TGIF!!!

Happy Happy Friday my lovely friends!

I am definitely looking forward to the weekend.

I have a couple work outs to complete, a 30th Birthday party to attend and some relaxation (blog stalking, blog post planning and TV watching) to do! I wasn't able to pull an outfit post OR my second review post together...oops! So I will leave you with a couple things that made me smile.

 {image via}

This is TRULY how I am feeling about working out these days

 {image via}

Some words to never forget!

We are all unique and have incredible things to offer.

Focus on YOU and you will be a success.

 {image via}

Have a GREAT weekend!

Two YEAR Blogaversary!!

Two years.

I have been blogging about my style for two years!

Blows. My. MIND!

Read Last Year's Blogaversary post

This past year has been indescribable. 

On this day, one year ago, I had 12 Google Friend Connect followers. As of this post I have 99.

This doesn't include my RSS subscribers or my Twitter followers.

I am incredibly honored that you like me, my style and content.

Putting yourself out there, on a public forum for anyone to read, is insane.

I feel so grateful for the friends that I have made. Connecting with you all through email, comments and Twitter seriously makes my day and made my year. I have never felt so loved and connecting with people that share my passion is amazing.

This past year the following has happened:

• I found ME and a true belief in myself
• I am honing my personal style and taking risks I NEVER thought I would
• I have shopped, not shopped, remixed my wardrobe and tried trends that I did not think would ever work on me
• I linked up, found so many inspiring bloggers and made time to connect with other bloggers
• I quit my job, took a break and started with a new company
• I moved, tried new ventures and grew as a person
• Put my 100% into Jesus, letting him take the wheel.

Big time growth year!

NOW onto the FUN stuff!

I obviously have a new look. This year calls for something a little more simplified. I wanted to streamline, incorporate my favorite color and use a loopy font. My fabulous friend, KIMMIE over at Sugar and Dots, is to THANK for yet another INCREDIBLE look! She is so dang good to me, my blog would be lost (and ugly) without her! Go over and give her some love! It isn't 100% complete as I still need to do my photo shoot so that I have updated pics on the masthead so that will change the look again slightly! Let me know what you think!

You may have noticed that I dropped "life" from my title. I felt like it pigeon holed my blog more than I liked. 'In the Fashion Lane' gives me a little more freedom to talk about life, love, loss, change or whatever I want. I view this blog as "my lane". In life we all take different paths that cross with others at different points. My hope with you visiting "my lane" you leave with something, anything! 


I also will have my own URL very soon!
I am excited to have my own place and piece of the internet world!

It wouldn't be a BLOGAVERSARY without some gifts!

OF course I am having a giveaway.

AND, if I do say so myself, it is pretty good!

Here is the deal...and I am going to be real ;)

I hate when people solicit followers. I am not going to ask you to follow me for the sake of having my "number" go up. I want you to follow if you like me, my style or what I have to say. That is it!  I want the winner to be someone who has been interactive with the blog and me. I have a lot of people that comment but don't follow and peeps that follow but don't comment. The only fair way to do this where I don't feel like I am being obnoxious is....

To be a follower and to leave a comment.

That's all.

In honor of all the changes this year, my new job and my blogaversary being in Fall...

I am giving away a pair of Kendra Scott 'Danielle' earrings and a $10 Starbucks gift card.

{image via www.kendrascott.com}

The winner will be able to choose their color :)

I will pick a winner on Sunday and post it one week from today on 10/17.

Good luck my followers and commenter's!!

THANK YOU!

Thank you for your support.

Thank you for reading.

Thank you for the comments and feedback.

Thank you for accepting me!

This is an incredible journey!

I am SO blessed!

Fashion/Outfit Inspiration

I can scour the internet for days and not get tired of looking at pictures, fashion spreads, bloggers and clothing websites. I love pretty things, pretty people and pretty pictures. 

These are some pics and people that inspire me. If I can emulate any of these outfits I will!

(sorry about the picture overload)

 

{image via starstyleinc.com}

Perfect for a summer evening. The trapeze blouse is girly and roomy! White jeans are a summer staple.

 

{image via hillsfreak.blogspot.com}

So chic. I am a sucker for pointy toe heels, they are the sexy corporate shoe to me! This combo is in every girl's closet.

 

{image via peoplestylewatch.com}

Floral, flowey dress and cognac accessories. Fresh and perfect for a date or concert!

 

{image via starstyleinc.com}

Accessories really make the outfit. I love busting out the scarf with a tank. It is unexpected touch that people don't expect.

 

{image via justjared.com}

The green heels speak for themselves. Paired with tight black pants and an over sized neutral blouse. L-O-V-E!

 

{image via justjared.com}

I have a huge love for super light blue jeans. Paired with a coral blouse sounds like my perfect outfit for a Fall Transition.

 

{image via officialkourtneyk.celebuzz.com}

Another light blue jeans ensemble. I am dying for a cream blazer. I love how she paired the matching blouse with a monochromatic belt and shoes.

 

{image via starstyleinc.com}

The Bun is just classic and beautiful. The high waist-ed, flouncy skirt looks perfect with slightly un-buttoned blouse. The nude heels make her legs look miles long!

 

{image via justjared.com}

This is my uniform. Flouncy top, jeggings, heels and a FAB bag. I love that she wore a fedora...have to try that!

 

{image via google images: Minka white skirt search}

I think this is one of my favorite outfits on this post. I love the color purple and the belt makes the biggest difference! So cute!

 

{image via hillsfreak.blogspot.com}

Rocker Chic. I want to bust out my old concert tees and dress them up!

 

{image via starstyleinc.com}

Once again the shoes are what drew me to this look. I need really short booties like these! My utility jackets are on heavy rotation and I could wear them daily!

 {do not have a source...if you know please share!}

Pairing cut offs with dressier pieces is so California Chic. And more booties. <3

 

 

{image via starstyleinc.com}

Jess is known for pairing shorts and sky high heels with a blazer and tee. I love the embellished jacket. I need more sparkle in my life!

 

{image via justjared.com}

Awww the Boho princess. I would dress Boho every day if I could. The belted maxi with flat sandals and fringe bag is perfection. PERFECT!

WHAT or WHO inspires you?

What pieces do you need to add to your wardrobe? 

This and That

Well friends... I didn't plan ahead (I had been so good at that) and didn't get a post scheduled. So I did what any good blogger would do! I scoured my iPhone for pics that I have snapped to use at some point. Well that would be today.

So you are going to get a little bit of this and a little bit of that!!

***see how much i like you?? I go above and beyond to make sure you have something to read! What a good bloggy friend I am ;) ***




I am all about head accessories this week. I love this rose headband I bought for $2.50 at F21. Simple yet makes a statement!


My leopard obsession is getting borderline OUT of control. I love red and leopard together (hello Dolce and Gabanna!) so when I saw this pic of Khloe I got super excited. Love the whole look and the chambray shirt is a great touch (I'll button mine a little more. #justsayin'


















My nail polish and mani fascination is well documented. This isn't even every color from the last month! Which one is your FAV??





I ordered this KDash cape awhile ago. I had the pic of Kourtney saved for months because I wanted a cape like hers. Totally thought it was Burberry. BUT I think it's too big (I know! Nothing is EVER too big! Quite the opposite. It made me happy).
***Weigh in... Should I exchange so that I look more like Kourt in it???








I know this is a Fashion blog, I like it that way, but food has become my main priority as I joined Weight Watchers six weeks ago. It is all consuming as I get my head right about food. I'd you follow me on Twitter you will know I blog what I cook. Well this watermelon salad and feta turkey burgers are the perfect Summer meal. I cannot get enough. Let me know if you want the recipes. They are divine!!

There is a little peak into my phone and my mind! It's always full and always going. Let me know what you snap pics of, currently love and any opinions you may need!

(please excuse the font and pic sizes, formatting issues etc. until I can take care of this evening! )

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Double Amazingness

I JUST saw this pic and I had to post it.

If I could pluck BOTH outfits off of these girls, I would. In a heartbeat. I LOVE the way the Kardashian girls step up their fashion game while filming. Their stylist, Monica Rose, is a genius. She pairs the most awesome things together. I would give my first born to work with Monica.

{image via gossipcenter.com}

Kourtney: I am loving the Chambray blue shorts suit. So sophisticated. Her crisp white blouse and nude strappy heels truly make the look. I love that her pop color comes from her handbag! GORGEOUS!

Kim: My leopard print love affair is going strong. I have been obsessed since I was 15 and it doesn't seem to be wavering. I LOVE the jumpsuit. The print isn't overwhelming and it totally shows off her perfect figure! She is wearing the same bag that I loved from last weeks Tuesday Travel style post! I LOVE that she paired it with this seventies inspired jumpsuit.

I have been saving these next few pics because I am so inspired by them and truly just love the looks!

{left pic: starstyleinc.com, rightpic: gossipcenter.com}

I would look GINORM in that tribal print dress but she looks insane. I LOVE the colors in this dress and always enjoy seeing Kim dressed down.

I am obsessed with neon color blocking and I think she did it best.

Pairing chartreuse with blueberry is pure perfection. This little baby doll dress with INSANE  wedges is such a cute look. I want this outfit. Need. Want.

{images via monicarosestylist.blogspot.com}

Let's start with the shoes. If I could only have one pair for the next year I would pick these. I love the nude with the mesh metal toe (Beyonce, J.Lo and Christina Aguilera have all worn them too! I will call them the DIVA shoe!) The Diva wants me to own them. I can feel it. White pants are chic. The zipper detail makes them different and slightly edgy. The oversized chambray-ish blouse is sophisticated yet comfy. The BIRKIN in chartreuse is so AMAZING. I would carry this until I died! Seriously.

I am so excited to post these looks.

Now if only I had each of those pieces in my closet.

And their bodies, money and on and on.

HAHA!

(I REALLY am happy as MANDY, but it is nice to dream sometimes)



Outfit Inspiration

I am constantly saving photos of celebs, bloggers and magazine pics of outfits or articles of clothing that inspire me.

There is so many outfits I plan to emulate in the next month or two. I also LOVE certain pieces that I have to add to my wardrobe.

Here are is the inspiration around my future outfits!

Jessica from What I Wore is a mix master artist. She tends to be a little to feminine for my taste but I LOVE this combo. I want to pair my Chambray top with a leopard pencil skirt.

Ashley Tisdale is wearing a basic tee and shorts combo that I rocked ALL summer long.

I am excited to bust this outfit out again and take pictures this time. I also love her Fishtail. That is a great braid that I enjoy wearing.

{Image via Star Style Inc.}

I LOVE Blair's style even though I know I cannot pull off 99% of the things she does.

I have these Gap shoes and I have never worn them tied with such a large bow. I want to try that the next time I wear them.

Krystal from This Time Tomorrow looks amazing in her white dress/black slouchy cardigan combination. What drew me to the outfit was the pairing of the straw fedora and her strappy platforms. I plan to bust out one of my fedoras, my LC Lauren Conrad 'Zander' platforms and a white dress to rock this look too!

Hilary Duff is one of my favorite celebs out there. I just love her style!!

She is wearing a Helmut Lang draped halter and flared, trouser jeans. I have the jeans but I need to find a similar top for less. I really love her dainty necklace as well.

{Image via Star Style Inc.}

Jessica Simpson doesn't always get it right. BUT I love her anyways.

I like how she used her Chambray button up as a jacket with a printed romper.

I plan to do the same.

{Image via People Style Watch}

Lo Bosworth has a classic style. I love her crisp white, voluminous v-neck tee with olive cargo pants. It is simple but sophisticated. I need to find a tee like that ASAP.

{Image via HillsFreak.Blogspot.com}

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this look.The feminine blouse paired with tougher looking leather leggings and a pop of leopard is the epitome of my style. Olivia always gets it right. I cannot wait to try a version of this look soon.

{image via hillsfreak.blogspot.com}

Vanessa Hudgen's is a style risk taker. Her Boho chic look draws my eye every time I see her. I not only need a crisp white tee I need a crisp white blouse as well. I love the cut off's (NOT the pockets showing though) paired with a tailored piece. I also love the sandals. I have a couple pairs that I could use in my outfit choice.

What outfits are you dying to try to emulate?

Who influences your style?

Spring Shopping List

I am very fortunate and blessed to have a very full closet of clothes, accessories, shoes and handbags. I will be the first to say that I do not need anything. I really don't. This has become even clearer as I am putting together my closet and can see every single article of clothing I own.

I love to make sure that I am trend right.

I don't spend a lot of money on these pieces.

As the weather gets nicer and the sun stays out I just want to add a couple of things to my wardrobe.

The three things are:

- Tweed Jacket

Similar to this one...

Once again, Blair, of Atlantic-Pacific

I cannot get enough of her looks. All of them. I am a crazy blog stalker right now.

- Wedges

I L-O-V-E wedges. Love. I quite a few different pairs.

I have these two pics from my iPhone that I have to find.

Blake Lively in People Style Watch magazine. They are Louboutin's. I love the sides. They are different. Special.

Seven for All Mankind AD from April InStyle magazine.

I want this exact shoe. I love how there is a strap at the toes and that the back encloses your heel. Most wedges just have the toe strap, or have some sort of buckle. These are different, special AND affordable. I LOVE! I mean, really, these shoes are the above Louboutin's with out the buckle. I just realized that. SEE I definitely love this style.

- Leopard pencil skirt

I know, I know...more leopard?

It completes me. And I actually do not own a leopard print skirt. I am in search of one that fits per-fect-ly. Not an easy feat for this apple shaped body.

iPhone pic from April InStyle magazine.

The skirt is Dolce and Gabanna. It retails for $750. A little out of my price range. I ADORE how she mixed her prints. I have seen a lot of blogger's doing this as well. I want to too!

Jessica from What I Wore was one of the first Fashion Blogger's I started to really follow. She is quirky and has really been dressing differently lately (when I first started reading she was very feminine, vintage, lots of full skirted dresses, sixties kind of a girl). I loved this ensemble that she put together. I never realized HOW versatile Chambray shirts could be. I <3 this look. I want to emulate it.

Taylor of Sterling Style is darling. She is a San Francisco based blogger that I am quickly becoming enamored with. She is one of the blogger's that mixed her prints... and comes up with fantastic combos.

{all pics are from the websites listed and/or my iPhone}

That is my list.

Three things.

I am super proud of ME! Haha.

I have budgeted to pick up these three items when I find them. Other than that I am really, really, really going to try hard to not buy things that I do not need.

Wish me luck!

What is on your Spring Shopping List??

Please share, I love to be inspired...