Hey pretties! I’m not sure if you’re into podcasts like I’m into podcasts but even if you’re not, I really hope you’ll check out the latest episode of one of my favorites Sorta Awesome!
I had the pleasure of being a guest on the show last week and getting to share my stress free style tips and fave fall 2018 trends. You can click HERE or the image below to give it a listen!
by Alison Lumbatis
This post goes out to all my southern sisters, you know who you are. The ones who are ready right about now to make a pile of all of your shorts, flip flops and tank tops in your backyard and light ’em up into a bonfire…except that it’s WAY too hot to even think about a bonfire. The ones who are lighting Bath and Body Works fall candles on 100 degree days and dreaming of UGG’s (or at least a day when you can open the windows and turn off the A/C). The ones who are sweating through their clothes at high school football games and wouldn’t dare order a pumpkin spice latte unless you wanted to raise your body temp to a dangerous level. I feel your pain this time of the year. This post is for all of us in the “in-between” who so desperately want to wear fall clothes but know there’s not enough Secret anti-perspirant to support that decision.
Our version of summer to fall transition outfits looks a bit different from the rest of the world. We can’t just go straight to cozy sweaters and loafers once September arrives. Our outfits require a wee bit more finessing than that. We have to reinvent our summer clothes.
Today I’m sharing five of my favorite summer to fall transition outfit formulas with you. What’s an outfit formula you ask? Basically it’s math for your closet! Even if you’re not a fan of math, I promise that you will LOVE a good outfit formula. Just take the basic formula and swap in any piece from your closet to make it work. You can create endless combinations for each formula!
Let’s start by breathing new life into our summer closet staple – shorts. Shorts can easily be paired up with long sleeved tops now and lightweight sweaters later when there’s a slight chill in the air.
P.S. I shopped my closet for all of these outfits but I’ve linked up same or similar items below each.
Tuck your favorite button down shirt (I LOVE a soft chambray for this!) into any of your shorts. Finish it off with a belt and sandals. The belt gives it polish!
[Chambray Shirt/Skinny Belt/White Shorts/Patent Sandals/Bracelets]
I always dreamed of living somewhere where I could wear a sweater with shorts in the summer. This summer we traveled to Wisconsin and I was able to wear this exact outfit. Half tuck your favorite lightweight sweater into some denim shorts to create this look.
[Navy Sweater/Frayed Hem Shorts/Sandals/Bracelets]
This next set of outfits features jeans on bottom. You can wear them now with a tank and later with a tee. Don’t forget about your trusty old year-round companion Mr. Cardigan. We ladies in the south know one thing – restaurants and stores are always kept the temperature of a meat locker. Stashing a cardigan in our purses is common practice.
I call this my late August outfit. When I just can’t bear the thought of another day in shorts, this is one of my go-to’s. Pair up any color tank with cropped jeans and sandals, add a colorful necklace for an instant outfit!
[Navy Tank/Tassel Necklace/Cropped Jeans/Patent Sandals]
As we move into September, I start to crave closed-toe shoes. Mules are a perfect summer to fall shoe because the back is open so they’re somewhat ventilated. Half tuck any color tee into skinny jeans and add leopard print flats.
[Pink Tee/Gray Jeans/Necklace/Leopard Mules]
Cute and comfy! Your tee and jeans get a boost from some cool kicks. This makes a great “base” outfit for adding on layers. Finish it out with a utility jacket, long cardigan or sweatshirt if/when it starts to cool down.
[Gray Tee/Cropped Jeans/New Balance Sneakers]
Exciting news! We now have a GYPO Pretties Community Facebook group. This group is already buzzing with loads of style and beauty advice! We created it to give GYPO Pretties a place to connect and discuss all things fashion, style, and fun year round in community with your style sisters. We also share exclusive content like new affordable trends to check out and closet staple sale alerts. The only thing missing is YOU! Click here to join.
by Jessica Pigza
School is just around the corner which means if you’re anything like my family, we are trying to squeeze our last bits of fun out of summer. For us that included taking a last minute road trip to the beach. We enjoyed the sand and sun and the hotel even had a pool. I’m pretty sure the kids spent more time wet than dry. Between my daughters’ hair and my own, this gave me an excellent opportunity to try out some new products to help fight the damaging effects of the salt and chlorine. Below are the products that saved our hair at the beach!
Note: Let me preface this by saying my hair is long, and I have a thick, coarser strand. My oldest daughter has long, baby fine hair which tangles easily and my youngest daughter, while her hair is a fine strand, she has a ton of it.
Dove Nourishing Rituals Shampoo Repairing Ritual + Dove Nourishing Rituals Conditioner Repairing Ritual
The first day of our trip the girls left their hair down while I wore mine in a high, messy bun and it made for a tangled mess after a day in the water. The goggle straps didn’t help this mess either. Once I finally got our hair free I used Dove Nourishing Rituals Shampoo Repairing Ritual + Dove Nourishing Rituals Conditioner Repairing Ritual to help clean the salt and chlorine away and work out the tangles. In addition to having a great smell, it really helped take a mangled mess of hair and make it brushable again. This worked beautifully in all our hair.
Regis Designline Olive Oil EVOO Leave-In Lite
To help work out any remaining tangles I tried Regis Designline Olive Oil EVOO Leave-In Lite. This worked equally amazing for all of us. I was able to easily get a brush through our hair and it didn’t feel greasy. It too had a great smell. Normally I wouldn’t use a conditioner in the shower plus a leave in conditioner, but given the harsh circumstances our hair was currently going through, it’s helped bring it back to life.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Body Moisturizer
After another fun-filled day in the water, I decided to try Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Body Moisturizer to help tame residual tangles. On my daughter’s fine hair it did leave it a little heavy feeling, but the fact that she didn’t cry when I brushed her hair means I will totally be using this again. I also feel like it added an extra layer of protection when we hit the water the next day. While this may not be an everyday use product, it’s great to help restore moisture.
By the fourth day, I was over getting my hair wet and the windblown look was continuing to cause tangles in those baby fine hairs around my face. To combat this I turned to my favorite headband/headwrap made by Buff. They come in an array of beautiful colors and styles and depending on the length you get, can be worn in many different ways. They also stay secure without giving me a headache which is a major bonus since I’m prone to headaches. The fabric is breathable and moisture-wicking so I didn’t feel hot.
Okay, so this technically isn’t a product but this made such a difference in helping our hair this trip. As I mentioned earlier the first few days we wore our hair down or in a messy bun. It led to a tangled mess. Finally, I got smarter and braided our hair before we hit the water. My favorite is the inside-out french braid (thank you YouTube). It kept all our hair out of our faces. Then when it was time to wash up, I rinsed the hair before undoing the braids. We didn’t encounter any tangles which made both momma and girls quite happy!
Hint: Before going to the beach or pool, completely saturate hair with clean water. Think of hair like a sponge, by thoroughly wetting hair with clean water before, you can keep the absorption of salt and chlorine to a minimum.
Your turn! What are some of your favorite ways to combat the effects of salt and chlorine on your hair?
By Alison Lumbatis
I have good news and bad news for you today. Which do you want first?
Good! That’s what I thought. The good news is that summer is only half way over, which means we still have plenty of sun and fun ahead!
The bad news is that there’s still plenty of summer left which means you might already be getting tired of your summer clothes. Let’s shake things up!
Today I’m sharing 20 of my favorite simple summer outfit formulas with you. These are the tried and true formulas that I go to over and over again to keep from getting bored with my summer clothes. I’m obsessed with outfit formulas! They make getting dressed the easiest thing you’ll do all day. Just take the basic formula and shop your closet to find the pieces. Pair them up and voila! Instant outfit.
We’ve had a lot of new pretties around here lately so I figured it was time for me to share a little more about the GYPO story. First off, I’m not a trained stylist or writer. I’m just a mom who woke up one day sick of wearing yoga pants all the time. I wanted to look cute and put together for my daily life but wasn’t sure where to start. Get Your Pretty On began as a place to share my style journey and what I was learning along the way. Since then, it’s evolved into a space where we can all get our pretty on together.
My love of outfit formulas has also been the springboard for my online personal style program Style Challenges by GYPO. Every season I help women just like you build a capsule wardrobe of on trend pieces and classic basics that work for your everyday life. You get a shopping list of trends and basics and a different outfit formula sent to your inbox every day. You get to set the budget and shop where you want, no boxes or subscriptions – and it works for every size, shape, and budget!
The 20 summer outfit formulas in today’s post are taken straight from the Style Challenges Summer 2018 Capsule Wardrobe.
Note: Because I shop my closet a lot, some of the pieces below may no longer be available. I’ve linked up similar items where possible.
1. Kimono + Bright Tee + White Shorts + Neutral Wedges
2. White Top + Bright Shorts + Gold Sandals
3. Gray Tee + Olive Shorts + Bright Sandals
4. White Top + Palazzo Pants + Neutral Wedges
5. Black Tee + Printed Shorts + Gold Sandals
6. Graphic Tee + Bright Shorts + Gold Sneakers
7. White Top + Printed Shorts + Bright Sandals
8. Bright Tee + Olive Shorts + Gold Sandals
9. Peplum Tank + Printed Shorts + Neutral Wedges
10. Chambray Shirt + Black Tank Dress + Gold Sandals
11. Kimono + Bright Tee + Denim Shorts + Gold Sandals
12. Gray Tee + White Shorts + Bright Sandals
13. White Top + Olive Shorts + Gold Sneakers
14. Chambray Shirt + Graphic Tee + Printed Shorts + Gold Sneakers
15. Black Tee + Olive Shorts + Black Sandals
16. Gray Tee + Denim Shorts + Gold Sneakers
17. Black Dress + Neutral Wedges + Floppy Hat
18. Printed Tank + Bright Shorts + Neutral Wedges
19. Chambray Shirt + White Tank + Palazzo Pants + Gold Sandals
20. Graphic Tee + Denim Shorts + Bright Sandals
Get all the tools you need to build your own summer capsule wardrobe for just $29! The Style Challenges Summer 2018 Capsule Wardrobe is now on sale. Learn more and sign up HERE.
By Alison Lumbatis
WARNING: This post contains my no-holds barred, candid thoughts and feelings about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It may not go over well with some but here goes…
When I woke up this morning, I had an inbox full of Nordstrom Anniversary Sale e-mails and a big knot in my stomach. I was hoping when I logged in to check out early access, I’d feel better.
Unfortunately, I just felt worse.
This is, by far, the most hyped up sale of the year in the blogosphere and as such, I’ve always felt tremendous pressure to blog about it. Last year, I did a Facebook Live sharing the why behind the hype. To sum it up, Nordstrom offers us bloggers some sweet commission for all of those affiliate links we provide to sale items. Which quite honestly is well deserved. Blogging is A TON of work (way more than I ever did in my past corporate life) and any bit of compensation we get is hard earned.
So where’s the problem?
Not much about the sale aligns with me personally (I usually only buy 2-3 things) nor does it align with the GYPO mission of less stuff, more style. Every year it gets harder and harder to post about the sale and still feel authentic.
In a poll on GYPO’s Instagram Stories recently, it turns out a lot of you feel the same way:
Read this next part because it’s really important: I need to make it REALLY clear that I am in NO WAY bashing other bloggers. That’s just NOT my style (note all of the CAPS? That means I’m really passionate about this!) I am NOT judging anyone who posts about the sale. They have their own values and missions which are no more right or wrong than mine. They’re just different. These bloggers are providing a valuable service to their readers and helping them navigate what can be an overwhelming sale, so more power to them!
OK, so back to that issue with earning commission. In the past I’ve gotten a nice little chunk of change for my NAS posts (I told you this post would be really candid)…and when mama has two kids in college, that’s pretty hard to give up.
Still, I’m scaling back this year. There won’t be a full series of posts about the sale like I’ve done in years past. The ONLY way I can feel good posting about the sale is to show you:
On that note, let’s get this party started, shall we? BTW, if you do happen to buy something through one of my links, my soon to be college-educated children thank you!
P.S. If you don’t have early access to the sale items, you can apply for a Nordstrom card to get it immediately. They also give you a $20 note for using it your first day, so that’s more bang for your buck (something I can definitely get behind!)
Why it Made the List: In 10 colors (and stripes!) this tee is a basic that you’ll want more than one of. And at just $11.90 each, you can definitely afford it!
Why it Made the List: I bought this exact tee last year and loved it so much that I want to add more colors. It’s a modal jersey knit so it feels dressier and the length makes it ideal for skinny jeans or leggings (you can also half tuck it).
Caslon Long Sleeve Scoop Neck Tee
Why it Made the List: Well, first off stripes! This long sleeve closet basic tee comes in six colors and is a great transitional piece that can be half tucked into denim shorts now and layered later.
Why it Made the List: You’ve heard me sing the praises of this bandeau bra before because I HATE strapless bras! This one is comfortable and has a wee bit of padding – oh and it’s under $12.
Wacoal How Perfect No Wire Contour Bra
Why it Made the List: I also despise underwires (picky much?) This Wacoal bra is perfect under tees and thinner knits and it’s also super comfy.
1822 Denim Butter High Waist Jeans
Why it Made the List: Ok, so this is more of a trend than a basic, but I’ve been wanting to try out some high waist jeans. The color and cut of this pair feels more grown up than some others and the price is right for trying a trend at only $28.90!
J. Crew Boiled Wool Olga Topcoat
Why it Made the List: A classic wool topcoat in a fun color will stay in style for years to come. This is a piece worth the investment!
Leith Ribbed Shawl Cocoon Cardigan
Why it Made the List: Cardigans are a true closet staple but I just can’t justify spending upwards of $60-80 on one. I bought one very similar to this one during last year’s NAS and it’s been a year-round workhorse.
Why it Made the List: This boxy cardigan in light pink and gray has a cut that’s great for layering over dresses or leggings.
Why it Made the List: Like summer’s tees, fall’s sweaters will be getting an update with fun details. This scallop trim sweater comes in 7 colors so don’t worry if yellow isn’t your thing.
Treasure & Bond Off the Shoulder Sweater
Why it Made the List: Can we even call off the shoulder a trend anymore? It’s been around a few years and it’s here to stay. This sweater displays your beautiful shoulders and the color is just right for fall days.
Why it Made the List: Did you honestly think I’d get through this list without something leopard on it? Of course not! Leopard print shoes are back big time this fall. Update yours with a fun pair of mules.
Why it Made the List: Sneakers are a big time trend for fall. This pair does double duty. It’s a great running shoe for the gym but also is street stylish enough to wear with jeans.
Why it Made the List: These suede booties are waterproof which protect your investment but more than that, the color and comfy block heel make them a great all-purpose bootie that goes with everything.
Do you struggle to put outfits together? Are you stuck in a yoga pants rut? Not sure if you can make the latest trends work for you? You’re in the right place!
I’m Alison, a mom of three and recovering yoga pants addict on a mission to make getting dressed and feeling pretty the easiest thing you do all day! Learn more about my story HERE.
I am so glad I was part of the Fall 2019 Style Challenge. It gave me confidence and so many great outfitt ideas. The ladies in the group were very supportive and I will defintetly be doing another challenge in the future.
I’ve been participating in the GYPO Style Challenges for three years now and I’ve loved it. I’ve always loved clothes, but I didn’t know how to put outfits together. My closet is now full of mix-and-match outfits, I have learned how to dress myself, and there is no more stress in figuring out to wear. The private FB group is full of wonderful ladies that build each other up. It’s so fun and is seriously the best group on FB.
Get Your Pretty On has changed my life, seriously. I have always chased what is trendy but found from season to season, that things go out of style and I was wasting money on items that I would only end up wearing a few times. GYPO has enabled me to simplify my closet, helps me make smarter purchasing decisions, and I feel so put together and confident using the outfit formulas that are provided. This program is a GAME CHANGER. I've been following GYPO for a few years now and my only regret is not jumping on board sooner.
Great community of ladies, helping each other look stylish, without breaking the bank, and using much of what you already own.
GYPO challenges have been one of the best things I have done! It had taught me so much more than just creating a closet of clothes that I love but also to have confidence in myself, how to pick and choose colors that work for me instead of against, and had given a wonderful community of Pretties who are so special.
I love GYPO!!! I finally feel put together and stylish! The shopping lists and outfit combinations make shopping and getting dressed effortless.
BP Raw Edge V-neck Tee
Halogen V-neck Tunic Tee
Halogen Bandeau Bra
Leith Boxy Cardigan
Halogen Scallop Trim Sweater
Halogen Violet Calf Hair Mule
Nike Air Max Thea Sneaker
Blondo Nova Waterproof Bootie