Fashion

Favorite Summer Basics

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

August has been a pretty warm month for us so far. This week especially, the forecast is sunshine every day and temperature in the mid-70s. Since I’m still in summer mode (kinda dreading fall actually) I wanted to share with you guys my favorite summer basics. 

High-waisted Abercrombie shorts and Hanley Tank

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Those high-waisted denim shorts are far from basic. The raw hem and light wash are for sure trendy and cool. As a reference, I’m wearing size 26 but I think I could have tried a size bigger. I love that this pair is not too short on the back which makes it more comfortable for me to wear it.

*This pair is in “light ripped wash.”


High-waisted Abercrombie shorts and Hanley Tank

High-waisted Abercrombie shorts and Hanley Tank

Abercrombie has very cute camis and tank tops. I found that they fit amazing for the most part and you pay a reasonable price for great quality on clothes. This slim bottom front tank is super cute and fits perfectly. It comes in white, yellow, grey and black. When I purchased this tank, it was on sale and I paid $12.

I bought these Birkenstocks this summer and I have been wearing them almost every day. I think they pretty stylish due to its metallic color and style. There are different ways that you can style them. For instance, either wear them with shorts, with leggings to go to my Pilates class and sometimes with a cute jumpsuit. I can say these Birken’s are pretty versatile. 

Basic tops and denim shorts will never go out of style. That’s why I never hesitate to buy them, especially if the price is good.

What are some basic clothing items that you guys like to wear in the summer? I would love to know! Just tell me in the comment section below.

Hope you guys have a fantastic week! Till next time!

Xo, Gabrielle

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CollaborationFashion

“Get Summer Ready” with Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlet

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

At Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlet, you have everything you need to get ready for summer. I recently made a trip to the outlet to check out their “Get Summer Ready” event happening between now and July 3rd. During the event, you can find savings off of outlet pricing up to an additional 65% off. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

My husband and I needed to “freshen up” our summer wardrobes. He needed dress shirts, shorts, and I found amazing ones at J. Crew and Gap Outlet. 

SHOP my J. Crew finds below. 

SHOP my Gap finds below.

I found some of the cutest things for me at Aerie. They had beautiful swimsuits, a great selection of workout clothes, super cute shorts, dresses…I swear I could have taken the whole store home with me!

This adorable cutout jumpsuit was an immediate YES for me. It fits amazing, it’s lightweight and for sure will give you compliments. It comes in blue as well and I got it in blue. I might wear this knot front tank to Pilates because it looks beautiful with those leggings that I got at Aerie as well. 

A couple of other things I found at Aerie were: tie back shirt, real soft easy short, high waisted pocket leggings, white button down shirt. 

Another store I went and found great things for great prices was Eddie Bauer. The graphic t-shirts were $9.99! They also had awesome backpacks for men and woman. 

SHOP Eddie Bauer’s graphic tees below.

Before I went to the Prime Outlet, I had in mind that I needed a new everyday purse. I went to several handbag stores at the outlet until I found this one from Kate Spade New York. This brown leather bag is exactly what I had I mind: small, crossbody, leather brown, for a great price! This bag is one of Kate Spade’s number one bestsellers. This bag comes in brown and black and is only available at the outlet store. Sorry, I couldn’t find it online.

I have to say, I had a very nice shopping experience at Pleasant Praire Premium Outlet. I also was very happy with all of my purchases. I’m looking forward to going there again. I need an excuse to shop!! 

Read about my last shopping haul at the outlet mall here.

How often do you shop at the outlet mall?

**This post is in collaboration with Pleasant Prairie Outlet. All opinions are my own.

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Outfit

Abercrombie Outfit Try-on

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

Today I teamed up with two of my blogger friends (Sass & Sun and Straight A Style) to do an Abercrombie Outfit Try-on over on Instagram Stories. If you happen to have missed it, you can watch it under Outfit Try-on under Highlights. 

I’ve been shopping a lot at Abercrombie. I love the quality of their clothes and how they fit. Some clothes are a little pricy but others are pretty affordable. 

A lot of those items are already running low in stock so if you see something you like, I urge you to get it now. 

I would love to hear some of your favorite stores you like to shop at! Comment below or send me a DM on Instagram!

Have a great weekend friends!

Gabrielle

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Fashion

How to Wear Felt Hats in the Summer

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

The first time I put on a felt hat it felt weird. I knew it looked cool but could I pull it off? That’s the question that went through my mind at first. Hats are big statement pieces so you have to wear with confidence because people will stare but in a good way. Get ready to receive compliments because felt hats will give you a cool and beautiful vibe to your outfit. 

Since some of you have messaged me about how to pull off the felt hat, I decided to write this post on How to Wear Felt Hats in the Summer.

This Women’s Gambler Hat from GIGIPIP is my greatest purchase this season. This hat is pretty stiff, made with 100% Australian wool, durable, fits perfectly (available in S/M & M/L) on your head, and can go with almost any outfit. Purchase this hat in store at Ryloo or Online at GIGIPIP for 15% OFF plus free shipping in the US. Use code: COLORMESASSY

PS: I actually purchased this hat at Ryloo Boutique in Cedarburg, WI. You can find their website here: https://www.rylooboutique.com/.

If you are petite like me, the smaller and short-brimmed hats will look more proportional to your body. If you are tall, wide-brimmed hats will look better and more proportional to your height. A good tip is to choose hats that the brim stays within the width of your shoulders. 

Felt hats are not as breathable as straw hats so I wouldn’t recommend wearing it on a hot sunny day.  Wear it in the summer cool nights with a cute dress and a denim jacket, or with a pair of jeans and top like shown in the picture. In those pictures, you can see how the felt hat elevated my casual outfit. 

Changing the subject a little bit…I’ve been shopping at Ryloo Boutique quite often. I’m excited that they just added Free People to their store. This black crop tank that I’m wearing in the picture is super darling and it’s from Free People. This top looks better paired with a pair of high-waisted bottoms. The cool thing about this tank is that you can wear it backward too. 

SHOP THE POST

If you liked this post, make sure to read and watch my styling video on “3 Ways to Style Paperbag Waist Pants.”

Have a wonderful 4 day week!

Xoxo, Gabrielle

 

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FashionOutfit

3 Ways to Style Paperbag Waist Pants + IGTV Video

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

Those paperbag waist pants have been my favorite this Spring. I bought them as a birthday gift for a friend and a week later I had to go back and try one for myself. I bought them at a local boutique, Ryloo, but you can purchase it at their online store. 

A few things about these pants. They are made of Tencel fabric, which is known for its breathability and sustainability. The pants are wide and cropped making them comfortable and flattering for any shape or body type.

Since I’ve worn those pants on multiple occasions, I thought it would be fun to show you 3 ways to style them. **Link to the IGTV Video at the bottom of the post.

This polka dot top is super cute but it’s now sold out. I did find a few similar polka dot ones that would be very cute paired with those pants. 

One of the things I love about those paperbag pants is that they are very versatile and you can wear them in different ways and occasions. For a dressier yet casual look, you can pair these pants with heels, a nice summer bag, and a slim fit top. I would wear this outfit on a date with the hubby. 

I love how casual and fun this outfit is. Besides polka dots, I also have an obsession with stripes. Thankfully, we’ll be seeing a sea of stripes this Spring and Summer. I bought this top in size Small and in two different colors – green and stripes. This top ties in front but I hid it inside the pants so it doesn’t look bulky around the waistline. For me, these platform sandals were the obvious choice for this look. I did size them down a half size. I normally wear 7 1/2, but I bought the size 7. I wore this hattan bag all Summer, last year. This is one of my favorite bags. I’m glad they are still in style. The best part, they are much cheaper this year than last year. 

This super easy and casual look is one of my favorites. I like adding a straw hat on bad hair days, or to protect my face from the sun. Plus, it looks cute with casual outfits. Although this cropped white shirt is baggy, I still think it looks good by tucking the front inside the pants. Those crossband sandals are true to size and cute to wear with jeans, dresses, anything! They are very affordable and still available for purchase.

Let me know if you guys like this kind of post because I’m thinking about making them regularly!

 **WATCH MY STYLING VIDEO ON IGTV

https://www.instagram.com/tv/BxsxWgShVHP/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
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Collaboration

Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlet Shopping Haul

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

SHOP EVERYTHING I BOUGHT BELLOW

If you haven’t been to the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets of Kenosha this Spring yet, make sure to make a trip there! Last weekend I went to the one closest to us in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and it was so worth it! My hubby stayed with the kids (thanks, Jay!) and I told him not to wait for me, ha! Through April 23rd, the  Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets is having a “Get Ready for Spring” event where you can find extra deals on top of regular sales on name brands such as Kate Spade New York, Levi’s, Pandora Outlet, and more! A lot of you watched my Instagram Stories and saw all the awesome things that I found. If you missed them, don’t worry, I will be sharing everything that I bought later in this post.

If you haven’t been to an Outlet in a while, remember to wear something comfortable to do all the walking and expect to be there for at least a few hours.

My first stop was Sunglass Hut. If I want to buy a pair of designer sunglasses that’s where I go. I found so many awesome deals throughout the store. Deals on Ray Bans (my favorite), Oakley, Prada, and more. I was tempted to buy the Ray Bans from the picture below, but since this was the first store I stopped at, I decided to wait until I was done shopping to see if I had money left from my shopping budget.

GAP is another must stop for me. Every time I go to GAP I find staple pieces for my wardrobe such as tank tops and workout pants. I bought two versatile tanks in two different colors (white and pink) that I can wear with jeans and shorts this season. They were less than $10 which is a great deal! I also bought a few pairs of shorts and a polo shirt for my hubby. I always find great men’s clothes there. 

One store that has become one of my favorites is American Eagle. Two of the mom-jeans that I wear all the time are from that AE. I like the price point of their clothes and they seem to last for a while. I found a ton of cute things at American Eagle, I wish I could have bought everything! I shared on Stories the two pairs of shorts that I bought. They are so flattering and cute for running errands, brunching with friends, or for a boating day.

 I am super obsessed with smocked tops and I found a ton of them at American Eagle. I bought this off-the-shoulder smocked top that is very flattering. They came in a lot of other colors as well. It was “buy one, get one half off.”

I was desperately in need of a new wallet, so I went to Fossil with the hope of finding the perfect one for me. I found this brown leather wallet that is not too small nor too big. Just the right size to fit in my small purses.

I never shopped at Journeys before but I went into the store to see what they had. When I saw those super cute espadrille platforms, I immediately asked the sales associate if they had my size in stock. They didn’t have my size but, luckily, size 7 fit me. I’m normally a size 7.5. Those shoes in trend right now and I can’t wait to wear them when the weather gets warmer. Journeys also have Birkenstocks, Sperry, New Balance sneakers and more. Their sales were pretty good as well.

Pandora had great sales as well. They had pieces from past seasons making them pretty reasonable. I didn’t buy anything this time, but I always like going inside to check out their jewelry.

Can we now talk about Kate Spade New York? They probably had the best deals. Some of their handbags were 60% off plus you would get another 20% on top of that. The original price tags were very high, but with the discounts, they came down to be pretty affordable for a high-end brand. Their handbags and backpacks were just gorgeous!

I already told my husband that  I am going back to the outlet before Summer starts! I found so many great deals and cute things that it was totally worth the hour drive!

Make sure to go to Pleasant Praire Premium Outlets of Kenosha before their Spring event ends!

**This post was in collaboration with Pleasant Praire Premium Outlet. All opinions are my own.

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Beauty

How I Curl My Hair with Beachwaver Curling Iron

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

Hi loves, Happy Valentine’s Day! I decided to post today how I curl my hair with the Beachwaver curling iron since a lot of you guys have been requesting me this tutorial.

I’ve been using the Beachwaver for a couple of months and I love it. I’m not a pro when it comes to hairstyling but with this curling iron, I feel like one! What is so cool about this curling iron is that with the press of a button (right or left) the wand rotates for you! There’s also a “home” button that when you press, the clamp goes back to start position. Other really cool features of this iron are the high/low adjustable speed, digital temperature clock, and 30 min timer shut-off. 

This post is not sponsored by anyone I just really wanted to share how I style my hair since you guys have been asking me. 

SHOP THE PRODUCTS:

Beachwaver curling iron

Beachwaver heat protector

Not Your Mother Dry Shampoo. I like using this dry shampoo on my clean hair so it looks fresher longer. This dry shampoo and gives more natural volume to my hair.

Hope you guys like the video and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Stay Sassy,

Gabrielle

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HolidayShoppingSponsored

Decorating for the Holidays with Goodwill

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

This season if you are looking for an “ugly” Christmas sweater, Holiday dinnerware, or decoration pieces, Goodwill is the place to go. I teamed up with Goodwill to show you that you can find amazing Holiday decorations at bargain prices.

When it comes to Christmas decorations, I believe you can never have enough. Every year I find something to add to our Christmas decor. For instance, I didn’t have a nativity set. I was lucky to find this ceramic set for only $3.99 at Goodwill and it was just what I needed to add to the mantle.

Does anyone here love LED candle lights? I think they were a great invention. I love candles, but I’m always afraid of burning the house down. With LED candles, I never have to worry. Goodwill had a good amount of battery-based candles. I was so excited to see that they looked perfectly new and worked just as well. I think each candle was about $2.99 each.

Walking through the Christmas aisles, I found these 3 angel candle holders. They were hidden in one of the shelves, but I was lucky to find them. The candle holders didn’t come with the candles, but that was fine because I had some at home.

What do you think of my amazing finds? I went to Goodwill with the purpose of finding decor for the mantle, but there are plenty of other things that I could have bought. If you watched my Instagram Stories, you saw that I spotted some adorable Santa-themed dessert plates and a few lovely wreaths.

Have you shopped for Holiday decor at Goodwill? I would love to hear what you’ve found there!

Thanks for reading and share it with your friends!

Xo, Gabrielle

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SponsoredTravelVacation

6 Places to Visit in Middleton, WI

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

There are many terrific places to travel to in Wisconsin, including Middleton. If you missed my two previous posts about Madison’s neighboring town, you can read them here: “Mini Family Vacation to Middleton, WI” and  “Where to Stay and Dine in Middleton, WI“. On this last post about this charming city, I will be sharing with you 6 places that I think you should visit.

  1. Tradition Market

Right in the heart of Middleton, there’s the most lovely children’s store I’ve ever been to. It’s called Tradition Market. This store is beautifully decorated with mobiles hanging from the ceiling, a wooden playhouse, and mid to high-end clothing. Our kids had fun playing with wooden trucks and inside the playhouse while I shopped for gifts.   

2. National Mustard Museum

Right near Tradition Market, there’s a famous National Mustard Museum. You can taste over 5,000 varieties of mustard, in this fun, family-friendly museum. If you are a mustard and sauce enthusiast, this place is for you! For anyone looking to spice up their travels, this is also a fun spot to stop in, as it’s free of charge!  

3. Free Pub House

If you are looking to get a drink in Middleton, look no further than the Free House Pub. This cozy pub has a good atmosphere and a great drink menu. Whether you want a quick drink or dinner, this spot has both. If you prefer to stop in for a drink before grabbing dinner elsewhere, it’s within walking distance of Villa Dolce, which we really enjoyed.

4. Fountaine Home

Shop handpicked home decor and holiday items at Fountaine Home. Located at Hubbard Avenue, this store is a must see if you want to find unique gifts for the holidays. I was mesmerized by the beautiful Christmas decor and other festive home and bath items that they had in store.

Hubbard Avenue – where you can find local boutiques and Fountaine Home

5. Greenway Station

Go to the Greenway Station Shopping Center for fashion, home goods, and delicious food. This open mall was only 3 minutes away from our hotel, and where we had great Greek food at Freska.

6. Middleton Historic Museum

Built over 150 years ago, the Middleton Historic Museum is a great place to learn about the history of Middleton and the Rowley family. They lived in that house for 120 years, before their home became the museum. The museum is also located in the heart of Middleton so you won’t miss it.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this series of posts about Middleton, WI!

Xo, Gabrielle

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CollaborationFamilyLifeStyleTravelVacation

Where to Stay and Dine in Middleton, WISCONSIN

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

Two weeks ago, thanks to Wisconsin Travel Best Bets, we went for the first time to Middleton, Wisconsin. We fell in love with the town neighboring Madison and are already planning on going back for another weekend getaway. You can read about our experience there in my previous post. Check out my guide below about where to stay and dine in Middleton, WI if you’re planning on going there.

Where to Stay in Middleton, WI

The Residence Inn by Marriott of West Middleton

We stayed in an oversized suite with a fully-equipped kitchen. Our room was spacious and perfect for our family of 4. The hotel has a 24-hour gym, an indoor pool and a hot-tub. The breakfast had a variety of foods and the staff was very hospitable. The hotel was only 5 minutes from downtown Middleton and in a commercial area with a great outdoor mall, The Greenway Station.

Courtyard Madison West/Middleton

Located in the same area as the Residence Inn, this is another great hotel option. This new hotel offers a pool area, spacious suites, and complimentary high-speed internet.

Hilton Garden Inn West/Middleton

Only 7 miles from downtown Madison and the State Capitol, Hilton Garden Inn is another great option if you need a place to stay. Also located next to the Residence Inn, this hotel has a swimming pool, a fitness center, and complimentary WiFi. You can order room service from Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, located next to the hotel.

Where to Dine in Middleton, WI

Pizza Brutta

On our first night in Middleton, we went out to eat at Pizza Brutta, a favorite pizza restaurant amongst the locals. It was an easy choice since the reviews were amazing and everybody in our family loves pizza. Their thin crust, fire-baked pizzas were delicious and super flavourful. We not only loved their pizza but the people working there were very friendly. One of the pizza makers gave Rapha pizza dough to play with. That kept him entertained all throughout dinner. Win!

Bloom Bindery

Bloom Bindery is the most charming cookie bakery, bookstore, and coffee shop. We fell in love with this coffee shop’s desire to do good in their community. For every cookie purchased, Bloom Bindery gives a percentage of its profits to support literacy in the local community. Let me tell you, their whoopie pie cookie sandwich was out of this world! We enjoyed our time there and so did the kids. They played with play dough while my husband and I enjoyed our coffee. I ended up purchasing a Thanksgiving children’s book right on time for the Holiday.

Sofra Family Bistro

Sofra offers authentic Albanian-American cuisine and serves fresh breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had a great lunch at Sofra. My husband had a salmon salad, the children had grilled cheese, and I had their eggs for breakfast with a side of Albanian sausage.

Villa Dolce Italian Ristorante

On Friday night we tried getting a table at Villa Dolce, but they were completely full. The wait was too long, so we made a dinner reservation for the next day. We figured that the wait meant it was another popular restaurant amongst the locals. Villa Dolce is a quaint, cozy restaurant with amazing Italian food. I regret not eating their homemade gelato. I was too full from my mac & cheese. Next time I go there, I will try their gelato and one of their delectable looking desserts displayed in the entry of the restaurant.

Freska Mediterranean Grill

On the last day of our weekend getaway, we went to the Greenway Station outdoor mall to eat at Freska Mediterranean Grill. We were very excited to find out that the owner of the restaurant is Greek, since my mother-in-law comes from a Greek family. The food hit the spot and made for a perfect lunch. We liked the atmosphere and how quickly we got our food. We had their “plate” that was served with brown rice, pita, a choice of meat, sauce, and up to 4 toppings. That meal definitely put a smile in our faces. One day, we want to go back to this restaurant for lunch.

I hope this guide helps you on your next trip to Middleton!

You can read my “Mini Vacation to Middleton, WI” post here.

Xo, Gabrielle

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ExploreFamilySponsoredTravelVacation

Mini Family Vacation to Middleton, Wisconsin

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

Last weekend we had a mini family vacation to Middleton, Wisconsin. Middleton is a suburb of Madison and is just two hours north of Milwaukee. Thanks to Wisconsin Travel Best Bets, we had the opportunity to visit and explore this charming town.

We hit the road Friday afternoon and drove straight to our hotel, The Residence Inn by Marriott in West Middleton. Our hotel was in a commercial area next to a very nice outdoor mall (Greenway Station). Only 5 minutes from downtown Middleton, our hotel’s location made traveling with children convenient.

On our first night in Middleton, we went out to eat at Pizza Brutta, a favorite pizza restaurant amongst the locals. It was an easy choice since the reviews were amazing and everybody in our family loves pizza. Their thin crust, fire-baked pizzas were delicious and super flavourful.

After dinner, we headed back to our hotel to go swimming in the indoor pool. Needless to say, that was my oldest son’s favorite part of the trip. He went swimming every night.

The next day, we woke up early, ate a big breakfast at our hotel, and went to explore the downtown area. We had a few places in our checklist that we wanted to go, but we also left our days open for anything new that came along. Our Saturday was filled with shopping, good eats, and walking around town. We went to the Mustard Museum and had so much fun sampling all the different kinds of mustard. I didn’t know it was possible to have so many! The rest of the day we spent shopping around town and even went to West Towne Mall to take advantage of the pre-Black Friday deals.

On the last day of our mini vacation getaway, we went to the Greenway Station to eat at Freska Mediterranean Grill. We were very excited to find out that the owner of the restaurant is Greek since my mother-in-law comes from a Greek family. The food hit the spot and made for a perfect lunch.

I have to say, we didn’t know what to expect going to Middleton. We were surprised by all of the wonderful shops, restaurants, and overall hospitality. My family and I are definitely planning on going back to Middleton for the weekend or even to spend the day. We love weekend trips where we don’t have to drive too far to have a good time.

Thank you so much for reading! More posts about Middleton coming up this week. Now tell me, have you been to Middleton?

Xo, Gabrielle

**This post is sponsored by Wisconsin Travel Best Bets. All opinions are my own.

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OutfitSalesShopping

Great Weekend Sales and Amazing Shopping Finds

by Gabrielle Loomis
written by Gabrielle Loomis

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SHOP THE POST

Happy Monday! Did you follow me along this weekend on Instagram Stories? We had a little weekend getaway to Middleton Wisconsin and we had a blast. You can re-watch the videos under Middleton Highlights on IG Stories. On Saturday we went shopping and I found some great weekend sales and amazing finds at American Eagle. I’ve been searching for the perfect boyfriend denim jacket and I found this one. The boyfriend jacket is slouchy, oversized, and a great must-have piece. Try pairing this jacket over a sweatshirt for a casual after-the-gym look. Don’t be afraid to wear it with jeans. Denim-on-denim outfits are stylish and all you need is a statement top underneath the jacket. This jacket is on sale right now and it should sell out fast.

When I went to American Eagle I was really looking for their Mom Jeans. They have THE BEST mom jeans. I own a distressed pair that I wear all the time and I found this other one in a light wash that has no distress. I stumbled upon this darling rusty polka dot top in the clearance section and I knew I had to have it.

I also found this button-up long sleeve that fits amazing and it’s great for wearing under a jacket. This long sleeve comes in two other colors and is also on sale.

Check out my HUGE Target Holiday Gift Guide post and start shopping for the Holidays.

 

Have a great week, loves!

Xo, Gabrielle

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