Masculine and feminime: Leather anad Lace {+ our GIVEAWAY]

Most people don't think to put leather and lace together. I'm hear to tell you that it is a GREAT idea! They are the perfect pair of masculinity and femininity for a stunning look. Take a peek at a couple of looks I created. Notice how they both look so natural--like the fabrics were meant to go together. I used neutral color just to focus on the textures, but add some color pizazz!  Have fun and don't be afraid to try something new. Scroll down to hear about our give away!

  

Masculine and feminime by hollymuilenburg featuring lace tops

~Holly

So--10 days ago we put a little push out there to see if our readers could help us reach a milestone here at TMS...20,000 views! We needed to get 3,000 views in under a week which is a pretty big deal. Well...we didn't make it in under a week but we did make it in under 10 days! Whoo Hoo! We just rolled the big 20 and are beyond pumped! We would like to honor this huge milestone by doing a give away! 

We are giving away two prizes~

Naked 2 Palette

OR 

Super versatile leopard print scarf

Two requirements to enter our giveaway...

1. You must follow our blog using your email. Look on the right side of our blog for the Follow By Email box. Type in your email address. You will need to confirm your submission and type in a code to prove you are not a machine. You will be sent a confirmation link to your email. Click the link and you are subscribed to TMS! (If you are already subscribed you are good on this one!)

2. Leave a comment on this post telling us how TMS has helped you with your style! 


The giveaway will go for one week. We will randomly choose a two winners (one for the palette and one for the scarf) after Thanksgiving! 

We are so thankful for you! Thanks for supporting us! Please spread the word! Post this on your FB page. Tweet it! Encourage your friends to check us out! 

 

Six Ways to Style~{Boots for Fall}

The ONLY reason I wish for fall and winter is so I can break out my decent boot collection. I adore boots and what they can add to an outfit. I am fully aware that you "can" wear them in the summer as well, but I have too many cute sandals to do so. When it is boot season though I go ALLLL out. We thought we would share a few of our favorite types of boots and how to style them for the fall. Check out the links for some places to purchase your own.

1. Hiking Chic
We are loving the trend of masculine style boots for fall. Combat boots and hiking-esque boots can be found everywhere right now. They add a perfect, chunky compliment to leggings and skinny jeans.

Get some!

2. Sox Appeal
Boot Socks! Love this trend. You can pick a printed sock or a sweater sock for a little more detail rather than just a plain design. These are a great pair of gray suede boots with three tiny buckles on the back rim. They go with more than you think. I've paired them with a ton of different colors. I used a water proof spray on them so they would stay protected.

Get some!

3. Not Just for Mud
A friend of mine introduced me to Bogs two winters ago. Where I live, winters can be brutal and I HATE having cold feet. I scored a pair of Bogs on super duper clearance that year and am so in love with them. They are completely water proof and totally toasty. Did I mention they are good to 20 degrees below zero? Yep.  I wear them religiously in the winter and change into my cute flats and pumps once I get to my destination. Makes winter much more bearable when you tootsies are toasty.

Get some!

4. Perfect Slouch
The boots match the belt. This is an easy way to stay coordinated in your outfit picks. I have to say I wear these boots ALL the time! This is the most basic color and texture (light brown/leather) that goes with just about everything. They have a buckle around the ankle for a touch of detail. If you're looking to buy your first pair of boots, I highly suggest a pair similar to these.

Get some!
 
 5. Over the Knee Glee
My husband says there is just something racy about over the knee boots.....? I think it might be the whole Pretty Woman thing.  Anyway, I could care less. I got this pair from Urganog and adore them. They can be worn tall or folded down and add so much to any outfit. Mine are a flat stye and are super comfy for walking around. 

Get Some!

6. Bootie
Ankle boots! These are a great accessory to skinny jeans. I chose to add some lacey boot socks for added detail. Pick a pair that have a buckle or some detail to finish off the look. If you're not quite ready to be so trendy, these work well under most pant leg cuts.

Get some!

Come back Tuesday to enter our GIVE AWAY!

Pinbuster: Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

The Original PIN

Here’s your line up    Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large egg
1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon hot sauce, like Tabasco
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
Ten 1-inch Mozzarella balls (I used string cheese and chopped it into 1-inch cubes...WAY cheaper!)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and grease 9×13-inch baking dish with oil.

2.  Place beef, egg, onion, bread crumbs, Parmesan, milk, garlic, Worcestershire, mustard, hot sauce, salt, pepper and garlic salt into a large mixing bowl, stirring until just combined.  Take 1/4 cup beef mixture and press into center with your thumb to make room for cheese ball.  Place cheese in middle then with hands enclose the cheese with the beef, making sure the cheese is completely covered.  Place meatballs into prepared baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until cooked through.

3.  Serve over the top your favorite pasta or inside a warm roll for delicious meatball sandwich.

PINBUSTER VERDICT:
These were AMAZING!! I followed the directions pretty carefully the first time I made them, then the next time I just used a favorite meatloaf recipe and string cheese and it was just as AMAZING! I think the mozzarella cheese is the deciding factor. Give it a try, you will not be sorry!

Happy cooking!

~Holly

 

Outfit of the Day: A style for your baby bump

Stay stylin' with a baby bump. Try a stripes and print combo.

Love it!!

Shirt: Garage Sale (Brand:Pink Rose)

Scarf: Target

Cardigan: Old Navy

Shoes: Target

~Holly

Six Ways to Style~{A Cognac Leather Jacket}

This is one of my favorite layering pieces in my closet! I am a tiny bit obsessed with cognac (the color!) right now too. I love it in belts, boots, and blazers! The one we are styling here has so many great details and embellishments and the perfect, tailored fit. I find myself throwing it over so many outfits.

 (This SAME ONE is on clearance right now at Target for $19.99! Bah! Go get it! )

Want a cognac leather jacket?

1 /  2 

1. Chambray Sure
There will be a future six ways post on this cream skinnies! I just love how simple this outfit is, yet so pulled together. Wearing a chambray shirt as your bottom layer is always a sure bet. Every time. The cognac jacket does so much for the overall look and feel of the outfit. I threw on orange flats for a pop of color.

Chambray: Kohls
Skinnies: Old Navy
Flats: Banana Republic

2. Mixin Prints
Polka-dots and stripes! (Check out our Print on Print posts for more tips on mixing prints.) The jacket is the perfect accent to this look. The black and white prints give detail while the jacket finishes it off. And of course...LEOPARD print shoes bring it all together. LOVE this look!

Sleeveless: Good Will!
Tank: Nordstrom Rack
Skinny jeans: Herberger's
Shoes: Target

3. Animal Instinct
Animal print is my new black. I used to be in this awful rut where I wore black nearly every day. It forced me to be on a strict "no black buying" shopping diet. However, I feel as though I now have an addiction to animal print because I buy it and wear it all the time. I adore it here under the cognac jacket. Oh well. This is a perfect going out look that looks comfy and chic at the same time.

Cardigan: Kohls
Tank: Old Navy
Skinnies: American Eagle
Flats: Von Maur, Born

4. Layered Love
For this look, I chose a lighter chambray shirt with a great striped sweater. I picked a orange statement necklace to add a pop of color. The nude sparkle shoes are the perfect way to complete it without going over the top.

Chambray: Charlotte Russe
Sweater: Gap
Necklace: Burlington Coat Factory
Skinny jeans: Herberger's
Shoes: Target

5. Say Yes to a Dress
This is another great example of how to stretch your wardrobe through several seasons. I used to classify this black dress as a strictly summer staple. However, when I was thinking about how to layer with my cognac jacket, it popped in my mind. The boot sox and matching cognac boots give it a perfect fall vibe. I added a little pop with the gold and turquoise necklace and suddenly had a fabulous fall look...from a summer dress. Say yes!

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
Boot Socks: Target
Boots: Tilly's
Necklace: ancient!

6. Leather Squared
Can't get enough of Black and Brown! (Check out a previous posts on pairing these two neutrals.)The leggings are a faux leather and the combo with the jacket is amazing! The green necklace adds just enough to bring it all together.

Sleeveless: Charlotte Russe
Leggings: Forever 21
Necklace: Jo Ann Fabrics!
Shoes: The Buckle

stylish and affordable jewelry storage!

Part of being a fashionista means you most likely have storage issues. I have shoe storage issues, clothes storage issues (I despise trading my clothes out for the seasons--whole 'nother post for another time--Ha!) and I absolutely have accessory storage issues. I plan to share some of my storage solutions here on the blog over the next couple of months. Please, please share yours as well! I need all the help I can get! Today I am going to show you a small portion of my jewelry collection and a storage solution that was cheap, yet oh so chic.

 I originally saw the idea on Whippy Cake's blog--you know how I love Miss WC! Her's is to-die-for gorgeous but a bit too involved for what I needed and the space I had to accomplish it with. So--I sent my mom out on garage sale hunts (don't worry--she lives for this kind of stuff) for some milk glass. Different sizes, designs, and heights. She would text me pics and I would snag the ones that I loved. Each piece was very reasonable. You can also find loads of milk glass at thrift stores. I simply placed them on my dresser and loaded them up with dainty bracelets, big bracelets, rings, and odds and ends. I love how this serves as storage AND decoration all at once. Go get yourself some milk glass and make it happen!

A little note from a mom of four daughters...

This post has been heavy on my heart for quite some time. Like so many of you I am a mom. Being a mom is tough, tough work. Raising our children (boys or girls or both) in this dynamic, volatile culture can be extremely challenging. Some of you are also like me in that you have the unique challenge of raising ALL girls. I'm going to speak about this particular challenge in this post as it is all I know. Don't think for a minute that what I am saying also doesn't apply to raising boys...it very well might. However, I only know girls. I was one of the three girls growing up and I am raising four now. It's all I've got to go on.

Here is my dilemma~ How do you raise young ladies who place more value on their inner beauty than their outer beauty? How do you instill in them that it is fun and exciting to use makeup and be into fashion while at the same time teaching them to not let the outside define how they feel and who they are on the inside? They need to hear everyday that they are Daughters of the King and that their true value and ultimate worth belong in Him.

As you probably have already guessed, I enjoy fashion and beauty related endeavors. I have absolutely passed this on to my daughters (those that are old enough to wear or care). Know that I am totally fine with this. What I want to do though is ALSO pass on a legacy that lets them know that all of this is really and simply frivolous and has no real lasting power regarding things that really matter. It is a battle everyday and everywhere. I fear our culture--social media, movies, TV, books, etc.--does a better job at inundating them with the opposite philosophy. You must have the perfect body. Perfect hair. Perfect makeup. As long as you look good on the outside, who cares what turmoil is beneath the surface. Our culture tells them what feels good, IS good. What's easy must be what is right. This all scares me to death and makes me want to keep my daughters tucked away from the world. I am fully aware that there are no easy answers to my plight and will rely on prayer and Godly parenting to get me through. Let's join together and raise women who know their true worth and can have little fashion fun too!    Love you all!

Check out a video that really seized and convicted my heart~  

Six Ways to Style~ {Scarves!}

We are very into scarves over here at Tutor My Style. They are an all-year-round accessory depending on the weight of the fabric. Where we live, having a scarf in the fall and winter is almost a necessity. A scarf seriously can feel like adding 5-10 degrees to your body--which can be crucial at times. Scarves are the perfect finishing touch accessory to almost any outfit and they go with just about anything--from jeans to skirts to leggings. Check out our 6 ways to style our favorite scarves.

1. Print Possible
Grabbing a scarf in a busy floral or water color-esque pattern will serve your outfits well. The print grabs attention and is a great focal point for an outfit. I love how we mixed the stripe shirt with the floral print scarf in this outfit. The green point shoes are perfection with this trouser pant.

 Print scarves:   1  /  2  /  3

2. Maxi Scarf
A scarf around your neck is a great balance to the length of this maxi skirt. This is also the perfect way to bring your maxi skirt from a summer staple to a fall foundation piece. The added warmth at this time of year is always a bonus. The little bit of sparkle in this scarf adds just enough bling!
 
Sparkle Infinity Scarves  1  /  2  /  3

3. Bandana Beauty
This is a great and unique way to tie a scarf. It adds fullness and flair to the front of any top. Choose a feminine print so you don't feel too bank robber-ish!  You will want to look for a scarf with a square or rectangular shape to get this triangle effect. Styling a scarf this way lets it take center stage.

Square Scarves   1  /  2  /  3 

4. Cargo Comfort
When I'm in a comfy mood I almost always reach for a scarf to finish off my outfit. I love, love this infinity cowl neck scarf for just this purpose. It simply goes over my head as one loop and I can adjust it and layer it just right. Comfort and cozy taken care of!

Cowl Neck Scarves  1  /  2  

5. It's a Cinch
Cinching a scarf underneath a belt is a supremely elegant way to add flair to an outfit. The scarf draws the eye down towards the perfect skinnies and slouchy boots. A comfy cardigan acts as the base to the scarf and belt pulls the entire outfit together. Love it! You can use any longer scarf you have and simply don't tie it off around your neck. Situate it evenly around your neck and drape it down the front. Cinch with a belt and adjust the fullness of the scarf and VOILA!

6. Leopard Love
Not to sound like a broken record but ....a leopard or cheetah print scarf can be worn with just about anything. I am not sure why this print just WORKS with most colors and even other prints. It just does. Don't analyze it; just go with it!

Leopard Print Scarves
1  /  2  /  3  

Hoping to Hit a Milestone! + {A Giveaway!}

Ladies (and a few gentlemen!)....we are almost....so close....to hitting a huge milestone for our little blog. 20,000 views! Twenty-thousand views! In just 6 months! Gah! We are less than 3,000 views away! We would be uber honored if you would spread the love and get our blog out there so we can hit this huge milestone. Our goal is to hit at least 20,000 by this time NEXT WEEK. So, how can you help?

1. Share our blog on your Facebook page and encourage your friends to check us out. 

2. Pin 3-4 of our blog posts on your Pinterest page.

3. Tweet a pic or two from our blog with a link to a post

IF we reach 20,000 views by this time next week we will be doing a GIVE AWAY! 

We will be gifting a lucky reader...

** The NAKED 2 Palette (Gracious, I don't even have one yet!)**

** A leopard print scarf (Everybody has to have one!)**

More deets on how to enter the giveaway next week! 

We wish there was a way to send out 20,000 Thank You notes! Our readers ROCK!

Love!

Holly and Emily 

OOTD {Fall Shopping Style}

I had an awesome birthday weekend and spent a large chunk of it shopping around with some family visiting from out of town. When I get dressed for a day of shopping I consider two things: (1) Comfort, and
 (2) How easy would it be to try on clothes? I put this outfit together for both those reasons. In addition, I didn't want to have to lug a coat with me so the scarf plays a starring role in keeping me toasty.

Sweater: The Limited (similar)

Top: The Limited (similar)

Skinnies: American Eagle (same)

Scarf: Old Navy (same)

Shoes: Target (similar)

Necklace: Jennifer Dahl Designs

Purse: Target (same)