i love it when the fashion industry highlights the fact that modesty can be chic, trendy, modern and beautiful.

ELLE has a great Trend Report on all the 2011 Fall Runways.

Livi

Congrats Sheree! Email me at [nataliekershaw22@gmail.com] and let me know what you would like!

I’m in love with Sosie.

I’ll have one of everything, please.

So… Sensibly Styled disappeared for a while, and thanks to my friend Ryan, it’s back! I am so grateful! So… sorry that we’ve been MIA! Regular posts to resume this week!

Natalie

If you hadn’t noticed, our site has been down. I have changed the dates of the contest (see below) so, you can still enter! 

OR any other item from ModBe’s new arrivals section.

Love this dress!  It is so fun and flattering. The elastic waste band highlights the slimmest part of any girls figure. As Always, I’m impressed by the quality and fabric. This dress is prefect for the warmer weather of fall and can easily be styled well into the winter months. Its fun, but neutral, floral pattern makes it very versatile. It would make a great addition to any girls closet!

A lucky winner in the United States can have her choice of one item from the new arrivals sections.  To enter, please visit www.modbeclothing.com and tell us which new arrival  you’d love to add to your closet. Snag an extra entry by liking Modbe on Facebook. Contest ends 9/18/2011 at 11:59 PST. Winner to be announced 9/19/2011. Good luck!

J.Crew

Piperlime

Ann Taylor

Gap + Banana Republic + Old Navy

Loft

I love Kate Spade Jewelry. What girl wouldn’t? I may not be able to afford half of it, but I can still admire it. Her stuff would be perfect for a wedding (can I have a do-over?) or party. The littler items like rings and bracelets would make really cute gifts as well. Shop (or admire) away!

Mad Men is bringing back the fashion of the 1960s. Recently, Banana Republic teamed up with Mad Men costume designer, Janie Bryant, to bring you a great collection inspired by the show. So go ahead and dress like Peggy, Betty or Joan.

I don’t miss much about living in the suburbs, but I definitely miss Target. We’re supposed to get one here in 2013 or something like that. But until then, here are a few items you can checkout online or in your nearest Target.

I’m loving the jewelry from etsy shop, ISWAS + WILLBE. Check them out and you will too!

Here are a few things that I really need want. I think my closet would agree (sadly, my bank account would not). What do you need want to put in your closet?

Congrats to Oksana for being our winner! And many thanks to our friends over at Modbe for making this giveaway possible!

I had the chance to hang out on the beaches of Hawaii in this tankini. When the suit arrived, I was in love with the color. I’m all about corals and oranges this summer. I was equally impressed by the quality of the suit. It’s a solid material with great lining. I didn’t have to worry about it becoming shear or hugging my body in all the wrong places the minute it got wet. The length of the top can also be adjusted to your liking (for those of you who prefer not to show any skin it can be pulled down pretty far). Size wise, the swimsuit ran on the small side. This particular style would not be ideal for ladies with a chest size C or larger (I ran into some issues in that department). Overall, I am really impressed by the quality of fabric and construction. They are built to last and are super cute.

Modbe would like to offer one lucky winner, one item of their choice. It does NOT have to be a swimwear item (we won’t force anything on you). To enter, check out http://modbeclothing.com/ and tell me which item you would love to add to your closet. Good luck!

Entries can be made up until Sunday, July 24^th at midnight pacific standard time. I will announce the winner on Monday, July 25.

Get your shopping on over here!

I’m headed to Hawaii on Friday, and thought I would share a few essentials of mine.

1. Rainbow flip flops. They are my favorite flip flops. Since high school, I take them everywhere I go.  They’re about $45 but are so worth it. They will make your feet so happy.

2. A washable bag. I prefer a beach bag that can be thrown into the washing machine. So when you’re sun screen explodes, your bag isn’t ruined.

3. Cheap sunglasses. Nobody wants to lose their expensive sunnies going kayaking or zip lining. So when your cheap sunglasses fall to their death or get swallowed my the sea, no tears will be shed because hey, they were only 10 bucks! Try H&M, Forever 21 or Urban Outfitters for glasses under $10.

4. Head wraps. I don’t know about you but, when I’m on a beach vacay,  my hair is the last thing I want to worry about it. It’s usually windswept or full of chlorine. A head wrap or bandanna is the perfect solution for hiding dirty hair.

5. Sweatshirt. Why do you need a sweatshirt, you’re going to the beach? I always soak up way too much sun and end up getting burned. So while my body might feel like it’s on fire, I will be freezing. So yes, I will be bringing a sweatshirt to Hawaii.

P.S. stay tuned for a swimwear review and giveaway!!

I just ran across this while browsing Nordstrom’s site… pretty amazing. Way to go TOMS! Do yourself a favor, and head on over to the TOMS website and watch the video introducing TOMS eyewear.

I finally got the gold Sperry Top Siders I’ve been eyeing (score!) what are you going to get???

Where do you shop for your Shorts. Let us know!!

bermuda by nkershaw featuring short shorts

jJIll  has some great summer items.  They are great because they have a very good range of sizes.   They have nice neutrals – which are perfect for warm weather.  This of course gives us room to add lots of possible accessories from LuLus to give the outfit a pop of color.

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

Livi, www.thebrightbit.com

vest maxi skirt earrings linen pants beach bag ring bathing suit sunglasses dress gold cuff southwest scarf

This image from the homepage of Anthropologie leaves me feeling happy and inspired. Inspired to get outside and plant all the plants I got at the farmers market on Saturday… Someday, I hope I can live on a big piece of land and have a big ol’ garden with some chickens and sheep. Would you ever want farm animals?

I’m loving this new spring color thats popping up everywhere!

color by nkershaw featuring a j crew cardigan

Dear Sensibly Styled,

Please help! I am hosting my grandparents 65th wedding anniversary in late August and I am at a loss as to what is appropriate to wear. The event is going to be outside (on grass) beginning with a family lunch and then moving on to an open house for neighbors and friends. I want to appear feminine, classy, and understated all the while keeping it somewhat causal. Oh please help.

Thank you,
Stephanie

Here are a few ideas…

outfits by nkershaw featuring rope jewelry

I’m on the hunt for a gym bag. And yes, I want a cute one. I’m weird like that. Even my camping gear is cute. My husband doesn’t like when I refer to our tent as cute (it really is, you should see it). All of my backpacking purchases were based on color and design (and quality of course). So obviously I want a fashionable gym accessory.

gym bags by nkershaw featuring a duffel bag

Hi ladies!

My husband and I are working on a project, and would love a little bit of help… if you could simply answer the question below that would be awesome! I’ll give you more info on this project when we know for sure what’s going on!

[poll id="10"]

Hi guys!
I’m been on the hunt for a great deep navy bridesmaid dress. The wedding is in SLC, UT in June… aka its gonna be WARM!I want something sensibly priced, short sleeved and adorable! It doesn’t need to be ridiculously fancy but I don’t want anything cheap. Perhaps a simple A-lined dress? Or wrap-around? Any good finds?
You guys are the best!!!
Amy

oh, the navy bridesmaid dress…this was my dilemma two years ago. There are definitely a lot more choices now! I’m kind of jealous…Congrats!

navy bridesmaid by nkershaw featuring a taffeta dress

Hi, I love your blog and I have a fashion question for you. My husband and I just started country-western dance lessons. I bought a new pair of boots and would love to know what type of dresses I should wear with them. I am 47 so I need the dress to be age appropriate. I am petite ( 5’3″) and pear shaped (size 8 on top, size 10 on bottom).

Thanks,

Kim H.

I love cowboy boots! They are such a great accessory and can be worn with anything! Yes, Anything. My favorite “cowboy boot outfit” is when I pair my camel colored cowboy boots with a classic black dress. It’s so unexpected, and thats what makes it so fun! You can also pair your boots with a fun pair of tights, too! For a classic look, pair your boots with a dress that has a defined waist (examples below) or add a belt to define it yourself. For more inspiration take a look at pictures of country singers, like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. They know how to rock the cowboy boot look!

cowgirl by nkershaw featuring metal jewelry