Natalie Was Here - Ohio-based life + affordable style blog

Fashion, Real Life

August Challenge: Giving Up Shopping in Favor of Shopping My Own Closet

August 1, 2017

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I’ll be honest, guys. I spent too much money this past weekend on new clothes and I still can’t shake the overwhelming feeling of guilt. But, the shirt was on sale for 75% off! It’s such a steal. Consuming for the sake of consumption. It’s a problem.

Do you ever buy something just because it’s on sale? Guilty. Now, ask yourself — would you still buy it if it were full price? Maybe you would, but probably not.

I’ll be the first to admit to you that blogging and social media do not help with this problem. Instagram, I’m looking at you. It’s all about which outfit will fit the feed, which coffee shop has the best aesthetic, which flowers look the best with a new bag…

I’m saying this because I’ve definitely had these thoughts before. But, at the end of the day and in the grand scheme of life, it’s really a bunch of crap. And a waste of money.

This month, I want to do things a little differently. I want to create content for my blog and Instagram utilizing items I already own. That means no shopping. No standing in line at a popular coffee shop for the sake of Instagramming an over-priced latte. Nope, none of that.

THE CHALLENGE

Let’s talk about the details, shall we? I will create new looks every day, utilizing only the items I already own. That means no shopping and no repeats (accessories don’t count). I’ll be sharing my weekly looks here every Friday, so tune in if you’d like!

At the end of the month, I’ll be donating or selling all of the pieces I don’t love. This will help me a) get a better sense of my style and b) clear the clutter.

I hope this challenge will inspire you to dig into your own closet and spend more time (and less money!) creating memorable experiences.

If you decide to embark on this challenge with me, let me know by using #AugustShoppingBan on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with :)

You might also like…

*Feature image via Un-Fancy – another blog you should check out ASAP!

Fashion

Striped Summer Blouse and Girlfriend Jeans

July 24, 2017

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Ah, Monday. We meet again.

How are you? Did you have a good weekend?

Fritz and I spent the past few days in Sandusky, Ohio. It’s about a two and a half hour drive from Columbus and sits right on Lake Erie. I love spending time there in the summer, because even though we’re still in Ohio, being on Lake Erie really does feel like the ocean. It really is the perfect weekend getaway and I’d highly recommend it to all you Ohioans out there. Hm…maybe I’ll write a post on some of my recommendations? I should definitely get on that…

Blouse: SheIn c/o | Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch c/o | Shoes: Forever 21 (similar)

In the meantime, let’s talk about this outfit. I’m all about fuss-free style, lately. I’m a girl who wants to be able to throw something on and go. When I spotted this blouse from SheIn (only $12!), I knew it would be a welcomed addition to my closet. I love the ruffle sleeves and lace up front, and I’ve been wearing it on serious repeat.

If you’ve heard of SheIn, you might be a little skeptical. I was, too because I’d heard mixed reviews. But honestly, the quality of this top is amazing and you definitely can’t beat the price. I’d highly recommend it if you’re in the market for a breezy summer blouse! It looks just as good with jeans as it does with denim shorts. Pro tip: If you’re thinking of ordering something from their website, go to their style gallery to see how different pieces look on actual customers.

SHOP THIS POST:

Thanks for tuning in! I hope you have a great week.

Fashion

How to Re-wear Your Bridesmaid Dress

July 21, 2017

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How to re-wear your bridesmaid dress | Natalie Was Here | Lifestyle blog

When you’re in your mid-twenties, going to weddings, or being in them, becomes (what feels like) a weekly thing. If you’ve been in a wedding before, chances are your bridesmaid dress is still hanging in the depths of your closet. It probably hasn’t seen the light of day since the “Big Day.”

Even if you’re convinced you’ll never wear it again, don’t toss it in the donate pile just yet. Read on for tips to make your bridesmaid dress the dress you’ll want to reach for when getting ready for every event, both big (like another wedding) and small (Sunday brunch).

TAILOR IT

Would you re-wear your bridesmaid dress if it were just a few inches shorter? Or if the straps were a different style? Take it to a tailor you trust who can tweak the dress to fit perfectly and better suit your personality. My dad is my tailor (it’s true! He owns a men’s clothing store in Cincinnati), so he shortened it about four inches and adjusted the straps. I love how the dress fits now. It’s amazing what a few alterations can do.

DRESS IT DOWN WITH DENIM

Denim is my favorite way to dress down any look. I love how a denim jacket looks when paired with a fancier dress. Throw on some heels and you’re good to go for date night. Or to keep the look more casual, opt for flats or sneakers instead.

MAKE IT WORK YEAR-ROUND

Layer an oversized sweater on top and slip into your favorite ankle boots for a fall appropriate look. In the winter, add some tights to the mix. With the help of a few accessories, your dress can easily transition between seasons.

RE-WEAR IT TO OTHER WEDDINGS

Because let’s be honest. There will be plenty of other weddings. Instead of running out to buy a new dress the second you receive an invite in the mail, take a minute and shop your own closet first. Your bridesmaid dress might be the perfect option.

Thank you so much to David’s Bridal for sponsoring this post. And thank you for supporting the brands who make NWH a happenin’ place to be.

David’s Bridal’s new showroom is officially open at Easton Gateway. Prices are affordable and the team is beyond amazing (shout out to Beth, the store manager for all of her help!). David’s Bridal has a great selection for all of your event, bridal and yes, even homecoming and prom needs. Definitely stop in a take a look around. You won’t be disappointed.

Fashion

This Ohio-Based Jewelry Brand Will Become Your New Favorite (+ A GIVEAWAY!)

July 14, 2017

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Jewelry is art, and when it looks like this, it’s definitely going to get noticed. Finola is a Cincinnati-based jewelry company founded by girl boss Veronica Bucher. Not only is her jewelry absolutely stunning, but it’s on-trend and 100% wearable for every day, too. Instead of mass producing pieces in a factory, Veronica carefully crafts all of her pretty pieces by hand, using only high quality materials. Yeah, she’s pretty impressive.

Her passion for jewelry making began right before high school, when she spent time working at a local bead store.

“I was there for about eight years. I continued making jewelry through college, and only attended one semester because I decided to pursue making jewelry full-time. I started Finola in October of 2016 because of my crazy passion for designing and making jewelry. I didn’t have any capital or investors, just my old trusty supplies and a few solid designs.”

The majority of Finola designs are made with hypoallergenic 14k-gold-filled materials. Take a look at these amazing pieces (they’re a few of my favorites):

1. Celeste // 2. Scarlett // 3. Elsie // 4. Della

Now, for the fun giveaway part…

Pop on over to this post on my Instagram for a chance to win these pretty Isabella tassel earrings! I have them and literally wear them all the time. They go with just about everything and are the perfect summer piece.

I’ll be announcing the winner tonight (7/14) at 10 p.m.! GOOD LUCK!

Travel

Natalie Was Here: Buckeye Lake Winery

June 30, 2017

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Wine by the water? Yes, please. When you live in Ohio and have to deal with the glorious Midwestern humidity, few things top that combo. Last night, Fritz and I visited his parents, who live on Buckeye Lake, and took their boat to Buckeye Lake Winery for dinner.

Because I don’t know if you knew this (I didn’t!), but June is Ohio Wine Month. And I’m always up for celebrating important holidays — especially when they’re month-long holidays.

We sat at a table under a big orange umbrella, took in the views as the sun set and the clouds rolled in, and sipped on two of their popular blends — Sweet Lake View and Lake View Red. The food was amazing, the wine was good and the company was even better. If you live in Columbus, I’d definitely recommend driving East to Buckeye Lake Winery. It’s a hidden gem.

Oh, hi, delicious flat bread. This one came topped with figs, gorgonzola cheese and caramelized onions. It was beyond delicious and was perfect as an entree, but it would be great to share, too. I love how it paired with both wines.

Thank you so much to The Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC) for sponsoring this post. Fun fact: did you know Ohio is the 8th largest wine producer in the U.S.? Today, 268 wineries call Ohio home! Pretty cool, right?

Living

The Insanely Affordable Solution for Wall Art

May 16, 2017

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If you know me, you know I have two black thumbs. I love plants, but they would rather die than love me back. That’s okay, though. I still have my art prints.

When we moved into our place last May, I went into full on decorating mode. And if you’ve ever been in this mode, you know if can get expensive pretty quickly. I wanted to purchase some art, but everything I found cost an arm and a leg and then some. Given my budget, I knew I needed to find a solution that wouldn’t break the bank. And then I remembered engineer prints.

If you’re not familiar with engineer prints (if you’re not an engineer or artist, you’re probably not), prepare to be amazed. Because not only are they super cheap (like, $1 cheap), but they’re also a great and easy way to supersize some of your favorite photos or prints.

Isn’t this one cute? I purchased the downloadable file for $5 from this Etsy shop and then printed an 18×24 size engineer print at my local Staples store for a whopping $1.79. All in all, the project cost me around $7 (okay, $17 if you include the frame). I know, right. CRAZY. On regular paper, the print alone would be around $20 or more.

So, next time you’re looking for affordable art, remember engineer prints are the way to go. I love this little print, but because it wasn’t a huge investment, I know I won’t be sad if/when I change my mind down the road (because that will happen).

Thanks for reading! I hope you’re having a great week!

Travel

Annie’s Bachelorette Party in San Francisco + Sonoma

May 2, 2017

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I flew out to San Francisco a couple weeks back to celebrate my friend Annie’s last month as a single lady. I had been looking forward to the trip for months and it was everything I hoped it would be and more. San Francisco is my favorite city in the entire world, and I don’t know if it was the abundance of wine or my pent up excitement, but it was more beautiful than ever.

We experienced a city-wide black out Friday, but that didn’t slow us down. We grabbed some blankets and enjoyed a picnic on Annie’s roof, walked down to Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch, and packed our things and drove to Sonoma. It was the perfect way to celebrate one of my best friends and this next step in her life, and I loved the chance to meet all of her closest friends. Everyone was so nice and welcoming.

Scroll below to see some of my favorite pictures from the trip!