Fall for prAna: Sustainable Fall Style

This post was created in partnership with prAna. Clothes were provided complimentary by prAna, opinions are provided solely by me.

With school starting up this week around these parts and a bit of an added chill in the air, I am feeling that never-seems-to-leave-you feeling of fall freshness and a new year. I'm in my thirties and haven't been in school for some time now but I never seem to lose that feeling of a crisp new year starting. I'm usually ready around this time to leave my summer clothes behind and start adding on the layers. I love summer but I am an autumn girl at heart. The season is rather fleeting here in Michigan as we move into full blown winter pretty quickly so I have to enjoy it while I can!

prAna recently contacted me to try out a few pieces from their fall collection. I thought this might be the perfect way to dip myself into some comfy autumn gear - something my wardrobe actually lacks! I've never been much of a tshirt and jeans kind of girl so when I get in that mood to throw some comfies on, I lack pieces that are things I would actually want to go out of the house in. Faded cotton sweatpants paired with my husband's old t-shirt is not usually a look I like to share outside of my at home world. ;-) You're welcome.

Chillin out maxin' relaxin' all cool warm... in my dropped shoulder pullover!

OUTFIT DETAILS

• Jeans: c/o prAna - Kara Jean in cargo green [exact / use GHFF15 for 15% off!]
• Sweatshirt: c/o prAna - Penelope Pullover in lacquered rose [exact / use GHFF15 for 15% off!]
• Shirt: Canyon River Blues chambray tunic [bought FREE!]
• Shoes: thrifted Aerosoles [similar]
• Glasses: Bonlook Skunkboy Twinkle Tort [exact]
• Bracelet: vintage copper bangle bought at a church sale [similar]

First, let's talk about these Kara jeans. Can I get an AMEN for jeans that fit in ALL areas? I often have an issue where my jeans might fit my legs well but then have a huge gap at my waist or require me to scoot them back up all the live long day. Not these. These jeans have the perfect amount of stretch without being too stretchy. I like the feeling of being "held in" without feeling like my clothes are too tight. These achieve that perfectly. They retail at $89.00 and are worth every penny because their cost per wear is going to essentially bring that cost to pennies.

I walked around Detroit in these over the weekend and didn't even think about what I was wearing... That's a true indication that these jeans are a winner. No adjustments necessary! If you take a look at their reviews, they have over 900 reviews with a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars! I am always nervous to buy jeans online without trying them on but after reading some reviews and reviewing their size chart, I bought my usual size 8. Personally, I find they fit very true to size as I have not a single complaint to make about the fit. And let's talk about those cuffs... I love that they have this awesome detail. One of my favorite "trends" right now is detailed denim - whether it be an interesting color, embroidery or other little details like that. I think this oversized cuff gives a cool different, edgy look over regular skinnies... but the best part is that the cuff isn't permanent and can be changed up! I love a piece of clothing that I can wear more than one way!

Those cuffs, though!

Oh, and here is something important that we haven't talked about yet: prAna is also all about sustainability. Whether it is fair trade, recycled or organic, they do an exceptional job at creating pieces that are true to their aesthetic in a way that is also good to the rest of the world! For example, my jeans are made with 75% organic cotton. The use of organic cotton helps to cut down on the use of pesticides and fertilizers which is healthier for the cotton farmers and helps to preserve the biodiversity of the land they use to farm. You can learn more about the ways prAna is part of the sustainable clothing movement right here. If you've read my blog for a while or know me personally, you know I am a huge advocate of buying secondhand clothing. Over the last year, I've been learning more about the sustainable fashion movement and have been feeling a pull toward it in addition to my secondhand shopping. That being said, I'm delighted to try these pieces out from prAna and talk about that more with you guys going forward.

The Penelope pullover was an easy choice to add to my closet. I liked the idea that it's a sweatshirt with a twist. I dressed it down here but am looking forward to layering it over some of my dresses to wear to work. The cowl neck gives it a more dressed up look than a normal sweatshirt. This is a great, lightweight layering piece that allows me to feel comfortable and warm without being too heavy or hard to pair with other pieces. I love the way my favorite chambray is peeking every so slightly out at the top. And going back to sustainability, this piece is fair trade factory certified and made with 60% organic cotton. I consider that a look good-feel good kind of piece and I look forward to adding more like that to my closet.

SHOP IT: prAna has kindly offered my readers a discount shopping code! Use promo code GHFF15 and get 15% OFF at prAna.com. Hurry - the code is only valid through NOVEMBER 20TH!

Disclosure: The Kara jeans and Penelope pullover were provided free of charge from prAna. Both products were selected by me, styled by me and all opinions shared are my honest thoughts. #fallforprAna

Linking up with Style Wise Link Up!

Summer Favorites

I feel a little silly telling you that these are a few of my favorite pieces of clothing this summer. I mean... jeans and essentially what can be called a jacket? For summer? Erm. I know. Doesn't seem quite right to me either but this summer has been very mild here in Michigan (or perhaps my body is still thawing out from the ridiculous winter we had) so things I would normally cringe just thinking about wearing in our normally hot and humid temps have gotten a pass this year. As much as I would like to say that has annoyed me, it really hasn't. This girl will take the chance to layer any day of the week. :)

Jacket: Lady Bayard (vintage), Estate sale find, $1.00 [similar idea but different print/colors]
Jeans: Pilcro & The Letterpress (ANTHRO BRAND!), Salvation Army, $7 [exact pair but full price]
Tee: Cheapie old-as-dirt Kohl's buy
Sandals: Guess via T.J. Maxx clearance, $10 [similar w/ studs]
Earrings: Blossoming Trio, made by 4 All Humanity via c/o 9th & Elm
Bracelet: Fitbit Flex (keeping it real!)
Glasses: Zenni Optical

When 9th & Elm contacted me earlier this summer and asked if I would like to try out their site and pick a few items out, I was all ears. HAR HAR. But really, I was looking to add some statement earrings to my wardrobe seeing as how I seem to have quite an array of necklaces and bangles but just a few pairs of earrings. Summer always feels like a good time for earrings, right? Minimal skin contact and easy. Earrings feel like less work than a necklace or a bracelet does. At least to me.

I was eager to give the new-to-me 9th & Elm a try as I am a huge fan of any shopping site that promotes the work of handmade and independent designers. When I'm not spending money at thrift stores or estate sales, I like to spend it on items that are handmade or one-of-a-kind. I love supporting small businesses by purchasing their well made, unique items! I like that 9th & Elm puts together a daily email that shows me all of their sales and hot items - it's a nice curated look at handmade items at great prices.

The earrings I am wearing here are the Blossoming Trio earrings from 4 All Humanity. I loved the shape, size and color of them but I also really liked that 4 All Humanity employs artisans in impoverished areas that use fair trade and homemade products to create their items. Fashionable and friendly? That's a great combination. I was pleasantly surprised when I received these earrings to find out that they are super lightweight! When I ordered, I was actually worried they might be a bit hefty on my ears and I am not a fan of sagging lobes due to a pair of earrings. These give all the look of a beautiful statement earring without all the weight they so often seem to have.

Unfortunately, these are no longer available on the 9th & Elm website, but, no worries, there are lots of beautiful earrings you can choose from! Here are a few of my favorites that are all under $27:

(1.) Silver and Green Glass Earrings by The Glass Bird, (2.) Cream Chevron Earrings by Megan's Beaded Designs, (3.) Faceted Turquoise Studs by Pink Avenger, (4.) Aqua Tassel Earrings by 4 All Humanity

Stay tuned for more looks that include jewelry that I picked up from 9th & Elm!

{Linking up with What I Wore!}

A Casual Asian Inspired Friday

I'm slightly happy I never got around to posting these last Friday because the sun that is in these photos is a welcome sight today! I was initially annoyed with it on Friday when we were taking photos but after today's RAIN, RAIN and MORE RAIN, I will take it!


Top: Forever21, Hand me down from Miss Vinyl Ahoy!
Jeans: Old Navy, High Waisted Retro Flare Jeans, $19.50 (on sale) - but free for me,
bought with gift card!
Shoes: Fioni, Thrifted, OLD
Polka Dot Bangle: Tagless, Thrifted, $1.00
Red Metal Bangle: Given to me by a former co-worker
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

So, funny story about this asian top. I was telling Suze about an asian top I found at my favorite Salvation Army recently but never bought... Well, I tried to buy it but realized I had left my debit card at home when I went to the register. I think I about cried. Yes, I could have driven back home and driven back to the store, but I was so annoyed with A) the amount of annoying people in the store and B) myself for leaving my card at home that I didn't bother. I figured that with 2957374674 tops for sale, I'd be able to come back in a few days and find it.

NO. NO, THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. I went back to the store two days later and could not find it on a single rack.

I don't think I need to tell you how sad I was. It was red, cream, vintage and perfect. Ugh. Let's just say I hope to never make that mistake again.


Lucky me - I happen to have a fairy fashion friend! :) Suze told me she had a similar top that she didn't wear very often and would be willing to pass on down to me. She brought it and some other goodies for me when we went to an Anthropologie fashion show the other week!

All I have to say if she gets total first dibs out of my swap bin (um... bins? I may have more than one!) at the Michigan Blogger Meetup! (Psst! September 24th! Be there!) I owe her big time! Thanks, Suze! :)


By the way, I recommend hightailing it to Old Navy and buying yourself a pair of these jeans. They are the perfect flare, perfect fit and perfect colors. And they stretch. Girls with hips need stretch, am I right? I love them.

Cheetah Girl

I work in a professional office that assists the public every second of the day. That being said, though, my office is still pretty laid back. They welcome dressing up on the workday before Halloween. I desperately wanted to dress in fashions that pay homage to the 1970's - mainly because I wanted to rock my HUGE wood vintage platform sandals at work with no thought involved - but a work-related announcement of a foreclosure sale prevented me from doing that. I could have done it, no one told me not to, but I figure that isn't the most professional get-up to wear when doing a serious matter. This group is used to my usual casual-friday jeans so I kept with that look and threw in my animal print boots. I told everyone I was a Cheeetah Girl. :)


Top: Old Navy, Thrifted
Jeans: Not Your Daughter's Jeans, won at Fashion Pulse Daily
Boots: Bought on clearance years ago at Meijer, $7
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
Notice anything different? My hair is now in tip top condition thanks to my amazing hair stylist. She cut it just how I like it and we added a fun color on top. I absolutely love it and feel ten billion times better. It's amazing what a hair cut can do for your confidence!


It took me quite a while to find a hair stylist that I was willing to stick with, let me tell ya. I have been to zillions of salons and sat in many a different hair stylist's chair. The nice thing about me and my hair stylist? I've been a client of her's since she was in hair styling school. I visited our local Paul Mitchell School/Salon one day to get a cheap cut and she is who they matched me with. It's been a match made in heaven ever since! In fact, she told me today on facebook that I am her hair muse, that my hair inspires her. Love it! What more could I ask for? :)


These are one of my favorite pairs of shoes. They add that special something-something to an otherwise simple outfit. I bought them years ago for $7 (seven dollars!) from Meijer, which, if you're not in a state that has a Meijer, it's kind of like Walmart but heavier on the groceries... so, yeah, this was an absolute score in a random store. No one can ever believe that I bought these from there!

What is your best score from a random store?

Keep It Comfy

Black Trench: Last Kiss, Thrifted
Long Grey Top: Banana Republic, Thrifted
White Tank: Walmart
Scarf: Old Navy, $3 clearance
Jeans: Not Your Daughter's Jeans, Won from Fashion Pulse Daily, FREE!
Shoes: Black ballet flats, Kenneth Cole, Thrifted
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
Friday is my "casual day" at work - just like most offices. I wanted to keep my outfit for the day comfortable because I had a lot of files to catch up on and I can't stand feeling constricted all day if I have a lot of work to do.

I love this Banana Republic top (dress? I like it as a top) that I picked up at a thrift store ions ago because it is so, so soft. It's a tshirt with slightly more appeal to it, ya know? And it pairs perfectly with my favorite scarf from Old Navy that I picked up over the summer during one of their big 50% off clearance price sales.

These jeans - they're amazing. I first read about Not Your Daughter's Jeans on a blog that is now dead (sniff - Fell 4 Fashion - sniff). She had a pair that looked AMAZING on. I kept meaning to go check them out myself when I came across a contest to win a pair on Fashion Pulse Daily. I ended up being a winner and fell even deeper in love the second I put these babies on! I am wearing the 5-Pocket Boyfriend Jean. They are on the pricier side for a frugal lady like me - but I would definitely say that you get what you pay for. They are a good investment.

I am SO glad today is Friday! I'm even happier that I have a three day weekend thanks to Columbus Day! What are you weekend plans?

Fashion Reality

If there is one thing that bothers me when I read a fashion blog/site, it's that the author never seems to have an "off" day. You know... they always look amazing, are dressed to the nines, a hair is never out of place. I'm not trying to say that this look may not be true for some people - I'm sure that it is! BUT. But... everyone? Really? None of you ever wear sweats? Or do you just find it not worth documenting?

I guess I'm different.

White Tee: Clearance buy @ Charlotte Russe last year
Grey Hoodie: Thrifted last year
Jeans: Old Navy (the Sweetheart), $15
Shoes: Silver quilted flats - $7 on clearance at Meijer
Glasses: My beloved cat eyes from SEE Eyewear

Yep, this is reality some days. I had today off of work so I spent it running some errands - mainly stocking up on groceries for the week. Personally, I don't have the energy to look amazing every single day. I don't want to spend my day off dressing up to go to the grocery store. Simple jeans and my favorite hoodie won the outfit war today.


Don't get me wrong - I realize why most wouldn't post a look like this. It's not exciting. It's not amazing. It's not inspiring. But, you know what, I'm ok with that. I'm a real girl and real girls sometimes don't always look their best - I wouldn't want to pretend otherwise!

What are your thoughts on this? Do you dress like this on certain days and just choose not to show it to your audience? Why don't you? Let me know!