September 28, 2011

Today's Everyday Fashion: TJ Maxx Challenge






































I am taking a little break from vacation posts today to tell you about this fun contest I'm taking part in! The challenge: Marshall's/TJ Maxx sent me a ruana (the black item I'm wearing) + gift cards with the goal of coming up with the best outfit with the ruana. I am competing against 4 other bloggers for a grand prize of $500 gift card (!!). (GO HERE to vote once a day, and leave a comment to be entered to win your own gift card!) Here is what I came up with:

Ruana: c/o Marshall's/TJ Maxx
Dress: Fire Los Angeles, $24.99 (Marshall's)
Belt: Joe's Jeans, $19.99 (Marshall's)
Shoes: Nine West, $49.99 (Marshall's)
Purse: Nine West, $39.99 (TJ Maxx)

Grand total = $134.96

My entry: "I'll admit, when I received the challenge from TJ Maxx/Marshall's to style an outfit with a ruana, I had to look up what a ruana was! It turns out that there are many different ways to wear this scarf/poncho/sweater, but I loved the idea of a long vest look, worn over a dress to give it an extra visual layer, but also some added warmth. I specifically wanted a long-sleeve leopard dress to go with my black ruana, and that's exactly what I found after shopping in the juniors section at Marshall's for 5 minutes! It was awesome to find the perfect dress so quickly, and all I had left to find were accessories. I decided to go with casual leather pieces to dress down the silk dress and pick up the brown and yellow tones in the print. I am loving the loafer trend this fall, so I paired my outfit with loafer pumps by Nine West. I also added a mustard purse by Nine West, and the finishing piece was a belt in a similar shade of brown to tie everything together and cinch my waist. I love the idea of wearing a ruana like this to give a party dress extra oomph and keep you warm this fall, and I'm excited to find other ways of wearing it too!"

So, how did I do? :-) Please click the picture below once a day to vote for my outfit! Thanks loves. xoxo, J.

Posted by JsEverydayFashion at 9:00 AM

86 comments:

  1. H&K Style JourneySeptember 28, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Never heard of a ruana. Is it a big long scarf or more like a vest?  I am having a hard time visualizing what it looks like not styled.  Do you think you could show us?

    I do like your leopard dress!   Thanks, Heather

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  2. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    It's a big long scarf, almost like a pashmina, but thicker and with scalloped edges. You could Google "ruana" - they are all different and I can't find one that specifically looks like mine online but essentially it's a very wide, long scarf. You can open it up and wrap it around you like a poncho, or fold it over and wear it like a vest like I did here! (among many other uses I'm sure)

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  3. JennSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Love this look!  It really is a half scarf/half vest :)  The shoes are to die for, too!  Voted for you!

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  4. KaraSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    I love everything about this look...you have it in the bag!!! I am going to see if my local TJMaxx has the shoes! Great job J...I just voted!

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  5. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Thank you so much for voting Jenn! :-)

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  6. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Yay, thank you so much Kara! I appreciate your vote! :-) 

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  7. NinaSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    I voted for ya!!! Hope you win!

    ~Nina

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  8. AubreeGSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    i love this look! and voted for you too of course :)

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  9. Patty HouselSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    I love this idea.  It's a scarf and and a wrap - it's what we need in the warmer winter months!  I need to get to Marshall's/TJ Maxx!

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  10. SabrinaSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    J you look wonderful! I voted for you, and while the other contestants are lovely, I think you've got this! :)

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  11. CarrieSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    I just voted! Love the outfit. And I'm totally loving the loafer trend. Need to get me some of those shoes asap!  
    And I definitely think you came up with the most creative way to wear that black ruana! 

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  12. SaraSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    J I love everything about this, especially the shoes!  I voted for you. 

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  13. Loreal TorresSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Loved this outfit! Just voted good luck!

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  14. KatherineSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    i voted! do we comment here to be entered? or on the voting site? ooh! i hope i win.

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  15. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Katherine, leave a comment on the voting site and you will be entered to win! Fingers crossed for ya! :-) Thank you for voting!!

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  16. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Thanks so much for your vote! :-)

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  17. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Thank you Sara! And thanks for voting! :-)

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  18. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    Thank you so much Carrie! I am loving the loafer trend too, planning to do a shopping post about it soon. Thanks for voting! :-)

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  19. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    Thank you so much Sabrina! I appreciate your vote!! :-)

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  20. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    It can definitely be used a lot of different ways! I'm looking forward to playing with it some more!

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  21. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Thanks so much for voting Aubree! :-)

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  22. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    Thank you so much for voting Nina! I really want to win! :-)

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  23. TesanerSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    After looking at all the entries I totally think you rocked this- very sheek and creative. Love it!

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  24. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Yay, thank you so much Tesaner! :-)

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  25. silvrgurlSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    never heard of ruana before, but i love what you did with it
    brett

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  26. BrandiHudsonSeptember 28, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Doesn't look like you have much of a competition. Looks like you won!

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  27. PattiSeptember 28, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    I voted for you. And by the way, I wouldn't have known what a ruana was either. You learn something new every day!

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  28. EviSeptember 28, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Voted!!! Good luck, J!

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  29. Mofish417September 28, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    Your outfit looks great and I LOVE Marshall's. I voted for you!

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  30. LillygrazianiSeptember 28, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    Loved your outfit compared to everyone else!!! Totally voted!!

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  31. LaceySeptember 28, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    You have my vote!  The entrants were cute, but you really highlighted an alternate use for the ruana that the others did not.  Without your entry, I would have just assumed this was another type of sweater.

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  32. Demetra HillmanSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Darling - you win hands down! 

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  33. Suzanne AniSeptember 28, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Your outfit rocks! and Your use of the ruana is so unique!! You totally got this, girl!! Got my vote :-)

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  34. Kelsey MSeptember 28, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    You were definitely the most creative in your ruana styling. Goooooo J!

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  35. Shawna BassonSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    J- very cute. I tried those shoes on today in black but I ended up passing on them. Now Im thinking I should go back and get them! Do you love them? Are they comfortable? I only had them on for a second so I didnt get a good idea of the fit.

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  36. cafe & creamSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Soooo sorry but your outfit looks dated and toooo matchy-matchy :( .. but LOVE LOVE the possesionista outfit. xx

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  37. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Why in the world would you tell me that?

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  38. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Thanks Shawna, I only had the shoes on for the picture so I can't really say how comfy they are. I have similar shoes so I don't think I'm keeping them, but they seemed really comfy and really cute for sure!

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  39. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Thank you Kelsey!

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  40. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Thank you so much Suzanne! I appreciate your vote! :-)

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  41. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Thank you Demetra! I appreciate your votes! :-)

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  42. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Thank you so much Lacey! I appreciate you voting for me! :-)

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  43. HannahSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    I think it's between you and Possessionista. I voted for you though! Good luck! Also, would love to see some longer skirts and dresses (i.e. at least knee length). Everything these days is way too short...at least for my tastes. :-)

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  44. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Thanks so much for voting for me Lilly! :-)

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  45. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Thanks so much for voting for me! :-)

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  46. cafe & creamSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    ...sorry but your outfit looks dated and toooo matchy-matchy : (  but LOVE LOVE the possessionista post! xx
    PS: please don't delete my post (again)

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  47. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Thank you so much Patti! And cheers to learning something new. :-)

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  48. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Thanks Brandi, I believe I am currently in second place so please keep voting! :-)

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  49. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Thanks Brett! I appreciate your votes! :-)

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  50. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    You post isn't deleted. It's two comments under this one.

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  51. jseverydayfashionSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    Thanks Hannah! I appreciate your votes! Everything tends to be way short on me, frustrates me to no end. Fall/winter are coming up though which means more pants, tights, etc! :-)

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  52. FitintheMidwestSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    I voted for you! Good luck! Love the outfit.

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  53. DeniseSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    You've done it again!  Thanks for your daily dose of inspiration!  You've got my vote! 

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  54. RosannaSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    I really like your silk leopard-print dress with your black cashmere ruana!!    For, say, our common----(always *variably*-temperatured!!)----OFFICE SETTINGS, to use your black ruana as a classy, very *stylish* extra layer of warmth, as you've shown it here, is just............ genuinely *inspired*!!   

    With some different accessories, your black cashmere ruana and silk leopard-print dress seem like they just might be able to transition from work-to-evening, too, with some............ creative piece-placement............ and also maybe with some creative overdraping and/or underdraping, I'd think (??)    Lots of versatile, *versatile*, VERSATILE options for Very Creative You, J!!

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  55. Janell SheppardSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    Just voted! I probably would have never thought of this. Great job J!

    Janell
    www.fashionableyoubyj.blogspot.com

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  56. jennyhamilSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Your outfit is easily the best out of all of those. I think I am going to try this look, but use a thick scarf instead of a ruana, because I don't have one of those. Super cute! Oh, and I voted. :)

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  57. cafe & creamSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    first of all I love your blog <3... just wanted to share my take on the outfit and thought if compared with the 'other one' you will take it as  good feedback and probably 'inspire' future outfits.... I guess since it's a competition it was rude from my part.... so sorry - It wont happen again. xx

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  58. DarcySeptember 29, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    I voted! Yours is the most thought out look!

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  59. VivienneSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Oh honey noooo! Sorry but that look is just bad. And I'm not particularly fond of the shape of the leopard print dress on you.

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  60. AshleySeptember 29, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Hideous

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  61. jseverydayfashionSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Thanks Ashley!

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  62. jseverydayfashionSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Thanks Vivienne! 

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  63. jseverydayfashionSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Thank you so much Jenny! :-) A scarf could also work for this! 

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  64. jseverydayfashionSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Thanks so much for your vote Janell! :-)

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  65. jseverydayfashionSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Thank you so much for your votes Denise, I appreciate it! ;-)

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  66. jseverydayfashionSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Thank you so much!! :-)

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  67. jseverydayfashionSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Thank you so much Rosanna! I appreciate your votes!! :-)

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  68. Shirley Boyd HuynhSeptember 29, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    Love the outfit!  Love that dress and how you styled it!

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  69. Shirley Boyd HuynhSeptember 29, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    oh and I voted too!

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  70. MommyPoshSeptember 29, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress!  Wow, you have given me a reason to go shopping at Marshalls...This would be perfect for a fashion show that I am attending.  I live in NYC so I hope to find it at one of my locations.  

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  71. DeeSeptember 29, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    I think you're outfit was the best out of all of them. I hope you win! Just voted. :)

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  72. Andrea @ Fashionable MommaSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    I love how creative you were with this challenge. Voted for ya! Good luck!

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  73. gift ideasSeptember 30, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    this outfit is best however the season for wearing this stuff is gone and now i have to wait for next year to wear that stuff.

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  74. jseverydayfashionOctober 1, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Thank you so much Andrea! I appreciate your votes! :-)

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  75. jseverydayfashionOctober 1, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Thank you Dee! I appreciate your votes!:-)

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  76. jseverydayfashionOctober 1, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Thank you Mommy Posh! I agree, this dress would be perfect for a fashion show! I'm not keeping all of the items from this outfit, but I can't wait to wear this dress this fall! It's super cute, hope you find one.

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  77. jseverydayfashionOctober 1, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Thank you so much Shirley! I appreciate your votes! :-)

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  78. Lauren GriffinOctober 1, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Fabulous outfit!! I voted for you :)

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  79. BrittanyOctober 2, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    Your legs are amazing! I need your workouts!!! :) What size are you in jeans? (Gap or AE)

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  80. jseverydayfashionOctober 2, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    So sweet Brittany, thank you! I wear a size 2 in jeans at Gap! 

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  81. jseverydayfashionOctober 2, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    Thanks so much Lauren! I appreciate your vote!

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  82. vanessaOctober 2, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Cute! I would never be able to pull it off!!

    I voted as well... :)

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  83. Katie COctober 4, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    What a great way to style the ruana! I'll admit: I've taken a look at them in stores and wondered what the heck I'd do with the darn thing...this looks so chic!

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  84. CinOctober 20, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    did you recently get those nine west pumps?

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  85. jseverydayfashionOctober 20, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Cin, this was a challenge from TJ Maxx, so I had to get everything new from their stores to wear in my outfit photo. I got the shoes just a few days before I posted this. I actually returned them though - I"m planning to get some loafer inspired pumps eventually but these looked too much like shoes I already have so decided to pass! :-) 

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  86. Ladolce46October 21, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    thanks for the info!!  I love those pumps. Im going to try and find them!

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