Monday

Brace yourselves:

If we're being honest the hardest part of Monday's is choosing my outfit for the day.  Besides the fact that I wasn't nearly as productive as I thought I would be all weekend meaning roll-over tasks Yea!  The way I see it everyone is half awake so they only half notice your outfit.  This is the day to try out a completely fussless look.

Step one: pick a basic, and another, and one cute little piece.  People may be half asleep but the other half is wide awake.  Those two halves equals a whole list of people who will remember your fashion disaster. Never mistake casual Monday for casual Friday, Monday's set the tone for the rest of the week. 

 

I'm throwing it back to a look I've sported about a year ago.  Basic tank top, basic shorts with a plaid blazer and white Moccasins.  Basics all around until you put them together and sprinkle my personality makes for magic. 

If this is too dressed for your taste substitute the shorts for a great pair of jeans.  Leave the holes for a Saturday.  Add a fitted, basic t-shirt under a navy cardigan, throw on some flats and charge that Monday head on. 

Cold weather friends opt for a cape as that can become a whole outfit all on its own.

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Honestly keep the look light by forgoing statement pieces and chunky jewelry.  The half asleep part of the body won't care and full awake part of the body won't care.  Hoops and a simple necklace work for me.  Perhaps a stud and one strand of beads work for you?  I love scarves, I will find a reason to wear one whenever so it only makes sense for me to wrap my hair in one.  Fedora's are played out today so I'll recommend a chic little beret if you have one.  If the hair is not up for a Monday a little beret is a cute little surprise, or a beret is just cute.

Finish with some comfy foot wear.  Flat's all the way!  Depending on whether or not you got that pedicure closed or open toed shoes is your best option.


Let me know your go-to Monday style and I'll be back tomorrow with Coachella inspired looks.

Seeley

With the glow of the afternoon sunlight, picturesque outdoor landscape and only songs of the birds to set the soundtrack, models grace the scene in beautifully crafted pieces that flow with the breeze as they glide past guests.

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"Luxury femininity for the iconic woman."  Those words ring true through all the garments shown during the Bri Seeley's fashion show in Los Angeles. Deputing the Chrysalis Collecting Bri Seeley is making quite a strong name for herself in the fashion industry.  A name which holds the title of Featured Emerging Designer in 2013 by Women's Wear Daily.

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"The inspiration for the Chrysalis Collection was really taking the foundation I've built for my business and transforming it into an even better version of itself.  The designs featured have all been seen in my previous collections, but this time I refined the looks and brought them more towards a luxury demographic."-Bri Seeley.

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Personally I love this collection, I can see myself walking from class to work confidently and with strength.  A perfect example are the shorts in her collection which I absolutely adore.  The pleats are done in such a way which draws the eye and forces a lingering stare.  Each dress flows and drapes the body reminding the public that in fact you are a woman.  Being a woman in itself is a full time job, something Bri understands full well and her designs reflect that.  With inconspicuous pockets that don't add weight to the hips leaving you enough room to tuck away phones, wallets,
cupcakes, and if you're like Catherine Lowe at After the Final Rose, a water bottle.

I for one can't wait to find these pieces in my closet, but in the meantime you can find out more about Bri and her collections at: briseeley.com.  Instagram: @iambriseeley and twitter: @BriSeeley

Back to Basics

Tuesday's are the worst.  Think about it, Monday's may have the worst rep but in reality Tuesday is the problem.  Monday is straight-forward, letting you know it sucks before you even try to, on the other hand Tuesday let's you think it's your friend because you thought Monday was going to be the worst.  Tuesday is the shady friend you keep in your side-eye field of vision.

In dealing with  a fiend like Tuesday a good defense is a fashion offense.  Start by borrowing from the boys and stick to the basics.  I've had a love affair with this long button-up shirt since I was in high school.  The x-factor is the gold pinstripes to add a touch more class to an already classy piece.  As I've grown up the shirt hasn't been as long as it used to, know instead of a dress-shirt it reaches just low enough for leggings to be acceptable as a bottom piece.  Remember, LEGGINGS AREN'T PANTS!

It doesn't actually have to be a crisp white shirt, they come in different colors shockingly.  If your down for a cool jacket a tuxedo jacket compliments the look.  Make sure to pay attention to proportions, let the shirt graze your figure loosely so if you decide to to say no to a cinched waist there's still a fit look.  Too big of a shirt and it looks like you're playing dress-up, and while you can belt it up, there's always that look of too many tucks and pleats under the belt.  Not flattering.

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Usually I'll belt it up but I wanted something different so I pieced it together with a scarf.  I just stumbled upon a monaco blue scarf owned by my mother and if you remember from one of my early posts, this is my favorite color.  The pop of blue adds just enough wow factor to an outfit that is really basic.  The good thing about white is any color belt will really stand out and become a statement piece.  If you go for a colored shirt try a darker or lighter shade of said color, it creates a chic harmony. 
Adding my brand new woven loafers finishes with laid back class.

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Calling All Heroes

Wanted: Hero
Special x-ray for the ability to see past a front, super strength for days when mine are not enough, sturdy shoulders for sharing burdens and the occasional cry, super speed, able to come by your side when trouble calls.  All casual "friends" need not apply.

I know I'm not alone when it comes to needing a hero therefore I bear no judgement but rather shockingly, a fashion advice.  We as people are not designed to handle every problem that comes our way in fact we are to help each other seeing how we are designed to naturally love.  All that aside why is it the lot of us are constantly apprehensive to accept help or even ask for it?  On Friday I was in desperate need of a hero and I was blessed with two friends who sat and encouraged me as I cried in the middle of the cafe at my school.  Friday Funday!  Oh how easy a wanted ad would be to print out but, we are not all blessed with great friends, it took me 20 years to find mine, therefore most of us have learned to save ourselves.  Honestly I applaud you for that but remember there are heroes out there for you, just be patient and always know who you're talking to.  

DKNY-Pinterest

While you're saving yourself arm yourself with a cape this great season!  If you're head is spinning don't worry mine isn't.  Think about it, fall is moving at a snails pace in SoCal, but I used to live in Illinois and I know they have already welcomed in the fall.  Tricky thing about fall is the quick change of mind that happens all day forcing us to prepare for change when we don't see it coming.  A great piece of outerwear is a cape, no don't borrow Superman's but rather from Stella McCartney and DKNY.

Alexander Wang-Pinterest 

Living out in the Midwest you learn a thing or two about outerwear, first you need to be warm, second you need to be cute because it really is the thing people see you most in.  Since moving out to SOCal a cape is the perfect outerwear so I don't die of heat but can still bring a little Chicago charm for all my warm-blooded friends.

Never wear a cape as just a cape, make it part of your outfit or just the outfit, so pick a great color.  My recommendations for a great color: Cayenne from the new 2014 spring color from Pantone, a deep mustard yellow, a crisp white and something with a great design like the Alexander Wang. Remember what I said about it being what people see you in most?  Primp up the hair even more because we all know how those fall winds can be rowdy.  Amp up the lip color even more than you would and not just for special occasions.  The excuse I like to tell myself is colder weather equals chapped lips, works right?  A great visual that works is the one of Lily Collins to the right.

Proportions are girl's best friend, a long cape is great for keeping yourself warm but short can be sassy especially holding a bag like Lilly Collins.  Keep your clothes uncomplicated on the inside, as much we love to layer pick the days carefully.  If you need to wear bulky clothes like knitted sweaters perhaps a cape isn't going to work that day seeing as how it can add unnecessary padding.  And finally don't make the mistake of thinking your blazer can do just as good of a job because it won't and you'll just be cold.


Tell me friends what are your secrets for keeping warm, or what would you're hero ad say?

Negative X Negative

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Back in the days of torture, I mean algebra, we are taught the rules of positives and negatives.  Two positives equal positives, negative+positive can equal a negative or positive depending on the bigger number and two negatives equal a positive.  In a nutshell a teacher stood in front of a classroom and declared the age old truth that opposites attract, I could have watched a Nicholas Sparks movie and saved myself the trouble.  This isn't algebra and I'm not a math teacher what I am is bored of math but in fact I do need it in the world of fashion, who would have thought.

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Black and pink are sworn enemies, polka dots and stripes never mingle, having on more than one print is too "busy," I could go on and on but that would require me remembering all the rules.  And with the new rules of today why should I?  The new thing is being bold and brave with your clothes and forging a new path.  Even if fashion can be subjective (I use that lightly)  it is very obvious when it is done wrong.


Rule #1: Make sure the clothes you are wearing actually fit.  If you look on the right over-sized dress, over-sized coat and a bag just hanging off the wrist are cool on the runway but never on the sidewalk.  Look on the left and that girl has a nice fitted pair of pants, and a jacket with enough room for movement yet still gives her a figure.  This isn't just a rule for mixing prints but for every piece of clothing the reason I stress this now is because with prints sometimes it adds weight and to just have useless fabric flapping in the wind makes it seem like a whole lot more flaps in the wind.

Rule #2: Patterns are fun, patterns are creative and they are also expressive, patterns are also very loud.  Imagine being in a room full of kids none of them should have their voices louder than a three but if two or more of them start screaming your ears bleed.  In fashion when two pieces start competing it makes the eyes bleed and confuses the brain as to where it should really be paying attention to.  With all that said if you're going to mix pieces make sure it's complimentary not aggressive with the other pieces.  Find like colors that are complimentary or secondary, if you have a bold print don't add another bold print that's just a battle waiting to happen and you will emerge the fashion loser.

Rule #3: When mixing don't find different prints in the same size, look for different ones in different sizes.  Maybe I'm a broken record but I really can't stress the fact that competition is bad with clothes there should be a harmony not a knockout in an outfit.

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 Something ladies should remember is to bring life into the clothes, so many times patterns are done in really dark materials with really easy prints.  That shouldn't be the case because if you're going to be bold then by all means be bold!

Broke College Student

Recently I asked a girl what her style was, her reply?  "Broke college student," when did it become that our budget defined our style?  If we were to put down the remote and turn off Gossip Girl we would realize fashion runs further than money, perhaps once we realize that we won't need to hide behind our sweatpants and footsie pajamas.
 Simplicity is key especially during the college years, when you start with just a few essentials it's amazing the places you'll go.  simple doesn't  equal sweatpants and sweat shirts but rather a classic pair of jeans and a white t-shirt.  Warning: keep the ugly running shoes under the bed where they belong instead, put on a nice pair of flats or sandals, it gives off a relaxed vibe and on the plus side it takes a whole one minute to put on.   Therefore keep burning that midnight oil!  If you really want to spend a another ten seconds getting ready add a sleek blazer to the mix, you'll need one for all those job interviews so why not put some extra mileage into them?

Aubrey always wears different blazers, from professional to casual in jeans and a school tee.

Invest in a dress!  Some girls suck in their teeth at the mere mention of a dress but the cool thing is once that dress is on, you're done.  Don't worry about a matching top and bottom it's already all there all you have to do now is walk out you're door.  Solid colors is a great choice for girls who are maybe new to wearing dresses or perhaps aren't very big on dresses, solids allow for more flexibility from class to party to shopping.

 Karen wears her dress with a wide black belt in matching tights, boots, and a long button-up sweater.  This fabulous look takes little time to put together and fits into a wide variety of occasions.

Freshmen 15, sophomore 16, college can be a duel between the A's and B's.  By B's I'm referring to bulge!  Sometimes we silly humans think it's more important to read an extra chapter rather than actually going to the gym.  At least that's what I tell myself, but you know what's easier than going to the gym?  Putting on a nice A-line skirt.  Think about it, high enough to hide the pooch and roomy enough to glide when I strut.  Throw that on with a nice blouse you're ready for your class presentation or job interview, even with a nice t-shirt and flats it makes for an easy everyday look.  Skirts do come in different sizes such as the long skirts with a bohemian feel to it.  

 The identity of the fashionable is protected under the circumstance of I don't know who she is...  Found this girl studying and I like the idea of a casual sweater thrown over a skirt for a casual look with the flats to pull it together.

Who goes to college without shorts?  Beach party? Shorts!  Sunny day?  Shorts!  Shopping with the girls?  Shorts!  Everyone has them therefore the trick is to stand out in them, little tip?  High waisted shorts are the number one way to go.  High enough to hide the pooch, but short enough to show off those pins, hands down best colors to go with are black, white and navy.  Don't fear though there are lots of different styles for different body types, different patterns for different personalities no need to hop on a conveyor belt.  With the idea of shorts ladies please keep your butt cheeks in check.  Your bum does not look like the Victoria's Secret models after re-touching, find a pair that keeps everything in check for a sophisticated and polished look.  

Many more fashion tips, essentials and articles to come but I would like to know what you find/found essential as a broke college student.