Style Bloggers Go To Home Depot Too!

I had to take a day off from chasing butterflies and sashaying among the lillies to take my outfit pics. I wish I lived the life a real style blogger. You know...the one that attends all of the cool fashion shows and just so happens to get photographed by The Sartorialist as they cross street to eat scones and tea.

But this style blogger...she has to go Home Depot to get her thrills.

I'm in the process of reorganizing the whole house and couldn't put off going to my own personal hell  Home Depot any longer. As I died on the inside shopped for exciting fashionable things like wood glue, fertilizer and a garbage disposal, I decided why not show you real life.

Today my real life took me to Home Depot and this is how I dress to go on such an adventure. Not true. I didn't just go to Home Depot in this...I went to Lowe's too.

I take the whole DIY blogger title seriously!

I promise you this is NOT the same black dress from the previous post. I promise.

And while I'm in full disclosure mode...that clutch I'm rocking...it's really a pillowcase!

SWEAR!

 Maxi Dress: Marshall's

Scarf: Zara

Clutch...It's really a pillowcase!

Shoes: Target

The Art of Living and Learning

This will be a quick post before I'm off to work on an awesome styling project.

If you're my twitter friend then you know what it's all about. I'll be able to do an official post about it once the dust has settled.

It's officially the end of a school year for me and the beginning of the unknown. (Remember this post)

But oddly, it's the most exciting for me.

I have a feeling that this is the year of changes for me and I can't be happier about it.

In other random news: Here are a few things that as an educator, I feel obligated to share with any parents out there.

Please take the time to do the following because it's now a lost art:

1. Teach your child how to count change.

2. Teach your child how to tell time on an analog clock. (I taught middle school and very few knew the time if it wasn't on their cell phones/computers...that irks my soul!)

3. Take your child to the library. A real library and teach the art of looking for a book. (NOT GOOGLE!)

4. Teach your child how to properly address a letter! OH MY GOD! I witnessed a 10th grader not have a clue how to format an envelope! WHAT!?!?

5. Teach your child how to use a dictionary!

6. Teach your child how to FILE in alphabetical order. PLEASE! Something so basic to us, is foreign to them. I had a high school kid NOT know that you are supposed to file by last name first. WHAT?!?

(I thrifted this Polo Shirt, It was a XXL. I just cut the neck out to make it a slouchy top. It's thin and light and I LOVE IT!

I say this out of love because as a teacher, alot of this is not required to teach anymore but that doesn't mean the parents shouldn't.

PS...Happy Birthday Ashley of Mocha Mommies! I had a blast at dinner last night. And Hi to Keisha, who I found out reads my blog but was too shy to say hi! HI GIRL! Now you see, I really am a hot southern mess too!

This wasn't a quick post whatsoever, was it? Hmpph.

Here Comes the Summer!

It's the end of the school year this week but also the beginning of some interesting new things for me this summer.

Target Top

Zara Skirt

American Apparel Bag

Cynthia Vincent for Target Wedges

Lucky Star

How ironic that I heard "Lucky Star" by Madonna today?

Did I ever mention how much I was into Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Janet Jackson back in the day?

(My Janet Jackson allegiance is well documented)

Borderline.

Lucky Star.

She-Bop.

Time after Time.

Let's Wait a While.

When I Think of You... (I actually reenacted the video to this one earlier today...I still got it!)

Umm hmm. That's me all day:)

Zara Skirt

F21 Madonna Tee

Aldo Wedges

American Apparel Pencil Bag

No-Makeup Makeup

As far of the finer aspects of looking like a girl are concerned, I seemed to have gotten left behind in the beauty department. Makeup and I have never been friends, as we don't hang in the same crowds and haven't taken the time to know each other.

Dabs of concealer, a puff of powder and quick sweep of blush are about the only products I actually put on daily and mascara only gets applied on the days where I am bound to rub at my eyes a lot. I don't own eyeliner as I am scared of it, and I only recently purchased a set of eye shadows that I rarely use.

As for my skincare routine, I am just getting interested in that ('cause I am not getting any younger and fresh-looking here). My mom has been a life-long Olay devotee so I've been using their Total Effects 7-in-1 moisturizer for years now and have recently added Philosophy Hope in a Jar and Eye Hope to my routine. I haven't broken out or turned into a wrinkled hag yet, so I guess these new products are working?

My freckles and dark eye circles have always been "sore" facial items for me, though, so on an anti-dark eye circle beauty bender last night, I ordered a bunch of stuff from Sephora and Nordstroms, all in hopes of "brightening" my face. I haven't found a concealer or cream yet that has helped my eye circles, but I'd be happy with my stripped-down beauty and makeup if I can actually manage to look "fresh."

What is your everyday makeup routine? What makeup items can you not live without? Do you gals have a rec for a non-cakey, non-smudgy under-eye concealer?

 

Blazer: Zara cotton (similar here)
Top: Anthropologie Fei buttondown cowlneck (similar here)
Jeans: J. Crew high heel flares (worn here before - similar here or here)
Shoes: Xhiliration by Target teanna (check in stores, worn here before - similar here or here)
Belt: J. Crew embossed (similar here)

Respect the Outfits (Anthro-esque)

Not a lot of Lisa mumbo jumbo this time because we all already know - loads of big puffy hearts for the Anthropologie, but they go hand-in-hand with credit card rashes and a dwindling bank account. But good thing that your fellow bloggers and Anthro fans are so fashionably resourceful, because they've been able to pull together some stellar "betcha can't believe it's NOT from Anthro" looks for a lot less!

So here's this week's Respect the Outfits reader feature: Anthro-esque ( and if you want to check out the last Anthro-esque reader post, click HERE):

♠  Dea from the dea diaries:

Outfit: Forever 21

♠  overcaffeinated (see overcaffeinated rock her look here):

ruffle top - Old Navy / cardigan - J.Crew / skirt - Forever 21 / shoes - Connie / necklaces - Avon and H&M

♠  Jen from vintageglammz (see Jen rock her look here):

Dress: Tokito Horse Print Waterfall Dress @ Myer Australia / Jacket: Museum Clothing Sydney / Tights: Paddy's Markets Sydney /

Shoes: Kmart Australia / Belt: Dotti Australia

♠  Josie from Jo Jo Phine (see Josie rock her look here):

Dress and Shoes: Macy's / Top: Urban Outfitters / Jewlery: gifts

♠  Cee from to brighten my day (see Cee rock her look here):

Plastic Island dress / American Eagle shirt / J.Crew necklace / Mossimo flats

♠  Peggy from She Hath Done What She Could (see Peggy rock her look here):

Shirt: Old Navy $5 / Cardi: NY&Co. $9 / Skirt: Ross $10 / Shoes: Target Dolce Vita $7

♠  Jenn from Complex Cardigans (see Jenn rock her look here):

Target Cardigan / Old Navy Dress / Urban Outfitters Belt / Forever21 Necklace / Target Boots

♠  Danielle from mrschong (see Danielle rock her look here):

Jacket - Old Navy / Dress - Dynamite / Shoes - A&N / Purse - Vintage

♠  Thirteen Pounds (see Thirteen rock her look here):

jacket- Gap / blouse- Banana Republic / herringbone pants- Gap / necklace- Forever21

♠   ♠   ♠   ♠

And here's my Anthro-inspired attire - I know I've worn this skirt with something navy to death already (here, here, here) and this cardi just a few days ago (here), but can I help it if an outfit puts itself together?

 

Skirt: Zara elastic-waist (similar here or here or not, but I wants! here)
Top: Loft beaded blouse (worn here before - similar-ish here or in white here)
Sweater: J. Crew cotton (similar jacket here or oversized here)
Bracelet: Forever 21 faceted cube spiral (worn here before)
Shoes: Nine West temani wedges (worn here before - similar here or peep-toe here)

Reiko Red!

Nothing special here except the bag. Are you loving the bag? I love it!

It's an American Apparel inspired clutch by DIY RAVEN. I literally sat next to Raven during the Texas Style Council Conference in Austin a few weeks ago. Low and behold, we made fast friends espcially since she is from Houston.

Now, I literally am the first to rock her bag.

It was meant to be!

She even named this particular bag REIKO RED! I can't even express how flattered I am.

I was so excited to get my first customized bag!

Make sure you follow her because she will be opening shop soon!

Target Top

Courtesy of DIY Raven Custom "Reiko Red" clutch

Jessica Simpson Shoes

New glasses c/o Coastal Contacts thanks to The Limerick Lane!

Zara skirt

Random necklaces

Good Luck Raven on  your new business!

GFS in New Orleans: Color Block Me

I decided to do some major color blocking one of my nights in New Orleans. I wanted to steer clear of "all black everything." It's amazing how much my style has changed over the years...a large part due to blogging. 

 

It has allowed me to try new things and step out of my once "Banana Republic only" box!

I know you are tired of me wearing my Blue Suede PLV heels but I just love them so! They are so comfy and perfect for any occasion. 

They serve me well whether I'm in church or crawling on New Orleans streets after hours...which would eventually lead me right back to church if I'm not careful:)

Target Shirt

Zara Skirt

Pour La Victoire Heels

Clutch/bracelet borrowed from Juanette

HAS BLOGGING CHANGED YOUR STYLE??

Next New Orleans post coming in a few days...

And don't forget about the Houston Blogger Meet up this Saturday! March 26...are you coming?

Frills Ahoy!

Thanks for your comments in my last post about my hair, which implies to me that I'm probably due for an actual new 'do, as I was so bored with my hair that morning that I decided to flip my part. I ended up with bouncy hair and bangs that didn't poke me in the eyes, but also ended up with all my hair in my face pretty much all day. So, you're stuck with my old hair and the same ole should-they-stay-or-go bangs for another day, haha.

This is my girly sailor outfit. I know, I am one stripe shy of swabbing the decks here, but I couldn't help myself. Springtime equals white and stripes to me. Now if the weather would actually start acting some kind of spring-like!

Sweater: Anthropologe Guinevere roaming frills (worn here before - similar style here / here, color here)

Top: H&M striped (similar here)

Skirt: Zara elastic-waist (worn here before - similar-ish here, not really but me likey here)

Tights: Anthropologie berry bush (worn here before - similar here)

Necklace: Anthropologie nueva granada (worn here before - similar-ish here or I wish here)

Shoes: Anthropologie raines / Seychelles ring in the new year (worn here before - similar here or ish here)

♠   ♠   ♠   ♠

So what has got you all shopping-hot and wishlist-bothered for spring? What are some pieces you've gotta have to complete your it's-getting-warmer wardrobe?

Like I need more of anything, but here's what's on my current spring list:

✓  Platform sandals (I wanted to save some money for the inevitable platform-related hospital visit, so I got the teannas from Target for a steal - yes, both colors)

☐  Maxi dress (this means you, hydrangea petals dress, so go on sale already!)

✓  Lighter crossbody bag (I splurged on my first Minkoff - and apparently I have a thing for navajo prints)

☐  Lace-hemmed slip or half-slip (I rue the day I missed out on you, fool-proof half-slip, but I've got my eye on your taller sister, the lace-edged slip)

☐  Almost anything yellow (I need more shades of yellow in my life - which is funny because that was a color I stayed away from for the longest time because I thought it looked unflattering on me - ah, growth)

☐  A zebra head (I just need it, seriously)

☐  Blinge-y cluster necklace (the mini turned out to be a "huge" disappointment - anyone know of a good sub for the original J. Crew supernova necklace?)