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Style Resolutions for 2017

January 30, 2017 by Virginia Evans 11 Comments

Navy Blazer and Square Scarf with Striped Dress for Work

Work Outfit Inspiration - Add a Silk Scarf and Navy Blazer to Striped Bodycon

Striped Bodycon Dress with Blazer and Square scarf for the office

Navy Blazer, Two-Tone Watch, Gold Fringe Earrings and Silk Scarf Office Fashion

Make Striped Bodycon Dress Work Appropriate by adding a navy Blazer

Work Outfit: Navy Blazer and Slik Patterned Scarf over a Striped Bodycon Dress

Hello all! Boy have these last few weeks been a blur! In December I accepted a Long-Term Sub position for a US History class and between reminding myself of the content, learning about my new students, adjusting to a different kind of learner than I’m used to and working hard to earn their respect I somehow had to figure out what was on their Midterm and make sure they were prepared for it! Midterms end today so I’m very thankful that things will slow down a little that but that just means I have to be ready to start a new unit with them! Eeek!

Anyway, this first month of 2017 is almost over and I haven’t even gotten to share with you my Style Resolutions for 2017! Bonobos reached out to me to ask what my style resolutions were for 2017 and it really got me thinking about what my “fashion goals” are for this year. I realized that a lot of my resolutions for this year have to do with changes that took place in 2016!

Resolution 1: Get Creative with What’s Already In My Closet

Leaving my teaching job of ten years and moving to Rhode Island last year meant I went from a predictable income with seniority pay to the unpredictable income of substitute teaching with reduced pay and benefits. My fashion budget has been drastically reduced as a result. But, that’s just means I have to get creative! Today’s outfit is a great example of this!

Especially now that I’m working again, I’ve been trying to work with the items in my closet to combine them in new work-appropriate ways. I love how this combination worked out! When you fill your closet with basics like this striped bodycon dress or this navy blazer, it’s simple and fun to mix and match how you wear it! (see two other ways I wore this striped dress here and here) This year I want to mix and match more so that even if my clothing budget isn’t large I still feel like I’m wearing something new!

Resolution 2: Play Around with Pattern Mixing

I have done this a little this year, mixing polka dots or leopard with stripes. In today’s outfit I mixed stripes with the patterned silk scarf. Krista does this a lot and she has inspired me to mix in new patterns! I resolve to move beyond stripes!

Resolution 3: Save for More Investment Pieces

Some of my favorite clothing or accessory items that have stood the test of time have been the ones that I’ve had to save money to purchase. I may pay more for them up front but they last and I don’t have to replace them for years. My first pair of expensive pumps (I was horrified to pay $90 for them!! hehe) lasted through 8 years of teaching and I wore them multiple times a week! I have gone through multiple inexpensive watches until I finally saved up and bought this watch this year. In the time that my previous watch had already gotten scratched and turned colors, this one still looks pristine. That being said, whether it’s a pair of great heels or a purse that is going to last for years, I want to save up for one or two investment pieces this year that will stand the test of time.

Resolution 4: Try Something Different

Most of us have certain preferences and our closet reflects that. My closet has a whole lot of American Eagle skinny jeans and pink and orange (and striped!) tops. This year I want to try something different – new brands, different colors, more patterns, who knows! (If only women’s pants had as many color options as these Bonobos Chinos have!)

Well friends, those are my Style Resolutions for 2017! What are yours? I would love to have you share them with me in the comments below!

Get the Look:

Since I was reusing what I already have in my closet for this post, few of these originals are in stock right now. However, I did find you a number of similar options so that if you’re missing any of these key pieces you can grab one for yourself now! Your closet will thank you!

*Clicking on links in this post may result in a commission for More to Mrs. E

Striped Midi Dress, Ross. Almost exact Striped Midi Bodycon Dress. More in widget below.
Navy Blazer, Ann Taylor. Similar Navy Blazer. Also, an investment option (watch for their sales!)
Silk Scarf, TJMaxx. I’ve added an assortment of Silk Scarves in the widget below.
Navy Suede Slingback Pumps, DSW. Similar Suede Slingbacks and another pair of Navy Suede Pumps
Geo Fringe Earrings, NY and Company. Most similar Gold Fringe Earrings. More in widget below.
Tory Burch 3 Strand Logo Bracelet, Tradesy.
Baublebar Crystal Mason Ring, Nordstrom. (also here and here)
Michael Kors Two-Tone Darci Watch, Areatrends.com
Two-Tone Cable Bracelets, Zulily. Similar in widget below.
MG Collection Structured Cognac Purse, Amazon. Similar Print Bag. Similar Cognac Bag.

Clickable Outfit Widget:

DIY Gold Ikea Shelf Hack for Under $100

January 23, 2017 by Virginia Evans 3 Comments

I’m back this week with a DIY post! This idea is not something I came up with on my own, but unlike many other posts on this idea, I show you how I achieved this beautiful DIY Gold Ikea Shelf Hack!

When we moved into our house I was so excited to finally upgrade our style and décor. When I was on my own and when we first got married we bought a few nice pieces but mostly utilized whatever we could find from friends or at the local thrift store. After we moved we decided it was time we started to upgrade our home and make it feel more “grown up.”

During the summer while I waited to hear back from jobs, I started getting sucked into Pinterest (anyone else know what that’s like!?!). I collected ideas into Pinterest boards by room (Living Room / Office-Guest Room) and I kept coming across Ikea Hacks. My favorite was spray painting Ikea Vittsjo shelving units gold but I couldn’t really find tips for how to do it. Today I share with you how I made a classy shelving unit for my office for less than $100.

Materials for this DIY Gold Ikea Shelf Hack:

*Some links are affiliate links. Clicking on links may result in a commission for More to Mrs. E

1 VITTSJÖ Shelf unit from Ikea ($79.99) in White
1 screwdriver (to put shelf together)
2 cans Rust-Oleum Metallic Gold Spray Paint (also love this gold spray paint) (3.76 each)
1 Rust-Oleum Spray Paint Grip (had on hand. Definately recommend if you do a lot of spray painting)
1 Roll Marble Adhesive ($8.31)
1 dropcloth or place to spray paint
I also love to use Painter’s Pyramids when I paint furniture (had on hand, otherwise $6.99)

How to Transform the Vittsjo Shelf:

1. Start by putting together the shelving unit. Though it may seem easier to spray paint the pieces before you put it together, you may end up scratching the paint if you try to screw it together after painting.

2. Rather than using a primer, I just bought the White Vittsjo Shelf and went in directly with the gold spray paint. The white provides a nice light base for the Gold and my research suggested that the Gold would adhere well enough without the need to prime or sand. This has proved true in the last few months of use.

3. Set up the shelf outside on a drop cloth or area you don’t mind getting painted. Make sure there is air flow but not too much wind. When you spray paint you will have to angle around to get each side of each slat and wind can waste paint by blowing it away from your target area.

DIY Ikea Shelf Vittsjo Hack Paint Pryamids

4. Raise the shelf with paint pyramids to make spray painting easier. Leaving the legs directly on the ground will make it difficult to get the paint all the way down to the sections touching the ground.

5. Spray paint using your Paint Grip. The paint grip will make it easier to get each of the angles and allow you to make wider paint passes. My tip is to start with one side of the shelf and spray paint all of the sides facing your direction both inside and outside of the shelf. This will keep you from forgetting to spray paint one of them.

Gold Spray Painted Ikea Hack Vittsjo Shelf

Allow to dry completely (if you can) before moving it to its proper location. Touching the paint before it is fully dry may leave light finger smudges on the gold paint.

6. To add some additional glam, use Marble Adhesive to cover the bottom shelf. Roll out the adhesive on a flat surface and lay the shelf on top. I would recommend doing this on a non-carpeted floor, swept clean. That way carpet fibers will not stick to the adhesive and dirt pieces will not cut into the liner when you lay it flat and apply pressure.

Cut with 1-2 inches extra on each side. Start at one end and remove a little of the backing at a time and press down as you go. See this this youtube video (starts 2:06) for an example of what I mean.

Then, lay it into the opening and screw into place.

DIY Ikea Shelf Hack Gold Painted Marble Shelf

7. Once it is in its final home, lay the rest of the glass shelves into place and voila! You now have a classy place to store jewelry, books, handbags and more!

What would you use this beautiful shelf for? Let me know in the comments below!

Make sure to pin this image to help you find this idea later!

As always, thanks for visiting!

Linking up today with: Elegantly Fashionable / Sincerely Jenna Marie / More Pieces of Me

Target for Affordable Winter Fashion Accessories

January 16, 2017 by Virginia Evans 17 Comments

Teacher Fashion Affordable Winter Fedora

Target Fedora Winter Affordable Fashion for Teachers

Affordable Winter Wool Hat and scarf from Target

Teacher Style: Affordable Fedora for Winter Accessorizing

Affordable Fashion for Teachers: Target Fedora

Fedora and Scarf for Winter: Affordable Target Fashion

Hi Friends! I hope your week is off to a great start! I am so glad to have a 3 day weekend. This time in January seems to always be challenging with students. I’m not kidding…my Facebook memory today was three different posts in three different years about how my students were crazy on the exact same day! So, it makes me happy to sit down and just talk to you a little bit about fashion!

I picked up this navy hat back in November from Target and absolutely love it. I’ve been waiting to feature it on my blog because I just hadn’t found the right accessory to pair with it. But then, I was given this great navy plaid scarf for Christmas and I knew I’d found the perfect match!

Target always has a great selection of hats that are good quality and very fashionable. On a teacher’s salary (especially a SUBSTITUTE teacher’s salary) I just can’t afford these beautiful Rag and Bone or Janessa Leone hats. But then here comes Target to the rescue with affordable, fashionable pieces that make accessorizing fun and affordable! I love the metal detail on this felt fedora and unlike some other affordable brands, it holds its shape! I’ve put together a selection of my favorite Target hats for you in the Widget below (so make sure to view this in your computer browser) but most of the time I will find more options in store than are available on the website so next time you’re in Target, swing by the hat section! You won’t be disappointed!

Get the Look:

*Some links are affiliate links. Clicking on links may result in a commission for More to Mrs. E

Navy Fedora with Silver Studs, Target.
Classic Plaid Blanket Scarf, Target (sold out online). Similar Navy Plaid Blanket Scarf.
Cargo Jacket, H&M (old). Similar Cargo Jacket 1 / Similar Cargo Jacket 2
White Tee, Forever21. Similar in widget below.
Brown Booties, Amazon. Similar Brown Suede Strap Booties. One more in widget below.
Skinny Jeans, American Eagle.
Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick, Sephora in Bachelorette.

Clickable Outfit Widget:

Affordable Target Hats for Winter:

Thanks so much for visiting! Make sure to check out last week’s post with a gorgeous bell sleeve top for under $15!

Linking Up Today with: Hello Monday Linkup (More Pieces of Me / Sincerely Jenna Marie), Classy Monday Linkup, and Style Sessions.