Tag Archives: chambray

4 Quick Steps for Turning ‘Clothes’ into an ‘Outfit’

I’m have a mostly analytical nature. I love having a process or steps to complete for any task. It helps me define is working for me and improve on anything I dislike.

We headed out on Saturday night with friends, these are the ‘boring’ chambray shirt & jeans I was wearing during the day. To walk the dog, clean house, and curl up on the couch and watch Bob’s Burger’s on Netflix instant view (I’m in love with Kristen Schaal). When we decided to met some friends for drinks I wanted to take my clothes and turn them into an outfit. I’ve been working on these steps for a while now, and while I don’t follow this list every time, having quick go-to steps helps me decide what to do next. Like any medium ‘You have to know the rules before you can break them’.

1.) Tuck it & belt it.

  • Add a belt to your outfit, and if you are wearing two pieces tuck in your top. This helps define your waist, and breaks up long stretches of color.

2.) Roll up & Unbutton.

  • My mother used to have to tell me to unbutton my top button, because I thought ‘if it’s there I should use it.’ That’s not really true. Unbutton your top couple buttons, you can wear a bright-colored camisole to add some interest here.
  • Rolling up your sleeves breaks up the color. I feel like it makes my arms look longer and less stuffy.

3.) Accessorize.

  • I’m admittedly not great at accessorizing yet, so I typically limit myself to one big statement piece. Dangly earrings (in this case), or funky bracelets, or chunky necklaces. I like to keep it simple by just choosing one.

4.) When in doubt. Bright lips.

  • Bright red lips are definitely in vogue this spring. In a couple more seasons you might try a bright pink, or a coral, or a dark mauve, or whatever complements your skin color. It adds a bit of contrast to your face and really adds that extra oomph to make you look put together.


Tada! Loren is ready to rock & roll! Or just dance with her friends and try to avoid all the night club creepers. Do you guys have steps for going from drab to fab?

Blogger Inspiration: Get Your Red On

Todays Post was brought to you by…

Meanz, in high waisted red pantsKoi Story

Meanz is adorable, talented, a total sweet heart, and also has red pants.

Red Trousers & a Chambray top

Pants: Thrifted, Shirt & Shoes: Target, Necklace: Ten Thousand Villages

I love my red pants, but I’m still getting used to a chambray top. They are like the blue jeans for the upper body because they go with everything. I didn’t think of wearing the two together until I saw Meanz do it. So I totally bogarted that idea.

Per usual in Kentucky the pink dogwoods* are really looking great this time of year, and I really wanted to photograph in front of them. I’m only about 12% sure these are actually dogwoods, my parents ran an organic garden when I was growing up and my mother is studying to become a Master Gardener. I didn’t inherit their green thumbs though so I’ve never really been interested in plants. However, I am not going to take a clear enough photo of these blossoms for someone online to show me up with the actual name of the tree. Also, I don’t really remember what they looked like.

*Edit: Mom says they are red-buds.

Chambray & Floral

Skirt: Thrifted & Altered, Boots: Chinese Laundry, Tights: Old Navy, Shirt: Target, Necklace: Just Creations

So now that I finally found a cheap chambray shirt that I like I have discovered why everyone is wearing them all over the place. I spent the weekend working on my portfolio site. (Which is close to finished, but I feel like I’ve been working on it FOREVER.)

We have a surprise birthday party planned for a friend of mine tomorrow evening. So I’m going to spend tonight making some devil’s food cake cupcakes. I’m thinking of filling them with lime marmalade and putting pink icing on top. I’ve never made filled cupcakes before. I’ve read a couple tutorials online but if anyone has some tips I’ve love to hear them.

Channeling My Girl Crush

Shirt, Tights, Socks: Target, Boots: Etsy, Skirt: Modcloth
Monkey Painting: My neighbors trash

I saw this skirt on Modcloth when I was shopping during one of their sales this winter. I was like ‘Ooooo I love that! The colors are great and it reminds me of that skirt that Virginie has!’ So I added it to my cart (even though it wasn’t on sale, the horrors!!!!) And sometime after it was ordered but before it got to my house she wore it again. And I realized it was the EXACT same skirt. In case anyone doesn’t know I have a huge girl crush on Virginie but ordering the same clothes takes it to a whole new level. It’s about to get all Single White Female up in here.

So as an Ode to Virginie, and because I’ve been participating in the Freckles in April winter prompts I decided to try & channel Virginie. Who always seems to pull together the cutest elegant outfits and isn’t one of those bloggers who seems to have an infinitely large closet. Also she is making a movie, which is awesome. So Virginie, while I may have some of the same clothing as you, occasionally try to dress like you, I pinky promise not to get your hair cut and then try to murder you.

It was raining, and dark, and I forgot my tripod… SO indoor shots. They ended up better than I expected (although still not great) and Ian-dog insisted on being in the pictures.