Teal, Stripes, an a $200 Giveaway

Today's outfit is one that I am so loving. It was inspired by Tara and I absolutely love it.  I had it mixed in with my fall and winter pins, (I think she wore it last fall) but after putting it on, I can totally wear this again this spring and summer.  I love outfit that can cross seasons. Speaking of spring, I'm ready, especially to get to wear spring dresses like this,  but every year time I'm anticipating a season change I feel a weird closet scramble of "Oh, I need to wear this again before it get's too cold/hot."  I have have the same scramble on my Pinterest boards.  I look at all these outfits I want to wear and have to figure out a way to fit them all in.  Tell me I'm not the only one who experiences this???

Also, I'm super excited for Jenn and my Style Swap link-up that starts this Friday.  Check on the details on how to link up here.  I can't wait to see your posts!

Blazer: Kohl's similar

Dress: Target similar

Belt: Kohl's

Necklace: Stella and Dot  same

Bracelets: Stella and Dot same, same

Watch: Citizen same

Shoes: Nine West same

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

What I Wore to Work Link-up

Today, Simple Moments Stick is two!  Birthday parties are the best way to celebrate but, since we can't all get together to party, a group of twenty-three bloggers teamed up to offer up an absolutely AMAZING prize!!!

It's a $200 Paypal Cash Giveaway!!!

1.  Susannah from Simple Moments Stick
2.  Amy from The Silver Lining
3.  Kotryna from Girl with a Movie Camera
4.  Becky from Rebecann's Random Thoughts

1.  Sarah from Life as Always
2.  Sybil from Peace it all Together
3.  Wendy from Effie Girl
4.  Elena from Cropped Stories

1.  Jayda from Avocado Grove
2.  Erin from Simply Just Lovely
3.  Ginny from My New Favorite Outfit
4.  Kelly from Sparkles and Shoes

1.  Jamie from Handling with Grace
2.  Charity from The Word of a Nerd
3.  Julie from Tidbits and Scraps
4.  Stephanie from Just a Little Bit Louder

1.  Elizabeth from Oak and Oats
2.  Lisa from Mostly Lisa
3.  Caroline from In Due Time
4.  Stephanie from Army Crafter

 

1.  Jenn from Quirky Pickings
2.  Amy from Taking Steps Home
3.  Ashley from Have Chashley, Will Travel

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teal and Polka Dots

I recently this to work and I actually picked up this blazer for $.99 at Goodwill and found this Lauren Conrad blouse for $3 that day too. I actually went in to try to find an ugly sweater for a Christmas party, but no luck. I was pretty excited to find these pieces though, especially since the blazer is Tahari by Authur S. Levine and retails for around $140! Say, what? The blouse is also studded with polka dots, similar to this one. I'll have to wear it on it's own soon! I decided to pair the blazer and shirt with my polka dot skirt and Phoenix Pendant. I mentioned recently I wouldn't go without tights until spring, but I just couldn't do it with this outfit . Luckily my bare legs made it through the short walk into school.

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

Blouse: Lauren Conrad $3 

Skirt: Loft $20 drooling over this option

Neckalce: Stella and Dot Phoenix Pendant

Bracelets: Stella and Dot  Chimera, Moxie , Renegade

Shoes: Bandilino $30 similar / DSW Coupons

Bag: Coach (Christmas gift)

Linking up with:

Tre-Chic Fashion Thursdays

What I Wore to Work Link-up

Building A Wardrobe: Skirts

Today is the third day of my Building A Wardrobe series, I hope you're finding it useful!  On day one I shared Essential Blazers and Jackets, one day two I shared Essential Cardigans and today I'm going to share essential skirts with you. It's not secret that I love a good pencil skirt, and today I'm going to share with you some essential skirts, as well as some additional options for you to consider as part of my Building A Wardrobe series.  There are lots of different types of skirts out there, but I feel that a pencil skirt has the most classic and timeless feel, therefore it'll have more longevity in your wardrobe.  Here are more thoughts on what to consider when buying:

• The essential skirts I would consider buying are a gray, navy, black, and one additional color you love; I picked wine. Because of the classic nature of these pieces they don't often make it to the sale rack, however, you can find these at most every retailer.  I personally love Target's options.  The prices are fair and I've always been happy with the quality.
• These essential skirts will probably not be the highlight of any outfit, but they are great pieces to add to so many looks.
• Once you have a few of the essential skirts consider buying the additional options; these could be the "show piece" of you look for the day.  Picking a great bright color, or fun print that shows your personality is always worthwhile. As I said above  Target's options are great for this too.
• Most pencil skirts are safely washed in the washing machine, but always double check to see if it must be dry cleaned before buying.
• As for additional types of skirt, a-line and mini-skirts can be great too: I'm wearing a mini today, however I don't think they are the best place to start when building a wardrobe, but a great additions later on.

 Here's a visual on my thoughts for skirt essentials:

gray pencil skirt / navy pencil skirt / black pencil skirt / wine pencil skirt / cobalt pencil skirt / geometric pencil skirt / leopard pencil skirt 

Today I'm wearing a fun leopard skirt, which had been on my wish list for quite sometime. Pairing it with neutrals like tan and black make this work appropriate, but anything except boring. : )

Buy All The Leopard!

Ok ladies, I think I have a serious case of "buy all the leopard!"  Case in point my Sunday Post.  Last year I was all about leopard heels, now I'm all about leopard everything.  Today I'm wearing my favorite thrift of all time, this leopard dress. I decided to pair it with my teal blazer and I love the overall look.  I'd had this outfit in mind then I saw Lauren pair her cheetah dress with a bright blazer and Tara pair her leopard dress with teal; I was sold!  I think cobalt might be next!  

 

Dress: Emma and Michelle $5 (thrifted) similar

Blazer: Kohl's $20 similar

Belt: Target $12 same /Target Coupons

Bracelets: Chimera, Moxie , Renegade 

Necklace: Stella and Dot Phoenix Pendant 

Shoes: Bandilino $30 similar / DSW Coupons

Linking up with:

Tre-Chic Fashion Thursdays

What I Wore to Work Link-up

Be Original. Be Yourself.

I had such an amazing time at Go Blog Social and I want to take some time to share my takeaway with you all.  A lot of this will obviously apply more to bloggers, but I hope to tie it back to you non-bloggers as well, and share with you how I'll apply it to my blog too.

 I feel like I heard time and time again at the conference the importance of being who you are and not a copy cat of someone else who is successful. I definitely think this applies to blogging and life in general. Meg Biram Jeanette of J's Everyday Fashion and Corrie McFadden  all discussed the importance of finding what makes you unique and focusing your blog on that. What's your passion? What gets you excited? The answer to that is what you should blog about. "There's a reader for everyone, be the voice for them."-Corri McFadden

As for me, I definitely think fashion and finding great deals gets me excited.  I feel like that's definitely been a focus here, so for me to go start spending hundreds on outfits (not that I would, or could) wouldn't make sense, because I feel a lot of you readers like a good deal just like I do.  I want to stay true to myself and my budget. Jeanette touched on this too. She's had a $250 a month clothing budget for forever,but even with her phenomenal success, she's stuck to that budget because that's the focus of her blog. She's living what her blog is. I love that.

That being said last year I thrifted A LOT because I was really trying to build up my wardrobe. I don't need clothes like I did before (don't tell my husband). What I do need are some closet staples like blazers and pencil skirts. Pieces like this can be very hard to thrift (trust me, I've tried). I definitely plan to shop the sale racks, but thrifting isn't something I've done all summer and something I don't see myself doing much this fall.

I'm also passionate about teaching and plan to do more how-to posts here as well. You've seen some of that from me this summer and I have a new tips series coming next and an exciting collaboration starting at the end of the month with my fabulous sister.

Tomorrow I'll share with you another takeaway from Go Blog Social, and today's outfit is what I wore to the fun cocktail hour last Thursday night.

Have you entered my Swag Bag giveaway yet?

Blazer: Kohls $20? similar

Blouse: Target $7 (can't find on line, instores now)

Shorts: Kohl's $20 similar

Belt: Kohl's $6 similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot Rebel

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade,  Triple Wrap and Chimera similar

Shoes: Kohl's $26 c/o Chippmunk  same

Bag: Coach same

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On