Working Out Your Style

Hi everyone! Well most of you know that I was a running maniac this past summer and fall. This winter has been a bust for running because the temps were just to cold. I was pretty bummed because I felt like I really enjoyed my running time because it was my "me" time.  I could have joined a gym, but I prefer to run outside rather than a treadmill. Recently, I took a class that has reminded me that I need to actually schedule "me" time, whether that is running, blogging, or reading. Most of those things I try to squeeze into my life, rather than actually scheduling them and then they don't happen. It's hard because these are really things I do for me. I feel like as parents we give so much to everyone and slowly forget about the things we enjoyed. So, I am really glad I took this class, it has giving me inspiration. It has been in the 50's and 60's which feels like a heat wave and is perfect running weather. Even though I feel like I am starting over and my body is sore, every time I run I feel so good.
This is not a fabulous style post, but one focused on your work-out style. I have noticed the trend that pretty much any store has work-out wear. You can find work-out wear for many price points, from Forever 21 to Lululemon. I don't have a specific place I shop for work-out wear, but I do tend to shop at Marshalls because they have brands I like for cheaper. I usually wear my workout clothes through out the evening, so I like to wear pieces that I can throw on with a jacket and go on errands. (Unless I am crazy sweaty)

This would be a outfit typical for my work-out style.

Nike Dri- Fit Top

Nike Allover Print Women's Leggings

Bright Asics

Do you have a specific brand for your work-out wear?

Linking up at Monday Mingle and Visible Monday .

Over-all this weather

AE Denim Overalls ,

Hi everyone, since my last post, my birthday came and went.  My husband, Ryan, gave me these fabulous Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses. I have been wanting a pair of aviators for awhile, but I couldn't find a pair that fit my small face.  The pair he bought for me are perfect. I think it was so thoughtful that he took our daughter and they picked them out together. Recently, a trend that I noticed making a comeback is "the overall". I used to own a sweet pair from the Gap. My Gap overalls are one of those things that I am so mad that I gave them away.  I was pumped on a recent trip to Madewell, I came across their Park Overalls. I think this is a great look for the spring and summer,  but the price point is high at $148.00.

Madewell Park Overalls

So, I got to looking for a pair that fit my criteria.  My criteria includes a worn wash, loose fitting, and no belt loops(weird I know). Well, I happy to tell you I found this great pair from American Eagle for 1/3 the price.  (and I love them better than the Madewell overalls).

Ray-Ban Avaitor Sunglasses

Is there an item that you donated or gave away that you wish you still had?


Linking up at Monday Mingle , The Pleated Poppy,  and Transatlantic Blonde.

Up the Amp

Hi, everyone! I don't know about you guys, but I am glad the weekend is here. I have a few things to post. First, this past weekend I got a new lipstick from Mac called, Up the Amp. For me, a new lipstick shade is a great addition to any assemble. This bright shade gives me hope that spring will soon be here.

MAC: Up the Amp

Second, most of you guys that read my blog know that I am trying to grow out my hair.  I haven't cut it yet in 2 1/2 months, so my mullet is getting long. In the past when I have tried to grow my hair out, I usually keep getting the back trimmed. This time I am using my mullet to my advantage. I actually have been twisting up the back and bobby pinning it up. Some of the back pieces still hang down, but it gives the illusion of my hair being longer. This style might be an idea for those gals that have told me they are also growing their hair out.

 

Lastly, I have wanted an anorak jacket for a while. I purchased this Xhilration jacket from Target for less than $50.00. What I love about the jacket is the leather quilting detail and it is more form fitting. Many of the anorak jackets I have tried on seem very large and boxy, so I am glad I held out for this one. So, a score for Target!

 Xhilaration Anorak Jacket

Do you change your lipstick for different seasons? What shade will you wear this spring?

Polyvore outfit challenge: Modcloth

Hi everyone! I was excited to be asked to participate in Polyvore's weekly outfit challenge with Modcloth. When I heard it was for Modcloth, which I adore, I was so excited to participate. The highlight of my collage is Modcloth 's Classic Stunner Dress in Floral.  This dress is fabulous all by itself, but my style tends to be casual. So, many of the pieces I combined with the dress would lend itself to my casual style. I came up with at least 8 different outfit combinations from this one collage. I am sure there could be many more.

   Outfit 1                        Outfit 2                     Outfit 3                         Outfit 4     

1, 6,7                          1,5,6,7.                      1,4,6,8                          1,2,5,6,8

Outfit 5                    Outfit 6                     Outfit 7                        Outfit 8

1,3,6,7                     1,3,6,8                     1,5,6,8                          1,4,6,7

1.   Classic Stunner Dress in Floral   2. All's Fair in Love and Wharf Tee 3. Academia Ahoy Blazer 4. Brighten Up Circle Scarf in Deep Blue 5. Foxy Moxie Belt 6. Cube as Can Be Earrings 7. Seychelles All Dressed Up Heel 8. Prospectress Boot

Which outfit assemble would be your favorite?

Cold Temps, Hot Hue

Hi everyone! It was finally warm enough to wear my new Franco Sarto red flats I just purchased at Marshalls. Perfect timing for Valentine's Day.  I love this pop of color and they will get lots of wear and tear this spring and summer. I paired them with my Merona plaid blazer that I thrifted. It seems like the nautical look will be in full effect this spring, but I think it's always a classic look. My hair update is that it has been exactly two months of growth. I think it has grown between an 1 1/4 inch and 1/12 inch. Which is fabulous, because I have read that usually your hair grows a half an inch to one inch a month.  I have been styling it in a few different ways, which I will show soon, but today I just left it au naturel.  Growing my hair out is a process, since it was so short to begin with. I think the really awkward look will be happening soon. Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend and I have to get back to helping my kids make their Valentines.

These are a few pairs of red pointed toe flats I fancied.

 

Old Navy Sueded D'Orsay Flats

DJPremium Red Flats

Chinese Laundry Encino Cherry Flat

Do you have a red pair of flats? Have any great plans for the weekend?


Linking up at Monday Mingle, The Pleated Poppy ,and What I Wore Wednesday.

Stir Crazy for Some Sales

Hi everyone, I hope you had a good weekend. With these freezing temperatures my outfits are all the same and involve snow boots. So, I am sure like myself, you guys are looking forward to warmer temperatures. While you are stir crazy inside there are some fabulous sales to check out for some spring and summer items. ASOS.com  has a great sale selection and up to 70% off. Hopefully, my new jumpsuit I ordered for Spring will soon arrive.

1. ASOS Shorts with Scallop Hem  2. ASOS Shift Playsuit with PU Collar 3.ASOS Jumpsuit with Front Zipper 4. ASOS Lattice Side Cut-Out Bandeau  5. ASOS Striped Cut-Out Bandeau Swimsuit

Do you have a favorite ?

DIY- Zipper Embellishment

Hi everybody, I hope you had a great weekend. Recently, one of my friends went to NYC. She came back with a similar sweatshirt like the one in this post. I adored it and thought to myself, I can make it especially with my new sewing machine. So, I picked up this sweatshirt from the thrift store and a 24 inch black zipper from Hobby Lobby. Total this project was $7.00 and the zipper was actually more expensive than the sweatshirt. You may have a sweatshirt in your closet that you can use.  This zipper is purely decorative, but if you are skilled in the sewing department you could make it functional.  This project is so easy and I loved how it turned out. Zippers are my new favorite embellishment.

Materials you will need for this project are a sewing machine, black thread, 24 inch zipper, scissors, stick pins, and a sweatshirt.

Step 1: Lay your sweatshirt on a flat surface.

Step 2: Lay your zipper across your sweatshirt diagonally. I placed the top of the zipper a little over my shoulder. Use stick pins to keep zipper in place.

Step 3: Sew the zipper on. My sewing skills are not the best and if your line is not perfectly straight the black material beside the zipper hides your line. You can leave the zipper closed or open. For a different look, leave open to see the material between the zipper.

 This is my fabulous sewing machine I got for Christmas from my mom.

Do you have a favorite embellishment?


Linking up at Monday Mingle .

Thriftiness

Hi everyone, I hope you had a great weekend. With the beginning of a new year, many of us have made resolutions. One of those may be to spend less money. One way you can stick to this resolution is by thrifting. I recently went thrifting and purchased eight items for a total of $26.79. One of my items was this vintage sweater. I absolutely loved the bright color, boat neck, embellishment of flowers, and being vintage this is one of kind. Actually, in this post's outfit everything is thrifted except for my H&M black skinny jeans. If you think you may like to try thrifting you may want to consider these things:

1. Be open to one size higher than your normal size. Just like when we wash things they make shrink a tad, so you may wear a medium instead of that regular small.(it is used)
2. Look in all areas of the store, people sometimes put their unwanted items anywhere.
3. Thrifting can be for everyone in your family. I picked up my daughter 2 items this trip.
4. Certain days of the week are better for thrifting. The day I went one of the stores had the whole store 50% off.
5. Keep all the items you are interested in buying in the cart until the end. If you set something down someone might pick it up and then it's gone.
6. Consider current trends or styles. 
7. Have an open mind and have fun.

 H&M Skinny Black Jeans,

Ann Taylor Thrifted Gingham Shirt -Similar

My receipt totaling $26.79.

My thrifted coat on the left and the TopShop Fleece Coat on the right.  I love this look, but I consider this look a trend and did not want to spend alot.

This Forever 21 will be used in a future DIY.

These skinny jeans and Target sweater were two items I snagged for my daughter.

This vest is from Madewell.

Liz Claiborne cardigan

Rhinestone brooch

Have you thrifted anything lately? What are your thoughts on thrifting?



Linking up at Funday Monday and Monday Mingle .

Working Towards...

Hi everybody! In my last post, I made my declaration to grow out my hair. Even with something as small as growing out your hair you should set a goal. My goal is a shaggy bob with longer layer bangs. So, I have been busy on Pinterest setting up my board of bobs to be inspired by. These are a few of my favorites.

Do you have a favorite? Have a great weekend!

Changing it up

Hi everyone, don't pass out because I have two posts this week! In this post, I am sporting a casual combination including my favorite Sorel Slimpback boots. I am announcing I have decided to grow out my hair. I have had short hair FOREVER. I love my short hair, but I think it's time for a change. I am telling all of you, so it keeps me accountable and I am less likely to cut it in the next few months when it starts to look funky. Like in this photo, I will be wearing a lot of hair accessories to get me through this grow out period. I have been doing my research on things that can help me grow out my hair as fast as possible. These are a few tips I have found:

1. Try not wash your hair a lot.

2. Use a deep conditioner treatment at least once a week.

3. Take Biotin to aid in hair health and growth.

4. Drink water and exercise

5. Be patient

These two suggestions I wasn't sure about, first using Biosilk shampoo and conditioner. Lastly, an egg white treatment, the protein is great for healthy hair.

AE Skinny Jegging, Old Navy Surplus Vest- Similar, Old Navy Quilted Vest- Similar , Sorel Slimpack Riding Boots, Ralph Lauren Elbow pad- thrifted

If you have any other tips for growing out my hair I would love to hear them?


Linking up at The Pleated Poppy and Style Elixir.

To sale or not to sale

Hello everyone, I have been on a hiatus. I have taken many pictures, but nothing has stood out that said blog about this. I think part of it is this weather and on this day it was actually descent. It was a few days after we had  negative 30 temperatures with wind chills. During those cold days, I did venture to the mall. I snagged this Forever 21 Olive Moto jacket. I have been wearing it a ton. I love the embellishment of the gold spikes. It  makes the jacket edgy and feminine at the same time.With the stores starting to get spring items in, they have a plethora of winter items on sale. I heard one girl as I was shopping say, " I don't look at anything that isn't around 10 dollars". So, that got me thinking of what I ask myself when I am doing end of the season shopping. Ask yourself:

1. Am I just buying this item because it is cheap?

2. Do I already have something similar in my closet?

3. Would I have bought it at the regular price?

4. Would I rather buy four sale items or buy the shirt I really want at regular price?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, then you should probably not buy that sale item. Back away from the sales rack and get what you really want. Don't get me wrong I have bought sale items in the past, just because they are on sale. Now I really try to be more selective, because all of those sale items add up.

F21 Moto Jacket- Similar and Similar, Rubbish Moto Leggings- Similar, Studded Wrap Around Bracelet

How do you decide on a sale item?

Linking up at Visible Monday .