What I Wore

I don't have many pics this week which is unfortunate for two reasons. First and mostly, it means that husband Spencer had to work a lot. And I mean a lot. And second, I wore a lot of good outfits that I don't have record of. I might have to put them back on when he is around so I can have some photos. I just like to have a log so I can remember what I wore, but also so I can see if it looks good in the photo as well as the mirror.

I wore the trench vest two ways this week (one is pictured below). I also got a mint green pleated skirt that is to die for that I wore to work on Friday.

Local store shirt, Target cardigan and shoes, Maurices pants, Disneyland necklace

WHEN: Saturday, April 7

WHERE: Family Easter Dinner

GETTING CREATIVE: This shirt was one of those dumb purchases. It really doesn't fit well, but I just had to have it. Wearing a cardigan or jacket over it covers up the huge neckline and it turns out okay.

H&M shirt, Old Navy trench vest, New York & Co. pants, Target shoes

WHEN: Monday, April 2

WHERE: Work

GETTING CREATIVE: I have probably worn these pants with a striped top a bazillion times now so I don't know how creative it was. I did put my trench vest research to good use though!

Well, I am going to end here so I can get back to watching Downton Abbey. OBSESSED! I was horrified by the last five minutes of the first episode and was appalled by everyone online and IRL that recommended the show. But some of the people I really trust had recommended it so I watched another episode or two and nothing else disgusting has happened. I wonder if some of those people missed the first episode. But anyway, It's soooooo good. I watched the first season online and put season 2 on hold at the library. Of course the wait line was really long. But I found out that my grandma had purchased the DVDs!!!! I am almost done with the second season and will have to join everyone in waiting for the third. Any other fans out there?

Happy Easter! Have a great weekend! Thanks for being here!

These are a Few of My Favorite Pins

Happy Friday, friends! I didn't pin a lot this week, but here are some of my favorite finds.

Source: ohmyhandmade.com via Aubree on Pinterest

This is a tutorial to make these gorgeous flowers.

Source: alisaburke.blogspot.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Alisa Burke showed many ideas for layering necklaces.

Source: mystylepill.com via Aubree on Pinterest

As I said the other day, my pinning focus this week was on trench vests. Here are two more images that I found on Pinterest for vests. Aren't these outfits both divine? Such creative uses of clothing items. I hope someday to look so effortless... :)

Source: atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com via Aubree on Pinterest

The pictures from the spring pinwheel party I helped give are coming up on Monday... guaranteed! Hopefully we'll also continue the Defining My Style series. Come back to tomorrow for What I Wore, for sure!

Don't forget to enter the Anthro Bracelet DIY Kit giveaway!

Using Google Blog Search for Inspiration

I recently told you about Google Blog search... a Google search that searches only blogs. It's great if you want to find a review, idea, suggestion, etc. from a blogger (a real person) instead of a company or whatever. I recently purchased this trench vest from Old Navy on clearance for about $6 (woot woot!) and wanted some ideas on how to wear it. By performing a regular Google search for "Old Navy trench vest" I found mostly shopping results with a few blogs mixed in. By switching to a blog search, I quickly and easily found many ideas for my new vest that I could add to my Pinterest style board, either ways that ladies had worn the vest, or Polyvore type boards they had made.

Source: cardigansandcouture.blogspot.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Source: prettyallthetime.blogspot.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Source: stylishcurves.net via Aubree on Pinterest

Source: bravoerunway.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Source: sidewalkchic.com via Aubree on Pinterest

I also tried just searching Pinterest using the term trench vest. I did find some result that I pinned too, but the blog search was the best. I have already worn my vest twice this week.

This isn't a sponsored post or anything, I just want you to be aware of this tool to help you be creative!

More Colors for Anthro Bracelet Kits and a GIVEAWAY!

Remember these beauties? I did a tutorial on how to make the bracelets, and I have been selling kits to make your own in my Etsy shop.

Keep reading for info on the giveaway!

I just added many new colors to my shop to add variety to the kits. There are still some of the pastels left, many neutrals, and now some more fun bright colors for spring and summer!

CURRENT COLORS AVAILABLE:

Orange
Mustard Yellow
Light pink
Brown
Black
Cream
White
Bright green
Bright blue
Purple
Red
Yellow
(You can see all the colors in the listing.)

I WANT TO GIVE SOME AWAY!

THREE lucky readers will win a kit with materials to make 1 bracelet in the color of their choice, based on what is available at the end of the giveaway.

To enter, make sure you are a blog follower and do one or more of the following:

LEAVE ONE COMMENT FOR EACH THING YOU DO

1. Leave a comment telling me what colors you think you might choose
2. Pin these bracelets on Pinterest (either from here or the tutorial) and leave a comment
3. Talk about this giveaway or the bracelet kits on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog and leave a comment
4. Follow Yellow Blackbird on Facebook and leave a comment
5. Like Yellow Blackbird or the kits on Etsy and leave a comment

If you enter more than once there is a chance that you could win more than one kit!

The giveaway will be open until Friday, April 13. That's got to be a lucky day, right? After that, random.org will choose a winner and it will be announced! Please be sure to make sure I can contact you via your comments.

Good luck! And thanks for supporting me!

What I Wore

This week was a good representation of how to remix. I wore many of the same pieces twice, but never when I saw the same people. I am so glad for the spring weather and bright spring colors to wear!

Old Navy blouse and belt, Bags that Fit cardigan, JCP skirt, Forever Young shoes, Forever 21 trench

WHEN: Sunday, March 25

WHERE: Church

GETTING CREATIVE: No neutrals here... I love all the colors! I bought the tank top from Old Navy on clearance and it was a size too big. I had to alter it and shorten the straps but it was worth it for that cute print. I think I was subconsciously inspired by Kendi (as usual). Can I tell you how much I LOVE my new orange trench???

Bella Bird (Walmart) shirt, Forever 21 cardigan, Charlotte Russe necklace, Bags that Fit belt, JCP skirt, Payless boots, Kohl's sunglasses

WHEN: Tuesday, March 27

WHERE: Work

GETTING CREATIVE: I was excited about my new skirt and wanted to wear it to work as well. I will probably wear that first outfit to work sometime soon, but it was cooler so I needed the boots. This outfit is completely stolen from Audrey. And I love it.

Old Navy shirt, Target cardigan, Forever 21 pants, Forever Young shoes

WHEN: Friday, March 30

WHERE: Work and my mom's big birthday bash (more on that next week)

GETTING CREATIVE: I wanted to be dressed in bright fun colors for the party so I remixed the blouse and came up with this. Don't mind the sour look. It was late.

Can we talk about my hair for just a sec? Can you tell in this last photo that I chopped it again? It's shorter, and a lot thinner. I think I really like it. The first day of doing it myself (Friday) went really well, but this morning was a bit tougher. What do you think?

Have a great weekend! I will be enjoying LDS general conference today and tomorrow and can't wait!

These are a Few of My Favorite Pins

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Aubree on Pinterest

I love these pretty paper tulips. I hope they are easy to make!

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Aubree on Pinterest

This is so cute! I love the idea! Most of my nieces are too young, but I will be mentally filing this away for future birthday gifts.

Source: puttingmetogether.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Since I just a pencil skirt (debuting in What I Wore tomorrow!), I pinned this for some outfit inspiration.

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Aubree on Pinterest

This pinwheel bouquet is stunning! It's inspired a big project I am working on right now, but I can't say more than that so I don't spoil any surprises!

I hope you have a creative weekend! I am throwing a party for my mom's birthday on Friday night that I have put a lot of creative energy into. Saturday is LDS general conference which means I will have some time for a small project while listening to the speakers. I have it all planned out... and should result in an awesome tutorial for you all!

See you tomorrow for What I Wore.

Modest Sea Winner and Discount!

Drum roll please.....

The winner of the Modest Sea Swimsuit is.... comment #6

Bethany said...

I love the Stephanie and Kara! So cute and feminine! :D
Bethany

CONGRATULATIONS!!! We'll be in touch soon!

Jealous of Bethany? Not to fear... you can get a discount on your order from Modest Sea. For the next two week, receive 20% off your order just for being a Yellow Blackbird reader!

After choosing the swimwear, and adding it to your “bag”, proceed to checkout. It is required to have a user account in order to make a purchase. After logging in and choosing a shipping and payment methods, there is a box to type in the code 507090. After entering it and pressing the update subtotal key, you will be able to see the discount applied.

Happy Shopping!

Defining My Style: Using Pinterest

Since I have been blogging and posting my outfits (about 1 1/2 years now) I have really been working on defining my style, becoming a smarter shopper (not wasting money!), and most of all, being confident in what I wear. For the next little while I want to occasionally share what I have been doing to define my style.

In February I shared with you this link to the No Brainer Wardrobe. I loved the idea of making a board on Pinterest where I could collect images of outfits that just "spoke to me" and seem to really reflect my style. Click here to see the entire board I made. Here is a sampling of some of the images from the board that reflect what I see as my personal style:

Source: rebelattitudes.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Source: mommagoround.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Source: avestyles.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Source: puttingmetogether.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Source: thankfulforsight.tumblr.com via Aubree on Pinterest

After several weeks of collecting pins, I analyzed them and made a list of things that make up my style. Now, some of these items are trendy, but some I have liked for years and years (even before the trend- such as stripes) and I know I will like them for a long time. Maybe some of these things will fade and I will have to rework the list (such as maxi skirts/dresses). However, having a solid base of things I like in my wardrobe will allow for some trendy purchases.

Patterns: Stripes, polka dots, floral

Colors: Yellow, red, blue, orange- the colors straight out of the crayon box and some shade variances

Style: Nautical, ladylike, structured

Items:

• Jackets and blazers
• Cropped pants
• Skinny and flared pants
  
• Belts
• Big necklaces
• Maxis
• Midi skirts (solids and prints)
• Pencil skirts
• Boots
• Wedges
• Pretty blouses with high necklines and many possibilities
• Cardigans
  

I knew I wanted to get several new items for this spring so I made a shopping list of things that I was missing from the above list (or just wanted!).

• Jacket
• Cropped pants in colors that coordinate with my wardrobe
• Solid pencil and midi skirt
• Wedges in colors that coordinate with my wardrobe
• Pretty blouses... no t-shirts and no funky patterns

I have done a lot of shopping over the last few weeks and feel that I have done a good job at purchasing items that will be remixable and not regret purchases. In an upcoming post I will show you all I bought and together we can analyze it and see how I did. In yet another part of this series I want to examine items in my closet that were good purchases and analyze why. I will also look for items that I regret buying and find out why. This will enable me to make another list... a list of items to avoid purchasing. I think that will help me to avoid making poor choices in the future.

Do you have any suggestions of other exercises or tactics I can use to be a smarter shopper? Do share!!!

What I Wore

Old Navy shirt, Ross Jeans, Payless boots, Charlotte Rusee necklace, Forever 21 bracelet

WHEN: Saturday, March 17

WHERE: Family St. Patrick's Day party

GETTING CREATIVE: Last week I said that I was unsure about what to wear for St. Patrick's day... not having much green. Then I went shopping and found this cute green striped top at Old Navy so I bought it. I wore this brightly colored necklace backwards because I thought it resembled 4 leaf clovers on the gold side.

Old dress, Target cardigan and shoes, Walmart tights, Ross belt

WHEN: Sunday, March 18

WHERE: Church

GETTING CREATIVE: Winter came back for a few days so I got in another day of wearing my red tights. Nothing too special about this outfit but I think my hair looks good in this photo. :)

Express shirt, Forever 21 cardigan, Old Navy belt, Gap skinnies, Madden Girl boots, Target scarf (gift)

WHEN: Sometime this week... maybe Wednesday?

WHERE: Work

GETTING CREATIVE: I love all the yellow and mint green combos I have been seeing on Pinterest lately (example) and even though this scarf isn't mint I used it anyway.

Old Navy shirt, pants, belt, Forever Young shoes, Charlotte Russe necklace

WHEN: Friday, March 24

WHERE: Work and Friday night date

GETTING CREATIVE: I decided to wear the green shirt to work this week too. I am glad that it has been warm! I matched the shoes and belt here obviously, but I like it. I wore this with a navy cardigan which made it look less slouchy. I got a lot of compliments on this ensemble but I don't know if I am loving it in the picture...

These are a Few of My Favorite Pins

Hi friends. Sorry I haven't been around much (at all) this week. I have been too busy remodeling a bedroom into an exercise room, planning my mom's big birthday party next week, and, well, shopping. But more about that later. For now, here are some of the most interesting and inspiring Pinterest/Internet finds of the week.

Source: deelightfulstudios.blogspot.com via Aubree on Pinterest

It all starts with this. Just go create something. Right now.

Source: etsy.com via Aubree on Pinterest

I've decided that I hate wearing flip flops so I like this upcycle idea.

Source: 100layercake.com via Aubree on Pinterest

Beautiful paper medallion background.

Source: fashionfractions.com via Aubree on Pinterest

I love the colors and stripes in this outfit. But undoubtedly, every time you wear red and blue to a jr high you are repeatedly told that you look like the 4th of July. Come on kiddos, red and blue are more than just patriotic!