spring

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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One of my favorite fashion “things” is easily a good pair of statement earrings.

Big, eye-catching earrings are literally the easiest way to change up an outfit you wear often, or to jazz up an otherwise simple jeans and white tee combo. While I wear them year round, my favorite time of the year to stock up on new statement earrings is the spring and summer! I just love the way they look with sleeveless summer tops or breezy sun dresses.

Some of my favorite places to buy statement earrings are places where I normally shop for other accessories, like Target or Lucky Brand. I also found some amazing pairs (like this and this) at the online boutique Red Dress! I recently found their site, and I am totally obsessed! How did I go 24 years without this place?

All earrings are linked at the bottom of this post. Also, these pics came on a no foundation day, so ya’ll can see that its not always airbrushed skin and full lashes for me! 🙂

Scroll down for some of my favorite statement earrings for the season!

I also love buying things from local shops in Birmingham. My amazing friend owns Knotty Designs jewelry, and ya’ll… her stuff is AMAZING. I highly recommend her! Check out her site here.

Disclaimer: I love these feather earrings, but do not wear lip gloss when you have them on. Trust me on this one

Lucky Brand pink fan earrings : On sale for $12!!

Target Sugarfix fringe earrings: Comes in several colors, only $12.99

Red Dress white beaded earrings: $18 and comes in five colors

Knotty Designs tiered earrings: $30 and several color combos!

Knotty Designs beaded dangle earrings: Custom-made

Feather earrings: $16.99 and unavailable online, but they had tons at my store. Similar ones linked here!Follow

It’s no secret that a watch is one of the best pieces of arm candy you can have during the warmer months! When you’re most likely wearing short sleeves (or no sleeves!) all eyes are on your accessories, namely jewelry. Here’s where a good watch comes in: You want one that’s functional, but also something fashion forward. That’s true for both men and women.

I also like to make sure my watch is easy to pair with my favorite bracelets (I’m loving ones like this and this for spring!) and one that goes with every outfit. My fiancé feels the same way about making sure it goes with everything– once he’s hooked on something, he’s not going to change it just because I say that it doesn’t look good with gym shorts.

PS- At the end of this post, you can enter my giveaway to get yourself a cool new watch this spring!

For me

For me, that’s my Apple Watch. I know, I know— I swore I wasn’t going to jump on the bandwagon, but I did and I do not regret it! No regrets though, I absolutely adore my Apple Watch. I have the rose gold face, with the pink sand silicone band. The band is the perfect blush color that goes with absolutely everything, and doesn’t even look weird with a pink top!

I love that this watch can be worn to the gym and still look good enough for date night. Not to mention, it’s so useful that it’s not even funny. I check emails, texts, and even make calls from my wrist. The 21st century is coming at us hard!

For him

Mitri’s favorite is a new watch from JORD, and its all wood! Yes, the whole thing! Its the Frankie Series watch in Dark Sandalwood and Emerald, and he is obsessed with it. The dark wood color is dressy, but the colored face keeps it from looking overdone with shorts or a more casual outfit, which is what he normally is wearing if he isn’t working.

Typically, we can NEVER find watches for Mit because of his large wrist size, but JORD carries up to a size 27 3/4 in this bands! He is wearing a 26, for reference. (Here is a nifty measuring guide for watches, if you need it)

The Frankie Series men’s watches are splash-resistant, feature hard sapphire crystal glass facing, and the wood is pretreated with tung oils. All this is relevant because like most men, Mitri is so hard on watches! Another great thing is its SO lightweight, it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing anything.

Oh, and I think he likes the engraving too! (Also done by JORD) JORD, watches, jord watches, wood watch, watch, Ivana Hrynkiw, Southern Style Diaries

 

And…

If you like this watch and want one for yourself, the people at JORD were kind enough to let me host a giveaway! Enter the giveaway by April 1 for a chance to win a $100 gift code to get yourself a new watch! The best part is, once a winner has been chosen, everyone else who entered will receive a 10% off coupon! Seriously, what’s there to lose?

Enter the giveaway here! 

What are your favorite watches for this spring? Are you a smart watch person, or a unique watch person?

This post was sponsored by JORD; all opinions are my own.


Wooden Wrist Watch

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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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