Sidewalk Ready

Meet Kayley. She is super cute and happens to be behind one of my new favorite blogs! I wish I could remember how I came across her blog to give appropriate credit, but I can't - sorry!

Wonderful pics, right? I love her down to earth style. She also has great hair styling tutorials, and I learned a new scarf trick from her! Pretty much amazing! Check out her blog - here!

New hair do

Happy Monday! Today was jam packed between my 2 hour home visit, documentation (more tomorrow -the life of a social worker!!), and many phone calls. Woo! How was your Monday? Manic?

Oh this is good - this afternoon I noticed a case note from last Friday where instead of "hire" I typed "higher". Splendid. ..I felt much better, however after reading the directions for our upcoming performance reviews that included "being elf-motivated and sel-directed". Even the higher ups making embarrassing mistakes! It's tempting to type up a Buddy the Elf quote about Christmas cheer on my review! I think I'll probably pass. Or maybe write it on a post-it-note.. and include a big smiley face. Smiley faces make everything ok, right?

Onto the challenge! Today we were to try a new hair-do! This is a good challenge for me, encouraging me to be creative! Last week I braided my hair on the left side, yesterday I did the right, and today (so as not to cheat) did both, finished off with a bun! Nothing crazy, but a good way for me to change up my go to bun!

The details - Jacket: Loft outlet, Top: Limited, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Nurture, Necklace, Earrings, Bangles: Limited

As promised today I was a copycat, making up from the missed post yesterday. 2 challenges in one day. I need a nap! ;) 

I also learned an important thing about copycatting:

Jessica from What I Wore

Don't try to mimic the same pose as your inspiration, or the differences will be very distracting. Lesson learned! (This feels like a bad version of a puzzle from Highlights magazine! ..How many differences can you spot? No. Please. Don't tell me.)

Lazy copycat

I've been so productive this weekend! Well, probably only mildly productive for a normal person, but for me! Look out! Dishes, laundry and grocery shopping! Craaazy. I'm probably the laziest person you know when it comes to chores, and I'm lucky if I do any of these things on the weekend! I might even run the sweeper later if I feel real dangerous.

Today's challenge is supposed to be "Copycat". While I love the idea of this, planning for this would take too much time - and you just learned how lazy I am! I have many style items pinned on pinterest, and definitely have a few blog crushes (my newest crush), but rarely do I feel like "oh! I have those items in my closet!" Hence the never ending urge to go shopping. Le sigh. In a quick search, I found one image I can recreate and plan to do so for work tomorrow, along with some new hair style! See the challenges for this week (it's the last week for the challenge!): here.

I did feel like I was copycatting all the other lazy women at Kroger - ball cap, no makeup, workout clothes... really too sexy an image for this blog. This counts, right?

In an effort to not be so lazy, I'll end by highlighting two bloggers who regularly work the copycat look - check them out! I'm always so amazed! The first is Jamie from Work Your Closet. I love her easy, down to earth style!

Left, Right

Left, Right

 The second blog is J's Everyday Fashion:

Source

Source

Impressed? Do you turn to other bloggers and pinterest for fashion inspiration? Or do YOU inspire your on style?

P.S. It's Claire's first wedding anniversary today! Please join me in wishing her a very happy anniversary! Hope the cake still tastes good! ;)

SWC First Giveaway!

I have VERY exciting news! Social Work Couture is hosting our first giveaway thanks to Mimi's the Look for Less! Read below for your chance to win this bracelet shown here!

To win:

1) Become a follower of Social Work Couture with google friend connect (if you already are that counts!) AND
2) Leave a comment below stating why you want to win this lovely look-a-like bracelet!

Important Info:
1) Giveaway closes Tuesday August 2 @ midnight Eastern time.
2) The winner will be chosen by random generator.
3) Only one entry per person allowed!
4) The winner will be announced on Social Work Couture and you will have 24 hrs to send me an email, otherwise a new winner will be selected!

Good luck!!

Mimi's the Look for Less

Hello there!! Thanks to this post from The Look 4 Less, I learned about Mimi's the Look for Less online jewelry store. And by now we all now I love a good look for less find!!

For the last 6 months, perhaps, this beauty has been on the top of my lust list. Due to the crazy expensive price tag it quickly became a "maybe when I'm 40 I'll have enough money and can rationalize spending this kind of money" item. Time will tell.

In the meantime (although smaller in diameter than the 7mm one above), I have my very own look-alike, thanks to Mimi's!

The best part? The price. For real. 12 dolla! Not even kidding! Buy it here.

By the way, the owner, Evan, is the sweetest- she and her mom started this company when the economy took a turn, and now you too can have fancy jewelry for less! Way to go Evan! Please check out their website (also love these earrings, this bracelet, this bracelet, and these earrings!)

Here's the David Yurman version:

Unbefreakinlievable! Right?

I am so excited to layer it with my other bracelets! Check back for an outfit post soon, along with a new necklace from Mimi's!

Blogger Spotlight: You Go Glen Coco

Today I am spotlighting the fashion blog, You Go Glen Coco.  Doesn't the name of the blog its self just attract you to it??!!  Liz's posts are extremely witty and smart.  I tend to read her blog during my lunch half-hour because it makes me smile and uplifts my day a little bit!   I'm constantly educated about the newest look, nail polish, celebrity gossip and more....love it!   So, I asked Liz a few questions about fashion, trends, and her inspiration for her blog.

1.  Who is your fashion icon? That would definitely be my Great, Great Aunt Scotty. She lived until she was 105, and spent the vast majority of her life traveling and collecting amazing clothes from all over the world. When she passed away I inherited some of her amazing jewelry and dresses. I try to channel some of her spunk when I get dressed every morning.

2. What is on your "I wish" wish list? Pretty much everything from Charlotte Ronson's Spring line. I love the 90's vibe. And this pair of red Miu Miu wedges that I came across on Net-a-Porter that I think would be absolutely perfect for Summer. But only in my dream world!

3. What is on your realistic wish list? The perfect pair of black leather boots. I feel like I've been looking forever! I just can't seem to find a pair that fits me right.

4.  What is the one item someone should splurge on? Probably a pair of black leather boots, haha. But besides that, a great winter jacket. I mean, you wear it every day for a good portion of the year, you should definitely love it!

5.  What are the most important things you have learned about fashion? To not take it too seriously. It's about having fun and being creative. If you're worried too much about if everything matches or is perfectly on trend, it's not fun anymore. And also, wear what you feel comfortable in! If you're constantly fussing and adjusting, it's not a good look.

6.  How would you define your personal style? Funky, comfortable, and fun.

7. What are some of your favorite fashion websites, magazines, or books? I live by Refinery 29. It's both informative and hilarious. A day doesn't go by that I don't check it at least once.

8. Who is your favorite designer and why? That's tough. Across the board, probably Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel, because he is consistent in delivering amazing pieces that are true to the Chanel brand. But as I mentioned before, I'm really loving Charlotte Ronson right now. And Rag & Bone. Oh, and Alexander Wang!

9. What current fashion trend is attracting you at the moment? Everything 70's! I can't wait to wear bell-bottoms and bright colored wedges this Spring. I'm all about it.

10. What clothing (or accessory or shoe) staple should every woman have in her closet? A great watch! I absolutely adore my Michael Kors watches. Definitely the best investments that I've ever made, because I can wear them with anything and everything.




 You can also follow her blog on Twitter: @GoGlenCocoBlog

Denim

Denim on denim is baaaack. And I kinda want to run for the hills! I just have bad visions of the "Canadian tuxedo" that was rocked in the 90's and really boxy jean jackets! I'm telling you, it doesn't have to be that way.

Here are some runway shots of this denim trend for Spring 2011.

Need more real-life inspiration? Check out these blogger's looks with denim chambray shirts.

What Would a Nerd Wear

Good Life For Less

Clothed Much

Kendi Everyday

The Daybook

What do you think? Obviously not all of the pictures show denim on denim.. but what a great variety of ways to wear a denim shirt! ...And truthfully, the light denim shirt with dark jeans actually looks... pretty cute! I'm no longer as scared!

If you're thinking "I've got to get a denim chambray shirt!"... I've found a few options for you!

1) Denim button up - $22.80

2) Denim shirt - $59.50

3) Denim boyfriend shirt - $19.80
4) Chambray boyfriend shirt - $44.50
5) Pintucked tunic - $26.50
6) Chambray tuxedo shirt -$29.99 on sale!

Other denim shirt options: here, here, here, here, here, and here!

Clearly you can find these shirts just about anywhere in a price that will meet your budget!

Blogger Spotlight - Rose a la Mode

First let me say that it is very easy to get carried away with subscribing to 1,000 fashion blogs! There are so many out there (and here we are creating another one!) but it's just so fun! Over the last few months since I've been reading fashion blogs (I was a late bloomer... didn't learn about such wonderful things until this summer!) I've narrowed down my favorites considerably - look for that list in a later post! That doesn't mean I don't have room for new favorites, however! I recently discovered Rose a la Mode thanks to Good Life for Less. I love Linda's style!

Love this sweater!

Love the denim chambray shirt!

If I could I would wear jeans just about 95% of the time! I do love a good summer dress, but otherwise, I'm such a jeans girl - so it's no surprise that I'm liking her style!

I think I'm going to start saving style inspiration pictures on my computer. I always come across these pictures and at the time think "oh I totally have something like that in my closet" and promptly forget about it! That ends now, readers! Thanks to Linda @ Rose a la Mode for re-inspiring me to do this! Check out her Jennifer Aniston style inspiration post! I love how effortless these outfits are! Perfect for weekend-wear!

Where do you get style inspiration from? Also, check out our links for inspiration here!