Floral and Stripes

This combo has been in the back of my head for awhile, but I just hadn't tried it out until today, and I have to say I love it! I found this blazer at Goodwill a month or so ago and have worn it a few times with jeans, but love it with is dress today. I added the bright scarf for something different and finished it off with my boots.  I think I'll mix it up and wearing it with a scarf like this and my black boots next time.

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. : )

Stripes and Floral

I thought I'd share with you all some of my favorite "Grant" moments recently.  Being a mother is definitely the best thing that has happened to me, but before I was a mom I had no idea what to expect.

Sweetest thing: Grant was sitting next to me at dinner and declared I am his best friend. : )

Silliest thing: Grandma recently found a bunch of dress up clothes for Grant and he feel in love with the Scooby-Doo costume.  While pretending to be a dog, Gracie (our Beagle) came up wagging her tail.  Grant said to her "Hey, we match!  We both have tails!"

Surprising thing:  I was making dinner, talking to my sister while I thought Grant was watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (best kids' show in my opinion).  I turned around and surprising had to ask why Grant was naked.  Yep.  Evidently he had spilled his water, so he took his clothes off.  Logical, right?

Superhero thing:  While wearing his Spider-Man costume he also added his snow boots "because they give him power!"

Kid cracks me up.

Now to my outfit: After finally picking up this pink skirt at Target I wore it like this the first time.  I seriously love it and really wanted to wear it again before it got too cold for bare legs.  Many of you thought this could be cute with black tights, and I do think I'll give that a try too.  As for today, I totally love this combo.  I recently wore it for girls' night and plan to wear it to school too.  I think the floral scarf is such a fun option with the striped blazer.  

Double Floral

I've been back to school for five weeks, wow that flew by! I really like my kids, which is great, but I am buuusssyyyy. I'm not sure what is different,  but every single moment at school is quickly filled with some task, student, or assignment to grade. FYI: I do t think I've been caught up on grading once since school started.. I just can figure out why I'm busier now??? I'll adjust, it's about working smarter, not harder, right?

Now to my outfit: Last spring I saw this pin and was in love. I had just gotten this dress from a clothing swap at church but didn't have a floral scarf or booties, since I just recently got both I was ready to give this pin a try. I think this will be a fun fall transition look for sure.

*I ended up wearing a black belt instead of this taupe one. The taupe is ok, but I think the black ended up being better.

Have you entered my sponsor's giveaway for a JCrew inspired necklace yet here?

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

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

Feedback Time : )

 Hi everyone, I hope you're all having a great weekend.  Recently Audrey shared the results of a survey she had asked her readers to complete.  I thought it was a great idea, so I decided to ask you ladies to do the same.  I think feedback is great, and I want to make sure I'm doing my best on this little blog each day.  So, what do you think?  Take a minute to take my survey down below and share your thoughts with me. There are eight questions and just hit "done" once you're, you know, done. : )

Here's a quick weekend look for you all too.  Gotta keep is casual when you're fighting the crowds at Wal-Mart.....

Top: Old Navy $3 (thrifted)

Shorts: AE $8 (Plato's Closet)

Necklace: Stella and Dot Rebel (now)

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Chimera, Foundation, and Renegade (now)

Shoes: JCrew (old)

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Hello, Summer Break and Go Blog Social

Today I have to work 'til noon, but after that I'm free, free, free. I'm so excited for a break. I'm sorry, but I don't know how anymore works year round. Come May, I'm just exhausted. Today's outfit is one I see myself wearing a lot this summer. I love flip flops, but couldn't help but put on my wedges. I'm telling you, this dressing casual thing is going to be work. I'm aware of how silly it sounds, but I don't feel like I know how to do it. This summer Grant and I will be at the park, zoo, museum, swimming, etc, none of which places require heels. Gasp! I'm going to work on it, but getting in a casual, cute groove might take awhile.

Also, I'm so excited to have bought my ticket for Go Blog Social in Kansas City! Anyone else sign up to go yet? Right now tickets are at the early bird price of only $99 for four days of super duper fun in August. :)

Cardigan: Target $3 (thrifted)

Top: Apt 9 ?

Skirt: Target $11

Necklace: Stella and Dot Juniper

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade/ Foundation/ Chimera

Shoes: JCrew (circa 2007ish)

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On

Fashion and Beauty Finds
We Love Target

Also linking up with IFB to share my summer style : )