Pencil Me In

Happy Wednesday. With each new season comes new trends. It can be difficult to try to decide which ones work best for you. I tend to buy versatile pieces that will work with trends, that I know will last through many seasons. One trend that I have noticed for a few seasons is the "pencil" skirt. The fit I look for in a pencil skirt is form fitting, but not too tight, right at the knee, and versatile. I found this little number at the Goodwill in NYC for $4.98. For fall, I love the texture that a tweed and wool pencil skirt provides, especially combined with printed blouse or sweater.

This fall, I think one of the best selections of pencil skirts can be found at J.Crew.

J.Crew Collection Pencil Skirt

No. Pencil Skirt J.Crew

No. 2 Pencil Skirt Sequin Tweed Pencil Skirt- J.Crew

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people on the East Coast.

Linking up at the  The Pleated Poppy

Which skirt is your favorite? Do you wear pencil skirts or prefer another style?

Take a Bow

One easy accessory that can change a look of an outfit is a belt. Recently,the bow style of belt has caught my eye. I came across this Jessica Simpson studded bow belt at Plato's closet for $4.00. This belt had three great characteristics, it was elastic, studs, and a large bow. Belts are an easy way to make your look more up to date without breaking the budget.

These two photos show the different that one belt can make. It's a great way to accent your waist and give your body definition.

Since my belt was thrifted here are a couple of black bow belts:

Lulu Sutdded Bow belt

PF Paola Frani Bow Belt

Lulu Studded Bow Belt

Linking up at:

Which do you like better the outfit with the belt or without the belt?

These boots were made for walking ...

Hope everyone is having a great week. Even though it looks like fall, it sure doesn't feel like it with  these 80 degree days.  My favorite thing about fall, besides the leaves changing, is getting to wear my boots. I have added a few pairs into my fall wardrobe.  There are so many styles: riding boots, cowboy boots, military style boots, booties, heeled boots, over the knee boots, and wedge boots. These are my riding boots from this past post. My go to outfit for fall is a dress with a pair of boots. They are stylish, but still comfortable. For this outfit, I snagged this Mossimo dress at Target for on sale $12.00 (but still full price online). I plan to get many uses out of this dress because I love the pop of color.

Mossimo Supply Co. Dress, Merona Kasia Leather Riding Boots, Gap cardigan(old)- Similar

Linking up at The Pleated Poppy .

What is your favorite style of boot to wear? Why is it online sometimes things take forever to go on sale, but in the store they are?

Yes to the Sweater Dress

 I love to add pieces to my fall wardrobe that are versatile. Recently, I have noticed many types of sweater dresses in a variety of prints. A sweater dress is a great piece to have in your fall wardrobe because it can be used in a number of different ways.  As seen in my photo, I wore mine by itself with a pair of colorful tights and over the knee boots (that sag). Then later on that day, I wore this sweater dress with a pair of skinny jeans.

Geo Sweater Tunic , Fuchsia Tights, Nine West Suede Boots - Similar

Also, you may notice the hair is a little darker. I usually go darker in the fall and winter. With my personality, I am always wanting change. Luckily my hair is so short that I can change the color more often.

Do you like sweater dresses? Do you keep the same hair color throughout the year or do you change your color darker in the colder months?

Linking up Watch what I am wearing, Monday Mingle, and Visible Monday.

Blog-a-versary

Well, it's my one year blog-a-versary (yes that's my made up word). It has been a great first year. I have met so many new people that share my passion for fashion, DIY's, and personal style. I truly appreciate the support I received this year. I looked back at my first post and this was my reason's for starting my blog:

 First, I love blogs because they give me ideas and ways to put outfits together. Second, blogs often suggest clothing items that are often too expensive or not accessible to me here in Columbus, Ohio. Third,  many of my friends(sometimes like today), random strangers ask me to help them put outfits together, give my honest opinion on clothing , shoes , etc.  So, I thought if I love fashion and love to help people why not start a blog.

These are my reason's for continuing it:

First, I am so grateful for the creative outlet that my blog provides me. Second, I love finding looks for less, sharing my personal style, and coming up with DIY's . Third, I would like to see my blog grow and I have a few ideas in mind to share at a later date. Forth, as a mom I think it is important for me to have something that is for "me" .


I want to thank all my family and friends that are so supportive. Also, I want to thank every person that takes the time to read or comment on my posts. It is definitely a learning experience. I didn't realize the time and effort that this would take. It takes a lot of work for something to develop into and to grow. I am so excited to see what this year brings.

This weekend is the little man's birthday party, my baby turned six! This is the only time you look cute without any teeth.

Have any big plans for the weekend?

Do you love your boyfriends?

Well, I am actually talking about my "boyfriend" jeans and yes I love mine. They are so comfortable and can be easily dressed up or down. Some people tend to think of this style of jean as "sloppy". I think anything can be considered sloppy depending on what you pair it with. These provide an alternative jean style for your fall wardrobe.

A couple of styling tips for these jeans:
 1. Roll them up two to three times. This gives them a more polished look instead of looking like you are "actually" wearing your boyfriend's jeans.
2.When purchasing a pair, buy a shorter pair, so you will not have to roll them up as much.
3. For a more casual occasion, wear them with a pair of flats or booties.
4. When dressing them up, pair them with a pair of pumps or a dressier top. A darker color will also provide a more modern and polished look.

 I paired my "boyfriend" jeans with this embellished sweatshirt I thrifted (thrilling find) and gold accessories.

American Eagle "boyfriend" jean- Similar

Thrifted Embellished Sweatshirt- Similar

Cesca Studded Tote , Zara Basic Ankle Strap Heels

What is your favorite style of jean? Do you have a pair of boyfriend styled jeans?

Mix It Up!

Happy Monday, I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was great! It was filled with fall activities, soccer, and some relaxation time. My post today is on mixing prints. How do you know what will mix and what makes you look like a hot mess. These are the rules I follow for myself.

1.  When you are incorporating monochromatic color prints you can mix small and large prints freely, as I did below.  My black and cream bird sweater, from Forever 21, I layered over my thrifted cream and black polka dot shirt. To finish off the outfit, I incorporated my Gap black and white polka dot flats.
2. Prints that can be matched together are stripes and polka dots, animals and stripes , many geometric prints , and  florals can go together. The scale of the print is important, generally you want to mix a large and smaller print together.
3. Since it is fall, layering is a great way to mix prints, because as seen in my photo below my sweater only allows you to see a little bit of the polka dotted shirt. Layering mix prints is a great way to slowly try this trend.
4. If you want to try use a different color schemed mix print , take one color out of the print to focus on. For example, my floral shirt includes the colors green, navy, and white. So, my print that I coordinate with it will include one of those colors.

The Rockstar Skinny Jean- Old Navy, Soaring Bird Print Sweater- Forever 21,

Thrifted cream and black polka dot silk shirt -Similar, Gap Polka Dot Flats - Similar

Do you like mixing prints? Do you have a favorite print for fall?

Linking up at Thrifters Anonymous,  Watch what I am wearing, Monday Mingle, and Visible Monday.