Feb 11, 2015
Since my corporate days are (thankfully) a thing of the past, I don’t dress up much anymore. Honestly, sometimes I REALLY miss it. Nothing makes me feel more feminine than a great fitting pencil skirt with a tucked-in blouse and some heels.
But one of the best things about blogging is I get to play dress up when I want. 🙂
[Skirt: Loft (Similar)/Shirt: Loft (Similar)/Purse: Wallis/Shoes: DSW]
OK, so playing dress up at the barn isn’t ideal but this is an example of one of those outfits that makes me feel like I can conquer the world. Skirts and heels give me that powerful combination of confidence and femininity like nothing else. The same goes for dresses but I’ve always been partial to skirts for some reason.
Here are some other ways to wear different lengths and styles of skirts. Which one is your favorite?
Floral chiffon maxi skirt with a sleeveless ruffle top
Red midi skirt with a white short sleeve top
Classic a-line skirt with a maroon sweater
White mini skirt with a button down blouse
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!
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 pretties. That’s it, now go have some fun!
Dec 24, 2014
I feel things very deeply but am really not good at expressing them in words but today I’m going to try because my feelings are overwhelming, to say the least.
It’s hard to put into words the gratitude that I have for what GYPO has meant to me this past year, what YOU have meant to me.
At the beginning of 2014, I couldn’t have ever imagined the community that would grow from a simple idea – to make simplified, affordable style accessible to women everywhere.
I couldn’t have pictured the smiling faces of women taking selfies for the first time ever, taking risks they never imagined taking and feeling better than they have in years.
I couldn’t have dreamed of the hundreds of e-mails and comments I’ve gotten from women who have said participating in style challenges has been life changing.
It’s all been humbling, to say the least and an amazing, indescribable blessing.
I have even more planned for 2015 – including more well-rounded content to improve more than just style but to help you get the most out of every area of life, a style challenge just for the men in your lives and so much more.
Thank YOU for allowing me this opportunity to touch your lives in some small way. You will never know just how deep my appreciation is.
With gratitude,
Alison
P.S. If the family photo looks familiar, that’s because it’s from last year’s Christmas card. If you follow me on Facebook, then you probably saw my post on Monday about our Christmas card fail. They haven’t been sent yet, let alone photographed or printed. 🙂
Winter Challenge – 50% OFF FLASH SALE!
As a small token of appreciation for your support this year, I’m running a flash sale TODAY ONLY on the Winter Challenge. It expires at midnight tonight! This challenge will see you through the rest of the winter in cozy comfort. It would make a great gift for a special woman in your life or last minute treat for yourself. Get the details and sign up HERE.
CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR
A few of you asked me for a Christmas home tour on Facebook, so here are a few quick shots I took around the house.
This pic of the exterior was actually taken two years ago, when we had a little snow. The outside decorations are still the same, just minus the snow.
The gingerbread tree in our family room is our only real tree. The girls and I make fresh gingerbread ornaments for it every few years. Our dogs think it’s their treat tree. 🙂
The little tree in our study.
Our big tree and staircase garland.
Another shot of my favorite tree in the family room. You’ll notice that Kitty has the garland torn off at the bottom.
Since we didn’t get our Christmas cards sent out in time, Craig decided to create his own for us. Oh my…
Merry Christmas to all!
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! 
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 pretties. That’s it, now go have some fun!
Dec 10, 2014
I used to really struggle with what to wear to holiday parties. Then a few years ago, I found a foolproof formula that ended all of that. A formula that works for everything from church to the ballet to my husband’s annual company party. It’s as simple as this…
Dressy Sweater + Black Ankle Pants + Heels
Of course, you can substitute a pencil skirt for your pants if it’s a more formal event but I find that pants work for just about everything I attend during the Christmas season. An embellished sweater takes the guesswork out of everything. Just add some simple accessories and you’re good to go!
[Sweater: c/o Wallis/Pants: Similar/Clutch: c/o Wink & Winn/Shoes: Similar/Watch: Michael Kors]
It’s Your Turn: What’s your holiday party go-to outfit? Tell me in the comments!
Want even more ways to style dressy sweaters? Then join me for the Winter/Holiday Style Me Pretty Challenge! You’ll get your winter wardrobe shopping list plus 21 days of outfits, including a few holiday party looks. For more info and to sign up, 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!
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 pretties. That’s it, now go have some fun!
Dec 3, 2014
December is one of my favorite months for many reasons, but mostly because of the traditions we have around Christmas. One of those traditions is, of course, shopping for gifts. My husband Craig and I make an event out of it every year. He usually takes a few Fridays off for us to finish up shopping for anything we haven’t gotten online. We start early in the morning, have a nice, relaxing lunch while reviewing our list and finish up in the afternoon before we have to pick the girls up from school.
On those days, I like to wear outfits that are comfortable and put together, but feel a little festive and fun. This outfit fits the bill perfectly – comfy flats, festive plaid and just the right amount of sparkle.
[Sweater: Loft/Jeans: Loft/Plaid Shirt: Similar/Necklace: Similar/Tote Bag: c/o Barrington Gifts/Flats: Sam & Libby]
It’s Your Turn: What does your ideal shopping outfit consist of? Tell me in the comments!
Want even more ways to style plaid shirts and statement necklaces? Then join me for the Winter/Holiday Style Me Pretty Challenge! You’ll get your winter wardrobe shopping list plus 21 days of outfits, including a few holiday party looks. For more info and to sign up, click HERE.
A GIFT FOR YOU!
As my gift to celebrate the success of my style challenges, I’m offering a 50% discount on two of my most popular 2014 challenges. The Work Your Work Wear Challenge and Fall Style Me Pretty Challenge will be available for just $14.99 for a limited time. Get them while you can, I’ll be discontinuing both challenges soon to make room for 2015’s challenges.
Just click the links below to sign up and get these challenges at 50% off before they’re gone for good!
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!
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 pretties. That’s it, now go have some fun!
Sep 10, 2014
Birthdays really should last more than one day, am I right? If possible, I’d like to celebrate all month long. Since I can’t do that (and quite frankly, my family would get tired of it really quickly) I do at least stretch it out for a weekend. Even though my official birthday was on Sunday, this past weekend was all about me. 🙂
On Friday I got my hair cut and then did some “research” at the mall for the fall style challenge. If you’re following me on Instagram, you already know that this whole outfit came home with me.
[Scarf/Shirt/Pants/Shoes]
On Saturday, I had my first surprise, Devon came home from college! That evening, we had a dinner party at our house. Craig cooked a delicious feast and invited my sisters and brothers-in-law. My brother-in-law Victor brought me my first ever pinata in the shape of a giraffe. It was almost too cute to crack open, but we did anyway.
After dinner, we had my all-time favorite cake, the Berry Chantilly cake from Whole Foods. I could eat the whole thing myself. Then it was present time. In traditional Craig fashion, he tricked me by wrapping up a little box and hiding my real gift, a new Macbook Pro, in the bottom of the laundry basket. When I found it, I started crying. You have NO idea how long I’ve been waiting to get one. My dinosaur PC was five years old and gave me grief on a daily basis. The Mac learning curve has been a little steep but I’m getting the hang of it!
On my actual birthday, we went to brunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant and relaxed the rest of the day. It was so nice having Devon home and being able to celebrate as a complete family!
This is what I wore for our dinner party Saturday night. It felt good to get a little dressed up, even if we were just staying in.
[Blouse: Same/Jeans: Same/Clutch: Similar/Necklace: Same/Shoes: Similar/Earrings: Same/Watch: Same]
Let’s talk about these jeans that I’m wearing for a minute. I love them so much that I walked out of Loft with four pairs in different colors. That NEVER happens! They are perfect in every way – great length for ankle boots, just right stretch, hold their shape, perfect rise. Just get them already, you’ll thank me later.
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!
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 pretties. That’s it, now go have some fun!
Getting my pretty on with Friday Favorites, Fashion Friday and The Pleated Poppy.
