Line Upon Line

Top: The Limited | Skirt: Banana Republic

 

I have a love/hate relationship with stripes. Sometimes I give into the illusion that they make me look a bit broad, but I still love the "disciplined neatness" of the line upon line pattern. Oh, and I mentioned before how classy stripes can be when worn dressed up or even casually.

How do you feel about stripes? What are some of your favorite prints?

 

Isaiah 28:11-13

The Hidden Treasure

Cardigan: Marshall's | Camisole & Skirt: Forever 21 | Shoes: Missoni for Target via eBay

Clutch: Thrifted, BCBG via Plato's Closet

 

I've mentioned before that I'm the queen of finding things in stores that just so happen to be the last ones in my size. A sense of excitement and urgency comes over me if I'm absolutely in love with the treasure I've found. Not to mention if I'm thrifting and faced with the reality of something I find and love being the only one in the entire store. That feeling then turns into full blown urgency.

That's how I felt about this clutch. We met (the clutch and I) when I was returning something I had bought for Dwayne which **ahem** didn't quite fit him. (I'll let him tell that story himself one day...) It saw me first, I'm sure of it. I spotted it out of a crowd of other clutches, and I knew right away that we were meant to be. I had that feeling of urgency. But of course I had to play hard to get. I spent some time walking around the thrift store trying to determine if there was something else more worthy of my store credit, but I couldn't get the clutch off of my mind. So, I went back to the purse section. Without hesitation, the goodly clutch asked me to buy it. I politey obliged, and here we are today -- happily ever after.

Quite a romantic story, don't you think?

 

Matthew 13:44

What I Would Wear // Summer to Fall

It's been storming down here in Florida for the last few days, so I haven't gotten a chance to take outfit photos. I couldn't stay away for too long, so I decided to share a bit of what's on my mind for the fall season.

A lot of bloggers are excited about fall rolling around, but I'm actually dreading it. Where I live, we have summer weather all year with about three days of mild winter which makes it difficult to create seasonal looks. So, mainly for the sake of this blog, I'm going to try to pick out the most transitional colors and pieces that I'd wear in spring and summer and incorporate them into fall outfits. One color that was especially popular throughout the summer that I think will transition nicely from season to season is cobalt blue. Here are some ideas for how wear it:

1. Coriander Ava Silk Shirt by Equipment

2. Crepe Skirt with Drapery

3. Carrie Hibiscus & Calico Bag

4. Electric Blue Mid Heel Court by By Larin

5. Pleated Dress by Tibi

6. Cardigan Daphnee CS

7. ASOS Oversize Boyfriend Watch

8. Folded Clutch Bag by Boticca

9. ASOS Metallic Waist Belt

10. ASOS Paris Pointed High Heel

Hopefully I'll be back in business with an outfit post tomorrow! In the meantime, how are you preparing for fall?

I Have a Confession...

Top & Skirt: Banana Republic | Shoes & Bag: Forever 21

 

...I do NOT like to exercise.

 

I went for a run this morning (well, more of a walk with some running involved), and after my last lap, I thought my head was going to explode. Hence my late afternoon post. I had to recover.

 

I know what you exercise fanatics are going to say: "If you stick to it, it gets easier."

Sigh... I'll try. But if my head really does explode, I'm coming after you. Did I say that out loud? Sorry, that's the leopard print talking.

 

Hebrews 12:1-3

Count It All Joy

Dress & Cardigan: Merona for Target | Shoes & Clutch: Ninewest

 

Count it all joy.

 

That's it really... It's been my theme for the week. Happy Thursday :)

 

James 1:2-8

Determination

Top: Forever 21 | Skirt: H&M | Shoes: Missoni for Target via eBay ($1.30!!) | Bag: Ninewest

I'm a pretty determined gal... My husband calls it "stubborn", but I think "determined" sounds a whole lot better, don't you? Me too. 

In case you haven't noticed, I don't do much with my hair. The simplest styles you see are usually birthed out of sheer frustration at how little I know about styling my own hair. For these photos, though, I was determined to wear it differently, even if it meant just doing a bun which, by the way, is advanced hair styling for me. After finally getting my hair into a decent bun, the rain started to pour. Did that stop me from taking photos? Of course not. I was determined. So here I am, pictured on my tiny front porch with a high bun hiding from the rain in poor lighting, all for the sake of today's post. Yes, I do want a cookie.

Galatians 6:9

Life's Conveniences

Dress: Merona for Target | Shoes: Urban Outfitters | Bag: Forever 21

Sometimes I welcome a challenge; but if I were to be completely honest, I love convenience. Like throwing on a simple dress that's an easy (boring) color, for instance. Life can be tough enough, so when something doesn't necessarily have to be complicated - why complicate it? Just something to consider today, Monday, your favorite day of the week...

Proverbs 4:23

Trading Places

Dress: H&M | Cardigan: The Limited | Shoes: BCBG | Bag: Forever 21

Photos by: Nicholas Stewart

A friend of mine tagged along to watch us take photos, and while I was standing there in front of the camera she asked, "You don't feel embarrassed?" It sounds funny, but I knew exactly what she meant. The answer is yes! I feel embarrassed every time! It is the single most awkward feeling to take shot after shot, trying to think of different ways to pose and look relaxed and natural at the same time. In fact, the one thing I dreaded the most before starting this blog was the picture-taking. If you know me, you know that I was never a fan of taking pictures because I didn't think I was all that photogenic. Well, folks... that hasn't changed. I still feel uncomfortable at photoshoots, and I hold my breathe every time I do a post. It's a miracle I haven't passed out yet.

I said all that to say, it was a welcomed change to watch Dwayne trade places with me for yesterday's post. We're total opposites. He's one of the most photogenic people I know, and he never passes up the opportunity to take a photo! (Follow him on instagram: @twinstew) But even he experienced a little bit of the awkward feeling that goes along with taking photos for a
blog post.

Since it seems like I've been rambling for a while now, I feel obligated to come up with a moral to this story: Trading places with someone is hardly ever as easy as it seems.

II Corinthians 5:15-16, 21

Guest Post // Where's the Party?

Shirt: H&M | Tie: Hilfiger | Pants: Express | Shoes: Aldo | Belt: Salvatore Ferragamo

Photos by: Nicholas Stewart

So, I’m being guest featured on my wife’s world-renowned blog! Who would’ve thought that my week would’ve taken such an amazing turn? Well, I’m going to attempt to make this post as simple as the outfit... 

I learned from my wife that your safest bet is to have just one “party” or focal point in an outfit. Now, if you have photos of me from my “pre fashion blogger husband” days, you are painfully aware that I needed this advice! It was nothing for me to wear multi-colored high-tops and work each color into an outfit. Thank God for grace! I have since learned to keep it simple; work with base colors and throw in a fun tie or my signature – a vest. Hope you like a simple party!

- Dwayne

Colossians 4:5 (MSG)

DIY // Magazine Clutch

I received quite a few requests to post about the DIY magazine clutch I featured yesterday. I'm no DIY expert (in fact, I'm actually just getting into it) - but I will attempt to list step by step what I did:

What you'll need:

1. Magazine

2. Scissors

3. Clear PackagingTape

4. Fasteners

5. Glue

Step 1: Remove about 20-28 pages from a magazine (depending on how large or small you'd like your clutch to be), and fold them into vertical strips approx. one (1) inch in width.

Step 2: Multiply the length (in inches) you would like your clutch to be by 2 (for the front and back) and add 2 inches (for the top and bottom). This will tell you how many strips you'll need for the length. Line up those strips, tape along one edge, and start weaving the remaining strips into those. Make sure you leave at least four (4) strips behind to make your flap and your sides.

Step 3: Keep weaving... this may take a while. You'll end up with a neatly weaved rectangle or square shape (depending on the dimensions you've set).

Step 4: Use the scissors to cut off uneven edges. Add two strips to the top using tape, and then cover the weaved sheet with tape. Fold it into the shape you want, then use your last two remaining strips (you may only need one, cut in half depending on the size) to make your sides. Secure them with tape and/or glue. Lastly, add your fasteners underneath the flap using glue.

Your final product should be similar to this (or perhaps even better!):

FRONT

BACK

Hope this was helpful! Happy DIY-ing!

Back to Basics

Shirt: Worthington for JCPenney | Skirt: The Limited | Shoes: Zara | Clutch: Self-made

It was actually quite difficult to create an outfit around this self-made clutch. (Like I didn't feel lame enough having spent my Friday evening playing with pages from a magazine.) I kept finding myself going back to basic black and white. When in doubt, I find basics work best.



II Chronicles 7:14

Girl Next Door

Camisole: The Limited | Jacket: Guess (similar) | Skirt: Old Navy

There's something about my ten-year-old denim jacket that gives me a laid back "girl next door" feeling when paired with a maxi skirt. Easy Top + Maxi Skirt + Denim Jacket = Weekend Uniform. Love it.

Happy Weekend :)

Mark 12:30-31

7 Minutes

 

Top: The Limited | Cardigan: Marshall's | Skirt: The Limited | Shoes: Vince Camuto via Macy's | Clutch: Express

It took only seven minutes for the hubby to photograph me in this outfit. That's a record! For us, at least... You all don't seem as excited about that. I guess you had to be there.

Well, in the spirit of wanting to break records (which I suppose came from watching too many Olympic games) I'd like to write this post in less than seven minutes. Want to have an amazingly productive day and make the time fly at the same time? Spend the day breaking meaningless personal records! Unless you are actually an Olympian. Then I suppose it wouldn't be so meaningless... OK! Must. Stop. Typing........... NOW!

Philippians 3:13-14; Philippians 4:13