Fashion Friday: Mad for Plaid

September 25, 2015Fashion Blog PostsAnneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

Hello there beautiful friends! I don't know about you, but I can seem to get enough plaid this time of year. From the classic collared button down shirt, to rainboots, bags, scarves, and more, plaid screams cozy, fall, and fashionable.

Today I've rounded up some of my favorite finds for you to pick from if you are on the hunt for the perfect plaid top. As much as I'd love to personally own a kajillion plaid tops, I suggest finding maybe two that you love, are great quality, and fit well for your height and (ahem) chest. ;-)

Pair it with distressed denim, heels or tennis, a puffer vest or faux fur vest, dainty necklace or statement necklace and you are good to go! Mix and match is where it's at!

scarf / vest / bracelet / earrings / heels / tennis shoes / t-shirt / jeans

xo,

Anneke

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@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

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Coastal Interiors: Living Room Design

September 23, 2015Home Blog PostsAnneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

Fall is officially my favorite time of the year. As a Pacific Northwesterner, born and raised, the air turns crisp, the rainy season has not quite arrived, and the occasional evening of an outdoor fire with smore's always makes the kid's happy!

I lean toward simple decor and don't change things too much from a seasonal standpoint, but when you do, simple changes in pillow covers, table linens, curtains, and foliage seem to do the trick. Not to mention pulling out the pumpkin spice candles! I can never get enough of those!

This living room design is a great place to start. Just add pillows, blankets, and other decor with a seasonal color scheme that you LOVE!

lamp / wine rack / drapes / foliage / sofa / rug /

xo,

Anneke

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@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

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Want to start your own blog? Check out my FREE tips at www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com

Make It Happen: Getting Over Fear

September 21, 2015Anneke McConnell

Hello friends! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for all the behind the scenes, not to mention my new FAVE app Periscope!!

So FEAR! We all experience it on all different levels about various things all the ways from creepy critters to mental roadblocks. The focus of this blog post is to address the latter and help you overcome fear and move forward. Here are some suggestions to help you transition from operating out of fear to operating with hope. Let me be clear though! I do not think you can meet goals just because you are hopeful, but rather when you change your mindset. Ok? Let's dive in!

1. Recognize that fear is wasting your time:

I absolutely have been convicted about this since the launch of Periscope! Ha! All the thoughts >>>> I don't want to look stupid. I don't know how to use it. What is nobody shows up. It's no different than any other situation we may find ourselves in. When you pace and delay action and fret, you are wasting your life. This is why I personally am encouraged by a verse in the Bible: Matthew 6: 25-34. Read up on it! Don't worry, but rather pray, have faith and courage, and do it!

2. Take time to make a plan:

Fear of the unknown can be an absolute killer to dreams if you let it. You certainly can't know how everything is going to pan out before you begin! You can, however, do the research and learn a little bit about that goal of yours before you dive in. Want to lose weight but are afraid of failure? Research and make a plan. Do you want to start a blog but afraid of what people will think or don't know where to begin? Research, learn, and go for it! Make a plan and reevaluate after a set amount of time. What is your goal? Don't go about it blindly - make a plan!

3. You are Unique and Have Something To Offer.

Ok, so you actually know A TON about something and have a goal surrounding it, but you are still feeling fear about your goal. Maybe you are worried about others will think of you if you put yourself out there? Maybe you feeling like you should just let those "more experienced" people do it all. NO! There is room in this world for YOU and who you are and what you have to share is valuable! Don't downplay who God made you to be! Don't let fear win.

4. Recognize the benefits that are greater than your fear.

If your child needed your kidney to survive, you can bet that you would overcome your fear of the process to help him or her. Now that's extreme, but you can apply the same thinking to any situation. When you are feeling fear about a goal, take time to write out the benefits of moving past your fears and accomplishing what it is you are going for! The process is rarely easy, but as I like to say, "If accomplishments were easy, they wouldn't be rewarding!"

So what fear are your facing today? What steps are you going to take TODAY and THIS WEEK to move forward?

xo,

Anneke

Follow along on instagram at:

@coastalcollectiveco

@coastalinteriors

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Want to start your own blog? Check out my FREE tips at www.CreativeBloggingResourceGuide.com

Fall Fashion 2015: Color Crush Marsala

September 16, 2015Anneke McConnell

Whether you call it marsala, burgundy, wine, or bordeaux, one thing is for sure - the color is here and it looks great on everyone. Fall is by far my favorite season of the year, with cozy sweaters, leather boots, warm apple cider, and meals around the table while we talk about the day. As a Pacific Northwest native, the temperature is pretty even, sunny with a little crisp in the air, but not yet gray and drizzly with rain. The change is pretty gradual and down right beautiful.

As a work at home mom and fashion lover, I have to admit I am torn at times when I see super cute outfits in person or online that I'd love to wear, but just don't fit with my day to day life. I have three kids, teach people how to paint furniture, and right now, I have literally finished my workout and am admittedly still in my workout gear (that's just my schedule today!) I love my sky high heels and pretty dresses, but need practical go to items in my closet that still make me feel confident and look my best.

Wanna hear a real, very funny story? Our youngest, my son, was overlooking my shoulder one day this summer after I had finished a workout. I had my laptop open to Facebook. He said, "Mom, I like it when you look like this [pointing to my profile photo], not this"....as he pointed to me. Thankful it was a funny moment for me and teachable moment for him, but truly, looking and feeling pulled together makes a difference, to us and to others. I'm not as concerned with adorning this body God gave me, but rather honoring what He has created. That's just my perspective. :-)

Now how about some color?! I love to research and find these pieces for you (kind of like a stylist) - I do share personal outfits here on the blog, but I also believe in buying less and choosing well. Not to mention finding sales! I hope you love these finds and snag the perfect marsala piece for this fall!