more dresses...

I completely fell in love with this dress at Target the other day... now I just need to find an excuse to wear it. How cool would it look with some fun and bold accessories... yellow? red?

More Mossimo...

What do you think?

Could be a contender for my ChiBLOGo outfit... more on this soon, but I will be needing a rockin' outfit for it!

good LOOK for less: Sue, she's heading back to work!

Sue sent me an email recently requesting a good LOOK for less consultation... here's her situation:

I am currently a stay-at-home mom of two. This fall my youngest goes to 1st grade and I have decided to on-ramp back into my career now that the kids will be at school. I am excited and nervous. I will be working as a legal assistant in a near-by city. The dress code for the office is "business casual" but through the interview process I get the feeling it's a touch above business casual and I'll need at least one business suit for special meeting days. I have been out of career-mode for so long I will need ALL new business attire. I'd like to start with some real basics. I love color and some trendy edge to my clothing pieces, but I will be in a conservative office, so I have to balance that. My budget is $400, with hopefully (fingers crossed) a suit included in that amount. I can't wait to see what you are able to come up with for me!

Well, well, well Sue. First off, congrats on the new job and adventure! Now, let's get shopping, shall we?

Seeing as she is just getting started on her career wardrobe I went with really solid mix and match pieces in neutral colors. This will help build the foundation of her career wardrobe that will last for many years, seasons and trends. But of course I included some fun bold hues to add interest and keep it fresh. With her $400 budget I was able to compile 16 new wardrobe pieces... including a suit, two pairs of shoes and a handbag... not bad! This is what it looks like:


Back in my working days I depending heavily on Ann Taylor Loft for suiting. I think they are really great value (cost to quality). A black suit is a GREAT buy, because the jacket and pants can be separated for really easy mixing and matching. Here I love the basic suit with a really bold top.

Pairing a simple wrap-style dress with a suit jacket makes it perfect for days busy with meetings. I love how the bold ring and necklace create interest with ease.

This is a perfect business casual outfit without being boring. The bold scarf and printed shirt add interest without being over the top. A simple black pump can be a really versatile piece... if you are in a business setting this pair of shoes is a must have - especially on a tight budget because they go with almost everything!

To see more of Sue's eight total outfits check out my stylebook at ShopStyle.

Thanks Sue for letting me work with you and good luck on your new job!

~~~

If you are interested in learning more about my wardrobe consulting services... click here! If you would like to see past clients I have worked with... click here!

notice anything different?

This was the before:


Now, please do tell me... look around, how do you like the after????

Sponsor Spotlight: Star Fish Editing (and a giveaway)!

Star Fish Editing is my newest sponsor and also a small business who's founder is a friend and neighbor of mine!

Recently I had Star Fish Editing make a little photo video montage of some old photos of my husband and I that I dug up. Thinking about my husband and I's upcoming 7th anniversary (this fall) and trying to remember back to a time when it was just he and I. I thought it would be fun to put a little video together of us doing fun things when we were "young" and "fun". (ha!) I gave her a bunch of old pictures to scan and some quotes... and this is what she came up with!

(be prepared to take a trip through MANY different hairstyles for me and some fab locals like Seattle, Florida, Bahamas, Chicago and Paris - and then just some regular old pictures hanging out as well...)



~~~

So now for the fun part! Star Fish Editing is giving away some of their amazing services to one good life for less reader!

Here's the details:
The winner will receive one Photo Slideshow Montage (similar to mine above) containing up to 50 DIGITAL photos and one free one-of-a-kind Scrapbook 'page' design and two free captions, a $50 value. The scrapbook 'page' can be used within the video and/or for the cover & label design. All montages come on DVD with full-size DVD case with custom cover & label. There are lots of background themes, DVD menu designs & custom options to make your video a one-of-a-kind.

Here's the rules:
Visit Star Fish Editing to check out all the services they offer. Then, leave a comment here with what type of photo slideshow you would want Star Fish Editing to make for you! If you are a "follower" on the blog or on Twitter, leave another comment for an extra entry. A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday evening (7/22) and announced on Thursday (7/23) - good luck!

~~~

Do you have a business or service that you would like featured here? Contact me for sponsorship rates and info (goodlifeforless (at) gmail.com)!

good LOOK for less: of the male variety!

So I have had just TONS of requests about working with men on a good LOOK for less wardrobe consultation! The answer is YES, I would love to work with men... since I technically haven't yet though, I figured I should get some practice in.

And who better to "practice" on than my husband?!?

My husband, Andrew, is traveling for work quite a bit these next couple of months. He would rather not (how sweet of him...), while I drool at the thought of new places, new faces and a break from our crazy children! His first stop is London and being the lucky duck that he is, he even gets to squeeze a day or so of sight-seeing in.

With all the traveling and just because he's such a great guy, I figured his wardrobe could use a little sprucing up... whether for work or for play, keep reading to see what I have in store for him...

First the shopping list, for just under $400 I was able to compile 13 new wardrobe pieces. Men's clothing doesn't come as inexpensively as women's does (maybe because they don't buy as much!?!), but I think I did pretty good with what I had to work with budget wise:


Here is how some of the outfits came together:

This first outfit is casual but put together... perfect for hanging with the family. Or an easy travel day outfit - whether by plane or train.

This outfit is perfect for a casual Friday. I just love how well the brown accessories complement one another without being super matchy.

Again, this is another outfit that is super laid back and comfortable but not at all sloppy. Graphic tees are huge for men and women these days. I love this particular one because it adds interest with the graphic but without going overboard.

This outfit is perfect for a day in the office, in the States or abroad. I just love the pop of orange in the tie.

~~~

If you are interested in learning more about my wardrobe consulting services... click here! If you would like to see past clients I have worked with... click here! Also, keep in mind a good LOOK for less consultation as a gift for the man in your life...

work it wednesday!

So colored denim was met with mixed reviews on Monday...

And in some ways I can relate, they are a bit different than even what I am used to wearing... but I really like the idea of them. Mixed and matched in these amazing outfits, don't you think they are suddenly more of a possibility?

colored jeans three ways by Jill GG featuring Roxy

So, the verdict?

do you "dress"?

Lean in, I have a little secret for you...

If you wear dresses in the summer, you don't have to coordinate tops and bottoms. Isn't that revolutionary?

To which you likely respond: "Yes, Jill, we already knew that. Like, everyone knows that."

Oh right.

I don't like dresses much (or never used to I should say) or shorts... because I don't really like my legs and they always seem to be pale and ugly. Enter my gym membership this year along with a pool membership and suddenly my legs are bare-able. Literally. Whew, so thank goodness for that because I just realized that dresses are the easiest outfit out there! Not that I didn't sorta kinda know that before, it just applies more personally now.

Yesterday I pulled out an adorable dress that I got in my early pregnancy with my second child for a warm weather trip... it was just flowy enough to cover my expanding waist line at the time. It wasn't an actual "maternity" dress... so it has been hanging out in the closet for some time. I whipped it out in desperation of nothing to wear yesterday and fell head over heels for dresses again!

So in the spirit of my new-found love of dresses... let's find some. On the cheap, shall we!?!?

This simple dress could be paired with heels and a jacket for the office or just flats and some fun earrings for a day at the beach or shopping. So cute and easy!

More Delia's...

I just love the cool texture on this dress. I personally would pair it with some gladiators and a belt (so that it doesn't feel like a potato sack) and then call it good. The argyle pattern adds enough interest to go ultra simple.

More BDG...

Don't let the maxi style dress think that this is a "formal" dress by any means! Pair with a very simple pair of sandals and a sun-hat and this is ready for a day at the park or the farmers market.

More Forever 21...

And this doesn't really qualify as a day dress, but it was too gorgeous to not share... absolutely perfect for a summer wedding... ahhh. And it's less than $50. Does any one have a wedding they could invite me to so I can wear this... you can get back to me on that.

More Charlotte Russe...

So are you in on the dress revolution?

i am noticing a trend here.

From this blog alone (JAK & JIL, if you aren't familiar with it)... it's not hard to see what's new in shoes: black, super strappy, super high-heel, super embellished shoes, anyone?

It's not so practical for me, but if I had the opportunity... I would rock it. It will be interesting to see how the trend trickles down to accessible (read: mall) fashion.







(all photos via JAK & JIL)

Interested in getting a head start on this trend? Here are some fun options:

fashion transitions!

There always reaches a point in every season where fashion literally stands still... On the runway the Fall 09 previews have come and gone and designers are thinking to Resort Wear 09/10 - which, yes, those lines have a warm weather feel to them, but they are really meant for the jet-setters when the weather turns cold. And even if we are inspired by those lines, there is no stinking way we are getting our hands on any of it any time soon...

On the "accessible" side of fashion, the mall and online shops are offering low, low prices on what is left (think: potentially low, low inventory) of summer 09 pret-a-porter. So if you are thinking your wardrobe needs a little sumthin' sumthin' - you might be scrambling to find something that fits your warm weather needs now... but let's face it (especially in Michigan), we are mere months from the first frost.

[I am particularly privy to this trend because I have a late July birthday and every year I want to go clothes shopping and every year I realize there isn't much to buy.]

So what's a girl to do?

Instead of making a quick push to fall, I recommend adding some summer-fling worthy items to your wardrobe that maybe got looked over on the first go round.

One of my particular favorites this season, and a bit daring I do admit, are colored jeans... they are fresh and fun and by simply adding a white tee shirt and some sandals you have an instant and effortless outfit. Here are some fun options:

$

More Forever 21...

$$

More Talbots...

$$$

More Paige...

Then when the weather turns, take your colored jeans and simply add a denim or safari jacket with a scarf and you are all set!

good LOOK for less: Robyn, mom and part-time Nurse Practitioner!

I was excited to hear from Robyn when she recently contacted me about a good LOOK for less wardrobe consultation. I love working with moms and I have said before that I have a special place in my heart for working-moms! Here is bit of how she described her lifestyle and clothing style:

My current style is very Ann Taylor Loft-esque. I am a part-time working mommy of 2 girls - ages 3 yrs and 1 yr. I am stuck in a clothing rut mainly because I have very little time to shop and I always tend to find things I like at Ann Taylor Loft. My style is pretty conservative. I am looking to be a little more trendy (but not too trendy) and add some jewelry to spice up my outfits. I am a big fan of basics that transfer from season to season.

Robyn also mentioned she had just purchased two new really great pairs of sandals... so instead of including another pair of shoes in her shopping list... I put that money towards some extra clothing items (you will see these great sandals included in her shopping list, but of course they won't count towards her budget).

Robyn's budget is $200 and within that budget (I may have gone a hair over... oops! Only $5 Robyn!) I was able to compile 12 new wardrobe pieces and 6 outfits... although the outfit options are endless with these amazing mix and match pieces!

So here is the overview of her shopping list (click on the picture for the full list):


Here is a peak at a few of the outfits:

I chose a simple and modern color palate for Robyn with some fun accessories like the giraffe print scarf. This outfit would be perfect for a business casual environment or even for a day running errands or at a play-date with the kiddos.

I just LOVE this outfit... it is modern, it is sophisticated and most importantly it is easy to wear! This would be a great date outfit or swap out the jeans for black pants and it is office appropriate!

Robyn mentioned that she likes wearing dresses. I chose this really simple black dress that is appropriate for work (with a cardigan or blazer) or play. By simply adding a scarf the dress is an instant "outfit".

A white skirt for the summer is uber sleek and stylish without a lot of fuss (maybe just a little spot treating at the end of the day... ). This is a perfect outfit for the office and I love the pop of color with the bold coral ring. Take the jacket off and you are ready to hang with the kids or meet a friend for coffee!

Robyn, I truly hope you enjoy your new clothing options! It was a pleasure to work with you!

~~~

If you are interested in learning more about my wardrobe consulting services... click here! If you would like to see past clients I have worked with... click here!

I'm baaaaack!

Wow guys and gals! It sure did me some good to take a break, so I REALLY appreciate you all coming back! I was working on tons of great stuff...


I was working on some new good LOOK for less clients... more on those soon!

Here's a sneak peek, how great is this outfit??? LOVE!

Also, I am working on my first EVER male good look for less client!!! So BE SURE to stay tuned for that... I have had so many inquiries on whether or not I work with men, and I do!! Now I'll prove it...

~~~

I am working on a whole new and completely redesigned blog page. I have been resisting this and dragging my feet on this forever, but it is coming! I even made a down payment... can't wait! You will just love it!

Want another sneak peek??? Okay, okay... I'm thinking some sweet little zigzags... this will be similar to what mine will look like, I've got some fun tweaks I am making too... (courtesy of Rainy Day Templates) I hope to have it installed soon.



Hmmm... what else have I been up to? Well... you'll just have to stay tuned... I'm back in the saddle and posting is ON this week.

Love you all, oxo, Jill

i just need a break...

I'll come back when I'm ready, just need a breather. Likely it will be sooner than I expect...

In the meantime...



(photo via flickr)

****EDITED TO ADD: I just need to clear my head and get refocused... thanks for your kind comments, I will be back on MONDAY, jam packed with goodies! XOXO, Jill