the new black...

(photo via)

... no spending or spending with extreme wisdom.

... finding inspiration in the most ordinary circumstances.

... living vicariously through one's blog.

... yellow & grey.

... opening up oneself to the creative flow.

~~~

personally, I'm loving the new black. You?

Work it Wednesday: short shorts?

I'm thinking of adding some short shorts to my summer wardrobe. Let this be prefaced by me stating that I don't really "do" shorts... I could wear jeans all summer. Yes, it gets a bit warm, but then I don't have to be self conscious of my legs... right?

But short shorts are SO cute and they are hot, hot, hot this season. So, concessions may have to be made. Here's three ways to integrate short shorts into your wardrobe effortlessly...

short shorts three ways by Jill GG featuring American Eagle Outfitters shorts

Will you be sporting short shorts this summer?

Fashion Friday... nature inspired!

I quickly snapped some pictures of our daffodils that are beginning to finally open their buds in the yard. I thought it would be fun to dream up some fashion inspired by their simple beauty.

If I were a daffodil... I wouldn't be caught in anything less than this:

daffodils... by Jill GG featuring Tory Burch shorts

If you happen to be a more "budget friendly" daffodil... I get you. Here are some less expensive options:

a little window shopping...

This morning I had to stop by the mall to have my iphone looked at at the Apple store. Of course, there was some other "window" shopping involved! I just can't stop by the mall without popping into a few stores!

I decided to stop at Gap because their windows looked so fresh and spring-y. Now let me say this, I am a huge fan of the Gap, I know it has it's ups and downs... but for the most part they consistently deliver classic Americana fashion. Pieces you will own forever and that likely won't be "in" or "out" of style. But sometimes, for me, this makes the Gap a little boring.

Today I was pleasantly surprised by their selection and COLOR! They have tons of spring and classic pieces that I instantly fell in love with...

These two denim pieces are on my "to buy" list. I know I am a die hard sevens fan... but I loved the unique look of the cropped paint splattered jeans (I think they look a million times better in real life) and the straight leg pair were gorgeous in person! I am a straight leg fanatic right now!



How adorable is this top? With all the knitting I have been doing lately I bet I could recreate this crochet motif... kinda like my ruffled tank I made a couple weeks back, huh? I'll get back to you on that!

More Gap...

I loved the simplicity of this belt... for the summer with a white t-shirt and shorts or jeans, how cute would this be?

More Gap...

I don't think we need to talk about how cute this is. It just is. Cute.

More Gap...

new current look up...

featuring this little number for a steal... isn't it swoon worthy?

More Adam...

Shopstyle features more great deals... so use the link to find even more ADAM items at a deep discount.

~~~

ps. GILT is featuring ADAM in their FINAL SALE going on now... so stop on by there too. (use this invite)

Me... Sporting my TOMS!

It's such a beautiful day here! I've been playing outside in my TOMS
all day.

I am wearing mine with cuffed jeans, a black tank and a black cardi.
Effortless!

Hooked On: TOMS!

I know I've mentioned it a few times before... but when a company makes a great product and also has a great philosophy behind that product, well, it's hard not to love them.

Toms Shoes is one of the coolest shoe companies out there! For every pair of shoes you purchase... they donate a pair to a child that doesn't have any shoes! Every time I wear mine, I love to imagine the little boy or girl that is wearing the pair that I donated... isn't that a nice thought? That we are somehow connected though have never met.

Right now they are running a spring special that features 10% off your order. And with the temps on the rise, TOMS are the perfect kickin' around shoe out there! Use the link to access the special... in the meantime, check out these fun styles!

10% off TOMS Shoes, Use Code "SpringTOMS"







~~~

For more of what the internet is Hooked On... check out Hooked On Houses today!

Work it Wednesday!

Work it Wednesday is baaaack! Have you missed it? I have...

Today's featured item is the black obi belt. I have seen these popping up in around the internet and fashion mags. I don't own one, because honestly I haven't seen them in the stores to even try on (if you know of an easily accessible one... LET ME KNOW!)

I really like the look though... they are a bit fashion forward. And a touch "serious" (think Victoria Beckham)... but let's see if we can't seamlessly integrate it into a wardrobe, shall we?

obi belt by Jill GG featuring Forever21 jeans

From completing this little exercise it seems as if an obi belt (at least for me personally) is best "dressed down" - that takes away the severity and makes it fun and flirty!

How about you? Would you wear an obi belt?

Fashion Friday...

I'm bringing back another Good Life for Less classic... and that is Fashion Fridays. Today's Fashion Friday poses a question for all my lovely readers...

This weekend for Easter we are heading to my sister-in-laws for Easter dinner, egg hunts and general fun. I'm stuck on an Easter appropriate outfit though... two hours in the car (each way!) I want to be relaxed and comfortable, but still fresh and spring-y. The weather is only going to be in the 50's... so which of these outfits do you like best?

(note: they all represent actual items in my closet as close as I can find - I'm not going to buy anything new!)

Outfit number 1:

Relaxed and fresh. The scarf is actually one I own that was given as a gift from my father-in-law. He'll be there, so I thought it would be a nice nod to his generosity. The shoes I own are NOT Jimmy Choo - mine are Nine West. But I'll be darned, they look *exactly* like these! Then of course my staple sevens jeans and diamond studs. I wear those pretty much every day.

easter one. by Jill GG featuring Seven For All Mankind jeans

Outfit number 2:

This outfit I would wear with the cardigan open and then the top and cardigan belted at the waist (over both layers). It's practical and chic... maybe a bit boring?

easter 2 by Jill GG featuring Dorothy Perkins bracelets

Outfit number 3:

My classic black top and jeans... this is practically a uniform of mine, but I love it, it never fails me. The t-strap sandals I have are actually turquoise (couldn't find similar ones online)... so it could be a fun punch of color. Otherwise it's a standard black blazer with a black flutter sleeve top.

easter 3. by Jill GG featuring Forever21 bracelets

So... what's your vote?

It's back...

Thursdays are for Rainbows is back... it's been so long, huh!?! I've missed it...

Here in Michigan temps are still hovering around 50 degrees. Which doesn't really make for sandal and flip flop weather yet. But, oh!, how I am craving some "flips" (as we call them in our house) and a pedicure!

Patience is a virtue... so while I am waiting it out over here. I figured why not do some "shopping" for inspiration on what a pair or two of new sandals will look like for this spring. It's not hard to notice that sandals this year are STRAPPY... there is no avoiding it. I'm loving the T-strap look, the gladiator-inspired look and of course, summer is not complete without a pair (or two!) of Havianas. With pops of color being so, well, "pop"ular... a brightly colored shoe can turn a tee and a pair or shorts into an outfit instantly!

I would gladly kick around in any of these vibrant pairs...



What do your feet crave in the warmer temps?

Monday Love.

I fell in love with these this weekend at Target (srsly. I need to stop going there.)



(sigh - they are on sale too)

~~~

the paris apartment is looking for a Paris apartment. You should follow her search... it's drool worthy.


(photo via the paris apartment)
~~~

I'm trying to channel some Eddie Ross-isms to help me with some entertaining I am doing tomorrow!


(photo via Eddie Ross)

~~~

What's on your agenda today?

new current look up...

check out the sidebar for the new current "good life for less" look. This look is all about mixing bold colors - because color is king this spring! I am LOVING the handbag especially!

What looks are you loving on this spring!?!?

Hooked On: Butcher Block Counters

Our kitchen is in SEVERE need of a remodel... ugliest. cabinets. ever. And the countertops run a close second. But kitchens are expensive and we have absolutely no budget for it now!

The cabinets need to be replaced, there is no painting, resurfacing or "working with them" here folks. They are ugly and even more cheap than ugly. The shelves sag with the weight of my dishes and the layout is all wrong! So we know those need to be replaced.

While we have accepted the cost to replace the cabinets. The counters are another story. Granite is glorious, quartz is luscious and concrete is swoon-worthy. But all are quite pricey, no?

In working to think outside the box a bit... I realized a less expensive and yet very attractive countertop option! Butcher block! Ikea has some really great sizes and finishes and working with a talented carpenter, I think we could finish them quite nicely.


Here are some lovely examples of it in real kitchens....

(photo)


(photo)


(photo)


(photo)

With a minimal investment, like butcher block, it's easy to "upgrade" in 3-5 years and the money you originally spent on them wouldn't be a waste. So, verdict? Are you hooked on them like me?

~~~

For more "Hooked On" fun... visit Hooked On Houses!