my outfit: green says pink!

When I go to pick out an outfit I first think about what mood I am in. That usually gives me an answer to what top I will wear. Then I choose some jeans (cuz that's pretty much all I wear, hey, I got kids!) and that takes a bit longer - choosing jeans for me is like choosing a favorite child. Then my shoes go back to my mood. The accessories though... the clothes kind of pick those... I ask my green sweater - "Sweater, what would make you happy? What would make you feel above average? What are your wildest dreams, dear sweater?" You know... something like that.

Today Sweater said she wanted something to "pop". So the pink scarf it was! What can I say... making dreams come true is my life. That and spilled milk. You know, to keep me humble. (also, just fyi, this outfit is "spilled milk" approved)


Oh, and hello gorgeous white coat. I sure love you.

So want the breakdown of how this outfit was chosen?

Sweater: Need something comfy and warm, but I like the deep v-neck, makes me feel feminine.
Jeans: Need a "good butt" day... Sevens can do that for me. Straight leg for boots, please.
Boots: Need a heel and a bit of style to get me over the last hump of this sickness.

I am really into earrings lately... I think it's my longer hair, it makes it look less long or something. Or maybe it is the influence of my girl Jackie... she loves earrings. They say you are the average of the five people you spend time with. What about the top five blogs I visit. Does that count?

Details:

Coat, courtesy of Tulle

Earrings, F21 (similar)

Scarf, American Apparel (similar)

Sweater, Gap (similar)

Jeans, Seven for All Mankind (similar)

Boots, MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar)

my outfit: 26/30!

For a long time there was a pizza-shaped hole in my heart... being from Chicago there were always great pizza places around the corner to meet with friends and family on the week nights, weekends or Sunday after church. I loved their checkered print vinyl table cloths and red plastic drinking cups. And of course thin crust, deep dish and everywhere in between was always within reach... and the sauce... oh, the sauce!

We have finally found a local pizza place that we love... it's not Chicago pizza. But it's good!!! Usually when I can't put together a decent meal with what we have in the house, we head on over to our favorite pizza place. It's loud enough where our kids don't create a scene and everyone in the family can find something they love on the menu.

Here is my pizza party outfit. We had had a day of fun in the sun and I just pulled on a fresh outfit, pulled back my hair and voila!



Do you have a stand-by for dinners out?



Details:
Scarf, Thrifted (similar)
Top/Dress, American Apparel (I got mine on GILT!)
Belt, Local Boutique (similar)
Jeans, F21 (similar - love these!)
Wedges, Target (similar)

what to wear: crazy weather weekend!

Our weather forecast is ALL over the place for the weekend... I think they are predicting: sun, rain, hot & cold. uggghhh...

Here is my little bit of everything outfit for the weekend, a lady must always be prepared!

Tanks by Forever 21
Flats by Chinese Laundry

Have a great one!

reader style: Ambar!

Reader Ambar sent me this adorable picture of herself recently! Her shoes are those that I featured in the Spring looks:book - love them! Ambar is a mother of FOUR children (three girls and four boys... ***originally I had said four boys, but I was wrong, sorry Ambar!), her husband works overseas in Afghanistan and she has lost 40 pounds in the last year!! Basically, she is SUPERWOMAN! No?



Her top is JCrew, jeans are American Eagle, bracelet is Charlotte Russe and sunglasses are Coach. Thanks Ambar! Keep rockin' it!

~~~

Got a picture of yourself inspired by something you have seen here on the blog? Send it to me and I may feature it in a Reader Style post! goodlifeforless @ gmail.com

my outfit: the raygan clutch! (sponsored post)

Elena over at Elena's Custom Designs sent over this adorable little clutch recently. As you can see it's perfect for holding the necessities... I love the coral color and the koi fish "swimming" on the inside. Perfect for spring/summer!



I used it today to throw in my gym bag instead of hauling my purse in. Oh so convenient!



It's true that March saw me in more color than I am known to wear on average... I truly am a black/grey kinda gal. With this outfit it's a perfect example... no matter it's a warm sunny day - a scarf and a monochromatic outfit has me happy as can be. My subconscious stylist must be European.



I am so madly in love with these sandals. They are pretty much all I wear... I'm sure the new-ness will wear off eventually. That's the problem with buying two pairs of shoes at one time though. One is always bound to be liked more.



I'm stepping back from the blog next week for a family Spring Break. I'll have more details on how we had fun for a little bit of cash (very little). But I will leave you with some great inspiration while I am playing. I am embarrassingly behind on posting wardrobe consults. So you are going to get a whole week of them! (what? those things... you still do those!?!? Yes! And I have been busy as a beaver with them... just no time to post them all!)

Thanks Elena for the clutch! Don't forget to swing by her site to check out her purses, pillows, lovies (for those sweet babes of yours) and more! She does everything custom... so email her if you have something in mind that you don't see on the site!

Details:
Scarf, Limited (similar)
Cardigan, Target (similar)
Shirt/Dress, American Apparel
Jeans, Forever 21 (similar)
Sandals, Target
Clutch, Elenas Custom Designs

My outfit: spring fling!

Do I sound like a broken record yet? I just LOVE the sunnier days and warmer weather (besides that crazy little snow storm we had last weekend... BOO!). For these warmer days I'm happy to bring back one of my favorite outfit combos... a little dress with skinny jeans. It's simple, it's chic and it works for pretty much all body types.


I'm loving these new sandals!



Are you like me? Once I get a new pair of shoes I instantly am daydreaming about outfit combos including them. And I am already scheming about these sandals with a myriad of outfits. Jeans, dresses, shorts - ahhhhh - so many options!



And NO I'm not pregnant... just enjoying not having to "suck it in" with an empire cut. We are "done," as they say.

Details:
Jeans, Gap
Purple Tank, Old Navy
Dress, American Apparel - I got mine at GILT!
Sandals, Target

my outfit: orange scarf!

So the hair battle continues... as you can see. One day side swept. The next "blunt bangs"... like these photos. I actually like the ability to switch from one to another, seems like a happy medium for now.

The temps are on the rise and believe it or not I left the house in this outfit the other day and NO big bulky coat over top. Hooray! It is just amazing to see the sunshine and feel it on my skin... I feel my spirits brighten instantly. Not to mention that wardrobe options are expanding with the warmer temps as well. Is that a forearm I see?



A few of you asked how I wrapped this scarf all around... like in this outfit and not have it come undone. My trick is simpley wrap it around until it's the length I like around my neck (you know, not choking me or anything) and then tie the very ends together and sweep the tie to the back so you can't see it. Voila! This scarf doesn't have any fringe, so that helps. I think it would be difficult to pull off the knot with the fringe.



Doesn't this bracelet just rock? I snagged it on GILT recently. I love the bold stones with the funky gold chains wrapping around it. Accessories are everything when going with basics like a white t-shirt and a grey sweater. They turns "clothes" into an "outfit".



Isn't it so much easier to dress in warmer temps?

Scarf, Gap (similar)
Sweater, F21
T-Shirt, American Apparel
Bracelet, Landver (similar)
Jeans, Gap
Shoes, Nine West (similar)

my outfit: black & blue and grey all over!

Sounds like the punch line to some silly joke, huh? Let's indulge:

Me: What's black and blue and grey all over?
You: You?
Me: No, an elephant learning how to skateboard.
You: Or you?
Me: Well, yes, I suppose that too.

I have been hit hard by the winter blues/blahs... whatever you want to call it. I'm bored, the kids are bored and the skies are constantly grey. Probably dressing in all "blah" colors doesn't help much either, but this outfit was super comfy. The navy blue top is actually a tank dress from American Apparel. I just hiked it up a bit, added a cardi and a belt and voila!

I just got this dress and some others from GILT for a steal, I'm not really a dress person... but these will be great with jeans (like this) or with swimsuits for the summer.



.... aaaaand the dove necklace is back. I'm just lovin' it this week. It's my little ray of light I suppose.



How do you ward off the winter blahs/blues?

Details:
Cardigan, Nordstrom Rack (similar)
Dress, American Apparel
Belt, F21 (similar)
Jeans, Gap (same fit, no longer avail in grey)
Boots, Nine West (similar)
Dove Necklace, Gift (similar)