Fall Transitions for the Lovely Little à La Mode Link-Up

I know that I'm just one of many personal style bloggers to profess my love of fall.  Not only do I love fall fashion elements like layering, blanket scarves and booties, but I also love the exciting start to the school year, football season, and acorns crunching under my above mentioned booties.  And of course I have to throw in the mandatory shout-out to the pumpkin spice latte!

It can be so hard (in a first world problems kind of way) when you are ready for fall but Mother Nature is still enjoying summertime.  What's a cool weather loving girl to do?  My favorite way of transitioning into fall attire while it's still warm outside is to throw on a light, gauzy scarf!

I love scarves because they are one of the easiest ways to add interest too an outfit.  Not to mention they are a cool weather staple which makes my fall-loving heart very happy.  However, if the scarf is lightweight, it's perfect for transitional days...plus you can obviously take it off if it gets too hot!

You are also witnessing my first step into the world of joggers.  I received this pair in a Le Tote delivery and really enjoyed wearing them because, well, who doesn't enjoy sweatpants that are acceptable to wear in public.  I did feel a bit nervous, though.  I went shopping with my mom and kept asking her if it looked like I was just wearing your average sweatpants.  She assured me that this pair is truly worthy of a public appearance.  So here you go!

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: LOFT (similar, similar)

Scarf: Le Tote (exact)

Joggers: Le Tote (exact)

Sandals: DSW (similar, similar)

Before we head into this week's Lovely Little à La Mode Link-Up, I just want to remind you that Carrie, Casey and I are starting Create28: Fall Looks on Thursday!  We hope that you'll join in by creating 28 brand new looks based-on our daily prompts.

And now it's that time of the week!

Hosted by ~

Carrie/A Lovely Little Wardrobe : Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Whitney/Whitney à La Mode : Bloglovin/Instagram

Casey/A Little Bit of Cheer : Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Each week we choose a favorite...check out Carrie and Casey's blogs to see if it's you! Here was my favorite this week:

Sheree of Posh Classy Mom wore such a stunning trench this week that it just had to be my favorite!

Now let's get linking! We like to keep things simple around here. Just link up your favorite posts--fashion, beauty, food, DIY, anything goes! Follow your hosts on social media, have fun and be inspired! Thanks for linking up!

<a href="http://www.alittlebitofcheer.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc454/pianoprincessdesigns/button%20small_zpsujefyz2q.png~original" alt="A Lovely Little À La Mode Link Up" width="125" height="125" /></a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Where I'm linking-up!

Blogging Besties: Cardigan

Didn't Alex look perfectly ready for fall last week?

Speaking of perfectly fall, I'm excited to announce that Carrie, Casey and I are hosting our next seasonal Create 28 Style Challenge.  Create 28 Fall Looks starts next Thursday and we hope that you will join us in creating 28 brand new outfits based on our daily prompts!  You can link-up your looks every Monday and share your looks on Instagram with #Create28FallLooks!

Alright, back to the task at hand!  The primary component of Alex's outfit that I decided to pass on is a cardigan but I also incorporated lace and flats into my look!

This striped number is another borrowed Le Tote item!  I can't stress enough how Le Tote is helping me transition into fall.  It's keeping my look fresh while I try to hold off from shopping until I see what I really need for the season.

Here are your choices of pieces to pass on for next week: a cardigan, a lace top, colored pants, pattern paired with texture or something borrowed!  But first let's see what you passed on from Alex's look!  Please link-up below!

What I'm Wearing:

Top: LOFT (similar, similar)

Cardigan: c/o Le Tote (exact)

Pants: c/o Stitch Fix (similar, similar)

Flats: Land's End (exact)

Watch: c/o JORD (exact)

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Featured On:

Whitney à la mode

Undergraduate Style

Where I'm linking-up!

An InLinkz Link-up

September Wedding

It seems relatively easy to think of a pretty outfit to wear as a guest during "wedding season."  You know, June through August when it seems like you have a wedding to attend almost every weekend.  Just throw on your prettiest sundress and your strappiest sandals and you are ready to go!

Now fall weddings, that's another story entirely...especially in September!  First of all, there is the weather to contend with.  The temperatures could soar into the 80s or dip into the 60s (here in Michigan at least).  And weather aside, I know that I'm ready to look a bit more ready for fall.  So what's a girl to do?!

It's a good thing my friend Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood invited me to collaborate with her and two other lovely bloggers to feature our favorite fall-transition wedding guest looks!

So what's my answer to the September wedding-wear conundrum?  Two things: light, pretty layers and fall colors!  I know I've discussed my trouble with kimonos before, but I do love this one!  Not to mention its floral print gives it a feminine and romantic vibe-- exactly what I'm going for at a wedding.  On the practical side, it provides a bit of extra warmth on a chill almost fall evening but can be easily removed for a night on the dance floor!

Using the quintessential little black dress as a foundation, I've added elements in colors that make me think of fall!  Vibrant orange heels and floral print plus a deep green clutch take this basic dress into the cooler months.

And did you notice that my clutch speaks French?  Le Tote sure knew the way to my heart with this one!

And now let's take a look at how Ada, Carrie and Jennie dressed-up for a September Wedding!  Make sure to stop by their blogs to read about their beautiful choices!

Looks like I missed the pink memo!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar)

Kimono: Ruche (similar, similar)

Heels: DSW (similar, similar)

Clutch: Le Tote (exact)

Where I'm linking-up!

Kimon-NO

If kimonos and I were in a relationship, our Facebook status would say "it's complicated."  On the one hand, I love the flowing silhouette and feminine prints of kimonos.  They add that romantic vibe that I love to any outfit.  When picking-out a kimono for me, however, things get a big tricky.  I become picky about the print and discouraged by the fit.  I think it's because the drape of the kimono hides my thinnest feature, my waist.  In the face of kimono-discouragement, I have managed to find one that I do love....but I've only really worn it one way-- with skinny jeans and a t-shirt.

But my love for kimonos prevailed and I was excited to receive one in my most recent Le Tote.  The print was a pretty pink (my favorite) and I was encouraged by the strings that would cinch the waist of the wrap.  I was also encouraged to experiment and wear it with a simple black dress.  But alas, it was not meant to be for me and the kimono!  Once I finally distinguished the top from the bottom of the piece and put it on, I discovered that the look is just not the most flattering on me.  Further, the kimono was very uncomfortable.  My arms kept getting caught in all of the fabric and I couldn't stop pulling and adjusting it.

In conclusion, my complicated relationship with kimonos persists as I continue on my quest to find the perfect kimono look!

What I'm Wearing:
Kimono: Le Tote (exact)
Dress: ASOS (similar, similar)
Necklace Peach Jewel (exact)
Shoes: Hand Me Down (similar, similar)

Everyday Midi + A Lovely Little à la Mode Link-Up

I've been admiring the romantic look of midi skirts for ages!  Whether I achieve it or not, I really identify with a feminine, classic-yet-slightly-quirky style, and I think that midi skirts really help to achieve this look.  But for some reason, I've never purchased a midi skirt!  I have been holding out for the perfect one.  Plus, part of me wonders if such a beautiful piece is practical for everyday life.

Luckily, I received a lovely midi skirt in my latest Le Tote!  With its polka dot pattern and neutral navy color, it just might be that perfect skirt I have been looking for!  Also, since Le Tote allows me to wear the skirt before choosing whether or not to purchase it, this was the perfect opportunity for me to decide if a midi skirt fits an average day's activities!

Cue an average summer day!  I wore this skirt to lunch with two of my favorite girlfriends and then to a pizza and game night with my family.  Perhaps I was the most dressed-up of the bunch, but my loved ones are used to seeing me in pretty skirts and bold lipstick!  While my look was a bit glamorous with the crystal jewelry, I did tone it down with a basic tee and flats as opposed to wedges.

So what's my verdict?  I do think that I can wear a midi skirt during everyday life.  But alas, at 58 dollars, this skirt is out of my price range.  Let the hunt for the perfect midi continue!

Click here for my original Le Tote review!

What I'm Wearing:
Tee: Everlane (similar, similar)
Necklace: Rocksbox (similar, similar)
Skirt: Le Tote (exact)
Bracelet: Rocksbox (exact)
Watch: JORD Fieldcrest in Maple (exact)
Flats: Land's End (exact)

Hosted by ~

Carrie/A Lovely Little Wardrobe : Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Whitney/Whitney à La Mode : Bloglovin/Instagram

Casey/A Little Bit of Cheer : Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Each week we choose a favorite...check out Carrie and Casey's blogs to see if it's you! Here was my favorite this week:

Robin of Penn & Quill looked bold and beautiful in this fun top that she styled for work!

Now let's get linking! We like to keep things simple around here. Just link up your favorite posts--fashion, beauty, food, DIY, anything goes! Follow your hosts on social media, have fun and be inspired! Thanks for linking up!

<a href="http://www.alittlebitofcheer.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc454/pianoprincessdesigns/button%20small_zpsujefyz2q.png~original" alt="A Lovely Little À La Mode Link Up" width="125" height="125" /></a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Where I'm linking-up!

Le Tote and Link-Up

Welcome back to the second Lovely Little à la Mode Link-Up!  Carrie, Casey and I are happy you're here.  Today I want to do a little Le Tote update.  If you've never heard of LT before, it's a clothing subscription service.  Basically, for $50 a month, you can rent an unlimited number of on-trend clothing pieces.  You can check-out my full Le Tote review here!

I've really been enjoying my Le Tote experience!  You can choose to customize the items that are sent to you in advance, but I prefer to be surprised!  It's like Christmas morning when I receive the LT box at my doorstep.  It's so fun to pull-out fun, new things to wear like this navy and white striped dress!

In each box, I receive a couple of items that either don't fit or I just don't like...but I think that my style profile and the feedback that I leave for each tote is improving each new delivery.  Here are a few of the ways that I've worn my Le Tote goodies!

scarf / striped top / pink dress / colorful top / striped shirtdress / striped maxi / white blouse / olive skirt

Have you tried Le Tote or any other subscription services?  What have you thought of them?  If you are interested in signing-up for LT, I would be super excited if you used my Le Tote referral code.  In doing so, you receive $25 off your first tote and I get a $15 credit.  That's what I call a win-win!

Now it's time to link-up!

Hosted by ~

Carrie/A Lovely Little Wardrobe : Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Whitney/Whitney à La Mode : Bloglovin/Instagram

Casey/A Little Bit of Cheer : Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Each week we choose a favorite...check out Carrie and Casey's blogs to see if it's you! Here was my favorite this week:

Carly and her daughter Lydia from Lipgloss and Crayons couldn't be cuter in their red and blue romper ensembles.  I just can't get over it!

Now let's get linking! We like to keep things simple around here. Just link up your favorite posts--fashion, beauty, food, DIY, anything goes! Follow your hosts on social media, have fun and be inspired! Thanks for linking up!

<a href="http://www.alittlebitofcheer.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc454/pianoprincessdesigns/button%20small_zpsujefyz2q.png~original" alt="A Lovely Little À La Mode Link Up" width="125"
height="125" /></a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Where I'm linking-up!

Blogging Besties: Popover Blouse

Ahhh, summer is officially here!  What have you been doing to celebrate lately?  I just returned from a relaxing vacation in Myrtle Beach (hence my slightly tanner than usual skin).

Last week Alex looked cute in her summer hues and Jack Roger (jealous!) sandals!

As I was contemplating what to pass-on from Alex's look, I found the perfect popover blouse in my most recent Le Tote (if you are curious about LT, check-out my review).

The top's colors are so fun and perfect for summer!  A pleated skirt and casual sandals completed an easy, breezy outfit for dinner with my favorite girls.

Wind + Hair = Strike a Pose!

In the name of summer vacation, Alex and I will be taking a short break from our Blogging Besties series.  We will still be blogging but won't be passing-on each other's looks until we return on August 7th.  In the meantime, please consider participating in my Create28: Lovely Summer Looks Challenge with Carrie and Casey.  Also, Alex has a really fun #poloroundup that you should check-out!

So, you can't pass anything on next week but your choices for our August 7th link-up are: a popover blouse, a (pleated) skirt, (flat) sandals, and something borrowed!  

What I'm Wearing:

Blouse: c/o Le Tote (exact)

Skirt: Land's End (similar, similar)

Necklace: Peach Jewel (exact)

Sandals: DSW (similar, similar)

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Featured On:

Whitney à la mode

Undergraduate Style

In the meantime, what did you pass-on from Alex's look last week?

An InLinkz Link-up

My First Le Tote Experience

From clothing to jewelry to make-up and even snacks, subscription services are all the rage lately!  In the past I've tried Stitch Fix and Rocks Box and have really enjoyed my experiences.  There's something so fun about receiving a box in the mail filled with surprise goodies to wear!  

I've been curious about Le Tote for quite awhile now, and given that it's my birthday month, I decided to splurge a little and see what it's all about!

The details:

• Subscribing to Le Tote costs $49 per month.
• Le Tote sends you a box filled with five clothing and jewelry items.
• You get to wear the pieces as much as you want, then send them back when you're done!
• As soon as you send your box back, Le Tote will send you a new one (yes, that means unlimited boxes each month)!
• If you like an item, you can purchase it at a discounted rate!

Now obviously there are pros and cons when you compare Le Tote to Stitch Fix.  Le Tote is definitely more expensive compared to Stitch Fix's $20 boxes.  However, with SF, you only wear what you decide to keep and pay for, there's no taking the rest of the pieces for a trial run.  And not only do you get to wear all of your LT items, you can receive multiple boxes a month for the $49 whereas with SF, it's a one time deal.

Now on to my first Le Tote delivery!  Here are the items I received:

To be honest, I was a little bit disappointed with my first "tote."  There are a few items that I liked but I'm a bit underwhelmed overall.  However, I think there are a few things I can do differently to ensure that I like my next delivery even better!

• Striped Shirt: This is my favorite item from my first tote.  I had already "added it to my closet" to help my stylist understand my taste in clothing.  If you've spent any amount of time reading Whitney à la mode, you know that I love stripes.  So stripes going in different directions?  Sign me up!  I had fun wearing this shirt but the fit just wasn't perfect (too short sleeves) so I will be sending it back.
• Blue Dress: Holy cling!  This dress is made from a thick, knit, clingy material.  So lumps and bumps, you could see them all!  Let's not even get started on the size of my behind in this dress.  I won't even show you a picture.  Yep, that bad.
• Cable-Knit Sweater: Umm, have you checked the weather in Alexandria lately?  Clearly my stylist did not.  It's been in the 80s here so I could barely convince myself to try this sweater on.   Aside from that, I wasn't a fan of the zipper or the color or the fit.
• Pink Earrings:  I also placed these earrings in my closet, so I was excited to receive them.  I'm going to get one good wear out of them and then send them back so I can receive my next tote.
• Necklace: It's pretty and I'll wear it, I'm just not in love with it.

So there are a few things that I'm going to do to (hopefully) improve my next box.  I wrongly assumed that the LT stylists take the weather into account when choosing your items.  Since that isn't the case, I went back to my "Style Profile" and requested that I do not receive sweaters.  If I'm still doing LT when the cooler weather rolls around, I'll go back and change that.  I also realized that I wasn't excited to receive jewelry...probably because I love my Rocks Box subscription.  I also went back and requested only clothing.

So please forgive this lengthy post, I just wanted to share my experience with you in case you've been considering Le Tote as well!  If you are at all curious, I would greatly appreciate if you sign-up using my code.  We each get $25 out of the deal!

As you can see, I really did enjoy wearing that striped top!

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: Le Tote (similar, similar)

Shorts: Anthropologie (similar, similar)

Flats: LOFT (similar, similar)

Purse: Nine West Outlet (similar, similar)

Linking-Up:

Fizz and Frosting- Mix It Mondays

I do DeClaire- Confident Twosdays

Pink Sole and ChaCha the Fashion Genius- #HowISpring