Camouflage & Lace

 

 

E here, another beautiful sunny day in Seattle. It's still quite cold so layering is key. I talk about layering and mixing prints/textures pretty often, so today's outfit is a good example of both. Most people that live in the Northwest tend to throw on a North Face or Columbia jacket, but I tire of wearing the same thing all the time. When creating a layered look its important to try and put outfits together that will keep you warm and look stylish at the same time. Here, I threw on a cardigan on top of layered tanks to keep from getting chilly. This time of year it can still be fairly cold, especially near the water, but if it's sunny you can get away with not wearing a jacket.

 

 

In a city like Seattle you tend to see graffiti and mural art plastered all over buildings, (in this case a bridge,) but this section really stood out to me. I thought the nerds thing was kind of funny. A lot of times you walk by a wall covered in graffiti and you think nothing of it, but I thought that it would make a great contrast against the picturesque views of the Ballard Locks. Below are some shots I took of the railroad bridge with the ocean behind it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My friend Sara was the photographer for this shoot. You may recognize her as one of the blondes from the blog The Blonde Squad. If you haven't already checked out her blog, please take some time to view it. She has a lot of great DIY projects, as well as great outfits!

 

 

Thrifted items; lace tank: Old Navy $4.99 (Goodwill,) booties: Sam Edelman $20 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; camouflage cardigan: Unionbay $15 (Fred Meyer,) jeans: Levi's $25 (Macy's,) monogram necklace: Nordstrom Rack $5.99.

 

 

 

Monogram necklaces have been all the rage lately on other fashion blogs and Instagram. I realize that I'm a little late on this trend, but better late than never right?! After all, a monogrammed necklace is a fun way to personalize any outfit. As you may have noticed, the letter E was all sold out so I had to settle for L instead. But that's ok, I look at it two ways; the L can either represent Lizi, or Logan (for my husband.) If you're interested in picking up a monogram necklace for yourself you can most likely find one at Forever 21, Nordstrom Rack, or on internet shops like BaubleBar. Thanks for stopping by. New thrift posts coming soon. Happy thrifting!

-E 

 

Bundled Up In Sunshine

 

 

 

 

 

E here, can you believe its almost February? I don't know about you, but I'm ready for spring. As the weather starts to warm up, so does my wardrobe! Lately the rain has been fairly minimal so I've been able to pull some of the lighter pieces out of my closet. The key to wearing skirts and dresses this time of year is to bundle up in warm layers.

 

 

Thrifted items; wool coat: Banana Republic $29.97 (Goodwill,) sweater: Ann Taylor Loft $7.99 (Goodwill,) print skirt: Forever 21 $5.99 (Value Village.) Non-thrifted items; geometric necklace: Forever 21 $6.99, watch: Fossil $69.97 (Nordstrom Rack,) boots: Pink & Pepper $30 (Fred Meyer,) blue tights: Legale $4.00 (Fred Meyer.)

 

 

As you may have guessed by now, I like colored tights. Since the weather in Seattle is typically too chilly for bare legs, I wear tights to provide a little extra protection from the elements. Besides, colored tights are a fun and easy way to add a little color and personality to an outfit. Right now mustard colored tights are all the rage but unfortunately that color doesn't work for me.

 

 

I have a fair complexion so I try to pick colors that will contrast nicely with my hair, but won't wash me out at the same time.  When picking colored tights/leggings you want to try and pick colors that compliment your complexion and skin tone. If you want to be bold and venture out of your comfort zone, colors such as red, blue, green, yellow, and purple are pretty easy to find at most stores or online. I recommend brands like Hue, Legale, and Chinese Laundry because they hold up really well in the wash, and they tend to come in a wide variety of colors, textures, and sizes.

Well thanks for stopping by! Until next time.

-E



Layering 101: Corduroy

 

 

 

E here, corduroy was never my thing growing up, but as I got older I started to look at it differently. For a long time I had always thought of corduroy as being really dated, but then I saw other people wearing it and I changed my tune. When paired with the right pieces corduroy can look refined and polished.

 

 

The thing about corduroy is knowing what to pair it with so it doesn't end up looking too frumpy. Since corduroy is so structured, I decided to pair it with plaid and a delicate feminine scarf to create contrast. Most people think that everything needs to be matchy-matchy but I find that to be boring. Outfits are more interesting when you mix them with different prints and textures.

 

 

Thrifted items; corduroy blazer: Banana Republic $9.99 (Goodwill,) plaid button down: Indigo $4.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: Levi's $15 (Macy's,) boots: Pink & Pepper $30 (Fred Meyer,) scarf: H&M $8, aviators: Sperry's $30 (Nordstrom Rack.)

 

 

 

Here I tried to keep it simple and go for a casual, laid back, layered look. It might have been sunnier here than the rest of the country, but it was still cold! When putting together layered looks, I try to go for pieces that will layer easily (in terms of movement.) I always make sure when I buy blazers or jackets that they are a size bigger so that I am still able to layer underneath them. Well that's all for now, hope my tips help. Until next time!

-E

Making A Blaze Into 2014

 

 

 

 

E here, as we get closer to the final countdown to the new year this will be my last post of 2013! I hope you've enjoyed reading my blog so far, I promise to be a better blogger in the new year. As for today's outfit, I went for something simple yet chic. Blazers make any outfit look chic, whether paired with jeans and a white shirt, or belted over a dress. Here, I added a belt and necklace to top off the outfit. The great thing about accessorizing is that it polishes off any outfit. The trick is not to go too overboard. I tried to pick accessories that complimented the colors and pattern of the blouse and the fit of the blazer.

 

 

 When looking at blazers and trying to pick the right one for you keep in mind the shoulders (shoulder pads,) length of the sleeves, and overall tailoring. Once you figure out the right fit for your body type layering becomes a cinch. Women's blazers are typically very fitted, so I like to look in the men's section. In this case, I scored the blazer in the women's section for really cheap. My favorite detail of the blazer is the inner lining of the sleeves which are pinstriped and look great when rolled up. If blazers just don't work for you, you can still create polished layered looks with accessories.

 

 

 Thrifted items; blazer: Merona $5.99
 (Value Village,) blouse: Mac & Jac $4.99 (Goodwill,) boots: Steve Madden $22.50 (Crossroads Trading Co,) cardigan: Banana Republic $7.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: JCPenny's $25, necklace: Charlotte Russe $5.

 

That's all for today. Check back soon for New Years photos. Hope you and yours have a great NYE. Cheers to my first year of reinvention, and many more to come!

-E

Color Me Pink!

 

 

E here, I hope you are enjoying the holiday season. Working in retail this time of year is pretty stressful so I may not be able to blog everyday. We are now only about 20 days away from Christmas can you believe it? This month is really going to fly by because there is actually one less week between Thanksgiving and Christmas so you can expect to see a lot of advertisements within the coming week for special 1 or 2 day sales in order to make up for missed sales opportunities.

 

In fact, this would be a really good time to take advantage of all the sales either online or in the store. If you find yourself still shopping for those last minute Christmas gifts, think about heading to the mall during the weekdays because it will be less crowded, and you are more likely to find the items on your list in stock before the last haul. Check back soon for more shopping tips.

 

 

Funny thing is, these pants aren't actually as pink as they photograph. For some reason anytime that I wear these pants in photos they come out looking really light. The trick to wearing colored skinny jeans, is to pick a color that compliments your skin tone and hair color. For instance, if you have darker hair like mine, you should wear lighter colors and vice versa.

 

 

Also, when wearing colored jeans, you want to try and wear colors that either compliment or contrast that color. What I did here, is I picked the darker tones in my top that matched my blazer so it would compliment my jeans. I also tried to mix patterns and textures to make the outfit more interesting. The idea is to make the outfit your own, so don't be afraid to go bold!

 

 

Today's outfit is almost entirely thrifted, with the exception of my D&Y scarf from Fred Meyer which was $4.99.  Thrifted items; blazer: H&M $9.99 (Crossroads,) tank: Mossimo $4.99 (Goodwill,) jeans: Mossimo $7.99 (Goodwill,) boots: Deena & Ozzy $7.99 (Goodwill.)

That's all for now! Until next time!

-E

Tis' the Season for Patterns!

 

 

E here, I hope you enjoyed the long holiday weekend and got your fill of turkey! I spent the majority of it working of course, but don't feel bad for me because I scored some good deals along the way. For instance the scarf I'm wearing, was only $4.99! [Check back later for posts on my holiday shopping and thrifting/trading tips.]

 

 

Don't be afraid to mix patterns! What's great about this scarf is that it adds a subtle touch of flair, and contrasts with the polka dots which really makes them stand out. Not to mention, who doesn't love the good ole' union jack! Out of all the other patterns available, this one stood out to me for some reason. Whenever I go shopping, (in this case Black Friday shopping,) I always try to pick the most unique item(s) that would add a little something extra to any outfit.

 

 

Thrifted items; polka dot trench: Gap $20 (Crossroads Trading,) boots: Emiko Kamishima $27(Buffalo Exchange.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: JCPenny's $20, scarf: Better Than Cashmere $4.99 (Fred Meyer,) men's t-shirt: H&M $5.95.

 

 

 

 

 

The view from the top of this scenic lookout is so beautiful. Its a great place to take someone special and watch the sunset, (or take your furry friend if you prefer!)

 

 

My friend and I got there at just the right time when the sun was setting. I haven't seen such a beautiful sunset in quite a while. As much as I love this time of year, the sun sets so early that before you know its dark at 4:30 PM! Well that's all I have for today, I have quite a bit of blogging to catch up on, so check back soon!

-E

 

 

A Touch of Audrey: Breakfast At Tiffany's Reinvented

 

 

 

 

E here, today's post was particularly fun to do because of the theme of my outfit. Ever since I discovered a Breakfast at Tiffany's shirt for $5 on a clearance rack at Target last week I was excited. Anyone that knows me can tell you that I adore Audrey Hepburn. I have seen every single Audrey Hepburn movie ever made, and Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady are in a close tie for my favorite. However in the end, I have to say that Breakfast at Tiffany's wins. The heartbreaking story of a country girl's transformation into a swanky Manhattan socialite is so compelling.

 

[Image: EW.com]

 

 Perhaps my favorite scene in the entire movie is when Holly is sitting on the fire escape singing Moon River and playing a ukulele. Throughout the movie Holly looks very glamorous, but in this particular scene she still looks sophisticated in just jeans, flats, a sweatshirt, and a bandana. From that moment on I wanted to be just like Audrey Hepburn! She always looked so effortlessly chic and sophisticated, but still managed to retain her own unique look and style.

 

 

Thrifted items; trench: Banana Republic $10. Non-thrifted; shirt: Target $5, skirt: Joe B $10 (Fred Meyer,) boot socks: Fred Meyer $6, boots: Madden Girl $25 (Fred Meyer,) ring: Curfew $5 (Fred Meyer,) pearl necklace: vintage (borrowed.)

                 

 

I thought the bow ring really added to the outfit. For just $5 the ring added sparkle and a pop of color. You don't need a lot of accessories, but rather pieces that add  just the right polish and glam factor.

 

 

I had to have my picture taken in front of Tiffany's of course!

Well that's all for now. Until next time. Happy Wednesday!

-E

A Lovely Day at the Marina

 

 

 

E here. Another beautiful Seattle afternoon. My husband and I decided to take a stroll on a marina near our house since the weather was nice. One thing I love about living in Seattle is being surrounded by water. I don't think that I could ever live anywhere that wasn't near the ocean.

 

 

 

 

Perhaps its because I grew up near the ocean, but I enjoy the convenience of living merely minutes away from the water. I love everything about the ocean; the smell of it, the vastness, but most of all, the freedom and tranquility that it embodies. There's something humbling about the ocean.
 

 

As you may have noticed, I practically live in my trench coat. The weather is often chilly and wearing a longer jacket offers more warmth. Not to mention the fact that wearing a trench provides a far more stylish alternative to the typical northwest jacket of choice - the North Face. Don't get me wrong, I own several North Face jackets, but its nice to mix up your collection every once in a while.

 

 

Thrifted items; trench: Tommy Hilfiger $10, cashmere sweater: Esperante $7. Non-thrifted items; scarf: $10 (Chicago souvenir shop,) jeans: JCPenny's $20, oxfords: Pink & Pepper (Fred Meyer) $10, sunglasses: Sperry's $30, purse: Dooney & Bourke (gifted.) My lipstick: Maybelline, "brazen berry."

 

That's all for today. Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed the pictures. See you next time!

 -E

Rainy Day Afternoon

 

 

E here. Another rainy Seattle afternoon. What did I spend it doing? Shopping of course! For once I didn't head to the thrift stores, instead I went to the mall with a friend to browse the latest trends and brainstorm for Christmas gift ideas. Tip: when going to the mall this time of year it is best to go early, and on the weekdays when it is less crowded. Not looking to spend a lot of money? Check the store ads for any coupons and promotional events. Most sales ads tend to run weekly, and during the holidays there are usually several coupons and doorbuster sales. Always make sure to check coupons and sales for exclusions and expiration dates.

 

 

 

Thrifted items; trench coat: Tommy Hilfiger $10, sweater: Mossimo $6, leopard loafers: MIA $7. Non-thrifted items; scarf: D&Y $5 (Fred Meyer,) jeans: Levi's $30 (JCPenny's,) purse: Dooney & Bourke (gifted.) 

 

 

I'm wearing my newly thrifted leopard print loafers that I picked up the other day. How much? I snagged them for just $7! I tend to have pretty good luck finding trendy name brand items at the Goodwill by my house. The trick with thrifting shoes is to check for any visible damage i.e. - ripping, snagging, holes, etc. Once you get them home, all you need to do is take some form of cleaner whether it be Lysol, foot powder (anything that would clean out the use/odor of the last owner.)

 

 

The idea of wearing shoes that belonged to someone else makes some people cringe, but for me I see it as a bargain. After all, if you take the time to clean them properly you can score shoes for as low as $5. Yes, I have thrifted shoes that cheap! I won't guarantee that every time you step into a thrift store you will find items in your size, but that's how thrifting works. Its hit or miss most of the time. Want more tips for thrifting? Check out my thrift page.

 

 

 
 

That's all for today. Please stop by again soon.
Until next time friends.
-E