What to Wear When Shopping Black Friday

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cargo pants, waterfall sweater, ootd, what to wear while shopping, asheville, what to wear with cargo pants, boots, small boots, black boots, leopard sweater, messanger bag

cargo pants, waterfall sweater, ootd, what to wear while shopping, asheville, what to wear with cargo pants, boots, small boots, black boots, leopard sweater, messanger bag

cargo pants, waterfall sweater, ootd, what to wear while shopping, asheville, what to wear with cargo pants, boots, small boots, black boots, leopard sweater, messanger bag

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(This street though. Thanks Asheville, for letting me pose on it again :)

Every year I’ve got to get me a little dose of Black Friday. One crowd, one line, witnessing one fight or two and I’m happy to go back to the house and be done with it.

Whether I actually score a good deal or not remains to be seen. But I do leave the house fully prepared to find something for others and myself. Which is why I always plan my shopping outfit in advance.

You should do the same, and here’s my formula for a good one…

Start with good shoes. For this outfit especially you want to begin with comfortable shoes. Pick out your most comfortable (and a little bit cute) and go from there. These boots are comfortable and provide a little bit of warmth. Plus they allow me to wear big cozy socks which always makes life easier. These boots are from ModCloth (similar here).

Then I go with comfortable pants. My favorite skinny jeans that make my butt look good aren’t in the running here. I go for pants with good pockets and a loose waist band like these cargo pants I snagged at TJ Maxx a couple years ago (similar here).

For tops I always stick to a basic tank and a waterfall sweater. The sweater keeps me warm as I won’t be lugging around a coat, but it’s not something I’m going to have to keep pulling over my head when trying things on. I stick to a basic tank like a black one because I wear it under most shirts anyways, so when I’m trying them on I don’t have to take it off and can easily see what a sheer shirt will look like.

This waterfall sweater is from Forever21 (here).

Finally, I always ALWAYS go with a messenger bag. I love my Michael Kors, but it is heavy and I love having both arms free. I got this one for $5. You practically trip over them in most stores these days.

Go out with your own version of this outfit, and I promise you you’ll be a cute, happy, comfortable power shopper. Tune into FOX 43 tomorrow between 8:30/8:45am for gift ideas for the guys in your life!

Speaking of power shopping, you’ve got to watch this SNL spoof of a Black Friday commercial. It’s a little bit funny… ;)

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Here’s How You Put Together an Important Outfit

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When a close friend asks you to help with something you already love to do, it’s a win/win…win/win/win.

Which is why I was super excited to help my good friend (and former bridesmaid) Carly, put together a very important outfit for a presentation she was giving at UT.

I wanted to share with you how we put together what she wore, because I know (first hand) that when you’ve got an important event to get dressed for, it can sometimes send you into a brain-blocked stupor.

Here are steps you can take to put together an important look…

1. Know your perimeters.

It is so much easier when you have perimeters when putting together an outfit. In Carly’s case, her outfit had to be something business casual and couldn’t include jeans. If yours aren’t as clear cut (Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t usually have a dress code) then start with the weather or what it is you’ll be doing and let those factors narrow down the field.

2. Pick one thing you really want to wear.

Having a starting point is really truly going to help you form an outfit. Carly knew she wanted to wear boots because they’re dressy but comfortable for standing (which is smart), so we started with her favorite boots and built out from there. When you’re stuck dazed and confused in your closet, make a point to pick just one piece that you really want to show off.

It could be shoes, or a necklace, or even a certain comfortable tank. Regardless, it’s going to help your indecision by starting with one piece you’re absolutely sure about.

3. Shop at a store you know.

There is no more hopeful feeling than that of pulling open the doors of a TJMaxx. Because in that moment you don’t know what they have (even if you were there yesterday), but that feeling that they may have exactly what you’re looking for is inescapable. Which is so great, but when you’re in a time crunch you need to go somewhere else.

We started at JCPenney because it’s a place I know has a consistent selection of basics. And sure enough, they came through.

We first picked up a cable knit sweater. It was a color consistent with what Carly typically wears and it was on sale so – win! While there, she found a great deal on some skinny pants that would go perfectly with her boots – win/win!

4. Stop and style.

After we found the basics of what she was going to wear, it was time to stop and look at everything so we could figure out how to style it. The sweater alone was pretty, but over a button down it would pop even more. And I knew we could add a little sparkle with a great necklace at her collar.

Take a moment to stop and figure out what else the outfit could use as it really helps direct the rest of your shopping trip. Without that, you’re just wandering aimlessly not sure of what you’re looking for. This way you have a plan.

If you look at what you have and are still not sure, maybe do a search on Pinterest to get a feel for how to style it.

5. Go to a few more stores.

After roaming the mall for a great button down, we ended up finding the perfect one back at JCP. But I’m really glad we did look in other stores, because it confirmed that this was the perfect outfit. Sometimes I’ll do this just for the peace of mind that there’s nothing “better” out there.

Finally, be sure to consciously ease off the pressure in your mind. I typed that sentence for myself, because I’m so guilty of letting the pressure build. The problem with letting that happen is after a while nothing is good enough.

Focus on what you’re going to feel good in and remember that it’s never as big of a deal as you think.

In the end, Carly looked so beautiful, so her and so perfect for what she was doing. AND she did such an amazing job. I am so proud to call her my friend!

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How to Shop Effectively

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I know I say this every time the seasons change, but FOLKS this time I mean it. What on earth did I wear last fall!?!

I feel like I’ve been scraping by so far with outfits but that long term I’m really going to need to revamp the closet. And while I’ve been shopping several times, I’ve yet to bring anything home with me.

That’s where a handy dandy list comes into play.

These past couple of weeks I’ve reached for the same patterned sweater. I made note of that and have decided to look for some more.

I tend to stock up on cardigans and jackets so I need to make sure I’ve balanced that out with things to wear under the sweaters and jackets (or prepare myself for indecent exposure ;)

After years of drooling over them, I finally own a pair of leather tights. I’m going to need some tunics and longer shirts to pair with them (maybe I’ll wear them like pants…we’ll see).

This is something I compile while I’m getting dressed and realize I would like a certain something to reach for, when I’m looking through Instagram and see something I like, and when I’m scanning magazines and want to mimic a certain look.

Later on it will give me direction while shopping and I will more likely walk away with exactly what I need. You can easily do it too!

So what’s on your list for this fall?

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Patterned Jacket

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(Sometimes when taking outfit pictures, I’m not sure what to do with my hands).

My favorite impression Kristin Wiig did on SNL was of Suzy Ormon. The quote is on my Pinterest “Spiffy Jackets” board. She says in the perfect rendition of Suzy’s definitive staccato voice, “I got decorative buttons tattooed down my chest, so that it always looks like I’m wearing a jacket.”

Her delivery and the visual she creates is comedy gold.

Let’s talk about jackets. But instead of decorative buttons, how about a good patterned jacket.

What you won’t find in what I’m about to say is me talking about patterned blazers. While I’m certain there are people in this world who can pull them off, I am not on that list. So I won’t speak to what I cannot wear.

What I’d like to talk about is more along the lines of outerwear.

I got this gray and black patterned jacket from Forever21 when they were running one of their ridiculous I-feel-like-I’m-stealing kind of sales. I think I got it for less than $20. It’s not a jacket I went look for, but I do love having it around for days when my look could use a little pattern play.

If you need a light jacket for cool fall days, consider one with a pattern! I know it might be out of your ordinary, but I think it will end up being a jacket you reach for more often than you might think (I know that’s what happened to me).

I’ve tracked down some more here, here and here. It will help you to dabble in some pattern mixing if you haven’t, and at the very least it will cuten up some of your patternless looks. There are so many made up words in that sentence. Have a great weekend!

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Your Complete Guide to Tights

Superman, Batman, Robin – all of them prove a lot can be accomplished while wearing tights, and that it can all be done looking good.

Now that the season for tights has arrived, my outfit possibilities have quadrupled. They are one of the things I look forward to wearing the most in the fall/winter. Not only because they unlock so many great skirts, but because they are so very comfortable and slimming. And since someone once looked at my calves and asked if I play soccer, leg slimming is just what I need (never played soccer in my life outside of 3rd grade phys ed).

Here are some things to keep in mind when buying, wearing and caring for your tights…

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Buying Tights

There are a lot of different kinds of tights out there. The two main words you need to pay attention to are “sheer” and “opaque” because they make a difference. Sheer is obviously going to let a little leg show through, while opaque means completely blackity black. Or navity navy…burgundity burgindy…and so on and so forth.

One of my favorite places to get them is The Limited. They have a great selection and they are really well made. You are going to pay a little more, but this means you won’t be running to Walgreen’s every weekend for a new pair. If you do happen to snag them on something, note where they’re snagged. If it’s below the knee you can keep them to wear with boots, if it’s higher up you can remember to wear them with certain skirt lengths. That way at least you wouldn’t have to get rid of them right away.

Wearing Tights

Opaque tights are going to let you get away with a bit of a shorter skirt. I hate the word “thigh” but because I love you, I’m going to use it to say – if your skirt is so short it’s showing where the tights weave pattern changes to the control part on your upper thigh *cringe* it’s TOO SHORT.

Sheer tights are best to pair with black boots. The sheerness will add a texture difference and will make it so the two blacks aren’t competing with each other.

Patterned tights are fun…if used in moderation. If your calves have never been confused with the muscles of a soccer player, feel free to wear patterned tights till the cows come home listening to the fat lady sing. I limit myself to wearing very discreet patterns, or minimizing their visual effect by pairing them with boots/booties.

Washing Tights

For the most part, tights can be washed in the gentle cycle then hung up to dry. As I write this, I’m realizing that the tights I washed with all the colored clothes were accidentally put in the dryer. Now I’m nervous to go open the dryer. Avoid that mistake and wash them separately. Do remember to wash them, though. For the love of all things, wash them.

For some great outfit ideas that incorporate tights, click here to see my Pinterest board!

A Harvest of Blessing
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