No.2

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School checklist: paper, binders, pens and pencils.  Closet checklist: shirts, shoes, jacket and of course the pencil skirt.  Higher education is not needed to know that a pencil skirt is an essential which should find its way into every woman's closet.  Quite frankly it doesn't matter whether or not you like fashion or feel figure-conscious, a pencil skirt should be in your closet. 

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I'm sick of hearing college students ask what to wear to job interviews, or worse show up with the most ridiculous excuse for professional attire (your mini skirt and sky high heels aren't appropriate).  Girls should stop sliding into frumpy when it comes to business attire, professionalism doesn't lack personality because more often than not it'll get you into more doors.  The right pencil skirt can hug the curves, add a curve while also showing personality in all the right ways.  Recently I wore a white base with blue flowers all over it, pictures to come soon.  Throw on a sweater and flats for a day to day look.  Pencil skirts now fit different molds from texture to some cool features like the wrap and slits. 

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Make sure the skirt hugs the figure and doesn't suction cup itself to your epidermis.  There should be room to move around through out the day, because you don't spend all day in one position.  If you were to bend over how would that look?  Don't be that girl in the office.  Let these photos provide some inspiration for your next look.

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New sweater

I honestly feel as though Southern California has a bigger love affair with sweaters than those in the mid-west who actually need them.  "Sweater Weather" has been quoted to death but I will raise my hand first in order to support wearing over-sized sweaters.  A fun twist would be over-sized sweatshirts, relaxed and casual while also adding a chic street look to your busy schedule.  

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Kick it up with your best pair of sneaks for a funky downtown look.  This is perfect for the ladies who take their comfort seriously.  I absolutely love the idea of throwing a leather jacket over a hoodie dress with a cool pair of black leather converse.  If you are in the business of adding a girly touch don't fret throw on the nicest pair of ballet flats for a more feminine walk.  Slick back the hair and some statement earrings and the day is yours for the taking.

Resolution I

Well readers it's that time of year again: back to the grind, back to the schedules, back to good intentions of productivity.  How long till you break your?  I'm giving myself two weeks but luckily I'm taking preventative measures so I think it'll be more uphill than downhill this year.

Take a look at your closet and pick the one thing you hate.  Got it?  Good.  Now wear it tomorrow with something you love.  Clearly if it's two skirts it's not gonna work but find two opposites and make it work, push your creative spirit.  A look I'm really going to commit to trying is the bulky look.  Over-sized sweaters with a more bohemian skirt finished with a pair of boots.

Amazing how everything wrong seems to end up kind of chic instead.  This outfit is amazing for all those after holiday treats that piled up around the stomach and thighs.

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If this look makes you want to bolt the other way I'm right there with you but before you push the EXIT door give it a second look.  Honestly I would never wear pantyhose and open toed shoes, while I understand the fashion styling, in real life it's like having a giant toe.  Try one at a time starting with the skirt and then tack on a more fitted sweater.  If you're like me on the first day back to the grind you underestimate how much time it'll actually take you to get ready but with this you can throw it on.

A full skirt and an interesting sweater would also work amazingly well on fast days.  A sweater for these never ending cold air and a cool pair of shoes because come on, who needs a reason to wear fabulous shoes?  Look at the pictures below for some inspiration and don't be afraid to add your own touch.  Maybe with a kitten sweater, a patterned skirt or some statement shoes... also send me pics of your creations and I'll definitely post them up.

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Theglitterguide.com

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Arctic

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I would like to give a quick shout-out to all my midwest people braving that horrendous cold.  On the bright side it really looks as though people are enjoying throwing boiling water and watching it turn into ice or snow or whatever.  Bundle up, stay safe, keep warm.

Apparently it's so cold that moving to the South Pole would actually be warmer, whether or not it's true I don't know, but whatever say hi to Santa for me.  Let me clue those that have never dealt with this much cold, I have actually slept in a jacket, mittens, a hat and Ugg boots.   

1. Don't complain: This realization came to me after a blizzard happened during my spring break.  As I braveed the cold the rest of my class went to Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii.  The  rest of us were in the same frigid boat and mother nature does not care.  Instead I stayed at home with my toast and hot coco and watched the Travel channel's best resort special and took it like a real woman.

2. Start on the inside: Long john's were the bane of my existence as a kid but now I really kick myself for not utilizing them more.  The idea is the thermal should keep you warmer by adding another layer thin enough to fit under jeans and sweaters without really bulking up an outfit.  Especially for jeans, jeans are the worst for winter, they are always cold so add a thermal underneath.

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  Girls get to wear tights but they're useless if they're thin, go for the fleece leggings.  My mother bought me a pair for my birthday last year and it's now a big wardrobe staple.  Very snug, very warm, very practical, don't you just love that?  And your corner Walgreens should carry them from
$6-$8.00.  Layering is such a big part of winter wear that those who understand are the ones who need it. which brings me to three...

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3. Layered: Fun fact about Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, when they first moved to New York City they had a rather interesting choice of clothing.  They were piling on clothes almost to the point of looking unrecognizable that is if you could find them underneath all those clothes.  Reality was they were just trying to stay warm.  Wearing skin tight gloves under knit mittens, a skull cap under a knit cap, and a fleece scarf under a knit scarf are little tricks.  Find a sweater that clings to your skin, throw on a chunky sweater vest over it and there's something new for you and should help guard you against that blasted cold.  Something I loved doing was the double jacket maneuver.  A cropped wool jacket on the inside and a bulkier thermal jacket on the outside so if I forgot to zip or button up the outside I still had on another layer.  Remember to actually button and zip all those little buttons, hooks, and zippers so air is very limited in entering your body.  Also be careful when layering because you don't want to plumb yourself by not flattering yourself.  Really study your figure and add pieces you never thought of.

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5.  Speaking of coats:  Some people do make the mistake in choosing the wrong coat, Remember most people see you in coats most of the time. Flimsy, big, loud you name it I've seen it or worn it. Duh you want a furry hood but if you want durability skip the fur-trimmed hood and just get a furry hood.  You want insulation really and desperate times call for desperate measures.  At the end of the day we're all cold judgement is left at a minimum but you can still attempt style.  Puffy jackets are good as long as they offer something worthwhile in return such as insulation.  Pick your material accordingly, I would rather go
for wool, fleece, cashmere than leather.  Leather doesn't work unless your wearing something inside.

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4. These boots were made for...: Stilletto boots are fun but not when you're waling on ice or looking out for black ice.  You want something with more traction and you also want to tuck your pants into the boot.  Think of it as rehearsal and opening show, the shoes you wear outside is rehearsal and the ones you change into is the actual performance.  Winter boots don't have to be ugly and a lot of designers have realized that and have made accomodations.  What you should really try to find is a furry inside for maximum heat, but at the same time you want to be able to clean it easily.  After a while the salt on the road mixed with the dirty snow wrecks havoc on your winter wear.

Stay warm, stay safe...

Lesson Learned

"Making it" is easier said than done but you know what, why should it be easy?  Over the weekend I had the privilege to get some kind of experience styling photos for a friend but in a battle between my fantasy and reality, my fantasy was body-slammed as though it was a WWF championship.

GET YOUR VISION TOGETHER
 This is a no brainier but I'll still say it, know exactly what you are supposed to be shooting.  When you sit with a photographer, designer or whomever you're collaborating with make sure you both mean the same thing.  If a photographer says he wants the looks to be uncommon, I hear dramatic and unconventional proportions and colors.  Meanwhile the photographer could be scared by your ideas or just not like them.  Iron out those details because it could waste a lot of time.  Make sure you know
Arrange the clothes accordingly.  Piece each look from head to toe even though it's time consuming you don't want to walk into the shoot looking like an amateur.  Time is money and in photography it's also daylight.  It's a lot easier to see a polished vision than a sloppy idea.


PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS
Unless you are Grace Coddington or Emmanuelle Alt your word is not law.  Without a full on reputation and credibility you will have to be flexible.  Unless you are the boss paying people to work on your time and your rules, you will have to be flexible.  I went into the experience thinking it was my style ideas they were shooting and it wasn't.  So many opinions went into one outfit while some were welcome others maybe were not welcome because I usually like things my way.  Having to get opinions took me off guard and I won't lie, I took them personally and actually became aggravated as the day went on.  I felt as though my ideas weren't good enough.  That is not the case.  Simply put, I'm still learning and fashion is one big group project and even if you are the boss hearing the cold hard truth will happen just go with it.  Listen to the opinions, advice, suggestions... use them accordingly and respectfully.

HOPE YOU BROUGHT AN UMBRELLA
Get ready for the unexpected.  Plans change, people cancel, locations get moved things happen.  Deal with it and move on.  Remember everyone is dealing with the same problems you are and if you throw yourself a little pity party, only you will be in attendance not to mention nobody wants to work with that.  Find the glimmer of hope and change up your plans and roll with the punches.

These are two pictures I posted on my instagram on the looks I got to do, I'm still learning.  Tell me if you're experiences in an unexpected moment.


 

Chic

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As I wait for the sugar crash from the cupcakes I just devoured it reminds me to be excited for all the sweet treats left over.  I can already feel my hips expanding while my belly rounds like a bowl full of jelly.  All those sweet treats have to go somewhere and before I can banish them into whatever land the treadmill sends them too I have to be creative.

Jay Z said it best in the song We Run This Town, "all black everything" is a great way to go for an instant chic and trim look.  I am a big lover of this color however some people find it boring, while I understand it's simply on how you wear it. 

A common mistake I see is people really just don't have enough fun.  Play around with proportions, something billowy on top with a fitted mini skirt and black fishnet tights.  Perhaps having everything loose fitted makes a statement.

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Olivia Palermo on the right does a great job of working with proportions to keep the eye and hold the attention.

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Remember to add texture to the look.  A piece in my closet that I adore is my black textured skirt.  It's a very business skirt but the unexpected twist in the texture makes me love the piece.  Little beading works coupled some lace and sheer overlay is a spectacular site.


Jewelry has to be cool right?  In my eyes the brighter the better.  Though understated pieces work for a real cool and laid back day look.  Some people like to leave the color in the accessories and that is cool and chic adding more black is definitely more risky.  The picture on the left shows black earrings but look at the amount of skin she's showing.  Seeing the dress strapless as well as a mock drop off shoulder allows for a dramatic earring.  A covered up black look adds mystery like the Adams Family but to layer on necklaces and earrings could turn into something that is too much and simply unflattering.

Next time you browse through the clothes at your favorite store don't yawn at the black rather pick it up and have some fun with it.

Boyfriend

It's about time SoCal had some brisk air! I've really missed the air having a certain snap to it.  This is the weather I love for jogging because there's no sweat, hanging outside without freezing and lighting up a bonfire.  But to the Cali babies I know it's time to move into Starbucks or stay at home with homemade tea or coffee.  Whatever the hearts desire, the common theme is to be comfortable during the fall and for me that means taking a dip into the boyfriend category.

Boyfriend jeans, boyfriend sweaters, boyfriends...  Whatever the case make sure to structure the outfit carefully for full comfort.  I love my boyfriend jeans but I will say after I found them at the thrift store I wasn't always proud of wearing them.  In high school it was paired with sneakers and a sweater, I looked like a boy in my mind.  Today I throw them on to run errands and I pair it with a comfortable t-shirt and some old sneakers.

When it comes to boyfriend wear there are a few tips to remember:
1. Yes they are relaxed:
 But that does not translate into baggy or even worse sloppy.  After you fit the entire thanksgiving dinner inside your stomach you can also fit into your boyfriend jeans and still have enough room for flag football.  Slide a couple fingers between the waist-band and you should be able to pull the denim away from your waist, if not, probably time to rethink jean size.

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2. Proportions still matter!  Never box yourself into the idea of bigger, there's comfort and then there's Macy's day parade float size.  For me as a college student, if I were to put on my boyfriend jeans I would also pair it with my crisp white button down

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shirt and a bold statement necklace.  They may be called boyfriend jeans but you're still the girlfriend.

3.  Previously I stated I wanted to accessorize with a statement piece necklace but that's not all the weapons in your arsenal.  Cute pair of pumps are a great way to class up the outfit but make sure you can walk in them, otherwise I really recommend wedges.  They also play into the relaxed vibe, sneakers add a certain classy cool girl vibe

4.  I honestly love the idea of playing around with masculine jewelry, and wearing boyfriend jeans is a great way to do that.  Instead of the dainty watches and bangles go for something tougher and more durable.  Leather wristbands and masculine watches layered on the arm add a don't mess vibe.  While up top subtle earrings like pearls throw in a soft idea, mixing the feminine with the masculine is a sure way to keep the minds guessing.

Over all have fun with this look, this is one of those pieces that's so wrong it's right.