GYPO Summer Challenge Outfits: Second Half!

Some key points from the summer challenge:

1. I don't hate shorts. Shorts are like a great pair of jeans: if at first you don't succeed; try, try again.  I found a great fit at J Crew Factory. Now that I know my size and comfy length, I can order online when there are fantastic sales or thrift them if I'm lucky.

2. If you are petite up top, use it to your advantage and shop the girls'department. My favorite find was the sleeveless denim vest for $16 at Cato in a girl's size 16/XL.  It's perfect to throw over a maxi or tank for a little extra coverage.

3. I still LOVE my metallic sandals from the first challenge. I wear them at least 3x/week. When these wear out, I will probably invest in an even nicer pair knowing what a staple they are! Along that same line, I'm so glad I invested in a cute pair of converse. They're going to get a lot of mileage.

4. Choose only one statement piece per outfit, whether it's a bold earring, necklace, hair accessory, belt, etc. and go dainty the rest of the way :)

5. Drapey (it's a word!) = comfy. I love my drapey, drawstring waist shorts from Old Navy. Same goes for my drapey, tapered pants from Walmart. And any maxi dress or skirt is heaven. Pure heaven.

6. Trendy patterns and cuts will only get you so far, so don't invest in many pieces.  You can't wear them as often and they will be out of style before you know it. The classic pieces will hang out in your closet much longer.  The same goes for jewelry.

7. I love my bangs! I do not love hats, but I'll keep trying..

8. A LOT of my pieces came from Wal-Mart. I now have 4 tanks and 3 Ts from there and purchased them all for about $4 each.

9. I have never been on Facebook so much in my life!

10. And lastly, posting a bathing suit pic is not that scary in a secret forum among fellow challengers :)

Now, on to the outfits!

Equation 11: Bright T + Print Shorts + Fedora + Sneakers

My Pick: T, Shorts, Old Navy; Fedora, Ebay; Converse, Famous Footwear

Equation 12: Printed Shirt + White Short + Statement Earrings + Metallic Sandal

My Pick: Top, Lulus.com; Skinny Ankle Jeans, JCP; Earrings, Forever 21; Sandals, Target (Mossimo)

Equation 13: White T + Palazzo Pants + Swimwear + Metallic Sandal

My Pick: Gold Button Orange Tank, thrifted; Tapered Pants, Wal-Mart (Faded Glory); Necklace, Forever 21; Sandals, same

Equation 14: Maxi + Denim Vest + Long Necklace + Wedges + Fedora

My Pick: Dress, Wal-Mart (Faded Glory); Vest, Cato Girl; Necklace, Stella and Dot

Note: I actually returned the original dress that I purchased at Banana Republic Factory after finding this one at Wal-Mart! It has a chambray corset top with adjustable straps and a modest high/low hemline.

Equation 15: Bright Cardigan + White T + Print Short + Wedges + Statement Earrings

My Pick: Cardigan, Gap; T, Wal-Mart; Shorts, J Crew Factory; Wedges, American Eagle/Payless in-store; Earrings, same; Necklace, Jane.com (broke the rules this day with both a statement earring and necklace, but it felt right!)

Equation 16: Bright T + Maxi Skirt + Long Necklace + Metallic Sandal

My Pick: T, Wal-Mart; Skirt, Rue 21; Necklace, Etsy; Sandals, same

Equation 17: Stripe T + White Short + Wedges + Long Necklace

My Pick: Navy Tank, Buckle; Striped Scarf, Wal-Mart; Shorts, Wal-Mart; Wedges, Amazon/Bare Trap brand

Equation 18:  Bright Shorts + White T + Denim Shirt or Vest + Long Necklace + Metallic Sandal

My Pick: Chambray Shirt, Forever 21; White Tank, Target; Pink Skinny Jeans, Arizona/JCP; Leopard Flats, Wal-Mart

Equation 19: Print Shirt, Denim Shorts + Sneakers

My Pick: Top, Old Navy; Shorts, Express; Converse, same

Equation 20: Maxi Dress + Swimwear + Fedora + Metallic Sandals

My Pick: Dress, Maurices; Sandals, same

Equation 21: Palazzo Pants + Bright Tank + Long Necklace + Wedges

My Pick: Pants/Tank/Necklace, Wal-Mart; Wedges, American Eagle/Payless in-store

Thanks for stopping by!

GYPO Summer Challenge Outfits: First Half!

The second challenge has proven to be just as fun as the first! Once again, I find myself shopping my closet to come up with interesting combinations and I'm loving experimenting with new jewelry and hair accessories.

Equation 1: White T + Bright Short + Metallic Sandal + Statement Earrings
My Pick: Top, Forever 21; Ribbed Tank, Mossimo; Old Navy Shorts (thrifted); Leopard Flats, Jane.com; Earrings, Forever 21

Equation 2: Striped T + Denim Shirt/Vest + White Short + Sneakers
My Pick: Tank, Walmart; Denim Vest, Cato (girl's dept.); Jeans, JCP skinny ankle; Sneakers, Converse Dainty Beluga

Equation 3: Boat Neck Top + Khaki Short + Long Necklace + Metallic Sandal
My Pick: Top, Old Navy; Necklace, Forever 21; Shorts, J Crew Factory "City", Sandals, Mossimo

Equation 4: Bright Tank + Print Short + Fedora + Neutral Wedge + Long Necklace
My Pick: Tank, Gap; Shorts, Old Navy ("Drapey Short"); Necklace, Stella and Dot

Equation 5: Print Top + Denim Short + Statement Earrings + Metallic Sandal + Fedora
My Pick: Tribal Top, BB Dakota @ Amazon (sold out); Short, Old Navy Boyfriend 3.5 inch "Mitchell's Cove" wash; Earrings, Forever 21; Sandals, Mossimo; Bangle, Maurices

Equation 6: Bright T + Khaki Short + Neutral Wedge + Long Necklace
My Pick: Lace Overlay Top, Francescas (no longer available); Tank, Buckle; Watch, Francescas; Shorts, same; Heeled Sandal, Seychelles

Equation 7: Maxi Skirt + Bright Tank + Neutral Wedge + Statement Necklace
My Pick: Denim Vest, same; Tank, Walmart; Maxi, Billabong @ Buckle; Wedge, Bare Trap @ Amazon

Equation 8: Bright Cardigan (optional) + White T + Denim Short + Sneakers
My Pick: Sequin Tank, Banana Republic Factory; Green Tank, Walmart; Shorts, Gap "Skinny Bermuda"; Watch, same; Sneakers, same

Equation 9: Print Top + Khaki Short + Neutral Wedge + Statement Earrings
My Pick: Top, Old Navy; Pants, Old Navy "Rock Star Skinny Cargo"; Wedges, American Eagle @ Payless

Equation 10: Striped T + Bright Short + Metallic Sandal + Statement Earring
My Pick: T, Walmart; Shorts, Old Navy; Watch/Sandals, same; Expandable Headband, Scunci @ Walgreens

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for the second half!

What I Bought Wednesday!

I went shopping and tried on A LOT of clothes and purchased a few items. It is such a luxury for husband to give me the day off for shopping.  I mostly order online or rush in and out of a store (Target) with the kids in tow! I actually spent 5 hours at the Nebraska Crossings Outlet Mall and took time to browse, touch, and try on :)

My Picks:

Forever 21

I love their skinny jeans. They fit me well and the price is unbeatable! I bought the lighter version of these. They are 29 inch (ankle) in length. They range from $7.80-12.80.

I also love these nude bralettes and pick up a couple ($4.80) each time I go.


J. Crew

I have been struggling with online short buying, so it was nice to try on 2 sizes and 2 different lengths to find what's right for me. Size 2, 5 inch inseam chino short for the win! I only bought one pair because I hope to find better prices on Ebay now that I know what fits.

Banana Republic

I was in search of a nice sundress and found it here. The print I bought is much bolder, but can't find it online. Pricey, but oh! the quality!

This is the ombre halter dress.

Rack Room Shoes

These were love at first sight. I had a similar black pair a few seasons ago, but have completely worn them out. These have a nice zipper detail on the back and grey is a great neutral. You can find these online in this color at Baker's. They are the Zigi Soho Abilene Sandal.


Victoria's Secret

I've had my eye on this swim top for a couple of months and waited until the Semi-Annual sale to grab it!
This is the Beach Sexy Crop Top.

Gap

Excited to try their workout wear. These fit like a glove and are great quality!

These are the GapFit Gfast legging.

In other news, I'm participating in the Summer Challenge presented by Alison Lumbatis at Get Your Pretty On and will be posting my outfits weekly! Her fashion challenges are so much fun and give you another reason to go shopping :)

Pinspired: Print Shorts

I'm linking up with Pinterest Told Me To today for June Pin-spired!

Pinspiration Photos:

credit: lemonstripes.com

credit: tillys.com

My Pick:

Print Shorts: Forever 21 (last year)

White sheer top: Forever 21 (last year)

Wedges: American Eagle, Payless, in stores only

Necklace, Forever 21, in stores only

There are so many print shorts out there right now! I would choose the flowy ones over printed denim any day. Comfort is key! You can dress them down with sneakers and a cotton tank or dress them up with heels or wedges and a 3/4 sleeve blouse. I plan on buying at least one other pair within the next few weeks. 

Happy Pinning and thanks for coming by!

A Weeks' Worth & Summer Lovin'

There were a few warm days (ok, maybe just one-see middle pic with culottes), but for now it's still fairly chilly and windy. Layers required.

I have summer on my mind, though, and a ton of cute outfit ideas in my head! Mother Nature just needs to cooperate.

A few faves this week...

Pleated chambray shorts from Forever 21 here.

Mintaka romper from Anthropologie here

Old Navy foldover jersey skirts here

I've had these before and they are so comfy and versatile! Fitted T + jersey skirt + flops + messy top knot = cuteness.

Gap 1969 boyfriend short here

Take Me Away dress from Riffraff here

This just screams Sand & Sun!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Final Days: 20 & 21!

Day 20 Equation:

Button Down + White Jeans + Metallic Sandals

My Pick:

Pink floral button-down, NY & Co., ~$18 (sale last year)
White ankle skinnies, JCP, $20 (sale + coupon)
Necklace, Walmart, $5
Skimmers, JCrew, thrifted

Day 21 Equation:

Maxi Skirt + Bright Tank + Floral Scarf + Metallic Sandal

My Pick:

Skirt, Family Dollar, $10

Tank, thrifted, $3.25

Sandals, Mossimo, Target, $19.99

Necklace, Stella & Dot

And that's all, folks!

I can't even be sad because the summer challenge list will be out later this month! I plan on randomly posting some outfits on the Spring Challenge Facebook page and following all my new "friends" !

Days 17, 18, & 19!

Day 17 Equation:

Striped T + Denim Shirt + White Denim + Statement Necklace + Wedges

My Pick:

Denim shirt, Earl Jeans, thrifted
Striped T, Forever21, old, ~$9
White ankle skinnies, JCP, $20 (sale + coupon)
Wedges, American Eagle/Payless, $13 (sale + coupon)
Necklace, Walmart, $5

Day 18 Equation:

White Out!

White T + White Denim + Metallic Sandal + Statement Necklace

My Pick:

Blazer, Worthington/JCP, ~$21 (sale + coupon)
Tank, Target, $6
White ankle skinnies, JCP
Necklace, Forever 21, $5.80
Sandals, Mossimo, $19.99

Day 19 Equation:

White T + Bright Cardigan + Boyfriend Jeans + Metallic Sandal + Scarf

My Pick:

Cardigan, Gap, $19
Tank, Target
Jeans, Vigoss, Maurices, $25 (sale)
Scarf, Maurices, $12
Sandals, Mossimo/Target (old)

Sadie's Pick:
Cardigan, Circo/Target, $12
Tank, Garanimals/Walmart, $3.88
Jeans, Gap, thrifted
Shoes, Mooshu, $13 on Zulily