The Liebster Award

Sweater: F21 | Jeans: Kohl's | Boots: Report | Scarf: Kohl's | Watch: Fossil

THIS IS WHAT BEING REALLY HAPPY ABOUT HAVING YOUR JEANS BACK LOOKS LIKE. And what no shower/no makeup/hey finals looks like.

I started a blog-specific Pinterest account to focus on style instead of whatever catches my ADHD's attention. Do me a huge solid and check it out, wontchanow?

(Can you tell my dad's fam is from the deep north?)

Find me at pinterest.com/Samipsaloquitur

So... Gina from Classy Ever After and Serena from The Serena Saga each nominated Sam ipsa Loquitur for the Liebster Award (thanks, ladies!) and I think that's kind of awesome and I hope you guys do too, and if not you should probably leave. Not in a mean way, in a "you're about to be really bored" way.

Deets on The Liebster Award

The Liebster award is given by a blogger to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. Once nominated, you must post 11 facts about yourself, then answer the questions the nominator made for you. Next, you create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate. Then you choose 11 blogs to nominate, and be sure to link them to your post. Finally, go to their page and tell them. No tags back allowed!

11 Facts About Me

11. I'm a bleeding heart dog person.

10. French fries are maybe my favorite food. Classay!
9. I'm the world's slowest shopper, no contest.
8. I was a huge How I Met Your Mother fan until like season 6, then it got lame.
7. Every few years I get all itchy and want to move somewhere new.
6. For the first semester of law school the only groceries I bought were little kid cereal and milk.
5. Everything I own is Apple. I sometimes forget Windows exists.
4. I didn't like sushi, Chipotle, asparagus, creme brulee, Starbucks, or wine before I met Boyfriend.
3. I own the entire Star Wars collection on Blu-ray.
2. The only color my hair hasn't been is red.
1. I'm shy.

Questions From Gina

I got Serena's email after I'd already answered all these questions - for the sake of (your) time, I'm just doing the one set!

1. If you could describe your personal style using only 3 words, what would they be?
Schizophrenic magpie professional... just kidding. Sort of.

2. If you could purchase the designer handbag of your dreams (money is no object in this scenario), which one would you buy and what color?
The idea of super-designer handbags that cost more than cars makes me break out in a cold sweat. I love to look, but I can't imagine carrying around something that expensive. Where would I set it down? Where would I store it at night? In a safe? In a fire, would I be obligated to save it first? So I think I'd probably stick with something like this Kate Spade tote or maybe this DVF one. Does that make me boring?

3. What inspired you to start your very own fashion/lifestyle blog?

I followed blogs for almost a year before I started my own... and then I blogged privately for almost another year before I opened it up for everyone to see! I think I just got tired of feeling like I wasn't contributing anything to the blog community - and the community is the best part.

4. Is there a cause that is near and dear to your heart, and, if so, what is it? For example, mine is animal / pet rescue.

Animal rescue for sure. Spay and neuter your pets! Stay out of pet stores! Adopt adopt adopt!

5. What is your dream vacation spot?

Europe. All of it. I spent four months in a castle just north of London when I was in undergrad, and I feel like I got to see a little taste of everywhere, but I'm itching to go back. Interlaken, Switzerland or Athens, Greece probably take the cake for vacation spots, though.

6. Is there a garment, or an accessory that you just can't stop buying even though you know you don't need any more of them? Feel free to list more than one!

Do shoes count?! I'm a total shoe monger. I was literally debating in my head the relative merits of owning a black pump in suede, patent, natural leather, open toe, pointy toe, almond  toe... and then I realized I'm a freak and I stopped. Stopped thinking, that is. I'm still on the hunt.

7. What are the most important qualities you look for in a close friend or significant other?

Honesty and loyalty and humor. And generally not being a despicable, selfish, cheating little weasel.

:) Oh I'm sorry, did that slip out?

8. Would you describe yourself as more trendy or primarily timeless while incorporating the trends you love most into your wardrobe?

I always go for classic shapes like pencil skirts, cardigans, blazers, and pointy-toe pumps, but I'm drawn to bright colors and prints, so I tend to end up with non-traditional traditional outfits, if that makes sense. (It doesn't.)

9. If you had one wish, anything at all, what would it be?

To never worry. I'm a world-class worrier.

10. What is your favorite season for creating outfits? What season do you find to be most challenging?

Fall and spring for sure. I hate nasty Midwest winters, but I love to layer too much to ever be 100% happy with a summer outfit.

11. What honest advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting a blog?

DO IT. Stop procrastinating and "perfecting your layout" and overthinking it and do it. Try as hard as you can not to care about how many comments or followers you get, just enjoy posting and getting to know other people. That's what this is supposed to be about!

And turn off the damn word verification for your comments! Thanks for calling me out on that one, Ani.

My Nominees

Please don't be offended if you have more than 200 followers and I nominated you! I mean it as a compliment, I swear. I just did a quick GFC/Bloglovin' count, so if I'm off, I'm sorry.

Blondie, Esquire
Create That Outfit
The Fashion Canvas
Life, etc.
My New Favorite Outfit
NAC Styles
Professionally Petite
Real Girl Glam
The Serena Saga - I know, I know, no tag backs - she was already on my list, she just beat me to it!
Small Town, Big Wardrobe
Twenties Girl Style

The Questions

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. Link us up to one of your favorite outfit posts ever.
3. If you could raid one celeb's closet, who would it be?
4. Who are your style icons?
5. Where do you work, and what's the dress code?
6. Dog person or cat person?
7. What's your star sign?
8. What's your favorite trend this year?
9. You just won $5,000: shopping spree, vacation, or something else?
10. What's your favorite non-bloggy hobby?
11. What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting a blog? (Sorry Gina, loved this so I'm stealing!)

Thanks, Gina & Serena!

The IT List

• A Devine Life turned an old dress into a new skirt by layering a sweater on top! A great way to transition your summer wardrobe into cooler temps! (find a Devine Life on Twitter!)
• Rach.E. Cakes is rocking one of her go-to feel good dresses that is versatile enough for work or play! Pop over to see why she keeps reaching for this pretty little number! (find Rach.E.Cakes on Twitter!)
• Fancy Francy gives us some great tips on how to style a midriff bearing bandeau top and shared two looks for inspiration! Great solutions to one of the more difficult pieces in our closet! (find Fancy Francy on Twitter!)
• The Second Best is recreating a low-key look from another blogger and knocked it out of the park! Goes to show that inspiration is everywhere! (find Second Best on Twitter!)
• Ishi is showing us her studious side and how she stays stylish and comfortable for days spent with her nose in the books! So cute!
• Fleurani lets her pretty gold skirt shine by pairing it with lots of black! It's gorgeous and the perfect piece for holiday party season!
• Rachel's Lookbook takes her outfit to the next level by throwing on some purple tights! Such a fun way to add excitement to your look! (find Rachel's Look Book on Twitter!)
• See Mo Go is totally comfy in her new printed cords! She paired them with a blazer and boots and is ready for a day at the office!(find See Mo Go on Twitter!)
• My Thrifty Chic pairs her new glasses and patterned tights together for a geek chic look! The total outfit only cost $55! Go check it out! (find My Thrifty Chic on Twitter!)
• The Chic Curator gives us a bedroom duvet breakdown on a budget with three different price points to choose from! Pop over to check out the super cute bedding and find out where to buy!
• Laura Wears is showing off her holiday party style - a little bit of sparkle mixed with a little bit of responsibility! Love this look! (find Laura Wears on Twitter!)
• Sam ipsa Loquitur wrapped up her 30 for 30 challenge and she definitely ended on a high note! Pattern mixing at its finest! (find Sam ipsa Loquitur on Twitter!)
• A Fashion Fixation is showing us some love in a gorgeous new sweater! No better (or more stylish) way to make a statement than that! (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
• Second Street East is in love with a bright and beautiful little girl's room! She recreated the look in a room and an outfit - tons of great pieces! (find Second Street East on Twitter!)
• Sweetie Pie Style rounds up her favorite stylish rain boots after getting tons of use out of hers lately! Head over to pick out your favorite pair to be ready for the rain (or snow!) ahead! (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)

The IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second Street East.

For more information on how you can be involved - click here.

Recap & Top Ten 30 for 30 Tips

It looks waaaaay more impressive all tiled together like this. Any other month, it's just getting dressed - this month, it was a 30 For 30!

Honestly these might not be my real Top 3, I had a super hard time narrowing it down. I loved my plaid/leopard outfit, and the chambray/fur combo, my very first look and my very last look. I was surprised at how hard it was to style the easy things (the red blazer, the blue skirt) and how easy it was to style the hard things (the python shirt, the sequin dress). Advice nugget: don't be scared to put those weird things in your closet in your 30 for 30! It'll be a freaking party.

Notice anything the Bottom 3 have in common? White jeans. And they were all outfits I threw together the morning of. Turns out the two are related. Whenever I'm lazy and don't plan things, I fell back on the safest pair of pants in my shrunken closet and went from there, and I haaaaaated it. My advice? PLAN PLAN PLAN. Don't just wake up in the morning and expect birds to sing and angels to come down from on high and dress you. Do something about it.

Top Ten 30 for 30 Tips

1. Include an equal number of collared shirts and non-collared shirts for easier layering. All pullovers or all button downs would be bad news bears.

2. Throw some crazies in there, chicken!

3. ... but don't deprive yourself of normal things. Like jeans.

4. Keep your thirty items separate from the rest of your closet, if you can. It makes it easier to focus.

5. Take an hour or two on the weekend to try on some different things together. Lay everything out on your bed, try everything on in front of a full-length mirror and take pictures with your iPhone - so many of my outfits this month were things that sounded like poop salad on paper but turned out pretty awesome in real life.

6. UNFORTUNATELY the reverse is also true. Things that sound stellar on paper sometimes look like poop salad in real life, but you won't know until you're standing in front of that mirror with a camera.

7. Save those iPhone pics! They make getting dressed easy, because you can scroll through your phone from the comfort of your nice warm bed until the last possible minute when you absolutely have to get up and get ready.

8. Try really hard not to wear the same thing twice. 30 items is enough for way more than 30 outfits, so that's no excuse.

9. Get used to wearing the same piece two days in a row sometimes! You won't die or spontaneously combust. And no one notices, I promise.

10. This is not boot camp! There are no rules, really. They're more like guidelines.

Would you guys link up if we did a 30 for 30 support group in January? Say yes! Say yes! It'll be so much fun and if you don't I'll hunt you down and stuff. :)