Clothed with Grace: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

Style Swap Link up: Week Four

Welcome to the forth week of Jenn and my link up, Style Swap. Last week I was flattered to have Laura of I do deClaire and Lydia of Chic on the Cheap Style Swap looks of mine for their posts. This week I've Style Swapped with Valerie from The Style Files. She'd gotten her swap inspiration from Tara. I loved Tara's look when I originally saw it and Valerie take was great too. I don't have a cute pink blazer, but I decided to use their looks for inspiration to create my own spin. I have to admit it feels good to be able to wear dress clothes like this again after freezing all winter long. I love my vests, but I'm ready to say goodbye to them until next fall.

Link up details down below, I can't wait to see your posts!

Blazer: Tahari by Arthur S. Levine $.99 (thrifted) similar

Top: Merona $19 blouse

Skirt: Express similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade, Urbane

Heels: Nine West same

The Link-up Details:

Our goal is to help you share your great style, as well as a blogger whose style you love. Each Friday you can link up in one of two ways:

Pick a blogger buddy and choose to do a “Style Swap” with each other, just like Jenn and I did today. Pick one of each other’s looks you love and create your own spin on it, therefore “swapping styles,” then link to each other and to us. This will build your audience in two ways: one, with the blogger collaboration, and two by linking up with us. Awesome, right?
The second way is to simply choose a blogger you love and take one of their looks and swap your style for theirs. Then, link to the blogger out of courtesy and link up with us as well.

At the end of each link-up Jenn and I will take one of the looks we love best, and we'll “Style Swap” your look and create our own spin on it. Then, we'll showcase your look and link to you on the next link-up.

We politely ask that you follow Jenn and I on at least one social media outlet before linking up. Here's all the links you need to easily follow:

Jenn: Bloglovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook
Ginny: Bloglovin / Pinterest /Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / GFC (use button)

Here’s our button to grab and add to your post:

An InLinkz Link-up

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Head to Toe Chic: Date Night Essentials

Welcome to Niki at Glossy Blonde and my first link-up, "Head to Toe Chic!" This months topic is "Date Night Essentials." We can't wait to see your posts!

I'm always so excited when I get a date night! Brian and I don't get to go on them a lot, but when we do I really like to get dressed up. When it comes to getting ready I have a number of essentials that are a must for any date night.

I start with picking out a great dress. I found this one on the clearance rack at Target for $8!
Next I plan my accessories. I chose this necklace from Stella and Dot because I love the "bling" and how it dresses up any look. I also love to add a few great bracelets.
I also love to pull out a clutch for special occasions. The one I'm carrying is a few years old, but I also love this one at Target.
After I've gotten the outfit, I get started on the beauty side of it. I use a this straightener and also add Tresamme' serum with argon oil. It's similar to this, but I can't find the exact online.
After finishing up my hair and the rest of my makeup I love to finish off my look with a great lip gloss with a high shine, like this one in Liquid Petal.

I also have another link up tomorrow with Jenn at The Brandied Pair. Pick a blogger to swap styles with and link up with us! The button is on my sidebar for you to grab. : )

Dress: Target same

Cardigan: NY and Co similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade, Urbane

Clutch: ? similar

Heels: Nine West same

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Tre-Chic Fashion Thursdays

What I Wore to Work Link-up

I can't wait to see your looks! Here's the link-up details:

Link up a post highlighting your 5 date night essentials.
Please follow Niki and Ginny on at least one social media outlet, links below. Ginny: Bloglovin / Pinterest /Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / GFC (use button) Niki: Bloglovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook
Add our button to your post and link back to us.

An InLinkz Link-up

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Pink, Stripes, and Styling

I really like today's combo. I recently picked up this skirt at JC Penney after seeing it on Valerie. I really loved her combo of pink, black, and white, so I decided to try that here too. The same weekend I found this skirt I found this blazer at Kohl's on super sale, and decide to pair them both with my Joe Fresh blouse. I haven't really been shopping since the first of the year (unintentionally) but am really happy to add these two new pieces to my wardrobe.

I've really enjoyed creating my "tips for dressing for your shape" posts and I've started to have some interest in styling services as well. That being said, I've created a Styling Services page. I love getting to help others feel more confident about themselves and their style. If you're interested, email me!

Also, there are two link-ups on the blog this week! The first is on Thursday with Niki at Glossy Blonde. Create a post sharing you five date night essentials and link-up with us! The second is with Jenn at The Brandied Pair. Pick a blogger to swap styles with and link up with us on Friday! Both buttons are on my sidebar for you to grab. : )

Blazer: Lauren Conrad $10 same

Blouse: Joe Fresh $3 almost exact

Skirt: Worthington same

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade, Urbane

Heels: Nine West same

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tips for Styling an Inverted Triangle Shape

Today I'm excited to be back with another edition of my series, dressing for your body type. In case you've missed it first I talked about how to dress for an hourglass shape, next I talked about dressing for a pear shape, and today I'll be cover the inverted triangle. The lovely Brett from Silver Girl has been kind enough to share a picture with us today. When creating this post I found some great tips on The Chic Fashionista, let credit be given when it is due : )

Not sure if this shape applies to you, here are some characteristics:

Your bust and shoulders are proportionally wider than your hips
Your hips are narrower than your bust and shoulders
You may have slim and defined legs
You may have a small rear
You may look sporty or athletic
You may have little to no waist definition

Here are some tips for dressing, if you are an inverted triangle:

With tops:

Wear v-neck, Henley, or scoop neck shirts to draw interest away from your shoulders.
Wear jackets and tops that end at your waist, this will make your hips look curvier and give the appearance of a more defined waist.
Wear wide strap dresses or shirts instead of thin or spaghetti straps
Wear collarless shirts
Wear cardigans open, this will add the appearance of a more defined waist and will draw attention away from your shoulders.
Add a belt around the smallest part of your waist to give the appearance of a more defined one.

With bottoms:

Work to add more volume and interest to the width of your hip line and thighs
Wear light, bright colored, or printed bottoms
Wear fuller skirts, like a-line or tiered
If wearing a pencil skirt, wear a bright color or one with a print to help add interest
Wear boot cut, flare, or wide-leg pants
If you wear shinny jeans, stick to a dark top to help balance out your proportions
Wear bold and interesting shoes, this will draw interest down and point out your great legs too

Brett has already done a number of these tips in the outfit above, way to go! Using these tips I worked to create some outfits for her.

Brett works from home, so she gets to dress as she would like, lucky girl. Using the tips above I created a comfy look for her that is still put together if she needs to meet with clients or run errands. I picked a great classic white blouse with a v-neck to draw attention away from her shoulders. I also chose a long pendant necklace to draw attention downward as well. I found a great denim jacket that will hit at the waist to help add waist definition to her athletic build. and a great printed ankle pant to showcase her legs and a great red shoe as well.

Blouse / Jean Jacket / Print Pants / Earrings / Watch / Necklace

On the weekends Brett said she likes to keep it casual with a sweater, jeans and boots. She said she loves everything pink, so I thought this v-neck sweater would be great. Skinny jeans alone aren't always going to be flattering on something that is an inverted triangle, but adding boots helps to balance out the proportions. I found another great pendant necklace to add and a pretty pair of earrings and bracelets to help finish off the look.

Sweater / Jeans / Boots / Bracelets / Earrings / Necklace

Brett said she likes to dress up for date night, but also loves the unexpected. Using the tips above I found a great fit and flare dress I think she'd look amazing in. The flare at the bottom will help to even out an inverted triangle's proportions and the stripes at the bottom will add interest too. Adding a cardigan unbuttoned will also help soften an inverted triangle's shoulders. I picked out some great dressy jewelry to glam up the look and a pair of fab heels to show off Brett's legs.

Dress / Cardigan / Heels / Earrings / Necklace / Bracelet

I've also create a tip sheet for you all as well.

Next Week I'll be covering tips for styling a rectangle shape, make sure to come back then. Also, not sure of your shape? Check out this post for specific characteristics for each shape.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Cobalt, Black, and Sailboats

I mentioned on Instagram last week that I went to Target only intending to buy a coffee mug, and I ended up walking out with a number of things, including this top, and a coffee mug. I had my eye on this cute blouse when it was full price, but sail boats in January didn't work for me, but then it went on sale for $7 and it's almost March. I was sold. : ) I really like it styled with my black jeans and leopard heels but really can't wait to wear it with white skinnys. Alas, I live in the Midwest and everyone would look at me like I was crazy if I pulled those out before May.

This weekend I created an Instagram shop to sell some of my like-new clothing and jewelry. Come check it out here.

Also, there are two link-ups on the blog this week! The first is on Thursday with Niki at Glossy Blonde. Create a post sharing you five date night essentials and link-up with us! The second is with Jenn at The Brandied Pair. Pick a blogger to swap styles with and link up with us on Friday! Both buttons are on my sidebar for you to grab. : )

Blouse: Merona $7 same

Blazer: Loft $30 similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

Bracelets: Chimera, Moxie , Renegade Stella and Dot

Jeans: Old Navy $15 similar

Heels: Fergalicious similar

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Campus Book Rentals and Operation Smile

Today Campus Book Rentals has asked me to share some with you some great information about how to save money on textbooks as well as a great way to help others with Operation Smile.

When I was in college the price of buying textbooks each semester drove me crazy, especially when professors would add like six books to their list, then only have us read two of them. As you all know, I'm teaching myself now and have a master's as well, but many of my co-workers are working on their masters degrees and I hear them complain about the cost of textbooks. That's where Campus Book Rentals comes in. They offer:

-prices that are 40-90% off of the bookstore price
-free shipping both ways
-you can highlight in the textbooks
-you can chose how long you need the book

The also just started a program called Rent Back. Here's how it works:

One of the great things about Campus Book Rentals is that that with each book you rent they donate money to Operation Smile, very cool, right? Here's what Operation Smile is all about:

A simple smile, in an instant it can change someone's day. It's something most of us take for granted, and something that doesn't come easily to all: that's where Operation Smile comes in. Operation Smile is an organization whose medical mission is to deliver safe surgeries to those with cleft palates in places where access to surgery may not be available, frequently in the developing world. They combine the talent of medical volunteers from different countries with the best practices in surgical care to meet two goals: immediately transform the children they treat while creating self-sufficient, long-term solutions.

Operation Smile transforms the smiles, and not to mention the lives, of children with cleft palates in as little as 45 minutes with the cost of $240. Pretty amazing, right? Their website states: "Our international medical missions consist of a team of credentialed medical professionals from around the world who travel to an Operation Smile partner country to treat children throughout a two-week period."

When going on a medical mission, 300-500 children receive full medical evaluations and 100-150 children are surgically treated. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, like Campus Book Rentals, they are able go on international medical missions each year in and give medical care to individuals who wouldn't normally be able to receive it.

You can help too! Consider donating to Operation Smile, and change a child's life forever.

This post was sponsored by Campus Book Rentals, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Style Swap Link Up, Week Three

I'm excited to be back today for week three of Jenn and my link up, "Style Swap." This week I swapped styles with the lovely Lauren at Exploring My Style. She had swapped styles with Danielle and I love how the look came together. I made it my own by adding a leopard scarf and this was the perfect look for a casual night with friends last Sunday night. I can't wait to see your Style Swaps this week, link up down below!

Blazer: Target (thrifted) similar

Shirt: J.Crew Factory $12 similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot same

Scarf: Born Pretty c/o same use code GMT10 for a 10% discount

Bracelets: Chimera, Moxie , Renegade Stella and Dot

Jeans: Old Navy $15 same

Boots: Born (three years old) similar

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Tre-Chic Fashion Thursdays

What I Wore to Work Link-up

The Link-up Details:

Our goal is to help you share your great style, as well as a blogger whose style you love. Each Friday you can link up in one of two ways:

Pick a blogger buddy and choose to do a “Style Swap” with each other, just like Jenn and I did today. Pick one of each other’s looks you love and create your own spin on it, therefore “swapping styles,” then link to each other and to us. This will build your audience in two ways: one, with the blogger collaboration, and two by linking up with us. Awesome, right?
The second way is to simply choose a blogger you love and take one of their looks and swap your style for theirs. Then, link to the blogger out of courtesy and link up with us as well.

Here’s our button to grab and add to your post:

An InLinkz Link-up

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Fun Finds and Introducing Head to Toe Chic

Last week I went thrifting for the first time in months and I found a bunch of things I loved. I showed my finds on Instagram. One of my buys was this cardigan today covered in a cat pattern. It was new with tags and only cost me $3! My sister wasn't so sure about it's cuteness, and honestly, it wasn't easy to style. I'm really happy with how this look came together though. I think it would also look cute with my navy dress, but I'm at a loss for other outfit ideas, how would you girls style it?

I'm also co-hosting an exciting new link-up next week, look down below for details!