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Modest Fashion Friday: How to Style Dresses With Pants

by | Nov 11, 2016 | Fashion

leopard-dress-pants

I’m not one to follow every single trend that comes along. Some trends come and go and I never even try them. I know what works with my own personal style, and if the trend fits in with that, then I will make it work for me.

As Coco Chanel famously said, “Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”

The current trend of wearing pants with dresses is one I have really enjoyed making work for me. I am a dress wearing kind of gal. Wearing a dress gives me a sense of femininity and has a ladylike quality. But sometimes a girl just needs the practicality a pair of pants provides. Enter the dresses over pants trend. It’s truly a fabulous trend.

Here are 3 examples of how I make this trend work for me. Most of these dresses are not ones I would wear on their own—they are just too short for me to be comfortable in. But add a pair of pants underneath, and the modesty level has been raised to a point I’m comfortable with.

This first outfit is so much fun to wear. It has a certain sophistication, but it also gives off a fun feel. The navy slim ankle pant worn with the blue flats looks chic and put together.

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The leopard print dress is the only piece of animal print I own. I like the fact that it is not your typical leopard print. It has a lovely subdued, softened quality that is more in keeping with my personal style than most animal prints. I added a grey infinity scarf to it, which breaks up the print. The scarf also helps to balance the proportions of the outfit.

This next look is a beautiful fully lined chiffon dress in navy. I’ve paired it with a pair of taupe jeans and booties. This look has such an air of elegance. The fabric makes this dress floaty and etherial and the slim look of the jeans balances out the fullness of the dress.

navy-chiffon-dress-jeans

These booties are a favorite of mine. They’re so versatile and go with so many different outfits.

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The necklace I wore with this outfit is very special to me. It was lovingly made for me by my very talented son. He does such beautiful work; I’m so proud to wear this gorgeous piece of art around my neck.

This third look is a more casual outfit. It has a boho chic vibe going on. It’s extremely comfortable and perfect for kicking around the house (which is what I did on the day I took these photos). This purple dress is made of linen, but it is heavy enough that it works well for fall. Duster cardigans like the one I wore with this outfit are another trend I can really make work for me. And my favorite booties again make an appearance in this outfit.

purple-dress-cardigan-jeans

These bootcut jeans are a thrift store find I’ve had forever. They are extremely comfortable and fit me perfectly.

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Last but not least, I have to mention the earrings. These beauties take the boho vibe to a whole other level. They are by far my biggest and dangliest earrings, and I love them!

What I Wore

First Outfit
Leopard print dress: Gap via ThredUp
Navy pants: Gap via ThredUp
Flats: Alpine Swiss (Amazon)
Infinity scarf: find a similar one here
Earrings: Chicnico

Second outfit
Chiffon dress: Exhilaration (thrifted, but here’s one like it)
Jeans: J Brand via ThredUp (These cost $250 new, but I got mine for $12! ThredUp is amazing!)
Booties: Natural Breeze via Zulily
Necklace: handmade by Noah Miller

Third outfit
Dress: J. Jill via ThredUp
Bootcut jeans: Gap (thrifted, but here are the same pair)
Cardigan: Old Navy
Booties: Natural Breeze via Zulily
Earrings: I got mine from Dressing Your Truth, but find similar ones here

What do you think of the pants with dresses look? Is it for you? Or do you choose not to follow this particular trend? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Oh, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a beautiful plaid blanket scarf. This scarf is perfect for late fall and the holidays. Head on over to the entry form.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Fall Lifestyle Favorites (and a Giveaway!)

by | Nov 7, 2016 | Beauty, Fashion, Home & Family, Lifestyle

fall-favorites

I can’t believe we are already almost a week into November. Where in the world did the month of October go? In this post, I’d like to share a few of the things I’ve been using and loving in recent weeks.

Without further ado, here is my list of favorites from this fall.

Fashion

1.  Blanket Scarf

A blanket scarf is the perfect fall accessory. This scarf is so soft and cozy, wearing it is like cuddling in a blanket all day long. (Hmmm, I guess that’s why it’s called a blanket scarf…) If you missed it, you might want to check out my previous post on 5 Ways to Wear a Blanket Scarf. It’s always fun to get creative with your accessories.

2. Taupe Booties from Natural Breeze

I ordered these pretty little booties from Zulily recently and I’m really loving them. They’re just so cute! I haven’t been a real fan of the bootie craze in the past, but when I found these little cuties, I knew I was going to become a convert. They are so easy to style with so many different looks. As a bonus, they’re actually comfortable.

Beauty

3. Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Blush Basin

This lipstick has become my go-to lip color. I wear it almost everyday. It is such a beautiful mauve color. It’s the perfect “your lips but better” shade. The formula is rich and smooth and it goes on easily. Staying power is pretty good. And I like that the ingredients are fairly good (as in, natural and not full of harmful ingredients).

Food

4. Caramel Apple Rooibos Tea from The Republic of Tea

As I mentioned in a previous post, this is my absolute favorite tea for fall. Really, I could drink this tea anytime of year, but it’s only available for a limited time each year. So, I enjoy it while I can and spend the rest of the year looking forward to its deliciousness.

Books

5. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

I recently finished reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad and I must tell you, it blew my mind. This book has been around for a while and is fairly well known (it is considered a classic in certain circles), though I had never read anything quite like it before. Maybe the content of this book won’t be that revolutionary for other people who read it, but for me, it was simply eye-opening in so many ways. It gave me a whole new perspective on finances, making money, and what it means to be successful.

For the Home

6. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Dish Soap

Believe it or not, I actually like to wash dishes. (Which I guess is a good thing, since, with a family of 10, we create a lot of dirty dishes.) The only thing I don’t like about dishes is the damage most brands of dishwashing soap can do to my hands. I hate wearing rubber gloves to wash the dishes. With my sensitive skin, this creates a problem, especially in the winter months when my skin tends to be even drier than usual. The solution, I’ve recently found, is Mrs. Meyers Dish Soap. My favorite is the basil scented one. The formula is much gentler on my hands than most other dish soaps. And the basil scent makes me happy.

I’d love to hear some of your recent favorites from this fall. Please feel free to share in the comments.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

blanket-scarf-classic-style

And now, It’s giveaway time!

I’m so excited to be hosting this giveaway. The winner will receive their very own beautiful plaid blanket scarf, exactly like the one pictured here! To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway will run for 10 days. I will contact the winner by email within 24 hours of the close of the contest.

I can’t wait to see who wins this gorgeous scarf!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Classic Fashion Combo: Chambray and Stripes

by | Nov 4, 2016 | Fashion

chambray-and-stripes

A chambray button down is a classic fashion item. In my opinion, it should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe. The chambray shirt is such a versatile piece. It can be worn so many different ways. I wear mine with maxi skirts, over dresses, and underneath sweaters. All this from a simple, unassuming little chambray shirt. The styling possibilities are endless!

chambray-and-stripes

One stylish way to wear a chambray shirt is with a striped skirt, whether midi or maxi length. Here I have styled mine with a gray and beige striped knit maxi skirt. and a pair of suede booties. This look is cute and casual and comfortable. It’s a perfect look for fall and winter.

chambray-and-stripes

I completed this look with a gray beaded statement necklace and some simple silver toned earrings. These few accessories compliment the simplicity of the rest of the outfit without complicating the look. For my hair, I went with an easy up do and finished up with a minimalist everyday makeup look.

A casual knot at the waistline trims the silhouette. Rolling up the sleeves keeps the shirt from giving off a stuffy appearance.

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This whole look gives off an effortless and relaxed feel while still having a touch of elegance about it. And the comfort level is extremely high with this one! Whenever I wear this outfit, I feel like I’m walking around in my pajamas all day. Yet, despite being so comfy, it still looks polished and put together. Don’t you just love outfits like that?

What I Wore

Chambray shirt: Gap via ThredUp, several years ago (here is a similar one from Shabby Apple)
Striped skirt: find a similar one here (or try this dress option)
Booties: Natural Breeze via Zulilly
Necklace: mine came from Walmart years ago, but this one is even prettier
Earrings: Chicnico

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

How to Plan Outfits Using Evernote

by | Nov 2, 2016 | Fashion, Organization

plan-outfits-using-evernote

Have you ever stood in front of your closet with no idea what to choose to wear that day? Does it seem like you are always scrambling in the morning, trying to come up with a put together outfit but coming up short? Are you crunched for time most days and wish you had a system to help you get dressed quickly each morning?

A while back, I discovered a little trick that has helped me tremendously in planning my outfits and organizing my wardrobe. I made this discovery when I was preparing for a trip, and I have found that it can be extremely useful for everyday wardrobe planning as well.

My helpful little trip utilizes the amazing app known as Evernote.

Have you heard of Evernote? You can read my more complete review of this app here. For now, suffice it to say I really love this app. The possibilities to use Evernote are limitless. It can help you simplify and organize your life in so many ways.

One of the ways Evernote can help get your life organized is outfit planning. Here’s how I use Evernote to plan my outfits.

1. Think about the week ahead.

What activities will you be doing that week? Where will you be going? Are there any special wardrobe items you will need to have ready for a certain day that week? Thinking ahead gives you a chance to evaluate what sort of choices you will need to make when it comes to your clothing for the upcoming days.

2. Choose an outfit for each day of the entire week.

This may seem like a lot of work all at once. After all, the idea is to make this process easier, right? But trust me, this makes it so much simpler to plan your looks for the week. Choosing 5, 6, or 7 outfits at a time doesn’t really take that much longer than choosing 1.

Think about it; you’re already in outfit planning mode. Taking a block of time to pull out, match up, and lay out your choices will save so much time when you are actually getting ready on a given day during the week. You won’t have to stop and think about which top you’ll pair with which bottom and which shoes go with those. All that decision making has already been done.

3. Lay out or try on your outfit choices.

One by one, lay out your choices—on your bed, on the floor, maybe hanging up on a clothes hanger. Lay out or hang them anywhere you can get a good overview of them. You can even try each outfit on. (That’s what I usually do.)

4. Take a good, clear photo of each outfit.

A good photo of your planned outfits is an extremely useful tool. As you’ll see in the next step, it is an essential part of this process. Make sure it’s well lit and you’ve included everything in the photo that you want as part of the outfit. Shoes, belt, jewelry, even handbag. Everything.

5. Add the photos to a note in Evernote

Open up your Evernote app (if you don’t have Evernote yet, you can open a account and download the app for FREE here). Add a new note. Upload the outfit pictures you just took to the new note you just created. Save and file the note in an appropriate notebook within the app.

6. Use the note in Evernote as a guide

Now you have a handy reference for the outfits you have planned out ahead of time. As you get ready in the morning, refer to your note in the Evernote app. All the details are already there; all you have to do is pull out the items that make up the outfit and get dressed!

After a while, you will have a good sized library of outfit ideas to look to for inspiration. Your closet will come alive with possibilities!

This little trick has worked beautifully for me, especially when I am planning for travel. It helps me streamline my packing process and make the job so much easier.

Plus, it can kind of feel like playing dress up in your own closet!

If you try out this idea, and it works for you as well as it has for me, I’d love to know!

If you have an outfit planning system that works great for you, please share in the comments. I always like to hear new ideas!

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links. This helps cover the expense of running the site while keeping the content 100% free. Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Modest Fashion Friday: Olive Green and Plum

by | Oct 28, 2016 | Fashion

olive-green-sweater

As the brightly colored leaves flutter to the ground, I’m pulling out more and more of my sweaters.

An olive green cardigan sweater and plum skirt make the perfect palate for a fall look. This cardigan was a bargain find. It was yet another amazing ThredUp purchase. This one was brand new with the tags still on it! The tie belt on the sweater gives a bit of extra interest. There is a subtle sheen to the fabric that dresses up the simple style of this cardigan. And it goes so perfectly with the beautifully patterned skirt I paired it with here.

I got another bargain on the skirt, which came from a local thrift store. The pattern on the skirt is so detailed. It has a sort of mixture of fleur de lis and paisley. The background is plum with accents of gray and brown and bits of the same olive green that I’ve picked up in the sweater.

I added a brown scarf, which picks up the brown accent in the skirt. It adds a bit of extra interest and coziness to the style.

Last but not least are the shoes. These gals are gorgeous! I picked them up at the New Balance factory outlet near our home. Can you believe New Balance makes shoes this pretty? They are a nice neutral medium brown with a wearable 2″ heel and Mary Jane style straps. Perfection! And they’re so comfortable!

My darling husband joined me for this photo shoot. Isn’t that sweet of him? He’s such a handsome fella; I sure am a blessed lady.

olive-green-sweater

What I Wore

Cardigan Sweater: Banana Republic (via ThredUp)
Skirt: Nine & Company (thrifted)
Tank: Gap
Scarf: Walmart
Shoes: Cobb Hill by New Balance

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links. This helps cover the expense of running the site while keeping the content 100% free. Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Modest Fashion Friday: Ombre Maxi Skirt

by | Oct 21, 2016 | Fashion

ombre-maxi-skirt

If you have read any of my other Modest Fashion Friday posts, you may have noticed that I have an affinity for maxi skirts. I love how flowy and feminine they are. And modesty is usually a given in a maxi skirt. The length keeps you covered (and then some). Knit maxis are my favorite because they are so comfortable, it’s like wearing your pajamas all day–while still looking fabulously put together!

Maxi skirts are a trend that is enduring. I think that may be because they are so wearable for just about every woman. The length is flattering. And they come in just about every fabric, color, and style you can imagine.

I think I might own 8 or 9 maxi skirts, most of which are made of knit. I may or may not be slightly addicted. {ahem}

Another trend that seems to be hanging around is ombre. It adds such interest to a garment. No longer relegated merely to the boho style, ombre is becoming a classic.

ombre-maxi-skirt

This knit maxi has a beautiful deep raspberry and navy ombre effect. It’s just so lovely, I can’t stop wearing it. I love the look of it with this surplice style sweater and navy halftee. It’s such a pretty, feminine combination. The sweater is soft and comfy. This outfit is the epitome of stylish comfort.

ombre-maxi-skirt
What I Wore:

Maxi skirt: Dressing Your Truth (I found one similar here)
Sweater: Ann Taylor LOFT via ThredUp
Halftee: Halftee via Deborah and Co.

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links. This helps cover the expense of running the site while keeping the content 100% free. Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

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