{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}

Happy Wednesday friends!

It is FREEZING here in Indiana but I managed to get gussied up yesterday. 

{just for you} 

I found some great deep turquoise cords on clearance at TJ Maxx on Monday so I just had to wear them...

And see that Fossil bag?! 

$20 at Goodwill. I kid you not. 

The thrifting Gods were looking down on me majorly. 

So here is how I styled my new cords...

The grey top and scarf are also from TJ's...earrings from Kohl's, thrifted sweater, and boots my go-to's from Ebay. They are lined and the warmest thing I have in these near zero temps. 

I haven't switched over to the bag yet {even though I'm dying to!} because it doesn't have a cross-body strap and wearing a shoulder bag with a winter coat is one of the most annoying things. Right? 

Ahhh I'm dreaming of non-coat weather so much right now. 

Actually the 40's would work for me. A high of 14 just isn't cutting it.

What have you been wearing this week?

XO,

{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.

{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!

{patio face-lift update}

A few weeks {or has it been months?} back I told you all about a little face-lift I had in the works for our patio. Here is my original post where I showed you the before of the space...

And my inspiration board including some great pillows I scored on sale from Kohl's...

I'm happy to report that the pillows looks great! I was worried that the colors wouldn't all go together but they are perfect. We haven't gotten around to buying an outdoor rug, and definitely won't this year, but just the pop of color from the pillows and some flowers on the table go a LONG way.

Here are a few updated photos!

I still can't believe that IKEA sells this solid wood set for $100. For all four pieces! Crazy.

We've been enjoying some relaxing meals out here with the boys and our extended family.

And I've even managed to keep these flowers alive for a month! Now THAT is crazy. ;)

Now that the weather is cooling down, I love to sit out here with a cup of coffee and listen to nature. I'm especially looking forward to fall evenings and adding some autumn touches to the table! Wanna come over for a coffee date? ;)

{instagram friday}

Happy, happy Friday!

Time to link up with Life Rearranged for Insta-Friday!



{My Instagram name is mandy_ford}

1. bubble bath time
2. DQ run
3. coral nails
4. late afternoon light
5. swinging in the sun
6. CSI Project blog feature

1. my skinny Benny can still wear 18 month shorts!
2. new patio decor from Kohl's
3. dollar tree e.l.f. makeup finds
4. patriotic dessert
5. fun mail from Revlon
6. friday morning = starbucks

Happy almost weekend!

{playing dress up}

Ah Wednesday we meet again! Time to play dress up! :)

But first I want to say thank you for all of the sweet comments you all left on my first video blog post. I will definitely do more!

I'm a little all over the place this week with my hair...straight, up in a bun, and my new attempt at waves. Fun to try something new!

Thursday...

Ruffle tee: maurices
Cardigan: Gordman's
Skirt: Sears
Tights: Target
Boots: Kohl's
Necklace: Kohl's
Earrings: The Bird's Papaya on Etsy

Friday I accidentally deleted my outfit pics, but I did have this one from photobooth to show how I wore my necklace...

It is a long one that I doubled. Fun to create a "new" accessory out of something you already own!

Sweater and necklace: Kohl's

Sunday I attempted a photo but it was hard to do with the boys running around. Here's the best one I was able to capture {gotta love the nerf gun on top of the cabinet}...

Here is a much better one... :)

Embroidered top and skinny jeans: Kohl's
Cardigan: c/o maurices giftcard
Flats: maurices


Monday...

Black lace tank: Kohl's
Cardigan: Target
Pants: Gap
Flats: c/o maurices giftcard
Necklace: Kohl's

Tuesday...

Top: Kohl's
Cardigan: c/o maurices giftcard
Skirt: Sears
Tights: Target {RIP...they got a run in them yesterday :( }
Boots: Kohl's

And today...

Gray tee: Kohl's
Wrap sweater: JC Penney
Skirt: Gap
Tights and boots: Target
Necklace: The Bird's Papaya on Etsy
Earrings: The Purple Attic on Etsy

Thanks for sharing in another What I Wore Wednesday with me!

Linking up with...