Tag Archives: style

What To Do If You Are Not Happy With Your Clothing

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What To Do If You Are Not Happy With Your Clothing

Nobody is entirely happy with how they look all of the time, but if you are starting to find that you are unhappy with your look a lot of the time, you should start to think about what you can do about that. As it happens, it is likely that there are a number of things that you can try, and as long as you know where to begin on this front you should find that it is pretty easy to improve your look in no time at all. But first you need to pinpoint what you are really not happy about with your look – and this post should help you to be able to do that:

Start Small:

If you feel that you need to make a change with your look, it might be tempting to go for a big change first. But the truth is that starting small is generally more effective on the whole, and it’s worth doing that if you want to really see the changes you crave. But what kind of details should you pay attention to first? Mostly, you will want to use services like http://stitchit.co/ to ensure that your clothing is in good shape, as these details can affect your overall look considerably. You should also look to your accessories and whether you feel the need to change them in order to keep your outfit looking great. Nothing screams pick me up like a fantastic quality outfit!

Refresh Your Wardrobe:

If you have done these things, and you still feel that you need to make some bigger changes, then don’t be afraid to do so. The best way to do this is to take a look at what is in your wardrobe more generally, and look to what items you feel that you would like to change out for new alternatives. While this can be a nerve-wracking thing to do, it is also exciting – and if you do it right, it is often the best way to ensure that you are happy with your look again. Giving your wardrobe a decent refresh is always going to make a huge difference, so it’s well worth considering.

Improve Your Confidence:

Sometimes the problem is not so much with your fashion sense or choice of clothing as much as your own sense of confidence – or lack thereof. You need to feel confident in yourself in order to be genuinely happy with your look, and if you feel that you are not happy, it might be worth looking to this to see if it is something that you can try to improve. Building confidence is important for your life in general anyways, so there is definitely much to be gained from doing this ASAP. The more confident you are, the better you will look and the more you will personally enjoy your overall look, as well.

Everyone needs a wardrobe pick me up every now and again, and starting slowly but surely to rebuilding your closet confidence is the best place to start!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Unsung Wardrobe Heroes: Jack Trench Coat Edition

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Unsung Wardrobe Heroes: Jack Trench Coat Edition

Hey hey and welcome to a new edition of Unsung Wardrobe Heroes! One thing that I love is reading through fashion magazines. Vogue, Allure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar – I’m a fan of it all. The ads, the articles, the fashion stories, it all has me hooked. When I was about fifteen, I remember thumbing through one of my beloved fashion bibles and seeing a fashion story about trench coats – it was literally called “The Allure Of The Trench” and I think that I would pinpoint that moment as when I got interested in fashion.

In this story, the photos featured a gorgeous, smokey eyed model with long, black hair in a smart and classic trench coat paired with black tights and heels. She looked stunning. But she also looked effortless – it was truly a piece about timeless beauty and that is the trench coat. I wanted to look like that model. I wanted to be that model. In fact, I still have the pictures hanging up in my room:

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^^^ Isn’t that beautiful?

You can probably see why I became obsessed with getting my own trench coat after seeing that picture. And shortly thereafter, I did. When I was younger, PacSun was my favorite store to shop at, and I ended up working there for four years. While shopping one day with my mother, I saw the most beautiful Jack trench coat on the planet. I was fifteen and it screamed “fashion” at me. It was perfect.

In the moment of seeing my trench and trying it on, I could see why the fashion story was called “The Allure Of The Trench”. I felt grown up, elegant, and devastatingly chic at fifteen years old and I knew that that was how the model in the pictures felt, too. I had to have it. And, over eight years later, I still wear my beloved trench often – as seen below:

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The pictures seen above are an ode to that wonderful fashion story that introduced me to the trench coat. It’s an ode to the moment where I fell in love with fashion, and an ode to still being inspired by an almost decade old fashion magazine story to this day. I wish that I could remember what magazine it was featured in, but I will always remember “The Allure Of The Trench” just the same.

What is your first memory of falling in love with fashion? Does anyone have a story similar to mine about a loved trench coat or another wardrobe hero? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Unsung Wardrobe Heroes: Hollister Flannel Edition

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Unsung Wardrobe Heroes: Hollister Flannel Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! Today in Unsung Wardrobe Heroes, we are going to discuss a Goodwill find that has been giving and giving for well over FIVE YEARS now. My favorite flannel is said Goodwill find and I got it for a whole four dolla holla. It is Hollister brand, which I normally never wear, but at four dollars and a new but used condition – how can you not? Take a look and let’s discuss:

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What I love the most about this button down is its versatility. I can wear it unbuttoned over a crop top, buttoned up with a blazer over top of it for work, or buttoned with a moto jacket for play. And can we talk about its ability to create the perfect pinup girl look simply by tying it in a cropped knot? So flirty and fun! This top looks great with virtually anything and the checked pattern is classic, which creates a timeless look with every wear.

My favorite way to wear this top currently is buttoned down under a blazer. I love wearing it like this for work, because it creates a really true business casual look. My oversized boyfriend blazer looks cool and chic over this more closely fitted top and it takes it from a top for play to a top for work in an instant. At twenty-three, I never want to look stuffy when I’m with my clients, and this look keeps me feeling youthful and fresh, while still professional.

I normally don’t shop Goodwill or Plato’s Closet for the simple reason that I’m a pretty intense germophobe, so I don’t get a lot of pleasure in going. However, I faced my fear and I wound up with one of my go to tops in my wardrobe so maybe I should do it more often!

So there you have it, this week’s issue of Unsung Wardrobe Heroes: Hollister Flannel Edition! How do you fight germophobia while thrifting? What is your favorite thrift store find? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Collar Coolness: St. Tropez Edition

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Collar Coolness: St. Tropez Edition

Hey everyone and happy weekend! So yesterday we talked about some Collar Coolness with my new faux fur Modena collar and today we are going to stay on that topic with this gorgeous St. Tropez piece. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ The collar is lined with silk fabric in a floral pattern. So pretty!

Of course, I couldn’t have just one collar and I chose to get another one in this sultry, smokey mauve shade. This St. Tropez accessory is a lot fuller than my Modena one as seen in yesterday’s post and I really like that. The added fluff makes for a more over the top piece, and we all know that Lil Red loves making a statement!

I’m definitely excited to style this collar into my outfits, but I’m actually more looking forward to the makeup that can be worn with it! I am thinking a lush, purple smokey eye and a nude lip to create a really posh overall look. I do love this collar with my moto jacket as seen above, but I think that I would wear this one with a sleek little black dress for a swanky New Year’s Eve party look.

These collars are so fun but they also add such an air of chicness to every single piece that they’re paired with and I love that. My green Modena collar is edgy and funky, while this St. Tropez piece adds such a luxe touch to everything. The color is very high fashion to me and all of the extra volume doesn’t hurt in creating an interesting and fashion forward silhouette to all of my outfits.

So there you have it, some more Collar Coolness: St. Tropez Edition! How would you style this accessory? Do you prefer the green Modena collar or the mauve St. Tropez one? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Collar Coolness: Modena Edition

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Collar Coolness: Modena Edition

Heyoooo. So last weekend at TJMaxx I got the literal coolest faux fur collars that I am totally obsessed with. When I was in New York for the Bloggers Conference with Kate from Ankhor You, we went to Anthropologie to do some browsing. In the store, they had an emerald green faux fur collar that I loved, but the price was something that I hated. However, I vowed to find a similar item for a much more reasonable price and I did in this fifteen dollar Modena collar (Holler!). Take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ Looooove.

I am so happy with this TJMaxx find that I really can’t even. I love wearing my clothes in different ways and this detached collar allows me to do that with literally any top, jacket, cardigan, or dress that I own. I simply just have to put it around my shoulders and then BOOM I have a seemingly brand new item – just add faux fur!

When I was at TJs, I tried this collar on with the moto jacket seen above and it looked so cute that I just had to use it for my example photo. This combination is actually one of my favorites, because the collar looks like it was made for the jacket. I love all shades of green when it comes to my clothing and accessories and this piece is no exception. The funky dark green looks amazing against my red hair and pale skin and it always seems to make those features pop even more – which is a total plus!

I am always trying to find new and innovative ways to style my clothes and this Modena faux fur collar just made that a whole lot easier. Some of my older wardrobe pieces are going to feel brand new again and I can’t wait to begin working my new collar into my outfits.

BUT WAIT!

THERE’S MORE!

Because I totally got another collar in a luscious mauvey grey by St. Tropez and it is also fabulous, so do tune in tomorrow for that! How would you style this chic green collar? How do you incorporate faux fur into your wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fingerless Gloves Frenzy

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Fingerless Gloves Frenzy

Howdy! This past weekend, a trip to TJMaxx supplied me with oodles of gorgeous winter accessories. And one of my favorite accessories of all? FINGERLESS GLOVES!! Obviously, with my talon nails, going fingerless when it comes to gloves is a must. But they are just so cute that even without long nails, I would be obsessed with them anyways. Take a look at these darling Steve Madden gloves that I scored for FIVE DOLLA HOLLA and let’s discuss:

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When I saw these adorable little babes, I knew that I had to have them. And when I saw the five dollar price tag, I double knew that I had to have them. I am so in love with these gloves that it isn’t even funny. The creamy tan base color, the color pop of fun on the phalanges, a designer that I love – Hello, Steve Madden – all of these created a perfect whirlwind of an accessory in a getting away with robbery price that made these gloves impossible to say no to.

I’ve always had a strong drawing to fingerless gloves, even in my pre-talons years. I love that they are text friendly and way quirkier than your standard gloves or mittens. Not only that, but I drive a lot and I prefer fingerless when I’m behind the wheel of the Little Red Love Machine. I have accumulated a ton of pairs of fingerless glovies over the years that I love to alternate between, but I just know that these are going to be the fan favorite for this winter!

I am in a Fingerless Gloves Frenzy, but you can’t beat five dollars and cute as a button! Do you prefer fingerless or normal gloves? What is your favorite winter accessory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fashion Forward Fido

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Fashion Forward Fido

Howdy! This is a guest post written by my friend, Mat, over at WileyPup.com. Mat and I both share a love for man’s best friend and his post is going to teach you how to give your pooch all of the pampering it so deserves. Take a look:

Fashion Forward Fido

Not everyone associates dogs with style…but you may find that a little investment in your furry friend’s looks goes a long way to complimenting your own personal style and adding a whole new level to your four legged friendship!

Great Grooming: Like basic hygiene for people, great grooming is the bedrock of a good look for pooches. If you decide to groom from home, be sure you have the right gear:

Clippers If you have a canine with long growing hair like a Poodle or Maltese, then you may be spending lots of money at the groomer. If you invest in quality clippers and a little time to learn trimming basics, you could get the job done at home and reap big savings.

Nail Grinder A good look must include a manicure! If you have had trouble keeping up with your pup’s claws using a traditional nail clipper, give a grinder a try. They are easy to use and unlike the scissor style nail trimmers, you won’t nip the quick. Ouch! Plus, you get a perfectly rounded edge rather than a sharp nail tip. Pretty and practical!

Dog Bath Tub If you have a petite pet, you might be lucky enough to be able to give your little buddy a bath in the sink. If not, you are probably used to bending over and fussing with trying to give a bath in the tub. Invest in an elevated dog bath to take the chore out of this necessary grooming activity.

DIY Couture: If you are crafty, your dog is a blank canvas waiting for you to create a couture masterpiece! Think of your pooch as an opportunity to showcase some accessories that highlight your own personal style.

Sewing There are tons of great fashion ideas for pups that involve very basic sewing skills. Whether you want boho-chic, hipster, or high fashion, a new look is just a trip to the fabric store and a few stitches away. Pinterest is a great starting place for inspiration!

Knitting Regardless of your knitting skills, you can find fantastic patterns for your furry friend in any size. If you want to go simple, try a doggy muffler (AKA The Snood). It is as simple as knitting a tube in your favorite colors that slips over your dog’s head. Want to really showcase some knits and pearls? Try a cabled sweater custom made just for your buddy.

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D’awe!

Upcycled One of the biggest trends in DIY fashion of any kind is the huge potential to repurpose the fabrics and notions from worn or outdated clothing. You will be surprised at how easy it is to craft a custom sweater or jacket from some simple modifications to clothing that you are already done with.

Doggy Decor: Our canine friends can add some clutter to our indoor spaces. If you like a more finished look to your home, there is plenty of opportunity to create a dog friendly interior design that fits your decor style. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Feeding Station Rather than kicking around loose dog bowls on the floor, consider building or buying a feeding station that is a custom fit for your kitchen decor. Bonus: Getting your pup’s food off of the floor has potential health benefits like preventing bloat and irritation of the esophagus.

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So cute!

Custom Crates If your furry friend is crate trained, then you may have one of those unsightly metal wire crates in one of the corners of your house. Consider making a design upgrade with a custom cloth cover to match your decor. Or, if it is in your budget, check out the latest crates designed to look and function as furniture for a completely finished look. Etsy has some great examples if you are looking for something handmade.

Upcycled Dog Bed The dog beds available at most large pet shops tend to look tattered and worn within a few months. Even at their best, they don’t add much to the ambiance of a room. However, there are great ideas that require few skills and tools to build a simple bed frame to create a neat and tidy look in any style. Think suitcases, dresser drawers, or end tables for a quick and easy transformation of your canine’s sleeping quarters.

Have Fun! We hope this article has given you some bright ideas for updating your doggy style. Make sure to keep it low pressure and high fashion. Your pooch will appreciate the extra attention and compliments they get on being a Fashion Forward Fido!

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Author Bio: Mat Coulton has worked with dogs for just under a decade and is the founder of WileyPup.com, a doggy lover’s website that provides great tips and advice for pet parents everywhere.

Thanks, Mat! ❤

NYX Pure Red Matte Lippie Swatch

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NYX Pure Red Matte Lippie Swatch

HELLOOOO everyone and happy Monday! I constantly get asked what shade of lipstick I wear for my signature red pout and I’m actually really surprised that I never posted about it until now. I guess I wanted to keep it my little secret, but today I’m going to share the wealth by talking about NYX’s Pure Red matte lipstick. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ OH LOOK – A bunch of pictures of me sporting Pure Red!

I started wearing this NYX matte wonder shade about three years ago, and I have never looked back a day in my life. Throughout the years, I have tried other red colors, but truly nothing beats Pure Red. And what an accurate name it is. Talk about a “Pure” firetruck, stop sign, Crayola crayon red pout. It’s exactly what I wanted…and more. :*)

While searching for a signature shade of red, a few things were a must for me:

  1. It had to be matte. Homegirl doesn’t mess with anything glossy.
  2. It couldn’t be too red. I don’t want to look like a vampire/goth girl – Even though, let’s be honest, I totally am.
  3. It couldn’t be not red enough. Other shades are too orangey and that equals me looking like a clown. Not cute.

With all of these essential guidelines to Lil Red’s Perfect Red Lip, you could only imagine my difficulty in finding the perfect shade…and that’s when NYX came along. I had actually never heard of the brand until the grocery store that I go to started carrying it and, let me tell you, I initially went crazy. They had a sale to introduce the brand, and I bought FIVE lipsticks, Pure Red being one of them.

One by one, each lipstick that I chose sucked in one way or another but it was Pure Red that stuck. It had everything that I wanted in the above list and the matte was just fantastic. This lippie Does. Not. Budge!! This is important, because 1) I really like to eat. And 2) I friggen hate reapplying lipstick. Every single thing about this lipstick was right on the money, and it became my staple shade instantly.

Along with my red hair, NYX’s Pure Red lipstick gave me my namesake of Lil Red. It will always be my favorite shade and I will always opt to wear it over any other brand. And at about seven bucks a tube, you really can’t beat that! From date nights and special occasions to a shopping trip to the mall, this shade covers it all, and you will rarely see me on a night out without it. Thank you, NYX. ❤

Do you have a signature lipstick shade? How do you rock a red pout? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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^^^ Guess what lippie shade I have on! 😉

NYX Liquid Suede Stone Fox Swatch

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NYX Liquid Suede Stone Fox Swatch

Helloooo everyone and happy Sunday! I hope that all of you are having a lovely weekend full of fun, friends, and family. Today, I thought that we would talk about a lipstick that I have no genuine idea why I bought, but I figured it would be beneficial to someone out there to see the swatch for. We’re talking NYX’s Liquid Suede lipstick in Stone Fox. Take a looksee and let’s discuss:

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First of all, I love NYX products. My all time favorite shade of red lippie is NYX and I will be sure to write about it later, because it is divine. This shade for me, though? Not so much. I was stoked when the Liquid Suede line came out, because it offered an array of different jewel toned shades that all looked gorgeous. It also featured the color seen above, Stone Fox.

The Liquid Suede line came out at just the right time, because that’s when jewel tones and black/grey lipstick was becoming extremely popular. I had seen dark grey and black lippie shades all over the blogosphere, and I really wanted to give it a try. I am an emo kid at heart, and the idea of wearing a dark, almost costume style lip and have it be seen as fashion forward instead of weird was exhilarating to me.

Unfortunately, the exhilaration of the prospect of a charcoal lip was short lived. I tried this shade on at home and it looked like SHIT on me. Seriously, it looked like I smeared car grease all over my mouth and it was anything but fashion forward. It’s a damn shame, because all of the girls that I have seen rocking this trend look stunning. So, why not me? Well, there’s a few reasons:

  • This color looked a lot “much” with my face full of piercings.
  • This color looked abysmal when paired with my bright red hair.
  • And, at the end of the day, your girl was just not meant for charcoal lips.

Whomp, whomp.

In a desperate attempt to get this lippie off once I realized that it looked like I ate paint, I applied a lavender shade of chapstick over top of it, because this product doesn’t budge once it dries. Shockingly, the Stone Fox mixed with the lavender looked like a really pretty, smokey lilac and I loved it. BUT, ain’t nobody got time for that and despite liking the concocted color, it just wasn’t for me. That story was just an idea for the girls interested in giving this shade a go. YOU’RE WELCOME! :*)

I do like trying new lipstick colors but, true to my namesake, Lil Red will always love red lipstick the best! How do you feel about black and jewel toned lipstick? Could you pull off charcoal colored lips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

When Eclectic = Frugal

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When Eclectic = Frugal

Having an eclectic taste has been a fashionable choice for a while. It means that you don’t just go into one store, buy everything there, and have a perfectly matching house and wardrobe. Instead, you have found things that really speak to your personality and created an interior with a most interesting dynamic.

But sometimes, what eclectic means is frugal.

You didn’t shop at just one store because you know where the better deals lie. You are willing to trawl through flea markets to find a vintage sofa half price and you know that inheriting things from your parents and grandparents is the best way to fill any home.

Need a bit of help to get started? Here’s what you do:

Set A Budget & Save:

When you’re trying to get along on very little money, setting budgets for yourself is the best way to manage your finances. Not only will you see just how hard you have to work for each thing, you will also be able to set a realistic time frame to get what you want. If you can take on odd jobs here and there or find ways to make extra income, you will certainly benefit and get your want list faster.

Make a list of all of the things that you need and want in your house. This should include everything from the necessaries like a sofa to the more decorative, like mirrors or cool TV stands. Put a rough estimate on how much you would like to spend on each thing, then put them in order of priority. So, if you have nothing to sit on, the sofa will come at the top, if you already have a sofa that will do, it goes at the bottom. Now you can see how much you need to earn and save and can gradually tick things off of the list.

Make Do & Mend:

To bring the price of your list down, you should look for opportunities to make do with the things you have. Mending a sofa could be cheaper than buying a new one, so have a look at what you’ve got and see what you can do with it. This attitude is also really helpful in charity shops and flea markets that sell second hand furniture. If you think that something is salvageable, you could get a really good bargain on it. When you are in the habit of making the most of what you’ve got, buying new just won’t have the same charm.

Upcycling AKA Recycling:

Staying on the sofa theme, upcycling is often a really good way to make something old and worn new and beautiful. At the very heart of the eclectic style is the idea that you can reupholster any classic sofa in a vibrant modern fabric and achieve a completely new and beautiful look.

You should also be on the lookout for things that you can use in other ways, too. You would be surprised at the things you can make use of to great effect. Have you ever thought of using colanders as a set of bath shelves? No? Here’s how you can make that happen!

Eclectic is cool and is a great way to ball on a budget. Let your personal style shine through with quirky choices and turn your home into a charming space in no time.

Featured Image By: Flickr