fall – Page 5 – the Spiff

The Perfect Graphic Tee and Plaid Sweater

January 25, 2016 1 Comment

she is clothing, proverbs 31:25, proverbs 31:25 shirt, plaid sweater, black and white sweater, ootd, knoxville fashion, beauty blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, elizabeth ogle

As a writer and lover of words, I’m always on the hunt for a good graphic tee. Unfortunately it’s hard to come across ones that I can get behind (ha, literally, cause I’m right behind…you get it).

I love coffee just as much as all the shirts claim to, but you can talk to me before I’ve had it. I wake up pretty happy. I’m generally not a sassy pants, so shirts that have text with underlying attitude don’t reflect who I am, nor do shirts that say harsh things like “Satan is a liar.” Yes, he is. But it just comes across pretty strong/weird when imprinted in gold letters on your sweatshirt.

This shirt, with it’s perfectly scripted text and message of strength (without crossing over into soap-box territory) is just perfect.

And I love it paired with this sweater I picked up from Target. A black and white plaid is juuuust what my closet needs. It’s not stripes or animal print so it’s the perfect pattern for me right now.

You can pick up your own “Elle es Forte” shirt here (it’s French for “she is strong – from Proverbs 31:25). And you can get your own plaid sweater (on clearance) here!

Beauty, fall

Full of Thanks

November 25, 2015 1 Comment

If you haven’t caught the drift of what it is I’m thankful for this year, then you’ve been doing too much laundry and not enough reading of The Spiff!

So guess what? I’m thankful for little cool cat Jackson.

The process of watching him grow and change is so fascinating, exciting and so wild…and my goodness he’s only 3 months old! What will I do when he starts walking/talking/DRIVING?! *Smacks forehead.

What he’s reminded me of, though, is how much God loves us.

I think I love this baby a lot, but God loves us even more. I think I went through a list of trials and heartaches to get him into this world, but that’s nothing compared to what God did to save us.

The other thing Jackson reminds me of is how, on occasion, we’ll think our needs aren’t being met. It will be about our feeding time and we’ll cry and cry thinking God has forgotten us and why doesn’t He feed us anymore and oh my goodness things just look so bleak…never mind, there’s the bottle. We just had to wait a minute while He prepared it.

I’m thankful for this little boy in so many ways, but the biggest appreciation I have is for how he’s shed new light on my relationship with God.

Hey, go and have a wonderful Thanksgiving, friends. And know that I’m thankful for you too!! :)

Beauty, fall

Press Pause with Me

November 19, 2015 No Comments

Today I wanted to provide a moment. A moment to pause.

Next week (if not already) the holiday rush will begin. I’ve already thought several times about everything I want to get done before Thanksgiving. But right after that thought starts the panic that I’m not enjoying the last week of fall.

So I needed a moment to pause, and I figured you did too.

This is a picture I took in my favorite place to walk. I love going on walks because they force you to just slow down, enjoy the moment and think. If you don’t have time for a walk, enjoy this picture for a second.

Notice all the pretty leaves, especially that gorgeous red tree in the background. Think of the fun things you’ve done in the past month, your favorite moments, things you’re thankful for. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

One thing I’ve tried to do since giving birth (and especially in this, my favorite time of year) is take moments to just think about how much I’m enjoying everything. And it helps! I can look back on all those times I’ve paused and it feels as if time isn’t flying by me as much.

Listen, my goal with this blog isn’t just to help you put outfits together. My hope is that you always walk away with a little more swagger in your step because TheSpiff has made you feel happier, more uplifted. And yes, in my mind you finish the blog then immediately walk away from your computer.

I hope that today I’ve handed you the chance to enjoy the season! The holidays are about to begin and they’re going to be wonderful, you’ll get everything done. Just enjoy yourself.

fall, Fashion

How to Wear a Voluminous Sweater

November 11, 2015 No Comments

Enjoy this post from last winter, when it was just me and Zack around to “cute” up the photos. Little Baby J was just a nugget in my stomach at this point…too much information? Yeah, I sensed that. Don’t let that stop you from reading this great post on how to style a big sweater…

I’ll tell you what helps motivate you to get out of a comfortable warm bed in the morning – a big cozy sweater that’s actually cute.

But when you’re going with something that’s got a lot of volume, you’ve got to balance it out with something that’s not so voluminous. Like a black skirt and tights!

This combination is especially perfect if you’re rounder in the middle. The volume of the sweater will drape over your mid-section and help draw all the attention to the smaller spaces on your body.

I picked up this sweater at the fantasy factory that is the Dillard’s outlet in Asheville, NC. That place is a shoppers paradise. Well, let me rephrase that – it’s a deal-hunters paradise. If you don’t like picking through rack after rack in a sea of sale clothing then it’s not for you. Party pooper.

And since I can’t provide a link to that, there are two similarly shaped sweaters…here and here.

A black skirt like this is invaluable in the winter. I picked this one up at Forever21 years and years ago. I’ve yet to find a substitute, but I’m going to need to fast as I’ve really worn this one out. One like this is great with black tights which I will never stop wearing no matter how old I get. They make your legs look so skinny!!

Think about the balance of volume with the next outfit you put together and see how great it makes you look!

fall, Fashion, Videos, wbir, west town mall

Leaves, Layers and a New Bag

November 4, 2015 2 Comments

the loft, layered top, layered necklaces, vera bradley bag, fall fashion, fall style, fashion blogger, knoxville fashion blogger, fall ootd, old navy jeans, target leopard flats, skinny jeans, leopard flats — Top: Loft / Ring & Jeans: Old Navy / Necklaces: Forever21 / Bag: Vera

The thing about writing a blog about beauty/fashion is people can sometimes see that you’re not taking your own advice and hold you to it.

All of the examples that immediately came to mind to prove my point are pretty lame. Although there was that one time I left the house wearing leggings and my top didn’t cover my butt.*

*That’s a joke. That never has nor ever will happen. I’m not an animal.

I take a big gulp of my own advice when it comes to carrying a bag I’m proud of and am confident in to translate my style to the world. Not to mention it was my birthday this past week, sooooo ;)
If you need a little more convincing that it’s time to update your rotation of bags read here, or watch the video below for some really gorgeous fall options.

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