Cobalt and Stripes Two Ways

Today I'm going to show you a dressy and casual take on a similar look.  I've really been enjoying dressing up jeans lately, but I really only get to them one day a week at work, that leaves four other work days where I need to dress up. This winter has really make me dress more casually, but I really do love a good skirt, so  I love how easily this outfit can transition from casual to dressy by simply switching the the jeans out for the pencil skirt. I'm not going to lie, after taking these pictures I added tights, it was too cold. The jeans look I wore when it was pretty nice a few weeks ago....maybe I should have worn the skirt then. ;) Speaking of jeans, I'm on the hunt for some new ones, I'm wondering if I should give these a try, being I love everything else from there. What jeans do you love and recommend?  

Style Swap Link Up!

Welcome to the first addition of my weekly link-up with Jenn from The Brandied Pair called “Style Swap.” I can't wait to see all our your looks today!  This week I swapped with Jenn, and starting next week Jenn and I will pick a favorite from the link-up to "Style Swap" with and share on the next link up. I love Jenn's look I swapped for my own today!  I got this blazer earlier this fall but it's been totally under-utilized.  Jenn does such a great job of making a jeans outfit look dressy and I love this one for casual Friday or a date night with Brian (hint, hint). The details on link-up are down below, let the fun begin. : )

Introducing Style Swap with The Brandied Pair

I’m excited to me starting a new weekly link-up with Jenn from The Brandied Pair called “Style Swap.” 

Our goal is to help you share your great style, as well as a blogger whose style you love.  Each Friday you can link up in one of two ways:

1. Pick a blogger buddy and choose to do a “Style Swap” with each other, just like Jenn and I did today.  Pick one of each other’s looks you love and create your own spin on it, therefore “swapping styles,” then link to each other and to us.  This will build your audience in two ways: one, with the blogger collaboration, and two by linking up with us.  Awesome, right?
2. The second way is to simply choose a blogger you love and take one of their looks and swap your style for theirs.  Then, link to the blogger out of courtesy and link up with us as well.

At the end of each link-up Jenn and I will take one of the looks we love best, and we'll “Style Swap” your look and create our own spin on it.  Then, we'll showcase your look and link to you on the next link-up.

We politely ask that you follow Jenn and I on at least one social media outlet before linking up.  Here's all the links you need to easily follow:

Jenn: Bloglovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook
Ginny: Bloglovin / Pinterest /Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / GFC (use button)

Here’s our button to grab, and the link-up will go live each Friday at 7:00 Central time.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="My New Favorite Outfit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDY9DHUOiFvTpBsLfr7RblOQ9g9JcF6L8pRqK715qvnJsorWbtOoOYSCkwGHheOqcipp-o0v_IVdu2Jx_Qq6ya_XPfUt_2_FvojuuaPRWftNBhdoMaTsyJ221jWzO8Bv0gyT8aBEkkerc/s1600/style+swap+12.png"/></a>

Snow Boots and Vests

 I have to be honest with you guys, I feel kind of guilty showing you outfits that are with vests on every-other post.  But, at the same point I pretty much love them this winter, and this blog is about showing my daily outfits....so here you go, another outfit with a vest.  I've recently discovered that the perfect addition to an outfit with a vest are snow boots. The ones I have are actually like four years old. I bought them at of all places, Walmart. I was pregnant and needed boots so I wouldn't slip and fall walking in and out of school. I wore them a little bit that winter, and since then they were pretty much forgotten in my closet until just recently.  You guys. They are so comfortable, and I actually really like them. I actually wish I'd worn them yesterday.  Cool me, took a corner too quickly on our newly waxed floor, and although I didn't fall, I was wearing these booties and I twisted my ankle pretty badly. : (  I'm elevating it and icing it as I write this.  Fingers crossed I'm good today and don't have to limp around having to explain to every 7th grader I pass what happened....

Blazers and Boots

I found this Loft blazer last year at Goodwill and wore it a ton, but for whatever reason it's been totally under utilized this winter.  I decided to pair it with my polka dot sweater, also totally under utilized this winter and my red scarf.  I feel totally cozy and warm, and when it's ridiculously cold outside that's a winning combination.  

Stripes and Vests

I recently found this utility vest at JC Penney and I absolutely love how it goes with this J.Crew Factory shirt I found shopping the after Christmas sales.  I wore this last weekend and it was perfect for going to the library with Grant and they having a playdate after nap time.  I also got this top in orange and know I'll try that combo next.  I feel like having easy weekend pieces like this is essential.  I have a bunch of great basics for summer time, but was really lacking in the winter department, these new pieces will definitely get their wear!

How To: Style a Boyfriend Cardigan

I'm excited to be starting a how-to series, which I'll be sharing with you all weekly.  This week I'll be sharing tips on how to style a boyfriend cardigan.  Now, these cardigans can be great, but the length and tendency for them to be over-sized can make them difficult to style.  I have some great tips on how to style them for you all today.

• First, when trying a boyfriend cardigan on in the store, try on your "normal" size and then one size smaller.  You might find that the small works better than the medium, etc.  Also, check the length.  For me, having a boyfriend cardigan hit right below the hips is most flattering.  Due to my short petite figure, cardigans that are longer than this are not flattering on me and look more like a weird dress with buttons on the front.  Not cool.
• One great way to style a boyfriend cardigan once you've gotten a well fitting one is with a jersey dress like this one I'm wearing in the first picture below.  Boyfriend cardigans are more casual in nature, so wearing it with a jersey dress works great.  I'll done this quite a few time and and always feel put together and cozy all day long.  A belt also helps to accentuate your waist with this combo too.
• The second ways to wear a boyfriend cardigan is with skinny jeans.  This is a great combo for casual Friday or for a weekend look.  I think skinny jeans are best because you don't want to create more volume with the outfit by adding a wider leg jean; this outfit can have a tendency to look overwhelming and make you look bigger than you are.  I styled mine below with booties, but you could also easily wear ballet flats or tall boots too. I also feel that tucking in your shirt or wearing a more form fitting shirt is the most flattering with a boyfriend cardigan too, just like with the jeans, an over-sized shirt can make you look bigger than you are.
• The third way to style a boyfriend cardigan is with a mini-skirt.  Now pencil skirts can be ok with boyfriend cardigans too, just keep in mind the casual nature of this piece, so a cotton skirt is probably best.  Once again tucking your shirt in will be the most flattering for this look and I think booties are boots look best.  I don't recommend wearing an a-line skirt with a boyfriend cardigan, just like I stated above with over-sized shirts or wider leg jeans, adding more volume is not very flattering.
• The last way I'm going to show is to wear a boyfriend cardigan with leggings.  I love this with a longer tunic and boots or booties.  I don't recommend wearing leggings to work, I'd stick to wearing this combo for a night with friends or on the weekends.  You also want to make sure your rear is covered by the tunic and cardigan and that the legging are nice and thick.  To wear this look at work, simply swap out the leggings for black jeans or the gigi pant and you're ready to go.

Fair Isle Love

When I saw this sweater in red on Jessica at Bows and Sequins I was in love.  I ended up being able to get it in blue the day of after Christmas for half price and seriously want to wear it every day.  I decided to pair it with my new white vest which I was able to get for a steal at Sears. I'm also really excited about my new watch I got for Christmas. If you follow me on Instagram, you already got a sneak peak.  I totally love it!

I wore this on Tuesday. Grant, Bran and I went to the Children's Museum. We'd bought a family pack of gift certificates at a silent auction recently and decided to use a few of them over Christmas break. The holidays have been so busy we haven't been able to just do something as a family, so it was really nice.

Fur and Plaid

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, I know we did, although I feel like I'm in a food coma.  Grant and I are off to go to the indoor exhibits at the zoo today and it would be a great time!

I wore this outfit on Monday while I did some last minute Christmas shopping.  I ran around all day, thinking this vest and scarf would be enough.....well it was like 5 degrees here Monday.  My arms were freezing although the vest and scarf definitely did the trick.  I'm all about combos like this now, it's like I've found my casual groove and with the weather this cold skirts are definitely out of the question, even one as cute as this. Oh, who am I kidding, I think I need this skirt.

This scarf was sent over by Born Pretty, I really like it, although based on the picture online I thought it was gray.  Whomp, whomp.  It's crazy inexpensive though and I'm happy with the quality. Shipping is free, the one downfall is it's takes about a month for items to arrive.  

Pink, Gingham, and Christmas Eve

I'm really enjoying getting to be home with Grant. Some recent conversations have me rolling.

Me: "Grant, should we get Grandma another Christmas present?"

Grant: "How about a cape and mask?"

Me: Dying.

Me: "When you were a baby you were in my tummy."

Grant: "when Gracie was a baby was she in Daddy's tummy?"

Gracie is our beagle....

I've got to do a better job of keeping track of this stuff.

Now to my outfit: I picked up this sweater and shirt last week when J.Crew factory was running a 50% off sale. How could I not go, right? I love this bright pink color, and this gingham is perfection! Last year I picked up a different gingham shirt at Plato's closet, but I felt it was a little big every time I wore it and it had a texture I just wasn't crazy about, so back to Plato's it will go. This outfit is perfect for spending Christmas Eve with the family.  We always go out to my parent's house for a dinner of appetizers.  Growing up I always begged to open a present early on Christmas Eve, you think as an adult I'd be over that, but I'm totally not. :)

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?

Bow-tastic

I'm not sure what happened, probably the 20 degree temperatures, but I'm all about casual looks right now. I ended up wearing this on Thanksgiving and was cozy all day long. Last winter I was crazy about this J.Crew cardigan, but didn't have the chance to get it in stores. Now that the factory store is so close I'm able to nab the pieces I love easily! I was able to pick this up for a steal and have quite a few looks in mind for it.  What would you wear with it?

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!

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Black Friday

This week Chelsea and I are taking on Black Friday!  I'm definitely not a "get up at 3:00 and shop all day" kind of girl, but I do like to go out for a couple of hours to try to snag up a few deals.  When it comes to Black Friday I think it's important to think about what you wear.  Here are some of my thoughts:

• To me, there's nothing worse than being too hot inside with a coat, but freezing outside, because you don't have a coat, so wearing a puffer vest is perfect.  
• I also think it's important to consider what you're shopping for. If you're looking for boots, you should  wear skinny jeans so you can make sure they work with the jeans.  Trying to find tall boots while wearing bootleg or flare jeans just doesn't work well. 
• Same thing goes for shirts, if you're on the look out, don't wear multiple layers, it will make changing in the dressing room no fun.  Keep it simple with a sweater and camisole. 
• Comfy shoes are important too, these boots are Borns, so they are super comfy for being on my feet all day. 

I'm super excited about today's outfit.  Recently I made made the (ten minute) trek to our brand new outlet mall, and if you follow me on Instagram you saw the loot I happily found at Gap and J.Crew Factory. I've been working to create some more put together casual looks and pinning quite a few too, so when we went to the outlet I had casual looks on he brain.  I was excited to find this sweater at J.Crew Factory, the back is green and it has ELBOW PATCHES!  I'm only slightly excited about this.....  I also knew I wanted a vest like this.  I wasn't crazy about Target's option when I saw it in person, and and the J.Crew Factory version (not online) was still $108. Luckily, Gap had an option I really liked (sold out online) and it was 50% off due to the grand opening.  

 

Chelsea and Ginny Take On: Game Day!

This week Chelsea and I are taking on Game Day! Now, I'm from Nebraska, and if you know anything about Nebraska you know we only have one team: The Huskers. Win, lose, whatever, Huskers fans are relentless in their devotion their team.  Today I'm going to show you how to dress for a day game and how to dress for a night game, and Chelsea is going to share an amazing appetizer with you.