Why I Do This

Do you know why I like fashion blogging? Lots of reasons- but here's the main one I sometimes forget about: sometimes I have days were I think an outfit is totally working, take a pic, and realize that a certain shape or color is so blah on me. Sometimes I have days when I walk out the door thinking things like "Can one really put bright orange, muted gray, and cobalt blue together and still look professional? Not to mention does this even work on my frame? Is this boho or business or quirky? Can you do biz/quirky/boho blends? Are students going to stare at this? Will my business cohorts think less of me for wearing something so bright and out of the box?" I didn't love this outfit until I uploaded pics, just like I like many until I see how they just don't work (I try not to post those unless I'm desperate!)
That is the reason I do this, love comments as I do, love the social aspect of so many cool fashionistas out there- I love finding what works, what doesn't, and whether risks or new ideas were something to try again:)
Any amens out there?
Skirt: Forver21 via Buffalo Exchange: free on trade, Shirt: NY&Co, $12, Shoes: Target, $6.50, Tank: Downeastbasics.com, $10, Belt: Goodwill, $2 (maybe $1...I think 2), Necklace: Lia Sophia, Gifted

Christmas Bonfire

My family has a bonfire at Christmas- one of the perks of living in AZ! I think jeans tucked into boots made me realize how everyone else survives a real winter! This was all I needed to stay warm :)

Boots: Last Chance, $40, Jeans: LEI, $10, Tunic: Target, $12, Earrings: NY&Co, $4

Should've Been a Cowgirl

I went on an amazing date to a rodeo, and I was thinking maybe I missed my calling in life....

Shirt: Old Navy, $25, Skirt: Old Navy, $24, Boots: Latin Market, $20, Cami: Shade, $10

BoHo Prep

I've been a little intrigued with the buzz over the boho prep idea for a while... This was an outfit I literally didn't have time to think about, grabbed a skirt, grabbed a shirt and thought, what color will make this a little more fun? My favorite heels did the trick, but I really can't decide if I look more preppy or more boho here....

Skirt: Last Chance, $6, Shoes: Target, $12, Sweater: Latin Market, $8, T: Shade, $10, Necklace: Black Market Minerals, $2.50

Hippie Chic Take 2

I couldn't help pulling together one more hippie chic look.

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft, borrowed from sister, Belt: Bong shop in Mexico (don't worry I've never tried any drug, and never will, but they had the best "bulsuras de cuerpo" aka leather bracelets), $5, Headband: So old I'll never know, Boots: Latin Market, $15 (I think)

Hippie Chic

I joined weardrobe this week- at first I wasn't feeling it, but then I realized it's a pretty cool site that catalogs your clothes for you. You can look things up by item in your closet and see outfits you wore with it- do join (no they didn't pay me to say that) and we can be friends there too! Anywho- they had a hippie chic outfit contest this week, winner gets a nice gift card. I spent the weekend getting in touch with my inner hippie and rocked my boho outfits, so stay tuned! I'll admit I had a little too much fun here, as I spent my junior high days trying to be a hippie (eating vegetarian diet, only listening to Beatles and 70's rock, growing my hair super long). I guess you can tell what a preppy girl I am by most my looks, but I will always have a flair for Boho- it's part of my strange learning my identity stage!

Shirt: Forever 21, $30 (one item I paid FULL price for), Vest: Vintage, borrowed from sister, Jeans: AE, $20, Shoes: Target, $13, Bracelet: Shop near mi casa de Mexico in college, $5ish, Headband: From original hippie days (seriously), Necklace: Made by me

Graduation Dress

Dress: Designed by me, made by my mom, flower embroidery by me (using a vintage pattern and vintage fabric), Belt: New York & Co, $10, Shoes: Mudd, $35, Under half-T: Mia Bellina, $10, Watch: Fossil, Gifted

This was actually my high school graduation dress, and I've loved it for years. I keep wondering if it's out, or just a sentimental piece I love so I keep wearing, but I have received compliments on it every time I've worn it for the past 8 years- go mom- you are an awesome seamstress!

Mediterranean

I couldn't help but venture from my own color goals for a day to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Do you know what state I live in? How could I not! When I read the lovely Kimberly's challenge, I so wanted to jump aboard the Mexican embroidery day. I think I belong in Greece more than Mexico, but I was still happy I tried to be somewhat celebratory even if I am a white girl. Hey I did a spring travel study abroad in college to Mexico, that counts for something right?
Back to colors tomorrow, I'd better go find some sweet blue and red shades for the next two days!

Shirt: XXI, $31 (yes this is one of about 5 things I paid full price for), T: Downeastoutfitters, $10, Skirt: Gap, $9, Shoes: Target, $13, Watch: Fossil, gifted

Feeling Green

I must be pulling out of blue, because I have been grabbing my green clothes more often. Let the next phase begin!
Shirt: Gap, $9, Skirt: Gap, $8, Belt: Forever 21. $12, Boots: Last Chance, $40, Earrings: Icing, $6

Feeling Tribal

I found this dress for about $11 at Target and thought 'How unique!' It's a little short for works, but leggings seemed to fit with the tribal print. I added some olive green for a hint of color and interest.

Dress: Target, Leggings: Papaya, Shoes: Forever Young Shoes, Necklace: Tinkerbell Jewelry, Earrings: Icing

Outfit total: $45

My Alter Egos

After an intro to style icons/alter egos, I am going to come right out and say that I gravitate towards 4 of these egos. They are in numerical order of which looks I gravitate to the most.
Almost all my looks follow:

1. Preppy




2. Classic



3. Girly/Feminine



4. Boho

Style Egos

Let's define style alter ego's. There is usually a "look" that accompanies outfits. When you get dressed, you will fall into one of the following categories. Some of these names vary according to which fashion magazine/book/designer/etc you are talking to, but the looks remain the same. According to most style icon books there are a group of styles in fashion people tend to gravitate to, here are my interpretations and an example or two of each:
1. Classic- pieces that never go out of style (Jennifer Aniston is the poster child)
2. Preppy- Part schoolgirl, part polished (Think Blair Waldorf)
3. Bohemian (Boho)- Hippie-esk (Sienna Miller)
4. All American- girl-next-door looks with a polished flair (Rachel Bilson)
5. Rocker- what would you wear to a concert, particularly if you were the one on stage (Blondie, Avril Lavine, etc.)
6. Femme Fatale/Bombshell- classic sexy pieces (think leopard) put together with some attitude (Marilyn Monroe
7. Quirky- Bright colors, interesting pieces, you actually want to look a little weird while still looking good (Betsey Johnson, Zooey Deschanel)
8. Gamine- European inspired polished with a school girl twist (Audrey Hepburn, Katie Holmes)
9. Romantic/Girly- Feminine pieces with ruffles, flowers, and other details for an ultimate girly look (Kerri Russel, Mandy Moore)
10. California Cool- T-shirts and jeans, shorts, sandals, and minimal hair and make up give a sporty, laid-back cool style (Kirsten Dundst, Lauren Conrad)
11. Artsy- Your clothes make a statement, abstract, loud colors, statement pieces, and interesting shapes contribute to this look (Vera Wang)
12. Retro/Vintage- A purposeful look into past decades of style. Vintage clothes are anything 20 years or older. Anything made to look old is qualified as retro (Gwen Stefani, Your Grandma)
12. Eclectic- A mix and match of styles, shapes, colors, and sizes. Anything and anything together goes for an Eclectic chick (Misha Barton, Lindsey Lohan)

My favorite style books that explain these further:

The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style

In Style: Instant Style

The Lucky Shopping Manual

In Style: Secrets of Style

All these books rock and explain style looks better than I ever could! To have your fashion vocab, you need to familiarize yourself with these styles, and the art of creating these styles.