Dressed Up and Down

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In my post yesterday, I took a single blouse and styled it two different ways. In addition to that, I mentioned that I liked taking a dressy look and pairing an edgy jacket with it and doing the opposite with a casual look. I seem to be drawn to black and white a lot lately but I couldn't resist throwing in a bright red pump and slightly over-the-top red earrings for the dressed up look.

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These two looks may not share the same blouse but they are both great examples of how to add a polished vibe to a relaxed look, and take a dressy look down a level with a cargo-style jacket. Instead of wearing a sweatshirt with jeans (my frequent go-to option), try a pair of leather shorts. The studs on the loafers take this relaxed look up a few notches and the black blazer polishes the look off perfectly.

The dressed up version to the right can easily feel too girly so throwing on a parka with faux leather sleeves instantly takes this glam version down a bit. 

Of course, not everything has to be in opposition. There are plenty of times when I want to wear a blazer with my dressy look, and my leather jacket with my ripped jeans. It all depends on my mood.

Have a great day!

A Perfect Match

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It has been a while since I have put together a few outfit sets. I ran across this v-neck long-sleeve shirt while browsing online and thought of how easy a simple piece could be incorporated into outfits. The possibilities are endless but I came up with a dressy version as well as a casual version. Of course the idea of a long sleeve t-shirt lends itself to casual wear but I think with the right pieces and accessories, it can work for the evening as well.

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One of the biggest challenges of styling clothing is taking a piece from winter to summer or vice versa. I know in the past there have been many articles of clothing in my closet that have only seen one season at a time. I think taking summer pieces and making them work for winter is the easy part. (Really, have you tried to make a winter parka work for summer?) By simply adding longer pants and a blazer, a top worn in the summer can be worn in the winter as well. Go check your closet - I bet you have several tops that can be thrown under a blazer or cardigan for a perfect look now.

Have a great day!

Battle of the Styles

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Lately I have been evaluating my wardrobe. I have never been a t-shirt kind of girl. (You know, the regular t-shirts that most of us wear to the store, running, around the house, etc.) It isn't that I have anything against them, I just don't like the way they look on me. So I have been a 'cutesie' t-shirt kind of girl. (See below.)

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These are the types of tops that I used to continually gravitate toward: basic silhouettes in solid colors. (Maybe a pattern here and there.) While I think that basic tops are a must in any wardrobe (see post here), I think it is important to have several statement pieces as well.

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The more I think about it, I believe that embellished tops belong in every woman's wardrobe. I think it is fun to have a a few pieces that are a little over-the-top. It may be just a few sequins splashed across the shoulders like the Forever 21 tank pictured. Or perhaps it is a little lace. Of course, I am loving that pearl embellished t-shirt! The point is that your wardrobe should be made up of basic, classic pieces, but you should have some fun pieces as well. Don't think that you "can't do sequins" or "can't pull off lace." That is, of course, rubbish.

Have a great Tuesday!

Coordinate Your Basics

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If you recall last week's post about building your fall wardrobe, I promised that I would show you how some of the pieces could coordinate with each other. I started with just a basic white blouse. There are so many ways to wear a white blouse but for time's sake, I created only two outfits. 

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Another staple in any woman's wardrobe is a striped shirt. I created a dressy version with a pencil skirt to the left, and a more casual version with an army jacket and ankle boots to the right. I think the casual version is my favorite of the pair.

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A sweater in a neutral color, such as gray, acts as a building block for any outfit. It goes with any color and can be dressed up or down depending on your mood.

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Not every top has to be a solid color. Adding an animal print to a feminine blouse is a great way to add a bit of excitement to your wardrobe. 

There are multiple ways for all of these pieces to coordinate with each other. You will find that you can wear a single item many times but have it look different each time if you use different pieces with it. Once you have built the foundation of your wardrobe, you can purchase more trendy pieces here and there to give your wardrobe a little bit more fullness. 

Build Your Fall Wardrobe

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I don't know about you, but sometimes when I am shopping, I find myself buying a lot of one particular item. In my case, it is shirts. The ratio of shirts to bottoms in my closet is about 20/1. I am slowly trying to build a more balanced wardrobe so that I can easily mix pieces and create brand new looks each day. I have compiled a few basic items in each category if you are looking to do the same thing. These pieces can all work together and you will for sure find that you won't have to wear the same thing twice.

Tops:

• A white blouse is the key to any wardrobe. It can be worn so many ways and in every season of the year.
• You can never have too many white blouses. Picking one with a fun collar is a simple way to add interest to your outfit.
• Animal prints seem to be in style just about every single year. Having a blouse in a fun animal print can be an easy way to stay chic at the office and can transition to after-work drinks with friends.
• A chambray shirt is a classic piece that can be dressed up or down.
• A striped shirt is also a key basic. Stripes never go out of style and can be worn all year long.
• A sweater is a no-brainer for fall. Pick a light-weight fabric so you won't burn up before the really cold weather hits.

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• Full skirts look cute with bare legs or with tights in colder weather.
• A pencil skirt is a must for any woman's wardrobe.
• Pick a skirt in a fun print. I love to have at least one fun print hanging in my closet!

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I am definitely a jeans girl, but lately I have been trying to add pants and skirts to my wardrobe. Jeans are a staple, but try adding a basic black pair of pants and a bright color pair as well. Pick a wild (or feminine) print pant to your wardrobe too. Not everything needs to be a solid color!

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Jackets:

• Blazers are a great way to make a look appear more polished. Black is the first color I would suggest buying if you are looking for a blazer. Of course, adding a fun color (really any color will do) later on will only stretch your wardrobe even more.
• A denim jacket is a classic piece that will be in style forever. It's casual and easy to wear.
• A boucle jacket can be worn dressed up with a pencil skirt or can be dressed down with a pair of skinny jeans.
• A leather motorcycle jacket brings a bit of edge to any look.
• An army jacket would look great over a floral dress and ankle boots or would work well with jeans.

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Of course, no outfit is complete without a pair of shoes. I might have picked more in this category than in the others but a girl can never have too many shoes! 

Check back next week to see how these pieces can work together. Have a great day!

Get The Look

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I have always admired Olivia Palermo's style. She exudes a classic air but looks stylish all the same. This is a cute look that she wore during Fashion Week just a few days ago. I picked a few pieces to emulate the look she portrays.

For fun, I decided to use the animal print shorts and build two different outfits around them. Of course I love both looks but always tend to lean toward the edgier style. Which style do you like best?

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Have a great day!

Sparkle

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I think sequins have come a long way over the past few years. When I last wore them, they were splashed all over my costumes for dance recitals or for danceline. After such showy pieces, I tried to remain snobby towards them but the priss-pot in me won and I am loving them right now.

It is possible to walk dangerously close to a costumey look if sequins are not worn properly. I think that the article of clothing covered in sequins should be the focal point. If you are wearing a sequin top, try to wear something less flashy on the bottom. The silver-sequined sweater pictured above would look cute with leather trousers. If leather isn't your thing, then jeans would always be a safe choice.

If sequins are a little much for you, maybe a pair of glitter flats would be a good choice. With a less shiny surface area concentrated on your feet, you will look chic and not so much like a disco ball.

Do you like sequins? How do you wear them?

Zipped Up

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I love how a zipper can take a piece of clothing from simple to edgy. A motorcycle jacket is already edgy in its nature, but add a few extra zippers and you have a cool piece. Downplay edgy pieces with feminine ones like a sequin skirt, or sandals with bows. 

Feeling Fall

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The weather is still pretty warm, but that hasn't stopped me from looking for fall pieces. These are a few pieces that I think will work well for in-between weather and even carry through into the winter. The Steve Madden boots are a recent purchase of mine on the recommendation of my sister. I had been looking for the perfect dark brown boots for the past few years, so when I saw these I knew I had to have them. 

I am loving the nude heels as well. I think a pair of nude heels is essential to any woman's wardrobe. They go with everything and you can wear them year round.

What pieces are on your fall must-have list?

Date Night

As most of you might know, I am a mom of two little boys so I cherish any date night that I can get with my husband. I love to get dressed up for our dates. In fact, I think I dress up more for our dates now than I did when we were dating!

I put together two date night looks that I would wear on a dinner date. The look on the left is a little bit more casual, but the bow flats and the metallic bag keep it feminine and sweet. The look on the right is a little more glitzy, thanks to the sequins. Not many accessories are needed for such a vibrant piece.

Do you dress up for dates, or do you like to keep it casual? I would love to know!

Change of Season

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If you live in a warmer climate, fall tends to come a little later. The hottest months of the year where I live tend to be August and September. When it comes to clothing, you may not be willing to dress in long sleeves, pants and cute winter coats just yet. The two outfits I put together are great transitional pieces for those hot September days when the thought of pants is stifling. You can stay cool in a sleeveless top and still look somewhat appropriate for fall with the darker colors.

Basic Black

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I'm on the hunt for the perfect, basic black skirt. Fall is just around the corner and I am starting to plan my wardrobe. The above outfits are perfect examples of how a basic black skirt can go from summer to fall. Do you have a simple black skirt? How do you style it to take it from summer into fall?

Simple Sweaters

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There is nothing better than taking a comfortable, slouchy sweater and creating several looks around it. I realize that sweaters in the summer are quite impractical (at least where I live) but cooler temperatures will be here before we know it. 

I like both versions that I created but I think the dressed down version is my favorite. Which do you prefer?

I hope you guys have a great day!

Inspired By

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The floral trend is still going strong, as evidenced by the lovely top Emma Roberts wore. I love the feminine touch that a floral blouse brings to an ensemble. And an outfit with jeans? Doesn't get much better than that! I decided to put together two looks (a day and night) around the same sweet floral print blouse. While the snug fit of Emma's top is cute, I am loving the flow and ease of the top that I selected.

I hope you guys have a wonderful day!

Inspired By...

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I stumbled upon this picture of Kate Bosworth sporting a polka dot skater dress and couldn't wait to create something inspired by her look. I liked the idea of pairing a sweater with a flirty skirt and the same cool booties that she wore. The mix of funky and girly is something that I absolutely love. I was going to pick a bright bag for the ensemble but then changed my mind and stuck to black and white with only a hint of shimmer in the gold discs on the bracelet. I love color (see previous post) but sometimes wearing black and white is something that I like to do.

I hope you guys have a fabulous day!

What to Wear With...

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When I get dressed in the morning, I take into consideration how my hair will look with certain pieces. For instance, I have a denim romper that seems to only look good with a top knot. I've tried wearing my hair curly (my go-to hair style) with this piece but somehow the combination of denim and curly hair looks a little too 80s. Wearing it with a top knot seems to take the retro vibe away.

I put together several looks to go with three different hair styles. These are all looks that I think would work with the hair styles I've picked. Of course, some of these can be swapped around.

What is your favorite way to wear your hair? I'd love to know!

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Get the Look

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Olivia Palermo is one of my favorite style icons. I don't think I have ever seen her in a bad outfit. This photo was snapped as she was walking her dog. Cute, right? I'm pretty sure I would have been caught in workout attire and not this cute sweater and shorts.

I love putting together outfits for these 'Get the Look' posts. It's fun to create outfits inspired by ones seen on the street. However, when I think 'Get the Look,' only one image truly comes to mind:

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Zoolander was accused of only having one look (which made him very angry). Then came along 'blue steel' which changed the world of modeling as we know it. I just couldn't resist adding this. It is too funny. I hope you guys have a great weekend!

Best In Rompers

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For this post, I decided to focus on rompers, one of my favorite trends in fashion. I put together four different looks, each geared toward a particular style. The first set is inspired by a look that I wore a few weeks ago. You can read that post here.

I basically used accessories to define each style. If you thought you couldn't wear a romper, think again. There are many ways to style them and you can probably find a look that is right for you.

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Peplum & Product Review

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I loved this little peplum t-shirt as soon as I saw it. It is a reasonable (only $20) way to jump into the peplum trend if you haven't yet done so. Sometimes I am hesitant to spend a lot of money on something trendy that won't be in style for a long time. This top won't break the bank, which I love. I also love that it can go from casual with a pair of shorts and sandals, to dressed up with a sequined skirt and heels. I may just have to order this top before they are all gone!

                                                    * Product Review *

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Have you heard of the new Covergirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 foundation? It is a foundation and serum that 'hydrates to improve skin tone and covers discolorations.' (Info according to Covergirl website.) I don't have any skin discolorations but I can tell you that I love this foundation! I haven't used a liquid foundation in years so I was hesitant to purchase this. (I have been using a mineral powder for my foundation because I was tired of heavy liquid foundations.) This foundation surprised me. It is not heavy or greasy or anything terrible associated with liquid foundations. I don't know if I have paid attention to its moisturizing properties but I still love this foundation. It goes on smoothly and gives my skin a nice even finish. It doesn't smell all that bad either!

I recently got a sample of Chanel foundation in the mail and I was so excited to try it. I figured if it was Chanel then it would feel like liquid gold going on my skin. And of course I would look fabulous beyond belief. I tried it and hated it. It was heavy and the smell was horrible! I washed my face and pulled out my trusty little tube of Covergirl. 

If you are looking for a new foundation, try this one. Drugstore cosmetics have come a long way y'all!

Summer Destination

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My good friend Katie over at The Catholic Wife was the first to respond when I came up with the idea of creating outfit sets inspired by the summer vacation plans of my readers. Her family lives in Nebraska so she will soon be making the long drive from Louisiana with her husband and two little boys. (Our toddlers are buddies and our almost 8 month old boys are sure to be friends as well.)

I created two looks that would be appropriate for hanging out with friends and family. Wearing sandals is a must in the summer. Especially when you plan to be outdoors chasing your little boy around. (Of course, she could just make her husband do the chasing while she sits and relaxes....right Katie?)

I created the second look for a lunch date with friends. Wearing jeans shouldn't be too hot, as long as the lunch date happens indoors. Bright colors in the top, jeans, belt, and shoes guarantee that this lunch date look is a stylish one.

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Of course, no trip would be complete without at least one date night. I know my girl loves navy and yellow so I couldn't resist putting together a look with those colors.

It was fun coming up with outfit ideas for my friend. If you are interested in having me put together an outfit inspired by your upcoming summer vacation destination, hurry and email me!

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