my outfit: May Round Up!

This is a little (ahem, a month!) late... but I love to do these round ups each month so that I can see at the end of the year what I have been up to!  May was a little short on the outfit posts... It was a very busy month that started in California and ended with summer!

p.s I am more and more featuring quick everyday shots of outfits on Instagram! So be sure to check me out there. My username is: JillGG ! :)

my outfit: a traveling scarf!

This sweet little scarf here as been making it's way all over the United States thanks to Scarves.net!  Kristina of Simply Bold (I highly recommend her blog!) passed it on to me... I wore it for a day and then passed it on to another lovely lady!  Along the way each person added a little "momento" to the scarf... like in the traveling pants book/movie. It was so fun wearing this scarf knowing that other fabulous ladies have worn it too... Check out Simply Bold to see how she styled it and to check out the others that have worn it so well!

I wore this simple and comfy outfit for a casual family day... we did breakfast at our favorite spot and then lounged around the house and yard for the day.  The multiple layers kept me comfy all day!

Details:
Scarf, via Scarves.net (then passed on)
Top, Gap
Jacket, Forever 21
Jeans, Gap
Shoes, Nine West
Sunglasses, Forever 21

color trend: sumptuous silver!

I guess I am in a "color trend" mood this week... as this is the second post I've brought you highlighting a new color trend...  (hope you don't mind! I couldn't resist!)

What goes around comes around and silver is about to have it's moment in the spotlight again... it's perfect for summer as it's light and bright and looks great with a little tan... here are some fun silver pieces that I am just loving.  And those silver jeans? I might be going out on a limb here, but I am in LOVE with them.  So crazy and fun!  I'm hoping F21 or Old Navy knocks off the style soon so I can get my hand on a pair for inexpensive.

What about you... are you loving the return of silver? Or in your book did it never go away?

(above: buckle ring, bracelet, sunglasses, belt, tote, arrow earrings, jeans, nail polish, flats)

(above: striped top, dress, ring, nail polish, watch, eye shadow, make-up bag, sandals, necklace)

my outfit: bummin' around!

I wore this lil' outfit for a field trip with my son and then general hanging out around the house activities.  That is entirely my life these days; kids and being outside.  It's such an exciting time of year with summer here now.  There doesn't seem to be enough hours of the day for all the work and play that we need to/want to have!

Details:
Top, Gap (similar)
Shorts, Gap
Shoes, Sperry
Bag, Deux Lux via GILT (similar)

How to mix and match colors! {three ways}

Color, color, color! I'm crazy for it this summer and I've been snatching up pieces for myself (and even my kids and husband) like crazy... my closet which was once filled with a lot of neutrals is now bursting with color!

So naturally I walk in there and say to myself "wait a minute...  can I just mix and match all these?" and of course my answer is YES!  I never buy a piece of clothing that can't be mixed and matched... so if your closet is bursting with color like mine this season... here's how to wear it all without looking (too much) like the crayon box.

Here are my tips for mixing and matching colors:

• Use patterns to break up the bold colors.
• Stay in the same color family to make it easy.
• Add neutral accessories to tone down the look.

(above: sunglasses, bracelets, top, shorts, sandals, bag)

(above: dress, scarf, earrings, nail polish, clutch, sandals)

(above: earrings, jeans, striped top, denim jacket, watch, nail polish, shoes)

my outfit: summer nights!

Summer has definitely arrived... with warm days and warm nights and my most favorite part of this season: tired kids.  All the sun, swimming, bike riding and fresh air leaves my kids absolutely exhausted at the end of each day.  So my husband and I tuck them in gingerly at about 7 or 7:30pm each night and then retreat to the patio for drinks and catching up.  With the sun setting so late it gives us plenty of time to un-wind with our books or with conversation.

Much better than the evening news...

Details:
Maxi Skirt, Old Navy
Tank, Old Navy
Sandals, Target
Sunglasses, House of Harlow
Necklace, Mimi's the Look (c/o)

color trend: peachy keen!

(The 80's called.  They said "we told you so")

While I will never (please never, never) put a scrunchy in my hair again or wear splatter-paint tank tops - there are certain trends from the 80's that I do love to see modernized again.  Pastels are one of them... and peach definitely falls under the "raised from the 80's dead" category.

Peach these days is feminine and sweet and quite modern.  Plus, I think it looks great with a little tan... which I just so happened to work on all weekend.  Oh, and all the items I chose here are under $100 (most under $50!) so click away with zero guilt... you know you wanna.

(above: blazer, earrings, sunglasses, striped top, nail polish, skirt, scarf, sandals, bracelets)

(above: beach dress, clutch, eye shadow, bathing suit, skirt, flats, lip & cheek balm, perfume, watch)

ps. but maybe let's not buy any peach toilet seat covers or sofas... let's agree to that.  K, 2012?

summer accessory report!

Just popping in for a quick post today... I'm still in "long weekend mode" and I hope you are too!  Here are just a few of fun accessories that have been catching my eye lately.  I love that now summer is here our fun accessories won't be hiding behind a bunch of layers... they truly get their time to shine.

My summer accessory report: neutrals like leopard and tortoise resin, delicate feminine details and soft sorbet hued colors.  All all of these pieces are UNDER $50!

(necklace, pink bracelet, mint bracelet, stacking rings, spade earrings, pink ring, leopard bangle, tassel earrings)

sunday splurge (and save!)...

It is definitely maxi season!  Maxi skirts and dresses have been calling my name without fail as the temps warm... this flowing pink number on the left is just SO gorgeous. No?  But unfortunately it's a little spendy.  Enter the one on the right - it's downright cheap and still such a pretty pink color!

I would pair either of these dresses with a fun turquoise necklace and gold sandals and call it a day.  Amazing!

Splurge!

Save!

weekend style: Memorial Day Weekend!

The un-official start to summer is finally here!  The weather is looking like it will cooperate this weekend and we plan on fun in the sun and total relaxation for the next four days (lucky us, our weekend started today!)...  I hope you all have a fun weekend in store as well!

Here's the perfect Memorial Day outfit (in my book)... I love how silver is becoming on trend again it's so light and bright for summer!

(hat, clutch, shorts, top, earrings, nail polish, sandals)

ps. don't forget to thank a man or woman who has served our country this weekend or say a prayer for our troops!  Or both... they deserve it!

pps. random thought: Five years ago this weekend we moved into our house... my how time flies, somedays it feels like we just moved here!

what to pack: Europe! {18 days in carry on suitcase}

A reader emailed me recently telling me how she is off on a Eurpopean vacation and wanted some help on a packing list.  She will be visiting the Mediterranean this September for 18 days and wants to pack her entire wardrobe for the trip in one carry-on suitcase!  Whoa!

Of course I am always up for a challenge... and here I put together 18 pieces that I am pretty sure will make 18 outfits... here is the way to do it:

Each bottom (two pairs of jeans and two pairs of shorts) can be worn with a mix and match of tops and layers 3 or 4 times.  Then the maxi dress can be worn with layers 4 or 5 times with various layers. There are 5 tops total so if you mix and match them properly with the four bottoms there should be no repeats... Then there are your 18 days!

Tips for packing for a trip in a carry-on: 
- Pack a mix of items in the same color grouping. For instance here I focused on some blues, creams and blacks and threw in a few accent colors like coral and army green. This will help make the items you pack easy to mix and match into multiple outfits. You don't want to pack one shirt that only goes with one bottom. You want all the pieces to play friendly together so that you can make endless amounts of outfit combinations.
- Make sure you pack enough dark colored pieces to avoid potential stains. Spill your coffee on that bumpy train? Toddler sitting next to you on the flight with sticky fingers? Stains don't show as easily on dark colors as they do on light colors. Plan accordingly. Also, I love to pack a few small Tide stain wipes and keep them handy for stains. These work wonders!
- Try to choose a few items to pack that you could hand wash if need be. This would include a couple t-shirts, leggings or even casual shorts, that if need be could be washed in a sink with a little shampoo and hung out to dry overnight. If you are caught in a bind with clothes or are feeling like pieces are loosing their freshness this is a great diy way to keep your packing minimal.
- If the weather is cold or you need bulky items like a coat or boots, never put them in the suitcase. Always plan to wear those on your self as you travel by train/car/airplane. That will keep your suitcase manageable to pack and carry.
- Lastly, when packing for a trip to Europe in a carry-on be sure not to pack anything too precious. Cashmere, silk or carefully beaded items may not be practical for the long haul. Instead choose the work-horses of your closet and go with those pieces instead!

1. skinny jeans 2. sweater 3. sunglasses 4. jean jacket 5. leopard shorts 6. chambray top 7. cross-body purse 8. t-shirt 9. scarf 10. maxi dress 11. striped top 12. blue shorts 13. jacket 14. red jeans 15. sandals 16. lace inset top 17. cardigan 18. espadrilles

my outfit(s): instagram edition...

I really want to thank everyone for the positive feedback on yesterdays post... I meant every word of it and I feel like I had been wanting to say something along those lines for a while.  Yesterday was the perfect opportunity!

Also, I hear ya, I hear ya! You want more outfit pictures... and don't worry, I'll be back at it in no time.  But for now here are Instagram photos (self portraits, if you will) from the past couple of weeks.  I still like to document my outfits... even if it's not full blown photoshoots with my husband... and Instagram seems to be the perfect way to do that.  If you are are Insta my user is: JillGG If you don't... what are you waiting for?!? :)

In no particular order:

Usual Day | Black Trench, Chambray Top, Mint Jeans, Leopard Flats, Tillary Tote

Layers for a Spring Day | Navy Blazer, Striped Top, White Jeans, Flip Flops

Busy with Kids Day | Pink Gingham Top, Shorts, Sperry's

Field Trip with my Daughter | Jacket, Scarf, Navy Top, Shorts

Running Errands Day | Leopard Sweater, Cut-offs, Flip Flops

Spa Day | Scarf, Striped Top, Black Leggings, Leopard Sandals

How to style the little white dress! {3 fun ways}

Ever since seeing this adorable little white dress styled with a colorful scarf, I haven't been able to get the idea of dressing down a white dress for summer.  I now have my eye out for the perfect little white dress for this summer... any of these outfits would be great weekend or after-hours outfits all summer long!

(above: dress, jacket, earrings, nail polish, clutch, shoes)

(above: dress, scarf, sunglasses, bracelets, sandals)

(above: dress, necklace, bracelet, shoes, bag)

Would you wear a little white dress this summer?

my outfit: minty fresh!

I am admittedly a bad, bad blogger lately when it comes to outfit pictures.  While I've still been getting "dressed" every day I haven't been wanting to photograph the outfits.  Reasons?  Well, one is that I just plain haven't felt like it.  Another is that I feel like I am dressing more for myself these days. I've gotten sick of wondering if an outfit is "blog worthy" or not and have focused more on just feeling like "me" in an outfit.  This leads to lots of days in my chambray top, striped shirt or cutoff shorts... like, uh, lots.

But Sunday night my husband and I went out for dinner and I even put heels on (!!!!) so he insisted we at least do some iPhone photos.  So here they are.

(I'm secretly glad he talked me into it.)

Details:
T-shirt, Gap
Jeans, Target (similar)
Shoes, Nine West
Tote, J.Crew (similar)

Also,  on a completely other note... I found this article the other day completely sickening.  The article is entitled "How not to go into debt over personal styling" and basically it gives bloggers tips on how not to go into debt from having a blog.  I want you gals to know that I would never go in debt for you - and I hope you take that as a compliment.  I love blogging... but I DON'T BUY CLOTHES JUST TO BLOG ABOUT THEM.  And I never will.  Why would you take that as a compliment?  Here's why:

• Because I don't take for granted that you are a regular gal just like me just trying to get dressed and feel her best each days.
• Because I don't feel the need to impress you. I am who I am.  (inspire you maybe... if I would be so blessed)
• Because I feel like (and hope) you trust me that when I say I live on a budget and live well - that I really mean it.
• Because I see you and me as equals.  
• Because I don't expect you to spend your hard earned money on something that I wouldn't spend my hard earned money on too.
• Because as much as I love fashion and clothes - they are not the most important things in life.  I know that for sure.

beachy style....

This past weekend when we were getting ready to head to the beach for the day I was excited to get out all the fun beach pieces that have been hiding away... when it comes to a beach or pool day there are five necessary components to your look.

The suit.
The cover up.  (to throw on to head to the restrooms or out for ice cream afterwards!)
The hat. (protect those faces!)
The sandals.
The sunglasses. (no makeup required!)

Here I used the formula two ways while trying to stick with budget finds... now, who's up for a swim?

(above: cover up, hat, sunglasses, bathing suit, sandals)

(above: cover up, bathing suit: top/bottom, hat, sunglasses, sandals)

summer lovin': the beach in Instas!

Summer definitely arrived in West Michigan this weekend... so we took full advantage of it by heading to the shores of Lake Michigan for the day on Saturday.  It was our first official beach day of 2012!  And it was the most perfect day ever... here are a few snaps!

wardrobe consult: Ms. E, new stay-at-home mom!

Today's wardrobe consult is for Ms. E... she recently became a mother and is not only transitioning into her role as a mom... but that of a stay-at-home mom as well.  Both of those can be very big adjustments!  And while confessing that she has been spending way too much time in sweats these days... she is ready to turn that all around.

She was looking for simple outfits to fit her stay-at-home mom lifestyle and only had a $300 budget.  Stylish, simple and machine washable were all requirements!  Here I pulled together some looks to take her from spring to summer...  here is a peek at just a few of the looks I pulled together for her.

(above: dress, necklace, jacket, shoes)

(above: bracelets, top, shorts, cardigan, sandals)

(above: necklace, shorts, top, sandals)

(above: jeans, top, jacket, shoes)

weekend style!

Oh MAN am I ready for the weekend... my husband has been traveling in Asia all week long (including for Mother's Day - and yes, I had a fairly good sized pity party for myself on that one...) and I am ready to have him safe and sound at home and to have my wing-man back.  He definitely pulls his weight around here and I am feeling the crunch with him gone!  Between running a household, the kids sports and this blog - it's a lot to keep one single mama busy!

The weather forecast is absolutely BEAUTIFUL for the entire weekend and we happen to not have any soccer games to attend (super rare!).  Saturday we are hoping to head to the lakeshore to finally dip our toes in the sand and Sunday we have tickets to the local minor league baseball game - which is always a blast!

Let's get this weekend started... shall we??  What fun stuff do you fabulous ladies have in store this weekend?

(above: purse, tank, shorts, sunglasses, nail polish, sandals)