Cheap + Tight: How I Made it Work Anyway

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ootd, knoxville fashion, knoxville fashion blog, midi pencil skirt, pencil skirt outfit, skirt and sweater outfit, professional look for moms, mom blog, knoxville mom blog, forever21 for moms, waterfall sweater outfit, february sweater outfit, west town mall, west town mall style

ootd, knoxville fashion, knoxville fashion blog, midi pencil skirt, pencil skirt outfit, skirt and sweater outfit, professional look for moms, mom blog, knoxville mom blog, forever21 for moms, waterfall sweater outfit, february sweater outfit, west town mall, west town mall style

ootd, knoxville fashion, knoxville fashion blog, midi pencil skirt, pencil skirt outfit, skirt and sweater outfit, professional look for moms, mom blog, knoxville mom blog, forever21 for moms, waterfall sweater outfit, february sweater outfit, west town mall, west town mall style

Shop this look: Skirt | Similar Sweater | Booties

Do you remember what Forever21 was like in 2008?

It had a sparkly floor, clothing racks as far as the eye could see and a jewelry section with a giant chandelier. I would often drive three hours just to be there and gaze at all the beauty. Then I could scoop up whatever I wanted, because it was so dang cheap!

There were so many great tops and jackets (OH THE JACKETS!!).

So what’s changed?

Probably (honestly) me. I’ve watched my taste shift from trendy and cheap to craving more classic and sturdy. Like needing fiber for my closet. Good thing that doesn’t sound like I’m getting older!

Forever21 has changed too, but only because that’s the nature of their business. They’re here to provide us trends. And it seems the trend is now to wear shirts that stop half way down your torso. Yay.

I still wander in there.

I made myself a promise (you were there, it’s in a blog post somewhere) that I would always shop at Forever21 no matter my age. Because the jewelry is great. I often snag pieces that look like they came from J. Crew for less than $10.

Or hey, this skirt! It was $8.

And while it is tight (like TOO MUCH INFORMATION tight) I rose to the style challenge and made it work…for a Sunday morning…at Church!

Here’s how I did it…

Knowing the length and straightness this skirt would bring to my frame; I knew it would need to be severely balanced out with some volume. Enter: this waterfall sweater that thankfully covers my bum. That made the skirt a little less sexy office assistant and a little more mother appropriate.

You know what else would work? This vest.

Because the skirt is so long, you want something that does cover your bum, but doesn’t go much longer past that. Too much length can drag your whole frame down.

To continue the volume up top, I went with a loose gray shirt. I tucked it in for a couple of inches just to define my waist. Again: it’s all about balance and I needed to balance all of that volume I had added with a defined waist. I didn’t want to get swallowed up!

In the spring this can also work with a shorter kimono and maybe some taupe booties instead of black. Just remember…Balance is key!

And know that 30 years from now you’ll still bump into me, shopping for cheap jewelry and possibly really tight skirts ;)

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Sucker Punch the Winter Blues

It’s right about this time of year when conversations start including the phrase, “I’m so ready for spring.” These are not conversations I participate in, but I’ll nod and be cordial. For me, it’s about this time of year that I truly settle into appreciating all the little things about winter.

Like the fact that I don’t have to paint my toenails, or worry about my tan. Also I’m settling back into my love of hot drinks. My first trimester had me nauseous at the thought of them!

Regardless of where you fall on the winter love/hate scale, I’ve put together a list of things that will help power surge you through the rest of the season looking cute. All of which can be found at West Town Mall!

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First up is this plaid vest from GAP. I like that it includes softer gray colors which means it won’t look so “winter harsh” on those colder spring days. It’s also going to go with a lot and add a great pop of pattern if you like to wear a lot of solid colors.

A mesh panel infinity scarf from Aero (formerly known as Aeropostale) is just the thing to cozy into when it’s cold outside. But I love how soft and airy it is. It makes me feel like I’ve clicked on a “glow filter” around my face. And who wouldn’t want that?!

This is the first time I’ve written about these Piko tops from Fiore, but it’s not going to be the last! These tops are AH-MAZING. So soft, so drapey, so wonderful. I can’t wait for my baby bump to show just so I can hide it with one of these (ha, that sounds so counter-intuitive, but it’s where I’m at).

Gosh these gorgeous Nine West Boots from Belk have me re-thinking my resolve to not buy and more boots for a while. I’m so in love with the fold-over look this year. I feel like it makes your legs look teeny tiny in comparison. These bad boys are on sale AND would totally work when paired with lighter spring tops, so you may have to fight me for them.

Garage calls this the Essential Parka for a reason – it will keep you warm in the winter, and this army green color plays so well with bold spring colors!

Finally, what’s a list of things to perk up your winter wardrobe without a silver sweater from Banana Republic? It’s a list that lacks pizzazz that’s what. A great metallic thread like this is such a fun departure from the wools and knits we’ve been wearing. Try one out and pair it with other fun textures like corduroy!


Shopping My Closet

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Wear Now & Later

We’ve hit one of the sweet spots in the year where retailers are practically shoving merchandise into our bags and asking for mere pennies in return.

But as you can remember, one of my goals this year is to not purchase things just because they’re on sale.

Here’s a list of items that can we worn in the dead of winter and well into spring, and they all happen to be super cheap.

Even if you can’t find these exact items in the store (that’s the risk you take when writing about things that are on sale), you’ll at least have guidelines so you know what to spend your money on.

All of these pieces, by the way, can be found at different retailers in West Town Mall…

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1. Palazzo Knit Pants from New York & Co. – Remember that post I did about volume? Well, these pants are a great example of putting volume on the bottom. Balance them out with a form fitting turtleneck or v-neck sweater, and warm up your toes in the winter by pairing them with your chunkiest boot. With the pant leg being so wide, no one will be able to tell! Then keep rocking them into the spring with high heels, a fitted tank, a patterned cardigan and a long swingy necklace. They’re on sale for $10 so the cost-per-wear ratio is un. real.

2. Sequin Sweater from GAP – A chunky sweater like this is going to really keep you warm and cute, especially if you layer a crisp white button down underneath it and pair it with jeans and boots. But the shiny polka-dots and gray color is happy enough to transition well into spring where you could rock it with cuffed boyfriend jeans and some bright pink heels. Gosh, I think I’ve talked MYSELF into buying this one!

3. Kiera Leather Booties from Ann Taylor – This is a classic shoe, so regardless of the season, if you see these puppies on sale snatch them up. They’re especially great to have now because you can wear them with sheer or opaque black tights, and later with cuffed boyfriend jeans. Badda bing. Badda boom.

4. Teardrop Treasure Earrings from Charming Charlie – This past year I fell in LOVE with colored drop earrings. Especially as an owner of a lot of black and a whole lotta gray, simple earrings with color like these really jazz up a neutral outfit. Grab them for $8 and use them to punch up some of your drab winter sweaters, then break them out again in the spring when you buy a floral patterned dress that incorporates this same gorgeous turquoise.

5. Kennedy Solid Tote from Francesca’s – I apologize, I thought this bag was on sale but it’s not. But before you go crossing it off your list, lets think of how attention grabbing this color would be on a cold, overcast winter day… Now let’s imagine how beautifully it would transition into spring with it’s unexpected shade of yellow that would surprisingly go with everything in your closet. See? It works.

Hey! You know what’s always fun? A good fashion show! Thursday, February 5th, My friend Claire Queisser is putting on a Rouge Fashion show at the Relix Variety Theater. Stop by from 7-8pm for hors d’ oeuvres then stick around because at 8:30 the fashion show begins!! For more info, click here!

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