according to katie: StyleBusters

Showing posts with label StyleBusters. Show all posts

January 12, 2012

color.blocking

I am most definitely and without a doubt a color blocking newbie. I'm obsessed with this trend though - when it is done well. It is a perfect way to wear solids and only solids and make an outfit interesting and bright. My wardrobe, admittedly, needs to be expanded a bit before I attempt this ever so fabulous trend again.

I did a post recently just on color blocking and how fashion guru's such as Kendi and Sydney are fabulous at making the blocking of color look like pure perfection. You can go here and see what I mean.
For my outfit, on the last day of our StyleBusters, I chose a red shirt and paired it with a scarf of mine from Old Navy tied around my waist. I would have to say that red and pink are two of my favorite colors that are blocked alongside seafoam green and blue.
While I did red and pink Jessica took her very own spin on color blocking so be sure to go take a sneak peek at her over here.

I hope you all have enjoyed our StyleBusters challenge because I know that we have. I personally have been trouble dressing myself the past few days with no such guidelines. I stand in front of my closet for minutes and get nothing. School kinda restricts me because it's getting cold and I don't dare put on my cute shoes and murder my feet like that. Make sure you put some color blocking in your life and shake it up.

January 11, 2012

toes like to party too.

Normally in the winter I do enjoy the types of shoes that provide coverage for my toes but Jessica so graciously convinced me that letting my toes have a party and be seen in the winter time can be perfectly OK. Especially since down here in the bluegrass state I don't think winter has actually hit us, technically. It's been kinda warm for this state. So I broke out a pair of my open toe shoes and let my toes say hello to January and temperatures below 70. It felt kinda good.
I honestly would rather not wear shoes than wear them. So any excuse to have as much of them exposed as possible - I'll take it. Socks are the devil to me. Constricting little suckers they are. Now mark my words as soon as the temperature here hits below 50 my toes are closed up and don't appear again until warmer weather. I wouldn't want them to so called 'freeze' or nothin'.

Hopefully you live somewhere where you can exercise your right to wear open toe shoes as much as you like. They even look good with tights. Blogger girl promise. Give your toes a chance to breath in the winter months and try out your open toes and don't forget to check out Jessica's sassy red open toe shoes. They're great and I'm jealous.
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January 10, 2012

blazers are for boys (and girls)

Disclaimer: Before you think or say anything I know I am wearing the same shirt from yesterdays post. And there IS an explanation for that. Jessica and I had to shoot two StyleBusters in one, yes one, day. School is starting and we ran out of time sorta. Forgive us. If anything it shows how to wear the same shirt two different ways.
Moving on to bigger and better things though. Men have been wearing blazers and sports jackets for years and years now. It's about time that the ladies get some blazer lovin'. I do confess that I have only one blazer at this time mainly because I'm a shorty and can never find one that satisfies me and my body type. I found this one I'm wearing at Kohl's for a $15 bargain. I loved its cropped length and the little pleats in the back. Cute right?
Since I chose black, it gave me one more reason to wear my sassy suede mary janes just one more time. Although you could definitely pair it with a cute pair of flats or boots and be set. You can dress a blazer up or down and it looks great both ways. No wonder those guys have been keeping those things to themselves. Bad news bears for them us ladies have invaded this trend and aren't turning back. Blazers + girls = a great combination.
I hope you've tried this trend and if you haven't please do.
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January 9, 2012

glitter me pretty.

What girl doesn't love glitter? It comes in all shapes and sizes and can go from your ears to your toes. Quite possible the greatest invention ever from a ladies perspective. You can dress it down for work and then with a couple modifications it can be jazzed up for night time.
Friday I chose to dress it down. Basically because we have casual Friday where I work and I didn't wanna come in looking like I just stepped out of a cloud of glitter. I found this plaid but ruffly shirt at Kohl's the night before and HAD to wear it. So I did. My glittery cardigan I paired it with is from Express. They never disappoint in the glitter department. Plaid and glitter? I think it worked. Although plaid sometimes makes me feel like a lumberjack. Especially if it's red for some reason? Weird girl reporting here.

Did I mention the shoes I was wearing yet? No? Well, I will then. They are my NEW favorite thing minus the fact that walking in them is a challenge still. The air is different 5 inches above my normal height. But beauty is pain and I guess I'll bear it.
Don't forget to go check out Jessica's glitter and her nice pops of color today.

And, I know you're probably getting sick of this reminder but link up with us. You'll make our day.
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January 6, 2012

wearing my big girl braids tonight.

When I was younger I jumped at the chance for my mammaw to braid my hair. It made me feel SO cool. And, yes I was one of the young ladies, once upon a time, who got her hair braided. With the beads. My family had gone on a cruise and I insisted I get that done. Most painful experience to date. Well at least one of the most painful. But for some reason, I think, people believe at some age you get to old for braids. Disagree! Yes, I may be to old to braid my hair in pig-tails and go on the town but I am not to old for braids in general.

I tend to enjoy putting random ones in my hair just for a little 'hair icing' if you will. It gives it that bed hair don't care kinda thing in my opinion. So yesterday that is what I did. I'm sure all of you can agree that we can have good braid days and bad braid days. Yesterday was a good one for me.

Jessica and I ventured over to Starbuck's yesterday to take pictures and for the free smells. It's heaven in there! Plus, they always have the neatest little chairs you can sit in and relax. Luckily we had an audience number of zero. And an added bonus was that we got two peanut butter chocolate cupcakes for $2.50. That's a good deal at Starbucks.

One thing that was hard about the braids day was it was very hard for me to pose showing my whole face. It always ended up feeling awkward. This is why you mostly see my profile.

Don't forget to go check out Jessica's braids. And, link link link it up.

P.S Jersey Shore. Who watched it?

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January 5, 2012

flats ARE fancy.

I have always been (almost) the shortest one in the lot since I haven't had a growth spurt in about, give or take, nine years. Yes, I am the same height I was in middle school. So if you took a guess - heels are one of my best friends. They give me height, make me 'appear' slimmer, and they look cute. All around, they treat this shrimpette pretty well. But sometimes I'd rather be a hare instead of a tortoise. On the days I feel like a hare I wear .... FLATS. That way I can walk fast(er) and not look like a dumby while doing it.

"Heels are a male invention to make it harder for them to run away."She's the Man
I don't know to many women who can run in heels gracefully and at the same speed as when they're wearing flats. Maybe Tyra Banks can? But it is very hard for me to walk any faster than the speed of smell when I've got those heel things on. Therefore, I am very happy to break the mold and say that the misconception that flats ain't fancy is nothing but a misconception, misunderstanding, stupid comment, and a joke. Shoutout to all of my coworkers who think flats aren't work appropriate. This post is for all those ladies. If paired properly flats can be just as dressy and work appropriate as any heel could be. Granted heels may be more flattering and appealing. Flats work too.

I personally get sick and tired and tired and sick of wearing heels day after day. A girls feet need a break to get reaquainted with the ground. So on the mornings that I am running late flats are my go to shoes. And my feet are always happy to see them.

For our shoot I chose to wear my favorite Steve Madden black flats that are completely broken in and SO comfortable. I paired them with a flutter skirt and statement tights to dress them up a little. Now this skirt is a little on the short side so flats always go perfect with it. Heels make your skirts grow shorter ladies. Or at least gives that illusion. Wearing it to work with heels might get me sent home. Jessica also gave flats a go so be sure to go over and check out her take on this StyleBuster.

And, don't you dare forget to link up with us and show us how fancy your flats can be. Help us prove all these anti-flat wearers wrong.

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January 4, 2012

black and brown. bff?

Scary Story: yesterday Jessica and I wore black and brown. together! the end.

I am sure that after hearing that some people are absolutely cringing at the mere thought of the pairing of those two colors. I'll admit that I used to be one of those people. But, if paired right it can actually be very fashionable and interesting. Don't get me wrong wearing solid black pants and a solid chocolate brown top together may not be the best styling decision in my opinion but it can be done.

I chose to wear black pants and a patterned top to incorporate my brown. This was the most nervewracking challenge for me and I think I could've done it better if I wouldn't have had to make it work appropriate. But I do. So a girl's gotta work with what shes got.

Normally I like a lot of black with a little touch of brown maybe in the shoes or with a sweater or leather jacket. Camel would ultimately be my brown of choice because it's not TO brown. Perfect. We had to get creative yesterday in our location for taking pictures because it was about 20 somethin' degrees here. So, freezing. Therefore, being the risk takers that we are we snuck into a hotel lobby and got the job done. They have a really pretty waterfall thing as you may see in the pictures.

Don't forget to go check out Jessica's take on the black and brown StyleBuster over at her blog AND to link up with us if you decide to do your own interpretation on it.

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January 3, 2012

metallic is in. on your nails.

Greetings from 2012. I hope you all had a happy and blessed New Year. Grandma here had a relaxing night with boyfriend while dogsitting. The more you get to know me the more you'll realize I'm a homebody and love nothing more than cuddling with that boy I love watching movies. Those are the best times. Take my word!
But, since we are back from our long (but too short) vacation from reality and work it is time to get back to StyleBusters. I know you're excited. Today is metallic nails day and boy am I glad we scheduled this before New Years. I didn't have to repaint my nails [we take the pictures the day before we post, fyi]. I think this trend is young, trendy, sophisticated, and chic.

I chose silver. And, that nail polish was courtesy of Jessica via her Christmas present to mwah. I love it! I have always been a silver kinda girl even though gold is starting to grow on me but only in moderation. It kinda scares me a little? But Jessica on the other hand embraces her gold and is sporting that as her nail color over here - check it out.
Metallic nails are a great way to start of 2012. They're fun and glittery. And, it is definitely a nice and appreciated change from the ol' boring pinks, reds, oranges, blah blah blah normal normal normal. I'm all for embracing change this year and daring nail colors is on my list. You should embrace it as well and link up with Jessica and I using the little link button at the bottom on this post. We don't bite [most of the time].

P.S If any of you are considering visiting Kentucky anytime soon you should definitely add Midway to your lists of stops. It's a teeny tiny little town in between Frankfort and Lexington filled with lots of small town charm. Jessica and I took pictures there last Friday and now I'm dying to go back and take more plus spend more time there. It's the cutest place.
P.S.S This morning I figured out that Aarean over at the Color Issue is treating one of her lucky followers to a free blog design in celebration of the new year. You should most definitely check that and her awesome blog out to get the chance to win a free blog design. And man can that girl design a blog. Head on over and check it out, today!

Happy 2012 y'all

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December 30, 2011

tights. they make a statement.

Tights picture via Banana Republic

It is now day four of our StyleBusters and our feature of the day is statement tights. I have fallen in tights love. When I was younger I absolutely refused to put any kind of tights on. I thought they were itchy? But now any opportunity I get I wear them. To me, it gives us ladies an excuse to wear skirts and dresses all year long. So thank God for tights. Especially ones that make a statement. Tights can spice up your outfit and give it a little quirky twist but still look professional; this is important in my case since I'm wearing them to work. But, nonetheless they make me feel cute, sassy, and sophisticated. Plus, Joan Rivers (from fashion police) put her stamp of approval on this trend. Naturally, if Joan Rivers says it is A-OKAY then it definitely is. So, don't be scared.

I politely asked my mom to get me some patterned tights for Christmas this year and she came through with two pairs! Now she did not get me any colored ones but you can get your fill of those over at Jessica's blog. She was pretty in pink. I on the other hand was dot dot dotted up in now my favorite tights from Banana Republic. I apologize that you can't really see their cuteness in any of my pictures. The dots are teenie tiny. But, I provided you with the picture and link to where I got them so you can get a better idea.

Yesterday made the SECOND time this week that I wore these tights. I love them that much! But, the tights aren't my only new somethin' somethin's in this post. I also got some new shoes. You may be familiar with them if you have read this girls blog. I love em'. Wearing new tights and shoes made for a pretty fabulous day.

This shoot was our most dangerous to date. I bravely parked my car in a turning lane (emergency flashers on) just so Jessica and I could have a change of scenery. Plenty of people drove by our location and we got some stares towards us and my choice or parking spot. But, it was worth it. I think? The wind was also out of control yesterday. So, no my hair does not normally look like that, the wind helped create that catastrophe.

Now, don't forget to link up with us and show us your tights that make a statement. Whether they're striped, dotted, blue, yellow, multi-colored, or tiger print. We wanna see em'. Pretty please!

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