10 Fall Wardrobe Favorites

We are officially in fall, yay!  Depending on where you live in the US it may still feel like the dead of summer or you might be enjoying crisper/cooler temps.  In NC we can have both on any given day.  I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a little change in my wardrobe so adding in some fall pieces to my closet is fun, even if we are still in the 80s.  Below are my 10 favorites for that early fall weather.  They are pretty versatile and can layer well for those days when the weather is all over.  I love that from the 10 pieces you can create numerous outfits and then so many more with a few other things you already have.  Its all about creating a simplified wardrobe that can easily be mixed and matched.

Here's my List (sources linked):

1. Black Blouse

2. Chambray Shirt (similar)

3. Neutral Relaxed Fit Tee

4. Plaid Button Up

5. Olive Utility Vest (similar), (similar)

6. Black Leggings

7. Distressed Jeans

8. Striped Tunic

9. Leopard Scarf (similar), (similar)

10. Ankle Boots (similar), (similar)

So this is just a few ideas for transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall...even if the weather is not cooperating.  One of the things I've been trying to do is to create more out of my closet.  I know I seem to get into a habit of wearing the same pieces together all of the time but having a more streamlined and simplified wardrobe allows you to be more creative and get lots of uses out of less things.  Just with these ten items I can think of at least 20 different outfit combinations!  

A good way to look at an outfit is in 3's (not including your shoes).  Adding a scarf, a vest, a button up or even a statement necklace helps to create a more put together look.  I think that is why fall is so fun because you can add more layers and more combinations.  

So this week try and see which 10 favorite fall items you can choose to create multiple combinations from and get more out of your closet!

Tassels, Gladiator Sandals and Putting it Together

When the temperatures start to rise I usually start struggling with putting together a good outfit.  All I want is to not be hot and to not feel sweaty so I could care less about style.  I'm sorry if that's TMI but its true!  In the early spring, fall and winter you can add layers galore and feel really put together and have fun configuring different outfit ideas.  But when its hot, you don't have the luxury of layers and I can feel a little stuck. 

So what's a girl to do? I think accessorize is the answer!  I'm still able to wear jeans here without hating it yet but I had to lighten it up a bit so I went with a flowy tank- anything more and I would have been miserable and honestly that combo was pretty boring on its on.  I think the two best things to tie everything together when its sweltering is wearing a fun pair of sandals and a statement necklace.  

I love these gladiator sandals from Target (super comfy) and they add some interests to everything and the necklace adds a nice pop of color -  now I feel like I have a completed outfit and I still feel cool and comfortable.

I'm loving the tassel necklaces I've been seeing everywhere so I made this one on my own!  Tomorrow I'll have an easy tassel necklace tutorial so you can make one too! 

Pin it and Wear it - Winter Neutrals

I'm into pinterest these days for a lot of reasons and finding new ideas for outfits is one of them!  This week's style challenge from Putting Me Together is to wear something you have pinned.  Lately I've been really into the idea of winter whites or wearing lighter neutrals for winter.  One of my favorites is this pin from Christine of Hello Fashion, its one of those I try to pin several times and I get that  (whoops you already pinned this) message each time.

Ok, so once upon a time there was this show called Trading Spaces and it was just the best.  On one particular episode one of the designers decided to design a room around the color white.  So everything in the whole room was replaced with bright white - white walls, white floors, white furniture.  He called the room "white whoa".  Needless to say the homeowners were speechless and quite unhappy. Why this episode is still fresh in my mind I do not know but this is the point >  At first go, I went all white with my outfit (white top and white jeans) and immediately it was feeling a little too #whitewhoa for me.

Instead of completely giving up I decided to change it up a bit and do more of a neutral toned outfit.  Still keeping with the same idea but a little more softer.  In the end, I was much happier with it.  

There really are numerous ways to even put neutral together.  Its always fun to come up with new ways to wear the pieces in your closet.  Try something new this week! 

Linking up Here!

Wearing a Bright Color

Feeling the winter blues?  Wear a bright color! I think we all have certain colors we lean towards.  I'm a blue and gray type person.  If something is available in either of those shades, I don't care what other color it comes it - that's what I'm getting. I can't get away from it, its just what I like.  But every now and again its fun to throw in a pop of color and change things up.

I probably own the least amount of red items than any other color...well and pink (anything in that color family).  For some reason it just always feels out of my comfort zone.  I found this knit blazer at Target several months back on clearance (shout out to target clearance) for $9.98.  I decided for that price I could go out on a whim and buy a red blazer.  Red might not always be my thing but a blazer kind of is.

For some great reason we are having awesome weather this week.  Initially I was going to pair this with boots and a scarf but it was way to warm here for that.  Leopard print flats and a pretty statement necklace did the trick.

I took a quick before shot,( if you want to call it that) to show that by just adding a pop of color and a few accessorizes you can really change up your basics.  Although I would totally just wear the t shirt and jeans too.

Outfit Details

Blazer - Target (similar, similar)

T Shirt - Old Navy (similar)

Jeans - Old Navy (similar, similar)

Shoes - Thrifted (similar)

Necklace - Loft (similar, similar, similar, similar)

So what about you guys...Do you have a favorite go to style color?  What about a color you rarely wear?  Share with me!

Linking up with Putting Me Together this week!

Style and Self Image

Self Image.  Yuck, sometimes I'm tired of hearing, reading and talking about it.  If you are a woman we are almost constantly bombarded with this.  Everyone has opinions and ideas about what a healthy self image looks like.  What the world displays and what scripture tells us are usually completely opposite of each other.  One minute the media tells us to celebrate our differences and beauty in the imperfections and the next we see a weight loss commercial displaying Mariah Carey practically poll dancing wearing almost nothing as motivation for looking and feeling great about ourselves...I guess that's supposed to be our end goal?  Scripture though thankfully gives us some wisdom on the matter...

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well Psalm 139:14

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Clothing is really not that important, I mean please wear clothing, but what you wear at the end of the day should meet the requirement of honoring God.  I like getting together a good outfit like any other woman out there and I think everything you do can and should be done for the glory of God.  Each extraordinary or mundane task can be set apart for bringing glory to Christ.

I think just naturally self image and what you wear can be easily tied together.  Either we try to improve our self image by drawing attention (positive or negative) to ourselves by our clothing choices, or we try and hide behind them to distract anyone from looking our way.  It can be a tricky balance sometimes for us - at least for me.  

I'm not going to lie, putting myself out there on this blog like this - with nothing but photos of myself is totally out of my comfort zone.  Its feels vulnerable and really strange.  But at the end of the day, this is me, this is who God created and I'm totally thankful for that.  We all have interests that draws us together and we should all find ways to have community through our interests because God should be woven into each of our choices and conversations.  He is God over it all.  Whether its crafting, reading, blogging, home decor, exercising, baking, boxing - whatever you do.  In this new season of blogging I decided I needed to stretch myself a little and try something new.  Sharing outfit ideas is one thing, but sharing my heart and having conversation about self image and being made in the image of God is another.  I have lots of thoughts floating in my head about this topic.  Maybe its because I work with teenagers and encourage them daily about healthy self image or maybe its just because I'm a woman and we all feel it.  Either way,  I hope we can find the right balance,  realize who we have been created to be, just have fun and enjoy what we enjoy and bring honor to God in the middle of it all.  

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31