You might say I’ve always been a bargain hunter. So much so that my skills earned me the nickname “Sarah Shopper” from my family. My favorite pastime as a child was sitting with my dad and pulling the ads from his Sunday paper and circling all the things I wanted to buy when I grew up. Now that I’m grown up I still like to keep to a budget and there are some great, easy-breezy summer items that won’t break the bank. Here are five of my favorite summer must-haves that won’t break the bank! In fact, all five are $30 or less so there’s budget left over to pick up your favorite iced coffee or margarita!
This dress is a comfortable knit and feels fun for summer but not too short or too young at age 44! The easy cut and fit make it perfect to wear to a casual patio dinner with my family or to throw on to run errands around town!
Post kids, swimsuits are a struggle to find. I want one that gives enough lift and coverage for my mid-40s and after two kids. However, I also want it to feel fun for summer and show off those areas I work hard to tone and maintain at the gym and trying to eat healthily. This Cupshe High-Waisted Bikini has a halter top which keeps everything secure and the bottoms have a bit more coverage in the back so I can still be active with my family and not worry about what’s hanging out of my suit! Fits true to size; I’m 5’8”, 130 pounds, and typically a size 4/small. I’m wearing a small in the picture.
I bought this printed geometric shift dress for vacation since sometimes evenings at the beach can be a bit cool. I love the fun print! Plus it’s easy to accessorize with simple jewelry, a pair of neutral wedges, and let the dress do the talking! I get so many compliments every time I wear this! This dress fits true to size, I’m wearing a small in the picture.
There’s just something about gingham that feels like summer here in the south! Dresses are such an easy way to feel pulled together and stay cool in the summer. I love to pair this classic black and white gingham sundress with cognac sandals or add a fun pop of color with shoes and statement earrings. This dress fits true to size and I’m wearing a small.
I love the ruffle detailing on this Cupshe one-piece swimsuit. Somehow the striped pattern and unexpected detailing keep this one-piece feeling young and playful while still providing a little more coverage on the beach. It comes in other striped color combinations but it also comes in solid colors and floral combinations which you can find HERE. Fits true to size and I’m wearing a small in the picture.
Your turn! What summer piece is your favorite?
Meet Sarah
This Modern Mamanista started as a young fashionista when my mom bought me a Fashion Plates drawing set and Superstar Barbie Fashion Face for my birthday in the ’80s. For work, I gravitate towards effortless chic and look for great jewelry and shoes to make my outfit. I’d like to think shoes, not diamonds, are really a girl’s best friend. For the weekends, I embrace my girl next door style with more casual-chic, comfortable pieces that take me from errands to kid activities and family dinners at our favorite restaurant or a concert at our neighborhood plaza. No lounge pants and slippers or mom jeans for this mom!
It’s that time of year again, time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (NAS)! It’s a great sale where you can pick up some classic closet staples as well as some fabulous fall trend pieces. It’s also a great time to add some investment pieces if your budget allows. So why am I telling you about this sale? Because it’s an opportunity to fill in any gaps you may have at a fraction of the price and isn’t that what girlfriends do? But like any good friend I’m also going to tell you not to go into this sale without having a plan. Look through your closet and see what you have and what you need, that way you don’t end up with 16 striped tops. Then, make a list of the items you’d like to add and then possible investment pieces and go from there. For this sale, I’m going to focus on classic closet staples. Not sure what is considered a closet staple? Grab my free Closet Staples Wardrobe BuilderHERE. Now, let’s talk a little more about the sale.
NAVIGATING THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE
If you’re already familiar with how the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale works then feel free to skip this section but if you’re new to the sale or just want a refresher here are a few things you should know about the sale.
1. WHY IS THIS SALE SUCH A BIG DEAL?
Sales happen all the time, right? Why the fuss? Most sales happen at the end of a season when retailers are trying to clear out old merchandise. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is unique because the items on sale are brand new pieces and particularly focus on upcoming fall trends. Getting such deep discounts on these new pieces is unheard of from any other retailer.
2. HOW DO I GET THE SALE PRICE?
Nordstrom releases the sale in waves with Nordstrom cardholders getting early access for a full week before the general public. If you aren’t yet a cardholder you can apply here to take advantage of the sales now before they sell out. The sale will be open to the general public on July 28th. Click HERE for the full release schedule.
3. WHAT ABOUT THE TRENDS?
I’ll be sharing my fall trend picks here on the blog next week when the sale is open to everyone. Stay tuned!
MY THREE RULES FOR SHOPPING
1. IF IT’S NOT A “HECK YES” IT’S A NO.
If you don’t love everything about an item, the way it fits, the color, how you look in it, then don’t buy it/keep It. You should love the clothes you put in your closet because if you don’t, chances are you won’t wear them much or possibly even at all. It’s hard to look at something you’ve spent your money on a year later and realize the tag is still on it.
2. IT’S NOT A GOOD DEAL IF YOU DON’T NEED IT.
You work hard for your money, don’t waste it buying things you don’t need. It’s easy to get caught up in the little shots of dopamine you get when you make a purchase but are those purchases things you actually need? Remember, saving $40 on something you don’t really need isn’t actually saving.
3. BE A CLOSET CURATOR, NOT A CAUGHT UP CONSUMER.
Curating a closet you love takes time and patience. It’s about deciding what items you want to invest in and what gaps you want to fill. That’s why I put so much focus on building a great foundation with closet staples. Once you have a good base it’s easy to mix and match and sprinkle in a few trends here and there.
Again, that’s why I’m sharing this sale with you. It’s a great opportunity to fill in any closet staple gaps you may have as well as upgrade any of your pieces to a higher quality, i.e. investment pieces. Since we’re going into fall, I’m going to give you my top 10 fall closet staple pieces you can find at the NAS. That being said, don’t forget to explore the other items available and refer back to my Closet Staples Wardrobe Builder HERE as a guide. I can’t wait to see what all you find and how you style the pieces!
by Jessica Pigza Swimsuit season is one of those terms that can evoke many different emotions. The excitement that the sun is out and that beach or pool time is near, but also dread, the dread of finding, wearing, and loving oneself in a swimsuit. As someone who is...
Who’s ready for summer? I am, well, now I am with these easy summer outfit formulas®. Last summer, as we were headed into the unknown, it was hard to get motivated, hard to get dressed and I for one really didn’t add much to my closet because I wasn’t leaving my house. However, this summer I feel brings new hope as things are opening up and people are getting back out. Typically I only add a few pieces to help freshen things up because I have such a great foundation of closet staples. This summer though, there were so many fun pieces that were hard to resist and to be honest, I think I was making up for last year. That’s why I decided to up my closet game and add some colorful and fun new pieces to my summer capsule wardrobe.
Now to pair up all these cute new pieces. Although I may have added a bit more than I planned on that doesn’t mean I went rogue. I still added pieces that are versatile and fairly timeless. They can be paired up in so many ways and even though summer is just beginning, I’ve already worn some items numerous times. And to help you with your style I’ve included five summer Outfit Formulas® below plus you can download my free guide HERE. The best thing about using the outfit formulas® is that like me, you may have many of these closet staples already on hand but if you have any gaps, you can shop where you want and with whatever budget you want! All the looks featured below are just a small part of this year’s Outfit Formulas® Summer 2021 Capsule Wardrobe which is currently available. Now let’s get started!
Outfit Formula #1
Denim Jacket + White Top + Bright Bottoms + Colorful Shoes
I’m wearing pretty much everything from above. My denim jacket has been one of my closet staples for years but it’s still from J.Crew Factory like the one above and my green shorts are also from J.Crew Factory. I bought them a few years ago but they are still available. This is a great summer outfit with some pops of color. The best part is the shirt and jacket are a neutral meaning you can pick whatever color shorts you want!
Outfit Formula #2
Gingham Top + Denim Bottoms + White Sneakers
The only thing closet shopped for this look are my white Keds sneakers and everything else is from above. I love the classic and timeless look of a gingham print and this sleeveless shirt is the perfect addition to my closet. My shorts are from H&M and here is another similar pair.
Outfit Formula #3
Denim Jacket + Solid Top 2 + White Bottoms + Colorful Shoes
I love mixing my denim jacket with something super soft and unexpected. Last spring I paired up a light pink long pleated skirt and this spring it’s this fabulous white eyelet skirt. The pink top is from my closet but any solid top will work with this neutral base.
Outfit Formula #4
Chambray Top + Printed Dress + White Sneakers
I’m wearing everything pictured above except for my white Keds sneakers. I can’t tell you enough how much I love this dress! It’s so comfortable and I even wore it for my daughter’s graduation party. Paired with some white sneakers, it’s the perfect casual outfit yet a simple swap to some heels and you instantly have a look perfect for date night!
Outfit Formula #5
Black Top + Khaki Bottoms + Raffia Shoes
I think this is one of my favorite looks, and yes I know I say that a lot but this one is very classic yet very comfortable. I’m wearing everything pictured above except for my black ruffled sleeve top. The khaki linen shorts surprised me the most. They are oh so comfortable and even though they are a looser fitting short, they still look classy and sophisticated. Plus the raffia slides add some cute detail.
Your turn! Which outfit formula are you excited to rock this summer?
The Outfit Formulas® Summer 2021 Capsule Wardrobe guide includes 33 days of casual outfit ideas with “dress it up” and “dress it down” tips so that these looks work for every lifestyle! You also get a shopping list of easy, low cost essentials that are already on trend today, including accessories!
There’s just something about that first pedicure of the spring whether I’m doing it myself or I’m able to make it to the salon. To me, it’s the official start of the season which means warm weather and lighter layers. It also means it’s time to break out my flip-flops and sandals. However, this year mother nature has been playing with my spring fever by covering the ground with snow not once but twice this April putting my sandal-wearing a bit on hold. Not to worry though, higher temps are coming and now I just need to decide if I want to go big and bold or soft and natural. Below are some of the fun ideas I’m seeing when it comes to spring and summer 2021 nail trends and colors. Which ones will you try?
1. Candy Colored Nails
These are nail colors good enough to eat! The bright rich colors remind me of a bag of skittles but prettier.
On the opposite side of the bright and bold color spectrum are the soft and muted earth tones. These are the ones you’d find in nature like moss green, terracotta, pale yellow, and dessert sand. They’re still pretty colorful, just on a more subtle level compared to the bright candy colors above.
Blue-toned polishes are a huge trend this season ranging from a bright royal blue to a tropical aqua, a minty green, and everything in between. Wear the color alone or add a coral or navy accent nail to take them up a notch. Need more inspiration? Just imagine a gorgeous blue sky over some fantastic tropical waters. The colors are amazing and something you can easily incorporate into your nail color.
I think it’s safe to say that coral polishes never really go out of style. They are a quintessential spring and summer nail color and with a variety of pink, orange, and red undertones, you’re sure to find one that you love.
The ring finger accent nail is still trending but what I’m seeing most is using a glitter polish or nail wrap to accomplish this look. Remember when applying a glitter polish you want to dab it on instead of swiping. This will allow more glitter to stay on your nail and not be brushed off. Below are some great ideas I found.
This is one of the surprise trends of the season, bare or nude nails. This trend is super easy to achieve and requires only the use of a clear coat. If you want to add a little something you can opt for one that has a pink tint to it or even something that is a little more opaque but still sheer.
When you can’t choose just one color, you don’t have to! Painting each nail a different color can be seen everywhere this season. The key to this trend is to find some sort of theme and go with it. For instance, use different shades of the same color family, or stick to all pastel colors or perhaps all bright colors. Using coordinating colors will also look great like navy, coral, and some gold glitter polish. Have you tried this trend yet? What color combinations did you use?
Sometimes it’s the simple details that can take your nails to the next level. This can be easily achieved with different polishes, nail tape, or even using a budget-friendly nail art tool kit like this one from Amazon. The possibilities are endless!
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.
Betty Weyandt December 20, 2019
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.
Kirstin Rasmussen November 20, 2019
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.
Michelle Kline November 20, 2019
Great community of ladies, helping each other look stylish, without breaking the bank, and using much of what you already own.
Chosen Faith November 19, 2019
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.
Maraline Freeman October 16, 2019
I love GYPO!!! I finally feel put together and stylish! The shopping lists and outfit combinations make shopping and getting dressed effortless.
Krista Probst October 16, 2019
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