"get to know me monday." - w.5

so i have quite a few questions that were left unanswered from my "ask my anything" post way back before our hawaiian vacay.  i've been meaning to answer them because they were all really good ones, so i'm gonna pick a few & answer them each monday for the next few weeks.

melissa asked:

"what is your inspiration with your style?  what gets you motivated to get dressed up?  as a mom of a 13 month old, i definitely live in my sweatpants.  any advice for us mamas?"

alright, i'm gonna be real honest here.  most days i am hanging out in pj's or workout clothes a good portion of the day.  every now & then i'll get dressed up for a playdate, but usually the only time i get fully made up is for the occasional outing on the weekend & then always for church on sunday. this is a habit i'm trying to break too.  it's a work in progress.

but you know what has really inspired my style?  blogging.  in a couple ways. first, when i know that i am gonna put pictures up of myself in front of the interwebz, i try to look decent.  read:  no sweatpants {most the time}.  taking pictures of yourself & putting them somewhere where they are subject to comment can do a lot to motivate you to look your best.  a lot of the credit for this has been the "steppin' out saturday" posts, & i invite all of you to link up with mandy at harper's happenings & give it a try.  it really is fun to dress up a little more than usual & document the occasion.  so do it.

the other way blogging has influenced my style is by seeing what other "real" girls are wearing.  i have found so many bloggers out there who have an incredible sense of style & it makes me wanna copy be like them.  flipping through a magazine is one thing but finding a "real life" person who doesn't have a full line-up of makeup artists & stylists is inspiring to me.  so i get ideas from them.

some of my favorites bloggers for their style:  rockstar diaries, the daybook, rose ala mode, dear baby, & kendi everyday.  check 'em out.

and what are some things i've found work for me?  well, i honestly just find things i like, & then copy them. you will find that you are attracted to certain things & will find your sense of style developing.  keep an "inspiration" folder somewhere on your computer & save pictures of things you like in it.

also, some of the best advice i've ever read was from jessica, who said, "don't even own anything that you don't absolutely love!  if you only have pretty things in your closet, you have no choice but to wear a pretty outfit." {quote via}  i have thought of her advice so many times when i'm talking myself into buying something.  i just stand back, say, "wait, do i really really love this?"  if the answer is no, i move on.

the same goes for clothes you already own.  purge your closet of old drab things that are bringing your wardrobe down.  i just recently rid my closet of things i hadn't worn in the last year & it's so refreshing to walk in to my closet & only see things i would actually wear.  i can't stress this one enough.

and lastly, don't be afraid to try new things.  so what if you put on an outfit, leave the house, & then decide you hate it.  that has happened to me countless times.  just give yourself some points for trying something new.  and whatever you're wearing, wear it with confidence & a smile.  seriously, if you look like you feel good in your skin, you'll look good in your clothes.  i promise.

so there you have it.  my take on style.  i don't claim to be any kind of expert... i'm just a wannabe.  and so can you.

{click to enlarge}

ok, that was a long one so i'm leaving it at that.  you guys.  i need more questions!  ask away in the comments, tweet me, facebook me, or shoot me an email, mmmmk?

and don't forget to vote!  don't ever, ever forget to vote.  please?