Candy Crush

Okayyyyy...what is with me and pink lately? I swear to you I have NEVER been a pink girl. I did have a hot pink room once because it matched my dark denim bed set that I copied from some Disney Channel star (probably Lizzie McGuire). Anyway, for some reason I have been giving pink a chance lately. It started with lipstick (thank you, Pink Pearl Pop) and has been spreading into my wardrobe! I mean, why fight it?

I snagged this pink sweater from J Crew Factory for less than $20. The bubble gum pink color is seriously PINK, but for some reason I had to have it. Each time I have worn it, I have gotten so many compliments. Apparently, pink compliments my skin tone. Who would have thought?

Not to mention, hellooooo, how perfect does it look with the Candy Crush necklace from Kute N' Klever? I put this necklace on hold for spring/summer. But, you know what, this necklace is such a refreshing pop of color in this dreary winter we've been having (wah, wah, wahhhh). So, on the first 60 and sunny day we've had in 2847829085 weeks, I thought, what a perfect time to rock this necklace and enjoy the sunshine. (I wore this around Old Town, Alexandria and I was seriously the brightest thing around town...ha).

Outfit Details: Necklace-Kute N' Klever (c/o) // Sweater-J Crew Factory // Sunglasses - Charming Charlie (similar here) // Booties-Target (Love these)

So, the motto of my story is....give PINK a chance (or whatever trend you thought you didn't like)!

XOXO-Courtney

Instagram: @Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp

A trip to Old Town just wouldn't be complete without some s-h-o-p-p-i-n-g (outside shopping=windblown hair, okay).

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!

Sports Style With a CAPITAL S!

I, like many of you, I'm sure, am a HUGE sports fan. I enjoy attending sporting events just as much as the next person. Football (NY Football Giants alllll the way), baseball (Proud to be a YANKEE fan), and college basketball (CUSE) are my favorite. However, I will pretty much attend any sporting event and will 100% have a fabulous time (which usually always includes me cheering louder than everyone else, even if I am not a die hard fan...good times). Not to mention, I seriously enjoy putting a game day outfit together (come on, you knew I had to bring it back to fashion somehow). I have said it before, and I will always live by this mantra, everything is a fashion event, including sporting events!

I know that people think it is...well...prissy...to care so much about what to wear to a sporting event. But, you all know, I don't really pay mind to people like that. I wear what I want, and I love every second of putting an outfit together. I mean, clothes, accessories, and SPORTS? Sign me up! Not to mention...what is so wrong about wanting to look Polished (and cute) in the presence of so many sport-loving men? I say, nothing.

My sister visited me last weekend and we caught the Washington Capitals game (helloooo sudden death overtime win...GO CAPS GO!). This was the perfect opportunity for me to share my tips and tricks for a Polished game day outfit!

1.) Colors-Even if you don't have a team shirt/jersey, go for the colors. It is really easy to pair team colors together, and 9/10 you have these pieces in your closet already!

2.) Fit-Just because you love a certain athlete, doesn't mean you have to wear a jersey their size to the game! Don't hide what you've got, ladies!

3.) Function-Don't forget to check the weather! There is nothing worse than being at a tailgate and having to stay by the grill because you forgot gloves in the midst of putting together a cute outfit. 

4.) Accessories-Use this opportunity to wear your favorite accessories to Polish the look! 

5.) Smile. Sports are meant for entertainment, so, JUST HAVE FUN!

Purse-The Limited (Similar at Target) // Watch-Charming Charlie (Love this one!) // Bracelet-Charming Charlie (Love these from Brina Box!)  // Sweater-J Crew // Monogram Necklace-Etsy // Boots-Guess // Sunglasses-Ray Ban

Say hi to my gorgeous baby sister, Alexis!

The weather was so beautiful! Perfect cardigan weather!

I LOVE having my beautiful sister around!

Thank you for stopping by! You all are the best! 

XOXO-Courtney

For more tips and tricks check us out on Instagram at @Courtney_m_b & @KelseyMKipp

 

Radiant Orchid

On Wednesdays, we wear pink Radiant Orchid! This year we are wearing orchid-Pantone's color choice of the year. A what a great choice this is! Orchid is a youthful and bright fuchsia, with a bit of pink and purple. It's easy to see how eye catching this color is. Best part? It looks great on everyone and through each season! 

Top Old Navy // Skirt Express // Tights H&M $5 // Booties Target  for $15// Clutch here (different color) // Necklace (loving) Kute N' Klever c/o // Lips MAC Snob //

Spoiler Alert: I am not a millionaire {shocker} or even close! I cannot afford to recreate my wardrobe when a trend blows through. Instead, I like to stay trendy through my accessories. It's simple and affordable to pick up an orchid belt, bag, or even statement necklace. Once I saw this necklace from Kute N' Klever, I knew it was the perfect fit. Um, hello!? Radiant orchid. Check. But, it has so much more--crystal jewelry, rather than beads, (another trendy idea) and it's multicolored (staying trendy for longer). 

When I invest in a trend, it has to be one I like.  Seems simple, right!? By definition, trends are constantly developing and changing. So, if I am going to ride the trend wave it must be fitting-right color, fits my style, looks great on me, and can be easily incorporated into my wardrobe {unless it's worth recreating my entire identity, which could happen!}. 

Thanks for checking out my newest loved trend!

--Kelsey

Follow on Instagram @KelseyMKipp and @Courtney_m_B

Holy Chic

Find these AMAZING earrings at Shamelessly Sparkly

Outfit Details: Sweater-Forever 21 (sold out online, check in store...similar here) // Pants-H&M (similar here  in corduroy and here) // Shoes-Target // Sunglasses-Ray Ban // Earrings-Shamelessly Sparkly c/o

HOLY CHIC! 

I just love some fashion humor. I could not resist! 

But let's talk about the earrings. These earrings are bad a** for real. They speak to me, I swear. Crystal, red, green, gold, and spikes...I mean...hello! I love the way statement earrings make me feel. Earrings frame your face, so how they look is actually important when Polishing an outfit.  Not to mention, wearing spikes makes me feel confident and tough...but in a feminine way. I suggest you all check these beauties out ASAP!

XO-Courtney

Instagram: Courtney_m_b & KelseyMKipp

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