Create28: Practically Stylin'

Hey, friends!  Before I launch into today's post, I have to apologize for mixing-up the order of prompts on you.  Did you notice that yesterday was supposed to be Practically Stylin' and today's prompt was The Pencil Skirt?  I have been so busy lately with teaching and coaching that my post wasn't prepared.  Carrie graciously agreed to switch days with me and voilà!  Thank goodness for understanding friends, am I right?!

Alright, onto today's topic, Practically Stylin'.  Do you know what I figured out lately?  I've discovered that I'm 30 years-old, a born and bred Michigander, and I still struggle to wear practical and stylish shoes during the winter.  I love pretty ballet flats but they just do not stand up to snow, slush and salt!  Not to mention they keep my toes pretty cold.

For this reason, a couple of months ago I went on a quest for cute yet practical black shoes that I could wear with everything from dresses to skinny jeans.  After searching the internet high and low, I settled on these boots from Merrell.  They are comfy, warm and sleek enough to wear with everyday outfits!

If you live in a cold climate, I would definitely recommend Merrell's collection of practical and stylish shoes.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Create28: The Pencil Skirt

The pencil skirt. Can I be honest? I don’t love them. It’s true. I am true lover of the A-line or the soft flirty skirt. Maybe its just this pencil skirt because it seems a little high-waisted to me. Or maybe because I feel exposed in pencil skirts is why I don't love them. Whatever the reason is, I really struggle to wear them. Don’t get me wrong, I have them in my closet and love how look but that is mostly on others. But I continue to try to wear this black pencil skirt. Since black and white is always a classic combo I thought I would try that and see how I felt about this pencil skirt. I also thought I would twist up the cardigan look and wear it button instead of open. I have hardly worn this white cardigan since I purchased it last spring. I featured in on Monday in this post and have decided I really do like it.
 





I have featured this skirt before on the blog...more than a few times and here's the proof. Tomorrow Whitney and I are both back remixing a sweater + it will be link up time. Hope to see you then!

  Have the BEST day! Carrie ~ xoxox Save Save Save Save

Blogging Besties :: Faux Fur and Skinny Jeans

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 went bold with her accessories, lippy, and layering piece.  

 
  This week is brought to you by: “faux fur, floral, strappy heels, and skinny jeans". And for your viewing pleasure, I give you: faux fur and skinny jeans.

 

 I've been feeling "fluffy" recently. Must be all that stress eating and non-treadmill walking I've indulged in. Rather than bemoan this fact, however, I'm choosing to embrace it. After all, in only a handful of months, I'll be celebrating a birthday with a "5" at the end of it - a milestone, if you will! - and I think I've earned the right to love myself and my body unabashedly, fluffiness and all. Thus, rather than choosing something slimming, I'm taking a cue from Alex and going bold with an in-your-face, non-figure-flattering, Lady Gaga-esque faux fur confection.

 
 I'm not throwing all sartorial caution to the wind, though. I'll do that when I have a couple more 5s under my belt. For now, I will continue to follow the rule of contrasts and pair my ostentatious jacket with an unassuming pair of go-to skinny jeans. Thanks for the tip challenge, Alex! For Selah’s turn next week, I challenge her to the following: pastel, pink, or something Lady Gaga-esque. Vive le vendredi!

:: Just the facts, ma’am :: Faux fur – Merona via Target Turtleneck – Jeanne Pierre via Poshmark Jeans - Jennifer Lopez via Kohl's Boots – Merona via Target

:: Scream it from the top of your lungs :: Never Too Late by Three Days Grace

Create28: Stripes Stripes Stripes

Do you want to know something fun about blogging friends?  Sometimes they understand your style even better than you do!  Take this shirt, for example.  Carrie picked it out for me!  She totally nailed it by choosing a pretty peplum in my favorite pattern: stripes!

Speaking of stripes, I was reorganizing a portion of my closet the other day and wound-up with a stack of at least seven different striped shirts.  I may have a problem but I'll never admit it!  I love stripes too much!

Are stripes your favorite, too?  How have you been styling them lately?

I just want to add a quick note about this top before I wrap-up this post.  It was generously given to me by Zaful in exchange for a review.  As usual, I'm super impressed with the quality of the garment. The material is a good weight and is very crisp.  My one complaint is the fit.  I sized up to a large and the top is still really tight across the bust.  I love the style but you might want to consider other tops if you are at all busty.

Alright, friends!  Thanks for stopping by today!  Come back tomorrow for a discussion on how to be practical yet stylish at the same time!

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Create28: Vests

We are over half through Create28 and I am just super excited about the prompts that I’ve had and will be featuring. The reason behind that statement stems from the realization that I continue to determine what pieces I gravitate toward, what gives me confidence, makes me feel put together and polished + what I truly love and don’t in my wardrobe.

Another thing that has helped in this area is creating a Wardrobe Inspiration board on Pinterest. This fabulous idea came from Whitney and is becoming super helpful to me. You might want to try it for yourself. I search for various styles of outfits and it helps me to narrow down what I love and the image I want to portray stylistically in my life.

After saying all that I know without a doubt that I love vests. I wish I had a few more because they are awesome completer pieces. The vest I would love to add is a navy/green tartan plaid from J. Crew Factory. It didn’t make it into my closet this year but who knows what the future holds. But this herringbone one that has been super popular {for great reasons} is my fave. Honestly, if this was my only vest I would consider myself fortunate.

This look is considered classic with a little subtle pattern mixing. Again I'm in the neutral realm with pieces that are solid basics and staples for a remixable wardrobe. That is appealing me to because it means less pieces and hopefully ease in creating new looks.



It is totally remixable and versatile enough to wear at all different venues. I wear it work and I wear it casually on weekends. All.the.time!



It is one of my all-time favorite pieces. It truly mixes with almost every top/blouse and bottom that I own. That makes it a great investment! Do you have a similar pieces that does the same in your wardrobe? Do you own a vest or two? What’s your fave?



Are you adding your pictures to Instagram using #create28winter17? I've seen some great looks already and hope to see more! Tomorrow Whitney is back with stripes. Hope to see you then! And don't forget to hashtag your looks on Instagram #create28winter17.

Be the beautiful you are! Carrie ~ xoxox Save Save Save Save Save Save

Create28 and New Year Styled: Under-Layered Fair Isle Sweater

Last week, I mentioned my most-used method of layering, over-layering.  I say most-used because when in doubt, throw a cardigan on over your outfit, am I right?!  But while I layer this way most frequently, under-layering is actually my favorite!  Whenever I think to throw a collared shirt underneath a sweater (like I've done here) or under a dress, I think yes!  I love this outfit!

Apparently I really like wearing shirts underneath this sweater because I layered the exact same way one year ago!  To change things up a bit, I decided to make this years' version a work look!

So now that we've talked about both, which do you prefer, over or under-layering?  And don't forget to link-up your favorite style with The Blended Blog for New Year Styled below and check back tomorrow to see how Carrie styles vests.

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