clothes

Eeeek spring is so close! For spring I am really loving subtle prints, bright shoes, big earrings, white T-shirt’s (of course, do know me?) and bright bags. Per the usual, accessories are my way to really get into the season and use color without going too far out of my comfort zone. And luckily for me, these are things I really already have.

I thought it would be fun to compile some of my recent favorite things that I am definitely bringing into this season. Shopping your own closet is so important, and this is my way to do just that and remind myself of the awesome things I have– and to share them with y’all! Everything is linked if you see something you have to have!


This Brahmin bag was my lifesaver last summer, and I am breaking it out the second the sun starts shining again. I’m not waiting until summer! This bag is 100% worth the money- it’s amazing quality and it’s so darn cute! It comes in several bright colors, along with black, and has a functional card holder on the lining. I adore this bag and have definitely already looked at buying the white one.

Brahmin EVIE MELBOURNE purse

Madewell whisper tees and tanks. Need I say more? These are a staple in my closet and I think everyone should own at least one. I have the tank, the v neck, and the crew neck versions. These go perfectly with denim shorts and big earrings, and it’s the easiest outfit ever!

Madewell whisper tee via ShopBop

Walmart leopard shoes. YALL these shoes!! They’re so comfy and definitely look much more expensive than they are… because they’re $5. FIVE. I know! You need these immediately… walk, don’t run to Walmart. They will look so cute with a white tee and denim cutoffs, but also with dresses. I already have gotten my monies worth of these shoes and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I also wore them all over Miami and to the SuperBowl, and didn’t have blisters whatsoever.

Walmart tennis shoes via Walmart

A cropped pink utility jacket I got a few months back has been a life saver this season. It is light enough to be easy to throw on, but also warm on spring days or in chilly restaurants. Mine was the brand Splendid and I purchased from TJ Maxx, but this one is similar and under $20!

Thick gold hoops are a staple year-round for me, but especially in the warmer months with a white tank or with a strapless dress.

White booties are so much more wearable than you think. They go with blue and black jeans, basically any color top, shorts, dresses, you name it. Just make sure you Scotchgard them before you leave the house so you don’t have to worry about stains!!

Sam Edelman white boots via ShopBop

Christmas shopping outfit

What are you bringing out of your closet this season?

This post was not sponsored; all opinions are my own.

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ASOS Spring and Summer Haul

Okay ya’ll, I know it’s January but I already have spring fever. It’s probably a combination of two things- one, me fighting off the flu for the last week and two, me getting excited for several fun trips I have coming up this spring and summer.

Because I’ve been spending a lot of time on my couch with a box of tissues, I’ve been doing a LOT of online browsing…. which naturally turned into online shopping. I placed a big order from ASOS the other day and it definitely gave me all the spring feels!

Here’s what I ordered from ASOS. I got free two-day shipping (obviously reminding me I spent too much $$$) so I am hoping to get these in soon and I can share what I loved and what I didn’t like as much. Keep in mind almost everything here is on sale! So if you love something, go go go before it’s gone!

1. Striped bathing suit– When I saw this super cute suit I knew I had to have it. I love the high-waisted trend (who doesn’t?) but I love how this one hits just bellow the belly button. I love the cute little ruffle on the straps, too! I think this is the one I’m really crossing my fingers fits well!

2. Floral mini sundress– This little dress would be so cute for a lunch outing on one of my upcoming trips, or even a casual dinner. I love pieces like this because they’re so easy to pack, too!

3. White flouncy top– This is just a spring staple in my opinion. It can be worn with jeans while it’s still a little chilly, or even shorts and a cardigan. And then in the summer, just drop the cardigan! It would also be cute over a bikini if you’re doing a beach-to-lunch kind of day.

4. Black high-neck maxi dress– To be honest, I wanted this in red but they didn’t have my size. But, I think the black will be more versatile! I am hoping to wear this on some upcoming Bachelorette parties and then again for date nights this summer! With some white statement earrings, I think this will be the cutest outfit.

5. Coral one-piece bathing suit– This bathing suit called my name, from the cut to the color. I loveeeee coral, and I think the cut of this suit looks super flattering. I hope this one fits, because I love a good one piece!

6. Orange crop top and pants beach set– Swoon! This set will be SO cute on the beach or for a water-front dinner. Orange is one of my favorite colors to wear, and this material looks so light and breathable. That’s huge for me in this Alabama weather!

7. Bright pink bikini top– I didn’t get the matching bottoms to this because 1- I have more bottoms I like than tops already and 2- I could wear this as a bralette under flowy and open summer tops! Wearing bikini tops as bralettes is one of my favorite hacks, because they are made to stay in place and they normally have padding. I also love the neon color!

This post was not sponsored; all opinions are my own.

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Happy 2020 ya’ll! I took a nice long break for the month of December from work, blogging, and pretty much everything. And it was so nice. I definitely needed it, and I feel so recharged! I’ll be back to posting weekly content here on the Southern Style Diaries and I have some really cool things planned for this year.

But let’s talk fashion, shall we. January is a weird time— its winter, so it’s cold and you want to be comfy… but you also want to look like you tried at least a little for dates or brunch with the girls. Something that solve the cute/comfy dilemma for me? Midi skirts and sweaters. It looks like you pulled yourself together but also you are cozy enough to go lay on the couch at any moment.

Here’s one of my fave examples of this look— and the best part is it’s all from Walmart! The skirt is $5.99 and the sweater is $9.99.

Midi skirt and sweater outfit

I also can’t take credit for this look totally, I definitely got inspiration from one of my favorite bloggers Glitter & Gingham. I used this shoot as a great excuse to shoot Christmas card photos with my husband!

Midi skirt and sweater outfit
Skirt | Sweater| Boots (similar) | Hoops (similar)
Midi skirt and sweater outfit

This sweater is definitely roomy (which is how I like it) so with a fitted skirt like this, I tuck the hem of my sweater into the bottom of my bra. It gives the cutest flouncy-look but also doesn’t cover up your waist. You can also use a skinny belt and pull the fabric out of the belt, too. 

This skirt is a medium and the sweater is a large, btw! 

Midi skirt and sweater outfit
Midi skirt and sweater outfit

Photos by Sam Shatara and Mitri Shatara. This post is not sponsored; all opinions are my own.

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I have an online shopping problem, but I also have a returning problem. I am so picky about my clothes and how they fit me, and one of my favorite things about online shopping is that I can try everything on at home and take time to decide what I truly love and will be able to work with other items in my closet.

I’ve gotten very particular about only buying clothes I know I will wear and get a lot of use out of. My typical week consists of work, the gym, time at home and a date night or girls dinner… so, I buy clothes that work for that. There’s no use in me buying pants suits or ball gowns, because that’s just not the life I live (right now!)

I thought it would be fun to show y’all what I recently purchased from Forever 21 and what I kept— and why I sent back what I did.

Here we go!

Keep in mind some things that I sent back were solely because they didn’t look like I wanted them to on my body. I’m sure they would work for hundreds of people, so don’t totally rule something out because it didn’t work for me!

For reference, I am 5’7″ and a 4-6 in pants, and I prefer an oversize fit with tops and sweaters.

Here’s a screenshot of what was in my order. I will link each item below!

forever 21 sweater, earrings
This is the poncho I ordered, paired with Spanx leather leggings & black booties. I’m also wearing my new hoops, but they’re a little hidden!

Earrings: Kept. If you know me, you know hoop earrings are basically my lifeline, and these are perfect to add into my rotation. They’re super lightweight, even though they’re huge! I love the colors for spring and summer, but I have also been loving the pop it’s been giving my neutral sweater looks for the winter.

Cowl Twist Front Sweater: Kept. This sweater is a dupe for so many expensive Nordstrom ones I have seen, so I knew I had to have it. The material isn’t top notch, but I didn’t pay top notch so I’m alright with that. I love the off-white color, and it fits pretty well. They also have this in gray!

Foldover Off the Shoulder Poncho: Returned. As much as I wanted this to work, it just didn’t do it for me. It was way too big, but that’s probably on me for ordering the bigger size, and just wasn’t flattering whatsoever. I also love the idea of off the shoulder things, but I find that I never seem to love them on my body.

Open-Knit Chenille Sweater: Kept. My mom actually bought this sweater last year and adored it, so when I saw it came back I knew I had to order one. This sweater is so soft and comfortable, it feels like you’re wearing pajamas. I probably should have gotten the medium, but I still love it. Sizing can be so tricky with Forever 21!

Brushed Knit Poncho: Kept. I was on the fence about this one but wound up keeping it, and I’ve already worn it several times. Again, this top is so soft! I dressed it up with a pair of leather leggings and black booties for a nice dinner (see pic), and I loved the way it looked. I think this is a great top to dress up or down, and can also take you into spring if you don’t wear a long sleeve shirt underneath.

Open-Knit Chenille Sweater: Kept. My mom actually bought this sweater last year and adored it, so when I saw it came back I knew I had to order one. This sweater is so soft and comfortable, it feels like you’re wearing pajamas. I probably should have gotten the medium, but I still love it. Sizing can be so tricky with Forever 21!

Leopard Print Skirt: Returned. Again, I love the idea of this skirt but it didn’t work for me. The sizing was too big, but I was afraid getting a too small size would look gaudy in the print. It just didn’t work for me, but I think it’s a super cute skirt.

Do you like this kind of post? If so, I was thinking about making it a regular addition! Let me know!

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It’s boot season ya’ll, and I love it so much!

While I typically opt for shorter, heeled booties, I went for something different recently and picked up these over the knee boots from Seven Dial. To be honest, the girl who did my makeup on my wedding day was wearing them, and I immediately asked her the brand and where she bought them because I knew I had to have them!

I only have one other pair of tall boots, and I knew I didn’t want to invest a lot of money in something I wasn’t sure how much I would wear, so I was so excited these boots were under $100.

 

I wanted to show ya’ll how I wore these shoes, since it seems like taller boots are so in season this year. I paired these studded OTK boots with my favorite leggings— the Spanx faux leather leggings. These are the BEST ya’ll and are worth every dime! My plaid surplice shirt is from beach lunch lounge. I love how loose it is, and how the shirt tail covers my back end. It’s easily one of my favorite tops for the cold weather, and I found mine at TJ Maxx!

Do you like tall boots better than booties? How are you styling yours this holiday season?

xoxo

ivana

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We’re so close to fall, and I can’t wait!

Fall is my favorite time of the year for many reasons– a chill in the air, the upcoming holidays, pumpkin-flavored everything… and fall fashion. To me, there’s nothing better than a good pair of boots and oversized sweater!

As fall approaches, I love seeing all the transition pieces start coming out. While I can’t wait to get a new pair of OTK boots, it makes sense to pick up a few pieces that I can wear now and take into fall with a good denim jacket or pair of leggings.

On that note, here’s my top pieces to take you into fall. And, they’re all from Amazon! Fall fashion plus Amazon prime… you had me at hello.

Happy fall shopping!

Amazon, Amazon fashion, fall, fall fashion, Southern Style Diaries1. Nine West Levona Crossbody with Floral Pom: The cutest little bag to go from work to date night! This will look awesome with jeans and a white button down now, and with a sweater later.

2. Ella Moon Waterfall Collar Cardigan: I’m a sucker for fringe sweaters, and I can’t wait to wear this over a plain white tank and jeans. You can also wear with leggings when you want a little warmth but don’t want to put on real clothes!

3. Qupid Mule Fashion Bootie: I have these in white, and I’m so obsessed with them. They’re comfortable, affordable, and a lot more versatile than you think! Def going to have to pick them up in black, too.

4. Ella Moon One Shoulder Ruffle Mini Dress: How precious would this be for a fall wedding! If it’s a little chilly, throw on a leather jacket and you’re good to go.

5. Guilty Heart Chunky Block Heel: I ordered these yesterday, and I’m anxiously awaiting their arrival. For $25, you can’t beat these suede heels! The style is exactly like a pair of Sam Edelman’s I have, and everyone needs a pair of leopard heels to wear with dark denim in the fall.

6. LianSan Classic Metal Frame Round Mirrored Sunglasses: A pair of pink sunnies is good year round. Just because the sun starts setting earlier in the fall doesn’t mean you don’t need eye protection (or SPF)!

7. After Market Woven Dress: Again, ordered this over the weekend. I’ve had my eye on this dress forever, but it was over $100… I bought for $18! Buy this before it goes! Also comes in navy, which would look awesome with a denim jacket for chilly weather.

8. Alexy Mottled Resin Hoops: I am obsessed with these! I got them a few weeks ago and have been wearing them nonstop. They’re super lightweight, go with everything, and are $11. Trendy fashion at a good price!Follow

Hey y’all! Sorry for my absence lately, I’ve been slammed at my day job with some big court news. Keep up with me on Twitter if you’re interested in that!

But, I wanted to pop in and talk to you about one of my favorite activities— shopping! Y’all know I’m on a budget, and I think most of you are too. And, even if you’re not, why spend more money if you don’t have to?

Here are some of my favorite places to shop and some of my best tips per store.

Southern Style Diaries, Ivana Hrynkiw, clothes, shopping, budget

Happy shopping!

TJ Maxx: TJs is my goldmine and I could talk about it for days. But I’ll keep it short and sweet- check out every department, including the beauty and jewelry, for items up to half off store prices! You will find brands you never expected to be there, and save your wallet some pain.

H&M: My favorite leggings are from H&M. It’s one of the only places I can find leggings that are long enough and don’t shrink up past my ankles! Again, don’t forget their beauty aisle! Their makeup products are surprisingly high quality.

Old Navy: This is a great place for comfy basics like cardigans and workout clothes, and they also have an awesome selection of jeans. They have a huge variety of sizes, and their pants come in petite and tall. The Rockstar 24/7 jeans are my favorite!

Forever 21: I love keeping up with current trends, but I don’t want to spend a lot of money on something I’ll probably only wear for a year. Forever has the trendiest clothes, with a huge selection, and you don’t have to shell out money that you’d rather spend on a year-round item. Also, they have some amazing sandals for summer!

Belk: If you don’t have one, Belk is a southern department store that carries brands like Free People, Ralph Lauren, Sam Edelman, Jessica Simpson, French Connection and more. They sell shoes, makeup, accessories, and home goods. The best part— like most department stores— is they’re always having sales and giving our coupons.

Target: I have a love/ hate relationship with Target’s clothes. I always feel like they look so cute on the rack, but not so much on my body. Lately though I’ve really been loving their new brands A New Day and Universal Threads. I got two great work dresses from AND for just $7 and $13 a piece on the clearance rack! I also have two great button down shirts from UT that are so light and comfortable for summertime.

SheIn: I have a lot of thoughts on SheIn, but read more about that here. Overall, I think they *can* be a great source of cheap, cute clothes, especially for summer!

This post is not sponsored; all opinions are my own.

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Spring is here, and nothing gets me more in the mood for warm weather than cute tanks, shorts, and swim suits. The problem is when you have accumulated so much junk in your closet that you can’t even see what you own!

To me, getting your closet in check is the main purpose of spring cleaning. I recently had a closet purge and I have felt so good about it every day since! Now, I can finally see what I own without having to dig for a certain shirt, and I know where each type of clothing is. I also color-coordinated my hanging clothes, which makes getting dressed for work so much easier!

Having a clean closet this spring has made me so happy, and I know it will make you happy too.

Here are my top 5 tips for cleaning your closet! Happy cleaning! 

Ivana Hrynkiw, closet, spring cleaning

Baskets are closet cleaning’s best friend

I know I say this a lot, but baskets are life, ya’ll! I bought five matching square wicker baskets from Target when I started my closet purge. They don’t have to match if you don’t care, but make sure they have some sort of handle so you can easily pull them out and see what’s in there! I also have separate baskets for my boots, my flip flops, and my bathing suits.
Keep in mind that variety stores like HomeGoods or Tuesday Morning always have tons of baskets, and will probably be more affordable. I just didn’t have one of those stores near me when I got the itch to spring clean my closet, so Target was my saving grace.

Trash versus donate versus keep

This is the part everyone hates, but its the most necessary part! Maybe you don’t realize it, but there are so many things in your closet you don’t wear anymore or probably even have broken zippers. If you keep stuffing these things in the back of your closet, either vowing to wear it or planning to get it fixed (but never do), it’s time for it to go. Remember, not every thing you don’t want is suitable to donate! Anything that’s broken, badly stained, or has holes in it, throw it in the trash. For me, the easiest way to differentiate these was to have three piles on my bed, and toss articles of clothing in each as I decided.

Sort, sort, sort

For me, this was a vital step. I sorted tank tops from short sleeve shirts and put them in separate baskets. I also separated t-shirts I sleep in from t-shirts I work out in, and put them different places. This helps me every morning to quickly grab the type of shirt I want without messing up every top in my closet!

You don’t need 17 gray sweaters

Again, this is a hard one and goes back to the donating versus keep step. As you’re sorting and putting everything in its new home, remember that you probably don’t need several different types of the exact same thing. A tan cardigan is a tan cardigan— you only need one. This is definitely how my closet gets overstuffed in the first place, because it’s so hard to resist! There’s nothing wrong with having several white t-shirts or a few black camisoles, but something that isn’t a staple doesn’t need to come in multiples. (No, jeans don’t count. I can’t stop myself on that one)

Find a system that works for you

Everyone is different, and everyone has a different vision for their dream closet. If you want everything hanging, find a way to install a second or third hanging rod or buy a standing rack to keep in your bedroom. I like to have some things folded, which is where my baskets came in handy. And, I HATE having pants hung so I keep mine on a separate shelf where they are easily accessible. My point is, find what works for you and stick to that! If you’re more comfortable hanging your shirts, then you’re more likely to do it… which in turn keeps your closet from looking like a hurricane hit.

This post is not sponsored; all opinions are my own.

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Spring is quickly approaching, and I couldn’t be happier! The season brings some of my favorite clothes, and it feels like such a good time to shop for warm weather items, without being already worn down from the Alabama heat!

I often get asked about what I’m wearing at the time, or trends I’m into, so I thought it would be fun to out together a little spring wish list for ya’ll! These are some things I love and am interested in picking up or copying, from some of my favorite stores.

Because I get asked this a lot too, I wanted to share some of my favorite places to shop. Many of these products are from those places, but here’s a list of my top stores: TJ Maxx, Madewell, Forever 21, ASOS, Free People, Nordstrom Rack, Target, and H&M.

Enjoy, and happy spring shopping!

Products mentioned

1. Madewell High-Rise Denim Shorts: Button-Front Edition 

2. Vince Camuto Wide Lace Up Leather Espadrilles

3. AE Next Level Seamless High-Waisted Jegging Crop

4. Bed Stu Somalia Platform Sandal 

5. Elodie Ruffle Sleeve Striped Print Shirt

6. Free People Moab Jumper

7. Madewell Bandana 

8. Punto Vita Made In Italy Leather Oval Bead Belt 

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I don’t know about you, but I’m into the embroidery trend.

I admit, I have bought way too many embroidered items this season… but I don’t regret any of them! One of my favorite purchases is these embroidered booties from Karl Lagerfeld.  I. Am. Obsessed.

When I bought these, so many people were like, “but what will you wear them with?” The answer is everything. Literally, everything. I have worn these booties SO many times, and I’ve only had them two months! They are comfortable, the 3 inch heel is a perfect height, and I love the colors.

Here is one of my favorite outfits to pair my embroidered booties with. I hope this encourages you to buy shoes that you were a little worried about being “impractical,” because those are always the best kind.

Links to buy all products are underlined!

Southern Style Diaries, Southern Style, Ivana Hrynkiw, Ivana

This top is from last year’s fall collection at H&M, and I am regretting not buying it in the other two colors it came in. It is so soft, I could sleep in it! I love the funnel neck detail, and it’s the perfect length for tucking in. (See a similar one here)

Mitri always likes to do a few shots playing around with the focus. And actually, sometimes they turn out pretty cool.

Zara’s jeans are some of my favorites, and this pair is evidence. They came hole-y, but they have definitely gained more holes throughout the years. (Similar jeans linked here)

& for those who have asked before, I use the Beachwaver Pro Curling Iron to do my hair. It’s expensive, but worth every penny. I can do my whole head in about 8 minutes, and the waves last into day two! (See it here)

That’s it! It’s so easy to rock the embroidered trend. I hope you use my look for inspiration, and let me know if you do so I can see. As always, thanks to my future husband for the photos. He knows the way to my heart! (Buy my booties here)

This post is not sponsored; all opinions are my own.

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