Inspired by Rena: Olive and Stripes
This is my 2nd inspired by post in a month! Why do I enjoy writing these posts? First of all, they allow me to share bloggers that inspire me and that I have enjoyed following for the past few years and second, they inspire me to not shop but to shop my closet to recreate an outift.
I always make notes (sometimes written most typically with a picture) of an outfit I might want to recreate with things I already possess in my closet. While it is fun to buy something new (as my plaid pants in Friday’s post), there is something really satisfying about digging through your closet to copy a look that you like. There are several things I have learned about my style this year and one of them is that I only like waterfall type cardigans on myself. I have tried short cardigans, long cardigans and after making myself wear them, I end up donating them. So now, the cardigans in my closet (typically thrifted ones) are mostly a version of a waterfall cardigan. My oldest ones are this one from White House Black Market and the thrifted one in an old Thanksgiving post (here).
This outfit is inspired by Rena of Fine Whatever and can be found in her post “Fresh Focus: Classic Stripes“. I do not wear this cardigan much anymore but I can’t seem to let it go as the stripes are such a classic especially in black and white. Each time I think of donating it, I try it on, remember why I like it and put it back in my closet. On this particular day, I wore this outfit minus the cardigan and hat all day because it was still too warm for a layer. It still has been reaching 80 degrees in the afternoon.
My Amazon olive joggers are great for fall activities and they are a nice cool blend that can be dressed up or down. I like to wear joggers when we hike and travel as they are less constricting than jeans but less casual than leggings and more breathable. This reminds me that we haven’t been hiking yet this fall. It is taking a while to cool off to where hiking is enjoyable: 70 and below would be great!
I tried several shoes before settling on these. I love all of my fall/winter wedge sneakers and booties and sometimes my first ideas don’t always pan out. My boys do not go in my closet very often so they do not realize how many shoes I have. They think I have 5 or so pairs of shoes and have been telling me that I think too much about fashion (that is my 7 and my 10 year old). What can I say? It is my way of having fun! I bought these espadrilles for $5.99 at Old Navy a couple of weeks ago with a few other items and turns out I had $7 in rewards: so these were basically free! I also finally remembered to wear a pendant necklace to break the simplicity of the tank.
Lately I feel overwhelmed with figuring how to do extra curricular activities with the kids: who gets priority on activities? Should I alternate each kid every season? I cannot drive everyone everywhere but am confused on how to make things happen or even if I should. I want to have them get a chance to try different sports and activities but can’t make it happen for all of them at once. It was much simpler when they were younger at least for me! But we are chugging along trying to balance family time, play time, sports time and other time!
We took these pictures in the front of the old courthouse in our town. I am starting to take advantage of our ride home on Fridays to take pictures downtown on our way home from the high school. Too many great places for pictures to let them go to waste. Move along passerbies, I am not a celebrety nor am I full of myself. Just a small lifestyle blogger. Thankfully, nobody has asked me yet why I have my son take pictures of me!
A bientΓ΄t!
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30 Comments
Jennifer
You look great!!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
mimifce
Thanks, Jennifer!
Ellie
This cardigan looks great on you and love the joggers! I really should look in to some joggers for hiking. Like you, I feel leggings are a bit too casual for me, mainly because our favorite hiking trails are over an hour away so we usually combine a restaurant visit with the hiking and I really dislike going to a restaurant wearing leggings… But likewise I don’t really like hiking in jeans unless the trails are easy. These joggers seem perfect!
Ellie
Ellibelle’s Corner
mimifce
Joggers are perfect for hiking. Wore another old pair yesterday for a hike.
Grace
I think you totally nailed this inspiration! I really enjoy Inspired By posts too, and they always end up inspiring me to recreate outfits I like. I feel like you can’t go wrong with waterfall cardigans – they are so flattering. I’m not usually a big cardigan person myself but waterfall ones are always so cute! Great post – I love those big earrings as well.
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
mimifce
Thanks, Grace! I really need to start a folder with inspired by ideas because when I take a picture of my computer screen instead of a screenshot, then it gets lost among my pictures. At least I am finally learning which ones I will wear vs wasting my money on cardigans that look good on other people.
Nancy
Olive is such a beautiful colour isn’t it. And I always love Rena looks, so cool.
mimifce
Yes! She is really creative with her outfits.
Joanne
What a great recreation!
mimifce
Thanks, Joanne!
Rena
Mireille,
I’m so honored that you chose one of my looks as an outfit inspiration. I adore jogger style pants and your olive ones paired with a black tank make for a great look on you. Adding a striped cardigan does bump is a fabulous way to bring in a bit of unexpected interest while keeping with the casual vibe. As for maintaining a balance with kids extra-curricular activities, I started with limiting each kid to two at a time. Now I only have/had two littles, not four, but as parents, my hushband and I first concerned was to make sure our kids didn’t get overloaded. They both attended religious classes a few days a week so that counted as one activity which allowed each to also have a sport. It helped when both were participating in the same sport like track and field. There was a club with multiple age groups that held practices for all at the same time at local high school.
Thanks again for the shout out.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
mimifce
That is what has helped this semester. In the past 2 did soccer. We will see how it goes after Christmas.
Kathrine Eldridge
I might have to get these joggers! Love your recreated look and hang in there when it comes to the activities.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
mimifce
Thanks, Kathrine! They are a pretty good pair and much more affordable than some of my other pairs.
jodie filogomo
I just love how you were inspired by Rena. That waterfall cardigan is one that would work with everything!!
You should be able to pair it with any color.
Xoxo
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
mimifce
True! I will have to pull it out at least a few times this fall/winter.
Marsha Banks
First, I really like this whole look on you! You make joggers look so stylish. Secondly, it is hard to figure out the right way to allot time and feel like you’re doing a good job. I’m sure your boys appreciate all of the time you spend with them.
http://marshainthemiddle.com/
mimifce
I love my joggers! I really like that I can make them casual or more dressy.
Laura Bambrick
I love both of these outfits! Your twist on it is really cute on you! You look great in hats!
mimifce
Thank you! Once it stays cool, I will wear hats more day to day. Right now I take advantage of them for blog pics and bad hair days.
Mica
That’s such a nice striped cardigan and such a great tkae on your outfit inspiration π I am so bad with noting down where I was inspired to try things, I really need to try harder for that! Although mostly my otufits are more inspired by an idea or colour combo, I rarely have similar pieces like you have here in this outfit π
I hop eyou figure out the activities! I have it easy with just the 2 boys and so far they do activities that are the same or at different times so we can fit it all in in a week π
Hope you are having a great week π
mimifce
Definitely has become harder with having more kids. I am putting a stop on my shopping but I have such a good variety of pieces that I really enjoy recreating outfits when I can.
Lovely
You did great recreating this look. The joggers look comfy, and your shoes and earrings are cute!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
mimifce
Thanks, Lovely. The joggers have been a good pair.
Ashley
I love the “Inspired By” posts! You always nail it!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
mimifce
Thanks, I really like writing them especially when I just shop my closet for them. Wear what I have!
Jyoti
Loving both the outfits so much! Wonderful Post! Have a great day!
RampdiaryΒ | Fineartandyou | BeautyandfashionfreaksΒ
mimifce
Thank you, you too!
Jess
It’s a lot of fun shopping my closet and styling myself after other bloggers. It really gets my creative juices going! You look great! I might have to check out your joggers–I’ve been looking for an olive pair like that!
mimifce
I really like these posts especially when I am not tempted to get something new. It is fun to get ideas and to see what I have that is similar.