i love accessories.

(forgive the shaky iphone shot, the serious need for a manicure and the awkward hand pose)

This is an actual shot of what i actually wear on my hands every day.  My point:  accessories can be fun, useful and add color and intrigue to any outfit.

Now I realize that not everyone is as hard core about the types and amounts of accessories as I am but that doesn’t mean that accessories aren’t for you!

I think extras for an outfit are all about trying something different and transforming a look.    Yes, I wear tons of jewelry most days but I also try and change it up.

For instance:

If you always wear big earrings, try little ones or vice versa.   No jewelry?  Try a necklace one day.  Too much jewelry? (cough, cough) try tapering it down once in a while.

Of course, accessories aren’t just about jewelry.   Scarves, hats, bags and so much more are all part of it as well.   It’s all about the style and personality of the person!

And like I always say, Go Big or Go Home!!

What are your favorite, staple accessories?  What trends in accessories do you really like right now?  Are you into the tiny 90’s box purses thing?   How about the spikes on shoes? Leopard print? Native American colors? Over-sized headbands? Leave us a comment and let us know!

My favorite accessories of the moment:

petal necklace, rainbow headband, chain and fabric necklush, two finger black ring, fabric bracelet, gold bangles

My friend Jessica just sent me the links to the clothes in this outfit! And I LOVE them! Jessica should really be the one running this blog because she seriously dresses super cute all the time. Me on the other hand… I’m all talk Thanks for the outfit Jess! (She sent me more outfits that you will be seeing throughout this week and next)

Gathered Cowl Dress at Banana Republic for $98.00 (coupon code to get 25% off BRSAVE25  – ends today!)

Cropped Cardigan at Old Navy for $19.50

Rumer peep-toe high heel huarache at Banana Republic for $120.00

Cuteness from Boden.

At Boden for $89.00, 38+ inches long.

So the dress on the left is absolutely perfect… I need it. And when I say need it… this time, I mean it! It is a modest version of the Anthropologie dress on the right that was out last summer. (pictured in this post, second outfit down) And I wanted that dress, but not only was it $178.00, it was also sleeveless, so I would have had to buy a cardigan as well. So yes, this dress is $88.00… but that’s like over $100.00 savings compared to the Anthropologie dress. (haha my husband laughs when I consider buying this dress and tell him that I’m really saving money…)

At Shabby Apple for $88.00

This dress is perfect for you taller ladies! I love the sleeves.

Find it at Diviine Modestee for $78.00.

I think this dress is awesome, and I want it because it looks like something that would be awesome in the work place, as well as at church! Also… it looks like Shabby Apple is having a 20% off sale! Just enter Winter20off at checkout. Sweet!

At Shabby Apple for $94.00

Cute, cute, cute! Thanks for the link Jessica!

At Anthropologie for $88.00

Another great find from Almira! And doesn’t this model look like a blond version of Fergie?

At Dillard’s for $80.00

I love this dress!!! Thanks Almira for sending me the link!

At ModCloth for $89.99, 36-37.5 inches long.

Although I normally wouldn’t spend this much on a sweater, this sweater would be a classic piece for me, and I would totally get my money’s worth! This is the type of sweater that I would wear with everything. Totally my style! (Just imagine it paired with skinny jeans and some cute flats… yum…)

At J.Crew on sale for $79.99

Oh my gosh. I am in love…

At Anthropologie on sale for $99.00, 35.75 inches long.

Another perfect dress for winter! Thanks Brooke for the link!

At Victoria’s Secret on sale for $79.00, 19 inches long from waist.

Okay, so out of all the sweater dresses I’ve posted… this ones my fave! I LOVE it!!!

At Ann Taylor Loft for $79.50, 34 inches from natural waist.

Thanks Jess!

Oh man, I really like this dress! And it’s the perfect shade for this Christmas season!

At Victoria’s Secret for $88.00, 23 inches from waist.

Oh yes, and the giveaway is on hold for a couple days, but I promise it is worth the wait! Sorry for the delay!!!

I have been seeing  this style of dress all over the place. The only problem is, all of them that I have seen are sleeveless. (I actually bought a sleeveless one from Nordstrom. I wear a button up underneath or a cardigan over.) This is perfect because it has SLEEVES! Yay! I love it. Isn’t it adorable????

Find it at Shabby Apple for $98.00.

Love the stripes on this dress! And notice that I love the Cowl-Neck dresses?

At Express for $79.50, 36.5 inches long.

Pretty much on a daily basis we get emails about tights/leggings and how to wear them. Can they be worn with open toed shoes, how can I pull them off with boots, how do I know what to wear with my colored tights, and pretty much, what are the rules to wearing them? So I put this outfit together with open toed shoes, and colored/textured tights. Would you wear it? (More to come on how to wear colored tights/leggings! And thanks to Emily E. for the link to this dress!)

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Grecian Green Dress at Modcloth for $89.99

Tiered Colorblock Platforms at Charlotte Russe for $26.99

Lace Cardigan at Charlotte Russe for $26.99

Three Looks In One Tights at Charlotte Russe for $9.99

Round Bead Bracelet at Charlotte Russe for $4.00

Doesn’t this sweater look so comfy and cozy?

At Gap for $78.00

p.s. we got over a foot of snow between Wednesday and Thursday here in Denver… hence all the wintry posts!

Love this dress. Perfect if you have a wedding to attend!

At JCrew on sale for $99.99.

This coat is ADORABLE!

At Ruche for $89.99

LOVE THIS!  Our reader Mary P. just sent me the link to this dress and I think it is beautiful! Thanks Mary!

At Smart Bargains for $89.99.

Our reader Kellie sent me the link to this SUPER cute dress that looks like something I would steal from my Grandma’s closet! Thanks Kellie!

At Urban Outfitters for $88.00, 33 inches long. (Vintage Hem?)

Our reader Natalie from CA sent me the link to this dress. I LOVE plum! And the pleats at the neckline are too cute!

At The Limited for $89.50.

Another great find by our reader Natalie! Thanks Natalie for sending me these links!

At The Limited for $79.50.

More great sleeves! Our reader Sarah sent me this link! Thanks Sarah!

At Anne Taylor on sale for $99.00, 36 inches long.

Great for fall! I love it with the boots. This Dress is 38 1/2 inches long.

Find it at ESPRIT for $79.50.

Our reader Victoria M. wrote in saying:

Last night, after an exhausting day, after my 3 kids were finally asleep, I started looking through my drawers for something that would help me get past the popsicle juice and baby spit-up I had been covered in during the day.  I wished I had a modest, pretty nightgown that I could sleep in.  I wanted to feel pretty, but went with my only option, plaid pajama bottoms.  No, I did not feel pretty.  And the nursing pads only made matters worse.  Help!  I am at the height of frump!

Victoria, I totally understand! Just because we like to be modest doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be able to feel beautiful before we go to bed! I found several nightgowns that I think you will love. None of them are anything that you would feel embarrassed to be seen in if any of your 3 kids decided to sneak out of their rooms. However, they are all nightgowns that I think will make you feel more feminine and beautiful. I hope you enjoy!

All nightgowns were found at Nordstrom. Eileen West ‘Laurel Canyon’ Nightgown for $68.00 ,Lauren by Ralph Lauren ‘Monte Carlo’ Nightgown for $58.00, Eileen West ‘Valley of the Moon’ Ballet Gown for $70.00, Donna Nadeau Flutter Sleeve Chemiseon sale for $37.90, Eileen West ‘Falling Leaves’ Nightgown for $62.00

A few plus size options:

Midnight by Carole Hochman ‘Two Hearts’ Nightgown (Plus) for $88.00, Eileen West ‘Eastside Twilight’ Nightgown (Plus) for $82.00, Eileen West ‘Manhattan Mood’ Nightgown (Plus) for $82.00

Love, Natalie

Another great find for fall!

At Lane Bryant for $79.50, 42 inches long.

This first dress is my favorite! Button Ruffle Collar Dress $26.50, 35 inches long, Mid Length Dress $98.00, 43 inches long, Casual Knit Dress $47.40, 36 inches long.

Our reader Kristen S. from CA wrote:

I love your website – thank you so much for doing such a fantastic thing.
I am due with baby #2 in a few weeks – or basically any time now.  I plan on nursing this baby and need to find tops, and dresses that will work easily for that, even comfortable bottoms that can shrink with me (I hope the shrinking part does come eventually).  I am fairly average/petite at 5′5 – and my pre-pregnancy size was a small to medium or 4/6 – but, with this ever changing bust and hips, you never know!
I especially need things to wear to church and other dress nicer events.  Baby #1 is only 13 months old so washes well and comfortable for lots of running around is a must.

Thank you so much,

Kristen S.
California

Hi Kristen! SO. I totally know what you mean! I am currently a nursing mother and let me tell you. I hate having things in my wardrobe that I know I can’t wear right now… unless I want to wear it for a total of about 2-3 hours… lame. So I put together these outfits for you. I’m not sure how well these items wash, however, with the exception of the Shabby Apple dresses, everything is under $25.00, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you got a stain on them. Button down blouses are the best way to nurse, and dress up an outfit from the regular t-shirt and jeans. And, just because you are nursing doesn’t mean you can’t wear a dress! You just have to find one that buttons down in front. And the two I put up from Shabby Apple are just darling! Also… all three blouses are great for hiding the after baby tummy… and the high waisted skirts can go with all of them (to view the two I put skirts with click on the links below…) and will also help with tummy coverage.(oh yeah, and all the blouses would also look cute with a pair of jeans… even cut off shorts would look cute!) Oh, and Bella Bands are awesome for allowing your jeans to grow and shrink with you! Enjoy and have fun with your little ones! -Natalie

Pleated Tie Blouse at Charlotte Russe for $19.99

Ruched Pencil Skirt at Charlotte Russe for $22.99, 23.5 inches long

Pleated Ruffle Blouse at Charlotte Russe for $19.99

Button Tab Blouse at Charlotte Russe for $19.99

Dotted Swing Skirt at Forever 21 for $19.80, 20 inches long

Madison Ave dress from Shabby Apple for $78.00

Jackie O dress from Shabby Apple for $89.99

Our reader Brittany S. sent me the link to this dress, and well… I think I’m in love! What she wrote in the email was pretty funny too. “Here’s the link to a dress that’s actually long enough to wear on a windy day!” Amen sista!

At Mod Cloth for $89.99, 41 inches long.

Our reader Beth T. wrote:

Beth, I love this dress and how bright and cheerful it is! For day use I would wear the belt around the waist without the cardigan. And for the evening I would add the cardigan and the belt over the cardigan. Hope you have a blast!

peace.natalie

Sateen Floral Dress at Barrie Pace on sale for $99.00 (Thanks for the tip on Barrie Pace Whitney!)

Verla Peep-Toe Ballet Flats at Target for $24.99

Adi D Leather Belt with Floral Buckle at Target for $21.99

Cropped Cardigan at Charlotte Russe for $18.99

Hi Beth!  I found a few dresses that would work and would be easy to accessorize with black shoes and accessories (I particularly love the dress that looks like a top and skirt – it’s the comfort of a dress with the chicness of the blouse/skirt combo!)  The first dress would look great with a cardigan for the evening, and I would put a wrap with the black dress.

But, then I saw the blue floral dress on Charlotte Russe and fell in love with it.  Unless you’re petite and/or have a supershort torso, then this dress will be too short so I put a white eyelet slip underneath from Vintage Hem and a J.Crew cardigan on top.  I love white in the summertime, and I love how this look is fun and flirty, and would be crazy comfortable.  The shoes may not be comfortable for when you’re having fun out on the town, so stash a pair of cute flats in your bag for that.  Have a great night, it sounds like so much fun!  Love, Emily

Cap-sleeve Belted Shift Dress, JCPenney, $19.99 (yes, you read that right, under 20 bucks!)

Black Plaid Dress, JCPenney, $49.99

Floral Dress, Charlotte Russe, $26.99

Eyelet Tower Slip, Vintage Hem, $36.00

Georgia Cardigan, J.Crew, $29.99

Striped Espadrille, Endless.com, $65.95

I don’t think anyone could honestly tell me that they have ever seen a cuter pair of white trousers.

At Martin+Osa on sale for $79.95

Another lovely dress with just a touch of Tulle showing, perfect.

White and Black Ruffled-Front Short-Sleeved Swing Dress at Torrid for $78.00, 41 inches long.

Our reader Mandy had this posted on her blog. So I asked if we could post it! So here are some fun finds from Mandy!

Cuffed Cardigan at Gap for $44.50 

Women’s Classic-Rise Boot-Cut Cords at Old Navy on sale for $20.00

 Fitted non-iron shirt at Banana Republic on sale for $34.99 

 Braided corsage t-shirt  at Gap for $29.50

 Regine Cardigan at Anthropologie for $198.00 (although I have to admit that the one I am eyeing now is the ”gentle current” cardigan, so lovely.)

 Speckled blouse in plum at Anthropologie for $98.00

Joe’s Jeans ‘The Muse’ High Waist Bootcut Stretch Jeans (Ashley) at Nordstrom for $178.00 (my friend has these and she looks FABULOUS in them…they are my motivation to lose the baby weight…hence the hefty price tag)

 Lorraine dress in blue at Delias for $44.50

 Alyssa dress in brown at Delias for $44.50