Petite Fashion Challenge #10

The challenge is to take traditionally summer pieces (like tank tops, shorts, mini skirts, sundresses etc.) and make them appropriate for fall.

If you want to see the other contestants, please visit Fashionforteens blog here: Petite Fashion Challenge 10

Here is Katie's attempt to take a summer skirt and transition it into fall:

Sweater: Liz Claiborne
Vest: Old Navy
Skirt: JCPenney
Shoes: Rack Room Shoes
Necklace: Gift
Earrings: Urban People
______________________________________


Laura's entry:
I took an outfit that I wore this summer, and transitioned it to fall with boots and a jacket. 

The jacket is a tiny bit long in the arms, but not enough to risk altering it myself. I bought it last spring as an alternative to a white trench, and am happy to find that it works well for fall also. 

Just putting on boots makes me feel like it is fall already!

Luke approves!


Earrings: Target
Shirt: Banana Republic Outlet (altered)
Jacket: TJ Maxx
Skirt: Ann Taylor Factory Store
Boots: TJ Maxx (old)

In Memory

This weekend, we attended a memorial service for a dear lady who has been a pillar of our community for many years. It was a beautiful tribute. Compared to the well-lived life that we were celebrating, what I wore was of little consequence, so I opted for something timeless and respectful. 

I bought this sheath dress in high school, and it had been sitting in my closet for years. It is about a size too big for me, and I think I would prefer the length to be just below the knee, even though mid-calf lengths are trendy right now. Don't you think the current length makes my legs look really short? I tied a ribbon belt around the waist to make it more fitted, but it could really use some professional help. 

I happened upon a nearby tailor the other day, so maybe I will bring in this dress to see what he can do, depending on how much it costs to have it hemmed and taken in. It would be nice to have someone that I can trust with nicer pieces that I don't trust myself to 'fix'. And the bonus is that he speaks Italian, so maybe I can get a little practice! I think I will discuss the clothes in English though, lest I accidentally mislead him and ask him to do the opposite of what I want. 

Sunglasses: Kate Spade

Dress: Ann Taylor Factory Store

Shoes: Ann Taylor Factory Store

Wedding Dress

This dress I'm wearing is actually the inspiration for the colors in my wedding. We used pink, orange, and yellow for our January wedding. 

Nobody likes unenthusiastic jazz hands....booo.

I think this picture is really funny. If you knew me, you would know that I'm NOT a contemplative/introspective type of person. 

Aren't those colors great? It's so Florida and tropical without being the "nasty Florida tourist." Please see the picture below if you are unsure what a nasty tourist shirt looks like.

Dress: Lily Pulitzer

Sweater: Gap

Necklace (actually a belt): Thrifted

Shoes: Target c/o Laura

Here are a few pictures from the wedding:

Summer Whites

I love pairing brights with white for summer. It is such a crisp, clean look (Just don't sit down in the grass). I bought these pants off the clearance rack at BR a few years ago and really like them, although I am tempted to make them a little narrower around the knees. What do you think?

I realized this morning that the best way to plaster down my baby bangs (which are now about 2 inches long all over my head) is not to use product, but a simple headband. It keeps them down and neat, and with a messy bun, I have my hair off my neck and looking put together at the same time. I think the wide leg pant/headband combo look kind of 70's retro together.

Sunglasses: Kate Spade

Earrings: Francesca's

Shirt: Banana Republic Factory Store

Pants: Banana Republic

Shoes: Target (old)

Running with the Bulls

I saw this picture on the news months ago and was inspired by the gentleman on the left side of the picture. Here is my best "feminized" interpretation of what he was wearing. 

How did I do?

Shirt: Ann Taylor Factory Store

Cropped Pants: Ann Taylor Factory Store (thanks Laura!)

Shoes: Payless

Scarf: Gift from Peru

Earrings: Cato

Summer Neutrals

Here is the new shirt from Ann Taylor, and the wrap bracelet from Francesca's that I picked up the other day. It is supposed to be in the high 80's today, so I decided that an airy skirt was in order to finish the look. I tried various ways to define my waist, but none of them looked right, so I went without. I can't say this is the most leg-lengthening look ever (the wedge heels help a little), but for a day of grocery shopping and playing on the floor, it is just fine.

My hair curling method is finally coming together. I have super straight hair, which until recently, I couldn't get to hold a curl. Here is my new trick: I let my hair almost air dry, and then constantly twist it around my fingers when it is still just a little damp. This makes the longer pieces stay wavy all day. And if I am feeling really ambitious, I take my straightener to the short pieces (I am sure there are tons of videos on YouTube with instructions) - I never knew you could curl with a straightener until my friend, Adair, who cuts my hair, showed me. Thanks, Adair!

This method probably won't work for those of you who have to get your hair dry in a hurry to get out the door to work, but it works great for me, since I stay at home with Luke most days, and all I have to do is twist my hair around my fingers as it dries (I don't often bother with the short pieces).

This is the bag that I carry around every day. It is technically a diaper bag, but it doubles as my purse as well. I love that it doesn't really look like a diaper bag, and that it is well made. The strap, the trim, and the bottom are a sturdy leather, and the rest of it is a synthetic material that is easy to wipe down. It has just the right amount of pockets to keep my stuff and Luke's stuff separate but accessible. Big plus.

I bought this bag as a sort of gift to myself for going through labor and delivery. It is actually the most expensive bag that I own, coming in at about $150 after discounts from Buy Buy Baby. It was definitely worth the splurge though, since I will likely be carrying it for several years with several babies. 

Earrings: Ann Taylor Factory Store

Shirt: Ann Taylor

Bracelet: Francesca's

Skirt: Old Navy

Bag: Storksak Emily (via Buy Buy Baby)

Shoes: Target

Polo Field

The community that I work for has a polo field/driving range that I get to drive by everyday on my way home from work. I always thought these fences were shorter until I actually stood next to one...

I like the bold colors of this outfit especially given my dynamic surroundings. I paired a coral colored dress (which is extremely old), added a chic necklace, and a nautical sweater. What came out?

This:

Sweater: Aeropostale

Dress: Old Navy

Necklace: Francesca's

Shoes: Gap

Making a Statement

Today, I broke out my new statement necklace for the first time. I think I am a fan. The only problem is that the individual pieces tend to flip over, so at any given time, it is unlikely that they will all face the same way. 

Exhibit A: The center stone is flipped.

Exhibit B: The side stone is flipped. Oh well. We can't win them all, I guess.

Necklace: Francesca's

Shirt: LOFT

Skirt: Ann Taylor

Shoes: Target

Church

Ever since I was a kid, going to church has been a huge part of my life. Now as an adult it has become even more important to me as my faith is my own and not merely my parents. I spend at least 2 evenings a week at a church related event, so I thought I would show some of my fashion while at church.

P.S. If you are looking for a local church, First Covenant meets at 10:30AM on Sundays and Tuesday nights we have bible study at 6:30PM. We'd love to see you there!

I love mixing shades of the same color. I have the cobalt colored dress paired with teal earrings. The pink adds a nice pop too. I'm challenging myself to wear this necklace more, but I'm having a hard time feeling confident in it. I think this is a nice pairing.

 Dress:  Old Navy (old)

Necklace: Old Navy

Earrings: Market in Brazil (gift)

Shoes: Payless (old)

 In other news, some of my best friends have had some significant moments recently.

First up: Ali.

She got engaged!!! YAY!!! The picture below was taken maybe 45 minutes after Josham proposed. We had to make sure their hair was looking nice for their engagement pictures. 

Secondly, Rachel.

She turned 25 a few days ago and I got to go with her to get a pedicure. We struggled to get a decent picture of the two of us, but here it is :).