Feel-Good Friday

zest

  

noun

1. keen relish; hearty enjoyment; gusto.

2. anything added to impart flavor, enhance one's appreciation, etc.

3. piquancy; interest; charm.

4. liveliness or energy; animating spirit

Back to School

Blouse-Heavenly Coutoure. Jeans-Dorothy Perkins. Bracelet-Forever 21. Shoes-Toms.

I am so excited to be back in the classroom. C/O Scott's wallet and mom's babysitting skills. : ) I am learning more ways to make ya'll even more beautiful. I get to take Wardrobe Strategies taught by the adorable Reachel Bagley, of Cardigan Empire. This is what I wore to my first day of school. Do you ever know you will love an article of clothing before you even try it on? That is what happened when my sister found this shirt for me. Whimsical prints, bows, puffed sleeves, these are a few of my favorite things. So imagine my surprise when the first time I wore it my husband said to my son, "Mom is wearing her hunger games shirt." I guess men will never 'get' fashion. 

Fall 2012 Beauty Report

Feel-Good Friday

"If I'm going to pay $16.99 for an omelette {at brunch}, I want the people around me to be gorgeous." 

-Clinton Kelly has the best one liners.

New What Not to Wear episodes have arrived.

Happy Friday!

Style Showcase: Nikki

Today I'm so excited to introduce Nikki! She is such a pretty girl with a flair for style. She writes a fashion blog with a plethora of cute outfits over at Fashion on the Fly. Nikki says, "I'm kinda a hobby hog in the fact I love to do pretty much everything, and when I mean everything I mean everything. Snowboarding, wake boarding, mountain biking, road biking, photography, decorating my house, playing volleyball, traveling, boating, rock climbing, and blah blah blah on and on and on...I love everything! I currently am a registered nurse in an ICU in a hospital that just got named as one of the best hospitals in the country(way to go team!) I love my job and feel so lucky to have it!" Now that we've gotten to know her, let's learn about Nikki's style!

Her outfits-

 Shirt-Urban Wear. Belt-Forever 21. Skirt-Gap. Shoes-Michael Kors. Bracelet- Juicy Couture.

Outfit 2-

Pants-Target. Shirt-Lucky. Jacket-Free People. Shoes-Forever Young Shoes. Watch-Marc by Marc Jacobs, Sunnies-Rayban.

Her Personal Style- I think my personal style has come a LONG way! I've learned, grown, and experimented a lot with clothes and different types of styles. On one day I could dress completely girly while the next day I could dress totally motorcycle chick. It all just depends on how I feel that day. I'm all about comfort and making that comfort stylish. One great thing I've learned about personal style is it's all personal and if it makes you happy, wear it!

Her Go-to Outfit- My go-to outfit right now(other than scrubs)  has to be anything colorful pants or skirts paired with my chambray shirt. I swear I want to wear that shirt everyday, it's so simple to pair with anything and everything. As far as shoes my flats are really loving my feet right now, or should I say my feet are really loving my flats. Pair all those with my Michael Kors watch...to me fast, simple, and elegant outfit right there!

Her Shopping Secret- When I go shopping I always go with an open-mind and grab everything that I hate on the hanger to try on in the dressing room. This makes me actually see how these things look on and then most of the time gives me tons of new ideas for outfits.

Her Beauty Advice- Well the whole beauty topic is one that I'm lacking experience in, but I do know that purchasing the Birchbox was one of the greatest things I've every done! If you don't know what that is check it out, you'll love it!

Her Style Inspiration- Most of my style inspiration comes from my husband and all of my fellow bloggers! Honestly looking at everyone's blogs has really helped me see how my own clothes can be styled in a new way. So thanks for all your inspiration!

Runway to Ready to Wear: Fall 2012

Military takes on a less literal approach this season with nods to the theme, gold button details, and colors varying from camel to navy. Try a fitted jacket or a shift dress with buttons.

Less matching, more mixing. When the fashion students of the year 3000 look back at 2012, it will be remembered as the year anything goes.

The boyfriend trend continues, moving from jeans to outerwear. Pair an oversized coat with fitted denim. Try a bold hue to incorporate another trend: Color blocking.

Part burgundy, part scarlet, completely dramatic.

It's not your granny's closet. . . or is it? 

Pair with your oxblood skinnies or over your crochet, ladylike pieces to give your look edge.

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Don't forget to vote in the poll!

Feel-Good Friday

Love the quote, love the shoes!
 Happy Friday!

source

Grand Opening!

I'm thrilled to announce the newest addition to the website, available via the Let's shop link at the top. To celebrate, I am offering a complimentary service to the first three people to contact me at grownupdressup{at}gmail{dot}com. Check out your options below, and happy shopping! 

Shop your closet includes a consultation to discuss your wardrobe needs, discover your style personality, and explore the looks that best flatter you. We will then take inventory of your current wardrobe, coordinate and document new ensembles, and create a shopping list, leaving you with the resources to discover the treasures in your wardrobe. 

$30 for one hour or $40 for two. 

After completing a style questionnaire by e-mail, you will receive assembled outfits within your spending allowance to your inbox and the online locations of where to purchase them. I will shop your favorite stores and teach you some new go-to places. 

$15 

Why look average, when you have the potential to look fabulous! A personal shopping experience will guarantee you to get the most from your money and an honest second opinion in the dressing room whether you are shopping for a special occasion or just need a wardrobe lift. 

$30/hour 

Schedule your appointment today at   grownupdressup{at}gmail{dot}com. 

Grown up Dress up Consignment Shoppe 

Feel-Good Friday: Back to School

Happy back to school! P.S. Can you name that movie? 

Style Showcase: Doranda

Today's Style Showcase is all about Doranda! She blogs over at Watch Out for the Woestmans. Doranda is a stay at home mom to three darling kids that keep her pretty busy. She says, "I like ice cream, symphony bars, and getting my hair highlighted. I also love photography, fashion and my family. In my spare time I like to take pictures and blog (ok, and watch Netflix)."

Her outfits- This was my most recent outfit post and one of my favorites. It just shouts spring!

 

Collared Shirt- Dear. Cardigan-Target. Necklace and Skirt- I made them. Shoes and purse-From my sister.

Outfit 2- I feel like this is one of my more sophisticated looks. Something I would wear to my imaginary corporate job. 

Shirt-Ross. Skirt- I made it. Shoes-Forever 21.

Her Personal Style- My style is fun, comfy and at the moment bright. I barely ever spend more than $20 on a piece, unless it is shoes, and I make a lot of my own skirts. Sewing is new for me but now that I know how I really like it. It is nice to be able to make the things I can't find in the stores.

Her go-to outfit- Honestly I have to say it is my torn up jean capri's and a t-shirt with my fake toms. Nothing exciting or fashion forward but it is fast, comfy and easy.

Her fashion outlook- So it isn't much of a secret but it doesn't seem to be widespread at the moment. Modesty is important. I really believe that I can feel good about myself and still dress modestly. It can be hard in the fashion world but it doesn't need to be. I set standards for myself and that is not something I am going to compromise for the latest fashion.

Her must-have beauty products- Definitely my teasing brush. And if I can ad another it would be Mary Kay mineral powder foundation. My skin is way below perfect and I have a hard time leaving the house without a little bit of foundation on. 

Her Style Inspiration- I love Clothed Much.

Thanks for sharing your accessible and sophisticated style today, Doranda! 

The next Style Showcase could be you. Check out the details here.

How to Love Your Chambray Shirt

I was recently asked what to wear with a Chambray shirt. My answer. . . everything! This piece is incredibly versatile; Just take a look at style bloggers across the country. You can outfit this shirt with:

White jeans and a colorful headband.

Kendi Everyday

Dressed up with a ballerina skirt.

Clothed Much

Layered underneath a striped sweater.

La Vie Petite

Sequins! Chambray and sparkle creates the perfect fancy:casual ratio, plus chambray and sequins really rolls off the tongue. : )

Bows and Sequins

Denim on denim. I love that Rachel added a neon belt to break up the monochrome of the rest of the outfit.

Pink Peonies

Pants with a pop of color and neutral accessories.

Atlantic-Pacific

Printed skirt and statement necklace.

Chambray- Forever 21. Skirt-Gap. Shoes- Dillard's. Necklace-Blossom.

Beat the Heat Day 5 + Giveaway Winner

Citrus Surf Spray Recipe
Wet to Ready!

On days that you're in a hurry, there may not be time to wait for your hair to dry. This surfer chic style is perfect on days when your time is limited, or if you've just gotten out of the pool or a day on the beach. The first step is to make your Citrus Surf Spray. You will need: a squirt bottle, water, sea salt, conditioner, grapefruit essential oil, and hair gel. 

1. Fill squirt bottle with one cup warm water.

2. Add 2 tsp. conditioner, 2 tsp. sea salt, 1 tsp. hair gel.

3. Shake well.

4. Add 15 drops grapefruit essential oil and gently rock bottle side to side.

5. Spritz on damp hair.

If your hair is naturally curly, just scrunch and go. If your hair is straight, you may want to coil sections of hair into a twist and touch up with a diffuser.

There you have it, five simple styles to keep you cool 'til summer ends. The Giveaway winner via Random.org is Christina! Please e-mail me at Grownupdressup{at}gmail{dot}com to claim your prize!

Beat the Heat Day 4

Pin curls to Romantic curls

This style takes me back to the beauty school days. When you go to beauty school the first things you learn how to do is pin curls. This is a lovely style dating back to the 1920's. Begin with damp hair. Part hair and begin taking small sections. Roll the hair out as if there were a roller in the middle, leaving the ends out. Tuck the ends into the pin curl and lay the curl on its side. Secure with a pin, making sure all the pins are turned in the same direction. Secure with a silk scarf to prevent flyaways before going to sleep.

 When you wake up, unravel each curl and then touch up any needed pieces with a curling iron.

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below!

Beat the Heat Day 3 + Giveaway

Velcro rollers to Voluminous Body

For this style you will need a set of rollers. Begin with damp hair. Using a rat tail comb, part off  a section of hair and position roller on the top of your head. Drag the roller down the hair shaft and when you get to the end, turn the roller under until you reach the top. Secure with a hair pin. 

When rollers are completely dry, go over your entire head with the blow dryer. Then switch to the cool setting and repeat. The hot air will set the rollers, and the cool will help to hold the curl. Remove the pins one by one and unroll the curlers.

This hairstyle is also a great option for second day hair. Spritz a little dry shampoo on your scalp and repeat the previous steps with dry hair. 


Now for the giveaway. One lucky reader will receive everything you need to achieve these no heat hairstyles. 
Prize includes:
hair pins
dry shampoo
velcro rollers
+ everything you need to make your own Citrus Surf Spray from an upcoming tutorial.


To enter leave a comment telling me how you are beating the heat this summer and the winner will be announced on Friday.