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While I love the transitional temperatures that Spring and Fall bring, I honestly believe that they can be slightly more challenging to dress for. A lot of times there is a constant battle between being under or over dressed, especially when the forecast fluctuates throughout the day. To remedy this problem, I like to split up my ensembles by base and layers. For example, if I feel like styling a lighter foundational garment, I’ll opt for heavier outerwear and a more substantial shoe (and vice versa). This way, there is always an element of balance within the outfit which will hopefully avoid being too hot/cold; which is the exact formula I used when styling this look! I was initially hesitant about purchasing this dress as my first thought was, “too dressy and not practical.” After receiving it however, I quickly changed my tune and realized that it was an incredibly versatile piece that could easily be dressed up or down. I’ve been fully embracing the green trend so it was no surprise that this frock caught my eye to begin with. However, the overall quality and cut-out detailing is what absolutely sold me and made it a keeper! I didn’t mind sticking with a darker palette this go round and, instead of overcomplicating things, decided black would be my contrasting shade. This also gave me an opportunity to incorporate another recent buy I had been waiting for the perfect moment to pull out of my closet. Cardigans have made quite the comeback and while I do have some bolder options, this little cropped number filled a void in my wardrobe that I didn’t even know I was missing. The boxy shape and relaxed fit really worked to bring an effortlessly casual vibe to the outfit that made it feel more suitable for every day. For footwear, I threw on my favorite knee-high boots which I have gotten well over my cost per wear out of! Lastly, I chose to stick with the same color story by adding a gorgeous crossbody bag featuring gold hardware. After throwing on a few jewelry pieces and a pair of sunnies, I was more than satisfied with how this look turned out! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

It’s officially “coat season” and at this point, my only goal is to balance a level of comfort, warmth, and style. It’s always so funny to me, how every year it seems like cold-weather pieces hit retailers entirely too soon, but before we know it we’re in the midst of Winter still complaining about not having the gloves, scarf, or outerwear we wanted. This year however, I was determined to just go for it; and though at the time I felt like it was too early to be purchasing a coat, I’m so glad I did! I had been eyeing this blue plaid number for at least 3 weeks before pulling the trigger. Aside from it being eye-catching due to the bold color alone, what really sold me was the overall fit! It’s very easy for long wool coats with belted closures to fall into that “bathrobe-esqe” category, especially when they’re over-sized. On the contrary, this piece was constructed beautifully and executed a level of tailoring that truly shined through as soon as I put it on. As this coat was the focal piece, I wanted to layer more neutral items underneath that would only enhance it in a complimentary way. Since there were black accents in the plaid design, I chose to use that shade as well as white for an overall contrasting color palette. I had been gifted this off the shoulder frock during the Summer and decided to use it as an anchor for the rest of the ensemble. From there, I paired it with a striped turtleneck for added warmth and dimension. Lastly, for footwear, it was no-brainer to throw on my slouchy OTK leather boots and silver accessories for a bit of shine. The fact that we have roughly a month left until 2020 really has prompted me to exist in a state of reflection and gratitude. I am thankful for how far I’ve come, where I am currently, and where I’m going despite the hardships that may arise along the way. Comment below your favorite piece from this look and what you are most grateful for. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Coat: & Other Stories

Sweater: Zara

Dress: Eggie

Boots: Zara

“Nothing worth having comes easy,” is what they say. That said, the impatient part of me can’t help but feel as though I will never reach the level of success I am striving so hard for. So what does one do? “Never give up,” is what they say, but being terrified of failure and disappointment sometimes distracts me from my goals. So, now what? ‘”Good things come to those who wait,” is what they say, yet at this point the frustration is unbearable. As a creative, it becomes draining when you begin to feel as though your efforts are never being recognized and appreciated in the way that you think they should; but then you realize why you started. I started my blog to give myself and others an outlet that can provide positive inspiration and hopefully fairly useful information on a topic that I am passionate about. That being said, I am also human; and trying to thrive in an over-saturated, highly competitive industry can sometimes breed feelings of insecurity and doubt. I heard an individual say once, “In order to be successful, you must learn from your peers and compete only with yourself.” That stuck with me because a lot of times, especially in the age of social media, it’s easy to get thrown off your course by following someone else’s progression and losing sight of your own. Coming into the second year of running A Styled Mind, I can proudly say that I have learned so much and grown in ways that I never could have predicted; all from doing something that I love. While I continue to be a work in progress, I will remain focused and optimistic about my blogging journey and appreciate all of the checkpoints (no matter how minuscule they seem, lol) along the way. Because like they say, “if everything came easy, there would be nothing to appreciate;” right? Until next time!