Someday I'll Have a Closet Big Enough to See What Clothes I have...

How often do you feel like there is absolutely NOTHING in your closet that goes together? I feel that way at least twice a week. Today is one of those days. When did I end up with absolutely nothing that works together? I thought I had things and then all of the sudden.... nothing. I have plenty of clothes, that is definitely not the problem, I just don't appear to have some necessary basics anymore. Do you ever wonder where your clothes run off to sometime? I do. I wonder what crazy things they are doing... My other conundrum is shear lack of space for the clothes and accessories that haven't up and left me.

Tonight my mission is basics. I am heading to Target and restocking my basic white and black long sleeve shirts. Sunday, I am pulling every bit of my clothing out of my closet and dressers that are still at my parents house and everything that is still in suitcases here at our new apartment and figuring out what must stay and what must go. I hate getting rid of clothes. I am always convinced that I'm going to need them the second I let them go. I also have a tendency to believe that my clothes have feelings and they are sad when I reject them. That's right. I'm not ashamed! The main reason for having to go through my clothes and seriously think about what I have is so that my husband can still live in our apartment and own more than one pair of pants and a shirt. The things I do for him.

I wonder how he'd feel about turning our guest room/office into a closet...

I Have the Answer to Your Medium Warmth Needs

First of all, my sincerest apologies for taking almost two months off without a warning. It wasn't really planned, and let's be honest I didn't realize it had been that long. I am going to blame it on the fact that it's been really hot and I don't like clothes as much when it's hot, and I'm getting married in just over two weeks. So, there are my excuses. Now for the new post!

Fall is finally upon us and the weather is starting to cool off in almost everywhere in the county. Don't get me started on how slow California is when it comes to fall.... Anywho, when the weather starts to get cold but not cold enough for a full coat what do you do? Yes, you could wear sweaters all the time or just long sleeves but sometimes you need just a bit more than that. I have your answer.

You've got great jeans, a simple long sleeve shirt, boots, a great bag, and a fun scarf. Alas, there is something missing. You want to be a little warmer but it's not cold enough for a full jacket. The answer to your conundrum is... a puffy vest!! They are the best. I love them. So so much. They are so versatile and comfy and they keep you just right amount of warm without the bulk.

There are so many options when it comes to vests. Bright colors, dark colors, prints, different fabrics, hood, no hood, super puffy, not very puffy, fur, no fur, tapered, not tapered... so many options!! I really like the orange one and the blue and bright green. I have a black vest that is tapered in at the waist like the brown one and has a hood like that too that is removable. I have worn that thing to death. I'm still refusing to retire it until it literally falls off of me. With the outfit above I would recommend the brown or purple vests (although the print one would work too!). Correction, I would recommend one like the brown vest because that one is over 1000 dollars.

So there you have it. Puffy vests are the way to go. Also, just a side note: There is nothing in the outfit I put together that costs more than 50 bucks. And yes, I do love combat boots. Just make sure your jeans are narrow at the ankle or else they will bunch and give you a pantaloon look, and we all know that's not a good look.

I will probably not write again until after the wedding... just keeping it real y'all.

Time To Test Your Fashion Pairing Skills

I decided to do something fun today. I am going to put together an outfit and give you an option of pairing it with two or three different accessories. Your job is to pick the best one for the outfit! Some of this will obviously be personal preference, but I want you to do your best to think about why you picked it because I want reasons.

Ready. Set. Pick!

Here's the first one: Gorgeous orange and burgundy trimmed trench coat. What bag would you pair with this simple coat and why?



Number 2: Polka dot blouse, dark jeans, black bag, simple jewelry.

Number 3: Navy blue and lace maxi dress. Go! Your answer cannot be "all".


Alright, now it's your turn to be the stylist. What would you choose?

Don't Cry if You Think Your Legs Are Too Short and Your Torso is Too Long... I'll Fix It.

After my last post a friend requested that I write about how to dress if you have a long torso and short legs. I had already had this on my list of things to write about in this series, but since I like her, I bumped it up! If you are like my friend and have (as she put it) "an abnormally long torso" for your height than this post is for you!

The key to lengthening your short legs and shortening your long torso is a higher waist. If you wear low waisted pants or skirts it will make your torso look even long and your legs even shorter. Higher waists (either hip bones or trust waist for skirts/pants and true waist or empire waist in dresses) will elongate your legs and make your torso look more proportional.

This is one of those posts that I really wish I could show you real people with before and afters. Maybe we'll do that soon just to help you out! For now though, here's the best I can do for you.

 

1). Belts: Belts help to define your waist up higher than your hips so that your legs look longer and your torso shorter. Also, they just look darn cute on dresses and longer shirts!

2). High Waists: Higher waists help to elongate your legs. Those slacks in the far right corner will make your legs look a mile long while defining your waist up higher as well. Both good things. Also, wearing heels with slacks and longer fuller skirts helps that long leg affect as well. The shorts, the grey skirt, and the jeans are other examples of higher waisted bottom halves. Make sure those high waisted shorts aren't too short, we don't want to see that.

3). Jackets or Sweaters with Peplums: Jackets or sweaters with peplums also help to create a higher waist and the illusion of longer legs. Make sure you don't create two waists though. If you have a jacket or sweater (or shirt) with that defined of a waist let that be your waist line. If you're wearing pants or a skirt either make sure your waist band on your pants or skirts either hit at the same waist line or you can camouflage it. Just don't wear a top with a really defined waist and then pants with a defined waist at a different place. Make sense?

So there you go. Your three keys to balancing your legs and torso. Really, it's all about defining your waist in the right spot.

Secrets for Long Torsos

I have a very long torso. With that comes the frustrating task of finding shirts that don't ride up or are even long enough in the first place. Thankfully with the way fashion is right now it's not as bad, but it can still be tough. I'm going to share my long torso secrets with you today. I know, you love me.

Here are my favorite basics and one little surprising secret...



All three shirts are from Target. Their tanks and v-neck T's are my absolute favorite and fantastic for long torso'd people. They stay fitted but they are soft, comfy, thin, and long. They're great for layering or wearing on their own. They are cheap too! Now for the secret... Maternity shirts. Yes, you read that right. The thermal striped shirt is part of Target's maternity line. They are great because they have extra length and elasticity that helps to keep them from stretching out and getting baggy and from riding up.

Now onto some long torso tricks.




1). Higher waisted jeans. Wearing low riding jeans make your torso look unusually long and truncate your legs. Even if you have longer legs and a long torso it will still make  your legs look shorter and your torso longer. Wearing jeans that hit right on or above your hip bones helps to not only smooth out your stomach (if you need that) but also to balance out top and bottom.

2). Belts are a long torso'd persons best friend. They help to draw attention to your natural waist and make your torso look slightly shorter and your legs longer. I don't know about you guys, but sometimes dresses make me look pregnant because of my long torso. I've found that belts help to counteract that little problem. Also, they are a super fun accessory!

3). Longer flowy tops. The current trend of longer loose tops is a great thing for those of us who are blessed with a little extra length in our stomach area. They usually hit us at the perfect spot (right around the pockets of your pants) and don't swallow us up like they can shorter torso'd people. Love them. Embrace them.

So there you go. Enjoy your long torso because it helps make you look like you have a lean thinner stomach and you can always make it look shorter!

For those of you with a short torso, stay tuned. You're next.

It's Too Hot for Clothes

It's officially too hot for clothes. All I want to do is either stay inside with the air conditioning blasting or lay in a pool. Either way, I don't want to wear clothes. I love clothes, but I don't want them anywhere near me right now. Does anyone else feel like they gain 20 pounds all of the sudden when it gets hot? Clothes suddenly feel tighter and stickier and like they are your own personal little torture chamber. Have I mentioned that heat makes me grumpy and dramatic?

Anyway, since clothes make me sweat I've decided to write about bathing suits. I know, for a lot of us thinking about bathing suits makes us sweat, but I'm going to write about them anyway. Believe it or not, there are right and wrong bathing suits for your body type. If you are bigger chested you NEED to wear a suit with more coverage and support or you will feel like you are about to give the world a show at any given moment. Oh, and you will look and feel saggy. If you are relatively flat chested, don't wear a straight bandeau. As cute as they are, they make you look even flatter. You can however wear one that has a sweet heart neck or a twist or something. Lets look at some visual aides.




The yellow suit is perfect if you are a little more full figured and want to create shape at your waist and give yourself that awesome hourglass Marilyn Monroe figure. Because it's strapless make sure you are not overly endowed in the chest area or bad things will happen. Your boobs need to fit INSIDE the cups of the suit with minimal spillage or it's too small. This suit is great especially if you want to show some leg but aren't comfortable with a typical bathing suit bottom. Also, the ruching does wonderful things to all people.

The blue two piece (without the flowers) is great if you are a little smaller on top but fuller on the bottom. It gives you extra coverage in your rear and on your hips but still has that super cute retro bikini look. This is another look that isn't wise if you have large boobs. It's perfect however for the larger hips/smaller boobs club. Once again, ruching is good. It gives cute detail and allows for more coverage.

The red striped bikini in the middle is the perfect full figure bikini. If you feel like you can't wear a bikini because string tied tops and bottoms just don't provide enough coverage and support, Modcloth is your new best friend (www.modcloth.com) . This suit is $90 but it gives you great coverage and adorable style. It's going to go right over the largest part of your hips and hit on your natural waist which will naturally give you a smoother look. The top is under wire and a thicker strapped halter so it provides enough coverage for larger boobs while still looking cute. This suit is also available in plus sizes so if it will fit anyone. The halter also can make your shoulders look more stately and narrow since it draws the eye up toward your neck which is (most likely) more narrow and slender than your shoulders.

The hounds tooth print suit (also from Modcloth) is super cute and also great for a more full figure if you don't want to show your stomach.The thicker strap once again allows for more support up top while still looking adorable and stylish and not like your grandma's bathing suit. It also has that retro cut which gives you more butt and thigh coverage also. Be careful to make sure it's not super tight or else you'll get a sort of cut off sausage look.

The last suit is great if you are more of a straight body type and don't need as much coverage anywhere but want to create the illusion of having more of a chest. Under wire bathing suits with padding are your new best friend. They give the same oomph that a good bra does, which is usually seriously lacking in a triangle top suit. I would steer clear of the under wire tops with the normal straps (not halter) because they tend to look like a bra.

The key to being comfortable in your bathing suit no matter what you're doing in it is coverage and fit. Make sure your bathing suit covers what you want covered even when you jump around. If you are just tanning than this is a little different, but if you are planning on being active in a suit make sure it fits well. Bandeau tops are not the best for being active. However, they usually come with a detachable halter strap which helps and than you can still get that strap free tan. If you aren't comfortable with your butt showing a bit than make sure your suit covers it all the way. If you feel like you will constantly be trying to make your top cover your boobs more than either buy a size up or a different style top. It's not worth being cute if you are uncomfortable and self conscious all day. There are so many options now, so take advantage of it! It might mean that you are spending a bit more money on one suit but it will be worth it. Also, make sure it's not too tight or too loose. It needs to fit snug but not squeeze. If you have to squeeze into your suit when it's dry (obviously there is always a little tug but it shouldn't get you out of breath) than it's too small. If you're constantly pulling it up, either your elastic is dead or it's too big so spring for a new one.

Now, go jump in the nearest body of water you can find.

Oxfords Aren't Just For Old British Men

First off I have to apologize for taking so long to write another post. I am really not sure how the days went by so fast. So anyway! After we did the photo shoot about Maxi dresses I had a few comments about the Oxford shoes that Erin wore with her dress. Several people were wondering how to style Oxford shoes, so this is me finally getting around to writing a post on how to style Oxford shoes!

Oxford shoes come in a ton of different colors, fabrics, and styles. So there are a lot of different ways you can wear them and a lot of different ways you can express your own style with these shoes. The great thing about them is that you can really pick your own style with them. One word of caution: they look best on people with narrow ankles. You don't have to necessarily have thin legs, just thin ankles. If you don't have narrow ankles but still love them I suggest wearing them with dark tights or dark narrow jeans to give the appearance of narrower ankles.

These three different shots of Sienna Miller show the versatility of these shoes. She is wearing the same pair of Oxford flats with three different outfits. Also, I love that red bag as much as she apparently does.  I love Oxfords with Boyfriend cut jeans, just make sure you adjust the length of your jeans based on your leg shape and length. I really like her red, white, and striped outfit. However, that skirt is dangerous. Cute, but dangerous. Either a little less volume or a little more length would be good. Despite my intense hatred for acid wash skinny jeans, I like the relaxed comfortability of the third outfit. Just switch out the acid wash disaster for normal skinny or narrow jeans. 

I love this Winter/Fall look below. In fact, I really want it for Christmas in North Carolina. The volume on top balances out the narrowness of her jeans (and ridiculously skinny legs!) and the narrow Oxfords.  Ok, I have to stop looking at this picture because I'm now starting to covet. One last thing, notice the light brown leather gloves that coordinate with the light brown leather detail in her Oxfords. Well done girl. Well done.

Another great thing about Oxfords is that they also come in heels! Yay! Oxford heels are so cute and classic looking and if you buy good ones they are super comfortable. These are Steve Madden. Also, they are gorgeous. I want them. Heels on your Oxfords dress them up and sometimes you just need that. 

This is an example of how cute Oxford heels can look. If her dress/shirt dealy was a wee bit longer this whole outfit would be fantastic. And once again, I want my bangs back. Anyway, back on topic. I love the dark teal and yellow and the light brown accents. I also want this for North Carolina at Christmas, minus the scarf. I'm not a fan of silk scarfs tied like that. Some people can pull it off, but i'm not one of them. 

So there you go! Oxfords 101. These shoes are definitely not for everyone. If you don't feel like you love them, then don't buy them. If you don't love them you won't wear them. Hopefully this helps you if you just have not been able to figure out how to wear the Oxfords you love. Enjoy!

Summer Does Not Equal Cut-offs That Show Your Booty.

If you haven't noticed, it's hot. Real hot. Unfortunately, hot can also mean trashy clothes. Sometimes it seems that people can't find the happy medium between wearing nothing when it's hot and just giving up and wearing jeans and long sleeve shirts because that's how you feel best. Believe me my dear friends, you can look cute, stay cool, and still not dress like a Jr. High girl. That is of course, unless you are a Jr. High Girl.

This first look is a look I'm really into right now. It's a little bit more of a younger look. I wouldn't recommend this on anyone over 35. Instead of wearing just your typical denim jeans, shorts, or capris and a colored top switch it up! These are blush colored denim capris (most people would need to roll them up or cuff them, this length is not great on most people) and they are great for summer. You already know I love colored pants, so I'm sure you're not surprised that I'm promoting them once again. This outfit is fresh and simple and not your typical denim. I paired the jeans with a really simple white tank top (white or cream, either one is awesome!) and a thin denim shirt to go over that. I really like that this shirt ties up because it helps to give your outfit shape and makes the denim more feminine and less bulky. Make sure if you wear a denim shirt it is thin and soft. Also, make sure you only wear a denim shirt with not blue denim jeans... avoid the Canadian tuxedo at all costs. The accessories for this outfit are also simple. I really like the wrap bracelet because it's not only a bracelet it's a watch! The necklace has a long simple chain with a cool detail at the end. Teal blues go really well with blush colors, they help to brighten up the colors. The bag is just a brown leather hobo bag. An important aspect to a carefree summer is making sure you are prepared for anything in your day. Larger bags that have detail and aren't just glorified duffle bags are key to looking put together but still being prepared!

 

This next outfit is great for really any age. It still involves fresh color, but it's a little more age neutral. I wouldn't put this on a 14 year old, but some version of it would work! Basic denim capris, a peach flowy but belted tank which will help give you a great waist and flow right over that upper/love handle area that we all love so much. Accessories are simple. There is no jewelry in this outfit except for the watch. Summer is all about simplicity, you don't want to go overboard with anything. The watch gives an extra dimension of femininity and color and it's practical too! I love wedges. They are generally way more comfortable than heels but they still give you either the height or slight shove toward a little more dressed up you are looking for. You could also wear flat sandals with this too if you wanted to. The bag is definitely a statement piece! It's woven, which I love, and it brings all the colors together. It's big enough to fit what you need but not too oversized so it doesn't look too young or casual but also not too formal or old.



I hope this inspires you to try something new this summer. You don't need to go to either extreme this summer, just enjoy the chance to wear light, flowy fabrics and color! In my world you can always wear color, but I know some people prefer to keep that to spring and summer. Crazies... Anyway! It's summer! Relax and have fun with your clothes!

Gratefulness Part II

Alright Southern Creative readers, it's time for some audience participation. I want to know what you are grateful for in regards to your body and fashion. It's so easy to get caught up in insecurity, so I want to help us all dwell on what we love about our lives and our bodies even if it really is what we're insecure about. Maybe we can minimize our insecurities just a little bit.

So do this for me. Please? Either post in the comments here on this post or e-mail me at southerncreativeca@gmail.com and give me your list! I don't care how long or short it is, just go for it! Speak from your heart and tell me how you feel (or how you want to feel!).

I've asked for some audience participation before and the turn out has been a little sad most of the time, so please, please, please, take a few minutes and do this little favor for me. If you humor me in this way I promise i'll go back to posting about clothes. Thanks friends!

I Choose to Be Grateful... Especially for Betsy Johnson.

In all areas of life it is absolutely vital to remind yourself that you have some pretty incredible things to be grateful for. I particularly struggle with remembering to be intentionally grateful. Especially when it comes to certain things you just can't change about yourself. You might think it's weird that I'm writing a list of things on here that I'm grateful for related to fashion and body image, but I am. So deal with it and be grateful.

 I kid. Sort of.

I am grateful for:

1). Great shoes
2). A fiance who encourages me to wear high heels even though I'm already 3 inches taller than him. He's a stud.
3). The ability to cut the side seam of my shorts and add lace so that my substantial thighs don't get squeezed like sausages since almost all shorts are made for girls with thighs the size of my arm.
4). The ability to brighten my day just by putting on a really cute outfit.
5). The fact that I have all four of my limbs even if I wish two of them were half the size that they are.
6). The ability to work out so I can eat Chipotle and still fit in the clothes I love.
7). The ability to buy a size bigger when I eat Chipotle and don't work out like I promise myself I will.
8). Spanx.
9). Pencil Skirts
10). Spanx. Again.
11). That my friends and family don't judge me when I wear a t-shirt and jeans and don't do my hair or make-up.
12). The ability to feel feminine.
13). Being able to express my creativity in other areas since I can only draw stick figures.
14). An in home washer and dryer since I change my clothes 2-3 times a day.
15). The existence of color.
16). The wonderful things that black does for you in hiding things you want to hide.
17). That my fiance, friends, and family think I'm beautiful even when I don't hide what I want hidden.
18). A job that gives me the funds to express my creativity through the clothing I wear and through this blog.
19). A boss that also loves clothes.
20). Sisters who let me borrow their clothes. Even when they don't know I'm borrowing them.
21). Betsy Johnson being born and gracing the world with her absolutely insane style.

What are you grateful for?

It's What's Underneath That Counts

Have you ever wondered how Christina Hendrix looks so stinkin' amazing in those tight shift dresses and pencil skirts in Mad Men? Have you ever wished you could smooth out all your lumps and bumps and pretend like your body was just made that way? Do you hate how your underwear creates lines and extra junk you don't remember having when you wear tight clothes? Well, let me tell you something. It's called Spanx. These are miracle workers. They do wonderful things that you could never imagine possible, they smooth and tighten and make you look and feel fit and firm even if you have done nothing but eat cheeseburgers this week.

The other great thing about Spanx (or Assets if you don't want to pay the money for Spanx) is that they come in all kinds of styles for whatever you need. You can buy long shorts, boy shorts, skirt slips, dress slips, body suits, spanx attached to nylons or leggings, and even special prego-lady spanx that have an extra panel in the tummy that expands with your baby.

Let me show you:

This body suit is great if you are wearing a dress with sleeves or at least tank sleeves. This body suit gives the freedom of wearing slacks, skirts, or dresses and it allows you to wear the right bra for you not one that is built in to the Spanx. I know most of you are thinking that those shorts are going to make your thigh fat pudge out but they won't if they aren't too tight. Take it from a girl who has substantial thighs, these long shorts do wonderful things (if they fit right!). This body suit also helps to smooth back fat and gives you a great hour glass shape. 

These high waisted long shorts are awesome too. I actually own some like this and I love them. I don't like the shorts that come just to the true waist for me because they tend to roll down and cause problems, but they work great for some people. Obviously you can't wear a low back dress or shirt with these. These work for slacks, skirts, and dresses as well. If you are wearing a shorter dress or even shorts you can buy Spanx just like this but with either a normal underwear cut or a boy short cut so they don't show but they still give you the tummy control that is so great about Spanx. 

Say hello to one of your greatest assets. A strapless Spanx dress slip is a must have in all women's closets. They smooth and contour but you can still wear a strapless dress. Once again just make sure it isn't too tight or it will ride up and end up around your waist which isn't very helpful and definitely not very comfortable. I own one like this too and wear it all the time. Am I giving away to much about my undergarments? Oh well... moving on! Once again, if there is even a chance of this showing under your dress when you sit down opt for a strapless boy short option or a boy short option of the style above this. 

Foundational garments are not what they used to be. They don't have boning and they don't dig into your skin (if they do they are too tight!), so don't be afraid of them! Embrace the incredible things they can do for your body and enjoy the "wow you look great!" comments you will get. If you don't believe me, try it for yourself. You can get almost all of these styles by Assets at Target and you can also find a lot of them at places like TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Of course you can order directly from Spanx or Assets and they are also at Nordstrom and department stores like that if you want to go all out. 

Ok, enough about underwear. 

How To: Accessorize a Maxi Dress Like A Pro Part I

Ta-dah! The photo shoot I promised is finally ready to show you all. The pictures came out beautifully thanks to the wonderful photography of our favorite guest writer Chris Stetson and the editing genius of my fiancé Michael. Also, the models are pretty darn good looking too. Oh, and one more little teaser... Eventually we will have behind the scenes video and photos just to give you a little glimpse into what happens in between the photos. I will tell you that we laugh. A lot.

We got so many great shots this post will have to be a two-parter. I asked my friend Erin to come and help me out modeling since we are totally different body types. I thought it would be helpful to have two different body types so anyone who reads can hopefully relate to something in one (or both) of us.

Erin is wearing a really simple straight blue maxi dress that has just a little detail at the bottom. This is a great dress to have because you can almost pair it with anything. I have a really simple tank style black maxi dress that I can't find, but I love it. For our first looks we wanted to show you how you can dress up a simple maxi dress for a nice lunch with friends or even a bridal shower or something. Accessories are key to dressing up something so simple! For Erin we paired her blue dress with this simple yellow sweater, red clutch, and simple but colorful jewelry. Notice that nothing is super matchy-matchy but it all coordinates. Play with color when you have a simple canvas like this dress. Erin's super cute red sandal clogs are straight from Sweden. It's amazing how red shoes like this can go with almost anything. I'm pretty sure she sleeps in them based on how often I see her wear them! 

I decided to experiment with my dress a little. The actual dress has spaghetti straps and basically no detail (it doesn't need it because of it's cut and design), but I thought it would be fun to turn it into more of a maxi skirt look by wearing a thin t-shirt (which I tied in a little knot and hid under the belt) and cinching it with a wide belt. Please ignore the fact that my beaded cuff bracelet is falling apart and focus on the fact that it's cute. I kept my accessories unique but simple. My bracelet and my necklace are wood beads and my bag is just a simple silver clutch that has a little bit of design on it. Carrying a clutch instead of an oversized bag helps to make something a little bit more formal.

Isn't she pretty? This is just a closer shot of her coral bead necklace and multi-colored bead bracelet. If you are more apple shaped like Erin (she has skinny awesome legs all the time... It's sick), wearing a cropped sweater like this helps to create a waist. Also, her empire waist dress helps to flow over anything she might want to hide. Don't button up your sweater if you are apple shaped. 

Here's where I show you an up close and personal shot of how poorly I hid the knot. If you are built more like me, use belts to accentuate what is most likely on of your smallest body parts... your natural waist. Thick belts are great for turning things into things they are not naturally. They turn a shirt over a dress into an awesome whole new outfit, and they can turn a relatively straight body into a curvy one. Yay belts! 

Here's just a little creative close up shot of my necklace and belt. Cool right?

This is more of a casual look with the same dress. We removed her sweater for a more summery look and added this great leopard print scarf, the straw fedora, cuff bracelet, and nude oxfords. This is simple with style. It took us two seconds to put this outfit together just pulling accessories out of the bag Erin brought with her so don't be intimidated! Her scarf is tied by just looping it around your neck so the ends face behind you and then come around. Tuck them in a little to the scarf so they don't fly about. 

Aren't those cute?! You definitely want to make sure your dress isn't super long if you are going to wear shoes like these. You want them to show!

For my more casual but covered up look I paired my super long flowy maxi dress with a simple denim jacket. Also, my accessories are exactly the same as the last outfit. See how many outfits simple wood bead jewelry can go with? Also, like I've said before, you can't go wrong with oversized sunglasses. These are from Target. 

I thought it would be fun to pair my dress and denim jacket with super classic white Keds. The secret is, I bought these at Target for 10 bucks. So really I paired my dress with Ked-like sneakers. Yep, that's how I roll. That gold ring I'm wearing is my sisters. I love it. It's so simple and just a gold circle. 

So there you go, you have two different looks that you can use to style your Maxi dresses. These dresses have so much versatility. The one I am wearing is slightly less versatile than Erin's, but it's always good to have both. Go for a dress with a bold print that you can dress up or dress down and keep your accessories simple. It's also great to have a really simple dress like Erin's so you can really have fun with your accessories and add more prints and colors. 

There are so many more great pictures and one more whole outfit to show y'all so part 2 will be coming later this week. I hope this inspires you and gives you ideas on how to look great with minimal effort. Have a great start to your week and check back in sometime this week for the second half of the photo shoot!

What I've Learned About Fashion, Body Image, and Wanting What We Don't Have

Do you love everything about your body? My guess is no. I don't think I've met a single woman who doesn't wish something was different about their body. Too tall, too short, too round, too skinny, too many curves, not enough curves, big arms, chicken arms, big thighs, thighs the size of a normal persons arm... the list goes on and on. This topic has been on my mind because I have never liked being tall. I am 5'9" and always wanted to be 5'6". I love heels, but I don't love being 6 feet tall when I wear them. I have gone back and forth my whole life about whether I am just going to rock being tall and not worry about it or if I'm going to try and mask it. Honestly, I think it changes every day. I know a lot of people out there would kill to be tall, and that just further proves my point that we always want what we don't have.

So, since I can't do anything about my height or my body type or the fact that 4 inch heels seem to have a gravitational pull on them, I guess I'll suck it up and work on the mental game behind it all. It's amazing that we can so quickly forget the beauty in being unique and diverse. It's so easy to look around and compare what we don't like about ourselves (or what we do like) to those around us. Strangers or friends, it doesn't matter. We still compare. I have been actively trying to catch each thought that goes through my head about wishing I was something other than I am. It isn't healthy and there is nothing we can do about it. If you have hips, guess what... they won't go anywhere no matter how much weight you lose, and they will probably look a lot better if you don't get to skinny. Your body is your body no matter what, the physical shape of your skeleton is not going to change and it's about time we stopped wanting it to.

The great thing about fashion is that you get to choose what parts of your body you love and want to show off and what parts you aren't too thrilled about and want to camouflage. Clothes are meant to give us confidence and give us an outlet to express who we are. If bright colors make you happy, than wear them. I don't care if someone told you that you are an "autumn" or a "winter". Ignore them. If you are tall, rock the maxi skirts and dresses with flats or wedges or whatever you love and pretend you are a super model. If you are short, wear clothes that make you appear longer and the fun part about your body type is you can wear whatever height heel you want and no one will even think twice about the fact that they can suddenly look straight in your eyes.

Country singer Miranda Lambert was just on the cover of SELF with extremely minimal photo editing (you can see it here: https://www.facebook.com/mirandalambert). She had little roles on her stomach and her thighs and butt look like a normal persons. Her headline was all about toning up and embracing your curves. I love this idea. Be fit and healthy and embrace your natural body type. Miranda has always been interesting to me. She is a tiny human being, but she is not a skinny tiny human being. Her weight goes up and down like everyone else's, but unfortunately for her she still has to be in the public eye no matter how she looks. I love that Miranda's cover photo made people feel like they could relate to her instead of see another unrealistically skinny actress or model who looks like that because they 1). Are photoshopped, 2). They only eat 1000 calories a day, and 3). They are paid to look like that. Hollywood cannot be our standard of what we should look like. We've got to let that go.

My guess is that this process of embracing your body type is a lifelong process. It is a daily mental game where you have to believe that you are unique and beautiful and made the way you are for a reason. Choose to focus on what is awesome about your body and learn to love what isn't so awesome. Believe me, I'm talking to myself just as much as I am to all of you. Insecurity is a universal struggle, and I think it's time we give it a little less victory in our lives.

Teaser Alert!

We've got another photo shoot coming on Monday to show you all how to accessorize your new Maxi dresses you just bought. Teaser: There will be two people in the shoot this time! A friend of mine is helping me out so we can demonstrate different body types as well. Check back in on Monday night (or maybe Tuesday morning...)!!

Maxi Dresses In All Their Glory

Sometimes I sit around and think about things that most people don't. Like maxi dresses. I love them, but honestly they have to be the absolute perfect length. They can be absolutely slimming and elongating or they can make you look like you are a short, frumpy, square of a person. Now, show of hands. Who wants the first one?

If you are short, watch your dress length! If you let the dress go below the top of your foot you will look like someone shrunk you in your clothes. If your clothes look too big they are not slimming. If you are short and your body is more of an apple shape choose a maxi dress that has a defined empire waist. If you are more of a pear shape maxi dresses are your best friend, although you probably want to stick with defined waists too. If you are more of a straight build than you can wear any style really. A defined waist whether it's true waist, hip, or empire waist will look awesome on you.

The key to looking amazing and glamorous instead of dumpy and frumpy in your maxi dress is to make sure it accentuates your best features and camouflages what you want camouflaged. If you've got great shoulders and fit arms than show them off! Choose a maxi dress that is either strapless, halter, or spaghetti strap. If you are well endowed, than be careful. Strapless is going to make you look saggy, a straight across neckline will give you the dreaded uni-boob, and a triangle top runs the risk of everyone getting a show everytime you move. I recommend going with a v-neck or scoop neckline and recommend choosing a dress that has atleast one inch straps to give you the ability to wear a non-strapless bra. If you are small chested (like me) than you basically get to wear whatever neckline you want. Aren't you lucky?

Here's a few styles to give you some visual aides:

The green dress is fantastic for pear shaped bodies with smaller chests and great shoulders. The ruching and angles on this dress draw the eye to the smallest part of your waist and the modified sweetheart neck helps to make your shoulders and chest look incredible.

The gray dress is just a fun example of what you can do if you have an awesome back and want to show it off. It still covers more than even a strapless dress would and gives you the support you don't get with a strapless but it still shows off a little bit of your back and shoulders. Both the green and gray dresses are from www.modcloth.com. They have some really amazing maxi dresses you should definitely go check them out!

The blue, red, and white striped dress is a great example of that waist definition I was telling you about for people with straight body types. The draw string waist and the extra volume up top will help to give you more curves. If you are a top heavy don't wear this dress. It will do absolutely nothing for your body.

This blue and white dress from Anthropologie is great if you have a larger chest. It's a bit of a deep V so if your really large chested make sure to wear a cami or a cami-bra (basically a cami but doesn't go all the way down to your waist like a cami would). If you need a suggestion for that kind of bra, I highly recommend checking out www.shopcoobie.com. If you are small chested and don't need a lot of bra support I would recommend checking these out as well. They are awesome. Ok, back to the dress. This dress allows for you to wear a more supportive bra and will help to minimize your shoulders and back if you are top heavy. Also, the defined waist will help give you a really great shape.

Maxi dresses are a great asset for the summer. They are cool but they still look great. Also, if you aren't a huge fan of wearing shorts or shorter skirts you can wear these and still be comfortable and cool this summer. Not to mention, you will be right on point with your fashion.

Kate Middleton: Fashion Fit for a Queen

I'm not sure there is anyone who has been talked about more over the past year than Kate Middleton. Her style is impeccable, she's always smiling, and she seems to be handling her new life with grace and ease. I'll be honest with you, Kate's style wasn't all that amazing before she became the Future Mrs. Future King of England. She was normal. Totally normal. However, I gotta admit she has some of the greatest outfits out there right now and she's got a serious ability to wear some crazy little hats. Lets take a look through some of what I think are Kate's best looks.

Disclaimer: I apologize in advance for the quality of some of these pictures... just squint. 

I don't think anyone will disagree with me that she looked absolutely stunning on her wedding day. Her dress was incredibly classic and was the perfect dress for a future queen that doesn't seem to feel the desire to make a statement by breaking the rules. Her second dress was gorgeous too. 

I am in love with this whole outfit. That dress is the most perfect dress in the world. She is wearing nothing but black and white and she looks incredible. Seriously, is anyone else a little sad that we in the US of A don't get to wear hats like that?

Although the outfit on the left is also kind of awesome and super classic, I have been in love with this floral dress she wore (I believe during their tour to the US and Canada) earlier this year. It is absolutely gorgeous. This picture does not even get close to doing this dress justice, but believe me it's beautiful. The pale floral print is understated and classic. The nude shoe makes her legs look a mile long. Also, how in the world is still walking across the grass in heels like that and being so graceful?!

This is what I was talking about when I said that she is seriously skilled at wearing crazy hats. Not very many people could pull this fascinator off without looking like a character from Dr. Suess. Love the classic cream suit dressed up with the belt too.

I loved this whole outfit when she wore it. I think she was doing something like digging a hole or something. Yep, that's what I wear to dig holes. I love the red flower and netting. Also, her hair is gorgeous. 

The key to Kate's impeccable style is that she doesn't try too hard. She follows the guidelines set before her by the Royal Family and just adds little flashes of flare. For those of us who don't have a Royal Family setting fashion guidelines for us we can follow Kate's example by embracing the classic silhouette she wears so well and so often. Ever notice how often she wears wrap dresses or dresses with belts? Kate has a thin athletic build but she gives herself a classic feminine body style by cinching in her waist and making sure her dresses are not too short. If any of you can rock one of those hats, send me the picture. I want to see it! 

Details, Details, Details!

I've had a few people ask me about where I found the items in my last post so I wanted to go through and give you the info on each one. So here it goes!

Dress:
This dress is from Dorothy Perkins. She has super cute stuff and it's very reasonably priced. However, it can go really fast so if you love something, buy it! www.dorothyperkins.com

Purse:
This purse is from a European company called Friis Company. The purse is sold out but they have a lot of cute things so go check them out! www.shopfrisscompany.com.

Shoes:
These are the Burgundy Afriene Flower Leather Flat. They're from www.oasis-stores.com and they are only 15 bucks! Not sure if they are still in stock because it has been awhile since I pulled this outfit together.

Bracelet:
Believe it or not this bracelet is from Wet Seal and it's 5 bucks! www.wetseal.com.

Ok everyone, there you go. Hopefully you can find some really great pieces at any of these stores!

Wedding Bliss: Wedding Exit

I put this outfit together months ago, and I've just been waiting for the perfect time to post it. This dress is the perfect dress to leave your wedding in. It's almost like a second wedding dress so you feel like a bride even as your leaving your wedding. Also, you will just look darn cute.



I love the idea of wearing a white or cream, super feminine dress when you leave your wedding. This dress is only (wait for it) 44 dollars! You can find it on www.dorothyperkins.com. You could also wear this dress for your shower or even the rehearsal dinner. I also love the idea of wearing white at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, it just extends the whole "I'm a bride" feeling.

You can have fun with your accessories with a dress like this. My wedding colors involve the red of those shoes, so I picked these adorable red (15 dollar!) flats. If you are ordering flats on line I recommend buying them one size up, especially if you have wide feet like me. Too tight flats are even more uncomfortable than 5 inch heels, so don't make that mistake or you will be crying on your wedding day for other reasons than pure joy.

I picked a yellow bag and super simple jewelry. Because of the detail and the neckline of this dress I wouldn't wear a necklace, but you could wear fun dangly earrings and a fun bracelet. The yellow bag is simply because I like yellow. And it's cute. And yellow.

The bottom line is: Pick a neutral dress that still makes you feel like a bride, and have loads of fun with your accessories. Matching your wedding colors is fun, but not necessary, so do what you want!

Happy Wedding!!

My Favorite Things Part 2

In the midst of preparing better and better posts (i.e. attempting to one up myself) I decided it would be a good time to do another "My Favorite Things" post! This one is a little shorter and kind of just happened to be predominantly make up. Not sure why, sometimes these things just happen.

1). BareMinerals Make-Up: This make-up is a new (VERY new) favorite. A couple months ago a friend and I decided on a whim to go do make-up trials for our weddings at BareMinerals and we were both hooked. It feels incredible on your skin, and for someone with very sensitive skin like myself it's absolutely a breath of fresh air. I was always skeptical of the coverage you could get from only using powder, but I was amazed when she finished. Also, it is 100% mineral with no fillers or gunk. It's not cheap, but it's worth it. Another fun little fact is that because it is 100% mineral you can actually sleep in it and not only will it not cause your face any problems but it doesn't rub off on your pillow. It's actually amazing. I love their face and eye primer too. It makes your face so soft and bright. Also, because it's powder and has no gunk in it it doesn't go rancid and it lasts a lot longer than liquid make-up.

2). Stella & Dot Jewelry: I am in love with this stuff. They have incredible style and great statement pieces as well as everyday jewelry. I love all three of those pieces I have up there and wish I could afford them. I get to borrow them every once and awhile from a stylist friend to help her advertise, and for now I'll have to be satisfied with that. I do plan on wearing Stella & Dot jewelry at my wedding though! If you love what you see check out www.stelladot.com/debbieleander and let my friend Debbie set you up with the greatest jewelry you'll ever see.

3). Rocket Dog Flats: I have a pair of silver raw silk Rocket Dog flats that I am absolutely in love with. They are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own and I have worn the tar out of those things. I will cry when I have to put them to rest. The great thing is that TJ Maxx and Marshalls often have Rocket Dog shoes.

4). Orange Nail Polish: There really isn't much to say except it's fun, flirty, and fabulous. I'm wearing it right now.

5). Nude Lips: Sorry for the pouty lips in your face, but I gotta do what I gotta do. I LOVE nude lip color. It's so classic and beautiful and simple. It's understated but pulls together any make up look you like. Also, it doesn't stain your lips.

6). My Long Yellow Pea-Coat: Mine is slightly different than this one, but you get the idea. It's one of my favorite coats I've owned. It's fun and bright but simple and it makes me happy. Isn't that kind of the point of clothes and fashion?

What are your favorite things? Tell me! Go! Now! Seriously.

Coral is the New Beige

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this here before but I have been on a mission for either coral or mint capris. My journey had been increasingly frustrating since it is incredibly difficult to find pants in those colors that are made for anyone with thighs bigger than the average person's arm. However, I finally completed the mission! I found these glorious pants at H&M this past weekend. I still haven't found mint pants, but the coral mission has been accomplished. Because it's H&M I had to buy these pants two sizes bigger than my normal size, but I just keep telling myself that i'm okay with that. Honestly, when it comes to stores like that (and Target!) you might as well just subtract 4 from every size to get their actual size. If it says size 16 at Target or H&M it's really closer to a size 10-12. This isn't the case for every designer at these stores, but quite a bit of them. So, just take a deep breath and pretend that you aren't buying pants two sizes bigger than you normally do, because let's face it, you really aren't.

I started thinking about the endless outfits that I could put together with these awesome pants and so I decided to do just that. Also, I've had a few friends ask if I could post pictures of me in the outfits that I talk about so they could see it on a real person instead of some stick thin model or not on a person at all. I thought I would just go ahead and combine the two ideas! Today's post is dedicated to my new pants. I've put together six different outfits all including the same pair of pants. I could have gone on for hours with this. It's amazing how many different color combos you can do with coral! It's a great color. It's almost becoming a neutral for me. Seriously.

*Disclaimer: The accessories in these outfits are intentionally light. This post is really about the outfits, not about accessories. That post is coming later. I promise!

Outfit 1: The Nautical Look

The nautical look is super in right now, so I decided to pair my new favorite pair of pants with this blue and white striped t-shirt and flat t-strap sandals. 

Shirt: Target (unfortunately, last year!)

Pants: H&M

Shoes: Target

Bracelets: Cookie Lee

Necklace: An antique shop in Edmonds, WA

Outfit 2: Spring 70's Inspiration

You can't really tell it in the picture as much as in person, but this shirt has a really pale floral print that is totally inspired by the 1970's. The pale yellow and pale pink of the top compliment the coral beautifully. Also, aren't those shoes great? The neckline is dramatic on this top and has an off the shoulder thing going on so I didn't wear a necklace with this.

Top: TJ Maxx

Shoes: TJ Maxx

Jewelry: A gift from a friend. 

Outfit 3: Color Blocking 101

Color blocking is also a huge trend right now. Be bold! 

Shirt: TJ Maxx

Belt: Target

Bracelet: I don't remember.

Shoes: Marshalls (They are Sofft Brand)

Outfit 4: Professional

If you work in the corporate world or somewhere where you have to dress professionally, have fun with it! Just because you have to look professional doesn't mean you have to only wear black, grey, tan, and white. These pants are such a statement piece keep everything else simple. Yes, these are the same pants... just rolled down. 

Blazer: Target

White T-Shirt: TJ Maxx

Bracelet: World Market 

Necklace: World Market

Shoes: Tahari (I have to brag about this: they were $20 at Marshalls).

Outfit 5: Cute, Casual, and Colorful

The pictures for this outfit kind of got hijacked. My little partners in crime are my mom's sweet little pit bull and my sister's American Bulldog. They love that bed and weren't about to let me sit there without them. Anyway, once again. Don't be afraid of color. I love the combination of all the different bright colors. Notice my shoes are super simple. 

Shirt: Old Navy

Shoes: Rocket Dog

Necklace: World Market

Green Ring: An antique shop in Cleveland, Oh.

Outfit 6: Coral in the Fall

Coral is not just a spring and summer color! You can totally bring this color into fall and get even more use out of these great pants. The scarf has little flecks of coral in it so it really ties it all together nicely. Also, hello aviators. 

Sweater: H&M Ballerina Sweater

Tank top: Target

Scarf: TJ Maxx

Boots: DSW

Bracelet: Target

Necklace: World Market

Aviators: Target

There we go! Six totally different outfits all with the same pair of pants. As my friend's six year old daughter would say, "easy peasy lemon squeezy." Everything I put together in these pictures were pieces of clothing I already had in my closet from years of collecting clothes and accessories. 

If you look at this and think "I can't do that" than contact me. That's what I'm here for! 

Oh, and that giant rock on my hand... yeah that's my engagement ring. Just had to point that out. 

Teaser!

Hey to all my wonderful readers out there!

I just wanted to let you know that things might be a little slow on here over the next week or so, but believe me it will be well worth the wait! There will be a lot of new things going on at Southern Creative and it is just going to take a little time to get them up and going. We're really excited for all the fun new developments here and you guys are going to love it too! Please keep checking in and we will make sure you all know when the new fun things start. Also, the post about Stella and Dot jewelry is on it's way too! 

Thanks for supporting and reading Southern Creative and I hope that you are as excited about all the new things that are coming as we are!

Sincerely,

Ellie and Team

Your Biggest Questions

Hey Ladies,

I am curious. What are your biggest fashion questions that you would like answered? Do you have questions that you feel like you can't ask because you feel like you should know it already? I had so much fun answering your questions before so please ask more! Any question. Seriously. Any! The big question I've been asking myself lately is "Is it ok to wear black to church on easter? Especially when you are singing?" I probably won't wear black, but I was just curious. Is black ok if you brighten it up with your accessories?

Go ahead! Weigh in!

Have a great weekend and a great Easter. Also, be sure to enjoy your clothes and accessories! Easter is the holiday that you get to wear the brightest colors, so enjoy it! (I know, coming from the girl who wants to know if she can wear black this may seem like a strange comment... I would still wear bright accessories!)

Neutrals Are a Girl's Best Friend.

Neutrals are necessary. They make life wonderful and easy and create a wonderful palette for bright or saturated colors. If you have a great neutral sweater or shirt you can do whatever the heck you want when it comes to your pants, shoes, or accessories. One of my favorite things in the world is to wear a white t-shirt or tank top and jeans and then add a bright colored scarf or necklace or fun shoes. Alright, lets cover neutrals 101.



There are some key neutrals that every girl should have in her closet. A perfect fitting white t-shirt and tank top is an absolute must. Don't spend a ton of money on this item because you have to replace them every few months or so to avoid yellowing and wearing a shirt full of stains. Target has my favorite white t-shirt for 8 bucks. A gray t-shirt or tank is also a great and necessary buy.

A great tan or grey sweater or cardigan is another necessity in your closet. I would even suggest buying different style sweaters in that same neutral tan and gray. Tan and grey sweaters are great for almost any occasion, and they are great in the spring or even summer when you are out at night and might need something light to throw on later. Also, like neutral shirts they are a blank canvas so you can have lots of fun with them. I absolutely love the look of dark jeans, a white tank or t-shirt, and a grey or tan sweater. Throw a narrow brown belt around the sweater and throw on brown boots in the fall or winter and nice brown leather sandals or flats in the spring and summer and you've got a super classy fantastic outfit with almost no effort. You could wear a super fun colorful necklace or you could keep it neutral.

Denim is a key neutral item you absolutely need in your closet. Now, i'm not suggesting you go for the full Canadian Tuxedo look (full denim outfit), but denim is good. Jeans, jean skirts, jean shorts, and jean jackets are great all the time. A good thin denim jacket is one of my absolute staples in the spring and summer. It looks great with any color and it's just clean and fresh and classic. Just don't bedazzle it.

Good neutral (non-denim) shorts, capris, or slacks are also a must. They make getting dressed incredibly easy. If you are working in the corporate world you can do endless outfits off of one khaki or grey skirt or pair of pants. These kind of shorts are my favorite for summer. They look nice and look less casual than denim. Old Navy has really good ones because you can buy different lengths depending on what looks best on your body.

Guess what... Leopard print is a neutral. Yep. Stop looking at me like that. It's true. There is almost no color that doesn't look great with a leopard print accent like these flats, a thin belt, or lightweight scarf. If you aren't sure you are brave enough to wear leopard print near your face, then try the belt or the shoes. You won't regret it. You could wear a leopard print accent with the outfit I described above and you would look darn fantastic.

A neutral purse is also a must. Get a beige or camel colored purse and the outfit combinations are absolutely endless. Grey also counts as a neutral and so does really pale colors like blush. The reason grey, camel, and blush work as full neutrals is because you can actually pair them with any color. It takes more work to pair darker browns if you are wearing black or other colors (although they do work). If you are going for ease when it comes to getting dressed, than stick with those three colors.

Go have fun! Neutrals are not boring. They are wonderful. Wear them, love them, rock them.

Teaser alert!!!! 


In the next few weeks I will be doing a full post on Stella and Dot Jewelry. Also, this will be the first post that will consist of pictures of me with the outfits I put together. I apologize for that now. Stay tuned!!

Wedding Bliss: Bridesmaids 101

Dear Brides,

Don't punish your friends! These people are (allegedly) your best friends and the most important people in your life so treat them that way. Think about them and their body shapes when you think about dresses and create the look for your bridesmaids around that instead of just what you want. Keep the dresses flattering and if you must let them pick their own style so they can look their absolute best. If you are totally against letting them pick their own style, then make sure you pick one that looks good on every body type or else their discomfort will show in all your pictures. Do you really want that? I didn't think so.

The color combinations, jewelry options, shoe possibilities, and dress styles are almost endless so I can't show you everything but I wanted to put together two different outfits just for a visual aide.



Rule of Thumb: keep the colors complimentary but not too matchy matchy when it comes to shoes and jewelry.

If you want to go for a super classic look (and by classic I mean timeless and beautiful, not 80's) you could do something like the grey and blue outfit above. The grey dress is simple but gorgeous and flattering on almost any body type. The royal blue heels and earrings are a great pop of color but don't overwhelm the simple dress. I love pearls with grey, they are both so timeless.

If you are going for a little more of an edgy look, the black, red, and gold are awesome. These might seem strange for a wedding, but if it's not outdoors in the summer you could really pull it off. I love this dress and red shoes are always fantastic. Because of the color combo and the detail on the dress I kept the jewelry simple and understated.

Bottom Line: No matter your wedding style think about your bridesmaids! Also, keep in mind how much money the outfit will cost altogether unless you are funding it yourself.

I also highly recommend including your bridesmaids in the process of picking out the outfits they are going to wear. Make them feel important, included, and special! Also, make sure you get them gifts. Don't be stingy when it comes to the people who are shelling out quite a bit of money, time, and energy to be part of your special day.

Sincerely,
A Fellow Future Bride

Be Bright, Be Bold

What do the 80's, lightbright, black lights, and Spring 2012 have in common? Neon! Yep, neon is back. Now, don't go crazy. Just because neon is super in right now it doesn't mean you should wear ALL neon all the time, it just means that you should consider adding neon touches to your outfits because it's awesome and adds some great pops of color. Behold!



Not too bad right? The key to neon is to not go overboard. If you are wearing neon jeans or shorts don't wear a neon shirt. Make the neon the statement piece and wear something neutral with it. I actually really like the neon jeans with the neon yellow shoes, but that is for the utterly fearless! If you are unsure about neon then wear it in small doses or else you won't feel comfortable.

With the black evening dress I thought it would be fun to go with a neon color block pump. These have black in them too which in my opinion makes them a little more funky but also a little less casual. If you are wearing a solid black or solid white dress have fun with the accessories!

The white t-shirt dress from Anthropologie (or any totally white dress) is the perfect canvas for neon accessories. White is so bright itself that it works so well with the bright colors. Throwing on a neon belt and carrying a neon handbag is the perfect pairing with this dress. I didn't add shoes to this one, but you could totally wear neon shoes if you didn't have the neon bag. Remember the key: don't go overboard! I love the look of white and neon and it makes it a little less scary to have the accessories be bright and bold instead of your actual outfit. I will be doing a full blog post on Stella and Dot jewelry in the very near future, but I just wanted to let you know that Stella and Dot has some great neon jewelry coming.

I included the picture of the neon bracelets as an example of the fun you can have. Start slow and ease your way in if you aren't sure about bright colors. Also, bright colors ARE NOT JUST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE! If you are over 30 and want to wear neon colors, then do so! Just follow the same rule so you don't look like an eccentric old lady.

So, say yes to neon.

Summer Blues

I love spring and summer. Love them. Although, I gotta be honest with you... I love every season. I love them all for different reasons, and by the end of each season I am stoked for the next one. Usually about a month before the season actually changes I am thinking about what great outfits I get to wear because of the different weather. The flip side of this love for seasons is that I get very upset when it's 90 degrees in January and 50 degrees in June. It is just wrong. Anyway, all that to say I love spring and summer.

I also love blue. It is refreshing and energizing and pretty. I especially love blue with white and yellow. Hence...



I put this outfit together by thinking about what kind of outfits I would want to wear if I got to spend a weekend at the beach. When I think light, comfortable beach wear I think light flowy fabrics like linen. The light blue tank I have here is from J-Crew and it's linen. I love the pin tucks on the top because it makes it narrow up top and then flares out from right below the bra-line. The other shirt I have here would be great for the evening when it gets a little cooler, just be sure to put a white tank or something underneath it.

I know white is not easy to wear, but I love these J-Crew white shorts. They are a thicker fabric so they won't be see through, but the still stick with the bright and light theme of this outfit. Make sure that you buy shorts according to how they look on you and not what size the tag says. I know it's tough to get away from the number, but believe me, with shorts you have to. Designers all make their clothes differently and you can't just grab a pair of shorts that are "your size" and leave the store without trying them on. Shorts can be incredibly difficult to find the right fit, so you need to gear yourself up for trying on a bunch of different pairs before you find the one you like. Make sure they are not too short or too tight or you will run into the "ride up" issue when you walk and that's no fun. Lastly, no matter how thick the fabric in your white shorts, wear neutral colored underwear! Nobody needs to see how cute your floral underwear are.

Ok, onto the accessories for this outfit. I LOVE BIG FLOPPY HATS!!! Ok sorry about that. So here's the thing, I love big floppy hats but I have a big giant head so I can pretty much never find one that fits. Sad right? But, I have not given up. I will find one. They look awesome and they protect your face and shoulders from the sun. It's no surprise I'm sure that I have aviators on here. I like them. You could definitely pair this outfit with some oversized sunglasses as well if you're not into aviators. I threw in the scarf just because it just adds a special little flare to your outfit for the evening if you're going out to dinner or for an evening walk. Make sure it's a very thin light fabric. To keep things easy I just paired the outfit with yellow rubber flip flops from Old Navy. They are cheap and come in all kinds of colors. I love the yellow with the blue. The belt is here simply because I am constantly pulling up my pants, so it's kind of a reminder for me to go buy a belt. Also, it's cute!

The bottom line is when you are putting together summer or spring outfits (especially for the beach), keep it light and keep it simple.