Trend Alert: The Fluted Skirt

Hey, guys! You all may have seen a shoutout in my last post to my newest obsession: fluted skirts! I have seen these more and more often on runways during NYFW and being featured on many of my favorite fashion blogs. It is the perfect addition to any girl's wardrobe because it can be dressed up for a fancy occasion or dressed down for a lunch with friends. I knew that I had to have it!

Like any other fashion savvy girl, I checked my favorite store (can you guess what it is?! :) to see if they carried their own version of this fabulous new trend. And of course, J.Crew hit the nail on the head...again! The key with these skirts is how fluid the seams make the body of the skirt. You don't want to have it tight on your hips and just poof out mid-thigh. Not a cute look!

While the J.Crew version is amazing, not all of us have the funds to fork over for a $100 skirt (because I need it for other things, like my Lindor addiction!! ;). Nevertheless, some other stores have come out with some really great options as well! So, without further ado, here are my favorite versions.

<via>

I am head over heels for this Banana Republic fluted skirt!!! It is very similar to J.Crew's in that the seams at the bottom blend flawlessly with skirt. The bottom is just the right amount of poofy! Plus, the vibrant pink color is the perfect attire for the upcoming warm spring weather. 

<via>

This ASOS flared skirt is also another fabulous option! The seams start a bit further up the skirt than those of the BR skirt, but I still love the poof it produces! I think the black color helps to keep this skirt from looking too juvenile as well. For you long-legged ladies out there, this skirt should most definitely your new best friend in the approaching spring/summer seasons!!

<via>

H&M gets top marks for this beautiful flared skirt! This skirt is different than the others in its structure; the others have a more defined poof at the bottom, while this one has more of a flow to it. I actually love this style too, and I love that already this trend has take more than one form. This skirt  can definitely be dressed up for a nicer occasion and still make the wearer appear professional!

. . .

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this blog post! I am really excited for this "trend" because I think it's classic enough that I can continue to incorporate it into my style even after it leaves the high fashion spotlight. Let me know what your take on this trend is in the comments below! Thanks so much for your support, and have a fabulous day!

xoxo, P & P

**This post is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned! I do have a coupon code (PPCODE20) with Benevolent Jewels that will give 20% off of your purchase!**

how to: accessorize your school uniform!

Hey, everybody! I'm here today to gripe and complain about the dreaded school uniform....yuck. When it comes to boring school uniforms, you are forced to wear shapeless, solid colored separates that "give you a clean and presentable appearance." Ever heard that before?  I know that every school has a different variation of this form of unfashionable torture, so I thought I'd share my ideas on how to differentiate yourself from the monotonous sea of solid black, navy, and white polo shirts and khaki pants. 

1 // Choose your colors wisely!

Even if you can't wear patterns, you can still find great solid colors that suit your skin tone and make you stand out among your peers. For example, at my school, we have to wear solid colored tops with our school's logo embroidered on them. By choosing a soft lavender or a deep green, you can really emphasize your natural features while getting compliments on your unique color choice! 

Land's End has some great options for basic school shirts and is one of my favorite places to shop for flattering tops in vibrant colors. Quick tip: You can shop the regular women's t-shirts for school as well! Just call Land's End to place your order, and they will monogram those shirts with school logos!

<via>

 You can't beat a classic v-neck tee, and this one comes in so many pretty colors!

(plus, it's on sale!!)

<via>

 Loving the navy tips on this basic white polo, and paired with those polka dot chinos,

it 's too cute to pass up!

<via>

Bright magenta + jeans + leopard flats = so cute! I love the way these

polos fit as well (not too boxy!).

2 // Khakis are... cute?

Khakis are a standard choice for bottoms in many school dress codes, and they can often look frumpy and unflattering. If you are required to wear them on a daily basis, you should really spend time making sure you find the perfect pair. Straight leg, bootcut, skinny, boyfriend, cropped... whatever floats your boat! Finding a special style that flatters your body type can make you look much more put together. Also, look into khaki skirts! Especially with the fluted skirt coming back into style (I die over J.Crew's version!!!), a khaki skirt is a way you can add some stylish flair to your outfit.

<via>

Love the combo of army green, khaki, and warm brown!

<via>

You'll definitely stand out in these unique red-brown khakis!

<via>

The shape of this khaki skirt is so flattering, while still being
dress code appropriate!

3 // Belts are your new BFF!

One thing I love to do to spice up a boring "jeans and a t-shirt" outfit is to tuck in the top and add a fun belt. There are so many to choose from, and they are available at all price points. I love finding belts with unique patterns or fun shapes.
A great place to find affordable yet adorable belts is Target. As you can see below, they have everything from leopard to glitter! Their belts are always on trend, and I've found them to be pretty long-wearing, depending on the material. Here are a couple of my faves from Target's line!

<via>

<via> 

<via>

4 // Bold jewelry is a must!

I don't know about anyone else, but I definitely get into a jewelry rut where I wear the same things every day, which is great if you're in a rush and need to look presentable in 10 minutes. However, if you want to stand out in the crowd, you've gotta take some risks! Statement jewelry has been a constant in my wardrobe for the past few years, and I hope it never leaves! My favorite way to incorporate it into everyday wear is to wear navy on navy with a huge, blingy necklace and a pair of killer flats. So polished and chic!

<via>
This Groop Dealz necklace really makes a statement with a splash of teal for spring,
and it comes at such an affordable price!

<via>
This crystal and gold bracelet from Benevolent Jewels will bring some subtle
shimmer to any outfit!

<via>
Benevolent Jewels hits a home run with this bold, floral tortoise shell
statement necklace!

*If you're interested in shopping these Benevolent Jewels pieces, use the promo code PPCODE20 to get 20% off of your order!

5 // Take a chance with some fun shoes!

Shoes are another great way to branch out in your otherwise basic wardrobe. I personally love to wear ballet flats on a daily basis (they add just a touch of chic to even the most boring of outfits!), but there are plenty of other options as well. Some of my other favorites include Sperry's (love my gold ones!), oxfords (classic or patterned!), and Dankso clogs (seriously the most comfortable shoes ever!). A fun pattern, color, or texture is a great way to differentiate yourself (not to mention a conversation starter ;). 

<via>
I am all about anything metallic bronze, so these are perfection! :)

<via>
How ladylike are these Old Navy flats? The gold heel definitely makes
these blush pink flats so much more fabulous!

<via>
Navy and polka dots...how much better can it get?

. . .

Thanks so much for checking out this blog post! Standing out in a dull school uniform is definitely something I struggle with consistently, so I definitely wanted to share my tips and tricks about how to jazz it up with all of you. If you have any further suggestions, please let me know in the comments because I'm always on the hunt for new ways to spice things up! Thank you all so much for your time, and have a great day!

**This post is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned. I am part of the Benevolent Jewels Ambassador Program and do have a coupon code (PPCODE20) where you can get 20% off of your online order!**

change is good

Hey, guys! Today, I am excited to come to you with a new direction and perspective for my blog. When I started this blog a couple of months ago, I was so inspired by all of the established fashion, beauty, decor, and lifestyle bloggers out on the Internet. I knew that I had to be a part of this unique online community being transformed every single day by the ingenuity of newbie bloggers' contributions.

<via>

My posts are filled with beauty product reviews and my daily outfit pictures, but I want to contribute more to you, my readers. Don't get me wrong, I love an adorably coordinated outfit as much as the next girl (how do you think this blog began in the first place?!), but I want to be able to talk about much more. I want to inspire discussion and debate, encourage people to dig deep into topics about which they're passionate, and spark creativity amongst readers of all ages. 

As a high school teenager, I am just beginning the road to adulthood. The biggest items on my current checklist are making sure I have my homework turned in on time, getting a certain number of community service hours, maintaining good and drama-free friendships, etc. But, my true goal is to inspire women and men of all ages to take charge of the ability each one has to accomplish goals and discover their dreams, while also providing them with tips and tricks to remain professional, organized, and determined on their road to success.  

Now, what does this mean for the blog? Well, don't worry... the fashion and beauty posts will still be a prevalent part of this blog. But, I want to break out of the strictly "fashion blog" category and write about whatever I'm feeling, learning, processing, and hearing in the world around me. One of my life goals is to make a difference in peoples' lives. I want to leave more of an impression on my readers than just what brand my clothes are or what my opinion on the newest lip gloss is. And I hope that I'll have the opportunity to interact with each of you, and together we can make this blog what you want and need.

. . .

 Thank you so much for all of your support, and I look forward to this blog's future! Have a fabulous day!

arctic freeze!

Hey, guys! Today, I’m coming to you with perfectly coutured outfit but a frazzled mind… Last week, because of the snow, we had FOUR days off of school (you northern girls are probably laughing at us right about now!). Even though it was SO nice to have a break from the schoolwork and stress, I feel even more worked up and overwhelmed about this week’s workload because we have to cover two weeks’ worth of material in one. 

Do any of you who are also in school have any tips on how you stay organized and top of things? I always feel like there’s so much to manage and not enough time in one day to accomplish it all! I’m thinking about doing a post on my organizational system (anyone interested?) in the near future.

Anywho, I am in love with this gorgeous navy and teal lace dress (from Target… holla!). Though it is chiffon, it’s so easy to dress up or tone down for a more casual look. I know you guys are probably getting sick of my Personalized From Me to You monogrammed necklace, but I could not resist how nicely it paired with this shift dress. I kept the rest of the accessories neutral with a gold bag, nude flats, and navy and gold arm candy.

Dress: Target

Bag: Kate Spade

Necklace: Personalized From Me to You

Bracelets: KJP, J.Crew Factory

Shoes: Target

. . .

Thanks so much for taking the time to read today’s blog post! I really appreciate the support from each and every one of you. I hope you all have a fabulous day!

Blogger Breakfast in Bed!

Hey, you guys! Long time, no see... I don't know if you heard, but here in NC, we had a major snow storm (for us anyways ;). For the past few days, I've been building snowmen, sledding down any hills I could find, and playing fetch with my dogs using snowballs in the front yard. It's been so fun to have a few days off of school to have some rest and relaxation. But, I'm back today to be a part of an exciting collaboration among a multitude of bloggers called Blogger Breakfast in Bed. This idea was initiated by Dorothy at Prep in Your Step (she has a fabulous blog, by the way!!), and its primary goal is to allow lots of bloggers to network with one another while sharing their own tips for the perfect Saturday morning! I fell in love with the idea and am so honored to be a part of it! So, without further ado, here are the questions!

What is the first thing you do on a lazy Saturday morning?

On a typical Saturday morning, I would sleep in until 9:30 to 10 AM just because I can :). Then, I would go round up the rest of mi familia (we all have strange sleeping hours...) to make a breakfast feast.  After we've prepared the meal, we like to have "family time" by collectively watching either a) Duck Dynasty (the boys' first choice) or b) Downton Abbey (the girls' first choice) while we chow down! It's really just a contest of who can grab the remote first, as to what show we choose to watch ;).

What would your ideal breakfast be, don't forget the coffee?!

Our personal favorites include either chocolate chip pancakes, cinnamon rolls, or big ol' buttery biscuits, always paired with sides of bacon, eggs, and sausage. Yum, yum! During the winter, I also love to add a mug of steaming hot chocolate, instead of coffee (me + caffeine + early mornings = baaaaaad combo!). 

If you could have woken up this morning and been anywhere, where would it be?

In keeping with our recent bout of chilly winds and icy snow, I would love to wake up in Colorado. Almost every year, my family travels to a ski resort in Colorado, and I would love love love to be able to go skiing ASAP!

{And just for fun }What is your favorite Instagram filter?

I actually don't use the Instagram filters because I think that they're too harsh on the photo's natural colors and clarity. Most of the time, I just use the iPhoto app on my computer!

. . .

A special thank-you goes out  to Dorothy for organizing this fun event! Check out her blog, Prep in Your Step. Thanks so much for reading this blog post, and I hope you have a fabulous day!