this one that can add a lot to an outfit!

Gloves
I think I've maybe worn gloves twice since I moved back to the south, but I rarely left my apartment without them during college. I actually used to wear two pairs at a time on the coldest days...but my favorite place to buy those is Rue La La. They have great prices for cashmere!



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Navy OTK Boots











After wearing my flat OTK boots in black for over a year (as seen in this post, this post, and a few others), I have been searching for a pair of heeled ones. I already posted this on Instagram  but I found this pair in taupe at Nordstrom Rack a few weeks ago. But, I decided they were a little too tall for my short legs, I could only really wear them with jeans. So I took them back, and headed over to DSW. Which is where I found this pair that was a much better height on my legs, and on sale for only $40! They may not be the best quality, I didn't want to spend a whole lot on boots that I knew I probably would not wear that often, so I think these are the perfect solution. And of course, it doesn't hurt that they came in navy :) 



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Instagram Roundup

It has been quite awhile since I have done an Instagram Roundup post. Since I have been posting on there (@cara_194 if you aren't already following) a little more lately, I thought this would be the perfect time to make one! As I said in one of my recent posts, I have lots of ideas for the new year and I think these posts are going to be more frequent in 2017. However, a lot of this can also be found on my LikeToKnow.It page, which you can find right here! And if there are any posts you would like to see, please let me know :)


Navy on navy work look


 Can't go wrong with this classic style, I think these heels will be a workwear staple!

Bag c/o | Top | Earrings | Pants | Heels

A lot of my outfit planning looks a little something like this


Starting the new year with lots of statement earrings


The best addition to my kitchen from MarleyLilly!


A shopping outfit, these OTK boots that were a little too tall for me, I retuned them and found the navy pair that are in the next photo

Similar trench | Similar shirt | Sunglasses | Jeans | Boots

Exploring the Queen City last weekend




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Lace Pants

 








J. Crew Factory tuxedo top (on sale!) | J. Crew Factory lace pants (also on sale!) | Baublebar "Crispin drops" earrings | Similar Kate Spade bag | Sam Edelman pumps | Prada sunglasses (rented) c/o Ditto (use code "CARALINASTYLE" for your first month free)

I'm sharing a somewhat rare monochromatic look today, which will most likely continue with most of my workwear looks. It's sort of hard to tell in these photos, but these black pants are (as the title says), covered in lace. They are really comfortable, and also come in pink. I am also obsessed with these Baublebar earrings. I think the ombre is so fun, and they are surprisingly really light! I have been really into statement earrings lately, but some of them are so heavy I can only wear them so for long.



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January Finds Under $50


Ruffle sleeve dress | Chevron necklace | Crystal earrings | Velvet pumps | Metallic sneakers | Reversible tote | Lace top | Striped dress | Ruffle hem dress | Flannel shirt

I'm starting a new series on the blog for 2017, I'll be sharing some "Finds Under $50" once a month! For January, I have a more general list of items, but maybe as the year goes on I will break it down into different categories like jewelry under $50, bags under $50, etc. I think these posts will be similar to the "Items I'm Loving" section of my old Weekly Update posts, but all in this price point. Another change coming to blog for this year is a different series of posts for Fridays. I don't quite know what it will be yet though. Let me know if there is anything you would like to see in future posts!




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Blue Pants









Banana Republic pants c/o | Similar velvet top here and here | J. Crew blazer | Similar Kate Spade bag | Sam Edelman "Hazel" pumps | Ray Ban "Erika" sunglasses


I’m sharing another look with Banana Republic today with these blue dress pants they have sent to me. I always try to incorporate some color into my work looks and this gorgeous shade of blue is just perfect for that. And of course since it’s one of my outfits, I just had to pair it with a little bit (or a lot) of navy! I’m wearing the petite version of these pants and I think they are just the right length for me, however I will say they are a little wide. It may be hard to tell from the photos, but I am also adding some texture by wearing a velvet top also from Banana Republic, I found during my After Christmas shopping with these pants. I may end up also wearing these pants with a white textured button down, or a lighter jacket as I transition some of my wardrobe to spring.




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