Fashion Recap

Okay, so this is kinda embarressing...  I am looking back through our fashion/outfit posts only to see that the last time I posted one was February 10th.  Blogger FAIL.  I am blaming it on the snow and the traveling and the fact that I lost my camera battery charger.  How does that even happen, you might ask? No.clue.

Moving on.

Here are some of our recent looks.  Christie restyled a summer dress to be perfect in the winter.

And I love, love, love these mint green pants she rocked which are so perfect for spring.

My last post I rocked my new favorite shirt/dress that I purchased while in Sweden this year.  I love it.  It is warm and comfy and can be worn with jeans or tights.  It is a perfect European sweater.

I did get to visit Sweden and took some outfit pictures then too.  That was a fun trip!  Makes me want to do more, but I am pretty sure I have maxed out my travel budget this year.  Thanks husband! ;)

You can continue looking through our fashion statements in our archives here.   Hopefully you will find some inspiration of some sort!

Thank you for reading as always, and we hope you come back next week for our big relaunch!  Week long party of giveaways and awesomeness all wrapped up into one!  You're welcome.  :)

Have a great day!

We're linked up to The Pleated Poppy and The Letter 4.

 

Tips for Spring Fashion

Hello, SITS Ladies yet again!  I am once more happy to be here!  Today we are going to talk about fashion for Spring.  Oh, Spring, how I love thee.  And since we've had a ton of snow this winter, (at least for me!) I have been just dreaming of beautiful colors and short skirts and sandals.  Oh, how my feet could use a pair of sandals!

So with these dreams in mind, here is what I am looking forward to this Spring.

Colors!  It's time to bust out the florescents!  That hot pink that didn't seem to work a couple weeks ago, yep.  Put it on!  Want to pair it with orange?  Go for it!  Now is the time that the sun is coming out, the birds are starting to chirp, and you need some color in your life.  Have fun with it, the rainbow is your limit!

Start to show some leg.  This might be a bit scary at first, trust me.  I am whiter than white especially after the long winter months.  And to top it off my black husband and half black kiddos just make me look downright pasty.  But this cannot be remedied without a little exposure to the sun!  If you are still apprehensive about it, try starting out with some sheer nylons to ease into it.

Layers.  If you are anywhere in the world where spring is hesitant to show her beautiful face, start with layers. Layer a baggy t-shirt over a long, fitted tank with a loose fitting sweater over that.  This way, if the weather decides to throw you a changeup, you just slip off that sweater and you're good.  It is also a great way to embrace the new season even if she's being a little shy.  I kinda have a feeling that's what it's gonna look like for me...

Floral.  Spring obviously comes with beautiful flowers.  Why not incorporate them into your wardrobe?  This can also go along with the colors suggestion too!  Bright florals, together and separate!  Either way, it is a fun, feminine way to brighten things up!

I hope these pointers have gotten you a little excited about spring weather that will *hopefully* be at our doorstep soon!  In the meantime, I think it's time for a shopping trip... it's always good to be prepared!

WIW-Second Trimester Fashion

So I have been pretty excited to wear some of my "baby bump" outfits I have been cooking up. Problem is my baby bump is avoiding an appearance. We think this baby may be standing up and hanging on to my rib cage. 

Anyways, this little ensemble was pieced almost entirely together via the Goodwill. I feel as though I have been given a new lease on fashion now that I have opened up the thrift store door. I only wish I lived a little closer to Santa Monica or Santa Barbara and this would be a weekly shopping trip.

Blouse: Jones New York via Goodwill, Skirt: Goodwill (tag ripped out) Belt: Angl, Tights and booties: Target

Just a little secret- this skirt was about 13 sizes too big on me, but I felt like it gathered in just the right places under my belt. 

This is the perfect second trimester look! All you preggos out there, if you have a flowy skirt try pulling it up over your baby bump and adding a belt. Automatic cuteness!

Have a wonderful week! xoxo- Christie

What I Wore- Summer Dress in Winter

I know this is not true for everyone, but I love warm weather all year long. In Southern California we get a week of rain here and there or some very blustery wind. We always have 70-80 degree days thrown in sporadically throughout the winter and I am really ok with it. I know others of you may miss extreme weather but not this girl! I lived in Northern Indiana for 5 years so I think I can speak from the heart when I say I am ok with only the sporadic colorful trees in the fall, Christmas lights on Palm trees, swim days in February, and ridiculously hot days when it should be cozy and warm. Downside? (or upside however you look at it) I don't have a cold weather wardrobe. I have a hard time justifying the money for a nice coat or a trendy winter item.
Hear is how I solve this problem....I make my warm weather clothes work for cold weather. Here is one example of how I do this.

Pretty self explanatory, yes? Summer dress + tights + cardigan + scarf + boots= appropriate for winter. All I would need is an incredibly warm coat for when I am outside (if I lived in Indiana still) and this would totally work even in the bitter cold. 

Please excuse my ridiculous poses, I was at a 5 year old birthday party and I was feeling a little bit silly.

Dress and Scarf: Anthropologie, Cardigan: Macys, Tights: No idea, Boots: Steve Madden, Headband: H&M

So do you have any secrets for making your clothes work all year long? Do you love winter? Our differences are what make the world go 'round so share your thoughts! xoxo- Christie

 

Shopping for Spring Trends From My Own Closet

I don't know if you are aware, but it is March people! For some of us spring is already here, and for others it is just around the corner! So let's do it! Let's get our spring wardrobe ready.

There are a TON of trends hitting this streets this spring and since I am pregnant and hoping my body will not remain as is forever, I am not big on purchasing new trends for my current size and shape. This leads me to work on my skills of "shopping my closet" which is a fantastic exercise if you want to view your clothes in a different light and come up with new things.

Trend #1- Floral Prints

Red Floral dress (Elle brand @ Kohls) Blue Strapless Top (New York & Co.) Runway Photo (source)

I have had this dress and top for quite awhile and they fit right into this trend perfectly! They will also both grow with me through this pregnancy.....

Trend #2-Boxy Bags & Trend #3- Mint Green

Boxy Bag (source) Mint Green Pants (Kohl's) Mint Green Blouse (GoodWill) Black Boxy Bag (Urban Outfitters) Mint Green Runway (Source)

So MOST of this stuff I already had in my closet! A+! But I will admit that I found the mint green blouse  at our local GoodWill recently and could not pass it up :)

Trend #4- Metallic Shoes & Trend #5- Polka Dots

Polka Dot Skirt (GoodWill), Gold Rose Pump (Guess), Bronze Wedges (Naturalizer) Champagne Strappy Heels (ShoeDazzle) Polka Dot Runway (source) Metallic Shoes (Source)

Again I bought this skirt at the GoodWill. I had nothing that was polka dots and I don't feel guilty one bit for spending $3.50 on this spring trend! The shoes have been in my collection for ages (I have always been partial to metallic shoes!)

Trend #6- Neon Colors

Orange Blouse (Ella Moss@Anthropologie) Hot Pink T-shirt (Koh'ls) Runways (source)

YES! I love this trend. Though, I admit, I do not own much neon. I just love the excuse to rock these colors more often! 

Trend #7- Blue-Green Jewelry

I have had both these necklaces for so long I have no idea where I got them! Blue- Green Jewelry (source) 

Love this trend because it makes it easy to jazz up any outfit!

And finally, here are some other big trends for this spring that would be fairly easy to create from your own closet!

Color Blocking

(Source)

(Source)

Peplums

Ok this one may not be very easy to pull from your own closet :) If you dig it, just go buy it! 


So now you go and Shop Your Closet for some of these trends! Your budget will thank you :)

Spring Trends I'm Looking Forward To

Well the sun finally showed her beautiful face this last week in beautiful France and I was so excited.  It is funny something as small as the weather can change your attitude so drastically!  I would be a complete wreck if I had to live in Alaska.  Oh goodness, that wouldn't be pretty...

So needless to say, I am looking forward to spring and summer.  Probably most likely for the clothes.  It's hard to try and look cute when you have to wear huge jackets over every outfit.  Most of my clothes are for spring and summer anyway, so it works out perfectly!  Here are some of my favorite trends coming up this season.

Orange and Blue.  I saw this a ton when I was in Sweden and I love it.  It is a florescent or bright orange with a navy blue.  It's a fun combo and a bit different and apparently it is all the rage this season.  I am definitely gonna give this one a try.  (Both images from kendieveryday.com so if you're gonna pin them, pin them from her site!)

Floral.  Isn't this just the definition of spring?  Flowers in bloom, beauty and colors everywhere?  Yes, yes it is.  And I have a beautiful flowery top that will work just fine.  Try a floral dress or top paired with some skinny jeans.  Beautiful way to brighten up your outfit!

source

Pastels and Brights.  Now I am not a huge fan of pastels, I'd rather have bright orange or pink, but this spring it's trendy.  Think Easter on your clothes.  Brights work for spring as well and are a perfect transition to summer.  You can go full out color blocking with orange, pink, and purple or if you are a bit nervous about being too bright item with a neutral or pastel for a perfect transition.

Bust out the skirts!  It's time ladies.  It's time.  We can start wearing our skirts and dresses that have been stuffed away for these cold winter months.  If you're like me you might need to start with some nylons, you know, to not scare people and all.  Or start with tea length-ish skirts, showing just a little leg at a time! Either way, it is nice to be able to switch it up a bit.

How beautiful is this skirt and top?

That's it folks!  Of course there are more trends this spring, but these are the ones I am most looking forward to.  In fact, next week I am sharing some spring trend 'how-to' over at The Sits Girls.  Be sure to check it out.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!!

WIWW Christmas Clothes

Well, the new year is officially in full swing.  I don't know what makes that official, the fact that Tae started school or that it's already Wednesday...

I thought the perfect outfit to share today would be the beautiful things I got for Christmas.  Since my clothing budget leaves a little to be desired, for holidays and birthdays and anniversaries I usually ask for clothes, jewelry, or accessories.  Or just a budget so I can shop for those things.  Nice strategy, huh?  I thought so.

There is this little street with this beautiful homes close to my house.  I have wanted to take some pictures but hadn't gotten around to it.  Of course when my mom gets here, she gets on a mission to get these pictures.  Perfect opportunity for some outfit pictures!  I got dressed in all of my new Christmas gear and headed out!

My dad was teasing me, 'now look over there, now pose. Okay great.'  And a guy walked by and asked me if I was cold.  Anything for outfit pictures!

The sign is for a mental health clinic... Appropriate?

I decided to go in and see about an appointment...

My husband will be thankful...  I try to be normal, I do.  Sometimes I wonder how hard it must be to be living with someone like me.  Thank goodness he loves me still!

I hope everyone is having a great week, getting back into the swing of things.  I feel like I am still on vacation until after my parents leave, I go to Paris and then my friend leaves.  Phew, it's been a busy month and a half!

Remember this scarf?  Don't forget to enter your photo in the holiday photo contest!!  Winner gets free large ad space, this beautiful scarf, and some French coffee!  If you don't have a blog and still want to enter, use a Flickr account!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Momma Go Round.

Casual and Comfy

I don't know about you all, but my holiday season has been super chill.  No rushing around to get last minute presents (probably because I still have to get them...), no stressing over what to get who.  We try to keep it simple for Christmas presents for our boys.  In fact, because we move a lot we have had to keep everything very minimal.  I am not about to start toting boxes of toys to all these different countries!  I have come to like this because each gift my boys receive they cherish.  They are very appreciative, even over the small stuff.  I hope we can keep it this way.  I don't want to get caught up in having to keep up with the Joneses.  Because honestly, the Joneses are broke. 

So this is what I have been living in lately.  Not this exact outfit over and over again, although I kinda wish.  No makeup and I haven't really done much to my hair.  Just something comfortable and casual and warm.  We had our first snow this last weekend and it is perfect.

I am hoping to dress up the boys and husband and take some cute Christmas pictures in the snow.  Since we are going to Nice on Saturday (haven't started laundry or packing) I wanted to take the pic before we leave.  It't not looking too good as of now.

Outfit: Jeans: Rock&Republic // Shoes: Nordstrom Rack // Shirt: Gift // Vest: Gap // Hat: Italian market

So is everyone having a merry Christmas?  I sure hope so!!  If not, sit down, take a breather, have a cup of coffee or tea whichever you fancy and relax!  Remember the reason for the season, Jesus' birth, and then get back at it!

Oh and I will most likely be laying low for the rest of the year, we will be in Nice and enjoying some family time.  Anyone interested in doing a guest post for me?  I would love to have you!  Shoot me an e-mail : natalia{at}manouvellemode{dot}com

Merry Christmas!