My Style: Wallis Navy Blazer {4}

 gifted Wallis Blazer | F21 Tank | Gap Pants {Similar} | Coach Crossbody {Similar}| Nine West Heels | Anthro Necklace

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When jeans just don't fit the bill, these khaki-esqe pants easily come to the rescue. I dressed up these pants with my favorite tank-blouse from Forever 21 {such a diamond in the rough find}, and of course this blazer. A perfect mix of comfortable with a hint of business for those Friday's in the office. 

This is my final outfit for the Wallis Style Blogger Pinterest Challenge! Pin your favorite look and I will be forever grateful! :) 

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My Style: Wallis Navy Blazer {3}

gifted Wallis Blazer | Zara Blouse | Banana Republic Trousers | Prabal Gurung for Target Heels | Gap Clutch 

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This is a normal Monday-Thursday working girl attire for me. I picked these trousers up in Vegas and fell head over heels for the jacquard print. These, paired with a pair of bright shoes, help soften the blow of yet another round of snow. Slowly but surely spring will arrive!

This is my third outfit for the Wallis Fashion Style Blogger Challenge! If you like this outfit, make sure to click the "Pin this Look" link to help a girl out! :)

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My Style: Wallis Navy Blazer Four Ways {2}

gifted Wallis Blazer | NYC Paris London HK Tokyo LA Tee | J.Crew Chambray | Gap Denim | gifted Mishqua Satchel | Prabal Gurung for Target Heels | Anthro Necklace

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Chalk up another ten points for the chambray shirt. This shirt may be the best investment I've ever made. I would say it is a definite closet essential for every woman along with this Wallis Blazer. And by the way, neon sandals are a must when there is at least 6 inches of snow on the ground and I'm at my wits end with mother nature. 

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My Style: Wallis Navy Blazer Four Ways {1}

gifted Wallis Blazer | BB Dakota Fur Vest | NYC Paris London HK Tokyo LA Tee | Paige Denim | J.Crew Boots | gifted Mishqua Satchel

Cody and I spent Saturday in Iowa City, a quick little jaunt to pick up a chair for our house and to get my ring resized. The best part about taking these photos? The loving audience in the Quinton's window getting a behind-the-scenes look at the makings of this post!  I always get a bit nostalgic when returning to my college town. Seeing coeds wander in and out of the shops on their way to their favorite bar to grab afternoon drinks while cheering on the Hawks. Bar crawls starting much too early in the afternoon. And the food, oh the food. No stop is complete to Iowa City without stopping by my favorite restaurant in the ped mall!

The next four days I will be remixing this navy blazer thanks to Wallis Fashion in a little style blogger challenge! They asked us to style four different outfits around this blazer. I choose to go with two casual and two work-to-weekend looks. After doing a bit pinterest research, I realized I had all the inspiration I needed right in my own closet. One would be surprised at how easy it would be to make this blazer work with just about every outfit!

Like this look? Make sure and PIN THIS LOOK and I will be forever grateful! :)

Interiors & Exteriors: Max Wanger

Like I've previously mentioned, our home is seriously lacking in the decor department. We are still sans artwork on just about every single wall, with the sweet exception of our dinging room. So my goal is to go room by room, starting with the living room. This new-to-me artist, Max Wanger has some gorgeous shots listed on his website. Something about the use of negative space in these shots just makes me sigh. Should I just get one large print or do a collage of multiple images?

The Brunette One Gets Married: Kate Spade Bridal Shoes

Charm | Emison | Sema | Evie

Am I the only one drooling over these heels from Kate Spade's bridal collection?! After trying on wedding dresses this past weekend, I can't help but think ahead and how I will be accessorizing my future wedding dress. I have a feeling my *something blue* may be these! Did you splurge on your wedding shoes?!

My Style: Waffle Knit Sweater

Zara Jacket | Old Navy Sweater {old, similar} | Paige Jeans | F21 Necklace {similar}| Steve Madden Heels

Our company is in the process of moving buildings and have recently deemed Wednesdays as casual attire to push people to get to cleaning out their cubicles. Our floor isn't moving until July, which means I get to milk these casual Wednesdays for a little bit longer! This leopard coat may have been the best investment this season. I can tell it is going to last for years to come!

Closet Craving: Brian Lichtenberg

More cheeky tees. Loving these options from Brian Lichtenberg. 
A little something for the crewneck lover, feline fanatic, 
and for all the homies out there in blogger land.

NYFW: Jenni Kayne Fall 2013 Ready-To-Wear

Every season I look forward to one designer in particular, Jenni Kayne. I discovered her perusing Style.com many moons ago and continuously drool over every single one of her pieces {e.g. see this post, this post, and this post}. And have you seen these flats all over the blogosphere and the 'save' versions they've inspired {here, here, and here}? Girl knows her shit {pardon my french}. Here are a few of my top picks from her presentation this year, and make sure to see the full collection here!

{all images via}

NYFW: Tibi Fall 2013 Ready-To-Wear

So, this is how it usually goes down. I'm wishing and hoping for spring to magically appear in February and NYFW brings me back to reality, dressing me up in neutrals and knits and two-toned leather pants. If I had the budget of a fashion magazine editor, I would be walking these babies right off the runway and into my closet. That cobalt pea coat & puffy cape, swoon.

Shop Tibi here!

{all images via}

Happy Valentine's Day

So, this is love. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Your Life, Styled: Valentine's Day

Dress // Necklace // Lingerie Top & Bottom // Heels // Ice Cream Bowl & Spoon

Candle // iPhone Case // Lipstick

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and whether or not you have plans with your loved one or your best girl friends, there's no shame in dressing up for this holiday. So indulge with a *sweet* Valentine's day inspired ice cream bowl & heart shaped spoon and dress up your trusted iPhone, to celebrate the holiday! The fiancé and I will be keeping things low key and ordering in pizza & settling in for a movie night. Do you have big plans?!

Giveaway: Mishqua Fine Handbags

Forever 21 Peplum Top // Zara Blazer & Jacket // Gap Legging Jean 

gifted Mishqua Satchel // Maui Jim Sunglasses // Anthropolgie Necklace {similar}

This bag. Is amazing. The color, the size, the versatility. It's the whole package. I can it throw in over my shoulder or hold it on my arm. It even has leopard print lining {which according to the prints of my iPhone case & jacket, is a favorite trend of mine as of late}. And now it's your chance to win this Mishqua Doctor's Satchel.

Enter this Instagram giveaway by snapping a photo of what accessories or outfit you would wear with this satchel. Make sure to tag the photo with @_thebrunetteone & @mishquabagsrhot, along with the hashtag #TBOforMishqua! 

The winner will be announced next week! Good luck!

My Style: Fit in Clouds Flats

Forever 21 Peplum Top // Zara Blazer & Jacket // Gap Legging Jean // gifted Fit In Cloud Flats

gifted Mishqua Satchel // Maui Jim Sunglasses // Anthropolgie Necklace {similar}

A day that is filled with many events and racing about town call for flats. Between hosting my best friend's baby shower and filming a few video segments for this year's Des Moines Art Center Big Hair Ball with Katelyn on Saturday, I threw on my Fit in Clouds foldable flats that easily stow away in my satchel or clutch. A quick swap and I can give my achey feet a rest when necessary - this is what we call a life saver {I wouldn't mind adding these, these, or these to my collection}. I rounded out the weekend with a bit of a haul thanks to Prabal Gurung for Target and walked out with some amazing finds - though come to find out when showing my fiancé, he liked the neon green dress that I ended up leaving behind!   

Closet Craving: Zimmermann

Zoe Perforated One Piece | Locket Frill Bikini | Locket Frill Bikini | Wayfayer Lace Back Scoop Bikini 

Steve Madden Troppic Flip Flops | Maui Jim Sunnies

I admit that I rarely watch the news, I prefer to read it here. The only time I seem to catch any newsworthy segment  happens to be when the weather person likes to be the barrier of bad news. E.g. winter storm warnings. Below windchill temperatures. Icy roads. So until that forecast changes to mostly sunny skies with lows  in 80s, my mind will be dreaming of beaches and Zimmermann swimwear. This, this, and these are at the top of my list. I haven't worn a one piece in ages, but I think this would be a great addition to my swimwear collection. 

How do you get through the winter blues?

The Brunette One Gets Married: The Little White Dress

t

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

I wrote this post for DSMBride, but in case you aren't in the local Des Moines area, I wanted to share it with my lovely readers!

I would say about a day or two after I said, "Yes," I started contemplating what I would be wearing for all of the upcoming bridal events I would soon be attending. Let's be real, I am a lover of all things white and fashion-y. And while I haven't found THE dress yet for my upcoming May 2014 wedding, that hasn't stopped me from browsing many other LWD for the bridal shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and honeymoon. You can bet I will milk this engagement period for all it's worth when it comes to my wardrobe.

What type of outfits did you wear, or are you dreaming of wearing for all of your wedding events?

Kick Up Your Heels

Get them now. I love this pair!