June Fashion Challenge

Have you checked out my results from my May Fashion Challenge yet?  When you're done, be sure to pop on over there to see how I did for my first month!

For those of you new to my fashion challenge, here's the rules:

1. I cannot spend more than $100 on any given outfit in its entirety.
2. I can use no more than ONE item already in my closet, including jewelry.
3. All items in the photo must be represented, although I can make minor substitutions based on availability of items and/or personal style.
4. I have until the last day of the month to make my purchases. 

This is my inspiration photo for June.

This month I'm doing my challenge a little differently by trying to budget out the individual items so that I reach my $100 goal.  It will be fun to compare how close I came to guessing how much I could spend for each item.  The look consists of:

1. Turquoise Tank Top: $18
2. White Jeans: $20
3. Taupe Sandals: $15
4. White Straw Bag: $15
5. Gold Bangles: $5
6. Taupe Sunglasses: $6
7. Charm Bracelet: $10
8. Nautical Inspired Pearl Studs: $9
9. Orange Nail Polish: $2

Wish me luck!

May Fashion Challenge Results!

Back on May 3rd I posted about my monthly challenge I've set up for myself to start incorporating new items into my wardrobe that will give me fashionable outfits to wear as a bit of a self esteem boost.  Here's the outfit I set out to create for May. 

The look consists of dark skinny jeans, a nude blazer, nude patent leather ballet flats, skinny bangles, large pearl earring studs, and a flowy neutral floral tank top.  This outfit is totally "me".  It's got soft feminine touches but still remains casual, and the neutral color palette means that the colors will mix and match perfectly with other items in my wardrobe already and to come.

Here's what I came up with on my budget of $100 and a day at the mall with my four year old.

While I was able to purchase all the items on my list, I didn't find everything I was looking for exactly.  The blazer and tank top were much harder to find than I expected. I ended up having to settle for an off-white blazer and a floral cotton tank with bright pink roses on it.  I do think I'll still get a lot of use out of those two items, as the tank is more casual than the inspiration top and I can dress it up with the blazer or dress it down with just the jeans.  The off-white blazer I wore recently for a photoshoot for some glam headshots, and it's a versatile staple for my closet.  I have blazers in every other neutral shade except for off-white!  The ballet flats I was able to nail though.  They look exactly like the photo and were a steal at only $16.99!

Jeans:  Celebrity Pink Jeans brand, purchased at Macy's for $29.50
Blazer:  Forever 21 for $29.50
Ballet Flats:  Lower East Side brand, purchased at Payless Shoes for $16.99
Bangles:  H & M for $5.95
Earrings:  My own
Tank Top:  Forever 21 for $8.80
Total Spent: $90.74

I think the biggest issue was finding the right blush tones for the blazer and tank top in the middle of May, when all the soft spring clothes had already been out for months here in Virginia.  The stores were filled with bright colors and patterns for the summer in more versatile fabrics than chiffon.

How do you think I did for my first month?

May Fashion Challenge

Are you fashion challenged?  I feel that in the past few years I've become one of "those moms" who really just lives in a pair of yoga pants and wears her hair in a pony tail all the time.  Growing up, I swore I'd never become like that, and even though now having been a mother for the past six and a half years as well as working from home the past five, I still want to get back to my semi-fashionable self and focus more on my appearance.  Not that I think appearances are everything, but because I understand that impact that it has on a woman's self esteem.

Just as we wear makeup not for others but for ourselves, the clothes we wear often reflect our moods as well.  When I put on makeup, it's to make myself feel good.  I know my husband could care less if I wore it.  He thinks I'm beautiful not matter what, but there's just something about a fun lipstick or eyeshadow that makes me feel extra womanly and attractive.  I don't know about you, but when I feel attractive, there's just a little extra something to the way I move and the way I talk.  It's subtle, but it's noticeable.  Plus, being in the beauty industry as a whole, I've got an image to represent! haha

I may still be a mom and still work from home, but that doesn't mean I have to dress solely for practicality anymore.  My children are old enough that my clothing choices are no longer governed by what can be ruined with spit up or grape juice.  I can wear earrings that dangle without fear that they'll be ripped out by the baby.  And with the kids in school I can take an hour or two on a weekday to get a mani/pedi at the local spa without rushing home to relieve my husband of babysitting duty.

All that being said, I'm setting both a challenge and budget for myself.  I've spent a good bit in the past week with a few essentials I need for the warmer weather ahead, but from now on I'm going to limit myself in spending for both beauty products and clothing and accessories.  I'm implementing my monthly "Fashion Challenge" and documenting my results here on the blog for all of you to follow along!

I've picked out outfits for the months of May, June, July, and August from collages I've pinned on my Pinterest Fashion Board, and I'm going to attempt to recreate them for under $100.  One new outfit per month to bring me out of my fashion slump and get some fresh items to my closet.  I've chosen fashion challenges that include of course the clothing but also shoes, jewelry, and accessories.  It will be a challenge for sure!  Starting in September, I'll be opening it up on the blog and Pinterest board for you guys to vote for your favorite challenge outfits!  Your input means a lot, so be sure to keep reading each month as I (hopefully!) meet my goals.

Here's my "Rules":

1. I cannot spend more than $100 on any given outfit in its entirety.
2. I can use no more than ONE item already in my closet, including jewelry.
3. All items in the photo must be represented, although I can make minor substitutions based on availability of items and/or personal style.
4. I have until the last day of the month to make my purchases. (Earlier actually, as I'm teaming up with a professional photographer to do a monthly mini-photoshoot for my Results posts! I'm looking forward to being on the other side of the lens for once!)

Here's what I've picked for the May Fashion Challenge.  I'm a jeans wearer, so to slowly get me out of my comfort zone I'm starting the first fashion challenge with an outfit that includes jeans.  But I never wear skinny jeans, so that's at least a step in a new direction.  A flirty floral tank, blush blazer and flats, plus some simple accessories.  What do you think?