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Personal | July 9, 2014

About me update

I updated my “About Me” page, and I wanted to share!

About C. Style:

I started C. Style as a much needed outlet for myself. I left an 8-year sales career when I had my two sons. It’s hard to admit, but it was extremely difficult for me. I lovingly refer to that time as my “deep dark hole”. I found that I was lonely and not my usually extraverted self. I was not the same “Carly”. I also somehow lost my sense of style and even my passion for clothes. But it’s ok! It all happened for a reason, because I learned a ton about myself! The turning point came when I met two of my closest girlfriends for dinner. On the way I said a little prayer that my friends would have some advice to help me. During our long discussion that was centered around nothing but me (got to love good friends), we started talking about my love for clothes. They said they would like me to help them clear out their closets, put together outfits and shop. I couldn’t believe my ears! I was so excited! I remember going home that night and coming up with a plan to start C. Style. But, I wanted to share my finds, tips and tricks with all my friends, so I decided to blog about it, too! And so the craziness began, I started taking pictures of myself and posting them on the Internet. Who does that?!?! Ha!

I want C. Style to be a place that is fun and void of any posts that leave readers feeling inadequate. I want it to be a happy place. There are too many times in my life when I felt that style was unachievable, intimidating and stuffy. I feel that everyone deserves to have fun with clothes and feel good in their skin. I understand this goes way beyond clothes, and here is a little bit about my personal experience (here). But there is nothing worse than feeling like you hate what you have on. It can ruin your whole day (or at least it can ruin mine) –ha! After all, we’re not trying to be models in Vogue, we just want to look good and have fun! I try to convey my love for clothes by sharing “real” style tips and tricks with little bits about my “real life”. I am an open book on C. Style and in life in general. And every time I am, you guys give me a big hug back. I can’t thank you all enough. Your encouraging words keep me going and are what motivate me. Thank you, because in the end, I don’t really care what anyone wears, as long as they feel good in their skin.

What is my style?

My style is practical. I wear heels on occasion, but I prefer to wear flats because they’re comfy. When purchasing something, I look for versatility, quality and cost-per-wear. I enjoy mixing high priced items with lower priced items. I don’t care where something is from, as long as adding it to my wardrobe makes sense.

Where do you get inspiration?

The posts are inspired by all of you through your comments, your questions, and your e-mails! I love them, and please keep them coming! Even if I don’t reply because of lack of time etc., they are in my brain. They’re inspired by epiphanies I have with clients and my own life, when I’m trying to find a solution to a style dilemma. They’re inspired by what I see out and about shopping. They’re inspired by trends, flipping around in magazines and Pinterest.

How do you have time to do this?

Some of you have thanked me for the time I take to post and encouraged me to keep posting. Thank you. You are right. It takes time, especially for a (recovering) perfectionist. That’s why I’m so thankful when you all share C. Style with your friends. Truth be told, things definitely slip through the cracks. Sometimes I completely forget about an e-mail, or I send my sons birthday party invitations out way too late, but it’s ok, they know I love them. But, I don’t claim to do it on my own! My sister-in-law, Mallory, helps me with everything. Yes, everything. I couldn’t do it without her. I remember when I first started C. Style and Mallory agreed to help, I cried. Yup, I couldn’t do it without her.

How do you make money?

When working with clients, I’m paid hourly. I shop with my clients, I help them in their closets, I share my knowledge with them, and we have a ton of fun. On the blog I am doing the same, but obviously I’m not charging hourly, yay! So how my blog is supported is by my links. When you purchase using a link on the blog, I get a very small commission, pennies on the dollar. It actually doesn’t cost you anything. I just post what I love and share my outfit links (which I would do anyway). It’s a win-win. How cool is that?!?! Sometimes brands will ask me to share a particular item or deal with you guys. I always tell you in the post if this is the case (ie. This brand asked me to look at this or that). I’m pretty picky when it comes to collaborations. I don’t post things I don’t like, obviously –ha! I am and always will be an open book. It’s who I am. So, if you like what you see on C. Style, share it with your friends because sharing is caring! And if you’d like to give me a “thumbs up”(a little support to say keep on going),purchase through the links.

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15 Comments

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Comments

  1. Phyllis R. says

    July 9, 2014 at 5:28 AM

    Carly, I’m so glad you blog! I am an avid and appreciative reader/fan, and I have purchased MANY of your wonderful recommendations. Besides your amazing fashion sense, I also love your sweet, funny personality. So…thank you and keep up the GREAT work {it’s actually a service!}

    Reply
    • Carly Lee (C. Style Blog) says

      July 9, 2014 at 5:58 PM

      Love this comment. Thank you, Phyllis.

      Reply
  2. Yolonda J. Washington // Style Fragment says

    July 9, 2014 at 7:48 AM

    Great post. Nice to know how C. Style came about.

    Reply
    • Carly Lee (C. Style Blog) says

      July 9, 2014 at 6:02 PM

      Thanks Yolonda!

      Reply
  3. Deborah Vandersnow says

    July 9, 2014 at 1:54 PM

    Thanks for letting us know about purchasing through your links. I buy clothes based on your suggestions so I will be sure to do this from. Now on!

    Reply
    • Carly Lee (C. Style Blog) says

      July 9, 2014 at 6:00 PM

      Deborah, Thank you for your response. It’s very kind and very much appreciated.

      Reply
  4. Cathy says

    July 9, 2014 at 2:21 PM

    I look forward to your posts- would love to meet you sometime!!! And I love your style!!

    Reply
    • Carly Lee (C. Style Blog) says

      July 9, 2014 at 6:01 PM

      Cathy! Do you live in Houston? I’ll be at Julie Rhodes Fashion and Home tomorrow night, swing by.

      Reply
  5. Jennifer Brandt says

    July 9, 2014 at 4:17 PM

    I love reading your blog and am excited every time you have a new post. I had been in a style funk since I decided to stay home with my two young boys and after reading your blog and Schaeffer’s blog…I’m stepping up my game!! Thank you for helping me do that and sharing so much of yourself.

    Reply
    • Carly Lee (C. Style Blog) says

      July 9, 2014 at 6:02 PM

      Thank you for reading the both of us! Us Mama’s got to stay together!

      Reply
  6. Mary Walsh says

    July 9, 2014 at 5:43 PM

    Carly, I have never commented before but this is one of my favorite blogs! Keep up the great posting! Would love to read about your diet & exercise routines as well as your favorite work out gear.

    Reply
    • Carly Lee (C. Style Blog) says

      July 9, 2014 at 6:02 PM

      Great idea, Mary!

      Reply
  7. Libby says

    July 9, 2014 at 8:49 PM

    You know I love your blog! And just ordered some Nars Dragon Girl- backordered until August! Grr! But I will wait patiently! See you tomorrow night.

    Reply
  8. Jeanie says

    July 9, 2014 at 10:44 PM

    Thanks for helping us out via your blog. You always look perfect!

    Reply
  9. TerriS. says

    July 11, 2014 at 1:41 AM

    Thank you for being so open about your links. I will make sure to click on them to purchase. Another blogger isn’t honest about how her links work so she won’t be getting any more clicks from me. Thank you for being you!

    Reply

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Carly Lee

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GIVEAWAY ALERT! The sun’s out, so let’s celebr GIVEAWAY ALERT! The sun’s out, so let’s celebrate with a GIVEAWAY! I know I could use a little pick me up this Monday morning! How darling is this new top by @emiliacollection.insta?! I love the feminine ruffles and handmade details. Whether you pair it with denim for a casual look or with a colorful skirt  for a dressier look, this top will make your outfit! I’m so excited to be teaming up with @emiliacollection.insta for a GIVEAWAY!  To celebrate YOU (our followers), we are giving away a top of your choice to TWO lucky winners!! To enter: 1) follow @emiliacollection.insta 2) follow me @cstyleblog and 3) leave a comment 4) for extra entries, tag a friend(s) as a comment. Each comment counts as an entry! We'll announce the winner on Thursday night!
You see the brown spots on the hydrangeas in this You see the brown spots on the hydrangeas in this picture? It's kinda embarrassing to admit that they’re all I could see at first when I was cutting these hydrangeas from my yard- all the ugly brown, dry spots. As I brought them inside to throw away, I saw them all in my arms and thought, “Wait, these are really pretty all together. How could I just dismiss these so quickly?” Well, it's no surprise to me why I could dismiss them so quickly being the enneagram 1/perfectionist I am, but this was such a good reminder that if I choose to see beyond all the little imperfections in my life how much richer and more beautiful my life becomes! I hope someday I won't even notice those brown spots, but I also have grown to appreciate that God gave me an eye to try and make my world  and life a better place. I just gotta keep it in check and not dismiss the whole lot of hydrangeas for the little brown spots. This is a really beautiful, loving life if I'm looking for it.
I woke up to an email from @anthropologie announci I woke up to an email from @anthropologie announcing their tag sale that starts today (an extra 30% off sale items) and noticed that this jumpsuit I purchased and have not had the chance to post was part of the sale. When I don’t feel like putting together an outfit, I gravitate towards one piece outfits- like a jumpsuit/romper or a dress, which seems to happen more and more during this time at home. Putting together two pieces to make an outfit feels like so much work these days! Plus, I look fully dressed without much effort, and you know I like that. Anyway, there are so many cute one piece options on sale! Then, I noticed that so many items I found and loved during this same shopping trip are included in the sale! The good stuff goes fast, so head to my stories for links to what else I found!  #myanthropologie #sponsored http://liketk.it/2QXVm #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKstyletip
Any baseball moms out there? ⚾️ Although it’ Any baseball moms out there? ⚾️ Although it’s hot and downright uncomfortable to be outside on metal bleachers, I love it! Do y’all feel the same? And I have missed it! To see your son and his buddies make a really great play just gets my mom heart. I actually got goosebumps last weekend after a play. I know, I am a total dork. Now, I know from experience that if you’re not prepared for the games, you can get quite uncomfortable. As you all know, I am practical to a fault. So in preparation for my next few weeks and weekends that will be spent at the ball fields, I thought I’d share on the blog and on stories today what I think are the 7 necessities to enjoy yourself despite the conditions. I hope they can be of use to you during these toasty summer days outdoors! http://liketk.it/2QUiC

#liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKspring #LTKstyletip #LTKfamily #houstonstylist #stylist #momstyle #summerstyle #warmweather #momlife #boymom #baseball #fashion #ootd #baseballmom #momstyle #styletip
For the last couple of years, finding a versatile For the last couple of years, finding a versatile cover-up has felt practically impossible. Especially since ruffles, puff sleeves, and bows are where it's at with swimsuits right now. It felt like I was trying to buy a cover-up for every swimsuit (ummm, no), which forced me to put on my thinking cap. I finally found my perfect solution!!! SCARVES (aka sarong's)! I'm calling them scarves because I love the idea of using the scarves I already have in my closet as cover ups! Or wearing the sarong you have as a scarf! Not to mention, there are so many more darling scarves out there than there are sarongs and cover ups, and in my mind, they are just waiting to be used as coverups! Plus, typically scarves are less expensive! When I saw this darling rainbow scarf, I knew that I wanted to wear it immediately with this swimsuit top.
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I’ve linked a few scarves I'm loving that I think would be great as a cover-ups. I didn't have a chance to check the measurements on all these scarves, so make sure that they're big enough! http://liketk.it/2QzmV #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKswim #LTKstyletip #stylist #houstonstylist #styletip #swim #coverup #swimcoverup #summerstyle
I have a new trick! I don't know about you, but I' I have a new trick! I don't know about you, but I'm in love with a lot of these statement swimsuit tops that are out right now. But, I am not in love with the price tag! So, I've come up with a solution! I buy the statement top, and then I buy my swimsuit bottoms from Old Navy! Their swimsuit bottoms fit well, and it's fun to be able to mix and match! In this picture, I'm wearing a designer swimsuit top with my Old Navy bottoms. And since Old Navy has so many different cuts and styles of bottoms, you can find the right fit for you and mix and match the bottoms with your favorite tops! For instance, if you have a red swimsuit top, how cute would they be with blue and white polka dot bottoms for the 4th? Or you could pair your red top with the red and white stripe bottoms. I don't think it matters much if there is a little color variation. Once the swimsuit is wet the colors change, anyway! I'm so excited about this trick, I can hardly stand it! Can you tell?! If you utilize this trick, please tag me or send me a picture. It would make my day!!!
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For sizing reference, my personal favorite are Old Navy's bikini bottoms. I wear either a small or medium depending on how I feel that day. But like I said, they have all different cuts for bottoms, so you can find the one that's right for your body type. http://liketk.it/2Qzjx #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKstyletip #LTKswim #styletip #stylist #houstonstylist #summerfashion #fashiontips #stylehacks
You gotta love it when a plan works out! I bought You gotta love it when a plan works out! I bought this top after I posted about my favorite tops for summer on the blog. I know that off the rack clothing rarely fits perfectly. I usually end up returning online orders and go on the search for that perfect top, but unfortunately, that usually comes with a high designer price tag, not to mention hours of searching. Now in COVID times, returns are more difficult, and I don't have the liberty to just go in stores to search for that perfect top. It's definitely giving me a "make it work” attitude, which is really working out well for me! For instance, this top was shown on the model with an open back that tied with a bow and a bra looking front (swipe right). I used a tack stitch on the bottom of the bra part to provide more coverage and wrapped the bow to the front so my back is covered and my front has more coverage. I paired it with my sister's (@tellittoyourneighbor) and my new favorite high-waisted denim shorts. They're a great denim short option for all shapes, and if you want more length, you can keep them unrolled. And I love how my new favorite @espacio_popupshop MAC bracelets tie it all together! Now, let's talk about how I really want to get a hot glue gun out and make a dope mirror like this one! I don't have seashells. I wonder what else I could use? Hmmmm... http://liketk.it/2Qz5I #liketkit @liketoknow.it #LTKstyletip #stylist #houstonstylist #diy #diyfashion #freepeople #agolde @freepeople @agolde
I love the changes I see happening in our country, I love the changes I see happening in our country, and I don't want them to end. I don't ever want to go back to the way things were. All of this progress feels so right. I feel it so deeply in my soul. I'm all in on all of this kind of LOVE. I want to be a part of the change, and I plan to do so in my own little way, but I am taking a cue from @beabridgebuilder founder @latashamorrison and pressing the pause button. I will stand in a place of awareness and humility and learn. But one thing I've realized that I've done in the past that hasn't been helpful is staying quiet for fear that, out of my ignorance, my words would offend a Black friend and that I would be corrected. (In fact, I would always say "African American" for fear that "Black" was offensive. I learned that's not the case.) My silence didn't help anyone. So, I go forward knowing that out of my ignorance, I will make mistakes and will unintentionally offend, but I won't let my fear and self preservation get in the way of trying to help. If I make a mistake, I can learn and say I'm sorry. I'm a big girl now, and I want change. If the change leads to me being humbled, I'm ok with that. I won't stay silent anymore. 
Outfit linked —> http://liketk.it/2QpL7 
Bracelets by @espacio_popupshop 
#liketkit @liketoknow.it #change #georgefloyd #listening #learning #changeisgood #wontstaysilent #speakup pic by @tellittoyourneighbor

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