Slouchy Chic (It's possible, I think!)

I love getting dressed about 80% of the time.  I'm lucky to have more clothes than I need, and plenty of inspiration when it comes to mixing them up.  However, some days I just don't care to put forth any effort and want to be comfortable.  These days include: airport days, road trip days, PMS days, days when I overslept, Sundays... it happens often.

However, my secret to not looking like a total bum is this uniform of sorts:

lazy day dressing by cardiganjunkie featuring tall jeans

my favorite new top (I bought five for $7.50 each in store!) // my favorite skinny jeans  // black curvy skinny jeans // leopard flats (still in store)

Yeah... I may or may not have worn some form of this outfit three times in five days.  Thank goodness for casual offices!

What's your casual uniform like?

P.S. Enter to win the LOFT flower necklace and tote by leaving a comment on the giveaway post by 3/17!  You can potentially get 9 entries (crazy)!

Things Every Girl Needs: Leopard Pumps Under $100

As crazy as it sounds, having good taste can be pretty tough.  You can walk into stores and like almost nothing, and then, to make matters worse the amazing options you do like are all $300+.

I don't personally spend more than $100 on shoes unless it's a very special purchase (or a boot, because most cheap boots look cheap) so I thought it would be helpful to round up eight options for my favorite neutral staple shoe: the leopard pump.  All the pairs below are under $100, and several are in the $50 range!

leopard pumps under $100 by cardiganjunkie featuring leopard print pumps

from left to right, starting on top row:  1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

And just in case you're not on the bandwagon yet (really?!), here are some ways to wear them, courtesy of all the ladies who post pretty outfit photos on the internets:

Win a LOFT Necklace & Tote - TWO Winners!

This giveaway is closed - congrats to Neeharika and Laura!  Thanks to everyone who entered - I wish I had dozens of necklaces for all of you!  Maybe next time!

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Remember a while back when I offered up a LOFT necklace for a giveaway last month?  Well, the amazing team at LOFT noticed all of your entries and awesome styling ideas and they thought that one winner just wasn't enough!

Today I'm excited to offer TWO readers the chance to win a LOFT flower necklace (worth $79.50!) and a cute tote bag designed just just for LOFT girls like us.

Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me where or how you'd wear the necklace.  [Pssst! Be sure to include your email address or a link to your blog so I can contact you if you win, and only post to the Disqus thread so I'm sure to see it!]

For extra entries: (tell me about them in your comment so I know you did it!)

2. Tell me your favorite item from the LOFT spring collection
 
3. Follow Cardigan Junkie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram (links are in the right sidebar)

4. Follow LOFT on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest

This giveaway closes at noon Central time on Sunday, March 17th.  I'll announce the winner on Monday the 18th!  This contest is open to US and Canadian readers only, please.

Disclosure:  I did not receive any sort of compensation from LOFT to host this giveaway, but the prizes were supplied free of charge and I will personally cover the mailing costs.

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday, internet!  I hope your week was a good one, and that you'll stop by on Monday for a giveaway from the cool ladies at LOFT!

Until then, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. I want to do this to my hair and go on a date:

Source: popularjpg.com via Haley D. on Pinterest

2. This week I impulse bought a Cover Girl Jumbo Gloss Balm pencil and I LOVE it.  I chose Scarlet Twist and it's the perfect red for me.  It's not too saturated, more of a "I just had a sno cone" tint, and it doesn't dry out my lips like a stain.

Source: rstyle.me via Haley D. on Pinterest

Reader Request: Vegas Vacation (with Brad Paisley!)

Can I just say that I seriously enjoy writing all of your reader request posts?  It makes me feel like I'm helping people, and playing stylist is so fun.  However, this week's request is by far one of the coolest that I've gotten!

Amanda is heading to Vegas for her husband's birthday, and they'll be attending an Academy of Country Music Awards party hosted by Brad Paisley!  I'm a huge fan of Brad (we're on a first name basis thanks to all the hours spent together in my car) and had a lot of fun making these outfits for Amanda since we're the same size/shape and it was like shopping for myself.

Here's my idea of country chic, with varying degrees of casualness depending on the event:

Country Music in Vegas by cardiganjunkie featuring short skirts

Look 1:  Theory Nev Dress  |  Boots ($55!)  |  Turquoise Necklace

Look 2:  Halston Heritage one shoulder dress  |  Faux Gold Cuff  |  Fringe Sandals

|  Kendra Scott Earrings

Look 3:  J.Crew Denim Shirt |   Haute Hippie Lace Mini (I saw it for $40 at Nordstrom Rack this weekend!)  |  Kate Spade Cross Body Bag (the perfect size!) or an affordable alternative from Nine West

Look 4:   Lace Tank (similar for $12)  |  Joe's Jeans Petite Provocateur (on sale at Macy's)

I love cobalt blue and turquoise jewelry, and I think it's a little more casual than classic black, which makes boots or playful fringed heels a viable option.  Both dresses are made of fluid jersey, which will be comfortable and forgiving in all the pictures Amanda and Brad will take.

Then, for daytime, few things say 'sexy country girl' like creamy lace and denim, which CAN be achieved without looking like you dance on poles at night if the hemlines and necklines hit in the right places. 

For what it's worth, I'd pick looks two and four for myself.  Can I please come with you, Amanda!?

House Talk: Wallpaper and Chairs

Good morning!  I hope all of you had a great weekend - mine was pretty uneventful, just as I intended.  I finally watched Argo (so good!) and spent some quality time discussing the next of our house upgrades with my husband.

As you know, I have trouble committing to a decision when it comes to my house.  And since we haven't started our bathroom renovation yet (my husband wants to finish our garden and some of his carpentry projects first), I keep looking around and finding new things I like.  Like these wallpapers:

Source: burkedecor.com via Haley D. on Pinterest

Source: alexanderinteriorsltd.co.uk via Haley D. on Pinterest

Source: justkidswallpaper.com via Haley D. on Pinterest

Or, since the star wallpaper is so expensive ($198/roll for Osborne & Little) I'm also considering trying to paint the wall and then stencil a similar star.  If it goes badly, I can still cover it with paper right?  This color is a frontrunner:

Source: sherwin-williams.com via Haley D. on Pinterest

5 Things Friday

Happy Friday!  This week has flown by, and I'm excited to kick my weekend off a little early today.  I'm excited to not have any plans, and will be spending some time at the dog park and trying a new recipe or two.  How wild!

Before I start all that, here are five things worth sharing on the internet:

1. If you need some leopard flats, I highly recommend these.  They're probably not worth $49, but I think they'll sell out fast and are super cute and comfortable.  My current Gap flats are going strong despite 18 months of constant wear, so I think I'll get my money's worth.

2. I hereby refuse to participate in the resurgence this trend, no matter how popular it becomes.  I had a pair in 1998 and it was not a good look.

Source: shopbop.com via Kelly on Pinterest

3. As a little treat for myself with some of the money I earned from a wardrobe consulting gig, I got this Asos dress that I mentioned in my earlier post about black flared dresses.  Of course it's more on sale now, but I really like mine and thought I'd pass it along.  The material is nice and soft, and it's a nice way to look dressed up but feel like you're wearing pajamas.  I'm going to wear it with the flats above and a bright belt.

4. Being 29 is freaking me out more than I thought.  It's as though I woke up one day and realized that some of the things I always meant to do are now much more unlikely now that I'm a married homeowner.  One of the things I always planned on doing was living abroad.  I'm not saying it's never going to happen, but this week I was excited to discover a new HGTV show called Living Abroad (imaginative title!) that involves visting expats around the world and touring their houses.  It's a nosy traveler's dream.  Check it out next time it's on!

5. I find this to be true in life, don't you?

Source: behance.net via Haley D. on Pinterest