what to wear: weekend!

I have a feeling you are either going to LOVE this outfit or hate it... and I'm okay with that.  I've been loving these "saturday" pants from J.Crew from afar for quite a while. I love how J.Crew always styles them up in the catalogs... pairing more structured items (like this jacket or necklace) against the casual pant.

For the record... I would TOTALLY wear this outfit!

(sunglasses, pants, top, jacket, boots, necklace)

So any fun plans this weekend? We have the usual soccer, then guests in town Saturday and Sunday and hopefully this rain will finally quit!

my outfit: this is it.

As I sit down to compose this post, two things come to mind to write about: the weather and how busy I am.  Quite possibly the two most dull topics of interest.  I'm not dull I promise.  It's just that I truly am quite busy and some weeks I feel like I can ride on top of the wave of busy-ness and other times, like this week, I am in the depths of it.  So it goes.

As I mentioned in my last Thursday Latelies, I am THIS.CLOSE to releasing the new e-book on blogging.  It's really coming together amazingly.  I'm thrilled with it.  If you are a new blogger or an existing blogger that is really looking to hone your blog and learn how to monetize your blog, I am confident this will be an amazing resource for you.  I'm thinking Monday may be the release day... stay tuned!

In other news, Linda and I are putting the finishing touches on the next Luxe Lotto and "whoa nelly" it's going to rock your world.  It's rocking my world and I am the one putting it together. Seriously.  I did some quick math on the retail price of all the goods and it's right at about $500.  Awww yeah!

So that is a little of what has been going on behind the scenes around here.  I'm busy as a beaver.  I'm also entertaining the idea of working on some new videos or video tutorials... anything that would particularly pique your interest by chance? Let me know!

I'm linking this post up to Bloggers Do It Better animal prints challenge!

Details:
Sunglasses, Forever 21 (similar)
Blazer, LOFT (similar)
Leopard Sweater, J.Crew (similar)
White Top, Old Navy (similar)
Jeans, Gap (similar)
Flats, Gap
Necklace, courtesy of Monet

three quirky accessory trends!

Are you ever in the mood for something a little off the beaten path? Here are three quirky accessory trends  that might be fun to incorporate into your stye this fall... and some of these might just be fun to search for in vintage or second hand stores.  They all seem to have a vintage-y feel to them!

ARROWS

1. heart & arrow earrings 2. arrow ring 3. t-shirt 4. arrow dangle earrings 5. arrow necklace 6. arrow cuff 7. delicate arrow bracelet

BUGS & SCARABS

1. bee collar necklace 2. scarab-burst earrings 3. bee earrings 4. scarab jewel ring 5. bug charm bracelet 6. bug chandelier earrings

LUCITE

1. lucite chain necklace 2. lucite tortoise hoop earrings 3. clear lucite cuff 4. lucite bead bracelet 5. lucite bauble necklace 6. pink lucite bracelet 7. gold lucite bracelet

Are you digging these funky styles!?!? 

my outfit: muted + a giveaway!

I'm back at it with the layers... no surprise!  This was my "soccer Saturday" outfit... it also included a scarf for games, but as the day warmed I was able to shed at least that layer and the jacket at times too.  That's what is best about layers... I just take them off and add them as needed.  One commenter asked where I live that it's chilly already.  Most of you know that I live in West Michigan and if you didn't - you do now!  Mornings and evenings are cool and afternoons are in the 60's - perfect layering weather if you ask me!

And the boots... it didn't rain as forecasted on Saturday (love when that happens!) but the grass is so dewey in the morning that my feet would be soaked otherwise.  Gotta a love a good pair of wellies.  Both of my kiddos toes were total raisins after I pried off their cleats and soccer socks. Ew.

Also, how fun are these earrings? Like I mentioned this morning, I am kind of obsessed with green lately. So I love the gold feathers with the little green gemstone.

One lucky reader can win a pair of these earrings... yep - your lucky day... huh!?!?  Read on...

Giveaway details:

1. Check out Rebecca's site... and choose which stone you would pair with these gold feather earrings! (they also come in silver too)

2. Then make sure you are a follower with Google Friend Connect of my blog - 

this contest is only open to followers!

3. Leave a comment letting me know your favorite gemstone and earring combo! 

Please note: this giveaway allows only ONE entry per person.

Details:

Blazer, J.Crew (similar)

Sweater, J. Crew (similar)

Gingham Top, Old Navy (similar)

Jeans, Gap (similar)

Boots, Sperry via Nordstrom Rack courtesy of gift card from Nordstrom

Earrings, courtesy of Rebecca

work it wednesday!

Welcome back to another Work it Wednesday - it's where I take one item or style and show you how to "work it" three ways!  Work it Wednesday is also a super fun link party... so work it yourself and link up to show us how you do it!  (full link up details are here!)

Lately I've been super drawn to kelly green... it's very preppy and classic, but I don't really own ANY green (except a striped top similar to the sweater in the second outfit).  Do you own any green? Do you love it? Do you want to try it?

I thought it would be a fun exercise to do up some outfits with this bold hue to see if I could see myself further incorporating it into my wardrobe.

(above: sunglasses, jeans, top, purse, jacket, flats)

(above: jeans, scarf, sweater, boots, watch, trench coat)

(above: scarf, jeans, top, jacket, wedges, ring, bag)

Now it's your turn... get all the details & a button here and link up!  

Please follow link up rules... it's only polite.

fall combo deal!

Have you been wanting to purchase the fall looks:book yet but haven't pulled the trigger? If so... now is your chance!  I've put together a fabulous combo deal including the VERY popular 'fall 2011 looks:book' and the classic '50 things' e-book...  these are the top two resources you'll need this season to spruce up your wardrobe without being overwhelmed by all the new styles and trends.  Plus, as a bonus of buying them together now you save $3 and get a '50 things' checklist that is only available via this combo deal!  

Want more info on my e-book & looks:books? Click here! 

This combo deal is only $10 and is for a limited time!

Click below to buy now.

my outfit: 101 ways to wear chambray.

I'm going to re-name this blog "101 ways to wear chambray."  Not really, but maybe.  I mean, how many times can one wear one shirt before it becomes criminal?  Fashion crimes in the name of chambray.

Much like yesterday's outfit I came up with a little color scheme (I think I saw it in a J.Crew catalog) and then just ran with it.  This color scheme was black, blue and orange - an unexpected combo, no?  The black and orange can be a harsh combo (uh, Halloween anyone?) but the blue chambray eases the spook factor and makes the look less severe.  And also like yesterday outfit: lots of layers.  I'm enjoying this new creative freedom as I work to layer, layer, layer - it's super fun!  Next up... two pairs of pants!  (I kid, I kid)

Details:
Black Sweater, H&M (similar)
Chambray Top, Old Navy (similar)
Orange T-shirt, J.Crew
Black Pants, courtesy of Tulle (last year)
Wedges, Target (similar)
Bracelet & Necklace, courtesy of Towne & Reese
Watch, Fossil via Nordstrom Rack courtesy of gift card from Nordstrom

spring & summer to fall!

Are you still madly in love with all your spring and summer must-haves!?!? Or at least can't bear to part with a few of them now that the weather is cooling?!?!

Here I take my spring & summer must haves and show you how to bring them into fall...

Spring and summer 'must have' red pants are perfectly dressed for fall by simply 

adding a camel sweater or jacket... finish off the look with a simple black shoe!

(above: red pantsuit, red jeans, camel sweater, camel jacket, flats, pumps)

Spring and summer 'must have' nail colors like mint, coral and nude can be 

combined with darker fall shades for a seasonally appropriate look!

(above: mint, coral, nude, black, khaki, maroon, inspiration via Pinterest)

Spring and summer 'must have' neon tops can be dressed down for fall with moody greens that are perfectly suited for fall days... add chunky gold accessories to complete the look!

(above: yellow top, pink striped top, jacket, pants, bracelets: top, middle, bottom)

my outfit: layers!

Layers are definitely the name of the game these days... and that is one of my favorite things about fall!  I've had a lot of fun picking one, two or three layers these past few days and I find myself being more creative with them than I have in the past.  It's so fun to layer up!

This color combination: pink/navy/grey caught my eye somewhere in my last issue of Lucky Magazine and since then I've been obsessed with it.  This navy blazer comes in especially handy for the trio of colors and I've also styled it with a grey t-shirt and my pink mocs (mocs seen here).  Any way I combine these three colors seems to be a winning combo for me.

Inspiration can strike in many ways, but lately I've found if I get a color scheme in my head and then just put together the pieces in my closet that match up with that idea - it seems to work.  It also helps that these days I have a lot more color in my closet than I ever used to before.

When you build outfits do you work towards color schemes? Silhouettes? Themes?

Details:
Blazer, American Eagle (similar)
Grey Sweatshirt, Crewcuts (long story... but a serendipitous one!) (similar)
Pink Top, Zara (similar)
Jeans, Gap (similar)
Flats, Sam Edelman (similar)
Sunglasses, Forever 21 (similar)
Watch, Fossil via Nordstrom Rack courtesy of gift card from Nordstrom

color trend: pink/navy/grey!

I'm completely obsessed with this color combination... I'll let the pieces below speak for themselves and later today I'll be back with my own outfit interpretation!  Swoooooon!

(above: scarf, bracelet, blue & white stripes, pink & taupe stripes, jacket, shoes, purse, blush)

(above: earrings, gloves, clutch, flats, pink top, dot top, belt, nail polishes: blue, grey, pink)

(above: pink sweater, blue sweater, sunglasses, scarf, heart earrings, boots, lip gloss, purse, jeans)

What do you think? Are you obsessed like me? 

sunday splurge: black pumps!

I'm totally craving some simple and gorgeous black pumps a la Kate Middleton.  These would be amazing dressed up - or my personal favorite... dressed down.  I would love to pair them with some skinny jeans, and a blazer!

(bow pumps)

what to wear: weekend!

Recently I got out my black puffer vest to wear against the fall chill in the air (it comes and goes)... I'm always surprised how warm they are for their weight.  I'm planning on wearing mine again this weekend - so cozy AND chic.  I love dressing up the lower layers a bit to balance out the vest that can sometimes feel casual.

This would be a perfect outfit for me this weekend!

(above: earrings, nail polish, top, vest, jeans, flats, clutch)

What are you plans this weekend? Dish!

It's my amazing husband's birthday today - Happy Birthday dear.  

Handsome guy... I'm one lucky gal!

how do you stack up?

I'm loving the look of stacked bracelets... it is such a fun way to express your personal style and to have some fun with fashion!  So what is your stacking personality!?!?

Source: honestlywtf.com via Meagan on Pinterest

{And psst... like what you see? All the bracelets featured here are less than $25 

and many are under $10, so stock up and stack up!}

(above: top left, bottom left, top right, middle right, bottom right)

(above: top left, bottom left, top right, middle right, bottom right)

(above: top left, bottom left, top right, middle right, bottom right)

(above: top left, bottom left, top right, middle right, bottom right)

my outfit: fall colors.

I actually chose the accessories here first, before the clothing.  The trio of the scarf, earrings and watch spoke to me first.  Then I needed to decide what to wear.  That's why I went with the denim on denim (or denim on chambray) outfit that I wrote about earlier this week - it's the perfect backdrop for these accessories (or any accessories really!).  

Sometimes accessories are just way more fun than the actual clothing any way. Don't you think?

By the way... can you tell I love this chambray top?  Recently I wore it Here and Here. And a couple of other times under the radar recently... seriously, I don't know what I would do without this top.  It's my favorite!

Do you have a chambray top and wear it as much as I do!?!? Mine is starting to feel really soft and perfecting worn in - almost like a pair of old jeans. I love it!

Details:
Top, Old Navy (similar)
Jeans, Gap (similar)
Shoes, Target (similar)
Belt, Gap (similar)
Scarf & Watch, via Nordstrom Rack courtesy of a gift card from Nordstrom
Earrings, courtesy of Towne & Reese

Check this out...

• LOVE this Heidi Klum outfit for less... plus, how to dress it up for fall!
• Also, I have just a FEW spots left on the IT list for this week... email me if you are interested!  Please read THIS first!

work it wednesday: colored cords!

I am loving how the colored denim craze is transitioning into fall and winter with colored cords.  They are such a cozy and sophisticated look for fall and while this light green color doesn't instinctively read cool weather style, I think these looks are PERFECT for fall and winter!

(above: chain bracelet, studded bracelet, pants, top, cardigan, pumps, arrow ring)

(above: earrings, pants, sweater, purse, scarf, moccasins)

(above: earrings, pants, striped top, clutch, jacket, flats)

Now's the fun part! Link up with your own work it wedsnesday post!

Read the guidelines here and grab a button!

And don't forget to follow the rules - it's only polite!

my outfit: Saturdaze.

Whenever I don't know what to wear - I just wear this sweater.  Do you have an item like that? And with the illusion of my blog... you probably hardly even know I wear it.  But I wear it a super lot.  Best twenty bucks ever spent at Forever 21.  For some reason... even with as much as I wear this sweater I am rarely photographed in it. I don't know how that works out.  

If you are a blogger that takes pictures of your outfits - you know it's an absolute crap shoot for how and when you take pictures. Maybe I shouldn't speak for others - but that's the way it goes with me.  Is my photographer around (my husband)? Do I look decent? Am I un-crabby? (Yes, I do have to ask myself that) Is the lighting decent? And here you just thought I spent a lot of time in my backyard. ha.

Any way... I wore this outfit last Saturday.  It was perfect for the simplicity and nothing-ness that Saturdays bring.  I could use about fifty more similar outfits in my repertoire.  You know... for when you need to be dressed... but don't feel like getting "dressed".

Also, a moment of silence for my ombre hair.  I un-ombred it last week for fall. I'm glad to have my brunette locks back... but when I look at these pictures I miss it a bit.

Details:
Scarf, H&M (similar)
Sweater, Forever 21 (similar)
Jeans, Seven for all Mankind (similar - but I got mine cheaper on GILT!)
Shoes, Gap
Watch, Michael Kors
Earrings, Forever 21 (similar)