Create28: Whitney's Recap

And just like that, Create28Winter17 has come to an end!  I'm really proud of how I've done this time around.  I truly shopped my closet without adding any new pieces and went back to my roots of remixing.  This focus has really helped me to feel cleansed of my constant need for more and I've put together some really fun new outfits!

That being said, the every-other-day posting of outfit photos got to be quite the challenge there at the end of the month!  I'm happy to take that pressure away and to give myself a little bit of grace in regards to photographing outfits in March.

How did you do with our Create28 challenge this month?  Did you participate?  Were the outfit prompts helpful in getting you to remix your wardrobe?  Or did you just enjoy following along?  Do you feel indifferently towards the series?  I would really value your feedback so feel free to comment below!

Before wrapping-up completely, I want to showcase my favorite looks that I put together this month as well as my favorite looks that Carrie featured!

remixing a dress / under-layered / remixing a scarf

I think the common theme across my three favorite posts this month is pride.  For the first two looks, I'm so proud of my remixing.  Most of these pieces have been in my closet for years but I put-together completely new looks that I absolutely love and that really feel like me.  Remixing doesn't have to be boring!  You really can find looks you adore!

I'm also proud of my scarf-tying tutorial.  I always imagine writing helpful posts like this but usually chicken-out because I don't want to come across as a know-it-all.  But I went for it!  And I like the way it turned-out!  Hopefully you found the post useful but didn't get the feeling that I was being boastful.

go-to winter look / red and pink / printed pants

I chose these three outfits of Carrie's from this month's challenge as my favorites because they are so very her!  For the past month or so, Carrie and I have been trying to help each other to really define our personal styles (other bloggers, do you find yourselves overthinking this sometimes as well?).  We definitely still have work to do and will hopefully be posting about our process in the future.  But until then, I want to applaud Carrie for nailing her style in these looks!

Well, friends, that's about it!  Make sure you hop on over to Carrie's blog to read her recap.  And thank you from the bottom of my heart for playing along with us!

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Create28: Remixing a Scarf

My initial idea for this post was to feature one scarf with a bunch of different outfit ideas, but then I had a light bulb moment!  You see, I purchased this bright and vibrant silk scarf from a silk factory during my fall trip to China.  But have I worn it since I brought it home with me in November?  Nope!  I know that square silk scarves are in style these days and I know that I love the style and memories associated with this scarf.  But what I didn't know was how to style a silk scarf.

After spending a little bit of time on Pinterest, I am now ready to wear the heck out of this scarf and to share my new scarf-tying knowledge with you!  For reference, I learned from this pin and am using its style names!

Style #1: Like a Bandit

To wear this style, you fold your silk scarf in half into a triangle.  Grab the two triangle edges that are along the crease and wrap them once around your neck.  Tie the ends together and tuck them under the scarf hanging in front.  I loved the simple look of this style and think this is a great way to dip your toes into silk scarf wearing.  My one struggle was getting the scarf to stay in place.  The material is so slippery and the look is loose so it just wouldn't stay in place.  I think I'll try safety pins next time to help!

Style #2: Like a Classic Rich Girl

This look is super easy to achieve.  First, fold your scarf into a triangle like you did for the bandit look.  Then roll/fold the scarf into a long strip.  From there, wrap the strip around your neck a few times and then tie into a knot!

Style #3: Bowed

For this feminine look, create the folded strip of a scarf that you used in the last look.  From there, drape the strip around your neck with the loose sides hanging in front.  Then tie the ends into a pretty bow!

Style #4: Like a Classic French Girl

I think this might be my favorite of the looks!  Of course I always want to look like a French girl, plus it's just the quintessential silk scarf style, don't you think?  To achieve this style, start with the bandit look.  Instead of tying the ends and tucking them, though, wrap them one more time around your neck and then tie a tighter knot at the side.  Keep the knot and the ends out overtop of the scarf.

What do you think?  Which of the four styles are your favorite?  Are you ready to take on the silk scarf?

And while you're here, don't forget to link-up for the last of our Create28Winter17 link-ups!

Create28: Remixing a Skirt

Happy Sunday, lovelies!  What does today have in store for you?  Right now I'm relaxing with a cup of coffee and Izzo the cat.  A little bit later I'm headed out for wings and a basketball game where I'll watch Izzo the coach and my Spartans!

Today's Create28 prompt is to remix a skirt.  I decided to feature the bright maxi that I wore for my Red and Pink post earlier this month.  I scored this skirt for about $10 at Old Navy a few years ago (more years than I realized when I looked back into my blog archives).  Since then, it has been an easy and comfy piece to reach for when I'm feeling stuck style-wise.

In today's post, you can see how I've styled the skirt with different color schemes, in the first photo I've used darker tones and neutrals for a more fall-appropriate look.  In the second look I've used pastels to compliment the skirt.  And in the latest ensemble it's all about the bright colors!

If you're feeling stuck in the remixing department, definitely look into different color schemes and combinations to freshen-up a look!

Create28: Camo

I started to love camo when my hubby was in the military. For me, that was just a way to be supportive. Little did I realize that camo can be quite fashionable. It took me a while to take camo seriously for looks other than just for fun. Once I purchased my first pair of camo pants I was hooked and worn them often. When I worked in a casual environment I wore them more than I do now but I have a favorite look for the office.

Again, this is a look that bring confidence out in me. I think it’s the high-heeled wedges and the pearls if I’m completely honest. You can take some of things out of your casual wear and change them up to be workwear. It's the little details that all the difference. Not one person questioned me that these were not workwear appropriate when I wore them to the office.
 

This sweater has perfect back detail too.
 

My favorite casual look featuring these camo pants has been on the blog before in this post.
 

 Hope you're having a great weekend! Carrie ~ xoxo Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

Create28: Boots Boots Boots

The title of this post should really be, "Boots and Wrinkles."

Well friends, this is what I look like after a day of teaching!  I really do wear all of the outfits I feature here on the blog.  Most of the time I attempt to photograph them before I wear them but sometimes life says otherwise.  Oh well, this is me, wrinkles and all!

I'm really happy that Carrie and I included boots in one of our Create28 prompts.  These riding boots are some all-time favorites of mine but I'm finding that they are getting less love this year.  This challenge gave me the perfect reason to pull them out of hiding.

I combined the boots with some other old classics, my chambray dress and cognac bow belt, to create a look that I actually love!  Isn't it funny how a new combination can make you fall in love with pieces all over again?!

How are you wearing your boots this winter?  Show us on Instagram (#create28winter17)!  And pop back tomorrow to see how Carrie styles camo!

Blogging Besties: Pastel Pink

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!

Create28: Leggings

The leggings craze has never really grabbed me fully. Don’t get me wrong, I think they are super comfy, versatile and so super easy to wear. But I definitely don’t want to wear them unless certain parts of me are covered well. That’s a personal preference and because of that I haven’t embraced them all that much. I’ve also struggled with finding a pair I really like and that fit well. Is that crazy? Fit well? They are knit and stretch and should just shape to my body but I have definitely tried on many a pair that don’t. Saggy in the wrong places is not a good look for anyone, friends. And then...
 

And then there are these. Faux leather fronts and knit back. I’ve worn them out and truthfully I’ve worn them to work. Not sure that’s okay but I didn’t ask. I figured I ask forgiveness and not wear them again. Evidently, it was okay. Yay, for stepping outside of the box!
 

Now these leggings I really do love. They are a little classy and edgy all wrapped up in one. I love that!





Where you do fall in the spectrum of leggings? Love them/hate them? Favorite pair/favorite kind? Are you a plain color or opt for prints? I love some input because next cool weather season, I might just have to jump in with two feet! Hope you'll be back tomorrow with Whitney for boots. We all have to have some great boots in our wardrobes don't we? For sure, Whitney does!

 

Have the BEST day BEAUTIES! Carrie ~ xoxo Save Save Save

Create28 and New Year Styled: Outerwear

Outerwear, for so many of us, it's a necessary part of the winter season!  So why not have fun with it?!  At this very time last year, I talked about ways to to jazz-up your favorite coat with different cold-weather accessories.  Since I'm all about the remixing lately and it's still winter here in Michigan (although you would hardly know it with the warm temperatures this week), I'm featuring a new way to style the same coat!

This time around, I went for a monochromatic look using a marled purple scarf and patterned mittens that I bought in Iceland.  This is definitely a more elegant look that I would wear perhaps to a nice restaurant or to a show!

Are you stuck wearing outerwear for months and months?  What's your favorite way to make the most of it?

And if you are here for New Year Styled with The Blended Blog, make sure to link-up below.  Come back tomorrow to see the chic way that Carrie is wearing leggings!

Create28: Printed Pants

Hey, friends! What’s your input on printed pants and/or printed bottoms? Do you own any? Are they a fave or not? I have a few printed bottoms and most of them are skirts. My printed pants all revolve around some print that has black. I own a black and white gingham print and a black and white herringbone print. But then I found these on super clearance just as The Limited was closing. I did like them before the clearance sale when I saw them hanging on the rack so I decided to try them on. I totally loved the fit and that made me love the pattern even more.
 

The colors are more on the off-white/cream which seems to me to be a little more polished and professional. Having said that I do realize the remixability of these pants is probably not that high but I know when I walk out of the house in this outfit I feel ready to tackle the day.
 



Of all the pants I own, I would say these are the best fitting. Good fitting pants are the bomb, ladies. Would you agree? I will truly miss The Limited as they were my go-to place for pants. Do you have a go-to store for your favorite pants? I’d love to hear recommendations. Here's some printed pants that I've featured in the past.
 

Tomorrow it's outerwear with Whitney. I know it will be great look! Can't wait to see what she's sharing!

 

 Have a beautiful day! Carrie ~ xoxo Save Save

Nuggets for the New Year: 10,000 Steps

I'm back today with another installment of Nuggets for the New Year with The Blended Blog.  For this series, our contributors have been dishing-out advice on everything from budgeting to meal planning.  You may remember that, about a month ago, I posted a planner review for this very series.

Today we are talking fitness!  If you are popping over from Christy's post, welcome!  And don't forget to head to Sarah's next for information about her work-out routine.

Over here, we're discussing ways to achieve the daily recommendation of 10,000 steps per day!  So many of us are wearing fitness trackers these days but it can still be so hard to fit in all of those steps! For Christmas, my dad purchased a Fitbit Charge 2 for each member of my family so that we can hold each other accountable to being a bit healthier.  My competitive streak and my goal to be fitter in 2017 has me constantly up and on my feet!  Here are a few habits that I've inserted into my daily life to help me achieve that 10,000 step goal!

Set Mini Goals Each Day
10,000 is an awfully lofty goal!  In order to get there, it helps me to set littler goals throughout the day.  You definitely have to do this based on your own life and daily activities.  I'm a traveling teacher, so I teach for two hours at a high school first thing in the morning and then I travel to the junior high to finish-out my day.  After school, I head to a two-hour cheerleading practice (I coach) before heading home.  I make it my goal to get to 3,000 steps by the time I leave the high school, 6,000 by the end of the school day and 7,000 by the end of cheerleading practice.  Breaking my day into chunks ensures that I don't get too far behind to reach my ultimate goal!

Schedule-In Walking Time
I also look at my daily activities and schedule in little moments for walking.  For example, each time I find myself alone in my classroom (during my planning/traveling hour, during lunch and after school) I do five minutes of walking around the room.  Yep!  I do laps around my own classroom.  You'd be amazed how many steps you can get in five minutes!  And if you schedule this several times a day, you will be that much closer to your goal!

Walk Before Rewards
This one is kind of goofy because my "rewards" are things I would do anyways, like eat dinner.  After I'm done with lesson planning and grading, I make myself do another five minutes of walking around my apartment before I fix dinner.  And before I sit down to watch my latest episode of Once Upon a Time on Netflix, I'll do another five minutes.  Again, anything helps!

There you have it!  My tips for your step goal success!  And while you're here, I would love to hear your tips!

If you are a fitness tracker wearer, you might be interested in one of my previous posts about how to wear a Fitbit stylishly.  Since I've upgraded to the Fitbit Charge 2 since that post, maybe I should do another one?  What do you think?

And now, don't forget to hop over to Sarah's fitness post!
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Create28: Sweater Remix + Link-Up

Hey y'all!  As this post is published, I will be sleeping-in and enjoying a relaxing cup of coffee at home.  Yep, this teacher has the day off!  In fact, I've had a four-day-weekend.  The first two days saw the end of our competitive cheer season.  That plus the beautiful weather we've had has me feeling all sorts of happy!

How has this round of Create28 been going for you?  I'm really curious!  Have you been able to play along?  Have you been posting your looks to Instagram or just wearing your awesome new-to-you outfits?  Have you found the prompts to be helpful?

Truth be told, the end of this series has been a challenge for me.  I had the first half of my outfits pre-photographed so posting was a breeze.  But lately, trying to keep up with real life and blog pictures has been quite the trying task.  I'm hoping, after this four-day-weekend to rejuvenate, I'll be able to finish strong!

For today's post, both Carrie and I are remixing a sweater!  My mustard cardigan is by far my most worn sweater in my closet.  I've worn it bunches on the blog but also in un-photographed moments in real life.  I thought it would be fun today to look back at all the ways I've remixed it on Whitney à la mode!

Original Posts

1     2     3

4     5     6

7     8     9

You may notice that two of these outfits have even been from this month's Create28!  Do you have a favorite of these looks?  I think I have a two-way tie for first place!  I like the look with the teal skirt and the blanket scarf as well as the polka dot shirt and black skirt.

And now it's time for our weekly link-up below!  Don't forget to stop by tomorrow to see how Carrie styles Printed Pants!

Create28: Practically Stylin'

Hey, friends!  Before I launch into today's post, I have to apologize for mixing-up the order of prompts on you.  Did you notice that yesterday was supposed to be Practically Stylin' and today's prompt was The Pencil Skirt?  I have been so busy lately with teaching and coaching that my post wasn't prepared.  Carrie graciously agreed to switch days with me and voilà!  Thank goodness for understanding friends, am I right?!

Alright, onto today's topic, Practically Stylin'.  Do you know what I figured out lately?  I've discovered that I'm 30 years-old, a born and bred Michigander, and I still struggle to wear practical and stylish shoes during the winter.  I love pretty ballet flats but they just do not stand up to snow, slush and salt!  Not to mention they keep my toes pretty cold.

For this reason, a couple of months ago I went on a quest for cute yet practical black shoes that I could wear with everything from dresses to skinny jeans.  After searching the internet high and low, I settled on these boots from Merrell.  They are comfy, warm and sleek enough to wear with everyday outfits!

If you live in a cold climate, I would definitely recommend Merrell's collection of practical and stylish shoes.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Create28: The Pencil Skirt

The pencil skirt. Can I be honest? I don’t love them. It’s true. I am true lover of the A-line or the soft flirty skirt. Maybe its just this pencil skirt because it seems a little high-waisted to me. Or maybe because I feel exposed in pencil skirts is why I don't love them. Whatever the reason is, I really struggle to wear them. Don’t get me wrong, I have them in my closet and love how look but that is mostly on others. But I continue to try to wear this black pencil skirt. Since black and white is always a classic combo I thought I would try that and see how I felt about this pencil skirt. I also thought I would twist up the cardigan look and wear it button instead of open. I have hardly worn this white cardigan since I purchased it last spring. I featured in on Monday in this post and have decided I really do like it.
 





I have featured this skirt before on the blog...more than a few times and here's the proof. Tomorrow Whitney and I are both back remixing a sweater + it will be link up time. Hope to see you then!

  Have the BEST day! Carrie ~ xoxox Save Save Save Save

Blogging Besties :: Faux Fur and Skinny Jeans

Blogging Besties is a weekly series featuring Whitney of Whitney à la mode, Alex of Undergraduate Style, 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 went bold with her accessories, lippy, and layering piece.  

 
  This week is brought to you by: “faux fur, floral, strappy heels, and skinny jeans". And for your viewing pleasure, I give you: faux fur and skinny jeans.

 

 I've been feeling "fluffy" recently. Must be all that stress eating and non-treadmill walking I've indulged in. Rather than bemoan this fact, however, I'm choosing to embrace it. After all, in only a handful of months, I'll be celebrating a birthday with a "5" at the end of it - a milestone, if you will! - and I think I've earned the right to love myself and my body unabashedly, fluffiness and all. Thus, rather than choosing something slimming, I'm taking a cue from Alex and going bold with an in-your-face, non-figure-flattering, Lady Gaga-esque faux fur confection.

 
 I'm not throwing all sartorial caution to the wind, though. I'll do that when I have a couple more 5s under my belt. For now, I will continue to follow the rule of contrasts and pair my ostentatious jacket with an unassuming pair of go-to skinny jeans. Thanks for the tip challenge, Alex! For Selah’s turn next week, I challenge her to the following: pastel, pink, or something Lady Gaga-esque. Vive le vendredi!

:: Just the facts, ma’am :: Faux fur – Merona via Target Turtleneck – Jeanne Pierre via Poshmark Jeans - Jennifer Lopez via Kohl's Boots – Merona via Target

:: Scream it from the top of your lungs :: Never Too Late by Three Days Grace