inspire me: 24 july 2012

Absolutely in love with this picture! The gray, wetness of her dress is mind-blowing! Like a newly human mermaid.
Dominic Purcell & Annalynne McCord July 2012

The PVC pencil skirt with the exaggerated ruffle paired with the hot pink pumps give the outfit such a comic book feel. Hmm, could her clothing choice have anything to do with the event she was attending here?... I think so... *sigh* One day Comic Con, we will meet.
Jessica Biel at Comic Con July 2012

Something about those sleeves combined with the sheer fabric...as if to say, high fashion professor. Possibly, magazine editor. I think Miranda Priestly would approve.
Nina Dobrev June 2012

"If you only do what you know you can do- you never do very much."

Quote by Tom Krause

(I do not claim ownership to the photos in this post)

style & beauty tip of the day: balance with exaggerated garments

A major tip to looking stylish, fashionably knowledgeable, and simply fantastic is balance. 

Today's focus being, how to wear over-sized or exaggerated garments.

The key is simple...

When wearing an over-sized top or exaggerated/full bottoms, pair them with simple, fitted partners. Exaggerated paired with exaggerated calls to mind childhood memories of playing dress-up with Mom's clothing. Cute when you're four-years-old. Not so cute as an adult.

So remember...balance is key in fashion.

One of my absolute favorite style inspirations, Rumi Neely, in her classic, no fuss fashion.

The over-sized sweater is balanced by the fitted, simple jeans.

(Photo from Rumi's facebook page)

This gorgeous, exaggerated, full skirt works because it is balanced by the fitted, classic cut of the blouse.

Kim's exaggerated, full tops look chic and stylish because they are paired with simple, skinnies.

"Almost every wise saying has an opposite one, no less wise, to balance it."

Quote by George Santayana

the thin line: leggings

Most women, and many men, want to portray a high fashion style, but there is a very thin line between high fashion and, well, not high fashion.
So what is it that distinguishes celebrity actresses and super models from the rest of the world? Many would say it's because they are so much prettier than the rest of us so they make anything look good, but that couldn't be further from the truth-- as many non-models are just as gorgeous or even more gorgeous than those models we all admire. 

Then how do they stand out from the crowd? What makes them look so much greater than the majority of the world?
The details. It's all in the little details.

Are you now ready to leave the wannabees and cross over into that mysterious secret world of high fashion?

Here's your first stop on the treasure map to becoming a head turning, off-the-runway super model.

High fashion legging style vs wannabee high fashion leggings

In fashion, we are constantly trying to elongate and thin the look of the woman's body. Leggings have been huge the last few years, and if worn right, they accomplish the elongating and thinning quite nicely.

What makes this first look so much more high fashion than the second photo?
It's the legging length. High fashion legging looks have hems that extend all the way down to at least the ankles and has continuous flow into the style and color of the shoe. For a high fashion legging look, have the hems actually touch the shoe tops or continue into the shoe and wear leggings and shoes that are the same color. This elongates the legs, and allows for fewer horizontal divides across the body. A well known secret in the styling world is the fewer horizontal divides you have, the longer and then you look. Horizontal divides tend to break up the flow of the body giving it a shorter, more squaty look. So leave the capri leggings for your trips to the gym.

Picture one: The leggings extend to the ankles, and the strappy look of the shoes reflects the gathered texture of her leggings, allowing for seamless flow from thigh to toe. Whoa Mama, High fashion!

Picture two: Capri leggings? Is she wearing heels with these because she forget her flip flops after yoga class or something? 

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Now here are some legging YES'S!

In this one, the leggings extend all the way past the ankles touching the tops of the shoes. YES!

Here the hems of her leggings go entirely into her boots, allowing for a seamless transition through the legs and feet. And its always a bonus when the color of you leggings matches your shoe color. 

Doesn't she look cute?

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Now for some legging NO-NO's!

Capri leggings with a dress? I may have to slap someone! :-D
Not to mention, the lace arm warmer's adding even more horizontal cuts to the body. This outfit is a definite NO, and oh heck, NO!

The capri leggings, the low fitting belt...makes her legs look about 2/3's of their actual length, giving a dwarfed look to her body .

Never ever wear ankle reveling leggings with dresses that are longer than mid-thigh. When wearing a dress it is always a safer bet to wear actual pantyhose or footed tights. 

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Now for the proper way to wear capri length leggings.

For yoga on the beach... Yes!

For lounging around the house? YES!

For jogging in the park? Absolutely!

Now, go get your high fashion on!!

"Make-up can only make you look pretty on the outside but it doesn't help if your ugly on the inside. Unless you eat the make-up."

Quote by Audrey Hepburn

awesome outfit day: on the prairie...

Going slightly western for my lunch date with my old girl, Persci Love. Super rainy day, so wearing boots spurred the entire outfit. Pun intended. :-P (Striped, corseted, strapless dress that was a $5.00 steal, yes I said $5.00, in Orlando years ago; vintage find blouse, one of my favorite Body Shop rings, which broke that day :-( ; Three-tiered, feather necklace from my Rehcy by Anna Maria line, check out my accessory shop here; Ebay bought, vintage Capezio boots; and thrift shop bought, leather belt, an absolute favorite of mine!)
(Photos in this post owned by me)

"Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant."
Quote by Socrates