1997

No, 1997 probably wasn't the first time I rocked a pair of overalls, and clearly wasn't the last. However, it was the year that came to mind when I really stopped to think about when my all out love affair with overalls started. The halls of my junior high were packed with them. What's not to love? I have to admit I have been trying to make overalls work for a while now, especially after seeing them make a more tailored and almost cropped comeback. After a few unfortunate attempts (and subsequent returns) I have finally found the pair that landed back in rotation on a pretty regular basis. Speaking of 1997, I also just spotted those stretchy jewelry tattoo necklaces at Nordstrom in the junior department. One step at a time Traci, one step at a time... 

*H&M overalls: similar here | Turtleneck | Forever21 heels: old, similar here | Sunglasses 

(*Note: these overalls are new and still in store, just not online. So frustrating. The similar option I listed looks really close, but I'd head to a store if you are really interested in purchasing them. It's hard to tell from the photo, but these have a zipper up the front and some distressed areas on the legs too. Look for those details if you are trying to match this style.) 

Xo,

T.

I'm Sprung

 Living within walking distance to Target is both a dream and a disaster. When you are this close you have no real excuse not to go. Out of milk? No problem. "Yes, I've already been once today...but I forgot the milk because I got sidetracked by concealer and new floor poufs." This is a typical conversation in my house on the daily. What does this have to do with Valentines day you ask. Let me explain...

As I was running back to Target for the second time that day (just milk, in and out I told myself) I somehow managed to end up in the V-day section. As I was looking at all the new holiday swag I came across these three dollar bags of heart shaped springs. I knew right away they would make a super cute, non-candy, boy/girl friendly valentine for Savvy to pass out at school. The hard part was finding a pre-made printable that said something along the lines of "I'm sprung on you" or "you put the spring in my step Valentine." Pinterest, bust. Google, double bust. 

Thankfully Heather of River & Bridge came up with the perfect design to match the concept I had in mind. She really saved this whole project for me, not to mention make the most adorable printable there is. Luckily for me, her bomb work doesn't stop there. She also offers stationary, invitations, and birth announcements to name a few. I already scooped up this chic print for the coffee nook in my kitchen!

You can find Heather's shop here: www.riverandbridge.com

or check out her Instagram, here: @riverandbridge

What are your little loves passing out this year? I'd love to hear from you!

Xo,

T.

Reader Request | Semi-Formal Wedding Wear

Find the items above, here:

Every so often I get a reader request (which I seriously adore) asking for a little help in styling a look for family photos, a room, or in this case...a semi-formal wedding in the middle of winter. I am not only flattered that you would ask, I love a good challenge. So I've put together three looks that I feel would be appropriate for a rustic style semi-formal wedding. 

Xo,

T.

Mixed Moto

It was a Chick-fil-A in the park kind of night. It was also a wear my new moto jacket kind of night. Coincidence? I think not.

Mixed motto jacket (sold out) similar here | Sunglasses (sold out) similar here 

 Top: old, similar print here

Xo,
T.

Switch It Up

How many pictures do you take a day on your phone? How many on your fancy cam? I'm not even going to answer that because we all know it's way too many. Having said that, take a few minutes every six months or so and print your favorites. Switch things up and you'll be surprised how much of a difference it makes in your home. This is also why I am all about ready to go frames on a gallery wall. We can talk about my deep need for constant change later...

Find the frames I use here

Big

Big sweater (I'm all about sizing up for that oversized/boyfriend look lately), even bigger news. As I was working on tomorrow's blog post, I was notified that one of my posts was repined! This is seriously big news. For those of you unfamiliar with Pinterest, that means a complete stranger liked my blog content enough to virtually pin one of my photo's to her board. Crazy, right?

"Go shorty, it's your birthday. We gonna party like it's your birthday!"

 (Apparently that's the song that pops into my head when I'm excited. Old school? Just keepin' it 100.)

Sweater: similar here (size up for boyfriend fit) | Denim | Sam Edelman heels: similar here + a crazy expensive option here  | Clutch: practically identical here | Sunglasses | Catbird threadbare rings | Catbird tiny chain ring

Savvy's Dress | Glass slippers

Xo,

T.

C'est La Vie

I not only love, love, love this casual look but I adore the sentiment too. C'est la vie roughly translates to that's life. I don't know about you, but I could use that reminder today. Actually 24/7, you feel me?

Sweater | JCrew tee: old, similar here | Skirt: similar here | Leopard kicks | Sunglasses: old, similar color here. Similar style here | Watch 

Xo,
T.

Feeling Foxy

Welcome back! How did your Wednesday, better know as the best day ever, turn out? 

Positive mind, positive vibes, positive life. (Insert hand making peace sign emoji here)

If you still feel like your Wednesday was more hump than happy, take a minute and check out these adorable fox tights on Savvy. If that's not an instant mood booster, I don't know what is.

Old Navy dress, unavailable. Love this denim style | Gap jacket, unavailable. Similar color HERE, similar style HERE | Old Navy fox tights, unavailable. Same fox print socks HERE, patterned tights HERE | Old Navy boots

Xo,
T.

The NEW Wednesday

Sorry I went M.I.A for the last two regularly scheduled posts. I do my best to make Hip Hop Hooray a priority as it means so much to me, but life with the three and under crew can be hectic. Having said that, I try and keep things in perspective when it comes to finding a good balance between the blog and keeping it real as a wife and baby mama. Thank you for understanding (the struggle is real people!) and for sticking with me...even when it's radio silence around here for a couple days. 

Speaking of perspective, I had a little epiphany during my two unplanned days off. As I was sitting down to create the content for this post, I started feeling a little bummed that tomorrow was Wednesday. I want to tread lightly since I have been guilty of this in the past, but I feel like my Insty feed puts such a damper on what Wednesday could be. I know most of it is in good fun, and just a general excitement for the weekend, but I wonder if we are doing ourselves a major disservice by discounting a perfectly good weekday? Starting today I want to look at Wednesday with a glass half full mentality. Even as I sit here typing this, I can feel a shift in my attitude towards what tomorrow may bring. 

So instead of Wednesday being doomed as nothing more than a hump day, I am going to try and look at tomorrow as the best day ever and see where it takes me. Who's with me? 

Xo,

T.

Collarless Coat

I'd love to chat, but we finally got the movie Gone Girl, and I'm nervous excited to sit down (for what feels like the first time today) and see what all the hype is about. 

I wanted to quickly mention how much I love this coat. I mean, borderline crazy over it. If you share my outerwear obsession but feel like a coat is too dressy for your day to day life, consider giving the collarless style a shot. And don't even get me started on this dusty pink color...

Keep scrolling to find the new location of my outfit details...

Collarless boucle coat | Top (under coat, black tee c/o SUO Boutique) | TJMaxx leggings (I always get my leggings here, check your local store) | Converse | Large Rayban sunglasses | Watch | Nordstrom/Brass Plum 360 stud earrings, not available online, similar HERE 

Xo,
T.

Organize It | Shopping Your Closet

 Welome back. Was Wednesday as brutal on you as it was on me? I woke up to a little boy who decided it would be fun to take off his dirty diaper and throw it! Good times. On the bright side, I am finally feeling like my storage (or lack there of) drama has come to an end. As most of you know, we live in a little love shack...emphasis on little. We have done a ton of work to bring this place "up to code" as I like to call it, but you just can't wish a walk in closet into existence. I've tried. So instead we have learned to maximize what storage we do have, purchase furniture that does double duty, and pare down. 

After reading THIS POST by the talented girls at A Beautiful Mess, I was really inspired to evaluate how I shop, what I have, and what I don't need anymore. I've also begun to think about how I organize and store my things. As I get older I see the value in investing in things you absolutely love, and then taking really good care of them so they last a long time. (Don't panic, I will NEVER break up with F21. This is just about pieces you want to invest a little more in) Having said that, it's important to have the right items to help you achieve just that. After a few trips to Ikea, The Container Store, and Target I've completely redesigned a blank wall in our master bedroom. This wall, with it's new Ikea shelves, now acts as decorative storage. Which simply means it looks nice but also serves a purpose. Which for me, need to go hand in hand. 

Now I can easily see my sunglasses and accessories, so getting dressed feels way more practical and appealing. It's like shopping your own closet, which in the end saves you time and money. It gives you the chance to really appreciate what you have too, and that can often result in a more grateful attitude.

How do you store your stuff? Do you display it or stash it? I'd love to hear your tips in the comments below. Or Tweet me @Traci_Taylor

I also have a pretty little gold dish out to corral my perfumes and ring box. I find myself remembering to spray more often when it's in our room where I get dressed, as opposed to the bathroom. 

Xo,

T.