Written by contributor Lauren Lowe of The Burlap Bag

Josiah and I live in Texas. Currently as I type this, it’s 81 degrees outside. But tonight it’s going down to the low 40′s. So we have to be prepared for all types of weather – because Texas has polar opposites within 24 hours! I shall share some ideas of different types of scarves and how to wear them….

Vintage scarves

Vintage scarves are super awesome because they work in the spring and fall! They aren’t too warm but can still keep you warm – and fashionable. They are perfect to tie around your neck – especially in Texas “winter”. Plus you can snag these guys for $1 each at estate sales.

A lot of vintage scarves are smaller than knitted ones – making them perfect for putting in your hair! I’m actually wearing one in my hair in the photo above – but due to the terrible photo (thanks Josiah), you cannot see it very well.

We love love love this head scarf tutorial by Keiko Lynn

Regular scarves

By “regular scarves” I mean ones that have 2 ends and are 3 feet to infinity feet long. Grab these on sale at the end of the cold season. Or crochet/knit your own! We found this graphic on pinterest and it’s seriously an amazing compilation of ways to tie a scarf.

Now if only it would get cold in Texas and I could wear one without sweating to death…. like I was in that first photo above with my Twinkie Chan cupcake scarf (and that was way before I saw this awesome graphic full of scarf-wearing ideas – hence the boring “over the shoulder” scarf wear-age). Fingers crossed that tonight I get to make a fire… because #10 looks SO awesome!

12 ways to tie a scarf

Infinity scarves

And a personal favorite: the infinity scarf. Super easy to make yourself by getting a long strip of fabric and sewing the ends together. These can also be worn a bajillion ways – from one long loop, to several loops, to loosely around your shoulders. The one below is the softest thing since sliced bread. Wait what? Yeah, they are so soft, just take my word for it. We have them in our shop and every girl who touches one has to buy it.

How are you wearing scarves this season?

I‘m headed to chilly Salt Lake City today to attend Alt Summit for the first time. I’ve never been to a conference in snowy weather before, so packing for this trip was a tricky experience for sure! Alt is a conference for Lifestyle and Design bloggers, it looks AMAZING, and I admit I’m nervous and excited to meet new people and get a big dose of much needed inspiration.

Attempting to be stylish but also warm is a fun (and sometimes frustrating) challenge, here’s what I chose for one of my outfits:

• I found a vintage poncho similar to the one above to fit my curves without adding too much bulk.
• I belted it to create shape and give me a waist, try it before you think it would make you look bigger – it’s actually slimming!
• Paired with simple jewelry to compliment (and not compete) with the pattern on the poncho
• A comfy bootie (must be comfy for LOTS of walking!) to complete the look.
• A pretty computer/camera bag is what I’ll have on hand, too, no reason to carry around a big ugly bag when there are so many cute options out there!

As you can see, I have no plans to brave the snow, and being from Phoenix means I don’t even own anything snow-worthy anyway. I’m much happier by a fire with hot cocoa in hand, watching snow from INDOORS.

Question for you: Do you like wearing ponchos? Would you wear them with a belt? 

I’m linking up with Dress for the Day today – are you dressing for the day you want to have, or the day that’s trying to have you?

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at @ariannesegerman and on Facebook to see lots of fun pictures from Alt. I can’t wait to share all the fun and creative info I bring home with me, but while I’m there don’t miss all the action (mostly on Instagram)!

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Written by contributor Megan Tietz of SortaCrunchy

I‘m finally nearing the end of my pregnancy with twins, and I have to be honest, one of the things I’m looking forward to most in the months to come is finally being able to shed these maternity clothes!

Oh, I realize that we’ve come a long way in maternity fashion in the past few decades, but I still find it hard to find maternity clothes that look like something I would wear in my non-pregnant life. When Arianne asked if I might be interested in trying out the scarlet waterfall wrap from Me2Roo, I answered YES with enthusiasm!

First of all, who doesn’t love stripes? And second of all, who doesn’t appreciate a piece that can take you from the first few weeks of pregnancy all the way to the first weeks home with your new baby? [Read more...]

Every year in late December I watch The Holiday, and every year without exception, I go all swoony over Cameron Diaz’s fresh, beautiful, almost-exclusively winter white wardrobe.  Each subsequent January finds me scrambling through my closet trying to mimic her creamy, frothy palette with my own white pieces.  Whites and creams and all their various pale, ethereal cousins make a great departure from the deep, rich jewel tones commonly worn during the holiday season, and work well with increasingly-lightening skin tones throughout the remaining winter months.

With such a simple monochromatic (or is it nonochromatic?) scheme, you’ll be free to get creative with the other fun elements of outfit design.  Check out these tips on lightening and brightening your winter look with lovely hues of brilliant, flattering season-less whites.

1. Include a variety of patterns and textures in each outfit. Because you’re riffing on one color (or non-color) you’re free to put together rich, nubby knits and fluffy furs, suede, leather, velvet, silk and denim to create depth and interest. One rule of thumb? Remember, you’re dressing for winter here, so practicality dictates you choose fabrics that provide enough warmth for your climate. Even in the warmest localities, where you can stay plenty toasty in white linen or gauze, balance your look and give a nod of respect to Old Man Winter by including at least one cool-weather piece like a cozy cashmere scarf or suede bootie.

2. Create unexpected combinations for visual interest and style personality. In no other outfit than a monochromatic one is using the unexpected to give an outfit pizazz more vital. You’re bound only by what you’re comfortable wearing, so feel free to mix up a rugged cream leather biker jacket with a floaty skirt as pictured or a babydoll-sleeved silk shirt with rugged pair of tattered beige boyfriend jeans.

3. Layer on 50 shades of white. Mix hues like a boss to play with all the beautiful ways that white manifests itself. Toss together beige and cream and ecru and stark white, minding only that the “off whites” all veer “off” in the same direction, meaning towards warm colors like tan and yellow or cool colors like grey or even blue. Most importantly,  choose the hue that most flatters your own coloring for the piece closest to your face and place less flattering shades on the bottom.

4. As always, in any look, be careful choose pieces cut to fit and flatter our own body style, lest you don your lovely white ensemble and end up looking like Bibendum (the Michelin guy) or the StayPuft Marshmallow Man.

Following these simple rules and incorporating your own sense of personal style, you can brighten up the coldest, greyest days in January with lovely, lifting whites.

OurWill you give white a try this season?  Or do you have your own special wardrobe secrets to fight the winter doldrums?  Tell us about them!