Pinned It, Did It + LINK UP

Welcome to another edition Pinned It and Did It! You know, the time when we dig deep into those 4,506 pins we have and start recreating them!

If you haven't been following my friend Carrie for her Shop and be Free for 3 group, you really should be! Read all about it HERE.

In this group, Carrie talks a lot about defining your personal style--figuring out what is really YOU vs. what looks good on someone else or in a picture. I think this Pinned It post illustrates this point perfectly. I swooned over this look because it has every single element I love--camo, chambray, sparkle! And I love how the "edgy" (camo) is pair with the more conservative button down.

Frankly, in "real life" I hated this outfit. Well, hate is a strong word but number one, I didn't feel comfortable in it. I have pretty much decided sweater and button down is NOT me.

While I love all of these pieces separately (camo, sweater, chambray, ankle boots) I just don't like them all together.

These camo pants still continue to get TONS of wear, mostly because they are so darn comfy! But then paired with the "stuffy" button down and sweater, it defeats the purpose of throwing on my most comfy pair of pants, ya know??

I think it's really important to come to grips with the fact that every "flat lay" and awesome looking outfit on Pinterest and on Instagram might not look or FEEL good on you! And that is A-OK! I mean, sometimes I seriously wonder if other super high end fashion bloggers actually WEAR the stuff they blog about! Since I am all about practicality, I don't get much joy out of perusing outfits I'll never wear!

Has this ever happened to you before? Have you ever lusted over an outfit online, then it fell flat for you? I think this a GREAT thing, actually because each time you "fail" at an outfit, you come closer and closer to defining your own personal style :) I like to call it "failing forward."

Have a great day, friends!!!

Time to link up! Don't forget to use the hashtag #lovelylittlealamode on social media!

Hosted by ~

Carrie/A Lovely Little Wardrobe ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Whitney/Whitney à La Mode ~ Bloglovin/Instagram

Casey/A Little Bit of Cheer ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Each week we choose a favorite...check out Carrie and Whitney's blogs to see if it's you! My favorite look this week was Rebecca from Red Tag Chic! This look is SOOO cozy and totally something I would wear...like, everyday!!!! Read her entire post HERE.

Now let's get linking! We like to keep things simple around here. Just link up your favorite posts--fashion, beauty, food, DIY, anything goes! Follow your hosts on social media, have fun and be inspired! Thanks for linking up!

<a href="http://www.alittlebitofcheer.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc454/pianoprincessdesigns/button%20small_zpsujefyz2q.png~original" alt="A Lovely Little À La Mode Link Up" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Don't forget to follow A Little Bit of Cheer on Facebook HERE

Follow me on Instagram HERE

Follow any of my boards on Pinterest HERE 

Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE  

See where I link up HERE

An InLinkz Link-up

Fall Challenge Favorites + LINK UP

Happy Monday!! You know what that means--it's link up day with my blogging besties Carrie and Whitney! We all participated in the GYPO Fall Style Challenge and today we are recapping a couple of our favorite outfit formulas.

I have to admit, I didn't follow this challenge quite as closely as the others. Mainly because we had a crazy Indian summer here in Northern California and for much of the challenge, the thought of wearing anything but shorts and a tank top made me sweat :)

But I loved so many of the outfits and I'm glad I can finally start to wear them!! That is what is so great about these style challenges--even if you can't wear the outfits on EXACTLY the day the Challenge is going on, you can save them! I pin the outfits up in my closet so whenever I am in that "I have nothing to wear!!" rut, I just glance at the outfits and suddenly get a bunch of ideas! It's awesome!

Back to the Fall Challenge... here are my top 3 outfits ~

Outfit Formula 1: Long Neutral Caridgan + Chambray + Black Jeans + Scarf + Cognac Boots
Super simple, casual and laid back. My style :) I am getting lots of use from this cardigan from Express. I find myself throwing it on ALL THE TIME!

Black Jeans: Loft (similar)
Chambray: similar
Sweater: Express (exact)
Scarf: Nordstrom (exact)
Boots: similar, similar
Earrings: exact

Outfit Formula 2: Olive Jeans + Orange Sweater + Leopard Flats + Long Necklace
Again, my faves center around super simple "everyday" outfits (which is mostly EVERY outfit in these challenges!!). I do have olive chinos that I wear to death, so instead I subbed my camo jeans. Camo, leopard...how's that for pattern mixing??!

Orange Sweater: Loft Outlet (similar)
Camo Jeans: Loft (similar)
Leopard Flats: Payless (similar, similar)
Necklace:  Stella & Dot (exact, in gold)

Outfit Formula 3: Plaid Dress + Ankle Boots
I featured this outfit during Create28, and it's still one of my faves.  It's getting too chilly to wear bare legs now, so I throw on some leggings or tights and wear my tall boots. It's the perfect work outfit for me!

Plaid Dress: Target (exact)
Ankle Boots: Similar


All of these outfit formulas from the Challenges are simple, yet classy and put together. I think that pretty much sums up my style :)

Have you done a GYPO Style Challenge yet? What are you waiting for?!! The Winter Challenge opens THIS FRIDAY 11/20 and you are not going to want to miss it!!!

Here is what's new and exciting this year ~

1. There will be "Dress it Up and Dress it Down" options for every outfit on this challenge.

2. One of the bonuses will be three outfits perfect for holiday parties (last year I wore one of the holiday party outfits and got so many compliments)!

3. There will be two surprise outfits!

4. The outfit total is 26 for this challenge. 

5. Several pieces from past challenges will be re used. 

Read all about the Style Challenges HERE. Then come back on Friday to sign up!! (don't worry, I'll remind you!) 


Time to link up! Don't forget to use the hashtag #lovelylittlealamode on social media!

Hosted by ~

Carrie/A Lovely Little Wardrobe ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Whitney/Whitney à La Mode ~ Bloglovin/Instagram

Casey/A Little Bit of Cheer ~ Bloglovin/Facebook/Instagram

Each week we choose a favorite...check out Carrie and Whitney's blogs to see if it's you! My favorite look this week was Karen from Lady in Violet! I just LOVE her long, cozy cardigan paired with those ankle boots! Makes me just want to curl up by the fire!! Perfect Thanksgiving outfit :) Read her entire post HERE.

Now let's get linking! We like to keep things simple around here. Just link up your favorite posts--fashion, beauty, food, DIY, anything goes! Follow your hosts on social media, have fun and be inspired! Thanks for linking up!

<a href="http://www.alittlebitofcheer.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc454/pianoprincessdesigns/button%20small_zpsujefyz2q.png~original" alt="A Lovely Little À La Mode Link Up" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Don't forget to follow A Little Bit of Cheer on Facebook HERE

Follow me on Instagram HERE

Follow any of my boards on Pinterest HERE 

Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE  

See where I link up HERE

An InLinkz Link-up

Ways to Wear ~ Camo (Camo is a neutral!!!)

I posted Part 2 of the Building a Wardrobe You Love series EARLY....so if you missed it, you can read it HERE. You can also read Part 1 HERE. Today's a little "bonus" Wardrobe Wednesday! :)
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Listen up, girls. I know this might blow your mind, but did you know CAMO IS A NEUTRAL??! Yep, you heard me! Camo goes with everything and you pretty much need to get **something** camo in your wardrobe this spring!!

I'll share a little secret--a loooong time ago, I wanted to be in the military. Yep, full on. I was ready to sign up and be shipped off to wherever they took me. CLEARLY, that didn't happen and although I won't go into the nitty gritty about what made me change my mind, I will tell you that I have a very warm and fuzzy place in my heart for camo. I mean, I liked camo before it was COOL! (because I'm super un-cool like that). But camo is cool now, so I can finally come out of my camo closet!! Yipppeee!! #soliberating

Camo may scare you (totally normal), but I think clothing retailers are starting to tone it down a bit to make it more mainstream. My absolute favorite pair of pants right now are these "soft green" camo ones from Loft:

Heaven. Not only are they super soft and amazingly comfy...they go. with. EVERYTHING. I'm telling you, camo is a neutral!! Check out all ways you can wear these pants!!! And just a note, I created about 10 more outfits other than these when I was playing around, but the collage looked "cooler" with just 6 (b/c you know I'm cool like that!!) :)

Way to Wear Camo #1 ~ With bright colors! Camo and bright colors go hand in hand! Think coral, hot pink and cobalt blue.

Way to Wear Camo #2 ~ With black. This one is obvious, and I love it! A nice black blouse and heels would dress the pants up and make a perfect going-out outfit!! My outfit is just a black tee and flats and it made a great everyday, errands type outfit. Super comfy!! You know "comfy" is my middle name :)

Way to Wear Camo #3 ~ With a grey or white tee. Again, this is an obvious one but another of my faves. This look is perfect with a jean jacket and my beloved Converse. It would also look awesome paired with a cute, white graphic tee.

Way to Wear Camo #4 ~ With mustard or yellow. I'm telling you, almost every color paired with camo looks great! Mustard/yellow is no exception!

Way to Wear Camo #5 ~ With stripes! Don't be scared of pattern-mixing! Stripes may not be obvious to pair with camo but it totally works!! I think are stripes a neutral, too but that's another post :)

Way to Wear Camo #6 ~ With blush, pink or pastels. Again, not so obvious but I really love pairing the slightly "edgy" camo with a soft color.

Are you brave enough to try camo pants??? My Curvy Skinny Loft pants are nearly sold out, but there are some in petite sizes. They run on the big side so I would size down. They are also supposed to be "cropped" ankle pants--I am 5'4" and got the regular (non petite) size and you can tell the are a great length, just not "cropped." Below are a few more options. If camo totally scares you, you can also wear any of the above looks with just plain cargo-green jeans or pants!

Land's End Slim Leg Muted Camo Pants

Sanctuary Relaxed Stretch Twill Pants (limited sizes)

Union Bay Camo Cropped Pants

Loft Skinny Cargo Pants

Don't forget, you can "like" A Little Bit of Cheer on Facebook, HERE

Follow me on Pinterest, HERE

If you missed the first two posts in the Building a Wardrobe You Love Series, you can read them here:

Part 1: The Two-Step Closet Purge

Part 2: Get Pin-Spired!

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Linking up with a few of my favorite blogs: Get Your Pretty On,  The Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So, Jo-Lynn Shane, A Little Bit of Everything, Grace and Love Momfessionals, Tucker Up & Happiness at Midlife