Fashion Friday: 7 Essentials to Pack for Traveling

Today I'm sharing with you a few of the essentials I am packing for my trip to London! Over the next few weeks, I'll do more posts on a few specific outfits I wore while in London. For now, here's a few things you should be sure to pack if you're traveling in the next few months:

1) A Comfortable Pair of Shoes
A comfortable pair of shoes is really important, especially when traveling to Europe or places you'll be walking a lot! I wanted to be really comfortable when walking around London but I also didn't want to stand out like an American in tennis shoes. I studied abroad in London several years ago, and one thing I quickly learned is that Europeans only wear tennis shoes and athletic gear when they're working out! To give myself a few options I am bringing a pair of flats, booties, and riding boots.

2) A Good Water Bottle
When you're traveling and walking around a lot, you need to be sure to drink water! I LOVE my new Swell bottle that I purchased at Target! You can use it for hot or cold drinks and it keeps them hot/cold all day. I'm also prone to spilling my drinks easily and this bottle doesn't spill in my bag!

3) A Selfie Stick
A selfie stick is essential when it's just you and your significant other (or friend) traveling together! I learned the hard way during out honeymoon when we'd visit gorgeous sites and there wasn't a person around to get a picture of my husband and I with the view in the background. This one is SO cute!

4) A Good Coat
A good coat is super important, especially when traveling somewhere as rainy as London! I really wanted to purchase a classic trench coat like this one before my trip, but that's not in the budget right now and so I'll be sticking to a military style coat. A great coat like a trench coat is always a great addition to your wardrobe because it is so classy and you know that it will never go out of style!

5) A Good Bag
You'll need a good bag with you when you travel to carry all of these things! I also REALLY wanted to buy this backpack before our trip, but I resisted! I am carrying everything around in a tote bag like this one. 

Sorry about the super low quality of this picture! I just wanted to give you an idea of what the jumpsuit looks like. I'll have a full outfit post on it soon but wanted to go ahead and share it since it's ON SALE FOR $32!!

6) Neutral Clothing
Another thing I learned while studying abroad is that Europeans wear mostly neutrals which is perfectly find by me because most of my closet is neutral! Packing mostly neutrals also works great because then you know that everything will match! I brought a few tops like this striped one, this cami, and this tunic. In addition, I'm really excited to wear this jumpsuit I just purchased ON SALE for $32!!!!!! It's super comfortable and cute! I've been searching everywhere for a jumpsuit that I could wear to shoot weddings, in Europe, etc. I wanted something comfortable but I didn't want it to be made of jersey material because I think that makes it look too casual. I also wanted something with a looser fit but not too loose (because then I just look like I'm drowning in it). I've looked a lot of places, and, in my opinion, this one is one of the best and one of the cheapest!

7) Your Favorite Lipstick
Don't forget your favorite lipstick so you look good in all of your vacation pictures! I recently tried Mac lipstick for the first time and all the hype you hear about them is true. I'm OBSESSED! One of my favorite colors is "Twig" and that's what I brought with me on this trip! I like "Twig" because it's a great mauve, semi-matte lip color that is little darker than my natural lips and so it gives me some great color without being too dramatic. 

Alex and I are having a great time! I can't wait to share more pictures with you soon!

Flats: Old Navy (Similar); Purse: Banana Republic (Similar and similar); Water Bottle: Swell (Same); Selfie Stick: Target (Similar...this one is so cute); Lipstick: Mac (Same...color is "Twig"); Striped Top One: Old Navy (Similar); Striped Top Two: BP (Similar)

Fashion Friday: The Perfect Dress

There aways seems to be a lot of graduations, parties, and weddings in the spring! A chambray dress is very on trend this season (and so is embroidered anything!) and I think it's a perfect dress to wear to any occasion! I'm actually planning to wear this to a bridal luncheon this weekend! What I love about a chambray dress is that it can be dressed up or dressed down and worn during all seasons (just add a cardigan and boots for the fall!). My dress is Jessica Simpson and a I bought it a few years ago at TJ Maxx, but there's tons of super similar options out right now (see all the options at the bottom of this post). I also love the pop of color that color/pink shoes add to this outfit. Coral is one of my favorite colors to wear in the spring and summer and I think it's a color that is flattering on just about everyone! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Dress: Jessica Simpson (Old, similar here, here, and here and more listed below), Shoes: J Crew (Old, similar here, here, and here and more listed below), Bracelet: Francesca's (Old, similar here and here), Earrings: BP (Old, similar here). 

*Thank you to Sammi Evans Photography for these pictures

Fashion Friday: The Perfect Transitional Outfit

I'm excited to share that I will be starting a new series called "Fashion Friday" on the blog! If you know me, you know that I love fashion and expressing my creativity and sense of style through my clothing. I am also, as most who are probably reading this blog, trying to follow a tight budget and don't have a lot of extra funds to spend on clothes. So, I thought it would be fun to share affordable outfit ideas on my blog every Friday. I'm going to try this out for a few months and see how it goes and then decide if I want to continue the series. I would absolutely LOVE to hear any feedback or ideas that you have as I begin this new series!

Each post will contain affiliate links. That does not mean I'm being sponsored by any brands or that my opinions are biased in any way. It just means that I make a small commission if you purchase the product by using my link (and so I would GREATLY appreciate it if you do use my link if you decide to buy something I've mentioned)!

I'm starting with what I consider a perfect transitional outfit. I think this outfit works well for the fall or the spring! In my opinion, a chambray shirt is an essential item to have in your closet! I wear mine all the time and it goes with so much. I love the look of this shirt paired with my Free People southwestern mini skirt. In addition, I recently purchased the Sam Eldeman boots pictured below and I'm OBSESSED (I have been eyeing them forever and actually found them at Nordstrom Rack for over 70% off!!). These boots work in fall, winter, or spring and they pair well with pants, skirts, or shorts. I love their classic and minimal design and how comfortable they are! They might be my favorite pair of shoes I have EVER owned and I promise you that they are 100% worth the money! Finally, I am also wearing Gorjana's G-ring earrings. I consider these a "must have" because they go with everything and I am guilty of pretty much wearing these every other day! Again, I really love their minimal design and they are great quality.

Thank you to Sammi Evans Photography for these wonderful pictures!

Shirt: Old Navy (Old; Good options here and here); Skirt: Free People (Old; Good options here, here, and here); Boots: Sam Eldeman (MUST HAVE and currently on sale!); Earrings: Gorjana (MUST HAVE!); Bracelet: Francesca's (Similar here)