It seems like I have been on the hunt for a DryBar hairdryer at Marshalls/TJX for an eternity. At one point I had spotted some on IG and my best friend Victoria and I literally scoured each store in our area with no luck. Since I am a Marshalls/TJX fiend I follow a girl in KC who posts what she finds at the nearby stores which helps me see the new loot and pinpoint what I want. One Saturday she posted this set at a nearby shop and I dropped everything and drove to TJ! I got this set for $129 which is a steal because the hairdryer itself retails for $195. Nordstrom Rack is actually selling this set for $120 rn which is a STEAL and recently I've seen this set on clearance at Marshalls/TJ.

Dry Bar Fully Loaded Review

January 20, 2020

It seems like I have been on the hunt for a DryBar hairdryer at Marshalls/TJX for an eternity. At one point I had spotted some on IG and my best friend Victoria and I literally scoured each store in our area with no luck. Since I am a Marshalls/TJX fiend I follow a girl in KC who posts what she finds at the nearby stores which helps me see the new loot and pinpoint what I want. One Saturday she posted this set at a nearby shop and I dropped everything and drove to TJ! I got this set for $129 which is a steal because the hairdryer itself retails for $195. Nordstrom Rack is actually selling this set for $120 rn which is a STEAL and recently I've seen this set on clearance at Marshalls/TJ.
 I'm not a big fan of the traditional blazer. However, I do love a colorful blazer that brightens up your outfit and mood. There's something about wearing pink that makes me so happy.

The Pink Blazer

January 19, 2020

 I'm not a big fan of the traditional blazer. However, I do love a colorful blazer that brightens up your outfit and mood. There's something about wearing pink that makes me so happy.
Back in June I had this brainwave that for my Master's ceremony I wanted to wear a pink silk suit. Not sure how I went from 0 to pink suit. Maybe all of those episodes of Dynasty my friend Liz has suffocated me with? So I started looking around for suits, and of course my girl Rachel Zoe was ahead of the trend 2 years ago in her 2017 resort collection with a killer pink suit. I managed to find these silk pants for $25 (originally retailing $295) and bought the blazer from a girl on IG for an amount larger than I originally intended, but still quite a bit cheaper than retail.

The Pink Suit

January 13, 2020

Back in June I had this brainwave that for my Master's ceremony I wanted to wear a pink silk suit. Not sure how I went from 0 to pink suit. Maybe all of those episodes of Dynasty my friend Liz has suffocated me with? So I started looking around for suits, and of course my girl Rachel Zoe was ahead of the trend 2 years ago in her 2017 resort collection with a killer pink suit. I managed to find these silk pants for $25 (originally retailing $295) and bought the blazer from a girl on IG for an amount larger than I originally intended, but still quite a bit cheaper than retail.
Last May my friend Macy started her own styling business called Style À La Mode! Equal parts fashion and digital styling. Style À La Mode consists of Macy and her mom Lori. They have a wide range of services that appeal to women in every phase of life such as bridal styling, personal shopping, event/photo shoot styling, and a closet audit. Macy and I go way back to our undergrad days. Interestingly enough we were almost roommates!
While I have found some sort of closet nirvana I have been wanting to work with Macy to do a closet audit. It's always helpful to have a fresh set of eyes look through your closet and find the missed opportunities and gaps. Plus there are always a few pieces I buy on eBay that I am a little hesitant about and could use a second opinion on.
My closet itself is pretty tidy. You might remember this post from 2016 when I first organized my closet using the KonMari method. This method literally changed how I perceive the things I own and how I tidy my closet. My strategy to tidying my closet is pretty simple. I only purchase things I can see myself re-wearing  and enjoy re-wearing(if not I sell them). Additionally, I like to have the things that bring me joy visible. A Sailor Moon backpack I bought at a toy store in New York when I was 11, my vintage Bergdorf Goodman wicker bag, my favorite candle (Twisted Peppermint from Bath & Body Works). I keep my jeans, shorts, and trousers close because I'm always reaching for them. I keep my handbags or my children stuffed in their dustbags in boxes. Boring I know, but that's the best way to care for them.
I keep my dresses/jumpsuits on the top rack of my closet organized by sleeve length and color. The bottom rack is organized in a similar fashion but consists of tank tops, t-shirts, blouses, jackets, skirts, pants, etc. I'm not sure who told me to organize by sleeve length? Maybe Rachel Zoe? Nevertheless, it makes it easier to sift through my closet when I'm not using my Stylebook app.
While I didn't need much help organizing my closet there are times when it'd be great to have another set of eyes to uncover the hidden gems in my closet and find new pairings. Cue Style À La Mode's assistance! For instance, I have been on the fence about this Cupcakes & Cashmere Mercury shift dress for a minute but Macy helped me work through this look.
We paired this dress with these totally under worn Betsey Johnson heels.
Topped off with my boy bag!
Macy also challenged me to restyle my favorite  DVF x Neiman Marcus wrap dress. I pulled out an old pair of SJP Collection heels and a Balmain x H&M clutch. Funny how easy it is to put together a new outfit when you have a stylist around! 
Before I put together my pink suit I had no idea what kind of shapewear to buy for these unlined pants. Surprisingly YouTube wasn't helpful at all?! I sent Macy an IG message and she was so helpful and responsive in regards to what kind of shapewear I needed to make this piece work. 
What I enjoyed most about my closet audit with Macy is that she created a few flat lays for me with my clothes. This was super helpful because I can just log them in my Stylebook app and keep them for times when I want something new to wear for work or life.

I love this pairing! This Molly Ringwald shirt is one of my favorites and this is a super fresh take on it.
I showed Macy some of my Pinterest boards to see what styles I'm currently loving and how we can reuse what's in my closet to get there. To be honest I am trying to buy less in 2020 so I want to get the most out of my wardrobe.
My style is a bit unusual and my closet is my space to ultimately be me and spark joy. While my closet is no where close to MC's in cribs #closetgoals it's great for where I'm at in life right now.
I forgot how fun it was to have a fashion show in your closet. I definitely felt like Carrie Bradshaw cleaning out her closet /having a fashion show in the SATC movie. It's always fun to have someone over and show them your closet/what makes you feel most confident. If you live in the KC metro contact Macy! You can book a consultation to discuss your style goals and closet needs. She also does digital styling and personal shopping. I've also talked her ear off about Stylebook so maybe digitizing your closet is in the cards too?! Oh and  might I add that she also works in digital marketing and can assist with both social media strategy and photo styling!

Well friends there's my first post for the year and now to pig out during KCRW. Tbh all I want is a piece of key lime pie.

Photos by the Midwest Duo

JMC x Style À La Mode

January 9, 2020

Last May my friend Macy started her own styling business called Style À La Mode! Equal parts fashion and digital styling. Style À La Mode consists of Macy and her mom Lori. They have a wide range of services that appeal to women in every phase of life such as bridal styling, personal shopping, event/photo shoot styling, and a closet audit. Macy and I go way back to our undergrad days. Interestingly enough we were almost roommates!
While I have found some sort of closet nirvana I have been wanting to work with Macy to do a closet audit. It's always helpful to have a fresh set of eyes look through your closet and find the missed opportunities and gaps. Plus there are always a few pieces I buy on eBay that I am a little hesitant about and could use a second opinion on.
My closet itself is pretty tidy. You might remember this post from 2016 when I first organized my closet using the KonMari method. This method literally changed how I perceive the things I own and how I tidy my closet. My strategy to tidying my closet is pretty simple. I only purchase things I can see myself re-wearing  and enjoy re-wearing(if not I sell them). Additionally, I like to have the things that bring me joy visible. A Sailor Moon backpack I bought at a toy store in New York when I was 11, my vintage Bergdorf Goodman wicker bag, my favorite candle (Twisted Peppermint from Bath & Body Works). I keep my jeans, shorts, and trousers close because I'm always reaching for them. I keep my handbags or my children stuffed in their dustbags in boxes. Boring I know, but that's the best way to care for them.
I keep my dresses/jumpsuits on the top rack of my closet organized by sleeve length and color. The bottom rack is organized in a similar fashion but consists of tank tops, t-shirts, blouses, jackets, skirts, pants, etc. I'm not sure who told me to organize by sleeve length? Maybe Rachel Zoe? Nevertheless, it makes it easier to sift through my closet when I'm not using my Stylebook app.
While I didn't need much help organizing my closet there are times when it'd be great to have another set of eyes to uncover the hidden gems in my closet and find new pairings. Cue Style À La Mode's assistance! For instance, I have been on the fence about this Cupcakes & Cashmere Mercury shift dress for a minute but Macy helped me work through this look.
We paired this dress with these totally under worn Betsey Johnson heels.
Topped off with my boy bag!
Macy also challenged me to restyle my favorite  DVF x Neiman Marcus wrap dress. I pulled out an old pair of SJP Collection heels and a Balmain x H&M clutch. Funny how easy it is to put together a new outfit when you have a stylist around! 
Before I put together my pink suit I had no idea what kind of shapewear to buy for these unlined pants. Surprisingly YouTube wasn't helpful at all?! I sent Macy an IG message and she was so helpful and responsive in regards to what kind of shapewear I needed to make this piece work. 
What I enjoyed most about my closet audit with Macy is that she created a few flat lays for me with my clothes. This was super helpful because I can just log them in my Stylebook app and keep them for times when I want something new to wear for work or life.

I love this pairing! This Molly Ringwald shirt is one of my favorites and this is a super fresh take on it.
I showed Macy some of my Pinterest boards to see what styles I'm currently loving and how we can reuse what's in my closet to get there. To be honest I am trying to buy less in 2020 so I want to get the most out of my wardrobe.
My style is a bit unusual and my closet is my space to ultimately be me and spark joy. While my closet is no where close to MC's in cribs #closetgoals it's great for where I'm at in life right now.
I forgot how fun it was to have a fashion show in your closet. I definitely felt like Carrie Bradshaw cleaning out her closet /having a fashion show in the SATC movie. It's always fun to have someone over and show them your closet/what makes you feel most confident. If you live in the KC metro contact Macy! You can book a consultation to discuss your style goals and closet needs. She also does digital styling and personal shopping. I've also talked her ear off about Stylebook so maybe digitizing your closet is in the cards too?! Oh and  might I add that she also works in digital marketing and can assist with both social media strategy and photo styling!

Well friends there's my first post for the year and now to pig out during KCRW. Tbh all I want is a piece of key lime pie.

Photos by the Midwest Duo
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