Summer Break

 After having to spend three work days at school this week I finally feel like it's summer break.  I'm excited for shorts, sandals, and staying in my jammies until I have to put on shorts and sandals. : ) This outfit is pretty basic, but my favorite part is my new necklace from Edith Marie Jewelry.  The super sweet Amber named it after me and sent me this one too.  I'm seriously flattered and adore this necklace!  If you haven't yet, I highly recommend checking out Edith Marie Jewelry.  The prices are amazing and I've been very happy with the quality too.

Four Ways to Wear: White Jeans

I've been wearing my white jeans like crazy!  Today I thought I'd share with you some ways I've worn them recently. Before I got these I don't think I thought white jeans were very versatile, but it turns out they go with pretty much anything. The outfit below I wore for the last day of school last Friday.  The outfit was inspired by this pin.  I decided to pair it with orange, forgetting I had a shirt similar to the pin. FYI, it was in the dirty clothes, and yes, the fact I forgot I had it in the course of the week since I'd worn it last means: A). My brain is fried from school B). I have too many clothes.  Regardless, I like the orange here and can wear the stripes next time.

Chevron to the Max

I am crazy about this chevron maxi skirt!  One of my good friends actually wore the same one to church, and I knew I needed it for myself.  I also got it for a steal at JCP at only $15.  I'm pretty sure I will be wearing it like crazy this summer.

I actually wore this last week and today have to report to work for a work day. We also have one tomorrow and Thursday.....could be the longest three days of my life....

Find the Right Suit for Your Shape

Well folks, it's officially swimsuit season, and if you're anything like me walk through a sea of suits unsure of what will look good on you.  I decided to take the tips from my  Dressing for Your Shape series and apply them to swim suits.  Today I decided to try to help you all out and share some suits from Target that could be great options for your body type. I've picked both one pieces and two piece options for many of these, but you know your comfort level, so if you're past the point of a bikini (like myself) I've got some great tankini and one piece options too!

Pineapple Print

This month I added this pineapple print shirt to my wardrobe as a birthday gift from my sister and these green shorts too.  I love the combo together and added my denim jacket to finish off the look.  I wore this last weekend while Brian was a class and Grant was at my parent's house.  It was the first time since I can remember that I had the day to myself.  It started by drinking coffee and watching a movie, then after lunch I went and got a pedicure and treated myself to a moolate'.  That evening Brian and I went out to dinner for my birthday. I'd have to say it was an all around wonderful day.

As for today, it's the last day of school!  Summer here I come!

Also, have you entered to win my giveaway for a $50 credit to The Hidden Trunk here yet?

Color Blocking

About a month ago I bought this dress and love it.  We were at my sister's house for Mother's Day, so of course Chelsea and I slipped of to Target while Brian, Grant, and Chelsea's husband were to some sports store.  I was excited when I found this dress on clearance.  It fits just like my print one and I love the color blocking.  I decided to pair it with my teal blazer and necklace from Stella and Dot.  With the exception of Sundays this is one of the last times I'll be really dressing up for a while, school's out tomorrow.  Whoop, whoop!

Print Love

I was recently contacted by eShakti again to pick out a piece for review.  I worked with them twice last year and honestly didn't love the dresses I picked.  I did the custom fit and still did not like the fit of either dress very well, one was too big and the other was too long in the shoulders.  I was a little hesitant to try a third time, but decided to try anyway.  This time I picked a dress similar to this one because I really liked the print.  I also customized the neckline to make it round, changed the shoulders to sleeveless and the length to above the knee.  I also decided to chance it and just order a medium instead of doing custom measurements.

When the dress arrived I was really happy to see the great print in person and I love the flowy fabric too.  And what do you now, if fits great!  I decided to pair it with my white blazer for a more polished look, but will definitely wear it more casually with a cardigan or denim jacket this summer.

My overall experience was great this time.  I love that I could customize the dress and am happy that it actually fit like I'd like too.

Also, have you entered to win my giveaway for a $50 credit to The Hidden Trunk here yet?

Lastly, check out the styling I did for Susan at Charming Lucy on her blog today. : )

Styling Services

A few months ago I decided to start offering Styling Services after finishing my series on Dressing for Your Shape. I started to get a lot of emails with styling questions, so felt the transition to services made sense.  I've been having a lot of fun and am actually showing off some styling I did for Susan at Charming Lucy on her blog this week.  I thought I'd show you all today a little bit of the process I go through when styling someone.

First I like to get to know the client and their lifestyle.  I really want to create looks that each woman loves, so I work to learn about their job, stores they like, their budgets, colors they love, etc.  I also like to get a picture of the client, so I can best see their shape and create outfits based on that. After getting these questions answered and picture I get to work.  I work by sourcing pieces that will best fit their needs, lifestyle and budget.  

Then, I create sets with links to all the pieces I recommend.  A recent client was 59 and looking to freshen up her wardrobe.  Her job setting is more casual and she mostly liked to wear pants. She did request a few dressy outfits for wedding and baby showers or other occasions she might need to dress up for. She also wanted a few casual weekend outfits too. She shared some colors she loved and didn't and also mentioned the necklines she preferred. Here's an example of a some of the recommendations  I had for her:

Chambray $23 / Stripe Blazer $35 / Jean jacket $30 / Coral Blazer $35 / Print Henley Shirts each $23 

Pretty Prints and a Giveaway

Today I'm excited to share The Hidden Trunk with you all.  I recently discovered this shop through Instagram and love that the owner is a teacher like myself.  I was excited when they sent over this dress to me.  I love the bright color and think I'll be able to get a lot of use out of it.  We are also nearing the end of the school year, so I thought it would be fun to show how this dress would translate from the school year to summertime.

The Hidden Trunk also has a generous giveaway for you all today, they're offering a $50 credit to their shop!  How cool is that!  Just follow the Rafflecopter directions down below. On top of that get 25% off your whole purchase when you use the code "Ginny" at the checkout!

I also recently did some styling for Susan at Charming Lucy and she's showing off my picks this week, stop by and check it out!

How to Wear: Ankle Pants

I recently got an email from a reader asking if I'd share tips for wearing ankle pants and what types of shoes work best, so today I thought I'd do just that.

Python and White Denim

I seriously love these jeans and can't stop wearing them!  Today's look was inspired by this pin.  I love how Jessica wore leopard but my leopard shirt wasn't the right length untucked.  Whomp, whomp.  Then I remembered my python shirt, and the look works. I also love the addition of this necklace from Edith Marie Jewelry.  I'm not a huge neon fan, but I love it in jewelry and these wedges!

Short's Season

I wore this outfit about a week ago when we had some friends over for dinner.  I love these new shorts from Target, and I think it'll take a lot of self-control not to go grab a few more colors!  I also like the 5" inseam, I still think 3" can be ok, but 5" might be more my speed now..

Bold Colors and Stripes

I love this skirt, but it's been forgotten in my closet for most of the winter. I'm excited to pull it out and wear it again! I thought it would be fun to pair with this blazer and a bold shirt I got from LOFT last summer.  I also love it paired with my new necklace from Mariposa Medley.  

On another note, I turned 35 over the weekend. How'd that happen???? I haven't really ever been one to be obsessed with age, but it suddenly seems like I should have my act together. I was also helping do some styling for a teen and realized while looking at AE, Hollister, and Delia's websites that I am way too old to wear anything from there! No almost midlife crisis here, more of a question of "How did time fly??"

Feeling Nautical

I'm really loving all the nautical pieces out in stores right now!  J.Crew Factory has some great pieces I'm loving, so I thought I'd share them with you today.  Plus, my birthday is tomorrow, so I think it's probably ok to treat myself ;)  What are your thoughts on nautical inspired clothes?  Are you in or out?

sail boat crew top / anchor crew top / shorts / loafers / clutch / tunic

Prints and Denim

This dress is definitely one of my favorite buys recently.  I wore this outfit to church recently and loved it with the addition of my denim jacket. The fabric of the dress is also pretty amazing and requires no ironing, score! I'm also so loving this necklace! Have you entered my fabulous jewelry giveaway to win one for yourself here yet?

Repeat

I'm pretty sure I wore a combo very similar to this on the blog last summer, but I love this outfit, I'm wearing it again for the upteenth time this week, so here it is on the blog again.  I think one of the misconceptions of blogging is that you can never repeat an outfit. I totally disagree with this, if I like an outfit you better believe I'm going to wear it again.  I love mixing up my wardrobe and trying different combos, but when a look works, it works.  

I made some mistakes early on blogging by buying things specifically with the blog in mind, many cases ended with me not really loving pieces or knowing how to mix them. Now, I buy what I love and wear what I love, and I'm much happier and confident because of it.

I also so loving this necklace I'm wearing today from Mariposa Medley. Have you entered my giveaway to win a piece from them for yourself?

Insta-Outfits

Today I thought I'd show you some of my favorite Instagram outfits from this last month.  I'm so glad to put away of my sweaters and pull out the sandals and skirts!

Speaking of Instagram, I have an Instagram shop to seek some of my like-new clothes. I just added some new pieces, come check it out here! 

Lastly, have you entered my fabulous jewelry giveaway here yet?

Stripes, Eyelet, and a Giveway

It's no surprise to me, but this jacket is turning out to be one of my favorite pieces. Today I decided to pair it with these eyelet ankle pants and this shirt I just got at Old Navy with my fast cash.  Together the tee and pants set me back $16.  Nice.  And.....if I didn't love this outfit enough already, the perfect addition is this necklace sent over by the sweet Amy at Mariposa Medley.  Amy's been a reader for quite awhile, and I love that I can support her shop today.  I'm in love with this necklace and today you can enter the Rafflecopter below to win a credit to Mariposa Medley to get this necklace for yourself, or another one of your choice.  Good Luck!

Geometric Prints

Last week I ran to Target for a few beauty products, I swear, then as I was looking on Cartwheel I discovered that Merona was 40% off!  Whhhaatttt????? Well, I didn't end up going crazy, sizes were pretty picked over, but I did end up finding this dress.  I also had a $3 coupon, so got this dress for $12. : )  I also picked up getting these adorable shorts in green for $12 too. Nice.

Leopard and Stripes

I had a crazy realization this past weekend, I only have like a month of school left!  As excited as I am for a break, it means two and a half months of me wearing basically shorts and flip-flops.  I'm not complaining, I promise, I just hate having to pass on wearing the dressy pieces I have in my closet during the summer.  Sunday will pretty much be the only day I dress up, so I really need to get in some dressy outfits I've been planning in before school gets out.  I'm crazy about today's outfit and can't believe I haven't worn the combo before!  I considered wearing my denim jacket with it, but decided on the blazer instead, denim will be next time. : )