Be Original. Be Yourself.

I had such an amazing time at Go Blog Social and I want to take some time to share my takeaway with you all.  A lot of this will obviously apply more to bloggers, but I hope to tie it back to you non-bloggers as well, and share with you how I'll apply it to my blog too.

 I feel like I heard time and time again at the conference the importance of being who you are and not a copy cat of someone else who is successful. I definitely think this applies to blogging and life in general. Meg Biram Jeanette of J's Everyday Fashion and Corrie McFadden  all discussed the importance of finding what makes you unique and focusing your blog on that. What's your passion? What gets you excited? The answer to that is what you should blog about. "There's a reader for everyone, be the voice for them."-Corri McFadden

As for me, I definitely think fashion and finding great deals gets me excited.  I feel like that's definitely been a focus here, so for me to go start spending hundreds on outfits (not that I would, or could) wouldn't make sense, because I feel a lot of you readers like a good deal just like I do.  I want to stay true to myself and my budget. Jeanette touched on this too. She's had a $250 a month clothing budget for forever,but even with her phenomenal success, she's stuck to that budget because that's the focus of her blog. She's living what her blog is. I love that.

That being said last year I thrifted A LOT because I was really trying to build up my wardrobe. I don't need clothes like I did before (don't tell my husband). What I do need are some closet staples like blazers and pencil skirts. Pieces like this can be very hard to thrift (trust me, I've tried). I definitely plan to shop the sale racks, but thrifting isn't something I've done all summer and something I don't see myself doing much this fall.

I'm also passionate about teaching and plan to do more how-to posts here as well. You've seen some of that from me this summer and I have a new tips series coming next and an exciting collaboration starting at the end of the month with my fabulous sister.

Tomorrow I'll share with you another takeaway from Go Blog Social, and today's outfit is what I wore to the fun cocktail hour last Thursday night.

Have you entered my Swag Bag giveaway yet?

Blazer: Kohls $20? similar

Blouse: Target $7 (can't find on line, instores now)

Shorts: Kohl's $20 similar

Belt: Kohl's $6 similar

Necklace: Stella and Dot Rebel

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade,  Triple Wrap and Chimera similar

Shoes: Kohl's $26 c/o Chippmunk  same

Bag: Coach same

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On

Neon Fun

Recently my husband and I got a new truck and with it we got a few months of XM radio for free.  The last time we got a truck we got it free then, but felt it was silly to pay for radio after the free trial.  I'm loving it this time around, especially the 90's station.  How can you not smile while Warren G is singing "Regulator" or Lou Bega is singing "Mombo #5?  Anyway this outfit is a little bit early 90's too.  I got this shirt at Goodwill back in the fall, it's actually too big, but I couldn't pass it up.  I've successfully worn it tucked to work, but wasn't sure how to make that work this summer, until I also remembered the "tie your tee" trend.  Success. 

Also, thinking about growing your blog? Let me help. Check out my sponsorship options here. Spots start at $5!





Shirt: Target $3 (thrifted) similar

Shorts: Gap $5 (Plato's Closet) similar

Necklace: Express $30 similar

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Harlow, Foundation, Light

Shoes: Target $30 similar

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On

It's in the Styling: Tip Three, Tuck Your Shirt

Ever put on an outfit that in theory should look great, only to find you look frumpy and dumpy? Me too. However, the simplest trick to styling an outfit and taking it from bad to fab is to tuck your shirt. Seriously. Sometimes a shirt is just fine un-tucked, especially for more casual looks, but if the shirt is too long/flowy/loose a simple tuck is all you need to dramatically change your outfit's look. I usually try an outfit both ways, then decide which is best.

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!

Do you see the difference?!? I probably look 30 pound lighter by just tucking this shirt in!  I honestly didn't realize the power of the "tuck" until I started reading blogs and seeing what other girls were wearing.  I also didn't own a lot of skirts before tucking in either, just look at "Exhibit A" and you'll understand why.  Now that I realize that tucking your shirt in can make such a great change in the outfit, my skirt collection has grown tremendously, and I have a much more polished professional look too. Here are some more pictures of this look:

Cardigan: Old Navy $20 similar

Top: Target $3 (thrifted) similar

Skirt: Target $16 similar

Belt: Kohls $1.5 similar

Necklace: Loft $5 similar

Bracelets: Stella and Dot  Julep, Gilded Arrow, and Chimera similar

Shoes: JCrew similar

Girls' Night!

Girls' Nights are wonderful!  Last night I had the opportunity to get together with some great friends for a fun, kid-free night.  I think it's so important to take time for yourself.  Just like it's important to plan date-night, girl time is so important too. I also love that I get to dress up a little bit, I'd planned to wear this tank and shorts then added the blazer and thought, "Why didn't I think I of that before." Love.  Add my heels and I love this summer, dressy look.

As of July 1st GFC is gone, so I'm preparing to move to Bloglovin.  Here's easy directions for how to move all the blogs you follow to Bloglovin in one easy step. Here's the link to follow me on Bloglovin too! 

*On a side note, I obviously got my hair cut.  FYI when you tell your stylist to "do whatever" that's what they'll do.  I think the cut's alright, but it's definitely shorter than I expected. I'm starting to get used to it, but it might take a while...

Blazer: Kohls $17

Top: Old Navy $9 ?

Shorts: Kohl's $20

Necklace: Stella and Dot Rebel Pendant

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Foundation, Christiana Link, and Chimera

Shoes: Audrey Brooke $25

Linking up with:

Look What I Got

Tre-Chic Fashion Thursdays

Summer Style Link-up

Double Ikat

I wore this outfit on Monday which was my first official day off.  Grant will still go to daycare two days a week this summer to keep his spot, so that means I will have two days to myself.  I plan to do a lot of the cleaning and grocery shopping on those days, but I'm really looking forward to the luxury of time to myself.  I even ventured to the neighborhood park for some pictures before going to an eye appointment. As for this outfit,  I love the ikat pattern on the tank and am sooooo crazy about my new Stella and Dot metallic ikat bag.  It's the perfect size and pattern, and I really wanted a fun and easy new bag for summer.  This one is perfection!

Also I entered Chippmunk.com's expert shopper contest. I'd love if you'd take a second and vote for me here. Simply scroll down to my picture and click "love it." Thanks a ton, ladies!



Top: Target $.99 (Goodwill)

Shorts: Kohls ?

Cardigan: Old Navy $20

Necklace: Stella and Dot Gitane

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade, Chimera, and Julip Bangle

Bag: Stella and Dot Metallic ikat

Shoes: JCrew (circa 2007ish)

A Day in the Life and The Trend of the Month

Blog Everyday in May Challenge, Day 15: A typical day

Today's challenge is a describing my typical day, let me tell you, it's pretty glamorous......so, without further ado, here I go:

6:10- Alarm goes off, I think about how dumb it is to get out of bed, and how dumb mornings are. Push snooze.
6:19- repeat previous events
6:30ish- Get up, shower, get dressed, get ready. I pick out my clothes over the weekend, and have them set aside in a separate part of my closet, so I can easily look through my outfits and choice what I feel like wearing.  Before blogging and stood and stared at my closet for like 20 minutes then pulled out my teacher uniform, black pants, a top, and a cardigan. Everyday.
7:00- Make, coffee and my lunch, let the dog out, and feed her
7:10ish- Wake up Grant. Depending on the day, this is either easy or not.  Generally the first thing out of his mouth is "Get your Jammie's back on," as he knows that when I have them on we get to stay home.  Then he goes potty after some coaxing to get out of bed. Now, the hard part, getting dressed. Grant is particular and sometimes takes awhile to decide what he'll wear. I usually pull out 3 shirts and let him choose, then it's jeans or "soft pants," and socks that "bother him" and shoes.  Next we brush teeth and are ready.
7:30, I leave for work and my husband takes Grant to daycare.
7:30-4:00ish- Sculpt young minds.  I teach 7th grade Language Arts on the block schedule, so I have three 90 minute blocks during the day, a meeting, plan, lunch (that's way too short) and homework appointments after school with kids.
4:00ish I have a play date after getting Grant, run to the store to grab something for dinner, or once a week I go to Goodwill, then go get Grant.
4:30-5 ish get home and start dinner.  I do not like cooking and often have an "Oh crap," moment at school as I realize I have no plan for dinner.  If I'm lucky I've thawed out burger or chicken then I choose from go-to meals with these.  My husband is an excellent cook and takes care of most weekend cooking, I love this! Grant usually plays or watches a show while I cook and unload and reload the dishwasher.
5:30ish- Brian gets home and we have dinner together
6:00- Grant's bath time
6:30-8 Family time, play, watch a movie
8:00- Get ready for Grant's bedtime. Potty, brush teeth, read books, sing songs, tell stories
8:15-8:30ish Grant's down for the night and I finally can catch my breath.  Brian and I will watch a show, I'll look at blogs, etc.
10:00- Bedtime, we are old

Now to my outfit: You guys haven't seen this top yet, not sure why, but I pretty much wear it every week sometime.  I got it as Goodwill and love everything about it, the print, the color, the shape, everything.  Funny thing is, if I saw it in the store I totally would have passed it up.  Thrifting has really caused me to look at clothes differently, and in the best way.  I totally love it with these white jeans too.  I found them last summer and wore them un-cuffed, but I totally prefer it cuffed up. The pop of green in my necklace is pretty fun too. : )

I'm also Linking up with Marionberry Style for the trend of the month!

Top: Kohl's $3 (thrifted)

Jeans: CAbi $5 (thrifted)

Necklace: Stella and Dot Jolie

Bracelets: Stella and Dot  Renegade/ Chimera/Gilded Arrow

Shoes: DSW $25

Bag: Coach

Linking up with:
What I Wore Wednesday
Get Your Pretty On
Fashion and Beauty Finds