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!

Creating Content That's Worth Reading

Today I'm going to share with you my second takeaway from  Go Blog Social  Yesterday I shared with you about the importance of being yourself and sharing your passion though your blog. Today I'm going to talk about creating content that's worth reading.  

If your blog looks like everyone blog out there, what's going to make readers want to come back? Good question right?  Meg Biram said "Find what makes you unique and go for it. Be a step ahead of the rest." Such great advise. Why be a re-creator when you can be an innovator?

 Meg Biram also told us to get out from behind the computer. "If you aren't living your life and doing cool things with those you love, you won't be inspired to create original content" Meg said some of her best ideas came from needs she had, such as moving to a new area and not knowing anything about it. She found other bloggers and created a series where she'd get together with these bloggers and they'd show her their three favorite places in the city. So cool, right? If she had just sat behind the computer, those ideas never could have happened. 

Jeanette of J's Everyday Fashion said "Creative work is your gift to the world, don't cheat us." I love this, if we try to be too much like others, we're not being true to ourselves therefore cheating others of what could be something really cool.

Think about a need you have, something you might have expertise in, or something cool and exciting going on in your life, that's where your content should be. Meg Biram If what you're doing doesn't make you nervous once in a while, you're probably not pushing yourself. I love this, I think you should definitely be nervous to push "publish" at times. 

Ultimately what we chose to do on our blog is up to us, but I truly believe our readers are here because of who we are, so we better do our best to make that worth their time! 

To all of my amazing readers, I'm truly amazed that you all take the time to come by. I never imagined when I started this last fall that I'd be here today! Thanks so much and I'm going to do my best to make your time here worthwhile!

Also such cool, I got featured on the Chippmunk Blog as one of their featured bloggers. There's still time for you to enter their Expert Shopper contest here.

Have you entered my Swag Bag giveaway yet?

Blazer: Loft $30 c/o Chippmunk  similar 

Top: Loft $20 similar (in stores, can't find online)

Shorts: Loft $20 similar(ish)

Necklace: Stella and Dot Sutton

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Triple Wrap, Renegade, Gilded Arrow

Shoes: $26 Audrey Brookes  similar in silver

Linking up with:

Tre-Chic Fashion Thursdays

Summer Style Link-up

Lace and Prints



I got back from the Go Blog Social yesterday and am so excited to share my experience with you, with starting on Wednesday.  I need a little time to get my thoughts and posts together, so I thought I'd share an outfit I wore twice last week, yep twice.  The first time I wore it was to go get the Grantster from Grandma's house.  He had his first night away from home, and other than my parent's cat sneaking into the guest room and scaring him half to death the trip was a success. 

I didn't really do much else that day and liked this outfit too much to waste it, so I wore it a few days later when we had some friends over for a BBQ. You've seen this top and shorts before, but the jewelry is new.  I had just got my new fall Stella and Dot jewels and couldn't wait to wear them!  The red necklace is the Mae and the other one is a detachable part of Sutton which I told you guys last week can be worn five ways.  I. Love. It.  Anyway, I thought it would be fun to layer these two together and am super loving the result.



Top: Target $9  same

Shorts: Loft $20 similar(ish)

Necklace: Stella and Dot Mae and Sutton

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Chimera, Gilded Arrow, Julep

Shoes: Target $30 same

It's in the Styling: Tip Four, Add a Heel

Now, I love flats and flip-flops as much as the next girl and tend to wear them a lot in the summer to the park, zoo, etc., but they tend to make my already short (5'4") frame appear even shorter and bulkier. The simple fix, add a heel. Almost every outfit I put on suddenly looks better in a heel or wedge then it does in a flat. Want to look longer and leaner? Make a heal your new best friend :)

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!

It's crazy how adding a heel instantly lengthens and slims my figure.  Like I said above, I love sandals, but I'm wearing this with heels for a lunch date with a girl friend. This look was inspired by Tara, I loved the mix of print and texture in her look so decided to give it a try here, and am loving the result.   Here are some more pictures of this outfit:

Top: Target $9 same

Shorts: Loft $16 (now can't find online)

Necklace: Express $12 same

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Foundation, and Harlow Kohl's similar in gold

Shoes: JCrew similar



Bright and Cheery

About a week ago I got an email that Loft had a "Flash Sale," everything 50% off, so I went to check it out.  I found some great things, including this top, necklace, and these shorts for great prices. I also found these wedges at Target. I'd been wanting the perfect pair and didn't see anything at DSW I liked, then when I was in Target "getting groceries" I found these bad boys.  I pretty much love them.  I wore this last week to the Grantster's birthday party at a bounce house.....then the next day to the zoo. Yep, loved it that much. ;) 

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. I seriously appreciate it ladies!

Also, I've decided to start accepting sponsors! If you're interested in growing your blog, take a look at my stats and options for sponsorship here.

Top: Loft $17 (now)

Shorts: $20 (now)

Necklace: $4.88 (now)

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Chimera, Christina Link, and Triple Wrap (now)

Shoes: Target (now)

Bag: Stella and Dot Metallic Ikat (now)

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On

Two Weeks in a Row!

I couldn't help myself, I love this top and these shorts so much I couldn't help but put them together to wear them again this week.  On Thursday I wore this but changed into the outfit below because I got hot. Silly, Summer. I ended up wearing this to go on my very first "blate" with Andi.  I had such a good time with her and she's just as nice as she seems.  You all should totally go and say hi to her on her blog!  Anyway, I only had this outfit on for a couple of hours, which is a total waste of a cute outfit if you ask me, so I'm wearing it again this week.  My. New. Favorite.



Top: Ark and Co. $6 via Plato's Closet

Shorts: Loft $16

Necklace: Borrowed from a friend (I soooo want it) Pegasus from Stella and Dot

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Julip, Renegade, and Chimera

Shoes: JCrew (circa 2007ish)