I am so excited to share this post!!! For one I am actually in L O V E with this utility shirt and second I am hosting a great G I V E A W A Y. The idea here is to showcase how easy it is to take one key piece and make several different types of outfits. Let’s be serious… I am not made of money but I love different outfits. So I am working on being more selective of what I purchase and making sure everything I buy can be worn in several different ways.
Can you even believe we are even talking about spring break??? I have been so nostalgic lately about how fast time flies. But with that being said I am super excited for spring, spring fashion and great spring break finds. One of my favorite things about spring is how fresh and clean all the trends are. I’ve rounded up some great finds for your upcoming spring break trip plus everything is under $50.
Joggers. So much hype about joggers. If we break it down to the nitty girtty they are essentially a glorified refined version of the classic sweat pant. BUT I would like to argue joggers are bit more sleek and can truly be worn in a fashionable and trendy way. At the end of the day I am embracing the trend and bringing you along with me! Ha. So, here are a few tips for styling your joggers for spring.
Surprise!! A Monday post! Floral Dress and Branding!!
Over the last several weeks I have been working on figuring out how blogging fits into my Denver life. To recap- 3 years ago I quit my job as a teacher because my son needed me at home with him, then we moved to London, I started Pish to Posh (in London) after craving something for myself, we moved back home and now I am blogging in Denver. So… like any brand I am learning what is successful, learning where I need to grow and learning how to survive. Being in Denver has offered some amazing support and I have met so many wonderful ladies!! I have also had some opportunities come my way that I otherwise would not have…. But I am still branding myself (and not with a hot prod iron). Each day I am figuring out how to rejoin a life, here in Denver, that did not exist before I moved is challenging. When I started Pish to Posh I had a steep learning curve but felt I had accomplished a lot by the time we got ready to move. Now here in Denver I am, again, facing a steep learning curve… learning how to come back to a life that I never had. So, I have physically returned to a place but the landscape looks completely different.
If we think about branding as self-growth we all start somewhere and then we grow… or don’t. I am determined to be the girl who grows both in my Pish to Posh brand and in myself. I never want to be stagnant. I never want to be just “good enough”. But I am also aware and continuing to learn the sacrifices one must make in order to grow. How high of a price is too high- both in my branding, so monetarily and in my self-growth, so emotionally?? A few friendships have been lost but I have gained so many more. Some dollars have be spent but I am beginning to see the light (albeit dim).
Photos: Jenna Sparks Photography
In this post I want to introduce you to a new online boutique I have fallen in LOVE with! Everly Oak offers such cute, stylish pieces at a great price (this post is not sponsored by them). I was turned on to the brand through their Instagram and you should be following them if you are looking for unique, affordable, trendy pieces. I loved this floral dress at fist sight and am so happy I purchased it. The floral trend is so hot and I am eating it up! I love this floral dress because it is light, comfortable and versatile. I wore it here with these lace up sandals but would absolutely pair it with flats sandals, booties, or even flip flops. I love the unique tie neck and the overall fit of this floral dress. These stacked heel lace up sandals are so comfortable and chasing my toddler around I need this. And if you follow me on Instagram you know I have some serious back problems and these do not hurt my back at all. I paired this dress with this neutral structured bag but think a spring straw tote would be fabulous as well!! Below I have linked a few other floral dresses as this exact one is only available through Everly Oak’s online store.
I understand that in this journey to create a brand and an lilfe I am proud of I will encounter road blocks, I will face challenges and I will be let down. But I hope that I continue to stay true to myself full knowing the sacrifices, consequences and outcomes may cause me some pain. It is hard to create a brand without those things. It is hard to act on self-growth without those things. My morals, values and passions still stand at the root of my journey. It is my hope to continue to surround myself with people who support me, with like-minded individuals and creating a brand I am proud of.
With Love,
Happy Wednesday- not to be confused with the title of this post.. it is not Sunday. It is still only Wednesday.
In effort to continue to be authentic and organic in this space I wanted to share a little about my life, here in Denver, as the wife of a husband who travels 100% of the time. When I say he travels 100% I mean he leaves on Sunday night and returns either Thursday night or Friday. On a good week Brendan spends three nights sleeping at home. As a consultant his job is dictated by the client… not his family.
Each Sunday I say goodbye to my favorite person. I get asked A LOT how I am handling having Brendan travel all the time and to be honest I am doing okay… but I miss him. Sundays are my least favorite day of the week. This lady lives for Thursday and Friday. While Brendan is gone, I go on about my everyday life—I a mother and toddlers are high demand—but my mind is perpetually on him and what he is doing… but in my heart, I’m okay with our situation. I am blessed and fortunate enough to stay home with Declan, to write a blog and pursue my passions and for those reasons I am thankful for Brendan’s job. In any relationship, each person has to learn to give a little and take a little and luckily we have found that perfect balance. Believe it or not this travel gig is not all bad; Brendan has learned the balance of work and family, I have deepened my love and appreciation for him; I value and cherish our time together; I am more thoughtful in my conversations and intentional with our time. And you know what…??? Declan gets a lot of one on one attention from both of us and I cannot see any downside to that.
Photos: Zoey Grace Photography
So, I love these distressed denim jeans and I love this graphic tank… obviously! I know you have seen these distressed denim in a few other posts <here> and <here> but I love them that much. It is my goal to keep denim under $100 and these babies not only meet that criteria but they also have some really good distressing and I love how easy they are to wear with ANYTHING. This graphic tank was a sweet Target find and for only $12 I swooped it up ASAP. Plus it fit perfectly with the theme of this post and so I felt it was a match made in heaven. I will also pair this graphic tank with a lace bralette and denim shorts as the weather gets warmer. The graphic tee craze is a real thing and I feel like I finally found one I love.
LADIES!!!! Another fabulous statement necklace coming your way!!! This one is, also, a Target find! You know how much I love a good statement necklace and I can’t help but swoon all over this one! This duster length cardigan first appeared <here> in my Easter post but I literally wear it so often that it is only fitting it shows up again. It is currently on sale for $25 and it is a must have for spring and summer-I promise you will get a lot of wear out of it. These slip on mules are getting a lot of wear now that the weather is consistently warmer. I have linked a few pairs in a lower price range.
Declan and I have a routine and in all honesty our weekdays fly by while we wait for Dad to return. In the last two and half months I have learned that I depend on Declan just as much as he depends on me. The weekends have become the most important days and our focus to spend time as a family is of up-most importance. Brendan is an AMAZING father and his travel will never change that. Does it get lonely??? Yes, of course it does. However, at the end of the day I would not give back my personal growth as a mother and a wife for anything and therefore I would not give back his travel; it has taught me as much as it has taught him. I am strong and I can do this. But Sunday… I wish you were Thursday
With Love,
Happy Hump Day!! It’s officially the season before summer… time to bring out the spring blush.
Last week Pish to Posh celebrated it’s 6 month anniversary, small potatoes compared to many other blogs you read, however a large benchmark for me. When I set out on this adventure I was not exactly sure where I was headed… I had an idea and a grandiose vision but a less than detailed road map on how to get there. My main goal was to inspire you, the reader/follower, to feel comfortable, confident and happy through style. Secondarily, was to introduce you to the true person I felt myself to be and to break down any pre-conceived notions of who I was in the past. To be able to redefine myself as someone I am proud to be, someone my son is happy to call mom, someone my husband is honored to call his wife was the launching point of this adventure…. so, how have I done??? The reality is that I am only as successful (to a point) as you feel inspired, empowered and enlightened… have I accomplished those goals???
But each day I am learning more on how to achieve those goals and after six months I can successful say that has been the most rewarding challenge; figuring out how to succeed and achieve without a set out plan or path to follow. Sure, I read hundreds of other blogs, I spend countless hours on Pintrest and Instagram and yes I do a fair amount of shopping but I had NO idea how much more there was to blogging…. I had NO idea how much I did not know… I had NO idea how much I needed to learn. Truth be told, looking back, I was completely and utterly unprepared for this adventure. Figuring out how to style distressed skinnies, finding the most “on trend” shoes and sampling beauty products has proven to be such a small part of what I do each day. At the end of the day all the fashion, photography and beauty products are not what makes me happy it is the fact that each day I continue down this path, of blogging, I am learning a great deal about myself. I am slowly becoming that person I am proud to be- the person I want all of you to see… my true self.
Photos: Jenna Sparks Photography
Each time I do a photo shoot I learn more about defining my style, defining my look and really honing my craft. This look is one of my absolute favorites over the last six months. I am obsessed with everything in this look. This blush top is the perfect go-to spring item. The delicate blush ruffle hem makes this top super fun and feminine. This blush top does come in several other colors and I have linked a few similar ones on the widget below. These distressed denim have been the best purchase this season. I wear them constantly and find they are super versatile. I love to pair them with sneakers, like these copper ones, but they are also easily dressed up with some wedges or heels. Speaking of shoes let’s all just take minute to talk about these sneakers. I am constantly wearing these (especially given all the weird weather in Colorado). They are so comfortable, super sleek and easy to pair with everything.
The accessories for this look are pretty simple with a neutral clutch, easy tear-drop earrings and a chunky cardigan. I wanted to highlight the blush tones of both the top and shoes. I have linked several options in additional price points for this whole look (something I have learned to do over the last six months).
When I launched Pish to Posh last September I thought I felt confident in who I was, what I stood for and my future. And then I put my whole life on the internet.. I opened myself up to subjective and personal criticism, I provided an avenue for people to judge me and I consciously added myself to career of comparison…. AND six months later I am no worse for the ware. Each day is not perfect and there are times I have doubted myself and my ability to do this (thank you Brendan for not letting me quit) but every day I push myself to continue I am enlightened, inspired and challenged by something new. There are no two days that are the same nor two challenges that are the same. I am constantly being pushed to refine myself and my brand. The last six months have given me a fresh perspective on hard work, on the road less traveled and on personal growth.
Thank you for following along… I only hope to grow, to continue to inspire you and to provide an authentic portrayal of who I am and the person I am proud to be.
With Love,
Happy Hump Day- so it has been a while since my last post but life happens… so please excuse my delay. We are now back to our regularly scheduled posting!!
I used to be the one who was speeding past others- always on the go. Now every morning and evening I watch the cars go by. Two different lives- two different feelings- two different perspectives. Both sides of the coin are therapeutic for me but for different reasons. In London I got to see so much from the train or bus window that it helped me feel connected to the city. I felt like I was always experiencing something new as I watched from the window- therapeutic for my life in London. I got out and experienced London- it was therapeutic to join in and live this new life I had found as an expat. I was not sitting at my flat feeling depressed. I was connecting myself to my new location- I was grounding myself and providing a visual memory of my new home. I was zooming around London.
Now each day- twice a day- I get to sit and watch the world go by. Our dining room window faces a street and I have started to look forward to taking a break from my busy life to sit. And watch people zoom by while my son is eating. Each day during breakfast and dinner I watch the world go by. It is a time where I take a breath and think. It is therapeutic to sit and watch the cars go by as I am reminded to stop and take a break. It is so easy to go through my whole day and never stop and think- never stop and reflect- never stop and breath.
Also, it reminds me that everyone is out there doing their best – maybe they are trying to get home to see their kids before bed, maybe they are trying to get to work to start a shift, maybe they are driving to see their friends and catch up, maybe they are just out for a drive to see the town! I find therapy in the comings and goings of strangers- I create stories. I breath, relax and escape.
Photos: Jenna Sparks
Styling stripes is one of my favorite things to do!! I live for stripes and if you know me I love to wear stripes. This shirt is the softest t-shirt you will find with the most amazing fit. The rounded bottom dresses it up a bit an the bold stripes create great dimension. I would consider this an essential neutral shirt for spring and summer as it is easily paired with ANYTHING. I am planning on scooping up a few more in other colors. These new denim are slowly reaching their way to the top of my favorites list– they are a bit different than my typical distressed skinnies which is what I love about them. They are a wider leg fit and the large cuff role is my favorite part. Do not get me wrong I love skinnies but these are a nice alternative and can be dressed up or dressed down (run large so order a full size down).
Spring has sprung so it is time to embrace and love open toe shoes. These new wedges are going to get a lot of love this spring and summer. I saw them last year and was obsessed but could not stomach the shipping charges to London so when I saw them back again this year I was ECSTATIC. Keeping in spring theme this light weight utility jacket has become and absolute necessity over the last several weeks- it is not cold enough for a heavy coat but not warm enough to go without something…. enter this fabulous utility jacket. I have linked several options for you below,
Honestly, the highlight of this whole outfit is the custom made Howlight Mala beaded necklace. And the even better part is that Here And Now Beads is offering my readers 10% off this necklace. It is a unique, original and pairs with everything in your closet. Follow this link to her shop and use code PISH2POSH at checkout. She has such an amazing collection of handmade stuff you will just love her Etsy store. I have received so many compliments on it. You may have seen it on this Instagram post.
It is amazing that I have been on both sides of this concept. Having been the one zooming by and the now the one sitting and watching… the problem is both are equally desirable. I guess the balance of life is in full effect. As I write, I am watching the traffic go by but remembering the feeling of watching London go by. I yearn for the constant action that London afforded me but each day I crave the stillness of this time here in Denver. The ying and yang of life continues to creep in and demonstrate to me the importance of perspective.
I hope I never loose the desire to be the one watch from the window…of a train or from my dining room table. Harnessing the beauty of balance and embracing the dichotomy of life has proven to be the best therapy around. And it’s free!!!
With Love,
Like last post I am trying to provide items of similar style in varying price points. As a rule of thumb I typically will keep most items under $100 (with exception of bags, sunnies and shoes). Happy Shopping!!!