CLOSET STAPLES: GINGHAM BUTTON UP

OUTFIT DETAILS: GINGHAM BUTTON UP  | |  EYELET SKIRT (MADE BY ME, TUTORIAL HERE + SIMILAR HERE)  | |  SANDALS  | |  SIMILAR BAG  | |  WATCH  | |  RING

What seems like ages ago, I used to do a closet staples series here on my blog. It seemed like time to do another, so today I'm sharing one of my favorite closet essentials -- the gingham button up.

Gingham is one of those prints that works for all seasons, and a button up in this pattern is the perfect piece because you can wear it so many ways and for all different kinds of weather.

During the summer, I love tying the sleeves around my waist over a shift dress. In the fall, I wear it with a pair of jeans and ankle boots. In the winter, layer it under a sweater. And in the spring, wear it over a dress and button it up but tie the ends into a knot at your stomach.

My very favorite gingham button up is this one from j.crew factory, but I also love this larger check one that's under $15, and this one that has more of a boyfriend fit. This one has contrasting lining, which creates a pretty little detail, and this one in a lighter blue is so pretty.

Shop a few of my favorites in the widget below (click each image for details), and snag yourself one for Fall!

photos by jylare smith 

DIY FRIDAY: GINGHAM DROP WAIST PEPLUM TOP

peplum top: made by me (fabric c/o online fabric store) -- buy an almost identical one here for just over $30!
similar leather jacket here and here

gap jeans (similar)

dolce vita wedges

similar bag

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA WALK

For some reason I cannot get enough of gingham this season. It's such a classic print and goes with absolutely everything -- I can't stay away! (In fact, I just bought a pair of gingham Christmas pajamas). I've been wanting to make a drop waisted peplum top for a while now, so when Online Fabric Store sent me this gorgeous gingham cotton, I knew just what to do with it. 

This is a super easy top that you can make in an afternoon, so if you're looking for a good weekend project (or even a fun Christmas gift for your sister or friend), definitely try this tutorial. And pick up some fabric at Online Fabric Store this weekend while they're having a huge Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal -- find all the details right here!

I also posted a couple of gift guides this week here and here, and there are a ton of good sales going on this weekend at my favorite stores, so make sure you're taking advantage of them while you're doing your holiday shopping!

J.Crew Factory: 50% OFF everything and free shipping on orders over $50.00

Old Navy: up to 50% OFF store wide & 50% OFF in stores, get an extra 15% OFF with code GRAVY

GAP: 50% off everything TODAY ONLINE ONLY with code BLKFRIDAY

ASOS: 30% OFF everything with code TGIBF 
Sole Society: 30% OFF and free shipping through Dec. 1.

Nordstrom: up to 40% OFF select products.

J.Crew: 30% OFF with code HOLIDAY and additional 40% off sale + free shipping, no minimum.

Click through to find the full step by step instructions for the peplum top!

SHADES OF BLUE

Today I'm off to Alt Summit in Salt Lake City! Definitely a huge shock to the system with a 50 degree temperature drop, but beyond excited to spend the week with my sister, two of my best friends, and several hundred other fabulous bloggers. 

I'll be posting over on Instagram throughout the week, so follow along here if you'd like!

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top: similar

skirt:  similar / similar 

heels: DIY (tutorial here)

clutch: similar

bracelets: kohls

RAIDING MY SISTERS CLOSET: TRYING OUT A TREND

Last time we did a Trying Out a Trend post for Raiding My Sister's Closet, we chose hats. This time around we got significantly braver and chose leather (or faux leather, as the case may be). Like I am with most trends, it took me a little while to warm up to leather, but now I have probably at least eight items in my closet that are faux leather or are faux leather embellished. I love that it's a trend that you can incorporate as much or as little as you want. 

So since a lot of leather or leather embellished pieces (like my favorite jacket and my new favorite tunic) aren't scaring me so much these days, I went with something a little more out of my comfort zone -- an entire skirt made of faux leather! I wore it to church on Sunday and Philip did mention that he liked it, but thought it was maybe a little loud for church. He's probably right. But I still love it. 

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top: forever 21, similar

skirt: chicwish c/o

heels: target

necklaces: inpink & hello fab c/o

clutch: windsor c/o

watch: burberry 

Now go check out how Janssen and Landen tried out leather!