Create28 Winter ~ "Simply Me" with Sarah

Hi! I'm Sarah and I blog over at Foxy's Domestic Side, where I pretend I'm not an Engineer and try to do domestic things. I was so excited when Casey asked me to join in on the Create 28 with a "Simple Me" look. As soon as she asked me I got to thinking about what outfit is "Simply Me". As the days past, I came up with nothing. Then this weekend, as I was getting ready to take my outfit pictures and I looked down at what I had picked out to do errands with the kids...and you know what? That outfit was simply me, the outfit I was wearing to do errands with the kids. So I set up the tripod and took pictures just as I was.

I know, shorts and a t-shirt in February, but really that's what I was wearing on Saturday. When the weather is cooler, I wear almost the same thing, just add pants and a simple statement necklace.

My hair, I have been trying to do more, this day I pulled two pieces of side hair, wrapped them together with a hair tie and then turned the half pony inside out a few times to create a simple twist.

So that's Simply Me: shorts/jeans, shirt and a statement necklace. Thanks for having me ladies!

Create28 Winter ~ Cozy Cardigans with Emily

Hey y'all! Emily here from Darling, Dearest. I am thrilled to be a part of Carrie, and Whitney, and Casey's Create28 Winter Friends series! Such sweet girls. I love being able to collaborate with them!

I'm quite the fan of cozy. Anything and everything cozy. I think I've made it my personal goal to be as cozy as possible while keeping a professional edge in the classroom. And with this goal, I've definitely learned the characteristics a cardigan needs to have in order to be "cozy."

Banana Republic Factory Cardigan (it's on major sale if you have one close by - but it's sold out online) (similar, similar) // Target Booties // Old Navy Tee (similar) // Jeggings (similar) // Old Navy Clutch

Five Characteristics a Cozy Cardigan Needs to Have:

One. The fit. True cozy cardigans need to be slightly larger than you necessarily need. You want to be able to wear both fitted shirts and sweaters underneath.

Two. Wrapability. Can you fully wrap yourself in said cardigan? You want to be able to protect yourself from any blustering winds that might blow by.

Three. Softness. This is slightly a no-brainer, but I've felt some scratchy cardigans. Whether it be solid knit or fuzzy or (if you're spiffy) cashmere, just make sure it's soft!

Four. Lasting factor. Every comfy cardigan I have lasts. It's one I keep year after year. You want to be able to wash it repeatedly and it's still just as cozy as it was the time before.

Five. Versatility. I have worn cozy cardigans with dresses, skinny jeans, and tunics. 

You can wear them on bum days and you can wear them to church. That's the best thing about them - they fit almost any occasion and are perfect for that comfy mood!

What's your favorite characteristic that a cozy cardigan should have? Be sure to share your looks with #create28winterlooks!

Create28 Winter ~ Never Been Blogged + LINK UP

Happy Monday! Welcome to Week 3 of Create28 Winter! It's been a blast so far and we are loving all out your outfits at #create28winterlooks!

Today's outfit was a bit of a challenge--find something in your closet that has "never been blogged." I used this as a challenge to find a piece that I just don't wear very much and see if I could come up with a fun outfit!

This black and white striped turtleneck totally fit the bill! It's been sitting in my closet for a couple of years and I mean to toss it every time I clean my closet, but I can't part with it just yet. It's a super versatile piece (i found out) but I am not 100% sold turtlenecks are for me. Perhaps too many memories from middle school when I wore oversized sweatshirts and a turtleneck almost everyday! (and stone washed jeans. it wasn't pretty, people)

 I think my fave fur vest gives a little texture to the outfit and the burgundy cords add some color.

I came across this outfit on Pinterest which I think is simple and cute for a fun night out ~

It would also look super cute with a cargo vest or jacket!

Since my black and white turtleneck is such a versatile piece, I think it will be sticking around a little longer!

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 Andrea from Living on Cloud 9. I just LOVE her recreation of this classic outfit! I would wear this in a heatbeat! Awesome job, Andrea! 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

Seven on Sunday Weeks 6 & 7

Alrighty--things have been just NUTS-O around here these past two weeks, but I am scheduled to get back on track next Sunday! In the meantime, here is just a little picture dump from the last two weeks!!!

More pics from Florida ~ Such an awesome time!!

These two Student Council girls helping out with Mass for Catholic Schools Week. They are growing up way too fast!!

My little side kick and me after Ash Wednesday ~

Will HATES getting his haircut..HATES IT! HE screams and cries every single time. This time, Sarah said, "I'll hold your hand, ok?" and typically he would tell her NO WAY! But this time he actually let her hold his hand! He didn't even cry! Look how nurturing she looks!

We said goodbye to sweet Father Vic today. We all loved him so much and saw him every week at church. After school some days, we would visit him and the kids just loved him...and he especially loved Sarah. We will miss him so much!!!At 95, he had a great life :)

We had a fun day in Napa with Scott's fam! We were the crazy tourist on the side of the road by the Napa sign with the selfie stick! #noshame

It's not going to be long before she's taller than me....

These two and their missing teeth! Buddy lost his first upper tooth on our picnic!

It is SUCH a beautiful time in Napa right now! People don't typically think of visiting Napa in February but the weather is mild, the hills are green and the mustard is in full bloom!

Have a great week! Hopefully I'll be back on track next week!!! XOXOXO



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

Friend me 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

Create28 ~ Plaid & Cargo

 Happy Saturday, Friends!!! Hope you are all enjoying your weekend. Today I pulled out one of my FAVORITE summer/fall items--my cargo vest!! I never really thought about wearing it in the winter (i love it with jean shorts and my striped dress), but I never really thought about actually wearing it in the winter with jeans and boots!

I had planned in my head to wear a cozy blanket scarf but on the day I decided to take pics, it was a blazing 75 degrees ...thus the sunglasses and lighter weight scarf!! I am actually loving the cargo green and red together!

Cargo Vest: similar, i also saw a REALLY cute one at Target but it's not the one currently on the website--it's way cuter!)
White Tee: similar
Plaid Scarf: similar, similar
Jeans: Express (exact)
Boots: similar, similar

This entire outfit is from my closet (that is the purpose of Create28!) but I am also on a self imposed shopping ban for....well, let's just say for a good while!!! Definitely through Lent!! It definitely forces me to be more creative when creating outfits..which is a GREAT thing! I had never thought to wear my cargo vest in the winter but I was looking for items I LOVED to wear and this fit the bill....and it works perfectly in the winter!! I could also wear it over a sweater if the weather permitted!

What can you pull out of your closet and "winterize??"

Are you playing along with us?? I hope so! Use #create28winterlooks!

Create28 ~ Fair Isle with Whitney

I don't consider myself to be a super trendy dresser.  I'm not opposed to trends but, on a teacher's budget, I would prefer to purchase classic pieces that will stand the test of time.

Every once in awhile, though, there is a trend that I feel particularly drawn to and that I feel matches my somewhat classic style.  When fair isle sweaters started popping-up in stores this fall, the pretty patterns and cozy textures really appealed to me and I knew I wanted to add one to my closet.

There were so many fun sweaters to choose from!  I found Christmasy ones, neutral ones, cardigan versions, and even leggings and dresses!

But then I found this sweater from the Gap with its pretty pinks and blues and I knew it was the one!  It has that cozy, winter vibe but I think the colors will help take it into the spring transition.

 

I went with a classic look this time around with my trusty chambray and skinny jeans.  Metallic flats added a fun little pop to the outfit!  I'm thinking these shoes will be getting a lot more wear when the warmer weather rolls around.  I'm seeing lots of metallic flats and sandals on the horizon for this spring and summer!  

And you gotta love when the outerwear and purse you throw-on for errands work so well with your outfit, amiright?!

Do you have any fair isle or patterned sweaters that you are loving this winter?  Show us on Instagram (#create28winterlooks) and make sure to link-up with us on Monday!

What I'm Wearing:

Sweater: Gap (exact)

Chambray: Old Navy (exact)

Jeans: American Eagle (exact)

Vest: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Purse: Nordstrom Rack (similar, similar)

Flats: DSW (similar, similar)

Create28 ~ Red & Pink with Kate

What comes to mind when you think of red and pink? I immediately get images of dancing heart-shaped cookies with red and pink icing. But how does that translate into an outfit? For a person who doesn't wear or own much red, today's Create28 theme was initially a real challenge. 

What made the outfit come together was laying out most of the red and pink items from my closet. After doing so, it didn't take long to come up with today's look. My hi-side split sweater and my knit infinity scarf were calling out to me most, and not just because it was so windy and I wanted to double up on the warm and cozy. The colors and the textures seemed perfect together. I realized while I was putting this post together that the last time I wore this scarf, I also wore it with a tunic sweater. I guess there are just some things that are meant to go together, and we can add pink & red and tunic sweaters & infinity scarves to that list. How do you wear red and pink?

Scarf: mall stand (option)  //  Sweater: LOFT 

Pants: The Limited  //  Boots: via Payless (option


Big thanks to Whitney, Carrie, and Casey for letting me join in on the fun!