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!

Is It Fall Yet?

I don't think it's any surprise to those of you who have been reading my blog since the beginning that I love Fall. I love pumpkin, I love boots, I love not being hot when wearing clothes, I love sweaters, I love scarves, and I love dresses with tights... just to name a few things about Fall that I love. Sadly, I live in Southern California which is basically code for "no fall for you!" It's sad, and something I whine about every single year about this time. My husband is from western North Carolina and so now not only do I have to live with the fact that I don't really get Fall, but I have to put up with hearing about how gorgeous it is and how the leaves are turning gorgeous shades of red and yellow and the weather is changing and it's crisp and cool and blah blah blah... Also it means that my poor husband has to put up with Southern California's lack of a Fall after spending his whole life in North Carolina and Virginia before moving out here. At least I don't really know what I'm missing!

I have hope this year once again that we will have Fall. I am NOT giving up. I will never give up. Here's my reasoning: For starters, usually around this time of year it is over 100 degrees outside consistently. This year, it is not. It was early on in June and July, but that was about it. I have decided that this means that Southern California has decided to not torture us all with a 6 month summer, but let us gradually slip into that most glorious of seasons in September like most of the country does. I know, I know you all think I'm crazy but I will not give up hope! I am hopeful that by the time my daughter comes in September that we will no longer have 80 degree days and we will start to see the leaves and the air changing. Is this starting to sound like an "I Have a Dream" speech? I'm telling you, I really love Fall!

So, now that you know how deeply passionate I am about Fall, you can also understand how deeply passionate I am about Fall clothing. It really is just the best. Most the time it doesn't require big heavy coats that are annoying when you are going in and out of stores running errands, and usually it means apple pie... oh wait, that doesn't have to do with clothing... but still, I feel it's important. I've put together a little teaser to make you all want Fall weather as badly as I do.




How gorgeous and easy is this? Anyone can put this look together as long as you have classic pieces. I know those tights might be a little too funky for some people's taste, so if you prefer just simple black tights then go for it! I just thought they were fun and added a little unique detail to the outfit. If you are still under the belief that black and brown don't go together, then you are just wrong and should move past that belief and embrace the fact that black and brown (especially black and paler tones of brown) are glorious together and super classy.

When working with simple and classic pieces you can throw in little bits of personality if you want. I put in the leopard belt because I love leopard print and I love how the belt is still muted and not overwhelming, but adds a bit of fun detail. You could totally use a brown belt or not wear a belt at all depending on the style of black dress you have.

Note on dress length: If you are 50 and over it's probably best to keep the dress knee length. If you are wearing heeled boots with it you could even go just below your knee (not with flat boots though!). It also depends on the height of your boot. You don't want the top of the boot shaft and the hem of your dress to meet in this situation.

If you are under 50 and comfortable with it you could go mid thigh to knee length on your dress. Just use your best judgement on what is too short and too tight (that goes for all of you!!). This outfit could go from classy to trampy pretty quickly if you wear a dress that is too tight or too short (or worse, both!).

So, in closing... Keep it classy Southern Creative readers, keep it classy.

Be honest, how many of you wish it was cool enough to wear this outfit now?

Would Somebody Please Just Hug Miley Cyrus...

Well, I'm pretty sure I already failed on my promise to you to try and write 3 times a week... yes. I definitely failed on that.

Today I am making a public service announcement. PANTS ARE NECESSARY PEOPLE! Please please please do not attempt to follow in the footsteps of a certain starlet on the verge of a breakdown (*cough**cough* Miley Cyrus).

The pantsless-ness must stop. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD MAKE IT STOP! Maybe she suffered some sort of brain injury that makes her think that she's Pink now, not Miley Cyrus... yes, maybe that's it. I don't know when diaper-like fuzzy "shorts" became an acceptable alternative to pants but she doesn't stop there. It just keeps getting worse. WARNING: these pictures are frightening.

The first time I saw her in her new ever pantsless state was on the Today Show or Good Morning America or something like that. She was wearing the white fuzzy diaper dealy with thigh high black stiletto boots... Thigh high boots are also NOT PANTS. This other version of her pantsless performance wear has dropped the pretense of wearing shorts that are really not shorts and has gone full on underwear with thigh high boots and a weird jacket. I don't understand. Can someone help me?

There are endless pictures of her pantslessness which allowed me to discover that this problem began before she shaved her hair all off and decided she was no longer going to be "wholesome" because that's just not her anymore. I thought it came after the hair... I guess you ditch your pants first and then do your hair to match your now "edgier" look.

I've never been a Miley fan because I've never seen any real talent come out of her, but what is really bothering me now is that this girl is on the edge of a break down and nobody seems to care. They all praise her for her "transformation" and "being true to herself" but nobody has sat down and said "Sweetheart, do you need a hug?" Have you listened to her latest song? If you haven't, don't. It's incredibly sad to see her new self and watch her try desperately to convince herself and the world that she's ok. Sadly, these are some of her less scandalous and borderline porn star looks she's worn over the past year.

Miley, if you can't bring yourself to put pants on in the morning it's ok... we've all been there. However, it would probably be best to muster the strength to do so before you perform on national television. Just sayin'.

I bring all this to your attention to remind everyone that pants are not optional (unless of course your nether regions are covered by a dress or skirt... and I mean actually covered!). Do you hear me? NOT OPTIONAL!

You're Still Here?

I can't believe any of you are still here! Thanks for stopping by even when I fail to write for 4 months. Seriously. Thank you!

I've made it one of my goals to write 4 days a week until the baby comes, and then we'll see what I can muster. So, with that said, what do you want to know? We haven't done a Q&A in awhile, so I thought that help to give me some ideas since right now clothes are my arch nemesis. Let's just say being just about 8 months pregnant in the California heat of July is not making me a happy camper. It's only going to get worse around these parts so I'm just trying to find some clothes that fit me and don't make me feel claustrophobic. I have an idea! To all of my readers who have been pregnant during the summer, what did you wear? I would be especially interested to hear what you wore if you carried your baby really low like I am. I'd love to hear what you wore and what you did to survive summer!

I have never been an every day dress wearer, so it's hard for me that the things that seem to work the best are dresses. I miss pants. I really do. We will have a sweet sweet reunion after the heat subsides a bit and this super active little munchkin is finally here.

So, ask lots of questions and if you've been pregnant in the summer tell me how you survived! We'll get this train rolling again, I promise!

Real Beauty and Real Insecurity

*Disclaimer: This is not a political/ethical statement about Dove or any of its parent/sister companies. I am not addressing what Dove as a company supports or the ingredients they use in their product. Please do not go into that in the comments of this post. Let's just keep this encouraging and focused on the point. Real beauty.

About a week ago Dove posted a promo video for their "Real Beauty" campaign that showed a few different women describing themselves to an artist who couldn't see them. Then the artist had another woman from the group (and one guy) describe that same woman so he could sketch a second picture. It was designed to show that what most women see when they look in the mirror is not what other people see. This seems like a very universal truth. For the most part, I don't know a single woman who sees themselves accurately. I don't know a single woman who doesn't see at least 10 "flaws" when they look at themselves in the mirror. Most of these flaws they see are invisible to everyone else, and as Dove was trying to portray, these flaws don't only not exist, but they are seen as something beautiful by another person.

We as a culture (and maybe a gender) are professional flaw finders. We can look at something and find at least one flaw in its make up in about 5 seconds. This video was unfortunately not immune. What was meant to be a statement about how women are more beautiful then they think they are, and an encouragement for women everywhere to see their unique qualities as something beautiful that sets them apart and makes them uniquely them was analyzed and made out to be something that was saying that only blonde, thin, 20-40 something women are beautiful (this was done by some, definitely not all).  It broke my heart a little bit when I saw that kind of reaction. Sure, maybe Dove could have used more ethnically diverse women or older women or heavier women, but I think if we focus on that flaw in the video we are missing the point entirely. The point is that even women who we see as flawless (i.e. too perfect to be part of a campaign for "real women"), see themselves as deeply flawed when it comes to their appearance. We watch that video and think "none of these women have anything to be insecure about" or "this isn't a good 'cross section' of the ethnic diversity in America and the world", and we are just perpetuating the need for these kind of campaigns. Why do we think we can look at a woman and say "she has no reason to be insecure"? Who gave us the ability to see into a person's deepest hurt and insecurity?

I think it's safe to assume that all women could benefit from this. If you have problems with the ethnicities of these women, then get passed it and put yourself in the situation these women were put in. Don't put up the wall of deciding this isn't worth listening to. How would you describe yourself? How do you think other women would describe you? I think you'd be shocked to see the difference.

We may never be "perfect" but who decides the definition of perfect anyway? What you may see as a flaw, other women envy. I think that says something about our beliefs that there is a certain measurable standard of beauty. We have bought into the lie that being rail thin, blonde, having perfectly thick and shiny hair, long shapely legs, perfect arms, and a flat stomach is the final stamp of approval for beauty. Who made that decision and why are we listening to them? Why are we wasting precious hours of our lives striving to be physically perfect when lets face it, according to that standard, time is working against us and it's going to win. Why not embrace our body's God-given design and strive to live our lives in a healthy, vibrant, and joy-filled way. How much more time would we have for other's if we stopped spending so much time with our insecurities?

If you haven't seen the video, you can watch it here.  Keep in mind, real women come in all shapes, skin colors, and ages. Including the one's we may think are two thin to be "real".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaOjMXyJGk

All in all, I think Dove deserves applause for at least attempting to portray real women in their commercials and to spread a message that women in our world desperately need. Child, you are more beautiful than you think.

No One Can See Your Tag.. Just Buy Clothes That Fit.

I was going through my clothes the other day in order to decide what I really need to get rid of and what I want to keep for post baby. This is when it hit me. Almost none of my clothes are the same size. None!! Since High School my pants sizes have ranged from a size 6 to a size 12 depending on the brand. Dresses range from size 2 to size 12, and I don't even want to talk about how different my skirt sizes are. So in order to keep my sanity, this is my new mantra when it comes to buying clothes: "No one can see your tag, so just buy clothes that fit." In other words, we have to let go of our preconceived notions about what size we should be because that is an impossible number to attain. Sizes change from designer to designer and sadly, from one pair of pants to another. Because clothes are sewn, they can be sewn differently each time.

Alas, we just have to try things on and try them on and try them on. Don't worry about the size! It doesn't mean you've gained weight, and sadly sometimes it doesn't mean you've lost weight. I struggle with this every time I go shopping (not so much now because I have this large belly situation going on for awhile longer!), and it is totally understandable. However, you can either spend your life freaking out over what size you think you are or should be, or you can make a decision to buy clothes that fit regardless of what the tag says. Why should the tag matter? If you are healthy, happy, and confident then get clothes that fit and walk out of that store with your head held high because your worth has nothing to do with what that tag says anyway.

Who wants to join my "who cares what that tag says" club?

The One Where I Attempt to Help You Feel Better In Your Clothes During the Early Stages of Your Pregnancy.

I've been thinking about how I would write about pregnancy fashion since I'm now trying to figure out how to dress my new shape without buying an entirely new wardrobe. It's not easy! I'm just under 4 months along so I'm finally getting to the point where my belly looks like a pregnant belly instead of a chubby belly, but it's still not quite formed enough for me to be super comfortable in everything. Can any of you other pregnant or formerly pregnant ladies relate to the feeling that maternity clothes don't quite work yet and normal clothes are just about not working either? I'm sure you've wondered the same thing "If these clothes don't fit... and these clothes don't fit... WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO WEAR?!?!" Especially since people frown on nudity in public.

I decided instead of telling you what to wear, I would tell you a couple things that have gotten me through the first few months where most people are still giving you the "Is she pregnant or does she just really like cake..." look.

1). H&M: Once again, this gem of a store comes through. The only downside to H&M is that their normally small sizes don't change at all for maternity. I am actually the exact same size in maternity pants that I am in normal pants there. So, if you already know you fit in their pants (which i'm telling you, don't feel bad if you don't because I'm pretty sure their designers do the majority of their sketches using stick people) then you will fit just splendidly in their maternity pants. Even in maternity pants I have the problem with the waist being to big in order to fit my thighs right but I'm coming to terms with my lot in life... i.e. constantly pulling up my pants.

The maternity section (atleast in Temecula) is very small and doesn't have a huge selection so you won't be able to find everything you need there but it's still pretty cheap and has some cute things. It's also in the same section as the baby clothes, which is just rude. How am I supposed to not buy baby clothes when H&M is flaunting them in front of me like that?

I discovered yesterday that H&M's tank dresses (they look like uber long tank tops) might possibly get me through being pregnant in the Southern California heat this summer. Them, and the beach. I always assumed they would be about mid thigh length and something only to be warn over leggings, but I bought one yesterday and tried it on and it's actually almost knee length and thick enough to be worn on it's own. Unless you are one of those sick people who stays their tiny size zero self even with a baby belly *cough cough* my sister in law *cough cough*, it's definitely a "wait until your belly really pops out" piece of clothing. I am almost to the point where I could wear it comfortably and not be concerned that people think I've just got a food baby. Nevertheless, it's beyond comfortable.

2). Target: Target has finally figured out how to make women feel better about themselves when trying on pants... but only if your pregnant. Target's sizes are notoriously odd when it comes to pants, but they are awesome when it comes to maternity pants. I found two pairs of jeans there both in a size smaller than I had been wearing before I got pregnant. Nobody say a word about how they probably oversize those because I like the world i'm living in. They don't have a ton of options, but they have some good capris. I'm tempted by the mint green ones every time, but I figure I probably don't need another pair of pants I won't be able to wear after the baby comes. Who knows what I'll feel like wearing when the next baby rolls around! The other great buy at Target is their maternity leggings. They are super comfy because they have the belly band that doesn't cut off all circulation to your upper extremities like normal waste bands do now.

So, those are my two non-maternity only stores that are cheap and convenient and don't make you feel like the frump monster. Any maxi dress (with stretch) is also fantastically wonderful now that the weather is warming up here (hang in there the rest of the country!). Also, I think I'll be buying several different swimsuit coverups that aren't see through and existing primarily in those and bathings suits while i'm at home during the summer. Sound like a plan?

I hope this helps some of you who are also in the early stages of pregnancy. I'll post more on pregnancy stuff as my pregnancy progresses, but remember that your style itself doesn't need to change because your pregnant. It may just take some tweaking to make it work with that lovely bump that is now protruding from your abdomen.

3 Styles That Never Looked Good and Never Will... So Just Stop.

There are just some styles that never should have made it beyond the sketchpad, but unfortunately they did and they subjected our bodies to horrible, horrible things. The worst part is that we thought most of these horrific styles had, for the most part, finally let us dress in peace... we were wrong. They're back!! You may have noticed that lately some people have started to look like a somewhat strange mash up of 80's, hippie, bohemian, punk. Don't get me wrong, I love eclectic, but eclectic doesn't work when your clothes are not flattering. Let's take a journey through the land of styles that will make you want to scratch your retinas out. I promise, it'll be fun!

1). High Waisted 80's Shorts:

Seriously. Has this look EVER been flattering? Who brought it back and why do they hate women? I know it's "the thing" right now, primarily with high school girls and early college age women, but that doesn't make it right. I am not opposed to all high-waisted shorts necessarily, some are cute. I am, however, opposed to high-waisted shorts that create the dreaded camel-toe, emphasize lower stomach area pooch (even if you don't normally have it, you will in these shorts), and probably the worst of all... the under-butt cleavage. You all know what I mean, and you know it's bad. I left the butt cleavage out of the examples... no one needs to see that. The girls in these photos are all thin and could probably pull off any look, and yet... they all look awful. And a little hunched over, or stuffed in. Please make it stop.

2). Leggings as Pants:

I would have thought that we would have learned our lesson about leggings with stirrup pants, but apparently we didn't. Well, at least we learned that leggings that some how floated off your legs and then strapped around your feet were a bad idea. I am definitely not opposed to leggings as a whole cause I think they have a definite place in our wardrobes, but that place is not as your sole means of covering your lower extremities. Solving this problem is as simple as wearing a tunic style shirt over leggings instead of a regular t-shirt or one of those square-ish cropped shirts. Wear them under a dress that is maybe a little to short or it's a little to cold outside for said dress. Wear them under those fun cute stretchy tube skirt things at H&M that are about 5 bucks. Seriously, cheap, versatile, cute, and they don't allow us to see a hint of skin under your leggings.

The photo in the middle is actress Olivia Wilde, no one will argue that homegirl is in great shape... however, even she can't pull this off.  Once again, the dreaded camel-toe raises its ugly head. The last photo is a great example of how to wear leggings and look adorable. You can thank me now for the photos I spared you from. Also, leggings with cutouts are even less pants than normal leggings.

3). Linebacker shoulder pads:

You may not believe me, but those giant angled shoulder pads are attempting to make a comeback. They have been showing up on runways and I'm scared. Hopefully, this will be one of those comebacks that never really leaves the runways and the Kardashians. We can only hope. I don't think I really need to explain to you why oversized shoulder pads are a bad idea. Do I? Let's just say, it may make your waist look smaller, but only at the expense of your shoulders.  For some odd reason not only are shoulder pads in general made a comeback, but they've come back as their futuristic cousins that are meant to be some sort of cheese-ball alien movie. Why do they now have points?!

Some shoulder pads are actually acceptable and somewhat helpful if you have small or narrow shoulders that don't fill out a tailored suit jacket or suit dress. Just a slight shoulder pad can help to balance out your tiny shoulder woes, but don't get crazy. None of these are good examples by the way. I'm too scared of the pointy shoulders to put a good example up here, they might kill it.

So there you have it. The top 3 looks that have never looked good and never will so please just stop. So what about you? What styles do you wish would just stop?

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?