Happy Wednesday Everybody!
It's one of my favorite days of the month, because it's Closet Confessions time!
My first three guest posters have all been bloggy friends, click HERE to see into their lovely and seriously inspiring closets.
But today, you get a special treat!
We are getting a visit from Andrea (one of my real life besties!) who blogs over at Momfessionals.
And most of you probably know that Andrea is the genius behind Slightly Askew Designs, which means she is my go-to person for my blog design and all of my blog buttons.
Andrea teaches math at a private Christian school, she is married to her high school sweetheart Dave, she has 3 of the cutest kids you've ever laid eyes on (Luke, Mason, and Griffin), she has more creativity in her little finger than I have in my entire body (check out her back to school dinner for her kids HERE and her North Pole Express breakfast HERE),
and she is make you want to pee your pants funny.
But before we get started, there is 1 main thing you need to know about Andrea.
She is who I want to be when I grow up.
Never mind that I'm WAY older than she is.
The chick has got it going on.
In fact, If you want to read something that will ROCK YOUR WORLD as a mom, click HERE.
You and your kids will be blessed by her words and this philosophy, I promise.
Did you go read it? Because you need to. Now.
It's SO simple, it's so easy to implement, yet it might really change how you parent
on a day to day basis.
And speaking of life-changing, you need to know about THIS recipe now.
Because OH MY WORD the deliciousness is crazy. And it's stupid easy to make.
AND it makes a ton, which means LEFTOVERS! WooHoo!
Okay. Before we get started.
Neither Andrea nor myself were blessed with the gift of brevity. We know this.
So grab a cup of coffee and a bagel and settle in.
It might not be a bad idea to have an extra snack or two on hand. Just sayin'.
;)
When Sheaffer asked me to share my closet, my first thought was "Why in the heck me?" and my second thought was "crap... I need to vacuum". :) I was also super flattered. Sheaffer is one of my besties and I have been nothing but proud and excited to see her blog grow from an initial conversation in my driveway where we were probably both wearing swimsuit cover-ups from Target and top knots... because nothing says "Style Blogger" than a good Mossimo cover-up!... to the FORCE that it is today :)
So here you have it... welcome to my closet!
Our house was built in the early nineties and the closets space is surprisingly big compared to other homes in our neighborhood. It's still not huge, so I've tried to make good use of the space using some old furniture pieces like this bookcase that was in my brother's room at my parent's house. It was navy blue, so I painted it white and use it to store my shoes. The dresser on the left was actually mine as a kid as well and I painted it black and use it to store leggings, tanks, swimsuits, etc.
Dave uses MINIMAL space in the closet (hallelujah!) and so I've pretty much taken over and turned it into my little dressing area/mom cave.
This is an egg tray from Anthropologie that I use to hold studs, rings, earring backs, etc...
This tree candle holder is perfect for earrings and hair clips...
Earrings that I wear all the time hang on this little holder that a student gave me...
I used to have all my jewelry stuffed in a drawer, but it was always a hot tangled mess. So I picked up some fun hooks and now everything is semi-organized.
I like to be able to see my options, so this works for me.
Like I said, this has kind of become my little "mom cave". I've been known to give myself a 20-minute time out with a cup of hot tea and a cookie and hide out in here. :) The bulletin board was a total whim purchase and I've ended up loving it. Originally it was going to have jewelry hung on it, but it didn't work out as planned, so instead I have some special pictures, cards, and other little trinkets on there that make me smile.
The little blue container is a pinch pot that Luke made me in art, the low bowl holding push pins is from a flea market and the brass bowl belonged to my great great grandmother.
There is a Mother's Day card from Luke, one side of our IG Christmas card, the bracelet I wore to match Griffin at the kiddos Monster Party, etc. This is also the place where I tend to empty out my bag when I switch... so tonight when I took these pics there were a pair of Tiny Toms, a hairbow and a superhero (duh!). The ballerina handprint canvas was a party favor that Griffin made at a friend's birthday party and it made it's way into my closet and I'm not sure it's going to leave because I love seeing her teeny little hands! :)
Scarves hang on scarf hangers to the right of the bulletin board and then Dave has the rest of that side (aren't I generous?!?!?!). Don't feel too bad... he also has an extra tall dresser in our bedroom.
I throw bags that I'm not using up on the top shelf....
... and boots are on the floor next to my shoe shelf.
Ignore the giant stack of t-shirts hanging off the shelf... I'm a middle school teacher and have accumulated no less than 3000 spirit shirts. I don't wear them, but I store them here until I have enough to make a t-shrit quilt.
I kind of lied about Dave having the rest of the right side of the closet... I took over the bottom rod and hang coats, jackets and vests down there.
So there you have it! It's not a huge space, or a designer space or anything like that - but it's a fun space to get ready. One thing I would like to change is better lighting. I have a super ghetto shade-less lamp on the shoe shelf to give some extra light... but at some point I'd love to switch out the overhead light to something brighter.
Now, here are some questions that Sheaffer sent over for me to answer!
(The writing in italics is Sheaffer talking!)
What is the one item in your closet that you feel like you have to actually stop yourself from wearing? You know, the item that you have to think, did I already wear this this week? :)
Hands down... the "Must Have Denim Jacket". I honestly think I could wear it every single day and be perfectly fine with that. I wore it all Summer, all Fall, all Winter and it doesn't look like anything is going to change this Spring. Need proof??? These were all taken in the last two weeks :)
The exact color of the MUST HAVE jacket is sold out of almost every size, but there are other colors from the same maker available HERE.
Show us your most recent purchase!
So there's a few. I am LOVING these drapey maxi dresses from GAP. They're super comfy, but with a jacket and accessories they're totally appropriate for me to wear to work.
Oh just you wait friend! I put together a couple of outfit boards for you at the end of this collage!
I also just got this boho maxi dress that I'm loving...
And I ordered these custom cuff bracelets off Etsy and I have about 5 more I want to have made.
For several years, when we talk about how much we love each other Luke replies, "I love you to Maine and Back". It's one of those sweet things that is uniquely him that I don't want to forget. So.... I had it put on a glitter gold cuff by Farmgirl Paints and I "may" have teared up when I opened it. When he's big and way too cool to say this to me I'll be able to wear this and remember.
My other two cuffs by her say "Dang Blessed" and "Relish the charms of the present"
Show us the oldest item in your closet.
This one was EASY! I bought this green pea coat from Banana Republic in 2003 (I think!) and I've worn it every winter since then. My mom thought I was nuts, but I instantly loved the color and it has been WELL worth the money.
Here I am wearing it in NYC in 2003...
... and then this past Valentine's Day :)
Even older than the coat, I have this beaded bag that I took to Prom my senior year of high school (2002)
Take it in folks, take it allllll in.
That's me, in a giant prom dress, braces and some epic bangs. Dave was in college, but he took me to Prom (in his SWEET Z28! hahaha). You can see the bag in the pic.
Wait. HOLD UP ANDREA.
First things first, I couldn't love this picture more if I tried. I want to marry this picture.
But I do have some concerns. Like the fact that you're like 9, MAYBE 10 in this picture.
Show us the most embarrassing item in your closet.
I have the bridesmaid dress from my brother's wedding....
which is embarrassing because my SIL gave me a hard time about DON'T BE PREGO FOR MY WEDDING and I was all, "I am NEVER going to be pregnant again". About 3 weeks later I found out I was pregnant with Griffin. There wasn't enough time to order another dress and so I was about 16 weeks along at the wedding and had to wear a cardigan over the dress since it wouldn't zip (at all!) in the back.
:)
Show us your most prized possession in your closet.
My James Avery charm bracelet. I rarely wear it anymore, but Dave gave it to me for my 16th birthday (seriously!) and every charm is from him and represents a part of our relationship (insert sappy music here).
What are your top 3 - 5 style staples?
ONE - Scarves, scarves and more scarves. :)
I started to count... but stopped at 60. No joke. I'm disturbed.
I wear scarves almost every day. I think they're an inexpensive way to mix an outfit up and I love layering.
TWO - TOMS Wedges
I was a total skeptic at first, but now I'm a total believer.
I have three pairs and I wear them at least three times a week.
I NEED the black suede pair before Fall :)
THREE - Dresses!
I wear A LOT of dresses. Maxi dresses with flats, short dresses with boots, dresses with tights and big wedge heels in the Fall. I. Love. Dresses.
What is your most worn piece of jewelry?
My green serenity stone drops by Stella and Dot. They go with EVERYTHING!!!
Is there one item you have SEVERAL of?
This question really makes me look like a psycho. I'm going to try to spin it positively and say that this means I'm loyal... and that when I find something I like I dive in head first :) hahaha
Can't choose a color??? Buy nine.
I like the way you think Andrea. THIS is why we're friends.
I bought all of these in the course of a week. I love them all.
Exact same dress. LOVE these.
Why???
Three Matilda Jane hobo bags...
Two Petunia Pickle Bottom cake bags...
Two Anthro totes.
Have you seen THIS one Andrea? Because I'm dying. It has fringe. And it's on sale.
Yep, I'm dead.
... and 13 pairs of palazzo pant and 4 pairs of Matilda Jane ruffles.
Clearly I have a problem. hahaha
What is the item of your hubby's that you wish you could burn?
Dave isn't too bad - but when we were first married he did fight me tooth and nail about trashing his carpenter jeans. If you're not carrying a hammer, you do NOT need a loop for one on your pants.
End of story.
Andrea, Dave is so lucky to have you.
#PREACHITSISTER
#GOTELLITONTHEMOUNTAIN
How many items in your closet were bought because Pinterest Told Me To told you to?
I've learned that when Sheaffer texts me to say I need something I just need to shut up and get out my credit card. It's easier that way and I don't end up regretting not having an item.
1) The Must Have denim jacket (duh!)
2) Vigoss jeans
3) Sweater back cargo jacket (from Milk and Honey, but sold out)
4) Rubbish Military Jacket
5) Stella and Dot Serenity Stone Drops
6) TOMS Wedges
7) Callisto Wedges
(This is at Griffin's dedication... and I'm not sure what's going on with my face... but oh well!)
8) GAP Puffer Vest
I'm laughing because Shay told her to get this, not me....but I will TOTALLY take the credit.
Because the vest is CRAZY cute.
I wore this ALL THE TIME this Winter. I had to stop myself from wearing it.
9) The Blardigan
Y'all.... I fought Sheaffer on this for a LOOOOONG time. I didn't think I could justify the price tag. But then I did and I have literally worn it every. single. day. since then.
My middle son, Mason, loves it so so so much. I considered getting him his very own for his third birthday... but Duplos won out. Plus I love that he asks me to snuggle in mine before bed. :)
I'm sure there are more things, but these are just the ones that come to mind right away.
Y'all... when Sheaffer tells you that you need something, you need it. Don't fight it. Don't argue. Just get it.
THANK YOU ANDREA!!!!!!
I think it's great how you were able to show all of us how you made your standard closet FABULOUS!
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FRIEND!
AND I KNOW ALL OF YOU LOVE HER NOW TOO!
Sooooooo Andrea.
A couple of things before you leave.
(Go ahead. If you're done with your coffee and bagel, grab a snack if you need to)
I've found one or two things that you nee to consider adding to your your closet right now.
Because like you said, don't question it.
Click HERE for the new super dark wash Vigoss jeans.
And in addition to the above jeans, I found some maxi dresses that I know Andrea will love.
Because Andrea is the QUEEN of the maxi.
Seriously, just go ahead and bow down to Andrea and her maxi skills.
Because she has them.
#andreahasmadmaxiskills
And then I decided to have a little fun.
And I'm gonna be honest, I kinda want to high 5 myself.
Because I created some "looks" for Andrea. And they are SPOT. ON.
Andrea's style is totally eclectic. She always looks absolutely DARLING, and you can guarantee she has the layers piled on!
So, if you want to learn about layering while dressing. ASK ANDREA.
Homegirl knows how to layer LIKE A BOSS.
I'm telling you...textures, colors, patterns...it's all fair game!
So I put together a couple of boards that I felt were very ANDREA-ESQUE.
These outfit ideas are ALL YOU ifIdosaysomyself.
OUTFIT #1:
MUST HAVE jacket HERE
illustrated feathers scarf HERE / kendra scott rayne necklace HERE (this one is magenta)
paprika maxi dress HERE
serenity stone drop earrings HERE (Andrea already owns these too.)
leaf and leather bracelet HERE / white and brass bracelet HERE
My new favorite wedges HERE.
On sale right now and FREE SHIPPING with code FREESHIP.
Andrea,
You would wear the heck out of that outfit! Right?
Okay, here's something else you need to know about Andrea.
In addition to wedges and wellies, Andrea can rock a pair of cowboy boots like NOBODY's BUSINESS. So, I decided to put together a 2nd outfit with some boots!
Okay friends that know Andrea, did I nail it or did I nail it?
And Andrea, tell me this next scarf wasn't made for you. I dare you.
Outfit #2:
Jersey and lace dress HERE / tangerine infinity scarf HERE
rebel pendant HERE / cowboy boots HERE
earrings HERE / leather wrap braclet HERE / crystal bracelet HERE
leaf and leather bracelet HERE
I nailed it, right?!?
RIGHT?
ANDREA!
Do I know you or do I know you?!?
And dangit!
As soon as I closed out the above collages, I found THIS bracelet.
And it's ONLY $10!!!
And then I found some SALE items that are also perfect for Andrea (and for me!) Click HERE for this hoodie that is now 40% off!
(Here's one more thing to know about Andrea. The second she walks in the door, she strips and changes into her comfy clothes. She could wear this when her blardigan is in the wash. Because otherwise, the blardigan is on her body. Trust.)
Oooh!
THIS one is for Shay!
Shay was telling me the other day how she was really hoping for a leather moto jacket to be included in the Anniversary Sale this year. And Yes. We are already discussing the Anniversary Sale.
We are fully aware that it's May, but we are already dreaming of the fall items we are going to be snagging in July.
BECAUSE JULY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER PEOPLE.
Well Shay, click HERE for this jacket at 40% off!
It's GORGEOUS. And SO you.
And after I found the above