Tag Archives: Fashion Tips

Love Your Clothes Again + Shopping Checklist Printable

I posted this a couple of years ago but it is still relevant and I thought it could bear repeating. At the end of the post you can find two free Shopping Checklist Printables.

Everyone gets tired of their wardrobe from time to time. Clothing options can sometimes become boring for me even after it seems like I just shopped the mother lode. Right now I have other things I have to spend money on. Sigh. But if I had extra money to spend right now, and I were going to do some clothes shopping, here are two outfits I would put right in my closet.

perfectly_cozy_casual2

floral_and_peplum2

If you’re in the same boat ~ tired of your wardrobe, getting the itch to buy some new clothes but it’s not in the budget ~ allow me to share a tip I have used to reignite my enthusiasm for the clothing and accessories I have to work with. This is a great winter weekend project. You’ll need to allow about two hours (give or take) to do this exercise but it will be so worth it.

1. Pull out 4 or 5 of your favorite layering tops (underneath layer). Choose tops that have some kind of detail front and center like lace, shirring, cutouts, etc.

2. Pull out 4 or 5 top layer pieces > jackets, see-through tops, button-down shirts, low-cut tops, etc.

3. Decide if you want to put together dressy outfits or casual (or both) and choose 4 or 5 bottom pieces accordingly (pants, skirts, shorts, jeans).

4. Now comes the fun part. Take each top layer piece and pair it with any of the under layer pieces that coordinate in color or style, keeping them on the hangers or laying them down in sets.

5. Add a bottom layer piece to each paired combo.

6. This step is crucial and I urge you not to skip it: Try them on! Yes it will take time but think of it as a shopping trip. Combinations that look good on the hangers might not look great on you, and vice versa. Things like length of top, cling factor, fullness and structure dictate how they will fall and mesh together. This is where it takes patience but once you find a combo that works you’ll have an outfit that flatters and you will feel great in it.

7. In my experience, some pieces go with everything and some don’t work with anything. Those in the second category (I call them loners) are pieces that I either get rid of or, if it’s something I really love, make a note to find something to pair it with next time I go shopping.

8. This might be my favorite part of the whole process. Once you have decided what works together, lay out your winning outfits and go to your jewelry stash. Play around with different pieces, try out-of-the-box color combinations, layer up on necklaces and bracelets. Take a fresh look at your cache and use it to the fullest to bling up your outfit.

9. At this point in the process, it may be a good idea to take pictures of your outfits, because if you’re like me, once everything is back in the closet you’re likely to forget (or not see) the exact combinations you put together.

10. You will be amazed at the new outfits you discover if you think outside the box. Now you can look forward to the next event in your life, be it coffee with the girls, date night or Sunday church, knowing you will feel pulled together and polished.

Just because you don’t have any immediate plans to go on a shopping spree, that doesn’t mean you’ll never buy anything new again. With the eventual shopping splurge in mind, I created two shopping checklists ~ one for your clothing and one for your accessories ~ for you to print and keep handy to stay tuned in to your closet and accessory “inventory”.

Use this checklist to take inventory before you shop. Just write “Have” or “Need” in the spaces to help you decide what CLOTHING to buy.
shoppin_checklist_clothing
click_for_printable

.

Use this checklist to take inventory before you shop. Just write “Have” or “Need” in the spaces to help you decide what ACCESSORIES to buy.
shopping_checklist_accessories
click_for_printable

Do you have any tips for overcoming boredom with your wardrobe? Do share!

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Wardrobe Reinvention + Shopping Checklist Printable

Everyone gets tired of their wardrobe from time to time. Clothing options can sometimes become boring for me even after it seems like I just shopped the mother lode. Right now I have other things I have to spend money on. Sigh. If I had Christmas money to spend right now, and I were going to do some clothes shopping, here are two outfits I would put right in my closet.

perfectly_cozy_casual2

floral_and_peplum2

If you’re in the same boat ~ tired of your wardrobe, getting the itch to buy some new clothes but it’s not in the budget ~ allow me to share a tip I have used to reignite my enthusiasm for the clothing and accessories I have to work with. This is a great winter weekend project. You’ll need to allow about two hours (give or take) to do this exercise but it will be so worth it.

1. Pull out 4 or 5 of your favorite layering tops (underneath layer). Choose tops that have some kind of detail front and center like lace, shirring, cutouts, etc.

2. Pull out 4 or 5 top layer pieces > jackets, see-through tops, button-down shirts, low-cut tops, etc.

3. Decide if you want to put together dressy outfits or casual (or both) and choose 4 or 5 bottom pieces accordingly (pants, skirts, shorts, jeans).

4. Now comes the fun part. Take each top layer piece and pair it with any of the under layer pieces that coordinate in color or style, keeping them on the hangers or laying them down in sets.

5. Add a bottom layer piece to each paired combo.

6. This step is crucial and I urge you not to skip it: Try them on! Yes it will take time but think of it as a shopping trip. Combinations that look good on the hangers might not look great on you, and vice versa. Things like length of top, cling factor, fullness and structure dictate how they will fall and mesh together. This is where it takes patience but once you find a combo that works you’ll have an outfit that flatters and you will feel great in it.

7. In my experience, some pieces go with everything and some don’t work with anything. Those in the second category (I call them loners) are pieces that I either get rid of or, if it’s something I really love, make a note to find something to pair it with next time I go shopping.

8. This might be my favorite part of the whole process. Once you have decided what works together, lay out your winning outfits and go to your jewelry stash. Play around with different pieces, try out-of-the-box color combinations, layer up on necklaces and bracelets. Take a fresh look at your cache and use it to the fullest to bling up your outfit.

9. At this point in the process, it may be a good idea to take pictures of your outfits, because if you’re like me, once everything is back in the closet you’re likely to forget (or not see) the exact combinations you put together.

10. You will be amazed at the new outfits you discover if you think outside the box. Now you can look forward to the next event in your life, be it coffee with the girls, date night or Sunday church, knowing you will feel pulled together and polished.

Just because you don’t have any immediate plans to go on a shopping spree, that doesn’t mean you’ll never buy anything new again. With the eventual shopping splurge in mind, I created two shopping checklists ~ one for your clothing and one for your accessories ~ for you to print and keep handy to stay tuned in to your closet and accessory “inventory”.

Use this checklist to take inventory before you shop. Just write “Have” or “Need” in the spaces to help you decide what CLOTHING to buy.
shoppin_checklist_clothing
click_for_printable

.

Use this checklist to take inventory before you shop. Just write “Have” or “Need” in the spaces to help you decide what ACCESSORIES to buy.
shopping_checklist_accessories
click_for_printable

Do you have any tips for overcoming boredom with your wardrobe? Do share!

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In The Studio: Necklaces That Stretch Your Fashion Dollar

It was

a dark

and

scary place.

What was beyond the door filled me with anxiety.

I walked toward the closet, terrified of what i would find.
I didn’t want to open the door but I had no choice. I put my hand on the knob, took a deep breath, and pulled (queue scream)…I had nothing to wear!!

Ever feel like this when it’s time to get dressed? Yeah, I have many times. Usually when I feel like I’m in a rut, wearing the same things all the time. The remedy isn’t always to buy more clothes. Sometimes it’s as simple as changing up the accessories and jewelry you wear.

Take this striped top for example.
necklace chunky gold chain buckle 4
Now I’ll add three different necklaces to breathe new life into the cute but plain (snooze) look.
necklace chunky gold chain buckle 1
necklace chunky gold chain buckle 2
necklace modern lipstick 1
necklace modern lipstick 2

Pairing necklaces against stripes and patterns can be tricky, so I either opt to wear a piece against the skin or if wearing something on the fabric I make sure it’s chunky and bold so it will stand out against the pattern.
necklace lace stack 1
necklace lace stack 2
So you can see how adding 3 different pieces of jewelry gave this basic top more style and interest. Investing in some unique necklaces can be one of the best ways to stretch your fashion dollar.

All three of these necklaces can be found in my shop: Chunky Gold Chain necklace;
“Modern” Lipstick Charm necklace; and Stacked Lace Garland and Pearl necklace.

Have you been bitten by the stripes bug? What are some of your favorite prints this season?

Talk soon,
 Ann

Linking with:Style Elixir, Rachel The Hat, Lena B. Actually, Not Dead Yet Style, The Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So, Simply Lulu Style, Monday Mingle, Casual Friday, Funday Monday, I Feel Pretty, CC McAfee Perspective, Vodka Infused Lemonade, Remix, Rewear, Restyle

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Girls Want Pearls #49: DIY Cutout Top With Pearl Swags

Happy Monday! It’s all about fashion this week on Girls Want Pearls #49. In today’s video tutorial I will show you how to make this cute cutout top with pearl swags.

top cutout

I’ve worn this top once and received so many compliments! If you try it out, I’d love to hear from you.

Next week’s pearl post hint: Light the Darkness

Love pearls and don’t want to miss any pearly posts?
You can get a reminder, just fill in your info below and I’ll email you when a post goes live and send you a monthly newsletter.
.Subscribe Now
First Name Last Name Email

Talk soon,
 Ann

Linking with: Savvy Southern Style,The 36th Avenue, No Minimalist Here, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,The Scoop, Mod Vintage Life, Between Naps on the Porch, From My Front Porch to Yours, Cozy Little House, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru LifeIvy and Elephants, Jennifer Rizzo, Style Elixir, Shabby Art Boutique, Cheerios and Lattes, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Classy Clutter, French Country Cottage, C.R.A.F.T. Monday Funday , VMG206, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo, That DIY PartyCasual Friday, I Feel Pretty, Rachel The Hat, Lena B. Actually, Because Shanna Said So, Not Dead Yet Style, Monday Mingle, Remix, Rewear, Restyle

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Girls Want Pearls #42: Give Your Handbag a Summer Makeover

Happy Monday dear readers and friends! Has your Memorial weekend been good so far? I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the veterans, those that have served and are no longer with us, those that are still among us and those who are currently serving in the military. We owe so much to them for the immense sacrifices they have made to keep our country the good ol’ USA that we have known and loved.

Okay, ready for some fashion flips? This week is #42 of my weekly Monday series, Girls Want Pearls. Last week we looked at some easy ways to amp up simple cotton or muslin gift bags with the addition of pearls, doilies and burlap. This week I want to show you some super duper easy ways to give your summer handbag a mini makeover.

First I want to show you this fab vintage straw bag with velvet and pearl veggies and fruit. Can you believe the cuteness?
handbag1
handbag2
I love the pea pods with their pearl peas. I’m not going to reproduce this look, though one certainly could. I’m going to flip the bag to the back side and show you some things to do with a plain straw bag.
handbag3

Look #1: Add a colorful summer scarf.
handbag4
Just wrap the scarf around the bag and tie it in a knot. Then, take a strand of pearls strung on wire and wrap it around the knot two or three times and twist the ends together.
handbag5
You can mix it up and change out the scarf to go with your mood or your outfit.
handbag6
For the next look you’ll need a couple of belts and a strand of pearls on wire.
handbag7
This look is a bit more permanent as you will need to stitch the belts on in a few places. Wrap them around the bag, overlapping as desired, buckle the belts and stitch them on. I placed the buckle on the bottom layer belt onto the back side of the bag. Once you have stitched them in place, take your wired pearl strand and curve it around the buckle as shown. You can twist it on with the wire ends to secure or glue it on to the belt.
handbag8
Maybe you don’t have a straw bag. You can pick one up at almost any thrift store or yard sale, or try the look on another type of bag. I didn’t have any pastel belts but wouldn’t it look fantastic with a yellow and coral pairing, or mint and navy. Can you think of other belt types / combos that would work? Let me know in the comments!

I would like to invite you to come back Wednesday and link up at my Drop It or Swap It party. Come on ladies (and gents) I know you’ve got stuff you don’t wear or aren’t using anymore. Some other lucky girl would love to wear it or add it to her decor!
up_for_swap_promo
Here’s a peek at what I’ll be swapping this week. Click the pic for more info about how Drop It or Swap It works.

Next week’s pearl post hint: She sells sea shells…

Love pearls and don’t want to miss any pearly posts?
You can get a reminder, just fill in your info below and I’ll email you when a post goes live and send you a monthly newsletter.
.Subscribe Now
First Name Last Name Email

Talk soon,
 Ann

Linking with: Savvy Southern Style,The 36th Avenue, No Minimalist Here, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,The Scoop, Mod Vintage Life, Between Naps on the Porch, From My Front Porch to Yours, Cozy Little House, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru LifeIvy and Elephants, Jennifer Rizzo, Style Elixir, Shabby Art Boutique, Cheerios and Lattes, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Classy Clutter, French Country Cottage, C.R.A.F.T. Monday Funday , VMG206, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo, Casual Friday, I Feel Pretty, Rachel The Hat, Lena B. Actually, Because Shanna Said So

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7 Transitional Weather Fashion Tips

transitionaltips1

 

Those between-season wardrobe issues…Ugggh!

We all know the layering trick to stay comfortable when the weather is changing, right?

Here are some more ideas to help you know what to wear when the thermometer can’t make a decision:
1) Wear shoes that look good with or without socks so you can add/take away as needed
2) Beef up your outerwear choices with a new trench or rain coat for chilly days
3) Take along a light to medium weight scarf, it’s the easiest thing to add or remove for instant climate controltransitionaltips4
transitionaltips2b

4) When cold temps demand
that you wear
a wintry sweater,
pop a springy print
or floral shirt underneath

5) Bring your cold weather
outfits into warm weather
seasonality with
fresh and fun jewelry

transitionaltips3b6) When in doubt wear black and white, it’s never out of season

7) If you have to pack up your out of season clothes to make room for the upcoming season, pack up 2 or 3 favorite items in a separate container and label with a photo for quick access in the event of a blizzard!

Do you have any transitional weather tips? I’d love to hear them!
Talk soon,
 Ann

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