Apricot Lane Blogger Event/Giveaway!

I've teamed up with Apricot Lane Boutique

 to kick off a summer of style. 

We're throwing a party, and you're invited! Join us on Thursday, June 27th from 6-8pm at Apricot Lane Boutique in The Shops at Riverwoods. It will be a night filled with fun and fashion--you won't want to miss it! For more details, visit the event page on Facebook.

I can't go. :( I will be in Boston for a weeklong American Revolution Field Study, so I guess I'm not too sad about it. :) But you should all go check this blogger event out because Apricot Lane throws an awesome party. 

As part of our collaboration, Apricot Lane is giving away TEN $25 gift cards to spend the night of the event. Enter to win by using the Rafflecopter below. The more requirements you complete, the greater your chance will be at winning. 

Ten winners will be selected on Wednesday, June 26th and contacted via email. The gift cards will be awarded by Apricot Lane Boutique the night of the event.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who Wears Short Shorts? Not me. Gross.

I'm having a love affair with these shorts. Praise you, St. George Gap outlet. I got them for less than $20 and I should have bought every single color.

Awkward photo brought to you by SnapClap - the app I'm still trying to figure out since The Beard HATES taking outfit photos more than losing to the Yankees. I'm serious. And that's a lot. 

I wanted to wear them the first possible day that I'd have a chance to sit in the sun - and I planned on going to Mitch's Senior Day game today. (Unfortunately didn't happen as the game wasn't at 3:30 as planned. booooo)

However, shorts on the job is generally frowned upon if you are a professional of any kind. Here's my take on dressing them up so you CAN wear them to work and still look semi-serious about your job. Even though we all know you're daydreaming about summer and looking up the beaches of Kauai on your breaks. Just me? Oh. Welllllll

Fancy up your shirt. A classic button down is the way to go. Black was my option because... it's in the name of my blog. I love black. Dressy chiffon blouses or shells work well too.

Belt it! A coordinating belt ties it together and makes it look intentional. Also I had to buy these shorts a size too big so they'd cover up my testimony, so I have to wear the belt or I look like I'm a gansta.

Class it up on the ground level. Shoes, I mean. Pointy stilettos and shorts is such a cool look (see below. Drool. Repeat). A little much for school though, so I wore my trusty black sandal wedges.

"Mrs. Holdaway! You're so tall!!!" Now they can see me coming when I try to sneak up and steal their cell phones. :(

Day to Night

Yesterday I wore one of my new high-low dresses to school (my latest obsession. Bought 2 on my last shopping trip. Yikes.), and we had dinner with the Holdaways planned for that evening. I thought all day about my outfit change for dinner so I figured - Hey. Why not make this an outfit blog post? Voila. Here goes.

I'm 100% for changing your outfit multiple times a day. But ain't nobody got time for that. Usually when I do, it's around a staple piece - a pair of jeans, a shirt or in this case - a dress. It took me less than 15 minutes to completely change my look for a little family dinner date. 

For school I paired this coral-y high low dress with a navy blazer and navy flats to ground it a little (this dress can easily scream "Long Hair Don't Care Also I'm Obsessed With Mermaids") and to look professional. Normally heels would be a good option, but it was a project day where I was running around and Thursdays are always my toughest schedule days - therefore, comfy flats.

You ALWAYS need a belt with a plain column (uncinched/ungathered/otherwise plain-fronted) dress. So I added a thin gold one to complement the warm coral undertones. Throw on a blue necklace and throw a quick bend in my ends and that's a pretty standard school outfit for me.

 

Dress: F21, Flats: Famous Footwear, Blazer: Cotton On, Belt: Gap, Necklace: F21

For dinner (or any other evening activity) you want to have a little more fun with it. I swapped the blue blazer for a cheetah cropped cardigan. I swapped the flats for a dark heeled bootie. And obviously I swapped the gold belt for a black one.



















I touched up my makeup with a bit more powder, undereye concealer (thank you blue circles under my eyes for making me look like I work harder than I do), hot pink creme blush and a swipe of mascara. A blast of dry shampoo, a few turns of the curling iron and Danica went from a classic but boring school day look to fun night out look.

Dress: F21, Boots: Famous Footwear, Sweater: H&M, Belt: Gap

I like the flats look better. It wasn't until I looked at these pictures today that I realized how short the boots and sweater make me look by hitting at unflattering points. Curse you, curves. Just kidding. Love you lots.

I don't take it back. It was a fun outfit to wear anyway. 

YOLO.

Spring Giveaway! $300 to Apricot Lane

I've teamed up with Apricot Lane and a group of bloggers to bring something extra chic to your spring. One very lucky reader will have the chance to enjoy a $300 Spring Spree to Apricot Lane Boutique in Provo, Utah.

To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter below. Points will be earned for each item completed--the more you do, the closer you'll get to winning your very own shopping spree.

The $300 Spring Spree Giveaway will run until midnight of Friday, April 26th, and it is open to Utah local participants.  The winner will be announced and contacted via email the following Saturday, April 27th. 

Wishing you luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Terms & Conditions: The Spring Spree Giveaway is for one $300 gift card to Apricot Lane Boutique in Provo, Utah. The gift card must be spent in-store at the Apricot Lane Boutique location in Provo, Utah. The giveaway will run from Friday, April 19th to Friday, April 26th. The winner will be announced the following Saturday on this Rafflecopter widget. All mandatory entries must be completed in order to win, including the winning entry. All entries will be verified, so please be honest in completing the entries.  To claim your prize, please respond to the email within 24 hours. Failure to do so will result in another winner being chosen. Once the winner has been selected, the decision is final. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook, Bloglovin', Google, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or any other social media platform.

Sometimes, Always, Never - Transitional Clothing

What?! A "Sometimes, Always, Never"!!!!!! I've been patiently waiting, hoping and praying that Danica will post another entry in the mean, elitist, judgy series!

You wish is my command.

This week I have been turning over my closet from warm to cold. Shorts have been folded neatly. Open toe wedges are walking their way to the back room. Florals are awaiting decision. It's been on my mind for over a week, and it's still not done.

So without further ado, our Sometimes, Always, Never:

SOMETIMES

Florals need to be handled on a case-by-case basis. Ask yourself a few questions

1. Are the colors dark or moody overall? (Think black, blue, dark reds or greens, grays and other neutrals. See right) If they are, that's easy to wear all winter. Pair with dark tights, sweaters and boots. Yahtzee. 
2. Is the fabric thin or heavy? If it's a thin, lightweight fabric, be careful. If you can tell it's supposed to be worn on it's own on a warm summer picnic day - stash it. If it's a blouse or thicker fabric, again, pair with a sweater, scarf or tights. 
3. What is the style of the garment? If it's both floral and a tank top, sorry. It's screaming SUMMERTIME. Stash. **For example** I have a black floral maxi. It's dark, but since it's both floral and a maxi (designed for beachy summertime) I stash it until spring. Other maxis are great for winter... but they are dark solids paired with sweaters and scarves. Kapish? (see below)

 Everyone knows the whites-after-labor-day rule has been thrown out. Still, be wary. A white-on-white ensemble makes you look a LITTLE bit like the Queen of Narnia. Pair multiple whites with neutrals. I'm loving this white/camel from A Piece of Toast this week. Super fresh, right? But take it easy with the circus tent cardigans... ok?

ALWAYS

Skirts and dresses don't have to move to the storage closet just because they are short. Pair them with a richly colored legging or tight - try oxblood, gray or mustard for some punch. 

Bright colors seem destined for sunny days and outdoor events, but don't rule them out. I posted this picture for Anti-Bully Day (we all wore orange) with my bright shift, cardi and loafers, but it's one of my fave outfits for winter paired with black tights and flat black boots. (See the photo below mine for a less sleepy, more glamorous outfit.) Pare down the bright colors with neutrals. It makes those snowy days less depressing. 

NEVER

Linen is a lightweight, breathable fabric meant for heat. We're all looking at your wind-vulnerable linen pants and laughing. 

How about we just stash ALL of those booty shorts until April? That way there's absolutely NO CHANCE you'll end up pairing them with Ugg boots even by mistake. 

In Utah, you simply cannot walk around with bare legs in winter. Tights are necessary. Seeing your tight-seam and your un-pedicured toes because you are wearing open-toed shoes is 100% ATROCIOUS. 

Mid-calf boots make everyone look disgusting. Just because a 90 lb model wears one does NOT, I repeat, DOES NOT mean it's going to look good on you. Sorry. It hits at the widest part of your calf. It's just common sense, ladies. 

Go for ankle, just below or just above the knee. Please. 

So there you have it! Good luck turning over your closets and may the fashion force be with you. 

Set a-Thrift

I've never been a thrifter. Which is odd, because I'm not a splurge-r either. Don't get me wrong, I will drop a scary amount of money on a shopping trip, but it's always on like 50+ items all under $20. I rarely buy expensive items. So you'd think a thrift store would be right up my alley.

My cute friend Miss Shannon over at GBO Fashion is a thrift expert - she always seems to find awesome stuff. Check out this amazing outfit she put together - entirely with thrifted stuff! She'll be guest posting at Fabulessly Frugal today about her top thrifting tips. Check it! Anyways... she inspired me to give it a shot.

The first couple of times I was pretty grossed out. I just pictured the grossest people sitting on their gross couches eating gross Cheetos and spilling gross root beer all over themselves in these clothing items. Plus everything I looked at was ugly. No surprise it ended up at a thrift store.

Finally, I gave it one more try. I was casually killing some time as the peeps at Plato's Closet went through my buy-back stuff. Crammed between the racks of Kmart printed tees labeled "Sweeter than Candy" and "Heartbreaker!" was an Old Navy top (I know. I'm a sucker for cheap Old Navy tops) I had almost purchased last fall. It was loose, knit, striped, and could work with all of my black ensembles! A $4 match made in heaven!

Top - Old Navy via Plato's Closet, Skirt - Gap, Shoes - DSW

Lesson Learned: most of the stuff is awful, and you can't expect success every time. But every once in a while the Thrift Gods of Style smile down upon you.

P.S. we are terrible at taking outfit photos. Yes, we only use the Beard's iPhone. Tips anyone?

Sometimes, Always, Never: Trendy

I'm kind of a late adopter of trends. I firmly believe that waiting through the first wave of a trend makes your fashion decisions much more informed. Instead of running right out and buying the hot new thing at the doorway display at Forever 21, I watch. I see how bloggers, college peers and celebrities wear it.

So here's my inspiration. This last weekend I was in Cedar City at the Shakespearean Festival with my Budge girl family. It's our little girl reunion that we try to do every couple of years. It was awesome. Anyways. My mom and I had some time to kill before the next show so we went shopping. A Downeast Outfitters was having a sidewalk sale with discount bins, so we rifled through them. I have never found anything good in a bin because it's usually ugly stuff or XL-XXL sizes. But then I pulled out something, and lo and behold. Angels sang. 

It was soft.

It was blush pink.

It wasn't XXL. (It is a size too big for me, as you might be able to tell... whatev.)

It was a knee length pencil skirt.

IT WAS PEPLUM.

And it was $10.

What do you guys think?

I've been intrigued by the peplum trend. I think it's so fun and classy.  I've seen bloggers and celebrities wearing it (thankfully no Utahns have ruined it for me. YET.) And I secretly just want to be Emma Stone. I just didn't know how I could do it. I like dressing up. I like looking formal, even if I'm the only one. But peplum? It's too much, right? WRONG.

And now, without further ado, our Sometimes, Always, Never for trying new trends.

SOMETIMES

Try something that seems scary. If it keeps catching your eye, do it. Buy it. Try it. But don't just get something BECAUSE it's trendy. It needs to be something you like.

ALWAYS

Do some research. See how people are wearing it. Type the style into Pinterest and pin some ideas. I love doing that. 

Plan at least one outfit in your head before you buy it. You will regret it if you take it home and can't even make one outfit. 

NEVER

I never buy a trendy item from a big designer or for full price. What if I don't like it? What if it is totally "out" by next season? When oxford shoes were big this last fall, I bought a knockoff pair from Payless for probably $15. It was good purchase, because they look similar to the $70+ Steve Madden pair at Nordstrom (RIP), but guess what? I wore them maybe once a month. That's worth $15 for me. Not $70.  And if you do love the trend? Upgrade.

ONE AT A TIME. Never ever ever combine super trends. Do not wear leggings, gladiators, a statement necklace and chambray all at once. Choose one. This girl looks ok for fashion week, but for the rest of us,  bright peplum + statement tee + shades + beach hair + chandelier earrings + thick ankle strap heels is overdoing it. 

Sometimes, Always, Never - Summer Shoe-la-la

The majority of your summer should be spent barefoot... but if you can't be barefoot...

Sometimes

Flats seem stuffy to me. If you must, wear them in a bright color.

Sneakers or Toms are great for the summer hikes, or when you are traipsing through fields to find the perfect stargazing spot.

Always

Gladiators are clearly the superior option for summer. Classier than your basic flip-flop but still light and easy.

Anything open-toed. Paint your toes something bright and let them shine.

Never

I have said this before and I'm going to say it again and I refuse to apologize.

IF IT IS TOO HOT TO WEAR PANTS IT IS TOO HOT TO WEAR BOOTS.

Why? Why do you do this? How sweaty are your feet? Were you anticipating a stampede that would require your expert cowgirl knowledge? 

Oh you're just a slut? Ok. Great. Don't snag your nasty belly button ring on your torn apart Daisy Dukes.

Sometimes, Always, Never - The Cover-up

Anyone sick of me blogging about summer yet? Good. Me either. I'm so trunky it's unbelievable.

Next weekend, pretty much as soon as school is out, I'm heading with my family down to St. George for Memorial Day weekend (sans husband. Not the best case scenario.) and I'm in the market for poolside supplies.

SOMETIMES

Jewelry. I like a little glam. But do you really need a necklace, earrings AND bangles? You're not Kim Kardashian. Let's take a step back and look at our life choices.

ALWAYS

100% obsessed with chic cover-ups. You really can't go wrong.

Sunglasses. Didn't see that one coming? Lately craving these Bamboo sunnies.

NEVER

If you go straight swimsuit, you're basically declaring your slut-dom to the world.

High heeled sandals. See above.

The bottom line is just be classy.

Sometimes, Always, Never - Frost Yourself

I'm a bit of an accessories junkie. Forever 21's accessories section is borderline crack for me. I can't leave without buying a new pair of studs, a stack of bangles or especially, a cheap pair of fun sunglasses. Jewelry can be a cheap way to re-invent your style and spice up your wardrobe.

I love displaying my jewelry and accessories in my "closet room." They are bright and shiny and make me happy -- why wouldn't I want to look at them all the time? Plus, I'm more likely to fight my minimalist nature and throw on a fabulous cuff or statement necklace if they're sitting in plain view.

Sometimes

Rings. A good cocktail ring can be a great capstone to a party outfit (first). Too many and you start looking like a member of Aerosmith (second).

Arm Party, AKA stacked bracelets. I love this trend, especially atop a classy gold or rose gold chunky watch. However, if you work in a formal office, have to give a presentation or you are interviewing for a job, keep it simple. The arm party is not quite professional.

Always

Every girl should own a classy watch. I know we all have cell phones and sit at computers all the time, so wearing it to check the time is not necessary. But wearing a watch is just so timeless to me. My husband got me  a coveted Michael Kors gold watch for Christmas and I'm pretty sure I even shed a few surprised tears. That's not to say it needs to be expensive. There are tons of affordable options at Forever 21, Icing, etc.But why not drool over this Kate Spade for now?

A dainty pendant or charm necklace that has meaning to you. My mom gave me and my sister classic necklaces from Nordstrom with silver and gold heart charms when Brooke graduated from high school and I was leaving for England. They are beautiful and I can wear them every day, not to mention they remind me of my family and how lucky I am. Get a pretty one - even if it's just one of Forever 21's little animal pendants  or exotic looking fake stones for $2.

A killer pair of dangly party earrings. I bought some jade green wood earrings on a whim at Cozy in Provo when I was picking up some of my fave undershirts. I end up throwing them on whenever I'm heading out to a party or concert. They are such a fun addition to my standard black outfits.

Never

Lose the Young Womanhood in Recognition necklace. That belongs in a display case or a special box with your 8 year old CTR ring.

Overload. When I was probably 13 I heard the rule

Pick Two: Hair accessories/Earrings/Necklace/Bracelets/Rings

I still follow that.

Nail earrings. Yuck?

What in the WORLD is this?

All images from Pinterest.