{playing dress up}

Ahhh spring is here! I never thought it would arrive. 

I don't know what part of the country you live in, but here in Indiana it was the winter that would never end. 

I was doing some major wishful thinking back in February, and bought a few springy tops at Kohl's. I still have to wear them with a cardigan, but just being able to go without a coat and wear flats instead of boots is heavenly!

I love this first top...the color is so fresh and the geometric cut-outs are really unique...

The watercolor painting effect on this top, plus the hi/low hemline drew me in...

I'm wearing the same pair of dark grey cords from TJ Maxx with both outfits...they are my absolute favorite pants and go with everything. If you have any questions about my other pieces just ask in the comments! I'm feeling too lazy today to source everything. ;)

XO,

{playing dress up}

I'm going to ignore the fact that it is SNOWING outside right now, and focus on the fact that tomorrow it is going to be 50 degrees, so I'm declaring spring is here! 

And in honor of this momentous occasion, I've been having some fun with color. I have two new-ish orange sweaters that I paired this past week with two different springy colors.

The first was this Lucky brand open weave sweater I found on clearance at TJ Maxx...

I paired it with a sheer yellow button down I bought on Instagram and really love how springy it feels...and how different it is for me. I never wear this much color, especially these two colors. And the white polka dots on the top are so fun! 

Last week I scored this slouchy light-weight orange sweater at Goodwill...

See the pockets? Love little details like that. 

Yesterday I paired it with a light turquoise top from TJ Maxx...

This sweater is super comfy and perfect for this in-between seasons weather. I am so excited for spring colors and lighter-weight clothing!

Do you have orange pieces in your wardrobe? What color do you like to pair it with?

XO,

{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...

{favorite outfits of 2012}

When I decided to do a recap of my favorite outfits from 2012 I didn't realize that I would provide so much inspiration for myself.

That may sound funny but for the past few months I've been in a bit of a fashion rut, and looking back through my old posts gave me so many fresh ideas for the wardrobe I already have. It helped me to look at my closet with fresh eyes and renewed my excitement to get dressed up for work every day.

Sooo...here are my top 10 outfits from 2012...

#1

My favorite outfit of the year...of course it includes a comfy sweater, boots and my go-to Kohl's scarf...

#2

First time wearing a dress over skinny jeans...I love the feather print on this dress from Charming Charlie...

#3

Pairing a scarf with a long necklace...

#4

I really love layering over a summer dress to make it work for colder weather...this green tank dress from TJ Maxx can be worn so many ways...

#5

Another great summer dress turned winter outfit...

#6

Chambray and chevron with a little DY necklace action...

#7

Love everything about this one...and I wish my hair would look like this every day!

#8

Chambray dress from Target and one of my favorite necklaces for a great summer look...

#9

Same chambray dress with my favorite thrifted sweater for a cozy fall outfit...

#10

Mixing patterns for a casual summer look...

There you have it! I'm so glad I did this post...even if it is just to help me re-learn how to use my closet again. I learned a few things from going back through my outfits...

1. You can never go wrong with your favorite comfy outfit combination. For me it is sweater + boots + scarf.
2. Pattern mixing...don't be afraid of it!
3. Layering in the winter months can really help you use your closet to its fullest potential.
4. Staples like a chambray dress can be worn SO many ways.

I hope this has inspired you too...I'm excited for another year of playing dress up!

{playing dress up}

Happy Wednesday friends!

I have to admit I've been a total slacker this week and haven't taken any outfit pics. I am blaming the change in the weather and feeling a bit blah...I've just wanted to wear my comfiest clothes, which most of the time doesn't equal the most stylish outfits.

So I thought it would be fun today, since it finally feels sort of like winter around here, to revisit my scarf tutorial and share some scarves that are on my Christmas wish list.

Scarf Tutorial @ This Girl's Life from Mandy Ford on Vimeo.


Lovely scarves...

Source: worldmarket.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Source: target.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Source: target.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Source: target.com via Mandy on Pinterest

And how perfect is this one for Christmas?!

Source: etsy.com via Molly on Pinterest

Are you a scarf person? What is your favorite way to wear yours?