good LOOK for less: Ruth, soon to be stylin' mom!

Ruth emailed me recently... she's my newest member of the "Dallas gals" as I affectionately refer to them! They are the gaggle of women in Dallas that are devoted GLFL fans... and for that, I love them. I should start my own fan club just to love them back! Anyway, Ruth wanted to spruce up her look and of course I was at the ready to help! Here's how she explains her style:

I am a stay-at-home mom with a 4 year old and a 6 year old. My current wardrobe is mostly (nice) t-shirts, skirts, and skorts. I have maybe one fun summer dress. I am not a big jewelry girl- my wedding ring and a seiko is it for me most days. I might do a necklace and earrings for date night. I spend my days playing with my kids- at home and out and about, running errands, and volunteering at their schools. I would like some comfortable, easy-to-put-together outfits for daily life and maybe something to spice up nights out (with hubby or friends).

With Ruth's budget of $300 - $400 I put together a super-fab, yet super-easy shopping list consisting of 17 new wardrobe pieces:



With all of these great mix and match pieces I was able to mix and match my way to 10 (ten!) different outfits as well... here's a few of my favorites!

When Ruth mentioned she's not high on accessories like jewelry I had to come up with another way to add pizzazz to her look. The easiest way? Color. I mixed and matched bold colors like this yellow with neutral basics like the jeans and a grey v-neck. Then the silver accessories give a little bit of sparkle!

Here a fun and punchy floral top does all the work while simple white pants and a brown blazer finish the look with sophistication. So easy!

Who would have thought that a yellow cardigan would be so versatile? Here it is again making this outfit casual enough for running errands or perfect for meeting friends for coffee. A simple black wrap dress is so versatile and classy!

Last I heard from Ruth she was busy doing some shopping! Enjoy Ruth and thanks for letting me 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!

My video debut!

I could scream from the mountains I am so excited to present the first EVER good life for less video segment! Today we tackle scarves... how to wear them and how to accessorize with them! Aaaannnd, if you like the items I feature in the video... check out the links below for similar items!

Check it out and PLEASE PLEASE give feedback! I'd love to hear how you like it or ways to improve! (the first frame or two is blurry... which I am working on fixing! But after that it's fine! I'm also working on getting it to YouTube which is more difficult than I anticipated.)



Similar or suggested items featured in this video:

My birthday looked a little like this. Sangria and a new flip camera.
Which means you all are going to be seeing some of my crazy self in
the form of video on here VERY soon!

BTW, super-duper thanks for all of the birthday wishes!

back to school cool...

I really get a kick out of these back to school inspired tees. If I were 18 I would totally buy one of these. With skinny jeans and some Converse kicks... I would be so cool.





See yesterday's post, I'm totally not 18.

Such is life.

it's my birthday and i'll wish if i want to...

More J.Crew...

just. lovely.

It's today, by the way - my birthday. I'm 31. What a boring age to turn. I'll say 29. 29 is much, much better!

good LOOK for less: Emily, new mom to twins!

So yesterday we met Emily's friend Katie. Today we meet Emily... new mom to twins!

This is a bit how Emily describes her style:

I am a new mother of 6 month old twin boy and girl. So like any new mother, I am in between sizes and can't really fit into much of my old closet. Obviously, i would love some help putting some new stuff together for the fall. I live in Texas and it will be hotter than fire here until about November so most of my outfits include layers to accommodate for the heat outside and cranked up air conditioning inside. I would classify my style to be on the conservative end, usually erring towards the preppy look (J. Crew-ish) with a punch of trendy in my accessories. However, I try to stay away from the overdone trends. I honestly am not afraid to try any type of outfit (I enjoy branching out sometimes). My normal "errands attire" is a pair of jeans and a fun graphic t-shirt. My normal "evening attire" is a pair of jeans, a fun top and playful jewelry/shoes. I would like to think that if i had the time and money, I too could be a fashionista.

With all of this in mind I tried to put together a look that is a touch preppy but that also goes out on a limb like Emily mentioned. She also informed me that has a pair of Citizens jeans that she likes - and will be fitting back into soon, so I included those in the list (but not in the budget!).

Emily's budget was $200 and within that budget I was able to compile 15 new wardrobe pieces. Here's a peak at her shopping list:


With this simple mix and match shopping list I was able to put together 7 outfits... although the options are endless with all of these mix and match abilities! Here are a few of my favorites!

A super simple dress paired with post-natal friendly leggings plus bold accessories... equals one chic outfit! This outfit is suitable for hanging out with the kids... or even out to dinner with the girls!

This outfit is again, really simple, but paired with some fun accessories is perfect for running errands and hanging out wih the kiddos!

This outfit is again, great for playdates or out running errands. Bold accessories do all the work!

I love this look... a flirty floral dress with leggings. Again, it is super easy but high on style. Throw on a cardigan for cool interiors or for modesty (with the strapless top) - but it is so easy and so pulled together!

I hope you girls enjoy shopping for all of this fun stuff together! I really enjoyed working with you both!

~~~

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!

it's my birthday and i'll wish if i want to...

well. if you insist. although i would prefer it with a big red bow on it. you know, for effect.

More Knoll...

good LOOK for less: Katie, chic elementary school Principal!

Recently I got an email from two ladies that wanted good LOOK for less consultations! Together! How fun... they figured that way they could have some fun doing the shopping together! I was super excited to jump in to help them both... they both have very different lives (one is an elementary school Principal, the other a stay-at-home mom).

First up is Katie, she is an elementary school Principal who refuses to get caught in the decorative apple and holiday sweater rut that many school administrators fall prey to! And don't we just love her that much more for her stance!?!? I do! Here is a bit how Katie describes her style:

I'd say my style is pretty basic ... I buy lots of Ann Taylor Loft things, but I also love stores like Banana Republic, Anthropologie, J Crew, etc. I want to put together a look that is classic, but with a touch of trendy and fun. I love dresses, and wear them often.
I try very hard not to let myself slip into what I call "teacher dress" - you know, wooden apple accessories, holiday themed shirts, etc... However, as an administrator, I attend meetings and interact with parents and staff daily, so I have to find ways to mix trends and style with professional dress. I'm hoping you can help find things that will work for school, but that can be adapted easily to wear with jeans for evenings and weekends. (My evenings/weekend social life is just dinner out or drinks ... no crazy clubbing!). I also hope you'll help me find things that can work now and transition into the fall....layers are key with our Texas weather - blazing outside and over air-conditioned indoors.

Katie also clued me in on some great clothing items she had recently added to her closet. Very classic solid pieces! I was excited to integrate these into her new look and they made the budget go further!


Here's what her shopping list looked like, with her budget of $200 I was able to compile 13 new wardrobe pieces:


With that list and the items she had already purchased I was able to put together 8 (eight!) total looks! Here are a few of my favorites!

I love the simple elegance of this outfit. Perfect for hot Texas weather! The pops of color, red and turquoise add interest without a lot of frill.

Dresses are so simple chic. Just a black dress and bold accessories and, voila ~ instant outfit!

This outfit is perfect for dinner and drinks with friends. It casual and chic, yet very pulled together. If you swap out the jeans for black slacks it is instantly office friendly!

Same with this outfit... very relaxed, but with the addition of chic accessories it is perfect for the office or for lunch with friends!

Enjoy Katie! Have some great fun shopping... and stay-tuned tomorrow for Katie's friend Emily's good LOOK for less!

~~~

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!

it's my birthday and i'll wish if i want to...

more birthday wishes...

More Pedro Garcia...

how sweet are these?

~~~

Go visit My Little Happy Place today to see what's on her birthday list this year... It's safe to say it's on mine too!

good LOOK for less: Erin, blogger & stay-at-home mom!

When Erin and I started chatting about a good LOOK for less consultation for her... I'll be honest, I got really excited! Erin is fabulous blogger and I get this really great sunny and creative vibe from her. I was excited to put together a summer wardrobe sprucer-uper for her that reflected this vibe.

Here's a bit how she explains her style:

I'm a stay-at-home mom to a 6.5 year old and 23 month old. My entire wardrobe is abt 2-3 years old, as I was either pregnant or nursing the past two summers, and clothes haven't been in the budget this summer. I feel like my body has settled back to normal and hubby just got a new job, so I'm planning on sprucing up the closet soon (with your help). I'd love to stretch a $200 budget as far as it can go! We spend our days playing outside (hot, hot, hot), going to the library and friends' houses, and running errands. I want to be stylish without appearing like I'm trying very hard. I like to be comfortable while looking/feeling good. In the summer I tend to want to wear skirts with tanks and T's, but I'd like to have some cute shorts and a dress or so to throw in the mix as well. And I love shoes (although you couldn't tell it by my current selection)!

With these details in mind and a $200 budget I was able to compile 13 new wardrobe pieces for easy and chic summer days. Here's the list:


Now on to the fun part... the outfits! There are six total, you can check out my stylebook at ShopStyle for all of them... here are just a few:

I just love the feel of this outfit... it is super simple but very interesting at the same time. The fabric detail on the neck line of the top isn't fussy but very chic and the yellow shorts are super fun, huh?

Bermuda shorts are a great staple for stay-at-home moms. They are never sloppy looking and make for a simple refined look. Paired with a fun floral top and simple accessories, this outfit can go from playing with the kids to errands to coffee with a friend.

Erin mentioned she wanted to incorporate more simple dresses into her wardrobe and what is more simple than a t-shirt dress? To keep it looking put-together I added some bold accessories and a belt.

This last oufit steals my heart with the feather necklace... how adorable? Using the elements of previous outfits it is simple to mix and match all of these pieces... the options are endless!

I hope you enjoy Erin! It was fun working 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!

Work it wednesday!

This summer the weather pattern in my neck of the woods has been less than desirable. Instead of leg baring shorts and skirts I find myself unusually chilly in the mornings and the evenings... and even in the afternoons at times. This layered formula is my latest "uniform" of choice... flirty floral dresses with cuffed jeans.

floral dress/cuffed jeans three ways by Jill GG featuring Jimmy Choo bags

Do you like to wear dresses with jeans? While it seems a little silly... it's oh so comfy and chic!

it's my birthday and i'll wish if i want to...

It's almost my birthday. I like to celebrate for an extended time... if you will. For pretty much the whole month (plus or minus a day). As I zero in on the "big" day I thought it would be fun to dream a bit about what might be under my "birthday" tree this year...

More Rebecca Minkoff...

This I'll take. No problem.

~~~

Don't forget to enter the giveaway - you won't want to miss out on this memory maker!

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!