gussied up

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

go blog social: rejuvenated






shirt: j.crew (old but similar here) | skirt: bcbg (old but similiar here) | shoes: j.crew (old but similar here) | necklace: ruby rouge and similar here and nashelle | belt: j.crew (old but similar here) | bracelets: j.crew and favery

i don't know about you, but life has been a little cray lately. it's been packed with fun filled weekends and busy weeks of new responsibilities and getting to volunteer! i was able to sit back and relax tonight and watch the real housewives (i'm obsessed) and just veg out. it's hard not to get overwhelmed by the always growing to-do lists (who doesn't love a good list, right!?), but it sure did feel great to take a moment for me. it's tough, but what do you do to rejuvenate from a busy schedule?

xo,
cait

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Friday, April 11, 2014

go blog social recap


if you've been reading gussied up for awhile, you know that i have been writing it since the beginning of 2013. it was my new years resolution to myself. i wanted to be able to share my outfit ideas and have a place to do that. now, i want women to find inspiration and encouragement to wear pieces that they love, and already own. 

i signed up for go blog social as soon as i heard about it. i couldn't wait to learn more about this newish profession/ hobby, and how to do it better. i really enjoy writing and sharing my ideas through pictures for you all. and i am so excited to share all the amazing knowledge that i learned.


gettin' ready for all the fun to begin!!


a huge highlight of the weekend was getting to spend quality time with such amazing women, like jessi from style and pepper



i adored getting to meet and chat with erin from house of earnest. if you haven't checked out her blog, you must! it is a great diy blog with gorgeous ideas and detailed how-to's




i really was blown away by every speaker, they all said something that hit me to my core. i was so impressed with the honesty and realness shared with everyone. i found it so inspiring and important it is to keep it real, and personal on my blog. i love having this little space to call my own and share my thoughts and feels. i also loved getting to connect with the vendors that sponsored all the events. favery is a great jewelry website that was giving away great pieces, like the yellow bracelet above (i won), and the gals from whatruwearing were so sweet. if you haven't downloaded their app yet, go do it! it's a great way to share your outfit ideas and get inspiration for new outfits too! i won the adorable peach sweatshirt, all i had to do was post my outfit and was featured on their blog, wearing it! cute, right!?

kelly snyder from kansas city mamas absolutely blew me away with her knowledge and fierceness about media kits and how to create the perfect one. i literally couldn't write down what she said fast enough. i loved how direct she was with every point and fact she said. my personal favorite was how she told use only use google analytics, she told us to "use google, stop messing around with anything else, this is the standard." direct and to the points like that, just click with me. i loved it. now, who wants to help me design my media kit!? it's going to be fun, for sure!

amanda from amanda marie photography gave great tips on how to use your iphone to take your pictures for your blog. i was hooked. who uses a camera any more anyways, right? just kidding, i do use my camera (well, for my blog pictures, at least). the best/ most awesome take away was that amanda showed us the app afterlight, and how it has and will continue to change my instagram photos.  afterlight has similar photo editing tips to instagram and a beautiful mess app, but it lightens your photos! i almost died. i literally, like 2 minutes before amanda's talk, said, "i really want to learn how to light my photos for instagram." and boom. amanda had my answer! if you are close to the dallas area, i highly suggest using amanda for your photos! she's one talented lady.

nicole from cedar and rush knows how to network like a boss, not seriously. you think you know how to network, and then you listen to nicole. she made me laugh when she was giving us examples of how to introduce your self/ act normal. nicole told not to emotionally exhausting to talk to. if someone asks, "how are you doing?" you must then ask them the same question. sounds pretty easy, right? 

jessie from style and pepper was probably who i was most excited to see! i use to follow her old blog, concrete catwalk (throwback), and loved her eclectic style then and love it more now. i loved getting to listen to jessi talk about the art of "why" and looking at your blog posts in a different light. i always wonder, "why am i writing this, if i was reading this, would i care" she encouraged us to treat our blogs like they were telling a story. and i never thought about it like that before, like that, telling a store. but, it totally makes sense. now, (how am i doing? good, i would hope so). 

erin souder from house of earnest broke down the benefits of a great diy (do it yourself) - cheaper (usually) and totally 100% unique. i really do love a good diy (i just need to get going on it). i've got a rail (up my stairs) that i would like to paint it, a large canvas in our master, and buffet table in the dinning room, they all need a face lift. i adored getting to know erin, and i can't wait to see her again!

a special thank you to the staff that put on this wonderful event! i can't wait to see what is in store for next year!

check out all the fun on instagramtwitterfacebook, and pinterest.



xo,
cait









Tuesday, April 8, 2014

cargo + citron

 








jacket: old navy | top: j.crew factory | jeans: madewell | flats: j.crew (old) but similar here | necklaces: nashelle and j.crew factory | bracelets: j.crew, j.crew factory, charm bracelet, and stella and dot 

this weekend i was so thrilled to attend go blog social! it's a blogger conference based in kc, and was jam packed full of super awesome stuff. i was inspired by the speakers to work harder, and smarter, on my craft, plus finally getting to meet all the fellow bloggers, that i can now call friends. i was encouraged to spread the love, be genuine, and be true to myself. sometimes all you need a little change of perspective to see what really matters. and this weekend definitely did it for. stay tuned on more fantastic take aways from this spectacular conference. 

check out all the fun on instagram, twitterfacebookand pinterest.

xo,
cait



Friday, April 4, 2014

kansas city fashion week look










top: sheinside | skirt: joe fresh (old) but similar here | coat: j.crew (old) but similar here | booties: madewell | purse: j.crew (old) but similar here | necklaces: nashelle and madewell (old) similar here | tights: target 

talk about a go-to top! this feminine little thing is it. it's a great piece to wear to feel a little bit girly and show off your figure. i couldn't wait to wear it to the kansas city fashion week show on sunday! i wanted to dress it up - by wearing this adorable sequin mini. i found mine at jcp and the line is joe fresh (totally love it). on a side note, joe fresh is a canadian brand that is carried at jcp and soon will be shipping direct to the u.s.! holler, then i can get my paws on this adorable top - obsessed! back to this outfit, it was a little snowy the morning of the sunday show at kcfw, so i opted to wear my favorite black tights (these legs weren't quite ready to bare it all) and my madewell booties. then i added a statement necklace and my heart nashelle necklace (i never take it off) and my j.crew green coat to enjoy the show.  

as you are reading this i am attend go blog social! i'm so excited to meet other bloggers and tips to make gussied up even better. to get all in the inside scoop follow me on instagram, twitterfacebookand pinterest.

and thank you to jana for these photos at union station. this shoot was so fun!

xo,
cait

Thursday, April 3, 2014

kansas city fashion week: sunday show recap


although kcfw ended a few weeks ago, i am still loving the shows from sunday. i've collected my favorite looks from all the shows and broke down the design elements that make up each great piece.




i was impressed with this line immediately. from each look i was blown away even more than the last. every look was constructed beautifully and was pulled together to create a cohesive line. i was most impressed with modesty of zohreh zarrabi's collection. she was able to use fabrics and prints to create sophisticated creations without looking like costumes. i can't wait to see what she presents in september.


lb glam showcased killer accessories. the name says it perfectly, glam. the black onesies with black booties, bouffant hair and lashes, lashes, lashes. the best way to show off necklaces, belts, earrings, and bracelets. i was blown away by a very gaga inspired show. 



the sophie hines collection was full of great metallic details, light tulle layers with a hint of lingerie inspired pieces. each look was more unique and perfect from the last. i adored crimped messy hair to the layered jewelry. i would want to wear every piece because of the impeccable construction and design. 

i'm pretty excited to see what these ladies will bring to kcfw this september!

but in the mean time, go blog social is this weekend! i couldn't be more excited. it is my first blogger conference! i'm ready to learn from all the speakers and meet a ton of new bloggers. i can't wait to share with you what i will take away. anyone been to a blogger conference or go blog social and have any tips? feel free to share away.

until then follow me  on instagram, twitterfacebookand pinterest

xo,
cait

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

minnesota blues







jacket: joe fresh | chambray: j.crew | pants: faded glory | booties: madewell | purse: tory burch | necklaces: nashelle and dogearred | socks: j.crew

so you might remember a quick trip, the hubs and i took, to minnesota, a few weeks ago. while we were in minneapolis, kev and i got to explore the city (we froze, just a little bit) and act like the locals. we had a juicy lucy at matt's and had to shop at the mall of america (duh). 

i wanted to dress in layers, so i grabbed my favorite chambray and this amazing tweed jacket (i loved how it reminded me of a chanel jacket), along with the best black stretchy pants (seriously, i know they are from wal-mart, but they are awesome)! with a great grey madewell bootie and the outfit is complete. how your favorite pieces to keep you warm and cute!?

xo,
cait

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Tuesday, April 1, 2014

denim date






jacket: old navy | blouse: j.crew (old) but similar here | jeans: baldwin last seen here | heels: j.crew (old) but similar here | purse: tory burch | necklaces: nashelle and etsy | earrings: kendra scott 

the hubs and i had a great night out in the river market  area. it's basically our go-to spot, and i love it. it's a great neighborhood full of great eats and drinks. 

i just realized that i've got this outfit on repeat (well the bottom half). and i'm cool with that. do you have those pieces that you will always keep at the front of your closet? the ones you always can rely on to make you feel good, me too! these are my pieces. a great pair of dark denim and leopard pumps, and change out the top, and i am good to go. what are your favorite go to pieces.

happy april everyone!!

xo,
cait

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