{DIY} faux fur scarf

Click links to view or purchase items:

Faux fur scarf (as seen in Self Mag) 39.50 || Bracelet 29.99 || Watch orig 250, now 169.99 

Similar ring 21.82 || Ribbon - JoAnn Fabric 4.99 + use 40% coupon

I received this {faux} fur collar as a gift last year but never got a chance to wear it while it was still cold out. The ends snap together to be worn as a 'neck warmer', which makes it a little too close to my face (and my lip gloss) - so I decided to do a little DIY this weekend. I've seen fur scarves with a little ribbon to make them longer (like here and here) so a trip to the fabric store and a spool of grosgrain ribbon later, and I had a fancy new scarf. I wore it this weekend with jeans and felt instantly glam. A little over dressed for the grocery store, but still glam.

Building a closet

Every season, people ask me what they need to buy. But sometimes, 'what to buy' is not as important as working with what you already own. Having the basics in your closet make it easy to layer the season's trend or add an accessory to change up the look. Here are a few of my essentials for any wardrobe:

Click to view or buy: 
Trench 388 || Blazer 73.50 || Striped tee 39.50 || Black dress 168 || Skinny jeans 98 || Flats 195

PS - Your votes would be much appreciated!

By Best Mom Fashion Blog

LOFT: {my} looks to love - 3

I've spent way over my gift card limit, so this is my last look from LOFT.....that is, until I actually get into the store and start shopping for reals.

I went through a phase of wearing so many pencil skirts that my friend had to stop me from buying any more.  Ever.  Then I got pregnant and my waistline didn't shrink down to pre-baby-pencil-skirt size as fast as I had wished.  (Notice I said "wish" because I didn't actually do anything about it.)  Now it's close enough on most unbloated days, so I'm back on the pencil skirt kick.  This one looks like a subtle animal print, which I would normally throw back with a white button up, but the chartreuse grosgrain trim down the back makes me want to put it back with navy.  And this navy top is a perfect change from a polished poplin.  I'm thinking it can be worn a size up to give more volume over a slim pencil skirt for work or with skinny white jeans on the weekend.

What do you think are the must-haves?  Anything from this post (or this one or this one) that I should buy right now, or wait until more fall arrives?

earrings, bracelet, skirt, blouse, belt

LOFT: {my} looks to love - 2

It's turning out that my winnings aren't getting me very far, especially when I want so many things!  This look is my go-to weekend look.  If you don't have a draped shirt like this one (4), then you need it.  Not only is it insanely comfortable, the draping across the front is so flattering and hides that extra order of dessert you just demolished. (what? you don't order two desserts when you go out?)  This open-toe bootie (5) is also surprising comfortable.  The heel has a chunky rubber sole, so it offers good support, and the open-toe will show off my new ready-for-fall-color pedicure.  Extra plus that it brings these shorts right into fall with this shirt (4) and a gray leather jacket.

Two looks so far - what would you choose?

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LOFT: {my} looks to love - 1

My gift card was burning a hole in my pocket before it even arrived.  But now I'm considering just picking up a couple pieces to wear now and then waiting until my favorite fall styles start arriving.  Definitely on my must-have list is this lizard bracelet (2) (which bears a close resemblance to a long-time-coveted Hermes bracelet).  Layered with this wrap chain bracelet (3) and my over-sized gold watch, I'll be wearing this wrist candy for the rest of the year.  I also love the cobalt blue of this ruffled top (1) paired back with the gold printed shorts (4), which can go into fall with this jacket, charcoal tights, and these boots.  So what do you think?  How would you style any of these pieces?

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Check back tomorrow for another new look!

LOFT: looks to love

If you're following me on Twitter, then you know my exciting news for last week: I won Coquette's LOFT gift card giveaway!  This definitely brought a little sunshine into my otherwise dreary week!  I immediately hopped on to LOFT's website to do some online pre-shopping before I went into the store and completely lost all focus.

Here are a few of my initial picks and the rest of this week, I'll style the looks I have envisioned for them.

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Thank you, Coquette and LOFT for this giveaway! 

LOFTy savings

LOFT is taking an additional 40% off sale items.  Below are my picks that could easily mix and match with each other.

A few tops to throw on when running around for the day and a couple to wear when you need to kick it up a notch....a couple jackets to throw on over a tee or tank or bring a little contrast to the dressier tops...comfortable corduroys and riding pants to dress up or dress down...and belts to finish off your outfits. 

Happy shopping!

More LOFT...

Hue new

Wearing a solid outfit in a neutral like camel, black or gray is easy and always classic.  It makes you appear taller and slimmer and doesn't take much planning to pull it off.

Wearing a solid outfit in one color, on the other hand, is a little harder to pull off. The trick is to keep within the same shade, but not exactly the same color -- unless of course you are living in a retirement community in Florida wearing your jogging suit before tonight's game of canasta.

This fall, designers are showing bright colors from head-to-toe:

image via

Below are a couple of more practical options in berry and lime sherbet to inspire you. 

Purple long sleeve sweater, Victorias Secret $29 (orig $38)

Purple tiered skirt, Charlotte Russe $10.99 (orig $22.50)

Black bow belt, Steve Madden $38

Suede pumps, Urban Outfitter $48

Lime cashmere sweater, Bluefly $89 (orig $240)

Sage green cargo pants, LOFT $19.99 (orig $59)

Gray knitted cuff boot, asos $71.51 (orig $193.76)

Purple clutch, Kitson $48

White hot

Not wearing white after Labor Day is as old a rule as not mixing black and navy or wearing matching belt-shoes-purse.  Aside from summer weight fabrics, you can wear white all year round.  (Exceptions to that rule are: no white hosiery, white shoes or white bags.  Sure some people can pull it off, but most will look like Nurse Betty.)

Here are a couple of ideas to wear white now:

Look 1: Turn your summer white jersey dress to fall by layering a faux-fur vest over a long cardigan and pairing with over-the-knee boots.

Click on links below to purchase or view retailer's site:

Faux fur vest, Old Navy $29.50

Long boyfriend cardigan, Mossimo Black $20

Over the Knee boot, LOFT $198

Tunic dress, Vila $20.22

Double wrap bracelet, J.Crew $26.50

Look 2:  White jeans work all year when worn with a long wrap cardigan and booties.  Add a khaki sequin-front tank to add sparkle and texture.

Click on the links below to purchase or view retailer's site:

Wrap cardigan, Old Navy $49.50

Sequin front tank, Charlotte Russe $18

White jeans, MICHAEL Michael Kors $48.50

Suede lace up boot, ASOS TOTALLY $185.35

 Happy Labor Day!