Style from the Sticks

Rest assured, just when the temperatures are on the rise, you’ll find yourself sitting on metal bleachers cheering on your miniature Olympian. What can you wear to be supportive and fun, all while not melting? Here’s what I would choose- The first outfit might not be the exact team colors, but it’s a light color to keep you cool. And a great hat comes in very handy! The second outfit has some fun boho shorts and some fringe (and non-yawnworthy) sandals. Instead of full on

Thanksgiving Travel Day It’s been awhile since I’ve done some actual fashion on the blog, so I’m taking the opportunity this week as many of you are packing for Thanksgiving trips or thinking about what to wear for family gatherings. As I watch it snow here, I think leggings are perfectly appropriate to wear when you’re traveling, especially in inclement weather.  So long as you take care to wear them with a cute sweater and booties and not a hoodie and some ratty old Uggs. A

Happy Birthday to me!  I’m here celebrating it with you and a little Eric Church.  Am I the only one who has a little unreasonable crush on him? Aviators are a must with this theme.  But I really don’t know why he covers up those beautiful brown eyes with sunglasses anyway?  I think a little laid back supermodel look is right in order for Eric Church.  And of course, beer from the bottle. I think this song is really about drugs overtaking smalltowns but I like to put my own s

No Memorial Day weekend is complete without visiting a cemetery.  Many have special services just for the weekend.  Remembering those in military service who have died for their country is the whole point of the holiday.  But many of us also extend it to remember those in our own families who have passed on. Whatever your reason, be sure to include a trip to the cemetery this weekend.  I’ve packed you an easy outfit to wear. Start with a maxi dress.  You may be sitting in a l

The weekend is upon us and I’ve put together a few casual colorful outfits for a laid back weekend. If you want something different, wear a skirt!  Just as easy as jeans, this striped skirt kicks up your style.  For a cool day, pair it with a comfortable sweater. Can you tell I’m really in love with the white converse this spring?  It’s on my must-have list.  Pair them with a printed tank (no florals needed) and a cardi to keep  you warm. If you’re a polo girl, don’t be afrai

Today certainly hasn’t gone as planned.  After getting the kids off to school,  I found myself phoneless.  Which is a weird feeling.  I was thankful that we still had our landline or I would have felt cut off from the world.  Drat technology anyway! Instead of my normal routine, I had to make an emergency trip to town to fix said phone.  And in the process, guess what color I ended up dressing in…gray.  Gray like the skies have been for days. So I color failed today.  And it

What would Easter be without a great egg hunt for the kids.  Jeans are always appropriate and so are tennies.  But add a few fun accessories and a cute little jacket. Don’t forget your basket! Easter Week- Egg Hunt by stylefromthesticks featuring traditional home decor Dorothy Perkins red shirt dorothyperkins.com Blue jacket bodycentral.com Mango skinny jeans $50 – johnlewis.com Converse shoes lordandtaylor.com Betsey Johnson stud earrings betseyjohnson.com Topshop brace

Let’s think spring!! The meaning of spring fashion is a little different here in the Midwest.  While most people think spring equates delicate shoes, blouses and capris, we know better.  In typical recent fashion, our climates go from 20 degrees to 65 without warning.  There are very few days without muddy, dirty snowy slush and windy cold rains.  And then all the sudden its summer and you need a tank top because you’ll sweat to death. What I’m trying to say is that there is

Today this post is being featured on Straight from the Corn State which is a group of fellow Iowa bloggers.  So for those of you who don’t know me, let me introduce myself and my blog. I’m a fashion blogger who lives in small town Iowa.  My style is for real women, especially Midwesterners, who need affordable fashion.  Most items that I feature are under $100.  As a stay-at-home mom, I know how easy it is to want to live in yoga pants.  But I also know we can do better!  I l

What else do you need to take with you for a midwinter getaway?  Sundresses in every shape, color and pattern.  Take the stress out of putting outfits together and slap them on.  They’ll keep you cool, comfortable and beautiful. Here’s a few of my favorite- Tropical Getaway by stylefromthesticks featuring a navy blue dress Atelier Fixdesign sleeveless dress yoox.com Topshop sundress dress nordstrom.com People Tree navy blue dress $39 – peopletree.co.uk American Eagle Outfi

Every creature is stirring for opening gifts!  Santa’s been here and the little ones can hardly contain themselves!  It’s Christmas Day! Wear an easy outfit of pants but with lots of shine!  The brocade screams holiday and a shimmery sweater to go with will keep you toasty.  Take it easy in flats but don’t forget a few beautiful pieces of jewelry. Maybe they’ll match something under the tree with your name on it.  IF you made the nice list! Opening Gifts by stylefromthesticks

It’s down to the final minutes and you are still trying to figure what to get your father-in-law.  A little last minute shopping is what you need. Stay comfy in jeans and a t-shirt but with a tweed jacket, you’ll stay warm in and out of stores without a coat to drag around.  And pair of flats will keep your errands quick. And hopefully you’ll find him something!  Either way, get in the gift giving mood! Last Minute Shopping by stylefromthesticks featuring black ballet flats P

Traveling can be a pain in the neck.  Or it can be an exciting journey.  It’s all in how you look at it!  Put down the yoga pants and get into something a little more stylish!  I promise it’ll still be comfortable but your pearls and sequins need to make an exodus out of our closet at Christmastime.  And when you arrive, you’ll feel so much better about any activities that might come at you unexpectedly. And the hat is entirely optional.  Depending on your holiday spirit… Tra

I know many of you are anxious about what to wear for your upcoming holiday travels.  Don’t worry!  I’ll help you pack! The next few posts will consist of outfits that I’ve created based on the pieces you see below.  These are pieces similar to what I’m actually packing, so I promise they will work! I’ll also be posting a few last minute gift ideas as we’re all feeling the last minute crunch for the perfect little something for those we love. Holiday Packing by stylefromthest

Our last lesson for a while is about mixing feminine and masculine textures and looks.  The combination is so wonderful.  And here’s why.  Think about a beauty queen all dressed up for competition in her dazzling sequin fuchsia gown, big hair, lots of lipstick and high heels.  While this outfit is Barbie’s dream come true (and perhaps men across America’s), it pretty much leaves you with a cavity.  Think about all the great film female characters that you’ve watched- they all

Today’s lesson is about putting together outfits with a top that has more than two colors in the pattern. In outfit one, I combined the top with a solid black pant, but spaced out the addition of a pattern in the shoe.  Because this outfit had those two patterns already going on, I chose a solid neutral bag. In outfit two, I paired the top with a similar colored pattern.  Keep in mind that a tight and small pattern like this is really considered a solid.  The eye doesn’t real

This is a total repeat from spring but is still talk worthy.  Every few seasons shoes go through rotation on what is in and what is out.  And this fall, the pointy heel is back in. Does this mean you should get rid of all of your round-toed platform pumps?  Don’t be ridiculous.  This just means while the pointy toed heels may have been in the back of the closet for a while, the good old classic staple is now a front-runner. These heels will always look smart and sassy when pa