STRIPED SWEATER DRESS

Just a few short years ago, I avoided sweater dresses like the plague. I hated how tight they were and how they clung to every part of the body. And then there was always the question of how appropriate they would look with just tights. You know, the age old "does it cover your butt?" rule. 

Well, sweater dresses have come a long way since then. Case and point, this light and cozy shift dress from Catch Bliss. I knew I was in for a treat the second I pulled it out of the bag. See that shit grin on my face in the pic below? It's because I was so excited that I couldn't stop smiling about it all day. I had a super busy day and this dress let me move and be comfortable without getting overheated. It's warm, but not too warm-- and not one bit clingy. And I don't want to spoil the surprise for you, but I can't help myself. IT. HAS. POCKETS!! All my sweater dress fears have now been put to rest. Check out the dress for yourself here. I guarantee you'll love it just as much as I do!

{For reference, I'm wearing a small. But it comes is sizes S-XL.}

OUTFIT DETAILS below //

DRESS // c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (exact)
DENIM JACKET [Forever21] // Almost exact here / Cute one here / Budget-friendly here: dark denim & distressed denim / Cute Plus size here
BOOTIES [Clarks (exact)] // Love these Clarks here and this more affordable pair here
NECKLACE // Exact here
TIGHTS [Target (exact)] // Similar here & here 

MAKEOVER

Hey guys! Notice anything...different? Does the blog look fresh? A little more polished?

That's because after five years of blogging on the same site that I painstakingly cobbled together on my own, I finally had my blog professionally redesigned. Hallelujah!! I actually began looking into a redesign about this time last year. We slowly picked things back up a few months ago, and voila!
I also thought that it would be the perfect time to switch over the blog URL from the uber long www.hello-gorgeous-blog.blogspot.com to a much simpler hellogorgblog.com. Although the old blog address will always get you to this site, this one might be easier to remember. :)

I hope that you like the blog makeover as much as I do and that it makes viewing my site more enjoyable. And last, but not least, I have to send out a big shout out to Aubrey Kinch for being so patient with my ever-present Type A tendencies as I figured out exactly what I wanted the final product to look like. Thanks so much, Aubrey. You are amazing!

THE OUTFIT //

Many of you asked about the details of this outfit when I posted it to Instagram a few days ago and were bummed to find out that I got both the jacket and the scarf in Italy. But never fear! I found almost identical versions of them for you, linked below.

LEATHER JACKET [From Italy] // Similar here, here, & here / More affordable version here
SWEATER [Forever21] // Almost exact here / Similar: with buttons, edgy, relaxed fit
SCARF [From Italy] // Similar here (in lilac) / Cute ones here & here
JEANS [Express] // Very similar here / Budget-friendly version here
NECKLACE // Exact here
BOOTIES [Clarks (exact)] // Love these pairs here & here



ESSENTIAL STRIPED BLAZER

Confession: I've been living in sweats at home and easy-to-style dresses at work since we got back from our trip last week.  I'm sure it's just a mixture of exhaustion, weather change, and some viral bug that I picked up somewhere along the way. But I'm ready to feel better already.

Since my outfits lately haven't been too blog-worthy, I thought I would share one from last month. I absolutely love this striped blazer that I bought from H&M a couple of years ago. It's turned out to be a staple in my work wardrobe. I can throw it on over any solid top and it instantly jazzes up the outfit. So if you don't have a striped blazer already, I highly recommend adding one to your closet.

I've linked a few of my favorites below! :)

TOP - Forever21 // Almost exact here , Love these styles: peplum, bow neck, ruffled, cowl neck
BLAZER - H&M // Great versions here, here, & here, Love these in petites and plus 
SKIRT - Forever21 // Similar here, here, and here 
PUMPS - Target // Similar here, here, here, & here
PEARLS // c/o Blossom Jewelry Design

SHOP STRIPED BLAZERS //

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GINGHAM VEST

If you've noticed that I've been MIA the past few weeks it's because I WAS IN PARIS AND ITALY.

WHAT?! Long story short, my sister-in-law got married in Positano, Italy (so cool!). So John and I decided to visit a couple of other places along the way.  First, Paris, a total bucket list trip for me. Then, Florence, which we've been to before.

And it.was.AMAZING!! I really can't even begin to summarize how incredible the whole experience was. It really deserves its own series of posts. But, two things have to be said: 

1. For those who follow me on Instagram, I decided to wear the yellow fascinator to the wedding reception! I wore a big red hat to the actual wedding, but that's a whole another story.  
2.This was one of the first long trips that I was truly sad to come home from. The only thing I really couldn't wait to get back to were our dogs. :)

Other than getting to shower our pups with hugs and kisses, it's also awesome to come home to my favorite month-- October!  Bring on the fall weather, boots, and lots of vests! 

I've talked about my love for vests before and this one is no exception. I'm absolutely head over heels in love with this navy and white gingham vest from Catch Bliss. Why wear a plain vest when you can wear one with an chic pattern that will go with just about anything?! 

It's a great piece to throw on over a light sweater on chilly fall days, but it's also perfect for lots of layering in the winter.  This vest is so cute that I've already had a couple of friends threaten to borrow/steal it from me. ;) But since most of you don't live in "borrowing" distance from me, you can get your own here!

Gingham vest c/o Catch Bliss Boutique (Exact)
Striped sweater- TJMaxx | Similar here, here, and here
Chambray button-up | Similar here & here
Skinny jeans- Express | Similar here & here
Brown booties- Clarks (Exact) | Loves these others here, here, here & here
Necklace- Exact here