CHATBOOKS
Rad in Plaid
If you have been watching the trends for this fall you have probably seen the trusty plaid check show up once again. This country girl is a lifetime lover of plaid, from the traditional red to the fun new incarnations designers are coming up with this fall. We are seeing it on everything from shirts, to jackets to shoes. Here are a few of my favorites.
1. Best I Ever Plaid Blouse - Shop Sosie - $39.00
2. Stepping to the Beat Flat in Plaid - ModCloth - $39.99
3. Remixed Plaid Knotted Headwrap - Forever 21 - $3.80
4. Wrapped Plaid Cardigan - Shop Elysian - $54.00
5. Plaid Western Shirt Dress - Gap - $59.95
DIY Easy Marquee Letter
I am love with an and all things retro and vintage, and one thing I have been dying to have is a marquee letter. The issue is vintage ones are few and far between and most of the DIY versions didn't look very "original" to me and the good DIY ones were pretty difficult. So I figured I am sure there is a better way I can do it myself, and a matter of fact there was, and bonus it is super easy! I was at my local Hobby Lobby and found this galvanized metal letter "H" and knew this was the perfect place to start my marquee project and with my 40% off coupon I couldn't beat the price.
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Galvanized Metal Letter - Hobby Lobby - $29.99 after coupon $17.99
Supplies
Large Metal Letter - Hobby Lobby
String Lights - I bought these ones from Target
Sharpie
Drill and Bit
Zip Ties
Instructions
1. Mark off and drill out holes where you want your lights to go. I drilled 11 holes 5 on each side and 1 in the middle.
2. Unscrew the bulbs off the lights and place them in the open holes, screw the light bulbs back on the 11 bulbs that are sticking out the front, leave the remainder without the bulbs on.
3. Zip tie all of the cord down so it is all tucked within the back of the letter leaving the plug hanging towards the bottom so it can easily be plugged in with an extension cord.
4. You are finished, all you need to do is hang it up on your wall and add a small extension cord, I bought a 6 ft brown one from Lowe's for $1.97.
Here is the finished product, don't you just LOVE it!!
Total Project Cost - $29.95
Simplicity Saturday
I don't think anything can be simpler than a sweatshirt, I think I could honestly rock one everyday especially lately since it has been a little bit cooler here in Michigan. I love how versatile they are, and can be dressed up with a cute mini skirt or thrown on with your favorite pair of jeans. I also tend to gravitate towards anything striped, and this hooded sweatshirt is no exception. I just ordered it on pre-order to arrive in September just in time for the cooler weather, I can't wait!
Double Hooded Sweatshirt - Mindy Mae's Market - $49.99
Boutique Your Interest
I am often asked what my favorite boutiques are that I shop online to find unique pieces. I am a big online shopper so it seems like I am always coming across new and cute boutiques. There are a ton out there, a great place to search is Pinterest, but here are a few of my favorites right now.
Lily Boutique is great for finding the perfect dress for an upcoming wedding or event that you need something dressy for. They often provide designer inspired cost friendly options. For instance this dress is inspired from the $2980.00 Lace Valentino Dress that Cameron Diaz wore and they offer it in both a black and ivory option.
Ducks and Dressing - Korie Robertson and daughter Rebecca branched out from their success on everyone's favorite American reality TV show Duck Dynasty to launch their own clothing boutique in their hometown of Monroe, LA. They say it is a mix of Anthropolgie and Milk & Honey but with their own southern twist and I completely agree! They are a little more on the high end than I personally like to spend, but they have great quality products and you can definitely find some deals like this top below, especially if you follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
I am thinking I may update this every couple months since there is always new ones popping up. Let me know what you think!
Prairie Angel Valentino Inspired Dress - Lily Boutique - $70.00
Red Dress Boutique offers a colorful variety of unique and trendy clothing options. They offer styles that are casual and comfy along with limited one of a kind pieces. If you are looking for something to brighten your day, just peruse this online boutique. Speaking of unique, I absolutely adore this dress for fall!
Look No Further Dress - Red Dress Boutique - $44.00
Eyelit Trim Top - Ducks & Dressing - $39.00
I am thinking I may update this every couple months since there is always new ones popping up. Let me know what you think!
Beach Ready Cover Up
August is upon us and if you are anything like me you are trying to enjoy these last dog days of summer. I live in Michigan and we try and soak up as many of these beautiful days as possible before the long winter starts again...cry, cry, cry. One of my favorite things about Michigan and our summers are all the beautiful lakes that surround us. My husband and I are blessed to have a boat out by Lake Michigan so we try and get out there with our boys as much as possible. One of the things I am always looking for is a good bathing suit cover up. Here are couple that I recently bought and a few more that are on my wishlist.
More options
Morning Jogger Pant
Looking for something casual plus cute, you have found your match with the jogger pant. The question is how to style them without looking like you are wearing your big brother's old college sweatpants. The jogger pant is extremely comfortable while offering a look that is extremely versatile. You can wear them running errands, traveling or even dress them up for a night out. Here are a couple outfits I have put together showing you the all around options for this style pant.
Jogger Pant - H&M - $24.95, Lyocell Tank Top - H&M - $17.95, Long Necklace - H&M - $5.95, Loafers - H&M - $14.95, Handbag - H&M - $49.95
French Terry Jogger - Alloy - $29.90, Olivia Blouse - Alloy - $19.90, Tessa Heel - Alloy - $29.90, Piper Triple Zip Crossbody Bag - Alloy - $24.90
Here some additional pairs of jogger pants
Entirely Elegant Peplum
One of the things I have been crushing on for a while is peplums, whether it be a peplum skirt, dress jacket or top I think they are to die for. When it comes to Peplum's I think ASOS has cornered the market on this trend and made some amazingly chic products. This is a dress I bought for an upcoming wedding, it is modest but also sexy which I love.
Midi Dress With Peplum Hem and Sweetheart Neckline - ASOS - $85.74
Here are a couple other Peplum items from ASOS I have been pining over.
Peplum Hem Scuba Pencil
Skirt In Watercolour Ombre Print - ASOS - $51.45, Blazer In Longline With
Peplum Hem - ASOS - $38.11, Peplum Top in Scuba with Floral Print - ASOS - $40.01, Scuba Pencil Dress with
Peplum Hem in Floral Print - ASOS - $85.74
Save A Swim for Me High Waisted Bikini's
Last year when I was diagnosed with colon cancer and had my colon removed, I had to live with an ileostomy for 5 months. I had the ileostomy over the entire summer and since my husband and I own a boat I was dreading finding a swim suit that was still cute but would hide my ostomy. The answer to my prayers came in a high waisted bikini, I wore them all summer and ended up falling in love with them. I adore anything vintage and you can add this one to the list. Here is a picture of me in my High Waisted Bikini from Urban Outfitters last summer.
This exact swim suit is no longer in stock, but I wanted to show you a couple other options. These are great for my fellow girls with ostomies, but I think they really flatter any body type. I love how so many people are picking up on this trend this summer, including AE and Victorias Secret, I must have started something ;)
Here are a couple styles I love for this summer. Also being that it is the end of the season a lot of these are on super sale!! I bought the 3rd one this spring and wear it with a navy bandeau from Target top so cute!!
Beach Sexy High Waist Bottom - Victorias Secret - $13.00, Aerie Hi-Rise Convertible Bikini Bottom - Aerie - 19.99, Out From Under Ruched High-Waist Bikini Bottom - Urban Outfitters - $42.00, Out From Under Ruched High-Waist Bikini Bottom - Urban Outfitters - $42.00
Here are a couple others I am liking too.