Does it have to match?

Good question, right? It used to be uber trendy to be matchy-matchy...from your color coordinated scrunchie right down to your argyle matching sox. However, this trend has moved aside and made way for a much more doable, wearable trend of "coordinating." The thought used to be that if you were wearing pink pants then by golly you had better have something pink in your shirt or you simply didn't match. My mom asks me often, "Does this match?" and I always respond with, "Ma---it doesn't have to match, it just has to "go." Get it? Hear me cluckin? Today's trends are all about ombre color schemes, color blocking, and mixing prints. The days of matching are gone (for now--you know how trends go) so bust out that green sweater and throw it on with those pink pants. Trust me, it "goes."

Six Ways to Style..... Red Skinnies!

Ahhhh! My first Six Ways post! This is a little idea that has been stewing around in my brain for awhile. I love fashion blogs that give me great inspiration for AN outfit but I am often left wishing I could see a bunch of ways to style one certain piece. I really have a hard time investing in a specific piece (ESPECIALLY if it is a bit trendy or a tad on the BOLD side of my personal style) if I cannot envision multiple ways of styling one clothing item. On top of this, a few of my family members turn to me from time to time and ask how to style a particular item from their closet.  They...we... like to see outfits styled for REAL life, REAL jobs, and REAL women. All of my Six Ways posts will try and accomplish this.  I hope these Six Ways posts help you decide whether or not to purchase that item on your fashion wish list or push you to style that piece sitting in your closet. Soooo, to make a few of my own tiny dreams come true...I hope to add a Six Ways post each weekend! **I'm lucky enough to have a snazzy, stylish friend helping make this happen too! Thanks bunches Holly!

Red skinnies: Light corduroy from The Gap

1. Layers: One of my favorite ways to style a bold pant is with several layers. The multiple layers balance out the "loud" color coming from the pants!

Blazer: The Limited
Chambray shirt: Kohl's (So)
Navy Striped Tee: Gap
Bib Necklace: Groopdealz
Belt Bracelet: The Limited
Shoes: DSW (Andrew Geller)

2. Print: Take a risk and throw a little color wheel theory into your outfit styling. Red and yellow are analogous (still trying to pronounce that word, right?...gets me every time!) colors and really pop when worn together. The yellow polka dots add just enough contrast to make this pairing keep your interest.

Chambray shirt: Kohl's
Sweater: The Limited
Bubble statement necklace: Groopdealz
Shoes: Maurices

3. Neutral: This simple white tank and khaki blazer work again to balance out the strong bottom half of this outfit. If bold, brightly colored pants freak you out, try wearing a nice, calm, and safe neutral piece on top....fears calmed! Spice it up a bit with some cheetah print shoes!

Blazer: The Limited
Embellished white tank: Old Navy
Silver stem necklace: Len
Cheetah flats: Macy's (Style & Co.)

4. Black: Watch out with this one! The first thing my husband said was, "Racy!" Not really what I was going for but I get it. Black and red simply make a powerful color combo. This outfit is definitely more for a night out on the town. Work it!

Black leather jacket: Marshalls
Embellished black tank: The Limited
Necklace: Forever 21
Shoes: Steve Madden

5. Leather: I have really been into the leather trend this past season. I will miss all my leather pieces greatly during the hot summer months. We must admit--a leather jacket seriously brings an outfit up a notch. This cognac jacket adds a slight masculine touch to the lace cream top.

Cognac leather jacket: Target (Xhilaration)
Lace top: Eddie Bauer
Rock necklace: The Limited
Shoes: DSW (Andrew Geller)

6. Casual: Heading out to run errands? Would rather NOT wear yoga pants? Who says you can't be cute, comfy, AND casual all at the same time in a red skinny jean ensemble? Comfy sweater? Check. Comfy tee? Check. Cozy scarf? Check. Style? Check, check!

Scarf: Heartbreaker
Tee: Target
Sweater: Kohl's (Jennifer Lopez)
Shoes: Von Maur (Sperry)

My Fave Inspiration Sites

I love lots and lots of creative things. It seems the tie that binds them all together is my love of color and design. Whether is is makeup, hair, fashion, photography, or digital design I am always drawn to stellar color schemes or unique design elements. Here are some of my favorite places to camp out for a little inspiration! There's enough blog loving to go around!

Carah Amelie
This gal is one of my fave youtubers for her amazing hair and make-up talents along with her great fashion sense and mom vlog. Tons of great tutorials and tips too!

Beauty Broadcast
Emily Noel is a great beauty guru. She does awesome drugstore/high end comparisons and I love her one-brand face tutorials.

The Small Things Blog
It seems everyone I know has pinned a hairstyle from this little cutie's blog. She is adorable, down to earth, and does some great hair.

Maskcara
This blog is one of my newer finds but I have quickly become a big fan. She has great tutorials and an excellent sense of humor!

The Beauty Department
Lots and lots of hair and make-up tutorials! You can really get lost on this site!

All Things Katie Marie
Super cute gal with a great sense for everyday, wearable fashion. She's a teacher too! Whoop whoop!

J's Everyday Fashion Blog
This gal is getting HUGE on Pinterest. Hands down, she is my favorite outfit queen. She has excellent color skills and can put an outfit together like no other! Fashion crush for sure!

Outfit Posts
Another great site for some excellent fashion inspiration. Her One Suitcase series is genius!

Shabby Princess
My all time FAVE destination for digital scrapbooking products. Digital elements and papers that don't look digital! Yay!

Jessica Sprague
My next digital destination is always JS! I have taken THE. MOST. AMAZING classes from this site. Scrapbooking, photography, designing...all top notch!

Who I AM....and Who I am NOT

Is there a prerequisite to starting a blog? Does one have to accomplish items on a list in order to have enough experience to put their thoughts out there on a blog? I hope not. I am not here because of my many accomplishments and accolades. I am here because I love a lot of things about life and I like to gab and I like to share. So here it goes...

Who I am...

1. Loved and forgiven by Jesus which makes everything else that much sweeter
2. Wife of many years to my gorgeous hubby who is still my favorite person on the planet
3. Mom to FOUR gorgeous girls who drive me to madness and fill my heart to overflowing minute to minute
4. Middle school English teacher with a heart for tweeners and all their stuff
5. Friend and confidant who wishes she were more giving and a better listener. Sigh.
5. Amateur photographer trying to view the world through my lens and not to drive my kids crazy with my momarazzi approach to their development at the same time
6. Digital designer in training
7. Fashionable wannabe
8. Lover of food but hater of the muffin top
9. Dreamer of international travel whilst living and loving in a midwest, suburban lifestyle
10. Closet hair and makeup groupie

Who or what I am NOT....

1. Perfect. Far from it. Really, really far from it.
2. Patient
3. Timid or shy or introverted. At. All.
4. Fashion victim
5. Follower (unless it's about Jesus, because then I'm all in)
6. Someone who exercises for fun. I loathe it.
7. Political
8. Lazy
9. Morning person
10. Book snob

There. Now you have any idea about what you will and won't see on my little piece of internet heaven.

Welcome to my crazy notion of starting a blog....

Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I have my hands in waaaaay too many pots. I've got some wicked version of adult ADD for sure. So join me here if you like to peek into many creative outlets too and could use a little bit of tutoring along the way.