My suuuuuuper stylish friend, Valerie, is always my fashion inspiration. I've already introduced you to her fabulous blog, and I told you that she. does. not. disappoint. Ever since seeing this post, I have been obsessed with her sleeveless trench and have been searching for one to incorporate into my own closet.

Eventually I had to take matters into my own hands because I could NOT find the perfect option. So, I found a trench that was on clearance at Old Navy (read: very inexpensive) and had it tailored to create the look I wanted. Cut the sleeves off, took a few inches off the bottom and voila:

      @mainstreetchic

I cannot wait to wear it like this....

 

all images via.

And the original inspiration herself:

via.

Loooooving this look! Be sure to find Val on Instagram for even more fashion inspiration @valerie_aya. Have a great week, everyone :)

Inspired to Incorporated: 10

This Inspired to Incorporated is slightly different. You see, when I saw this post on Samantha's blog, it inspired me to incorporate the same thing here on MSC.

I would....

1. Paint my bedroom black

2. Sell everything, make the Hubs quit his job, take off and travel the world for a year! (we would bring Dais of course)

3. I, too, would chop my hair off. We are talking pixie style.

What would you do?

Inspired to Incorporated: 9

I jumped on the peplum train and I'm not looking back. I love pairing my peplum top with skinny jeans, but this outfit was a really cute alternative.

Inspiration.

OP is a fashion genius. I love the way she wore a scarf as a belt. It was super easy to incorporate with a scarf of my own.

Inspiration.

When Alicia from Cheetah is the New Black posted that this outfit felt like she was wearing pajamas... I knew that was something I could get on board with. I also might want to incorporate her hair color... now THERE'S an idea.

Inspiration.

Hope you guys have a great Monday!

Inspired to Incorporated: 8

I lurve this ripped jeans/silk shirt look from Brooklyn Blonde. Had been on the search for a good pair of tight-ish bf jeans, and I found these at the thrift store... and don't you worry- they are totally from Abercrombie. Haven't worn A&F since I was 16... lovin it!

Inspiration.

I loved this artwork I found on Pinterest. And I thought - I can do that! So all I did was use painters tape to create the design, paint over it, let dry and then peel the painters tape off. Super easy.

Inspiration.

See what I did here? I really liked the mix of this outfit (colors, pattern, etc) but I obviously don't have the exact same items. So, I did a coral jacket and animal print shoes. Use. what. you. have!

Inspiration.

Hope you all are having a great week!

Inspired to Incorporated: SSE Style

How was everyone's Memorial Day?? Mine was great, but per usual, it'super hard getting back to the grind!

Today, I am sharing an "Inspired to Incorporated" post at Second Street East. I hope you'll head on over and check it out!

Inspired to Incorporated: 7

When you find a pic of an outfit you like online, you don't have to have the EXACT pieces to recreate it. Think about what you have in your closet that keeps the idea the same, because putting your own spin on it makes it more fun. I made this casual outfit that Taylor wore more 'work-ish' by adding a collared shirt. And my green army 'jacket' isn't a jacket at all- I just layered an army green top. Same idea, but I didn't have to run out and buy something new to recreate this look!

Inspiration.

Trying to grow out your bangs is a tough process, folks. This hair twist really helps.

Inspiration.

Coral jacket, striped t, turquoise earrings. Check. Except, my striped t has a slightly higher neckline :) ooooooh, S! Not the most modestly dressed TV character, but I still love her style.

Inspiration.

And let me be clear- I am NOT a food blogger/chef. But every now and then I will prepare dinner for my husband. I generally don't make anything that has more than 6 ingredients, so when I saw this hummus/chicken pizza I figured I could work it in (because I bought a pre-made whole wheat crust. Sorry I'm not sorry). 5 ingredients and in the oven. Hummus, I added extra virgin olive oil, bell peppers, rotisserie chicken pieces and mozzarella cheese and you can call me Giada.

My pic is pre-oven...

What have you found online that has inspired you lately?

Inspired to Incorporated: 6

Meredith Melling Burke of Vogue inspired this 70s-esque outfit. Now if I could just 'incorporate' her height into my life.... and her job. And the rest of her closet. ANYWAY.

Inspiration.

As I was flipping clicking through the Spring 2012 edition of Trad Home, I came across this lovely combo of blue/yellow in a room design by Grant K. Gibson, and I was inspired to add a small dose of the same into my home.

Inspiration.

This top I am wearing is actually a backward cardi, but hey, it works for the look I was going for.

Inspiration.

Hope you all are having a great day and Happy (almost) Weekend!

Inspired to Incorporated: 5

Hello hello and happy hump day everyone! Here we go with another round of Inspired to Incorporated. AKA what I find on the internet and copy. Judge if you must, but I really suggest you follow suit.

Anyone else been slightly tired of the top knot lately? That may be just me bc I wear one ALL the time. So I switched it up the other day and did a messy low bun similar to Sienna's.

Inspiration.

I found Sarah's blog, Workday.Weekend. when we were both featured on Look Linger Love's "Mixed Prints: How They're Wearing It" Challenge, and I have been loving her blog ever since. A super fun outfit she wore recently inspired an outfit of mine.... It was so comfy I felt like I was wearing pajamas!

The photo of me is proof that people should just SMILE in pics. Will def do this next time. PS- should I grow my bangs out?

And this pic was just great inspiration for a super comfy outfit when the STL weather gave us a cold snap last week.

Inspiration.

What have you found thats inspired you lately? I think the Hubs would prefer if instead of outfit/home inspiration, I would find cooking inspiration. Working on that........

Inspired to Incorporated: 4

My sweet friend got me this fab pleated skirt for my bday. I love it!

Inspiration.

I plan on incorporating it in the following outfits as well...

Here.

Here.

Here.

Here.

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Inspired to Incorporated: 3

Round 3 of Inspired to Incorporated. Or as I like to call it, giving credit where credit is due.

I have been loving my leather pants for the past 2 seasons or so, but I love how the 'granny-ness' of this top softens up the leather. Makes it a little less hard and I love the contrast.

Inspiration.

I showed you the Chouse powder room yesterday, but I don't think I've shared the picture that inspired it.

Inspiration.

This picture of Olivia Palermo made me gasp- I absolutely adore the leopard/floral combo and couldn't wait to try it out. Thanks OP for having fab fashion sense.

Inspiration.

This was a great outfit for running errands on a Saturday- super comfy. Jill always has awesome run around outfits.

Inspiration.

What images have you seen lately that have inspired you?

Inspired to Incorporated: 2

Here we go for round two of inspired to incorporated. See round one here.

Inspiration.

The pants I talked about in this post were a good purchase.

Inspiration.

I just have to brag about the lamp above. I just got this one and added black trim myself. Pretty much identical, right?? Gotta love a good DIY that saves the $$$.

Inspiration.

Thanks for reading today! PS- maybe I'll start taking pictures with a real camera instead of my iphone soon... or maybe not. In the meantime, I hope you'll excuse the graininess, poor lighting, etc. :)

Inspired to Incorporated

Why do things like blogs, Pinterest and Instagram exist? I believe they exist to share inspiration and ideas to help each other make life more beautiful. So, I am all about incorporating what I find that inspires me from the the internet into my own life.

Here are a few things that have inspired me recently, and how I have incorporated them into my world.


Here.

Here.

Here.

Here is the next inspiration I'm thinking I need to incorporate...

Inspiration.

What has inspired you lately?