Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Thanksgiving

Since Thanksgiving is almost here, Chelsea and I decided to take it on.  You know what that means? No, I'm not talking about Black Friday shopping, though that is fun. I'm talking about Thanksgiving Dinner and the need for comfy clothes. Enter my maxi dress, it feels like pajamas, but looks like actual clothes. Nice! I decided to try it as a skirt and love the result.It was pretty easy to throw a fitted tee over my dress, then I added a denim jacket and fun infinity scarf. I'm now official convinced that maxi skirts aren't only for warm weather, and I'm now on the hunt for one like this. To me, this will be the perfect Thanksgiving look, with plenty of room for turkey and all the other goodness my mom, sister, and husband will bring to the table....I don't so much cook....

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. : )

Leopard and Stripes

I'm loving this casual look today. It's actually starting to cool down here, so breaking out my cargo jacket made sense.  I love the leopard and stripes combo and I feel really put together, but comfortable at the same time.  Pants and I aren't always the best of friends, but these red jeans and I get along just fine. Now, if I could just find another pair in a different color that fit this well.   I'm really liking this cobalt option, I'll let you all know what I think once I get in to try them on. What about you all, do you have any suggestion for a good place to buy colored jeans?

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 :) 

One Piece: Twelve Ways

I'm Excited to take part in Audrey's "One Piece Many Ways" challenge today.  It was easy for me to decide to focus on my denim jacket.  I love them and found 12 ways to share with you today, with three for each season.  I love how they can be the perfect addition to so many outfits and can be worn all year round.  My new look for today includes me wearing the jacket with my favorite floral skirt and a polka dot top.  I love pattern mixing, but breaking up the look with a denim jacket made the outfit perfect for me.  Check out my ginormous college below with 12 other ways to wear this piece.

Jacket: The Limited similar

Top: Old Navy $4 

Skirt: Target $12 same

Necklace: Stella and Dot Rebel Pendant same

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade, Triple Wrap and Chimera 

Shoes: Target $30 same

 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

Season Switch: Keep the Color, Change the Style

Today I'm going to share with you my second tip for making the "Season Switch" with your wardrobe
The outfit below on the left was probably my favorite of the summer, but I won't be able to wear it much longer as it begins to cool off.  Many of you probably have the a similar issue.  That's where today's tip comes in.  Keep the color, but change the style.  I have a pair of red jeans I knew would look great with this top and I mentioned on Monday that adding a jean jacket is the perfect addition to most casual outfits.  I'd been playing around with this outfit in my head, then Rita wore something similar and I was sold!  My favorite summer look, now can become a fall look I'll love too!

Also, wanting to grow your blog?  I'd love to help you!  Check out my sponsorship opportunities here. : )

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

Grant though he should say "cheese" with me. Yep, he's still wearing his new costume like crazy...

Jean Jacket: The Limited (circa 2004)  similar

Top: Forever 21 $16 similar

Jeans: Forever 21 $5 (thrifted) similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot Mae

Braelets: Stella and Dot Chimera, Moxie, and Renegade

Heels: Fergalicious $15 similar

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On 

Chelsea and Ginny Take on: Labor Day!

Today is a big day on the blog! I'm starting a new series with my sister, Chelsea at Whatcha Makin' Now, and I'm starting a new mini-series this week to help you all transition your clothes from Summer to Fall.

Chelsea and I have so much fun blogging and wanted to come up with a weekly way to collaborate. We came up with this "Take On" series.  Each week we will take on a topic, adventure, or holiday that you'll need to dress and prepare food for.  This week we're taking on Labor Day.  I call this the unofficial end of summer. Whomp, whomp. It's a great opportunity to get together with friends and grill, for sure.  The weather starts to change some too, so today I'm showing you how to make shorts last a little while longer, and dress comfortably and stylishly for your Labor Day celebrations.

I think the jean jacket is the perfect addition to many outfits, including this one.  This summer I wore these shorts a ton with a simple chambray or tank top; that won't cut it as it begins to cool down.  Adding a jean jacket keeps this outfit casual, but will make sure you don't get too cool grilling with friends and family.

Comeback Wednesday for my second tip to making the "Season Switch" with your wardrobe. And make sure to check out my sisters link below for a fabulous Labor Day drink!

Jean Jacket: The Limited (circa 2004ish) similar

Top: Loft $20 similar

Shorts: Loft $20 similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot Rebel

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade, Triple Wrap, Moxie

Shoes: Aero 2 $26 similar

Now to my fabulous sister Chelsea.  This week she is sharing the recipe for a delicious drink called "Strawberry Lemonade Beer." She's also come up with a non-alcoholic  version too, sweet!  Make sure to stop by Whatcha Makin' Now for the details on how to make this delicious drink, perfect for your Labor Day Celebrations!

It's in the Styling: Tip One, Know Your Body

Blogging has really been such a great experience for me and other then the great blogging friends I have, the second best things that's come out of it is having a better understanding of my body, my style, and how to best wear my clothes.  This week I thought it would be fun to share some of the things I've learned about how to look your best each day.  Today I'm going to start by discussing body shapes.

I also decided to enter Chippmuck.com's Expert Shopper Contest again with this outfit. I came in 7th last time and the top five won. Help me make the top five this time by loving my look here. You can vote each day too. I seriously appreciate it ladies!

Joining the Trend-Spin link up today too here.

Have you ever found the cutest outfit on Pinterest or blogger only to try it and have it look not at all as cute as the original, even though you had very similar pieces in your closet? Yep, me too. The problem: probably a difference in body type. To correctly style an outfit, you've got to dress to fit your body type. The Chic Fashionista has some excellent info. on determine body types I'll share with you today.

	Pear Body Shape 1. You have a well-defined waist  2. Your bust and shoulders are proportionally narrower than your hip-line  3. Your thighs and maybe your butt might be full and rounded  4. Narrow or sloping shoulders 5. You may have short and/or full/muscular legs  Click here for fashion advice and tips on how to dress for your curvascious pear shape
	Inverted Triangle Body Shape 1. Your bust and shoulders are proportionally wider than your hips  2. Your hips are narrow or at least narrower than your bust and shoulders  3. You may have slim legs which often comes with this body shape  4. You might have a flat butt  5. You project a sporty-athletic physique.   Click here for advice and tips on how to dress for your athletic shape.
	Rectangle Body Shape 1. Your bust and shoulders are about the same width as your hip-line  2. You might look shorter and heavier than you really are  3. You have little or no waist definition  4. Waist measures from 1" to 8" smaller than the bust  5. You may have a short waist Click here for advice and tips on how to dress for your boyish shape.
	Hourglass Body Shape 1. Your bust and shoulders are at the same width as your hips  2. You have a defined waist  3. When gaining weight, the fat usually stores evenly throughout your body  4. Your waist is 8" to 12" smaller than the hip or bust measurement  5. Your figure resembles a coke bottle. Click here (opens in a new window) for advice and tips on how to dress for your proportional body shape.
	Apple Body Shape 1. You have the appearance of being round, slightly wide around the waistline  2. Your waistline lacks or has no waist definition  3. Your hips and butt might be wide and full along with your waist  4. Your silhouette is round usually due to overweight or childbirth  5. Bust, waist and hips are very close in measurements.  Click here for advice and tips on how to dress for your round body shape.

Did you girls figure out your shape?  Make sure to click on the links above to look for advise and tips for your shape, it's seriously good info!

I'm happen to be a "rectangle." Which basically means I have no waist.  To combat this I have two go to styling tips for you other "rectangles:"

 1. Add a layer (like a cardigan or jacket).
 2. Add a belt.

I was really excited when Whitney wore this outfit. I had those pieces in my closet and had wanted more inspiration on how to wear that skirt. This is a prime example of knowing your body, though. Because I'm a rectangle/ruler/boy shape Whitney's outfit looked great on her but not so hot on me.
I stated above my go to styling tips for defining my waist are adding a belt or adding a layer. Here, a belt does not work when the skirt has an elastic waist, however, adding a layer does.

Automatically adding the jacket gives me a more defined waist. Thank goodness! What about your, what tips do you have to help you look the best with your own body shape? Here's some more pictures of this look styled:

Jacket: The Limited similar

Top: Old Navy $4 same

Skirt: Target $12 same

Necklace: Stella and Dot Rebel Pendant same

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade, Foundation and Chimera similar

Shoes: Target $30 same

Things That Make Me Happy

Blog Everyday in May Challenge, Day 14: Ten things that make me really happy

1. My son, I can't believe how much better my life is with him!
2. My family in general, I'm so blessed to have such wonderful supportive people in my life!
3. Ice cream, Dairy Queen to be exact. Mmmmmm, Blizzards.
4. Finding a deal, you all know this makes my day
5. Blogging, I so wish I new you all in real life!
6. Naps, for me and/or my son. Nuff said.
7. Coffee, I love being able to start my day with a big mug full with creamer, lots of creamer.
8. Flowers, I just love seeing them bloom in our yard and have bouquets on the counter.
9. God, even on my darkest days He gives me hope.
10. This post, my sister made the most amazing ice cream cake for my birthday. Go check it out!

Now to my outfit: This look is a look I pinned by the sweet Audrey.  I hadn't thought of wearing this dress with a denim jacket before, but Audrey's look was great inspiration. 

Jacket: The Limited (circa 2003ish)

Dress: Target $12

Belt: Kohl's $1.5

Necklace: Stella and Dot Avalon

Bracelets: Stella and Dot  Renegade/Chimera

Shoes: Fergalicious $15

Linking up with:
Real Girl Style
My Thrifty Chic