shopping guide: {pantone color of the year}

It's always fun to see what color will receive the highest honor of the year, that being the "Pantone Color of the Year." Last year it was a gorgeous yellow... Mimosa, I do believe. This year the color is a fun and adventurous one... Turquoise!



Isn't it gorgeous!?!?

If you are looking to add a touch of this fun hue to your wardrobe this year... here are some chic and affordable options...

(1)

Tretorn Skerry Boot, Piperlime, $60

These boots would certainly brighten up any gloomy winter day!

(2)

Studded Zipper Wallet, F21, $13.80

For just a dash...

(3)

Cara Couture Leather Wrap Bracelet, Nordstrom, $28

I'd love to sport this sweet little bracelet peeking out from a cozy sweater this winter!

(4)

Short Sleeve Crew Neck, James Perse, $45

You can't go wrong with a well tailored tee.

(5)

Super Skinny Satin Belt, JCrew, $14.99

So sweet, and on sale!, what more can I say?

yes, please.

American Apparel at GILT FUSE... please tell me you've been there already!?!?!

(I have.)

A ton of funky basics, most at LESS THAN $20 - what a steal!







Use my invite if you need one! Hurry along now...

work it wednesday (video edition) and a GIVEAWAY!

I am so excited about today's videos and giveaway! Turns out all forces of nature seem to be against me in the editing of the video and thus the delivery to you - so today's video will be in three separate segments.

It is going to be SO worth it today though! Today's videos feature the Boyfriend Tee from Degree Six Clothing and as far as t-shirts go, this one is pretty much to die for!



So get some great ideas on how to style this t-shirt and then stay tuned to the end to be eligible to WIN ONE OF THESE T-SHIRTS (valued at $92)!!!







Also, be sure to read up on D6's philosophies on sustainable fashion here... SUPER interesting stuff!

The people over at Degree Six are so amazing to be giving this t-shirt away to you readers!! To be eligible for the drawing of this t-shirt you must: (please follow the rules so as not to be disqualified)
1. Follow the blog! If you aren't a "follower" - please click the sidebar to become one!
2. Leave a comment on how YOU would style this t-shirt!
3. THIS IS IMPORTANT: leave an email address and by doing so agree to be on the email-ing list for Degree Six that will include fun company announcements, promotions and more details on the sustainable clothing that Degree Six offers!

***EDITED TO ADD: Comments will close Sunday night (around 8pm) and a winner will be announced MONDAY, October 5!!!
~~~

Interested in having your products featured in one of my videos or on my blog? Contact me for details at goodlifeforless @ gmail.com !!!

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED! THANKS AND STAY TUNED FOR THE WINNER MONDAY MORNING!!!

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.

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?

"she's changing her name from kitty to karen." - cake

kitty to karen - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

~~~

Tomorrow is the LAST day of short skirt/long jacket... so sad. I've been having SO much fun with it! Join me here for some more fun and feel free to play along!

"I want a girl with smooth liquidation, I want a girl with good dividends."

smooth liquidation - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

"she's playing with her jewelry, she's putting up her hair"

short skirt/long jacket 7 - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

~~~

Don't forget... feel free to play along with my Cake's Short Skirt/Long Jacket lyric inspirations! You may use polyvore or any other creative medium you like and interpret the lyrics however you see fit! Leave a comment or an email with your link... the rest of the lyrics for the week will be:
Thursday: "She's touring the facility and picking up slack"
Friday: "I want a girl with a short skirt and a long jacket"

"i want a girl with the right allocation"

short skirt/long jacket 5 - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

"...and eyes that burn like cigarettes."

short skirt/long jacket 4 - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

~~~

Everyone is invited to play along using polyvore or any other creative medium that you choose - simply leave a comment with your link. All other "Short Skirt/Long Jacket by Cake" posts can be found here. Next post will be MONDAY, March 9 (post will go up at 3pm EST) to the lyrics: "I want a girl with the right allocations".

spring planning...

I love how Rachel at Heart of Light describes her online shopping these days as "research."

Since there is no buying these days, I too have been doing a lot of "research." It feels good though, to be thoughtful and mindful before making purchasing decisions. To lay it all out on the table, set a budget, a list of wants and needs and then go from there. I am planning on making some additions to my wardrobe for the upcoming warmer months (which seem like forever from now) - and this is where my planning has led me so far.


spring wardrobe - by Jill GG on Polyvore.com

Because I am stay-at-home mom, I need easy items that wash well, wear well, and get dirty well (unfortunately). I also want to add some items that are on trend for the spring and summer for those days that I leave the house other than playdates and grocery shopping (but when do I do that? hmm... I'll have to find more things "to do" this spring). I am pretty set for bottoms (seeing as there are none listed) with some bermuda shorts, white pants, gauchos (are those still "in" - I say yes) and jeans. You probably think I am crazy, but yes I do wear jeans even in the summer. I hate my legs... but really, who likes theirs? Over the next couple of weeks I will try to hone the list down a bit or add things as I see fit. Until I start making some purchases in March or so.

Are you planning on adding spring/summer clothes to your wardrobe? If so, what?

one more t on the pile

this is the last installment of my t shirt reviews.  i did save the best "deal" for last... but let's look at this "deal" a little closer.

i'm all for mall fashion - there will be more on that later.  add to that - i am not opposed to shopping old navy at all.  with two kids, i'm shopping there for them anyway, so it's very convenient to pick up a top or jacket or some jeans there quick.  less time spent shopping means more time for everything else - which is an ever growing list.

there are two very strong points of the old navy crew neck t.  the first is the price - one for $14.50 or two or more for $10 each makes this top "easy fashion" - if you dare take it that far.  in addition, old navy is pretty good at staying with the current trends - sometimes to their own demise - but with these t's it translates to a wide selection of colors.  

however, i have to be honest that there are quite a few quality issues that old navy struggles with here.  the first is the fabric's stability.  in general this shirt seems to stretch and get all odd shaped after several washings and wearings (and what t shirt doesn't get several washings and wearings?).  two other experiences i have had with this t (and other's from old navy) is color fading and small holes appearing - sometimes after just a few wearings/washings.

while i will say that the price point is attractive, i must say that this t is not so "good life for less" - saving your money to buy a t at the next price point would be much smarter in my opinion.  but hey, i'm not you.

so, what are your "t" experiences? what did i miss?  what are YOUR opinions?  speak up!

the all american t

it's impossible to start talking about t's without talking about american apparel.

they are t's, only t's, and nothing but t's.  these here are a couple of my faves.  in general, american apparel tends to be a bit edgier and works towards a younger crowd (thus the glowing and youthful models...) but don't be intimidated if you are a thirty-, forty-, or fifty-something.  these t's are ageless and easily layered in case one style is particularly low cut for your taste.  in my opinion either of these t's could be tastefully presented for a beach cover up, a night out with your man, or toting the toddlers around.  

they are all priced between $15 and $32 each and come in a near ridiculous amount of color selections.  i am officially giving you permission... live the good life, what's stopping you.

t anyone?

on to more t's.  today's t is the classic of all classics... the gap essential t for women.

at $19.50 for one or $15.00 for two or more, you can't beat the price.  and in my opinion a gap t is the quintessential t.  if you don't have one of these in your closet, you either should or you don't like t's.  in fact, you should really have more than one.

this t comes in long or short sleeve and usually in a couple of colors. [today gap is only showing grey]  i love this t for a couple reasons... first being of course the price, second is the slim fit and longer torso length.  i love here to how the model has the sleeves pushed up a bit for a casual-let's-get-down-to-work look.  on a saturday i would love this grey t with a brown belt, and oversized funky handbag (i'm thinking red or yellow... one of the "it" colors) and great jeans.  (oh how i can not tell you the satisfaction and perfection of great jeans) for a casual friday i picture this t in black with a cute pencil skirt and dramatic jewelry.  think: an oversized gemstone ring or large hoop earrings.

this t is most definitely the good life for less... check it out.

i (heart) a t.

everyone loves a great t-shirt... something that feels good on, but also that still looks tailored, easy, and effortlessly stylish.

for me there are a couple important aspects of t-shirt wearability.  for me, a t-shirt that feels great on a saturday, but can also play "casual friday with great jeans and heels" or "quick drink with the girls" is the ultimate.  over the coming days i'm going to review some t's that i have had experience with, some that i would like to have an experience with and others that i wish i hadn't.

first up, michael stars.

this oldie but goodie i pulled out of my drawer this morning for a lazy sunday at home.  

let me first off say i love, love, love this top.  (i happen to have a different color... but this color is super cute too).  this top is effortless on the weekends with a cami and your comfy weekend jeans - for me an old pair with holes that i absolutely adore.  but let it be said, this is a casual friday dream!  i have done this to work many a time with a pair of great heels, some fun jewelry and perhaps a multi-wrapped euro style scarf.  in my book, this is exactly what a t should be.

however, let's not get too excited... this t has two major draw backs... the first:  the price.  $51 for a tee is not so "good life for less" - unless that is you get a rockin' deal on it.  which i did happen to do (of course, you know i would).  the other major draw back is one of it's highlights too... i love the "one size fits most" theory of michael stars.  but i am more on the petite side... so by the end of the day there is a chance that the t starts looking more "one size does not fit me".

all that being said.  if you can find a deal on it, snag one of these t's... if you are petite like me, make sure it sees some good dryer time to tighten it up a bit and try to avoid pulling up sleeves or wearing it on a humid day.

signing off folks.  check back for more t's this week and don't forget to live the good life. swack.