- July 04, 2016
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Create28 Week 4
"abbie," "Alison," "carrie," "Create 28," "Katie," "Leslie," "lisa," "style," "style challenge," "Whitney"
We have made it through our first Create28 Style Challenge with The Blended Blog! TBB contributors have had lots of fun creating new-to-us summer looks based upon the Create28 prompts. The daily style suggestions gave us a fun little way to look at our closets with fresh inspiration!
Here are our looks from the first three weeks:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
We hope that you used our prompts to get dressed this month! If so, please link-up your looks below and use our hashtag (#theblendedblogstyle) on Instagram!
Here are our looks from the last week of Create28:
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
Here are our looks from the first three weeks:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
We hope that you used our prompts to get dressed this month! If so, please link-up your looks below and use our hashtag (#theblendedblogstyle) on Instagram!
Here are our looks from the last week of Create28:
First thing this week, Lisa of Daily Style Finds featured not one but two Lovely Lace looks! She incorporated a pretty blouse with lace sleeves and a lace-up shirt. She was so creative to incorporate lace two-ways!
Abbie from Grumbling Grace showed us some of her favorite Bold Baubles! She has the cutest kid-friendly statement necklaces! If you have a kiddo that likes to chew on your jewelry, you should check-out her post!
Leslie from Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After jumped in to take over Carrie's Gingham Galore post. She put together some layers in the prettiest summer color combination! This is the perfect look if your office air conditioning is too chilly these days.
Carrie of A Lovely Little Wardrobe is the queen of Minty Mint! She created three really pretty mint and blue looks complete with fun patterns and jewelry. I had a hard time choosing a favorite for today's collage!
Katie from Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life got into the festive spirit to show us some of her favorite 4th of July looks. She has the perfect, funny graphic tee to wear this year. You will have to stop-by her blog to see it!
Whitney of Whitney à la mode wore some Easy Espadrilles on Tuesday. This year, cute and flat espadrilles are the perfect (and comfortable) way to wear this timeless summer trend!
And finally Alison of Puppies and Pretties is wearing her Super Stripes today! She looks oh-so-cool and sporty with her cap and striped swing dress. This would be a fun outfit to wear to an afternoon ball game!
Thank you so much for being a part of our style challenge this month! Now it's time to see your looks!
Happy Friday everyone! Alison here. I'd like to introduce you to Christine from Christine Everyday. She writes about all sorts of things; from blogging advice, to tasty recipes, to life hacks. Check her out on Twitter and read her two favorite posts:
Other than blogging, what do you do for a living (profession)? I am a licensed Realtor, and spend my days helping people find their dream homes. I’ve only just gone full time in real estate in the last few months, but so far the results are positive!
Do you have any children? What parenting advice would you give to a someone having a new baby? I have one three-year-old, and the most important advice that I think every parent needs to hear at one time or another is to follow their guts. Parents get tons of (often conflicting) advice from everybody they know, but they should raise their children the way that they see fit.
Are you married? What marriage advice would you give to a couple getting married? What have you learned? The biggest thing that I’ve learned about marriage is pretty similar to my advice about children…handle your marriage the way you see fit. In general, you should live your life in your own manner without comparing yourself to others or worrying to much about the advice of others. Whether’s that your children, your marriage, or the way you paint your nails…you do you.
Are you married? What marriage advice would you give to a couple getting married? What have you learned? The biggest thing that I’ve learned about marriage is pretty similar to my advice about children…handle your marriage the way you see fit. In general, you should live your life in your own manner without comparing yourself to others or worrying to much about the advice of others. Whether’s that your children, your marriage, or the way you paint your nails…you do you.
What is your greatest unfulfilled ambition?
To write a novel! But I’m actually working on this…and I’m pretty proud of the way it’s turning out so far!
What has been the most rewarding outcome of blogging? I didn’t realize it when I started, but blogging is a wonderful community full of women seeking to build each other up. While there are of course exceptions (as there are in anything), for the most part our community is positive and uplifting. I love that.
What is your favorite style season (fall, spring, summer, winter) and why?
I love Fall because I think I look best in light layers. They’re still form flattering but help to hide the bulges that may show up around Thanksgiving. ;) In winter, the clothes are so bulky that it’s hard to have a figure, but summer and spring show too many flaws!
What is the last book you read and would you recommend it? I recently read the The Selection series and I loved it! I would definitely recommend it. It’s very similar to the Hunger Games and I literally read all three within 24 hours…the first two in one night when I stayed up waaaaay too late reading them! I couldn’t put them down.
Create28 Week 1
"Alison," "christy," "Create 28," "lana," "lisa," "Sarah," "sheila," "style," "style challenge," "Whitney"
Happy Hump Day, lovely readers of The Blended Blog! Today we are excited to review our first seven looks of this summer's Create28 series. If you are new to this style challenge, we have brainstormed daily prompts for you to use to create 28 new-to-you outfits this month! Think of the prompts as little bursts of inspiration to look at your closet in a different way!
Each day of the month, one Blended Blog contributor will showcase her interpretation of the daily prompt. We are hoping that you will visit each blogger and that you will play along, too! You can use our hashtag (#theblendedblogstyle) all week on Instagram and then you can come link-up here on Wednesdays!
Here are the looks from our Blended Blog contributors this week!
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
Each day of the month, one Blended Blog contributor will showcase her interpretation of the daily prompt. We are hoping that you will visit each blogger and that you will play along, too! You can use our hashtag (#theblendedblogstyle) all week on Instagram and then you can come link-up here on Wednesdays!
Here are the looks from our Blended Blog contributors this week!
On June 1st, Lana of Two Teens and Their Mama showed us her Summer Go-To look! Chambray is a great go-to fabric during any season which makes this shift a perfect summer staple!
The next day, Lisa of Daily Style Finds featured a Surprise look for a fun vacation! The black and white motif is so chic and classic. Can't you imagine rocking that swimsuit in the French Riviera?
For day three, Whitney of Whitney à la mode wore an easy, breezy striped top for her Pretty Peplum look. Peplums are a great summer item because there is enough detail in the design of the shirt that you don't have to depend on layering to create interest.
Next up, Sheila of Making the Most of Every Day posted a fun twist of our prompt Nautical Navy. Her red stripes and starfish necklace are definitely sea-worthy without a touch of blue!
On Sunday, Sarah from Foxy's Domestic Side featured a beautiful Warm Weather Wedding look! She looks so feminine in her pretty pink skirt and lace top. How creative to wear a skirt and top combination instead of a dress!
Yesterday, Alison of Puppies and Pretties featured a Maxi Dress look. Isn't the print of her dress lovely! As she pointed-out, printed maxi dresses are another great stand-alone item for summer that you don't have to worry about layering!
And finally, today Christy of RSquared went above and beyond to show us all of her favorite Fun Flats. The Converse pictured above are definitely a classic summer staple!
And now it's your turn! Make sure to link-up your Create28 looks below! But first here's a look at this coming week's prompts!
What's In My... HANDBAG
"Alison," "lisa," "Sarah," "Summer Series," "what's in my," "Whitney"
Today kicks off a new series on The Blended Blog.
It is our new summer series called -- WHAT'S IN MY...
It is our new summer series called -- WHAT'S IN MY...
Have you ever wanted to know more about us and find out what we may be hiding hoarding in our storage closet at home or what we can’t live without in our handbag - then, you will want to check out this new series.
The first Tuesday of each month four Blended Blog contributors will be sharing — What’s in our… kitchen, handbag, junk drawer (or storage area), or make up bag.
The topic for today is “What’s in my... HANDBAG”.
To begin, hop over to Lisa from Daily Style Finds to find out what is in her handbag.
Also, feel free to join the fun and LINK UP your blog post and share “What in your….” If you don’t have a blog, you can still join through Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #TBBWhatInMy
And, just so you know what is coming up - here is the upcoming schedule.
July 5 - What's in My... STORAGE ROOM/JUNK DRAWER
August 2 - What's in My... MAKE UP BAG
September 6 - What's in My... KITCHEN
Be sure to join Our LINK UP below...
Join Us the first Tuesday of each month.
If there was one pattern that I had to wear every day for the rest of my life, it would be plaid. Granted, stripes are a real close second. There is just so much that you can you do with plaid. While plaid might be synonymous with fall and winter with all the boots, it can transition to spring and summer easily. Pair it was shorts and skirts for a simple look. Or throw a button up plaid shirt over a tank top (or dress) for a bit of extra warmth on a cool spring day. Or if you want to stay in the plaid family, go with the fun little sister gingham! 
A soon as I saw this top at Old Navy, I knew I had to have it. Navy, plaid, and a swingy cut? Yes please! I know I'll be wearing it all spring and summer. Just thinking of wearing it with white jeans makes me giddy with excitement! How are you wearing plaid this spring?
Wearing:
Old Navy plaid tank top
Old Navy skirt (similar)
OTK boots via DSW
Kate Spade purse (similar)
Mirina Collections pearl necklace
Shop more plaid and gingham
Last week was full of some pretty awesome graphic tees. If you haven't already, go check out the top clicked links!
The TBB bloggers were looking sassy in graphic tees as well. Next week's prompt is my jam as well with leggings and a scarf from Katie @ Mishaps & Mayhem of a Solitary Life.
14 bloggers each picked a look that defined their personal style.
A soon as I saw this top at Old Navy, I knew I had to have it. Navy, plaid, and a swingy cut? Yes please! I know I'll be wearing it all spring and summer. Just thinking of wearing it with white jeans makes me giddy with excitement! How are you wearing plaid this spring?
Wearing:
Old Navy plaid tank top
Old Navy skirt (similar)
OTK boots via DSW
Kate Spade purse (similar)
Mirina Collections pearl necklace
Shop more plaid and gingham
The TBB bloggers were looking sassy in graphic tees as well. Next week's prompt is my jam as well with leggings and a scarf from Katie @ Mishaps & Mayhem of a Solitary Life.
14 bloggers each picked a look that defined their personal style.
The featured blogger on the Blended Blog showcases her signature style (the prompt for that day) and then the other bloggers (on their personal blogs) show how they interpret it.
Make sure you stop by the Blended Blog to see the featured lady.
ONCE UPON A TIME & HAPPILY EVER AFTER : Library-Lovin’-Lady
DAILY STYLE FINDS: The Personal Stylist
FOXY’S DOMESTIC SIDE: The Crafty Engineer
SIMPLY SHAUNACEY: Reformed Frumpy Mommy
TWO TEENS AND THEIR MAMA: Stylish Midlife Mama
RSQUARED: The Not So Nerdy Accountant
SHOES TO SHIRAZ: The Shoe Hoarding French Teacher
PUPPIES AND PRETTIES: Cube Dwelling Fashionista
MISHAPS AND MAYHEM OF SOLITARY LIFE: Single Girl, Simple Style
A LOVELY LITTLE WARDROBE: A Casual Petite
MAKING THE MOST OF EVERYDAY Classic Yet Current Over Forty
NICKANDNIK: Mama with Curves
LIVING ON CLOUD NINE: Blissful Fashionista
WHITNEY À LA MODE: A book-loving French Teacher
Hi all! Alison here. I'm excited to introduce Lindsay from Bourbon, Lipstick & Stilettos today. I met Lindsay through a Bigs & Littles blogger match. Since then, we have stayed in touch and have become friends. Her blog posts always get me thinking or teach me things about beauty products that I could only dream of trying. If you want to follow Lindsay, head over to her Bloglovin.
Lets meet Lindsay!
What do you do for a living?
I work as a Technical Writer. I write user manuals and how-to guides.
What is your greatest unfulfilled ambition?
My greatest unfulfilled ambition is to learn HTML and JAVA. I'm taking classes but don't have as much time to devote to it as I'd like!
What is something that people might be surprised to know about you?
People might be surprised to learn that Guns N' Roses is my favorite band! :)
What hobbies do you have other than blogging?
Other than blogging I love reading... when I have time!
What has been the biggest challenge with blogging?
My biggest challenge with blogging is the pressure. I work full-time (and always will), but feel that it's so hard to keep up with everyone else! I often feel that I'll never have it all together.
Which fashion trend do you currently love?
What is your best beauty trick? The fashion trend I currently love is vests. Is that still a trend? I feel behind. My favorite beauty trick is highlighting! It's the easiest and best way to beat tired eyes and a dull complexion!
Do you like to dine-out or stay-in and cook dinner?
We definitely prefer to stay in and cook dinner: it's cheaper, healthier, and I can drink as much wine as I want! :)
Lets meet Lindsay!
What do you do for a living?
I work as a Technical Writer. I write user manuals and how-to guides.
What is your greatest unfulfilled ambition?
My greatest unfulfilled ambition is to learn HTML and JAVA. I'm taking classes but don't have as much time to devote to it as I'd like!
What is something that people might be surprised to know about you?
People might be surprised to learn that Guns N' Roses is my favorite band! :)
What hobbies do you have other than blogging?
Other than blogging I love reading... when I have time!
What has been the biggest challenge with blogging?
My biggest challenge with blogging is the pressure. I work full-time (and always will), but feel that it's so hard to keep up with everyone else! I often feel that I'll never have it all together.
Which fashion trend do you currently love?
What is your best beauty trick? The fashion trend I currently love is vests. Is that still a trend? I feel behind. My favorite beauty trick is highlighting! It's the easiest and best way to beat tired eyes and a dull complexion!
Do you like to dine-out or stay-in and cook dinner?
We definitely prefer to stay in and cook dinner: it's cheaper, healthier, and I can drink as much wine as I want! :)
Ever look into your packed closet and think, "I have nothing to wear?" I get that feeling all the time and part of the problem is there is just so much stuff in there. I'm going to guess that I'm not the only one that has a goal of getting their closet in tip top shape this year. Today I'll share the steps that I'll be taking to clean up my closet.
- Sort it out: I plan to start by pulling out items that fit two extremes: for-sure keep and for-sure toss/donate. The for-sure keep items are ones that I wear on a regular basis. The for-sure toss items are ones that I know without a doubt either don't fit or just don't fit my style anymore. After all of the for-sure items are pulled out, you are left with the maybes.
- Deal with the maybes: This will likely be the hardest part of the entire ordeal. These items are all ones that that you like, but don't love. Or maybe you love the print, but the fit isn't quite right.
- Try it on: An unpleasant time, but you have to know if an item actually fits well. If it doesn't, why are you keeping it?
- Create outfits: Now that you know an item fits, can you make more than one outfit from it? If it is a one hit wonder, that is probably why it is in your maybe pile. While there is no problem with one hit wonders (I have a few), be sure that you love it. You don't want a closet full of items that you can only wear one way. The exercise of creating outfits will also get your creative juices flowing, so it is a win-win!
- Do you love it? Or at least really really like it. If you have tried it on and created outfits but still are not sure on an item, it is probably time to let it go. Sometimes we collect items that we like, but it just doesn't mesh well with your lifestyle. Or maybe it just isn't you. Items like this maybe don't go in the toss pile right away, but you might put them in a "save" pile. This pile shouldn't go back into your closet. Rather, put it in storage for a month or so. If after awhile you find yourself missing an item, go back and get it out of storage. If you have completely forgotten about the item, move it to the toss pile.
- Organize. Organize. Organize: Now that you have purged your closet of the excess items, its time to organize it. How you do it is up to you. Maybe you do my colors. Or by type (think jeans, button ups, sweaters). Do what is best for you and your space.
- Put yourself on a spending frost. Or if you are really ambitious (and have lots of willpower) put yourself on a spending freeze. I don't have the willpower for an entire freeze, but I can do a frost. I think of a frost and I'm not going to run out and buy all the things, but I can still get an item that I love or need to replace. I also try to be very deliberate in my shopping. I'll ask myself; does it fit well? Can I make lots of outfits with it? Does it fill a gap that I have in my closet? Plus I always look for coupons or try to wait until an item is on sale. By putting yourself on a frost/freeze, it forces you to "shop your closet." Put to use all those great outfits that you put together when deciding on whether to keep items.
A striped sweater or shirt is a timeless piece for every season. It can be paired with so many different items in your closet. I put a striped shirt as a staple right there with a black or white tee. Today I'll show you three classic ways to style a striped sweater for fall.
It doesn't get more classic than a striped sweater and dark wash jeans. This is a perfect outfit for running errands or casual Friday. I kept my look simple with just a monogram necklace, but you could easily spice it up with a statement necklace.
For a dressier outfit, I paired my striped sweater with a grey ponte circle skirt and knee high boots. Once again, I kept is simple with all neutrals. When the weather gets cold, a pair of tights can keep you warm.
Probably my favorite way to wear stripes is with pattern mixing. Stripes are the perfect starting point for mixing prints. For this outfit, I paired it with a plaid scarf. But you could also go with florals, polka dots, or other stripes.
Live somewhere warm? There are easy substitutions. For casual, swap out the sweater with a tank top or tee or go with a dark pair of shorts and flats. For neutral dressy, swap the boots out for sandals. For pattern mixing, try with a lightweight scarf or mix prints with a pair of floral shorts.
What is your favorite way to wear stripes?
Shop the post
Alison blogs at Puppies & Pretties and is a regular contributor for The Blended Blog. In her spare time she loves to play with her dogs, read a ridiculous amount, and do anything sports related.
Casual
It doesn't get more classic than a striped sweater and dark wash jeans. This is a perfect outfit for running errands or casual Friday. I kept my look simple with just a monogram necklace, but you could easily spice it up with a statement necklace.
Neutral Dressy
For a dressier outfit, I paired my striped sweater with a grey ponte circle skirt and knee high boots. Once again, I kept is simple with all neutrals. When the weather gets cold, a pair of tights can keep you warm.
Pattern Mixing
Probably my favorite way to wear stripes is with pattern mixing. Stripes are the perfect starting point for mixing prints. For this outfit, I paired it with a plaid scarf. But you could also go with florals, polka dots, or other stripes.
Live somewhere warm? There are easy substitutions. For casual, swap out the sweater with a tank top or tee or go with a dark pair of shorts and flats. For neutral dressy, swap the boots out for sandals. For pattern mixing, try with a lightweight scarf or mix prints with a pair of floral shorts.
What is your favorite way to wear stripes?
Shop the post
Today, we are featuring Alison from Puppies & Pretties.
You can take a peak into her world on her on Instagram.
1. Other than blogging, what do you do for a living (profession)?
My "real" job title is Digital Marketing Specialist. I work with social media all day along with website updates. We are getting close to building a brand new site soon, so that will be a major undertaking (the current site has 6,000+ pages!) and I can't wait to get started!
2. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Bookworm, fashion-lover, puppy snuggler
3. What is something that people might be surprised to know about you?
Growing up, I was extremely active in 4-H, FFA, and the National Junior Angus Association. I showed cattle, sheep and goats. It still feels odd to not be going to cattle shows all summer long. Good thing my nephew and nieces are getting to the age to start showing so I can start going again!
4. What hobbies do you have other than blogging?
I love playing sports. This summer, I was in 3 leagues; coed slowpitch, women's slowpitch, and coed sand volleyball. This winter, I'll probably play on a coed volleyball team and a women's team. While slowpitch is fun, I still miss fastpitch!
5. What inspired you to start blogging?
I had been following blogs for some time and thought it would be fun to do. When I left a job, all my coworkers asked me to post my outfits on Facebook so they could continue to see them (I was considered the fashionista of the company). Instead, I started Puppies & Pretties when I had about a week off between jobs and haven't look back since!
6. What is your style “uniform”?
My style is a little bit preppy, a little bit feminine, and a whole lot of quirky. I'm not sure I have a specific uniform, but if I had to choose, it would be a fun dress, great jewelry and a good pair of boots (for fall/winter) or sandals.
7. What is the last book you read and would you recommend it?
I'm a big reader, as in 4+ books a month. The last book I read was Dragonlove by Marc Secchia. I LOVE this series. You have to read Dragonfriend first though. But if you like magic, dragons, friendships, and a bit of mystery, you will like this series.
If you are interested in working with us, please email us at theblendedblog@gmail.com
Have a great weekend
-TBBloggers
About us
This blog was created after a group of bloggers started a friendship, without ever having met. What they've come to realize is that the blogworld, while huge and daunting, can be a great community of like-minded people. Welcome to our space, we hope that it can help you expand your blog circles too. Read more about us.
