Again Wearing Purple

Thank you for all your comments in yesterday's post!!! It was great to read all your nice words and suggestions. It means a lot to me!! Just wanted to clarify:  although I've already "found" my style, doesn't mean I'm going to stop blogging! I'm still here! There will just be a few more people joining me. I eventually want to turn this blog into a girl-to-girl website about finding your style/fashion within your values, whatever they may be. As for the community aspect, it's going to revolve around YOU guys and YOUR suggestions instead of just ME.

So onto the outfit.... I basically already wore this. Purple gingham shirt with a blue-purpley skirt? Done. Next? Oh, a purple gingham shirt with a blue-purpley skirt? I'm so original!!! But really, I just wanted an excuse to wear gingham again...and apparently to use the word "gingham" as many times as I can in this post. (Gingham.)

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My Thoughts, Your Thoughts

So there have been quite a few changes around Clothed Much lately if you've noticed.. If not that's cool. Carry on! I've added Kari and Melissa to the blog; I've added more blog crushes; I've added more guest bloggers; I've had posts up M-F two times a day. There are two reasons behind these recent changes that kind of go together so maybe it's just one reason...

I'm burnt out, not from the blog but from everything. It's mostly due to stress. I need a vacation!!! So I've been trying to step away from the blog without physically stepping away from the blog. I've just been bringing more and more people into it, which you guys didn't seem to like. And it makes me sad. I know I'm not going to make my husband take pictures of my outfits forever and that I will probably stop one day (Nooo!!!!) but I also didn't want to just stop blogging forever and wanted to transform Clothed Much into more of a modest fashion community blog than a blog about MEMEME. (Hello, run-on!) In order to achieve this modest fashion community blog, I need more authors than one; otherwise it's not a community! My plan is to have modest fashion bloggers contributing to the site from one girl to another -- no experts, no professional style tips, but what we've all learned through trial-and-error and bring it all to the table. It's not going to turn into a magazine but where we can talk to each other about clothes, style, our different ideas of modesty and how we incorporate it and apply it in our lives.

This may mean less of me on CM. I started this blog when I didn't have a sense of style and now two years later, I've come to the point where I'm happy with my style and fashion sense. I've come such a long way and I don't think I need this blog any more and I think others would benefit from it more than me at this point. If you'd like to join me (and these nameless future authors) on this journey, I'd love to have you stick around and add in your two cents. If it's not of interest to you, I'm sorry to see you go! This is something I've been thinking about and working towards for a while now so it's not out of impulse or boredom on my part.

If you guys have any thoughts or suggestions on this, I'd love to read them.

E

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Color Yourself Black and Red

This church outfit was inspired by Emersonmade. I loved the red and black together. I'll probably try it again with a black turtleneck in the winter when it dips down to 50 (jealous?!?). And doesn't this skirt remind you of Joan from Mad Men? I feel sexy whenever I wear this, which is probably why I don't wear it very often. Sexy is not one of my adjectives.. Cute little Asian? Yes. I do the "little Asian" very well!!

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Max Out Your Wardrobe by Melissa

So in my very first blog post on Clothed Much, Elaine mentioned that I have a tiny closet with a matching tiny wardrobe. She is right - I do. Don’t worry.. I brought pictures for proof.

Believe me now? Yes, this mess is my closet. I know - it looks so not clean and organized so let me break it down for you....

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Street/Friend/Co-Worker/Beso Style

This is my friend, co-worker (Beso editor), and ping pong buddy Diana. (Yes, the same one who took these pics!) She is always looking super fly at work and I've been meaning to take pics of her outfits! Finally got around to it. Don't worry... There will be more a-comin'...

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Blog Crush: What Would a Nerd Wear

I'm so excited to share with you an ole' classic favorite fashion blogger of mine and probably yours. (Wow, that was a mouthful!!) I've been following What Would a Nerd Wear since... I don't even remember! But long enough to see her style evolve and we've corresponded here and there (even traded some clothes!) that I already feel like we're friends. Isn't that what blogging is about?? So if you don't know what a nerd wears, follow Tania!

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The Mom Sweater

I thrifted this sweater the same day I got my gingham shirt and I officially feel like a grown woman. Let me explain... My mom has TONS of these sweaters in all different colors. I always thought the day I owned one of these thin sweaters was the day I will become my mother. I'm still trying to figure out if this is a good thing or bad thing because she drives me up the wall!!! But I love that crazy lady. P.S. I am also crazy.

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Rule Breaking Monday!

Last week was polka-dots and stripes. Congrats to the 10 who are braver than me!!! But mostly Kelsey with the top votes of the week with her rule breakin' ensemble. So we're still breaking rules with le stripes.. This time we're busting out the leopard print!! You can see how I broke this "rule" here. Next week we'll do paisley. If you have any other print suggestions to mix with stripes, add it to the discussion on the Facebook!

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Mr. Frump

I know I look like a fump-a-lump. It was a long day, okay! ..and I may have eaten one too many burritos. But I liked the color scheme of my outfit:  pink, red, yellow, and teal! I just went for all the colors in the rainbow. It's easier for me to incorporate different colors into my outfit than similar colors. That way you don't really have to try to match anything as long as they're all different colors. Now if only I had done my hair and ironed my jeans...because that's not weird at all..

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Five Items That Will Keep You Cool This Summer

It's still summer here in L.A....like all year round so I'm still thinking about how to stay cool and not melt. Check out the five items I think every woman should have in their closet here! Including me! I'll give you a hint on one of the items.....which is a total DUH!

See the rest of the items at How Does She.

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Genres by Melissa

So sometimes I like to loosely base my outfit on generes like cowboys, indians, ninjas, ballernias, princesses, the 20s.... Or movie characters, I recently saw Thor and was loving the nerdy/trendy outfit worn by Natalie Portman's character Jane. And! I would totally dress like the little girl in Toy Story 3....I secretly love tutus and rainboots. So this is totally one of my genre outfit days. The day started off with "Cowboy Take Me Away" from the dixie chicks and ended in this outfit: Cowboy meets ballerina.

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Let's talk rings and fingers..

So my mom and I were having a little discussion about wedding rings (and which was which) and ring fingers. I always understood the bigger ring was the engagement ring and then there was the wedding band. But my mom (she's Korean BTW) said the band was the engagement ring and the bigger ring was the wedding ring. I've never heard of such a thing!!! So...who's right? It's me, right?!?

And then there's placement.. I always thought you wore the engagement ring (bigger ring) on top of the wedding band on your left ring finger.

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LBD

Chase and I were late for church (Wow, that's like the umpteenth time. We're total sinners, I know.) again so I needed something fast and NOW. An LBD always works! and pearls! and red lips! and a bun! I think that's why I don't wear this LBD more often...because you really don't need a lot for it to work and that's so simple for me it's too hard, okay!! I know you guys are rolling your eyes at me... Stop it!

I'm wearing a Calvin Klein dress ($22), faux pearl necklaces ($5, $.75), and JCPenney pumps (free).

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Free shoes aren't always the best

Remember these pumps?? Well, they're already falling apart. :(:(:(:(:(:( It's probably my fault but probably not as they are made of synthetic upper, whatever that means.. The seams are ripping apart and this was just after two weeks!! I was going to return them after I complained/whined/cried to Melissa about it but then I couldn't find the receipt!!! :(:(:(:(:( (Now see why there are so many sad faces in this post??) But my husband came to the rescue and he super glued it for me. STILL. It sucks.

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At the Ankles

I think this is my favorite outfit in a while. I love the green, yellow, pink, and brown! They're kind of similar but still unexpected, which is why I like it. I ended up changing into boyfriend jeans and bracelets later for date night. I wish I took a pic of it because I looked sooo cute!! I'll wear it again later just for you guys.

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Blog Crush: the other emily

I first found out about the other emily when she was featured on Tania's blog and have been in love with her style ever since! And I love that she's an architect. (Chase is studying architecture right now!!) Read on to learn more about her! And follow her blog!

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The Grandma Sweater by Melissa

Okay so what I am trying to get to is the story of this sweater. Several months ago I met up with my grandma for an event and she showed up in this exact sweater. I told my fashionista grandma that she was looking pretty fabulous and I loved her sweater so much I would wear it. She took me seriously and I ended up with a late birthday present- my first piece ever from Chicos hanging in my closet. Never thought I would have Chicos in my closet in my twenties.

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Rule Breaking Monday!

I loved seeing all your white outfits last week! Looks like you guys liked Missy's the best. I think it's safe to say that this white after Labor Day rule is bologne. For this week, show me your polka-dots and stripes! You've already seen mine. I only wore it for half a day. Does it still count? I hope so. Get ready for next week's... We're going to continue the defiant stripe-mixing and go with leopard next thanks to Stephanie!! If you have any other suggestions for stripe-mixing, let'e hear it on the CM Facebook page!

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Start Wearing Purple

Seriously? I tied my shirt again?? I know. I'm so original it's awesome. I loved wearing this skirt as a...skirt and not a slip this time. It's so twirlable and it even swishes when you walk! I think I'm 8 again to be excited about things like that. But, really, I can't be the only one! What gets you excited about your clothes?

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Belt It!

I don’t know about you, but I have a constant desire to belt everything. My dresses, my skirts, my cat… (I don’t know how that one got in there…) It’s a disease, I tell you! But thanks to this disease, I’ve figured out some new ways to belt in my life. So this is for all of you who have a chronic desire to belt, but don’t have enough belts. And isn’t that all of us? No? Just me? This is awkward.

1. Scarves

Ready for my famous scarf-belt?? Okay, it’s not famous. It’s just “famous.” Create your own scarf-belt with this tutorial! Or, forgo my scarf-belt and make a bow with your scarf!

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Pop Pop

I've been wanting a gingham shirt ever since EBEW was born. But I couldn't participate then because there was a void in my closet that has now been filled nine months later when I thrifted this shirt. Now my life is complete. Linda, Liz, is it too late to participate??

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In the News: Modest Dressing

pic of me(!!) from Ceebee

These days modesty seems to be more and more recognized in the fashion world -- not just in the fashion blogging world but in the retail sector as well. Professor Reina Lewis sought to investigate this further with a research project titled "Modest Dressing: faith-based fashion and internet retail." Throughout the project, she had three objectives:

1. To discover if the expansion and diversification through e-commerce of clothes for modest dressing is creating a new retail and style category of 'modest fashion' that has the potential to transcend specific religions and reach out to consumers across faith groups.
2. To explore the extent to which 'modest fashion' is beginning to be recognisable as a form of dressing adopted by women from different faith communities.
3. To evaluate the social and personal impact of modest fashion for the future development of interfaith dialogue and religious/secular community relations.

I had the pleasure of meeting with her last November and it was so great to discuss modesty on an academic level when for me I live it everyday without really thinking twice about it. If you're interested in reading about the project's main research findings, read their PDF summary here. You can also listen to the papers from the project's symposium, Mediating Modesty.

I'd love to know what you all think about this subject, whether you hold the belief to dress modestly or not.

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Come Pick Me Up

You'd think I was going to church or had an important business meeting the day I wore this but, no.. I needed an outfit pick-me-up after wearing sloppy clothes all week! (No pics of them. You're welcome. Although feel free to browse my Facebook album of "Outfits that'll never be blogged just because" just don't laugh. Okay, fine. You can.)

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Nail Trends

image from Beautylish

With spring just around the corner, we are seeing more and more color being incorporated into our wardrobe to say goodbye to the winter blues! And that does not exclude our finger nails!! Sandal season is upon us, which means pedicures ASAP. As for our finger nails, those should always be perfectly manicured and in style with this season’s hottest colors. That’s where this article comes in and saves the day…because we all know pretty nails make a lady…or something like that.

Neutrally Nude

This is my go-to color. Always. It matches everything! Why not? It’s nude! When picking out your neutrally nude colors, go for a shade lighter or darker than your skin tone so it doesn’t look like your skin has melded into your nails. To make it a little more distinct (and shiny), go for a high gloss. Check out Revlon's Nail Enamel in Sheer Nude, $4.79.

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Pattern Play by Kari

Sooo...apparently I'm not very good at blogging when Elaine isn't taking pictures of me.  Seriously, I missed 2 weeks of church (where we have our usual photo shoots) and I haven't had a blog post in probably that time! Oops!  My excuse is it's because my hubby and I have been busy with some big news  (No, I'm not prego, not that kind of busy!).  WE ARE MOVING TO NEW YORK CITY!!  Yup.  For realsies.  He went there a few weeks ago and had some interviews and one of them came through.  We feel super lucky and blessed because it's all come together at the last minute and yet at the perfect time.  SO I will be continuing my portion of this blog from NYC in the next month or so.  Very exciting stuff...now I just need to find a job and we need a place to live.  Minor details.

Anyway, enough about me, onto the fashion.  I mixed up patterns and colors on this outfit and it was kinda fun.  I love this happy print on this dress.

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Making Modesty Your Own by Heather

Hello you lovely Clothed Much readers! I'm Heather from Life of a Passeri, and I am absolutely thrilled to be here!

So I've been waiting for some great wave of inspiration to wash over me and tell me what to say to rock your modest fashion world. I mean have you seen Elaine? 'Cause if you didn't know, she's kind of a big deal. So here's what I came up with:

I like feeling pretty.

Earth shattering right?

When I feel like myself, like I own my style, I feel pretty. There was a time though, that I didn't feel like I could really look fashionable or "pretty" in modest clothes. I felt like what I wore and what was "in style" were completely irreconcilable.

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This looked better in my head

Check it out... NEW photo locale!! Better get used to it because it's right outside our apartment building and will be my new go-to! No more cockroach-infested dimly-lit hallways. Sad face.

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Rule Breaking Monday!

You guys... Only THREE of you wore white last week?? Really? So is this white after Labor Day rule for real? Say it ain't so. I'm extending the deadline for this past link party. If you wore white after Labor Day, link up here and tell me this rule is not true!!!

And then next week we'll do polka-dots and stripes because I want to find all the people who laughed at me when I changed out of my dots and stripes outfit! ..and commend you because you're a lot braver than I am. What other patterns can we mix with stripes? Let's hear your suggestions on the CM Facebook page!

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A Bit Nerdy

Whenever I wear my elastic waistband skirt, I like to pretend I'm Tania. She's the queen of the covered elastic waistband skirt tutorial and her outfits are always simple with a top, belted skirt, and cute shoes that I can't help but think of her when I wear this simple ensemble. What sort of outfits remind you of certain bloggers?

P.S. You can't tell here but my bun was off-centered all day. I hate when that happens!!!! My center of gravity is always off whenever I looked in the mirror. Threw me off all day!!!

I'm wearing a JCPenney shirt (free), thrifted belt ($1), handmade skirt ($2), Seychelles maryjanes ($15), and vintage bag ($15).

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Double your wardrobe with your man’s clothes

I steal clothes from my hubby all. the. time. It’s such an easy way to expand your wardrobe without spending any extra money!! …unless you go shopping saying it’s for your man but really you’re shopping for men’s clothing so you can wear them too. Not that I do that or anything. Okay, fine! I did it last weekend. My husband is a tall, skinny thing and I’m a petite Asian so we naturally wear the same size. I mostly steal button-up shirts, sweaters, and cardigans. If your husband is a lot bigger than you, and you look like you’re wearing a potato sack in his clothes, don’t be afraid to shop around in the men’s department in a size that fits you!

My secret to wearing men’s clothing is to offset the masculine pieces by doing my hair all prettied up, wearing some bold and fancy jewelry, wearing hot heels, or sometimes all of the above. As long as no one calls me “sir” for the whole day, my mission is accomplished!!

So how can you pull off your man’s clothes??

1. Shrink one of his t-shirts “by accident” and then honorably induct it into your side of the closet.

2. Wear his button-down with a blazer over it to create an androgynous look BUT, add feminine touches so you don’t look like a man. I added a Hello Kitty hair bow and a leopard print scarf to mine!

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This + This = This

If this outfit and this outfit had a baby, this outfit would be the result. I'm still trying to decide if it's cute or not. If it's ugly, it's being put up for adoption. Just kidding. It would wear a paper bag. Just kidding. (What was I talking about again?)

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Modest Can Be Marvelous! by Dani

Hi there Clothed Much readers! I'm Dani from The Daily Dani, and I'm so excited to be here talking modest style with you all!

Let me tell you, from the time I realized how important fashion and styling is to me, it seems that I also realized how important modesty is as well. I'm not sure I really picked up on this fact, though, until I got into the blogging world early this year, and compared (and often contrasted!) my style with those of the lovely ladies in the fashion blogosphere! I'll admit, in the past (and maybe even sometimes now, on lazier days), I've been known to dress a bit on the "frumpy" side - in oversize tops or potato sack-esque shapeless shifts - in order to stay humble or reserved. However, with just a bit more effort, modesty can be absolutely marvelous! Here are 3 tips I have for staying fashionable, fun, and radiant while still maintaining modesty!

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Stuck

The past three times I've worn these skants, I've worn my nude pumps with them. As you can see, I'm obviously a bit stuck now. (..as well as my face. What the WHAT is going on?) I think it's because these pants are so long and I feel like I can't wear anything but my highest heels which are currently these pumps. Plus, they're nude so they automatically make my legs look longer! Or do they? I don't know. I'm not a scientist. So for the time being, you'll just see the top half change until I find some more sky-high heels! 

I'm wearing a thrifted Forever 21 top ($6), JCPenney necklace (free), vintage culottes ($6), JCPenney pumps (free), and vintage bag ($15).

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2011 Fashion Trends

A new year brings new fashion trends…but only for a few months until something else becomes hot again and then you have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe because the magazines say so, am I right? Well, I’m not a magazine but I have done my research to bring you the best trends of 2011 to keep you stylin’ for the rest of the year.

Biker Chic

This trend has been in and out of the fashion industry…but mostly in. I love this trend in moderation. If you are head-to-toe in biker gear, you probably belong on a motorcycle instead of looking like you just stepped off the runway. You can integrate this trend into your wardrobe with a motorcycle-inspired jacket and pairing it with your frilliest and girliest dresses to offset the tough girl in you.

60s Full Skirt

All the modest ladies can shout for joy because modesty is IN this year! (But it should always be in!) The newest skirt trend has more fabric and a longer hemline! The secret to wearing this trend is to have the skirt at your waist to create the illusion of a longer silhouette and a more exaggerated hour-glass figure. Make sure your skirt is full enough to twirl in. What? You don’t twirl in your skirts??

Lace

I am seeing lace everywhere and I love it! This trend turns any item of clothing delicately feminine. When shopping for this trend, make sure the lace isn’t sheer or see-through as that is also a popular trend right now. You could always layer sheer lace pieces over basic pieces in your closet to keep modest. Dress down your lacey pieces with more casual items such as your baggy boyfriend jeans or worn-in boots.

Wide Leg Jeans

They’re back!! This trend is great for all shapes and sizes as long as they fit you correctly! I love this trend because for once it makes my short Asian legs look longer. The secret is to have a longer inseam and wear heels underneath! But I don’t think it’s really a secret anymore since I just told you. Get a darker wash to make it a classic staple that you can wear after 2011 is long gone. Pair these jeans with fitted tops to complement the wider legs.

Stripes

We see this trend again and again on the runway. You know why? Because it’s a classic!!! ..especially navy and white stripes. Best part about stripes? They’re great for pattern mixing. Stripes and florals are great together. It’s easy and subtle and makes it look like you’ve spent hours picking our clothes beforehand but you didn’t because you read this article in five minutes instead.

See the original post here.

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Not Quite Spill-Proof

Ever since I saw this pin on Pinterest, I knew I had to recreate it! (Hmm, this sounds familiar..) I would've never thought to pair this military green with hot pink! The stark contrast between the dark and neon still astounds me. J.Crew, how do you do it?!?

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Being Fashionably Modest on a Modest Budget by Megan

Hello “Clothed Much” readers! My name is Megan Robinson and I blog over at “And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson” where I talk about my life as a young wife, mother and {newly graduated} student. When Elaine asked me to guest post I {almost peed my pants}. That may be an exaggeration but it’s really not. I don’t think I’m even close to being as cute and fashionable as Elaine. But one thing I think I am good at is being totally and extremely cheap in my fashion purchases.

I’m a total cheapskate. As in, I refuse to pay full price and/or more than $20 on an item. I can probably count on one hand the times I paid over $20 for things. And they were only for special circumstances like weddings, reunions or “I just had a baby, aren’t I worth it to get a new pair of shoes?!” Two arguments I used for real.

But in all seriousness, trying to be cute and in style when you are on a tight poor-college-student-and-have-a-baby-to-feed budget can be difficult. So I thought I’d share my tips on how I {try} to dress cute without breaking the bank.

1. Thrift stores are your friends.

You would be amazed at what goods people freal [that’s for real] give away. All of my favorite pieces were found at thrift stores. My tip is to take your time, avoid weekend rushes, and don’t expect too much on one trip. Sometimes it takes multiple trips to find lots of good things. Patience is a virtue! (one I don’t have but I still preach it)

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Rule Breaking Monday!

Happy Labor Day!! ...except for the Utahns because you guys don't get today off! Boo. But you can still participate in today's link party, k? And...sorry this is late!!! It is a three-day weekend after all. I hope you guys busted out those white ensembles this past week! So let's see 'em below!

I think next week we should do polka-dots and stripes in honor of my chickenness. Is that a word? No? It is now. We still need more suggestions for mixing patterns!! So if you know of any, share them on the CM Facebook page!

P.S. No outfit post tonight.. Too busy bumming it on the couch with my husband and cat just like a real married woman should.

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What's in a name?

Why, yes, I AM going to tuck the heck out of this tunic!! At least until the grease spot goes away...which is probably never.

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My favorite, easy, go-to hairstyles

I have a confession: I wasn’t born with perfect hair. But I have found a few go-to hairstyles for those days when it looks like I just woke up. (And let’s be honest… I probably just did.) I usually wear my hair down and straightened. I’m not too adventurous with my hair so if you’re a hair-virgin like me, check out these hair styles you can do all by yourself! They also double as arm workouts! It’s a toofer! (30 Rock, anyone?)

 

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The Casual Skittle

So I've worn this top and pants together before but I love the green and yellow together that I had to wear it again. I mean, really, it was calling my name. I just put my hair up and changed my scarf and shoes for a more casual, laidback look! I got this striped scarf from my mom just because and I love it! I don't know how she knew I needed one. I didn't even know I needed one. But now you do too. Get one here!

I'm wearing H&M sunglasses ($1), striped scarf (gift), Anthropologie shirt ($11), thrifted and skinnied Forever 21 jeans ($6), Fitzwell flats ($75), and vintage bag ($15).

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Making Modesty Easy by Sarah

Well hello Clothed Much readers! I'm Sarah, from Wearing It On My Sleeves. I have to admit. Modesty has not always meant what it means to me now. There was definitely a time where I saw it as restricting. I thought, "really, really?? What can I wear then?" I remember trying to find a prom dress in high school and being about in tears over the fact that I just COULD NOT find a dress that had sleeves on it. I ended up spending my next three weekends altering a dress so that it would have sleeves, and to be honest, I could not stop thinking to myself that just wearing what everyone else was wearing would be SO MUCH EASIER!

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