Mar 15, 2017
Want to know a secret? Some days I beat myself up mercilessly over SO many things. Recently it’s been about not having professional blog photos.
I’m sure you’ve noticed over the past year that I do more and more mirror selfies. Honestly it’s just easier. My husband is my blog photographer, but not a professional photographer. He travels a lot for work so when he’s home on the weekends, the last thing I want to do is bug him to take photos. It’s usually not worth taking quality time away from our family to do it.
Yes, I know that pretty blog photos aren’t that big of a deal but it really bothers me. I want to create a better, higher quality experience for you.
But that’s not the only reason why I feel like a “bad blogger”, I also beat myself up over not spending enough time in my private Facebook groups for the GYPO Style Challenge, actually more than anything else. Yes, you ladies in there are more than happy and willing to take care of each other but I would LOVE to carve out more time to interact.
Honestly I think if there were three of me, I could be a lot more productive and effective. One Alison would be dedicated to creating kick butt blog content, one Alison would interact in the Facebook groups all day and one would do the planning and creation of the GYPO Style Challenge.
Sigh…in a perfect world.
But there’s only one Alison who more than anything wants to do better as a wife and mom. Who has made the commitment to my family to close my laptop by 5:00 pm every day. Most days I do it but that doesn’t stop me from laying awake at night knowing I have 50 unread Facebook notifications waiting for me.
And let’s not even talk about the other things that get pushed down on the list like calling my parents or sisters more often or planning new meals instead of eating the same thing every single week or any number of other things that I wish I had the bandwidth to take on.
Most days I just feel like a giant load of not measuring up.
Not measuring up to my own unrealistic expectations as a blogger, mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.
And I know I’m not unique. Swap my Facebook notifications for any number of demands you have and we’re all in this together.
But I have professional photos today.
Because I know I can’t do it all perfectly all the time. But sometimes I find time to try a little harder. And sometimes it works out. But if it doesn’t that’s ok too because really we are all trying and doing our best.
Those who love us know this. They see the good we are doing, not the unrealistic never ending mental list of what we beat ourselves up over.
Thankfully perception isn’t reality. Thanks to you amazing readers who assure me that what I do makes a difference. Thanks to my sweet, supportive husband who builds me up and is always there. Thanks to my sensitive kids that know just the right time to tell me that I’m more than enough as their mom.
Even though I know I can do much better in many areas, reality is I’m not truly failing. And neither are you.
So today I bring you some real blog photos because I had the bandwidth to try a little harder. I can’t promise that they’ll be regular but I’m trying. And at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.
[Moto Jacket: Stitch Fix, Similar/Tank: Similar/Jeggings: Same/Necklace: Chesley Mae/Earrings: Same/Sandals: Same]
OK, back to fashion, let’s talk about this sueded moto jacket I got in my Stitch Fix this month. (In case you missed it last month, see Why I Gave Stitch Fix a Second Chance).
I’ve been looking for the perfect spring moto jacket for a few weeks now. None of them quite seemed to fit the bill. Then like a gift from above, this perfect sueded moto jacket arrived in this month’s Stitch Fix. It fits perfectly and I wore it that same night to the HeartStories Girls Night Out that my friend Crystal hosts each month. (P.S. – If you’re local to DFW and haven’t come out to it yet, it’s a MUST DO!) It’s the one night of the month that I actually dress up a little.
Here are the rest of the pieces in this month’s fix and my verdict on each.
1. Suede Ankle Boots – Loved these but have a pair very similar so they went back. Plus I’m more into open toed shoes now since it’s starting to feel like spring in Texas. I don’t think I’d get much wear from these.
2. Frayed Hem Mid-Rise Jeans – Wanted to keep these but they were a little too big. This is two months in a row where the jeans have been a size too big so I adjusted my sizing in my Stitch Fix profile.
3. Blush V-Neck Sweater – I have an almost identical piece in my closet which I’m sure you’ve seen me wear on the blog a time or two. I didn’t keep this either.
4. Black Bow Back Blouse – Oh how I wanted to love this pretty blouse! It has a flounced hem and the most adorable bow on the back. Alas, I couldn’t find a way to wear that my bra strap didn’t show in the back. So unfortunately this beauty went back (it’s much cuter in person, I promise)!
5. Sueded Moto Jacket – Winner, winner! Perfect right out of the box. Amazing quality, just right weight, color and fit. This is the one piece I kept this month. The true color is more like the photos of me wearing it above, a light beige, almost blush. If you’re looking for a similar one, check out this great dupe, this faux suede one, this striped one and this plus sized one.
Once again, I was thrilled with this month’s fix. I felt that my stylist really got me and sent great pieces. Even though I’ve only kept one piece the past two month’s, it’s still totally worth it. I love having these unexpected surprises arrive to add in some fun new trends.
Disclosure: If you decide to sign up for Stitch Fix using my link, I earn a credit. Even still, all opinions are 100% my own. Your trust is always more important than a product credit!
I Feel Pretty Link Up
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 me what made you feel pretty this week in the comments.
Getting my pretty on with Style Elixir, Jo Lynne Shane and A Little Bit of Everything.
There are just a few simple rules:
1. Follow GYPO. (Bloglovin‘, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest)
2. Link up your pretty post.
3. Link back to GYPO (using the button above or your own link).
4. Visit other pretties.
Mar 6, 2017
Welcome to another edition of SAHMonday – weekly outfit inspiration just for the stay at home and work from home moms of the world (like me!) who aren’t heading out of the house on Monday morning. You can check out the other outfits in this series here.
These outfits are perfect for when you want to feel comfortable, yet put together, so that you can face the day and any errands you may need to run. Plus, most of these outfit formulas can be pulled straight from your closet. If you don’t have my exact pieces, that’s ok. Just use one of the substitutions that I recommend.
Spring Trends – Fringed and Frayed
One of my favorite ways to make everyday outfits feel special is to work seasonal trends into them. Even an ordinary t-shirt and jeans can be made trendy with just a few details like fringe and frayed hems!
A few weeks ago in my post about Why I Gave Stitch Fix a Second Chance I first showed you this fringe hem top. Since getting it in last month’s fix, I’ve gotten a lot of wear out of it. I can’t link to it directly since it came in my fix, but if you’re looking for a similar top here’s a sleeveless one and this one has long sleeves.
Add in some frayed hem jeans (another big spring trend) for double the fringe-y fun and finish it out with a pair of lace up ballet flats.
Fringe Hem Top + Frayed Hem Jeans + Lace Up Flats
[Fringe Top: Stitch Fix/Frayed Hem Jeans: Same/Lace Up Flats: Same]
Let’s talk about these lace up flats for a minute. They’re super comfy and go with almost everything in my closet. If you want an easy, trendy update for your ballet flats, try these!
[Tess Ghillie Lace Up Flat]
Substitutions and Shopping Options:
Fringe Hem Top: Any top or tee with hem detail (fringe, scallops, ruffles, peplum). Shopping Options: 1/2/3
Frayed Hem Jeans: Any frayed or released hem jeans. Shopping Options: 1/2/3
Lace Up Flats: Any neutral flats or booties. Shopping Options: 1/2/3
Show me YOUR SAHMonday outfit! Tag me on Instagram and use the hashtag #SAHMonday.
Feb 10, 2017
TGIF and time for another round of Friday Favorites! Let’s hop right in.
Favorite #1 – Scarf Print Results
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for voting for the first scarf designs for my new product line launching this spring.
You’ll be learning more in the coming weeks about these silk scarves, including the Brooklyn-based female artist who created these designs and the special charity that we’ll be donating a portion of proceeds. The scarves will be available for purchase in late March.
Drum roll please….
Here are the three winning prints that have gone to production!
1. Green Floral
2. Blue Floral
3. Pink Floral
Favorite #2 – Sugarfix by Baublebar
I usually don’t get too excited over a Target collaboration but this one really got me. Baublebar has released it’s new Sugarfix line for Target! And the pieces are SO cute and on trend for spring. Oh and the prices! Everything is super affordable. All of the earrings below are $9.99 – $14.99.
I’m hosting a giveaway on my Facebook page for one of these pairs of earrings. If you haven’t entered yet, hop over there and do it now!
[1/2/3/4/5/6]
Favorite #3 – Easy Hair, Don’t Care
One thing I dreaded most about cutting my hair short was not having the (lazy) option of putting it in a ponytail every day – which means I have to actually fix my hair on a daily basis! This week I did a Facebook Live of how I curl my short bob. It only takes about five minutes a day and I love it SO much more than a ponytail. If this is one of your reasons for not getting your hair cut, let me tell you that it’s not so bad!
Here’s a quick video of how I style my hair, in case you missed it.
Favorite #4 – A Girl’s Night Out (without the hangover)
Once a month, my dear friend Crystal puts on this outstanding event to help women connect meaningfully in our busy seasons of life. It’s called HeartStories and is designed for us to have more joy, more connection, more purpose and more fun. Crystal is truly one of the most positive women I’ve ever met and has such a gift for connection. Oh and did I mention the amazing wine and food? Two of my favorite things.
I’ve recently signed on as one of the sponsors of the monthly GNO and would love to see you there in person if you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Each month, I’ll be sharing a five minute style tip. You can learn more and sign up for next month’s GNO at heartstories.com.
Favorite #5 – Valentine’s Date Night Outfit
Do you go out for Valentine’s Day? Craig and I usually do but we pick a week night to celebrate when the restaurants aren’t as busy (and they don’t have fixed menus, I hate fixed menus). This year I’ll be pairing up this navy striped blouse (under $25!) with my new frayed hem jeans, adding this tassel necklace for a festive pop of red and finishing it out with my comfy block heel sandals.
[Blouse: Same/Jeans: Same/Necklace: Same/Sandals: Same]
It’s Your Turn: What are you loving this Friday?
Jan 27, 2017
Happy Friday, pretties! This week flew by in the blink of an eye, didn’t it? Here’s a list of some of my favorite things that made this week just a little better.
Favorite #1 – Awards Banquet
This past weekend was our 12 year-old daughter Ava’s end of year awards banquet for the North Texas Hunter Jumper Club. It’s the local club that she competes in at horse shows. This was her first official season showing on her pony Jazzy and she ended up with two fifth place finishes overall for equitation. We were very proud of her! Here’s a shot of the two of them in action.
This is us at the banquet. It’s rare to get a picture of her with her hair fixed, let alone wearing a dress! But all of the horse girls cleaned up quite nicely. 🙂
Favorite #2 – IT Cosmetics “Brow Power”
In case you missed it, I did a tutorial on how to fake perfect brows on Facebook Live last week. I also revealed my secret weapon, IT Cosmetics “Brow Power” eyebrow pencil. It’s seriously the best ever! Watch the video for my tips and keep an eye out for more makeup tutorials coming soon.
Favorite #3 – Wedding Dress Preservation
It only took 18 years but I’ve finally checked this off my list – my wedding dress got cleaned and preserved! If this is something you’ve put off too, let me tell you that it’s not too late. Mine was hanging in a closet, never dry cleaned and had yellow spots on the bodice. Our dry cleaner was able to get the spots out and send it off to be preserved and here’s the finished product.
Now I have a keepsake for my daughters and it looks as good as the day it was worn.
Favorite #4 – Patagonia Jacket
We’ve been having above normal temperatures for this time of the year so I’ve been wearing my Patagonia “Better Sweater” pretty much every single day. It’s so easy to throw on with everything and is just the right weight to keep the chill off. In case you missed this week’s SAHMonday post, this is how I paired it up.
[Patagonia “Better Sweater”]
Favorite #5 – Frank Sinatra
OK, so maybe this is just a sign that I’m getting old, but I listen to the Frank Sinatra station on Sirius XM more than anything else these days. Honestly though, I’ve always loved standards, even as a teenager. Lately some of his lesser known tunes like “Moonlight in Vermont” are becoming my favorites.
Plus, old blue eyes has made me realize something, I’m really a tramp. Have you ever listened to the lyrics of “The Lady is a Tramp”? It’s pretty much me. 🙂
“She gets too hungry for dinner at eight
She likes the theater and never comes late
She’d never bother with people she’d hate
That’s why the lady is a tramp”
On that note, have a great weekend!
It’s Your Turn: What are you loving this Friday?
Jan 11, 2017
Hey pretties! After my recent SAHMonday outfit posts, I’ve gotten some e-mails from a few readers asking for my must have closet basics for stay at home moms to rebuild their wardrobe and fight the mom frump, specifically for winter. Which jogged my memory about this guest post that ran at the beginning of winter on my friend Jessica’s blog, Life as Mom. I decided to go ahead and publish it on GYPO today. If you already know me and my story on how I started Get Your Pretty On, you can skip to the pieces and outfits. Otherwise, here’s a little backstory on me and my blog!
How it all started
Hi, I’m Alison Lumbatis, a mom of three and recovering yoga pants addict. Four years ago, I decided to start this blog called Get Your Pretty On to document my journey out of my yoga pants mom rut. After spending fourteen years working in corporate America, I was afforded the opportunity to work from home which was wonderful in so many ways.
Unfortunately it’s what also led me to falling into my yoga pants pit of despair! After about six months of my new work arrangement, I stopped fixing my hair, putting on makeup and dressing in real clothes. It was definitely one of the perks of working from home but also one of the pitfalls. The worst part? I wasn’t even doing anything active that warranted wearing yoga pants. 🙂
My rut was taking a toll on more than my appearance, it also effected my motivation and how I felt about myself. I knew something had to change. The first thing I decided to tackle was rebuilding my wardrobe but I had NO idea where to start. When I did a quick internet search for everyday outfits for moms and how to fight the mom frump, I came up empty. There were plenty of blogs and resources for dressy outfits, work wear and designer outfits WAY out of my budget. But barely anything for everyday casual affordable outfits that I could “do real life” in.
Creating My Casual Look
So I set out to change that. I started rebuilding my wardrobe one piece at a time. Why one piece at a time? Because I used to be a terrible shopper! I’d go out and buy a big bag of clothes, come home and dump them out on my bed and realize that nothing in there went with anything else. I vowed to change that and “shop with a purpose”. Everything that I bought had to be able to be paired up in at least three to four different ways.
I started with the basics – a great fitting pair of dark wash jeans, quality t-shirts and layering pieces, boyfriend cardigans and comfortable ballet flats and loafers. Slowly I added in accessories like printed scarves, statement necklaces, a pendant necklace and a well made leather purse. Before I knew it, I had a mix and match wardrobe that worked for just about any of my every day activities.
Helping Others in their style rut
Fast forward to today, my greatest joy in life (besides my family) is helping other women stuck in a style rut. There are few things that make me happier than hearing a woman tell me that she’s feeling more confident and her life is easier because she has a fashionable, functional wardrobe full of mix and match outfits.
Most of these women have joined Outfit Formulas®, my online styling program. Each season I give participants a shopping list of classic pieces and on-trend items that they are free to shop for on their own. They can spend as much or as little as they want, many shop their closets first. Each seasonal capsule builds on the last. It’s designed so you spend less and less each time around. I also provide a list of links to online retailers for the pieces on the shopping list, if you want more guidance.
Participants have about two weeks to get all of their pieces in place. During that time, our private Facebook group is buzzing with fitting room selfies of women asking for opinions and advice, shopping tips being swapped and new friendships being formed. It’s honestly the best part of Outfit Formulas®!
Once the pieces are in place, it’s time for us to style our outfits. Every day for roughly 30-35 days, participants get an e-mail in their inbox showing them a different mix and match outfit combination created from pieces on their shopping lists. The women post their outfit selfies and show off their newfound style. We also host fun gift card giveaways and regional girls’ nights out.
Today, I’m giving you a tiny taste of what an Outfit Formulas Seasonal Capsule Wardrobe is all about with my ten must-haves to fight the mom frump and seven winter outfits created from these pieces.
(Tip: Shop your closet first! You may have similar or exact items listed below. Or you can shop my links below, most items here are under $50!)
10 Must-Haves to Fight the Mom Frump + 7 Outfits
1. Gray Wrap/2. Printed Scarf/3. Striped Shirt/4. Gray Jeans/5. Delicate Necklace/6. Ankle Boots/7. Cable Knit Sweater/8. Plaid Button Down/9. Dark Wash Jeans/10. Riding Boots
(Tip: Pin this post! You can refer back to it later for the outfit combos once you have your pieces in place.)
Outfit #1
Wrap + Striped Shirt + Scarf + Gray Jeans + Ankle Boots
Outfit #2
Sweater + Plaid Shirt + Necklace + Dark Wash Jeans + Riding Boots
Outfit #3
Striped Shirt + Necklace + Gray Jeans + Ankle Boots
Outfit #4
Plaid Shirt + Necklace + Gray Jeans + Riding Boots
Outfit #5
Striped Shirt + Scarf + Dark Wash Jeans + Ankle Boots
Outfit #6
Wrap + Plaid Shirt + Necklace + Dark Wash Jeans + Riding Boots
Outfit #7
Sweater + Scarf + Gray Jeans + Riding Boots
Of course in a real Outfit Formulas® Seasonal Capsule, we have a much bigger shopping list and a lot more variety with our outfits. This mini-capsule shows you how just a few pieces added to your closet can create a multitude of outfit combos! Shop your closet first, then fill in the gaps with new purchases. I’d love to see how you pair up these outfits. If you decide to style them, be sure to tag me on Instagram!
Your turn! How do you fight the mom frump?
