Pin to Real Life: Winter Layers

Left image: Penny Pincher Fashion (used with permission)

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When I saw this outfit that Kimberly came up with, it felt so very “me” (well I guess it’s really more “Kimberly” but the point is I liked it), so I plopped a photo over on good ol’ Pinterest. A few days later, I didn’t really have an idea of what to wear, so pin to the rescue!

You can read my tips on using Pinterest for outfit inspiration here, but I’ll clue you in on a big one: pin looks that contain pieces similar to what’s already in your closet. Obviously for this outfit I did a totally different color scheme, but I had all the basic stuff: striped tee, leather vest, coat, plaid scarf, beanie, jeans, and boots. And a dusting of snow around my feet – do I get bonus points for that? It was the mix of patterns and layers I liked, so I wasn’t too worried about replicating the colors. Plus these were just the only color options I had…so there’s that.

If you want to see what other winter looks I’ve been in to recently, you can follow my Pinterest board here!

similar Shirt // similar Vest (on sale) // Coat (40% off w/ code TAKENOTE) // similar Scarf (on sale) // similar Hat // Sunglasses // similar Boots (save) // other similar Boots (spend) // Lips

Pin to Real Life…Recipe! What?! Yes.

Since it is Pin to Real Life week, I decided it was a good excuse to recreate not just an outfit but a recipe. Like a real one with ingredients and everything. I mean look at all these ingredients. I had to cut and measure things.

In case you can’t tell, cooking is not really my thing. I have a food-themed Pinterest board, but it’s mostly just to make me look well rounded. And most of the things I pin are desserts and grilled cheese sandwiches. Because – well – what else is worth eating?

But I was pretty intrigued to try this One Pot Wonder Tomato Basil Pasta because you only have to get one thing dirty (not counting utensils), and it takes about 10 minutes to cook. It did take longer than 10 minutes to get all the ingredients cut and ready to go, but that probably has something to do with the fact that I spend more time in my closet than in the kitchen. (I had to look up a YouTube video on how to cut onions in julienne strips.)

Look at me – cutting onions like a pro. What you can’t see in this picture is that I was wearing sunglasses to try to keep from crying. It didn’t work.

Look at all that skilled slicing and dicing. I bet you’re wondering about this recipe by now, huh? Well if you want to try it, here’s what you need:

12 ounces linguine 
1 can of diced tomatoes (including the liquid)
1 large onion cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (I think I’ll add more next time)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (can use less if you’re very sensitive to spiciness)
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs basil, chopped (also might use more basil next time)
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (I think it would still be tasty with plain water)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

You put all of this stuff in a pot. At once. Like this:

Heat that baby up to boiling, cover it, and cook it for 10 minutes. Give it a stir once in a while. The best part is that you don’t have to drain anything. The pasta just soaks up most of the liquid. Then you can scoop it out and serve it! Add grated parmesan if you like. If you’re really fancy, you could even garnish with an extra basil leaf.

LOOK EVERYONE! I MADE FOOD!

Thanks for humoring me while I strayed from my usual topic today! I’ll be back to outfits very soon – 2 more Pin to Real Life styles to show you! Don’t forget to send me your link if you have one for me to post.

Pin to Real Life Outfit #1

Left photo source: Atlantic-Pacific (used with permission)

In case you spent the whole weekend at the pool (color me jealous) and you missed the big news, this week I am doing the Pin to Real Life style challenge! Never heard of it before? That’s because I invented it. You’re welcome.

The first outfit I recreated was based on a look from the ridiculously stylish Blair of Atlantic-Pacific. I pinned this look because (a) it’s adorable, and (b) I had all the ingredients to do a spot-on re-enactment. I skipped the hat though, because hats aren’t really my thing. I wore this over the weekend to go out for pizza with friends and take a short walk around Monument Circle in downtown Indy. I probably never would have mixed this dress, jacket, and shoe together if I hadn’t pinned Blair’s look, so that’s a win for the Pin to Real Life style challenge!

If you try your own Pin to Real Life look this week, don’t forget to mention me! Send me your link and I’ll post it here on SRL.

similar Dress (on sale) // Jacket // similar Shoes // other similar Shoes (on sale) // Bracelet* (25% off with code REALLIFE25) // vintage Coach bag via eBay // Necklace

*Bracelet gifted by House of Gemmes

The “Pin to Real Life” Style Challenge!

After the epic success of my last challenge (surprisingly, I’m not being sarcastic), I couldn’t wait to do another one. A ton of other bloggers joined in last time, and I’m hoping for just as many this time! You hear that? I’m talking to YOU.

So what’s the challenge? I’m glad you asked.

It’s called the “Pin to Real Life” Style Challenge!

How does it work? You are so full of great questions today! Well, I don’t know about everyone else, but I use Pinterest almost daily, and I often pin outfits from other blogs I follow. So next week, I’m challenging myself to look through my outfit inspiration board on Pinterest and recreate my own version of a pinned outfit each day. It doesn’t have to be an exact replica – the idea is just to be inspired by a look I like and then find things in my own closet that mimic whatever it is that I liked about the original.

I hope everyone likes this idea! I look forward to sharing my “pinspired” looks with you all starting Monday.

Join me, won’t you?

These things are always more fun with friends. If you’re a blogger and a Pinterest user, why not post a Pinterest-inspired outfit? You can do it just once, or you can go for a whole week with me. Even if you don’t have a blog and you want to try recreating an outfit or 2 from your own Pinterest board (or mine), share it on the SRL Facebook page!

If you’ve never used Pinterest for outfit inspiration, check out this article for tips on getting started.

If you are a fellow blogger and you decide to do the Pin to Real Life Style Challenge, I would be happy to share your link with my readers! All I ask is that: (1) Somewhere in your post, mention that I started the challenge and link back to this post, and (2) Send me your link somehow (Twitter, email, comment, etc.) so I know where to find you.

See all the Pin to Real Life posts here!