Walk a Mile in My (Geo-Print) Shoes

I've alluded to the fact that I do not wear heels frequently. It's not because I'm tall (fellas, if you can't handle a tall girl in heels then you gotta go). But mostly because they don't have a solid place in my lifestyle. As a teacher, wearing stilettos around all day is not really practical...I mean I run around all day...with little children...around paint and other supplies...and I have lunch duty. You get the point. 

But, as a true Polished lady at heart, I have a soft spot for heels. There is nothing that makes a women feel more sexy, beautiful, and confident than a great pair of heels! You get a few inches, stand more proudly, and let's face it, they do your back side and legs good! 

Because I don't wear heels a lot, I am hesitant to drop a lot of money on them. So I am always on the hunt for a unique, stylish, classic, or trendy pair of heels at a price I can live with. I recently found out about Express Last Hurrah. It is a true Express outlet, and one just opened down the street from my place...I'm in trouble. Anyhow if you have access to this store, check it out ASAP! I snagged these babies for $15!!!! Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Black and white, printed, pointed toe, pump, sign me up! These add an instant sense of trend to an outfit, yet because of the shape and color scheme, are still classic and can be worn for many years and with many passing trends. Right now, they are getting along very well with emerald jewelry and a pair of boyfriend jeans.

Outfit details: Shoes-Express (Similar in color, style, print), Necklace-Purple Peridot // Lip Color-Mac Pink Pearl Pop // Emerald earrings-Charming Charlie (Similar earrings) // Sunglasses-Ray Ban // Jeans-American Eagle

What is your favorite place to shop for shoes?

XOXO-Courtney

Check Polished out on Instagram at @Courtney_m_b & @KelseyMKipp

Neck Candy

Ultimate hair flip. 

Outfit details: Necklace-Kute N' Klever  c/o // Shoes-Target Clearance (Similar online...love these...I think I need them in black) // Bag-Coach (Love this with a red detail or this one)// Pants-H&M // Sunglasses-Ray Ban // Chambray-Target // Lip Color-Mac Rebel // Watch-Fossil

Something that Kelsey and I have truly built Polished around, is the idea that not every outfit has to be rich looking, or dressed up, or fancy, or expensive, or PERFECT. We choose things we love, and we Polish them with things we love even more. In reality, an outfit is an outward expression of a personality, of a mood, of a feeling. So if you want to pair a sparkling necklace with a chambray shirt and jeans, then you go girllll! What I really love about clothing and accessories is that there really are no rules. I love the part in Grease when they say "rules are, there ain't no rules."Clearly, the writers of Grease were also talking about style and fashion! :)

Anyhow (I couldn't resist the Grease tangent), the "not a rule" that I am loving breaking lately is mixing a casual outfit with total, in your face, blinged out, look at me, hi I'm here, statement jewelry. I wasn't going to get dressed up to visit the National Harbor with my sister, but in typical Courtney fashion (pun totally intended), I had to add a little somethin' somethin'. 

THIS NECKLACE. Talk about an in your face, blinged out, look at me, hi I'm here, piece of jewelry! Kute N' Klever has really outdone themselves here. This piece has so many positive qualities. It's large, great quality, multi-colored, sparkly, and can be worn so many different ways. In this case, my very casual outfit got the perfect finishing touch.

Or, as I put it, my outfit is wearing a tiara. 

Since moving to Maryland, the National Harbor waterfront has become my favorite place to be!

I was so thankful to share this day with my sister. So much love here.

XOXO-Courtney

For more style and trend posts, check us out on Instagram at @Courtney_m_b & @KelseyMKipp

<3

Like sister, like sister.

How about her studded sweater with a jean vest...so cute!

Love, Love, Love It.

 I find myself channeling my inner Teresa Guidice (circa early, no court appearance days, of course) every time I find a product or see something that I reallyyyyyyyy like. "I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!" Courtney, do you like that? "YES! Love, love, love it!" Courtney, have you seen those tan booties at Target? "YES! I love, love, love them!"

You get the point. When I love something, I love something, a lot, and I love sharing it with people even more! No shame in my game. I have found so many amazing new ideas and products on Pinterest and Instagram because people have shared the LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Now, it's my turn. :)

I need to start doing this more!

Found this tangle tamer at Marshalls and am now OBSESSED! This brush detangles my hair, fits in my bag, and has some secret magical powers to add serious volume to my curls! Order yours here!

See what I'm saying, hello voluminous curls!

This outfit. (Necklace-Purple Peridot // Jeans-American Eagle // Booties-Target // Shirt-Express)

Gold sparkle journal (JCrew, sold out, but I LOVE this one, too), gold pen, and new coffee table books, LOVE x 3.

This phone case (Forever 21 and OMG, look at this one!).

I mean, this necklace is seriously beautiful, I can't get enough (Kute N Klever, c/o).

This accessory combo (Ray Ban, Shamelessly Sparkly, c/o)

way·far·er

noun

1. A person who travels on foot.

(P.S...I didn't make this connection to the name of these sunglasses, shame on me.)

Have you read this book? Holy LOL. I mean an actual LOL, not like a quick giggle.  (Jen Lancaster)

Monogram everything. (Home Goods)

If you follow me on Instagram (Courtney_m_b) you know that I just scored tons of new books at a book sale (B.I.G. Book Sale). How could I not buy a book with this title? Plus, it goes with my shoe mug, given to me by an amazingggg co-worker, who knows me so well! 

These booties. So much love. (Target-clearance, heyyyy! Check in store for more sizes)

As always, I can't thank you enough for reading and supporting our blog. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you! 

XO-Courtney

Check us out on Instagram for more lovable posts...Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp

Neon With a Side of Mint Please

Let's just bask in the glory of this necklace for a second...

Did you take it all in?

I am completely in LOVE with it! First of all, I LOVE mint and what an amazing chance to wear mint all year round! Second of all, I LOVE the Aztec trend happening right now. Thirdly, it is just beautiful! 

Statement jewelry is all over the place right now! Sometimes I find myself having a difficult time finding the perfect piece because there are just so many options! Stumbling upon this piece by Shamelessly Sparkly solved all of my problems...jewelry wise, anyhow ;).

Let me just sing my praises for darks and neutrals for a second. I love them and 90% of the time I will gravitate to them first, especially in the winter. This piece, however, inspired me to brighten up my look. I mean, lighten up Courtney, it's only winter (see what I did there?). This neon sweater is sort of like a slap in the face of color. I mean, it is seriously bright...in a major way! I am so pleased how the necklace ground the look. A neon this bright with the wrong accessories can lean toward...overdoing it. But with the cool tones of the necklace, the neon look is instantly Polished.

Find this stunner at Shamelessly Sparkly! Check out the website for this beauty (under $20!!!) and so many more! 

Outfit Details: Necklace-Shamelessly Sparkly c/o // Sweater-Forever 21 (Sold out online...similar here) // Jeans-Express // Booties-Jessica Simpson // Sunglasses-Charming Charlie (similar here) // Clutch-Francesca's (similar here) // Spike Bracelet-Francesca's (similar here) // Ring-The Limited (Love this one)

What's your favorite way to wear neon? Comment below!

XO-Courtney

Instagram: Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp