Double Stripes

Sometimes there are outfits that I just wear time and time again, and this is one of them.  It was originally one of those outfits that came together unexpectedly, but there's just something about it I love. Before getting my booties I wore this with simple heels, but I love it with the booties. If you want more tips on how to style booties, check out this post. Honestly, I think I just like this outfit because it's a little edgier than my norm and it makes me feel cooler than I really am. :)

Scarves and Dresses

This dress is definitely one of my favorite pieces. I've worn it a number of times, but was kind of stuck on how to style it a different way until Lauren of Fizz and Frosting wore her leopard dress like this. I feel like the bright scarf was the perfect touch to her look, so I decided to give it a try myself. I really love how it came together. I don't think I have considered scarves with dresses much, but after this outfit I definitely think I need to consider it more. Finding out my closet is even more mixable definitely brightens my day!  I think sometimes I take for granted the little things like this, so I thought today I'd share some of the simple loves in my life:

1. Clean. Sheets.  Seriously, sleeping on clean sheets is the best! If I had the time I probably put on fresh daily instead of weekly.

2. Bubble baths with a book.  I don't think I need to elaborate on the awesomeness that this is.

3. Pedicures- I used to go monthly before Grant was born and now I'm lucky to go twice a year.  Over Christmas break Grant went to daycare a few times and on one of the days I went and pampered myself with a pedi and my feet have never been happier, seriously, that girl was amazing.

4. Compliments from fellow fashionistas; it always makes my day to have stylish ladies give me a compliment.  Have you guys read The Five Love Languages? If not, you really should, mine is words of affirmation, AKA compliments.  My husband is good at a lot of things, but compliments isn't high on his list, so you ladies really help me out it that department. : )

5. Gift cards for Christmas, I'm excited to shop Loft's new spring clothes and am loving this skirt.

6.  The Grantster.  He's a pretty sweet kid....I might just be slightly biased. 

What about you?  What makes your day?  I'd love to hear about it.

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: New Year's Eve

Christmas is right around the corner, and I'm so excited for that! However, I bet some of you are already finalizing your New Year's Eve plans.  Today Chelsea and I are going to take on New Year's Eve.  Now, I have to be honest with you, Brian and I are not party goers.  We enjoy the occasional BBQ and we did host a Christmas party at our house, but it was nothing fancy and with kids involved everyone cleared out my 8:00.  Yep,  we're living on the edge.... So, I'd be lying if I said I was going to wear this outfit on New Year's Eve, even though I do think the outfit would be perfect if you're going to a party.  The patterned tights (I really want this polka dot option too!) and fancy necklace make this look perfect for a New Year's party where you want to look nice, but age appropriate.  Face it, we're not all 20 anymore.  : )  Instead I am wearing this to celebrate Brian and my wedding anniversary this following Saturday.   It'll be six years, crazy how time flies.  On New Year's Eve Brian and I typically stay and home and don't even make it until midnight, so I sure am not going to waste this cute outfit on that. 

Have you entered my giveaway for $200 in Amazon cash yet?

Black and Neon

I wore a version of this outfit last winter and truly couldn't wait to wear it again. This year I added tights,  booties and my new black vest. I also decided to try my neon necklace and I love the bright pop of color and how it contrasts with the black. 

Today marks the beginning of my Christmas break and I am totally ready.....so are the kids.  We have an end of the semester "fun" day today and then we're out of here!  Two weeks off will do us all some good! Grant is still going to go to daycare on Monday so I can get some last minute Christmas stuff done and that'll be a nice little break for me too.

Have you entered my giveaway for $200 in Amazon cash yet?

Fancy

This sweater. It's fancy, right? It's actually Mossimo brand and I snapped it at Plato's Closet for $5. I actually wore it the first time with this skirt to church and I thought I'd try it with jeans and heels this time. I love how it turned out. How do you think I should style it next?

Have you entered my giveaway for $200 in Amazon cash yet?

Casual Perfection

Happy Black Friday! I hope you are all enjoyed your Thanksgiving, We sure did.  Today Brian has to work, whomp, whomp, but Grant, my mom, sister and I plan to do some shopping.  Nothing big, but if there's a deal to be had, I'm in : )

I was able to do a little Black Friday shopping early at J.Crew Factory and Gap Outlet.  They has 50% off on Wednesday day and I picked up this in a solid chambray, this in red, and this beauty.  Having the outlet mall so close could be dangerous.... I also found the perfect dup for the J.Crew herringbone vest I missed out on here.  I seriously think I have a dozen outfits already planned for it.

As for today I need to do some decor shopping for the basement.  Luckily we already have a nice couch set, end table, and coffee tables to put down there, but it's looking pretty naked in the accessorizing department. I love this pillow and this lamp.  We'll see how I make out at Target.  I'm lovin' that new Cartwheel app, I can also get an extra discount. : )

The inspiration for this look came a few weeks ago Whitley wore the cutest casual outfit, and I knew I wanted to put together something similar.  I wore it to go to a craft show with my mom and the Grantster. The puffer vest for perfect for being inside, but it didn't leave me too hot, which is a total plus because I hate lugging a coat around.  I ended up getting a cute leopard scarf, my mom found a super cute window with Santa painted on it, and Grant hit the mother load and got this awesome hand-carved train set and this felt superhero play set.  He's having the time of his life playing with it!

Tights Weather

 It's officially tights weather here and as much as I love tights, it's the general coldness I strongly dislike.  However, this year I stumbled onto the sweetest pair of tights I've even owned Esprit fleece lined tights similar to these.  They are amazing and they go perfectly with my new booties, which happen to have fringe on the back of them.  If you follow me on Instagram you already know that my 4th grade self would be pretty jealous.  Esprit and Fringe?  The awesomeness is endless. : )  I decided to pair these two with a gray dress, my favorite cardigan, and a chunky belt.  To finish this up I added my new infinity scarf I snatched up for $10 from an old lady at a craft fair.  Last year I tried to knit one for myself and I think I did about three inches in six hours, before I ultimately gave up. I'm telling you, craft fairs are the best!

What I Am and What I'm Not.

I don't know about you, but I can let my weaknesses be things I focus on instead of my strengths. Today I thought I'd lay out some of the weaknesses that are bugging me right now, and probably more for myself a list of things I can do well. Let's start with the weaknesses:

1. I stink at tweeting.  Seriously.  I think I might just be too old to keep up with the young "hipster" who tweaks with ease about their delicious breakfast muffins....
2. I am not good at saying no to chocolate, as is I have a serious case of "Eat all the Chocolate."  We rarely keep it in the house because if we did, I would need new pants.
3. I am not very patient with Grant at bedtime and it kind of makes me feel like a bad mom.  Let's face it, I'm tired at 8:00 and I don't have the patience for shenanigans like, "I want another kiss, drink of water, story, song, etc."  I wish I was better at this.
4. Sometimes I just want to be a person, not Grant's mom, Brian's wife, Jesse's teacher, but I totally stink at ever taking time for myself.  My one outlet is this little blog, which I totally appreciate.
5. Once I get an idea on the brain I have to go, go, go until it's done.  This is rarely healthy.  Take a chill pill, Ginny.

So, can any of you relate? Please tell me I'm not alone. : ) Now, to my strengths:

1. I am good at staying caught up on laundry, I used to wait until the weekends, now I do a load every time a hamper happens to be full.  It's the little successes, people.
2. I am good at waiting to buy until there's a deal, rarely do I buy anything at full price and I always end up being happier in the end.
3. I work with some great people and therefore it helps me to become a better teacher each day and my kids are successful because of it.
4. I (usually) have a pretty good sense of self worth and don't often dwell on things I can't control. For whatever reason I have a good "bounce back" gene.
5. I'm good at forgiving and getting over situations. I'm usually not one to hold a grudge. To me, no good comes from that.

Whelp, the strengths were more difficult to write! I think no one wants to feel like eyre bragging, but it's important to celebrate our strengths. Your turn, what are you good at????

Now to today's outfit: I'm styling my new black vest again.  I seriously love this thing and decided to pair it with this hounds-tooth sweater I snagged at Forever 21 for a mere $8! I love how it came together and think I might try it like this next time.  So cute, right? What did I do before blogs and Pinterest.....

Pinspiration

 I've really been trying to work on some more casual looks (that I can also get away with wearing to school).  A few weeks ago Tara wore black and red together with boots and I absolutely loved it. Then I pinned this.  I was sold! Around that time I was at J.Crew Factory and picked up this sweater, along with a number of other great J.Crew Factory options.  Great wool basics like this were definitely missing from my wardrobe! I was also on the hunt for a great black vest and Whitley posted on Instragram that Sears had this vest on super sale.  I love how this look came together and have some many outfit ideas for this vest in the future it's ridiculous.

Linking up with Glossy Blonde today.

Building A Wardrobe: Dresses and Belts

I'm excited to be continuing my Building A Wardrobe Series again today. One the first day of the series I shared Essential Blazers and Jackets, one day two I shared Essential Cardigans, on day three I shared Essential Skirts, on day four I shared Essential Jeans and Dress Pants, on day five I shared Essential Shoes and Accessories, and on day six I shared Essential Shirts. Today I'm going to continue my Building A Wardrobe series by sharing essential dresses with you.  I love dresses and I definitely think it's important to invest in some great versatile pieces.  Here are my thoughts on essential dresses to include in your wardrobe:

• I recommend purchasing a great black and navy sheath dress.  These classic pieces will be well worth the investment and because of their classic nature can be worn for years to come.
• I also recommend getting a sold dress with great texture, such as the coral lace dress below. Texture will make this dress special, but due to the solid color, it will still be a versatile piece in your closet.
• Lastly I recommend getting a striped dress.  I'm showing a cute fit and flare option, but get a shape that fits your style, such as a sheath, jersey, or a-line.  A great black and white stripe dress will be very versatile and mixable in your wardrobe.
• I also picked some additional options for you, such as a plaid t-shirt dress, leopard, great print, and bold stipes.  I love all these options and they definitely will add value to your closet, however, I wouldn't start hear, as these pieces could be great outfit "show stoppers" but they probably won't be nearly as versatile.  I'd shop the sale rack for these types of pieces after you have a few more essential in your closet.

 black sheath dress / lace dress / navy sheath dress / stripe dress /  plaid shirt dress /leopard dress / print dress / 

 bold stripes /

I'm also going to discuss essential belts today.  A reader asked for my thoughts and I realized I hadn't planned to share any, whoops!  I think the number of belts you can have is endless but here are my thoughts on essential belts:

• I think skinny belts are most popular right now, but I recommend have a wider black and brown one, as these still look great when you want to belt a dress
• I also recommend having a metallic one, I have a brown metallic and I wear it all the time!
• Look at the bright colors you wear most, consider buying a bright belt in that color or in a complementary color.
• I also recommend getting a leopard belt, well, because it's leopard : )
• Lastly, I recommend having a skinny black and brown belt, these are the ones you'll probably wear most often.
• Shop the clearance racks, especially at Kohl's.  I've gotten most of my belts there for between $1-$2 bucks.  
• Belts can be key to defining a waist and I highly recommend wearing them with most outfits, you'd be surprised how much they can add to your final look!

Here's a visual for my thoughts on essential belts:

wide black / wide brown / leopard / fun color / skinny black / skinny brown / metallic

Today I'm wearing a great floral print dress and I've belted it to help define my shape. I can dress it up with a cardigan or blazer with heels or dress it down like I did today with a denim jacket and booties.

I'm working to start the spring transition in my closet. That means no more tights, if I have anything to say about it. I bought this dress last fall from Target for like $6 and it's one of my favorite pieces to wear. Today I thought it would be fun to style it casually with my denim jacket from thredUP  (use this thredUP link to get $10 off your first order) and my black booties. I'm thinking I'll be wearing booties for a few more weeks, then sayonara until next fall.   I'm also wearing this adorable  neckalce from Chelsea Row. I got it at a fashion swap brand new! I love a good statement necklace, but am really loving more delicate pieces like this lately.

Building A Wardrobe: Cardigans

Yesterday I started my Building A Wardrobe Series by sharing with you Essential Blazers and Jackets, and for the second day of the series I'll be sharing with you my thoughts on cardigan essentials.  Cardigans are great for laying and can be worn both to dress an outfit up, as well as easily worn with a casual outfit as well.  Here are my tips for building essential cardigans into your wardrobe:

• Must have colors include black, gray, and tan.  In my experience, it's worth it to by quality pieces, as you will probably wear these the most.  There are a lot of inexpensive options out there, say at Target or Old Navy, however, they inexpensive options don't seem to last or wear as well and pill much sooner.  I've been most happy with the quality of cardigans I've purchased from Loft, Banana Republic, The Limited, and J.Crew.
• Consider the type of cardigan that fits your style best.  Traditional lengths will probably be the most versatile, but I love a good boyfriend cardigan and think they can be dressed up for worn casually depending on how you chose to style them. 
• When purchasing, pay attention to how to wash the item, if it's dry clean only, it will limited how often you can wear the piece. I've used Dryel, and in-home dry cleaning product, for over a decade and have been happy with the results, however I still spend the money to get pieces professionally dry cleaned at least once a year and this definitely adds to the overall cost of owning a piece of clothing.
• I've also included some additional options for you to consider purchasing.  These include purchasing a few cardigans in bright colors, as well as a leopard or other print option.  In my opinion you won't wear these as often, so purchasing a less expensive option, like this or this makes sense to me.
• Regardless of what you chose to buy, wash these pieces inside out to help protect the them in the washer.

Here's a visual of my recommendations for cardigan purchases:

tan cardigan /gray cardigan  / black cardigan /  mustard cardigan / bright cardigan /  leopard cardigan 

Today I'm wearing a bright cardigan, which is a fun addition to any outfit. It helps define my shape and pull the overall look together too.

I'm crazy about today's combo. I score this skirt for $4, new with tags, from thredUP (use this link to get $10 off your first order). I wasn't sure about a top, but tried the polka dots and love it.  I might freeze today with bare legs, but this just didn't look right with tights.  Hurry up, spring!

Building A Wardrobe: Blazers and Jackets

I'm really excited to be starting a new series today that will focus on helping you to build a wardrobe full of pieces you'll not only love, but that will be timeless and versatile.  Today I'm starting with one of my favorite things: blazer and jackets.  The thing I love about them is there ability to be worn both for work wear as well was weekend wear.  They can be the perfect touch to finish off any look, so today I'm showing you pieces I feel are essential, as well as a few pieces to add once the essential pieces are in place.

On my list of essential blazers and jackets are a classic black and navy blazer, as well as a denim jacket. Here are some things to keep in mind when purchasing these pieces:

•  When buying these pieces definitely pay attention to quality, as they pieces can be utilized frequently and worn for years to come.  I purchased my black blazer at H&M for a very fair price to replace one I used for nearly a decade from The Limited.  My navy blazer is probably my favorite piece in my wardrobe and although I found it on sale at Loft, it definitely would have been worth the full price. 
•  Also, pay attention to how to wash it, if it's dry clean only I pass on the piece.  Look for one that can be washed normally, as this will help you to utilize it more.
• The quality of a denim jacket, in my opinion, doesn't vary much from store to store, so buying an inexpensive option shouldn't impact how it wears much.

After you have these essential pieces in your wardrobe, then you can begin to add on additional options, like the ones I've listed below. The additional options I'm loving are a striped blazer, a mixed media moto jacket, and a bright blazer.  Unlike the pieces above which are truly wardrobe staples, these pieces can be the "show piece to any look," that is, the piece of clothing that takes your outfit from cute to perfection.  Right now I'm on the look out for a mixed media jacket.  I recently tried one on at TJ Maxx I loved, but it was dry clean only, so I passed.  These pieces should definitely be added over time, and when the price is right. 

Here's a visual of all the pieces I've listed above to help you out:

  LOFT black blazer / LOFT navy blazer  / Gap denim jacket  /LOFT stripe blazer / LOFT mixed media jacket / bright blazer

Today I'm wearing one of the additional options I've listed above, a bright colored blazer. Adding a blazer dresses up any look, and the bright color is such fun too!

What to Wear With Wine

This week I thought it would be fun to do a mini-series focused on color.  I recently joined a fashion page on Facebook where women post their OOTDs.  It's a great group with a lot of stylish women, but one of the things I see people post often is a picture, then the question: "Do these go together?" Another common question I see is: "What color goes with this?" This prompted my mini-series.  I thought I'd pick three color that are big this fall and try to help give some direction as to what to wear with them.

Today I'm focusing on wine, burgundy, ox blood....whatever you call it, it is definitely a great color for fall.  The problem can be deciding what colors look best with it.  I came up with some different colors which I think pair nicely with wine.  

• The first is another shade of the color for a monochromatic look; this is also a big trend this fall, and definitely one worth giving a try.  
• The second is to pair it with neutral colors, either a combination of warm tones, like browns and chocolates, or cool tones like grays and blacks.  I chose to pair it with cool tones today (mainly because I wanted to wear my Phoenix Pendant again.  
• The third is with a complimentary color like mustard or navy.  I'm a big fan of both of these combinations too. (Look below for examples of these color combos).

To help out you visual learners (like myself) here's a handy little chart for you to reference:

Blush and Black

I recently wore this look to church and love everything about it. I seriously never would have guessed when I picked this dress up on the clearance rack last winter I'd get so much use out of this dress. I've also decided that shawl cardigans are amazing. You've seen me wear this one a number of times, but seriously, it's perfection. I added my Phoenix Pendant and felt like a million bucks. 

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Fall

Today Chelsea and I are taking on Fall. One of the biggest trends for fall is Leopard print. After buying this polka dot top I knew I needed this leopard one from the same line too.  Today I decided to show you how to style this top for both the workday and weekend.   

Cobalt Two Ways

Cobalt is definitely one of my new favorite colors and I'm excited to collaborate again today with Lauren from Modern Modesty to show you two ways to wear cobalt. I love Lauren's take! She just look beautiful. :)This peplum is amazing, and I've been looking for a skirt like this Lauren snagged hers at J.Crew for a steal! Make sure to stop by Modern Modesty to check out the outfit details and to say hi to Lauren. :)

As for my look,  I got my dress this summer for a steal at H&M and I decided to pair it with black today and my new Phoenix Pendant necklace. If you follow me on Instagram you've already seen this beauty a few times, as well as me raving about it. It's the perfect addition to this look. 

Leopard Two Ways

Today I'm excited to be collaborating with the sweet Lauren of Modern Modesty.  Lauren has fab style and although she's new to blogging, she's definitely finding her groove.  We decided to show you two ways to wear leopard today.  I love how Lauren used accessories like a belt and shoes to show off this trend; for those who aren't ready for a leopard dress like I am, this is a great way to try out a trend.  Make sure to stop by Modern Modesty to check out the details to Lauren's look and to say hi to her.  It'll definitely be worth your time.  

Blogger Love: Glossy Blonde

This summer I had such fun sharing my blog with some of my favorite bloggers with my "Style Spotlight Series." I'm taking a break from that for the time being, but wanted to share with you a new mini-series I have planned for the week. I'll be sharing with you a few more blogs and bloggers I love, then share my take on one of their looks. 

First up is the beautiful Niki from Glossy Blonde. Niki has the scoop on all things beauty and is always introducing her readers to great beauty products with excellent reviews. She also has a YouTube channel where she reviews products and does fun Birthbox and Glossybox un-boxings.

I also love Niki's Friday Link Love Posts. they are a great collection of quality reads from the week collected from all over Blogland.  She recently did a post on Fun Facts about herself and always keeps her content fresh and new. Niki also mixes in some fun outfits too, like the one I'm styling today.  Jean jackets are one of my favorite things and when Niki wore this fun combo I knew I'd want to try something similar.  The pop of color with the pink belt is perfection, and although I don't have a hi-lo maxi like this, my black jersey dress from Express was a great alternative. I added a pop of color with my favorite yellow belt, and  Since the season is beginning to change I added my new favorite booties as well.

Make sure to stop by Glossy Blonde and say "hi" to Niki, it'll definitely be worth your time :) 

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Cocktail Hour

This week  Chelsea and I are taking on "Cocktail Hour." Gone are the days of weekends at the bar, but getting invited to a cocktail hour or Girls' Night and home can be great.  I'm going to cover how to dress and Chelsea has the best idea for a "Mix Your Own Beer" Bar.  Say what?  Look for the link down below to go check Chelsea's post out!

As I've gotten older I feel like I've done a pretty good job of perfecting work wear, weekend wear, my casual style, and church clothes. However, I feel getting dressed for a girls' night or cocktail hour is tricky.  My 20-something's self was a pro at this...my 30-something self is not.  Today's look is one that I think is perfect for a cocktail hour after work or night with the girls.  I really like the polished look a blazer gives, but the sequined top takes this out of the normal realm of work wear. I also love the contrast of the black top with the fitted white jeans. Add a heel and some jewelry with bling and you've got a great cocktail hour look.

Back to School...

I've been back to school for a week and it's been going great.  I wasn't sure it would be the best of starts, though.  I was awakened last Tuesday morning not by my alarm, but by the most interesting of dreams. The Zombie Apocolype had taken over my school, and I woke up at the very moment I was bitten. You can't make this stuff up, people.  

Also, this is my 10th year of teaching and the new math teacher was in 7th grade my first year teaching. Wow. I feel old. 

On a good note, I'm really liking my kids and loving getting my dress clothes back.  This combo might be one of my new favorites, for sure.

I'd love for you ladies to take a second to vote for me in the #AllNaturalStyleSecrets challenge here. Thanks so much!!!

Have you entered to win my giveaway for a $25 gift card to Target or Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic here yet?

Blazer: Kohl's similar

Dress: Loft $5 (thrifted) similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot Sutton

Bracelets: Stella and Dot  Peacock, Renegade, Urbane

Belt: Kohl's $1.5 similar

Shoes: Fergalicious $30  similar

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On