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Style

Style: March ’12

Style: March ’12

Well. Yesterday was hard. Let’s have something a bit lighter today, hmmm?

I approach these style posts in one of two ways. I either start with some beautiful item, like a dress, and build a look around it, or I recreate an outfit I already own. Here are some items that are similar to what I’m wearing, and I’ll explain my thought process a little more below.

Eleanor

  1. Gramercy Grand Watch

  2. Baripada Necklace

  3. Pink & White Striped Tee

  4. Ampersand Gold Ring

  5. White Skirt

  6. Harlequin Sweetie

  7. Regina Wedges

  8. Hooverville Burgundy Glasses

(Eleanor ran in on my photo shoot setup, and I thought she looked so cute. Toddler photo bomb!)

My outfit above was a mix of new and old, but mostly old. I picked up the necklace before Alt Summit to wear while speaking on my panel. The shoes are new, and they will see me through to the fall, but the skirt I’m wearing is seven or eight years old, the watch is three, and I showed the bag last year when I bought it on sale.

Some of the similar items on my board above are more expensive (like the skirt) and some are less (like the top). Budgets vary from person to person, and while I’m not putting Louboutin wedges in my posts, the Regina wedges I did include may still be too pricey for some. I chose them because I have found that I usually regret cheapie shoe purchases, and I’d rather have one good pair that will last. If you’ve had better luck than I have with inexpensive shoes, feel free to sub. Same thing with the watch. I bought mine shortly after Eleanor was born, probably for around $70, but I showed the Kate Spade Gramercy above because it’s beautiful and it’s the type of watch I have: gold, oversized, with a similar band. Perhaps you already own one like it, too.

Putting a little effort and thought into the way I get dressed makes me feel better, and putting style posts together is fun. Thanks for letting me share them with you! Hopefully I’ve explained the thought behind them, but I’d love to hear what you think.

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  • Anouk
    March 21, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    Really love your outfit, esp. the way the necklace and bag make it all so much more fun! Really like to see yourself featured, gives me a much better idea!!

  • Joy
    March 21, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    Yes, you’re so right about the cheapy shoes! After my favorite boots began letting in rain water (ugh), I had the hardest time finding ones that were the right height on my leg. When I finally did find The Ones, they were way out of my price range — but lined with cozy faux fur and perfect in every way. I made it work. I didn’t buy anything else fashion-related for several months, and it was totally worth it. :) Love those wedges, by the way, and that you’re thinking forward to their wearability in the fall.

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:26 am

      I’d rather spend a little more on fewer things, but things of nicer quality, than have a closet full of stuff that’s falling apart.

  • Catherine
    March 21, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    I love seeing you in the clothes! So fun! Don’t feel like you have to white out your background though- we all know your house is adorable and I never mind seeing your bookcases or etc again and again. You could even be on your sidewalk or in the yard or by the library or at the playground and you would still look fab and still be showing off the outfit. Mix it up, have fun with it :)

    • Making it Lovely
      March 21, 2012 at 12:24 pm

      Thanks. I think I mostly just wanted to play around with the format that a white background would provide!

  • Zoe
    March 21, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Love the way you did this layout! Cute outfit and even cuter toddler :)

  • Nicole
    March 21, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    cute! You’re rockin’ that white skirt!

  • NicoleD
    March 21, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    Love this post! I really enjoy your creative spin on things and this changed-up format is great. Well done! Digging those wedges.

  • Lexy @ The Proper Pinwheel
    March 21, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    I’m ashamed to admit that I’m a cheapie when it comes to shoes. Some of the best pairs I’ve ever purchased have been under $20 at Urban Outfitters. They’re not the CLASSIEST shoes, or the sturdiest. But let’s face it, I only impress myself. ;)

    Love that necklace! This is a great roundup! El steals the show fo’ sho.

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:28 am

      No shame in it! I rarely have good luck with cheap shoes. For every one pair I can think of that I actually got some use out of, I can think of ten pairs that I bought and didn’t wear much because they either fell apart or hurt my feet.

  • Jules
    March 21, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    You used the new format! It looks really good. Love it. :)

  • Giulia
    March 21, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    I love that you are featuring yourself. It’s great to see outfits on a person. You’ve got such a talent in accessorizing, it makes your outfits so special – I have to learn to do that.

  • Danielle
    March 21, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    Love the new format and absolutely loooove that necklace! I’m always searching for pieces to jazz up (am I the last person that says that?)a basic t-shirt. Thanks, as always, for the inspiration!

    ps – I hear you on the cheap shoes. I have a few, but try to only buy them if there’s some kooky trend I know I’ll get sick of…or if I’ll only be wearing them for a few hours at a time. Otherwise, not worth even the few bucks I spent!

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:28 am

      I say “jazz up” too. Or “I’m so jazzed!” Brandon laughs.

  • Molly the Waffler
    March 21, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    This is a great outfit — I’ve been trying to update my own wardrobe with more “investment” pieces. I think some new sandals are in order.

  • Marichucky
    March 21, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    I do love reading your style posts. There are things i like and some others i will never have, but you really inspire me. You are a normal woman (meaning not a top model) who cares about being attractive with a budget. And you open my mind, i wear dresses thanks to your style posts! So i love your posts and encourage you to write more of them.

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:29 am

      I’m “fiercely real!” I just have to remember to smize. And thanks.

  • Megan F
    March 21, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    My head is totally spinning… so many cute things! I love, love, love that bag and the sweet ampersand ring! Really, all of it! Fun to see YOU too!

  • marlene
    March 21, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    i like the new post layout. it really helps to see the items actually on :)

  • lea
    March 21, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Wow, it’s such a delight reading your posts with all the new formatting! We don’t really share the same fashion style but I still adore reading your fashion posts :)

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:30 am

      I like reading other people’s take on fashion too, even when it doesn’t match up with my style exactly.

  • Danielle
    March 21, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    LOVE this for your style posts!! You are a real person wearing the clothing and accessories, so it’s easier for someone like me to picture on myself. Great job!

  • Jessica @shimmerkai
    March 21, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Love the watch! You’ve gotten me excited about getting new spring clothes…

  • The Glamorous Housewife
    March 21, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    Yay! Pictures of you in your clothing! You look darling, and your daughter is adorable.

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

  • Kathy in Michigan
    March 21, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Hi Nicole. Love this outfit!! Wish the skirt was new so I could grab one for myself!! Any suggestions for a 40soomething woman going to Moscow in May to give a small speech at a museum? I have no idea what to wear. I want to look good and not over or under dressed. I’m thinking simple but have no idea!! HELP!! : ) Any of your brilliant suggestions would be appreciated!! :()

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:32 am

      I’m always in favor of a good dress. Just stay away from anything too casual and cover up a little, and you should be good. I’m always pinning things to my Pinterest fashion board…

  • Sandra
    March 21, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    Love the shoes! I am all about investment in good shoes as I walk a LOT and I need both the comfort and the staying power.

    Great layout too with the white – just fun and “real” rather than too fussy/posed. Great!

  • Carrie
    March 21, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    I LOVE this new format! It’s so fun seeing YOU in the outfit and Eleanor, of course, is adorable.

    I’ve been lusting over the “kate spade new york ‘seaport’ bracelet watch,” a little bit smaller than the one you featured (though I truly love both!). I may put a jar on top of the fridge to fill with spare change as a way to save for it. ;)

  • jenn aka the picky girl
    March 21, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    That bag is TOTALLY awesome. It makes your outfit.

    I’m having the rough day today, so I get it. Sucks.

  • Rachel (polkadots and puppies}
    March 21, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    Um, could you be any more adorable? I don’t think so . E is pretty darn cute too, ;)

  • kate
    March 21, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    I dress more like Eleanor, but I love the way you look!

  • jenn
    March 21, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    I purchased those exact wedges, and they were comfortable, but only on one foot. One of the edges rubbed so bad on the top of my foot that I had to return them. I was SO bummed.

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:34 am

      I had a problem with one foot too, but I sprayed a little “shoe stretcher” on it and it softened right up.

  • Emma
    March 21, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    Oh my, those shoes are delicious – I have to find out if they’re available in the uk!!

  • A lady in Ohio
    March 21, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    I think you are fun and beautiful! I so appreciate that you are real on this blog, sharing struggles as well as joys, being open about the fact that life isn’t perfect, but we can rejoice and be thankful in all circumstances, even when they are hard and we just want to cry.

    What I appreciate about your style post (besides that it is a fun and pretty look that I wouldn’t have thought to put together myself) is that you share a moderate price range, not just putting expensive brands out there, but honestly balancing and valuing quality, design AND price. Your post doesn’t come off as if those of us with smaller budgets are less worthy of looking good, or have no hope! Thanks for that! You have a creative edge to your styling that is also very wearable. I admire you!

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:36 am

      That’s what I aim for! I would always encourage people to substitute items to fit their budget too, whether it’s more or less expensive than what I show.

  • Didi
    March 21, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    You look fabulous and very svelte for a woman who not long ago, had a couple of kiddies (who are absolute dolls, BTW). I love your fashion posts because I love the way you combine items I’d never have thought to pair together. Lots of inspiration!

  • katie aschero
    March 21, 2012 at 10:53 pm

    perfectly done!!

  • eleanor
    March 22, 2012 at 12:35 am

    This post is great! As someone else said.. seeing the pieces on you makes it easier for us to visualize them on ourselves!

  • Andrea Howe
    March 22, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    this new format is awesome! Love it Nicole. Did you take it behind a white screen? I just bought one and can’t wait to use it for photo shoots when I don’t have time to go out and have Art take pics for me. anyhow, I love what you said about budgets all being different. I am not a cheapy shoe girl by any means, they hurt my feet and to be honest, I just can always tell the difference between a cheap pair and a good pair. For me I won’t spend over $150-$200 on a pair but on average I buy in the $70 range. Anyhow, a reader gave me a hard time on a post last year because I spent $100 on a pair of Banana Republic wedges and I was contemplating buying a 2nd pair in another color. I know $100 is not chump change, but by no means do I consider that crazy expensive. Anyhow, thanks for the thought process and for mentioning budgets, a subject readers can get really weird about.

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:57 am

      I hung a white sheet up as the background, but it was wrinkly and terrible, and I had to just completely Photoshop it out. If I do more, I may get a white screen, and actually figure out lighting.

      And budgets are always a tricky thing. What’s expensive to someone is nothing to someone else, and the other way around. I always try to choose from a wide variety, but even still people will sometimes complain that the things I feature cost too much.

  • Katie
    March 22, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    I love your glasses and just discovered BonLook via this post. In addition to BonLook, Warby Parker and Eyefly, have you used any other sites that do the fashionable frames/online order/$99-ish per pair glasses? I’ve always admired how you rock your specs!

    • Making it Lovely
      March 23, 2012 at 1:58 am

      I hadn’t heard of Eyefly! There’s also Lookmatic (formerly SpexClub), Mezmer Eyes, and Ann Sacks.

  • laura @ hollywood housewife
    March 22, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    I love the new format! So easy to see and read. You look great.

  • Erika
    March 22, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    I always enjoy your style posts, and I love the white background.

    The older I get, the more I agree with you about the shoes. My feet can’t take $10 “cheapo’s” anymore :)

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  • Nicole RJ
    March 23, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    Love this outfit – an all your style boards! And yay for horizontal stripes… looking at my closet I apparently have a thing for them. As a WAHM I’m also totally inspired by how you “get dressed” for working at home.

  • sunchiscolorfulworld
    March 25, 2012 at 2:07 am

    Think your style and mine goes together

  • Dariela
    March 25, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    I love that you have a picture of yourself with all of it on. It’s nice to see the curated items on the post but it definitely makes it more real when you are wearing it! I agree with the expensive/cheaper options. Sometimes you have to spend more but it will last you long. It’s hard for me to get a pair of expensive shoes but I do get a lot of thrift store clothes so I guess it could compensate.

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