pinterest – the Spiff

Let’s Catch Up!

January 30, 2017 No Comments

fashion blog, fashion blogger, funny fashion blog, style consultant, mom blog, mom life, knoxville fashion, help with blogging

In order to get my head around what it is I’m trying to say here, I’m going to pretend that you just asked me, “So, how are things with the blog?”

Oh! That’s so unexpected, but I appreciate you being so caring. Let me fill you in…

The past two months have been a growing process.

I’ve been writing this blog coming up on 7 years this June. Yeah. If my blog were a human, it would be pretty sassy and potty trained (there lies the extent of my knowledge of seven-year-olds. Get back with me in 5 years. I’ll know more). I have loved every minute of the journey. Well…loved a lot of it in hindsight. Like watching a movie montage – it’s more enjoyable to look back on those late nights when they’re all spliced together in your head with a Norah Jones song layered over them.

Throughout my entire history in this space, my passion and purpose has always been the same. I so deeply desire to help women feel more confident. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is something God has called me to do. And just as it is with anything He has for us…He has opened door after door of opportunity beyond what I had planned for myself.

I just wanted to write, but He had bigger plans and I’m so thankful for it!

So you know how they say you’re supposed to replace your mattress every 8 years? Those commercials make me dry heave *steady Elizabeth* …my point is, there’s a refreshing point for everything. Even our mattress – although, my theory is that’s a completely made up number. Someone just needs to be able to support the 100’s of mattress stores they’ve build on every corner. But that’s another blog…for like an anti-mattress store site, I guess…?

The past three months I’ve taken a step back from the blog. I have re-evaluated where I stand with this space. I’ve had other people evaluate where I stand with this space and I’m happy to report that I’m getting a new mattress. Metaphorically. Lord, I love my mattress and even though we’re coming up on 9 years with it, I’M NOT GOING TO GIVE IN AND BUY A NEW ONE!

Maybe this mattress analogy was too much of a hot button issue…

I just wanted to fill you in on the fact that I’ll be making changes to the blog here and there. Some will be noticeable; others will subtly fill your soul with warmth and wonder.

One that you’ll see for sure, is the fact that Pinterest and I have made amends (follow me there to see!). I’ve come to terms with the fact that everyone can now be creative with just a push of a button, while the rest of us will just have to pin what’s in our heads and stop being bitter about it….it’s what some people deal with…I’m sure. Not me! Ha…

I’ll also be stepping up my Instagram game (follow me there too!). And-God willing-picking up where I left off with personal style consultations.

All of that to say, hold on! There’s so much work being done behind the scenes so that I can be more steady and available to you on a regular basis.

I hope this fills you with joy! I so badly want to help you look your best, and do it using what’s in your closet.

I’m excited to see what this new year holds for our relationship :)

fall, Fashion

3 Shopping Ideas for Fall

September 22, 2015 No Comments

I feel as if I am in a rut when it comes to writing the first post about fall. I pretty much stick to saying how I’m not going to gush about the oncoming season, then follow it with something like, “Just know if fall were a drug, I’d have to check into rehab,” or something like that.

Well I’m not going to do it this year! (Crap, that’s the first thing I always say). Just kno…Ha, I have a serious problem as I didn’t start writing that to be cute. Uh…I’m stuck on where to go from here. Let’s just say I’m a huge fan of fall.

Fall clothes especially make me drool, so I thought I’d share some fall inspiration off my Pinterest board (titled, “Spiffy Fall Clothes” if you want to follow) and share with you my fashion plan for the upcoming season.

1. Shop in Color.

I’ve made a rule for myself for fall shopping – I’m not allowed to buy any gray. It’s the safe color to get but doesn’t help when you’re feeling a pop of color OR when your closet is already full of gray (out of protest to the movie I refuse to do a 50 shades of gray joke here).

Gray is soft, it is wonderful and boy does it go with a lot, but there are times you want to stand out. Be bold! Join me in buying off the rainbow this season.

2. Stock up on cool.

Anyone else as addicted to Fixer Upper as I am? That show could be the theme song to my maternity leave – I’ve been watching it nonstop. And forget getting inspired by Joanna Gaines’ ability to stage a home – lets talk about her ability to look so cute! She has a great style that is both comfortable but awesome at the same time.

I want to get better at buying things that will help me get dressed on Saturdays and be cute about it. This outfit with the stripes on the left is a great example. Cute and cool.

The sequence jacket is a great reminder to mix and match high and low. That also helps create a cool look and reminds me to bust out my sequence pants more often.

3. Buy textures.

These pictures make me think two things: I can’t wait to wear my leather pants again, and why does every girl on Pinterest have thighs that don’t touch? Girl please. Let a cheeto or two introduce your one thigh to the other for crying out loud.

I do love the left picture and how she’s wearing an all black outfit, but the different textures make it less boring and more awesome. So if you’re stuck with buying the same color and can’t get out of the rut despite your best efforts, shop for that color but in different textures so your look is multi-dimensional.

Also, the picture on the right proves you can layer/add textual interest with more than just your fabrics – this gal did it with some great bracelets for a cool vibe.

What are your plans for shopping this fall?

Be sure to check out this and other boards on my Pinterest!

Fashion

Bring Your Pinterest Pins to Life

August 5, 2015 No Comments

You are going to enjoy a blog post from summer 2014 because I’ve had a baby! Well at the time of typing this I haven’t, but I like to plan ahead. And now I think I shouldn’t have pointed that out because think of the dedication it would take to be posting blogs in the hospital.

Let’s go with that…I’ve had a baby and afterwards the first thing I said was, “Hand me a computer, the blog must go on!”

Please enjoy this post while I enjoy my little boy :)

I know. We’re twinsies!

While it’s hard to pin point the subtle differences between the two pictures, that is me there on the right. Ah yes, you see it now don’t you?

I honestly didn’t even plan to take this in front of a chalk board sign, it just worked out so serendipitously.

So why am I walking around impersonating Pinterest models? Because I want to give you four ways you can do what I did, and bring what you’ve pinned on Pinterest to real life. Put all of that dreaming, pinning and (let’s face it) pining to good use by learning how to put it into action when it comes to what you wear…

1. Search for items you’re having a hard time styling.

The vest I’m wearing in this picture is a moto-vest I got as a gift several years ago. I’ve never been able to work it properly into an outfit, until I saw this picture. And what do you know – it was the perfect thing to wear downtown for dinner and jazz. Pinterest has gotten really good with their search capabilities, so figure out what you need help with and search for it.

2. Don’t be so literal.

Obviously I’m not wearing exactly the same ~~hoochie skirt~~ outfit she is. That’s because you’ve really got to relax your brain when searching for outfit inspiration. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been stuck on what to wear, and by simply scrolling through pictures of clothing, it’s triggered an idea in my head that was no where to be found on the page. By looking at silhouettes and the overall “feeling” of an outfit, your brain can put things together that you’ve maybe never thought of before.

3. Know your closet.

If you don’t know what’s in there, how can you know what to wear? Take a quick pass through to look at what you’ve got, even if you’re not getting dressed. This way you’ll have a fresh mental image of what’s in there. If you have so many pieces that you can’t take a relatively quick pass through, then I suggest you unload a little.

Bonus Point: Have fun! Put something together and if you’re unsure, wear it out with your best friend and see what you think. Fashion should be fun, so try not to tress about it (she writes emphatically to herself).

Fashion, Pinterest pick, shoes, spring, styling

Essential Spring Shoes

March 16, 2015 2 Comments

keds, spring style, what to wear this spring, sneakers, what to wear wit keds, fashion blog, knoxville fashion blog, shoes

These are the very shoes I was wearing when I discovered that Chick-Fil-A light lemonade tasted just like their regular lemonade. That was a life-changing moment.

Good thing I had on great shoes.

I’ve had my eye on these types of sneakers for over a year now. It wasn’t until Target came out with a cheaper pair that I decided to try them out, and if I liked them I’d buy the real thing.

Turns out I don’t like them – I love them.

They are exactly what I’ve been looking for to give my running around outfits the cute yet comfortable edge I’ve been needing. This pair from Target only cost around $14, but I’ve tracked down an affordable Ked’s option for around $30.

And these shoes can go a lot farther than I originally bargained for. Here’s a Pinterest collage of all the different ways you can wear them. Jennifer Aniston sports her’s with a blazer! You’ll notice they can almost fluidly take the place of heels or wedges in unexpected yet wildly comfortable ways…

They’re really perfect for boyfriend-jeans and will make me look so cute and keep my pregnant feet comfortable this summer. Go get your own pair, cause you’re not borrowing mine!

Also, be sure to follow my new “Spiffy Keds” Pinterest board (click on the Pinterest link there in the upper right)!

Fashion

Catch the Unveil (Again)

August 26, 2014 No Comments

In honor of it being almost 2 months old now, I thought it would be fun to relive the unveil of the new site from this past June. Watch the quick video to not only get the ta-da, but to also get some tips on how to receive a compliment!

Family weddings are complete, the website is unveiled…I’m breathing large sighs of relief these days.

If you’d like to watch my segment from yesterday where I talked about what all the features spiff now has to offer, along with how to confidently respond to compliments, click below!

Meanwhile, I’d like to point out a few new things around the site that I didn’t get to yesterday on the show…

You can now easily like and share posts with the Facebook buttons located at the bottom of each post. These are not for emergency use only, please share with others only after you’ve enjoyed it for yourself.

Located in the top right hand corner of each picture (*points with stewardess fingers) is the “pin it” button. Feel free to use that anytime I post a picture. And I do mean anytime. Seriously.

Social buttons are available for your following pleasure there on the right. Click each and every one and faithfully follow my every move in every social media avenue possible (too strong? How about…) Feel free to follow me and my adventures as a fashion blogger, get more great tips, outfit inspiration and adorable pictures of my dog!