my outfit: two tops!

I've been wanting to try two layered tops for a while - but haven't worked up the guts (until now!).  I saw it a couple times in the J.Crew catalog (the holy grail of styling, right?) and other bloggers have tried it successfully. I am glad I did because it wasn't uncomfortable or awkward feeling (like I thought it might be) and was actually a great way to get some extra layers with the weather cooling.  Have you ever taken a risk on a trend and have it work?  I love it when that happens!

In other news, my daughter has recently gotten very curious about these "outfit pictures" that my husband and I are working on.  She demanded her time in the spotlight.  She is also single handedly bringing up the trend of socks with flats.  More power to her, cutie.

Details (on me):

Gingham Top, Old Navy

Purple Oxford, Gap

Jeans, Zara

Earrings & Bracelet, Towne & Reese (c/o)

Shoes, J.Crew

Watch, Daniel Wellington (c/o)

(on her)

Top & Leggings, Target

Flats & Skirt, Crewcuts

my outfit: borrowing from the boys!

If I haven't mentioned (i.e. confessed) here before that I couldn't get dressed each day without Pinterest.  Well, then let me admit to that right now.  Seriously, I get dressed from Pinterest.  Pretty much every day.  I re-pin looks that I find there that inspire me and I pin the looks I create here on this blog and then I go back and reference them either on my iPhone or my laptop while I am physically in my closet.

There, my secret is out.

So the other day I really wanted to pull off some version of this or this outfit... but unfortunately I didn't have a deep red top to do so with.  But then (major lightbulb moment) I remembered I had just purchased THIS top for my son (yes, so you see where this is going...).  So I just marched into his room and stole that little shirt out from under him.  Yes, I am stealing clothes from my 7 (almost 8) year old son.  It's true.  Since you can't see, I'll let you know that the sleeves were about 3/4 length.  I'll also let you know that I may do this again.

Details:
Blazer, American Eagle (similar)
Top, Old Navy {Boys}
Jeans, Gap
Shoes, Chromatic Gallerie (c/o)
Necklaces: Jeweled, Town & Reese (c/o, last year); Spikey, Mimi's the Look (c/o)

my outfit: double sweaters!

Yes, you read that right... double sweaters.  It's chilly here in Michigan these days, I've been working on doing layers as much as I can to avoid getting out the big coats yet.  So this double sweater combo works perfectly.

This past weekend it was super rainy and gloomy (and cold!) so we had an absolutely cozy weekend.  The fireplace was roaring all weekend... books were read... movies were watched... caramel apples were made and lots of soup was eaten (especially after two soccer games in the rain!).  This time of year is so short and sweet. I hope you are taking advantage of it as well!

Details:
Cape, Target (similar)
Black Sweater, Gap (similar)
Jeans, Gap
Sunglasses, Kate Spade via GILT (similar)
Boots, ShoeMint (c/o, last year)
Bracelets (from left), Sorelli (c/o), Jenny Present (c/o), Towne & Reese (c/o)

my outfit: October?!?

How is it October already? September always seems to just fly and that was definitely the case again this year.

It's hard to believe that the kids have been in school for a month already and I still have no routine or organization for my time when they are there.  I'll be honest that it hasn't been the easiest transition for me, I'm still trying to figure out how to turn the "mom" stuff on and off.  My goal is to turn it "off" during the day and focus on myself and the blog (and the work the blog entails) and then to turn it back "on" again for after school, evenings and weekends.  But the truth is I still end up checking emails and (cringe) working a little on the weekends (which I swore I wouldn't do) and on the flip side I still find myself drawn to 'cleaning the bathroom quick' or 'just vacuuming this one room' (which turns into the whole house) while I should be "working" or tending to myself (through relaxation, alone time, reading or just having a little fun for myself).

Do you work from home and find it hard to balance all of it as well?

I guess that was a little tangent... but here is an outfit I wore this weekend down to ArtPrize (newly named by me: ArtMob... more people in downtown Grand Rapids than should be legal) or should I say to froyo, because we quickly ditched AP due to the heavy volume of people down there... we hope to try again later this week with less crowds and lines. (I'll stand in line to view the Mona Lisa, the David or Monet's Garden... but a life size grizzly bear made of pine needles? not this time, not this time).  I will say though, the Top Ten is looking good! (my personal favorite being lights in the night... seriously, have you seen this amazingness!?!? or check out this video that will surely give you little goosebumps! It looks just like in the movie Tangled!)

Details:

Jacket, Gap (very old - similar)
Sweater, J.Crew (similar)
Jeans, Gap
Flats, J.Crew
Earrings, Towne & Reese (c/o)
Sunglasses, Kate Spade (via GILT)

my outfit: boyfriend jeans!

I'm a huge fan of boyfriend jeans. But admittedly, mostly on other people.  I think they look fabulous on other bloggers but I don't always get the "I love this outfit" vibe when I wear them myself.  That was until this past weekend when I tried them (again, for the first time) and loved them.  Now our fate is sealed, me and my boyfriend jeans.  They were just the touch of casual and comfortable I needed.

If you are like me and wondering how best to wear boyfriend jeans, I would suggest wearing them with a casual vibe.  Wearing boyfriend jeans with a flowy and relaxed top keeps the whole look cohesive (and comfortable!).  And since boyfriend jeans show off your ankles well... make sure you wear a beautiful sandal or shoe to keep the look flattering!

Details:
Top, Old Navy
Jeans, Old Navy
Sandals, Target
Purse, Tillary Tote by J.Crew
Bracelet, Towne & Reese (c/o)
Sunglasses, Kate Spade via GILT

my outfit: blazers and stripes for the win!

After seriously slumming it for about a week straight (I didn't blow dry my hair or put make-up on one time that I can remember) I finally 'got dressed' recently.  A momentous occasion that of course called for pictures.  I also wore jeans, which felt glorious after endless days of shorts and general sweaty-ness... it is always our inclination to want what we don't have.  Give me six months and I'll be begging for shorts again.  

Details:
Top, Gap
Blazer, American Eagle
Jeans, Gap
Wedges, Cynthia Vincent for Target
Necklace, Towne & Reese (c/o)
Glasses, Warby Parker "Preston" style

my outfit: cheery!

I'm seriously blissed out from vacation.  I always feel like everything is right in the world after a vacation... I missed my house, my routine, my computer, my work and my (boring) life in general and I am ready to dig back in and be productive and love life.  It usually takes a week or so before I start despising laundry, dust bunnies and dirty floors and the kids are back to driving me nuts.

Whenever we travel people will ask where we are from and when we say Michigan they just give us a far off look like "people live there? doesn't it snow all year?" or they mention they have some odd aunt that lives there or they've heard of Kalamazoo (it was mentioned in a U2 song once, so every one seems to know about it).  But of all the places I go... this is still the best place to come home to.

Now we are working on planning a fall trip... it will be my husband and I's 10th (tenth!!!) wedding anniversary.  We've got a few places in mind... but nothing firm yet.  Where is your favorite place to vacation? I always love to hear about other's vacation fun...

Details:
Chambray Top, J.Crew (similar)
Shorts, Old Navy
Bracelet, Towne & Reese (c/o)
Sandals, Forever 21(similar)
Sunglasses, Amazon

Earrings, Charlotte Russe (similar - cute!)

my outfit: blue & green!

Today I've just got a little summer time color blocking going on over here.  I wanted to buy some summer shorts in really fun colors and I went to Old Navy and came home with blue ones. I know... I live right on the edge of life, don't I?  I figured they would go with a lot... what can I say? I love a good calculated risk.  I can't help it.

In other news... this shirt is ALWAYS wrinkly.  Never fails.  So sorry about that in advance.

In other other news... a few of you have asked about how I am executing the loose waves these days.  And the answer is: this tutorial. Except her hair is longer and all around more amazing than mine.  But that is my inspiration.

Details:
Top, Old Navy
Shorts, Old Navy
Necklace, Kensie (c/o)
Wedges, Cynthia Vincent for Target
Watch, Fossil
Bracelet, Towne & Reese (c/o)

psstt... for those of you that love the Towne & Reese pieces that I wear here on the blog... I have GREAT news... you can now buy pieces directly from their website!  I just LOVE their pieces (and their prices) and if you are a Bachelorette fan like me... check out Bachelorette Emily Maynard's favorite pieces (some of which I own and love as well - so I can vouch for them!)

arm party!

The "arm party" (aka: wearing a fun combination of bracelets stacked on your arm) has by far been one of the most fun and easily personalized trend that has come up in a while.  Any lady can take the bracelets she already owns and loves and mix and match them until her heart is content to make a bold and whimsical fashion statement.

This is the combination that has been in the highest rotation with me lately...

1. Fossil Watch (via Nordstrom Rack c/o)

2. Jess LC FLEA Bracelet

3. Stella & Dot Wrap Bracelet (c/o)

4. Towne & Reese Chain Bracelet (c/o)

5. Sorelli Linked Pyramid Bracelet (c/o)

p.s. I'm working on getting together all my Cali trip pictures and will start posting those soon! Thanks to everyone that followed along with me on Instagram (@jillgg) and Twitter (@JillGG) for the trip!

Also... check out my new FREE e-book here...

my outfit: neon + chambray!

my outfit: quick change!

my outfit: more pink!