Stripes!

I really can’t say enough about how excited I am that stripes are big right now. I used to think horizontal stripes just make you look bigger than you are. The truth is it is easy to use stripes to flatter your body.

Here I am dressed for a meeting. This particular top has good size stripes and a little give, making it forgiving in the midsection.  The stripes continue over the arms; this is a great trick if you have broad shoulders, the sleeves also help to make my arms look longer and thinner. To make a black pencil skirt a little less Joan on Madmen and a bit more conservative, I added black tights and black pumps. I am still on my quest for pointed pumps, which would have worked much better with the outfit. The pashmina scarf adds texture and color. For some reason, I have it in my mind that if I wear a watch people will think I am punctual and dependable so I added my Mac Jacobs watch.

I often work from home with little chance that anyone will see me, however, I never know what my day is going to look like. Wearing a cropped (shorter, not necessarily belly showing) striped top can actually make you look skinnier when paired with a tight, long tank. Comfy, dark wash jeans and Toms make me feel homey but ready. Since I don’t like wearing makeup when I’m home, putting on red lipstick is a fun trick to help me feel feminine and takes about 2 seconds to apply. 

If you are not sure which size stripe will look good on you, consult a professional or try on every stripe top you can find in a store and have a trusty friend with you to help you be objective. Stores like Forever 21 are great for having many variations of the same style. This is especially helpful if you have a hard time NOT criticizing yourself while trying on clothes. The second striped top is one that was picked out by my stylist, Minh Le. Having her pick out the top gave me an idea of what I should look for when shopping by myself. 

Have a fun, stripe-filled summer!

Back at it! A Casual Western Look

I am so happy to be blogging again! I needed that break in May, especially since I went to Belize and Santa Barbara last month. One thing I have really been missing is writing. It has been amazing running into old friends and them asking me when I'm going to start blogging again, the day is today, my friends! Thank you all for your support on my 59 Day Challenge. It was really fun but really difficult. Working with my stylist, Minh Le, and giving myself that challenge has really taught me a lot about being creative with the clothing I have. Though I may not have the top designer's clothes, a huge budget or the perfect body, I really like dressing well. I am dedicating this blog to all of the style-loving-people with my same issues or other issues that don't allow them to buy whatever they want from Saks! 

Though I will mainly be showcasing my outfits, I also will be including pictures of my friend's outfits, if they are willing. Fashion is to be shared. As we experiment with our own wardrobes and admire the creativity of others, we make the world a more beautiful place. Enough soap-boxing, time for pictures!

Tools, everyone needs decent tools whether building a table or putting on makeup. I love these synthetic Sephora brushes. I bought them about 9 years ago and they still feel baby smooth. Make sure to wash your brushes regularly, I use Sephora's brush cleaner. Shimmery, dewy skin is always my goal so mineral powder foundation is my passion, along with bronzer to give my face definition. This look is easy to do since I also used the bonzer for my eyeshadow.

I love grabbing my cowboy boots to wear with any outfit, they just make it more fun! Adding accessories, like this statement cuff from Minh Le, keep things polished and feminine. And of course, don't forget your skinny jeans!

59 Days of Style: Day 56-59: The End Of My Challenge

Day 59... Amazing that I completed this challenge. My clothing is way more personal than I thought it would be. I will admit that, looking back on the past 59 days, I did have some blunders. The core of this challenge was to be creative with my outfit choices by wearing a new combination each day without repeat or adding to my freshly cleaned out closet. Learning first how to dress my body by having a wardrobe overhaul by Minh Le, then taking those tools and really using them has shown me a new side of myself. A classier, more polished version of myself. In high school I was always complimented for my "unique" style which was mainly made up of old-lady thrift store clothes. Matching was boring and the more colors I could thrown in one outfit, the better. I have come a long way from there! With my new tools, and some new favorite outfits, my style has transformed from "unique" to beautiful, fun, polished and maybe even a bit sexy ;)

Inspired by my friend Loreal's Italian flair, I layered dark pieces with a scarf.

Going to the 2011 Wiener Festival had to wear jeans and a T, good thing I have my doxie pin my friend Cate gave me!

I don't know what I was thinking. Trying to wear this skirt has always been hard for me.

Last day! Love having light, short sleeve cardis to put over tanks for a more layered spring look.

Now that my 59 day challenge has ended I'm working on coming up with some ideas for a new challenge, preferably a shorter one so I don't lose interest. I am off to the airport in 3 hours to go to San Padro, Belize for vacation. I'll start my blog back up with a nod to vacation style. Thanks for reading!

59 Days of Style Day 34: Putting Together an Outfit

On my way to a birthday party that may be outdoors, may be in, and may include bowling. Layering is a must in these situations, so I though I would run through how I put my outfit together.

Step One: Base

Often people look at an outfit and don't realize there are foundational pieces playing the supporting role. Here I am with my stretchy black, $7 tank from Target, the black leggings from Guess pulled over knee-high striped thick socks. Always put your socks on before your leggings. These are a great pair because they are thick and comfortable and keep me warm. Who wants to highlight lumps and bumps? I don't! Having tight fitting clothes with some stretch in them help smooth out the surface for the other clothes to be able to glide over.

Step Two: Makeup & Hair

I love red lipstick! When I do my makeup, I always start with the area that I'm highlighting. Here I started with my lips then did the rest of my face to compliment my lips. Always stick to one focus area. Heavy eyes, cheeks and lips will make you look dated and overdone. My red lipstick trick is using a lip-liner and lip stain. Put it on, then dab it off with a tissue, then repeat. This will help set the stain so your color will last. I also recommend checking with a friend or a makeup professional to make sure the red you chose goes well with your natural coloring.

Step Three: Fun Top

Having a short-waist and inverted triangle body shape, it is crucial for me to wear long tops. This top is a fun, thick-knit with sequins across the shoulders. I would be comfortable in this if I were to get too hot bowling and still feel like I was in a party outfit. To elongate my legs, I added my black boots.

Step Four: Pulling it Together with a Jacket

Adding a jacket gives a bit more style and warmth to the outfit. I'm a big fan of my Ann Taylor denim motorcycle jacket (Day 5, Day 6, Day 19), the detail around the waist leads to a clean silhouette.

Step Five: Scarf!

On my way out the door, I grabbed this black scarf to accessorize and add a bit more warmth to my outfit. Minh Le, my stylist, encourages the use of scarves and I agree! Before my wardrobe overhaul I rarely ever wore scarves, now they often find their way into my outfits.

Have fun putting outfits together. Always remember to build a foundation for each outfit.

Peace, love and joy
Erin

59 Days of Style Day 27-29: Balancing Volume

I love playing with volume! Ruffles, chunky knits and patterned skirts are lots of fun, however, it is easy to let them overwhelm your figure. 

On Friday, I wanted to wear something pretty, like this top. This is a very feminine top and, as you know, I'm not one to be girlie head-to-toe. I love this Anthropologie top, but I want to still look like me. By wearing some boyfriend, "broken in" jeans (Day 3), I am able to stay casual yet pretty. 

A chunky knit sweater and scarf are wonderful when going to be outside at night, (my brother's 30th birthday party) but easy to make sloppy. Skinnies (Day 13, Day 18 and  Day 23) and boots are the way to balance this look. It is also fun to play with colors. I knew I wanted to wear this scarf, so I chose neutral colors, then I realized I needed a jacket. Trying to still stay fun and fresh, I laid out my outfit and tried different jackets. Surprising to me, this mustard yellow jacket (Day 1, Day 13) is the perfect contrast.

This yellow and purple zebra dress is a bit out there, even for me. I bought it for a trip to Las Vegas and have been trying to figure out a way to wear it since. Minh Le, my stylist, taught me one of my new favorite tricks; pulling on a black crew neck (Day 3, Day 16). The dress is magically transformed into a cute skirt and the black sweater tidies up my silhouette. Nude shoes, awesome trick for elongating the legs and not drawing attention to light legs. I also busted out my vintage beetle brooch, which makes me happy.

Do you want to wear something chunky or full on the top or bottom? It's easy to do, just make sure you slim out the other half so you don't look like a cast member from the original Degrassi High.

59 Days of Style Days 15 & 16: Confidence and Pashmina

Yesterday was an all day work marathon as I prepared for a company-wide meeting that we had last night. Since most people were going to be dress casually, I didn’t want to look too out of place. I selected these wide-leg trouser jeans, an asymmetric patterned Ann Taylor red cow neck top with my chain cardigan. I have had a bit of a hard time figuring out how to wear this read top, since it is bold. By wearing a cardigan, I could show part of the pattern while not being over the top. 

Confidence is huge when it comes to running a meeting, meeting with clients or just to have a productive day. You have now seen me wear this cardigan three times (Day 9, Day 14 )there is a reason for this, it gives me confidence. Not sure if it is the slim fit, the soft material, the deep color or just the awesome chain but something about this sweater says to me “CONFIDENCE”! Everyone should have one go to item in their closet they know will give them this feeling, especially when they are having an off day. As I’m going through this journey I am becoming not only more thoughtful about what I chose to wear but the way I feel in my clothes. That is my challenge to you; ask yourself “how do I feel in this outfit?” Confident? Sexy? Happy? Or just “okay?” On our journey of wardrobe discovery, we might as well discover a thing or two about ourselves.

Today I am worn out, tired and a bit droopy feeling, time to get comfortable. Velour track suit??!?! Hmmmm? Not today, my friend. I pulled on my black crew-neck sweater,  (Day 3) favorite Gap jeans and sheepskin boots. I feel 100% comfortable and cozy. The only way I allowed myself to wear this as an actual outfit was by adding this gorgeous pashmina scarf my Grandma gave me. I also added two current trends: insect jewelry and berry lips. The brooch was in my Great-Grandmother’s “not special” jewelry box passed over by the matriarchs, so I got to adopt it. Berry lips are pretty but I’m not about to commit to a day of thick lipstick when I just want to take the day slow. This lip gloss by Arbonne is perfect, you can layer it on as light or as dark as you want and… it’s not sticky! I can’t stand sticky lip gloss, ick. 

 

Today’s lessons:
-Find out what in your wardrobe makes you feel confident and wear it!
-Have fun with scarves and spruce them up with a vintage or vintage looking, brooch
-Bust out a fun lip color

As always, thanks for reading.
<3
E

59 Days of Style Day 3

 

Who doesn't want a pair of slouchy, boyfriend jeans? These jeans are called "skinny slouchy" by Gap which means they are loose fitting and tapered. A bad combination for an inverted triangle shaped body. Minh, remember she is a genius, suggested I was wearing these too long. Not the difference between the above and below photos. No mater what your shape, experiment with different pant lengths trying to objectively see which looks best on you with different casual jeans. Don't be like me and keep things the way you buy them at the store or see them in a magazine; that just doesn't work for everyone.

I do also want to note that this crew neck black sweater from Forever 21 is a must have in everyone's closet. This is one of the pieces Minh had me add to my wardrobe. You will see much more of it to come. Since I'm not buying any more clothing, getting an infinity scarf or desert scarf was out of the question even though I've had a hankering for one. Well, my friends, its as simple as looping the scarf around twice and tucking in the ends. Yes, that easy and you too can have the look without buying another item. What if a little of the scarf ends dangle out of the back? Do not fret, 70's style fringe is a good thing.

 

Want to add some edge to a cozy outfit? Add a deer head ring! This one from H&M came in a pack of other animal head rings all for $7. Chictopia agrees.

Thank you, Chris for taking these photos for me on my iPhone! Also props to Max for being a nice accessory. 

Today's to do list:

-Work on rolling banners for my work's upcoming conference

-Go grocery shopping

-Checkout Old Navy's black leggings recommended to me by the lovely Cate