Create28 and New Year Styled: Over-Layerd Mustard Cardigan

I'm pulling double-duty over here today by fulfilling not one, but two style challenges!  Not only am I following today's prompt for Create28, Over-Layered, but I'm also remixing my mustard cardigan for New Year Styled at The Blended Blog!

Now, layering garments is one of the easiest ways to remix and create new looks with what's already hanging in your closet.  And when it comes to layering, you have two options: over-layering or under-layering.  I'll cover under-layering another day but for now let's stick to the first kind which is by far the easiest.  So easy in fact, that it seems silly to even write about it!  All you really have to do is layer a cardigan (or any kind of sweater or blazer) over the top of your outfit and voilà!  I've even gone the extra mile here and have layered a dress over leggings to combat the chilly weather.

And can we take a moment to talk about these leggings?  They are an ever-soft pair from the company LuLaRoe that I've blogged about in the past.  The dress (a Carly) is also from LLR and I love how the teal leggings brings-out the detail in the dress!

And, as promised, here is this week's remix for New Year Styled.  This sweater is definitely my most worn cardigan and has made several appearances on the blog.  It appears that I usually wear it in colorful ensembles and I don't plan to stop any time soon!

Alright, make sure you scroll to the bottom of this post to link-up your looks with The Blended Blog today and then come back tomorrow to check-out Carrie's interpretation of Neutrals!

Create28: Denim for Work

Friends, do you wear denim everywhere? You know like out and about, parties, work, church, date nights...the whole gamete? Denim is so versatile and depending on what you do with it it can cross the seasons and venues and still be appropriate. Choosing a few good denim {or chambray} staples will take your wardrobe lots of places {Oh, the places you'll go! We love you, Dr. Seuss!}

I love this denim shirt that I purchased at The Limited several seasons ago! It's the perfect weight and texture. It's also soft which is a weird thing to say about denim but it's true. It has so many options and goes with probably everything I own.

Pairing it with a black pencil skirt and pearls is something I adore. Polished and professional with ease, friends. Plus it is simple and structured. If it's too cold for a skirt, slip on black pants and it's another polished look, straight out of classic.

Ladies, you know the rule of three for style, right? It's a top + bottom + a completer piece. For this look, my completer piece is a statement necklace. Not complicated but still put-together, structured and polished. Since I love classic style, I try to create looks fit with my go-to comfort and words: structured, simple, put-together, polished and professional. What words define your style? Easy casual, boho, chic, modern, etc. Defining your words and style is a step in building the wardrobe you love and will wear.
 

I went back into the archives to find some other other looks with denim for work. Some offices are more casual so some of my other looks might be just the right inspiration for that environment. These are previous looks that I've featured on the blog. For the most part and depending on your work environment, these looks would be appropriate. I have worn these to work in the past. Tomorrow Whitney will be here featuring an Over-Layered look. I didn't ask what that prompt meant because I wanted to be surprised! Please stop back and visit to find out what cuteness she has in store for us.

Hope your day is STYLISH and BEAUTIFUL! Carrie ~ xoxox Where you'll find me linking up.        
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Create28: Remixing a Dress

When I first started Whitney à la mode, my primary goal was to keep motivated in remixing what I already had hanging in my closet.  As the years have come and gone, sometimes I've stayed strong in my purpose and other moments I've found myself wanting more and more.  Lately, though, I feel more inspired than ever to wear my pieces frequently and creatively.

As silly as it sounds, remixing my wardrobe brings me peace.  I feel content and grateful for what I have and don't feel the constant desire for more.  I know that I'm making smart money decisions by refraining from shopping.  And I'm having fun playing with my clothes!

In keeping with my current purpose, I'm happy that Carrie and I have decided to make each Monday link-up of Create28 a remix post!  For our first edition, we are both remixing a dress!  Make sure to stop by Carrie's post today to check out her inspiration.  And keep on reading to find that link-up!

This was my "first day of school" dress this year and I'm just as in love with it as I was this fall!  The fit is just perfect, the neutrals mix with so much of my wardrobe and the pattern is fun to play with.

Of all the ways I've worn this dress,  this is my favorite.  I do believe I pulled-off mixing three prints in one outfit!  And I feel so very me in this ensemble.

And this is definitely a go-to look for me.  Favorite dress, check!  Throw on a cardigan, check!  Ready to go!

Which of the two looks do you prefer?  And what is your favorite way to wear a dress?  Don't forget to link-up all your Create28 looks below!

Create28: Smitten with the Mitten State

As soon as Carrie mentioned wanting to do a Deep in the Heart of Texas prompt for this round of Create28, I knew that I wanted a chance to represent my beloved Michigan!  Though I love to travel and have moved around a bit, a large part of my heart can always be found here.  You can't beat the beautiful beaches of Southwest Michigan, the charm of Mackinac Island, the unharnessed wild of the Upper Peninsula or the kindness of my fellow Michiganders.

Did you know that Michigan is called the Mitten State because the Lower Peninsula is shaped like a mitten?  Hence my "Smitten with the Mitten" tee!  I also decided to play-up the prompt (and the monochromatic purple look) a bit by wearing my new pair of mittens with the matching hat.  I suppose it's only fitting because you need to wear these cold-weather accessories if you are even thinking about stepping foot outdoors in Michigan these days.

Embarassingly, this was my attempt to show you how to form the state of Michigan with your mittened hands.  But I did it backwards.  Oops!

I hope that Create28 still inspired you to make a new outfit today.  Did you dress with Michigan in mind?  Or perhaps you let your own home state inspire you?  We want to see your look on Instagram (#create28winter17) and don't forget to link-up tomorrow!

What I'm Wearing:

T-Shirt: Michigan Awesome (exact)

Cardigan: Old Navy (exact style)

Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Hat and Mittens: Gap (exact)

Shoes: Converse (exact)

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Create28: Deep in the Heart of Texas

As we journey through Create28, Whitney and I are paying tribute to our states. For me, that is Texas and for her it's Michigan. That post is up tomorrow and I can't wait to see what twist she has in store. Whitney is super creative! I'm featuring a tee that I purchased last winter. The shape of Texas in leopard print was just not something I could say no to and of course I didn't.

I would wear this casual look to work on a Jeans' Day. By adding some height with the wedges and completing the look with blazer it would fly on a casual Friday. Friends, I'm trying to allow myself some grace and laughter with the blog this year. On the day {like the only day} we had the opportunity to take some pictures, the wind was not only uncooperative but blowing like a mad man. I'm going with it and hence the hair. By the way, I featured this tee last year for Create28 and wanted to share that with you because it was one of my favorite looks. This look might be pushing it at the office though.
 

As I continue to evaluate my wardrobe, I think the look from last year is my preference between these two. This is what I love about remixing my wardrobe. It allows me to figure out my favorite looks. This one will up on Instagram with two hashtags #create28winter17 and frommycloset2017. Are you posting your looks with the prompts? Gosh, we hope so!

 

Have a BEAUTIFUL you day! Carrie ~xoxxo Save Save Save Save Save Save

Blogging Besties: Throwback Look

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 Selah looked super chic in her striped outfit with gold touches!  She gave me several prompts from which to choose from this week but I have to admit to totally copping-out.  In my defense, a stomach bug knocked me off my feet for the whole beginning of the week and I was unable to take outfit pictures.  Luckily, one of Selah's ideas for me was a throwback look.  In my interpretation of The Blended Blog's most recent style series, New Year Styled, I've been featuring throwback pieces (a.k.a. favorite items from last winter) but in brand-new looks!  Ladies, I hope these looks will count as "throwback" for this week!

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Alright Alex, as a nod to each of these looks, here are your prompts for next week: favorite striped dress, favorite vest, favorite peplum, favorite pretty blouse or favorite chunky cardigan!

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Create28: Plaid for Days

Who doesn't love a plaid shirt?!  Especially a good plaid shirt.  Do you know what I mean?  There are lots and lots of plaid shirts out there but over the past year-or-so, I found myself struggling to find the perfect plaid shirt.  I wanted something thick and warm, a shirt that wouldn't gape at the buttons, and something in a nice classic color pallet (you know, nothing with a sparkly pink stripe running through it...not that there's anything wrong with pink sparkles).

Cue L.L.Bean, the haven for classic and durable pieces!  I've found myself eyeing so many of their timeless looks lately and credit them with creating the perfect plaid top!  This shirt has all of the above-mentioned qualities.  And I just have to add how very soft and warm it is.  Plus it comes in bunches of great color combinations!  I chose Grey Steward but already have a few of the others on my wish list.  Because, you know, plaid for days is the way to go!

How have you been wearing plaid this winter?  Make sure to show us on Instagram (#create28winter17)!

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