Inspiration

Am I the only one who, when they think about an upcoming vacation, they get a sort of "feel" they know it will have and then plan out a wardrobe accordingly? I'm the only one? Okay... 
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Seriously though. I do that. For example: our Mediterranean cruise last summer. In my mind, it would be all water, wind, sun, and old-world-y, and the wardrobe I thought of would be breezy, loose, coral, aqua, and navy. I literally constructed a wardrobe out of all the coupons, gift cards, and thrifting that in my mind, encapsulated what our trip would be like.

Murano, Italy

Leaving Venice, Italy. Ignore Mike's creepy facial expression.

Somewhere on the Mediterranean.

It's really fun for me. It feels like a more productive and practical way of designing a line of clothing (which I've always wanted to do. Ask to see my notebooks full of designs sometime.

Anyway... we have a trip coming up this June. We're going to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We're going with my parents and brother, and I'm really excited because I've never been out that way before. We plan to go to Yellowstone and see Old Faithful, do some horseback riding, try fly fishing, and all that sort of stuff.  We are staying here.

And I'm thinking there should be a whole lot of chambray, worn denim, tribal/Native American prints, plaid, flannel, and olive-colored shorts, with awesome hiking boots. That's just what I'm feeling. Here's some of my inspiration:

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Are you feeling it too? If you want my whole inspiration board, check it out on Pinterest here.  

I know there's not much depth to this post. But hey. It's Saturday. :)

xoxo, A

Fall Fashion Ideas

These are some fall-inspired outfits I came up with for this season.  I had so much fun putting them together! Here are the players, from top right: shirt: thrift store, belt: NY&Co, pants: NY&Co, cardigan: Target, shoes: Charlotte Russe.  shirt: thrift store, cardigan: Walmart, skirt: thrift store, shoes: Kohl's.  Shirt: thrift store, cardigan: Target, skirt: thrift store, shoes: Kohl's, belt: NY&Co.  Shirt: Ross, cardigan: JCPenney, skirt: thrift store, shoes: Target, belt: NY&Co.  Next group, left to right: Sweater: Old Navy, belt: Ross, skirt: thrift store, shoes: Target maybe?  I've had them forever, belt: Ross.  Shirt: target, skirt: thrift store, belt: NY&Co, shoes: Target, cardigan: Target.  Shirt: thrift store, sweater: thrift store, pants: NY&Co.

I love the colors: purple, rust, mustard, navy.
I love the textures: linen, sweaters, silky blouses.
I love the patterns: polka dots!

Have fun picking out your clothes this fall!

PS... after I took these pictures, I did get nude heels.  They would have made all the difference.  Haha.

xoxo, A

Tip for Tuesday: Make Room for Fall!

If you're like me, your one walk-in closet is shared with your husband.  And your husband gets exactly 1/4 of that closet.  Also, you wish this was your closet:

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Are you like me?

If you're like me, you love clothes.  You have your classic wardrobe staples and summer clothes out in the open, and maybe your entire king-size bed's underbelly is full of sweaters and other such winter wear.  

And in an effort to make your closet seem a little bit more glamorous, you hang your clothes on wooden hangers, which means you're squeezing everything close-- so close they can smell each other's breath.

So there's no room for the new clothes you want when a new season begins... such as fall.

Unless you do what I'm about to do!

I heard of a place nearish to me that will give you some cash for your gently used, current clothes.  It's like Plato's Closet, but for women, not girls.  It's called the Clothes Mentor, and after two unsuccessful attempts to find it last Friday, I'm going again this weekend.  My goal is to clear some space in the closet and maybe make a little cash to cushion the new-wardrobe blow.

Maybe they'll only give me like, $3, but that's $3 more than I would have had.  I definitely overbought for the cruise... who would have guessed? ;-)

You could give the clothes to charity, too, which I've definitely done in the past.  But this year I had lots of barely-worn clothes, and I knew we didn't have a lot of money for new clothes.  

So this season, resist the urge to keep everything you own.  If you haven't worn an item for a full season, you need to toss it.  Well, with the exception of that ONE item that inspires you to lose weight, and that ONE item that feels really comfy if you pack on just a few more pounds.  Let's be real here, ladies.

I have a couple other suggestions for making some space in your closet for new clothes, and acquiring them for very little cost:

1.  Have a clothes recycling party with your friends.  At one point, about four of my friends and I wore the same size, so we brought out bags of clothes we hadn't worn in a long time, or fit just a little funny, and we went wild swapping!  It cost nothing and was fun, too!

2.  If you donate to a local thrift store, shop there, too-- it's a double-gift to charity!  I decided to stop into the local Salvation Army thrift store the other day, and it was the best shopping I've done for a while (more to come on those outfits, later)!  I got three blouses, one sweater, and a pencil skirt, all for $19.95!  And no one ever needs to know. ;-)

What are you waiting for?  Go rifle through your closet and rip out all you don't need or want, and make some room for fall! It will be here before you know it!

xoxo, A

Inspiration Monday: Fall Wardrobe

I'm a fashion girl.  I think I always have been and I know I always will be.  It's not that I always dress well.  If you were to visit me at home after work or were to attend an evening meeting with me, I'd be wearing sweatpants or knit gauchos with a baggy t-shirt.  Really.  But I have an eye for it, a love for it, and honestly, an obsession with it.  There is just something about fashion that I find so beautiful and inspiring.  It's an art form-- using clothing to make people look their best.  


So when each season comes around, I have an overwhelming desire to create a new color palette and pick out fabric swatches... and go searching for new pieces for my seasonal wardrobe!


Autumn especially inspires me, even though it doesn't exist in Florida.  Let's play a game of word association: a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils (name that movie); pencil skirts; skirt steak... ?  OK maybe that game failed.  But seriously folks, this fall, I was inspired by rich hues with surprising brights, blousy shirts with little cardis, pencil skirts, belts, and polka dots.  Can you catch my vision?

I love the colors: mustard and PURPLE! And I love the layering on top, and the POLKA DOTS!

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I love the rust color and pencil skirt, and POLKA DOTS!  I wouldn't do that with my hair though.

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Below, a blogger to the above look and made it her own.  Love it!  Note the nude heels.

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Again with the mustard and polka-kinda-dot, and layers!

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I've wanted nude heels for a long time.  Now's the season!

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Polka dot sweaters! I want the upper right and bottom left!

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Polka dot blouse. :) 

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LOVE this look: the blouse layered with the cardi, and the colors!!

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Look at this lovely, professional look.  I like the pencil skirt and belt.

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xoxo, A

Fashion Fun!

Alright folks, the cruise is coming, and I'm in packing mode.  Yes already.  Today is all about outfit choices. I had to get some special new clothes just for the trip, of course.  No really, I did.  I didn't have many summer clothes, and what better time to get some than for our "honeymoon"?  The good news is, I didn't spend any more than about $10 for most of these pieces.  I do love a bargain.  Anywho, I decided to put up some of the potential outfits for the cruise, and have you all tell me your favorites, or suggest other combos!  Maybe that bores you, but I happen to love this kind of stuff.  

Next will be packing tips!  I'm going to try three different methods and see which works the best!

So be prepared for some travel-themed posts in the future... I know I'm looking forward to them!

 From top left going right, then the middle row, then the bottom row:
1.  top: Kohl's; shorts: JC Penney a few years ago; shoes: Kmart.  2.  top: Kohl's; shorts: JC Penney a few years ago; shoes: Kmart; hat: JC Penney 3.  top: Kohl's; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Old Navy; scarf: Italy-- a gift from my mother-in-law.  4.  top: Ecko outlet; shorts: Ross; shoes: Kmart.  5.  top: Kohl's; shorts: Ross; shoes: Kmart.  6.  hat: JC Penney; top: Target; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Kohl's.  7.  cardigan: Target a long time ago; top: Old Navy; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Old Navy.  8.  cardigan: Kohl's; top: Old Navy; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Old Navy.  9.  top: Kohl's; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Kohl's.

 1.  bikini top: Target; top: target; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Kohl's.  2.  hat: JC Penney; cover up: Victoria's Secret outlet; shoes: Kmart; bathing suit top: Target; bottoms: Target.  3.  hat: JC Penney; cover up: Ross; shoes: Kmart; bikini top and bottom: Target.  4.  hat: JC Penney; scarf: another Italy gift from my mother-in-law; bikini top and bottom: Target.

1.  cardigan: Old Navy, years ago; top: Target; shorts: Kohl's; shoes: Kmart.  2.  dress: Target; cardigan: Target a long time ago; sandals: Old Navy.  3.  dress: Target; shoes: Kmart.  4.  dress: Charlotte Russe; 5.  hat: JC Penney; dresses: Target; cardigan: I have no clue; sandals: Kohl's.  6.  dress: Target; sandals: Kohl's.

So if you please, could you tell me your faves and your ideas? Cast your votes! Thanks! :)



xoxo, A