Style Tips for Statement Pieces Part 1 - Jewelry

There is a very simple step to great style everyday and that step is called the statement piece. You can wear a (properly fitted) t-shirt and jeans and throw in a statement piece to your outfit and your style factor can go through the roof. Statement pieces do not have to be strictly jewelry, they can come in all shapes and sizes. Today's post is all about jewelry though, we'll get to the other statement pieces in the following installments.

1). Classic All Black and a Statement Necklace.

I absolutely ADORE this outfit. It is so simple yet so amazing. Black skinnies, a black t-shirt (with awesome leather sleeves), black kitten heels, and a neutral bag. This outfit is still nice without the statement piece but do you see how different it would be without it? Without that incredible necklace it is just a really great all black outfit. The necklace brings an element of style that would be missing otherwise. If you are super uncomfortable with that amount of bling then you can go a little simpler. Statement pieces don't always have to be really large like that. The key to a great statement piece is that it stands out. The point is that the piece of jewelry draws the eye. It could be simpler but really geometric. (Photo Cred: www.gurl.com)

2). The Perfectly Styled Chambray Shirt.

There is nothing easier to look amazing in than a chambray shirt. If you don't have one, get one. I think it's a primary staple for you wardrobe. This does not mean go out and by a typical denim button down. Look for a tailored fit and thin fabric. You can do light or dark, totally up to you. Note that the necklace is underneath the collar. Some people can pull off the fully buttoned shirt with a bib style necklace over the shirt but you have to have a pretty darn long and thin neck to make that work. If you're not sure than I would stick with under like this photo. You could also choose a longer statement necklace and that would definitely go over the shirt. The key to statement pieces is to pick what you like. If you think it's fun or really pretty, it's probably going to be awesome.
(Photo Cred: www.gurl.com)

3). T-Shirt And Jeans

Do you see how simple this is? T-shirt, jeans, and great jewelry. This piece is more simple but the color of the metal, the bright purple, and the geometric shapes make it stand out. When you have a canvas as simple as a gray t-shirt like this you can do anything. Any color, any size, any shape, and any length! Also, don't you love her hair and glasses?
(Photo Cred: www.buyerselect.com)

Here are a few final tips:

1). Watch your necklines. Notice how the necklace and the t-shirt in the hit at almost the same place. When you have a higher neckline it's best to find a necklace that lands right at the same line or significantly below it. You don't want your shirt to bunch up under your necklace.

2). Try not to over think it! Statement jewelry is meant to be fun and express your personality.

3). You don't need to spend a lot of money on statement pieces. You can get some really great pieces at Target and Walmart (yep! Walmart).

I hope you get creative and dress up your simple every day outfits. Enjoy this fun aspect of style and fashion!

Monochromatic Outfits Aren't Just for Grandma Anymore

One of the best ways to create a streamlined, sleek, and slimming outfit is to wear all one color. It's a vital tool in your style arsenal but it can also go terribly wrong. There are several different ways you can utilize monochromatic outfits. That's what today's post is all about! I will walk you through two  different ways to create flawless monochromatic outfits that take 10 lbs off of your body and make you look effortlessly stylish and chic.

1). Different Shades of One Color

One really great way to do a monochromatic look is to pick out pieces that are technically the same color but are varied by shade.  The outfit I put together is all in the olive green family but each piece is a slightly different shade. I added a little bit of pattern in with the shoes too just for fun. The color family is still the same though!

This version of Monochromatic is probably the least slimming because of the different gradients of color but it is still chic and flattering (if your clothes fit properly!). Fit is still absolutely key! No color can help you if your clothes don't fit properly. Also, these pants are just an example of a pants that are lighter shade than the top. You don't necessarily have to go with lighter on bottom, I just like it. Also, if your thighs are an area that you don't want accentuated then I would recommend avoiding pants with pockets like this on the side of your thighs. Who else is drooling over that bag?

2). The Ever Classic All Black

You cannot get any classier than all black. It's just not possible. When I see classic cuts in all black I can't help but think of Audrey Hepburn. Especially with these pants. Black itself is incredibly slimming, but the stream lining also helps with that. Behold:



You could do 100% black if you want to, including the accessories, but I really like gold accessories with black so that's what I did. Also, this outfit is not just for work (although it would be fabulous for work as well!), you could wear this anywhere you want especially if you switch the heels out for black flats or even a black flat sandal or wedge to make it more comfy. Don't you love that jacket? I chose the leather cropped jacket because it made it less professional looking while still being clean enough to wear to work if you wanted to. I chose the leopard print belt because, well, I love leopard. That's really the main reason. You could do black or gold or no belt if you prefer. The blouse is a touch flowy so you could tuck the whole thing in or just the front. If you paired this outfit with black jeans instead of trousers you could also leave it untucked. I picked simple jewelry because the jacket and the shirt have so much detail to them. With a blouse like this I would stay away from a chunky necklace that lays right where the knot does because it won't lay well. Also, if you are larger chested it would be a good idea to wear a longer slimmer necklace to help elongate that area.

The purse is Kate Spade. Oh sweet sweet lovely Kate Spade. It is my goal in life to one day own a Kate Spade bag. I know, life changing goal right? You could pair this outfit with any black bag that you have or like. Even a clutch would look adorable with this outfit depending on your purse needs for that day. Lastly, how AMAZING are those sunglasses?? I'm in love. Now, not every face can pull off glasses that large without looking like a bug. If you have a smaller face than just choose a smaller size frame. Something like Ray Bans or even gold aviators.

What I want you to take away from this post (and any of my posts) is that there are a lot less rules in fashion then people think. The key is to figure out what you like and what looks good on your body. I know that figuring that out is difficult for some people, so please don't hesitate to contact me for help!

So, what color have you always wanted to wear head to toe but haven't?

Athletic Wear at It's Best

If you are anything like me you probably spend more time in yoga pants than you would like to admit. Part of that is due to actual time spent exercising, but a lot of it is just because getting dressed in the morning is exhausting with a toddler. Therefore, I've decided to put together a few outfits that will take you from the gym or just a comfy lounge-wear day, straight to the store or a casual lunch with friends. Athletic wear can completely be fashionable.

 For some of you this may feel like a lot of black, but that's what makes it so easy to transfer from the gym to running errands. Most of this outfit is actually from Target. Their Champion C9 brand is actually really great and cute. If you carry your weight in your bottom half don't be afraid of pants like these. The pattern isn't what makes your butt look big, the fit does. If you buy athletic pants that are too small the fabric will stretch and give that shiny see-through look that not only makes your rear-end look bigger, but it also makes your pants look cheap. You want athletic clothing to fit to point of not falling off but not overly tight. The pattern on these pants will actually work to camouflage (yep, I went there) extra padding on your booty. Solid fabrics in lighter colors are actually the styles you want to stay away from. The mixture of light and dark colors here works great. The tank with the built in sports bra and the cowl neck just adds a little bit of flare to what could otherwise just be a plain old sports bra and tank. It's also super flattering. You can't go wrong with a black pullover and a black hat, however you could always add a pop of color with a brighter colored hat though or bright shoes instead of the black ones from Champion. Neon shoes would be super cute with this outfit.

The next look will take you straight from yoga or a relaxing day at home to a casual lunch with your friends or a day shopping.

I love everything about this outfit. The LuluLemon sports bra gives a pop of color and style while the rest of the outfit is stylish and simple. These pants are great to either slip on after a workout or lounge about the house in. They are more of a fashion statement than just plain black yoga pants or sweats. You can pretty much never go wrong with a basic white tank. Just make sure it's not too thin because that will make it too see through. You could pair this outfit with classic black sneakers like this or with cute sandals or even sneakers like Converse, Keds, or Vans. If you wanted you could also put a simple light denim jacket with this too if you needed another layer.

So there you have it! Two ways to wear athletic wear and still look put together and fantastic. Who else wishes they had both of these outfits in their wardrobe right now?

New Post Coming!

Hi Friends,

There is new post coming tomorrow (hopefully) about flattering and stylish ways to wear active wear. I wrote the whole thing tonight and sadly, it didn't save. So, tomorrow I will rewrite it and hopefully it will not disappear on me again!

Thanks,

Ellie

Style Overhaul

I'm not sure if anyone has hung around while I took a much longer hiatus than I had originally planned, but if you did, hi! Most of the reason for my longer-than-planned hiatus was due to the fact that adjusting to life with a child, 2 jobs, a house to take care of, and a husband to hang out with was a little bit more all consuming than I had thought. The other reason is that with pregnancy came way more weight gain than I ever thought would happen. I honestly didn't know what to say about clothes any more because I felt like all of my ability to dress myself well went out the window with my post baby body. I had no idea what to do with myself. Eighteen months and 35 (almost 40) lbs later I feel like I'm getting my groove back style wise and I've been missing this blog more than I ever thought I would.

Dressing a body that doesn't feel like yours is very difficult. The weight isn't really the issue at all. If you don't feel like you at the size you are than finding your style is incredibly difficult. The stuff you used to love doesn't quite look right anymore, and buying clothes when you are working on losing baby weight (or any weight) is not something you generally feel like doing. However, through it all I've learned some lessons about great style.

The main thing I learned is that your size has nothing to do with great style. If you feel great, you will dress yourself well, and if you dress yourself well you will feel great. It doesn't matter what size you are, it matters how you feel in your clothes. The confidence you get from feeling unstoppable because of a great outfit is priceless (even though the great outfit probably wasn't).

The other thing I learned is that I need to purge my wardrobe. The first step is to just get rid of everything I don't feel great in, anything that doesn't fit, anything with holes or tears (even the most comfy shirt or sweats you've ever owned), anything I have too many duplicates of, and anything I haven't worn in the past 30 days (this specific rule doesn't apply to dresses that are meant for more special occasions... however I would keep those to a minimum. Only 1 or 2 special occasion dresses, just go for the classics!). This step has taken awhile and I am still working through it. I have already filled about 5 or 6 trash bags with clothes to donate and I'm pretty sure I am not done.

This purging of my closet will be leading to my own version of a project that my sister started a few years ago called 20 Pieces. My sister and her friend Julie pared their closets down to 20 pieces of clothing... Total. Yikes! My version will be 50 pieces of clothing... 50 felt more doable for me. Over the next 6 months I will continue to purge my closet and work on collecting classic pieces that are higher quality and are more versatile. When I get my closet worked out I will live for a year only shopping to replace if necessary. That part is going to be incredibly hard for me. I LOVE shopping.

Anyone feel like joining me on this journey to simplify your style and your life? During this I will talk about ideas to change up outfits that could otherwise get mundane with accessories and different styling options. Did I mention that i'm not counting my accessories in the 50? There is no way I could do that. I need my accessories... I need them. However, they do count in the no new purchases unless they need to be replaced rule.

Hope you guys join me again over here at Southern Creative! Once again, I apologize for the extra long disappearance... I will try very hard not to do that to you again. I promise.

New Posts Coming!!

Hey Y'all! 

Just wanted to let you know that things will be a little slow around here for the next few days. Working on some new posts now, but they are going slowly. I haven't disappeared again though! So far no one has played along with my last post... come on! 

Not abandoning you again,

Ellie

It's Your Turn

Awhile back I did a post where I had you pick what accessories you would pair with a certain outfit. For that post I only gave you the options of picking the shoes or the jewelry. Well, we're doing a new version of that today! This time it's your turn to put together the outfit. There are no wrong answers because everything on there somewhat works together so it's really based on your preferences. I want to see your own unique style shine through.

I picked a pair of red skinny jeans and now your job is to pick one item from each of the three columns to put together an outfit. Basically, pick your shirt, a pair of shoes, and what bag you would pair with the outfit. Don't think about anyone else's style. Just yours. What are you drawn to? If you're not the type of person who would wear red jeans then still have fun with it! I love colored jeans right now and can't wait to get a few pairs when the weather cools off and I can wear pants again.

So, have at it! You're the stylist for this post!


 

Tell me what you chose in the comments, I really want to know!

Trending Part 2

It may be two days after my first post on trending in some parts of the country, but in California it is still only a day later so I still kept my promise to get part 2 up!

1). Leopard Print Scarves: I saw this on the top 10 trending list and I thought "well, yeah!" I love leopard print in general, but leopard print scarves are just plain fun. The best part about them is that you can wear a super simple outfit and then put on a leopard print scarf and ta-dah! you're all glam'd up!
Behold:

This outfit on it's own is fine, but not super exciting. The scarf just adds a touch of glamour and print that spices up an otherwise ordinary outfit. That's the glory of leopard print. Just remember to use it sparingly. One piece of leopard print in an outfit is really all you need.  Wear to much of it and you'll look like Janice from Friends... Nobody wants that. 

2). Floppy Hats: This trend will make my sister very happy. To this trend I say, if you can pull it off, then rock it. Seriously. Not everyone can pull this look off, but if you're lucky enough to be able to do it than embrace that ability. 

Photo Credit: Nordstrom.com

Most of the time floppy, wide brimmed hats like this tend to be more of a spring/summer staple but you can do a fall/winter version of this as well. Look for felt and darker colors (or white). Generally stay away from straw if it's after summer. Also, watch the brim size or you'll look like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84eB2mHUBdU

3). Floral Dresses:  This is another trend that I feel neither love nor hate towards. Floral has its place for sure and it's great if the clothing fits you well and it's appropriate for the occasion. Here is a great way to wear floral:

Photo Credit: http://ragstostitchesblog.com

I LOVE this dress. The stripes at the bottom are my favorite. Floral can overwhelm but the stripes add texture and fun. Love the belt too. 

Here's how NOT to do floral:

Photo Credit: www.sheknows.com 

This is just bad. Way to much of a pattern and especially such a strong pattern. Also, one part is black underneath and the other is not... weird. 

So, as long as the floral pattern is not to intense and and you use it sparingly it's a good thing overall.

4). Army Jackets: This is another absolute love. I love army green and I love the casual aspect of these jackets. There are a ton of different styles that are still considered under the army jacket category so you can find the right one for you. The true army jacket style is really the best on guys, but you can wear more feminine styles of an otherwise masculine look. I have my eye on an anorak style army green jacket that I can't wait to get. Here is a great army jacket style for women.

Photo Credit: www.nordstrom.com

This look is casual but stylish. I love the dark jeans and the stripes with the simple jewelry. It's effortless but looks put together. It's also a great jacket when the weather is cool but not freezing. This is easy enough right?

5). Hidden Platforms: Just when you were thinking "this post is so mellow and calm and she seems to like everything..." we get to hidden platforms. I think I may dislike this trend more than any other. These shoes are hideous. Hideous I tell you! The platforms aren't hidden, they just look weird. Observe:

Photo Credit: www.hautelook.com

Can anyone else see the platform? Why do you need to wear sneakers that look like this first of all? I don't know about all of you but I'm looking forward to a swift end for this trend. 

There are some hidden platforms that are just fine because they aren't in sneaker form. A lot of pumps have a hidden platform in the toe which is a great thing because it brings the ball of your foot up a little higher so there isn't just a harsh angle on your foot. Embrace those hidden platforms (since they aren't really that hidden) and shun the sneaker form.

So, go forth and enjoy these trends (except for the last one!)! Most of them are just fine as long as they are done properly and they fit your unique body type well. Also, if you don't like a trend... don't wear it! If you don't like it, you won't wear it with confidence and it's not worth it. Trends are all well and good, but if you don't feel comfortable with it then it isn't for you.

Trending Part 1 *Warning: this is long!*

Today we're talking trends. The good, the bad, and the "what the what?!". I pulled these top ten trends off of Polyvore and from what I'm seeing in magazines and online they seem to be pretty accurate. We'll tackle five today and the other five tomorrow. Trends can be dangerous. You need to approach super trendy items the same way you should approach anything you wear. You have got to seriously ask yourself if it actually looks good on you, and if it doesn't, then put it down and walk away. Just because something is trendy doesn't mean it's universally flattering.

1). Marled Sweaters: I wasn't totally sure what the word "Marled" meant. I was pretty sure I knew just from looking at the sweaters themselves, but I wanted to make sure I was correct so I looked it up.

"The word marled means mixed colors or, often, slightly different shades of the same color. Specifically, marled fibers are fibers of different colors that are twisted together to produce an unusual look."

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_10019858_marled-cotton.html#ixzz2cYNIRvHj

This is a trend that I love. For the most part. Here's the rule though. The sweater itself still needs to be flattering. Just because it is trendy doesn't mean it's flattering. Recite that to yourself over and over as you go into the stores. Here's one of my favorite looks for this trend.

I love this sweater. I love the asymmetric hem and the different texture in the sleeves. This sweater gives that comfy oversize feel without actually adding bulk because it's got narrow sleeves and a thinner fiber. Just ignore her face because you would be much happier than she is in that sweater. 

Another great thing about this trend is that it has to do more with the fibers and the knit not the style so you can find a sweater in the right fit for you and still be on trend here. The thing to avoid with this trend is too big of a fiber. It can leave you looking like you stole your grandpa's sweaters... especially if your grandpa is Bill Cosby. Oversized is comfortable and can look cute, but don't over do it. 

2). Black Leather Skirts: This trend has been around FOREVER, and it can go quickly from classy like nobody's business to trashy as all get out. I'm not going to lie, I've always wanted a black leather pencil skirt. Those are gorgeous when done right! The key to black leather is length and quality. If it's short, tight, and looks like pleather than you look like... well.. you know.

Top Left: A-line skater skirt. I love this style in leather. Its cute factor makes it less edgy but still a little hardcore. I love it with the neon and softer hair and accessories too. It would also look adorable with tights and boots. If you don't have legs like hers, black tights will do wonders! It's amazing how thin and shapely your legs can look when you wear the right pair of black tights. 

Top Right: This is one great way to do the leather pencil skirt. Especially because it isn't skin tight. It makes it classier without being too oversized. Also, you really can't go wrong with a black well-fitting pencil skirt (leather or not) and a perfectly fitted black sweater. It's pure class. Her accessories give her a little edge, but not too much. This would also look great with tall black boots or pumps. You could even go crazy and pick a colored pump if you felt like it. Live a little! Have fun! 

Bottom: This is a good way to do a leather mini skirt. Notice how it's not stuck to her like spandex and doesn't look like plastic? It's got give and movement to it even though it's shorter. Once again, if you don't think you have the legs to pull it off, grab a pair of black tights and go forth and rock the leather skirt. The shoes she's wearing are VERY tricky to pull of. Especially with a short skirt like that. It could totally truncate your legs if you don't have the perfect ankles and thighs for this. Once again... black tights will save the day. Or pair it with (non slutty looking) black boots. You could also choose a pump that doesn't have an ankle strap, this will help to elongate your legs. 

Number one rule with leather: keep it classy y'all.

3). Tie-dye Denim: There are so many facets to this tie-dye denim trend, and to be honest I don't really care about it. It's not necessarily good or bad, it just is. Basically what I would say is the same with any other trend... make sure it fits you well! Nothing will look good on you if it doesn't fit and flatter well. For example:

These pants aren't necessarily bad, they're just not very flattering... Can you tell how little I care about this trend? Seriously, if you like it go for it... just make sure the pants fit well and you wear it with something that works better than what this girl chose. For example:

These pants are a much more flattering fit and her accessories work better with them. I also am much more interested in the color than in the first photo. I will tell you that I don't like the shirt she's wearing... it's also tie-dye denim and it's just over kill. It would have been much better with a plain denim shirt or a white chiffon flowy tank. 

So where do I land on this trend? Do it if you want, just do it well!

4). Asymmetrical Jackets: This is a trend I LOVE! Always have, always will. It just brings an interesting element to your clothes and a little bit of a rockstar edge. It's a really hard trend to do wrong and it's a really fun addition to a simple and classic outfit. The collar could be asymmetric or the hem could be or both!

See how simple this outfit is? When you have a few really fun pieces like this top and classic pieces like good black skinny (or straight legged) jeans it really requires no accessories. This top makes a statement so you don't need much of anything else. You could wear a simple bracelet if you wanted to, but I would keep it very simple. 

I'm in love with asymmetric leather jackets. I think everyone should own one. They are so fun and pretty and just make life better. This is a jacket that can be part of your actual outfit for that day not just something to keep you warm while you get where you need to go. It's gorgeous and simple with some edge thanks to that zipper (and the fact that it's leather). Pair this with some great dark jeans (or black!), any top that won't be too bulky under the jacket, and some boots and you're set. Once again, very little accessories needed. A big chunky scarf would look awesome with this jacket too if it's cold enough. Fun right?

Bored of your normal trench coat? Well say hello to this one. It's incredibly simple but the asymmetric hem adds a touch of interesting to an otherwise potentially boring jacket. Also, I love the hood. Hoods are my friends. 

5). Aviator Sunglasses: If you've read this blog at all you know my answer to this one. I LOVE AVIATORS!!! WEAR THEM!!! Seriously, aviators are good. I like them.  This is another trend that is very difficult to mess up. Just pay attention to your facial structure and pick your aviators accordingly. Like any pair of sunglasses, aviators come in slightly different shapes and sizes so you do have options.  There are literally a million different types of aviators you could look at, so pick what you like and what fits your face well.

My Little Secret

I really love makeup but I really hate spending $15+ dollars on it. That is mostly because I would rather buy a pair of boots or a new top and just buy the cheaper makeup. However, cheaper can be risky.

I saw E.L.F. makeup at Target and thought to myself "There is NO way that stuff isn't crap"... well it turns out I was wrong. I know a lot of people who like to buy super high quality make up and don't mind spending the money on it will probably have lots of reasons why I shouldn't use this brand or why it's so lame that I would buy that brand, but I don't really care because I like it and it's dirt cheap y'all.

So, if you are anything like me and have a hard time shelling out big bucks for make up then listen up because you will love me forever for this. I will say that I do spend a little bit more money on foundation or tinted moisturizers because I can have sensitive skin and cheap foundation can wreak havoc with my skin sometimes. I buy my foundation and tinted moisturizers at Sephora and just stick with the Sephora brand because it's cheaper but still works really well.

I haven't tried everything they have, and I probably won't try everything they have, but here's what I have tried and loved. The best part about this cosmetic line is that you can buy some new makeup just for fun and not feel bad if you don't end up using it very often.



1). This is my newest find and I love it. It's a lip exfoliator that smells like vanilla and really works. I use it at least once a day and my lips have shown huge improvement. My lips get really dry and this helps get rid of the dead skin so that my chap stick actually gets through. Also, it is $3. Yay!

2). I bought this one awhile ago and I don't use it all the time, but it's really nice to have with you when your make up needs a little pick me up towards the end of the day. It's got some shimmer to it so be careful how much you use it and where you use it. I put it on my cheeks and it makes them all nice and glow-y looking. This is only $1. Yep.

3). This is the first product I bought from E.L.F and I really liked it. This is an eyebrow pallet that doesn't make your eyebrows look heavy and too dark after it's put on. This is also $3.

So, there you go. My little secret. Now, go! Enjoy!