What I wore: Clothes Swap

Every couple months my friends and I gather for a clothing swap. It's this fabulous party where we are encouraged to clean out our closets, bring them to Amy's house, dump them all in a huge pile on the floor, and once someone says go... YOU DIG!

It's so much fun - the ladies go crazy trying on clothes, styling each other, giggling when someone tries to take the actual clothes off your back, sipping on wine, and just having a fun girls night of shopping. {FOR FREE!}

Cardigan: Old Navy. Tshirt: Middle West Spirits. Skirt: Swapped. Flats: Target. Earrings: on a beach in FL.

This is how it began...

and it grew...

and grew...

and this is the final pile! So many cute clothes!

 Amy and I.

The dig began!

All the girls!

Amy, Tammi, and I.

Want to see what I scored at this clothing swap?! {Duh, of course you do!}

Well stay tuned and I'll share my finds with you and how I plan on wearing them!

Happy hump day, kids!

Love Always.

p.s. You all should get your friends together and make time for a clothing swap - they're a lot of fun! And if you're in the cbus area - you should join US in our next one!!

Oh, the possibilities...

Source: notyouraverageordinary.com via K. on Pinterest

I saw this earlier this weekend while I was out with my Mom and it struck me. And it's been stuck in my head on repeat as if it were some catchy country song. I kinda love it. It's a simple reminder that even in our weakest moments we have the possibility of greatness. I think everyone needs to be reminded of this once in while. I know, I do. 

Have a wonderful Monday, Lovelies. 

Love Always.

Ready! Set! It's fall wardrobe time...

As I'm sitting here listening to the rain and feeling the cool air roll in, I'm inspired. It's time to clean out the closet. It's time to start thinking about our fall wardrobes. And nothing excites me more than to start a new season full of new ensemble opportunities.

Yes, ideally I would love to run out and restock my closet with clothes that are out right now and just get rid of everything I have. But - that's not very realistic. {Unless you're a celeb - then more power to ya!} I don't think my bank account would appreciate that, at all. So in which case I have learned how to use pieces I have worn all summer {white dress, jeggings, plaid shirt, heels, and flats} and work them into my fall wardrobe. With ideas like these you don't have to spend a lot to update your closet; just search for key pieces such as flare jeans, mustard cardigan, and a slouchy sweater. These items will last you throughout the fall/winter season. So they are good investment pieces. This is easy with a little guidance and your wallet will thank you!

1. Flare/Bell bottom jeans - I paired the flares with a plaid shirt {we all should have one, or something similar.}. A pair of wedges {or heels} that I've been wearing all summer. The wedge helps elongate the leg in these jeans, with a pair of flats they could become overwhelming to the body. I added a leopard print belt because I like the mix of patterns, it keeps the outfit interesting. A big, bright necklace and a simple gold bangle dresses it up. Grab a neutral bag and you are ready.

2. Mustard Cardigan - This is a piece that will be far more versatile than you initially thought. Mustard is becoming a new neutral. There isn't much it doesn't look good with and it compliments many skin tones. So don't be afraid of it; embrace it. I paired it with a white summer dress {yep, that's right - you CAN wear white after labor day}, slouchy boots, a purple scarf - I like the color combination, a large cocktail ring, and a small tribal bag that pulls all the colors together. It's easy to wear more than one color as long as you keep the proportions smaller and have one piece that brings them together.

3. Neutral Slouchy Sweater - I love this item. It's a top I think I will wear over and over again. You can throw this on with a skirt, over a dress, with a pair of shorts, leggings, jeggings, etc. This will become to the go-to for me. In this instance, I put it with a pair of dark jeggings {leggings and skinny jeans will work for this look too}, leopard print flats {I love adding a splash of leopard to anything I can, if you can't tell ;)}, stud earrings, a simple necklace, and a bright bag. The mix of neutral colors makes this a very versatile outfit. It can easily be worn to run errands during the day then out for the night.

Well kids, there you have it. Round 1 of my fall wardrobe suggestions... NOW it's time for me to go tackle my closet... EEEEEK! {If I don't return in a few days... send a search party please!}

Hope y'all have a fabulous short week!

Love always.

Please note that the items listed below are only what I used in making this board - they are NOT what I suggest to purchase. Just a good jumping off point to know what you're looking for. ;-)

Fall Transition by jacmaries featuring a knit sweater

BB Dakota summer dress
$88 - modcloth.com

Love Moschino knit sweater
$363 - my-wardrobe.com

Madewell v neck cardigan
$85 - madewell.com

Plaid shirt
$118 - candccalifornia.com

Old navy jeans
$37 - oldnavy.gap.com

Seven For All Mankind skinny jeans
$210 - stylebop.com

Wet Seal mid calf boots
$33 - wetseal.com

Steve Madden platform wedge sandals
$95 - heels.com

Dorothy Perkins flat shoes
£21 - dorothyperkins.com

Proenza Schouler leather shoulder bag
$1,995 - net-a-porter.com

Armani Exchange cross body handbag
$79 - armaniexchange.com

Forever21 flower handbag
$20 - forever21.com

Kate Spade statement necklace
$148 - piperlime.gap.com

Jewelry
$120 - follifollie.us.com

Miss Selfridge bangle bracelet
£8.50 - missselfridge.com

Aamaya by priyanka jade ring
£165 - flannelsfashion.com

Jennifer Meyer diamond earrings
$675 - barneys.com

Denis Colomb shawls scarve
$425 - barneys.com

Animal print belt
£20 - warehouse.co.uk

Urban Originals.

Don't you love when you stumble onto a fabulous online store?

And it's even better when it's not pricey, right? Right!

Do y'all follow J's Everyday Fashion? {If you don't, you should!} Anyways, she was tweeting about this place {Urban Originals} having a sale online and so I checked it out. It's like the Forever 21 of shoes. This is no lie, ladies. Absolutely any style you are looking for... they have it. And you won't be spending an arm and a leg to do it. {most range from $15 - $40} Perfect way to keep up on trends that may not last more than a season or two.

However, I haven't actually purchased anything from here {again, I JUST discovered them and I HAD to blog about it!} So I don't know how they fit, if they're comfortable, whether they're high quality or not, etc; because believe me... it doesn't matter how cheap a pair of shoes are, if they aren't comfortable, they're a waste of money. Period.

But lookie what I found... {and want *swooning*}

I am in love with all of these. I wish I could have just put their entire collection on here... but, there's a lot. So you need to check them out! They have everything; flats, heels, wedges, boots, sailor shoes, seriously anything. 

Have you ever ordered anything from here? 

What's your favorite online shopping site?

Happy Labor Day, kids!

Love always.

Relevancy in the Fashion World.

via

Yes, we are on the brink of fall fashion BUT in the fashion industry... we are always a season ahead. And I had to share with you a little sneak peek of Lauren Conrad's Pre-Spring Lookbook. 

I love the simplicity of the pieces. They all have a very classic but vintage feel to them. You may or may not be a fan of hers; but this girl can design. I give major props to any designer who can produce timeless collections. That's what keeps you relevant in an ever changing world such as the fashion industry. 

Hope your enjoying your long weekend!

Love always.

MB Fashion Week vs. College Football.

via

Isn't she pretty? I'm currently in search of a leopard bag for fall. Ideally, I want this one. I'd take amazing care of her. But alas... I can't afford her $3000 price tag. Oh Dolce & Gabbana, you know the way to my heart.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week starts Thursday. I desperately wish I could be there. {One day, oneeee day...} I am so excited to see what these amazing designers come up with this season. I will keep you up to date on all things fashion show related. Whether you care or not. MB Fashion Week is to me what college football is to most Ohioans {the best thing ever, in case you didn't know. ;)}

Hope y'all are having a fabulous Saturday, it's disgustingly hot here... but I keep telling myself that fall is almost here.

Love always.

bare. naked. truth.

Hey kittens! How are you?
So remember way back in the day when I used to blog all the time?
Yea, I do too.
Those were the good ole days, right?
I like to think I took a little summer hiatus. {complete with big hats and sunglasses - just like the celebs do.}
And I'm baaaaaack!!!

I thought it'd be fun to reintroduce myself a bit {hence the silly faces - what better way to kick off a 3 day weekend than to look at my goofy mug 11 times... Ok, a bit much, I know... but it was fun!}

I have done a lot of thinking about my blog and about what I REALLY want it to be. When I first began blogging I didn't really know where I was going with it. I knew I wanted to blog - I like writing, I like talking, I like fashion... so I just sorta went with it; without any real direction.

There are so many amazing blogs out there {with even more amazing girls who I am proud to call my friends} and I think that as much as I love, love, love reading them {and talking with them on Twitter} I got kind of caught up in the numbers. I stopped blogging from the heart {like this post and the ones that went with it.} and started blogging for others. I became slightly obsessive with how many followers I had, how many comments I was getting, who I was linking up with... I stopped speaking from my heart.

And that's where I failed.

This place is supposed to be an outlet - an online journal if you will. I want it to showcase who I am. Who I am as a 28 year old woman, a daughter, a friend, an employee, a seamstress, a fashion obsessee, a single girl, a sister, an animal lover, just as a human.

Blogging can be such an amazing thing if used right. I have met some of the most creative and influential people since starting this {girls from all over that are in love with the same things as I am; girls that love spending hours behind a sewing machine; girls that are so insanely talented and creative.} However, I want someone to one day look at my little piece of internet real estate and be inspired and say "I love her blog. I can totally relate to her. I want to be her friend." ...and I want it to be because I am being me. And nothing but that.

So, that said - I'm going to be doing a little makeover on the bloggity blog... she's going to get a lil face lift - possibly a name change - and definitely a bit more personal direction. Please pardon my dust in the meantime.

Sorry for the ramblings... but thanks for listening dolls! {if you've read this far and didn't get distracted by all those lovely faces I was making!}

Have a wonderful Friday and an even better 3 day weekend!! The weather man said it's gonna feel like fall by Monday! I. Am. So. Excited!

Love always.

p.s. Mom, I hope you are reading this and I hope you are satisfied with my capitalization. ;)