Get Excited!!

Monday, I will be starting Kendi Everday's  30 for 30 challenge. Basically, I will pick 30 items from my closet and wear only those for 30 days. The idea to mix and match your clothes, so you don't wear your go to things all the time. Oh and no shopping. Along the way I will post pictures of my outfits so you guys know I'm not cheating.


Anyone want to do this with me for moral support? I already have one taker (that's you Jackie!)



And per request...

Is that really what my hair looks like from the back?

Halloween Thoughts

Dear readers,


Please tell me when Halloween became a day when women decided it was okay to wear basically nothing? Was it after Mean Girls? "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."

Or was it always this way, and I never noticed until I came to college?

Forgive me general public, but I long for simpler days when I can dress like a princess and no other girls can say anthing about it.

Lets Get Some Shoes

As per request...a post about shoes.


Boots

Forever 21, Steve Madden, Go Jane

The shorty-boot: This is an amazing boot. Not too tall, not quiet an ankle. Perfect height. These boots are great for over jeans, with a skirt, dress, shorts. You can't really go wrong with wearing this boot. But, if you are on the shorter side, I would stay away from wearing this boot with bare legs, opt for the pant instead. It won't elongate your leg, so you don't want to appear truncated. 

The combat boot: So this boot has been making its way around the world of fashion lately, and I'm still not really sure how I feel about it. A lot of people love their combat boots and can pull them off flawlessly (take a look at Nikki Hilton). 

The knee-high boot: A classic. Jeans, dress, skirt. Just like the shorty-boot, you can wear this with pretty much anything. This boot is a must have in different colors!

Flats

Old Navy, Nine West, Steve Madden

The ballet flat: The classic flat. I think I have about ten pairs of these kind of shoe. They work with anything. They can dress things up, or you can wear them on your lazy days. Also as a plus, they are normally small enough to fit into a purse, so if your feet are hurting you after a long night out, just pull out your trusty ballets and throw them on.

The pointy-toe flat: This is a dressier flat. It is great for people who work on their feet, but still need to be dressed up (Hey B&N friends, I know you love this kind!). They work great with pretty much anything, but probably best with a wide leg pant. On the downside, if you have a wider foot like I do, sometimes they can be a little bit tight around the toes. And they always show toe cleavage. 

The open-toe flat: This is a nice alternative for the ballet or pointy when you want to still look nice, but don't want to have to walk around in heels. And they give you a reason to go and get that pedicure you've been wanting.

Heels

BCBG, Loris Shoes, Steve Madden, J. Crew, Christian Louboutin

The Mary Jane: Every girl should own a pair of Mary Janes. They are super identifiable because of the strap that goes across the top on the foot. A lot of times these are more comfortable than your average heel because most of thicker heels, which equals more stabilization. 

The wedge heel: These also offer more comfort and ease because you're not standing on a small heel all day, which relieves the pressure on your back and knees. But, in my experience, these tip over to the side more easier than other kinds of heels and that can cause a lot of pain and damage to your ligaments and tendons in your ankle. So be careful walking, and try to avoid areas where the ground in unstable (cobblestone is the worst!)

The pump: I'm lumping stilettos into this category as well because I often have a hard time distinguishing between the two. I think historically the pump had a shorter heel, but recently heels have become higher and higher so it's hard to tell. The most important thing about these is to make sure that they will be safe for you to walk in, i.e., don't buy them in a bigger size just because they are on sale. It is super important to make sure the shoe fits right so that you don't hurt yourself later.

The booty/oxford heel: The fact that these shoes enclose your entire foot really helps with stability when walking, which helps your feel to feel better, longer. Pair this shoe with your pencil shirt, and you'll knock 'em dead.

The Christian Louboutin: I'm going to make this shoe its own category, because really it is. The Louboutin is like the diamond of the shoe world. Perfect in every way. The identifiable red sole says, "hey, look at me! I'm wearing Louboutin's! Jealous?" Yes. Yes I am.

THE bow

Today in my class a girl said this:

"That is like THE bow."

me: "the bow?"

"Yeah all these junior high girls wear THE bow in their hair. You see it on Gossip Girl and now there is the girl in my class who looks like she rolled out of bed and put THE bow in her hair, or maybe it was from the night before."

I don't even know how this topic came up. But what I liked was that it's not a bow, but THE bow. Like it there is only one in the entire world and it just rotates from girl to girl. When is it my turn to wear THE bow? Is there a waiting list I need to get on?

While your waiting for your name to come up on the waiting list, here are some lesser bows you can throw in your outfit to hold you over.

Dress, Tights, Shoes, Earrings

Shirt, Skirt, Shoes, Handband

Go ahead. You can drool over those Louboutin's. I am.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Jeans

If you know me, you probably know that I am obsessed with jeans. Okay, well maybe you don't explicitly know, but you probably have seen me wearing jeans. Everyday. I love jeans. They are the fine gems of life. You can dress them up or down. They are comfy and... well always comfy.

Zac made a post for the guys about getting to know your denim. It had some good advice, not just for men, but also for women. So ladies, take a look and learn! Find out what your favorite wash and what your favorite brand is. And buy. It never hurts to invest in a good pair of jeans (or a good tailor! Not everyone is the model size for the size of clothes that you buy).

So to help you with your favorite jeans search, here are a few of mine.


Levi's 524



I recently invested in a pair of Levi's 524. They are pretty amazing. The wash is perfect, they move great, and well everyone needs a pair of Levi's. These jeans are a little pricer, but definitely worth it.


Old Navy, The Diva Bootcut

Old Navy does a great job at offering great clothes at a great price. Take these jeans for instance. They are the perfect bootcut. Great for your cowboy boots, your heals, your flats, your sandals. Just about anything. And, they aren't super expensive. So go ahead and buy two, three, or four pairs.

J.Crew, Trouser Jean

I threw this pair in for my brother. I have never owned a pair of J.Crew jeans, but I have owned a lot of their other pants and love them. But Zac swears by J.Crew's jeans. He might be a little biased though considering he works there. But that is besides the point. These are probably the best made jeans in this list, and you're going to pay for it too. The trouser jean, at $108, is definitely an investment. Also, as a plus, I believe that most J. Crew's will send your items off if they need to be tailored. 

What is your favorite pair of jeans?



Parades and Petticoats

Okay. So there aren't any petticoats in this post. But, I liked the alliteration of parades and petticoats. I'm sorry if I have misled you in any way. Please forgive me.

Now that we have that all settled. I went to a parade today! See I didn't lie to you completely...only half lied. My Paw-Paw was the grand marshal in the Homecoming parade today in Somerville, Texas. Ever been to Somerville? It looks like a ghost town. Small and scary. (oohh more alliteration!) But today was not a very good day for a parade. After a month of amazing (but not cool enough) weather, we finally had a cloudy day. It was kind of sad, but my Paw-Paw still looked proud and excited. As he should be.

Target should probably pay me for all of the clothes I buy from them. I think I am a walking Target advertisement. Basically everything I wore today was from Target.

Jacket, Dress, Necklace and Shoes: Target, Belt: Old Navy

For the guys - Dress Shirts

button up correctly

1. Spread -
A very wide and "spread" out collar. Most suitable for larger knots on your ties, as in the Windor. Think old school business man, large knot, large ego, little...room to breath.

2. Regular -
The basic collar. Buttons right at the neck and the collar itself lays flat and doesn't button down. Sits well with many types of neckwear and even most suits.

3. Button down -
This helps to dress the shirt down, but still keeps it fresh. Helps to pull off that preppy look.
TIP: pair it with a tie, but leave the buttons unbottoned for a preppy look but a little more rough.

When trying on button downs remember you should be able to breathe when fastening the top bottom. A good rule of thumb, a "two finger" gap. Personally, I always leave that top button undone. I think it just adds a little texture to my outfit but for those needing it to be buttoned, leave room to breath.

1. Kenneth Cole shirt 2. Duo Boutique 3. Urban Outfitters

Written by Zac.