Meagan Rigney

Trend Spin Link up: Let’s get DRESSED UP!

 ℅ Lulu*s dress and boots; Just Dawnelle headband (similar style.)

I am so thrilled to be co hosting Laura’s FAMOUS trend spin link up this week! The theme is “dressed up”, which is something I really don’t get to do that much. I’ve got two little kids, minimal babysitting services, and going out tends to involve two little people at all times;)
That begin said, I DO dress up more than the average bear for these dates. I like to take every opportunity I can to wear a pretty dress, or heels, or a floral headband. Dressing up for me often means making something more casual, say pairing tougher boots with a frilly dress, or adding crazy heels with basic denim. I love this dress above because it has that boho vibe that YOU KNOW I love, yet can be ‘edged up’ with black, I would most definitely wear this with black tights and ankle boots in colder weather, and top it off with fur vest. I’d also swap out the headband for a sassy little floppy hat (which I’ve bought two of recently…help!)
Tell me, do you get to dress up often? What is your GO TO fancy look?
Click below to add your ‘dressed up’ link!

red, white and blue (come link up your holiday looks!)

Stylemint dress, old (option, option); Target sandals, old (similar); Forever 21 sunglasses (option, option); Walmart bandana. Also, flag aviator’s!

So far this Summer has been equal parts everything it should be, coupled with many moments of pure frustration. Which sounds weird, because honestly, we have done so much, and been so busy, and it’s barely July. Part of it comes from my husband having been away and doing the kids and life on my own, and the other part is the adjustment of having my kids home 24/7 with no time for myself.

It’s interesting, that for years I did just this, the kids and I together all the time with no school or anything to break it up, plus we had longer deployments. I’m blessed now that they are older and they can do so much on their own. I can say, “go get your pajamas on and brush your teeth,” or “Get in the car and buckle up!” It’s the little freedom’s that make a big difference as children grow. You trade more hands on tasks (diapers! sleep training! potty training! buckling in car seats endlessly!), for other tasks that can be just as equally exhausting. We go, from the time they wake up in the morning, till I put them to bed, and I’m tired. This is the first Summer where there are no naps (I mean, I DID make it till my youngest was four and a half for it to end, so there’s that!), and I’m feeling it. I fall into my bed at night, and despite my craving for me time, with no other thoughts in my head or requests by the second, I fall asleep instantly.

Sometimes as a mom you don’t want to be caught complaining. I have two, healthy children, I can stay home with them and devote my time solely to them, they are smart and fun and everything I wished they would be and more. Except, it IS hard. I can go days not speaking to anyone over the age of six. Sometimes they bicker so much I want to scream at the top of my lungs for them to stop. Or they spill their drinks AGAIN, hit their sister AGAIN, get up out of bed AGAIN, and I want to crawl in a hole and hide. This is my reality. Lots of deep breaths and closing my eyes, waiting for that last bit of patience to appear. Hiding in my bathroom with the shower running, looking through Instagram, or turning up the music in the car so I can’t hear their arguing.

Sometimes I take it minute by minute, and others days we have glorious hours where life is exactly as it should be, and often these come just in the nick of time. Just when I’m about to lose it, contemplate running away, or head to bed at 4pm, I remember those moments. I need them to show just what I am working towards, because sometimes I can’t tell. It’s like I’m in a dark box and I can’t see the light.

Until suddenly, it’s lifted off, and I’m blessed again.

P.S. The What She Wears monthly link up is live again, and the theme is Red, White, and Blue! Come link up your looks and you could be featured next week as a fave! Please make sure you are following one of the hosts (me, Rebecca, Brandi, Jalynn, Dawnelle), and go visit the other links as well. Lets make friends;)

{What She Wears} Polka dots!

 ℅ T-shirts.com tee; J Crew outlet skirt (very old!), similar; Forever 21 shoes and sunglasses (splurge, save); ℅ Julie Vos necklace.

Oh hey! Happy Tuesday to YOU! There are so many elements that I really like about this look today, it’s one of those that really felt like ME (and trust me, I come home at the end of the day a lot and wonder why on EARTH I wore something;) Let’s dissect this look, shall we?

1) I am smitten with these reflective lens sunglasses that I ordered from Forever 21 a month or so ago for $5.80 (I know.) They are sold out right now, but the reflective lens trend can be found anywhere  and I think they make every outfit better. I currently have one pair of nice sunglasses I got for Mother’s Day last year (Classic Wayfarers!), and I am thinking of investing in the name brand versions of these aviators. What do YOU think I should do?

2) These high heeled sandals are fun because they have really cool, modern block heels, and they also feel so soft and supple (considering the price and where they came from!) I saw them on another blog (darn that Sydney and her persuasive ways..), and originally wanted the black, but I had too many black shoes already and went with the tan. I don’t think you can ever have enough nude/tan colored neutral shoes (blame it on the new/improved Kim K?)  I used to really fall for crazy footwear in bright colors and funky shapes, but find lately I am drawn to simpler styles and colors. (Like these black strappy heels I bought at Kohl’s this weekend!)

3) And moving on to polka dots, which I really adore and find I am drawn to for everything. I purchased this skirt at a J Crew outlet two or three years ago and think it is so fun. I think it is perfect for just about any occasion, and it feels really feminine to me. AND it has pockets! The navy blue dots feel really new to me, too, and not the same ‘ol, same ‘ol black and white dot action (which I own PLENTY of!)

On that note, I’ve been stalking this retro, red and white polka dot bathing suit by Esther Williams for quite some time. I’ve read all the reviews, looked at all the pictures, and finally bought it this morning! I wanted a bathing suit that was appropriate for family time by the lake, could be worn around my children and friends at the beach, yet didn’t make me feel like a matron. I can’t wait till it comes in the mail, I will let you know how it fits and looks!

Do you have a polka dot look that you want to share? Link up your look below and you’ll have the chance to be featured in your very own post next week as one of my faves!

An InLinkz Link-up

my best and worst looks, what are yours? (link up!)

It’s funny sometimes putting myself out there on a daily basis, there are so many looks I’ve posted that I love, and some that I absolutely HATE! I thought it would be fun to make it a link up because we all can relate to this (I hope!)
 Let’s start first with my favorite looks.
1) This dress above is so much fun and it needed nothing to look good. I felt very pretty and boho Princess-y in it. Also, $5 sunglasses from Forever 21 that look like the $170 Raybans that are super trendy right now? Winning.
2) This look is one of my go to looks on a daily basis. Great jeans, a simple top, and fun/bright accessories to tie it all in and make it look unique.
3) Man, this dress! It fit so perfectly and had pockets! I also loved that it felt like ME, but the cooler version of me, you know? I wore it to Lucky Fabb in October and got a lot of compliments on it. 
And now the bad. Two of these I never even posted because I got home and edited them and said NO WAY. Looks like they made it to the blog anyway;)
1) I bought this dress from Asos because I saw another blogger wearing it and thought she looked amazing, but it arrived and made me look….dumpy? The sleeves felt matronly and the crew neck was awful. 
2) Flannel, fur, a weird hi lo skirt, and unzipped boots. Fail.
3) I did post this look in one of my “I hate this outfit” blog posts, and you can see why. It looks haphazard and sloppy and the fit of everything is too slouchy. Yikes. 

Next, my good friend Amanda (from Denim & Daydreams) was kind enough to send me her best and worst looks as well (though truthfully, her worst day is still really good!) 

Hint: She’s also chipping in for a $50 gift card to Forever 21, so make sure you enter below!

What Amanda loved!

1) I loved the mix of feminine and tough between the light lip color and girly blouse and the leather jacket.
2)  This outfit is one of my go-to’s. It is one of rules I swear by: If you take all of your favorite pieces and put them together, you will end up being obsessed. Between this scarf, my fave sunnies, my leather jacket (which was my first major investment purchase), leopard heels and boyfriend jeans, I mean, what is not to love?
3) This top is probably the most flattering thing I own. With the dark torso and the light sleeves it is a perfect go-to top. I added my simple skinnies and a metallic pump for some flare. 
What Amanda didn’t love!
1) I ended up hating how the top in this one hung out. The angle of the bottom really bugs me and I feel like the whole thing just looks sloppy!
2) I have tried many, many times and I can just no pull of leggings as pants. I hated everything about this. Each piece is so great alone, I just did not pull off the casual errands look I was going for. File this under Pinterest Fail.
3) I can’t quite decide if it was the ill fitting jeans, the too much scarf or the way the camera picked up my lipstick but this is just a big-fat-no in my book. Does this lipstick always scream bozo the clown?

Now it’s YOUR turn to link up and show us your best and worst looks! It can be one of each, or multiple, there are NO RULES. 

An InLinkz Link-up

P.S. Don’t forget to enter to win a gift card to Forever 21! I am currently lusting over this floral kimono, this crochet maxi cardigan,  and these striped woven pants.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

what she wears: stripes (link up!)

Windsor cardigan, old (similar); Old Navy tank and shoes (similar); Forever 21 pants; Urban Outfitter’s hat, old (similar); American Eagle bag (similar); Curious Creatures necklaces HERE and HERE.

True story: this isn’t the first pair of black and white striped pants I have bought. I had originally purchased a pair last year from Urban Philosophy and quite possibly wore them to death. I LOVED them. Then one day I noticed that they had shrunk a bit too much and resembled crop pants, but not good crop pants (good isn’t the right word here, please don’t get me started on my hatred of crop pants!), but instead looked like a horrible mistake. I searched and searched for a similar pair because I KNEW that I had to have these pants in my life. I couldn’t find them. Anywhere. Finally, I put a call out on my Facebook page and one of my darling readers sent me the link for these pants. They were $25 at Forever 21 and fit even better than the first pair. I’m assuming it was meant to be;)

Some may not think that having Beetlejuice striped pants are a must, but I love that they are as simple as wearing a comfortable pair of jeans, yet look fun and interesting and a little bit edgy. Adding in some studs and touches of red made it all the more better to me. Here’s the thing. Whenever I wear something a bit more out there, I pair it will all black. It tones it down and makes it more wearable. So there’s my rule for wearing outrageous clothing/accessories…pair it with black and you will feel more comfortable while wearing it. I promise!

Now it’s your turn to show me how you style STRIPES! Link up your look below and show us how YOU wear stripes. Next week my co hosts (Dawnelle, Rebecca, Jalynn, + Brandi) and I will also each pick our personal favorites and show you off. You can post a collage or a style post, it’s up to you! Please don’t forget to link back to one of us in your post, and visit others that link up, too. That’s how link ups work;)

Shop this look:

the secret of the perfect slouchy tee (and the What She Wears link up is LIVE!)

hm kimono (similar here and here); Target jeans; Old Navy tee (bought XL for the slouch factor); Sam Edelman Petty boots (currently 20% off!); Lemons and Lace headband; Curious Creatures turquoise necklace; ℅ Anjolee necklace; Laonato gold bar necklace.
I’ve had these boots in my closet since January, just sitting there and taunting me for a good three months now. I’ve been dying to break them out and wear them around, but knew the ten plus feet of snow out there was a deterrent to wearing anything not knee high and wool lined. Alas, Spring has arrived here in Michigan, bringing with it weather in the 50’s and quickly melting snow. I’ve been able to leave the house in a light jacket and bare ankles and it feels life changing. Everything about life just seems crisper and clearer and new, you know? To surround myself in this wispy bit of floral loveliness and a super soft tee shirt, that is freedom. To dress again without a care for bitter winds and biting temperatures? Heaven. 
I’ve recently discovered the true secret of the elusiveness of the perfect slouchy tee. I’ve been disappointed a lot when buying a tee in the past because it juts didn’t flow and drape the way I wanted it to. I though buying one size up would be good enough, but after washing and he inevitable shrinkage I was always disappointed. I’ve tried more expensive and discount brands and never found the ONE. Enter in Old Navy’s vintage wash tee(s), bought in a size XL. I love the broken in feeling of this tee, and for $5 I was willing to take the risk that it would work in a much larger size than I typically buy. You guys! I am IN LOVE. The material is soft and worn in, but not too thin, you know? I bought a gray and a white and I have not taken them off. Sometimes I find it hard to find the right color gray tee shirt, some are too dark and some are too heather, but this one above is the best. Perfection in a tee. 
On that shopping note, I mentioned on Instagram the other day that I am going on a spending hiatus for the month of April, just to step back a bit and create an appreciation for what I own without adding in the lust for more. I do this  periodically, it tends to happen after a particularly crazy shopping month (I mean, March is such a nothing month weather wise, there’s nothing else to do BUT shop, right?) I’m not even going to go into Target this month at all, which sounds crazy when I type it out, but that store…that store is my version of addiction and I need a little step back. I’m working on begin more content with what I have and not always looking towards the next big thing, something I struggle with a lot. Here’s to a little less mindless consumption on my part, and a little more gratefulness for what I already have.
On that note, the April What She Wears link up (which is the love child of Rebecca, Dawnelle, Brandi, Jalynn and I), is now live and the theme is FLORALS! I knew the second I bought this kimono that I wanted to wear it for this post, it is so pretty and fresh and Spring like. I can’t wait to wear it over everything this season. I have visions of tossing it on over a printed maxi dress, as well as a pair of palazzo pants I’ve been dying to wear as soon as the weather warmed up. I’d love to see how YOU style a floral look, whether it be a collage or a style post. All we ask is that you link up to one of us in your post and that is IT. Finally, each of us will pick our personal favorite and feature you in a blog post a week from today, as well as give you the theme for the next coming month(s.) Come on in and join us!

what she wears monochromatic fave+ next month’s theme!

Kristin from Wild One Forever
I wanted to take a break from the Blogging 101 series this week to show you guys my fave look from the What She Wears link up. I thought Kristin nailed the monochromatic look (right?!), it’s something I would wear in a second and think she looks amazing in all black and silver. Perfection;)
NEXT month, Dawnelle, Rebecca, Jalynn, Brandi and I are hosting the link up on April 8th and the theme will be FLORALS! I’d love for you to link up your favorite floral look (via an outfit post, collage, anything), and share your posts here. I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

the biggest bargain of my life

Cardi, bought for $4 at the grocery store(!), similar; Target dress and boots (similar); Urban Outfitters hat, old (similar); E Moore Store pendant necklace (similar.)
When I think of dressing monochromatically from head to toe, it doesn’t necessarily have to mean one solid color. One of my favorite (and easiest) ways to dress is pairing black and white, with some sort of print mixed in, and throwing on some fun add ons. Fact: if I am out shopping and see a black and white striped, polka dot, ikat, or chevron anything, I gravitate to it. There isn’t anything that those patterns don’t mix with, and they can dress up a plain black outfit underneath. 
I love wearing all black looks, they are just easy and I like that a lot when getting dressed. I mean, I have two kids, I have a budget, and mixing and matching my different black go to pieces just works for me. Adding in a striped cardi, or throwing on my leopard coat on top makes it more fun than boring (I hope?), and makes me think I’m trying a bit more than I am. I have a couple of favorite tunic type black tops/dresses that work great over leggings or skinny jeans (coated denim and faux leather leggings are also great for the edge factor), and a couple of longer maxi and midi type dresses like above. I find that I can wear all theses pieces in multiple ways and look put together. All I have to do after that is throw on a fun necklace, some type of hat and my one of 1,298 pairs of black ankle boots and  I am ready. I wore the outfit above last weekend to the movies with my family on Saturday morning and I felt like I was wearing a nightgown, it was pretty comfortable (and allowed for maximum popcorn consumption;) Winning.
Fun story: I saw my son’s preschool teacher wearing this cardigan at school one day and immediately asked her where she got it. She told me she had bought it at the local grocery store for $4. FOUR DOLLARS(!) Needless to say, I just happened to find it while shopping the next day and was pretty proud of my bargain find. 
Now I want to see how YOU style a monochromatic look! Link up your look below (blog post, collage, inspiration board, anything!) and visit some of the other links you see. The whole point of a link up is to meet new blogs that you haven’t seen before, and make new friends. Visit, comment, say hello, it makes the blog world a little smaller when we join together in something like this, doesn’t it?
After one week Dawnelle, Rebecca, Jalynn, Brandi and I will EACH pick our personal faves and highlight them in our post, as well as announce the theme for next month. The only rule we have is that  you to link back to one of us in the post you link up with. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

i’m the kind of girl who joins fun link-ups (because everyone is doing it, mom), and I like to be cool like that.

Asos dress (similar); Target bag (similar here and here) and scarf, old (similar.)

I’m the kind of girl who…

>Trudges in snow up to her knees with a tripod, camera, and boots for outfit pictures, then freezes her fingertips off and gets home only to find the settings were wrong on her camera and NONE of the photos were usable. Cue intense swearing and face palm.

> Can’t watch people put on or take off socks, it literally puts shivers down my spine.

>Was (and still may be) obsessed with Twilight when it came out. I also still secretly hope Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart work things out.

>Has a complex about neatness and order, yet I clean my house less than I should. I think there are dustballs behind every door in my house and you probably don’t want look in my bathrooms. Ew.

>Wears eyeliner and mascara everywhere, the gym, at home alone, everywhere. I just feel better in it. I’m also always in sweatpants if I am home. ALWAYS.

>On that note, I rarely ever leave the house in sweatpants or anything else, and would never wear sneakers unless I’m working out. Even if I am only going somewhere quickly I get dressed, then change back into my sweatpants the minute I get home. The exception? Car rider line at school. I mean, no one even sees you then, so why bother wearing real clothes?

>Gets obsessed by author’s, subjects, etc…, and will research and read everything about it until there is no more to find. I’m a stage five online stalker.

>Is a creature of habit. I will eat the same thing for meals forever until I change one day, and then I’ll stick to that forever. I’m currently eating a Lara bar for breakfast daily (they taste like candy, yet are good for you?), and also love the super addictive Chicka Boom Pop popcorn for a snack.

>Watches QVC almost exclusively. It’s one of my happy places. I also don’t watch a lot of shows other than Girls, and a couple I watch with my husband weekly. If it weren’t for him I would probably watch very little. I DO need to have the TV on when I am home alone, though, for background noise. Then I either have on QVC or the Coffeehouse rock music channel.

>Lived in Florida for ten years, but now that I live in Michigan I feel much more at home. I think if you grow up with seasons you always sort of crave them. That doesn’t mean I don’t wish for Spring to happen SOON.

>Never wears here real engagement ring and almost always wears one of my fake versions. This is my current fave.

>Is one of the annoying folks that is a total morning person. I wake up happy and ready to go (after coffee), then fade fast as the day goes on. Left on my own I would be in bed by 10pm and up by 7am.

>Met my husband in college and knew pretty soon after dating that he was IT. I followed him after I graduated (to the Bahamas!), and had no idea what I was getting into by marrying a military guy. Now I love the stability of a great paycheck, being able to move and try new places, and the honor of being a military wife. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I’m sure glad I took the chance.

>Loves to shop a lot (clearly!), but I also live debt free despite three college degrees (that we paid off ourselves), several cars, and other fun things like college funds for the kids and home repairs. We work really hard to live responsibly and only buy what we can pay for in cash. Tax refunds helped us chip away at all these expenses over time, and I’m so glad we paid stuff off with those.

>Never had a cell phone till I was 24, and a smart phone till 28. Thank GOODNESS there was no social media in college. I would die if any of that was recorded online. College sure was fun;)

Tell me, what kind of girl are you?

Linking up with the fabulous Holly for one of most popular link up I’ve seen in awhile;)

nobody puts baby in the corner (+show me your favorite winter trend!)

Windsor cardigan, old (option); Target dress, belt and shoes (similar); Legacy fleece tights; ℅ Charming Charlie’s necklace (option.)
I have a theory. If you are a girl, between the ages of 25-35 (?), you’ve seen Dirty Dancing a bazillion times, and if you are like ME you have lusted after Baby’s dress in the ending scene. The color! The chiffon twirliness! I would possibly give up my firstborn child for a chance to have that dress. (Kidding!) Which leads me to Target (as it always does.) I went in for something completely useless and saw this dress you see above, just hanging in the front and screaming BUY ME! It was peachy, and twirly, and had a floaty layer of chiffon, just like that dress in the movie. I ended up not buying it that day, but went back a couple of days later and got it because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It has a cotton under layer that fits tight to the body, and if you aren’t wearing tights under it that make it ride up, it’s midi length. The chiffon layer sort of floats over and it is so soft and fluttery. I’m in love. 
I LOVE taking items that are made for warmer months (shorts!), and working them into Winter. The cold months are so long, and it gets boring wearing the same things over and over, no? I think that “winterizing” a traditional warm weather piece is my new, favorite way to dress right now. I find myself raiding my summer box of clothes downstairs in the basement looking for things I can wear now, with tights and sweaters and other such things that keep me from freezing. 
And no, I was not warm in this outfit without a jacket, but one MUST take one for the team sometimes for blog pictures, right? Just don’t ask how much snow went in my ankle boots and how long it took me to warm up after.
And now for the link up! Please join Dawnelle, Rebecca, Jalynn, Brandi and I and link up Your Favorite Winter Trend. It can be anything, a picture post, a collage, anything. We just ask that you link back to one of us in your post. At the end of the link up we will each post out favorite from the link up on our blogs. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

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