forever21 – the Spiff

Fashion, forever21, Spiffy, west town mall, Why this works, winter

A Cute and Comfortable Winter Outfit

January 8, 2016 No Comments

how to style winter sweaters, forever21, statement necklace, waterfall sweater, what to wear this winter, winterwear, ootd, fashion blog, knoxville fashion, how to style a jacket

Still taking some time to ~~sale shop~~ stop and reflect about the coming year ;) Enjoy today’s post from last season then tune in Monday when we set some style goals for 2016!

Similar necklace; swacket; skirt; shoes; undershirt came from here (believe it or not).

My favorite purchase of this fall/winter has hands down been this sweater (or jacket…maybe swacket?).

I actually took it right off the back of an unsuspecting mannequin, and I’m so glad I did (she had it coming). I love having one cool go-to piece that I can grab and consistently feel good in throughout the colder months. It’s especially nice when I’m stuck trying to figure out what to wear – I just grab this and style it differently.

This time I changed things up by buttoning it up. It works especially well with this voluminous skirt and really helps showcase this gorgeous statement necklace my Aunt Kathleen got me for my birthday this past year.

Think about any swackets you’ve got, could you get more mileage out of them by wearing them buttoned?

Maybe now that you’ve learned the word “swacket” you’re confused as to what the proper pronunciation would be, AND need help styli

Fashion, forever21, west town mall

Basic Shirts for Less Than a Footlong

August 17, 2015 No Comments

For the past couple of weeks I’ve taken a break from the blog to recover from birthing a life into the world (I think that warrants a break, don’t you?) and to get in the swing of motherhood. It’s all been amazing and I’ll share the story in a later blog.

I will say that my love capacity has increased beyond what I thought possible, and I never thought I could stare at any one human face for so long without getting tired of it. I just moved my laptop over so that his little handsome baby face is in my line of vision so I could look from him to the screen without much effort. Let’s just say it’s going to take a while to get this blog typed out ;)

Now that I’m starting to get around and out more often, I’ve been focusing on items that I can wear comfortably and will make a quick, cute outfit. I’m certain these will be my goals for a large part of my motherhood and not just during the recovery period, so it’s a good thing I start thinking in this mode now.

I’m always up for a good clothing challenge, so this only excites me!

What I’ve found really helps are cheap t-shirts. I bought three at $5 each recently and they’ve been great for throwing together outfits that I can be comfortable in and yet feel put together.

These pictured are from Forever21 and ring in a little over $5 at $5.90, but it’s still cheaper than a footlong at Subway now as I think they’ve reached a full $6. So cheaper than lunch!

In fact, Forever21 has a great collection of basics for cheapity-cheap. Get in there and see what you can find. Even if you wear it twice, it’s a great cost-per-wear deal.

You can wear these with your complete jean collection and pair them with fancy sandals or cute sneakers. Add a long gold necklace to any of them or go with a multi-colored statement necklace to help make them look different. They’re perfect for running around in.

And if they stretch out too much, get sauce on them from your Subway footlong or become an emergency burp cloth, you’re only out $5! Or, $5.90. Close enough ;)

Fashion, forever21, jcpenney

Styling Track Pants

August 14, 2015 No Comments

I’m taking a little time off from the blog to enjoy being a mom. But that doesn’t mean the blog will go dark!

Enjoy this post (and these pants) from last summer. I’m still getting use out of them this summer, even while I was pregnant!

The technical name for them is “track pants,” but I like to call them, “the most comfortable thing I’ll slip my legs into all summer.”

With a fun pattern and a silky texture, these pants are exactly what you’ve been looking to add to your summer-wear.

Most of the time they have an elastic waist, making them the perfect “eatin’ pants” for meals where you plan to throw down a lot (I don’t know about you, but I really needed a pair of eating pants that look as sophisticated as these do).

The only downfall to these pants is that they can be tricky to style. With the wrong kind of styling it can look like you forgot to put your real pants on when you woke up this morning.

Heels help these pants look less slouchy and more out-in-public appropriate. And while most of the time in styling, it’s best to pair opposites together (i.e.: slouchy pants, structured top) these pants can handle a little less balance. So a slouchy top like this blue blouse from Forever21 (back in the day) works with the pants because it’s made out of dressier fabric.

If I were to wear these with a white t-shirt, I would probably tuck the front of it into the waist so that my outfit wouldn’t translate, “slouch bucket.”

A long dangly necklace is fun because it adds to the careless feel. I nabbed these pants at JCP, by the way, so if you want to go get your own try them with these styling tips and you’ll be looking so fly (and feeling so comfortable).

Fashion, forever21, jcpenney, maxi dress, summer, summertime

Get the Most from Your Maxi Dress

June 22, 2015 No Comments

The following is a post from last summer. I wanted to bring it to you again because now that the temperatures have heated up, it’s nice to know how to get really good use out of the most comfortable pieces in your closet – your maxi dresses! Enjoy and check back Wednesday for the white hot trendy item you’ll really appreciate having this season!

The one piece I end up missing the most when summer is over, is a maxi dress.

Thus while I’ve got summer on my side, I’m going to figure out as many ways to wear them as possible. This not only helps me when packing, but it also helps to stretch my dollars -and you can’t say that’s not fun!

Here are three examples of how I’ve taken a plain maxi dress and jazzed them up a bit…

There are so many great simple tank maxi’s out there, don’t shy away from them! Look at them as a blank (and wildly comfortable) canvas. Add your personality all over it by way of a belt, a long swingy necklace, a jean jacket…the list goes on and on.

I hate having to work around my bra straps this time of year. That’s why I stock up on printed tank tops that aren’t razor backs so that I can wear them underneath a strappy dress like this one and still be comfortable in my regular bra. If you have a dress that doesn’t work with a tank top underneath, click here to read about a great strapless bra.

This striped dress has been with me all over the country. Because it’s so easy to pack and can be worn 10 different ways. Look for a maxi in a simple pattern like this one so you can wear it with a sweater, a shirt, a jacket, a sweatshirt…you get the idea. It’s freakishly versatile.

Ross has one of the best collections of maxi dresses I’ve ever seen. That’s where I bought the flower print one pictured. The other two came from Forever21 (JC Penney also has a great collection). Get out there and find one you love, then wear it ten different ways from Sunday!

Fashion, forever21, statement necklace, style, styling, west town mall, winter

A Statement Necklace and My Favorite Swacket

February 16, 2015 6 Comments

Similar necklace; swacket; skirt; shoes; undershirt came from here (believe it or not).

My favorite purchase of this fall/winter has hands down been this sweater (or jacket…maybe swacket?).

I actually took it right off the back of an unsuspecting mannequin, and I’m so glad I did (she had it coming). I love having one cool go-to piece that I can grab and consistently feel good in throughout the colder months. It’s especially nice when I’m stuck trying to figure out what to wear – I just grab this and style it differently.

This time I changed things up by buttoning it up. It works especially well with this voluminous skirt and really helps showcase this gorgeous statement necklace my Aunt Kathleen got me for my birthday this past year.

Think about any swackets you’ve got, could you get more mileage out of them by wearing them buttoned?

Maybe now that you’ve learned the word “swacket” you’re confused as to what the proper pronunciation would be, AND need help styling it differently. Well I’ve got good news!

I’m teaming up with The Limited in West Town Mall for a style event on Saturday, February 28th. So from 12-2:30pm I’ll be in the store answering questions, offering advice and helping you look and feel your best!

Come see all the great items they have to offer and bring in a sweater or jacket that you’ve had a hard time styling – we’ll even work on how to say “swacket” while you’re there. None of the cool kids are saying it! ;)