Beach Time and Fashion Friday
Hi friends! Um, holy amazeballz WOW. We are blown away by all of your incredible comments, tweets and Facebook messages/comments on the Pilot’s return and our last post. <3 We’re so happy you guys liked the video– it was a fun little project and we’ve watched it at least a dozen times 🙂
We’ve read everything you’ve written, together, and could not be more thankful for your support and kind words. Thank you.
So after catching up and lots of …napping…. we took off to one of our favorite getaways:
Jacksonville!
We’re here at our favorite resort with comfy beds
lovely amenities
and complimentary champagne waiting for us?
Don’t mind if we do 😉
There’s also a snack drawer… I was all over those sweet potato chips 🙂
We’re going to get settled and head out to dinner, but I’ll see ya in the morning!
In the meantime, please enjoy this guest post from one of my good friends and favorite fashionistas, J 😀
xoxo
Gina
How to Revive Your Closet
By J from J’s Everyday Fashion
When it comes to fashion, one of the biggest mistakes women make is spending too much time shopping and not enough time in their closet. Your closet may feel boring, and the farthest thing from a magical place, but I assure you that with a little time and effort you can find some hidden gems you didn’t even know you had! (And as a bonus, by shopping your closet you will save mucho dinero.) There are many ways to get the creative process going, but one of my favorite ways is by using inspiration photos from the internet and magazines. Here are five types of inspiration photos and some tips to get you started!
- Celebrities
Thanks to the internet and magazines, pictures of celebrities are everywhere! Don’t get caught up or discouraged with the fact that their clothes cost thousands of dollars though. You can often find look-alikes for much, much less at Forever 21 or ASOS.com. In this look: I re-created a Blake Lively look using almost-identical pieces found at Forever 21 and TJ Maxx for less than $200 total.
Faux leather jacket: Forever 21, $40
Dress: Forever 21, $30
Tights: Hue/TJ Maxx, $6
Boots: Cynthia Rowley/TJ Maxx, $85
Earrings: Urban Outfitters, $5
Inspiration photo: FabSugar.com
- Retail
Retail catalogs and lookbooks are an endless source for inspiration. My favorites are J.Crew and Shopbop, but other retailers like Banana Republic and Talbots often post cute outfits on their websites too. Sign up for emails to receive inspiration sent right to your inbox. In this look: I didn’t copy the J.Crew outfit exactly, but rather used the overall theme to come up with something from my closet. The picture was a starting point (a spark!) to get the wheels turning.
Shirt: Urban Outfitters, $20
Lavender skirt: Urban Outfitters, $17
Belt: Gap, $3
Necklace: Banana Republic, $30
Shoes: Banana Republic, $50
Inspiration photo: J.Crew.com
- Magazine layouts
Magazines may use expensive clothing for their layouts, but basic outfits like these can often be found sitting in your closet, just waiting to be put together. In this look: I took the preppy theme of this outfit and ran with it. I added a scarf and brooch for an extra-preppy flare. Don’t be afraid to insert your own personality into looks, even when you are re-creating!
Sweater: Gap, $20
Shirt: H&M, $13
Pants: Gap, $15
Brooch: Banana Republic, $15
Shoes: Endless.com/Restricted, $39
Purse: Juicy Couture
Watch: Michael Kors, Christmas present
Scarf: The Vintage Scarf
Inspiration photo: InStyle magazine
- Other People
Everyone copies other people’s outfits, just not everyone admits it. J Use the inspiration you see on girls at the mall, or what bloggers are wearing to come up with new outfits from your own closet! In this look: The foundation of my outfit is the same (shorts, shirt, blazer) but when it came to accessories, I didn’t have a perfect match so I just used what I had. Don’t worry about the details – just use what you already have!
Jacket: Express, really old
Shirt: J.Crew, $40
Necklace: Banana Republic, $35
Short: Forever 21, $22
Shoes: Guess/Marshalls, $30
Inspiration photo: Chicisimo.com
- Runway
Runway looks are the hardest to re-create, but sometimes you’ll find a gem that translates to real-life, such as this Rachel Roy look. In this look: Choose looks that utilize colors in your closet. Recreating this look was a cinch, because I had these same navy-turquoise-camel/orange colors already hanging in my wardrobe!
Cardigan: Gap, $18
Shirt: Express, really old
Navy skirt: Limited, $25
Shoes: Restricted/Endless.com, $39
Watch: Michael Kors, Christmas present
Bracelets: Forever 21, $8
Earrings: Forever 21, $8
Inspiration photo: FabSugar.com
60 Comments
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Happy napping! 😉
Ahhh seeing you and the Pilot together warms my heart! I love how happy he makes you…makes me believe in love :).
J, I love the 4th outfit the best! So versatile.
Have such a great time! I am so thankful for the Pilot’s service to our country!!
have a great dinner and evening! so happy he made it home safe.
Napping, love it! Enjoy 🙂
Haha…”napping.”
Gorgeous couple! 🙂 Looks like a nice reunion!
Ahhh I love taking high fashion inspiration and recreating an affordable outfit! Or mixing high and low fashion- so much more creative!
I agree with what Allie just said! Enjoy 🙂
Wanted to comment on the last one but haven’t had a chance, so friggin’ happy for you =)
I knew as soon as I saw the post before with that hot outfit the Pilot had to be coming home!!
…get it girl 😉
Yah! I’m so happy for the two of you and I love the fashion tips. Take care!
Nap your little hearts out! Have a great time in Jacksonville!
Gina, I am soooo happy for you two!!!!
Wow, how awesome it’s going to be for you guys to have comfy beds, champagne, a great beach…and just TIME together!
I would be all over the sweet tater chips (that brand is so good!) and the champagne and my husband if he had been gone for almost a year. HAVE FUN, you two 🙂
Great fashion tips, J!
Aw yay so glad you two are back together! Have fun!
I’ve been over the moon today because I kept thinking “Gina has her Pilot back!!!” Have fun napping. Bahaha!
Awesome post, J! I came across your blog about two weeks ago and immediately bookmarked it. =)
“Napping” I love it! After months and months apart…of course that’s what you love birds were doing 🙂 Enjoy your champagne and your quality time together. And I hope there are many more “naps” in your future, haha!!!
Ahahha have fun napping! Too funny. Enjoy your getaway! 🙂
That video seriously touched our hearts!!
I showed it to my man and even he was like awwwwww <3
Hope you two are having a wonderful night!
awwwwww.. you look so happy 🙂 happy reunion!!
Double Aww, the cuteness just keeps coming. Enjoy your time together 😀
Ooh didn’t know you two snuck off to jax. Great beach weekend!
J. I like the shorts outfit best; & jealous of your barbie legs!
you two look very happy together! im just commenting now because I had a promo job all day! yay good times for everyone
Napping….. right ;P
Did The Pilot like your dress? Enjoy your getaway!
I may or may not have cried tears of joy for you both when reading/watching your post earlier today. it made me feel so warm and fuzzy and grateful for my hubby 🙂 I’m flying to Seattle to see him today and I’ll probably enjoy my little mini-reunion in the same fashion as you, minus the warmth and beach!!
Have the best weekend ever and catch up on your cuddling!
thank you so much for the video! It made me cry, true love is so inspirational! have a wonderful day 🙂
how funny – I visit J’s blog everyday just like I visit your blog…didn’t even know you two were friends!
I was just thinking, I haven’t ever been so happy for two people that I’ve never met before as I am for you and the pilot. Enjoy your weekend! <3
Yay for being back together and yay that you can eat a meal at the hotel there and not eat it while running on the go like we did! lol! Love ya girl! Enjoy your night! xoxo
Love the shorts outfit and BF jacket the best!
Great Guest Post..
even though I don’t personally know you, seeing you guys together makes me so happy 🙂 you guys are oh so cute and perfect together. yay! 🙂 <3
ps. I LOVE Js everyday fashion 😉
My closest needs a serious revival. Those outfits are so cute!
I love J’s blog — and I’m super unfashionable — but I appreciate looking at it 🙂
Gina I’m so glad the Pilot is home and you are on a mini vacation! Enjoy!
AWWW I live in Jacksonville! Where are you staying?? Looks close to the beach :))) ENJOY every minute! So happy for you!!!!
I’m so happy your pilot is home safe & sound! What a touching video! Made me cry 🙂 excited for all your Tucson adventures together!
Napping? Is that what it’s called? 😉
Loved the guest post. SO happy you and the pilot are together. Off to read the post and watch the video.
HAHA napping, you’re hilarious
have an amazing time, soo happy for you xx
I know everyone is saying it, but I loved your napping comment. Have a great weekend with your man!! So happy for you two!
I’m sure there’ll be lots of all kinds of napping in the near future! 😉 I can’t stop thinking about your post this morning, it was so amazing! I’m so happy you guys are reunited. Now start making the cutest babies ever ASAP! 😉 lol, just kidding… but seriously!
I’m so happy for you guys! I didn’t get a chance to comment on your last post but it was so…genuine. I loved it to pieces – thank you for brightening my day!
I am sooo happy you are with the love of your life 🙂 I can’t wait for all that you two are going to do together!
The first picture is so cute, you both look so incredibly happy! 🙂
I know I commented on the earlier post…but I just have to say that you guys are seriously the cutest!
Those beaming smiles are jumping off the screen.
Take a break from the blog and go enjoy your pilot!
Awww, seeing you two together puts a GIANT smile on my face!
Have a lovely evening, Gina and Pilot!
Love the outfits!! I need some fashion help fo’ sho’! Gina – Have fun napping!! I’m sure you’re both realllllly tired. 😉
Nice fashion finds. I am quite impressed by your re-created looks.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Let me just say that I got all warm and fuzzy on the inside while I was reading your previous post. You and the Pilot are so cute!
Enjoy your little trip!
Love this guest post! I need to hire her to come take a look at my closet…
Napping, I love it 😉 I’m sure you were both super *tired* after all those months apart…have an amazing time on your getaway!!
Love J’s blog. I discovered it a few months ago and am always in awe of the outfits she recreates for so cheap!!
I like J’s outfits even better than the magazine/runway photos!!! Thanks so much for the tips.
Gina, I know I said it before but I’m so happy for the 2 of you! I hope you have a lovely time at the resort. 🙂
I can’t even imagine how happy you two must be right now. I hope you two have an amazing time together! Sooo happy for you Gina! 😀
Awe, such a cute photo of you two! Have fun!