1. A Leather Jacket

My favorite winter piece is by far a leather jacket. It’s so easy to throw on over a dress, or a casual outfit with a tee and some jeans. And it instantly gives you a more edgy vibe without trying too hard. I recently had to throw my old one away because the faux leather was finally peeling, so its time for a new one. I saw some really cute ones online that would be great for the winter season in the south.

2. Snake Print Flats

Snake print has really become a staple in the last few years, and I’m finally hopping on board. They are an easy pattern to take from day to night while staying comfy. I recently picked up this pair of Dr. Scholl’s snake print loafers on Black Friday this year that I can’t wait to style.

3. A Crisp White Collared Shirt

One of my favorite fall/winter outfit is wearing a white s collared shirt underneath a baggy sweatshirt or tight knit sweater. While it doesn’t get cold enough for that here in North Carolina or South Carolina, I still think it’s a really cute outfit.

4. A Neutral Tote

At my old job, I couldn’t get through my work week without a large neutral tote. Just because you use it for work doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t look chic and fabulous too! If you’re like me, then you love big totes, but you also love organization. This tote organizer is a game changer for any large tote in your closet. I have this one on my Christmas wishlist this year!

5. Black Over the Knee Boots

Nothing screams winter to me more than tall boots! A tall black boot is a staple in my closet (shoot even a tan color honestly!). The length of the bottom slims down your hips and gives you an overall polished look. I love pairing them with a basic pair of jeans or a fun dress for the season.

6. Dainty Jewelry

I feel like dainty jewelry is pretty much in all year around type of necessity. But I love picking up new jewelry in a new season. My favorite pieces have been short necklaces that you can layer together, especially over a turtleneck sweater.

7. Unique basics

When I hear someone say winter, the first thing that comes to mind is layers on layers on layers. During the winter months, I love stocking up on unique basics that are chic and effortless. Sometimes less is more when it comes to styling unique pieces that still make a statement.

8. Long Neutral Coat

You cannot go through winter without having a long neutral coat. Having a staple such as a coat will not only keep you warm but also elevate your overall style. My favorite places to shop for a elegant winter coat is American Eagle, H&M, and Aeropostale. I’ve linked a few down below for your pleasure!

9. A Midi Skirt

Being a petite girl, I never would’ve thought that a midi skirt would’ve been for me. This year, I’ve been playing with styling them in different ways, and I’m a firm believer now that a midi skirt is a staple that you need in your winter wardrobe. They can easily be paired with a blazer for work or dressed out with a sweater on top. Either way you go you look effortless.

10. Tan booties

Black is always a staple, but another color that is perfect for the winter month is a tan bootie. They never go out of style, and they go with literally anything in your closet.

What is one winter staple that you can’t live without?

The post Winter Wardrobe Essentials appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

While graduation is always a fun time, it can also be pretty nerve-wracking and a little scary. You may be moving to a new city, starting a new job, or heading to grad school, which means graduation is also a season of change. Before the real world hits you, let me share with you some graduation dresses that I found that are perfect for the big day! For my first graduation, I wore a fun off-the-shoulder white dress, and this year, I’m planning on wearing a navy blue off-the-shoulder dress.

One thing that I have noticed is that typically shorter dresses are more flattering with long, oversized caps and gowns. For the big day, definitely opt for something that you’re going to fill comfortable in because you could be sitting outside in the summer heat or sitting down for hours before it’s your turn to walk. I’m linking some cute neutral and color dress options as well as some comfortable shoes that are easier to walk in. There is literally nothing worse than tripping on stage because your heels are too high or slippery!

NEUTRALS

COLORFUL + PRINTS

SHOES

I hope that this post was helpful and that you found something that you like or at least help guide you on what to wear to graduation! Let me know in the comments below what you are wearing for the big day.

You may also like: 9 Skills Every College Student Should Master Before Graduation and 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Graduation 

The post Graduation Dresses 2020 | What to Wear appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Benefits of Decluttering Your Closet

Are you having a hard time getting motivated to start the process of decluttering? Let me share some reasons with you on WHY you should 1000% get started…

• You have the chance to get rid of the clothes that no longer bring you joy.
• After you declutter your closet, your mind will feel free and clear.
• Donating your old clothes will not only bring you joy but to others too.
• You can make money off the items that were previously sitting in your closet.
• You can actually see what you have in your closet, which makes getting dressed in the morning easier.

TIPS TO DECLUTTERING YOUR CLOSET

Tip #1: Clear everything out

To start your closet clear out, I highly recommend that you take everything out of your closet, including shoes, scarfs, jeans, literally everything. Put everything that you have on your bed. If you need to go through your undergarments as well, go ahead and put those on the bed too.

It may seem a little crazy to do this, but I promise it’s a critical part of the closet declutter process. By clearing out your entire closet, it not only allows you to see everything that you have but you can also start an organization technique at the same time.

Tip #2: Create three piles

After I’m doing going through all of my clothes, anything that hasn’t made it back to my closet I organize into three piles: trash, donate, and sell. The goal is to have your closet filled with items that bring you joy and items that you actually wear. At this point if an item doesn’t make it to your closet, it’s time to get rid of it some way or another.

In the donate pile, I include items that are gently used and any items that I’ve tried to sell but haven’t. Then in the sell pile, I include any name-brand items that are gently worn, like new, or new with tags. If I trying to sell items that are out of season, then I will wait to post them to Poshmark until the season before to catch people shopping for the items that I’m selling. For the trash pile, I include items that are very worn down and shouldn’t be reused by others, including items that have pit stains and holes in them.

Tip #3: Ask yourself these questions

When you’re decluttering your closet, ask yourself these questions when you’re deciding whether or not to keep an item.

If I saw this piece in a store right now, would I buy it?

This is the number one question that I ask myself whenever I declutter my closet. Sometimes we hold sentimental value in the items that we own just because you spent money on it or it was a gift from someone we care about. But if you wouldn’t reach for it in the store and buy it today, then it’s time to get rid of it. If you wouldn’t buy it today, chances are there is something about it that’s no longer brings you joy. Maybe it doesn’t fit your new style or you just don’t love it anymore. Whatever it is, it means that it’s time for it go!

Do you have multiples of the same item? i.e 3 striped shirts or 2 grey cardigans

Unless it’s an item that you wear frequently, then you probably don’t need to keep multiples of the same item in your closet. Go through your closet and pull out all of the pieces that are similar to each other and pick 1 to keep. I did this exercise on myself and found that I had multiple basic crop tops in my wardrobe that I literally never wear. I’m not a huge fan of crop tops on me, which is why I never reach for them in any season.

Have you worn the item in the last 2 years?

Anything in your closet that you haven’t worn in 2 years has got to go! If you haven’t reached for it in 2 years, then you’re probably not going to reach for it this year either. The only exception to this rule is if you have a truly high-quality item, a designer piece, or a fancy item that you do reach for on occasion, then you can go ahead and keep it. For an example if you have a fancy dress that you wear for events or a classic trench coat. Everything else is just taking up room in your closet! 

Do you feel like your best self in it?

If a piece doesn’t make you feel amazing and like your best self, then it’s time for it to go! Life is too short to be wearing mediocre clothing that makes you feel like meh. If the item highlights your not-to favorite features or clings to you in a weird or anything of the sort, go ahead and toss it! All that piece is doing is clogging up your closet and making it harder for you to see all of the pieces that you do have that make you feel beautiful.

Is the item closing obvious signs of wear?

Let’s be honest here, there are some pieces that are going to show obvious signs of wear and they need to be taken out of your closet right away. Some of the places that I look for wear is in the armpits area for stains (I know gross but its reality), the inner thigh area for chaffing, and any stains that just won’t come out. For the sweaters and cardigans, sometimes you can revive those pieces by using a fabric shaver to get rid of any pilling. If the item can be saved, awesome add it back to the closet, but if it can’t, then it gets thrown into one of the piles I mentioned earlier.

Tip #4: Find an organizational technique that works for you

I don’t personally color-coordinate my closet, but if that works for you definitely go for it! What I like to do is to organize by similar pieces and styles. For an example, my closet is set up with tank tops up front, then off the shoulder tops, then bodysuits, and so forth. This way it makes it super easy for me to find what type of item I’m looking for. But find a system that is practical and works for you!

Tip #5: Use velvet hangers (a total gamechanger!)

Velvet hangers are a total lifesaver when it comes to organizing your closet and maximizing the space that you have. Because of the fabric of the hangers, they actually help keep each item from slipping and misshaping in your closet, which makes them perfect for literally any item. Plus having all the same hangers makes your closet look more put-together and clean. I’ve linked the ones that I use for Titi and I’s closet, which I absolutely adore. 

Tip #6: Take inventory of the items you need to purchase

As you start to declutter your closet, you may come to realize that you are missing a few key components in your wardrobe that you need to purchase. Go ahead and write down the items that you need to either repurchase or buy in general to complete your closet. Right now, I really need a cute white bodysuit and some more summer dresses!

Tip #7: Store your clothes that are out of season

If you have a small closet like me (#apartmentlife), then storing away your clothes that are out of season will help you utilize your space. For the spring season, I like to fold up all of my heavy winter sweaters and put them at the top of my closet. It’s one of those out of reach out of mind techniques. This way it leaves a ton of space in my closet now due to the bulkiness of sweaters and I can see of my spring and summer clothes together.

Tip #8: Try on every item in your closet

As you declutter your closet, try everything on before deciding whether or not to keep it! It’s definitely happened to me a few times that I ended up trying on a piece just to realize it no longer fit me. Or I ended up falling in love with an item all over again. Either way, take the extra time to try on every item in your closet before you decide to keep or toss. I promise you’ll find those pieces that have been sitting in your closet for ages that you can finally clear out.

PLACES TO RESELL YOUR ITEMS

Poshmark: Duh, this one is my literal favorite place to sell my items! To sell on item on Poshmark, you have to take post the item (photos and write descriptions), answer questions, and ship it out yourself. Poshmark does take 20%, but it’s a huge platform which makes selling it on very easy. If you want to learn more about Poshmark, I have an entire guide filled with more tips on how I made over $2,000 selling my clothes on there! If you sign up using the code “SNOWBALLIN”, you can earn a free $5 credit to your account.

Social Media: Have you seen some of your favs making an entire new account just to sell their pieces? It’s a good option if you’re looking to resell your items, but take into account that shipping is variable depending on where they live and may cut into your overall gain.

Consignment: If you want to get rid of something quick and easy, then consider using a local consignment shop. Depending on where you go, you can usually make a little bit of money from doing this. I haven’t found that you make a whole lot and they can be pretty picky on what they will or will not take.

ThredUp: I’ve never used ThredUp before, but it’s an online thrift store that you can send them your clothes and they will give you a price for the items that they are willing to resell. Then whatever items they won’t take, ThredUp will either send them back to you for a cost or donate the items.

Are you ready to tackle spring cleaning your closet?

The post 8 Simple Tips to Declutter Your Closet appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

The first piece that I got from Shein is this gorgeous blue satin dress! I love the fun sleeves and the flattering cut of the skirt. I ended up going with a size L, which fit me perfectly around the hips and lengthwise. But the v-cut in the front comes down pretty low. For added coverage, you may want to add a bandeau underneath or put a pin in the front. Otherwise for the price of only $19, this dress is a total steal and feels more expensive than what it is!

I’m a huge fan of business casual tops, and this one from Shein is such a fun pattern! The pattern of this top is what initially sold me, but once it came in, it feels like good quality. I got this top in a size Medium and it’s only $12. The hat that I’m sharing in the photo is also from Shein, and it’s a great neutral fedora hat (only $6!) that I love with this outfit!

Lastly is this pair of hunter green pants! They are a fun high-rise pant that is perfect for the office or for going out for drinks afterwards. I’m only 5’2” and I had to wear three-inch heels just to attempt to stop the pants from dragging on the ground. If you are taller than me, then I definitely recommend picking up these pants. I ended up going with the XL, but I could’ve definitely sized down to a Large because these pants have a lot of stretch in them.

That is all that Shein sent me recently! Hopefully you enjoyed this little try-on session and that it brought a little bit of joy during this time. Stay safe and healthy!

You may also enjoy: The Hidden Secrets of Selling on Poshmark and The Best Work Pants You Need in Your Closet

The post A Few Spring Pieces from Shein appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

They are the LOFT Skinny Pintucked Sateen Pants!

I’ve always had a simple pair of black bootcut business pants, but after wearing those every day for rotation, I quickly became bored with my wardrobe. I went on a hunt for some different styles of dress pants that would not only flatter my shape but also highlight it. Thankfully for me, I found the LOFT Skinny Pintucked Sateen Pants on sale while I was shopping in New York for a pharmacy conference. It was a love at first sight type of moment.

Color

The normal retail price is $69.50, but LOFT normally has some great deal or discount going on that you can always find them at a cheaper price. I have this pair in Coastal Grey and Midnight Sea, but honestly as soon as LOFT releases more colors, I’m definitely picking up every single one. I’m that obsessed with them!

Fit

I love a good skinny pant, and these are the perfect length for my petite girls. They do also come in other lengths such as regular and tall for my ladies who were blessed in the height department. I’m only 5’1” and the petite length cuts off right at my ankle, which is the perfect length to wear with flats or mules.

They also have a taper cut around the waist, so they are tighter around the waist and have a little more wiggle room in the thigh region. These are perfect for my ladies who have a curvy figure or have more junk in the trunk.

Other great places to shop for work wear are:

Target: I’ve actually gotten a pair of simple black work pants from Target that have been a staple in my wardrobe this year. They don’t necessarily have a petite or tall line, so I tend to always have to get the legs hemmed. But for the price, I’m not upset at all for the inconvenience.

H&M:  If you’re shopping on a budget, then H&M is also a great place to shop for affordable work wear pieces that are great quality and fashionable. I’ve gotten a number of blouses and sweaters from them over the years that I still wear today.

Nordstrom Rack: Anytime that I’m looking for a new pair of shoes, I always head straight to Nordstrom Rack because I know I’ll find a pair that I love. This may or may not be a good thing for my wallet! But Nordstrom Rack (especially online) has thousands of cute designer business casual pieces that are on major discount.

Marshall’s: My favorite place in the whole world besides Target and HomeGoods is Marshalls! You can literally find anything and everything there for the fraction of the price. I find a lot of cute blouses, sweaters, and coats here that are perfect for a dinner date or a day in the office.

Forever21: You may only think of Forever21 when you’re looking to buy a trendy piece, but alas they also have some great affordable workwear pieces. You can easily find a classic piece or a piece that is more fashion forward for the fraction of the price.

What are your go-to work pants? Do you have a favorite that you can’t seem to put down? If so, let me know in the comments below! I would love to add them to my collection.

You may also like: The Fall Basics That I’m Loving and Valentine’s Day Outfits

The post The Best Work Pants That You Need In Your Closet appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Whether you’re celebrating Galentine’s Day on February 13^th or Valentine’s Day on the 14^th, the month of February is filled with love, hearts, flowers, and plenty of sweet treats. I love the month of February because it’s a month to remember to slow down, enjoy your loved ones, and cherish everyone in your life from friends to loved ones. As with tradition, Titi and I loved giving each other gifts and heading out on the town for a date night. Every year we switch it up by doing something different, which I’m sure we will continue doing for this year.

Over the last few years, Shein has really blown up in the fashion industry and has become a staple in some of my favorite influencer’s wardrobes. I’ve tried the brand before a few years ago (you can read my review here!), but honestly, I didn’t really buy enough items to get the true feel for the company. This time around, I picked up a few pieces that I really enjoyed and that was something different for me. I’m normally not a super girly girl, but these pieces were screaming my name when I was browsing through the website that I had to scoop them up.

If you’re looking for some cute and affordable outfits to wear for Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day, then keep on reading to see the two outfits that I put together from Shein!

OUTFIT #1: WHITE SWEATER + SWISS DOTTED SKIRT

Normally when you think of Valentine’s Day, you think of bright red and sexy dresses, which is why I wanted to put together a more casual pink outfit. This sweater and skirt combo are both from Shein and are less than $20 a piece! A total steal if you ask me.

The sweater is actually very thick and cozy so it’s sure to keep you warm in the colder months. Since I live in a warmer state (most of the time), I usually end up pairing my sweaters with a cute skirt during the fall and spring months. This one from Shein has that swiss dot texture, which has been on trend recently, and I’m a huge fan of it!

Sizing:   Sweater – Go up a size! It runs a little small. I’m wearing a size Large.   Skirt – True to size! It has a very stretchy waistband that is forgiving. I’m wearing a size Medium.

OUTFIT #2: BOLD STATEMENT JACKET

My second Valentine’s Day outfit is probably my favorite out of the two because I love a bold statement, which this teddy coat definitely makes. It’s bright burgundy color and feels just like a robe (extra cozy and soft!). Normally these types of coats cost $100 or more, but with Shein you can grab the look for less.

The only thing that I dislike about this coat is that there’s no pockets, which is a total bummer! Other than the small details, it’s a very nice teddy coat and will keep you warm during the fall and early spring months. To complete the look, I paired this bold coat with a basic black turtleneck, my favorite jeans from American Eagle, and some chic black booties that I got from DSW. You can easily wear this jacket over a chic dress or wear with some classy trouser and a blouse.

Sizing: Jacket – I’m wearing a size small and I have space to wear a thicker sweater comfortably.

If you’re looking to shop from Shein, I do have a coupon code that gives you 15% off anything off the website. The code is US1uniquelymickie and it’s valid until March 31,2020.

What are you planning on wearing for Valentine’s Day this year?

The post Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas with Shein appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Black Bodysuits

I recently picked up a turtleneck bodysuit from Target for only $16, and it’s one of my favorite pieces this season. It’s just so effortless and chic without trying too hard. There are a ton of great bodysuits out there so I’m linking a few that I’ve been obsessing over, some even with fun cut outs and shapes.

Cardigans

It wouldn’t be fall time without a good, cozy cardigan to spice up an outfit. I love throwing one on over a basic outfit or over a dress to keep me nice and toasty. Plus they are super easy to dress up or down and are perfect for the transitional months. I’m obsessed with cardigans that are color-blocking or a solid jewel-toned color for the fall season.

Turtleneck Sweaters

I used to hate turtleneck sweaters because I always felt like I was suffocating in them when I was a child. Thankfully over the years, I’ve gotten over that phobia and they are now my favorite type of sweater to wear during the fall season. The only catch is that they have to be soft for ultra-coziness and just a little oversized for good measure.

Midi Skirts

Even though I’m a petite girl (I’m only 5’2”), I love wearing midi skirts with some cute mules or booties. They make me feel so feminine and sophisticated when I wear them, so I’ve been slowing adding a few to my wardrobe. Pro tip to rocking a midi skirt when you’re short is to wear tall shoes paired with it to length your body.

Trench Coats

If you pick up anything for the new season, you have to grab a good trench coat. It’s a versatile piece that will last in your wardrobe for a lifetime and go with anything that’s currently in your closet. Plus it’s a perfect for this transitional weather right now because it’s not too thick or too thin.

Corduroy Jackets

After picking up the pink corduroy jacket from H&M a few months ago, I’ve been utterly obsessed over corduroy ever since. I never knew how comfy the fabric was until I ordered that jacket. While the pink one that I’m thinking about isn’t really fall-like, you can easily grab a jacket that is more jewel toned or warm toned for a more appropriate fall outfit attire. Since the fabric has a texture and a design to it, it effortlessly adds a little extra something to a basic outfit.

Booties

Even though I’m obsessed with thigh high boots and the tall riding boots, I can’t let go of a good short bootie. I love rocking booties in the fall time because they go with everything while still keeping you warm and cute. I can easily throw them on with a sweater dress or rock them with a pair of jeans without hesitation. My favorites are a plain black pair, but I’m thinking about adding a fun leopard print bootie to my collection pretty soon.

You may also like: My Top 6 Favorite Nude Lip Products, 8 Easy Ways to Live a More Eco-conscious Lifestyle, and Repurposing My Old T-shirts with MemoryStitch 

The post The Fall Basics That I’m Loving appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

My favorite part about heading back to school is the opportunity to go back to school shopping. As you can tell from my blog, I love shopping, and I’m obsessed with trying out new trends. You only live once right? This fall season, I’ve been noticing that the 90s vibe is coming back in style! I’m talking plaid skirts, oversized denim jackets, platform shoes, and anything neon. Since I’m in my last year of pharmacy school, I’ll be completing my 9 pharmacy rotations instead of heading back to campus. But don’t let this post fool you, I’ll be rocking my platform sneakers and plaid dress on the weekends and any time that I’m having fun instead.

H&M’s new 90s nostalgic collection is perfect to rock this back to school season if you want to test the waters of the 90s trends. They have some great pieces that are affordable and trendy. Plus you can’t beat the quality for the prices! In this blog post, I’m going to be showing you how I style some of the classic pieces from the collection in a modern twist. All of the pieces that I ordered online were true to size!

Outfit #1: Friends Tee + Plaid Mini Skirt

As a pear-shaped girl, I don’t normally go for miniskirts, especially the kind that are bodycon. I don’t normally find them flattering at all, but when I found this skirt online, I knew I had to have it. It’s a classic print and beautifully made. The best part is that I felt amazing when I wore this skirt! The shape of the skirt actually has a curve to it, making it literally perfection for a girl with curves like myself. For this look, I paired the skirt with this fun T-shirt from H&M that has the Friends logo across the front. If you’ve never heard of Friends before, it’s a classic 90s sitcom and the logo has become somewhat of a classic statement.

Outfit #2: Floral Flowy Dress

A floral dress is a classic piece from the 90s, and it’s super simple to style for an easy back to school look. I love wearing dresses to college classes, especially early morning ones or when I’m running late to school. You can easily throw a cute dress on and pair it with your favorite sneakers or sandals for a quick easy outfit. It’s a look without trying too hard!

Outfit #3: Corduroy Jacket + Plaid Mini Skirt 

This skirt is the same skirt from the first outfit, but I loved it so much that I had to style it in a different way for you. I love a versatile piece in college. Typically, dorm room closets are super tiny so anything that I can style in more than one way is a bonus in my books. For this look, I paired the plaid skirt with a plain white tee with my favorite pink corduroy jacket (all from H&M). Most classrooms on campus are iceberg freezing so I always like to keep a jacket in my backpack, just in case I need something to cover my arms. This corduroy one is super soft and comfortable while also being incredibly cute.

Outfit #4: Oversized Denim Jacket + Plaid Bodycon Dress

One of my favorite pieces from the H&M Clueless Collection is this plaid bodycon dress. It just screams 90s to me, but the shape of the dress makes it more modern. This dress is pretty thick, so it would be perfect for the fall/winter season paired with some cute boots. I ended up pairing this outfit with an oversized denim jacket and some black Chelsea boots for an easy back to school look. Like I said before, you always need a cute jacket to throw on when you’re sitting in a freezing classroom. This denim jacket is literally the perfect oversized look that you could ask for. I’m obsessed with the jacket, and it’s a definite must-have if you’re looking for a good quality denim jacket for the fall season.

What trend from the 90s are you looking to try out or obsessed with? I honestly don’t have just one trend that I’m excited for. I’m obsessed with all things 90s so I’m loving that this style is coming back. If you’re heading back to school this fall, stop by H&M to pick up your new wardrobe. I promise that you won’t be disappointed. The prices and quality of the pieces are amazing! You can literally get a whole new wardrobe without breaking the bank, which is perfect for college students. *hint hint*

The post Back to School with H&M appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.