Summer Series at The Blended Blog

Happy Monday, lovelies!  Today is my first day back to school (for teacher meetings) after a glorious, happy summer.  Instead of hurrying to jump into fall, though, I'm choosing to embrace what's left of the summer season.  I hope you'll head over to The Blended Blog to read my post, 8 Reasons to Stay Excited About Summer.

Blogging Besties: Blue and Green

Blogging Besties is a weekly series featuring Whitney of Whitney à la mode, Alex of The Cheerful Closet, Maricel of ::My Closet Catelogue:: and Selah of A Bibliophile's Style.  Each week, one of the bloggers will choose one component from the previous week's outfit to pass on in a brand new look.  This "take one, pass it on" challenge is an inspiration to stretch your closet and your imagination!

I just love this skirt every time Selah wears it!  I really like the creative silhouette she created with the boxy eyelet top, and don't even get me started on kitten heals!

While the book lover in me really wanted to go with the prompt to "show us your shelves," fate struck and I ultimately choose to feature "blue and green."

You see, earlier this week my mom, niece and sister raided my closet for a Styled by Someone Else post.  When my sister created an outfit, she just so happened to put together a blue and green ensemble without even knowing my Blogging Besties prompts!

Please forgive the wrinkly skirt as we had just spent the afternoon playing around in my closet.  It was so much fun to have my favorite girls choose outfits for me since they picked things I wouldn't have thought of myself.  This top is a little bit more form-fitting than I usually go for but my sister convinced me I could rock it!  What do you think, a good date night look maybe?

Alright, Alex my darling, here are your prompts for next week: styled by someone else, form-fitting, lace-up or a classic white top!

What I'm Wearing:
Tank: Old Navy (exact)
Skirt: Banana Republic (similar)
Necklace: Stella & Dot (exact)
Shoes: Modcloth (exact)

Where I'm linking-up!
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Styled by Someone Else

Happy Tuesday, loves!  I'm currently savoring my last week of freedom before heading back to school for teacher meetings on Monday.  Although our first football game is this week, so coaching season is already in full swing (I coach cheerleading, not football if you were confused for a second).

So I took a little break from being a style blogger today...but I still have pictures to show you!  How does that work, you ask?  I invited my mom, sister and niece into my closet to create some new outfits for the Styled by Someone Else series with The Blended Blog!

Let's start with the outfit that my mom created!

My mom was so thoughtful in helping me with this post!  She read up on current trends online and kept her eyes peeled for fun street style inspiration.  When she came over, she was envisioning cowgirl boots, a shorter skirt and a long cardigan.  My closet didn't yield the exact pieces she had in mind so she used her inspiration and some fun color combinations to create this outfit!  You guys, I love this outfit!  I can't wait for the weather to cool off so I can wear it!

My second outfit today was the creation of my 18-month-old niece, Eloise!  Didn't she nail it?!  You may be wondering how an almost-toddler put an outfit together so well.  First of all, she's a style prodigy.  Secondly, she did have some help.  While my mom was picking out her outfit, Eloise started carrying these shoes (that actually belong to my mom) around my apartment.  This was clearly a sign that she wanted me to wear them.  From there, my mom chose two outfits that went with the shoes.  We held them up for Eloise and I wore the one that she ran to first!  I liked this outfit so well that I kept it on for an evening of cocktails at the local art museum.

As for my sister's creation, you will have to wait to see it on Friday!  Without knowing it, Kayla put together an outfit that worked perfectly for my upcoming Blogging Besties prompt!  I decided it would be fun to extend the "styled by someone else" fun all week!

Eloise and Izzo get in on the styling action!

I am the luckiest to have these three in my life <3

Where I'm linking-up!

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Farmacy Honey Potion Review

You guys, I'm a little bit nervous for this post.  I have a video for you!  I've only done this once before so the video-making process doesn't feel entirely natural to me.  Why does your voice always sound different recorded than it does in your head?!

Anyways, I received a super awesome product from Brandbacker that I want to tell you about today.  A couple of weeks ago I started using the Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask and it's quickly become my favorite facial treatment.  Hopefully you will enjoy learning a little bit more about this product in the video below.

This post is powered by Brandbacker and I received this mask in exchange for a review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Please help support the brands who support me!

Blogging Besties: Flashback Friday

The Blogging Besties series is the brain child of Alex @ The Cheerful Closet and Whitney @ Whitney à la Mode. In 2015 the series expanded to include Maricel @ My Closet Catelogue and me, Selah @ A Bibliophile's Style. It's based on the idea of "take one, pass it on," but we're passing on an element from another blogger's outfit. It's a fun challenge that inspires us to be creative!

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Last week, Maricel stole my heart with her white eyelet dress and B&W shelfie.

The prompts she gave me were "summer, sandals, or a throwback look".

So, I give you a throwback look from last summer:

While I still have all of these pieces and could've recreated the look in it's entirety, that's not much of a challenge, is it? So, I dressed it up with a skirt and kitten heels, and posed in front of my own bookshelves. I even tried copying the B&W shelves.

Next week, I challenge Whitney to: show us her shelves, pair blue & green, dress up with kitten heels, or recreate a favorite look.

Top: Old Navy (SIMILAR)

Skirt: Old Navy (SIMILAR)

Necklace: Gingersnaps (EXACT PENDANT, EXACT SNAP)

Slingbacks: Land's End (SIMILAR)

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Blogging Besties :: White

Blogging Besties is a weekly series featuring Whitney of Whitney à la mode, Alex of The Cheerful Closet, Maricel of ::My Closet Catalogue:: and Selah of A Bibliophile’s Style. Each week, one of the bloggers will choose one component from the previous week’s outfit to pass on in a brand new look. This “take one, pass it on” challenge is an inspiration to stretch your closet and your imagination!

Last week, Alex looked positively nautical in her jaunty ensemble:

This week is brought to you by: “bright white, cardigan, pastel necklace". And for your viewing pleasure, I give you: bright white.

   
 If this pic looks vaguely familiar, it's because I'm cheating and re-using photos from this blog post. Now, I don't normally condone cheating, but this time it was necessary. My son had lost my tripod extension a while back and I'd been borrowing my daughter's selfie stick attachment for the tripod. Well, a couple days ago, she broke the attachment and now I have no way to do photo shoots until my replacement doo-dad arrives from Amazon. I suppose I could take selfies with a mirror, but I just don't have the selfie mirror mojo that Selah has - I can never pose just right to get the top half of my outfit in the shot. Not as good as this anyway:

   
So, it's Throwback MCC with my all-white outfit. Enjoy! (And I promise a new look when my turn comes rolling around again next month!)

 
 For Selah’s turn next week, I challenge her to the following: summer, sandals, or a throwback look. Vive le vendredi!  

:: Just the facts, ma’am :: Dress – Maggy London Necklace – francesca’s Wedges – eBay

:: Scream it from the top of your lungs :: Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra and Count Basie

Summer Favorites with Pearl & Clasp

I am back with another installment of the Pick, Pair, Share Summer Style Series with The Blended Blog!  Today I'm featuring orange + lace + a skirt.  I definitely wouldn't have thought to put this outfit together without the help of the graphic below so I'm finding this series to be really helpful in stretching my closet this summer!

What have you been picking, pairing and sharing?  Make sure to link-up below or post your looks on Instagram!  But before we get there, I want to talk about a few of my favorite summer style items.

First of all, if you don't own a denim vest, please go buy one now!  It's so nice to make an outfit more interesting by layering without having to add sleeves.

My second summer favorite (or really just a favorite in general) are pearl earrings.  If you've been stopping by for awhile, you may have noticed that I wear my oversized (faux) pearl earrings all of the time.  Well, I have bad news.  One of them broke!  I am in the process of seeing if it can be salvaged (you guys, I LOVE these earrings) but in the meantime, serendipity struck!  TBB connected me with the ultimate pearl company, Pearl & Clasp!

Pearl & Clasp graciously sent me a beautiful pair of black freshwater pearl earrings.  These studs are so very pretty and iridescent.  I had a difficult time capturing their varied colors in my photos!  I just know that these will be staple earrings for me because they are classic yet stunning.  These same earrings come in white and pink as well, but Pearl & Clasp sells other pretty pearl pieces, too.   They even have a whole section of real pearl bridal pieces.   Please stop by and visit P&C and let me know what pearl pieces you're coveting!

The other cool service that Pearl & Clasp offers is pearl restringing.  Do you have an heirloom string of pearls that are in need of a little love?  P&C will put them back together for you!  I will have to tuck this bit of information in the pocket of my denim vest in case I need it someday!

Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to link-up with TBB below!

One Swing Dress Three Ways

Wow, it has been a little while since my last outfit post!  I always think I'm going to do so much more blogging during my summer vacation but I think I actually do less.  I just get into the swing of enjoying my free time...and I don't think there's anything wrong with that!

But today I have something fun planned!  In perusing the posts of my fellow Blended Bloggers, I discovered that Sarah of Foxy's Domestic Side, Alison of Puppies and Pretties and I each own the same navy-striped swing dress from Old Navy.  I proposed that we collaborate for a "one dress, three ways" post today!  I have to admit, this was a slightly selfish proposition as I have been struggling to think of different ways to wear this dress than my first attempt.

I did style it slightly differently today.  Instead of a monochromatic look, I wanted a pop of color!  I am always a sucker for tassel necklaces, so this time I chose my hot pink Kendra Scott.  Neutral sandals completed a look perfect for a casual day spent with friends.

Sarah and Alison, on the other hand!  I am so impressed with the combinations they created!  They definitely pulled through with the inspiration I need to change up my look.

I kind of love how all of us went with a tassel necklace without consulting each other!  But besides that I can totally recreate Sarah's look with my chambray shirt and Converse.  I don't have a cool floppy hat like Alison's but I can try my swing dress with a utility vest and booties when the weather cools off a bit!

Make sure you stop by to see Sarah and Alison today to learn a little bit more about their looks!

What I'm Wearing:
Swing Dress: Old Navy (similar)
Necklace: Kendra Scott (exact)
Sandals: Bali Elf (exact)

Where I'm linking-up!

Blogging Besties: Navy

Blogging Besties is a weekly series featuring Whitney of Whitney à la mode, Alex of Undergraduate Style, Maricel of ::My Closet Catelogue:: and Selah of A Bibliophile's Style.  Each week, one of the bloggers will choose one component from the previous week's outfit to pass on in a brand new look.  This "take one, pass it on" challenge is an inspiration to stretch your closet and your imagination!

Last week, Whitney looked positively spectacular in navy and white! I just love the print and fun details of that top. I decided to take my own spin on navy (and white) when I styled this white dress with a navy cardigan. I finished off the look with canvas wedgenude flat

Dress: TJ Maxx (similar, similar, similar)

Cardigan: J. Crew Factory (exact, similar, similar)

Necklace: thrifted via Plato's Closet (similar, similar, similar)

Flats: Target (similar, similar, similar)

Next week, Maricel can choose from the following: bright white, cardigan, pastel necklace!

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Christmas in July, err August

Are you sick of me talking about how much I love the ladies from The Blended Blog yet?  I hope not because there's more blog-lovin' coming your way today!

A couple of months ago, several Blended Bloggers jumped on board for a Christmas is July exchange.  The premise was simple, we used Elfster to "draw" names, purchased a personalized gift for around $20, and then mailed our presents across the country or across the border to Canada!

I had so much fun looking for the perfect gift for Shaunacey!  I opted to find all Michigan-produced and artisan-crafted goods for this beautiful, hilarious, strong and intelligent friend of mine.  Hop over to her blog next to see what I sent her!

And then I received my gift from Andrea.  And let me tell you, I am blown away but her thoughtfulness and attention to detail!  From our various blog comment, e-mail and Slack exchanges, I already knew Andrea to be quick with a genuine compliment, full of positive energy and a person who brightens your day with every exchange.  But this gift!  Andrea went above and beyond in her thoughtfulness!

As I pulled out each trinket, each was more wonderful than the last!  The first item I picked out was this packet of totally fun straws for summer.  I'm so excited to add them to my daily La Croix or for a special treat in my iced coffee.  What's better than a gift that makes everyday activities a little more special?

Next I reached for the Paris notepad.  Does she know the France-lover in me or what?!  This will be perfect to add to my desk at school for making checklists or writing a quick reminder to a student.

Then I took a look at this necklace.  You guys, Andrea remembered my Currently post from the beginning of June where I mentioned wanting a locket that holds little drops of essential oils.  She purchased the locket for me and it is beautiful!  Again, I'm blown away but Andrea's thoughtfulness!

But it gets even better!  Lastly I reached for this adorable, personalized notepad.  How fun and adorable is it?!  I'm going to have to pick Andrea's brain to see how she did this because I think this is a perfect gift.  And I think I'm going to selfishly keep this notepad at home.  It's too cute to give to students.  Ha!

So Andrea, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!  I'm so blessed to have you as a friend and I'm excited to see what our friendship has in store for us.

Click here to see what the other ladies received: Grumbling Grace | Puppies & Pretties | Living on Cloud Nine | Mishaps & Mayhem of Solitary Life | Two Teens and Their Mama Once Upon a Time | Nick & Nik | Foxy's Domestic Side | Simply Shaunacey | Whitney à la mode | Shoes to Shiraz