Saturday, October 29, 2016

One Tee, 4 Ways

One tee 4 ways is a post I just did on Instagram.  I found this super fun hand screen-printed tee shirt company in Austin and just had to snag this Texas Mama tee! You can see all of their fun tees on etsy - MamaBirdandCo
Check out my IG post for a chance to win a free tee from them.  The contest ends Monday, October 31!

1. For cool Fall days with cords and a utility jacket.
One Tee, 4 Ways

2. Another pants and jacket look - this time with printed floral pants and a grey jacket.
One Tee, 4 Ways

3. A cooler and dressier look with a tulle skirt and pearls
One Tee, 4 Ways

4. Casual chic - knotted with a pencil skirt and duster cardi
One Tee, 4 Ways


Which way is your favorite?  How would you wear it?  Remember to hop over to my Instagram page (link in the sidebar) to enter to win a free tee of your very own!



Tuesday, October 25, 2016

How to Dress for Fall in Warm Weather

How to dress for Fall in warm weather is something we address every year here in Texas.  We certainly don't get sweater, boot or scarf weather in September or October!  In fact, it's been in the 90's for most of October.  This week we've been down in the 80's, which has been nice, but still too warm for typical Fall clothing.  However, nobody really wants to keep wearing their summer clothes until Thanksgiving, so here are some good options for staying relatively cool, but still looking Fall-ish.

Shorts - shorts don't necessarily scream summer if you pair them with long sleeves or a vest.
How to dress for fall in warm weather

Off the shoulder tops are also a great way to stay cool!
How to dress for fall in warm weather

Skirts - skirts are another great way to stay cool, but look seasonal.  This corduroy skirt is a Fall color and fabric, but worn with bare legs it's not hot!  
How to dress for fall in warm weather
Skirt is Target
Bag is Noonday Collection and is on sale for almost half price right now!!!

Dresses - dresses are the ultimate versatile piece, in my opinion!  They can be worn alone (like when it's hot in the Fall) and then worn with other layers when it is cold. Stick with Fall colors like olive and you are set!
How to dress for fall in warm weather
Dress is Maurices

How to dress for fall in warm weather
I just had to showcase these Noonday Collection beauties

I especially love dresses with booties in the Fall.  It's too warm for riding boots or over-the-knee boots, but booties are perfect!
How to dress for fall in warm weather


How to dress for fall in warm weather
Dress is Gray Monroe

So we've done shorts with long sleeves.  How about jeans with sleeveless?  Yes!
How to dress for fall in warm weather

How to dress for fall in warm weather

What's your favorite way to stay cool, but dress for Fall?





Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!


Mad for Plaid - and refashions!  Plaid is such a hot trend right now, especially with the changing seasons.  I remembered this little gem that I got last year was somewhere at the bottom of my refashion bin, just waiting to be beautified!  When my daughter took my pic, she said I should keep it just like it is because it's a cute pioneer dress!  ;-)
Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!

I saw this Free People top on Emily Gemma (The Sweetest Thing Blog) and thought I could possibly make something similar with this dress.  



First off, I removed the elastic so it would hang more freely.
Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!


Then I ironed it flat so it didn't even look like there had been elastic!
Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!

Next step - I cut the dress where it was attached at the waist.Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!

I then measured how much length I wanted to add to the top, cut that much off of the bottom (so I didn't have to hem) and pinned it right sides together to the top portion.
Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!
I made little pleats on the back so it would ruffle!

After sewing it together this is what it looked like
Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!

After a good press and a little styling, it was good to go!
Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!

Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!

Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!
This is the angle you get when your children take your pics.

Before and After
Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!

And just for any of you dog lovers out there, you might appreciate how difficult my pup made it for me to work on this last night.  ;-)
Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!

Mad for Plaid - and Refashions!




Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Shop Your Closet!


Several of my friends have asked me to come help them go through their closets and decide what to keep, what to get rid of, and how to put different outfits together.  I did this with my friend Melissa not too long ago and we had the best time!

Here's what she said about the process. "I wanted to make use of all of the random pieces of clothing hanging in my closet, and at the same time, get rid of stuff that was outdated.  Amanda went through my closet, piece by piece, putting together color combinations and patterns that I'd never thought of doing, sometimes taking advantage of pieces I hadn't used in months! It was amazing and in a matter of a couple of hours I had 25+ new outfits without having to spend a dime.  She gave me a better understanding of what colors and patterns to put together and organized my closet so it makes so much more sense.  Plus, it was a ton of fun!"

First off, we made a donate/trash pile with clothes that didn't fit, were too worn, outdated, or she just didn't like anymore.  I changed her mind about a few pieces that she thought she should get rid of and urged her to get rid of a few that she may have wanted to keep.  ;-)

Melissa tended to have her closet organized by outfits.  Pieces that she would wear together, she hung together.  In doing this, she limited herself to ONLY wearing those pieces together.  We started out by making piles of different pieces - top layers (cardigans, jackets, sweaters), layering pieces (tanks, tees, oxfords), pants and skirts. Then we went through them and I mixed and matched the different pieces with each other, sometimes even adding shoes and jewelry,  We talked about mixing neutrals, adding a bright pop of color to a neutral palette, and even a little print mixing! I can't count the number of times she would gasp and say "I NEVER would have put that together!  I love it!"  She snapped shots of the outfits with her phone so she could remember what we put together.  Later she sent me the pics she took.  Here are just some of them!

Shop Your Closet!
I was in love with that puffer vest and coral cardi!  It's hard to tell in the pics, but the darker grey top is grey and black stripes.

Shop Your Closet!
I think my favorite piece in her closet was these camo pants!

Shop Your Closet!
One of the color combos she had never thought of was the eggplant (in the striped sweater) and mustard,  And the sheer black sweater she had only worn with a cami underneath.  I showed her how she could get a completely different look layering it with a crisp, white oxford. Also, the look in the bottom left corner is a good example of mixing neutrals - navy sweater, grey jeans and brown boots.  

Shop Your Closet!
The neutral cardi on top can be worn so many different ways.  I also encouraged her to pair her white jeans with Fall and Winter looks! The red and navy cardis had been hanging in her closet unworn for a long time because she didn't know what to wear them with!

Shop Your Closet!
Ok this grey cardi is one of the best basics! And the little taupe jacket - too cute!!!

Shop Your Closet!
By this time the floor had gotten to be quite a mess, so ignore that, lol!  We discussed how to wear denim on denim.  Doesn't she have some great distressed denim?

Shop Your Closet!
Another of my favorite pieces was these olive cargo pants! I told her they literally go with everything in her closet.  :-)

We had quite a few more looks put together, but this is a good idea of what we came up with.  She was so excited to tell her husband that she had 50 new outfits and hadn't bought one new thing!  Since then, she has told me that she's being more brave about mixing neutrals (like brown and black) and has confidence about putting these looks together. I call that success!

We also made a list of basics that would be good to have, so she has an idea of what to look for when she is out shopping.

Thanks Melissa, for trusting me with your closet!








 

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