Breakfast at Target

It is Saturday morning and the time is 10:00 am. I throw on a chic outfit consisting of jeggings, an oversize sweater, some eye catching jewelry, black ballet flats, and of course my oversize sunglasses. I arrive at my favorite store and grab a tea from Starbucks to drink as I wonder the store. Sounds like its just out of a movie right? Well I am not in Manhattan and I am not outside of one of the most well known luxury jewelry retailers. But I am at my favorite store, spending some time alone, and enjoying my time in my “happy place.” What is this weekly ritual that I perform? Its my breakfast at Target. Not quite as upscale and glamorous and the movie, but its my own version that fits my lifestyle and opportunities.

A lot of the time I do not even buy anything. If I do it is usually some groceries or a fashion magazine- something inexpensive. But the point is that I am getting away from the world for awhile and doing something nice for myself. I believe that this is a great example of one of the themes that I am constantly trying to convey to my readers: fashion and fabulosity is not about spending a fortune. It is being happy and making it work for your budget and resources. And maybe one day I will shop at Tiffany’s and Barneys in Manhattan in between owning a fashion magazine and pursuing my other passions- well I can dream a bit, can’t I? But in the meantime, I am grateful to have my weekly trips to Target that bring a little brightness to my Saturday mornings.

Do What You Can Do

What we can take away from the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: that yes, everything right down to your panties should be as fabulous as you are! So stop putting yourself down for not having the body of an angel or not having a rock star boyfriend, and embrace what you can do. Whether you can afford the 2 million dollar bra that Miranda Kerr wore, or the 5 for $25 panty deal is more in your price range, buying beautiful and high quality bras and underwear will make you feel great!

The Good, the Bad, and the Excessive Shopping

The holiday season has officially begun, which means, “It’s the happiest season of all, there will be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow…hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near” according to Andy Williams. But for most consuming-obsessed Americans, it means it is time to hit the mall.

What was once a one day shopping ordeal, Black Friday, has now grown into a weekend long event. To retailers, Thanksgiving is now referred to as “Brown Thursday” and it marks the beginning to an exhausting and seemingly never-ending weekend of shopping deals and steals. Although this weekend provides discounts and sales to customers, making some expensive items affordable for the average middle class family, it also is creating unhealthy shopping trends.

Our new shopping habits are completely distracting us from the true meaning behind these holidays, as well as taking away from our time to appreciate family and tradition. When will consumers draw the line and choose to gather around their fireplace with good friends rather than standing outside in the freezing weather on Thanksgiving day, just to one of the first 50 in line at Walmart to be able to buy that flat screen TV that they have always wanted.

These forward statements may surprise some that know me well, for I love to shop and have always ventured into the crowded and overwhelming malls on Black Friday, but we have to practice our shopping habits in moderation. Why should we spend our entire Thanksgiving and holiday weekend in a store, when we could be reconnecting with friends, bonding with our family, and simply appreciating all of the things we already have to be grateful for?

Not to mention, our shopping habits are also affecting the holidays for people who work in retail. These employees, who are the overlooked heroes of the Thanksgiving holiday (other than our mothers who slave away in the kitchen), cannot enjoy the holiday with their family because they are being called to work by their bosses to prepare and cater to our country’s demanding shopping needs.

With our constant growing and revolutionizing society, I am afraid that it is safe to assume that these new “holiday traditions” are not changing, and in fact may get worse in the coming years. To mark the occasions, all we need now are some new Holiday songs by Beiber or JLo raving about the new products we bought and sleep we lost, all in preparation for the perfect holiday.

Fearless

"Being fearless isn't being 100 percent not fearful. It's being terrified- and jumping anyway."
- Taylor Swift

To Experiment, or Not Experiment, That is the Question

"Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it." 

This famous line from the movie Mean Girls tells us a lot about one of the most celebrated holidays in the country. Although the purpose is not always to dress in an overly exposing way, Mean Girls is right. The holiday is a night or weekend where you can dress in whatever you want and no one can say anything about it. It is an evening where you can dress up as your favorite Superhero, hot mess of a celebrity, or even favorite food, and no one will judge you for it.
With this thought in mind, I was shocked to hear a friend say recently that she does not like the idea of dressing up for Halloween, and she has never been able to "get into it." When I pursued this topic more, I learned that insecurities and fear were holding her back. She explained that she did not like the idea that "all eyes would be on her outfit for the evening."
On the other hand, I have feelings that differ strongly from this. I always look forward to Halloween as an evening where I can embrace my silly and adventurous side, and go for something new and interesting, without judgement. If I had my way, I would love the opportunity to dress up differently each day. Although I do try to incorporate costume-like ideas into my every wardrobe, for example hippie or flapper inspired accessories and outfits, wouldn't it be nice if we could experiment everyday without critical eyes watching us?
I simply found this conversation interesting; my night of experimentation is another girl's night of reservation. So where do you fall? Will you be dressing up as a simple cat, going all out as a seductive vampire, or are you going to dress up at all? My hope is that you pursue something new and have a light hearted spirit while doing it.

Boys, This One's For You!

It has been brought to my attention recently that there is an entire group of potential readers whose needs I have been ignoring: guys! It seems apparent to me that most young men know only a few ways to dress, which consists of Nike, Adidas, college gear, and the occasional tuxedo for formal events. But guys there are so many other options out there for you, and all at reasonable prices!
Not to say that you do not only owe it to yourself to invest in a few casual, non-athletic gear pieces, but you also owe it to the girls or the future girl that you will have in your life. Fact: it is offensive to wear sweats and a t-shirt on a date. Ladies take the time to make themselves look presentable and fashionable for you, therefore it is expected for you to do the same.
Maybe the problem is not that you mean to be offensive, but rather you are not educated. It is completely appropriate, and sexy, to wear nice jeans, a fitted v neck t-shirt, and fashionable athletic shoes when you are hanging out with a girl. Want to amp it up a bit? Wear a V-neck sweater for cooler days, a classic polo for hotter days, or a button down stripped shirt for the in between days. And the great thing about all of these options, is that you can wear them with nice jeans. By nice jeans I mean jeans that are somewhat slim fitting and tapered, no dad or carpenter jeans allowed, and preferably a dark wash. But if you have a more formal event to attend with your girl, you can also pair any of these options with a great pair of khakis and a pair of leather loafers or slip-ons.
As for shoes, boys, this is your time to shine! What shoes a man wears says so much about his personality. If you do wear athletic shoes, which is perfectly acceptable, they should be in proper condition: clean, interesting, and eye catching. Think Justin Bieber-esque high tops, hipster converses, or preppy Sperry's. Flip flops with socks is not hot, and will not keep your girl coming back for more.
Now that you know what to wear, you may wonder where you can buy these articles of clothing. Khols, Old Navy, and H&M are stores that constantly get in new merchandise that is affordable and durable.
By choosing to wear clothing that is a bit more formal than sweats that you can lounge in, you will impress your peers and get the girl of your dreams.

The Flapper Resurfaces

It is only September, but I am already tired of the neutrals, muted colors, and basics that are on trend for this fall. Therefore it was a pleasant surprise to see the photographs from the Spring 2012 fashion week that is currently going on. Not only do all of the bright colors, fun patterns, and the high energy excite me, but also the flapper inspirations that I have seen so far. Intricate beading, fringe, and drop wastes can be seen in a number of collections, such as Tory Burch and Marchesa, as pictured above. So it seems... that the flapper lives on!

Girl Crush

Anyone that knows me well, knows that my girl crush is Sarah Jessica Parker. This admiration stems from a love of her show Sex and the City, and also because of her sense of style. Her adventurous spirit, appreciate of fashion as a true art form, and risking taking attitude have made her "fashion royalty", so to speak. She is so beloved in the world of fashion, that Anna Wintor went as far to say that she should run for mayor of New York City. She says, "I'm fascinated to see what she will do next...SJP for mayor of New York? Why Not?" Not only am I also excited to see what she does next, but I am always excited to see what she wears next.

Optical Illusions

For those fashion skeptics out there, this post is dedicated to you. Don't think clothing can create illusions or dramatic changes? Doubt the importance of a strategically placed stripe or block of color? Do you think to yourself, clothing really cannot help me look and feel better? Well think again! Optical illusions can be found in many articles of clothing. By placing dark and light values in the right places and in the correct proportions, a simple dress can enhance a woman's figure. As seen below, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen are two fashion designers that have taken advantage of the benefits optical illusions through fashion.

10 Sexy Finds for Fall

In the near future, you are going to bombarded with lists from magazines, tv programs, and the Internet on what clothing and accessories to buy for the upcoming fall season. Of course, I wanted to compile a list as well, but to ensure a more unique experience for my readers, the items chosen are under $50 at the retailer listed, and are meant to make you feel sexy, feminine, and fierce. 

1. Animal print, skinny belt. Express.

2. Asymmetrical sleeveless blouse.  Showing a bit of shoulder has subtle and sophisticated appeal. Express.

3. Matching set of underwear. Go for lace and a feminine color. Only you will know you have it on under your clothing, but that secretive feeling makes it all that more sexy. Aerie.

4. Sparkly, thin headband. Forever 21.

5. Black lace camisole. Wear it alone, or layered with other pieces. It is a classic, must have staple. Old Navy, Victoria Secret.

6. Sheer details. Sheer details allow a bit a skin to be shown in multiple areas, it’s a classy kind of sexy. American Eagle.

7. Knee high leather boots. Choose good quality leather, faux preferably to avoid a trashy look. Old Navy, DSW.

8. Dark flare jeans. Pair them with a basic tee for a classic, girl next door appeal. Old Navy.

9. Convertible bra. Because the appeal of skin and shoulders should not be hindered by a bra strap that should be hidden. Victoria Secret.

 
10. Listerine whitening mouth wash. Simply put, there’s nothing sexier than a pearly white smile. Target, CVS.