What to Wear On A Plane and Not Regret It Three Hours In

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about what you want to wear on a plane ride? Comfort right? Now take that one step further, does the word comfort automatically make you think about your sweats? If it does, I want you to push that thought far from your mind when it comes to travel apparel. Just because you are getting on an airplane (possibly at ungodly hours of the morning) and will be sitting in the same tiny spot for a good six hours does not mean you get to wear your pajamas. You are still in public! Coming from a family that likes to travel a lot I've spent a good amount of time in an airport, and while it lends itself to some pretty spectacular people watching it also makes me a little queazy to see what people wear to travel in. I'm here to tell you that you can look put together and still be comfortable, all the while not looking like that lady who is way overdressed for sitting on an airplane.



I've been thinking a lot lately about how to dress when you are flying from the West Coast to the East Coast in February. The tough thing here is that when you leave the West Coast it will probably be in the 60's (maybe) and when you land on the East Coast it could be well into the 20's. How do you dress so you are not super bulky while sitting in a tiny seat but also don't freeze your hiney off when you land? Layers my friends. Layers.

With the look I put together you are not only ready for both coasts but you will be comfortable on the plane and ready to go straight to wherever you need to go when you land. I admit that your feet might freeze in those flats, but that's when you quickly slip on your boots when you get your luggage (I'm speaking from experience here).

First of all, dark wash jeans! I'm just going to start chanting that from now on. To keep the jeans comfy make sure you have at least 2% stretch in them. This way they will give a little while you're sitting but they won't stretch out and give you saggy butt. I paired the jeans with a long stretchy striped tee that will be super comfy while you sit and you won't have to worry about anything riding up or stretching to three times it size when you are done on the plane. Cardigans are a wonderful thing. They give you an extra layer of warmth without being too bulky. They also look super cute, just make sure it isn't too small or too oversized. I really liked the addition of the trench coat since it isn't super bulky, but it's warm and rain proof (make sure it's lined!). It also happens to look awesome. Make sure it has the belt so that it creates a waist when you have it buttoned up.

The accessories with this outfit are pretty simple and can easily be kept in your bag until you land and need them. The key to easy and comfortable travel footwear is that they are flat and easy to slip on and off. If you have to sprint across O'Hare airport you will really regret those 4 inch heels you decided to wear to look awesome (note: please ignore the shoes that are in the picture with the jeans, they are just there and I can't get rid of them). Just be sure that the flats are really comfortable. I really liked the corral color of this scarf, it coordinates nicely with the green and tan and it's just fun. Shoulder bags are very handy when you are traveling. They allow you to not have to deal with your purse falling off your shoulder every time you move and they make it easy to carry everything you have to carry when traveling. I added the leopard print gloves because they are fun and I actually own some and will be wearing them when I travel to North Carolina this winter.

So, will you all join me in not wearing sweats and pj's on airplanes anymore?

Top Trendy Tragedies of 2011 and Beyond

It's hard to believe that 2011 is rapidly coming to a close and in less than a week we will be beginning a whole new year. I thought it might be fun to do a little post on the Top Trendy Tragedies in the world of women's clothing (and some men's) that I saw this year. Some of these have been tried and true tragedies for years now, but still deserve to be brought to light and shown for what they truly are, a full-fledged assault on our bodies and eyes. Due to my somewhat miniscule computer skills I had some trouble finding pictures of everything I wanted to include, so one of the greatest assaults on our style (and the eyes of the innocent bystanders who just happened to go to Costco that day) will not have a picture, but I am confident you have experienced this trendy tragedy and can imagine what I am talking about.


I apologize in advance for any damage I cause by making you see all of these things at once.



1). Bandage Skirts: I know many of you just screeched "what?!" when you read that. Either because you had no clue there was an article of clothing named after something we use to wrap open wounds in, or because you love them and can't believe I would include them in this group. Either way, let me explain. Wrapping your hind end and upper thighs in something so tight does absolutely nothing for your body. It shows every little dimple and creates more bumps and lumps then you probably have. Also, something that is so tight has a tendency to ride up when you walk or move at all, which in turn causes the wearer to be constantly tugging at their skirt to keep it from becoming a belt. I am somewhat ok with them as an extra measure of coverage over leggings, but please please please, for the love of God and all that is holy, do NOT wear these skirts and think they are making you look skinnier. Cause they aren't.

2). Saggy Butt: I don't know why designers thought it would be a good idea to create pants that have a crotch that goes down to your knees. They did it in the '80's and it wasn't good, so why did they decide to bring it back?! Most people are striving to find a way to camouflage their rear end, and all these pants are doing is making even 18 year olds in the best of shape look like they have a really bad case of saggy butt. Also, saggy pants make your thighs look bigger too. Now, if having giant thighs and a giant butt is what you are going for, than by all means wear these pants. But, I think I am safe in assuming that most of you are looking for the opposite from your clothing, so just say no to saggy butt.

3).  Jumpsuits: The fact that these are what people wear in prison should be enough for us to not want to buy them, but apparently it's not. I will admit that the girl in the picture I'm using looks pretty darn good in that jumpsuit, however, most people are not runway models and most jumpsuits don't look like that. I'm not going to say that all jumpsuits everywhere are forbidden because I have seen some people pull them off and give the appearance that they are just wearing a perfectly matching pant and blouse set.  However, since most jumpsuits that are ready available to the masses are made out of jersey material and resemble swimsuit cover ups more than real clothing, please just stay away. Also, they do nothing for your butt and thighs either. Why people keep insisting on drawing attention to an area that is a problem area for 90% of woman beats me.

4). Rompers: This is basically just the short version of a jumpsuit and has all the same problems. However, I am a little more forgiving with these. I totally get the idea of a romper as a beach coverup, sleepwear, or even something to just lounge about the house in. They can be cute, and I am sure they can be comfy. However, rompers as normal clothing have many hazards. The first hazard they present is the "butt cheek overflow" issue. Rompers tend to be very short and when the person wearing them bends over, everyone in the room gets a little show. Secondly, they present a problem for women who are different sizes on top and on bottom (which I would venture to say is most women). If you want it to fit your upper body it may be too small on the bottom (this would be my problem) creating that ever so awesome wedgy affect. The other way around and you run the risk of flashing people with the slightest move. So, play it safe ladies and please just restrict these to swimsuit coverups (when you are at the pool or beach... don't just start wearing your bathing suit around and saying "Look! It's just a coverup!" because I won't fall for that) and home lounging outfits.

5). I'm going to stop picking on the girls now and turn my attention to the biggest trendy tragedy of men's fashion. SKINNY JEANS! I've already written a whole post on this over at Southern Creative Men, so I won't say much here. All I've got to say is guys, just stop. If you want girls to think you're sexy, then stop wearing pants that constantly remind her how much skinnier your thighs are than hers. If your thighs aren't skinny, then all you're doing is making yourself look chunkier. Just stop.

6). Leggings as Pants: Leggings are a tool, not a weapon. Use them wisely, and cover your butt. Think of your fellow man. We have eyes and we don't want to have to gouge them out. Leggings are all fine and good underneath skirts or dresses or even long tunic style shirts. Just make sure they cover your butt. Please.

7). Last, but certainly not least, quite possibly the greatest trendy tragedy of all time.... Ugg boots and Shorts. Is it hot? Is it cold? Make up your mind!! If it is cold enough to wear ugg boots than it is cold enough that you should be covering your thighs. If it is warm enough to wear shorts, why in the world are you wearing Ugg boots? Sadly, this is the one tragedy I had a hard time getting a picture of that didn't distort. However, you have all seen it and you all know what I'm talking about. This look isn't cute. However, I will give you one exception. If you are like me and prefer to wear shorts to bed even when it's freezing outside, and you want to get up and keep your tootsies warm while you are lounging about the house then fine, slip on your Uggs. Just promise me you won't leave the house like that. Ok?

I know this post was feistier than normal, but sometimes the truth hurts. Just because something is "in style" doesn't mean it is a good thing or that it flatters your body at all. Every person should own a full length mirror so they can take a good look at themselves from all angles before leaving the house. I have a New Years Resolution for you... in 2012 resolve to only wear what looks good on you.

Happy New Year!

New Years Eve Glitter Done Right

Since the new year is fast approaching I thought i'd put together a little New Years Eve outfit that doesn't make you look like Snookie. You can look cute and sparkly at your New Years Eve parties without looking like you forgot your pants. Since it's also Christmas day right now, I will keep this short and sweet.



I really like the idea of one sparkly statement piece (the skirt) and keeping everything else really simple. I loved this skirt because it has just the right amount of new years eve sparkle without being skin tight or over the top. Paired with a basic white tanktop and the fitted black blazer it's absolutely perfect. Notice that I said FITTED black blazer. This is not supposed to look like you just borrowed your dates jacket. I would recommend wearing simple black tights with this skirt, just to give yourself a little more coverage. These black pumps will blend right in with your tights and make your legs look a mile long (and who doesn't want that?). I included the blush pink clutch and the mint green necklace just to add some color, but you could easily keep it all black, white, and silver if you wanted to. I really like the idea of chunky jewelry with this look since the outfit is pretty streamlined. Just make sure that if you have small features or a short neck that you lessen the chunkiness. Make the jewelry a little smaller but with that same chunky feel.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! If you put together any great party outfits and want to show them please e-mail me a picture, I would love to put up some pictures of what our readers are putting together on their own!

Special Occasion: The LBD Spiced Up.

Every woman needs a classic little black dress (LBD). It's the go-to dress for any special occasion. The best part is that if it's in your closet (and always clean) then you are ready to go when any impromptu invitation comes your way. As classic as an LBD is it's always fun to spice things up. It's not hard to do that with black dresses and you can have a lot of fun with them!



I absolutely adore this dress from Modcloth (www.modcloth.com), the lace detail is so beautiful and classic and gives this dress a vintage feel. This dress could easily be worn totally as it is, but I thought it would be fun to add a red patent-leather belt to add a really bright pop of color and a little extra definition at your waist. Because this dress is black you can almost pick any color belt you want, just make sure it's not much wider than the one in the picture. If it's too wide it will push the skirt out in a funny way. However, you could go with a thinner belt which would also look super cute.

I know most people probably wouldn't have paired these bright teal pumps with the black and red, but I'm not most people. I love the two bright colors together and think they are super fun. You can be bold and brave here! I kept the accessories minimal because of the bright colors in the belt and the shoes. I continued the little pop of red in the earrings. These drop earrings are cute and fun but simple. I didn't do a necklace because of the high lace collar of the dress. It just doesn't need it. Wrap it all up with a pair of classic black sunglasses (if it's day time obviously) and a cute black clutch and you're ready to go.

Easy right? Black is a great canvas for adding your own flare to classic pieces, so have fun with it!

Fashion For All Ages: Maternity for Everyone

I'm in a stage of my life where a lot of my friends are either starting families or expanding them. So, I decided to post a cute pregnancy outfit! A lot of my pregnant friends in their early twenties have complained to me that maternity clothes are designed for women in their mid to late thirties or early forties, and expressed frustration over not being able to find cute clothes that fit their expanding bellies. No worries dear pregnant friends, I have the solution. Target and H&M have absolutely adorable maternity clothes. I won't lie to you, sometimes I'm actually a little envious of what they have for pregnant women! Ok, so let me show you what I put together for you.



This black sweater is currently at Target in the maternity section. It's adorable, and I almost bought it for myself even though I'm not pregnant. It's super soft and cozy and would be great for fall and winter. Also, it's long and fitted and has a little tie that goes over the belly and helps emphasize your smallest part. The jeans are just simple dark jeans. Like I've said before, dark jeans are always the most slimming and look the most put together. Thanks to stores like Target and H&M you can find maternity jeans that aren't ill-fitting and baggy, and they're also cheap!

The accessories for this outfit are super simple. I loved this blush pink knit scarf with the black, it just added a little bit of cutsie-ness (I've just decided that's a word) without much fuss. I wanted this outfit to be one that was easy to put together even if the baby in your belly isn't your first. I've used oversized sunglasses before and I put them in this outfit for the same reason I always do... they make you feel glamorous and put together with absolutely no effort. It's amazing how you can just have your hair in a pony-tail and put on a pair of oversized sunglasses and you feel and look like you planned the messy pony-tail. Slightly oversized bags are great especially if you have little kids because you can carry all the stuff you need to in them without carrying a giant and bulky diaper bag. Also, this one is just gorgeous and coordinates with the scarf without being matchy-matchy. When you're pregnant but want to look a little more dressy and cute than just wearing flip-flops, flats are the answer. I thought these little ivory flats with the black trim and bow were super cute. They have just the right amount of flare without being too dramatic or fussy.

This outfit may not look like anything special, but it'll make you look absolutely wonderful at any stage of your pregnancy. I can't promise it will cure morning sickness, but it might help!

My Favorite Things: First Edition.

There are a few things in my life that would make me cry if they ever went away. I decided I would be nice and generous and share these things with you every once and awhile. Most of these things are pictures of the actual items I love, but some of them are as close to them as I could find online. Hopefully you enjoy all these items as much as I do!



1). My red plaid shirt from Target. I have two of these (one in blue) and I wear them all the time. I wear them with jeans, shorts, buttoned up, unbuttoned over a tank-top or t-shirt, sleeves long, sleeves rolled-up... there are endless ways to enjoy this shirt! Last night I actually wore it over a little black dress. I buttoned one of the middle buttons and then scrunched it up a little and tied it in a knot in the front. You can have so much fun with plaid shirts and they don't have to be worn with only cowboy boots and a big belt buckle (although, if you can pull it off.... do it).

2). Peter Coppola shampoo and conditioner. I found this shampoo and conditioner at TJ Maxx one day and thought "Hmm... this smells good and looks like it might be really good." I later found out that it is actually a really nice product and at TJ Maxx it's about $15 cheaper than online. I use the Argon Oil shampoo and the Keratin infused conditioner and my hair has never been softer or healthier looking. My hair is growing longer faster and the last time I went to get my hair trimmed my friend (and hair stylist) said that it looked like I had just gotten my hair trimmed when in fact it had been about two months. The ends of my hair look smooth and amazing even though I use a blow dryer everyday and a straightening iron almost every day. Did I mention it smells amazing too?

3). Oversized tortoise-shell sunglasses. These are Tom Ford and about 400 bucks... However, I got mine at Target for 16 bucks. I wear them all the time and absolutely love them. They are sturdy and wonderful and look fabulous. They glam up every outfit with absolutely no effort. Also, when you've gotten up at an ungodly hour they cover your puffy eyes.

4). Gap Straight jeans. When you are well-endowed in your thigh area sometimes skinny jeans are super tough to make look flattering. However, these straight jeans are the answer to your skinny jean woes. They are narrow so they have the same great look in boots without being too tight on your calves. They look great with heels or flats too.

5). Scarves. I LOVE scarves. I have a whole drawer full of them that won't close most of the time. I also love green. I have four different green scarves and I wear them more than any of my other ones (shhh... don't tell them I said that!). I could go on and on about scarves, but for your sake I'll just say scarves are a great asset and they can be very cheap so have fun with them.

6). Long stripy t-shirts. They are cute and comfy and work with jeans or leggings and I love them. This one is from Anthropologie, but you can find them almost anywhere.

7). Naked eyeshadow pallet from Urban Decay. This eyeshadow pallet is at Sephora and it's the best I've ever had. The eyeshadows are all gorgeous and feel and look good. They wear really well and it also comes with a little sample of their eyeshadow primer which is also awesome. It's 42 bucks and worth every penny. If you think about how much an individual eye shadow costs this is a really great deal.

8). Faux leather jacket. I have 3 different faux leather jackets and one of them I have worn so much it actually has holes in it. I found two of them at Target and one at Marshalls (one is purple and has ruffles!). Target has super cute faux leather jackets every fall and they really do last a long time. The one I have that is now hole-y is about 3 or 4 years old and I have worn it A LOT.

9). Leopard print flats. If you have been reading this blog at all it will not be a surprise to you that leopard print flats made it on this list. Seriously though, they are awesome and so versatile. I wear my leopard print flats about every other day. You can wear a super simple outfit and then throw on those flats and everything is suddenly fashionable.

I hope you find something you love in this list too. I promise you that I use all of these items all the time and they are wonderful. I will be posting more of my favorite things periodically. If you have favorite things that you want featured on here send me an e-mail and I'll check it out and do what I can to get it up!

Fashion For All Ages: 40's and Up Office Attire

I put this outfit together about a week ago and I've just been waiting to put it up. I absolutely love this outfit and I think a lot of you will too. It's classic and simple but absolutely gorgeous and stylish. This look is easily put together and can go very easily from work to a dinner out. Each piece is versatile and easily put with another outfit so it's a good buy all around.



A classic black turtle-neck sweater that is a tight knit and tailored so it fits close to the body is necessary for any woman over 40's closet. With this look you do not want a sweater with a lot of volume, keep it tight (not too tight!) and you'll be amazed at how streamlined it makes you look when paired with the skirt.

This tweed pencil skirt is a must-have. You can go with a darker tweed if you want, but I really like this one since it makes the tweed seem a little less heavy. Pencil skirts can look absolutely fantastic and very slimming or they can look awful. The key is good underwear (Spanks or Assets are great), and making sure the skirt is not too tight but also not too loose. It should skim your hips and go straight down, if it's tight all the way down it will accentuate any belly or hips you have.

Black boots are another essential item for anyone's closet. With this look you do need a bit of a heel and it needs to be a skinny one. However, it doesn't need to be as tall as the heel on these boots. Make sure the shaft on your boot hits right below your knee. If it's lower than that it will truncate your legs, if it's higher than that... well... you know.

With a look like this keep the accessories simple. I really like these gold bangles and black earrings. The earrings are pretty and simple and they will go with a lot of other outfits. The bangles just add a touch of sparkle and fun. This bag is also a must-have. Its camel color makes it a great neutral bag that looks super high-class and gorgeous. It's a great day-to-night bag as well because it's not too oversized but it is big enough to carry everything you need during the day.

All of these pieces will work with other items in your closet which is another reason they are so great. They are classic and timeless and you will love them for years to come. Now go and look awesome!

Scarves, Scarves, and More Scarves

My friend Lisa asked me to post something about different ways to tie scarves, so since I'm in a request-fulfilling mood, I decided I'd do a little research and share what I found with all of you. The picture below shows a bunch of different ways to wear a scarf beyond just how to tie it around your neck so I thought it was kind of fun and makes your scarves more versatile.





Some of these are very normal, some are super fun. Not sure how I feel about the one that looks like a shawl tied in a bow... but the rest are kind of fun!

If these pictures aren't enough to help you figure out how to tie your scarves then I have another reference for you. I had no idea this place existed but if you need ideas and tutorials on how to tie scarves, headbands, headscarves, and all sorts of scarf related items, you are going to love this.

www.scarves.net

You are welcome. I hope this helps all of you who feel scarf challenged to fully enjoy one of my favorite accessories!

Fashion For All Ages: Easy for Moms Fall/Winter

There is one group of people that I absolutely cannot ignore: Mammas. My wonderful cousin Adria sent me a special request to put together some looks for young moms who don't want to look frumpy but can't necessarily wear heels during their normal day. Naturally, I was thrilled to do this for her and all the other young mammas I know and love. I put this look together with Adria in mind. She's adorable, fun, and the mother of three boys under seven years old (happy 6th birthday Tyler!). For those of you who fit in this category I want you to know that you can look as cute and adorable as you did before you had kids, and I promise you it won't take more than 5 minutes to put together because I know you don't have more than five minutes in the morning to make yourself look presentable for all that the day holds. I can't promise you won't have baby spit or chewed up food all over you, but I can promise you'll look awesome even if you do have food all over you. And, I promise you'll be comfortable!

Alright, here we go:




The beauty of this outfit is that at its core it is just a pair of straight leg black jeans (super dark wash would work just dandy too), a red t-shirt, and an awesome grey sweater jacket. This is super easy to put together in a hurry because you can really put together any color combo that you want, and t-shirts are easy to wash.

When it comes to jeans, the darker the better. Not only are darker jeans more slimming than lighter jeans, but they also look nicer and more put together. You don't have to go super dark or black all the time, but it will make it easier to go from running errands or hanging out with the kids to lunch or dinner out with the family or friends when your jeans are dark wash. Also, they will withstand little hands wiping leftover food all over them better than light wash.

In order to keep t-shirts from looking frumpy they need to be good fabric that isn't too thick and doesn't lose its shape too easily. My favorite t-shirts are at Target for 8 bucks. They are v-neck with a little pocket on them if you go look for them. One of the best things about them is that they keep their shape, fit perfectly, they are long, and they come in a bunch of different colors. This sweater jacket is great because it's super cute but doesn't have a ton of shape or detail to it so it is easy to pair with almost any top or pants. Just make sure you don't wear it with anything voluminous on the bottom.

So here's where the fun comes in: accessories! Good accessories make a simple outfit go from blah to pure awesome. I know some of you aren't as big of fans of leopard print as I am, but I cannot tell you how often I wear my leopard print flats. They make any simple outfit look like I spent hours putting it together. Not to mention the fact that they make me feel spunky, and what young mom doesn't need to feel spunky every once and awhile?  Oversized sunglasses add an instant and easy touch of glam. They are one of my absolute favorite accessories because I just feel awesome whenever I wear them. This bag is easy and simple but super cute. It can also handle anything you need to bring with you for the kids. Using a bag that has a strap that crosses over your body is a must because you can keep it on without it being in your way or killing your shoulder. I added this dark teal scarf just to add a little pop of a different color and to add just an extra touch to the outfit. This will also help the outfit still look like more than jeans and a t-shirt when you're not wearing the jacket.

So, does this seem doable my dear sweet mamma readers? Remember, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail me. I would love to help you in anyway I can. Have fun with it!

Fashion for All Ages: From College to the Workforce

The transition from college into the workforce can be a difficult one. Especially when it comes to your wardrobe. Your lifestyle in college conditions you to think about what you wear in terms of what is going to be the easiest and require the least amount of time in the morning. However, graduation is done and you’re all grown up now. Since most of you can’t wear the jeans and the flannel shirt from yesterday’s post to work what are you going to do? Can you dress appropriately for a grown up job and still maintain some semblance of your former cuteness? The answer is yes. Yes you can.

Dressing professionally and still looking stylish, feminine, young (not too young), and like yourself is definitely possible. It just requires a little bit more thought than just buying a few pairs of black or brown slacks and some mannish button-downs. Don’t get me wrong slacks and button-down blouses have their place. Just be sure to buy pants that fit well and are the appropriate length for the type of shoe you wear, and button-downs that are fitted and look like they were designed for a woman.

I put together a little outfit that I love and I think is a great professional look for almost any industry that you might be in. It’s fun, but classy and well put together at the same time. Take a look:

This dress is super cute and would be flattering on almost any body type because it has a defined waist and a skirt that flairs away from that waist. It skims the hip and directs your eye away from the part of the body that most of us want to camouflage. Make sure that the hem of any dress or skirt you are going to wear to work hits somewhere between right above your knee and a few inches below it. Too short and you look cheap and unprofessional, too long and you look frumpy and older than you are. It’s a wonderful thing having the perfect hemline, and a scary thing having the wrong one. One last note on the dress: know your company dress code. If wearing a dress that doesn’t have a sleeve is a problem then don’t wear it. You can still wear the dress just make sure you wear a little black sweater over it. As far as the sweater goes, in order to make sure you still look tidy and well-dressed make sure the hem of the sweater hits right at the belt of the dress and that it is slim fitting.

I am in love with these booties. They are some awesome sort of hybrid between boots and oxfords and they look great. With this type of dress and shoe combination it would definitely be wise to wear a pair of tights with them. When I say tights I mean simple, black, classic tights. Not fishnets or any flowering fishnet wannabe. Those are fine and dandy for a night out, but they are definitely not appropriate for the workplace. You could wear tights with some texture or design but make sure the design doesn’t get crazier than maybe a pinstripe or herringbone design and make sure they aren’t too bulky.

I kept the accessories really simple with this outfit because, a) it’s a work outfit, and b) it just doesn’t need a lot of accessories. I really like this bracelet; it’s got a bit of edge but also looks very soft and nice at the same time. These earrings are just a simple black stud (ok, they are really just a simple black diamond stud that cost a bajillion dollars but we don’t need to go there). Just enough to add a little sparkle but it’s not overwhelming. The coat is just darn cute. Investing in a classic knee length pea-coat is a fashion necessity. Get one in a neutral color like black or tan so you can wear it for years. If you’re like me and like to use coats and jackets to add color and fun to your outfit then you can buy cheaper pea-coats or jackets in fun colors (I have a mustard yellow coat that is one of my favorites).

Ok. Now it’s time for my favorite part. The bag! I have a deep passion for purses. Seriously. I love them like they are people. Wonderful, pretty, adorable people. I chose this bag because it is pretty, a good size and shape, has fun details, and is neutral without being matchy-matchy. If you’ve been living with the belief that your bag has to match your shoes, then I am here to set you free. You don’t have to match it exactly. The key to looking put-together is looking coordinated and like you planned it, and that doesn’t necessarily mean black shoes/black purse. Purses are something you can have a lot of fun with, so enjoy them!

Your task now is to take your specific work environment, style, and body type and apply the tips I talked about today. Remember, fashion is supposed to be fun not stressful so have fun and e-mail me with any questions or pictures of new outfits you tried and loved

Fashion For All Ages: The College Challenge

College is a fantastic time for clothes, but with all the busyness and lack of sleep fashion is often the first thing thrown out the window (closely followed by your Chemistry textbook). Let's face it, if you feel like you have to choose between forty-five extra minutes of sleep and making yourself look like you haven't spent the last three nights in the library, we'd all go with the extra sleep. However, getting dressed (and dressed well) does not necessarily mean you have to give yourself more than fifteen minutes to get ready. I managed to get through all four years of college without wearing my pajamas to my 8:00 AM class and I promise you can too. In fact, I'm challenging you to! I promise you that you will feel better about making it through classes and projects (and finals) when you feel good about how you look. Girls, take a few extra minutes, put some real pants on, throw some easy but cute accessories on, and at least some mascara, and try and tell me that your day wasn't at least a little bit better. Guys, just please stop wearing pajamas. Please. You have it easy enough since you can just throw on jeans and a shirt and head out the door. Do us all a favor and save the pajama pants for the privacy of your dorm room.

Here's a little glimpse into how easy it is to look casual, comfortable, and put together at the same time:

This isn't to scary is it? This is a great look for Fall. The simple beauty of this look is that you look stylish and put together without having to think to hard. The key is to only wear one statement piece. The plaid shirt is easy and casual but it adds a pop of color and style. Keep your jeans dark and comfortable. Not to tight, not to loose. A straight or boot cut leg is great with this look because it isn't quite as trendy as a skinny jean and also takes less effort to put on. I love these grey Toms (for those of you who don't know, that is a brand name) because they are super comfy and super neutral. I have green ones and I absolutely love them. The light grey scarf is a great weight for a brisk fall day or early spring (or winter too in California). It adds some fun and makes you look like you put tons of thought into this outfit while also keeping you a little warmer. I love the aviators and the brown leather bag. They are easy and classic and go with almost anything. Investing in a great bag like this for college is totally worth it. It looks so much better than a backpack and will keep you from piling too much in your bag and hurting yourself. Make sure you switch shoulders every once and awhile or you'll regret it... I promise. If you live in a place that is a little colder in the fall than Southern California you can always throw on a brown faux leather jacket (a bomber jacket would look awesome) if you need the extra warmth. 

So, are any of my college readers willing to take my challenge and stop wearing their sweats and pajamas to class? I promise you that you can put this all together and look awesome in about 15 minutes. Give me some feedback and let me know if you take the challenge! This semester might be almost over, but there is always the Spring. If you want to start now you can always take the challenge during finals. If you decide to do it let me know and keep me posted on how you do and what fun things you come up with. If you do it you might just get your own feature! 

Ok, go have fun, dress well, feel good, and stay strong through the rest of the semester. You can do it!

Fashion For All Ages: 40's and Up

I'm often asked how I put outfits together. Friends say that they look at pieces of clothing and think "What the heck am I going to do with this?" So, in response to that I am going to put together a few different looks for different age groups. The first one I absolutely love, and it was inspired by my mom and her awesome style. If she had $2000 to spend on a sweater jacket I'm sure she would own the Ralph Lauren sweater featured in this post.

This outfit is a perfect casual fall/winter outfit for any woman in her forties or up. It's classy, gorgeous, and has a lot of subtle flare. I know I'm probably totally freaking some of you out with those leopard print gloves, but it's really amazing how much fun a little accent of leopard can be. It's technically a neutral, so have fun with it! Don't go overboard though. You don't want to end up looking like Janice from "Friends".

Little accents of color and print are great with classic pieces like the olive green sweater, dark classic jeans, and black pointed-toed pumps. The red purse and the leopard gloves give it a little pop of attitude without going overboard or making you look eccentric. An outfit like this is easily tailored to your own personal style and your specific body type. The jeans can be bootcut, straight cut, or wide legged depending on what looks best on you. Just make sure they stay dark. I love the pearls as an accessory for this outfit. You can't get anymore classic. The belt on this sweater will work wonders on any body type. The belt creates a great waist while the shape of the sweater will drape and flare away from the defined waist making you look awesome and hiding any potential belly fun that you want to hide. I included these great black sunglasses to add a touch of glam. However, not everyone's faces are made for sunglasses this big. Take your own face into account and buy glasses accordingly. You can get the same look with slightly smaller glasses because if your face is smaller they will still look big and glamorous!

I hope you've enjoyed the first post of Fashion for All Ages! If you love what you see or have any questions please feel free to contact me and we'll go from there.

Welcome!

Welcome to Southern Creative! I am very proud to introduce you to my new blog. This is the beginning stages of a dream that has been a long time in the making. Starting with this blog I will be taking my love of clothes, shopping, and people and using it to make me money instead of cause my money to disappear. Bear with me as we grow and please spread the word to your friends and family who are always complaining about not knowing what in the world to buy or what to do with the clothes they do buy. Stay tuned for lots of fun makeovers, my Fashion For All Ages segments, Ask Ellie, and Unique Style interviews and features. Thank you so much for joining me at the beginning of this journey and I hope you all have as much fun with this as I do. 

Stay tuned for the first of the "Fashion For All Ages" segments. Tomorrow is the perfect fall outfit for women in their 40's and up!