How to look good in hot and humid weather

I got a reader question from Catherine who is considering a move to sunny Florida from NYC. Her typical uniform consists of straight-leg jeans, Chucks or ballet flats, knit top, and a pashmina scarf. Half of her uniform is already unacceptable for Florida weather (the jeans and scarf) so she needs ideas on how to stay cute and cool in the Florida heat! I've only been to Florida like three times but I have been to the Philippines which is hot and humid too. Here are some things I've learned from my experience dealing with that kind of weather...

• Keep your hair away from your face.
• Shower (at least) 5 times a day.
• Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are muy importante.
• Wear breathable fabric like 100% cotton and no polyester or anything suffocating or materials that may stick to your skin when you sweat.
• Avoid layers.. (especially those layering tees!!) Simple is best! Think basic essentials:  shirt, bottoms, shoes. You'll be so hot you won't care about looking good. So make sure your BASICS look good!
• Open shoes. Sandals are a must! But please... No flip-flops. They're so gross.
• Try to avoid dark colors (because all that stuff you learned in science class in elementary school is f'real).

click here to read more

Rule Breaking Monday!

The winning Rule Breaking outfit this week is oisercage! She wore her dress backwards!!!!

{source}

Comment by Sunday night and vote for YOUR favorite rule-breaking outfit. The blogger with the most comments will be featured here next Monday. So tell all your friends and readers to vote for you here! No duplicate comments and no voting for yourself, ya cheaters!!

click here to read more

Happiness is...

...Crumbs cupcakes. (Sprinkles is overrated.) Can't you tell from the look on my face? I was so ECSTATIC you can see my blood vessels almost popping.

click here to read more

Hat to It!

click here to read more

Put a hat on it

click here to read more

Mineral Makeup Review

Fresh Faces sent me some of their products to review. I've tried mineral makeup years ago and didn't like it. It didn't give me as much coverage as I wanted and by the end of the day the makeup had come off my face. So I was a little skeptical about Fresh Faces at first but was willing to give it a shot. In this post, I'll be reviewing the following products:

(from L-R:  primer, concealer, foundation, bronzer, glow finish)

Before you read this review, know that this is MY opinion for this makeup on MY sensitive, acne-prone, combination oily-dry face. The products I love may not work out for you. The products I don't like may work out for you. So please don't base your opinions or potential purchases on my review without testing it out yourself first! That's what samples are for!

click here to read more

Rule Breaking Monday!

I decided to make things a little interesting for this week... Instead of ME picking a winner from now on, I want YOU to choose! Comment here by Sunday night on which rule breaking outfit is your favorite and the blogger with the most comments will be featured! So tell all your friends and readers to vote for you here. No sneaky duplicate comments, sneakers! And don't vote for yourself. It's lame.

If you have an outfit from this past week where you broke your styling rules, link up here every Monday!

click here to read more

A Hairdicament

click here to read more

How to style a maxi skirt in two ways

Audrey emailed me a million years ago about this Old Navy jersey maxi skirt and I'm just finally getting around to it. (Sorry, Audrey!) She is 14 years-old and needs help with ideas on how to wear it on a daily basis and to church while still keeping it appropriate for her age. If you are 14 and own a maxi skirt, you're already cooler than me.


For your everyday activities, I immediately saw stripes, white tennis shoes, and a linen backpack for a comfy, casual look!

click here to read more

Copy that Maxi, Cat

click here to read more

Utility, meet Flower.

click here to read more

Rain boots are for playing in.

click here to read more

Pretending to be photographers...and new clothes!!

If you didn't know already, Chase and I went to Sacramento for the weekend for his sister's wedding. We played photographers and took their wedding pictures...actually, Chase took their pictures and I bossed my SIL and her new husband around. I loved it.

Me and Chaserbug

click here to read more

Rule Breaking Monday!

There have been some lame rule-breaking outfits being added to the link party lately. I'm not sure people understand the concept behind this. It's not a place to link up to show off your favorite outfit or something creative you did. It's a place to show others that it's okay to break the rules once in a while when you're getting dressed and have some fun with it. The reason I started this was because I was one of those "this ALWAYS has to match this" people. For example, I always wore my Gap flared jeans with my Target clog sandals but in this outfit I wore them with my Seychelles tan maryjanes.

So please...if you're here with an agenda of your own, go make your own link party and don't ruin this one for everyone else. If you are "everyone else" and have an outfit from this past week where you broke your styling rules, link up here every Monday!

click here to read more

IT'S GREEN

click here to read more

New (Mom) Wardrobe Essentials

Michelle emailed me months ago about what essentials to get now that her body is back to normal after having four kids (Wowza!). None of her clothes fit/work for her anymore so she has to start from scratch. Her budget? $600. She is already set in the shoes department and was wondering what items she should focus her attention on.

For a young mom with kids, comfort is very important. You're probably thinking, "She wouldn't know. She doesn't even have kids!" But I know...that I love to be comfortable. Pain doesn't have to mean beauty. Sometimes it does but it doesn't have to be all the time.

Here are my top picks on items you should focus on NOW..

1. the white button-up

With kids, it might be hard to keep this white but it is so easy and such a classic. Plus, there are so many variations of this you can get creative with it! Get the classic button-down in a couple sizes bigger so you can wear it loosely and comfortably. I also advise getting it in a fitted size for the mature/professional audience.

2 and 3. stretchy skinny jeans/thick leggings/jeggings and tunics

Okay, before you start getting all judgmental on me, listen up! I hate leggings as pants just like the five of you out there. BUT I think we can all agree they are too comfortable to ignore. The best way to wear leggings without embarrassing yourself is to make sure you cover your butt. The answer? Tunics. Wear them with boots so you can further hide the fact that you're wearing leggings.

4. t-shirts (crewneck, v-neck, whatever!)

T-shirts are the definition of comfort!!! ..at least they are for me. I love them in different fits and styles. To offset their casualness, you can pair them with feminine items such as floral skirts or fancy(ish) jewelry.

5. full skirts

I LOVE full skirts. I have bigger hips and thighs (in my opinion) so full skirts are the best way to hide them for me! Plus, I love that I can MOVE in them....not like pencil skirts. Great for chasing kids, right? And they're so much fun to twirl and spin in. A++ in my book!

6. a hot pair of jeans

Everyone's bodies are different. Skinny jeans could look good on you but not on me (so true). But there is always that one style that looks BOMB on you. Find that bomb pair and wear it for the rest of your life!! I picked out my faves:  wide leg, boyfriend, and skinny.

7. a great coat

If you live where it can get a little (or a lot) chilly, I suggest purchasing a good coat. It's going to be one of the first things people see on you and you don't want to be wearing something that doesn't flatter your figure at all. Or if you do, that's cool, whatever. But be sure to get them now while they're on super sale!!!

8. fun, colorful blouse

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know I love my neutrals and simple tops. But it also makes getting dressed not as fun since I lack color in my closet and life. Tear. So I suggest getting one or two FUN and COLORFUL blouses that you can wear when you're feeling especially spunky that day. And I say splurge on this item as well because blouses can last a long time if you take good care of it and it is GOOD quality!

9. statement necklaces and earrings

I'm not a huge jewelry person. I love to adorn myself with one or two statement pieces and try to avoid layering and piling on jewelry. I'm assuming most moms are the same? Looks like I'm already prepared then. Psh. Kids should be easy.

10. _____________________________?

What do you think her 10th must-buy item should be?

click here to read more

Repeat Outfitter

click here to read more

Pink My Brain

click here to read more

Love, Sund(a)y

click here to read more

The Week...ends

click here to read more

Rule Breaking Monday!

This week's winner is Gabby from Gypsy*Diaries! She doubled up on stripes AND her belts. Love!

{source}

If you have an outfit from this past week where you broke your styling rules, link up here every Monday and you could be featured! If you explain what rules you broke, you'll have a better chance of being featured because I can't ever tell if you people are making it up or not. (Probably.)

click here to read more

Some blue on blue action

click here to read more

Blueck

click here to read more

Win an invite to Pinterest! (CLOSED)

click here to read more

Just 'Lax

click here to read more

Great minds think alike... by Kari

click here to read more

Maxi what?

click here to read more

99% Vintage

click here to read more

Rule Breaking Monday!

This week I loved Mimi's outfit from Aesthetic Lounge. She wore her belt BACKWARDS! I love it! Why didn't I think of this before?? This doubles all my belts.... Of course you'll have to wear a cardigan like Mimi did to hide the buckle.

{source}

If you have an outfit from this past week where you broke your styling rules, link up here every Monday and you could be featured! If you explain what rules you broke, you'll have a better chance of being featured because I can't ever tell if you people are making it up or not. (Probably.)

click here to read more

From Friday to Sunday

click here to read more