I Love Free Returns

Fashion Fundamental: An easy, breezy pair of sneakers for spring & summertime casual.

Maybe I'm late to the party, but the Gap family of stores--including Banana Republic & Old Navy--offers free return shipping all of the time.  So is Bloomies!

I'm just waiting for JCrew to offer it, and then I'd be a super happy camper.  I've mentioned it before (and I'll probably mention it again)--I love return shipping.  Favorite online retailers that offer the free return shipping service include: Sephora, Nordstrom, & Zappos.

Top: JCrew | similar
Chambray: JCrew | shop
Jeans: Gap (rolled - these are skimmers, but at full length, they're the perfect length for me at 5'3") | shop
Sneaker: Converse | shop

Old Fashioned: Mad Men

Looking sharp!

Over the weekend, "G" & I spent Friday night at the Milwaukee Art Museum for a Mad Men themed 'After Dark' event. This was one of the coolest things I've been to in a while... what an awesome place! They opened up the exhibits, had poker tables and even several arts and crafts stations. It was very cool. Probably the best part was -- almost everyone dressed up in 1950-1960s attire!

G went all out with full on suspenders, a bow tie and his Buddy Holly glasses!

I went with this awesome gingham dress that I had in the closet...win! And, glamed it up with a few statement pieces and some long, magic black gloves & slid right into our favorite advertising era. Seriously, nothing beats dressing up and having a great night out on the town.

Who's ready for an old fashioned?

Dress:  Limited | similar

Shoes:  Enzo Angiolini | shop

Belt:  Forever 21 | shop

Clutch:  Thrifted | similar

Earrings:  Kate Spade | similar

Gloves:  Thrifted | similar

G

Cardigan: Uniqlo | similar

Shirt:  Arrow | shop

Bowtie: Macy's | shop

Pants: Berle | shop

Shoes: Bostonian | shop

Wear it Both Ways: Plaid Top

Birthday Freebies

Fashion Fundamental: Stripes -- especially navy & white stripes --are one of my favorite patterns to wear; they're classic, preppy, and always seem to be in style.

I've settled into Kansas City, and a big thank you to sweet KW of the Ladies in Navy & at stylish Chioma of Chioma's Evolution of Style for filling in while I was rushing around and moving!

Aili mentioned that my birthday was last month, and I wanted to let you know about all of the free stuff you can get on your birthday... because who doesn't love free?

My personal favorite freebie gift is the brow wax at the Benefit Brow Bar ($20 value); Benefit Brow Bars in Ultas, Nordstroms, etc.  I got mine done at Ulta, and I suggest caling in and scheduling your appointment.  I just let them know that it was my birthday; they'll ask to see your license to confirm your birthdate.

And yep - you guessed it: these beautifully-shaped brows are a product of Benefit's Brow Bar (and a new brow pencil -- Thanks Elise!).

I also enjoy the Sephora Beauty Insider birthday gift; if you're a Beauty Insider (it's a free rewards program through Sephora), just let them know it's your birthday, and you'll receive a free gift--usually a deluxe sample to a popular beauty product.  This year it's a sample of Benefit's They're Real & Benefit's Watts Up Highlighter, which I really enjoy.

If you're a Midwesterner, then you've probably visited a Culvers; I love their custard, and you can receive a free cup or cone of custard on your birthday!  My go-to is the chocolate custard with oreos - yum.

What are your fave birthday freebies?  Leave me a comment, and I'll be sure to check 'em out! :D

Dress: Lands End Canvas | similar
Belt: Guess | similar
Cardigan: Gap Kids | similar
Tights: Taiwan | similar
Shoes: Nine West | similar

Fake Out: It's Polka Time

Psych - winter is not going to leave us! It's okay because I'm rockin' my new favorite top. This adorable ditty from Crew is making me very happy. 

I'm excited to see how this pairs with a pencil skirt for work, but for now I'm keepin' it real with a pair of dark skinny jeans. What pieces are you excited about this season?

Thanks for reading! 

Shirt:  Boy shirt in dots, JCrew | shop

Jeans:  Toothpick Jean, JCrew | shop

Boots:  Melissa Button, Fryes | shop

Purse:  Classic Q Hillier, Marc by Marc Jacobs | shop

Necklace:  So Good, NYC Boutique | similar

Wear It Both Ways: Chioma's Evolution of Style

Today, we're thrilled to welcome Chioma of Chioma's Evolution of Style to Jane Squared!

We absolutely love her ability to remix classic pieces in a fresh, modern way; check out her bold, colorful style in the latest edition of Wear it Both Ways -- the utility vest!

Thanks again for rocking your vest both ways, Chioma!

--

Hey everyone!

I’m so excited to be guest posting for Aili and Ailyn today! I just love their style and I was so flattered to be asked to feature a piece for their “Wear It Both Ways” series. On my blog, I love incorporating pieces that can be worn multiple ways. I’m an avid believer of being fashionable on a budget and purchasing quality items of clothing that can be styled and repurposed for different looks. Today I will be showing you two ways to style the ever popular utility vest. One of the biggest trends since Spr ’12 is the utility vest, it’s versatile and can be used to pull a look together or give it some edge. Here are two ways that I styled mine:

In my first look I wore the vest in a feminine way, cinched in at the waist with a belt over a chambray shirt. I decided to wear a flowy printed maxi skirt with boots to finish off the look.

In my second look, I wore the same vest over a layered polka dot sweater and plaid button down with jeans. This is a cute every day look that can be given some edge and taken to the next level with a utility vest. 

Have fun styling those vests and thanks again for having me guest post today! 

Wear it Both Ways: Ladies in Navy

Hi friends!  Today, we have the lovely and stylish KW from the Ladies in Navy sharing how she styles this amazing black peplum top two different ways. Don't forget to check out KW's post on rocking a pleated skirt in several different ways on her blog, here.

A huge thanks to KW for sharing her amazing style on Jane Squared while Ailyn gets settled into her new KC digs. :D

--

I'm so thrilled to be guest posting here today! I love Aili and Ailyn's styles and adore that they feature a "wear it both ways" series on their blog. I'm definitely a frugal fashion blogger that often remixes items in my closet. I don't treat any clothes are wear-once items unless they're terrible impulse buys! My favorite remix-able new wardrobe item is a cap-sleeve peplum blouse from Express. Below I've styled it two ways: weekend and work.

I wore this peplum, jeans, boots, and motorcycle jacket last weekend to visit some local shops and restaurants. I thought it totally dressed up a casual pair of jeans and actually looked a little bit edgy with the motorcycle jacket. A peplum gives everyone an immediate waist and set of rocking hips, which can enhance a rather boring jeans and boots look. I also was comfy and stayed polished looking through a long day where I had a few glasses of wine, was caught in a rainstorm and ate a bunch of delicious froyo!

This is my peplum work look translation - basically subtract the jeans and add a black pencil skirt. This pencil skirt is super versatile and I got it for a steal at H&M (they have the most affordable work clothes). The look felt so basic to me, so I wanted to add some classy pearls (around the wrist and neck) and then add a pop of fun pattern in my tights. I think this translated into a perfect wearable work look and made my peplum available for the work wardrobe too!

Come visit the ladies at: http://www.ladiesinnavy.com to see more styles that can cross over from casual to work! A big thanks to Aili and Ailyn!

Classic Cool

Fashion Fundamental:   white collared shirt

I love using a white shirt as a canvas for really great jewelry. Jane2 got me this awesome necklace from Etsy so, I tried to the find a simple way to show off this blingy piece.

As for white button-downs, the Uniqlo oxford is one of my faves. It looks crisp, but has a relaxed fit so I can still move without worrying about it wrinkling. 

How have you been styling your classic white button downs?

Sunnies: Prada | shop

Necklace: Etsy | shop

Blazer:  Gap | similar

Top:  Uniqlo Oxford | shop

Denim: 1969 Always Skinny, Gap | shop

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs | shop

Boots: BP Runway | shop

Linked up at the Monday Mingle & DC in Style.

Snow White

Fashion Fundamental: Black Pumps (and nude pumps) are the perfect foil to just about every look--even when I'm rocking head-to-toe white.  I love wearing white year round, but especially in the winter time.  Different shades & textures of ivory and white make for a simple, yet visually interesting look.

Great news, friends - I'm moving for a new job in Kansas City!  I don't know many people in the area, so please let me know which places I should visit.  Any and all suggestions welcome--favorite restaurants, shops, activities, or even KC area bloggers. :)

I'm excited to explore what KC has to offer, so here's to another adventure!

Necklace: JCrewlet | similar
Top: JCrew | shop
Skirt: Jacob | similar
Tights: HUE | shop
Pumps: Ann Taylor | shop
Lips: Stila Convertible Color in Petunia | shop

Linked up to the Pleated Poppy and Two Thirty Five Designs.

M.I.A.

Hi friends!  I know I've been MIA during the month of February, but I'm back!