Blog I’m Loving: Living in Yellow

I missed posting for True Crime Wednesday this week due to an ear infection that has slowed me down, but I’ll be sure to report on a new case for that next week. Today I want to talk about a blog I started following this past spring that has helped me revamp my image somewhat, as I was in dire need of a mom makeover.

Over the years I’ve struggled with a style identity. In college, I worked at Express, so I looked a lot like the gals on the show “Friends” minus the Rachel hair.  Then I went through a bit of a grunge phase (think denim overalls, flannel shirts, combat boots and magenta hair.) I mean, I did go to a liberal arts college. When I first started working professionally I didn’t have a ton of money to my name, so I relied on the sale racks at most of the mall stores like The Gap and New York and Company.

A few years later I ventured into Loft and Old Navy territory. After I became a mom and started freelancing from home more, I didn’t know what to wear. I still wanted to look stylish but it was hard to do when you spend your whole day trying to entice your toddlers to eat something besides yogurt and mac and cheese and hoping to hit the gym every once and a while. I went through a phase where I wore nothing but those velour jogging suits, which I finally retired this past year. I actually got excited whenever I had the chance to work on site in an office because it gave me a chance to dress more professionally.

Stuck in a rut, I gave Stitch Fix a try for a few months, but I felt like a lot of the clothes I liked were overpriced for the quality, especially blouses, so I stopped after three or four fixes. For example, I loved the blouse below but it shrunk like crazy after one wash and the buttons don’t always stay closed so I have to wear a shirt underneath it so I don’t flash anyone by accident.

I was lamenting to a friend and she asked me if I had checked out the Living in Yellow blog. I hadn’t, so I visited the page on Facebook.  Blogger Erin Schrader started LIY several years ago while she had a full-time job, but when I started following her she had just decided to take the plunge and leave that position to focus solely on building up LIY. Erin and her team follow sales that happen at many stores I already shop at, such as Loft, Old Navy and Macy’s. The blazer and dress below? Both from Old Navy, courtesy of a LIY suggestion. Cute and affordable!

Erin also has a fondness for Nordstrom, and I’ve purchased several pairs of shoes from there in the past few months based on the LIY recommendations. I feel like I’ve stepped up my style game somewhat, and when I got a new job recently, I headed straight to LIY to figure out what kinds of pieces to invest in. I’ve become more schooled in accessories such as jewelry, handbags, shoes and layering pieces like jackets and cardigans, and there are price points suggested for all budgets.

They also mix things up with lifestyle blog posts with tips on home décor, recipes, products for pets, and other fun topics. One of my favorites that also resonated with a lot of LIY followers was this post on Outfits for Fall Family Photos. Yes, please!

Erin and team, I love what you’re doing over at Living in Yellow. Now I’m rocking Converses and fun vests and scarves and hopefully not looking as old as I really am. Thanks to your blog I’m finding fashion fun again and even get some great ideas for my 14-year-old daughter, who would live in athletic wear if she had a choice. Erin should be an inspiration to entrepreneurs everywhere (she also has a very talented sister who creates gorgeous farmhouse-style signs at Joyfully Said Signs). So between the two sisters, I’m gonna be broke soon.

I can’t wait to spend more time with Erin and Co. this weekend, credit card in hand.