Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Favorites
I am pretty sure everyone has a favorite item in their closet. The favorite shoe, the favorite dress, the favorite skirt, the favorite necklace, etc. It is totally normal to have a go to item that just works. Usually it is an item that is versatile and can be worn literally all year and still be in style.
For me, I have a number of favorites in my closet, but among the top ranking of favorites are my no-name animal print flats. They are great because I have well past broken them in. They have no overbearing scuffs and don’t look tired. They are so easy to throw on and go because they are a neutral and practically match everything in my closet from causal to slightly more dressy.
Well unfortunate events happened last week that had me quite upset. I LOST my flats! Ugh! I was going to get a pedicure for the first time in a long time and as I was sitting there toes in water twiddling on my new Polyvore account, I had slipped off my shoes and literally taken no notice to putting them anywhere close so I could remember to scoop them up once done. I typically do this all the time and even when I don’t the lady doing the pedicure usually gives me a bag with my shoes so I don’t forget them if I am not able to put them back on immediately.
Once my toes were nicely polished, I get a new pair of paper flip flops and waddle over to the drying counter not with a second thought in mind about my flats. After about fifteen minuets I still am just oblivious to the fact that I do not have my shoes in hand and head for the door still in the paper flip flops. My mind is now in la la land as I head over to a photography buddies practice shoot. I decide to just keep the flip flops on and be barefoot during my time there. I stay for 4-5 hours and it isn’t until my drive back to Fort Worth that I am suddenly in a heap about my flats. Where the heck are they? Then to my disappointment it dawns on me, I left them at Lovely Nails Nailshop!
All the sudden I am just overcome with grief for my little flats, but maybe there is still hope. The next day I call Lovely Nail’s and talk to a gentlemen. I give a description of the flats in hope that they haven’t been thrown out. That somehow, someway some dear soul has scooped them up and carried them to safety barricaded behind a register counter perhaps. “I don’t see anything like that” he replies and my heart sinks. Just like that my favorites are gone.
As I start thinking and reminiscing about the good times in those flats, I realized that maybe there is a bigger picture here. Maybe this is the good Lord giving me a valid opportunity to purchase new flats. I am one of those people that if I have something in my closet and it is that good, I will not replace it until I must. Had those flats still been in there, I might have missed the opportunity to experience purchasing a newer, better pair of flats.
We all have favorites that we like to wear. We can be so attached to them that even when they are gone we focus so much on what we had and not the potential of what we could have in the future. There is good news that comes out of this whole story. I finally ended up going after a pair of Tory Burch flats that I had actually wanted for a long time and continually talked myself out of. For now this story is to be continued, but next blog comes the happy ending :)
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
A Very Purple Valentine's Day
I have always been curious about how with Valentines Day red and pink are the dominant colors. The color red is associated with passion, desire, and love while pink is similarly associated with unconditional love, compassion, and romance. So in essence it is like pink is the more “mature” version of red. Neither of these colors really speak to me when Valentine’s Day comes around. I mean yes it is fun to dress up in red or pink and be all girly, but lately another option has surfaced and really made an impression on what I will wear this Valentine’s Day....Purple!
Purple is the official color of royalty. It typically is associated with wisdom, dignity, creativity, and ambition. Now that sounds more like me (or at least what I am working toward in essence). The embodiment of purple this Valentine’s I think will not only satisfy my need for uniqueness, but just be overall more meaningful to me and who I am as a person.
Might I encourage you to find your own special color and wear it this Valentine’s Day. Wonderful if red and pink are your go to colors, but maybe you’re a bright fiery mango or a sunny side up yellow. No matter what color depicts you, it’s how you feel when you wear it.
So this Valentine’s Day, I will be pulling inspiration from another color on the color wheel and I hope you are inspired to try it out too!
Purple is the official color of royalty. It typically is associated with wisdom, dignity, creativity, and ambition. Now that sounds more like me (or at least what I am working toward in essence). The embodiment of purple this Valentine’s I think will not only satisfy my need for uniqueness, but just be overall more meaningful to me and who I am as a person.
Might I encourage you to find your own special color and wear it this Valentine’s Day. Wonderful if red and pink are your go to colors, but maybe you’re a bright fiery mango or a sunny side up yellow. No matter what color depicts you, it’s how you feel when you wear it.
So this Valentine’s Day, I will be pulling inspiration from another color on the color wheel and I hope you are inspired to try it out too!
Friday, February 8, 2013
It’s the Lebron’s
For as long as I have known my husband, he has always had this ratty pair of old Adidas basketball shoes (that I not so secretly wish he would eliminate from our home). These shoes are what used to be white and are now scuffed and grungy from over use. Seriously, he wears them to walk the dog, workout, and play all kinds of sports that aren’t even related to basketball.
Last year he wore them to play softball and when I recommended that we go invest in a pair of cleats he absolutely refused. Then even the prior year when he was playing basketball he just didn’t wrap his head around possibly getting a better pair of basketball shoes. Needless to say, the team did suffer a losing season and he suffered a little bit more on his feet due to those shoes.
Well, finally this year it had come down to another choice, either face the year with an old pair of well worn in Adidas, or head to the store for another pair of shoes. Glad to say he didn’t have to do either of those because he was blessed with a pair of Lebron’s for his birthday. Now these shoes are nice! Aside from the fashion aspect of “they look amazing”, they also have function which allows him to feel as if "he is floating on air," as he described it, while sprinting up and down the court.
“It’s the dress” Carrie Bradshaw exclaims to Big in the Sex and the City movie when she receives a Vivienne Westwood Couture Bridal Gown that keeps magically increasing the number of guests at the wedding. Similarly so, I think it is fair to say “It’s the Lebron’s” that are helping my husband show up on court and have that infectious winning attitude with the whole team.
So fashion and function get a pat on the back for being so helpful in this time of need. I hope you take the opportunity to look good in what you wear as much as possible. As that lovely quote goes “You look good, you feel good, you play good!”
P.S. They ended up winning the very exhilarating game 42 to 40 :D
See I wasn't kidding; Lebron's and the well worn Adidas.
Getting in stance to hit the 3
Let it float
Nothing but net at the end of the day!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
10 Ways to be Cutting Edge Without Sacrificing Comfort
The other day I was out and about when I encountered a woman at a local book store. There was nothing particularly interesting about this woman, she seemed normal enough. One thing really bothered me though, what she was saying with her clothes...or rather how she was saying it. From top to bottom you could tell that style was not her initiative in getting dressed. She was wearing what appeared to be a over-sized faded tee with an outdated print, layered over an even larger, thicker long sleeve navy blue top. Her denim jeans were ill fitting, hugging in all the wrong places and rose at least an inch above her ankle. To finish it off she was wearing black clunky open back sandals with black socks underneath.
After examining this in passing I thought to myself, “Why would someone dress like that?”. In all the effort it takes to get ready, why not stop and try for a moment before just dogging out the door? Then I realized just exactly what she was saying with her outfit...”I am comfortable!”
Comfort is one of the most important things that we take into consideration when getting dressed. It can also be the most out of balance. Too many times have I seen people sacrifice either too much in favor of comfort or too little because of it. A healthy balance between the two is key and I have 10 little tips below that can help find the center between looking awesome and just looking sub par.
1. Natural Fibers: The way something feels against the skin is so important in shopping. I guarantee if you don’t like how it feels, you will not wear it, and if you have, you will eventually stop wearing it. No one likes to be irritated by clothes. So next time you are out shopping, rub the fibers of a garment gently between your fingers, even drape if over your bare arm. If it aggravates you, steer clear!
2.Tee Shirts: Tee’s get a bad wrap sometimes because they can look bland and boxy. They are the essential throw on and go item in any closet. But even an oversized tee can look cool. Find something with shape to it, and by that I don’t mean something that sticks to you. Look for something that indents at the waist and flows out toward the base. Try a tee with a dolman sleeve (that is a sleeve with a larger armhole and smaller cuff). Even an interesting design, detail, or pattern can take a plain tee from blah to bold.
Tunics: Tunics are really long tops that almost mimic dresses (almost). They are great because you can virtually find them anywhere and in a variety of styles and colors. The best way to wear a tunic in my opinion is with a pair of skinny pants, but for those who opt out of the skinnies can also go for a nice boot-cut jean and still look amazing.
Utility Blouse: Utility blouses are like a working woman shirt to me. They are perfect because they are loose fitting, but have some rather important details like pockets at the top. The most comfortable in my opinion are lightweight and woven. They aren’t constricting on the body which allows maximum comfort.
Sweats: Who knew sweats could be fashionable?? Again, it is all about the fit here. Something like an oversized hooded tunic can look really cool with some flared knit yoga pants. Finish it off with lightweight sneakers in loud accent colors and you are fresh without breaking a sweat!
Trouser Jeans: This type of denim is easy to pull off. Due to the wide leg and stretch factor these jeans are among my favorite type of casual/comfortable/fashionable pants and it could be yours too! Lots of places carry this type of denim and they flatter so many figures in addition to feeling GREAT! Next time you are out shopping, try a pair for fun.
Boyfriend Jeans: No you don’t have to have a boyfriend to wear this type of jeans. These are fun, loose, and all about the slight “bagginess” that comes along with the pair. Now baggy is typically something questionable, but boyfriend jeans are cut in a way where it has elements of guys pants while still answering the call for a gals body-shape.
Tennis Shoes: Tennis shoes are great. They come in so many fun colors and types, it is hard to go wrong with any pair. Fashion tennis shoes in brands like Nike or Asics come equipped with quality, comfort and style wrapped in a neat little package.
Wedge Heels: Wedge heels are a triangular type heel that run the length of the shoe...like an extension from the sole. They are great because instead of having a traditional heel where it sits right beneath the heel, this covers the entire foot area making it a great platform for comfort. The style is extremely popular and can be found in heels, boots, sandals, etc.
Flats: Depending on the arch in your foot, flats can be friend or foe, nevertheless they can still be a stylish and comfortable choice when looking to be balanced. Find some with extra support so you don’t end up with achey feet. Naturalizer has an extremely comfortable array of flats. They aren’t the most decorated, but that can easily be solved with some fun shoe clips!
So there we have it, 10 ways to be stylish and still make an impression. The outfits pictured are ones I would have used to re-dress the lady I had encountered that faithful day. To see more outfit ideas follow me on polyvore at http://shockyourcloset.polyvore.com/
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
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