Create28 Winter ~ Recap + ANNOUNCEMENT!

Hey Friends!!

February has come and gone and so has another Create28! I am recapping all of the fun looks today and make sure you scroll to the bottom to read a very important message :)

First up, the recap of MY outfits for the month! I will be honest, as much as I love piling on layers and wearing boots and scarves, winter is my LEAST favorite season to dress for. At the first sign of cool weather I get giddy to wear boots and scarves but after about a month, frankly I am over it! Bring on spring! LOL!

Can you guess my two favorite outfits???

Yep! The ones involving jeans and boots!!! And vests, of course. The outfits just speak to me because they are comfortable, practical yet the vests give it that "not too frumpy, not too trendy" look :)

Now let's move on to my amazing blogging buddies who shared their looks! I chose gals whose style is very similar to mine and I definitely think this shows through in their posts!

First up were Brooke & Erica from Pumps and Push Ups with their oh-so-adorable rainboots look!

Jeans, cargo, stripes...girls after my own heart!! Read their entire post HERE.

Sarah, from Foxy's Domestic Side also shared her "Simple Me" look. I have to say, Sarah and I are cut from the same cloth. I LOVE how she showed a simple colored shorts outfit as being "simply her." YES TO COLORED SHORTS, SARAH!!! Bring them on!!!

And her simple jeans, tee + cute necklace/shoes outfit makes all the sense in the world for busy moms like us who want to look cute, comfy and put together! You can read Sarah's entire post HERE.

Last, but certainly not least was fellow busy mama Shaunacey from Simply Shaunacey. Shaunacey just had a baby and go ahead and be in awe of how AMAZING she looks! I know I am!

I asked her to style olive pants and she shows just how versatile they can be! They are perfect for a date night OR a fun Saturday!! You can read her entire post HERE.

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And now on the the announcement!!! It's very difficult to write this, but it's been weighing on my heart for several months--this will be the final "non family" post on A Little Bit of Cheer. My Seven on Sunday family posts will still continue however it's time for me to close this chapter in my blogging life:)

As I am sure you can all relate, life gets busy and while blogging was an AMAZING journey of creativity and FUN, I have recently taken on new responsibilities that I feel passionately about--which leaves little time for blogging.

Some of you might know I recently became a health and fitness coach and have been working my business from home for the past few months. It is something that has taken off and I feel SO GOOD about helping people live healthy lives. I truly need to dedicate more time to this, because it is not only helping others, it is helping ME both personally and financially.

It's been an amazing ride and I thank each and every one of you guys from the bottom of my heart. Your sweet comments and emails always made my day. I welcome all of you to friend me on Facebook  or Instagram so we can keep in touch!

My amazing friends Carrie and Whitney will still keep the link up going, so no worries there! Visit their blogs every Monday for your link up!!

I might not be an official blogger anymore, but I am not gone...you all know where to find me!!! Feel free to drop me an email anytime, too: cheerfully.fit.mama@gmail.com.

Thank you again for all of your support. XOXOXO

An InLinkz Link-up

Create28 Winter ~ Olive Pants with Shaunacey

Hi! I'm Shaunacey and I'm soooo excited to be here!! I'm a mom of 2 busy kiddos and am constantly fighting a battle with the frump. I blog over at Simply Shaunacey about fashion, family and life in general.

When Casey asked me to contribute to Create28 I was almost sure she emailed the wrong person lol. I'm a formerly frumpy mommy of 2 super cute kiddos.

My style is pretty casual and needs to work with chasing around the littles!

I chose to style olive pants because I kind of love colored jeans but for some strange reason I have found it challenging to to style my olive pants. So for you guys, I'm getting it done! I even decided I would forgo the iphone mirror selfies and take some pics with my 'good' camera.

Here are a few ways I'll be styling my olive pants:

For a date:

Olive pants aside, the fur vest is another piece I love but struggle with. Why not get completely crazy? Plus, date night/afternoon is pretty much the only time I can get away with wearing this vest (fur and teething/drooling babies who put everything in their mouth do NOT mix - just an FYI).

Throw on some gold accessories and you're good to go!!
See how I have previously styled my fur vest here and here.

For warmer weather:

This look is a little more spring-y. I hope all you warm-weather folks will enjoy it. In the meantime, I'm up here in Canada reeling from a huge dumping of snow. Now is NOT the time to remind everyone that we don't all live in igloos... because... well... snow.

I LOVE my demin jacket. I am pretty sure I have had this since highschool (which is way longer ago than I'm willing to admit at this current moment). It's a wardrobe staple and I'm so glad it survived so many closet purges!

Plus, how perfect is it with olive pants?! Score!

SMILE it's SATURDAY!!!!!

A big giant THANK YOU to Casey for asking me to be a part of this!! I love what you ladies are doing!

Create28 Winter ~ Outerwear with Whitney

It's slightly ironic that I'm writing a post about outerwear on a day that I don't plan to leave my apartment.  I have been curled up with a good book, my favorite coffee and Girl Scout Cookies all day because we have a SNOW DAY (our first this year...thanks, Mother Nature)!

But, with the exception of today, outerwear is a huge part of my wardrobe during the winter months.  Actually, it seems almost silly to worry about a cute outfit while running errands these days because it stays hidden the entire time.  A cute coat, on the other hand?  Now that is a smart style investment when you spend your winter in a colder climate!

There are so many cute coats out there!  And while I'll admit to having more than one, I do try to resist the temptation to buy all the adorable coats on the market.  I mean, how many coats does one girl truly need?

One way that I resist that coat temptation is to change-up my coat looks with fun cold-weather accessories!  First, choose a good quality coat that you love.  My parents purchased this plum number from Land's End for me for Christmas a couple of years ago.  I love the rich color that adds interest but is still classic enough to work at various occasions and for years to come.

I wear this cozy knit, winter white accessory set when I'm going to a nicer event or evening out.  The traditional look and neutral color lends an air of class to the ensemble and doesn't clash with the dressier clothes that I have on underneath.  You won't find this exact set in stores because my grandma knit these pieces for me!  Isn't she talented?!  I enjoy choosing outerwear accessories that have sentimental value because it makes going outside in the cold a little bit more fun!

This is more of an everyday outerwear look for me!  The pieces are super functional and warm but I think they are still pretty cute and fun.  And again with the sentimental value, I purchased these mittens in Iceland so wearing them reminds me of a fun travel adventure!

And finally, this is more of a statement look.  I would wear this to an activity where I'm spending significant amounts of time outside and my outerwear look is doing the talking.  The bold colors are super fun and really change the look of the coat from the last two photos.

What outerwear are you wearing this winter?  Do you practically live in a coat or are you in a warmer climate where it's only sometimes necessary?  Do you own lots of coats or do you change up your looks with accessories?

My snow day companion and photo shoot assistant is the best! #crazycatlady

Don't forget to share your Create28 looks with us at our Monday link-up or on Instagram (#create28winterlooks)!  And this season's challenge is almost complete!  Join us tomorrow to see how Shaunacey styles olive pants!

Create28 Winter ~ Business Attire with Jennie

Hi there, y'all! I am Jennie from A Pocketful of Polka Dots and I am so thrilled to be a part of Carrie, Whitney and Casey's Create 28 Winter Friends Edition. Today I will be sharing a look I know a little something about - Business Attire.

When Carrie approached me about sharing a professional look, I was excited because my closet is packed full of pencil skirts, trousers, button-ups, and blazers. The only problem I had was narrowing it down to what kind of business attire to showcase. I finally went with what you see today. When it comes to dressing for a more formal office environment, I've been told many women find the clothes to be boring and uninspiring. Here are a few style tips I use to bring some visual interest to my professional looks:

Add a bold color - with a top, jacket, skirt, pants, or shoe.Prints break up the blahs - add at least one or two to your look.A fun shoe is a fabulous way to jazz up even the most basic of business attire.Accessorize! Jewelry and scarves truly help elevate a look and are a great way to add personality. Patterned, textured, or colorful tights are perfect for adding visual interest and additional warmth when wearing a skirt or dress.Layers are your friend. Instead of wearing just a sweater, add a button-up underneath, and perhaps go with a vest or jacket over that. I could go on and on with this one, as the possibilities are endless.

   

I hope I was able to offer you a little style inspiration today. The next time you have to dress for a big meeting, or just a regular day, perhaps these suggestions will help you remember that dressing professionally does not have to mean boring. For more of my office looks, as well as casual style, swing on by A Pocketful of Polka Dots.

Create28 Winter ~ Mixing Textures with Whitney

One of my favorite things about winter clothing is soft, cozy textures!  And why wear just one when you can wear a couple at a time?  Mixing textures is an easy way to add interest to an outfit if you don't want to add more color or patterns.

My favorite texture to work with is lace but I decided to do something a little bit differently today.  It is, after all, Create28 where we put together 28 new outfits with what we have in our closets!

Here I've mixed the cable knit in the sweater with the flannel in the skirt.  Yes, the skirt is made of flannel and it has an elastic waistband.  Can you say hello pajamas in skirt form!?  It's difficult to see in the photos but my flats are quilted, adding a third texture to the mix.

The colors are subdued and there aren't a lot of patterns going on, but the textures make this outfit more interesting than just the basics.  By the way, I'm sorry about the poor quality of the pictures.  This is what a real teacher looks like at the end of the day: a little wrinkled with faded make-up but still standing and (kind of) smiling!

What I'm Wearing:

Sweater: LOFT (exact)

Necklace: Chewable Charms (exact)

Skirt: LOFT (similar, similar)

Tights: Anthropologie (similar)

Flats: Lindsay Phillips (similar)

Create28 Winter ~ Pinned It, Did It + LINK UP

Happy Monday, girls! Our LAST week of Create28 Winter!!! Argh! Where did February go??

Today I pulled out a simple Pin that totally fits with our California El Nino weather here! AKA: Lots of rain! I had never owned rain boots before--since California has been in a severe drought for YEARS, I never had the need! When I heard El Nino was coming, I still wasn't sure, so I didn't want to splurge on Hunters quite yet! Instead I found these awesome Target rainboots and so far, they have served me WELL!!! And they come in PINK! Helllooooooo!

Boots: Target, in Fuchia (exact)
Top: Target (similar, similar)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Bling: J Crew (similar)

So I swapped out the purse for some bling because seriously, rainy days call for a little sparkle, right??!

I was initially a little nervous about pink rain boots but I finally figured out that when I wear them, I have to keep rest of my outfit SIMPLE. So I think this striped top fits the bill!!This outfit is totally "the looks for less" too! Target boots, Old Navy Jeans and a Target top--BOOM! It's like a bargain hunters dream come true!

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 LOVE this classic all-black look with the little pops of PINK! So classy, Karen! 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!

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

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Follow any of my boards on Pinterest HERE 

Follow me on Bloglovin' HERE  

See where I link up HERE

An InLinkz Link-up

Create28 Winter ~ Date Night Looks with Katey & Betsy

Hi everyone!  We are Katey and Betsy, identical twins who write the blog Two Peas in a Blog together.  We are so excited to do a post for Carrie, Whitney and Casey's Create28 Winter Friends Edition (#create28winterlooks).

We were asked to do a "Twin Style": Date Night Looks.  These 2 looks are what we usually gravitate to when we get the luxury of a night out.  With 5 kids between us, that can be tricky!

Lace look:  Top: Wayf, also here // Jeans: Old Navy // Heels: Jessica Simpson // Clutch: old, love this, more affordable option here

My go-to "date night" outfit usually consists of jeans and a statement top.  I'm loving the sexiness of the black lace mixed with the girliness of the ruffled peplum.  Our date nights usually consist of  going to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner and enjoying some wine and a chance to talk and catch up.  Having 3 kids, sometimes the craziness of the everyday gets in the way of truly having a conversation.

Dress Look: Dress: Anthropologie // Tote: Forever21 // Heels: here and here // Earrings: Baublebar 

When I think of a date night look, I always think of something girly and feminine.  But it also has to be something I feel comfortable and confident in.  Dresses are always an easy look.  With some great jewelry and strappy heels, you're ready to go.  I love the loose, flowy fit of this dress and it's beautiful floral pattern.  The perfect look for drinks and dinner!

What is your "go-to" date night look?

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Create28 Winter ~ Rose Quartz with Whitney

Good morning, lovelies!  I'm back today with my second post about how to wear Rose Quartz, one of Pantone's colors of the year, all year long!  Here's how I wore this pretty shade of pink in January!

To me, February is the month of romance!  I know that Valentine's Day is only one day out of the month but all 28, err 29 days have me thinking pink, flowers, chocolate and love!  And in my opinion, nothing is more romantic than a blush pink, lace dress!  And there are lots of these lovely dresses from which to choose.

Since it's a little too chilly for just a romantic dress, my trusty denim jacket  (I've been wearing this hand-me-down for a decade, maybe it's time for an upgrade?), grey tights, cozy socks and booties create a look fit for the February weather.

So this month, use Rose Quartz to create an outfit with a romantic, feminine vibe!  And let's see your version of Rose Quartz at our weekly link-up on Monday or on Instagram (#create28winterlooks)!

Monthly Rose Quartz Series

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Hand-me-down (similar, similar)

Tassel Necklace: Raw Sugar Sunday (exact)

Jacket: Hand-me-down (similar)

Tights: Anthropologie (similar, similar)

Socks: Gift (similar, similar)

Booties: Kohl's (similar)

Where I'm linking-up!

Create28 Winter ~ Teacher Style with Deena

I'm Deena from Shoes to Shiraz and am thrilled that Carrie asked me to contribute to her Create28.  I love that this series is pushing women to get creative in their own wardrobe, wearing pieces that suite their body and not someone else's.  Yesterday on my blog I gave a couple tips that may (or may not) help you define your personal style.  Well today, I would like to show you how I dress for the high school French teacher role while being faithful to what I want to and what I like to wear:

1- The dressy look/there's probably a superintendent in the building: blazer + a t-shirt dress + fun shoes.

2- The everyday teacher look/comfy enough to get cozy with a pile of corrections: oversized sweater + leggings + flats.  I usually go with a neutral sweater and then either my flats or leggings are bold. No corrections were compromised in the making of this post.  Nor the cat.

3- The dressed down/yay for jeans for Jesus on Fridays look: blazer + blouse + jeans + fun heels.  My shoes normally add a burst of colour.

I love dressing for my role as a stylish high school French teacher.  But mostly, I love showing that fashion can be fun and an extension of your personality.  Do you have a signature look?