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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Create28: Summer Color Combos Look

Happy Monday (if there is such a thing), and welcome to day six of Create28: Lovely Summer Looks!  It's Whitney and I'm here to show you one of my favorite Summer Color Combos.  When Carrie, Casey and I decided that I would be the one to post about this topic, I have to admit, I was a little bit overwhelmed.  There are so many color combinations that make me think of summer!  There is sunshiny yellow, beachy coral, nautical navy and so many other colors that can be combined every which way!

Ultimately I chose an almost mono-chromatic look composed of shades of blues and greens as my summer color ensemble.  It's so much fun to spend this time of year outside and these hues remind me of the grass and the sky.  I also feel a bit nautically (is that really a word?) in this outfit...although I'm not sure that a sequined tank top is entirely appropriate boat-wear.  Although let's face it, I could find a reason to wear sequins just about anywhere!

What's your favorite summer color combination?  Here are a few other ideas that we found:

Follow Whitney R.'s board Summer Color Combinations on Pinterest.

You can show us your favorite warm-weather hues on Instagram (#Create28SummerLooks) or by linking-up TODAY!  You can find the link-up below and don't forget to link each of your Create28 looks from the past week!  Then, stop by tomorrow to see Casey's Summer Bright Look.

What I'm Wearing:
Tank: J.Crew Factory (similar, similar)
Skirt: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Belt: Target (similar, similar)
Wedges: France (similar, similar)

An InLinkz Link-up

Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Go Green Edition

Now, there is something really important you should know about me.  I am a HUGE Michigan State University fan.  As a second-generation Spartan and a two time graduate from MSU, I practically bleed green.

When Caitlin from Greater than Rubies proposed the Fall Capsule Wardrobe Remix Challenge, I knew that I had to include a Michigan State sweatshirt.  I mean, fall is football season, right?

Typically I pair MSU gear with a pair of jeans and that's it!  I'm so happy that this challenge has encouraged me to think outside the box because I absolutely adore some of the spirited ensembles I have put together.

This is a perfect tailgating outfit!  The leggings are comfy.  The boots are warm.  The layers add extra protection from the midwestern fall chill!  I will hopefully get to make the trek home for one MSU football game this fall and I'm already planning to wear this outfit.

This ensemble is a little more jazzy with the high-heeled booties and vest.  I think this would be cute to wear to a sports bar to catch the latest game (which is the way I have to watch most of my Spartan football these days).

What better bottom to pair with an MSU sweatshirt but a GREEN skirt?  Who knew that a sweatshirt tucked into a skirt would look so cute?  This wouldn't work for all sweatshirts but this slimmer style tucks right in.  This look would also look cute with a team t-shirt.

This hot pink blazer and bright purple flats add pizazz to my spirit-wear.  On Fridays, I'm allowed to wear college gear and jeans to work.  These extra pieces are a perfect way to brighten-up an outfit and the end of my work week!

Who is your favorite team and how do you spice-up your fan gear?

Oh, and GO GREEN!

What I'm Wearing:

• Sweatshirt: SBS (similar, similar)

• Chambray Shirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
• Leggings: Old Navy (exact)
• Ugg Boots: Gift (exact)

• Vest: Eddie Bauer (similar, similar)
• Jeans: Old Navy (exact)
• Booties: Target (exact)

• Skirt: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
• Flats: DSW (similar, similar)

• Blazer: JCPenney (exact)
• Jeans: See above
• Purple Flats: Aldo (similar, similar)

Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Skirt Edition

I have been having so much fun with the Fall Capsule Wardrobe Remix on Caitlin's blog, Greater than Rubies!  For this remix, I am creating 30 fall-friendly ensembles from 20 clothing items.  I believe that I have previously mentioned my love of autumn which definitely extends into a love for fall clothes!  Even though it is still too warm in the Washington D.C. area to wear most of these outfits, I find myself counting down the days until I can comfortably wear my mustard sweater and my new riding boots.  

I have found that it is easier than I expected to put together so many outfits from 20 items of clothing (remind me of this moment when I'm stuck on my 29th outfit).  For this reason I chose to focus this post on five outfits created with the two skirts that I included in my remix.  Further, due to the bare legs, I figure that I might be able to wear these outfits a little sooner than my other fall creations.  When it (finally) gets cooler, I can easily add tights to each outfit.

You will recognize my navy and white print skirt from this post.  As my favorite summer skirt, I am super excited that it works well in cooler weather creations.

Here I paired my favorite skirt with a mustard striped sweater.  I used to think that I couldn't wear yellow due to my fair skin.  I liked the mustard trend so well, though, that I decided to try it anyway...and it worked!  If there is a particular style you like but don't think you can wear, don't write it off just yet.  You owe it to yourself to at least try it!  If it still doesn't work, try to make minor adjustments until it works for you (for example, try different shades of yellow instead of mustard).  To complete my outfit, I added my beautiful, new riding boots that I got for a great deal (that's what happens when you combine birthday coupons with purchasing boots at the end of May...).

Side note: I locked myself out of my apartment while taking these photos which is not so much fun when you are wearing a sweater in 90 degree weather.  My neighbor probably thinks I'm nuts.

This outfit is a bit more transitional from summer to fall with its loose eyelet top and patterned wedges.  Some chunky and sparkly jewelry add a bit of a glamorous touch!

This is an exact outfit from my previously mentioned "One Piece Many Ways" post.  It is perfect for work as a teacher and I am STILL waiting on that cooler weather to wear it!

On to the second skirt!  I like that this green number has an entirely different shape from the first skirt.  The differences between the two make for more versatile remixing options.

I think that the blue and green in this outfit compliment each other so well and that the button-up with the a-line skirt create a polished silhouette!  With my sassy, new booties and a glamorous necklace, I'm feeling good!

Phew!  We've made it to the last outfit of the post!  Are you still there?  This shirt is another purchase from my infamously successful outlet trip in August.  I love the colors because they work with just about every bottom I own!  By adding the denim jacket, I'm ready for cooler temperatures!

Now if only those temperatures would actually cool down!

What I'm Wearing:

• Navy Print Skirt: Target (similar, similar, similar)
• Green Skirt: Banana Republic (similar, similar)

• Mustard Sweater: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
• Boots: Piperlime (exact)
• Amber Necklace: Gift (similar, similar)

• Pink Top: Gap Outlet (similar, similar)
• Wedges: Gift (similar, similar)
• Necklace: Gift (similar, similar)
• Bracelet: Forever 21 (similar, similar)

• Chambray Shirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
• Belt: Eastern Market D.C. (similar, similar)
• Heels: DSW (similar, similar)

• Gingham Shirt: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
• Necklace: super old (similar, similar)
• Booties: Target (exact)

• Sleeveless Top: Gap Outlet (similar, similar)
• Denim Jacket: Hand-Me-Down (similar, similar)
• Flats: from France (similar, similar)

Peplum Pairings

I am loving the peplum trend right now!  Who doesn’t love a style that gives you a tiny-looking waist?!?  Peplums make me feel really feminine and sexy without showing too much skin.   

When I started reading personal style blogs regularly, however, I started to shy away from peplum tops because I struggled to remix them into unique-looking ensembles.  To me, a peplum has such a distinct style and structure.  How do you alter it to create a new look?

When I get stuck in a fashion rut, I often return to Audrey’s blog, Putting Me Together.  Audrey is a whiz at looking stylish and, well, put together while dressing in an affordable and down to earth manner.  She also provides very focused advice and directions for creating a remixable wardrobe.  I am an organized, detail-oriented person and Audrey’s logical approach to fashion really works for me!

In her series, “Building a Remixable Wardrobe,” Audrey writes about shopping for remixable pieces.  When she gives tips on purchasing shirts, Audrey suggests finding tops that can be worn alone, belted, tied and tucked.  That way you can get four different looks out of one shirt…and we haven’t even thought about the bottoms yet!

So back to remixing peplum tops… I got to thinking about tucking peplums.  I don’t think this would work with just any old bottoms because of the particular structure of the top, but with the right outfit, it works!  AND it makes the shirt look totally different!

Peplum Untucked!

Peplum Tucked!

What do you think?  Are you into the peplum trend?  I would love to see some links to peplums that you’ve been coveting!

What I'm Wearing:

• Peplum Top: Anthropologie (exact) <--(on sale!)
• Skirt: Banana Republic (exact)
• Cognac Belt: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)
• Cognac Sandals: Target (exact)