derby

derby by closetconfidence featuring Jessica Howard

Ted Baker white beaded dress, $285 / Jax plus size sheath dress / Donna Ricco flower print dress / ING plus size 3 4 sleeve dress / Jessica Howard clothing

Trouble Zones: Arms

Trouble Zones: Arms by closetconfidence featuring platform shoes

Lace dress, $16 / White top, $17 / Short sleeve shirt / Open front cardigan / Athleta outerwear / Victoria s Secret victoria secret legging, $38 / Super skinny jeans / Old Navy cropped legging / D&G high heel shoes, $110 / Ballet flat, $140 / NIKE navy blue shoes, $120 / Journee Collection platform shoes / Karl Lagerfeld crossbody purse, $465

Effortless combinations for fall

Effortless combinations for fall by closetconfidence featuring a grey pencil skirt

Giambattista Valli circle skirt / Dion Lee gray shirt / Abercrombie Fitch abercrombie fitch top / Womens plus coat, $190 / Cowboy jacket / Rosie Assoulin grey pencil skirt / Ted Baker clothing, $480 / Pointy toe cowgirl boots, $56

Effortless combinations for fall

Effortless combinations for fall by closetconfidence featuring Ted Baker

Giambattista Valli circle skirt / Dion Lee gray shirt / Abercrombie Fitch abercrombie fitch top / Womens plus coat, $190 / Cowboy jacket / Rosie Assoulin grey pencil skirt / Ted Baker clothing, $480 / Pointy toe cowgirl boots, $56

Falling together

Falling together by closetconfidence featuring a belted dress

Giambattista Valli stretch dress / Belted dress / Black shift dress, $24 / Wrap cardigan / Alexandre Vauthier fitted jacket / Alice Olivia zip jacket, $775 / Rupert Sanderson black high heel pumps / Ted baker shoes / TOMS lace-up wedge booties / Canvas over the shoulder purse / Burgundy handbag / Shoulder bag

Life Semi-Scripted...

After last years minor-life panic attack, which consisted of lots of carbs, wine, and mini-crying fits (in the shower, of course...) I realized something that I had never thought of in my entire life...

Life Takes Intention. 

Simple, Right?  Heck to the NO! Effort takes planning, efficient life skills, sleep and on and on...and last year, I honestly could barely get out of bed some days.  Keep in mind, I wasn't depressed or having self-hurting thoughts I was just seriously overwhelmed by the amount energy my life required and not dealing with it the way I needed too. 

Then I saw this...

Super simple, very to the point.  As Nike says... "Just do it"! 

Ever since then, life has run a little bit smoother, my eyes have depuffed a bit, and I found that joy again...

Even if your life isn't as rushed or crazy, making the cognitive effort to live with intention will allow things you complete or even start to be more fulfilling... Quit this mindlessness that blankets our society!  

A couple of key things I do daily (or mostly daily) now...

1. Look at a calendar, write something down. Then look at it the next day.  Even at 26 and forever living in a technological world, I am still a pencil and paper kind of gal. 

This is what mine looks like - oh, and I did a quick Inspiro board on the inside cover...

2. Surround yourself with inspiring thoughts and prayers...

I love following Good Morning Girls on Facebook.  They post the most wonderful - Biblical Inspired quotes and triumphs... If you follow me on Facebook you'll see one almost every morning. Here is another one of my favorites...

3. Keep things tidy.  Most days in the office are pretty chaos-filled. So when I get home I really need a peaceful space. Use that extra bit of energy to finish the dishes nightly, fold up that last load of laundry or to wipe down your bathroom. It is really worth it. The intention behind this is to have a day that starts and ends better. 

My "tidy" place is the kitchen.  After dinner, I try every night to clean it up.  That way in the morning I feel more inspired to make breakfast, instead of running out for some! Thus, staring my day in a more healthy way, then getting to work on time, not being rushed, and on and on... See how those little bit of effort could really change the course of your day?

Finally, Breathe... Everything will workout. God is good and most importantly, In Control. 

Where is your "Happy Place"?  Do you have any place in your house that has to be picked up and organized?

Erin 

Post-Day Routines

Hello, Hello! 

As women we tend to fill up our schedule more than we need too, it's just the way we are by nature... I severely suffer from this syndrome.  Every time, I make a "catch up" call with my girl friends it seems like it's more of a "What are you doing now?" call...

Let me first and foremost say this...

Being "Busy" is an option.  You're body needs rest, relaxation and to reboot every day.  When I added another Title to my "daily routine", I decided that I need to add another appointment: Reboot Time. 

Here is what it consists of...

When I get home from whatever I am doing that day, Project Manager, Stylist, Bible Study leader, Gymnastics Teacher, Mom, Wife, ect... I always shut my bathroom door and get in the shower or Tub. Period. 10 minutes to open my pores, close my eyes and say a prayer of Praise for the energy I was able to have to get everything accomplished.  Appreciation. 

A couple of my favorite "Must-Haves" as of late...

A ballerina bun... because, no, I don't wash my hair daily. :) 

My "Power Jams".  These are super comfy, cotton jammies from Target that still make me feel put together...

Super Hydrating Facial Balm and Moisturizer.  I actually use my facial balm in the shower to open my pores and really get out an impurities.  I love this one from boost (http://tgt.biz/1g7gC1f) and their moisturizer as well (http://tgt.biz/1dk5g9x).  

It's a simple, 20 minute routine that I must make time for every day.  Whether I start it at 7:30pm or Midnight, I make the effort to give myself a break and reboot.  

What is your nightly routine? 

I'd love to know about your beauty products too!

Erin 

Weather Down and Layer Up

layer up by closetconfidence featuring a rebecca taylor blazer

Lauren ralph lauren sweater / Warehouse cotton crewneck sweater, $63 / Rebecca taylor blazer / Old Navy black legging / Square scarve / 21 MENS Classic Cargo Jacket


Loving layers right now here in Louisville, KY.  It's freezing outside! But I do have to admit...I love to layer.  Keeping my colors and patterns similar, I love to play with textures.  My fav texture at this point is Tweed.  I love putting a silky top or even t-shirt with a statement necklace under my favorite tweed jacket.  I always get a compliment on it and it always looks polished.

One thing I have learned about layering is that a simple up-do usually looks best. Right now I have just-below collar bone length hair and it always gets tied up in the heftier layers.  My favorite up-do being, of course, a messy bun. :)

Another favorite is this huge comfy sweater I scored at TJ Maxx for $10!  Under that I put on my $5 Henley from Target, add a simple piece of jewelry and BAM! Happy Friday to me.

P.s.  Harlen loves to layer too... Fur coat under thick sweater. puppy.swag.

What are your Favorite layering pieces?

Xoxo,
E 

Camel + apple

 

Winter is usually when you break out all of those dark neutral colors...black, navy, dark brown, grey... you know what I'm talking about!

Here is a great way to spice up wardrobe with just 2 key pieces that you can wear year round!

Camel is a great color to add to your collection! It's not white; it's not brown and looks great on nearly everyone’s skin tone....

Plus, paring it with a brighter color like the pants will keep the brighter color more demure.

Now about those bright pants! A colored pant is a great add to your wardrobe! They are trendy, come in a ton of different styles and fits...and can be dressed up or dressed down depending on where you wear them...

Keep to a more muted color for the fall and winter seasons and brighter for the warmer seasons.

 

 

 

1.  Letting your hair have a couple days off from the shower is a good thing! Use your hairs natural texture to create fun and easy updos, like this ballerina bun!

 

2. Camel is a huge hit for the winter months! Putting a classic color like Camel with the classic cut of a blazer and you're tres chic!

 

3. Thirdly, (oh no, here comes the mommy moment!) With a career, husband and kids, plus after school activities, dinner, family and friends...heels, just don't make my list on a daily basis...but low wedges are perfect for the comfort and support you need during your day but keep your outfit well put together and on trend.

 

 

xoxo,

E

 

 

 

 

Live Inspired...

 

Being a Mom, wife, sister, friend, daughter, co-worker, employee and just me…can be somewhat overwhelming.  Day in and day out I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities our Lord gives me.  From the conversations He inspires to the dreams He places in my heart, all I can do to keep up is to just keep going…

For me to feel my best I always try to put my best foot forward. I feel to be empowered you must feel empowered and every woman is different.  It might be a pair of shoes, or an amazing blow out that makes you feel at your best. For me it’s several things, a nice outerwear piece, smelling of VB or Jessica Simpson, the perfect pout and even having a small pad of paper in my purse at all times for my mind to just wonder over…

Being chic and effortless is a daily choice you make…were you forced to throw on those sweatpants and t-shirt? Or could you have “thrown on” a pair of leggings with an oversized sweater, flats and sunglasses? (HINT : a perfect pout and sunglasses = winning!)

Something I always love to remind myself of daily is that we all have the same amount of hours in a day, it’s just what we choose to do with it….

 

Live inspired... by closetconfidence featuring river island

 

 

 

 

Get inspired, get up earlier, and put on your big girl pants…the day won’t wait for you, so give it your best!

 

Xoxo

 

E

Prim and Punk

Give me jeans and a blazer and I’m in heaven! Blazers are pulled together for those quick meetings and jeans just make the day feel easier… 

I paired the two with an effortless tank, a chic quilted bag and a pair of rocker-chic studded booties to give your look a little edge.

Minimal jewelry, a great red lip and you are Prim and Punk!

I am always putting together key pieces (booties and the blazer) with a few essential (jeans and a tank) to create a look that makes you feel comfortable and still fashionable.   When you’re a working Mom on the go, go-to pieces are essential, and a classic blazer is always mine!  Classic pieces last a lifetime and so can your style.

Xoxo,
E





 

Fantastic Flares!

 
One of my favorite style of jeans are Flares! They can be casual in a lighter shade or sexy for a date night out in a darker shade! But whenever or where ever you wear them, throw on a pair of heels and your legs will go for MILES!!

Flares are everywhere these days, as they should be, but a lot of women think they are more of just a causal and boho look. But I beg to differ...dressed up or dressed down flares are classic, chic and simple...not just your average pair of Mom jeans, ya know? :)

Here are a few options I put together for a day and night look... Enjoy!

Fantastic Flares by closetconfidence featuring h&m

 

 

 

The "day" look is accompanied by a simple air-dried look and barely-there make up.

The "date-night" look is paired with sleek and sexy straight hair and dynamic eyes.

 

 

 

XOXO,

E

Weekend go-to

My usual fall weekend consists of kids birthday parties, sporting events, dinner with the family, running errands, ect... You know, busy Mom, always has project going and one in the pipline... So in the fall, my trench coat is my best friend! I have one in black and a cropped khaki. So whether I pair it with flares and a striped sweater, or with skinnies and flats, it always looks pulled together and classic!

As you also might notice in the outfit below is some yummy perfum... I love perfum! Nothing makes you feel more feminine than smelling like amazing! A one second spritz makes my day a million times better and always puts a smile on my face. :)

Weekend go-to by closetconfidence featuring high heel boots

Xoxo,
E

 

Grey on Grey

Grey on Grey... This is my favorite look for Fall, its effortless, chic and comfy! I love my sweaters during the colder months. ( I live in Louisville, KY, so it's not THAT cold) But keeping the colors similar and creating texture with accessories is always chic and on-trend. :)

  It's also unexpected! I love any neutral on neutral style...white on white, black on black, ect... here is a look I created and can't wait to recreate!

Grey on Grey by closetconfidence featuring slim jeans

Rachel Comey oversized shirt / EKYOG slim jeans, $155 / Jimmy Choo wheel shoes / Leather bag / Ermanno Scervino fringe scarve / Ray-Ban ray ban sunglasses

Get creative! XOXO E

leopard and leather

The most useful tool I have found when it comes to Fashion are concept boards and lists… I’m a list maker, I’ll admit it… ;) 

I love to go through my magazines every season and come up with a “wish list”.  I pick out specific trends, shapes, styles, colors, and then just put them all up on a push board.  Stepping back to take in the BIG picture allows me to see my style sense for that season…it’s typically basics with a pop of color and a few different structures.

For example, I actually did my Fall board online so you all could see it! 

Fall inspiration board by closetconfidence featuring ballet shoes

Alaïa little black dress / Madewell button down shirt / Miss Selfridge peplum top / Bardot skater skirt, $93 / Valentino leather pants / Flat shoes, $37 / Madewell ballet shoes / Tory Burch leather wallet / Crystal jewelry / Vivienne Westwood silk scarve, $265 / Stella McCartney

Even with these few trends, I can mix them in with my basics and have a whole new wardrobe! 

As a working Mother and wife, there are few things I can be creative with so I allow my style to be my canvas!  Be Creative!

If you need any ideas on how to wear something email me and I’d love to give you some ideas and tips!

Xo

E