Mandii's Muse

 I think that if y ou have been following this blog for any length of time, you know my love of buffalo plaid. I’ve wrapped my Christmas presents in buffalo plaid paper for the past 2 years, I have a purse with that print on it, my aunt got me reusable shopping bags with the print on it, and I have about 5 different forms of the print in my closet. Obsessed. This shirt was gifted to me by my parents for Christmas, and I have had my eye on it for such a long time! This came from Wal-Mart, and not only is it cute, but comfortable as well. It is almost like a lace material with an underlay . I paired it with my favorite Lane Bryant leggings, and simple black flat boots. I accessorized with a long tassel necklace and earrings, also from Wal-Mart.  Do you have a print that you gravitate towards? Plaids, florals, stripes? Leave me a comment, I’d like to hear about them!

Since I shared with you the more casual Christmas outfits, I wanted to share with you what I wore for our Christmas Cantata and Christmas Eve service at church. Christmas Cantata: Believe it or not, you can wear your bridesmaid dress again! I wore the blue tunic as part of my very, very dear friend’s bridesmaid dress. I adapted it by not wearing the slip that goes underneath, and added black leggings, and a black tunic. Because it has a higher neckline, I opted to not wear a necklace. I added some fun druzy earrings, and my replica Duchess of Cambridge wedding ring to give me some sparkle. I completed the outfit by wearing my blue suede booties. Tunic: Free People Tank: Wal-Mart Leggings: Lane Bryant Booties: K-Mart Here is a similar one from Amazon! Christmas Eve: I repeated my sparkly reindeer shirt from the week prior. I paired it with black leggings, black booties, and simple jewelry.

I wanted to share with you a roundup of the Christmas outfits I wore this past week to work, and out and about. Now you know my theory on outfit of the day ideas. I will tell you where I got the items that I remember, but they are probably out of stock. Remember, I want to give you inspiration, not the exact pieces. Monday, I had a couple of doctors appointments so I wanted to wear something comfy, but still festive. I wore my buffalo plaid flannel. I cannot get enough buffalo plaid this time of year! I paired it with a black tank, jeans, and black booties. Flannel: Old Navy Jeans: Sam’s Club Tank: Wal-Mart Booties: Dillard’s Here is a similar one from Amazon! Tuesday, I wore my Fa La La shirt/tunic. Fun fact about this tunic-it is actually a sleep shirt! You’d never know right?! I wanted to be comfy, so I paired it with black leggings and black low booties. Tunic: Lane Bryant Leggings: Lane Bryant Booties: K-Mart Wednesday, I wore all the bling. This top is one...

Outfit of the day posts are always so hard for me because I'm not a "current shopper." Sure I'll shop, but most of the things I wear are a year or two old, and probably not available online. I wanted to share with you this outfit though, because it is something that you could easily recreate today. I like to give you ideas, not necessarily the exact pieces. Maybe you have something in your closet that will inspire you to recreate this look! I just paired this brown Aztec type cardigan with a light brown ribbed tank top. I have dark denim jeans on, and brown suede booties from Ross Dress for Less. Similar Cardigan Dark denim jeans Booties P.S. I'm sorry for the work bathroom mirror picture. It's the only way I can get a decent outfit picture with good lighting. 

I don't think I have mentioned this before, but I absolutely detest wearing coats. They are bulky, you have to carry them in stores, and the list just goes on and on! I love outfits (and weather) where vests can double as my coat! Such was the case the other day. It was still chilly out, but I was able to wear one of my warmest vests and not wear a coat. As usual, I am linking up with the Pleated Poppy ! *I said it when I got this tunic that I would be wearing it all.the.time. I cannot tell a lie! Without Vest With Vest Outfit Details: Tunic: LTD Commodities Leggings: Mossimo (Target) Shoes: American Eagle (Payless) Vest: Old Navy Necklace: Bijuju I think that this would be a great outfit to do some shopping in, you don't have a coat to handle, and are still warm, and are comfortable. The only thing I would change is my shoes. Nobody wears heels to shop in!! I'd love to see your outfits! Leave me a comment and let me know what you wore!

Today I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy for What I wore Wednesday!  I wore other outfits this week, but I didn't get pictures of those. Next time, I will! I will post where each item is from. Be prepared though, most of these items probably can't be bought in stores any more. I just love to see what everyone puts together, and if you can gain inspiration from my outfits, then that is AWESOME! On with the outfits! *I should also mention that I took these pictures AFTER I had the events, so don't mind the sweaty faces and flat hair.    ;) Obviously my signature pose is the hands on hips look!  4th of July: Shirt: No Boundaries~ Wal-Mart Shorts: Izod ~JC Penney Bandana: Hobby Lobby Lipstick: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick ~Beso Graduation Party: Shirt: RQT (I have no idea where this shirt is from, sorry!) Shorts: Arizona Jean Co~ JC Penney Shoes: No Boundaries~ Wal-Mart Lipstick: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain~ Rendezvous I'd ...

It has been HUMID here in PA for the past week and a half. I haven't even bothered doing my hair because you are instantly sweaty and your curls fall. I was heading out for some casual shopping and was very colorful in my outfit choices! So I wanted to share the look with you! Outfit Details: Tank: Old Navy Scarf: Old Navy Jean Capris: ?  Shoes: Wal-Mart If you have a colorful shirt and fun scarf, pair it with some cute jeans and you have yourself a easy and colorful summer outfit! Do you have the right wardrobe pieces to replicate this outfit? Leave me a comment and let me know, I'd love to hear from you!

I wanted to share with you one outfit I wore while subbing this week. I have been absolutely loving chiffon tops lately. They are just so light, and easy to wear. This is a top that I can easily transition in to Spring and Summer because they are so lightweight. The day that I wore this outfit it was still snowy and cold, so I was able to wear boots with it. It was a simple outfit, that was comfortable and classy at the same time. *Let's just talk about how hard it is taking outfit shots by yourself. I know my head is cut off, and I'll get better taking them, I promise!* Outfit Details: Top: a.n.a  A New Approach from JC Penney Leggings: Active leggings from Lane Bryant Boots: Buckled Wedge from Lane Bryant. (I cannot get enough of these boots!) I took the picture after I had taken my accessories off, but I wore a long black necklace from Premier Designs, and the matching earrings. In the Spring and Summer, I can see this being worn with a bright statement necklace...

I went with my parents to buy some curtains and make a stop at Home Depot the other night. It was 6:30 by the time we left, and I didn't feel like getting horribly fancy to shop at 2 stores. I also got my hair cut and highlighted so this picture shows that a little. (If you want to see a headshot picture of my hair, just let me know!) Outfit Details: My hoodie is from Freedom Farms . You know I love my Farm Kings, and I won this sweatshirt in a giveaway they were doing. It is the softest sweatshirt I have ever owned. Pete King is known as the Human Harvester. (Remember when I met the Farm Kings in October?) My jeans are my favorite T3 jeans from Lane Bryant. Their pants just fit me perfectly. My shoes are from Macy's and they are really old. Like really old. Finally, my glasses are Retro Fox, and came from Wal-Mart a while ago. As far as makeup went, I had on eyeliner and mascara, and my NYX lipstick in Miracle. That was it. So that was my outfit. I still looked cut...

Let's face it, if I could stay in my jammies all day I would be a happy camper. It is always nice to have a "lounging" pair on hand to wear in case of a surprise guest, or to wear as a guest in another person's home. Here is a pair that I bought recently that fits that criteria! I bought these jammies at JC Penney's. The best part is, they were $2.97 each!! Score! The bottoms are a purple snakeskin, that are very light. There is purple lace detail on the bottom of the pants. The purple top has silver thread stitched into the arm cuffs and the neck. It adds just a bit of sparkle! The Details: Bottoms: Cosmopolitan Top: Flirtitude Bandana: ? (It is so old!) Slippers: Dearfoam *Excuse the no makeup face, but hey, that was one of my resolutions! Do you have a favorite pair of jammies? Leave me a comment and let me know! I'd love to hear from you!

I can't even begin to explain the awesomeness that was the Celtic Thunder concert last night. It was beyond anything in my wildest dreams! Every song that came on I said, "oh I love this song!" They did a mix of singing and talking, they wore their kilts, and came back for an encore. I loved it so much, that I am thinking about going to another show that is close to my area. I'm tempted I tell you! Technically, the ticket price is 1 day of subbing. I think I can swing it. ;) I kept my outfit pretty simple. I wore my black dressy bermuda shorts that I got from JC Penney. My black tank I got from Wal-Mart, and my green shirt is from Khols. I thought it complemented the Irish green perfectly. I kept my shoes simple and wore some simple black open toe heels. (It was 82 degrees outside!) My jewelry was a jade necklace and earrings that was a gift from my aunt and uncle. For my makeup, I used my Mary Kay mineral foundation, Physicians Formula blush, and the Naked 2 ...

I hope you all had a fantastic 4th of July! The weather was kind of unpredictable so we ate indoors. It was much cooler inside anyway! I kept my outfit pretty simple. Being around hot ovens, and 91 degree temps it was a definite must for me! My shorts: Izod (JC Penney's?) My tank: Wal-Mart ($4.00 I think?) My scarf: Pat Catan's ($5.00) My accessories: Earrings: Gold hoops Watch: Bijuju Necklace: QVC Bracelet: Independence Visitors Center in Philadelphia Lipstick: Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in Flirty Kiss What did you wear for 4th of July? Did you wear red, white, and blue?

It's time for an OOTD post! I just recently bought this shirt from Wal-Mart, and I absolutely love it! Why this shirt was on clearance for $5, I'll never know. This shirt epitomizes summer. My shorts are from JC Penney. The shoes are also from Wal-Mart many, many moons ago. My accessories: Watch: Merona Rose Gold from Target Earrings: ASB Designs Necklace: QVC Lipstick: Wine Room by Wet N Wild Have you checked out Wal-Mart's clothing department? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Even though this was a holiday weekend, it was extremely busy! On Sunday I had a wedding to go to. It was a lot of fun, and definitely exciting to see my 87 year old grandma out on the dance floor!! She's got some moves I tell you! (Much better than my dance moves!) I will say this though, the Cupid Shuffle and Cha Cha Slide are my jams!!  Let's talk about some outfits shall we? Wedding OOTN: Dress: Jones New York~Found at Ross Shoes: Miss Bisou ~Found at JCPenney Accessories: Pearls ~Gift from my parents Makeup: I went with a dark smokey eye, so I used Pistol, Verve, and Blackout from the Naked 2 palette. I needed some longwearing products so I used my Sumita eyeliner, and Maybelline The Rocket Volume mascara. I used my Prime Time primer, and Mary Kay mineral foundation in Beige 1. I used Warmth from Bare Minerals, and Stainiac from The Balm. I topped it off with ELF Makeup Setting Spray, and my makeup looked just like I put it on at 11:15 that night. Monday was M...

I had a Mothers and Daughters banquet at my church to go to on Saturday. It was warm out so I knew I didn't want to wear pants. Plus, it's Spring. I'm ready for bright colors! Can you forgive the awkward pose and facial expression on me? I'll get better!  My Dress: This dress is from I <3 Ronson and I got it at JC Penney's. When I saw this dress I immediately fell in love with it. It is so not something I would choose, but I absolutely love it. My Shoes: These are Miss Bisou from Penney's as well. I first got them because they were "Duke Blue" (duh!) but these are one of the most comfortable pair of heels I own. My Accessories: I wore my Rose gold Merona watch from Target, and some cubic zircona studs that I got at Penney's as well.  I also wore my cross necklace that I never take off. It was a great event!

I taught a couple of days this week. I don't know about you, but my wardrobe is in the "transition" phase meaning I still have my winter clothes out but the weather is heating up. So until I get my clothes out, I need to revamp my wardrobe to give me some relief in the heat.   My blue top came from Wal-Mart. I love the ruffles, and the fact that it is short sleeved. My pants are Jaclyn Smith (read:old) and shoes are Xhilaration. A quick sentimental fact about the top, I wore this top the first time I visited Duke's campus. Therefore, I will probably never get rid of it.   My second outfit was more casual but still dressy. I wore black gaucho pants that were oh so comfy. My top came from Nicole by Nicole Miller. I love the animal print, and the teal accent. I wore just some plain black flats with bow accents.   So, how do you cope with your wardrobe in the "transition" phase? What are your tricks? Leave me a comment and let me know!   *Due t...

I'm going in to substitute teach today and I thought it would be nice to give you an outfit of the day "teacher style!" The students are only there for a half day, and I have some errands to run afterwards, so I wanted to be professional yet comfortable for the rest of the day. Perk of being a sub, I get to leave when the kiddos do!  :) My pants are a jean like material without being jeans. They are from New York and Company. I chose this royal blue, gray, and black top from Lane Bryant because it isn't bulky and still makes me look put together. My blue tank is also from Lane Bryant, and I love the lace detail at the very bottom. (Plus, who doesn't love a Duke blue outfit, especially when they advance to the Sweet 16?) As a teacher, it is always important to wear a watch, and mine came from my favorite jewelry store in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina called Bijuju . My replica "Pandora" bracelet came from a NYC street corner. The earrings were a gift f...