Create28 is Back

Hey, friends!  Do you remember the Create28 Challenges I used to do with one of my best blogging friends, Carrie?  Well, we are back at it and will be hosting a Create28 this February!

What is Create28, you ask?  It's a challenge to remix your closet and to discover new-to-you outfit combinations!  Each day we will give you a prompt around which you will create an ensemble.  Carrie and I will also be dressing for the prompts and will feature some inspiration looks on our blogs!

We hope that you will join the fun!  You will be able to link-up your looks each Monday of the month and can share your looks on Instagram with #create28winter17!

Are you in?  Fantastic!  You can find the daily prompts below so that you can start outfit planning!

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New Year Styled: Rose Quartz Blouse + Link-Up

Hey there!  If you haven't stopped by in awhile, welcome to the New Year Styled Series with The Blended Blog!  Since I've been busy remixing my closet (and not shopping) lately, I'm taking old favorites and styling them in a new way for the new year!

Here are my previous posts:
Green Striped Dress
Utility Vest
Lace Peplum

For this week, I'm restyling a delicate blouse with Rose Quartz details.  Last year I kept it simple with skinny jeans and metallic flats.  This year I wanted to try a slightly dressed down version.  A pair of distressed jeans and a big, cozy cardigan did the trick!

Now let's see what you are styling for the new year!  Link-up with us below!

Blogging Besties :: Cobalt Blue

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 brightened up the grey skies with her "Cherry on Top" ensemble.     And much as I adore a pop of color, you all should know that I'm thoroughly pleased that Alex's challenge for me didn't include red. This week is brought to you by: “floral print, cobalt blue, chain link jewelry, or suede shoes". And for your viewing pleasure, I give you: cobalt blue, of course.

 

 It's been forever and a day since I've done a TARDIS Tuesday, when it was my wont to celebrate anything bright blue and Doctor Who-related. So I'm entirely too giddy that Alex's prompt allows me to show off my fabulous cobalt coat. I'd purchased this beauty off someone from Poshmark but it hadn't been weather appropriate for quite a while since I'd acquired it during the summer. And then, to be quite honest, I promptly forgot I owned it and it probably would've moldered in my closet indefinitely, so thank you, Alex, for giving me the opportunity to remember its existence.

 

Because the coat sports such a bold color and its cut is potentially overwhelming for my very short frame, I decided to style it very simply. I streamlined the bottom with a monochromatic matching of pants and boots, lengthening my silhouette in the process. Underneath is a very thin layering tunic that doesn't detract from the coat but would've allowed me to take it off had the weather turned warmer. (It didn't.) A matching infinity scarf ties everything together. I toyed with the idea of using a black tunic and a black scarf to make the look even simpler, but I felt that would've made the outfit too matchy-matchy and somber so opted for the lighter colors. I think the choice was wise, don't you?
 

For Selah’s turn next week, I challenge her to the following: double breasted, simple silhouette or gold accents. Vive le vendredi!

:: Just the facts, ma’am :: Coat – Charles Grey London via Poshmark Layering tee – Who What Wear via Target Pants - eBay Boots – Merona via Target

:: Scream it from the top of your lungs :: It Had to Be You by Doris Day

New Year Styled: Lace Peplum + Link-Up

Happy Hump Day, y'all!  I've been having so much fun remixing some of my favorite pieces from 2016 for this season's New Year Styled series with the Blended Blog.  If you've missed my first couple of installments, I've already remixed a striped dress and a utility vest.

For today's post, I've decided to create a new outfit with this pretty lace peplum.  Last year I wore it to a holiday party and for date night.  This year I wanted to try something new and create a casual look.  I struggled a bit with this because, to me, the nature of the top lends itself to a more dressy occasion.

It doesn't get more casual than distressed jeans and sneakers, though!  So I knew by adding these elements I would definitely be creating a dressed-down look.  To change the effect of the top, I layered it over a striped shirt.  To be honest, I'm not actually sure how I feel about this layering.  What do you think?

What I'm Wearing:
Lace Peplum: LOFT (similar)
Striped Shirt: Banana Republic (similar)
Jeans: American Eagle (exact)
Converse: DSW (exact)

And while you're here, please link-up your latest remix or a look featuring this year's trends below!

A Watch to Match My Cat

If you've followed me for any amount of time either here or on Instagram, you know how much I love my cat, Izzo!  As a single gal living in a one-bedroom apartment, Izzo is my family.  Not to mention he is a hilarious source of entertainment as his zips and zaps around the living room.  He's also a pretty decent cuddle buddy during these cold winter months.  Long story short, I own the moniker crazy cat lady proudly!

So, when Zaful gave me the opportunity to choose a few more pieces to review, I immediately zeroed-in on this cutesy cat watch!  Alas, one of the color options was not grey to match Izzo perfectly, but black was close enough!  It's such a fun piece to add pizzazz to a basic outfit or as a conversation starter!  And y'all, you won't believe the price.  I'm serious, go check it out!

Wrapped In Red

Happy Monday, lovelies!  Did you have a good weekend?  If you are feeling the Monday blues, I've got lots of red to brighten your day!

Speaking of red, I've been so drawn to this color over the last few months.  What's funny is I went about a decade without wearing red at all!  You see, my high school colors were red and white and, as a cheerleader (sideline and competitive), I found myself wearing a red uniform most days of the week.  So when I got to college I stopped wearing red completely...until a year or so ago when I decided I love it again!

What pairs perfectly with red?  A soft, grey wrap sweater!  I'm so fortunate to have worked with Zaful several times over the last few months and today is no exception.  They gifted me with this top in exchange for a review and you guys, it is so thick and soft!  Perfect for curling-up in on a cold winter day!

The sweater comes as "one size" but provides ample room to wrap-up in.  It also comes in several other cozy neutrals and, as usual with Zaful, is a steal!  My one debacle with this sweater is that I had a difficult time getting it to lay correctly.  The model wears it as an off-the-shoulder sweater but when I tried it that way, it didn't feel like me.  Worn like this, the v-neck has a tendency to dip quite low.  I think that, for me, this sweater will be repurposed as a post-yoga sweater to wear over my tank when I head for my favorite coffee shop.

What I'm Wearing:
Sweater: c/o Zaful (exact)
Pants: Stitch Fix (similar)
Necklace: Rocks Box (similar)
Flats: Target (exact)

Blogging Besties: Bright Red

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!

Last week, Whitney looked positively radiant in her bright-red sweater and pretty broach. I choose to pass on the "bright red," partially because I love this cardigan and partially because one of my prompts for my Instagram style challenge this week was "Cherry On Top"--a natural fit!

I must apologize for the quality of these outfit photos--I meant to take outfit photos right after work while there was still daylight, but I was a little late getting out, so it was a little darker than preferred. As French-teacher Whitney might say--c'est la vie!

For next week, I challenge Maricel to pass on: floral print, cobalt blue, chain link jewelry, or suede shoes. 

Dress: thrifted via Clothes Mentor (similar, similar, similar)

Cardigan: H&M (similar, similar, similar)

Necklace: thrifted via Clothes Mentor (similar, similar, similar)

Wedges: Payless (similar, similar, similar)

Watch: Target (similar, similar, similar)

Other Editions of Blogging Besties