The Pursuit of Happiness

Top: Forever 21 | Camisole: Forever 21 | Skirt: Forever 21 | Shoes: Qupid, Gift | Clutch: Ross

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes us happy." 

- Charles Spurgeon

Happy Friday.

Ecclesiastes 7:14

Reminder: Don't forget to enter the Sole Society giveaway for your chance to win a free pair of shoes!
Have a Jesus-filled Easter weekend!

Find me on MoMoMod: Wear It 3 Ways

Hello! See more photos showing how I styled this striped shirt three different ways on MoMoMod.

Thanks for stopping by!

Giveaway // Sole Society

Yes, you read it right... This week's giveaway is SHOES! You can actually thank my mom for this. Today is her birthday, and she is THE most giving person on the planet (no exaggeration). If you know my mom at all, more than likely she's given you something before just out of sheer kindness. So what better way to celebrate her birthday on the blog than to bless one of my lovely readers with a pair of shoes from Sole Society?? (See how I styled Sole Society shoes here and here.)

Before I get to the details of the giveaway, no birthday post for my mom would be complete without an embarrassing Mommy-Daughter photo. So... here goes:

(Photo taken from my Instagram @TyphanieStewart)

I don't look all that excited, but wasn't my mom fab??

**Cue sappy-overly-dramatic-monologue music**

Mommy, I tell you all the time how much I appreciate all that you do for me, but I don't tell you enough how much I love you and appreciate who you have been in my life. From as far back as I can remember, you've made countless sacrifices to make sure I had everything (and more) to succeed, and nothing has changed. You are my superwoman (no, really, I truly believe you are indestructible), and I am blessed to have you as my mom! Happy birthday! Don't enjoy it too much because you have at least 100 more to go!

Now, for my lovely readers who have patiently read through the mushy-mommy stuff, here are the Sole Society giveaway requirements:

1. Follow My Garments of Praise on GFC (by clicking the "Join this site" button within the right sidebar) AND Bloglovin' (by clicking HERE).
2. Visit the Sole Society website by clicking HERE, and sign up for an account. (It's quick and painless, I promise)
3. Leave a comment below letting me know your favorite pair of Sole Society shoes!

Note: You must complete all three requirements in order to be eligible to win. If you've already completed the first two, great! You are well on your way to eligibility. The winner of this giveaway will receive one (1) pair of shoes from the Sole Society of her choice of an equal or lesser value of $49.95 not including tax. Only one entry per reader.

Giveaway ends on Tuesday, April 2nd at midnight (EST). Winner will be announced on Wednesday, April 3rd. All the best!

All We Need Is Love

Tee: Forever 21 | Blazer: Forever 21 | Skirt: Mossimo for Target | Clutch: Forever 21
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (sold out at original purchase site -- cheaper similar version)

Today's outfit is similar to one of the ideas from yesterday's post (same tee, same shoes). This skirt is one of my all-time favorites -- it's wrinkle-free and super comfy -- and I'm learning that you can never go wrong with dressing up a simple graphic tee with a blazer. I just love it.

There's been a big debate as to whether white shoes are a 'go' or a 'no' this season. They've been all over the runways for spring and summer, and the 'it' girls of the blogsphere are finding ways to style them beautifully. I'll admit, I was (and kind of still am) a firm believer that they are a 'no', but I saw these by Jeffrey Campbell and liked 'em! Mainly because of the cap toes, I think. Anyway, I stalked them online (like I do with most shoes I'm interested in so I can make sure I get them for the best price possible), and I found them on a huge sale and applied a coupon code I found online (thanks to retailmenot.com) and got free shipping! For that, I thought the trend was worth the try. Try anything once (within reason of course), I always say.

I'm excited because tonight is date night with the husband! I hope he remembered... ;)

Have a great day, loves, and be sure to stop by tomorrow. I have a surprise!

Colossians 3:14; John 15:13

A Modest Take // The White Blazer

A big trend for Spring 2013 is black & white (if you can call that classic combo a trend). I've put together some outfit ideas to include additional trends like studs, cap toes, camo, stripes, and pops of color such as neon or cobalt blue. The common feature in each outfit idea is my new current favorite -- the white blazer.

Black + White by mygarmentsofpraise featuring a cream jacket

Forever 21 top | River Island long black maxi skirt | Forever 21 bag

River Island blazer | Jeffrey Campbell metallic sandals

Neon + Camouflage by mygarmentsofpraise featuring prada shoes

DKNY print dress | A|X Armani Exchange stainless steel jewelry

Prada shoes | Topshop jacket | Friis & Company neon handbag

Cobalt Blue + Stripes by mygarmentsofpraise featuring stella mccartney

Stella McCartney blouse | Georg Jensen bracelet watch

Bardot oversized clutch | Coast pencil skirt | Dorothy Perkins blazer

Zara leather pumps

What are your favorite trends for Spring and Summer 2013?

Orange You Glad?

Sweater: Forever 21 | Skirt: Forever 21 | Shoes: Vince Camuto via Macy's | Clutch: Forever 21

It's Friday! Have an AMAZING weekend!

Psalm 100

Abstract

 
Dress: Ross | Shoes: Thrifted, Jessica Simpson via Plato's Closet | Clutch: Aldo

The abstract lines of this dress are what first caught my eye as it hung on the rack. When I picked it up and further examined it, I loved that it had 3/4 sleeves and appeared to be the perfect length. I fell in love with it immediately but was disappointed at the thought of possibly having to leave it if the price wasn't right... Oh, but it was! At $9.99, this dress was ALL mine. I still don't understand why the price was so low, but hey... I'm not complaining.

1 Corinthians 3:18-19

Likeminded

Shirt: Forever 21 (similar) | Skirt: DownEast Basics via eBay | Shoes: Zara | Clutch: Forever 21

Yesterday I posted an outfit that was very similar to one originated by a blogger I admire and follow. Well, today's get-up is almost an exact replica of Ashleigh's from The Daileigh!

The first time I wore this skirt, I colorblocked with a black top and an off-white blazer and wore it to an event. I really liked the look, but I wanted to try something a little different and daring for the blog. I thought about polka-dots, but I wasn't quite sold. That's when I came across this outfit on Pinterest which was exactly what I had in mind, and I realized it was definitely something I could do. (Great minds think alike.) I opted not to go as far as the fur vest though because (a) I don't own anything fur -- not really a fan although Ashleigh wore it well -- and (b) Florida is no place for fur especially now that "winter" is over.

On a separate but related note, I bought this DownEast Basics skirt on eBay for $15 when its original price was $39.99. Now you can purchase it straight from the DownEast Basics website for the same low price of $15, and it comes in two gorgeous color options. Can't get much better than that.

Philippians 2:2

I Can Do That Too

Shirt: Merona for Target | Skirt: Mossimo for Target | Belt: Forever 21

Shoes: Calvin Klein via Ross (for wayyy less) | Clutch: Thrifted, BCBG via Plato's Closet

Ever see an outfit on someone and think, "I can do that too"? I do. All the time. This particular outfit is almost a complete knock off stolen from Monroe, blogger of Fashion Steele NYC. (If you think these outfits are similar, wait until you see tomorrow's "copycat" post.)

Blogging and following other bloggers have made me a lot more creative with "shopping my closet" and "remixing" pieces I already have. As a result, I end up wearing outfits I would have never attempted otherwise.

Where do you get outfit ideas from? Maybe I can steal an idea or two myself ;)

Philippians 4:13

Find me on MoMoMod: Casual Chic

Shirt: Forever 21 | Vest: Old Navy | Skirt: East 5th for JCPenney | Belt: Forever 21 | Shoes: Mossimo for Target

Thanks for stopping by. Catch me over at MoMoMod today.

Like A Lady

Jacket: H&M | Camisole: Forever 21 | Skirt: Worthington for JCPenney | Shoes: Aldo | Clutch: Aldo

I always feel very Jackie-O in this jacket. (The former First Lady, folks. Keep your minds right.) But even in my most lady-like of outfits, I try to incorporate a bit of edge. I wore my black studded clutch to emphasize the studs on the jacket shoulders and pockets. It's all in the details.

Proverbs 31:10

The Wait

Dress: Thrifted, Plato's Closet | Cardigan: Ross | Shoes: Guess via Macy's | Clutch: Forever 21

You all have been such wonderful readers, and last week I figured a giveaway was long overdue. Well folks... The wait is over. Randomly selected out of 25 valid entries, the winner of the 
Shabby Apple giveaway isssss..........

Kendra Thaler!

Congrats, Kendra! Email me :)

If you did not win this time around, don't be too disappointed. I have another great giveaway coming up near the end of the month. Hint: It involves a pair of something a girl can't have too many of...
Can you guess?

Psalm 27:14

Pay Back Time

Dress: Forever 21 | Cardigan-Sweater: The Limited | Boots: Thrifted, Forever 21 via Plato's Closet | Belt: Forever 21

Is it just me, or does it take a while to adjust to time changes? I particularly have a hard time in the spring when we lose an hour to compensate for the hour gained in the fall. For the longer evenings of extra sunshine, though, I think it's worth it.

Psalm 116:12
2 Peter 1:19

Last call to enter the Shabby Apple giveaway! The winner will be announced tomorrow.