Blogging Besties: Fun Detail

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 Selah looked comfy and cool for a casual summer day.  Her top is my favorite kind of shirt for hot summer days, it has a fun little detail so you don't need to worry about layering to add interest.  You can let the shirt do the talking!

So for this week, I decided to pass on Selah's prompt of a fun detail, more specifically a shirt with some fun detail!

The swing style of the tank makes it so breezy and comfortable in the hot weather.  I love the fun print and the see-through crochet detail at the bottom.  So far I've only paired it with white shorts but I'm looking forward to wearing the top with jeans when the weather cools off a bit!

Alex, your prompts for next week are as follows: swing style, Converse, see-through or navy!

What I'm Wearing:
Top: Loft (exact)
Shorts: Old Navy (similar)
Necklace: Gift (similar)
Watch: JORD (exact)
Converse: DSW (exact)

Guest Posting at The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life

What do these four outfits have in common?  Stop by Katie's blog, The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life to find out!

P.S.  Did you know I just passed my three-year blogiversary?!  I totally missed it!  But I did choose one outfit from each of my four summers as a blogger for this guest post!

Blogging Besties: Close Enough

The Blogging Besties series is the brain child of Alex @ Undergraduate Style 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 wore a lovely navy and pink floral top and counted it good for the prompt "lilac". Hey it's floral!

The prompts she gave me were "a dark floral print, ribbons, ruching, or something close enough".

I grew up with two very Southern sayings, "close enough for country picking" and "close only counts for horseshoes and hand grenades." I think when it comes to fashion, I'll go with the former. ;)

The lattice detail on the shoulders of my shirt are close enough to ribbons, yeah? I can't decide what color this top is. Nordstrom called it Burgundy, but it's too washed out for that. Mauve? Rose? I don't know.

Next week, Whitney gets the following prompts: fun detail, metallic shoes, favorite shorts, and indeterminate color.

Top: Nordstrom (SIMILAR)

Shorts: Old Navy (SIMILAR)

Necklace: Gingersnaps (EXACT PENDANT, EXACT SNAP)

Sandals: Payless (SIMILAR)

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Rose Quartz Summer Style with Nordstrom

You guys, never before in my blogging life have I done a post about the Nordstrom Sale.  Part of me feels like to be a real blogger, one must mention the #nsale but the other part of me thinks that you probably know more about this sale than I do, so I don't need to contribute to your shopping temptation.

Well, I'm talking about it today, but hopefully in a slightly different way than you've seen so far!  You may be following my monthly series about Pantone's color of the year, Rose Quartz, and how I'm wearing it throughout the seasons.  Today I decided to put together a Rose Quartz look for July featuring a piece that I actually ordered from the big Nordstrom Sale.

I've managed to feature Rose Quartz once a month without purchasing any new pieces, until this week!  I just couldn't turn down this pretty pink sweater with fun and sparkly polka dots!  Granted, the best part of the Nordstrom Sale (in my opinion) is that you can get great deals on new fall pieces, but I think that this sweater can work for the summer, too!  Here in Michigan we have a mostly hot summer but with some cool evenings.  I like this look for a casual evening spent sipping rosé and eating appetizers on a patio somewhere!

I also put together this outfit to fit with The Blended Blog's Summer Style Series!  Today we have light pink + polka dots + shorts = easy breezy summer style!  I have these exact shoes and similar shorts and look forward to wearing this outfit when my sweater arrives.  Don't forget to link-up your summer series looks below!

Dark Green + Tangerine = Summer Queen

Confession: I consulted a rhyming website to come up with this post title.  I'm still not in love with it but sometimes the inspiration just doesn't strike when you need it!

Similarly, I struggled to style this dress for a summer look.  The cut of the dress fits the warm weather, but to me the color works better during the fall.

I wore this outfit to my cousin's rehearsal dinner and I really wanted to repurpose a dress I already own instead of purchasing a new one.  I had only worn this trapeze dress once before so it seemed like the perfect dress to wear...until I got stuck on making it work for a summer event.

I thought that some fun, pop-of-color shoes would brighten up the look but again, I didn't want to buy anything new.  I've had these tangerine hued shoes for at least five years and dug them out from the shoe bin under my bed.

Alright, so I have a contrasting colored dress and pair of shoes, how do I make this outfit cohesive?  Enter this fun little patterned clutch!  It's funny, the purse doesn't actually feature the green of the dress or the orange of the shoes but it somehow ties the look together.  I guess it goes to show that an outfit doesn't have to be matchy matchy to go together.

Do you experiment with typically cold-weather colors during the summer!  What's your favorite way to heat them up?

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: LOFT (similar fit different color)
Clutch: Boutique in D.C. (similar, similar)
Heels: DSW (similar, similar)
Earrings: Kate Spade (exact and included in the Nordstrom sale!)

Where I'm linking-up!
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Blogging Besties :: Lilac

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 proved you can be both thoroughly professional and fashionably au courant with her fab color combo:

 

This week is brought to you by: “lace, lilac, and leopard". And for your viewing pleasure, I give you: lilac.

 
Okay, okay, before I get berated, I'll just come out and admit that I know absolutely nothing about flowers. One would think that after having participated in Anne's multiple floral challenges, I'd have learned a thing or two. But one would be wrong. At the end of the day, a flower is a flower is a flower to me, and if I can't keep one alive, I can at least sport them happily in my wardrobe. So please forgive me for calling this top challenge-compliant to "lilac", but it's the closest floral piece I could come up with that's also fitting with my retro aesthetic. And I'm sure you can get over the inaccuracy in the face of all its cunning details: ruched shoulders, happy bows, the perfect color contrast of navy and pink.

 
Also, upon further perusal, I realize that my skirt is very similar to Alex's, albeit a more vintage-y version. So although it wasn't part of her challenge per se, I think that should count for some points, eh?

For Selah’s turn next week, I challenge her to the following: a dark floral print, ribbons, ruching, or something close enough. Vive le vendredi!

:: Just the facts, ma’am :: Top – eBay Skirt – Elie Tahari via eBay Heels - Marimba by Aerosoles

:: Scream it from the top of your lungs :: I Only Have Eyes For You by Frank Sinatra and Count Basie

A Peplum, A Special Guest and Thursday Moda

Well friends, I've got some fun things happening on the blog today!  First of all, I'm co-hosting the Thursday Moda link-up with Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood.  But before I get into the details of our collaboration, I would like to introduce you to my niece, Eloise!  Isn't she the cutest?!

(She wore a strawberry dress because strawberries are my favorite.  And those tiny Converse?!  My heart is melting!)

I spent last week at my sister and brother-in-law's house outside of Nashville.  My mom and I got to watch Eloise while Kayla and Brad were on vacation!  I loved having a whole week of niece snuggles and kisses.  Eloise is so smart and can say and do all sorts of things already.  She is really good at pointing to her various facial features when you ask her "Where's your nose?" and so on.  While I was there, I started asking her, "Where's your heart?" and I'm proud to say that she now points to her chest when you ask her.  SO cute!

Since I'm co-hosting with Ada today and Ada always posts cute outfit pictures with her adorable daughter, Vivian, I thought it would be fun to have a photo shoot with Eloise for our collaboration!  Her red and white strawberry dress matched my peplum perfectly and we are even wearing matching shoes.  I really love these pictures of us and will always cherish them.

When Ada invited me to co-host, she mentioned that we both own this red and white striped peplum top from Old Navy (on sale for less than $9, by the way)  and that it would be fun to show it styled in two ways.  I love that she threw in a little bit of pattern mixing and that she is wearing a fun pair of shorts for the summer.  Ada is always bold in trying the season's latest trends -- is she rocking those fringed sandals or what?!

The last time I wore this top, I styled a pretty and slightly more dressed-up look.  This time I wanted to go in the opposite direction with a super casual and comfortable outfit.  My distressed boyfriend jeans are about as casual as I get (unless I'm in my yoga pants #teacheronsummervacation) and I love my Converse for any comfy look!  The peplum is so breezy and I love that it's cute enough to stand on its own without adding too much to the ensemble.

What I'm Wearing:

Peplum: Old Navy (exact)

Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Converse: DSW (exact)

And now on to that link-up I know you are itching to participate in!  Eloise and I thank you for stopping by today!

Yellow + A Fun Print + A Dress

Have you tried the new Summer Style Series with The Blended Blog yet?  You know, the one where you pick a color, pair a pattern and showcase a piece using the ideas in the graphic below?  I've gotta tell you, it's making summer clothes so much more fun!

Summer is usually my least favorite time of year clothing-wise.  You can't add interest by layering too much because it is just so dang hot!  Sometimes I don't even want to wear a statement necklace because it feels so heavy.  For this reason, I feel like my summer outfits aren't as creative or remixed as I would like them to be.  Cue the Summer Style Series!  By consciously pairing colors, patterns and pieces, I'm coming-up with some new outfit combinations!

For this outfit, I actually started with "a fun pattern."  I think the pattern in the dress is supposed to be floral but it reminds me of popcorn.  What's more fun than popcorn?!  From there, the yellow cardigan was an easy contrasting piece to add for a chilly morning at the library.

If you picked and paired this week, it's time to share with our link-up below!  Or you can show us on Instagram (#theblendedblogstyle).

But before you get there, a couple of blooper pictures!  I wish I remembered what was so funny!

Blogging Besties: Copycat Piece

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 featured a fun summer look. I loved her pretty tank and I think that teething necklace is so nifty while still being cute! 

Whitney challenged me with a "copycat piece." So, I thought, who better to copy than the woman herself? I happened to have a nice lace top that is quite similar in color to Whitney's! In contrast to Whitney's fun casual look, I styled mine for work with a neutral cardigan and a pencil skirt. Add a statement necklace and leopard flats for a little fun and I was good to go!

Next week, Maricel can choose from the following: lace, lilac, or leopard! (See what I did there?)

Top: Thrifted via Clothes Mentor (similar, similar, similar)

Skirt: Thrifted via Clothes Mentor (similar, similar, similar)

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

Flats: Thrifted via Plato's Closet (similar, similar, similar)

Currently: July 2016

toasting: nothing in particular.  And there isn't anything wrong with that!  I've reached a span of time without any major celebrations, just time to relax!  And one of my favorite ways to do so on a summer evening is with a Dark and Stormy cocktail!

going: downtown Nashville!  As I write this post, I am staying at my sister and brother-in-law's home in Tennessee.  They are on vacation and my mom and I are watching my niece, Eloise.  We are going to spend a night on the town, though!  The neighbors graciously offered to babysit so that my mom and I can head to The Listening Room for a delicious, southern meal and to hear an up-and-coming country artist!

smelling: this Fig Tree candle by Detroit Rose, a Michigan company that makes delightfully scented candles.  I purchased it at a pop-up market for local artisans and I adore the simple aesthetics and delicate scent.  I am already anticipating ordering the Campfire scent...

wearing: outfits created for the Summer Style Series of The Blended Blog!  Having trouble thinking of new and creative outfits?  Use our "choose your own adventure"-like tool above!  We are linking-up on Wednesdays and you can find my first outfit for the series below.

wishlisting: anything and everything yoga-related!  I have wanted to try yoga for years.  The blend of focusing on the mind and body really appeals to me.  When school let out for the summer, I signed up for my first few classes.  I love it!  I actually feel happy and peaceful when I leave class (this is an odd post-exercise sensation for me).  Now at any given moment you can find me at yoga class or googling the best mats, how to improve my balance or pretty yoga-inspired baubles.

And now for my first outfit of the Summer Style Series: black + stripes + shoes!

These striped and studded shoes are the absolute best!  I love them so much, in fact, that I was afraid to take them out of the box for the first two months I owned them.  So silly, right?  Now that I've convinced myself that something so cute deserves to be worn in public, I've decided to highlight them for my first Summer Style Series outfit!

To keep the focus on the shoes, I decided to wear them with my simple, comfiest black romper and a bold coral necklace to bring out the color in the studs.

This was the perfect comfortable yet "I feel cute" outfit in which to explore Pittsburgh with my family while we were there for a wedding.  We visited the Strip District, an area with a fun ambiance, lots of little shops and some delicious restaurants.  We ate french fry-filled sandwiches at Primanti Brothers and browsed the wares for sale.  It was a delightful afternoon and a fun wedding weekend!

What I'm Wearing:
Romper: H&M (similar, similar)
Necklace: Silpada (similar, similar)
Flats: Boden (exact)
Purse: Cambridge Satchel

As usual, linking-up with Anne and Jenna!
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Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Red, White and Blue

Happy Fourth of July, my dear blogging friends!  May your day be filled with friends, hot dogs, cold drinks, sparklers and a swell of pride for the 'ole U.S. of A!  And while you're at it, will you have an extra hot dog and cold drink for me?  Because I will be spending today driving across this great country of ours for about ten hours.  It's not exactly the way I would prefer to spend my holiday but I will make the most of it by taking in the landscape that our nation has to offer!

For the past two years, I have been invited to a wedding during Fourth of July weekend.  I love holidays and I love weddings so I think that this is a perfect way to celebrate the Fourth!  Add to the mix a self-imposed challenge to create a wedding-appropriate, not cheesy, red, white and blue outfit?!  I am in closet remixing heaven!

I purchased a beautiful, red maxi dress for the wedding last summer and decided that because I love it so much, I wanted to wear it again for this wedding!  I wanted to do red, white and blue again but in a different way than I did last year.  The dress and the shoes remain the same but I spiced up the accessories!

When Bri hosted an online Stella & Dot party a couple months ago, I found the perfect necklace and clutch to create the look I had been daydreaming about!  By purchasing these items, I won the spot of surprise hostess for the party and received some credit to purchase another couple of Stella & Dot pieces.  Thank you, Bri!

With that, have a lovely Fourth (and don't forget about that extra hot dog)!

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: Nashville Boutique (similar, similar)
Wedges: DSW (similar, similar)
Necklace: Stella & Dot (exact)
Clutch: Stella & Dot (exact)