Summer Cool

Am I the only one who struggles with sweater weather?  Sure the heavy stuff goes back in the winter trunk but what about when it gets cool?  Hanging at the beach, or swinging at the porch chair it's important to stay cozy and relaxed.  I am a big fan of sweaters all year because they come in so many different styles leaving me plenty of space to expand my closet.

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Chunky knit: Yes it is synonymous with the winter weather but stick with me.  Extremely chunky knits can be great for the summer due to the holes in material.  Throw it over a ribbed tank for a relaxed feel or with a summer dress for a beach bonfire.

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Cotton:I absolutely love cotton clothes much like the rest of the world.  I love how it glides on my body, hugs when it does and best of all you can be as creative as you wish.  I love when I see original artwork printed on an outfit.  I love the orange over-sized sweater due to the fact that it could also be worn as a dress.  Two looks in one, score!

 I have a Hollister sweater that I wore once up for sale on my eBay store check out the link right here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/151329995294?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

While you're still here check out some sweater looks:

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Audrey

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Happy birthday Audrey Hepburn!  I absolutely adore women who are icons and not a flash in the pan.  In celebration of the class and glamour that is Ms. Hepburn I will be breaking down some of my favorite looks and how to achieve them yourself in this modern era.

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1. SBD ("Slinky" Black Dress):  Of course this look starts off the countdown.  Sleek, sophisticated, and of course timeless.  Black dresses stand the test of time with flying colors every day.  If a black dresses isn't your favorite add a twist to the color and opt for a cobalt blue, staying with the silhouette.  The blue dress is from Topshop and will one day be found in my (Top)closet.  Add some strappy heels, chandelier earrings and a loose hairstyle you'll take over any room.

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2.  If Audrey had married today she would cause quite a stir with her choice of "dress".  Much like Keira Knightley who was applauded for her unconventional dress.  Audrey wed in her own signature style.  A cute baby doll jacket and head scarf would make for a pretty daring choice today.  Keira was photographed wearing her wedding dress during a different function.  A baby doll jacket can also be worn on multiple occasions

3.  Audrey impresses me so much with her ability to know her fit.  Most of her style was made for her by Givenchy, but my budget is more along the lines of thrifty.  No matter how much or little money someone has, the right fit adds luxury to a look.  A simple shift dress plays up a figure no matter what size.  Unfortunately some people don't believe it and think it's a tent.  Allow the dress to holly-go-lightly graze the shape of your body rather than swim on its own.

Crop tops and the modest girl

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It's no secret to those who know me to understand my style.  Eclectic and timeless, trends are fun but keeping up with them tends to break my bank account.  Honestly, if I were to follow every trend I would look like a disaster (case and point high-low skirts).  Believe it or not you don't have to follow all the trends, for instance I don't follow the crop top top trend.  At least not the same way a lot of fashion columns encourage.

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As a future fashion designer I really think it's cool
to see a cropped sweater with a pencil skirt, classy and fabulous.  But as a modest girl it doesn't send the message I work really hard to cultivate.  People tend to assume modesty is outdated and boring, I'm not saying buy out Laura Ingalls Express but perhaps lower the hemlines so I can't count the dimples on your butt.  I'm not modest because I'm scared of boys I do it because I would rather have the respect of a man than the drool of a boy.  I'm not modest because I'm ashamed of my body or rather boring.  A. I have a great figure, B. boring?  Don't make me laugh.


I do wear crop tops but I don't show much if any skin at all.  Like most people I choose a full skirt that hits the natural waist with a cropped shirt that has flow rather than a skin tight crop top.  Actually wearing thing at the natural waist elongates the body as well as slimming the figure, it's a win win really.  Allowing the top to graze the edge keeps tones allow for a covered look as well as a nice breeze through out the day.

I suggest a very snug tank under most crop tops, yes I can hear the excused already but hear me out.  I paired my red top with a rose bud patterned tank underneath for a little surprise underneath.  It doesn't have to be a solid color but this is a cool way to play with patterns and color block.

'Chella

Since I have a pulse I am well aware that Coachella is right around the corner.  Because I'm oblivious to the music festival scene I thought it was last week, yikes!  As I am a Coachella never-been I've done my research on what all the cool kids do and wear to said festival.  To be completely honest it strikes me as a very dirty, hot, and grimy weekend event.  It's cool with friends but it's not a real priority for me to spend so much money to experience that.  Maybe I'm wrong, tell me in the comments.

Alas, if I were to go what exactly would I wear and why?  Let make a checklist shall we:
1. The desert is HOT!
2. Some people may not think about this but if there was a sudden mob attack I need to run!
3. How do I hold all my necessities?
4. Can I multi-function (bathroom?) (Are there bathrooms?)
5. I do not want to dress like just another music festival cliche

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Channel minimalist style icons such as my personal favorite Kate Bosworth.  KB is no stranger to the music scene and she has such a signature style that you'll know her when you see her.  She is not just another fringe crop-top in the crowd.

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Shorts and a tank? Steer clear of ratty tatty holed up rags because it's so cliche and lame.  Opt more for a cotton tank that allows breeze.  Tack on some glamour by getting an embellished detail or perhaps a tank with a cool mural painted on it.  For crying out loud skip the scalloped lace shorts.  I don't understand the attraction to wearing what essentially looks like an adult lace diaper.

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Bend it like Bosworth and try out an artistic approach to dresses.  The maxi dress has had it's hoorah so bring the 20's back with a drop waist dress.  Skip the floral mess print and think more like a painter.  It's really easy to add paint splatter to a dress even if it's a really small patterned detail.

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I get it you like things simple and uncomplicated.  Shirt and a tank it is.  But I disagree with KB on my left.  The boots and shorts is over to me, I never see enough women in sneakers.  It makes perfect sense.


I'll keep posting as I learn more about the mystical land that is Coachella. In the meantime tell me about your Coachella look.

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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