summer – the Spiff

What I’m Wearing Before Summer Ends

August 15, 2016 2 Comments

Summer style, summer fashion, knoxville fashion, knoxville fashion blogger, elizabeth ogle, style consultant, knoxville summer, shorts, piko top, summer fashion

The words, “Bye Felicia” come to mind when I think of summer being over.

But we’re not there quite yet. Fast approaching are the days in between the seasons which can sometimes make getting dressed feel like puberty – uncertain and awkward.

If you’re like me you wrestle with wanting to dive right into your fall wardrobe because it’s fresh clothes you haven’t had on rotation for a while. But then as you reach for them, you realize you don’t want to over-wear them before it’s even cool outside.

To combat this feeling, I’ve started finding pieces from summer that I really love and focusing on working them into my outfits as much as possible.

Here’s my list of favorites that I’ll be wearing right up until the clock strikes AUTUMN.

All of these things can be found at Dillard’s in West Town Mall and a majority of them are on sale!! EEEEK!

Maxi Dresses

I miss slipping into one of these in November like my toes miss a good cozy boot in May.

Let’s hold on to wearing breezy dresses for as long as we possibly can – and thanks to a great jean jacket, I’ll wear these well into September…

Bright Bags

I am so very excited about getting back with my fall purse, but I will miss the bright pink pop of my summer bag. Just today I got complimented on its color and it somehow goes with everything.

These totes from Dillard’s would be able to hold a lot and pack such a great color punch for the remaining weeks of heat.

Sandals

Admittedly I won’t miss painting my toes, but these beauties make the extra effort all worth it. It’s nice to show more skin on your feet for a while.

I will miss the little hints of glitz coming from a great metallic sandal.

Beauty, Fashion, Spiffy, summer, summer time

Look Good Through the Heat & Humidity

August 1, 2016 5 Comments

hair, knoxville beauty blogger, knoxville families magazine, knoxville beauty, hair blog, how to fight frizz, how to fight humitidy, hair tips, elizabeth ogle, knoxville blogger elizabeth ogle

I AM THE MOTHER OF A ONE YEAR OLD.

Admitting it in all caps is going to help it sink in, right?! Although I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel once it does sink in…

I do know this – I’m excited about him turning one and all the adventures and learning and growing it will bring! (Unless any of those adventures/learning/growing involve blood, bugs or bugers).

He had a pretty epic party and I can’t wait to show you pictures from it – Southern Roots Photography always does an amazing job!

For now, I want to help you finish out the summer looking spiffy!

Here are links to two of my articles for Knoxville Families Magazine…

The first is all about how to dress for a kids pool party.

Even if you don’t necessarily have one of those to go to, my hope is that it will help you figure out what to wear for events that could be tricky.

(Pics below provided by Brittany Arnold of Southern Roots Photography)

The second is how to help your hair beautifully survive the humidity that has made itself comfortable.

As you will read, I have a black belt in fighting frizz, so learn from my ways, Grasshopper.

I hope you have a wonderful week! I’m looking forward to spending more focused time on the blog now that I have someone’s first birthday party under my belt. :)

Fashion, styling, summer

Trending: Bucket Bags

July 13, 2015 No Comments

{Similar} Dress // Headband // Wedges // Bag

There’s a great new purse shape that’s been making its way through the crowd of bags out there, it’s called the Bucket Bag.

It looks just like it sounds too (as you can see).

I picked this one up at TJMaxx for a steal (a STEAL I tell you, at $20), but I’ve linked to one just like it and since the shape is becoming more popular the options are starting to increase.

Honestly, at first I wasn’t a big fan. And even now I don’t think I’d own one that’s not cross-body. I got this one because I needed a summer cross-body option and really with the quilting on it, I think I could carry this well into fall.

It’s nice in the sense that it’s deep and can hold my long wallet. It’s not nice in the sense that the opening is a little small and I have to work to get my hand down in there to pull things out. But if you’re not a fan of having a wide open purse for people to stick their hands or eyes down into, then this is the perfect bag for you. It’s especially great on vacation which is where I first carried it.

Grab one like this in a bright white and it will really refresh your summer purse collection!

summer, summertime, west town mall, Why this works

The Pants that Flatter Everyone

July 6, 2015 No Comments

I’ve always wanted to be able to pick pocket.

Not because I want to steal things from people, but because I think being so slick with your movements and expertly diverting the attention of your target is so cool and smooth. Thankfully I can channel this weird desire for a life of crime into how I get dressed.

Picking and pairing clothes that flatter your body involves being a master of illusion, because we get to divert attention from where we don’t love to where we do.

And while there are rules and guidelines for every body type, every once in a while there’s a piece that really flatters everyone. Like fuller pants.

Think of this fuller pants shape as the magical jeans you could form a sisterhood around.

A fuller shaped pant or jean balances out the shape of someone who is bigger on top, they give your body shape if you’re straight up and down, and when worn to the ground with high heels they make even the most petite legs look miles long. You can also pull them off if you have a bigger bum, but be sure to pair them with a jacket or sweater (to balance you out) and always always wear them with something that highlights your tiny waistline.

Here are the options I’ve picked out for you – all found at West Town Mall.

1. The Limited: Show off your best summer heels with these full culottes.

2. Banana Republic: They’re cool in every sense and would look great with a light weight summer tee and necklaces.

3. American Eagle: Loose and comfortable? Yes! Wear them with a tighter top to balance out their flow.

4. GAP: Office appropriate and perfect for summer especially when paired with a tucked in shirt and blazer.

5. Dillard’s: A dressier version of the linen pant, which means you could wear these to all kinds of summer functions.

Think about this too – their flow-y fit really mimics the airiness of a maxi dress so they are great for warmer weather (especially on that very rare occasion where you haven’t shaved your legs)!

Maternity note: I bought a pair from Gap that have an elastic waistband so I’ve been able to wear them now throughout the pregnancy and later – which is awesome!

hair, nails, summer, summer time

Summer Beauty Swaps

June 26, 2015 No Comments

This a post from last summer (as you’ll quickly surmise when you see my stomach ;) But I wanted to bring it to you again because all of these products are still relevant, and will help make your summer beauty routine a lot easier. Enjoy!

Now that it is consistently hotter than a cole miners arm pit outside, it’s a good time to summer-ize our beauty routine.

This time of year we need protection from the sun, tools to combat humidity, and products that will help us not feel like we want to melt into the concrete.

If you didn’t get a chance to watch yesterday’s segment, just press play!

Here is a list of all the products I talked about…

Aveeno body lotion with SPF: If you’re not already applying lotion everyday/every time you get out of the shower, you should be! Add this to your routine and you’ll not only get moisturized, but you’ll also get protection from the sun!

Pond’s BB Cream: One thing I forgot to mention on the show, is this only comes in two shades. I picked up the medium to go with my tan, and it seems to blend in well. It does come out a lot darker then what it ends up looking like on your face, so don’t get freaked out.

Maybelline Color Show in Pink Embrace: light pastel colors are great for your manicure if you don’t want to touch it up a lot. These lighter colors won’t show nicks and chips as badly.

Urban Decay Makeup Setting Spray: I don’t know why my face starts to feel gross by 3pm, but I do know how to fix it – this makeup setting spray does the trick every time. Spray it on your face after doing your makeup to keep it in place, then do what I do and use it as an afternoon refresher.

Sea Salt Spray by Organix: Get that soft beach-babe look in your hair without all the driving and that sand thing, with this great sea salt spray. It smells fantastic and will give your hair some texture to make it easier to put up.