Easy Espadrilles for Create28

Can you believe that it is the last week of June already?!  Summer is flying by, as it always seems to do!  Do you have anything fun planned for 4th of July weekend?  I will be attending the wedding of my cousin and his delightful fiancée.  I'm so excited because I have a red, white and blue wedding ensemble to wear.  I am sure it will make a blog appearance sooner or later!

But before I get ahead of myself, I have a fun post today in collaboration with The Blended Blog.  We have been working our way through the Create28 series this month featuring lots of bloggers wearing some fun summer trends!  We hope that you have been joining in the fun!

I have been writing our weekly Create28 reviews at TBB so I feel like I have been super involved.  It's hard to believe that this is only my second outfit of the series (you can find my first look, Pretty Peplum here).

Today I'm here featuring Easy Espadrilles.  I've already mentioned my love for these shoes!  Espadrilles are such a classic, summer look that seem to be on top of the trend list year after year.  I'm loving this year's take on the classic espadrille sandal.  Instead of a wedged shoe, they are comfy flats!

This particular pair have a cushioned sole and enough arch support to make days and days of travel feel like a cushy walk in the park.  Ladies, I have been wearing these shoes non-stop!  They look elegant with dresses but cute with jeans as well.

I wore this ensemble the day that we traveled to Orlando for my birthday weekend.  The jersey dress was perfectly comfortable on the airplane with my denim jacket as an extra layer, just in case.  And the shoes made wandering the vast airport a total breeze!

Have you been wearing espadrilles this summer?  What is your chosen style: flats, wedges, slides?  Show us on Instagram (#theblendedblogstyle) and link-up with us tomorrow!  Also make sure to visit Alison tomorrow for our last Create28 prompt: Super Stripes!

What I'm Wearing:
Dress: LOFT (exact)
Espadrilles: DSW (exact in blue)
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Rose Quartz June + Create28 Link-Up

Good morning, friends!  Phew, as you are reading this, I am completing my last day of the school year...which means I've almost made it!

My end-of-the-year checklist has seemed a mile long and at the same time I'm going through a bit of a rough patch in my personal life.  For that reason, I haven't felt up to taking my monthly "how to wear Rose Quartz" pictures.

I don't want to leave you hanging, though, so I thought I would try something fun and combine the Create28 Series from The Blended Blog with my Rose Quartz post for the month!

Create28 is all about making new outfits with what you have in your closet based on some fun, summery prompts!  And Rose Quartz June is intended to show you how to wear Pantone's color of the year in a seasonal way.  So, here are some fun ways that you can use Rose Quartz to fulfill the Create28 prompts, past and future!

June 10th: Beach Bum  I would totally wear this fun graphic tee with a comfy pair of shorts (perhaps with pom pons) over my swimsuit for a relaxing day at the beach.  Thermos of rosé: optional. 

June 12th: Bold Bottoms  This drapey pair of shorts look so cool and comfy yet refined!  I would love to wear them with a black and white striped shirt and a pair of espadrilles.

June 14th: Summer Swing Dress  Swing dresses just might be my new summer staple.  And one in my favorite color with a cute little ruffle detail?  I'm sold!

June 16th: Sunglasses Style  Pink, gingham sunglasses?!  Enough said!

June 28th: Easy Espadrilles  I just cannot get enough of espadrilles this season!  They come in so many shapes and colors.  These would make for such a fun pop of summer pink!

June 29th: Super Stripes  And to round it all off, an adorable striped Kate Spade purse.  This would be fun to pull out of your closet every spring and summer!

Now make sure to head over to The Blended Blog for a review of our week two looks for Create28 and link-up your own looks below!  Here are your prompts for next week:

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Before I get into my post for the day, I'm hoping you will hop over to The Blended Blog for a review of the first week of Create28 (click here if you are new to the challenge)!  Instead of Carrie and I doing this series on our own, our friends at TBB have joined us for even more fun and inspiration!    Below you will find the prompts for Week 2 of Create28 as well as a place to link-up your looks from the first seven days.  We really hope that you will join us!

I officially participated in Create28 on June 3rd with my Pretty Peplum look but I will also be linking-up today's outfit.  Which prompt does this fall under, you ask?  It's kind of a mix of two different prompts: nautical navy and fun flats!  Nope, I'm not actually wearing navy but something about the classic combination of red stripes and cuffed jeans makes me think of a sailor.  And Converse are a favorite pair of flats that I wear often during the summer!

Plus I wore this to a baseball game.  Create28 is all about creating new looks this summer and what screams summer more than  ballpark outing?  I went to watch the Lansing Lugnuts with a group of teachers from my school.  Since the Lugnuts are a smaller, local team, I don't own any Lugnut apparel so I chose some sporty basics in the Lugnuts colors.

What I'm Wearing:
Shirt: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Jeans: American Eagle (exact)
Converse: DSW (exact)

Don't forget to check-out the first seven looks of Create28 at The Blended Blog today (plus yours truly wrote the review post).  You will also find Week 1's link-up at the bottom of this post or at TBB.  And here are your prompts for the coming week!

One Outfit, Two Challenges: Create28 and Blogging Besties

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 oh so ready for summer in her shorts and eyelet top!  She gave me the following prompts from which to work: pajama clothes, eyelet lace, floral jewelry or new hair.

I always enjoy Selah's creative prompts that motivate me to think about my wardrobe in a different way!  While Selah's inspiration didn't disappoint, I feel like my execution fell a little bit flat this week.  I decided to go with "pajama clothes" as my prompt since this peplum is just so darn comfortable!

Alex, here are your choices to pass on for next week's Blogging Besties: a peplum, stripes, white bottoms, metallic shoes, a glitzy necklace or a state-themed background!

While I could have taken Selah's prompt and run a bit further with it, I did double up on challenges today.  I am also participating in The Blended Blog's Create28 Summer Challenge.  Today is my day to wear a "pretty peplum!"  So here you go: a pretty peplum that feels like pajamas!

I think this top will be a staple this summer.  The stripes and peplum detail give it enough interest that the top can stand on its own without lots of layers.  It is also really light-weight and rather swing-like so it will keep you cool in the summer sun.  The top is currently on sale in navy stripes and peach!

While I think the peplum is pretty on its own, I really tried to run with the "pretty" part of my prompt.  Instead of blue jeans and casual sandals, I dressed the top up with white jeans, metallic flats and a little bit of sparkle!

Isn't this background fun?!  It is one of the walls of a delicious restaurant in Lansing, Michigan called the Soup Spoon.  Delicious food and fun blogging backgrounds?!  My kind of place!  They even have a fun gratitude wall where diners can use chalk to express their thanks.  It just so happened that the wall already had an entry about birthday dinners and I was there to celebrate my birthday with one of my best friends!

If you are wearing a pretty peplum today, make sure to show us on Instagram with #theblendedblogstyle and by linking-up with us on Wednesday.  You can find the daily prompts below if you want to play along!  And please visit Sheila at Making the Most of Every Day to see how she styles "nautical navy" for day three of Create28!

What I'm Wearing:

Top: Old Navy (exact)

Necklace: Rocksbox

Jeans: LOFT (simliar)

Shoes: DSW (similar)

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Create28 Starts Tomorrow!

Hello, friends!  I'm back and recovering from the most spectacular birthday weekend ever!  I will definitely be sharing the details of my vacation soon.

In the meantime, Create28: Summer Edition with the ladies of The Blended Blog starts tomorrow!  We hope that you will play along by dressing according to the daily prompts.  You can post your outfit pictures on Instagram with #theblendedblogstyle and link-up with us on Wednesdays!  Here are the prompts for the first week of June:

We are kicking-off the series with Lana who will be styling her summer go-to look!  What is your favorite outfit combination when the weather gets warmer?

Create28: Carrie's Recap

Drum roll....The winner of the giveaway is Cherie O'Brien. Congratulations, Cherie! We hope you enjoy it and find something to purchase that you love. A big shout out thank you for all that entered the giveaway! We appreciate your support and participation in the giveaway!

And now, the final recap of Create28 Summer Looks.

Wow! It's the end of our Create28 Summer Looks! I hope y'all have had fun following along with Whitney, Casey and me. We have enjoyed putting these looks together. It has been fun to co-host with Whitney and Casey too. We have all had a blast seeing your looks on Instagram and linking up with us. We will be hosting another one in October to feature looks for fall {Create28 Fall Looks #Create28FallLooks}. But before the book is closed on this Create28 Summer Looks, I want to share the looks I came up this month. Here's my twelve looks.

Row 1 Favorite Go-To Look ~ shorts/? {similar} top/the limited {similar} sandals/target {exact} Denim Look ~ shorts/ON {exact} cami/ON {similar} boots/? {similar} Statement Necklace Look ~ skirt/west-n-lou {similar} top/showinbuy {similar} shoes/famous footwear {exact} necklace/walmart {similar} earrings/walmart {similar} Row 2 All-American Patriotic Look ~ shorts/ON {exact} top/the limited {similar} belt/amazon {similar} shoes/dsw {similar} All White Look ~ shorts/the limited {similar} top/target {similar} tank/target {exact} sandals/dsw {similar}

Mixing Patterns Look ~ pants/ON {similar, similar}tank/target {exact} kimon/image {similar} shoes/dsw {similar}

Row 3 Summer Blues Look ~shorts/ON {similar, similar} tank/ON {similar, similar} scarf/gift {similar} wedges/dsw {similar} Summer Layering Look ~ shorts/ON {exact} tee/ON {similar} sweater/target {similar} sneakers/payless {similar} Pin-It & Did-It Look ~ shorts/ON {similar} top/ON {similar} sweater/ON {similar} shoes/dsw {similar} necklace/walmart {similar} Row 4 Remixing a Piece Look ~ dress/ON {similar, similar} blouse/the limited {similar, similar} shoes/dsw {similar, similar} Summer Tanks Look ~ shorts/aeropostale {similar} top/showinbuy {exact} belt/amazon {similar} shoes/dsw {similar} Summer Trend Look ~ shorts/ON {similar} top/stitch fix {similar} shoes/dsw {similar} necklace/jane {similar} earring/walmart {similar}

Do you have a favorite {or two}? Here's my favorites from the challenge. I think it's quite fun to create new looks from pieces in my closet. I'm always encouraged to find so many new looks right under my nose among my own pieces.

I also want to share my favorite looks that Whitney put together during the challenge. She completely nailed the baseball look and that orange background made it a complete home run!

 She looked absolutely stunning in her Date Night Look too. I just couldn't pick one favorite!

  Casey hit a home run too with her Sporty Look which got quite a few raving comments.

Her patterned shorts were perfect with a striped top. Such a winning combo and I am totally loving it.

We will back on Monday for the start of A Lovely Little à La Mode Link-Up! We will be hosting it on our blogs each week and hope you'll link up your looks.

  Here's our button! We are so excited to have a button and hope you'll add to your blog.

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Create28: Casey's Recap

Well, my beautiful friends, July has just flown by and Create28 ~ Lovely Summer Looks is coming to a close. I have to tell you all that I had SUCH a blast teaming up with Carrie and Whitney for this little challenge! We had such a great time and we were so inspired by all of your looks on your blogs and #Create28SummerLooks!

Here are the looks I created during the month of July ~

I also did a feature on Styling Summer Scarves and Summer Shoes ~

Here are my three favorite looks ~

Day 4: A Patriotic Look ~ This is the outfit the actually wore for the 4th of July, hanging out at the lake. You know I love my Barcelona camis and I liked how this red, white and blue top was festive, but subtle enough so I didn't look like a firecracker :) Read the original post HERE.

Denim Shorts: J. Crew Factory (exact)
Barcelona Cami: Express (striped one sold out, other options HERE)
Sandals: Target (exact)

Day 27: Pinned It! Did It! ~ For this look, I went back though my Spring/Summer Pinterest board and recreated a look I have had pinned for awhile, but never tried. I think I'll make this a monthly habit of going back through all of my pins and "finding" new outfits!! Read the original post HERE.

Denim Vest: DIY'ed (similar, similar)
White Shorts: J. Crew Factory (similar)
Sandals: Similar

Day 28: A Summer Trend ~ I might not be the best at trying new things and being super trendy, but I do love when I branch out and try things once in a while...and end up loving them! I found so many fun ways to wear this kimono and I can't wait to transition it into fall! Read original post HERE.

See kimono options in THIS post.

Here are my faves from Carrie and Whitney ~

I love this blue layered look!

Whitney can rock the romper, let me tell you!

I have enjoyed working with these girls SO MUCH!!! In fact, we will be collaborating even more in the future!!! Here's the exciting news ~

1 ~ Carrie, Whitney and I will be teaming up again in October for #Create28FallLooks!! We hope you join us!! Stay tuned for the details and prompts. We are so excited for Fall (already!).

2 ~ As you know, we have been hosting a link up on Mondays for Create28 Summer. Well, we decided to keep it going and make it official! From now on, each Monday we will be hosting a regular link up for all of you bloggers! We had so much fun seeing your looks and meeting new blogger friends, we decided to keep it going!

We hope you join us every Monday for A Lovely Little à La Mode Link Up.

Feel free to grab our button and display it on your sidebar and spread the word, girls!!

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3 ~ LAST - If you haven't entered to win the $75 gift card, enter RIGHT NOW. It closes at 5pm CST TODAY! We will announce the winner TOMORROW!

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Create28: Whitney's Recap

Well ladies, we have made it to the end of Create28: Lovely Summer Looks!  Create28 is the brainchild of Carrie who started this series back in February when I only played along on Instagram.  I love this challenge more than others because you can jump in and out whenever you like...it doesn't require as much forward thinking and planning as a capsule wardrobe.  I also think that it provides genuine, easy inspiration when you are standing in front of your closet each morning (and who doesn't need some creative wardrobe vibes every once in awhile ?).  For this reason, I'm excited and proud that Carrie has let me join in on this Create28 journey.  Adding Casey to the mix has made this experience even more fun!  I know that you have been following along with our outfits all month, but let me tell you, working with these ladies behind the scenes has been an absolute blast.  Carrie and Casey are so genuine, sweet and creative.  If you don't follow them already, please do!  They are the real deal!

Without further ado, here are the twelve brand new looks I created for the Create28: Lovely Summer Looks prompts:

I really am proud of each of the ensembles that I created because I feel that they really represent my style and personality.  As I look through these pictures, I see lots of feminine skirts and dresses, fun patterns and pretty colors.  If I had to choose a my top three looks, they would be the following:

I'm super curious!  Which of my looks did you like the best and why?  Which of your looks did you like the best and why?  And while we we're at it, here are my favorite looks from Carrie and Casey's Create28 outfits:

We really hope that you've enjoyed spending time with us this summer...so much so that we've decided to continue our Monday link-ups!  This coming Monday we want to see the rest of your Create28 looks.  After that, we just want to see whatever your favorite post of late may be!  So please join us for our Lovely Little à La Mode Link-Up!

Also, a few last minute reminders for today:

-Show us your Create28 Recap and favorites on Instagram (#create28summerlooks)

-Enter our giveaway below for a $75 gift card to your choice of Gap Brands, LOFT, Nordstrom or Target (you don't have much time left to enter)!

-Come back tomorrow to see Casey's Recap

So finally, thank you so much for hanging-out with me this summer!  If you've had as much fun as I have, please follow me on Bloglovin', Instagram or Pinterest!

Au Revoir!

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