Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Mixing it Up

Once upon a time I was a "sales rep" for a clothing company called "Layers."  I LOVED their clothes and would buy lots of them with the pretense that I was going to sell them to others (I like to think that I really did have the intention of selling them).  I am sure you are guessing who I really sold them to...yep, myself.  I think I may have made 3 sales the whole time I did it.  My husband and I have since learned (after I did the same thing with Mary Kay), that I am not good at sales and should at all costs avoid it.  I just have such a hard time feeling like I am pressuring people or making them feel uncomfortable.

Well, while in the service of Layers I bought this cute little dress above.  I don't really wear it any more and was thinking maybe I should give it to the D.I. (Utah thrift store).  Then I took a good critical look at it, I really did like the bottom of it.  The colors were fun and interesting and it would make a great SKIRT (I may have it altered into one eventually).

I am a firm believer that your closet is a great place to go shopping.  Everyone, even you (yes you)  has hidden gems in there that they have over looked and if they just mixed them up a little they might re-fall in love with them.
After remixing this little number up with a different top and jewelry I really love it again!  Not to mention it is so fun to see my clothes look new again and different from the way I have worn them in the past.
On a different subject (this blog really is just one big tangent after another) my 8 year old participated in his first Pine Wood Derby (where they get a car kit and build and decorate it) tonight.  He and my husband built it together and was cute to see them work on it.  His car ended up holding the record for the fastest time for the whole night.  I am shamlessly proud of him!
It was so cute to watch him get so excited about it (and I have to admit, the hubs was pretty excited too.)  I love to watch my kids have victories in their lives.  It was a good night. 
Sweater: Ann Taylor | Shirt: Jcrew | Dress: Layers | Shoes: Steve Madden (similar) | Purse: Aldo | Jewelry: Jcrew, Banana Republic and unknown

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62 comments:

  1. What an amazing re-styling of that dress! I'm a sucker for ginham right now. And I would be awful at sales, too. ;)

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  2. PS - those shoes are beautiful ... how long ago did you get them? Also, congrats to your little one. :)

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    1. Thanks! I got the shoes years ago, but I have seen them on ebay every now and then.
      Creamy

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  3. What a great example of pattern and color mixing and re-purposing something in your closet!
    Very chic look...

    Congratulations to your son and husband!

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  4. wonderful mix. the dress is beautiful, but styling it as a skirt is better ;))) congrats for your boy as we have kids we already live with their victories :)

    http://excurlythoughts.blogspot.com/

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  5. I've always stayed away from selling for Mary Kay because I'm pretty sure I would do the same thing, just buy everything! I really like the before and after of this dress/skirt, its so fun to see how small changes can competely change a garment, and those colorful stripes on the bottom do make it a great skirt!

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  6. absolutely looove your pairing of lime green with that big checkered print!!! Oh my goodness. so cute. and with those darling shoes!



    The House of Shoes

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  7. To cute!

    xoxo

    http://www.lolitainthemix.blogspot.com

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  8. Thank you for visiting my blog! Really like yours as well!

    X Dionne
    http://pretty-inblue.blogspot.com/

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  9. Hello!
    I love when you propose two look, one outfit. I love you dress so nice and also the green sweater is a good mix.
    Thanks for visiting my blog, thanks for your comments.

    xoxo

    http://annchic.blogspot.com.es/

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  10. Wow, you really know how to use your pieces, I'm impressed!

    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/

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  11. You are not the only one; I am the worst sales person ever! I have a compulsion to buy the very things I am meant to sell and I hate being pushy and needy too plus customers always sense that particular desperation! I do think you should get that altered at some point, it would make a really chic skirt! But until then it looks fabulous styled as you have!

    SDMxx
    http://daringcoco.blogspot.com.au/

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  12. Well done. Your layer is amazing!!

    xx :))

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  13. Love the way you've reworked the dress! It looks great :)

    AwayFromTheBlue.blogspot.com.au

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  14. What a brilliant idea!!! I'm definitely gonna try this out with my own dress:-) Thanks for the idea!!!And I'm in love with your shoes*.* Have a nice day:-)

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  15. Aw how cute, the pine wood derby sounds adorable :)

    Love this outfit so much, you look beautiful in this shade of green!

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  16. When I saw the first picture I thought yeah that's a cute dress but then when I saw how you layered it I loved it. This is one of my favorite outfits that you have.

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  17. I love how you remixed the dress into a skirt and paired it with the gingham. Isn't it the best when you can shop your closet and have a brand new outfit?

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  18. love how you showed it two different way, layering is the best!

    -Jessica
    http://runninginsideus.blogspot.com/

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  19. Wow, what a difference a few layers makes! Gorgeous. And I'm a terrible salesperson too. I hate pressuring people!!

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  20. That dress is really beautiful and as u said- colours of the bottom is very nice!
    P.S. I think you make a wonderful mom. :)

    xo
    berryjamjam.blogspot.com

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  21. I love that you made an old dress into a new skirt! Love it with the gingham and green sweater, look perfect!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  22. I love 'shopping in my closet' too - you do find some gems in there, don't you! Do keep the dress, it looks great the way you've mixed it up!

    Peaches
    xx
    http://mintyandpeaches.wordpress.com

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  24. Definitely agree that our closets are the best place to shop! I sometimes find things and wonder why I never used them more! I love that dress!

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  25. Glad you kept the dress I think it's really cute and could definitely be altered to be a cute skirt if you wanted too.

    -Ash

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  26. Lovely dress, great how you've styled it!
    xx



    The Urban Umbrella
    xoxo


    http://www.theurbanumbrella.com/

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  27. I have never signed up to sell stuff because I am scared I would purchase everything too. I love how you turned your dress into a skirt. I really like it!

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  28. I love how you wore that dress as a skirt and thus added so much use value to it! Also, layering with a Gingham was a great idea! It looks so much more nice after the layering! Great outfit! Thank you so much for your lovely comment!

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  29. I love the dress with the green top, the colours complement each other well! I would be the same with regards to sales, I'd want to keep everything for myself. xo

    www.almostdelightful.com

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  31. Such a great look - the jacket is so cute!

    xo

    http://girlonbroughtonstreet.blogspot.co.uk

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  33. Great look! I'm a fan of wearing shirts or sweaters (or both) over dresses for a different look too. I actually do it quite often with the dress I'm wearing on my blog today. Here's a link to an old post: http://cairelchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/01/cairels-closet-sweater-dress.html I agree, I think this dress looks better as a skirt. I have the same shirt from JCrew - I love it paired with the green!

    Thanks for following!! :o)

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  34. Those shoes are fabulous. I'm obsessed!!!

    Cheers,
    Bree
    Dream in Fashion

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  35. I had a similar experience at my very first job working at an ice cream parlor. Oops. Hahaha I did also sell ice cream to other people though, so I suppose it worked out okay. Great look, I love the layers and the shoes.

    http://www.menacherieblog.com/

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  36. I love your classic style! Wonderful outfits! (here from Pleated Poppy)

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  37. This is such a cute outfit...the layers are absolutely perfect!

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  38. I love the color blocked dress and how you've styled it. Turning it into a skirt is a fabulous idea - I love the green! I tried selling Arbonne for a bit and my customers were me and my dad, haha. I also discovered I was no good at sales. Live and Learn. Greetings from Atlanta! ;-)

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  39. That dress is gorgeous! I love the stripes and I like how you paired it with the green sweater for colour blocking! Very pretty! I really like your blog, it would be nice if you could stop by my blog sometime too :) :)

    www.raindropsofsapphire.com

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  40. love that gingham shirt and the way you played it up

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  41. Absolutely stunning look! Love the layering!

    XO

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  42. Love Love Love your blog dear . Absolutely amazing subjects and pictures . Followed you and would really love if you check my blog and follow back if you like :)

    Fashion Blog :
    http://nanooosh-fashioninmyeyes.blogspot.com/

    Personal Bolog :
    http://ispeakgirls.blogspot.com/

    LOVE XOXO

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  43. Oh my stars, so amazed by how you restyled this dress, would have never known! And I love it soooo much more as a skirt, mixed with the fun pattern and green :)

    <3 Cambria
    jupefashion.blogspot.com

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  44. OMG I LOVE THIS OUTFIT!!! So so chic!!!!!! You have amazing style! xoxo

    www.fashionmavenmommy.com

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  45. Fabulous colors! I love how you layered these pieces!

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  46. darling outfits! love your style, following ya now:)

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  47. Gorgeous! I love the detail on the bottom of the dress.

    xo,
    Angela
    headtotoechic.blogspot.com

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  48. I'm in love with those shoes girl! And green is one of my fave colors! Love it.
    -Jessi
    www.haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com

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  49. OMG...i LOVE that you turned this simple dress into a totally kick a$$ layered outfit. CUTE! ok...and have i missed it again somewhere??? where are those sunnies from?!?! love them too!

    xoxo, jenn
    the stylish housewife

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    Replies

    1. Thanks Jenn. The sunnies are from Banana Republic Factory store. Thanks for visiting!
      Creamy

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  50. Great look!

    http://www.lazyheelsblog.com/

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  51. Love this look! Super cute and perfect for spring!

    xoxo,
    Rachael
    www.rachaelkhawkins.blogspot.com

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  53. Totally agree with you on that you closet is the best place to shop. Best part its free to do it. Love this dress combo.

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  54. Love your shoes! And the whole outfit is lovely!
    Congrats to your son!
    Thank you so much for passing by my blog!

    Call me M @ Do You Speak Gossip?

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  55. love it all!

    http://fashionhandglide.blogspot.ca/

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  56. Cute look! I love how you layered the gingham shirt and sweater over the dress!

    xx
    Giovanna
    www.oliveandanarrow.com

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  57. You look amazing! I love the layering! Your heels are so cute also!

    :)
    Allison
    afashionfiles.blogspot.com

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  59. Emily, your blog is exploding! Look at you go!

    I actually have that checkered shirt and love it too. I love the color combo and the way you layered :)

    www.nauticalstripes.com

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  60. Love the layering.
    http://halielandry.blogspot.com/

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