summer style – the Spiff

3 Fresh Ways to do Animal Print (from JCP!)

May 28, 2019 No Comments

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It’s looking like a jungle out there and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Animal print is everywhere right now. Typically not something we’ve seen so much of in the warmer months but I AM NOT COMPLAINING.

I have honestly talked myself out of buying at least 3 animal print shirts (not saying I won’t sneak in at least one at some point), but I feel as if my closet already has a good amount. So how else can I stock up on one of my favorite prints? In asking myself that question I thought I’d help you out as well and give you three fresh ways to do animal print…from pieces I found at JC Penney!

JC Penney in West Town Mall is one of my favorite places to pop in and get something good for a great price. I especially love walking up to the register while searching for coupons on my phone, knowing that I’m about to save even MORE.

And with Memorial Day behind us to kick off the official start to summer clearance season, I feel as if we’re going to be swimming in discounts. Let’s talk about these pieces…

Go for it in a Blazer:

When you first see this guy on a hanger, you think (at least I did) Ooo that’s too much going on. But honestly, when thrown over a white t-shirt and jeans (or in this case workout pants), it’s just right. I’m a huge fan of blazers with the cinched sleeves because I know I’m going to be cinching them anyway, if that could be built in that would be great. Also the length on this one is long but gives it a modern edge without being too oversized looking.

This would work both for a “feeling spiffy” day in the office over a simple black dress, or thrown on with a white shirt and distressed jeans to punch up a casual look.

PS: The white tank I have on underneath that I grabbed just to make this outfit look normal (the shirt I came in wearing was lavender) is a wonderful shirt. I’m totally going back for it. They also have it in black. I’m wearing a small in both the tank top and jacket.

Take the print to your bottom half:

Please note: I am not a shorts girl. Don’t like them, don’t wear them, but I almost sold myself on these. They’re light weight, have a very comfortable elastic waist and are flowy without the fear of flashing someone. Also, they would give all your solid tees a great companion. And one word: POCKETS.

I’m wearing a large in these, but could probably have gotten away with a medium. They’re so flowy I was okay with a little extra room.

Try animal print in a different color:

When it comes to wearing an animal print that’s outside the colors you would actually see on an animal – tread lightly. I know I’m contradicting my headline with that sentence, but as I typed it I realized that your outfit can veer down a tacky road if you don’t keep your hands on the wheel so to speak.

However, I’ve seen this emerald green combo a couple times now and I think you can stay on the fashionably straight and narrow with this while still doing something fresh…

This top is a bit cropped with wider sleeves. Wear it with some high wasted jeans or even over a maxi dress for a fun new twist.

I hope this gives you some summer style inspiration!

Fashion, Spiffy, west town mall

Summer Shoe Inspiration

May 21, 2019 No Comments

Good news: I’ve got a great way to update your whole closet for summer without spending a lot of money.

Better news: It will always fit.

Maybe you just had a baby and your tight fitting shirts aren’t so flattering yet (HYPOTHETICALLY). Maybe you plan on eating a lot at summer cookouts and you don’t want it to show. Either way, there are two categories you should stick to that will breathe new life into your basics: jewelry and shoes. Now let’s cover the latter…

Summer shoe trends have changed in the last two years. Where we used to see lots of heavy gladiator styles, now we’re seeing more simple slides. I can’t say that it’s good comfort-wise because it really depends on the show. I can say that it’s great style wise because now we can more easily throw on a pair of patterned shoes with a totally neutral outfit and instantly add some personality.

Also, it’s another way to wear animal print. I’LL TAKE IT.

Here are some beautiful slide/animal print styles I found at Fiore Boutique in West Town Mall. They really have a shoe for every occasion this summer and I love all the fun details – like the scalloped edge on the black pair and the two different kinds of snakeskin slides.

And *bonus* all their shoes are currently 25% off! Not to mention their clearance section is buy one get one free (see last pic)! So get yourself in there and check them out! They recently moved to where The Limited used to be, down the Men’s Belk hallway.

Fashion, Spiffy, west town mall

Dillard’s Sale Picks

June 29, 2018 No Comments

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All of the above.

Just know, this time of year there’s no “quick stops” into the mall. Every where you go there’s a fantastic sale sign that’s REALLY hard to ignore.

I’m hoping this quick guide will help you know what to look for/pick up at a good sale. Sometimes sales can be overwhelming and you end up in a fog (or as I like to call it – “Sale Drunk“) and you make purchases that you regret when you sober up the next day.

How do you avoid this? You go in knowing two things – what you need and what your total budget is.

You set parameters like – I have to be able to think of how I can immediately wear this with at least 2 outfits. Sometimes I do this…

Visualize your closet and you in it looking for something to wear – is that piece something you see yourself grabbing? Or do you more easily see it going into the “donate” pile in a few months? Sometimes that really helps me decide.

Okay, before I turn this into another post, let’s talk about what you can get at Dillard’s right now. They’re having a fantastic sale, in fact I’ve already purchased the necklace in this picture (except in pink so this black one may still be there).

Let’s dive in…WAIT, before we do – some of these items may be even CHEAPER in store (I know for sure the necklace is because I got it for $5 cheaper than the website lists) so be sure to go in Dillard’s at West Town Mall and see what deal you can get!

Post Work-Out Neem Body Wash – this falls into the category 0f “great gift.” I don’t know that I would use it, but I know people that might and I like to get a head start on Christmas presents, so this bag that was once $50 and is now marked down to $25 is perfect for that stash.

Kate Spade Earrings – WHY DON’T I OWN THESE?! Haha I’m all about stripes and these cuties are PERFECT. Marked down from $48 to $33. They would look so cute with gosh, just a t-shirt!

Pearl Earrings – here’s another tid-bit about sale shopping – buy things you need in advance of the need. If you know you’ve got a big event coming up next year, buy earrings like these which are marked down from $45 to $22 so that you don’t have to panic-buy anything and you have these on hand. Not to mention they’re gorrrgeous.

Hunter Boots – Let me unleash my beef with Target for a second in the form of this conversation…

Target: Hey every body, great news! You can all look like Joanna Gaines in tall black Hunter boots for a fraction of the cost!

Me: YAAAAAYYYY *sets alarm, wakes up at midnight…

Target: Hold please.

Me: *dances to hold music

Target: JOKE PARTY. We’re not making those, ya silly goose!

Me: :-|

Get your own dern tall black Hunter boots at Dillard’s for $96.

Tassel Necklace – The texture and movement of this piece is perfect for maxi dresses this summer. And I really like the addition of the gold sphere, I feel as if it gives it more of a flow.

Dooeny & Burke Backpack – I’m on the hunt for a good neutral backpack – because UH backpacks are awesome. This one is on sale for $103 down from $148. That’s a pretty good discount for such a quality bag.

Fossil Tote – this big-ole-bag would serve a myriad of purposes and is just about $50 off. Down to $103 from $148. Again, if a tote bag is on your list of needs, while one hundred bucks seems like a lot, it’s still less than the original price, and you’re getting real quality.

I hope this helps you stay out of the sale fog and buy things you’re going to use and love!

Oo! One more thing – Clinique at Dillard’s is offering a 4 piece gift set for any purchase over $40!

Fashion, Spiffy, west town mall

A Bag with the Best Pockets

June 26, 2018 2 Comments

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Stash in style.

My first example of how great pockets can be is a fresh one, as I just sat down from scoping my house for a place to hide something from my toddler.

So there you have reason number one for having great pockets in a purse – sometimes you need to keep things hidden from tiny, nosy little hands.

Reason number two? It’s so very nice to have an organized bag. And an organized bag is best achieved through pockets. In college I learned the value of assigning pockets certain tasks. I had a huge I mean HUGE backpack with what felt like hundreds of pockets. So to make the best use of it all, I put certain things in certain pockets. It made for a smooth college experience and I would attribute it to the reason I got so many A’s. (Just kidding. That award goes to coffee).

Back to pockets…

I don’t have to continue selling you on them, you know they’re great! I’ve never heard a woman exclaim, “WHAT THE HOSINFEFER…WHY DOES THIS THING HAVE POCKETS?!” Actually…I may have done that once in relation to skinny jeans. Because why are we adding giant thigh-pockets to SKIN-NEE JEANS.

What I do want to turn you on to is where to find bags adorned with glorious said pockets. And that place is Vera Bradley.

The people at Vera Bradley – they get women. They understand that we need a quick access pocket for our phone (aka: chocolate) and that we also want that pocket to be undetectable.

They tap their temples confidently and give us a wink because they empathize with our need to stuff cash, coupons, receipts and Tampons in a safe place without them floating around visibly in our purse.

Their nods and knowing looks are well won because they get us with the multiple pockets on the inside for dinosaurs, hair brushes, snack bars and keys. And as we slow-motion tear through our purse for wipes as our child goes to touch their mouth with hands that have firmly planted on the bathroom floor – they want to subconsciously deliver an calming feeling so they line the purse with a pretty print.

Remember all of these things next time you go purse shopping. Because Vera Bradley people REALLY get women. And I love this bag.

Go see them and their beautiful store in West Town Mall right inside the Charming Charlie entrance!

Want to see more bags that will help you stay stylishly organized? Here ya go!

Spiffy, style, west town mall

What I’m Wearing Before Summer Ends

September 1, 2017 No Comments

I’m taking the week off from the blog, but I’ve got great content lined up for you!
Enjoy this post from last year that still holds true today!

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!

3 Fresh Ways to do Animal Print (from JCP!)

JC Penney in West Town Mall is one of my favorite places to pop in and get something good for a great price. I especially love walking up to the register while searching for coupons on my phone, knowing that I’m about to save even MORE.

Go for it in a Blazer:

Take the print to your bottom half:

Try animal print in a different color:

Summer Shoe Inspiration

Dillard’s Sale Picks

Let’s dive in…WAIT, before we do – some of these items may be even CHEAPER in store (I know for sure the necklace is because I got it for $5 cheaper than the website lists) so be sure to go in Dillard’s at West Town Mall and see what deal you can get!

A Bag with the Best Pockets

So there you have reason number one for having great pockets in a purse – sometimes you need to keep things hidden from tiny, nosy little hands.

What I’m Wearing Before Summer Ends

Maxi Dresses

Bright Bags

Sandals