Short-astic

Time and again I've heard gals lament over shorts but I have to ask... is it ALL shorts or just the style you are trying? There are tons of options out there but, like anything else, the challenge is finding the style that works best for your body type.

Personally I have short, strong legs so a tight daisy-duke short isn't going to be my best friend. In truth, this is a really hard look for most people over the age of 14 and once we accept this idea we can move on to other really great styles.

Think of shorts in much the same way you might think of a skirt. The same basic rules apply 1. not too short and 2. not too tight. You probably wouldn't (and certainly shouldn't) wear a skirt that shows ANY part of your butt so the same applies with your short. Less is not more here... It might seem obvious but you know you've seen some of your friends wearing shorts that are dangerously close to being a pair of underpants. You will feel so much better if you're not constantly worrying about what you might be showing to the world.

Bermuda style (yes, longer shorts can be sexy):

This is a really cute and relaxed look that works on practically everyone! The hem of the short needs to be a few inches above the knee and the cut of the leg should be wider than your actual leg (i.e. these shouldn't look like bike shorts). These are a great option b/c they can be worn with wedges or flats and are equally flattering! They can also go from day to night (cute to sexy) with a quick change of shoes and some added bracelets.

A shorter style:

Notice that she's not revealing her entire upper thigh and the cut of the short still accents her leg. The cut of the leg is also slightly bigger than her actual leg which creates the illusion of a sexy, svelte stem. It shouldn't look like your stuffing youself into the shorts.

If you're going to opt for a shorter version make sure that your behind is fully covered.

As always, have fun with it. Know your size and try on all options. Remember, if you need to size up in a pair of shorts you will be better off than trying to squeeze yourself into something that just isn't quite right. Thankfully they put the tag on the inside so no one even has to know (shhhh it's our little secret).

Style on!

Vans + Hermes = ?

Photo Credit

I cannot get enough of this collaboration! Vintage Hermes scarves + Vans. Look at the brilliant colors! The simple and unexpected shoe... Words fail me.

**Hermes Meets Vans**

Trendy McGee

A few people have asked how to introduce a trend (specifically the wide leg) into their wardrobe without breaking the bank. Trends come and go and sometimes you just want to try something without feeling guilty if you only wear the item once. I get that.
When it comes to the trend of the wide leg I would recommend checking out Old Navy. At only $40 ($39.95 to be exact) you can wear these wide leg trousers guilt free! My tip: try them on! Old Navy's sizes can be a little whacky sometimes and can differ greatly. You may even need to get them tailored a bit. I also recommend wearing a heel (anything with a little height) with this style. Because it's a wider fit around the leg I recommend doing a platform or a wedge to lengthen out your leg.
I've always said that if a gal can only invest in two things it should be great denim and a great bra but I do believe in bargain shopping too. Not every pair of jeans in your closet needs to be a designer label. Play around with fit, wash, and length to find the look that makes you feel confident.

But also remember that not every trend is for you. I have a good friend who can rock the boyfriend jean like no one I've ever seen. She makes them look so effortless! Every time I see her in them I think "maybe I should give them another go..." Alas, I'm pretty short and it's a look that I have to be really careful with. I can end up looking pretty sloppy pretty quickly if I don't pay attention to the dimensions of the clothing that I'm putting on my body. She can wear the boyfriend jeans and I'll wear what works for me. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes!!


Style  on!

Dreaming of summer days in the sun

I am counting down the days until we're wearing summer dresses and sandals. Below is a dress I can't wait to wear. It reminds me of the Free People dress in this post but a fraction of the price.

Look 1:

(H&M dress, Vintage orange beaded necklace, Gem Garden turquoise necklace, American Eagle Sky-High Wedge Sandal)

Steal or splurge

We've seen Stewart Weitzman's "Alex" wedge on the feet of Jennifer Aniston and Eva Mendes. They are the perfect compliment to any dress, jeans, shorts, cropped pant... the list goes on. But when do you splurge on the $365 Stew's or opt for the $79 Steve's. That, my friend, is entirely up to you. My advice? Know your budget and don't be afraid to shop around. While I love a bargain, keep in mind that you really get what you pay for. I always suggest making a list of your "Must Have" items for the season. If you are able to prioritize the pieces that will round out your closet you can easily determine which items need to be top dollar and which items can be a steal. As always, have fun with it - styling is meant to be fun and fantastic!

Stewart Weitzman, Alex $365

Michael, Michael Kors, Juniper $140

Steve Madden, Fantastik, $79.95

A weekend in cuffs

A good friend asked me to show a few weekend looks. I've used the same Miss Sixty jeans to show two very different looks - perfect for comfortable weekends that do not include sweatpants.

Look 1:

(Miss Sixty jeans, Urban Outfitters tank top, Vintage scarf, Vintage leather clutch, Ebay turquoise cuff (Zuni Indian), Nine West gray heels)

Look 2:

(Miss Sixty jeans, Target flannel shirt, Minnetonka Kitty moccasins, Vintage handbag)

What I'm loving right now

Muse

(Photo credit: Amanda Brooks)

70's Cher. Love.

Leather and daisies

I'm 100% ready for spring. Check out these looks that mix leather with floral prints - perfect for spring weather.

Look 1:

(Kenneth Cole leather jacket, Franco Sarto wedges, J. Crew Favorite Tank, Free People Floral Fields Wideleg pants, Nordstrom pearl necklaces, Oversize clutch was a gift from a friend)

Look 2:

(Kenneth Cole leather jacket, Urban Outfitters dress, J. Crew belt, Franco Sarto wedges)

I really love the snakeskin, t-strap, wedges shown here. Both looks are a balance of feminine and masculine.

Skirts just wanna have fun

Gals tend to shy away from skirts because they seem like work. It doesn't have to be that way at all. This post is for those skirts in your closet just dying to be worn... because skirts don't have to be tricky.

Look 1:
(J. Crew men's button down shirt, J. Crew necklace, H&M necklace, Vintage silk scarf, Anthropologie scarf pin, Fossil leather skirt, Steve Madden flats)

Look 2:
(Free People blouse, Anthropologie cardigan, Vintage necklace, J. Crew skirt, American Eagle belt, Steve Madden shoes, Vintage bead handbag)

Just because

I'm a sucker for neutrals.

Look 1:

(Urban Outfitter BDG Skinny Jeans, Urban Outfitters BDG white tank top, J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer, Nine West heels, J. Crew necklace, J. Crew bracelet, Vintage handbag)

Mixing stripes

Mixing stripes is a great way to add depth to your look. When playing around with your pieces, think of the stripes as your "neutral" but try not to go crazy with every accessory you own. Have fun!

Look 1:

(Madewell Widelegger jeans, Anthropologie blue and white striped t-shirt, Heritage 1981 blazer, Lucky Brand Rory heels, Fossil Large Tear Drop Hoop earring, Etsy necklace, Jesslyn Blake crossbody handbag)

Look 2:

(Madewell Widelegger jeans, Anthropologie blue and white striped t-shirt, Vintage cardigan, Anthropogie necklace, Lucky Brand Rory heels, Anthropologie necklace, J.Crew belt)

A story about the wideleg

Loving the look of the wideleg pant! It's a great alternative to the skinny pants that we've been seeing for several seasons now. Using the same Drapey Wideleg pants from Free People I've created 3 completely different stories.

Date Night:
(Free People Drapey Wideleg Pant, J.Crew Favorite Tank, Nine West heels, Urban Renewal kimono, Vintage necklaces, Cuff bracelet gift from my husband)

Weekend:

(Free People Drapey Wideleg Pant, J. Crew Favorite Tank, Vintage Sweater, Gem Garden turquoise necklace, Woodies by Jeffrey Campbell mary jane clogs, Gem Garden large cuff (Zuni Indian), Cuff bracelet gift from my husband)

Work:

(Free People Drapey Wideleg Pant, Anthropologie bolero, American Eagle denim shirt, Ralph Lauren clogs, H&M necklace, J. Crew bracelets and belt, Timex gold watch)

I went back and forth on whether or not to include the brand names. I really don't believe that you need to wear brand name clothing to create an amazing look though I do believe there is a difference in the fit and the quality of each piece. Everything you see is a mix of vintage and higher end pieces and the price points range drastically. I love to wear a pricier gift from my husband with a necklace from H&M. I don't believe that an entire look should be purchased from the same store. It's more fun to mix and match to create your own style. That's the whole point of styling! Perhaps down the road I will remove the brands from the blog... I'll have to feel it out.