For step 5 I’m reposting something I wrote about a year ago…it’s still applicable today. For this step it’s all about restocking the wardrobe.
You’ve already written out a list of what you have that fits and you love…so now it’s time to fill in the blanks. This post includes all that will build a BASIC wardrobe. Once you have this, you can mix and match easily and adding the frills is the fun part after!!
It’s a brand new year…so what better time to take stock of your wardrobe and then shop till you drop! This is a post that I wrote before for CopperWest and thought it was time to put it out on my blog!
Taking a good look at your wardrobe every season is a great way to keep on top of what is and isn’t working for you. Everyone has those items in their closet that take up space and never seems to be appropriate or look “right”. And who hasn’t had a day of “I have NOTHING to wear!?!” while standing knee-deep in clothes!
Well ladies, here is a list of the basics that EVERY closet needs to be usable and incredibly fantastic. Just take the basics, add YOUR flare to them and poof….you have a closet to envy!
- - Fitted White Shirt (buy 2 if you find one that looks fab!)
- - Trench Coat (in neutral or leopard…whatever floats your boat!)
- - Turtleneck, Fitted Tees & Tanks (each in a couple neutral colors)
- - Jeans (straight leg, trouser, dark & a fun “weekend” pair)
- - Sweaters (v-neck, cardigan and a fun chunky knit)
- - Pencil Skirt
- - A pair of neutral colored fitted Trousers
- - Little Black Dress (of course!!)
- - A GORGEOUS wool knee-length coat (I have one in turquoise…doesn’t have to be the basic black!)
- - Knee high boots
- - Pumps (black)
- - A pair of cute flats/those GREAT cowboy boots you can’t live without!
Photo from Mink&Manure.ca
Now these are just the basics…mix and match to your taste and only buy what works for you!! And then to these you add YOUR style…a hot Hair-on-Hide purse, that smokin’ large Turquoise stone necklace or that HUGE pair of sunglasses…that’s the fun part and what will make your closet yours. And by having the basics and layering your accessories on top, it will take your wardrobe from impractical and frustrating to one a Farmer’s Trophy Wife would be proud of!!
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Tags: boots, cowboy boots, fall fashion, fashion, fashion trend, hide on hair purse, Mink and Manure, shopping, the basics, wardrobe, western, western fashion
About 4 years ago my friend Jennifer and I started up a company called Mink and Manure ~ Fashion for the Farmer’s Trophy Wife. We were both young with no kids and spent a lot of time lamenting about how it was so hard to find clothes that had a western element and wasn’t over-the-top hillbilly. So we started selling our own version of western wear! It was a blast, traveling together and holding trunk shows in homes across the province and at rodeos. I can’t even count the hours that we got to spend together doing what we loved…shopping! And of course selling clothes and meeting new people. Our business grew and the hours grew with it; About 2 years into the adventure, my husband and I came to the decision that this was not meant to be my path. I am a nurse and didn’t want to give that up, and in order to continue with Mink and Manure while balancing home and family life, something was going to have to give. So I sadly handed over my half of the reins to Jennifer and she has been going full steam ahead ever since. She is nearing the 4th anniversary of the company and is having a blast! I am so proud of her and all she has accomplished with our little dream, and came across this article that the Calgary Herald wrote about us in my archived files.
Thanks for the fun doll and great job!!
Love…
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Tags: article, Mink and Manure, newspaper, press, publicity
Today I’m going to continue on with my top 100 list of things I love, adore and would be hard-pressed to live without. To see #1 to 20, click here and here!
21- Belt…I love belts, old or new, hair on hide or tweed, you name it, I’ll love it!
22- Flip Flops….nothing says summer like the sound of flip flops…it’s kinda like the smell of freshly cut lawn…mmmmm!
23- Anything animal print…ok, that’s not 100% true…I am a sucker for anything cowhide print…or leopard…or…ok, maybe it is true…(and I know this isn’t a “fashion” item…but isn’t it awesome?! I have one for my daughter and just ordered one for my son!)
24-Coral Jewelery…LOVE!!!!!
25- Makeup bags….these things are like magnets to me, I can’t get enough of them. Unfortunately, I only have so much makeup…
26- Oversized Sunglasses….anyone who knows and loves me must love my sunnies….or at least tolerate them!
27-Cute sundresses…now hurry up summer!
28- Rubber boots….our yard can be a mudpit…(Come on rain….)
29- Sandals…same idea as the flip flops, but I love the hair on hide ones!!!
30- Spanx…a girl’s gotta do, what a girl’s gotta do!! (especially after having 2 babies!!)
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Tags: Anthropologie, belts, buckle, burberry, carseat, coral necklace, cosmetic bag, cowboy boots, Cowgirl Bling, cowhide, fashion, fashion trend, flip flops, gypsyville, hair on hide, jewelery, junk gypsy, makeup, makeup bag, Mink and Manure, necklace, oversized sunglasses, rain, rubber boots, sandals, shopping, spanx, sundress, Sunglasses, Victoria Secret, western, Western belt, western dressing
Today’s look is Angelina Jolie……….I love her………..and her husband…..
(p.s. I’m team Jolie all the way!!)
Super-cute trench coat just in time for spring….and all the rain showers we hope are coming!
Add your favorite jeans to…
I love high heels…they don’t love me…I’m definitely a boots girl!
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Tags: Angelina Jolie, Banana Republic, boots, Brad Pitt, Corral Boots, cowboy boots, cowhide, cowhide print, fashion, fashion trend, High Heels, jeans, jewelery, leopard, leopard print, Mink and Manure, Miss Me Jeans, MissMe, Red high heels, shopping, trench, trench coat, western
So I’ve realized that I post pictures left, right and center about everyone and everything else…and there isn’t a single one of me on here….
There are a few reasons…
1- I haven’t yet lost 100% of the baby weight…yet…..
2- I’m usually the one taking the pictures and rarely remember to jump in front of the camera…
3- I haven’t thought to post any!
Sooooo….
This was the back in the beginning of Mink & Manure (with my girl Jenn).
(I’m in blue.)
Halloween ’08 with my daughter!
And yes, she’s wearing makeup…..
…it was Halloween!
Ok…..ok……I was looking for an excuse to put mascara on her….
This was around age 21 and back in the days of riding for the Calgary Stampede….
Oh, he’s cute…..
(my husband….just thought I’d through this one in for fun!)
And this is pregnant with my son this past fall….
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Tags: cowboy boots, farmer, farmer's trophy wife, Mink and Manure, pictures
This week’s “Look” is again….Jessica….I adore her style/stylist….
Super-cute ”sunnies” just in time for the spring sunshine!!!
I would LOVE to own a leather jacket….and really, now is the time to buy…all the huge sales are on right now!
This tee is cute and cheap and green…just in time for St.Patrick’s Day!!
Again with the Vuitton!!!
CUTE…CUTE…CUTE….jeans from Mink & Manure!
Now for shoes….I can’t tell what she’s wearing, but being that she’s only 5′…I’ll bet they’re heels…
I’m a little bit country…so I’d go with this…
P.S. I’m planning to just post “Looks” all week…AND they will all be of Jessica…see, I really do love her style..er..stylist!
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Tags: Banana Republic, boots, cowboy boots, fashion, fashion trend, Jessica Simpson, Leather, Leather jacket, Louis Vuitton, Mink and Manure, Old Navy, Prada, shopping, Sunglass Hut, Sunglasses, tshirt, Victoria Secret, Vuitton, western
This week’s look is of teeny-tiny Eva Longoria…did you know she’s only 5′??
And her husband Tony Parker (basketball player) is 6’2?!?!
For jewelery you could go with the classic hoops…
- Earrings from Piperlime
Or go country….(I would!!)
Earrings from Spool No.72
Good ol’ classic white shirt…what a great, versatile item for your wardrobe!! (check out Copperwest, where I posted about how to build a fab wardrobe…)
Blouse from Banana Republic
It Jeans from Mink & Manure
This is a cute tote…
Tote from Piperlime
But this is more my style…LOVE!!
Tote from TerracottaOnWeb (ebay.com)
Shoes by Jessica Simpson
And these babies……WOW!!!!
Boots from Rawhide.com
When I win the lottery baby…these will be all mine!
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Tags: Banana Republic, cowboy boots, cowhide, Eva Longoria, fashion, fashion trend, jeans, jewelery, look of the week, Mink and Manure, shopping, western
A little while ago I wrote about what makes a fantastically functional wardrobe (Back to Basics) and now I want to give you another reason to go shopping!
Handbags, purses, carry-alls…call them whatever you want, it’s all the same to me…LOVE. A girl can never have too many shoes…or purses! I flipped through a few fashion/style books I have (another addiction..we’ll talk about that later!) and came up with a short list of what you need to have a functional (and FUN!) stash of purses.
1- Day bag…this will usually be for work (should go with suits/dresses) and is a combo of fashion & function.You will use this one the most, so make sure it’s well made and of durable material (leather!)…get them in neutral shades and what works for summer won’t for winter…so you may need a couple of different styles.
2- Evening bag…these have 2 catagories…classic go-with-everything or the fun little bags you breakout to make a statement. Only has to be big enough to hold your nighttime essentials.
3-Oversized tote…for work and travel, should be large enough for papers and personal items and be able to go through airport security.
4-Weekend bag…this is for fun and is where you can REALLY show your style, go for broke here…sparkles, colored leather, fur…go for it…You deserve it!
Other tips when shopping are…
- How does it look? Is it in proportion to your body…a purse should work with your figure, not against it.
- How does it feel? Is it light enough (including your usual things)? Does it fit comfortably on your shoulder or under your arm? Does it fit with your winter coat?!?! (Totally have forgotten to test this in the past….so sad!)
- Will it stay organized? Are there enough pockets for your belongings or should you include zippered pouches to keep things organized…And make sure it stays securely closed…how strong is the zipper/magnet/snap?
- Does it fit into your life? Is it durable to withstand sticky spills from kid’s snacks or strong enough for all your work related belongings….
So there you go…a few great excuses to go shopping…sorry husbands!
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Tags: crows nest trading, double j saddlery, fashion, handbags, kippy's, Mink and Manure, purses, shopping, sparkle
Am I allowed this on my New Year’s resolution budget?!? I doubt it!
I have 2 very wonderful, ambitious, beautiful and fun girlfriends who run their own businesses….the ottoman above is from Mink and Manure… a business that I started with my girl Jenn several years ago and due to babies, the farm, work and all that jazz, she now is flying solo and is rocking it! Jenn is out there in the world making it more fun and beautiful one party at a time (check out her site for details…it’s a home party concept AND she has a store in Irricana, AB). I still LOVE the name of the company…it’s hysterical and has gotten a lot of attention over the years!
The other fantastic friend is Jenny…she owns Cowgirl Bling…and the company runs with the same concept…shop in the comfort of your own home WITH your friends…how fun is that!
It is a little dangerous that I have these friends..you see, they have GREAT taste and I love all their stuff…hard to resist!!
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Tags: Cowgirl Bling, cowhide, friends, girlfriends, Mink and Manure, New Year, ottoman, resolutions
