[fashion] Outfits 9-14

Time for another weekly update with our #shopyourclosetremix with Caitlin at Greater than Rubies!

This week was full of fails and random pairings... but, like Caitlin says, TRY IT ON before you judge. Well, now I'm judging, Ha! But there were some cute combos too. Onward!

Day 9: red pant + chambray (we were challenged to wear a belt this day... not sure how I feel about it!)

Day 10: chambray + crochet top + crop jeans. We had to re-wear an item from the day before! I thought the red pants would be a bit obvious, so I opted for the chambray. What a random pairing... definitely not a fan!

Day 11: crop jeans + black floral. I definitely liked this outfit from the week! I'm all about sheer and flowy tops, but I have learned to add a "completer" piece to outfits... since it was 70+ degrees this day (thanks Texas!), I used a lightweight black scarf.

Day 12: black pant + white tee + denim jacket. Another fan favorite! Simple. Neutral. Classic.

Day 13: plaid shirt + black cardigan + jeans. I'm indifferent to this outfit. The plaid is cute, but I think the cardigan paired with it looks a bit funny. Also, I should have #putacuffonit (my jeans).

Day 14: Happy Valentine's Day! And no, no red or pink from me. We were encouraged to copy a look from Pinterest, so I paired crop jeans + white tee and added a gray scarf. I liked this look and got lots of compliments on my scarf (it's from S. Korea)

How do you use completer pieces (scarf, cardigan, jacket, belt)? Again, not a fashion blogger or pro photographer by any means, but my girls and I are still having a blast with this challenge!

 

[fashion] Shop Your Closet Looks 1-8

[for more info as to what the heck "Shop Your Closet" is, refer to my last post here]

One week down, gals! My girlfriends and I have had a blast shopping our closets for unique outfits that we normally would not have paired together. We are using prompts from Caitlin at Greater than Rubies to come up with these new pairings (you don't HAVE to use the prompts, they are just an extra challenge). Want to see what I mean? Keep reading!

Day one: Wear a pattern and color. I paired a chevron flowy blouse (pattern) with black pants (color). I liked this look: it wasn't too hard to pair together and it was comfortable (sorry for the awkward angle)!

Day two: Cuff it. This refers to cuffing your pant leg or sleeve. It was FREEZING this day, so I left my sleeve down, but it could've been cuffed! Denim jeans and black sweater.

Day three: Copy a celebrity. I scoured Pinterest for my celebrity fashion inspiration... Katie Holmes, Kate Beckinsale, Princess Kate, and Rachel Bilson (all brunettes: like me!). In the end, I settled for this Rachel look. Black/white striped sweater and black leggings. I wore flats for the picture but changed into boots because it was freezing again! It's casual, but it works. My hair is a bit rough (my hair is a little too think for those kinds of pigtails!) and it was really early in the morning when this photo was taken #keepingitreal

Day four: Mix color families. I combined neutrals (black pant, beige tee) with a hot pink scarf (bright) and wore my denim jacket as a completer piece. See how I tied my scarf? Check that out here.

Day five: Add a scarf. This was a casual, run errands kind of day for me. I kept it simple with denim jeans, a white tee, black cardigan, my fake "Toms" from Wal-Mart, and a light pink/black/white patterned scarf that I got at a scarf exchange at Christmas. I also paired my "Southern Girl" trucker hat because a)it was a casual day, and b)my hair was rougghhh.

Day six: My favorite from the week! This prompt challenged us to combine color, texture, pattern, and shine in an outfit. WHEW. My color/pattern/texture came from my red and black knit scarf. The material it is made out of is super stretchy and moldable (?), so it looked great paired with a simple black tunic. I wore my red pants and nude flats, and used my jewelry as the "shine" aspect.

Day seven: Define the waist. I wasn't too sure about this prompt, but I read via Caitlin (@GTR) to use a completer piece (jacket) or belt, so I used both. Not my favorite, but at least I can say I did it.

Day 8: Add sparkle and shine to a daytime outfit. I used a statement necklace to achieve this requirement, and they are so fun to dress up/down! I paired the necklace with a grey tunic and black leggings. It was 70 degrees yesterday, so we soaked up the sunshine at a local meadery after church ("mead" is like wine but made with honey). 

So did any of you participate? It's been a challenge, but the girls and I think it has made our getting ready in the morning process a little bit quicker and easier. The prompts are definitely pushing us out of our comfort zone as well! New outfits never hurt nobody ;) Leave a comment and let me know which look/prompt is your favorite! Is there a prompt you could try out this week?

Have a great week!

Linking up with Caitlin (Greater than Rubies) and Lindsey (The Pleated Poppy)

[fashion] Shop Your Closet: The Pieces

[She emerges! I know. I promise to blog more!]

If you have been following me on Instagram (@chrissydj), you will have noticed my new #shopyourclosetremix for the next 30 days. Basically I borrowed this idea from Caitlin @Greater Than Rubies (seriously, go check out her blog and links: it has been my reading material for the past two weeks)!

Basically, Nathan and I have felt in a rut (not relationship-wise: don't worry) with all of the STUFF we have accumulated over the 5.5 years we have been married. There are TWO of us... how do we have so much crap?!

This is where Caitlin's blog came in...

I was perusing Pinterest, as all of us do on a daily basis, and I came across an outfit post of hers. I continued to read her website and how she was a former shopaholic who BROKE UP with shopping for a year. A YEAR. No shopping whatsoever. You can find all of this on her website, but the main point of the story is this: I need to learn how to REMIX my wardrobe to have all sorts of fun, new outfits vs. going out and buying the "latest and greatest". I have a bajillion clothing articles. Let's make some fun, new outfits!

So, the #shopyourclosetremix works likes this: NO SHOPPING. Pick pieces you already own and learn to create, mix, and match 30 new outfits. I have the girls from my small group at church joining with me, and we all have chosen 20 articles of clothing as a part of our remix. From here, you fashion 30 outfits. Seems simple, right? Wellllll you have to get creative! Shoes, jewelry, scarves, belts, etc. are unlimited. This is where you can really have fun with the variety of outfits you create.

So as to not bother my FB peeps, I have been posting daily pictures of myself and the gals with our remix outfits for each day (we are using prompts as a guideline from Caitlin, but that's not required)... and this is the part I like the least. I'm sure it's annoying seeing daily "fashion" posts from me! But I know if I don't hold myself accountable to... well, no one really, so I suppose my Instagram, I know I'll quit halfway! So, onto the photos (please remember I'm not a fashion blogger nor a fancy photographer... #keepingitreal)!

Here are my twenty items...

black and white chevron/white crochet/grey tunic/
black sweater/beige tee/black tunic
white casual tee with rope collar/black and white striped sweater/black floral blouse

red sweater/denim jacket/black cardigan
chambray button up/red plaid/black lace dress

black zip up leggings/denim skinnies
denim crop/black pants
(not pictured: red pants)

Now if you'd like to join me on the quest to SHOP YOUR CLOSET, please do! Use the hashtag #shopyourclosetremix and we can all look at each others outfit formulas! PLUS Caitlin (@GTR) is posting her outfits, along with prize opportunities, through her blog in February. Link up and join!

If anything, through this process I hope to clear out some clothes that I'm too attached to and create a solid, structural capsule of clothing for each season, only having to replace ruined or worn pieces. Here's hoping!

Link up with Caitlin here: Shop Your Closet Winter Remix

What has been your fashion challenge for 2015? Do tell!

[wiww] What I Wore Wednesday, er, Thursday

Now I wouldn't call myself a fashion blogger by ANY means, but I think it's fun to see what other people are wearing to get ideas on how to mix, match, and accessorize. And I like to share with Lindsey @ The Pleated Poppy and Faith @ Life. Love. Marriage (via Instagram, #yesimwearingthis). Enjoy!

 Black pants: No idea

Black flats: Famous Footwear (Rocketfish)

Black top: Gap

Earrings and Necklace: Forever 21

 

Lace top and Sequined flats: Charming Charlie's

Purple pants: Walmart (L.e.i)

Necklace and Earrings: Forever 21 (I think...)

 A Saturday errand outfit while Nate was out fishing... it was so comfortable!

Plaid shirt: Walmart (Yep: little boy's section... it was for Cowboy day!)

Cardigan: Gift from grandparents

Jeans: Forever 21

Leopard slippers (that I unashamedly wear as shoes too... Hey, they have a rubber sole!): Target

[Sounds like I made a lot of arguments for those choices, but I still love this outfit!]

The most comfortable shirt I own: Old Navy

Black capris: Gap

Black flats: Famous Footwear (Rocketfish)

"Diamond" studs: Premier Jewelry

Who likes to share fashion and get ideas? I'm currently trying to master the top knot and/or messy bun look, but it just looks messy... Eh well, it's works for me!

Happy Thursday!

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

[wiww] What I Wore Wednesday

So I'm still getting lots of wear out of my Christmas/birthday gifts, plus my favorite necklace from a local boutique, and my favorite boots from Payless (circa 3 years ago). Sorry for some repeats: oops!

 

Green shirt: Forever 21

Necklace: Local boutique

Boots: Payless

Jeans: Forever 21

 

Blue shirt: Charming Charlie's

Jeans: Forever 21

Boots: Payless

Necklace: Forever 21

 

Shirt: Old Navy

Necklace: Forever 21

Purple pants: Walmart (I KNOW)

Boots: Payless

 

[My comfy outfit when I just.wasn't.feeling.work]

Black slacks: no idea, I have had them forever

Black flats: Famous Footwear (Rocketfish)

Long Sweater: Target

Lace top: Charming Charlie's

Necklace: Local boutique

Happy Wednesday! Linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy!

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26

[wiww] Holiday Edition

A few photos from holiday/birthday celebrations last week (yes, Nate and I both celebrated birthdays last week!) that I am sure you will see again on Friday... but onward with the fashion! And next week, the pictures will be more outfit focused instead of just pictures of me with other people... ha!

Birthday dinner to Benihana! My dad is sitting next to me, and my best friend Emily with her dad (who just so happens to be my dad's best friend... since they were in the 3rd grade!)

Top and Necklace: Charming Charlie's

Jeans: Forever 21

 

Christmas day snow... in TEXAS!

Leggings: JCPenny

Sweater: Target

 

 Building a gingerbread house with my nephew!

Sweater: gift from Target

Purple shirt: Target

(do you see a pattern? me and Target are tight)

 

So this is a picture of Nate's entire family on his mom's side. Do you see me? Farrrrr left, holding Oliver :) I know you can barely tell my outfit, but I had to include it because I BOUGHT RED PANTS! And they're so fun! And since my school's colors are red and black, I can wear these fun pants with our black school shirt to work. Win!

Red pants: WALMART (I know: never thought I'd live to see the day where I would buy clothes from Walmart, but I've gone and done it! $11, thank you very much!)

Black sweater and shirt: Target

Black boots: JCPenny during Black Friday last year ($30, originally $80)

Santa outfit for Oliver and PJs for Chloe: Target! Ha!

Holiday fashion. Gotta love it! But again, the outfits weren't a close up of just me... I know, I know. I'll get better at this whole WIWW! Linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy!

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

WIWW: Sewing Project Inspiration

For WIWW (What I Wore Wednesday), I want to showcase a few sewing projects that I want to create for myself. It's a plus having a sewing machine, and although we aren't BFF's, I'd like to think that we are acquaintances enough that we could get some efficient work done together.

[empire waist dress from here]

[turn a men's dress shirt into a skirt from here]

[skirt tutorial here: also a full-length skirt included]

[winter shirt dress from here]

So do any of you sew? Do you sew clothing? Since getting my sewing machine last year, I have sewed curtains, pillow cases, and scarves... that's about it. Hopefully this will give me a push in the right direction to purchase some cute fabric and make my own clothes!

What I Wore Wednesday: The Little __ Dress

I am a fan of dresses. Especially during the warmer months (which is like 9 out of 12 in Texas). Today, I will be sharing some of my favorite looks/dresses that can complete the phrase "the little ___ dress": here we go!

 1. "The little flirty dress": it is made of a silky/smooth material, shows the right amount of leg, and fits your body like a glove.

Dress: Ross ($12)
Shoes: Payless (about 2.5 years ago)
Gold earrings: Charming Charlies

 2. "The little Cayman dress": I call it this because it was purchased in Grand Cayman Islands! When you are out on vacation, especially to different countries, it is fun to purchase clothes too (who said clothes couldn't be a souvenir?) I usually purchase scarves, but there were ZERO. And this is fun because it can be dressed down for the beach or dressed up for work/church (I have already worn it multiple times to both). AND my sister in law purchased the same dress, so we are twins.

Dress: Cayman Island gift shop ($10)
Sunglasses: Francesca's (boutique)

 3. "The little sunny dress": I usually gravitate toward neutral colors (blacks, browns, etc) but sometimes you need that sunny little number in your closet (especially when you are going on a cruise)! This bright yellow dress does just that.

Dress: American Eagle (2.5 years ago, my mom got it for me as a honeymoon dress)
Necklace: Kohl's

 4. "The little black dress": Of course I couldn't compile a dress list without having the epitome of dresses included! Every closet (female, of course), should contain a little black dress. This particular dress isn't revealing with its capped sleeves and higher neckline, but it feels so "Hepburn" to me in its classic lines and simple detail (and I am cheesin' REAL hard in this picture... I was excited to eat my prime rib at dinner that night)!

Dress: Target
Necklace: Forever 21

 5. "The little flowy dress": You know, dresses with lots of "flow" to them? The ones that make you look like you are pregnant? To some, this dress may be unflattering... BUT, to those I say "psh"! This dress is SO comfortable. Slides on, you can BREATHE and move around with ease. Sometimes, that is more important (especially when teaching 27 Kindergartners)!

Dress: Ross
Cardigan: New York and Co.
Necklace: Charming Charlie's (I think)
Wristlet: Vera Bradley

6. "The little maxi dress": I feel like maxi dresses are one of the staples of summer time. They are long (so if you are lazy like me and forget to shave your legs, here ya go), flowy, and usually have a fun print or detail. This particular dress was purchased for my brother's wedding (where I am a bridesmaid and Nate is a groomsmen), but I'm glad I can still wear it even after the "I do's".

Dress: Forever 21
Shoes: Target

What is your favorite style of dress?

What I Wore Wednesday: Boot Scootin'

I like boots. Boots with heels or boots that are flat. I'll be honest: I am not a fan of the "booties" that are popular... the boots that are a little higher than the ankle. No thanks. I'm all for tall boots (a little shorter than the knee... no thigh highs either)!

For my boot "collection", I have two pairs. Womp womp.

I have a "leather" pair with a small heel and pointed toe. They zip up on the sides and are nice enough to wear to work/church with a pair of slacks or with black tights.

(There's the toe/heel of them, via one of our engagement pictures!)

(You can kinda see the tops of my boots in this photo: I'm taking down the gifts/names at a wedding shower for my best friend... I really need to get better about taking photos of myself, gosh! This picture was also taken almost 3 years ago... geez look at my long hair!)

I also have "suede" (do you like my quotation marks? I am the epitome of cheap inexpensive, so I like to buy faux material products vs. the real thing, baha) brown boots that are flat. They slide on and look AWESOME with tights, jeggings, and dresses. They scrunch as well, making for a more comfy/casual look.

(I hope you know which one I am :) In the brown boots! My cousin-to-be (engaged to my cousin, Josh) Emily is wearing the black boots)


Here are a few pairs that I would like to get my paws on... Nate, Mom, are you reading? Size 6.5-7 :)

{1}

{2}

{3}

1. Image via here (on Pinterest: the original link was not found)
I like the casual look of these boots: flat, almost like work boots! Great for a casual, chilly day.

2. Image via here
Sleek, tailored, put together. Would polish off any teacher outfit!

3. Image via here
I like the color of these boots: like a gray, almost elephant-skin color. These would go with basically everything!


What styles of boots are you looming over this fall/winter season?