When my friend, Leslie, asked if I would be willing to be a guest poster on her blog, I thought “who will want to see this 50-something wife, mom of 2, first grade teacher’s outfits!?” And then I decided that since I have no desire to be that “old lady” wearing those “old lady outfits” and have been working really hard at putting together a current, appropriate, versatile, but fun closet of clothes, I would do this!
I first “met” Leslie, a year ago, when we both signed up for the Spring 2014 Style Challenge through Alison Lumbatis’ “Get Your Pretty On” blog. (I also got to “know” Leslie’s sweet daughters, Lauren and Brennyn, and her adorable granddaughter, Cady.) Now, I didn’t really know what to expect other than I would get a shopping list and then 21 days of outfits using those pieces. Little did I know the impact it would have on me! Since then I have done 5 more of Alison’s style challenges and have enjoyed updating my wardrobe and adding some pieces I would not have chosen to purchase, much less wear! But the very best part of the challenges has been the friendships I have made with wonderful women all over the country (even out of the country) at different stages of life. Some of us have been friends for a year now, and even though I don’t need one more piece of clothing, I continue to sign up for challenges just to “hang out” with my new friends. We support each other, laugh at ourselves, encourage each other to try new things, cry with each other, and send prayers and virtual hugs when they are needed! I encourage you to give the next challenge a try…it will change you in ways you can’t even imagine!
Now to the 50-something outfits…Spring is always a tough season to dress in Minnesota…can be freezing and snowing one day and sunny and 70 the next, so I have learned to “Minnesota-ize” my outfits…
Here is Day 13 OOTD which was a cardi + gray tee + white jeans + long necklace + wedges.
This has probably been my favorite OOTD this challenge, and definitely not one I would have come up with on my own…gray+mint+white=AWESOME!!
Mint cardi is from Old Navy, gray tee and white crop jeans are from Loft, mixed metal necklace is from Maurices, and my shoes are Toms. (I subbed Tom flats because I visited my son at college and lots of walking plus this is Minnesota, ladies! Not always sandal weather in April!)
Day 15 OOTD was a printed top + colored denim + sandals + watch/bracelet stack + hoop earrings.
Today our Minnesota weather was a bit more cooperative with spring fashions…in the 70’s but it could be 28 by tomorrow…it is what it is! I chose some smoke green crop jeans from Loft, a coral, patterned pullover shirt that I just got from Loft, the famous ladder necklace that Stella and Dot sells, but mine is a knockoff from Jane.com, and of course another pair of Toms – camo this time! Camo is one of those things I probably would not have tried without being a part of the style challenges – I am definitely more adventuresome with my clothing! (I now have 2 pairs of camo pants, a camo jacket, and another pair of camo shoes-wedge booties.)
I want to thank Leslie (No, thank YOU, Mary) for the opportunity to try a little blogging…something I would like to do, but not enough time now…too busy with my kiddos at school…maybe when I retire!
Have a great day Pretties!
See what I mean?
There’s just something about Mary.
(Pardon the pun, I couldn’t help myself but I am totally sincere)
Isn’t she great?
Don’t you feel like you have just made a new friend, too?
I envy Mary’s spunky hair cut. So cute. I really, really want to cut my hair short. Mary always looks fun and happenin’.
Now, let me introduce you to my equally fun and happenin’ FRIEND, Wendy.
Take it away…Wendy.
I first heard about Alison’s GYPO Style Challenges last spring. While reading some blogs, I came across GYPO. Alison was sharing her new style challenge, where she would style 21 days of outfits! Sounded fun – who wouldn’t want a personal stylist?
I signed up to for the summer 2014 challenge. Twenty-one days of outfits, a shopping list, and a private Facebook group, yes, please! Since then I have participated in the fall, winter/holiday challenges, and now I’m doing the spring challenge.
I have had so much fun and have learned a ton! I learned how to take basic pieces of clothing (with a few trendier clothes) and turn them into a great wardrobe for myself! I even enjoy shopping for myself now!
But the best thing has been being a part of the Facebook group! We post our outfit of the day (OOTD) there and receive feedback. This group of ladies is awesome! Always encouraging and lifting up one another! It’s been a blessing to be a part of this group. If I hadn’t been brave enough to post a picture, I would never have “met” such wonderful ladies, especially Leslie! (Gee, thank you so much, Wendy! I am so glad you posted that first picture, too!)
On the left, the Day 12 OOTD was chambray + white tank + patterned or colored jeans + wedges.
I wore my denim jacket (Gap), white tank (Target), olive jeans (Pixie Pants, Old Navy), and my wedges (Naturalizer).
On the right, the Day 13 OOTD was a cardigan + grey tee + white jeans + long necklace + wedges.
I wore green cardigan (JCPenney), grey tee (Express), white jeans (Old Navy, Rockstar), necklace (Francesca’s), and wedges (Robyn, Naturalizer).
I tend to shop my closet first during the challenges, then if I’m missing key items or fall in love with something someone else has posted, I buy. For example, I bought this grey tee from Express, after seeing it on other challengers! Everything else I wore was already in my closet!
How great is that?
Back to me, again.
Don’t you love these looks? Wendy’s clothes always fit like they are tailor-made for her. Just like that you now have another new friend.
And I could kiss both of these adorable fashionistas for wearing my favorite color…
GREEN!
Consider yourselves kissed, girlsies.
I have been all over the place (hard to imagine, huh?) with the challenge this week. I wore two outfits from the first week that I had missed out on while I was at the TLA annual conference. Then tried to play catch up wearing this week’s outfits.
With that being said, here is a collage of a couple of the outfits I wore.
Hey, I think the outfit on the right is Day 13. The same Day 13 that my buddies Wendy and Mary modeled so well above.
And below I am modeling Days 14 and 16. Whew, too much math.
Day 14 OOTD Striped Dress + Printed Scarf + Hoop Earrings + Sandals
Day 16 OOTD Cardigan + Black Tee or Tank + Printed Skirt + Wedges
I do not understand WHY my pictures are so fuzzy sometimes and so HUGE almost always! But I have found someone who is going to fix this issue for me…I hope. You will just have to come back again to see if she can find a solution.
Join me in a big round of applause for my guest bloggers, Mary and Wendy.
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Please be sure to check out the outfits of my Spring Style Me Challenge buddies below. And congratulations to the winner of the Style Me Bloggers give-away, Darcy Lynn! Enjoy shopping at Nordstrom, Darcy, for something special. Thanks to all who participated.
Shoes to Shiraz | R Squared | Two Teens and Their Mama | Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life | Puppies and Pretties | Daily Style Finds | Making the Most of Everyday | She Thought She Could | Foxy’s Domestic Side | Quilty Joy Joy | Curls and Cardigans | Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After | My Running Stitches | From Plaid to Pearls | Stashed Blog | X-tremely V | A Little Bit of Cheer | Nick and Nik |
Hugs and kisses,
Sharon
I know everyone looked great but I wasn’t able to see the pictures!
Iris
Lovely, well dressed ladies you are, all three! I’m glad to be part of the gang, too!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much for coming by, Iris! I positively drool over your outfits day after day. Really loved your skirt from yesterday’s OOTD. I would love to have you guest on my blog, too!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Not sure why that happened. Can you stop by the blog now to see if you can see the pics? I know you are a very busy Minnie, so don’t worry about doing it unless you have a free moment. Love you.
Sharon
Later last night the pics appeared! My phone was apparently acting up for over 24 hours! Everyone looked lovely! XO
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay! I had someone working on my pictures in order to reduce their size and make them less blurry. Maybe that’s what happened…she was working on them when you first tried to look at them? Anyway, glad you came back to check them out and thank you for letting me know that everything is back to normal. XO
Andrea
Looking good pretty ladies!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Andrea, thanks so much for coming by to see us! I loved having my buddies Mary and Wendy guest post for me. Please come back again!
Lana
What a great idea to showcase some of our other style sisters! You can definitely be friends with someone you’ve never met, because I definitely consider you a friend :)! The yellow cardigan is so beautiful on you and really makes your pretty eyes pop!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Lana. I wasn’t sure about wearing yellow but I kind of liked it. And had to very sweet ladies (strangers) compliment me on the color.
Shaunacey
what a great idea to feature some lovely ladies from the challenge!!! I LOVE seeing people I recognize!! I have to say, both Mary and Wendy are super sweet, like you, so it doesn’t surprise me that you’ve become friends!
There really are some truly amazing women in this group!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Shaunacey! I loved having the ladies join me. What a sweet compliment about our friendship. Hasn’t it been amazing to make friends with fashionistas all over the world through the challenges?
Phyllis
Leslie,
How fun to guests posting about the Challenges! Really enjoyed reading!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Phyllis, for coming by and taking time to leave a comment. Would love to have you guest post in the future. Maybe you and Denise? Please come back again!
Katie
Great post!! Love the challenges and all the friends we’ve made!! Great idea Leslie!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Katie. I think the friendships have been one of the best parts. Thank you for stopping by!
Carrie
Love that you had guests post in your post. Everyone looks fantastic!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Carrie. I like the way you and Whitney are tag-teaming on your blog. It is fun to get someone else’s perspective on things.
Alison @ Puppies & Pretties
Great idea having guest posters! I absolutely love your day 14 outfit.