Today's Everyday Fashion: July 4th Pool Party

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For our 3rd annual July 4th party this year we put together a patriotic photo booth! That's the white backdrop with props pictured, above - it was so fun! I also wore a white swim suit for the first time. When it comes to swim suits and clothing in general, I usually lean towards the more colorful the better. However, I'm realizing now what a great blank canvas a white swimsuit can be. You can add tons of fun accessories - whether that's red, white and blue for July 4th - or any number of neon or rainbow colors for other occasions. I rounded up some more white swim options, below. Happy 4th!

Swim top: H&M, $18
Swim bottom: H&M, $13
Earrings: Deux Mains, $20 (fair trade)
Kimono: boutique c/o (similar, similar, similar)
Pool float: Amazon, $25
Sunglasses: Amazon, $12
Balloons: Party City, $30 (cheaper)
Approx. dates: Kimono is 2 years ago. Earrings are 6 months ago. Swim suit is new. 

Macy's  /  J.Crew  /  Nordstrom  /  Swimspot
Swimspot  /  ASOS  /  ASOS  /  Gilt

Today's Everyday Fashion: The 4th Of July

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If you couldn't already tell by my festive outfit, I just love the 4th of July!! I think it's due to being a July baby (my husband's birthday is also this month!) and loving summer in general. For me July 4th means barbecues and sunny pool days, followed by fireworks at night - both big displays and shooting them at home, I love it all. This is one of the outfits I brainstormed to wear for the three days we plan to celebrate this year, using the same red stripe shorts I've worn for the past two holidays (here and here). Now, bring on the fireworks!

Top: H&M, $35
Shorts: J.Crew Factory, $24
Shoes: Macy's c/o, $40
Purse: Ann Taylor, $30
Earrings: Kendra Scott c/o, $55
Approx. dates: Purse is 5 years ago. Shorts are 3 years ago. Earrings are 1 year ago. Top is recent. Shoes are new (used an old gift card).

Today's Everyday Fashion: Blue Bow Dreams

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I am one shepherd's staff and a flock of sheep away from a "Little Bo Peep" moment in this look, and I'm totally okay with that! Because seriously how cute is this top?! Putting bows and peplum on the same thing is pretty much a guarantee that I'm going to love it. And then this hat from Target just happened to match perfectly... I can't handle the cuteness. I will wear this outfit all summer long, starting with the July 4th holiday next week. (Red would be an easy addition but I'll probably keep it blue and white.) Tune in next week for two more patriotic looks - have a great weekend! 

Top: H&M, $35
Shorts: Mud Pie c/o, $50
Hat: Target, $15
Bag: Forever 21, $25 (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Charlotte Russe, $20
Earrings: Kate Spade outlet, $15 (same)
Approx. dates: Earrings are 2 years ago. Shoes, shorts, purse are recent. Top and hat are new.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Mint & Lime

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Inspiration: Pinterest (Which links to Pink Peonies)

 

I'm throwing it back old-school today, with a color-blocked look!  I was looking through old pictures and recalling my fondness for color-blocking, and wanted to get creative with color combos gone by. Mint and lime is a past favorite, and I have yet to do this exact combo so it's a new-to-me outfit! What are your thoughts on color-blocking - is it a passing trend or a forever way of dressing?

Top: Express, $25
Skirt: J.Crew Factory, $39
Blazer: Banana Republic, $35 (similar)
Shoes: BCBG c/o HSN
Purse: Aldo c/o Amazon, $40 (similar, similar) 
Necklace: boutique c/o, $36
Approx. dates: Necklace is 5 years ago. Top is 4 years ago. Blazer is 3 years ago. Skirt and shoes are 2 years ago. Purse is 1 year ago.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Pastel Travel Look

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Inspiration: Hautelook

 

A few weeks ago I traveled to the west coast and wore this look (with sneakers) for my flight! So often casual outfits contain dark colors or blue jeans, so it was really fun to mix things up with a lighter color palette. I got the jacket from Zara while we were in Paris. I don't usually shop when I travel, but when I realized Zara prices are literally half what they charge in the U.S., we made a quick stop so I could pick up this jacket and 2 others. The gray color is so good with this "rose" colored tee (which is btw, is the most amazing 100% cotton fair trade t-shirt for only $15 that comes in 8 colors - I'm obsessed). As much as I love bright colors, I think today's pastel look is one of my favorites! 

Jacket: Zara, $59 (similar below)
Tee: Everlane c/o, $15
Jeans: Express, $37 (similar, similar)
Sneakers: Adidas c/o, $52 (same)
Heels: JCPenney c/o, $30 (in blush)
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Stein Mart, $149 (same, same)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot
Approx. dates: Jeans are 2 years ago. Purse is 1 year ago. Shoes, tee and jacket are recent.

Healthy Living With Kohl's

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Dress  /  Headband

Dress  /  Shoes

 

Is it just me, or is healthy living really “in style” right now? With so much talk about kale smoothies, yoga pants and CrossFit it can be easy to get caught up in the latest trends! But at its core, healthy living is so important. Being active and eating clean can add years to your life and improve your daily quality of life.

And if you're interested in healthy living (truly for the sake of health) like I am, then you’ve gotta have the gear to do it! And why not have a little fun with that gear while you’re at it? That’s the theme of today’s post. I’m sharing two looks from Kohl’s – one for tennis (I’m rusty now, but played from a young age and even went to state in high school), and one for running, below.

Kohl’s has so many great options for healthy living. Whether it’s colorful workout clothes and shoes (my head to toe look below), an epic selection of sports bras for every body type (I even found one for my unusual preference - straps that sit wide on my shoulders and don’t put pressure on my neck), and kitchen gadgets that make clean eating easier (we recently got this mandoline and it’s a game changer), you can find just about anything under the sun that makes healthy living easier and more fun at Kohl’s.

Which look is your favorite? What are your favorite healthy living tools?

 

Top  /  Shorts  /  Sports bra  /  Water bottle  /  Headband

Top  /  Shorts  /  Sports bra  /  Water bottle  

Top  /  Shorts  /  Sports bra  /  Water bottle  /  Shoes

 

Activity tracker  /  Top  /  Pants  /  Top
Water bottle  /  Sneakers  /  Blender  /  Bag
Sports bra  /  Slicer  /  Shorts

Today’s post is brought to you by Kohl’s and ShopStyle. All clothing selections, opinions, and editorial decisions are solely my own.

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Joy Of Style

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If you've been reading my blog for awhile then you know putting together outfits brings me immeasurable amounts of joy. When I discovered that joy several years ago I struggled with the question of whether fashion as a hobby and creative outlet was as "worthy" as other hobbies? Because truly we do not judge someone for spending money on their favorite sporting events, painting their face elaborately, and wearing team colors in the same way. (Or for owning a huge collection of foods as a home chef, or fill in the blank with any number of hobbies...) I may not understand these joys the way I understand my own, but I am committed to respecting them, because I ask for that same respect myself. Some may see a bright (potentially over-the-top) outfit of blue, yellow and pink on the surface and that's it. Or it may seem "ridiculous" (as one man recently stated on my FB page) to be concerning ourselves with outfits and color combos. But I stand by my joy for personal style and see it as worthy of a hobby as any other. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with a woman spending $ responsibly on something that brings her joy," I said in response, and yes, that includes fashion or whatever hobby you favor! 

[ps. For further reading on this topic, check out my book, coming Oct. 3. I think that for many women, personal expression through style is so much more than skin deep.]

Top: boutique c/o, $29 (similar below)
Skirt: J.Crew c/o thredUP, $28 (similar below)
Shoes: Nine West c/o Amazon, $66
Purse: Vince Camuto c/o Off 5th, $70 (similar below)
Earrings: Kendra Scott c/o Amazon, $36 (similar)
Approx. dates: Necklace is 5 years ago. Purse and top are 1 year ago. Shoes and earrings are 6 months ago. Skirt is recent.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Something To Throw On

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If you ever listen to women shopping together we often say "oh, you could just throw that on with anything!" We are, I think, usually referring to those well-loved and worn clothing items that become like a second skin and do, truly, get thrown on at a moment's notice. My own shopping strategy is more about things that are over-the-top and thrill me - but, and it's a big but - I also totally understand the sentiment and comfort of clothing to "just throw on." Which is why the shirt in today's post is perfect - because it's an intersection of the two. Thanks to plethora of details like tie straps, tassels and pastel stripes it thrills me. But, it's also a super-soft, comforting top that I will absolutely wear with anything. It is my something to "just throw on" and I'm totally okay with that!

Top: LOFT, $33
Shorts: Levi's c/o, $27 (similar, similar, similar)
Bag: Forever 21, $25 (similar below)
Hat: ModCloth c/o, $34 (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: Amazon c/o, $18 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Dolce Vita c/o Amazon, $33
Sunglasses: Foster Grant, $15 (similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Hat, shorts are 1 year ago. Bag, shoes are recent. Top is new. 

TJ Maxx  /  H&M  /  World Market
Sam Edelman  /  Shopbop  /  H&M
Target  /  J.Crew  /  Swimspot

Today's Everyday Fashion: BlogHer '17

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I'm so excited to be attending and speaking at #BlogHer17 this week! And while I have no clue what I'm going to wear yet, something fun and colorful like today's look is at the top of my list. (Also - if you are attending please message me, I'd love to meet up!) The minute I spotted this blue and yellow lemon print, I knew it was coming home with me, I just had to decide between the top, the shorts or the dress. What sold me on the top was the ability to pair it with a multitude of things - yellow pants or skirt, white jeans or blue jeans - and the one shoulder ruffle was too cute. Would you wear this print?

Top: LOFT, $33
Pants: LOFT, $42 (same color)
Shoes: Windsor Store c/o, $27 (old, similar below)
Purse: Purse: Rebecca Minkoff c/o Stein Mart, $149 (same, same)
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Approx. dates: Shoes are 4 years ago. Purse and earrings are last year. Pants are recent. Top is new.

 
 

Getting Fit With Finish Line

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Top

Top  /  Shorts  /  Shoes

 

Exercise has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember! These days I enjoy mixing it up: there’s a weekly boot camp at our gym that I love, I still do Insanity videos at home, and lately I’ve been adding in weight training, or going on long walks with my husband or friends (which also doubles as quality time!).

Having tried as many types of exercise as I have for as long as I have, I’ve learned that the gear you wear makes a huge difference. I was also sorely in need of new sneakers, and the proper shoes are so important, especially for boot camps and running. My new pair of blush pink Nikes (part of today’s sponsored post with Finish Line) not only look good but they feel super cushioned, and the top part of the shoe is stretchy, making them the most comfortable workout sneakers I’ve ever had on my feet.

Beyond shoes, I prefer shorts when it comes to walking and running for comfort. For boot camps, though, stretchy pants are a must when you’re switch kicks and power jumps (the moves I’m demonstrating in the pictures below). And I often like to pair stretchy pants with a looser tunic-type shirt.

Sometimes new workout gear motivates you to get back on track and sometimes it’s just necessary when your old gear bites the dust. I’m excited for a little bit of both with today’s looks from Finish Line. Both looks check all the boxes – affordable, comfortable and stylish!

Which look is your favorite? What’s your favorite type of exercise and/or exercise gear?

 

Top  /  Shoes

Top  /  Shorts

 

Jacket  /  Top  /  Jacket  / Top
Pants  /  Shorts  /  Pants  /  Pants
Shoes  /  Shoes  /  Shoes  /  Shoes

Today’s post is brought to you by Finish Line and ShopStyle. All clothing selections, opinions, and editorial decisions are solely my own.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Leopard Sandals

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Inspiration: H&M

 

When you're scrolling through your feed and realize an outfit idea you just passed is pretty much already hanging your closet. What's more, those shorts are 6-7 years old! Plus I knew the outfit in question would go great with my new leopard sandals. That's a win-win-win in my book. I've got several more ideas for these (comfy) sandals in mind - plus they also come in Dalmatian print, see below!

Top: H&M, $6 (similar, similar)
Shorts: boutique, old (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy, $20
Hat: Mud Pie c/o, $19
Purse: Mud Pie c/o, $40
Necklace: My Stella & Dot
Tassel bracelets: Mud Pie c/o, $14
Approx. dates: Shorts are 7 years ago. Top is 1 year ago. Purse and hat are recent. Shoes are new.

 

ps. My shoes also come in Dalmatian print!
(They remind me of the heels below.)

 

Today's Everyday Fashion: Fruit Charms

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Today's look is pretty much the "summer" version of my Christmas Eve outfit two years ago. The inspiration started with two fruit charms - a lemon and a watermelon - that I layered together on a yellow cross-body purse. I was then inspired to pair that with a green stripe dress, finally adding a bow belt, yellow pumps, and a green cardigan. The end result is so much fun and has a bit of a Kate Spade vibe to it (on a much smaller budget). You may just find me wearing it on repeat this summer!

Dress: Dillard's, $24 (similar below)
Cardigan: H&M, $18 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Bandolino/TJ Maxx, $22 (similar, similar)
Purse: Marc Jacobs/Saks Off Fifth, $51 (similar, similar, similar)
Lemon charm: J.Crew, $22
Watermelon charm: J.Crew Factory, $6
Belt: Limited, $15 (similar, similar, similar)
Necklace: Stella & Dot (similar)
Earrings: Kate Spade outlet, $15 (same)
Approx. dates: Shoes are 7 years ago. Cardigan and belt are 5 years ago. Dress and purse are 2 years ago. Fruit charms are new.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Long Lasting Prints

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Inspiration: J.Crew

 

Two summers ago, I saved the J.Crew inspiration photo as "best print ever." And then I proceeded to not buy anything with this print. Lucky for me, I was given a second chance when I spotted these shorts on a secondhand site. Why didn't I get them in the first place? #1. I was convinced prints go "out of style" quickly. But I don't think it's the prints that necessarily feel outdated quickly - they can just get old to the person wearing them. This print feels just as "in style" to me today! #2. I'm sure price was a major factor. But these days I'm all about investing in what I really want to wear, not just buying what's on sale. Two years later, I wound up with the shorts... so I probably should've just bought them in the first place. ;-) 

Top: LOFT, $24
Shorts: J.Crew c/o thredUP, $26
Necklace: LOFT, $30
Shoes: Stitch Fix c/o (similar, similar)
Purse: My Stella & Dot
Earrings: My Stella & Dot
Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson c/o Ross, $10 (similar)
Approx. dates: Shoes, purse, earrings, are 6 months ago. Top and necklace are recent. Shorts are new to me.

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Embroidered Skirt

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Inspiration; Gilt

 

Well it pretty much doesn't get any more fun than this outfit! At least not in my closet! I contemplated purchasing this skirt for two months, and with my long history of embroidered skirts standing the test of time (and getting worn on repeat) I decided to take the plunge. Same with the H&M top - white ruffles are my thing, and the structured fabric with a hint of stretch is just as amazing in person as I'd hoped it would be. Thick fabrics like this top and skirt have always been my top choice; I like an outfit with a little structure and I think they last longer and hold up better to wear and tear. I couldn't, however, decide between two pairs of shoes with this look so we photographed both - which pair do you like best?

Top: H&M, $35
Skirt: Macy's, $60
Red shoes: Charlotte Russe, $11 (similar, similar, similar)
Black shoes: Nine West c/o Amazon, $65
Purse: Stella & Dot (similar, similar)
Earrings: Deux Mains, $20 (fair trade)
Approx. dates: Purse is 3 years ago. Red shoes are 2 years ago. Black shoes are 1 year ago. Top and skirt are new.

Today's Everyday Fashion: Fancy Goes Casual

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Taking two pieces of my own advice today! First, I'm re-wearing something old, a dress I got on clearance two years ago. Second, I'm "wearing the good china," one of the most expensive dresses in my closet. I paid $156, but the original price on this dress is $475. It's such a nice material so I normally wouldn't have thought to wear it casually with a denim jacket and sandals but it actually worked really well together! What "fancy" dress in your closet can you pull out and wear casually this week?

Dress: Milly/Piperlime, $156 (same)
Jacket: J.Crew Factory, $51 (similar, similar) 
Sandals: Dolce Vita c/o Amazon, $33
Purse: Marc Jacobs/Saks Off Fifth, $51 (similar, similar)
Lemon charm: J.Crew, $22
Earrings: Kendra Scott c/o NM, $55 (same)
Approx. dates: Dress and purse are 2 years ago. Jacket is 1 year ago. Sandals and lemon are recent.

Milly  /  Milly  /  Milly  /  Milly
Milly  /  Milly  /  Milly  /  Milly

Learning to Love Secondhand Clothing Again With thredUP

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Banana Republic blazer NWT /  J.Crew top  /  Banana Republic skirt

 

When I was in high school money was tight, and for a time I exclusively shopped at thrift stores. Since then, I’ve rarely re-visited secondhand shopping as an adult. One of my biggest objections was convenience. It seemed like any time I’d shop secondhand there would be literally nothing in my size. Not to mention I do almost all my shopping online these days, so asking me to drive to any store is rarely going to happen! But thredUP is completely revolutionizing the way I feel about secondhand clothing. They make it so easy – you’re able to filter by brand, size, color, and price (check out their under $10, under $20 and under $35 pages). I found the outfits in today’s post within minutes and I never had to leave my couch! 

The other reason I’m changing my tune is because of my growing concern for the environment. I did a lot of research last year for my book on the environmental impact of the garment industry, and with the huge amounts of clothing circulating the earth, we desperately need a company like thredUP to “recycle” clothing on a large scale and make sure it finds a new home. And especially when the clothes are this cute – I’m happy to give them that home! Here’s a list of what I got:

Banana Republic navy blazer NWT, $48 (orig. $178) 
Banana Republic pink pleated skirt, $19 (orig. $118)
J.Crew stripe sequin top, $24 (orig. $89)

Trina Turk silk top, $50 (orig. $228)
J.Crew yellow pleated skirt, $28 (orig. $98)

Two outfits for less than $100! And I don’t just like them because they were inexpensive, these are legitimately two of the cutest outfits I’ve ever added to my closet! I can see re-wearing this navy blazer and yellow skirt a gazillion times (rough estimate) with anything and everything.

Whatever your thoughts or past experiences on secondhand shopping may be, perhaps give thredUP a try? They certainly changed my mind. You might be surprised at what you find, and the environment sure will love you for it!!

(ps. If it's your first time shopping thredUP be sure to use code JSEVERY40 to receive 40% off! Discount up to $50, expires 8/1/17.)

 

Trina Turk top  /  J.Crew skirt

 

Today’s post is brought to you by thredUP. All clothing selections, opinions, and editorial decisions are solely my own. 

Today's Everyday Fashion: 10 Outfits From Last Summer I'm Wearing Again

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While I certainly enjoy the creative process of putting together new outfits, you will most often find me re-wearing something I already own. I enjoy re-wearing for different reasons: it's a shortcut that saves time, it's the most budget-friendly option, and it's earth-friendly. (But I don't have to tell you that, because repeating outfits is the reality for all of us!) Here are 10 outfits from last summer I'm most excited about wearing again this year:

1.  I will be wearing this ruffled look exactly as pictured (just switching to hoops for earrings). Here's an identical blue top at JCPenney and a longer version at Nordstrom.

 
 

2. This look is a no-brainer given that gingham tops the list of summer trends! Identical shirt here.

 
 

3. Four years later and I'm just as excited about wearing this skirt! Planning to wear it like last year as pictured, only with a soft nude clutch. To achieve this type of look, check out this gorgeous embroidered skirt I will be posting outfit pictures with soon.

 
 

4. I wore this dress to a wedding in Bellingham, WA last weekend (with these heels in blush) and it was a big hit! It's on sale for $69 here, and it also comes in plus size and petite.

 
 

5. A white shirtdress is the perfect foundation for any number of outfits, and I love the mix of navy, black and brown in this outfit I wore to India last summer. Same hat in stock here, and dress here. 

6. I wore this outfit this weekend for a women's brunch I hosted at our house. The shorts are from two years ago - I swear these vibrant colors never get old. More fun printed shorts here and here.

 
 

7. This is my go-to sundress by Amanda Uprichard! Wore it a couple months ago for lunch with one of my favorite TV anchors, turned full-time blogger - photo on IG here.

 
 

8.  Another take on the gingham trend that is still going strong! I wore this outfit for a coffee date with a friend a couple weeks ago. Similar shorts here, here and here.

 
 

9. I wore this top with black shorts for dinner recently; here's the same top on Amazon.

 
 

10. Planning to wear this look for a date night with the hubs this summer. You can be (almost) twinsies with me in this outfit: top and skirt.

 
 

Honorable mentions: I wore versions of these three outfits a couple months ago, on our trip to Europe!
11. Rainbow dress (shop this brand here)
12. Black white polka dot (identical skirt here)
13. Blue stripe dress (similar dress here, here)

Which one is your favorite?

Today's Everyday Fashion: Pink Bows

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Inspiration: J.Crew (also at Nordstrom)

 

The saying goes, "On Wednesdays we wear pink," however, isn't any day of the week fitting for this wonderful color? I certainly think so, which is why the minute I saw the catalog photo, I turned into a cartoon with hearts as eyes!! I couldn't wait to make this pink-on-pink color combo my own, and in what can only be described as Office Barbie, the result is similar but also potentially work appropriate. Check out even more pink bows, below!

Sweater: J.Crew, $7 (with $20 coupon)
Skirt: J.Crew Factory, $30
Shoes: Steve Madden c/o Ross, $25 (similar, similar)
Purse: Aldo c/o Amazon, $40 (similar, similar) 
Earrings: Kate Spade outlet, $15 (same)
Sunglasses: Foster Grant, $15 (similar, similar, similar)
Approx. dates: Shoes and purse are 2 years ago. Sweater is recent. Skirt is new.

ASOS  /  ASOS  /  Anthropologie  /  Kate Spade  /  ASOS
Eloquii  /  Nordstrom  /  Shoptiques  /  Target
Saks Off 5th  /  H&M  /  Banana Republic  /  Need Supply Co.  /  ASOS

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Complete Outfit

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It's not usually my shopping style to purchase complete outfits, but I just could NOT resist this skirt, top and necklace combo I ordered online from LOFT. I knew I wanted the top to be yellow and while I was originally leaning towards an off-shoulder yellow top from another store, it felt too busy with the printed skirt. I'm loving the sleek lines of this cami and the turquoise necklace paired with it! Best part, I already have two great jacket options for this look hanging in my closet. Which one do you prefer?

Top: LOFT, $24 (I needed to size up one size.)
Skirt: LOFT, $48 (I needed to size down one size. Wearing 2P; the 2 regular was big in the waist.)
Necklace: LOFT, $30
Shoes: Dolce Vita, $50 (same, similar, similar)
Purse: JCPenney c/o, $29 (similar, similar)
Denim jacket: J.Crew Factory, $51 (similar) 
Leather jacket: Wilson's Leather, $150 (same)
Approx. dates: Shoes are 3 years ago. Purse, denim jacket and leather jacket are 1 year ago. Top, skirt and necklace are new.

Top  (Dress version)  /  Top  /  Skirt  /  Skirt (Matching top)
Jacket  /  Skirt  /  Romper  /  Top
Top  /  Top  /  Dress  /  Top

Interview About My Book With InStyle Magazine

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I was recently interviewed by InStyle Magazine Executive Editor Faye Penn about my upcoming book! We had such a fun chat, went way over our allotted time, and tackled some tough subjects. You can check it out on InStyle.com.

While the interview was super fun, my nerves surrounding this article have been a total party pooper. I think it's tough to let go and be paraphrased in an article, and naturally I want to use thoughtful language, especially for a sensitive subject like this one. (Plus, I have a lot of fear associated with this book in general.) I'm still figuring how to talk about this project, and this was my first impromptu conversation about it, so any grace you can throw my way is truly appreciated. 

For reals though, InStyle has been my favorite publication since college - you'll even find me in the April 2011 issue, below. I am truly honored, and a huge fan of Faye Penn - she's hilarious, and so open-minded to seek out a conversation with someone of a different faith about touchy topics. I am trying my best to enjoy the feature and to remind myself the reasons for diving into this subject in the first place - to advocate for finding guilt-free freedom of expression as women, even within the confines of religion.

On the pages of InStyle Magazine - April 2011

While we are on the subject of books, though, let's talk about something fun! I've always wanted to write a book, but didn't know much about the publishing world, and it has been nothing short of fascinating. I wanted to preserve the process so I won't forget, and to share with anyone considering writing one themselves. I’ve divided into chronological steps (although some happened simultaneously) and keep in mind that every author's experience can be quite different; this is solely my own book's "birth story."

1.     The idea – The idea for my book came from an unlikely place. I wrote a blog post called “Fashion and Faith: Can They Coexist?” in February 2016 and an editor at a publishing house reached out and asked if I would ever consider writing a book on the topic. I tell this story a lot (here and here, and it’s in the Intro of the book), because what a neat way to find an idea for a book right?! I’m so grateful that editor reached out. I never would’ve considered it otherwise – the topic is something I was not eager to tackle (which turns out is actually a great reason to do it - more on that here).

2.     The pitch – The idea was a tiny ember, and I had to blow on it to turn it into a flame. I’ve been working with MacGregor Literary since 2013. And by working with, I mean my agent has been patiently waiting for me to decide to write a book. She was stoked when I called her excited about this new idea. I had previously written a proposal for a style book (but never submitted it!), so I took out that template and got to work creating a new proposal. It included summary pages about the author and idea, a list of competing works, chapter summaries, and one full chapter and the introduction written out. I completed it in about two months, then my agent sent it to her contacts at publishing houses. There were some small bites and ultimately we both felt strongly that the offer from Waterfall Press was a winner and we signed the contract, approx. 3 months after the idea was born.

3.     The writing part – The contract with my publisher gave me approximately 3 months to write 60k words (the final book is just over 70k). There were no further instructions, and they stressed it didn’t have to be perfect, but man I was nervous! I wanted to do a really good job, but also didn’t know where to start. I can’t remember what I tackled first, but I didn’t write the book in order, instead skipping around and writing different chapters. I also completely tore apart what I had submitted in my book proposal and those became pieces of new chapters. Some ideas for chapters were deleted and new ones were added. I also really started to run out of time. I wrote a chunk in June, then concentrated on interviewing and researching in July. Then I realized in August that there was so much left to do! I wound up asking for a two week extension and spent a good six weeks fully immersed in the writing process. (I joke that if my husband had not brought me food during that season, I would’ve starved to death in the writing chair that I refused to move from.) This last phase is what I often refer to as being a spiritual experience because it was lots of prayer, sacrifice and being really quiet and still (which are difficult for me to do!). Writing this book healed old wounds, forced me to answer tough questions I didn’t want to face, and study Scripture like I never have before. It was really hard and also really awesome at the same time. I will never forget the afternoon I finally hit “Send” on the manuscript. Not a single person had looked at it yet – not even my husband. So I held my breath for the next few days until I heard back from my acquisitions editor.

4.     The editing part – About a week later I heard the good news that my manuscript had officially been “accepted” and was ready for the next step! They assigned me a development editor who was wonderful. I asked her to rip into the book and make it the best it could possibly be, but all of the edits we did were actually pretty minor: mostly word choices and giving some sections a little more love and polish. And I was given free reign to push back on any suggestions she had! I didn’t know how much creative control I would have but it really felt like 100%. Also during this time, I had two people (our pastor and a really smart colleague) look it over independently and provide feedback. They each had great ideas I wound up adding to the book, and I so appreciate their contributions to the final text!

5.     The book cover – The inside of the book was mostly me, but the cover is the brainchild of the creative team at Waterfall Press. They designed it (color, font) and we had several conference calls in advance of the photo shoot. I contributed some feedback of course, and ultimately my husband snapped the cover image, but the publisher handled most of the cover elements and the name of the book.

6.     The fact check, copyedit and proofread – Towards the end of 2016, we moved into a several months long process involving many people, who I mostly know as different color bubbles in “track changes” on the manuscript. The first round was fact checking, where anyone I interviewed had to sign permission forms, and I provided links and attribution for anything I cited. Then it moved into edits on grammar, typos, formatting, and so on. For several rounds they would give the manuscript back to me, I would accept or reject changes, add my notes, and send it back. We probably did this five or six times total, and we wrapped up the last round just a few weeks ago.

7.     Marketing and promotions – Simultaneously while we were proofing of the book, the publicity team started working on their publicity plan. They developed a press release and other materials, and sent to long-lead press, thought leaders to review, and mailed out Advanced Reader Copies (ARCS) which are “not for resale” (Advanced copies are created before the proofread for timing purposes so they have errors.) This part is ongoing, with most activities happening closer to the book launch (Oct. 3).

The craziest part - you guys haven't even read it yet! My friends keep asking "Is it done?" but really it feels like we are just getting started. Can't wait to share it with you in October!  - J.