Create28: Perfect Pearls

Happy Valentine's Day, my loves! Hope yours is full of love and being loved! Oh, how I love pearls. Multiple strands and differing sizes are my fave. I have to stop myself from pinning all the pearls when I'm on Pinterest. I was in J. Crew Factory outlet store the other day and I spied some fab pearls. I so wanted to purchase them but I sadly remembered I am on a shopping ban so I had to step away and settle on the inspiration for future looks. Currently, some of my favorite pieces make up this Create28 featuring my perfect pearls.
 

I have to be honest about pearls. They make me feel confident and polished. For me, they are the perfect completer piece for many looks.
 



What's funny is that I tend to not wear my pearls as often as you might think. I have this habit that I am trying to break. It's the habit of saving things for good instead of wearing them and enjoying them. This has been a continual challenge for me but as I try to be intentional in changing that habit it is working.
 

Wear the things you love! Enjoy them and let them bless you with confidence. And I'll do the same! Thanks for posting looks on Instagram, friends! I've been enjoying stopping by #create28winter17 and seeing them!
Seize the day with your BEAUTIFUL self and gorgeous style! Carrie ~ xoxox Save Save

Create28: Red and Pink

Confession: I'm not actually wearing red and pink.

I do think that the two colors can go beautifully well together if done the right way.  I just couldn't make the combination work with what I have in my closet.  And if you've been following along, you know that I'm not shopping for clothes, accessories for three months!

So instead of shopping or putting together a look I didn't like, I present to you the closest I could get: pink and purple!

Like red and pink, I think that this color pairing is fun and perfectly romantic for tomorrow's holiday!

In other news, I was able to enjoy 75 degree weather while I was in Missouri visiting family this weekend (hence the short-sleeves).  I can't express how good it felt to have the sun on my arms, to be able to play outside with my niece and to be able to relax on the porch while the sun was setting.  Now that I'm back in Michigan, though, it just feels like a tease!  Is it spring yet?!

Even though I cheated on today's prompt, I hope that you've joined in with Create28.  Today is the day for our link-up so please add your looks below!

What I'm Wearing:
Shirt: LuLaRoe Classic Tee
Skirt: Old Navy 
Necklace: House of Harlow via Rocks Box (use my code for a free month: WHITNEYBFF3)
Shoes: DSW

Create28: Cozy Cable Knit

Hi, friends!  My post will be short and sweet today.  I'm currently at my sister and brother-in-law's house in Missouri so that I can meet my nephew, Harvey, for the first time!  If you follow me on Instagram and Snapchat (whitneyalamode), you've noticed that I've already been enjoying baby snuggles and giggles with my niece, Eloise.

I want to get back to family time so let's talk about Create28 real quick!  There isn't much better than a cozy sweater on a chilly day, am I right?!  And cable knit is a classic choice that adds a bit of texture and interest.

It's funny, I didn't really love this sweater for the first year that I owned it.  I tried various outfits: over dress pants, tucked into a skirt, and I just wasn't feeling it!  Then it dawned on me, this is a sweater tunic.  I had been trying to wear it like a waist-length sweater so the proportions of the outfits were always off.  Now I like the sweater...look at what a little change in perspective can do!

Make sure to come back tomorrow for our weekly link-up and to see how Carrie and I are wearing our red and pink!

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Create28: Blazers

True story: I have avoided blazers since about the time we said good-bye to shoulder pads and the 80’s. Why? They just felt constricting to me. I felt confined and not able to move freely in a blazer or so I thought. In the last year or so, I have slowly begun to embrace blazers once again. Take note - Style Advice 101: I’m still avoiding shoulder pads and you should too, friend!
 

{Windy day + cannot keep hair in place = sometimes you have to go with what you have in real life.} Keeping it real, friends!
 

I do love to mix browns or shades of brown and black together. I have loved that color palette for like forever. This blazer with it's pretty lining is easily remixable because the tweed pattern can pull so many colors in with it. I've worn black, purple, green and these cream tops underneath and each color creates a different look.
 

I typically wear this blazer on a cooler Texas day to add a little warmth. This was not one of those days but in the office it's always a cooler day.
 



Blazers. I'm a little smitten with them. What about you? Do you wear them? Favorite color or fabric? I would love to hear what you wear in the blazer department. Tomorrow Whitney will be back featuring cozy cable-knits. Sounds warm and comfy and total winter style.

 

 Hope your day is as lovely as you sweet readers! ~Carrie - xoxxo Where I'm linking up. Save Save Save Save Save Save

Blogging Besties: Favorite Pretty Blouse

Last week, Whitney shared a roundup of looks with some of her favorite pieces. One of my options to pass on was "favorite pretty blouse," and this little mustard number is a natural choice! 

I got this blouse for Christmas and, in case you couldn't tell from my post about it last week, it's been one of my go-tos since then! Here, I styled it with a fur vest, skinny jeans, ankle strap heels, and bold dark lipstick. 

Blouse: Target (similar, similar, similar)

Vest: Old Navy (similar, similar, similar)

Jeans: LOFT (exact, similar, similar)

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

Heels; thrifted via Clothes Mentor (similar, similar, similar)

Watch: c/o JORD (exact)

Maricel--next week you can choose between faux fur, floral, strappy heels, and skinny jeans!

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Create28: Polka Dot Paradise

Today we're talking Polka Dots for Create28!  I would say that this is my second favorite print, right behind stripes, of course.  The polka dot piece that I've chosen to feature is my Express Portofino blouse that gets tons and tons of wear.  It's versatile and so easily remixable...you've actually already seen it this month!

My mom (who clearly has wonderful taste) gave this sweater to me for Christmas.  I love that I was able to unbutton the bottom of the sweater to give the polka dots more room to shine!

Alright friends, have a lovely Friday and don't forget to show us your polka dotted looks on Instagram (#create28winter17)!

Create28: Neutrals

Neutrals are my love language right along with solids. These are my comfort and where I’ve spent much of life style-wise. It wasn’t until I started blogging that I began to branch out into more colors and patterns. After patterns came pattern mixing and my world was turned upside down. Although I love all of those, I’m beginning to realize that basics are just where I fit best and what makes my life easy when I’m getting dressed.

This look just makes me feel confident, content and happy. Why? Because it’s not overworked but it’s put together. Don’t get me wrong, I {we all} need some patterns and jazzy stuff to spice up our wardrobes but for a quiet introvert like me, solids and neutrals are soothing and peaceful to me. A good structured neutral look exudes confidence. That is the place I’m looking for in my style.
 

Putting navy and camel together seems very classic and practical. It wasn't until recently I thought to add a little grey. Pop! That was a deal maker...Previously I would have worn a statement necklace instead of this patterned grey scarf. Either one makes for a great basic neutral look. And from the Create28 archives {February 2015} was a neutral look I featured during that series.
 

Originally, these were my neutral looks for this post. It's funny how I thought these pants fit until I saw the pictures. I'm rethinking their place in my wardrobe. I would love your input. Keep or not?

We love seeing everyone's looks on Instagram. Don't forget to post yours with the hashtag #create28winter17.

 

Tomorrow Whitney is up with polka dots. Love the dots. All the DOTS! Hope you day is FAB and not just neutral! Carrie ~ xoxox Save Save Save Save Save