Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

On A Shoestring: Transition Summer Clothes

Okay, I don’t know about y’all, but I don’t really dress seasonally appropriate. I don’t put summer clothes in storage and bring out the winter stuff. I like to have it all at my fingertips (sometimes to the detriment of my schedule in the morning), but sometimes that leaves me looking really not right for the season. And cold. I’m a person who likes to be warm. Oh, and save my money.

Enter a new series: On a Shoestring. I’m collaborating with Amy over at Amy and Angie on a series of posts to re-imagine fashion, food, decor (sorry, there’s no f-word for that) and more all on a shoestring budget. It doesn’t take a Rockefeller-sized closet (or house) and budget to look good.

It's so easy to take your summer outfits and make them fall-ready and fabulous, even on a budget!

Today’s mission: transition summer clothes. I love my summer dresses, but they don’t always scream autumn. And I’m like, I paid for it, I’mma wear it as much as I can! Gotta keep that cost-per-wear low.

I took this adorable summer dress (from Rosewood Boutique in Sewickley – they’re currently having a going-out-of-business-25%-off sale) and added three really budget friendly elements to make it jewel toned and weather-friendly.

Take any summer dress and easily transition it to a fall-ready outfit.

It already started out with a fall color, navy, so the transformation process was pretty simple.

First thing’s first: add in structure, especially with a flow-y dress like this. Nothing screams structure more than a good leather jacket (yeah, yeah, yeah, leather jackets aren’t cheap, but find one that fits within your budget and buy it. Take care of your clothes and it’s great investment.)

After the leather comes some tights. Stay warm, right? I buy most of my tights on clearance at Target. They have amazing patterned tights and beauties like the ruby-hued ones I’m rocking.

Finally, a dark vampy lip. Hell, even a berry lip will do.

Transition Your Cloest To Fall -- add leather! Love this jacket!

Transition Your Cloest To Fall -- add tights

Transition Your Cloest To Fall -- add tights

Transition Your Cloest To Fall--add dark lipstick.

You absolutely have to check out how Amy refashioned a white lace dress into a cute skirt and totally nailed a cozy fall look. For $3. Three stinkin’ dollars! Killin’ it.

Here’s the details on what I’m wearing. Everything was already in my closet. I just had to mix it together.

Dress: ETWO (from Rosewood Boutique)

Jacket: BB Dakota (from No. 14 Boutique – see it here another way)

Tights: Merona, Target

Booties: Old Navy

Lips: Notion, Ultra Matte Lip from ColourPop Cosmetics

Transition Your Cloest To Fall-Three Easy and Budget Friendly Steps

How do you transition your summer clothes?

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Wear to Where, Day 9 – Tailgate Attire

So I had the best of intentions to double the post and use this Tailgate Attire day with The Makeup Mix-Up’s Game Day Glam. I even shot pictures. And then life…you feel me? Oh well.

Today’s ladies are rockin’ the tailgate looks. I want to party with Hayes Days, Life with Lolo, Handmade Boy, and Free Notion!

Wear to Where, Tailgate Attire

Link up with our bloggers each day and follow along with #WearToWhereTour.


Be sure to head over to Wild+Wanderful or Gardening in High Heels to check out the other brilliant bloggers, sewists and stylistas on the tour, as well as be able to link up your own looks and show us what you would Wear to Where!
Now let’s talk giveaway prizes for this tour!!
For the sewists: Choice of 3 patterns from Cole’s Creations, Choice of 3 patterns from Made for Mermaids, Pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates, Pattern of choice from Scientific Seamstress, Sewing-tee of choice from Sewing Stadium, Pattern of choice from Simple Life Pattern Co, Pattern of choice from StitchArt
For the Fashionistas: Set of 6 cards from Designs by Nicolina, 30 minute Social Media/Copy Consult by Gardening in High Heels, Tee of choice from Handmade Escapade, $20 Store Credit from Jenny Penny Designs, Tumbler from Joy+Tren
A big thanks to our amazing sponsors!
Cole’s Creations | Designs by Nicolina | Gardening in High Heels
Handmade Escapade | Jenny Penny Designs | Joy+Tren
Made for Mermaids | Patterns for Pirates | Scientific Seamstress
Sewing Stadium | Simple Life Pattern Co | Stitch Art
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where’s your favorite place to tour your city?

Wear to Where, Day 8 – Tour Your City

It feels like forever since I was able to have a true “Pittsburgh” day. I’m talking walking around the Strip, getting a big fry-laiden sandwich for lunch, enjoying lots of good, local beer. I need to take a day and be a tourist in my own city again. It’s really fun!

These ladies are knocking it out of the PNC Park ballpark when it comes to touring their city. Check out how Making Mrs. M, Absolute Mommy, Friends Stitched Together, and Wining Wife tour their city.

Wear to Where, Tour Your City

Link up with our bloggers each day and follow along with #WearToWhereTour.


Be sure to head over to Wild+Wanderful or Gardening in High Heels to check out the other brilliant bloggers, sewists and stylistas on the tour, as well as be able to link up your own looks and show us what you would Wear to Where!
Now let’s talk giveaway prizes for this tour!!
For the sewists: Choice of 3 patterns from Cole’s Creations, Choice of 3 patterns from Made for Mermaids, Pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates, Pattern of choice from Scientific Seamstress, Sewing-tee of choice from Sewing Stadium, Pattern of choice from Simple Life Pattern Co, Pattern of choice from StitchArt
For the Fashionistas: Set of 6 cards from Designs by Nicolina, 30 minute Social Media/Copy Consult by Gardening in High Heels, Tee of choice from Handmade Escapade, $20 Store Credit from Jenny Penny Designs, Tumbler from Joy+Tren
A big thanks to our amazing sponsors!
Cole’s Creations | Designs by Nicolina | Gardening in High Heels
Handmade Escapade | Jenny Penny Designs | Joy+Tren
Made for Mermaids | Patterns for Pirates | Scientific Seamstress
Sewing Stadium | Simple Life Pattern Co | Stitch Art
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where’s your favorite place to tour your city?

Wear to Where, Day 4 – Rocker Chic Date Night Out

Honestly, I have no idea why I decided to talk about date night outfits. I was thinking about doing a helpful post that showed you how to transition from work wear to date wear, but really, I just slap on another layer of makeup and roll out the door in whatever I wore to work that day (see: my office isn’t super formal). So that idea was out.

And then I got to thinking. No matter what you put on, you want to be confident on a date, whether it’s the first one or the 500th. That’s the best thing you can wear.

That and some heels.

I picked up this jacket because I love the asymmetrical zipper and the leather details along the shoulder and sleeves. It’s a perfect date night piece because it’s a little edgy and it’ll keep you warm. What is it with women’s fancy clothes being basically thread while men can wear jackets and thick denim jeans and be toasty? It isn’t fair!

See how Wear.Wag.Repeat, If Only They Would Nap, The Wholesome Mama, Made by Sara are so rockin’ date night this week, too!

Fall/winter date night look | Gardening In High Heels

Jacket: Blank NYC (purchased at Jack + Jules)
Top: Express
Jeans: Forever21
Heels: Aldo
Necklaces: American Eagle (two short) | Bel Monili (round) | The Shop in East Liberty (triangle)
Cuff: Studebaker Metals
Beaded bracelet: Sol Shine Strands

Fall/winter date night look | Gardening In High Heels

 

Fall/winter date night look - dark denim, heels, leather always works! | Gardening In High Heels

Fall/winter date night look | Gardening In High Heels

Fall/winter date night look | Gardening In High Heels

Fall/winter date night look | Gardening In High Heels


Be sure to head over to Wild+Wanderful or Gardening in High Heels to check out the other brilliant bloggers, sewists and stylistas on the tour, as well as be able to link up your own looks and show us what you would Wear to Where! Now let’s talk giveaway prizes for this tour!! For the sewists: Choice of 3 patterns from Cole’s Creations, Choice of 3 patterns from Made for Mermaids, Pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates, Pattern of choice from Scientific Seamstress, Sewing-tee of choice from Sewing Stadium, Pattern of choice from Simple Life Pattern Co, Pattern of choice from StitchArt For the Fashionistas: Set of 6 cards from Designs by Nicolina, 30 minute Social Media/Copy Consult by Gardening in High Heels, Tee of choice from Handmade Escapade, $20 Store Credit from Jenny Penny Designs, Tumbler from Joy+Tren
A big thanks to our amazing sponsors!
Cole’s Creations | Designs by Nicolina | Gardening in High Heels
Handmade Escapade | Jenny Penny Designs | Joy+Tren
Made for Mermaids | Patterns for Pirates | Scientific Seamstress
Sewing Stadium | Simple Life Pattern Co | Stitch Art
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Link up with our bloggers each day and follow along with #WearToWhereTour.

What’s your favorite date night look?

Looking for some date night in ideas? Yesterday’s fantastic Wear to Where tour guides have a bunch of ideas!

Wear to Where, Day 3 – Date Night In

I wear jeans almost all the time. They’re my go-to uniform for just about everything. But lately I’ve been embracing leggings. Just at home, guys, when no one is around to see me. Because honestly, sometimes they’re unflattering. I got a pair from Target that are THIN and shows things even I don’t want to see.

So I haven’t given much thought to date night in attire. If I do a movie or a hang-out-whatever night, I’m just in jeans. Today’s Wear to Where ladies are putting me to shame though.

Check out how Hayes Days, Adventures in Aubreyland, HattieLu Handmade, Wally and Grace, Paisley Roots style date night looks that are perfect for lounging at home and don’t cause I-Can’t-Answer-The-Door-For-The-Pizza-Guy-itis.

Wear to Where: Date Night In

Be sure to head over to Wild+Wanderful or Gardening in High Heels to check out the other brilliant bloggers, sewists and stylistas on the tour, as well as be able to link up your own looks and show us what you would Wear to Where!

Now let’s talk giveaway prizes for this tour!!
For the sewists: Choice of 3 patterns from Cole’s Creations, Choice of 3 patterns from Made for Mermaids, Pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates, Pattern of choice from Scientific Seamstress, Sewing-tee of choice from Sewing Stadium, Pattern of choice from Simple Life Pattern Co, Pattern of choice from StitchArt

For the Fashionistas: Set of 6 cards from Designs by Nicolina, 30 minute Social Media/Copy Consult by Gardening in High Heels, Tee of choice from Handmade Escapade, $20 Store Credit from Jenny Penny Designs, Tumbler from Joy+Tren

A big thanks to our amazing sponsors!
Cole’s Creations | Designs by Nicolina | Gardening in High Heels
Handmade Escapade | Jenny Penny Designs | Joy+Tren
Made for Mermaids | Patterns for Pirates | Scientific Seamstress
Sewing Stadium | Simple Life Pattern Co | Stitch Art

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Link up with our bloggers each day and follow along with #WearToWhereTour.


What’s your date night in style?

Looking for my Makeup Mix-Up look? It’s right over here.

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