Settle Down

When I first heard Kimbra's Settle Down I felt like something tribal was called for.  Then I realized I don't own a lot of tribal prints.  Okay, I don't own any.  So I scoured for the next best thing, and decided this floral cardigan was it.
The song is all about settling down, finding a life partner, starting a family, etc.  I wanted to incorporate a little June Clever, with my tribal feel, the black Kimbra wears in the music video, and a little funkiness with pattern mixing.  This is what I came up with.

Cardigan: Last Chance, Skirt: Loft, Shoes: Target, Cami: Shade

eShakti Dress Review

Yesterday I posted on my lifestyle blog about our date to Gammage to see The Forgotten Carols.  We always like to dress up whenever we can for dates so I'm always on the lookout for great dresses that aren't crazy expensive.  I read in a fashion book once that you should buy a formal or semi-formal dress when you don't need it because when you do it'll be impossible to find.  Good advice, but I am happy to sing the praises of a company that I think solves this problem and was kind enough to give me a dress to test out for myself!

eShakti is a women's clothing company that specializes in stylish dresses with a great fit.  They offer a huge selection and they let you choose to have a dress customized with your measurements.  They also offer choices of neck line, sleeves, length, and embellishments   Seriously, if you've ever wondered if a dress will fit around you chest, not drape off your thin shoulders, (insert any other size problem), etc. etc. this is your solution! Also, if you're looking for modest options they let you add sleeves to almost every dress.  If you know certain cuts aren't for you this is a company that lets you work around it.  I'm a pear shaped girl with an abnormally small waist that only make my hips look bigger in many dresses, so I often know the pain of finding a great fit.  It was so amazing to be given the chance to choose a dress I wanted from their line that I knew would be "size Camille" and fit perfectly.

I was so impressed how well it fit, how flattering it was, and how many cute options there are!  I tried to go with a very classic looking dress because a custom dress is a real treat!

The other great thing, their turnaround is fast, even on custom orders!  I had a size Camille dress in less than two weeks.  They do formal, casual, and lots of in-between   If you are looking for a holiday party dress or something amazing to wear to your New Year's date you should seriously check out eShakti!

Thanks eShakti for one amazing dress and the chance to share an amazing company with readers!

Shades of Fall

Shirt: F21, Skirt: Last Chance, Shoes: Famous Footwear, Belt: Thrifted

And Back!

Dress: Downeast, $20, Tights: Walmart, $8, Shoes: Last Chance, $19

It's good to be back with a new computer!  I should be back to posting at least 3 times a week, and couldn't be happier!

Some Classics

Skirt: Buffalo Exchange, Shirt; F21, Cami: Downeastbasics, Shoes: Famous Footwear

Les Miserables

I'm a little behind in posting, but a few weeks ago me & the husband went to see Les Miserables for the first time.  It was amazing!  We always like to dress up a little whenever we go to plays.  I definitely played up the 20's vibe of this dress the best I could.  

Dress: Downeast Basics, $10, Necklace: Charming Charlie's, $15, Earrings: Loft, $14, Shoes: Nine West, $13

Sometimes You Don't Know If It's a Dress of a Shirt...

Pants: H&M, Shirt/Dress: Target via Secondhand Discount Store, Shoes: NY&Co

Minor Pleat Obsession

Skirt: Last Chance, $6, Shoes: Target, $13, Belt: Thrifted, $3, Shirt: Loft, $10

July= Red and Blue

I find I can't help but grab red or blue the first few days of July!

Shirt: BR, Skirt: NY&Co, Shoes: Last Chance, Necklace: Charming Charile

Summer Floral

Summer dresses, thanks for getting me through the 113 days!  

Dress: Old Navy, $13, Shoes: Latin Market, $7, Necklace: NY&Co, $5

This is the perfect dress for summer bucketlist fun, or using summer coloring pages to kick off the summer fun! 

My Rebellion Against Myself

I told myself no more striped shirts.  I guess this is rebellion against myself?
Skirt: Loft, $30, Shirt: Loft, $12, Shoes: FF, $20, Watch: Last Chance, $5

Stripes and Flowers

Skirt: Anthro, $20, Shirt: Anthro: $20, Shoes: Soda, $13, Belt: Random mall store: $4, Earrings: Downeast, $5

A Picture For a Fashion Blog

I had more student comments on this outfit than I have ever had!  One told me if I I've ever thought of a fashion blog this would be a good outfit to put on it.  I told her thank you, and I'd be sure to take a picture!  Oh this double life I live!

Shirt: Jason Wu for Target, $10 sale, Belt: local boutique, $12, Skirt: Thrifted, $3, Shoes: Jessica Simpson via Last Chance, $15, Earrings: Downeast, $5

The Midi

Though short with squatty legs, I'm still trying to embrace the midi and find some looks that may work for me.
Skirt: Last Chance, Shoes: Payless, Shirt: BR, Necklace: Charlotte Russe. Earrings: NY&Co

A Date to the Theater

I never tire of the musical Wicked.  It was my 4th time, and I loved it just as much as the first!  This was my theater date outfit.
Dress: Last Chance, $13, Shoes: Kohls, $20, Belt: NY&Co, $8, Cocktail Ring: Mervyns, $12, Headband: F21, $8

Spring Brights

I am in love with the brights this season!  I'm pretty sure I'm not alone!

Skirt: Anthro, $20, Shirt: BR, Cardi: Last Chance, Shoes: Random mall store, Necklace: Made by me

"What You Waiting For" -Gwen Stefani

I once again turned to the music video for inspiration which included all things Alice in Wonderland. I knew instantly my blue and white polka dot shirt with the peter pan collar would be involved. It took me a while to figure out how to combine the sweet innocent Alice with a work appropriate ensemble, but I think I finally somewhat figured it out.

Dress and boots: Last Chance, Jacket: AE via Buffalo Exchange, Shirt: AE, Socks: Target, gifted

"My Moon My Man"- Feist

Originally I had nothing for this one.  Then I watched the music video and smiled at the creativity that is Feist. I loved the trench coat and the lady-like shirtdress worn throughout an airport moving walkway.  It's been an unseasonably warm winter, so the trench was out, but another bright, jacket I knew could take the place of the trench, and I figured I'd add an equally bright dress just to celebrate amazing weather.  

Thanks for a great song, an amazing outfit, and an even better music video for inspiration Feist!

Dress: Anna Sui for Anthropologie via Buffalo Exchange, Jacket: Anthropologie, Shoes: Target  

Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall: Coldplay

I love this song, but had a hard time at first deciding what if any outfits it inspired. The more I listened to it the more I thought it would be perfect in a movie soundtrack. You know those movies when the leading lady goes on some exotic trip to Europe to get away from her ex only to find her perfect match?  She's always sad and then finds this amazing rebirth and happiness- much like the lyrics and the beat of the song suggest. Somehow an old flame or a sexy man with an accent shows up to find her spending the day "sight seeing" with no schedule in mind. The two end up having the time of their lives running through cities or historical places, eating at romantic cafes, and walking through amazing naturescapes while falling in love and completely forgetting any sorrows or teardrops shed. And inevitably, the leading lady always has some frilly, girly skirt and a slouchy shirt with a complementing waste belt and heels that no normal tourist would wear for that amount of walking.
Envision that scene, play that song, and hopefully you'll see my outfit!

Shirt: Aero, Skirt: Rampage, Belt: Loft, Shoes: Nine West, Bag: college bookstore years ago, Earrings: Banana Republic

Mixing Patterns

Shirt: BR, $11, Belt: Thrifted, $1, Shoes: Target, $8, Skirt: Gift from Mom, Necklace: Old Navy, $6