Railroad Crossing: The Basics Of Casual Chic

 

 

E here, in today's edition I will give you my personal tips for successfully creating a "casual chic" look. [Scroll down for the details.] I hope that you're enjoying the beautiful spring weather. With the weather beginning to transition from heavy rain to sunshine, I might be able to retire the rain boots and heavier jackets for a while! It may be sunny but it's still quite chilly outside, so I bundled up in lighter layers for a casual chic look. The great thing about the shift from winter to spring weather is that you can just throw on a cardigan or blazer when leaving the house.

 

 

[My personal take on casual chic; neutrals with a pop of color, ripped jeans to make the outfit more cutting edge, heeled booties, and simple, understated jewelry to polish off the look.]

 

The basics of casual chic:

1.) Pick a piece to use as the foundation for the outfit, (an anchor if you will - that will tie the whole look together.)

2.) Choose a base color to serve as the focal point. (I picked navy for this outfit.) 

3.) Pick items that will go well together and compliment the colors and styles of the other pieces (this is key when creating a layered look.)

4.) Utilize style staples like a great blazer, or your favorite pair of heels.

 

 

 

In order to take an outfit from casual to chic, try combining these tips and don't be afraid to experiment a little. Pick a bright pop of color to enhance the overall feel of the look, and if you're feeling extra playful you can even spice up the outfit with some heels. In sum, stick with the basics, (i.e. - keep it simple,) you can build around the rest of the outfit with key accessories such as jewelry or scarves.
 

 

What I love about blazers is the fact that you can either dress up/or down any outfit according to the look that you are trying to go for. Depending on the sort of blazer that you pick, (color, cut, fit) you can create a style statement that says casual yet chic, or fun and flirty, or perhaps even cutting edge. Blazers provide a quick and easy way to add extra flair to any outfit. Here, the blazer not only adds warmth to my layered look, but also takes this "casual" outfit up a notch to that of a more polished "casual chic" look. The rich hue of the navy draws the eye; adding a pop of color to the overall look, ands contrasts nicely with the lighter wash of the jeans. Personally I don't think ripped jeans will ever go out of style, it just depends on the wash and fit of the jeans.



[This outfit is 100% thrifted! :-)]

Thrifted items; blazer: H&M $9.99 (Crossroads Trading Co,) sweater: Ann Taylor Loft $10, (Goodwill,) *jeans: Vigoss $10 - $5 (Crossroads Trading Co,) *booties: American Eagle $12.99 - $1.29 (Goodwill.)



Well that's all for today. I hope you enjoyed this edition. Remember, don't be afraid to experiment and reinvent your wardrobe (or style for that matter!) Stop by the blog again soon for more style tips. See you next time!
-E

 

It's All In The Details: The Cat's Meow

 

 

 

 

 

E here, I find that when it comes to creating a great ensemble, it's all in the details. When I look at outfits that other people put together I'm always curious to see what sort of accessories they choose. For this outfit I decided to pick a theme, can you guess what it is?

 

 

Okay, I know what you're thinking....is that an animal brooch? Well for the record, who says that brooches are just for old ladies? I think that like other types of jewelry, brooches add just as much, if not more personality and a certain glitz factor to an ensemble. I realize that when most people picture a brooch they imagine someone like their grandma wearing some garish looking brooch. However, if one is willing to have an open mind on the subject, brooches can serve as a fun and playful way to make a bold statement.

 

 

Thrifted items; corduroy blazer: Banana Republic $9.99 (Goodwill,) brown sweater: Sisters $7.99 (Value Village,) leopard print tank: Rock & Republic $9.99 (Crossroads Trading Co.,) belt: $3.99 (Value Village.) *I picked up the brooch and necklace along with some other items of jewelry at an estate sale for about $10 for the whole lot. Non-thrifted items; skirt: Wallflower $10 (Fred Meyer,) riding boots: Bandolino $99 (DSW.)

 

 

I think that in this case, the brooch in combination with the leopard necklace that I'm wearing truly compliments the "jungle fever" theme of my outfit. Well that's all I have for today. Please stop by again soon. Remember, don't be afraid to mix up your wardrobe and reinvent your style. Dare to be different. Happy thrifting! See you next time!

-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



Merry Blogmas!

 

 

Merry Blogmas!

E here, I hope that you have been enjoying the holidays as much as I have. Its been a busy couple of weeks for me, but it has all been worth it. Working in retail, I know better than anyone how easy it is to get caught up in the pre-holiday madness. I know that I haven't been the best blogger lately, but I plan to make up for all the lost time. Now that the craziest time of the year in retail is over you can expect to see more of me!

 

 

I was feeling very spirited today so I decided to pair bold red tights and stripes for the ultimate festive look. I don't typically wear red lipstick unless its a special occasion, so today was just the right day for it. When wearing such bold lipstick you don't want to overdo it, so I went for a more natural look. Per my husband's suggestion, I wore my hair in a side braid with a sparkly headband for extra glitz. This time of year its really fun to dress up and add sparkly accessories for a fun, glam look. If sparkle is just not your thing, you can always add chunky statement jewelry or hair accessories for extra oomph.

 

 

Thrifted items; striped tank: Cyrus $4.99 (Goodwill,) black heels: Unlisted $5.99 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; jacket: Self Esteem $15 (Fred Meyer,) skirt: Joe B $10 (Fred Meyer,) red tights: Legale $4.00 (Fred Meyer,) bow ring: Curfew $5 (Fred Meyer.) My lipstick, "Jet Set red."

 

 

As I've mentioned before in previous posts, color really adds extra pizazz to an outfit. I don't personally own a lot of red clothes besides my beloved trench coat, but I wanted to be festive today. Colored tights are a fun and great way to add a pop of color to any outfit. Lately I've noticed a lot of women wearing mustard colored tights, but unfortunately that color washes me out. My advice - if your planning on trying colored tights, pick a color that compliments your skin tone/complexion and  hair color. Take me for instance, I have dark hair, so bright hues tend to look the best on me because they contrast with my hair. If you have lighter colored hair, cool colors will look great against your hair.

 

 

That's all for now. I hope you had a great Christmas with your friends and family. Eat, drink, and be merry! See you next time!

-E

 

 

Layering 101: Polka Dots & Neutrals

 

 

 

 

 

E here, as the weather gets colder its essential to start layering up in order to stay warm. Not sure how to master the layering method? I have a few suggestions for how to stay warm and still create cute outfits. First of all, it is important to figure out what styles and fits of clothing work for your body type specifically.

 

 

Thrifted items; polka dot trench coat: Gap $20 (Crossroads Trading Co,) ruffle blouse: Ann Taylor Loft $4 (Goodwill.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: Levi's $30 (Macy's,) oxfords: Pink & Pepper $10 (Fred Meyer,) scarf: $8 H&M (not pictured.)

 

 

For example, do you prefer fitted tops like the Loft blouse that I paired with skinny jeans, or perhaps a loose fitting tunic and leggings is more your style? Whatever your style preference is, you next need to build upon it with a warm jacket such as a trench coat (my personal favorite,) and accessories such as a scarf or a hat.

 

 

The trick to layering is to pick items that compliment each other; either in color, texture, or contrast. What I did here, was I took delicate ruffles and paired it against polka dots to create a soft, feminine look that creates a balanced contrast in texture. If you're going to layer contrasting textures you want to make sure that one offsets the other in a flattering manner.

 

 

You can probably tell by now that I love scarves! During this time of year I tend to wear scarves almost everyday. Scarves are perfect for layering with outfits because they add a little something extra. Besides scarves, I like to add chunky rings and statement jewelry for that extra bit of flair.

 

 

 

My friend was kind enough to humor me and pose for the camera. We grew up together, and naturally we thrift together! I mean friends that thrift together stay together right?! Speaking of thrifting together, we recently went on a thrifting mission at Goodwill to find the perfect outfit to wear to the concert of the king of thrift shopping himself - the one and only Macklemore! Check back soon for details on the success of our shopping mission, and see what we end up wearing to the concert tonight.

 

 

Sarah is wearing a D&Y scarf from Fred Meyer that I gave her for Christmas, and a comfy, yet stylish casual wear look.

 

 

This time of year the weather is fairly nippy and windy, but fortunately we don't get dumped on with snow like the rest of the country does so you just need to dress in several layers. Sarah's layered outfit is a great because it offers warmth and protection from the extremities, yet its still very stylish.

 

 

Great shot of my friend's boots that she nabbed on Black Friday. Cute aren't they? The girl's got good  taste! Boots always serve as a great addition to any outfit.

 

 

 

That's it for now, please stop by again soon. I have several upcoming posts documenting my thrifted finds and adventures with my friend during her visit in town. Until next time!

-E 

 

 

Letting My Inner Biker Chick Out!

 

 

E here, as the weather gets colder its time to kiss those lighter clothes and flats goodbye, and trade them in for heavier clothes and boots. As much as I love my cute skirts, dresses, and flats, I think I love my fall/winter wardrobe more! As I mentioned before in a previous post, I really like experimenting with layers. Besides, I have a serious boot addiction!

 

 

I really do love a good pair of boots, but I also have an affinity for jackets; whether it's a trench, a blazer, or drumroll.....a motorcycle jacket. In addition to shoes, or great accessories, jackets add that finishing touch to an outfit. In this case, the motorcycle jacket was the focal point of the look that I was going for. When I think of a motorcycle jacket, that iconic image of James Dean wearing a black, leather motorcycle jacket comes to mind. He looked so cool and so stylish in the jacket, which was the inspiration for this look. After all, you have to let your inner badass, biker chick out sometimes right?

 

 

The thing about wearing black is you have to know just how to pair it with the right pieces and accessories so it doesn't end up looking too gothic. Personally, I wear a lot of black! I don't know why, but whenever I go shopping I'm always drawn to black. There's something about black that is just so sleek and classic. Not to mention the fact that black always make you appear thinner!

 

 

Thrifted items; motorcycle jacket: Express $27.50 (Crossroads Trading Co,) boots: Steve Madden $22.50 (Crossroads Trading Co.) Non-thrifted items; jeans: JCPenny's $25, skull scarf $20 (Nordstrom,) Sheer blouse: Forever 21.

 

 

That's all for today. Please stop by again soon! Make sure to bundle up those thrifted duds as the weather gets chillier.

-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

 

Adventures In Puddle Jumping

 

 

 

E, here. As a Seattleite, I've grown accustomed to the rain. In fact, I really don't mind rainy days because it means that I get to wear my new Hunters and a trench coat. Besides, rainy days serve as  the perfect excuse for going thrifting! I mean what better way to spend your day off? Just grab a coffee and lunch at your favorite café then head to Goodwill or Value Village after (or both.) Sounds pretty darn good to me!

 

 

 I grew up watching classic movies, and I have a particular penchant for musicals. So when I step outside on a rainy day, I feel compelled to jump and skip through puddles as if I was with Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain. Of course I never do this, otherwise people would be like who is that crazy girl jumping through puddles! But I will admit that I did test out my new Hunters in a puddle or two. I had to break them in after all!

 

                  

My friend (and partner in crime when it comes to thrifting,) Nicole is wearing a fur lined coat and rabbit fur boots. What's great about her outfit is not only is her jacket very stylish, but its also very practical and keeps you warm during chilly days.

 

 

If tall rain boots aren't your thing, try wearing fur lined rain/snow booties like Nicole is wearing. Aside from keeping your feet warm and dry, the fur accents add just a little bit of flair to any fall/winter outfit.

 

                

I love walking around my neighborhood this time of year because it's so festive and bright. It's fun to look at the interesting window displays that stores create for the holiday season. I don't know what it is about this time of year, but its like the whole neighborhood comes alive.

 

 

I walked through some serious puddles and didn't have to think twice about it! 

 

 

Thrifted items; trench coat: Tommy Hilfiger $10, hounds tooth skirt: Debut $7, shirt: Halogen $4. Non-thrifted items; scarf: D&Y $5 (Fred Meyer,) leggings: One Step Up $7, (Fred Meyer,) rain boots: Hunter-gifted (Nordstrom.)

 

 

Looking forward to more rainy day adventures!

Until next time, E.

 

 



 

Fall Is In the Air

 

 

 

E here, happy to report that the weather cooperated long enough so that I could take a few shots before work. This time of year the weather tends to be pretty unpredictable, and perhaps you can't tell in this photo, but it was very windy!

 

 

However, despite the wind and rain, the great thing about living in the northwest is that the weather is typically very mild. While the rest of the country tends to be pretty frigid about now, its pleasant enough here. It is ideal for creating layered outfit ensembles such as the one that I'm wearing. I purchased the jacket at Crossroads recycled clothing, as a result of a successful selling session. As for the boots, I found them at Value Village.

 

 

Thrifted items; tweed/faux leather jacket: Gap $20, boots: Report $10. Non-Thrifted items; necklace: Charlotte Russe $5, tank: Ana $5 (JCPenny's,) jeans: Levi's $30 (JCPenny's.)

 

As you can probably tell by now,  I love to wear boots! What's great about boots is that they add a certain sense of flair to any outfit. Not to mention the fact that boots can say a lot about your mood, i.e. - if you're feeling sexy, playful, or even bold. What I love about this pair of boots is that not only are they quite stylish, but they have a sort of vintage, Victorian look to them. Added bonus, they were only $10!
 

 
 

Until next time, E.