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!

Valentine's Day: Red and Pink, of course!

Happy Valentine's Day, my sweetie pies! This just so happens to be one of my favorite holidays... ok, who am I kidding... I think I have expressed my love for every holiday to you guys. I will say, however, that Valentine's Day is especially near and dear to me because my boyfriend and I began officially dating on Valentine's Day ten years ago. Yep, he asked me to be his lady on Valentine's Day. Sweet and sappy - just how I like it. :)

Floral Skirt: INC, Thrifted (Value World), $3.10 

Red Blouse: Sears (vintage), Thrifted (Value World), $0.80 

Pink Blazer: Dialogue, Thrifted (Value World), $3.80 

Socks: Old as dirt 

Pin: Made by me! 

Boots: Fashionbug.com, $15 

Glasses: SEE Eyewear

Truthfully, I was already planning on wearing red and/or pink today to celebrate the holiday of love. It just so happens that Everybody, Everywear coincided this month with the holiday and the theme was red and pink. I've never worn the two together but have been admiring the combination from afar as quite a few fashionable ladies have been rocking the look lately. Always into trying something new (at least when fashion is concerned!), I gave it a go.





I would certainly say that my combination is a bit more reserved than most. I love the pairing of a vibrant light pink with a prominent red but felt like that may have been a little too wild to wear to work, even for me. Nah, I kept my red bright but added a pink that was close in color to the red and topped it (or, bottomed it, I guess) with a floral skirt that captured both colors.

I can't resist a great tie neck blouse. True story. It is closing in on my gingham obsession but not is not quite at that level yet. (And, yes, that is a cat toy on the ground. Just keeping it real for all of you.)


I made my pin the night before. It was something I have been thinking about doing for a while now but just haven't put into action. Finally decided to get off my duff and just do it... so I did. And I love it. And I have ideas swirling around for more. Here is to making it happen in 2012!

And now a little sap for the road... I was wearing these socks the Valentine's night that my boyfriend and I became a couple. Yeah, they're pretty old and they are pretty worn (you're not seeing the giant hole on the bottom of my left foot...) but they have a soft spot in my sock drawer and heart. :)

Now, go on, get out of here and go hug the person, animal or thing you love. Valentine's Day may be a "made up holiday" but I'll take any reason to tell those I love that I love them - how about you?

Pink and Blue (9/30)

Just a quickie today... Promised myself I would be in bed by 11pm for the first time this week so I have five minutes. Better make this snappy!


Top: H&M, old
Pink Skirt: No tag (handmade), Thrifted, $1.60
Scarf: Won in giveaway at The Looks For Less, High Gloss Fashion (no longer available for purchase)
Shoes: Mossimo Supply Co Odell Ruffle Flat, Target, $6.48 (clearance in store)
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

The truth of it all: It was rainy, muggy and unbearable today. My hair reacted accordingly to the weather by becoming a hot mess. It happens. Also, my busy day and the weather resulted in indoor photos that don't even begin to show how awesomely pink this skirt is and how great it looks with the blue top (also drained by my terrible apartment lighting) and coordinating scarf. Also, it was 10pm when I took these photos so excuse my wrinkles.


But: I loved this outfit, I adore this scarf (so soft and light!) and I felt good despite a terrible hair day. If I can feel good through that, I think this outfit wins.

LOVE THE LOOK? SHOP SIMILAR ITEMS BELOW!

Another Pink Casual Friday

I decided that since my Casual Friday donation (we have to pay $1 towards a charity every Friday if we wish to dress casual) was being used to help fight breast cancer, pink would be an appropriate color to wear. I paired it with a very neutral tan sweater to not only help out with the chill factor but to also tone down the hot pink a bit. Plus, get a load of how much I paid for this sweater at the thrift store yesterday. It was a half off price sale day. Such days are also known as Katie's Happy Days. Especially after having a long, bad day at work. Especially then.


Jeans: Mossimo Skinnies (Target), Thrifted
White Tank: Deb, $7
Pink V-Neck Tee: City Streets, JCPenny, $5
Tan Sweater: Belle du Jour, Thrifted, $0.75
Boots: Sugar, Gift from my boyfriend, Christmas 2009
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
I've been itching to get these boots out of their box and onto my feet for a few weeks now. The autumn chill has finally arrived and my feet couldn't be happier. I love heels... but I also love me some comfy boots! Plus, the plaid has just the slightest hint of the same pink in my shirt, so the two coordinated together perfectly.


Now does that picture scream fall or what!? :)