Although it's still August, that hasn't stopped me from thinking ahead to Fall. Because you know, I'm THAT girl! How can I help it when I ran across this combo at WalMart? I'm a huge fan of mustard, so the pants were a must. For some reason, peplum tops have never spoken to me, but a peplum top with a flower print, I can get into that! Both pieces are really comfortable. The shirt is loose and flowy. I've gained a bit of weight over the past few months so I appreciate how forgiving it is. It is also a little bit longer, which I like, especially with a tighter pant. I am going back and buying the pants in EVERY color available. They are stretchy and forgiving and hit at the ankle - my favorite pant length. The fabric is really nice so these pants can easily transition between casual to business wear. Unfortunately, neither of the items I found are available online!! So here's what I can tell you:
Here's a little bit more of a close-up with my fashion assistant: If you were to buy similar items (including the booties I'm wearing, which I got at Old Navy and have had for years - always shop your closet first!) at a place like Maurices, instead of $22, you'd look at spending over $117! Each of these items look super close to what I found for WAY cheaper at WalMart! Yet another reminder to thrift or look in stores that normally offer good products for low prices. I've watched WalMart's fashion evolve and I feel that right now is a really good time to keep your eye on them for fashionable, reasonably priced items if you're looking for something new vs. used. Happy deal finding my fellow fashionistas! For background about my Outfit Imitation series, click here!
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“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” In my new work role, the setting is much more casual than I am used to. More jeans days, which I was not quite prepared for with just one pair of jeans in my closet! I'm not really a blue jeans person. Black jeans, leggings, skirts, shorts - that's more my style. In looking around for some denim inspiration, I ran across this outfit from Madewell: Here's a cost rundown on what's pictured: For a grand total of $350! I never thought I would be into the denim on denim look. Others around me have pulled it off, I just thought I may look a little hokey. But there was something about this outfit that appealed to me, so I gave it a try. I visited Plato's Closet in Waterloo with high hopes that I'd find everything I needed - and I did! I hadn't visited this location before. It is a little off the beaten path so I never think to go there, but am glad I stopped by. Here are the brand and cost details on what I found:
I must say, I am completely sold on the denim on denim situation. I think as long as your denims are different shades, you're good to go. Makes it much less "Canadian Tuxedo"-ish!
I especially liked the cut of the jeans. I'm short and these hit me right at the ankle instead of pooling at my ankles like most jeans. The style was "Ankle Legging, Stella, Low Rise" for my fellow short girls out there! The added cardigan makes this outfit super cozy, and the shoes will look great with pants, skirts, or shorts. I wore this outfit the day after I got it, and then the next day (I made sure I was seeing different sets of people! Don't lie - you've done this, too!), and you better believe I'll be wearing it for my next jeans day at work. Happy thrifting! For background about my Outfit Imitation series, click here! I've seen ads for LOFT all my life, mostly in magazines. Nice stuff, but I never paid close attention. I recently visited Tanger Outlets in Williamsburg, Iowa with my aunt, Rachel, and stopped by the LOFT store. It was great! I really loved the variety of clothing they had. Most of it would be considered professional wear, but because that's something that is hard to come by anymore, I got really excited. I always have a hard time finding structured professional clothing that doesn't look "old." I'm a young professional and want to express myself with fun colors, prints and cuts! I also think that a lot of their pieces could go from day to night really easily. They show a lot of their items paired with jeans and it creates a really polished look. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from their online collection: They're slightly out of my price range, which probably explains why I haven't bought anything from them before. But, if I'm looking for a special piece, I know where I'll look. Until then, I'll just draw styling inspiration from them so I can wear my thrifted finds in new ways!
I am NOT a lipstick person, but I recently discovered I AM a lip STAIN person! I've wanted to change up my make up routine a little bit, especially when I have evening plans. So along with new eye shadow in a Fall palette, I picked up a lip stain from CVS Pharmacy to see how I liked it. The verdict was in immediately - loved it. The option I chose was from Wet n Wild, which is traditionally know for being a "low end" make up line. I've always loved this line because the products are inexpensive but always on trend, so if you want to try something out without making a huge commitment, their products are perfect. I would put it up against any of the more expensive brands out there, especially after trying their lip stain. The lip stain is easy to put on, stays on my lips (and off my teeth), keeps my lips moisturized and the rich color holds all night (or day) long without reapplying. I chose the color "Truffle in Paradise" which is a deep berry color. They had options ranging from nude to pale pink and true red to dark brown. If you're like me - looking for a pop of color on your lips but not one hundred percent sold on lipstick - I highly recommend trying lip stain. I'm obsessed with it and plan to expand my collection!
Although I like really busy (normally floral) prints and bright colors, there are times when I love pairing classic black and white pieces. Truly, nothing beats a tailored button-up tucked into pixie pants that fit just right. I wore this outfit to work and felt effortlessly pulled together. The shirt was given to me, the pants are from Old Navy, and the flats are from JCPenney. All three pieces are items you can find anywhere, at anytime. If you enjoy thrifting, I can guarantee you could pull together a look similar to this at a place like Stuff Store or Goodwill. Here's a closer look: If you're like me and gravitate towards the "wild side" of fashion - don't forget that classic pieces of clothing exist for a reason - they are timeless examples of how to look chic at any age, during any period in time!
I really like crop tops, but I've never felt like I could pull one off. I'm too "large," too "old," etc. Blah, blah, blah. Well you know what. I gave a crop top a test run, and I loved it! I didn't get too crazy with it, but for me, showing any amount of my stomach (outside of wearing a swimming suit) feels risqué! The crop top I wore was actually a t-shirt knotted on the side to create the look of a crop top. I paired it with a full skirt that hit me in a very flattering part of my stomach. And although it's technically Fall around here, I wore a pair of black sandals because it was a nice, warm day out. I especially loved the skirt. It is a vintage skirt I bought at an estate sale in Wisconsin this past Summer. It is a light, linen material, buttons up the front, and the print is gardening themed. If you're like me, and have been hesitant to plunge into the crop top world - join me! No matter your size, age, etc., if styled correctly, a crop top can look good on anyone. I must say, I felt pretty confident, cute, and stylish - it was totally worth the risk!
I'm a Fall girl to my core, but I'm having a hard time accepting that Summer is almost over...Summer at The Farm is the best season. I think what I'll miss most is walking around barefoot in my garden. To lift my spirits about the inevitable end of this lovely time of year, I put on my new floral dress and had a photo shoot! This post is for styling inspiration only - I don't have outfit details - and here's why: The dress I am wearing came from a very unexpected place...the Gift Shop where I work, Covenant Medical Center! They have special order, "boutique" style clothing, so I have no idea how to tell you where to go for it! And the booties, I've had for years. They are awful to walk in (I almost broke my ankle walking in our yard with them) but they are one pair that I just can't part with. If I remember right, they were from Target. I love how this dress is light and easy. It's just the right length and I love the peek-a-boo cutout in the front. I usually shy away from sleeveless dresses because I am insecure about my arms, but I made an exception for this dress! I picture myself transitioning it into winter by wearing an olive green cardigan, black tights and heels with it. Here's a close-up of the print and of the booties: Those booties are so cute though, right?! And here's one more, with our new family member, Homer, stealing the show!
Ilana Glazer is both a fashion inspiration and girl crush of mine! There's a lot to like about her - smart, witty, original - but also, cute as a button. She seems really authentic in the way she presents herself, and since that's something I'm personally working on, I think that's what really attracts me to her. I recently went to see the latest movie she is in, Rough Night. Overall, pretty good. Think female version of The Hangover with a slightly darker twist. Although the movie didn't necessarily "move me," I did walk away with something - some serious outfit ideas based on what Ilana's character wore. See below for some of my favorites (don't mind the facial expressions, it's hard to find quality screen grabs from movies!): Although the outfits may seem pretty basic and casual, I liked the effortless edginess of them. Even when I'm at my most casual, I always think about being on trend. I've mimicked her style recently by pairing a grey t-shirt with (tinier than I'm usually comfortable with) black shorts and a dark grey hoodie tied around my waist - topping it all off with black Converse high tops. I also really like her hair because it's the same as mine - super curly! When I inevitably cut my hair short in the future, I'm going to consider letting my curls fly free like hers! Which celebrity's style are you really digging right now?
I like to stay up on the latest fashion statements - clothing and beyond. A hair trend that I haven't been able to stop thinking about lately? Undercuts. Like this one: I've actually been obsessed with undercuts for a while. Ever since Anya Ayoung-Chee was on Project Runway in 2011, I've dreamed about having an undercut like hers: I always tell myself that I'm too old. I can't do it because of my career. I don't know what other people will think. But because I've been so inspired by all of the cute undercuts I've seen recently, I actually think that an undercut is something I want to try!
We only live once, right? Stop dreaming, start doing? No risk, no reward? It will grow back? Fuck it? What other sayings can I tell myself about the benefits of taking a risk before I do it? I need a little hand holding and encouragement on this one. So if you have an undercut and love it, tell me I'm making the right choice! If you've taken a haircut risk in the past and it paid off, tell me! After a weekend of play in Chicago visiting "The Rolling Stones Exhibitionism" I was feeling very rock and roll!
I absolutely love the Stones' logo. There's something very rebellious and naughty about it. Two things that I am not, but wish I was. So wearing it on my clothes at least makes me feel like I am. I've been into old t-shirts a lot lately - especially my husband's old t-shirts! This is one of his. I combined it with a pair of Old Navy ripped jeans I've had forever, some black flats and my new favorite accessory, a classic, navy blue bandanna. I received several compliments on this look on our way home. It was extremely comfortable to travel in, made me feel like the punk rock city girl I am at heart, and paid homage to my guys, The Rolling Stones. |
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