Everybody Everywear: Yellow

I was so excited that the next Everybody Everywear pick was yellow!  I love yellow and am addicted to it.  So I thought this would be a cinch to style, until I got dressed this morning.

I tried belting at the waist, at the waist under my 2nd layer, at my hips.  I knotted a shirt, I buttoned the shirt.  I put on wedges, then flats.  Didn't love any of it.  So I went with this:

Simple.  But I'm happy with it.   Shoes are Enzo Angiolini, capris are Wet Seal (previous season), shirt is ModBod, button-down is Express, necklace and headband is ShopBop (see here).

Tweet

Style Inspired: Easy A and Emma Stone

Source: Imdb.com

I loved Emma Stone's style in Easy A (before the uh, "makeover").  I loved the layering, the casual feeling of it without being a simple t-shirt, just everything about it.  And yes, these are the best pictures I could find to showcase my inspiration.

Source: Imdb.com

 I've been on the lookout for a great vest since I saw the show and haven't seen a thing.  I wanted something with structure that could easily dress up or down and I found nada.  So, I did what I do best.  I made one. 

The vest might look familiar since I've worn this before for the BDIB: Prep School challenge.  And really, I truly love it. So here's the schpeal on the rest of my outfit:  shoes are Calvin Klein, jeans are from Gap (limited edition, previous season), t-shirt from Gap, vest is custom, bracelets were a gift.  I also made the pin from some leftover fabric of another project.

So what do you think?  Did I do a good job of fusing my inspiration with my own style?

Tweet

Guest Model & New Winner

Shirt from Ann Taylor Loft (previous season), belt from Fossil, skirt from Gap (previous season), shoes from Antonio Melani, sunglasses are Steve Madden

So our guest model today isn't anyone special to you, but she's special to me - and she just turned one!  And in case you're wondering her outfit is from Gymboree. :)

Also, I haven't been able to get a hold of last week's Summer Giveaway and I assumed that everyone else took a nice break for the 4th like me, so I held off announcing a new winner until today.  So our new winner is....TINAGIRL

Congrats, you have 48 hours to contact me!

Tweet

Skirt Anyone?

So remember how I go to church every Sunday and dress up but nowhere on this blog is a Sunday picture?  And don't even worry that this is Thursday and I'm getting around to posting Sunday's outfit - we've had a busy week. 

Shirt from Limited, belt from Ann Taylor Loft, skirt is custom, shoes are Antonio Melani

Tweet

Green with Envy

Green shirt from Nordstrom, white undershirt from ModBod, pants from Anchor Blue, and hidden shoes are Bandolino.  Earrings from Dillards, necklace from Cookie Lee, and bracelets were a gift.

Speaking of Green, is anyone else excited for the new Muppet movie??  Not only am I HUGE fan of the Muppets but I love love LOVE Amy Adams!



Tweet

Search Amazon.com for bandolino shoes

I've got the blues

I know, I know - I don't wear skinny jeans and every time I look at this picture I think, "My hips look huge!" (proportionally speaking).  I wanted something low-key and comfy for a night out with a friend.  I went with a top from Ann Taylor Loft (40% off), jeans from Gap, and shoes from Antonio Melani (previous season). 

Have you entered the giveaway for the pedicure set yet?


Tweet

BDIB: Neon and Neutral

Welcome to another edition of Pretty Shiny Sparkly's Bloggers Do It Better! This round: Neon + Neutral.  Yesterday was a little Neon + Neon, so here's the + Neutral!

Shirt from Gap (50% off!), skirt is custom, shoes from Ann Taylor (previous season), necklace from Cookie Lee, belt from Gap (previous season).

I had forgotten about these shoes until I pulled out my neon skirt for today's challenge and remembered I normally wear this skirt with those one brown shoes.  (Don't tell Husband or he'll make me quit buying shoes.)  And then I forgot I owned this belt too.  Maybe, we just shouldn't mention this entire post to Husband! He can be surprised when he comes home from work! :)
See the outfit for BDIB: Prep School, BDIB: White Out, and BDIB: Color Blocking.

Tweet

This is one of those outfits...

...where my kids will ask me "What were you thinking? Who wears something like that?"  And the truth is, this happens to be one of my favorite outfits of the moment!  I've had these shorts for years and when I bought this shirt from Gap at 50% off I immediately thought of this look.  It's ridiculously bright and perfect for summer, and for me!

Shirt from Gap, shorts from Nordstrom (previous season), shoes are Jeffrey Campbell (previous season). 

The shirt has a sheer shoulder and to keep it modest I'm wearing a half-tee from Mia Bellina, which I love.  I bought the Classy Sonata in white.  It's a great smooth fabric - dressier than a plain undershirt - finished edges and I think I need to own one in every color!

Do you have any outfits you know your future children will cringe at?

Tweet

Bloggers Do It Better: Prep School

I was excited for this edition of Bloggers Do It Better: Prep School (although sometimes I call it Menswear).  The only requirement from Pretty Shiny Sparkly?  Wear a tie. And so I googled "how to tie a tie" and tried my hardest with Husband looking on disapprovingly!   My tie-tying skills are terrible.  I fully admit, if it weren't for Husband helping me out, I may not have participated!  He tied two ties for me (always good to have a backup) the night before and so I'd like to introduce you to my perfect Windsor knot: 

Shirt from J. Crew, jeans from Gap, tie is from Dillards, vest is custom, boots are Skechers, belt I've had forever, and earrings are from Chicos.

But Bloggers Do It Better is not the only great thing going on today....come back later this afternoon to find out what I'm giving away!

See Bloggers Do It Better: White Out
See Bloggers Do It Better: Color Blocking

Tweet

My Pathetic Attempt at Outdoor Shots

Remember when there were a few days last week that were warm and perfect?  This outfit happens to be from then but I kept it until this week to remind myself what will be coming (hopefully soon)!  Also, below is not my "sultry" face, its my "its really bright and I'm hurrying before the neighbors stare" face.  There is a difference.

A random sidenote on these bermudas (and to show how long I've owned them): A boy in college asked me to go golfing with him just because he thought these shorts belonged there.  So I went and he was amazed at how well I golfed.  And then I accidentally broke his club.  We'll leave that part of the story for another day...on to the closeup!

Bermudas are from Dillards (long time ago), shirt from DownEast Basics, belt from Gap, necklace from ShopBop, earrings from Nordstrom, shoes are Jeffrey Campbell, purchased from Nordstrom.

I'll leave you with a little sneak peek of what's coming tomorrow:  something my husband had to do for me AND something just for you!


Tweet

Paper Doll Project with Curvy with a Side of Confidence

Can I just say how happy I am for the Paper Doll Project?  I have this pink jacket and every time I wear it I feel like a candy striper.  Enter the Project and my partner, Dana from Curvy with a Side of Confidence.  Dana didn't plan out just one cute outfit for me to wear this jacket with, she planned four.  So thankful for a fresh pair of eyes! (Any my eyes look super-funky in the picture below because they're dilated!)

The jacket is custom, tee from Shade (no longer in business), capris from Wet Seal, shoes are Enzo Angiolini, belt from Ann Taylor Loft and the scarf I swiped from my mom.  Thanks Dana!

Dana had a shirt she just didn't love anymore.  Check out how I styled it over at Curvy with a Side of Confidence.  Want more Paper Doll love?  Head over to Miss Vinyl Ahoy where it all started!

Tweet

Everybody Everywear Florals!

Apparently I need a style-attitude adjustment because all of the style groups are doing outfits I don't want to wear!  But then something marvelous happens - I wear them and love them!  Case in point - today's category of Florals from Everybody Everywear.  Besides skirts, floral prints are very limited in my closet.  This shirt is from Old Navy from 2005.  Not joking, 2005.  It has darts in the back and a very boxy fit in the front.  Since its not my preferred fit, I styled it differently today.

Shirt from Old Navy, undershirt from Wet Seal, jeans from Gap, necklace from Cookie Lee, earrings from Dillards.  And yes, I cut off my feet!!




Tweet

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day out there to all of the moms and non-moms - I'm a firm believer whether or not you have children, you can always make a difference in a child's life, and therefore, I celebrate all women on Mother's Day!

Husband spoiled me this year and gave me the weekend to do whatever I wanted!  It started with a walk for breast cancer in beautiful weather (finally!), a 1 hr. massage at Massage Envy, and then we dropped off Little Miss S at a friends house and watched Thor.  Can I just say I might be naming my next son Thor?  Thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and Chris Hemsworth.  In fact, maybe Chris Hemsworth more than the movie. 

Sunday came and was even better - I don't think I changed a diaper all day long.  Do I have the best Husband or what??  This is Little Miss S and me on Mother's Day headed to church (where I received a potted plant that I hope I don't kill).

I hope you admire the great color on my legs, I've worked really hard at it with natural tanning lotion! :)  I should probably start putting some on my arms...

Tweet

Bloggers Do It Better: White Out

When the next Bloggers Do It Better assignment came as White Out, I have to admit I was pretty bummed.  Not only do I not dress in neutrals, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to have anything to wear.  Still determined, I went to my closet.  Turns out, I'm glad for this assignment.  (Did I really just say that?)  For two reasons:

1. It gave me the chance to re-shop my closet.  I've forgotten a lot of things I own for summer, especially since this winter/somewhat-spring seems to be lasting FOREVER out here.  I found these capris that were long lost and bonus - also realized they are too big. Thus, awkward side pose (classy, I know).
2. It also made me appreciate neutrals.  Dressing monochromatic is slimming in any color and I have always passed over the white/cream/sand colors jumping straight into bold/saturated/bright colors.  I feel ready for spring in this fresh, clean ensemble and especially ready for the pool to open up at my complex!! 

Collared shirt from H&M, undershirt from DownEast Basics, capris from Ann Taylor Loft, necklace from ShopBop, belt from Gap, shoes from Kohls.

Head over to Pretty Shiny Sparkly to see the other Bloggers doing White Out here.
Check out my outfit for color blocking here.

Tweet