How To Cuff Shirt Sleeves.

Hey guys!  
This past week I received a couple of questions on how I cuff the sleeves on my button-up shirts, as seen on my last post. So instead of trying to explain it in writing, I thought I'd show you in a quick how-to video! 
I hope it helps! :)

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Five Major Fashion Don'ts and How To Avoid Them.

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*Most of these "fashion don'ts" are taken from my own experiences. I've made the mistakes (possibly many times) and later thought "what was I thinking?!"         As with most advice, please take this with a grain of salt. If something makes you happy and you feel fabulous wearing it--rock it, baby! Nothing looks better than true confidence. :)

1. Super frilly tops and dresses. 

I know these are "in" right now and in theory they sound cute and oh-so-bohemian. But, let's get real--super frilly pieces generally don't flatter adult women. These styles are simultaneously too dated and too 'young'.  So, let's make a pact and leave them where they belong... in our childhoods.

2. See-through whites.

Unless you live on a beach in Costa Rica and you barely wear anything other than a bikini most days (lucky duck!), do not wear see-through white fabrics. Please, for the love of all that is fashionable and chic, check to see if your skin color shows through the fabric. If it does, DO NOT wear! I repeat: Do not wear! It looks trashy and cheap. Instead, wear whites that are lined or thick enough to hide your goodies. It's best to leave some things to the imagination!

3. Ankle pants that are too short. 

As a vertically challenged gal, I love a good ankle pant. No hemming required? Where do I sign up?!

However, if the bottom of the pant hits too far above your ankle bone, the pants are too short and they're going to look like clamdiggers. Proportion is key when it comes to dressing well, and ankle pants that don't hit at the right spot can make you look wider and shorter than you probably intended. 

4. Shorts that are too short. 

You might look amazing in a pair of itsy bitsy booty shorts. But, if you're above the age of 30, it might be time to let those babies go, regardless of how awesome you look in them. Your legs might say "hottie tottie", but the little voice inside your head probably says "I'm an adult with responsibilities". Listen to that voice. Booty shorts look juvenile. And honestly, who really wants to re-live their teenage years? Not me!

5. "It looks great on the model...I'll take it!" 
I still remember the day that I discovered that products modeled in online stores and catalogs are often altered to fit the body of that particular model. I was shocked. SHOCKED!
I always knew that retailers used photoshop and that model's bodies did not represent the bodies of us normies. But, to perfectly tailor the products and then try to sell them to us like they came that way? Liar liar, pants on fire!    
My point is, just because something looks a certain way on a model doesn't mean that it will look that way in real life (even if you have a similar body shape as said model). Read the reviews. Often times, if there is something truly "off" about the product, someone will have already given it a poor review.

...

Dressing your age, size, and to your specific shape is a beautiful thing. The more you embrace this concept, the more fun you can have with clothes that truly flatter you. Our bodies will change a lot over our lifetimes (mine already has and I'm only 30!). There are things that we can wear at 20 that will look ridiculous at 50, and vice versa.

Isn't it kind of a relief to know that we can dress well our whole lives, regardless of age?!

Creating Quick Outfits that POP!

I am often asked if I create my week's outfits ahead of time or if I throw them together in the morning. The truth is, I used to put much more thought into planning my outfits than I do now. These days, I find myself wanting to spend less time thinking of what to wear in the morning. Instead, I'd rather spend my mornings playing with Lucy (our dog), or putting together a well-rounded lunch and packing my gym bag for later, or just sleeping in a bit longer.   

Sure, I still randomly think of cute outfits that I can create at a later time, jot the ideas down in the "notes" section of my phone, and reference them in times when I'm running low on inspiration. But, for the most part, my outfits now are quickly thrown together in the mornings and always focus on three things:
practicality, comfort, and style. 
So, what's my (not so) secret formula for creating quick looks that POP? 

1 Pattern + 1 Bright pop of Color +1 Interesting piece of Jewelry= Perfect (quick) Outfit! 

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Here's what I've been wearing lately :)

Chevron dress-Flourish Boutique (Love these versions here, here, here, here, here, & here)//
Yellow cardi-NY & Co. (Similar here, here, & here)//
Nude ballet flats-Target (Exact here; Similar here & here)//
Long tribal necklace (Cute options here, here, here, & here)

Polka dot tank c/o Hawthorne-Collection (Exact here)//
Skinny black pants-The Limited (Exact here; Similar here, here, & here)//
Green blazer-H&M (Great options here, here, & here)//
Black jeweled flats-DSW (Similar here, here, & here)//
Pearl necklace c/o T+J Designs (Exact here <-Use code 'YASI20' for 20% off!) 

Red sleeveless blouse-H&M (Similar here, here, here, here, & here)//
Pleated denim skirt-Forever21 (Similar here & here)//
Wide stretch belt-Forever21 (Similar here & here (just turn the buckle to your back) )//
Beige blazer-H&M (Similar here & here)//
Pearl necklace c/o T+J Designs (Exact here <-Use code 'YASI20' for 20% off)//
Red ballet flats-Target (Love these bow ones here & here; Other cute versions here & here)

Learning to Layer: 5 Easy Steps.

Whenever someone asks me what my best style advice for Fall casual wear is, I immediately shout out "LAYERS!!".  
Layers, ladies.  That's where it's at.  Because sometimes you need a warm embrace in the middle of the day.  And no one is better at giving you that hug than a layered button-up/sweater combo.  

And here, I will impart upon you all of my layering knowledge.  


5 Steps to Layering:

1.  Wear fitted button-ups.  If the button-up is not fitted, it will bunch up and look sloppy.

2.  Wear button-ups that have interesting patterns or colors.  It will enhance the look of the outfit and look more fun while "peeking out".

3.  Wear fitted sweaters for the top layer of your layering.  Many people think that the bigger the sweater, the better.  Not true. The top layer almost always stretches out over the bottom button-up.  If you buy a too-big sweater, it will look messy and slouchy in 10 minutes' time.

4.  Layer some bling over your killer button-up/sweater combo!  Statement necklaces, bracelets, and watches can add some serious punch to a basic layered outfit.  Most layered combos look even better with a "completer" piece.

5.  And as always, have fun with putting together different layered looks!  Try different proportions, textures, and colors.  Find out what you like and what you don't like.  If you hate what you're wearing that day, it's not the end of the world.  You will take it off when you get home and try something else the next day!

Now that you know all that I know, go forth and layer!  

Pink plaid button-up (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Fox sweater (Exact here)//
White skinny jeans (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Black riding boots (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)//
Pave link necklace & bracelet set C/O ILYCouture (Exact here)//
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)

Pink plaid button-up (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Fox sweater (Exact here)//
White skinny jeans (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Black riding boots (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)//
Pave link necklace & bracelet set C/O ILYCouture (Exact here)//
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)

Chambray shirt (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here, here)//
Polka dot sweater (Exact old, via Old Navy; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Burgundy ankle pants (Exact are Cynthia Rowley via TJMaxx; Similar here, here, here)//
Pointy toe black pumps (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 
Necklace via Accessory Mercado (Similar here)

Chambray shirt (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here, here)//
Polka dot sweater (Exact old, via Old Navy; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Burgundy ankle pants (Exact are Cynthia Rowley via TJMaxx; Similar here, here, here)//
Pointy toe black pumps (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 
Necklace via Accessory Mercado (Similar here)

Chambray shirt (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here, here)//
Dark-wash skinny jeans (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 
Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Leopard-print scarf (Exact gifted; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Red blazer (Exact old, via Kohl's; Similar here, here, here)//
Bezel Teardrop Gemstone Earrings c/o Regina Pierallini (Exact here)//
"Be Present" bracelet c/o Ali Oesch Jewelry (Exact here)//
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)

Chambray shirt (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here, here)//
Dark-wash skinny jeans (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 
Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Leopard-print scarf (Exact gifted; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Red blazer (Exact old, via Kohl's; Similar here, here, here)//
Bezel Teardrop Gemstone Earrings c/o Regina Pierallini (Exact here)//
"Be Present" bracelet c/o Ali Oesch Jewelry (Exact here)//
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)

Top 10 Wardrobe Staples for Fall.

It's no surprise that Fall fashion is something that I (and most other fashion-lovers) look forward to all year round.  Even though I love Summer and warm weather, my absolute favorite time of year will always be Fall.  This is partly due to the newly crisp weather and the gorgeous and ever-changing colors of the leaves.  But, the main reason for my excitement is all of the incredible clothing choices available in the Fall!  I mean, come on, who doesn't get giddy about playing around with tons of layers?  
The options are positively endless!!

So, I have put together my "Top 10 Basics for Fall".  Basically, it's a compilation of the wardrobe staples that I will be wearing over and over again this season, with tons of ways to mix and match them (more than 2 week's worth!).  I've also provided links to a ton of look-a-likes, so you too can buy any of these pieces.  
With that said, happy shopping and happy Autumn!!

Chambray button-up (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here)//

Striped sweater (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 

Maroon cardigan (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 

Skinny corduroy pants (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Mustard yellow pencil skirt (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 

Multi-color skirt (Exact sold out at Target Online, but may be available in stores; similar here, here)// 

Riding boots (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 

Leopard print flats (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here, here)//

Pointy toe black pumps (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 

Multi-color scarf (Exact here; Similar here, here, here, here)
(The pieces here are inspiration pieces.  I have similar-looking styles in my wardrobe, but not necessarily the exact ones shown here.)

1 bikini, 6 brilliant ways!

It had never occurred to me until today that a simple bikini could be worn different ways.  I mean, it's a bikini, there's not much fabric.  But, leave it to Pinterest to strike again!

P.S. If you need me, I'll be wrapped up in bikini strings trying to copy the looks below. ;)

Via KaiKini

  

heavy baggage.

We all have baggage.  But, how well do you really know your bags?!

Check out the infographic below (thanks, Pinterest!) for some fabulous tips about your favorite bags!

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5 basic shoes & how to wear them.

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Every once in a while I find a fantastic infographic on Pinterest.  I know it's fantastic when I read down the list and nod my head in agreement to 90% of what's on it.

So, my gorgeous readers, I bestow upon you this monster of a shoe infographic from the fabulous blogger at The New Professional.  So, check out her site and then use the hell out of this graphic.  

Happy Sunday!

1 skirt, 2 looks!

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and stare at your closet (for what seems like forever), and still come out without a descent thing to wear? 

So, what's a girl to do?

Pick out an old reliable, and switch it up a little!

...

-Instead of tucking a shirt in, wear a similar shirt and leave it untucked.

-Stick to a color family that you know works, and switch up the pieces.

-Wear a necklace over the shirt, instead of under.

...

Express button-up, LOFT outlet sweater, Express pencil skirt, Jessica Simpson pumps, F21 necklace, Tissot watch

F21 Boxy Polka Dot Shirt (in black/cream), F21 Contrast Round Neck Sweater (in black/cream), Express pencil skirt, Jessica Simpson pumps, F21 necklace

There are so many ways to wear the same pieces differently.  Just have fun and don't be afraid to mix it up!

50 wardrobe classics.

via, via

Ladies, this list via Matchbook Mag and "A Glamorous Little Side Project" is where it's at!  

It's so perfect it makes me giddy.  And even though I own many of the pieces on this list, it makes me want to buy things.  Many, many, things! ;)