Live Colorfully!

What's a girl to do when the sun is shinning and the weather is as lovely as it has been in the Northeast this spring? Dress fearlessly in color of course! Take a look at Kate Spade for some bright inspiration and live colorfully as they would advise.

Stylish Spaces

When I moved into my compact and cramped freshmen dorm room, I had to do my best to organize all of my items in the limited space that I was given. At the time, I had recently bought tall rain boots and could not find a place to store them. That's when my grandmother said to me, "They're interesting enough to display like art. Why not arrange them on top of your wardrobe instead of hiding them away somewhere."

That moment is when it clicked in my mind, why not display my treasured accessories and jewelry pieces like art and give them the attention they deserve. Below are pictures from a website called the coveteur; we can take hints from them as to how to beautifully display are fashion items amongst every day items to decorate our spaces.

Show off all your special items- Award, handbag, and shoes.

For simplicity, work with neutral colors- Shoes, handbag, books, artwork, lamp.

Mix quirky items with luxury items such as a crocodile and jewels.

This oozes with sophistication- soft pink roses, heels, and art books.

Play with different textures- flowers, candles, books, a clutch, and a jewelry box.

photo credit: the coveteur, the coveteur, the coveteur, the coveteur, the coveteur

Fashionable Living: Trendy Travels

Traveling: it is the one time when I know many of us fashionistas go straight for comfort and throw any sense of style out the window. Here are a few pointers to ensure your next trip is both comfortable and chic, spring break anyone? 

A simple outfit such as skinny jeans and a button down is simple but very polished. Look for an oxford shirt with some stretch and pair it with flats. Perfect for a day of shopping or sight seeing. 

How effortlessly cool is this outfit for spending a day in a new city?  Wear it with flats or cute Ked sneakers for walking purposes and transition it to night time activities some festive jewelry. 

This is a great outfit to wear on a plane. A simple t-shirt, blazer or cardigan, and slouchy pants are all relaxed and comfortable. The eye catching sandals, feminine hair do, scarf, and handbag add a personal touch to this outfit.

A cross body bag is essential for any trip. It keeps your hands free and provides storage.

An oversize sweater and scarf are perfect to snuggle with on your train ride or flight. She is comfortable but also ready to take on the next adventure.

Wearing your hair up or out of your face or a half up/half down style looks sophisticated, is durable, and fashionable for practically any event.

photo credit: pinterest, pinterest, pinterest, pinterest, pinterest, pinterest

Something New

Timid, apprehensive, and frankly, whimpy are a few adjectives I would use to describe my attitude towards being adventurous or trying something new. And it was not until this past weekend when I went snowboarding that I was reminded of the exhilarating pleasures of discovering a new interest.

I full heartedly believe that one of the best sensations we get to experience as humans is beginning a new venture and discovering that we love it! Of course, there are times when taking the plunge does not work out well, but when it does, it is so spectacular that it outweighs all of the other past experiences.

So how can one take this experience and become more stylish because of it? Simply try new things and have an open minded attitude about it. If the experience seems to be less than fulfilling, do not sulk in negativity. But grasp every bit of energy and bask in the new outlook that you gain from the invigorating adventure.

An additional plus, new activities provide opportunities for dressing up in new fashions. For example, bright and fun winter gear for snowboarding, an alluring and demur wide rimmed hat for beaching while traveling to new and exotic islands, or feminine and sophisticated accessories for meeting someone new. One can take these new fashionable endeavors and incorporate them into their routine as well. In every way possible, take advantage of all opportunities and allow them to inject some new energy and style into life.

photo credit: pinterest

A Bracelet Tradition

It began June of 2010- the greatest summer I have experienced to date. Having just graduated from high school, my friends and I were set to have a memorable summer filled with late nights, new experiences, and overall crazy and nostalgic teenage fun. When the summer began to wind down, I realized that I had been wearing three bracelets the entire season. The first was pale pink with silver hardware attached and it was from American Eagle. The second one was several tan braided ropes, also with silver hardware and from American Eagle. The third was a silver bracelet with white details that was a gift. All throughout my time spent in the ocean during beach trips, running over fields while playing flag football, and even when my wrist was held over fires to roast marshmallows, my faithful bracelets remained intact on my sun kissed wrists.

When September rolled around and it was time for me to leave for college, these three bracelets filled with memories still did not come off my wrists. Eventually I took them off because I realized that I was beginning a new adventure by starting my college experience and I did not want to be stuck in the past. But I still have these bracelets and look at them often to be reminded of the pure and youthful bliss I experienced that summer.

Since that summer, I have kept up with this tradition, even buying new bracelets to commemorate spring break trips and other fun experiences.

So here is my suggestion: if you have adventurous or interesting opportunities coming up (spring break for college students), invest in a bracelet to wear throughout the entire experience. I have come across stylish and inexpensive bracelets at stores such as Nordstrom (pictured above), American Eagle, H&M, and Forever 21. I would even recommend wearing it for the entire spring season to remind yourself of the energy you felt during that time and to allow that energy to be infused into everything you do for the rest of that season. By the end, you will have a fashionable signature item and noteworthy token to hold onto.

Treat Yourself Like A Queen

Women are always saying, they are waiting for their prince charming to walk into their lives and sweep them off their feet; but how realistic is that idea? We live in a world where a person cannot wait for their dreams or wishes to be handed to them, they have to work for them by being persistent and proactive. That is why a woman cannot expect for the man of your dreams to just appear one day and magically fall in love, one must work for it.

Now the idea of “working for love” may seem unnatural or counter intuitive. It certainly does not mean to throw yourself at every attractive man that comes along or to act in a way that indulges high maintenance habits or diva attitudes. Rather one should keep herself up with the high standards of being a true lady. Being well mannered, spoken, and educated, as well as having a selfless attitude towards other, a light hearted sense of humor, and a deep respect for oneself through grooming tendencies and a strong sense of self esteem will ensure that one is attracting the right sort of man.

It is through these particular traits that one will exude class and make fashionable choices on a regular basis, ensuring that one is well prepared for the day that fate places one’s king into their life. 

To all of my stylish and lovely readers,

Firstly, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, for checking in with FashionMatterns and making it apart of your regular reading. It is because of you that FashionMatterns has been able to achieve great things recently.

Secondly, FashionMatterns will be undergoing some changes in the near future. Each week you can expect to see at least new three posts- Sophisticated Thinking on Mondays, Editor’s choice on Wednesdays, and Fearless Fridays. Also, with the help of a dear friend, FashionMatterns will be receiving a graphic face lift and makeover.

Keep checking in for exciting new changes and thank you for all of your support and love!

Sincerely,

FashionMatterns