my everyday style: the ultimate fall cardigan 3 ways with Modcloth!

When the calendar clicks over to September… my mind instantly goes to plaid and cozy sweaters with a little more plaid thrown in.  I just can't get enough of it this time of year… and granted the weather is still not getting the "fall" vibe so much, but when the temps drop I will be ready!

Today I am partnering with Modcloth to feature their new namesake label… we all know and love Modcloth and the amazing indie labels they carry and now they are adding their own Modcloth Label Collection to the mix!  Inspired the shoppers that love the brand and love the attention to detail and stand-out style that Modcloth is know for.

This snuggly plaid cardigan is going to be a fall staple in my wardrobe for sure.  Here I had some fun styling it up three different ways for early fall into early winter.  I love how the pop of red makes itself right at home in my neutral based wardrobe.  This cardigan will be perfect for fall and winter and definitely into the holidays as well.  See how I style it below and make sure to pop on over to Modcloth to check out their new private label… there is something for everyone there! (this sweater comes in white and black too!)

Layered with a tee and shorts is perfect for these late summer days where the mornings and evenings can be chilly…

(cardigan - ℅ Modcloth, sunglasses/similar, tee/similar, shorts/similar, sandals, bag)

Paired with a striped top and ankle boots this cardigan is perfect for crisp autumn days.

(cardigan - ℅ Modcloth, striped top, bag/similar, ankle boots/similar, jeans/similar)

Ready to get really cozy? Pair this cardigan with a chambray top and leggings for a chilly fall day!

(cardigan- ℅ Modcloth, sunglasses, earrings, necklace, chambray top/similar, leggings/similar, ankle boots - ℅ Modcloth, clutch/similar)

Shop my top picks from the new Modcloth Private Label here:

how to style army green pants (three ways)!!

I recently snagged a pair of army green pants and they are quickly becoming a fall staple.  They are a great neutral staple for fall so they are easy to mix and match with items you may already own in your wardrobe.  I decided to pull together three looks as inspiration on how to style them here on the blog today.  If you are thinking of pulling the trigger on a pair… let this be your inspiration!

shop the looks…

dressy casual: zip ankle pants, plaid top, black vest, pumps, blue clutch, bracelet

cozy layers: zip ankle pant, polka dot sweater, scarf, leopard flats, tassel earrings, black tote

paired with florals: slim ankle pant, floral top, denim jacket, ankle booties, blush handbag, bar pendant necklace

Or shop the pieces here (keep in mind some thumbnail images will show other color options for some pieces):

my everyday style: summer into fall with lace!

Well, it's officially fall in my book - the kids are tucked away at school (finally!), gobs of last minute summer fun was had this past weekend and reality has hit that it's back to the grind for another 9 months (omg, that is so depressing… let's not think about that!).   But that doesn't meant the weather is exactly cooperating with the "fall" state of mind.  But no worries, who wants to bundle up in scarves and boots already!?!? I love the transitional season when you can grab the best of each season and pull together an outfit.

Lace is the perfect transitional piece from summer to fall. It's not overly warm to wear and it's great to layer with.  Here I layered this fall's ultimate staple - the army vest - with a simple lace top and voila! It's perfect for September's warm afternoons and cool mornings.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Vest, Old Navy (old but similar, similar, similar or similar)

Lace Top, J.Crew Factory (old but similar or similar or similar)

Jeans, Seven for All Mankind - ℅ Fitcode - on sale! (similar)

Shoes, Aldo (similar or similar)

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

Bracelets, Bourbon + Boweties, Gorjana, Maragaret Elizabeth (similar), House of Harlow - some of these are via Rocksbox - use code "jillggxoxo" for your first month free! I can't say enough how much I love this service!

Earrings, Gorjana

Or shop the pieces here… 

Labor Day Sales!

The only thing that is better than a nice long summer weekend!?!? One that is full to the brim with sales!!! Am I right!?!? There are some awesome deals to be had this weekend and here are some of my favorites…

I hope you have a sale-filled, sun-filled, fun-filled weekend!  Make it a good one…

Nordstrom: tassel sandals, perforated flats, jeans, hobo bag, clutch, chain cross-body bag, fur hooded coat, ankle boots

J.Crew Factory: boyfriend jeans, flats, plaid top, coat, black dress with leather pocket, striped scarf, bucket bag

Madewell: jeans, metallic flats, vans sneakers, birkinstocks, leather jacket, striped cocoon cardigan, plaid top, burgundy bag, shirtdress

Kate Spade: cream satchel, red satchel, black bow tote, plaid clutch, iPhone case, pale pink tote, bright pink tote

Or shop the pieces below…

new in for fall…

A lot of you loved 'the damage' posts that I used to post each month… those posts would outline how and where I spent my monthly shopping budget.  For me, they no longer seemed like a natural fit for the blog anymore… But I get it, you gals loved those posts.  So I am hoping for some middle ground between what those posts were about and something that seems to fit the blog more these days.

With that in mind I thought I would round up a few of my recent fall purchases.  These purchases were made over the course of late July & August with the goal of them being for the upcoming fall season.  I am not keeping super close track of what I am spending each month like I used to. Instead I am trying to focus more on the season as a whole, and of course, always spend within my means. This will probably be about it for my "fall" shopping.  I have a lot of pieces from last fall and winter that I am excited to wear again.  I do have a new pair of riding boots and a blazer on my wish list… but  I don't really 'need' those pieces…

Most of these pieces were purchased on sale or promotion… with the exception of a few pieces.  I'm still a budget-minded kind of gal when shopping.  Unless there is an item that I really want and don't mind splurging a bit - usually this is accompanied by knowing it won't likely EVER go on sale. So I might as well just bite the bullet.  Many of these items will be showing up on the blog in outfits soon… but some have already debuted on Instagram… so follow me there! (user: jillgg)

top row, from left: black top (40% off with code: BRFALL), tux-collar tunic (40% off with code: BRFALL), striped top (less than $20!), linen pocket henley (40% off with code: BRFALL), pink sweatshirt (50% off!), grey cardigan (only $35)

bottom row, from left: burgundy dress (only $14!!!), army green pants, jeans* (only $80!), black drapey pants (50% off!), boots, flats 

(mini rant: okay, I am LOVING Banana Republic lately, but they are doing this weird thing where they are putting new pieces out in my local store that aren't online - as a blogger, it's frustrating because I want to be able to share exact links to items with you! The same thing happened last spring.  So the jeans I got are actually from Banana Republic, but there is nothing online even close to them… so I found these that are closer. So the "shown" jeans aren't exactly what I got… but close!)

Or shop the pieces below… 

(keep in mind, some items are available in multiple colors, so thumbnails may reflect that)

One other little note… for my fellow bloggers and business owners!  I am now on Periscope! If you haven't downloaded this awesome app to your phone yet… do it! It's basically a streaming video app.  I post LIVE videos there that you can join me live on and interact via questions and comments or playback for 24 hours.  For right now, I am trying it out as a platform to sharing business and blogging tips on the regular!  I think you will like it! My user name is JillGG!!

#LevisAtKohls for the whole family + a giveaway!

It's September… which in my house means that my kids grew like weeds over the summer and I'm only just now realizing it.  It never fails that when we go to grab some jeans for back-to-school, we find they are all way too small!  Does that happen in your house too?  Or have you searched through your own denim stash and realized you need a little overhaul in the denim department for yourself? It's hard to believe but the cooler weather is just around the corner!

Today I partnered with Kohl's and Levi's to feature some awesome deals on denim for the whole family.   I picked up some Levi's for myself and my kiddos at my local Kohl's and we headed to the park to give them a test run before school starts to make sure they would pass the test… which basically means that they look good, they fit great and they are easy to move in. These jeans are definitely ready for climbing, jumping, swinging and, the best part, they are absolutely kid approved (which is saying a lot in my house)!  And I will definitely say they are mom approved too… they look awesome and wash well.  You just can't go wrong with classic Levi's denim in my opinion.

Keep reading to see how you can win a $100 Kohl's gift card to shop denim for the whole family… and it's all on sale!

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

On my daughter:

Sweater, Crewcuts

Jeans, Levi's - ℅ Kohl's

Shoes, Crewcuts

On my son:

Top, Gap

Jeans, Levi's - ℅ Kohl's

Shoes, Vans (similar)

On me:

Blazer, J.Crew (similar or similar or similar less expensive)

Striped Top, J.Crew (similar)

Necklace, J.Crew Factory (old, but similar)

Jeans, Levi's - ℅ Kohl's

Flats, Sam Edelman

Now for the fun part! Kohl's is giving away a $100 gift card to one lucky reader to do some back to school denim shopping for yourself!  How cool is that!?!   Only entries within the Rafflecopter entry system below are eligible! You must be 18+ and live in the US. You have 24 hours to claim your prize. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is sponsored by Kohl's. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

fall wardrobe essentials/2015

Earlier this summer I kicked off a new seasonal series here on the blog featuring wardrobe essentials based on some awesome feedback from you, my readers!  You gals were loud and clear that you wanted clear and concise seasonal advice on what to put in your closet.  Some of you wanted inspiration on filling in the potential holes in your wardrobe each season and others of you wanted a specific guide on creating a capsule wardrobe to minimize the amount of items in your closet while maximizing the style and ease of getting dressed each morning.

I loved the idea too… so I was happy to deliver! You gals loved the summer version of the "wardrobe essentials" so I knew it would be a great series here on the blog. Today I've got the fall version of the wardrobe essentials for you… and I think you are going to 'fall' (wink, wink) in love.  Keep in mind… some of these pieces you may already own, or you may own similar items.  Use this as a guide for a cohesive fall wardrobe filling in blank spots in your personal closet as needed.

I don't personally subscribe to a 'capsule' wardrobe but I will say that I don't own a ton of clothes… I really zero in on what I love each season and try to create outfits repeatedly out of those pieces without adding endless new clothes to the mix. I find it easier to create outfits with a smaller palate… and that is really what capsule dressing is at it's core, I suppose.

Here are my fall wardrobe essentials… which pieces do you plan to add to your wardrobe this fall?

get the pieces: (*item shown)

leather moto jacket (save | splurge*), trench coat (save*| splurge), military vest (save | splurge*), puffer vest (save | splurge*), navy blazer (save | splurge*)

black jeans (save | splurge*), distressed jeans (save | splurge*), army green pants (save | splurge*), boyfriend jeans (save*| splurge), black skirt (save*| splurge), chambray dress (save | splurge*), striped dress (save*| splurge), burgundy t-shirt dress (save*| splurge)

striped top (save | splurge*), grey henley (save | splurge*), blue striped oxford (save | splurge*), plaid shirt (save*| splurge), long line cardigan (save* | splurge), sweatshirt (save*| splurge)

riding boots (save* | splurge), ankle boots (save | splurge*), burgundy flats (save | splurge*), leopard flats (save | splurge*), lace up flats (save* | splurge)

grey tote (save | splurge*), leopard clutch (save | splurge*), cream wool scarf (save | splurge*), cross ring (save | splurge*), bold gold bracelet (save* | splurge), geode necklace (save* | splurge)

Or shop the pieces below… 

(remember some thumbnails will show items in different colors… it just means there are multiple colors available of that piece!) 

 Shop the tops and blazers…

Shop the bottoms and dresses…

Shop the tops and sweaters…

Shop the shoes and boots…

Shop the accessories…