Outfit of the Day: Inspired by Kate Middleton aka the Duchess of Cambridge

The former Kate Middleton is an inspiration in many ways-- not least of which is in her fashion choices.

I love how she seems to have single-handedly brought back classic, tasteful, and modest fashion choices.  And!  On her most recent trip to North America, pantyhose!  (I've been telling people for years that business attire just isn't complete without pantyhose/stockings/nylons)

Kate knows how to dress for her body type and generally sticks to a few key shapes and cuts.  

She loves sheath dresses...

And one of her fashion staples is the wrap dress...

Wrap dresses are great on any body type because they can adjust to play up your best points while minimizing everything else.

I recently got this wrap dress at New York & Co. for about $7!  The necklace is also from NY&C and my mom got me the watch from some airport store.

XOXO,

Catherine

Outfit of the Day: Mixed Summer Stripes

Lately I've ben inspired by one of Jane's little brothers.  The kid has some serious style!  I'm always impressed with how well he matches prints.  ... In fact, I can't remember the time that I've last seen him in something other than amazingly coordinated prints!

Here's my attempt a mixed Summer Stripes:

Blue Striped shirt:  Tommy Hilgfiger-- from the closet of a friend

White camisole:  an essentiel de la mode

Yellow Striped shorts;  Unionbay--  I've literally had these since I was twelve!

Blue Reptile Print Skinny belt:  an amazing deal from New York & Co

No look is complete without shoes!  These great $7 Payless finds have lasted me for about a year.  This will be there last Summer of use though, because I love them too much.  But that's the great thing about $7 shoes-- they're practically disposable!

How do you like to wear prints?

XOXO,

Catherine

A Twist on Things [Day #4]

We all have our favorite colors. Oftentimes you're color reflects you're personality. For instance, my very energetic brothers favorite color is neon yellow, and my shy friends favorite is gray. Get the picture? My favorite is often a mix between allot of different colors. I'd say blue is my favorite, but I find myself wearing purple quite often. I realized I wear quite a bit of purple, without even realizing it. :P Yet, this post wasn't created for me to babble about favorite colors. But to inform you that you can use the colors that looks good on you, or you're favorite colors [Or both!] to you're advantage.

The twist today is this: An outfit with all different shades of purple. I paired a purple skirt with grey stripes with a light cotton black spaghetti strap shirt. This shirt is a life saver. It is multi faceted, thus I can wear this shirt with black, green, or purple. To add the finishing touches to this hipster outfit, I put a purple headband on, purple sparkly shoes and some retro style glasses. I really think it ended up working. All the different colors of purple kind of pulled together by adding the extra pieces.





Now you go find you're favorite color and use it to twist you're outfits up!

A Twist on Things [Day #3]

Sewing days are especially fun when you make something spectacular out of random scraps of fabric. A Twist on Things day #3 will be able to attest to this. Out of extra fabric scraps and a thin piece of elastic I was able to create a lightweight, sparkly scarf. ;) It was definitely a piece I've been *wanting* to wear, but just couldn't find an outfit that it fit with. But, have no fear...because today I overcame that thought. I paired this fun, glittery scarf with equally glittery oxfords and a brown bubble dress. Finishing it off with a brown vintage belt with a gold buckle. These oxfords have been my recent love. I've always loved the oxford look, but never felt as if I could fit the style quite right. After finding these at DSW, there was no...and I mean..NO reason I shouldn't get them. [Aside from the fact that they cost me an arm and a leg.] ;) They have definitely been worth it though, and I believe they will be equally helpful as they are now throughout the fall.

The twist today is basically the centerpiece of the outfit: the scarf. What was once a normal, cute dress -- just became a statement. I even think that the Man Repeller would be proud of me. O.o




[Statue Pose] ;)

Good luck with the twisting!
<3Jane

A Twist on Things [Day #2]

Today I felt as if I should try the whole Cropped shirt and high waisted shorts look that we talked about last week. I paired a crop sweater/shirt with some high waisted shorts. Let me tell you a little story about these shorts, I brought these shorts at a consignment store that had some vintage pieces in the back. I found these shorts and thought about them for a few minutes before I made the choice of getting them. The price tag kind of coaxed me into it. I mean, how can you pass up shorts for $2.00? I know I definitely couldn't. So the twist is mainly the fact that I wore a cropped top with high waisted shorts. Because even though I don't consider it a big deal, oftentimes others do. ;)

Here's to twisting things up, and cropped shirts. ;)





Love,
<3Jane

Taking a Twist on Things [Day #1]

     
        Oftentimes everyday life can get mushy, it gets tedious, tiring and you find yourself doing the "Same old, same old." This happens throughout the year, but in summer -- the apathy just seems to creep in. Not only do we seem to encounter a new layer of apathy, we seem to get lousy at the tasks at hand. We don't just simply have a lack of interest, oftentimes we pick up a lack of willingness to work at things, get things done, etc.

        This predicament has leaked into fashion a bit. Where I live, everyone is often tempted to wear a tank and shorts everyday, because of the heat. [Not saying I don't do this..] But I was simply experimenting with ideas of how to make summer outfits interesting and fun. Not always sticking with shorts and a tank, or for nicer occasions: a tank and a skirt. But instead, looking for different options. Looking through creative eyes. Instead of going with the flow and picking "easy" summer outfits, try taking a twist on things. I've been trying this recently...well...honestly, my life is a whole journey of taking twists on things. ;) But putting that aside, it's pivotal for wana-be fashion icons [Such as you and I] to always be coming up with new fashion ideas and to tune into our creative fashion side. Yes, even throughout the hot, slow and dreary summer.

        So this week I will be Practicing what I Preach [as some people put it]. I will post every day this week on a fun and quirky outfit, these outfits will indeed, be taking a twist on things.

       Having explained myself, lets hop right into Day #1's Twist. I found this adorable jumper/dress type thing while thrift store shopping with the Touche De Mode girls. It is most definitely vintage [60's-70's] and quite the eye catcher. As soon as I saw it I knew I'd get it, but some of the girls were a little skeptical of it [As is wise..;)] So, I tried it on, and was able to prove to them, that was indeed a great catch. [Can I add that it was only a couple bucks?] It was definitely a good decision. I tried working with it for a bit, seeing what styles I should try with it, what "Twists" I could afford to pull off. I ended up pairing it with gladiator sandals and a vintage white belt with a gold buckle. I got hooked as soon as I tried this look, I absolutely loved it, I must admit. ;) And I hope you do too. :)

                                                 [Move back bugs]

         Yes, if anyone knows me, they know that there's got to be a couple quirky pictures mixed in with the normal ones. As I continue to take risks and twists, I'd adamantly suggest you to do the same this week.

Here...we..go.

Summer Inspiration

My summer inspiration seems to come from variant fashion tastes, times in history, and random eclectic different places.

My summer clothing picks and accessories must be extremely cool, because of the area that I live in. Cute summer sweaters are not going to fly here. Thus I must adjust my fashion a bit in order to keep cool. ;) So here's to staying cool, and looking cute at the same time:

--Cropped Tops & High waisted Shorts/Skirts--
[Not only is this look adorable, it is cool and kinda an 80's-meets-cute look]

adorable right? I'm pretty excited about this fashion trend.

I have also been diggin' some hippy style myself. For instance:

--Feather Heads--
These are incredibly fun, spunky and adorable.

You can get a variety of different colors, and on the bright side: it's very artsy looking. I really do love this trend and believe it's a whole new creative way of expressing our style..through feathers! Yep, it's pretty incredible.

--French Braids--

If you are like me, then even a little bit of french braiding is tuff business. But let's assume you are skilled and can French Braid. ;) If you can, it is quite nice for the summer. Not only can it help you get you're bangs out of the face and you're hair off you're neck...it is quite the bohemian look. With longer hair, or shorter hair, it's a cute makeshift summer do - for sure.

--Rompers--

Rompers, such an interesting name. I swear it took me a whole year to remember that name. Anyways, Rompers are pretty much perfect for Summer. If you slip it over a swimsuit, or pair it with a scarf, Rompers are cute and it's fairly simple to create a cute outfit with one of these things. ;) Watch and learn:

The good thing about Rompers is that they work for almost anyone. Most body shapes can pull them off. It's quite a cute idea. Isn't it?

Well, i'm off. In the meantine, stay hydratted, cool and stylish. ;)

Top Knots

Often when one hears the word "Top Knots" they instantly think of a top hat. Or they could think of a top hat with a knot on top. Or just a rope on top of a tree. Or...oh, never mind. The bottom line is the world isn't quite accustomed to the Top Knot, as a style feature. It hasn't been an actual "Item" until recently. Now everyone's longing to have their hair long enough to try a Top Knot. ;)I thought and thought about Top Knots, and why they have become a hit. It was then when I realized that Top Knots were indeed a fashion statement. A pretty awesome one, at that. Everyone has different opinions of Top Knots. But I hope today, to persuade you that Top Knots are not only awkward, they can be geeky, chic, hott and just plain adorable. :)

Lets start out with the typical, awkward and ugly Top Knots:

Well first things first, please don't purposefully try and make it look like you have a plate of meatballs sitting on top of your head. Tyra Banks gives us a great example of how NOT to wear a Top Knot. No meat heads, please.



And if you have larger ears [I'm not hatin, I'm jus sayin] or your ears naturally are farther out than normal, please don't slick your hair back, or else it will just attract unneeded attention to them. JLo ended up making her head look strange and her ears look elf-like, with her Top Knot. Where she went wrong: She slicked back the front of her hair. If you indeed have that type of face, please add volume, keep bangs down, or add poof. Whoops, JLo strikes AGAIN. ;)



On the last ugly note, I want to encourage you not to purposefully make your hair look like a Sumo Wrestlers. Please, just...don't.



I think we've learned that Top Knots can be pretty, terrible. Yet, don't worry...Top Knots can also be pretty sexy at times. If you are Vanessa anne Hudgens. One of HSM's biggest star's knows how to own the Top Knot. That's what I'm talkin' about!



Shenae Grimes not only has amaaaazing top knots, her style is awesome! She rocks her Top Knots.



Now let's go the "Cute and Geeky" route. If you have thick bangs, this look will work pretty well for you.



Or, if you're Sydney from the Daybook! [Can I just say, I love this lady. Her style=incredible]





Alright, well I think my work here is done. If you got lost somewhere along the way, I was trying to persuade you that Top Knots can be the best fashion statement anyone has ever made. It's 'Awkward and Awesome!' [As Sydney would say] ;) And i've been trying it out a bit myself, check it out.





;)

Spring Fashion Trends

Spring has arrived and the question has arisen: "What shall I wear this spring?" What IS in style regarding Spring Fling Fashioning? Have no fear, I am about to reveal to you the most adorable style trends and fashionable pieces that are paramount for the beginning of the spring.

1. Let's start out with my favorite -- TURBANS! :) You'll probably thinking..."Waiiit, these are in style now!?" I will assure you that it's probably not the "Turban" your thinking of. It's the fashion Turban. Audrey Hepburn, Liz Taylor, and all the fashion stars wore them. They are fun, you can wear them with your hair up or down, and there great for bad hair days or busy days. ;) Turbans are so fun, and thankfully they are currently in style once again!

2. Leg warmers! They are undoubtedly incredible! I wear leg warmers often, because they are fun and easy. It really depends on where you live, if you can wear leg warmers in the spring. If you live in Tx, its better to stick with leg warmers for the winter. But other more chilly spring environments, they work perfectly. They are a fashion statement, obviously. But, a very fun one at that! ;) WARNING: There is a RIGHT way and a WRONG way to wear leg warmers.

Right way:

Wrong way:


Catch my drift?

3. Printed Tights. These are so fun, and in fashion! Your own personality easily can be displayed through your tights. I love wearing bright tights, and now, theres printed tights! :) So adorable.





4. Bright Cropped Pants. For spring this look works perfectly. Because they are not "Pants" But not "Shorts" which is a nice in between. They often look good on all body types, it depends on the pants. The skinny look is my favorite though. These are easy for making fast outfits. Take a bright pair of pants, pair it with solid shoes and a solid shirt. Or, if your a bit riskier, but a muted floral shirt with it. Theres a ton of ideas that you can use with cropped pants. But overall, it's a quick and easy cute spring outfit idea!





5. Last of all -- Bright and bold lip colors. This is a bit of a riskier spring fashion idea. But the fact of the matter remains: IT'S IN. So don't feel scared when your about to wear bright pink lipstick for the first time to work. But, please...please...use discretion. Bright and Bold doesn't look good on some people. And bright and bold lip's don't go with some outfits. So please, think before you apply. ;) But Beauty High illustrated this concept perfectly.

These are just a portion of the cute style trends of Spring. Hope they gave you some rockin' idea's as to how to be effortlessly fashionable this spring. :)