Sep 5, 2014
Want to instantly update your work wear wardrobe? Just add printed pants.
Solid black, khaki and navy pants and skirts have long been the (yawn, boring) standard for work wear. But your tops shouldn’t get to have all of the fun. Today I’m going to show you two easy ways to pair up printed bottoms.
If this trend is slightly outside of your comfort zone, start out with a pair in neutral colors with a smaller print. You can work your way up to bolder colors and bigger patterns from there.
I highly recommend a slim fitting ankle pant. They flatter all body types and give your work wear a more modern silhouette.
1. Keep it Simple.
Pair your printed pants up with a simple solid blouse that you can leave out or tuck in. Add a long necklace and low heel for a work wear look that’s sure to wow.
The Pieces: Blouse/Earrings/Necklace/Watch/Purse/Pants/Heels
2. Mix it Up.
Subtle pattern mixing gives your basics, like a white button down and cardigan, a fresh new look. Leopard plays well with others and works with just about any other print.
The Pieces: Cardigan/Blouse/Necklace/Watch/Purse/Pants/Heels
Printed Pants Options
[Tailored Ankle Pant]
[Plaid Ankle Pant]
[Printed Pant]
As you may have guessed, printed pants are one of the items on the Work Your Work Wear Challenge shopping list. Here’s some great examples of ways the ladies in the challenge paired theirs up this past week.
It’s not too late if you still join want to join us and give your work wear wardrobe a makeover. Sign up now to get your shopping list and access to the outfits immediately. We’d love to have you!
Aug 29, 2014
We’ve completed the first week of outfits for the Work Your Work Wear Challenge. If you’ve never done a challenge with me before, this is how it works. Participants get a shopping list of wardrobe basics (for this challenge, business casual basics) and ten days to get all of their pieces in place. Then every day for the next three weeks, they get a new outfit combo created from the pieces delivered to their inbox every day.
For the next three Fridays during the Work Wear Challenge, I’ll be featuring an outfit from the challenge along with some of my favorite interpretations by the participants.
This week’s easy outfit combo is perfect for a business casual environment but works just as well for lunch with friends. The key to this outfit is coordinating the colors of the blouse with the cardigan and flats. You can repeat the formula over and over again with different pieces to create completely different outfits.
Easy Outfit Formula
Cardigan + Printed Blouse + Neutral Pants + Bright Shoes
The Pieces
Cardigan – A colorful cardigan brightens up your office days. You can never have enough cardigans!
Floral Blouse – The colors on this floral blouse are even prettier in person. They make it perfect to transition into fall. A simple graphic pattern also works great.
Earrings – These simple statement earrings in a trellis design will be your new go-to.
Over Sized Watch – Forget the fussiness of stacks of bracelets for the office, an over sized gold watch makes a big enough impact for your every day.
Pants – A slim fitting ankle pant gives this outfit a more modern silhouette. You could also opt for a stretch trouser or pencil skirt for a dressier look.
Flats – These cute bow flats keep feet comfortable and happy all day. Or try swapping them for a bright heel to elevate the look.
Here are some of my favorite interpretations of this outfit by real members of the style challenge. 
If you’d like to join us for the Work Wear Challenge, it’s not too late. Sign up now to get immediate access to the shopping list and outfits. 
Getting my pretty on with Fashion Friday.
Aug 22, 2014
It’s the last weekend of summer for our family before heading back to school on Monday. Although I love having my kids at home, we’re starting to crave the structure and routine of the school year. Well, at least I am. I guess we’re as ready as we’re going to get – the school supplies are bought, uniform pieces are in place and we’ve even started going to bed earlier.
My teacher friends have already been back in school for a week. Before heading back, one of them challenged me to put together some cute, casual jeans outfits for her. There’s just one catch, they had to be from pieces she already had.
Challenge accepted.
Here’s one of the easy outfits I put together with items from her closet that you may already have in yours too. All it takes to create this casual Friday outfit is your favorite cardigan, a white button down and cuffed jeans. Then add in a fun belt, some comfortable colorful flats and a statement necklace for panache.
Clockwise from top left:
Cardigan – If your cardigans are in need of a refresh, this one comes in 23 different colors and has great reviews.
Button Down – A good white button down is one of the most versatile pieces in your closet. This one lends a more relaxed vibe.
Statement Necklace – This pretty sparkler with gold and crystals will dress up any casual Friday.
Cuffed Jeans – This favorite pair of cropped cuffed jeans is on sale.
Suede Flats – These flats have awesome reviews for comfort and they come in nine different colors. If you spend a lot of time on your feet, they could be the perfect pair for you.
Floral Belt – We found this fun floral belt on clearance. I like how it ties together all of the colors in this outfit. You can either wear the belt with your jeans and the cardigan open. Or button up the cardigan and wear the belt at your waist.
Satchel – This carryall is perfect for all of your work week essentials.
The Work Your Work Wear Challenge outfits start next Monday. If you haven’t joined us yet, there’s still time. Sign up now and get your shopping list immediately.
Have a great weekend and for those of you starting school on Monday, enjoy these last moments of summer!
xoxo
Alison
Getting my pretty on with Friday Favorites and Fashion Friday.
Aug 20, 2014
Over the weekend, Craig and I planned a mini getaway for our 15th anniversary. Although we usually go out of town each year, we decided to stay local this time and booked a night at a hotel close to home. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss our usual getaway, it’s always one of the highlights of our year. But with a son heading off to college today, it seemed more prudent to stay close to home.
Did I mention he’s moving in TODAY? Mama’s freaking out just a little. 🙁
Since we’re squeezing in as much family time as possible before he goes, we took the kids to brunch to celebrate our anniversary with us. I felt comfortable and put together in this maxi skirt, tank top and denim jacket.
[Denim Jacket: Similar/Tank Top: Same/Maxi Skirt: Same/Sandals: Same/Head Wrap: Similar/Earrings: Same/Necklace: c/o Onecklace/Watch: c/o Fossil/Bracelets: c/o Alex and Ani/Bag: c/o Barrington Gifts]
My new St. Anne Tote from Barrington Gifts was perfect for our weekend getaway. This tote bag is big but very lightweight so it’s great for everyday. I love that it can hold just about anything I want to stash in it like a cardigan, water bottle or even my laptop. The coolest thing is that you can customize all of their bags in the pattern and color of your choice. They even offer personalization with your initials. You can check out all of the colors and styles for yourself at BarringtonGifts.com.
It’s Your Turn: What’s your favorite way to celebrate your anniversary? Tell me 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! 
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!
Aug 18, 2014
This month’s Ask Alison is all about curly hair. In my world, August is curly hair month. After a summer of sun and chlorine, my hair can start to look pretty fried. It’s not very enticing to spend 40 minutes blow drying and flat ironing (a.k.a. “taming the beast”), just to have it frizz in the humidity. No thanks! So today I’m sharing my favorite products and styling tips for managing curly hair.
Alison, like you, I have naturally curly hair that I wear straight most of the time. But in the summer months, I don’t want to mess with it so I let it go curly. What are some of your favorite tips and tricks for styling your hair curly? – Anna P.
Hey Anna! I’m glad you asked this question. In late summer, I try to cut back to blow drying just once a week and style my hair curly the rest of the time. It’s so much easier, I just apply my favorite curly hair products and let it air dry. Here’s my exact curly hair styling routine.
1. Shampoo – Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo
Normally I use a frizz control or smoothing shampoo but when I wear my hair curly, Ouidad offers the gold standard in curly hair products. Their Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo really does hydrate well and helps my curls hold their form better than my regular shampoo. I don’t mind spending a little more for it because I don’t use it as often.
2. Hair Mask – WEN Sweet Almond Mint Re Moist Intensive Hair Treatment
An intensive hair mask is a MUST if you have curly hair. When Shay did this awesome hair mask post, I immediately ordered her top pick, WEN Sweet Almond Mint Re Moist Intensive Hair Treatment. When I say that it’s transformative, I mean it. My curls looks healthy, shiny and bouncy after using this. Just be careful to use it on the lower part of our hair only, it can get a little greasy if you apply it near your scalp.
3. Styling Product – Garnier Fructis Style Curl Sculpting Cream
This has been my go-to curly hair styling product for years. It gives my curls great definition and frizz control without being crunchy. I just scrunch it into my curls while my hair is still wet.
4. Air Dry
My secret to great curls is letting my hair air dry and keeping my fingers off. After I apply my styling product, I don’t touch my hair until it’s completely dry. Touching it just makes it frizzy and separates the curls.
5. Shine and Smooth – Macademia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment
After my hair is completely dry, I rub a dime-sized amount of Macademia Natural Oil between my palms and apply it to the ends. I then use what’s left on my hands to smooth any frizz around my face.
That’s it. A simple routine for healthy, bouncy curls that takes about five minutes to do. Makes me wonder why I don’t wear my hair curly more often!
It’s Your Turn: How does your hair routine change in the summer? Tell me your tips and tricks in the comments.
