Mom Style Files ~ Volume 4

Hey pretties! I haven't done a Mom Style Files post on awhile, so it's about time! . If you are new to this blog, I try to do a Mom Style Files once a month. The goal of my "wardrobe" posts are always to give approachable, wearable outfits/styling ideas for busy gals (moms in particular, but anyone else too!!) As I've mentioned before, I don't show any outfits the blog that I haven't worn (or would wear) "in real life."

Below are some of the outfits I wore "in real life" this month--running around doing errands, chasing after kids, days at the park and my twice a week teaching job. You can read past Mom Style Files posts here:

Mom Style Files ~ Volume 1
Mom Style Files ~ Volume 2
Mom Style Files ~ Volume 3

I want to get back to doing both full body and top-down outfit photos for Mom Style Files, but this month, all I have is top down--sorry! If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen many of thee outfits already!! Follow me on Instagram HERE.

This month it was warm so it was all about shorts, top, sandals, repeat :)

Outfit 1: This is my favorite Barcelona cami!! It's sold out, but I linked another adorable one below!

Top: Express (cute option., cute option)
Shorts: Loft (similar)
Sandals: Target (exact)
Necklace: Similar, Similar

Outfit 2: I wasn't sure about red Converse (i love my gray ones!), so I saw this cheaper version on sale for about $12 at Target, so I bought them to give them a test run to see if it's worth the Converse investment. So far, so good! :)

Top: Target (similar, similar)
Shorts: J. Crew Factory (exact)
Shoes: Target (exact)

Outfit 3: I love cobalt blue and pink together!

Top: Express (exact)
Shorts: Express- sold out (similar, similar)
Sandals: Target (exact)
Necklace: Charming Charlie (similar)

Outfit 4: I was feeling very summery today!

Top: Express (exact in True White)
Shorts: J Crew Factory -sold out (option, option)
Sandals: Target (exact)
Necklace:Charming Charlie - sold out (cute option)

Outfit 5: This Target chambray top is one of my favorites! It's sooo soft! And of course, my floral shorts on repeat!

Top: Target - sold out :(option, very similar)
Shorts: Old Navy- sold out (option, option)
Sandals: Similar, Similar
Purse:Charming Charlie (similar)

Outfit 6: I LOVE this new necklace from Stella and Dot! You can take off the blue beads and just wear it with the gold layers. It's so cute, casual and versatile! It definitely spiced up my denim shorts and white tee!

Top: Target - LOVE the Mossimo Boyfriend Tees (exact)
Shorts: J. Crew Factory (exact)
Sandals: Similar, Similar
Necklace: Stella & Dot (exact)

Outfit 7: And here's the necklace again! I wore this outfit to a school meeting, so slightly more dressed up than usual :)

Top: Stem/Nordstrom (exact)
Skirt:J Crew Factory (solid option, cute option)
Sandals: Target (exact)
Necklace: Stella & Dot (exact)

Outfit 8: For some reason, I am loving black and white right now! It's just simple and classic.

Top: Target - Mossimo Boyfriend Tee, can't find it online (in solid colors)
Shorts: Expres- sold out (similar, similar)
Sandals: Target (exact)
Necklace: via Jane  (similar, similar)

Outfit 9:  Like I said, shorts, sandals, repeat :)

Top: Express (exact in True White)
Shorts: J. Crew-sold out (similar)
Sandals: Similar, Similar
Necklace: Target (option)

Outfit 10: I picked up this floral top at Target last fall and I am finding I can wear it spring, summer and fall! Last fall I wore it with burgundy jeans and black jeans. I've also worn it with short and this gray skirt. Super versatile!

Top: Target-sold out (cute option, LOVE this)
Skirt: Loft (option, option)
Sandals: Similar, Similar
Necklace: Target (option)

That's a wrap, girls!!!


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Simple Changes ~ Awkward to Awesome + LINK UP

Don't you love when making simple changes in your life can make such a huge impact? I remember when I made the decision to start waking up an hour earlier each morning to work out, drink my coffee and have some quiet time with God. What a difference that hour made! My mornings ran SO much more smoothly, I actually got to ENJOY my coffee as opposed to gulping it down and my mind just felt fresher.

Simple changes can make a big impact on your wardrobe, too! When an outfit isn't quite working or feels "off," I always try a couple of things before I rule it out ~ Tie (or) Tuck (and/or) Add an Accessory. It can really take an Awkward outfit to Awesome :)

Exhibit A ~ So the first pic, my shirt looks a bit sloppy and ill-fitting. It's also thin, so the black and white stripes from my shorts show through my shirt....can't stand it when that happens!! In the "Awesome" pic (HA!), all I did was tie my shirt, which automatically made it more fitted and elongated my body...I'm 5'4" so I'll really take WHATEVER I can get! I also added a simple necklace to just give the outfit a bit more polish. That's it. Simple.

Pink Gingham: J. Crew (similar, similar)
Striped Shorts: Similar, Similar

Exhibit B ~ These floral shorts you've seen before, and my Barcelona camis are probably the most worn items in my closet right now! However, the untucked cami looks awkward with these shorts. Do you see how the cami hits right at the WIDEST part of my body? Helllloooo....don't ever let an item of clothing hit you at the Wide Parts, ladies! #justsayin.

This fix was SO simple! All I did was take a tiny bit of the front of my cami, and loosely tucked it into the front of my shorts. I kinda bloused the rest of the cami out and didn't even have to bother to tuck it. To me, this makes a BIG difference! My waist is more defined and nothing is awkwardly hitting my WP's (Wide Parts).  I added a necklace just to make it a little more polished.

Barcelona Cami: Express-they are sold out of pink (similar, similar--super cute print!)
Floral Shorts: Old Navy (option, option)

Have you all made any simple changes in your life (or in your outfits!) that you felt made a big impact??


Time to link up!

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! Here was my favorite this week ~ Adri from Adri Lately! She is wearing one of my all time fave summer combos ~ denim shorts, tee and a cargo vest. I've had this outfit on repeat all summer myself! See her original 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>

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An InLinkz Link-up

Create28 ~ Patterned Shorts

Patterned shorts have really become a fave of mine this summer! They can be dressed up or down and I have seen some of the CUTEST patterns lately!!

My favorite pair are these floral ones I snagged at Old Navy this past spring. I get compliments on them wherever I go! They were about $15 and I have definitely gotten great use out of them this summer!

I think what makes these shorts so versatile is the fact that they have a lot of different colors, so it's easy to pair them with a variety of tops. I've worn them with aqua, pink, white, coral, chambray...and now a little pattern mixing!!

I absolutely LOVE stripes and floral! Don't know when this obsession started, but I just can't get enough! I saw this dress at Nordstrom the other day and about passed out!

Not sure it would look great on me, but I just LOVE the floral colors paired with the bold black and white stripes! Click HERE for the dress.

Here are some other cute ways to wear patterned shorts ~

1. Paired with a bright top ~ Pairing patterned shorts with just a simple bright tee or tank is a classic summer look!

Source: J's Everyday Fashion

2. Paired with a graphic tee ~ How ADORABLE is this look?? Simple shorts and a tee, but no shortage of style here!

Source: Merrick's Art

3. Belted ~Not something you might immediately think of, but I have actually done a cognac belt with my floral shorts several times and I really like it!

Source: The Daily Mail

4. Dressed Up ~ Patterned shorts can be dressed down with a simple tee, but they also look awesome dressed up with a flowy blouse and wedges or heels--holy hotness!!!

 (couldn't find the original source!)

My floral Old Navy shorts have been sold out for awhile, but here are some super cute patterned shorts options (you can click on any image for more info)

What is your favorite way to wear patterned shorts? Let's see your cute patterns at #Create28SummerLooks!

Don't forget to enter the raffle to win $75 from Gap Brands, Loft, Nordstrom or Target! The last day to enter is next Thursday, July 30th!

Entry-Form

As always, here's lots more patterned shorts inspiration!

Follow A Little Bit of Cheer's board Patterned Shorts on Pinterest.

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See where I link up HERE