Oct 24, 2015

Create28: Camo

You might think that being a part of a military family makes one love camo. In my case that has not been true. It has taken me awhile to embrace camo, which I admit was a poor decision on my part. I admit it, friends! I love camo. Well, maybe not all camo but the pieces I have in my wardrobe, I really love. I thought it would be fun to spice it up and add some pops of color and I was surprised with what I came up right in my own closet. My favorite look incorporates a pop of pink with camo.

camo+pink skirt

camo+pink3

camo+pink

  With the bright pink skirt, I added a soft pink blouse and sparkly jewelry for a feminine touch that pairs with the masculine camo jacket. Of course, booties are the best footwear for fall and look great with skirts. I also have a pair of camo skinnies that arethe absolute most comfortable pants I own. I wish all my pants had this fit and were as comfy. Again, I wanted to add a pop of color but went with a little burnt orange. I kept the same light pink blouse to show the remixing ability with it and camo.

camo+orange puffer

camo pants + orange puffer

  I pinned a few camo looks that I love too for a little inspiration. What about you? Do you own any camo?
Whitney will be back tomorrow with sporting Aztec print. She's rocking all of her looks and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us.
Create28 Collage

  Remember! We love seeing your looks on Instagram. Use the #Create28FallLooks. Enjoy your Saturday, friends. Our linkup will be open again on Monday and we also look forward to seeing your fabulous style. Where you'll find me linking up.
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Oct 23, 2015

Blogging Besties: of multiple lace tries and the final results

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This week is brought to you by: “lace, chino pants, grey bottoms, ballet flats, head-to-toe ombré, pashmina scarf, and wood watch”. For your viewing pleasure, I give you: lace, grey bottoms, ballet flats, head-to-toe ombré, and a wood watch. The extra bits: Last week, Alex left me with a plethora of items to choose from. Her fab fall outfit was just teeming with essentials that any gal should have in her closet anyway.  

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Doncha just love how the richness of Alex's hair color pops against the white as well as being complemented by that scarf? So much so that I immediately ransacked my wardrobe, and yes! Lo and behold, all the elements were present. I put them together and was thoroughly underwhelmed. What looked effortlessly stylish on Alex looked humdrum and somewhat lacking on me. I thought perhaps it was the scarf, so I switched that out for a brighter, lighter one, but the result was not ideal either. Feeling downtrodden and uninspired, I packed up my photo gear and called it a day. Then, in the mist of hanging up the laundry, I stumbled upon my lace cardi, experienced a brain fart, rushed to my closet and grabbed the first cream top I found, and voilà! My version of the pieces sans scarf, complete with boosted happiness quotient. I guess I just had to put my own personal spin on things, which is what Blogging Besties is all about after all, right? What's funny is that I'm passing on pretty much the exact same things Alex began with. I don't think that's the intent of this feature, though, 'coz it'd be boring if we kept being so exact. So here's how I'll rethink my prompts for Selah's turn next week: a cardi, skinny jeans, a thrifted item (I got my cardi from eBay), a total steal/find (my ballet flats were a mere $9, an acquisition during Payless' BOGO), and head-to-toe ombré (because I like that effect a lot). Vive le vendredi!

:: Just the facts, ma’am :: Top – H&M Cardi – eBay Jeans – H&M Ballet flats – Payless
:: Linking :: Fun Fashion Friday @ Fashion Should Be Fun
:: Scream it from the top of your lungs :: Begin Again by Taylor Swift
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Create28: Long Cardigan

Happy Friday, girls!!! I LOVE LOVE long cardis, you guys!!! I purchased my very first one last Fall and have been wanting to add more to my collection....but it's tooo STINKIN' HOT here in Northern California right now, I can't even think about sweaters!!

That being said, I sacrificed and put on one of my most fave, comfy outfits to show you..disregard the beads of sweat running down my face....

Cardigan: cute option, cute option , cute option
Sweater: option, option
Scarf: similar, similar
Ponte Pants/Jeggings: similar, similar
Boots: Corso Como/Nordstrom (similar)
Boot Cuffs: DIY'ed

The great thing about long cardis is you can pair them with jeans, leggings, jeggings, skinnies, flares...pretty much whatever type pants you own! I just always like keeping the bottoms on the more fitted side to balance out the more "loose"/larger fitting cardigan.

As always, my boot cuffs are DIY'ed. I just take cute (but cheap) socks and cut the toe off...boom...boot cuffs!


Ok, so now I need your help!!!! I have been wanting a "Blardigan" for umm...forever!!!! (if you are not familiar with the Blardigan, it's a term from the blog Pinterest Told Me To...read about it HERE. It's a "blanket" and "cardigan)! I am doing an upcoming post where I get to choose something from Nordstrom soooooo....guess what I'm getting??!

I need you to help me choose which color!!!! I narrowed it down to the ones below...will you please comment on which one you like? Or which one you HAVE and love??! Thanks for helping a sister out!!!! Oh, and please don't be afraid..i will DEFINITELY NOT be wearing mine open with a bra and undies....this is more the look I am after, so calm down :) 



Option 1: Ombre

Option 2: Cocoa

Option 3: (a little lighter than Cocoa)

Option 4: Light Grey


PLEASE comment and "VOTE!" Thank you!! :)

Next week is already our LAST WEEK of Create28 Fall Looks! We are just loving all of your fun looks for fall! One of my favorites is coming up on Monday--"Pinned It and Did It!" Show us your Pinterest-inspired looks by linking up Monday or use the hashtag #Create28FallLooks!




Don't forget to follow A Little Bit of Cheer on Facebook HERE

Follow me on Instagram HERE

Follow any of my boards on Pinterest HERE 

Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE  

See where I link up HERE

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Oct 22, 2015

Create28: Fall Neutrals

There's something about an all-neutral ensemble that feels very soothing to me.  Perhaps it's the ease at which basic, classic pieces come together.  Or maybe it's simply the absence of bold, in-your-face colors.  In any case, fall tends to be the time of year that I'm most drawn towards neutrals.  Actually, many of my Create28: Fall Looks have been completely (or mostly) neutral (here, here, here and here).


I absolutely adore this outfit because it features three of my favorite style pieces: a striped dress, a chambray shirt and cognac accessories.  I feel timeless, put-together, pretty and comfortable!



You might be thinking that these pictures look extra special, and you're right!  They were professionally photographed by the lovely and talented Jill Knight of Jillography Wedding and Lifestyle Photography.  And my outfit is just one in the group of neutral ensembles worn by my family members for a fun, fall family photo shoot!



My family and I were inspired by this pin and we thought that neutral pieces in classic patterns would be easy for each member of the family to find (not to mention easily coordinated).  It turns out that neutrals come together simply-- whether it be in one outfit or many!  We absolutely love how our photos turned out!  What do you think of the family neutral look?  For more family photos (and the rest of Jill's beautiful portfolio), click here!


Luckiest aunt in the world with my little love!

We hope you are having just as much fun wearing the Create28: Fall Looks as we are and we're in the home stretch!  Check back tomorrow because Casey will be sharing her long cardigan looks.  And don't forget to share your looks on Insta (#Create28FallLooks) and at our link-up on Monday!

 

What I'm Wearing:
Chambray: Old Navy (exact)
Dress: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Belt: Target (similar, similar)
Flats: Target (exact)
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Oct 21, 2015

Create28: Prints and Patterns

Prints and patterns are one way to add interest to a look. I find it helpful to have an understanding of what's in my wardrobe in order to mix things up using prints and patterns. Keeping a little inventory of pieces is one way to help grow your ability to remix. You need to know what you have in order to create looks and more looks by reusing your own pieces. Here's a few ideas that you might just have in one form or another in your wardrobe:
  • leopard print
  • animal print
  • hounds tooth
  • windowpane
  • camo
  • floral
  • stripes
  • polka dots
  • aztec
  • abstract
Once I have an idea of what's in my closet I can begin by choosing one print or pattern and create a look or two by incorporating that piece. Windowpane has always been one of my favorite prints. I own one pair of windowpane pants and two windowpane blouses. For this post, I'm choosing to style the pants. I thought it would be fun to mix a few different ideas together. The pants are typically something I tend to dress up but here I added a moto jacket to give it a little edgy feel. I haven't worn these pants in the fall season so a jewel tone seemed like a great choice for color. I'm wearing wedges here but booties would work just as well.
windowpane pants

windowpane+moto

windowpant pants+moto jacket

  I originally purchased these pants in the spring but I know they will easily transition during this fall season. Here's how I have worn them previously.

windowpane collage
   
Shop for Windowpane Pieces
Where I'm linking up.
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Oct 20, 2015

Create28: Fall Dresses


Apparently, I have a "thing" for black and white fall dresses! In the past, I haven't been a huge black and white fan....i just thought it was so BORING and plain. It also reminded me of the days when I couldn't really dress myself and my closet was filled with black and white and NO COLOR! (sad days!!!)

However, in recent months, I've come to really embrace black and white again! However, unlike before, I hardly ever just wear plain black and white...I always try to add some "spice."

Striped Dress:cute option, cute option
Cargo Vest: option
Leopard Scarf: similar
Boots:  similar

In the above outfit, I added a little pattern mixing with stripes and leopard...one of my FAVES! I also added two other neutral, but contrasting colors (green vest and brown boots).


Plaid Dress: Target (exact)
Boots: Corso Como/Nordstrom (similar)
Scarf: Nordstrom/BP: (option,option)

In this outfit (read original post HERE), I added just a little pop of color to spice up the black and white. Also, some people think black/white and brown is not a legit color combo but I LOVE these three colors together!! The cognac provides a great contrast to the black and white without "clashing."

So to recap, here are my tips for wearing black and white ~

* Pattern mix (leopard and even plaid are great to pair with black and white)
* Add other neutral colors such as olive green or cognac
* Add a pop of color (choose colors depending in the season such as marsala for fall or yellow for summer)

Hope you will join us for Create28 this month! Link up with us Mondays or use the #Create28FallLooks on social media! Carrie is up tomorrow with more fun with patterns and prints!




Don't forget to follow A Little Bit of Cheer on Facebook HERE

Follow me on Instagram HERE

Follow any of my boards on Pinterest HERE 

Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE  

See where I link up HERE

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Oct 19, 2015

Create28: Football Fan Attire

Ahh, fall.  The crunch of fallen leaves, the smell of wood-burning stoves, and FOOTBALL!  Speaking of which, did anyone see the dramatic conclusion to the Michigan State v. Michigan game this weekend?

The spectacular Spartan win makes it even more fun to share my football fan attire with you today!


The key components of a great game day ensemble are pretty obvious: a comfy pair of jeans and cute spirit-wear!  And with every passing year it seems that there are more and more fun pieces to wear to games...like these fun flats covered in Spartan helmets!



Aside from the perfect spirit-wear, I have a couple of tricks to creating a put-together outfit to watch your favorite football team this fall.

My favorite way to create a cohesive ensemble for the big game is to add a completer piece.  For this game I threw on a cozy, neutral cardigan to keep me warm and to add some interest to the outfit.  Below you can see how a chambray shirt or a military-inspired vest can also pull together a look! 


My other favorite tip for cute game-wear (at least for warmer games) is to pair a t-shirt or sweatshirt with a cute skirt.  Skirts create a feminine vibe to add to a sporty top!

Who are you rooting for this weekend and what are you going to wear to the game?  Make sure you are sharing your Create28 looks with us on Instagram (#Create28:FallLooks) and by linking-up below!

What I'm Wearing:
T-Shirt: Spartan Book Store
Cardigan: LOFT (exact)
Jeans: Old Navy (exact)
Shoes: Meijer


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