How to Wear Joggers in Public

I'm not going to lie, the original title of this post was "How to Wear Joggers and not Look like an Idiot." While I happen to think that title still works pretty well, I want to keep things positive and uplifting on PPD. The result was something a little more helpful. 

I've always steered clear of the jogger trend. For one, I am short, so finding a pair the appropriate length was challenging. For another, they can look rather slouchy rather quickly if you're not careful. How do you combat that? Add something that gives a bit of definition. You could wear a tailored top or a blazer if you're really kicking it up a notch, or you could add a casual jacket with a defined waist, like I did here. The result made these comfy pants look a lot more pulled together, don't you think? Plus, snazzy gold sneakers, rather than running shoes, kept things casual but fun. 

jacket // joggers (c/o) // t-shirt (c/o) // bag // water bottle // shoes 

While I spent this particular day posing throughout the Beltline with my friend (and super talented photographer) Amber, I could definitely see myself wearing joggers and a t-shirt to actually walk the trails. Then to hit up brunch easily after, all I would have to do is add my go-to jacket. 

The joggers and t-shirt seen here are from Atlanta's own Alternative Apparel, a company dedicated to comfort, simplicity, and sustainability. They recently opened a store at Ponce City Market which is full of all kinds of comfy but chic goodness, and I know it will become a staple for me as I explore this side of my style more. 

Photos by Amber Corbi. 

Thanks to Alternative Apparel & Domino Media for gifting me the joggers and t-shirt seen here. All opinions are my own. 

Modern Day Inspiration: Gracewear Collection

One of my favorite pieces of jewelry that's in heavy rotation these days is my Linked Medallion bangle by Gracewear Collection. It's seriously been my go-to right wrist bangle for the past few weeks. I love its simple design and gold detailing, but it's the story behind the brand that really makes me smile. 

Gracewear Collection is modern day inspirational jewelry and accessories line that focuses on being both purposeful and powerful. Their signature shield of faith can be found across their designs and is based on two real-life sisters sharing their spirituality through their brand. 

If I'm being honest, I have never been a wear my faith on my sleeve kind of person. I grew up Catholic and even went to a Catholic college, but I've always been a little more guarded sharing my faith with others. However, my spirituality and faith is very much a part of me, no matter how little I share about it beyond my own mind and heart. 

I love that Gracewear allows me to wear and share a little bit of my faith without being overt about it.  I've been wearing my bracelet in all walks of life (as indicated by today's collection of Instagram photos). It's a small step and a beautiful reminder of grace and mercy. 

Take a peek at the entire Gracewear Collection here. I'm completely smitten with the story, designs, and quality of this brand. A few of my favorite pieces are this ring, these earrings, and this stunning pearl necklace. Don't forget Mother's Day is right around the corner because mom would love a piece from the collection. And anything from the line would make a lovely First Communion or Confirmation gift, too! 

Thanks so much to Gracewear for gifting me this beautiful bangle to add to my collection. I adore it.

Spring Chambray

One of my favorite things about spring and summer is the ease of tossing on a dress. In the winter, it's such a process. You usually need tights, something with sleeves, a scarf, and a coat...it's exhausting! But in the spring and summer, you can toss a dress on and GO. 

Last week, I shared my amazing thredUP haul with you, and this week, I'm bringing you the completed outfit. Each of the main pieces seen here is from thredUP with the exception of my tote bag. However, it wasn't just a coincidence that I chose to feature my C.Wonder tote here. Even though C.Wonder went out of business a few years ago, you can still purchase tons of C.Wonder items at thredUP! It's one of those brands that I had almost forgotten about, but it's been given new life with thredUP. 

Chambray is one of my go-to fabrics, especially in the summer, and this chambray linen shirt makes the perfect summer get-up, don't you think? I'm especially smitten by pairing it with the gold espadrilles and scarf tied to my bag. Love. It. 

I did end up pinning the bottom of the dress shirt just to make it a little less open. I can see myself wearing this outfit to run to the farmer's market, and I was too excited when I realized the oversized shirt would make a fantastic beach cover-up! Can't wait to take this with me to Sea Island next month!

Even though you can't find these exact items at thredUP, you can definitely use them as inspiration. Just search "chambray shirt dress," "silk scarf," and "espadrilles," and let me know what you find. Don't forget to shop here and use the code CAL21 for 21% off of your order for a limited time only. I can't wait to see the deals you score! 

P.S. Shout-out to my awesome neighbors for having the best house ever to take photos at and for letting me take them there! 

Spring Style with thredUP

Refreshing your closet for spring can be a bit...daunting. There are tons of trends floating around out there that you feel you absolutely must be a part of. And then there are the clothes already smashed into your closet. If you're anything like me, you end up buying all the things and go through this cycle again next season. This spring, I'm looking to embrace a few trends while filling my closet with timeless pieces, and all with the help of thredUP.

Have you heard about thredUP? It's THE place to shop to score great spring deals on designer brands for a fraction of the usual cost. ThredUp is like a consignment store but the convenience factor alone makes it 10 times better. You can add a few spring staples to your closet without ever leaving your house or breaking the bank. I made it my mission to find a few trends on thredUP to refresh my closet for spring. 

One of the trends that is here to stay is chambray. I have a few chambray pieces in my closet already, but the thing I was missing was an easy chambray shirt dress. When I saw this men's Lilly Pulitzer chambray dress shirt, I scooped it right up. I love the subtle pattern under the collar and the like-new condition description had me sold (check out the video below for more on my unboxing!):

I also keep seeing silk scarves all over the place! ThredUP has a great collection of accessories, and this Liberty of London scarf had me at hello. I love the pattern and that it plays so nicely with the Lilly Pulitzer colors, too. 

Finally no outfit, or spring wardrobe for that matter, is complete without espadrilles. These gold BP espadrilles had me at hello, and the $21 price tag couldn't be beat! 

What makes thredUP so great? Beyond the incredible selection, it's really the prices. Here's how my order breaks down: 

So, had I purchased these items at full price, I would have paid $297! Instead, I paid $82.38. And actually, if I'm being completely honest, I got 20% off of THAT, so what I actually paid was $65.90. WHAT?! 

If you want to give thredUP a try for yourself, you can start shopping now here. Oh, and as a special deal for Probably Polka Dots readers, you can get 21% off with the code CAL21. ThredUP has tons of clothing for women (including maternity!), but don't forget to check out their children sections too. So many deals, so little time. 

Let me know if you make any thredUP purchases because I'd love to see what you get, and don't forget to use that code for even more savings! Stay tuned for an outfit post coming soon, and in the meantime, get your shop on here.

Cheeky Spring Espadrilles

Spring is DEFINITELY in the air in Atlanta, and I am jumping for joy! Even though it's a tad too early to put away all of the winter clothes, I am already dreaming of building up a versatile spring wardrobe that matches my new schedule. This time last year I was worried about adding work tops and shoes...and now it's all about those casual-chic staples that will take me right from the cool mornings of March to the hot nights of May. 

Tops on my list is a pair of cheeky spring espadrilles. I have been smitten with Soludos for a while, and I am planning to bite the bullet this season. Nothing says warm weather like espadrilles, and these will be too cute this season. I love that each one is slightly punny, full of character, and comfy to boot. 

Which pair is your favorite?

Outfit: Love & Literature

Summer usually means a complete two months of having the pleasure to read anything I want. Unfortunately, this summer I was finishing up my Ed.S., so I spent most of my time reading textbooks. Now that I'm all done (yay!), I am looking forward to revisiting a few novels I've been meaning to read for a while. Tops on my list is The Great Gatsby. 

The Love Letters dress from The Sweet Tea Boutique so perfectly captures Daisy Buchanan and the days of flappers, pearls and coupes of champagne. Pairing it with a long strand of stacked pearls & a pair of glittery heels only further channels the character. I love the modern neckline and hem; it definitely makes the look. 

 Love this dress? Visit my friends at The Sweet Tea Boutique! It's a steal at only $37! 

Today is the LAST day to sign-up for the Monogram Swap. Join the fun! 

I also have a $120 paypal cash giveaway going on! Enter here. :)

Linking up today with Random Wednesdays,  Style Sessions, & Three-Fer Thursday.

Outfit: Perfect in Poppy

I've been looking for an excuse to wear this J.Crew poppy skirt and when The Sweet Tea Boutique sent me this green braided top, I knew together they would make the perfect pair. This top is soft, sheer, and flowy, and it can easily shift from a casual summer day to the office. I'm looking forward to wearing it to school with a pair of skinny white jeans!

A stack of punchy bangles and a statement Lilly Pulitzer ring pulls everything together and adds just a little more color. Sweet, summery, and perfect in poppy!

 THE SWEET TEA BOUTIQUE top (c/o) / J.CREW FACTORY skirt / YELLOW bangle (similar) / MICHAEL KORS link bracelet / LILLY PULITZER ring (option / option) / JACK ROGERS navajo sandals

Linking-up today with Style Sessions & Random Wednesdays!

York Design Company & Summertime Stripes

Navy & pink stripes? My heart be still! This summer staple from J.Crew has quickly risen to my top 5 favorite summer looks. I can toss it on for date night with a pair of wedges, or wear it to a Braves game with some sandals. I love how it pairs perfectly with my YDC cuff. 

J.CREW FACTORY striped dress (similar) / FRANCESCAS COLLECTION fedora (similar) / J.CREW FACTORY wedges / YORK DESIGN COMPANY monogrammed cuff (c/o)

Speaking of: Have you entered to win a cuff of your own? Laura is graciously giving away one of her stylish cuffs. Go here to enter!

Random Wednesdays & Style Sessions: Engagement Jewelry!

A week ago today we had our engagement pictures. We got them back on Monday, and they are incredible. As one of my friends said, we look like celebs! One of the things I wanted to share with you were a few amazing jewelry stores where I got some of my baubles for our shoot. Ready?

For our "first outfit" I wore this blue J.Crew dress and my amazing gold glitter heels from Ann Taylor. I wanted simple jewelry that wouldn't compete with the bright blue dress, but would instead complement it. I chose a pair of earrings from Jeweliq. Do you know about Jeweliq? Everything is under $25 and FREE shipping! Amazing deal, right?!

I also wore the sweetheart necklace from Bip & Bop on Etsy. I love this little gem of a store and had to share it with you! You can get tons of dainty designs that are easy on the purse strings.

For outfit two, I wore this peach beauty (similar) from Brighthouse Baubles. You may remember BB from this post, and Amy was kind enough to send me the necklace I wore as a product review. It looks fantastic on camera.

Photos by Happy Everything Co.

Linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesdays &
Lauren for Style Sessions.

Don't forget to start getting your Cocktail Week posts ready, and feel free to participate in one day or all of them! I'll be giving you some insight on some fun new companies and brands, as well as a few recipes, too. Feel free to link-up your beverage of choice, a cocktail-inspired outfit, or the bareware you're currently crushing. Anything cocktail inspired goes!

<center> <br><a href="http://www.probablypolkadots.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Probably Polka Dots Cocktail Week" src="http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag28/nicolemelv/CocktailWeek_zps991d2c0f.png" /></a></center> <br>

Style Sessions & Random Wednesdays: Bold Mint

It's no secret that I am seriously crushing on mint this season. When J.Crew Factory ran a sale last week for 40% off of their new arrivals, I decided to snag a few pieces. One of the things I grabbed was a new pair of mint jeans. I love these because they have the perfect amount of stretch in them - not too loose, not too tight. And, they are a perfect length for my short self. I like them as they are here just straight at the ankle, but I will say that I later cuffed them and loved 'em that much more!

Oh, and can we talk about my new amazing Target bag?! I love it. I splashed it all over instagram this weekend. There are tons of pockets, and it's super versatile. I can take off the cross-body strap for a more pulled together look for a date night. Obsessed. 

Are you guys crushing on mint as hard as I am? How are you wearing it this season?

You know the drill: I'm linking up with Shanna from Because Shanna Said So today for Random Wednesdays. Please take a minute to peek at a few friends over there. You won't regret it!

I am also linking up with Lauren from Stylelixir for Style Sessions. Go get inspired by style!

Random Wednesdays & Style Sessions

If you've been following me on Instagram, you've been seeing some of my GORGEOUS new accessories courtesy of Brighthouse Baubles. I love the two bright statement necklaces that Amy sent me, and I've had so much fun using them to make my outfits even more colorful. For full outfits, be sure to follow me on Vine. I've been showing off some of my color play there a lot!

Don't forget you can enter to win a statement necklace of your own from Brighthouse Baubles. It's mint, with a bow, and perfect in every way.

Head to the Brighthouse Baubles giveaway here!

There's also a FANTASTIC giveaway going on over at Because Shanna Said So. Lots of great prizes up for grabs and some great blogs to get to know, too! 

Check-out her giveaway here!

You know the drill: I'm linking up with Shanna from Because Shanna Said So today for Random Wednesdays. Please take a minute to peek at a few friends over there. You won't regret it!

I am also linking up with Lauren from Stylelixir for Style Sessions. Go get inspired by style!

Style Sessions & Random Wednesdays III

On Monday, I told you about eShakti, a fantastic online boutique in which you can choose a product and completely customize it to you (even the neckline & sleeve-length!). Here is how I styled my polka dot sequined top. I added some gold jewelry and a leopard belt to pull it all together. What do you think?

ESHAKTI top (c/o) / GAP pants (old) / NINE WEST pumps (old) / TARGET watch / MICHAEL KORS link bracelet (similar) / SWELL CAROLINE bamboo bracelet / VINTAGE clutch

Don't forget you can win an item of your choice from eShakti (up to $75 in value) by entering the giveaway below.  Free clothes?! Do it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm linking up with Shanna from Because Shanna Said So today for Random Wednesdays. Go over there and get some new reads!

I am also linking up with Lauren from Stylelixir for Style Sessions. Be sure to take a peek at this blog for some extra style advice from some very stylish ladies!

P.S. A very happy birthday to my FIANCE today :)

Style Sessions & Random Wednesdays II

Ladies, I am having a mint moment. I just can't get enough of it. From pillows and throws, to bags and shoes, it's everywhere...and I love it. This weekend I wore this outfit out to dinner. It was a subtle nod to spring that didn't look out of place in February. 

OLD NAVY polka dot top / ANN TAYLOR LOFT pants (similar) / TARGET mint belt / TARGET wedges (old) / CAMILLE'S CLOSET clutch (option) / TARGET gold watch / MINT BRACELET (gifted - similar) / GOLD BRACELET diy

I'm linking up with Shanna from Because Shanna Said So today for Random Wednesdays. Go over there and get some new reads!

I am also linking up with Lauren from Stylelixir for Style Sessions. Be sure to take a peek at this blog (which I'm sponsoring!) for some extra style advice from some very stylish ladies! And, don't forget to enter her awesome giveaway!