GAP Style Made Easy!

How often do you get to shop alone without your child hiding in the racks and licking the floor or your poor pitiful significant other whining because men don't want to shop or he is staring at every price tag reminding you how expensive it is?? Am I right or am I right? Well, I had an awesome opportunity to collaborate with our local GAP Valley West Store, shop alone and style a few outfits, and post them here for you to make a list and shop fast and smart! P.S. You can call into the store for them to pull and hold the items or make sure they are in stock for you before you make the trip in! Total time saver. And for the people who started reading this and thought to themselves well "I don't shop there" or "it is too expensive for me", well good new because I am thrifty and I NEVER pay full price for anything at the GAP and I have chosen some trendy pieces as long as closet staples you will wear for years. Number one tip is to get the credit card, no seriously. I do not get paid for saying this (wish I did) but every Tuesday you get an extra 10% off of your purchase so wait until they have 40% off and use your card....no brainer! Plus you will earn rewards for using it and you can use it at Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, and all GAP stores! If you saw my Instastory over on my Instagram @ladyandredstyle,  you heard that I purchased 12 items for $294 and that was with my 50% off and lucky for you, this week is Friends and Family event which is 50% off for you too 😉 **March 22-27 50% off in store purchases and 40% off at GAP.com or GAP factory store**

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This look is so classic! The details on this tank are so on trend and comes in a few other colors! Always need a neutral cardigan to layer throughout the year and if you don't own white denim, get yourself some right now! These are super comfy and stretchy! True to size.

Stretch True Skinny Jean-White

Stripe open front Cardigan

Crochet Swing Top

Asher Earrings

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How cute are these sunnies? Yes, even I forgot that GAP has sunnies and they are actually really great quality and obviously cute too! This cami is silky and has a pleated detail that is hard to see in this photo but so cute. Pair with a denim jacket if you want low key, wear alone for a date night or put on a cardi for a relaxed look! So so simple! Plus, it is loose so definitely a must for pizza night ☺️

Stretch true skinny Jean-White

Pleat Scoop Neck Cami

Blake Rounded Glasses in store!!

Luna Pendant

Lace Me Up Heels

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Embroidery is not just for your grandma! This season it is hot and especially paired with an off the shoulder look too! This one is very comfy and loose fit so if you want it to look more "fitted" give it a little front tuck like I did in the image above! I paired it with flats but this would be adorable for a concert paired with boots!

Embroidered off the Shoulder Top

Stretch True Skinny Jean- White

Victoria Pendant Necklace (tassel removed)

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Need a basic pair of skinny jeans? These are your pair! Great color and fit and oh so comfy. Easily could re-wear these a few times in 1 week! This top is light blue stripes with a small bubble like sleeve. It gives it enough of a different look you don't feel like the Michelin man but enough detail to dress up and wear out! Lightweight and perfect transition piece for Spring to Summer.

Luna Pendant Necklace

Split-Neck Blouse

Stretch True Skinny Denim

Iris Tassel Earrings

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As good as it gets right here! Comfy slip on shoes, boyfriend sweater and girlfriend style distressed jeans. Oh and these are GAP sunnies again. I love black and gold, it just gives it a little sass. These jeans run true to size but are more relaxed than normal, so comfy and the stripe on the sweater is more interesting than just a plain color.

Pair it with an army green jacket or a bomber jacket for another look this season!

Black Leather Waverly Clutch/Purse

Destructed Mid-Rise Girlfriend Jean

Grey Stripe Scoop Neck Pullover

Riad Layering Necklace- Mixed Metals

Sunglasses are in store!

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If you buy one dress this season, please buy this one!! It is so good it hurts! I sized down on this one. The cinched waist tie is enough detail to not have to wear many accessories. The fabric is buttery soft and the color is perfection! This will sell out fast and will be a staple in your closet! Trust me!

Tercel Sleeveless Shirtdress

Put a jacket over it, a bomber, a cardigan for different looks. Pair it with converse shoes, flip flops or short booties like I did. So versatile I could scream!

I look forward to hearing your feedback and hope to bring you more posts like this one since I have been receiving many messages on what pieces I love and friends wanting me to help them manage their closets! I love sharing style with you all and hope you find this helpful. XOXO

Carry On Everytime-A Must Read!

Believe it people. This princess only packs in a carry on for EVERY vacation, from 4 quick days in Mexico to 11 days train hopping in Italy! No lost luggage, no fees, and no waiting at baggage claim. I just walk right on by everyone scratching their head, hands on hips waiting, and trying to figure out which luggage belongs to them on the big conveyer belt. Yes, it can be a hassel trying to find that perfect spot above your seat for your luggage but if there is no more room they will check it for free. So with a rolling bag and a large shoulder bag to fit under my seat, we are ready to go! But packing for our upcoming trip was seriously a challenge and I was excited to tackle it. Pack for me and my baby in 1 lonely carry on and 1 shoulder bag. Don't ever challenge or doubt me, I will prove you wrong :) So this post is with baby things, whatever room she takes up, just think you have that much more space if you are traveling alone. I have a cheap bag from Khols and it seriously is the best, good pockets, expands, and it has been many places. I can't part with my dirty old bag...yet!1.) Pack clothes and shoes in the same color palate or neutrals. Try to pick outfits and shoes you can wear with just about every outfit. 2.) Pack sample size items and travel items such as perfume samples, toothpaste from the dentist, small deodorant and such. I take small shampoos, my toothbrush, and travel toothpaste and leave it there. (Of course remember if you carry on it can only be 3.0 ounces anyways.) Who wants to take your dirty toothbrush home and most of the time I use up my shampoo/conditioner. You can bring the bottles home because you have room and reuse them if you would like, but at .99, I buy new! 3.) Go light. Like makeup, jewelery, and hair accessories. Bring things you can mix and match. You do not need every color eyeshadow you own or every necklace, you should bring a color or piece that matches all outfits. 4.) Start with a good list. See previous Blog post for my Vacation Packing List. I love a list...for everything :) 5.) Condense. Majority of you probably have an iPad or some gadget, so use it wisely. Upload movies, games, newspapers, magazines, and books all on one source for more room in your carry on bag. If you don't want to buy books and magazines, borrow them from your local library using Wilbor.lib.overdrive.com/. Simple. My make-up bag inside my luggage has all essentials that are not liquids. Duh. *see Vacation Packing List blog post

</a Most people find it hard to take only 1 ziplock bag full of their stuff but here I have a few tips for you. Here's mine (with baby): Neutrogena sunscreen (my fav), California Baby sunscreen, shampoo, condtioner, hairspray, 3 perfume samples, lotion ( The Body Shop has awesome travel size body butter in tons of scents), toothpaste, 2 sample size Johnson & Johnson shampoo/body wash combo, baby lotion, and baby Tylenol. * Pack this near the top of your luggage for easy access when going through security. Nobody wants to wait for you to dig it out while your underwear is flying out in the process.

Now let's talk your carry on bag/purse. This should fit under the seat in front of you. If I am not taking my baby, I throw my purse into the bag, but for this trip I am not taking an actual purse. I put things in this bag to keep me busy, full, clean, and organized. Kleenex, hand sanitizer, passports, wallet with id's, credit cards, money, sunglasses, hat (if I am taking one), snacks, iPad, camera, and slippers for when my feet get cold :). This trip I am adding a baby "bag" that I put in my blog post, My Baby Must Haves. Life saver, and it's cute. In this bag for my baby is: extra outfit, teether toy, book, sunnies, wipes, 4 diapers, rice cereal (I poured it into a milk storage bag, folded it over and put it inside a Gerber bowl with lid), spoon, bib, paci, comb, 2 formula packets, bottle, and a blankie. Note: I do not have my electronics in my bag yet in the photo because I use them daily...okay, hourly :)

Here is what I am packing for myself, 5 days to Mexico, all inclusive. We go to the Riu Palace often and so there is no need for us to venture out on excursions. 1.) White/Navy striped maxi dress

</a 2.) Tunic and white shorts. My tunic matches my baby's dress :)

</a 3.) White wrap top with skinny jean/capris or wear with khaki shorts from another outfit. 4.) Pink dress

5.) Khaki shorts and t-shirt

6.) My outfit for the plane is comfy linen pants, easy tank for nursing my baby and wear one of my cardigans.

Shoes I am taking are a flip flop, sandal, and a wedge. All the same color family. Each pair works with every outfit and I am taking 2 cardigans because I am a grandma in disguise, I get cold. Don't forget the essentials, bras and undies.

Now for my darling child. Yes, it was hard not to pack extra because every outfit looks cute on her! I used a Pinterest idea and packed her things in Ziploc bags, then I manually ( with my own mouth) sucked the excess air out of the bag to condense it down. Who needs those vacuum sealed bags anyways when I have the biggest mouth?? Haha Each number refers to each ZipLoc bag. 1.) 2 blankies, 3 pairs socks, 2 pj's, 3 bibs, and 1 onsie 2.) Rash gaurd (aka swimsuit), yellow dress with bloomers, hair bow, coverup, and foot sandals. 3.) Cream hat, cover up, rash gaurd, foot sandals, and pink dress with bloomers 4.) Flamingo shirt with ruffle bottoms, hair bow, pink hat, and rash gaurd 5.) Dress with bloomers, white hat, rash gaurd, cover up, blue hat, and hair bow. I am taking 2 re-usable swim diapers and 25 regular diapers with me as well. Who knew it was so hard to get baby sized disposable swim diapers?! Call me crazy but I am also taking a blow up pool canopy floatie.

So start with a list, colors you want to wear, and go from there. For example, in Italy, I took comfy walking shoes and 2 pairs of boots, brown and black boots. Wear one pair of boots on the plane to make more space in your carry on. I am also notorious for making a graph of the days I am there for mixing & matching outfits. Whatever works for you do it, but take the challenge and pack in a carry on, the airline will love you for it! HaHa Happy Travels! *After we go on our vacation I will make sure and report back with you on what worked and what didn't work when traveling with a baby. To be continued....