Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
1.21.2012
12.08.2010
We Dress How We Feel
What I love the most about fashion is that a single article of clothing or an accessory has the power to be transformative. A new pair of shoes can give you the confidence to kick some butt, the right shade of eyeshadow can capture someone's glance, a statement ring packs the power of a knock out punch, and that little black dress has just been patiently waiting to make an appearance and grab his attention.
Clothing triggers an emotional response. That is a fact. Most times we dress how we feel or we dress how we want to feel. Going to an interview for your dream job? You'll probably want to wear an outfit that will make you feel like you are exuding confidence and skill. You know you'll plan your 10 year high school reunion outfit weeks in advance because you want to look youthful and successful. I think that this is what men don't get about women - we dress how we feel. "Honey! Tomorrow I am going to feel new! So, I had to get these pumps to just be prepared."
Many of the fashion bloggers in the industry are participating in Kendi Everyday's 30 for 30 Remix Challenge - and boy is this a challenge! 30 articles of clothing - 30 outfits - 30 days - no outfit repeats and no shopping. The very point of this all is to teach yourself that you don't always need something new to feel great.
I wasn't totally sure what I was getting myself into when I started fashion blogging. I have a passion for fashion & for making my clients look and feel their best. At first, I intended my blog to be focused totally on giving fashion tips & the inside scoop on what to wear and what not to wear. As I scoured the expansive world of fashion blogging, I realized that the best way to give tips on what to wear was to actually show what I was wearing. So, I started featuring myself! The 30 for 30 Remix Challenge has totally aided me in my mission. I think the best thing about this challenge is that it forces me to appreciate my current wardrobe for what it is. Remixing 30 items stretches my creativity in putting together stellar outfits everyday instead of "giving in" and running to the store for that perfect top. I've found, through this challenge, that the perfect top is already in my closet! It's all a matter of inserting that feeling that you want to exude into what you already have.
This past week I have felt tired. And I've realized a difference in my appearance. I am dressing tired because I feel tired. I can tell that I am consciously and subconsciously doing this. I put on less mascara in the morning because I'm tired. I have put the 30 for 30 to rest - not because it's too much of a challenge to put the outfits together - but because at the end of the day, I'm too tired to take a photo, too tired to crop & edit a photo, and too tired to write up a post...etc, etc. I've been searching for the most comfortable pants & tops to wear. I've been stuck in black for a few days and if I could wear the same outfit every day, I would. It's time to take a break.
How do you feel this time of year?
Fashionably Yours,
12.07.2010
The Secret Place - 20 of 30
Outfit Details:
Top: NY&CO
Skirt: H&M
Tights: Marshalls
Mary Jane's: Aerosoles
Belt: F21
Each year, my family gets a real tree. We had a period of darkness during the '90's where we succumbed to the prefabricated, manipulated fake tree. I'm glad those days are behind us.
There's been this silly little tradition since real trees have been reinstated to our family: The kids don't know where my mom and dad get the tree. It always took them 2 hours to get it and we started dreaming up places in our head. They started calling it "The Secret Place."
We were in awe the first year because they brought home an 8 foot tree! We have cathedral ceilings in our home and it was majestic & stately. We were in such delight & interest - but they wouldn't tell us where they got this tall tree.
Another year passed - and the trees seemed to get a little smaller and smaller each year. They would just say, "The Secret Place didn't have any tall trees. I guess it's a short year."
Until this year.
Since I live in Chicago and wouldn't be back until too close to Christmas, we broke the tradition and went with my parents to The Secret Place during my Thanksgiving Break. My sister and I were so hyped up to finally see this place! I imagined it was in Pennsylvania somewhere...we'd be cutting down our own tree...
Boy, was I wrong. Turns out The Secret Place was HOME DEPOT!
I asked my parents why it took them so long to get the tree and come home and they admitted that it was because they would wander around the store for awhile and drive home very, very slowly.
I was shocked.
Shocked.
Yes, yes, I would compare it to finding out about Santa Claus. That much of a blow.
This year, we got a 9 foot tree and it is beautiful. I am longing to be back home. So soon.
My roommate and I followed suit and got our lovely tree from Home Depot, too. Turns out they do have a pretty great selection... :)
Fashionably Yours,
12.01.2010
Come Fly With Me - Airport Attire
Photo Credits: Danny Virasawmi
Outfit Details:
Boyfriend Blazer: Old Navy
Dress: Some department store
Boots: Wanted
Belt: ShopRouche
Scarf: The Limited
Who ever said that airport attire had to be your high school gym shoes, Baby Phat velour sweat pants, and your home team sweatshirt? Give me a break.
You never know who you are going to run into at the airport or be predetermined to sit next to on the plane. Especially if you are single. You'll need all the help you can get. Be sure to make the best impression of yourself wherever you go.
For me, this dress is so comfy & versatile. Maybe for you a dark wash jean, cardigan, & cute flat will do the trick.
I'm always cold & this drapey scarf and boyfriend blazer are just what I needed to keep me warm.
My flat boots supply me with style and comfortablity. Comfortability? Is that a word? No? Well, I just made it up and I think you know exactly what it means.
Don't look like a bum at the airport and force me to take a fashion offender photo of you and feature you here.
Here's how this dress has been worn in this 30 for 30 challenge before.
Fashionably Yours,
11.30.2010
17 of 30 & Guest Photographer
Photo Credits: Danny Virasawmi
Outfit Details:
Boyfriend Blazer: Old Navy
Top: H&M
Leggings: Old Navy
Mary Janes: Aerosoles
Necklace: Thrifted
Watch: Anne Klein
Ring: F21 or H&M
A few things:
- I want to be famous. I really do. I'm working on it. I have to believe it will happen, I just have to.
- This boyfriend blazer is so versatile that I am predicting it will one day physically save my life. It can do all things.
- If I could wear these black leggings every day, I most definitely would.
- Did I mention that I just want to be famous?
Thanks again to Danny Virasawmi! This is definitely my favorite photo shoot that we did.
Fashionably Yours,
11.25.2010
Showers of Blessings
Outfit Details:
Cardigan: H&M
Skirt: H&M
Tights: Cynthia Rowley
Belt: F21
Mary Jane's: Aerosoles
Umbrella: Courtesy of my Aunt RoseAnn
A Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I hope everyone had their fill of blessings today. Even with the rain out here in the east, it didn't seem to dampen our spirits.
I'm thankful for more things than words could express or that a blog post could hold. Just being home - just being with my family - just being with those who have loved you for all that you are no matter what.
It's as simple as that.
We had quite a fantastic feast. We had an assortment of gluten free, dairy free, sugar free & vegan delights. A lot of the guests today have some severe food allergies (myself included) - but everyone would argue that this was one of the most delicious Thanksgivings that they have had!
Our guests were quite fashionable as well. I was quite impressed.
The inspiration for it all - my Grandma, Aggie. She hasn't changed a bit :)
What are you thankful for?
Fashionably Yours,
11.17.2010
I Promise They're Purple
So, my stockings are purple - even though they don't look like it in the first photo. They are one color variation of 3 pairs that I own in the hue. This season, I am very much into patterned and colored tights.
Who says you can't wear color in the Fall months? I say be bold! My pastel blue sweater works as a Fall garment because it is paired with deeper jewel tones. My skirt is a dark denim blend that can obviously be dressed up and appropriate for work.
I was nervous about pairing a black belt, black Mary Jane's, and a black tank top with this tone of blue denim, but I was inspired by Kendi Everyday's post about "breaking the rules" and pairing together two things that one might not. Black and blue seemingly do go together - I was just apprehensive about this tone of blue - but I took a risk and it worked!
What risks are you taking this Fall season?
Outfit Details:
Sweater: H&M
Purple Collared: NY&CO
Skirt: Target
Tights: Marshalls
Mary Jane's: Aerosoles
Belt: F21
Fashionably Yours,
11.10.2010
A Lengthy Illusion
I was totally on my own last night.
There was no patient roomie to help me take my outfit pics - so...I had to come up with other means...
Concrete ledges. Railings. Banisters. Steps. Even...
A grill! A dusty, stingy grill. But, she held up rather well and did as best as she could.
With that said, I definitely prefer the human version or one that I could at least feel comfortable propping up a $500.00 camera on. So, I ordered this.
That should do the trick on lonely nights.
I tried as desperately as I could to get a full body shot, but it just wasn't happening with 'Ol Red up there.
You'll have to piece together in your own mind how the bottom half fits with the top.
Why this outfit works:
I am rather short (or so I am told!) and I am constantly looking for ways to elongate my frame. The vertical stripes of my top instantly draw the eye to a more narrow frame and the vertical embellishment along the button line does the same.
I usually tend to keep an open neckline to further create the illusion of length.
The high-waisted pencil skirt hits me just at mid-calf and makes my short little legs look long! However, only paired with the heels does this work. If I wore this skirt with flats, I would look like a reformed nun out of 1970.
What do you do to create the illusion of length?
Fashionably Yours,
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