I Feel Pretty | Texan

I Feel Pretty | Texan

For this month’s Mother/Daughter Style post, Cavender’s outfitted the girls and me with some western wear.  Yee haw!  If you don’t know Cavender’s then you don’t know western wear.  They are a family-owned retailer started in 1957 and are synonymous with the well-dressed Texan.

Even though I’ve lived in Texas for the past (almost) eighteen years, I was raised in Pennsylvania.  Western wear was all new to me when I moved here.  At my first job out of college, I got invited to go country line dancing (out of body experience) and then to my first western-themed charity event.  The tight jeans, cowboy boots and western shirts were like something out of a movie!

Fast forward to today and I’m totally comfortable rocking my own pair of cowgirl boots.  I love how Cavender’s offers modern western wear, like the skirts and jeans we’re wearing in today’s post, along with more traditional items.

The girls and I were easily able to find cute outfits with a fun bit of western flair.

Cavenders Alison Full

Cavenders Alison Close

Cavenders Alison Boots[On Alison:  Skirt:  Flying Tomato c/o Cavender’s/Tank:  Mossimo/Denim Shirt:  H&M/Boots:  Old West c/o Cavender’s]

Cavenders Ava Front

Cavenders Ava Back

Cavenders Ava Boots[On Ava:  Shirt:  Cowgirl Hardware c/o Cavender’s/Jeans:  Miss Me c/o Cavender’s/Boots:  Corky’s c/o Cavender’s]

Cavenders Aubrey Full

Cavenders Aubrey Close

Cavenders Aubrey Boots[On Aubrey:  Denim Jacket:  Kohl’s/Skirt:  Ocean Drive c/o Cavender’s/Tank top:  Aeropostale/Boots:  Laredo c/o Cavender’s]

Visit Cavenders.com to shop more western wear.

SPRING STYLE ME CHALLENGESpring Style Me Header 2There are just two days left to register for the Style Me Spring Challenge!  We’ve had close to 300 women sign up so far.  I can’t wait to be your personal shopper and virtual stylist for spring.  The Facebook group is amazing, it makes me so happy to see everyone strike up new friendships and share shopping and style tips.  The Facebook group alone makes the challenge worth signing up for!

Registration closes at midnight tomorrow and the shopping list will be released on Friday.  A winner of the $500 J. Jill gift card will also be chosen on Friday.  I’m beyond excited!  There’s still time to sign up if you want to join us, just click HERE.

I FEEL PRETTY

It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell us what made you feel pretty this week in the comments!

I Feel Pretty
There are just a few simple rules:

1. Follow GYPO. (Bloglovin‘, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest)

2. Link up your pretty post.

3. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link).

4. Visit other pretty peeps. That’s it!



Getting my pretty on with The Pleated Poppy.

I Feel Pretty | Winter to Spring

I Feel Pretty | Winter to Spring

It’s mid-February in Texas which means spring is just around the corner.  We’ve enjoyed some 75 degree days already this week.  There’s nothing better than a February day spent on the patio. Of course, Mother Nature is fickle and we’re bound to get some cold temps again but this week has been a nice break in the winter doldrums.

If you’re following my Daily Style Diary posts on Instagram, you’ve probably already noticed that I’m transitioning out of my winter wardrobe into more spring-y looks.  I’m so ready for my boots to go into hibernation for the season!

Before we say hello to spring style and goodbye to winter, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at my favorite winter outfits and ways to transition pieces of them into spring.  Yes, I’m aware that there will probably be plenty of winter wear opportunities ahead, but it’s nice to dream of warmer weather and start planning our wardrobes accordingly too!

Outfit One

Black and Beige Outfit Full

Keep for Spring:  Striped Top

Stripes are great year-round.  Pair them up with florals, polka dots, pastel jeans and every other spring trend you can think of.

[Striped Scoop Back Tee]

Outfit Two

Tribal Sweater Red Jeans Boots FullKeep for Spring:  Denim Shirt

Yes, denim shirts are still on the scene for spring.  They look cute paired up with a floral scarf and some fun pastel colored jeans.

[1969 Western Shirt]

Outfit Three

Wellies, Jeans, Jacket Full

Keep for Spring:  Rain Boots

Rain boots are a no-brainer for spring showers.  These come in seven different colors including this punchy red.

[Kamik Jennifer Boots]

Outfit Four

Cashmere Nepali Scarf Full

Keep for Spring:  Leggings

You better bet I’ll be wearing my SPANX leggings in the spring.  They’ll be perfect with long tunic blouses and cute flats.

[SPANX ‘Look at Me’ Shaping Leggings]

Outfit Five

Peplum-sweater-black-jeans-hunter-boots

Keep for Spring:  More Rain Boots

Spring is the wettest season after all, so more than one pair of rain boots makes perfect sense.  I love this violet pair.

[Hunter Original Gloss Violet]

It’s Your Turn:  What winter trends will you be carrying over into spring?  Tell me in the comments.

BLOG PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

Portrait, Blogger and Fashion Photographer | Dallas, Texas and Worldwide logo

If you’re a blogger who does your own photography, then you have to check out this girl.  Megan Mueller specializes in photography for lifestyle and fashion bloggers.  I recently won a free shoot with her and can’t wait to feature it on the blog later this spring.   She’s a super sweet girl who offers free photography tips about lighting, composition, best times of day to shoot and more.  Her post “Are You Making These 6 Lighting Mistakes” was extremely helpful (I was making a few of them!).  Stop by to sign up for her free blog photography tips HERE.

I FEEL PRETTY

It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell us what made you feel pretty this week in the comments!

I Feel Pretty
There are just a few simple rules:

1. Follow GYPO. (Bloglovin‘, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest)

2. Link up your pretty post.

3. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link).

4. Visit other pretty peeps.



Getting my pretty on with The Pleated Poppy.

I Feel Pretty | Age Appropriate

I Feel Pretty | Age Appropriate

Having a 14 (almost 15) year-old daughter in the house is actually pretty great for helping me dress my age.  Every time I try a new trend, I ask for her input and she’s more than happy to give it.  I do this not only because I want to look age appropriate, but also because I don’t want to embarrass her with what I wear.

Alison Aubrey Swings 2You’d be surprised at what humiliates her these days.  I can’t do the robot in the car anymore, she hates it when I sing in the aisles at Target and she was completely dismayed when I danced in a flash mob at her high school pep rally.  OK, I need to defend myself on that last one.  In all fairness, humiliation was the goal but her older brother was the intended recipient.  The senior football moms wanted to do something really memorable for our sons at the last pep rally of the year.  We chose maximum embarrassment by doing a flash mob.  It worked really well.

Alison Aubrey SwingsAt any rate, I won’t embarrass her or myself by dressing inappropriately for my age.  That’s where I draw the line.  But where is the line between looking on trend and dressing too young? It gets a little blurred especially when we sometimes shop at the same stores and share clothes.

But I’ve discovered that the key to keeping pieces age appropriate is really simple.   It’s all in how you pair them up.

Let’s take this sweater for example.

Fashion Back Hole Knit Sweater [Back Hole Knit Sweater]

Mother/Daughter Style

Black Sweater Full CollageAubrey and I each styled it in our own age appropriate ways.  I picked out more sophisticated pieces like plum jeans and a long necklace with ankle boots, while she opted for a youthful look with bright jeans, a scarf and combat boots.

Alison Black Sweater Full[On Alison: Sweater:  c/o Persunmall/Jeans/Necklace (Similar)/Earrings]

Black Sweater Aubrey Full[On Aubrey: Sweater:  c/o Persunmall/Scarf/Jeans/Boots]

Black Sweater Half Collage

Alison Black Sweater Back

Ettika Black Tassel Bracelet[Bracelet:  c/o Ettika – Get 25% off site wide at Ettika.com with coupon code EXCL25]

It’s Your Turn:  How do you define age appropriate style?  Share your tips in the comments.

I FEEL PRETTY

It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell us what made you feel pretty this week in the comments!

I Feel Pretty
There are just a few simple rules:

1. Follow GYPO. (Bloglovin‘, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest)

2. Link up your pretty post.

3. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link).

4. Visit other pretty peeps.

‘); // ]]>


Getting my pretty on with Fashion Friday.

I Feel Pretty | Merry and Bright

I Feel Pretty | Merry and Bright

Most of the holiday gatherings that our family is attending this year are pretty casual.  Which is great because I can just add a little sparkle to what I already have in my closet to be party ready.  Take this outfit that I wore to a Christmas party over the weekend for example.  I already had the cashmere sweater, plaid blouse and black jeans.  All that was needed to infuse a little holiday cheer was a sparkly necklace and some beautiful earrings from Zocorra.

Christmas Outfit Half

Christmas Earring Zocorra

Christmas Outfit Necklace

Christmas Outfit Purse

Christmas Outfit Close[Cashmere Sweater:  Halogen/Jeans:  Similar/Earrings:  c/o Zocorra/Necklace:  Target/Plaid Shirt:  Similar/Purse:  c/o Fossil/Boots:  DSW]

ZOCORRA JEWELRY GIVEAWAY

Christmas Earrings Zocorra Graphic[Zocorra Citrine & Diamond Earrings]

These gorgeous 14K gold citrine and diamond earrings I’m wearing are courtesy of premium jewelry retailer Zocorra. Zocorra began three generations ago designing and hand-making luxury jewelry products in one of New York City’s five boroughs. Their engagement rings, wedding bands and other exquisitely designed pieces are sophisticated, elegant and pure luxury.

Zocorra is offering $200 to shop their exquisite designs to one lucky reader. Just select any or all of the easy ways to enter below. A winner will be selected on December 24th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you saw last Friday’s post, you know that cashmere sweaters make the perfect gift.  Stock up now for yourself and all of the women on your gift list!

 

[Halogen Crewneck Cashmere Sweater

   

 

[Gold Cluster Necklace] [Wit & Wisdom Skinny Jeans]

HOLIDAY HIATUS & ANNOUNCEMENT

Due to Christmas and New Years’ Day falling on the next two Wednesdays, the I Feel Pretty link party will be taking a holiday hiatus until January 8th.  In the meantime, get your beauty posts ready because I’m excited to announce that an all new Tuesday beauty link up will be starting on January 7th.  I’m teaming up with the lovely ladies at MomTrends, Simply Lulu Style and Mama in Heels to co-host this link up.  Save the date and join in the fun!

I FEEL PRETTY

I’m so excited to introduce you to this week’s I Feel Pretty co-host Whitney! She’s the thrifty and inspirational blogger behind the blog Whitney Nic James. Whitney combines her love of curvy girl fashion and thrifting while exploring her own personal style.  Be sure to stop by and say hi!

Follow Whitney Nic James on Bloglovin’ HERE.

Interested in co-hosting the I Feel Pretty Link up? E-mail me HERE for more information! Whitney Nic James[Whitney ‘Nic’ James]

It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell us what made you feel pretty this week in the comments!

I Feel Pretty
There are just a few simple rules:

1. Follow GYPO. (Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin‘)

2. Follow my co-host Whitney ‘Nic’ James (Bloglovin’)

3. Link up your pretty post.

4. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link).

5. Visit other pretty peeps. ‘); // ]]>


Getting my pretty on with The Pleated Poppy, Shanna, Totally Posted Tuesday and Style Sessions.

I Feel Pretty | Formulaic + Big News!

I Feel Pretty | Formulaic + Big News!

BIG NEWS!

I’ve got some big news, ya’ll.  But I really need YOUR HELP!

UK Clothing brand Wallis is preparing for it’s first US launch.  They’re holding a contest to find a US ambassador to represent their brand.  My little blog got picked to be in the competition with 28 other bloggers!

ME, a mom of three that’s almost 40.  I know the odds are against me but…

It’s a voting based competition.  Since I’m not one of the bigger blogs, I really have to rely on you guys to come through for me.

It takes three clicks and is super easy to do.  Just go to the Wallis Facebook Page, click on the pink Blogger Ambassodor Contest box under the header,  then find my entry and vote for me.

Or you can simply click HERE to go directly to my page and vote!

I will have the opportunity to create an outfit using Wallis fashion in the coming days, so stay tuned!  Until then, I would love it if you could please drop by and vote for me.  You can vote once a day.

THANK YOU!!!

Now on to this week’s outfit.

I am a firm believer in formulaic dressing.  It makes putting outfits together effortless.  When I find an outfit formula I love, I stick with it!

So, if you think today’s outfit looks vaguely reminiscent of last Wednesday’s, then you’d be right (and pretty observant)!

Both of these outfits employ the same formula.

Spring Outfit Formula

Blazer + Trendy top + Colored skinny denim + Statement necklace + Great wedges

[Seersucker Blazer (on sale)/Cuffed Skinny Jeans/Floral Tank (on sale)/Wedges (on sale)/Bee Earrings/Necklace]

Remember the knock-off J. Crew wedges from Target that I told you about in this post?  I snapped them up on sale over the weekend.  Get yours HERE while they last!

It’s Your Turn:  What’s your favorite outfit formula?  Tell me in the comments!

 

I Feel Pretty

It’s time for this week’s I Feel Pretty link party but first let’s take a look at last week’s Pretty of the Week.

She’s Lindsay of Lindsay J. Everyday!

Lindsay is a girl after my own heart in her own version of the spring outfit formula!  Her cobalt blue blazer, trendy lace top, statement necklace, awesome wedges and pop of pink make for a perfectly stylish transition into spring.

button

Link up your outfits or anything else that makes you feel pretty. There are just a few simple rules:

1. Follow GYPO. (Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin‘)

2. Link up your pretty post.

3. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link).

4. Visit other pretty peeps.

That’s it! Let the fun begin.


‘); // ]]>
Getting my pretty on with The Pleated Poppy, Shanna, Stylelixir, Wardrobe Wednesday, Whatever, Whenever Wednesday, Thursday Target Threads, Look What I Got, Aloha Friday, Vodka Infused Lemonade, Fashion Informant, Six Sisters Stuff, Get Pinspired, Anything and Everything