FAQ Style

Style: July ’09 (Includes the Behind-the-Scenes Process)

I’m asked constantly how I put these style posts together, so today I’m showing you the behind-the-scenes process.

Style: July '09

It works the same way whether I’m making a board for an outfit or a room. I may have a good idea of everything in my head first, but usually there’s a lot of looking around at different options before I hit upon exactly the look I want. Once I’ve chosen all of the items I want to use, I put them all together, erasing backgrounds and photo editing where necessary. Here’s a screenshot of all the windows I had open in Photoshop for this month’s post…

Style: July '09 (The Process)

And here’s a breakdown of where it all came from (items that made the final cut are highlighted in bold)…

  1. * You’re My Favorite Hello Necklace

  2. * Shiny Saucer Ring

  3. Linen Ruffle Necklace

  4. Tobey Wedge

  5. Little Dumpling in Blossom Lambskin

  6. * Flower Field Lily Basic Tote

  7. Dressy Jersey Cinched Dress

  8. Blooming Bow Bag

  9. Tie-Front Jersey Dress

  10. All Aboard Open Toe Wedge

  11. Keyhole Dress — Rose

  12. Keyhole Dress — Brown

  13. Family Necklace with 1 Baby Bird

  14. Pearl Sandal

  15. * Dressy Jersey Cinched Dress

  16. * Ada Pleats Peep Toe Pump

Each of those dresses work for nursing which I know is not something that everyone needs, but it’s a requirement for me these days. Oh, and I’ve included the Ada Pleats shoes before, but with good reason: I absolutely love them. I have a pair in yellow, and they make my $25 Target dress look a whole lot nicer. See, I only recommend items I’ve actually bought (or would buy) for myself… I’m like a consumer advocate that way. ;)

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  • Lindsay @ Likely Design
    July 6, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    So cute, as usual! I’m glad to see the cute dresses that work for nursing – something I still need as well (and my girl turns 11 months tomorrow!!). Keep it up!!

    BTW – I hope nursing is going better for you now!

  • Kristina
    July 6, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    I love your style posts – once I start wearing real clothes again (I’m in some sort of jeans/t-shirt funk that I can’t seem to get out of) I’m going to use those posts as a cheat sheet.

  • Katie
    July 6, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    oh my goodness.. little pudgy baby legs! :D I know I was supposed to be looking at your shoes and dress but I was distracted by baby. It’s a curse I tell ya.

    Anyways like always I love the outfit you’ve put together. I wish I had the money, time and place to wear nice lookin clothes but working at Home Depot has left me with a surplus of jeans and shirts that don’t cost much because they will just get destroyed.. I need a new job and girly clothes.. :D

  • Joelle
    July 6, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    Thanks for the style post. I’m always looking for “nursing friendly” outfits…sometimes hard to find.

  • Cindy
    July 6, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    I’ve been too shy to ask how you put these boards together, so I really appreciate you sharing how you do it. They always look great. Fantastic items and the layout is perfect. Thank you! Thank you!

  • Sabrina
    July 6, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    I am in LOVE with those bags and they’re relatively inexpensive!

  • boldaslove
    July 6, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    I love the way you have numbered this by taking a screenshot in photoshop!

  • nat
    July 6, 2009 at 6:23 pm

    oh my gosh, i wore those ada pleats peep toe pumps in yellow at my wedding! they were so comfortable and i love having them as a fun shoe to wear around now. http://www.flickr.com/photos/everydaypants/3484163157 (pic of me in the shoes)

  • Making it Lovely
    July 6, 2009 at 6:28 pm

    I love your wedding look! Great dress (and yes, aren’t those shoes great?).

  • Leah E.
    July 6, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    I love that Target dress! I have it in rose, brown, and the blue flower print. I’m considering the black, too. They have another dress that’s just as soft, but in a ruffle/wrap style. The blue is beautiful, and a little black cardi looks great under the ruffle.
    http://www.target.com/Merona-Ruffle-Collar-Dress-Aqua/dp/B001QXW828/qid=1246923970/ref=br_1_8/183-6578407-4812761?ie=UTF8&node=618120011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

  • Alexis
    July 6, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    or you can easily put outfits/rooms together online without using photoshop or any other complicated program at Polyvore…

    http://www.polyvore.com

    so fun!!

  • Christina
    July 6, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    I love the shoes! But, I have to say, the baby legs and feet are the best part of the outfit. Anything would look good as long as you accessorize with those! Though, I’m betting it would be nice not to HAVE to wear them with everything…. One day she will want down and you’ll long for these days- I do.

  • Jessibee
    July 6, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    I LOVE your style and room boards. You have the ability to suss out all these amazing things. That ‘hello’ necklace is killing me, so awesome. I wish I could rationalize spending $120 + shipping on a necklace…

  • Tommy Bahama Bedding
    July 6, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    I LOVE the Flower Field tote bag – thanks for the link :)

  • wanderluster
    July 6, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    Great ‘behind the scenes’! And are those Eleanor’s little legs peeking out from a Baby Hawk wrap? As a new mom myself, I’d love to see a bit about what’s in Eleanor’s closet too. Bet she’s just as stylish as you.

  • amanda
    July 6, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    oh those shoes are adorable!

  • Audrie
    July 6, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    I love everything on your July style board! My sister would kill for that necklace hehe :D

  • desiree fawn
    July 6, 2009 at 11:38 pm

    Oooh I’ve had my eye on that green j crew dress for a while because it looks so great for nursing!

  • Sarah
    July 7, 2009 at 7:40 am

    Your choices are always so great! Not just stylish but wearable too.
    And I’ve been eyeballing that blooming bow bag myself for a while.

  • Cindy
    July 7, 2009 at 8:11 am

    I love how you put together your boards. They always look great! Thanks for sharing the process! I do have a question though.. What PS tool do you use to remove the backgrounds?? I’m trying the Background Eraser Tool but I keep getting a horrible, fuzzy edge!

  • Making it Lovely
    July 7, 2009 at 8:19 am

    I usually work with masks and paint out the background that way. Then you can choose “apply mask” and you get a transparent background.

    And wanderluster, yep that’s my Babyhawk carrier.

  • Rebekah
    July 7, 2009 at 9:49 am

    That dress is perfection! I love it.

  • Kari
    July 7, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I also own that Target keyhole dress in rose and I L-O-V-E it – but go down a size or even two, because it runs big. Also? I have the Ada pleats flats in orange and they are my favorite shoes – like wearing flowers on your feet.

  • Susana
    July 7, 2009 at 11:25 am

    Awesome! I’m due with my first in 3.5 weeks (!!) and have a technical question. When you say the keyhole dress from target is good for nursing, how do you actually do it? Do you pull down the front and then you unclip your nursing bra? Sorry if this is TMI, but the dress looks awesome and I’ve been looking for good nursing outfits but it’s all a bit hazy still!

  • yansy
    July 7, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    Hi Nicole,

    Thank you for showing us how you put the boards together. I’m loving all of your choices. Please, stop by my page when you have a chance I would love to see what you think of the little forest I created in our master bedroom.

  • Miss B.
    July 7, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    Your fashion posts are always inspiring. Thank you for showing the behind the scenes:)

  • susan
    July 7, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    oh, the target dress is so cute. is the material very stretchy? i’ve been looking for a couple of maternity dresses to get me through the summer … it would be great to use the same dresses post-baby as well.

  • Ashley
    July 7, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    I promptly ordered those shoes. I always love your style boards, and this month I couldn’t resist. Thanks!

  • Krysten
    July 7, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    I totally adore your style posts – I wish I could be that put together!

  • Lisa
    July 7, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    I bought the J.Crew dress a few weeks ago and LOVE it!

  • Kiley
    July 7, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    Hi Nicole, I am so happy to find your blog – and thanks for much for including my Little Dumpling in your style feature! I’m not a “NEW” mom anymore, but my daughter is still young (only 3) so I especially love that you’re doing all that you’re doing with a little one on your lap. I live in China right now but SO wish I could hop over to Target for those gorgeous summer dresses. Can’t wait to see more!

  • Miller Industries
    July 7, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    a few comments and notes from a guy’s point of view:

    one) i like your style. do you make mood boards for your husband? it would be genius for you to do so… at least once.

    two) is that just an idea for an outfit you will wear often, or do you only wear that outfit during that particular month? or is that the only outfit you wear that month, never wearing anything other than said outfit?

    three) have you ever considered making a mood board for the food you will eat? i think that would be a fun thing for you to do next. i would find it amusing.

    four) nicole, keep it cool. peace.

  • Devon
    July 8, 2009 at 1:57 am

    Those shoes! Oh, those shoes. It’s midnight and I’m wide awake, it might just be time for some internet shopping…totally justifiable, I’m sure.

    As always, thanks for the insights into your lovely aesthetic.

  • Tamzen
    July 8, 2009 at 5:33 am

    When I started reading your blog –

    i wondered if there was a way to make my own style boards and came across this amazing website:

    http://www.polyvore.com/

    I dont know if any of you guys have yet heard of it but its fantastic way to play around with different looks.

    but be warned its incredibly addictive. Soon you will find you will be making every day style boards like me :D

  • Tamzen
    July 8, 2009 at 5:36 am

    p.s. Nicole – your blog is an inspiration to me, your home your style your business, is everything i want to achieve and i check your blog everyday for new updates :D – its part of my morning ritual along with facebook, damn addictive facebook haha

  • French furniture
    July 8, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    I love the green dress. Such a great vibrant colour!

  • Courtney
    July 8, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    Now I must have those shoes!!!!

  • Georgia @ Yeah Hello
    July 9, 2009 at 3:03 am

    Thanks for sharing your tips! Very helpful – hope to incorporate into my style posts as well!

  • luuvely
    July 9, 2009 at 8:29 am

    this month’s style post is very hot! :)

    nat…your wedding looked soo cute..the shoes really made it all come together…

    i may have to buy these shoes!

  • Jessica
    July 9, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    unrelated, but did you see this post:

    http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/2009/07/patrice-bevan-cowans.html

    The pink and brown little girls room could totally be Eleanor’s room in a few years…

  • Melanie
    July 9, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    I absolutely adore the entire ensemble but I’m crazy about that bag.

  • Karen
    July 10, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    Your style posts are always so, well, stylish :) and I always love the high-low budget mix. So fun to see your process, too!

  • Alana
    July 20, 2009 at 11:33 am

    Such great timing! You’re doing all my work for me!

    We live right across the freeway from you guys over in Brookfield, so whenever you find a good deal on baby stuff, I know exactly where to go. Last night my husband and I headed over to the Babies R Us and put in an order for that chocolate brown glider. I didn’t know that such a thing existed. I thought they were all that blah wood and slate blue combo. :)

    Anyway, love the dresses and will absolutely be checking into them. I’m due on September 2nd and appreciate the leads.

    Best to you and your sweet little family!

    -Alana

  • Amanda T
    July 21, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    Thanks so much for posting how you do this. I just bought Photoshop and am trying to figure it all out so I can make my own boards. It helps to see how it gets put together.

  • Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Style: March ‘10
    March 12, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    […] dress looks similar to the one I featured last July that I own and wear all the time. I’d pair it with a cardigan over top or a long-sleeved tee […]