Clothed with Grace: March 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Chartreuse and White

I have been on the hunt for the perfect white blazer for nearly a year and finally found what I was looking for recently at JC Penney. I'll tell you what they have seriously upped their game and I've been really pleased with all the things I've found there this year.  That night I pinned a bunch of outfits with white blazers. I love the look of them with jeans and decided to try it with my pretty much forgotten chartreuse shirt I got for a steal last spring at Loft.  I really love how this came together.

Also, have you entered my great giveaway yet?







Blazer: JC Penney same
Shirt: Loft similar
Jeans: Old Navy same
Necklace: Purple Peridot same
Bracelets: Stella and Dot RenegadeUrbane
Watch: Citizen same
Heels: Nine West same


Saturday, March 29, 2014

March Budget

March Budget


I'm linking up with Fran for Budgeting Bloggers.  This month I added a number of things to my closet.  I only spent like $12 in January and $56 in February; I think I was just not interested in buying more winter clothes.  Now as it's starting to warm up I had a number of things on my wishlist I was on the look out for this month.  Here's what I bought:

J. Crew Factory flip flops: $12- My favorite flip flops are from here and have lasted me like seven years, well, they were so thin on the bottom it hurt to walk in them when I pulled them out this Spring.  Luckily I found these as a replacement for a fair price.
Utility Jacket: $12  I actually got the solid green version no longer available online.  It's no secret my utility vest is one of my favorite things, so when I found out there was a jacket version I was excited and I got it for a steal!
Leopard flats: $8 I've also been on the hunt for a pair of these and I can't believe how inexpensive and cozy these are!
Sperry's: $23 I stumbled across these while trying to sell some clothes at Plato's Closet.  Mine are like these, minus the pink.  The are so stinking comfortable and I'm so glad to add these to my wardrobe.
Crystal Cluster necklace: $28  This necklace is my favorite thing right now. Love. It. It goes with everything!
White Blazer: $27 I have been on the hunt for the perfect one for over a year and I love this version I found at JCP.
Mossimo Ankle Pant: $20 My black jeans are officially gray so I really needed a replacement and love these ones from Target.  I was able to use a Cartwheel coupon and get these for a great price too!
Diana Necklace $15 (not shown above) This and the necklace below are two of my new favorite pieces, stay tuned for a blog debut next week!
Kim Necklace $13 (not shown above) Love this one!


Total: $158

This is more than I usually spend in a month, honestly.  However I came out way ahead this month.  In between selling clothes at Plato's and on my Insta-closet and income from blogging I have a nice amount to spend in Kansas City when I go there for the Go Blog Social next weekend.  Really, I'll probably just hoard most of it away until I really find something else I really need to have.

I also thought I'd show you some of my favorite  Instagram outfits from this month too. Most of my new pieces are shown below too. For March I still needed a lot of layers!  I'm hoping that changes in April.




Also, have you entered my great giveaway yet?

Friday, March 28, 2014

Sponsor Spotlight and Link up

Today I'm excited to have Susan from  Charming Lucy guest posting.  You'll also have a change to enter her awesome giveaway and join her fun link up too!  Take it away, Susan!

I am Susan from the Charming Lucy blog.  Today's outfit inspiration comes from none other than Ginny of My New Favorite Outfit, and my Ohio friend Heather of H&K Style Journey. Heather is another fabulous fashion blogger you should get to know! I am loving colored pants for spring this year. Ginny and Heather provide us with these fabulous ways to style red pants. Striped blazer with red pants I purchased this striped blazer at Maurices last year and have never worn it! I am not sure why, but I popped it on with my red Loft pants and fell in love! I am a cardigan girl, but will certainly be adding more blazers to my wardrobe soon. I prefer the stretchy type material, so it fits and feels more like a soft sweater. The leopard shoes add a bit of a contrast to the outfit. I may add a belt when I wear this outfit again. Any suggestions on what color belt would look best?
IMG_0909



IMG_0910

I have been following on Sarah Lennon of Sew Sarah R designs on IG for a quite some time now. You can find her here. She's also on Facebook here. Her clutches are my most coveted accessory for spring! I finally purchased one this month, and it coordinates perfectly with my nautical themed outfit today! I will be taking this fabulous clutch with me on spring break, and on our summer trip this year! It is perfect! I am saving up to buy one for football games in the fall, and perhaps a Christmas clutch too! IMG_0913

You can find Sarah's clutches on her shop site. You can also view her blog here. Sarah is a clutch maker, teacher, newbie fashion blogger who is on a mission to make the life and style of a Health/PE teacher a little more glamorous.

Sarah describes her shop in the following manner: "I make all kinds of things for weddings, gifts or any special occasion. I am able to put a personalized label on the inside of the clutch with whatever you would like. Clutches make great bridesmaid gifts, and also make a great holder for a bridesmaid jewelry gift! If there is something in particular you are looking for that you need for your wedding, let me know and I might be able to make it!"Here are some of my favorite picks from her shop:Sew Sara Sarah is generously giving away a Red Sailboat Clutch to one lucky lady today!! I am so excited about this give away! You will absolutely LOVE these clutches!! They are perfect for Mother's Day gifts, bridesmaid gifts, best friends, daughters, and anyone who loves a fabulous accessory! You may enter the give away using the Rafflecopter below. Feel free to oooh and ahhhh!! Open to U.S. residents only.photo(66)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

So what is charming you today my friends? Please share your charming posts today and link up with me to discover what is charming other bloggers this week too! Blessings for a wonderful and warm weekend!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Head to Toe Chic: Spring Essentials

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

When Spring finally decided to make an appearance I was so excited to switch out my sweaters and boots for spring blouses and wedges!  These are the things I think are essential when it comes to Spring:
  1. Great prints: I found this blouse at the Gap outlet and love it!  Here's another blouse I'm currently crushing on.
  2. Bright colors: I love my Coach bag I got last summer and I was so excited to get it back out!  Coach came out with the same bag in some great new colors this Spring too!
  3. Sandals and Wedges: I was so excited to get these out again! I love getting to put my socks away and have an excuse to get a pedicure too.  The wedges I'm wearing here are from last summer.  I'm on the hunt from some new ones and am loving these right now.
  4. White jeans: I've had these for a few years, but honestly they're bigger than I remember..which I guess isn't a bad problem to have, except now I don't think I should wear them anymore.  I thought about checking out these but then decided to alter my white jeans into ankle pants instead and give these to Goodwill.
  5. Nourished hair: I don't know about you, but I feel like my hair has taken a beating this winter.  It has been feeling so dry, maybe it's just me getting older.  I recently found this deep conditioner at Target.  I really like TRESemme' products and was very impressed with the results and the price was great too.  
So, what about you, what are your Spring essentials!  Link up below!

Also, I'm being featured by Carmen at  Compact Closet today, go check it out!







Blouse: Gap pretty option
Jeans: Kohl's similar
Necklace: Purple Peridot same
Bracelets: Stella and Dot RenegadeUrbane
Watch: Citizen same
Wedges: Aerosoles similar

Linking up with:

I can't wait to see your looks! Here's the link-up details:
  1. Link up a post highlighting your Spring essentials.
  2. 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
  3. Add our button to your post and link back to us. 

My New Favorite Outfit

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Chevron Love

I am so loving being able to wear skirts again with bare legs and NOT freeze to death.  I'm also still loving this top from Bradamant.  I really couldn't wait to wait it again, and this time I decided to pair it with my purple skirt.  I really love how it came together.  I know I'll get such great use out of this top for a long time! 

Also, I hope you'll link up this Thursday for Niki at Glossy Blonde and I for our Head to Toe Link up featuring your Spring Essentials.  The button is on my sidebar to grab. : )








Blazer: H&M similar
Top: Bradamant c/o same 
Skirt: Target same
Bracelets: Stella and Dot samesame
Heels: Fergalicious similar

Linking up with:


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Denim or Utility?

A few weeks ago I saw this pin and loved the idea of it.  I decided to try to create my own spin, but once I had it together I thought it was cute, but just wasn't sure.  So, I did what any blogger could do, I took pictures with my utility jacket, then swapped it out for my denim jacket and decided to take a look at the pictures to decide which one to wear.  The result: I actually like both!  I wore the utility jacket version last Thursay and plan to wear the denim jacket version soon. I'm also so loving my new shoes from Payless of all places.  They are amazing and were only $8!



Anyone who has been reading my blog for any quantity of time knows I have a fashion M.O.  I buy something I love, then I wear it like crazy.  This winter was all about vests and right now I'm loving this utility jacket.  I was recently criticized by a reader for my "uniform," as she called it, and she also said I didn't know how to dress for my shape. Unfortunately she didn't say this to me directly, instead she shared this in a forum and linked back to me. I then found out through looking at my "traffic sources." 

I realize that putting myself out here opens me up for this, and I'm ok with that. We all have the right to our own opinions.  However, this blog represents me and my style and I don't try to pretend to be someone I'm not. So, when I like vests, I wear vests.  When I like big necklaces, I wear big necklaces. You all see what I really wear.  I'm always wanting to provide you with the best content I can, while staying true to myself.  I'm so thankful to each one of you who takes the time to read my blog and support me, and I hope that my fashion M.O. is ok with the rest of  you. : ) 


Also, I hope you'll link up this Thursday for Niki at Glossy Blonde and I for our Head to Toe Link up featuring your Spring Essentials.  The button is on my sidebar to grab. : )

Here's the outfit with the denim jacket. My belt's a little weird, I didn't know until after the pictures...






Here's the outfit with the utility jacket:





Denim Jacket: Limited (old) similar
Utility Jacket: JCP  same
Shirt: Target similar
Skirt: Target similar
Necklace: Rue 21 similar
Bracelets: Stella and Dot samesame
Shoes: Payless same 

Monday, March 24, 2014

Copy Cat

Pretty much none of the credit for today's outfit can come from me, you can thank this pin for the inspiration.  I really loved the ease of it and switched out the sandals for booties to fit our weather here.  I also am excited to wear my new utility jacket, I seriously love this! I have the vest version and was so excited to find it came in a jacket!  This will be the perfect piece for me to pull from all spring!

Also, I hope you'll link up this Thursday for Niki at Glossy Blonde and I for our Head to Toe Link up featuring your Spring Essentials.  The button is on my sidebar to grab. : )







Jacket: JC Penney same
Dress: Express similar
Scarf: Boutique similar
Belt: Kohl's
Bracelets:  Chimera, Moxie , Renegade Stella and Dot
Booties: Jessica Simpson similar

Friday, March 21, 2014

Style Swap Link up: Week Seven


This week I'm Style Swapping with Andi at Just Another Smith.  I loved this chic look last week and was excited to create my spin on it.  I didn't have a plain gray shirt, so I decided to try it with my graphic tee from Express.  I also ended up altering these jeans to make them ankle pants.  Last summer I cuffed them and I just didn't like the look this year.  I'm excited about how they turned out here!  

Also, as fun as this link up has been, Jenn and I have decided this will be the last week of the link up. I'm still going to be doing my monthly link up with Niki at Glossy Blonde so I'd love for you to join us next Thursday the 27th to link up a post featuring your fashion and beauty Spring Essentials. You can grab the button from my sidebar. :)

Have you entered my giveaway yet?








Blazer: Lauren Conrad same
Top: Express cute option
Jeans: CAbi (thrifted) similar
Necklace: Stella and Dot same
Bracelets: Stella and Dot RenegadeUrbane
Watch: Citizen same
Clutch: similar
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:
  1. 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?
  2. 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:

My New Favorite Outfit