jcpenney – the Spiff

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!

dress, Fashion, jcpenney, spring

How to Dress for the Weather

April 27, 2015 No Comments

jcp, maxi dress, white leather jacket, ootd, fashion blog

The funny thing about the weather here in Tennessee? It’s one big surprise party.

This past Saturday they called for 90% chance of rain and guess what…we didn’t get a drop. Not during the day at least. And I was all prepared for a good rainy Saturday (pssst: the fact that it didn’t rain didn’t stop me from binge watching Gilmore Girls #lazyday).

But with the onslaught of outdoor events on the schedule this time of year combined with the mixed bag of weather possibilities, it helps to know just how to dress so that you’re cute AND weather appropriate.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when getting ready to attend outdoor events this spring/summer…

Start your outfit planning by checking the weather.

This time of year especially it can be cool, hot, rainy, windy – you just never really know. Begin putting your outfit together by realizing what weather you need to dress for and go from there. I always always want to be both comfortable and weather appropriate (wearing sandals in the middle of a cold spell draws the wrong kind of attention to my outfit…especially if my toes start to turn blue ;)

If you see the weather doesn’t coincide with what you had planned to wear, immediately start coming up with alternates. By working on your outfit in advance, you save yourself from running around like a headless chicken the day of. The alternative can be as simple as adding a cute little jacket to your maxi dress, too!

Now I know there are millions of life factors that get in the way of doing these things sometimes, so even if you do end up wearing a sun dress in 55 degree weather, or sinking in the mud in your favorite heels – be sure to press those shoulders back and keep a smile on your face the whole time.

Complaining through a frown doesn’t make anyone look good.

Fashion, jcpenney, spring, west town mall, Why this works

Lace and Pink for Those Who Don’t Love Either

March 27, 2015 No Comments

My style as a child could best be described as “hot and cold tomboy.” While I really loved dresses and twirling around in them, I didn’t like lacy socks and wearing loads of pink.

I remember sitting in a restaurant with lacy socks on, tugging at them constantly because I didn’t want them on my feet. Then there’s the visual of being the only girl at a birthday party, running around throwing pine-cone grenades in a pink satin jumper (the drive to that party was not a happy one).

So for my entire life I’ve loved clothes and dressing up in them, just keep the really girly stuff away.

The lace stuff is cute for everyone else, but not for me. Or so I thought until I found this top at JCPenney. What I loved most about it is that I could give it an edge by pairing it with a black cami.

I found this pink…I mean…dusty rose colored skirt at Ross a couple years ago. A long pleated skirt is so forgiving and flattering and just everything you’ve ever wanted in a skirt. And I love the sharp contrast of the black and white up top with the softer color on bottom.

And because the top is so busy, all I had to add were these adorable white flower earrings. I love these especially in the spring because they add the perfect small visual to your ensemble.

See, there’s totally a way to mix in pieces you may not normally wear in order to freshen up what you wear almost every day (which for me in this case is black and white).

Consider a combination like this for your Easter outfit!

Also, yay for great weather to take #ootd pictures in…boo for not remembering to charge my camera and getting only 2 minutes of picture time outside. Hopefully next week the stars will align and I’ll get both back!

#thespiffknows, 2015, ann taylor, dress, dress shopping, Fashion, jcpenney, shopping, the limited, Uncategorized, west town mall

The Guide to a Figure-Flattering Easter Dress

March 20, 2015 No Comments

The trick to writing a guide of any sort is research. And if there’s ever been an Easter where I’ve done extensive dress research, it’s this one.

I will be 5 months pregnant by the time Easter gets here, which means I don’t know what my body will look like. On top of which, I’m in the Easter program at church, which means I have to find a dress that meets a long list of standards (not to mention my own crazy self-imposed ones).

But man do I love a good clothing challenge.

I started looking for a dress in January, just to start formulating a vision. Once I knew the direction I wanted to go in, I started seriously looking in February and had my dress by early March.

Saying all of that to say, I know my stuff. I know what’s out there and I know what will look good on your body type.

So let’s dive in…

The best way to flatter a larger mid-section is by going with a dress that’s waist defining. All three of these options give the illusion that you have a tiny waist whether it be through color blocking, a change in pattern or strategic rouching. Those are the types of things you need to look for in your dress.

And if you want to add a cardigan to the mix, stay away from those that are short and boxy. Go with one that lays a few inches below where you’ve defined your waist, or better yet, choose a structured blazer to give you even more shape.

For a larger bum and hips it’s all about where you’re drawing the eye. First of all, make sure to go with an A-line shape. This shape is flattering on so many body types, but especially yours as it perfectly conceals your lower half. To carry the illusion a step further, opt for a dress that has a pattern/detail on the top half which will instantly draw the eye up.

The White House Black Market dress does a great job of drawing the eye to your neckline with that lace detail; as does the JCP dress by putting that gorgeous blue color on the top half of the dress. And of course the print overlay is just pretty all over on the Fiore dress.

If you’re looking to create a figure, you’ve got some great options as well. Look for dresses with ruffles or pleats to add volume where you need it, but stay away from anything too baggy. You want to show off your slimness while adding volume in all the right places.

The blue dress from Express gives your girls a little help with the pleats in the bust line. The middle dress from The Limited does kind of the same thing but in a cool modern way – I love the illusion of a crop top over a black dress. And by the way, this one would really do a great job showing off a gorgeous statement necklace. Finally, the navy Ann Taylor number defines your tiny waist but gives you a curvy hourglass shape with the addition of those ruffles (the dress has a tiny polka dot pattern too, which I think is so classic).

I wanted to show you that no matter your figure, there is a dress out there that will make you look your best. I purposely stayed away from using words like “flaws” and “problem areas” because you don’t have to look at your body that way. Appreciate what you’re working with, and learn to dress so that you show off what you love most!

If you have any questions or need more help, you can reach me through any of my social media outlets I’ve linked to there in the upper right.

Happy shopping!