{playing dress up}

So last week I was OBSESSED with figuring out what I was going to wear to the Influence Conference.

OBSESSED I tell you.

I bought new clothes and shoes and accessories.

And I was uncomfortable in about 75% of everything I wore. 

Yeah...so there's that. 

And then on Sunday I changed back into my uniform + my new amazingly comfy infinity scarf from my new friend and Influence roomie Hannah...

And all was well with the world again.

I'm kicking myself for not taking this dress to the conference. It is my favorite piece because I feel 100% comfortable in my own skin in it. But I wear it so often that I thought I would feel frumpy in it. 

I was going through my notes from the conference tonight and this phrase stuck out at me...

Do your own thing and do it well.

So if your thing is a thrifted Target dress...wear it, and wear it well, right?

Right. :)

Next time I go to a blogging conference you can be sure I'll stick to what I do well. 

{fashionably flexible with HP + Intel}

If there is one thing I love about fashion, it is finding pieces that I can use in many different ways in my wardrobe.

Whether it be a statement necklace, a flattering dress, or a classic chambray shirt, a flexible wardrobe staple can really be a girl's best friend. Today I'm going to share with you some of my favorite fashionably flexible items, as well as an exciting contest from HP + Intel and Project Runway. {my FAVORITE reality shows ever by the way!}

Let's start with my favorite statement necklace. It was thrifted and I love the color, chunky beads, and how versatile it is...

Next is my favorite dress from Kohl's. I love the bold peacock pattern, mix of my favorite colors, and the fit is super flattering. Oh, and it was $5 on clearance!

And finally, a piece that I've come to rely on a few times a week because it is so versatile...and was also thrifted...my chambray shirt...

I don't know what I would do without these and a few other flexible, staple pieces in my wardrobe. They take a lot of the fuss out of getting dressed in the morning.

Another great place to find ideas for a flexible wardrobe is Pinterest, and HP + Intel + Project Runway are hosting a Pin Your Style contest!

Just like Project Runway contestants show off their personal fashion every week, HP + Intel want you to Pin Your Style. It’s simple: create chic boards inspired by the weekly themes, then vote for your favorites for a chance to win fabulous HP notebooks with Intel® processors and more.

Want to participate?
Pin a photo of the HP Envy x2 with Intel Inside® via the Pin It button on the Pin Your Style contest page. Then, build a board that represents that week's theme. Check out the weekly Pinsetter images on the site for inspiration.

Submit your board's URL into the site to enter. Then, share your board with friends to earn the most votes!

Win prizes like an HP Envy x2 with Intel Inside® and a gift card to bring your style to life by getting the top votes for your board.

Do you have a favorite, flexible piece in your wardrobe? Tell me about it in the comments! Better yet, link to a photo or a blog post about it!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

{Playing Dress Up + Printed Palette Giveaway}

Yesterday I had my first real outfit photo-shoot for the blog.

With a professional photographer and everything.

And let me just say that a model I am not. Goodness I felt SO awkward! But my friend Susanna from Susanna Tanner Photography is SO amazing! She found the locations and poses that would work, despite the fact that it was ridiculously windy and I felt ridiculously dorky.

Why did I decide to take professional outfit photos you might be wondering...

Wellll...I had something very special to wear!

Some of you know right away that this is a hoodie from The Printed Palette. If you haven't heard of them, head on over to the shop and check out their adorable selection of apparel for adults and children. I love this hoodie because it is super soft and the message really speaks to me...

Live life anchored.

Susanna and I met up in my favorite part of town near our old train depot. The photos above were taken in the cutest book store that just opened up. I can't wait to go back and take the boys.

Hoodie c/o The Printed Palette // Kohl's Jeans // earrings made by me

Target shoes

MudLOVE bracelet

Would you like to win one of these great hoodies for your very own? Enter below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Thanks so much to Susanna Tanner Photography for the lovely photos!


You can visit her here...

{playing dress up: L&B edition}

Today is the boys' turn in the fashion spotlight!

My fun friend Chelsea is hosting a Trendy Little link-up over on her blog, so of course I am super excited to participate. Dressing up boys can be a lot more fun than you think!

This is what the L&B wore on a recent trip to IKEA...one of our favorite places to take them shopping. They always end up on a treasure hunt when we're there. And of course for us adults it is like a treasure hunt too!

Ben's wearing: Target sweater & jeans // thrifted Converse

Landon's wearing: JC Penney sweater // Target jeans & boots

This is my absolute favorite sweater the boys have right now...the aztec print is so adorable. And Ben's little striped elbow patches...too.much.cuteness! Such trendy boys!

They are already killing me with their modeling skills...I haven't even worked up to using props yet! ;)

Linking up with...

{playing dress up with eShakti}

I have a special playing dress up post for you today!

Have you heard of eShakti?

They are a unique and exciting online clothing store that believes that all women have the right to wear affordable fashion. eShakti offers both design and fit customization for women size 0 through 36.

Where did the name come from? Shakti means power in Sanskrit. So, internet + Shakti = eShakti! Their store gives you the power to create clothing that is made to fit just you. You can order in traditional sizes, or you can give them your measurements and they will make a piece made to fit you exactly. 

Awesome, right?! 

When I saw this dress on their site I knew it was perfect for me. It is classic but also has the quirky touches that I like.

I absolutely love this dress...it is a beautiful shade of deep purple and so well made. I gave them my custom measurements so this dress was made just to fit my body. And I am very impressed with how perfectly it fits!

Dress c/o eShakti

One of my favorite things about this dress are the pockets...

Target boots

They are oversized and accented with buttons...such a fun addition to this piece.

I accessorized it with my own earrings and bracelet which both have the same deep purple shade...

Kohl's earrings and bracelet

eShakti just launched an adorable spring line. You can check it out here!

I was provided with this dress by eShakti but all opinions are 100% mine!