GAP Archives - Fashion Fairy Dust

Camo Shorts & Long Vest: What A Difference A Night Makes

05.13.2015

Sometimes the simplest things fascinate me. Take trees for instance. Once winter begins to fade away like a bad dream, tiny buds show up on the trees. Those buds seem to be there for weeks. Just taunting you with the promise of summer. Then one day you wake up and boom; the trees are covered in leaves. Like maybe the leaf fairies stopped by while you were sleeping (they only work at night, much like the tooth fairy). It’s a veritable leaf explosion. And it’s seemingly overnight. I know, it’s an entire complex process; I have been teaching science you know. Ya, I’m a regular Bill Nye the Science Guy. But in a skirt and heels. And maybe a little less nerdy. But I digress. Process or not, the leaf thing fascinates me. One day you don’t see ’em, the next day you do. The world is indeed a mysterious place my friends.

This outfit is a prime example of how you can take a simple pair of camo shorts and a t-shirt and dress them up and make them work appropriate (although it does depend on where you work) with a few added pieces. I went with my heeled sandals as opposed to Converse, threw on the ever present statement necklace and then…added the magical third piece (see here for an explanation of the third piece rule). The third piece would be the long vest; which by the way I refuse to call a “sleeveless blazer”. It’s a vest people, seriously, the definition of a sleeveless jacket would be…a vest. Anyhow, the vest added that little extra something to pull it all together. Probably the most important thing to consider if you are going to wear shorts to work is are they appropriate? Obviously wearing your denim bootie shorts (if you own denim bootie shorts that is…no judgement here) isn’t going to be your best choice. Make sure they are the right length. These for example, hit right above the knee. When I wear them in real life I usually roll them a few times. Also, you want them to be the right material, nothing to sheer. Just think skirts. What length and material of skirts would you wear to work? I always use that as a guideline. Finally, like I said above you other pieces need to skew on the dressier side (heels, blazer, etc.) that way you’re sure to elevate your shorts from the casual zone to the work zone.

Linking up with: Random Wednesdays, Wednesday Blog Hop, I Feel Pretty, Style Me Wednesday, The Wednesday Pants, Bless Your Heart Link Up, Thursday Fashion Files, Throwback Thursday, Spotlight Weekly Link Up, What I Wore To Work, A Labour Of Fashion, Top Of The World Style Link Up.

**WARNING!! Gratuitous bulldog shot!!

Shorts: GAP (Old); Vest: Target (Old); Sandals: Target (Old); Tee: Forever 21 (Old)

Take a shot at winning a $500 Amazon Gift Card…seriously…$500!!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Prize: $500 Amazon Gift Card

Co-hosts: Michigan Saving and More • Memoirs of a Clueless Woman • Life is Poppin’ • Life’s Cheap Thrills • This Mommy Saves Money • Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog • Mommy on the Money • Sew Crafty Angel • Stylish Adventures with AL • Virtually Yours • Lilac Reviews • Blog by Donna • Dorky’s Deals • Krystal’s Kitsch • Stacy’s Savings • Living With Beth

Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 6/1 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Floral Kimono & Boyfriend Jeans: Flower Or Weed?

05.11.2015

I’ve thought about this before, but forgot about it until I was mowing the yard this weekend. At what point in our lives do dandelions stop being pretty flowers and become weeds? I know, my mind works in peculiar ways; but think about it for a minute. If you have kids or if you ever were a kid, you know what I’m talking about. I can’t tell you how many wilty little bouquets I used to get, sometimes with roots and leaves attached. I would oooh and aaahh and place them in water for us to admire and all the while that little face would be beaming because, “Look mommy, I got you flowers!” And I did the same for my mom when I was little. So when exactly did it occur to me that no, they aren’t pretty flowers they are annoying weeds that left unchecked will take over the entire yard? Does it happen as a result of simply growing up, or is it a touch of cynicism as our view of the world changes because we woke up one day and reality hit us in the face? Just something to think about. You know, because you needed something deep and philosophical to mull over on a Monday.

I have to say, this floral kimono still holds the number one spot in my rather extensive kimono collection (in my opinion, anything over two is a collection). The colors are so vibrant and it looks good with so many things. This is my favorite way to wear it though. I like the hit of pretty girliness it brings to denim, particularly boyfriend jeans. Fashion laws seem to dictate that if you’re going loose and slouchy on the top you should go streamlined on the bottom and vice versa. But you know my thoughts on rules. I think if either the top or bottom is slouchy without being bulky (sort of drapey I suppose) then you can pair two looser fitting pieces together.

Linking up with: Creative Mondays Blog Hop, Style To Inspire, Let It Shine, How I Spring Link Up, Link Up With Lisa, Personal Style Link Up, Turning Heads Tuesday, Confident Twosday, Style Sessions Fashion Link Up, Reason To Dress, Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me.

Kimono: JCPenney (Old); Jeans: GAP (similar); Sandals: Target (Old)

**Enter to win a $500 Amazon gift card here!

Cream Kimono & Floral Tee: What A Difference A Day Makes

04.20.2015

In Thursday’s post I talked about how as much as I love my job, sometimes it is thoroughly emotionally exhausting. On the flip side, Friday reminded me of why exactly I do what I do. My principal’s mom owns an absolutely beautiful Samoyed named Rosie who happens to be a therapy dog. She had asked me if perhaps I would like Rosie to come visit my class…of course I jumped on that! It’s not like my love of all members of the canine persuasion is any secret.

Rosie came to visit on Friday. The kids all got to pet and talk with her, see a few tricks and learn about how to appropriately interact with dogs. I do not have the words to fully explain to you the utter joy my kids got from spending time with her. When Rosie walked in the “ooh’s” and “aahs” sounded like we were watching a fireworks display. They were completely delighted with everything she did. There were so many times while watching them with Rosie that I teared up. Hell, I’m tearing up while writing this. When I can give them something that they will truly learn from and remember, something that makes even a small difference in their worlds, that’s when I’m reminded of how worth it my job really is.

This cream kimono is such a perfect example of floaty ethereal awesomeness, is it not? It was one of my very first Poshmark purchases. I’ve been waiting for the weather to cooperate with me so that I could wear it; below zero weather doesn’t exactly go hand in hand with “floaty ethereal awesomeness”. Since Spring has officially sprung, I thought it would be fabulous over my floral tee, and the boyfriend jeans kept all the girliness grounded. And to make it even better, my first Rocksbox arrived and the delicious delicate gold Gorjana bangle I found inside was perfect with the kimono.

Originally I wasn’t sure about collaborating with Rocksbox because I’ve seen them all over Instagram and it was predominantly younger bloggers. I did some investigating and decided that it’s a pretty cool concept for girls of any age. It’s a subscription service and for $19.99 a month you get a box with three pieces of jewelry chosen based on your profile. You can send them back and trade them in for different pieces as many times as you’d like with free shipping both ways. And if there is something you truly love, you can buy it…pretty sweet! All three pieces that came in my first box were right on the money; I would have chosen each of the pieces myself. If you’d like to give it a try with no commitment, it’s your lucky day. Enter “fashionfairydustxoxo” at checkout and try it out for free for one month. If you aren’t totally diggin’ it, you can cancel at any time.

Linking up with: Sunday Funday Linkup, Creative Mondays Blog Hop, Style To Inspire, Let It Shine, How I Spring, Link Up With Lisa, Personal Style Linkup, Top Of The World Style Link Up, Turning Heads Tuesday, Confident Twosday, Style Sessions Fashion Link Up, Reason To Dress.

Kimono: Poshmark; Tee: Old Navy (In-store purchase); Jeans: GAP via Poshmark; Shoes: Windsor (Old); Necklace: Headline Boutique; Gold Bangle Bracelet: Rocksbox

Red Khakis , White Pumps & Converse: Outfit In 3 Acts

04.10.2015

Throughout the course of the day, this outfit morphed three different times. The red khakis and white blouse remained the same, but the add-ons changed. I was like Clark Kent bolting into the phone booth only to emerge seconds later with a whole new look. Actually it was all temperature and foot pain dependent, and unfortunately had nothing to do with me turning into a superhero to fight crime and evil in the world. I figured for the sake of keepin’ it real I should share all three looks with you. And to really keep it real, I took the photos after work so that my pants and blouse had that ~~wrinkled~~ lived in look to them.

My friends, I do believe I have finally mastered the skill of rolling the artfully messy cuff on my pants. More often than not, I prefer a messy cuff to a neatly folded one. But for some reason this particular ability has eluded me forever. Believe me, I’ve studied photo after photo on Pinterest and just couldn’t quite get it. I’ve determined that first and foremost, don’t over think it. Just do it. Make the first roll wide and sloppy, do a quick second roll over it and be done. Don’t fuss with it. Don’t adjust and readjust. Fussing just takes away from the haphazard messiness of it which kind of defeats the purpose. What’s your cuff of choice? Messy or neat?

Linking up with: Style Elixir’s Friday Fab Favorites, Welcome To The Weekend Blog Hop, Favorite Fashion Friday, Fun Fashion Friday, Passion For Fashion, Fashion Friday At Mummy’s Got Style, The Wednesday Pants Link Up.

Pants: GAP via Poshmark; Blouse: JCPenney (Old); Moto Jacket: JCPenney (No longer available); Pumps: Baker’s Shoes (Old); Converse: Nordstrom

In honor of the fact there will soon be an H&M opening within driving distance from my house…a $250 H&M Giftcard giveaway! Enter below…you know what to do!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Prize: $250 H&M Gift Card

Co-hosts: The Relevance Report • Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog • The Fashion Stir Fry • Six One Six • Funky Jungle • A Labour of Life • To Be Bright • JooJoo Azad • Style on Main • Laura Jane Atelier

Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck! (Please email [email protected] with any questions.)

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 4/30 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway