How To: Change Your Look With One Simple Step

Today I wanted to show how shoes can transform an outfit. On a day when you have multiple things going on, you don't want to have to change. Wearing a simple outfit that can work for both casual and more dressed up occasions, and just switching shoes is an easy way to get through your day.

Top: Wal-Mart // Pants: Target // Shoes: Payless // Sunglasses: Rue 21 // Bangle: Wet Seal // Bracelet: JewelMint // Watch: Betsey Johnson

For the first set of pictures, I was going to visit my nephew at his elementary school for a presentation he had. Rolling up my pants and wearing blue flats makes this outfit a colorful, laid-back look.

Shoes: Forever 21

 Afterwards I had interviews at a couple places, so I changed into my pink heels. The pink pops against my teal pants and it's a great way to remain looking casual, but still look chic and fashion-forward. 

One Pair of Pants: Two Ways

The other day Karen gave me a bunch of her old clothes, including a pair of "jeggings". This is my first real pair (aside from my corduroy jeggings) so I thought they would make a good multi-wear post.

The first is my casual wear. Since they are ultimately leggings, jeggings are super comfortable. I paired them with a sweater and flats for a pj's-in-public-esque outfit for going to the salon with my mom Saturday morning. 

Jeggings: Wet Seal // Sweater: Wet Seal // Tank: Wet Seal // Shoes: Payless // Bracelet: JewelMint // Watch: Betsey Johnson

 Later that night, I had a bachelorette party to go to, so I used this opportunity to show how you can dress up jeggings. Skinny jeans are great for a going-out-but-still-dressy look, and with jeggings, it's even easier to get into them! Plus, when mixed with boots, you can barely tell they're jeggings.

Jeggings: Wet Seal // Tank: Wet Seal // Jacket: Forever 21 // Boots: From Karen // Bracelet: JewelMint // Watch: Betsey Johnson

How do you normally wear your jeggings? Dressed up or casual?

How To: Easy Pattern Mixing

Shirt: Garrett's from urban Outfitters // Skirt: Thrifted // Belt: Thrifted // Shoes: Payless // Ring: Brash // Bracelet: JewelMint // Watch: Betsey Johnson

For those who love the pattern-mixing trend but are unsure of where to start, this is a great example of how to do it. Mixing a floral skirt with polka-dotted shoes is a great combo and it's not so in our face. Tie in a matching belt and a neutral(ish) shirt and you are good to go! 

Today's Outfit

Coat: Candie's // Pants: H&M // Boots: Kmart // Sweater: Target // Tank: H&M // Hat: H&M // Glasses: Ray-Ban // Necklace: Tiffany's

How to get out of a fashion slump without spending money:

1. Put on an item of clothing you haven't worn in a long time.

I haven't worn these pants in I can't even remember how long. They are a perfect in-between  regular and colored jeans. And they are super comfy!

2. Add color.

Nothing freshens up an outfit like some color. Especially now that it's officially winter and dull outside most days (unlike today).

3. Spice up your make-up.

I'm usually a minimalist when it comes to make-up, but when I do wear lip stick, it's normally red. Today I grabbed my bright pink to match my sweater.

4. Top it off.

I love love love hats, but I don't wear them too often. So when I do, it can be a real pick-me-up.

I'm pretty happy this slump didn't last very long. I found some clothes I haven't worn in a really time, which is amazing because most of them ended up in the Goodwill bags. One of my New Year's fashion goals was to work more with what I have and go shopping less. (I know, I have a lot of different categories of New Year's goals.) Although, I don't know how I'm going to survive all winter. It's only 4 degrees outside!

Menswear: Stylish Made Easy

In honor of Garrett's birthday, I am doing another menswear post!

Shirt: Izod, Sweater Vest: Izod, Jeans: American Eagle, Shoes: Converse

Dressing your man (or men, dressing yourself!) like this is so much easier than you think it is! Usually, men are turned off by the amount of effort you have to put into an outfit, not the actual style. (Of course there are exceptions!)

Tips For Easy Styling

1. Make sure the sweater vests are in colors that he likes to wear/make him look good. (This would be done during the shopping trip.) Garrett has beautiful dark, green eyes so wearing a deep purple like this really compliments his eyes. Men may not think this technical, but if it makes him look good, he'll wear it.

2. Have a couple plain white button-down shirts to wear under the sweater vests. While mixing and matching colors and patterns may be fun for us, most guys aren't into spending the time. White button-down shirts look great under any colored sweater vest. That way, he can just grab one without thinking too much.

3. Keep it casual/comfy with jeans. Once he puts on khakis or slacks, it starts getting too dressy. Pairing the button-down and sweater vest with jeans will keep the "everyday" wear look, and he'll be happier being comfy.

4. Finish off the look with fashionable tennis shoes. I'm a very big fan of converse. On men and women. They are timeless and make any outfit look instantly casual cool. I own three pairs myself. It took me a while to convince Garrett to wear them, but once he did, it completed all his outfits perfectly.

Now ladies, go into the world and start dressing your men! Or just ask them to try this out. Questions? Comments? Concern? I'd love to hear from you!

Menswear: How To Take Him Shopping

For my first Menswear post, I waned to start with the most challenging part. Shopping. When we (we being women) hear that glorious word, our ears perk up and we start envisioning our wishlist and needs list, we start counting how much money we have in our bank account, and figuring out how far we can push our financial limit. Personally, I can spend the whole day in the mall, going from store to store, trying on clothes, debating, comparing, the works. (This is why I normally shop alone!)

However, when men hear the word "shopping", the standard reply is

"Bah! Shopping."

The only thing worse than shopping to a man, is having a girlfriend/fiance/wife/etc dragging him shopping. But you want your man to look good, right? Or maybe he just really needs some new clothes. How do you get him to go shopping without dragging his feet? After asking Garrett for his thoughts on the subject, I came up with a few tips/ideas to make the experience less painful.

"Tips and ideas...ooooh reeeeally?" :)

Make a list beforehand

Figure out together what he wants and what he needs. Order them by priority (needs first, strong wants next, etc). Once you're there, only buy the things on the list! (Unless he's feeling optimistic, then fully take advantage of that!)

Make the entire trip about him

Usually guys don't like shopping because they hate following their significant others into all the women's only stores. I don't blame them! I'm bored every time I walk through Dick's Sporting Goods or Gander Mountain. Dedicate the shopping trip to just him. Don't look around for stuff for yourself. He'll be more motivated to go.

No means no

If he doesn't like something on the hanger, ask him nicely to try it on. If he still doesn't like it, even if you do, don't push it. You wouldn't want him forcing you to wear something you didn't like or feel comfortable with. Let it go or he'll end up resenting it, and possibly you.

When he says he's done, be done

Even if you didn't get everything on the list, if he wants to leave, leave. Appreciate that you got as far as you did and thank him for being a good sport. Hopefully, he'll start to see that shopping doesn't have to be that bad and will gradually be able to last longer next time.

Make it a challenge!

If he gets everything on the list, give him a reward! A video game, dinner on you or even as simple as his pick for the movie. You could even promise that the next time you go shopping, he doesn't have to come!

Remember to compliment him on everything he gets. Guys like to be told they look good too!

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other ideas or suggestions! I'd love to hear from you!