I’ve discovered that the older I get the easier it is to make me happy…
THE STORY
…Really, it’s true. Who knew that getting the heater in my classroom fixed would put a perma-smile on my face and a bounce in my step all afternoon? I suppose the bounce in my step can be explained by the fact I hadn’t melted into a puddle of sweaty misery in the 80 degree heat (I kid you not, it was actually 80 degrees in my classroom) by the end of the day. It was seriously like a sauna in there before the repair. Except without the lemongrass scented air. And the relaxation. And with all of your clothes on. Do you know how hard it has been to figure out what to wear to work when it’s fall/winter outside, but a tropical vacation inside? I think what I’m most excited about is that I can now actually wear sweaters and boots to work without having to make sure I’m wearing something appropriate underneath so I can strip off layers as the day goes on without getting arrested.
THE OUTFIT
I picked up this lace slip dress on clearance from Free People months ago. I’ve worn it a bunch of times, but somehow it has never made the blog. I have it in paisley print as well and I love ’em both. They are light enough to layer in the cooler months and to wear alone when summer returns. Since it’s not quite long enough on it’s own, it needed an extender underneath. I wore the paisley lace slip dress over jeans and it worked perfectly that way too. I added this chiffon skirt extender to my collection because a) I didn’t have an ivory one, and b) c’mon it’s chiffon…how could I resist? I went with over the knee boots because I like the look of them with boho style dresses and because I’m not insane; it may have been 80 degrees in my room, but there’s snow on the ground my friends, so bare legs were out of the question.
THE TIP
Always keep an open mind in regard to styling things in your closet in different ways. A skirt or dress that’s too short? Add a lace slip underneath or layer it over jeans or pants. A skirt that’s too long? Pull it up over your chest (like a strapless dress), throw a sweater over it and no one is the wiser. I’ve also been known to use a necklace as embellishment around the ankle of a boot…the options are endless.
LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Lace slip dress: Free People; Boots: Charlotte Russe (Similar); Slip extender: Grace and Lace
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Prize: $500 Amazon Gift Card or Cash (via Paypal) - winner’s choice
Co-hosts: Purple Patch DIY ♥ FASHION TALES ♥ Krystal’s Kitsch ♥ Jenns Blah Blah Blog ♥ True Story Book Blog ♥ A Better Me ♥ The Bariatric Beauty ♥ SWEET HAUTE ♥ Blog by Donna ♥ Lauryncakes ♥ Fashion Fairy Dust ♥ Becoming Fab ♥ High Latitude Style ♥ SmartySaver ♥ Taffeta & Tulips ♥ Finger Click Saver ♥ Style On The Side
Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 1/20 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.
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LOVE the chevron pattern on the bottom of your dress!
Tara recently posted…What I Wore to Work Weekly Linkup #93: Citron
Thanks Tara!
Great boots!!
Jaymie
http://www.jaymieashcraft.com
Jaymie Ashcraft recently posted…Sweater coat + linkup
Thank you Jayme
I love the ruffles on you because they “call back” to your pretty, curly hair. Cute look! Overheated interiors in the wintertime drive me nuts!!
Susan (une femme) recently posted…rainy days and fridays…
I would rather be too cold than too hot any day of the week!
These colours are so pretty on you. I normally shy away from them but you do them so well I might be able to try them as well.
It looks like it is almost Spring there! Barely any snow on the ground and green grass.
I do hate it when it is freezing and you’re dressed in loads of layers and wool and then it is very warm inside. The metaphor with the sauna is perfect.
bisous
Suzanne
Suzanne recently posted…Mod Cloth Final Clearance Event
These colors do work really well, you should give ’em a shot.
Very cute outfit. And your styling tip is smart.
Shybiker recently posted…First Outfit of 2016
Thanks…I try…lol
Lovely and feminine look. Plus, I just love the light dusting of snow in your background. So pretty. Although not a big fan of winter in general, I do miss snow a bit and would rather it snow than rain
Monica.
Monica P recently posted…Blissmo Box No. 4 - More Snacks!
I agree…I’d rather snow than rain, but snow is definitely not my favorite thing!
Super cute! Love the neutral color scheme.
Darlene Fadem recently posted…1 Jacket 2 Looks
Thank you Darlene.
Love your boots Debbie, aww you have snow!!
Thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop
Claire recently posted…Tuna Pasta : The Weekend Blog Hop..
We do have snow…we actually had quite a bit until yesterday. It warmed up and melted again.
The lace dress is fab and I love your boots. Thanks for linking up for Style It Friday. xo~ Megan The Fashionista Momma
Megan Ballard recently posted…Style It Friday Link Up: Masquerade Ball
Thank you Megan and thanks for hosting the link up!
Such a lovely feminine look Debbie. I love the advice about how to overcome a short dress/tunic. I’ll be on the look out now for something similar myself. Oh, and I adore these boots. Am waiting for a pair of OTK boots in chocolate to arrive - goodness knows if my thighs and the boots will co-operate to give me a streamlined look!
Anna
Anna’s Island Style
Anna Parkes recently posted…Paisley print and fairisle knit
Ooo…chocolate brown…I might need a pair that color myself! Looking forward to seeing yours.
This look is total perfection in my book, Debbie! One of my very favs on you! And thank God you got your heater fixed! As if teaching isn’t tough enough, right?
Enjoy your weekend! Thanks for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Dawn Lucy recently posted…The Pack is Back & Fun Fashion Friday Link Up Party!
Thank you Dawn! And yes, you know when it’s too hot for you to function you sure can’t expect much out of a room full of hot sweaty kids…lol!
Hooray for getting the heat fixed! Our heat was out all last week, so it was crazy cold in my house and I had the opposite problem that you had! I do love this dress! I like the way that you styled it with similar light, natural colors and I took at look at the paisley dress over jeans. Well done!
: signe :
: the daily savant :
signe recently posted…Free to grow…
Right?! Although I think I’d rather too cold than too hot. I do love the style of this dress that’s why I picked up a couple of them…I often do that.
Soft colors look so nice on you Debbie! I love this look so much! So feminine, so pretty! I always find ways to wear things differently.
xo
Lona
http://realwifestyle.com/
Lona recently posted…Life is better after 40
Thanks so much Lona! I love soft colors just as much as brights. I’m always trying to come up with different ways to wear things.
You look fabulous darling. Thanks for linking up to #fashionfriday x
Mummy’s Got Style recently posted…Festive Style for Mum and I
Thank you! And thanks for hosting the link up.
This is such a beautiful dress, Debbie! So many great details and I love how you styled it for winter. Also, those boots are Amazing. Thanks for linking up with Fabulous Friday!
Jennie - A Pocketful of Polka Dots
Jennie recently posted…Office Layers
Thank you Jennie!
You are a snow angel in this outfit…it suits your coloring so well! Thanks for adding your fashion flair to the My Refined Style Linkup!
Shellie
Shellie Bowdoin recently posted…How To Shop As A Fabulously Frugal Fashion Hunter
Aww…thank you so much Shellie! Have a great weekend!
HOW SOFT AND BEAUTIFUL ARE YOUR WINTER PASTELS. I love this Bohemian Babydoll Dress, maybe even more than the paisley one (I remember that from our collaboration). I need to get some Free People Dresses (when they are on sale) and a couple of slips, too. I have loved those tassel and chain necklaces in these last posts and that pretty tassel bracelet, too. And the boots - I die.
Have a great weekend Debbie!
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