A Tip for Shopping

Sorry- no pictures this week!

Today we are talking about something we all relate to- money. Looking good is not always free, unfortunately, especially since some of us are trying to improve our look and simply don't have the means to do so. Looking good is not about shopping at the most expensive stores. You can find clothes that look good on you anywhere- including thrift stores. To prove my point I'm actually giving myself a challenge- I am going to go buy a fashionable outfit entirely from a thrift store to show you what I mean. I will then take pictures and post them up on this blog. In the mean time, let's discuss this. If something fits you, and makes you feel good about yourself, it doesn't matter where you got it from.

Don't get caught in the trap of thinking that you have to buy hundreds of dollars worth of clothes at once either. A wardrobe is something that takes time to build up. I have been working on mine for years- literally. When you first start out, buy the basics that will start to give you that refined look. They need to be neutrals so they will go with most everything- at least at first. You also don't need to get into the mindset that you are shopping for an entire outfit when you go out in search of clothing. If you do that, the money really adds up. Look for one item to begin with- whether that be a jacket, a skirt, some shoes, etc. Focus on what you need most to look your best and buy that, without worrying about buying the rest of an outfit. Incorporate pieces into your wardrobe as opposed to outfits. If you do this, you can mix and match, and your wardrobe will naturally be bigger than it would be if you only kept certain items with certain outfits. If you switch up the different pieces enough, you might not have to ever wear the same outfit again! If that is your goal at least... Remember you can have tons of different outfits with different combinations of different pieces that you buy.

Don't let money intimidate you. Save up for specific pieces and have patience. In due time, you will have a fabulous wardrobe that makes you look and feel your best. And don't forget that buying a simple accessory can change an outfit entirely- bringing even more variety into your life. Think outside of the box when it comes to the clothes that you already have- and you might be surprised what you can come up with.

More Springtime advice

Today's post is directed at my female readers. Don't worry guys- a post just for you is coming soon! If you can't tell, I'm really into shoes. At least I find myself blogging about them a lot. I used to be much worse than I am now. But I still love them. So I want to talk about sandals! Especially since its going to be warm outside now, and every girl is going to want to show their feet! Is it too drastic of me to try and dissuade you all to not wear flip flops? They are just so.... not feminine, usually very dirty looking, and just not fashionable. Try wearing something more like this:

They are still flat, so they wont hurt your feet, and yet they are feminine and will help you in looking your best. These look super cute with any spring time or summer outfit. They look great with skirts, dresses, capris, shorts, or even jeans. You really can't go wrong. And if you get them in a neutral color, like the ones above, you can pretty much wear them with whatever color you are wearing. I just bought some sandals from Target that lean away from the flip flop and I love them. They are still comfy, keep my feet cool, and are so cute! They are once again a little detail of your outfit to making you look even more beautiful. And while you have your toes showing- paint your toes a fun color to add more jazz and femininity. And cute sandals are available everywhere, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding them!

Looking Good- It's more than just clothes

I've spent a great deal of time discussing how you can look better by making a few simple changes to your wardrobe. Fashion and looking good isn't just about your clothes though. There is bit more to it. Looking good also includes things like how you do your hair, make up for the ladies, and accessories. Don't let the word accessories scare you away boys! This woman here is in a fashionable outfit, but she also has a simple make up job and hairstyle that makes her even more beautiful and confident looking. Her hair isn't greasy or frizzy, but it's also not in some crazy style that would take a lot of time. Take the time to make your face and hair look great. You can still wear your hair up, just make it look sleek and clean. And here's my plug for make up. To all of the women out there- you DO look better with make up on. Even if you don't think it makes a difference, it does! I'm not saying you have to wear a lot of makeup, because usually a little goes a long way. Simply wearing mascara alone will do wonders for your look. Take the time to take care of yourself! You will feel better!

And guys- don't be sloppy. Take the time to be clean looking and sharp. Fix your hair in a way that looks best on you. If you have facial hair, keep it neatly trimmed and don't have a beard just because you think it is funny or cool. You aren't doing anyone any favors! :) I chose this picture because there are subtle things about this look aside from the clothes themselves that make him look very chic. First of all, he is wearing cuff links, which add a huge level of sophistication. Then he is also wearing thick rimmed glasses (love!) and a nice watch. These are the kind of accessories that work well with a look for men. Even if you aren't dressed up, you can still have a nice watch on, or belt. The little things will make you look more polished and lead to a more confident you.
I know many of you are thinking that no one will notice these little "dumb" things like make up or accessories. And does that matter? The point is that you will know, and you will therefore know that you look better. People might not notice why you look better, but they will notice that you do. And it will be because of those small little things. They aren't hard to do!

Time for Spring, Time for Color

Well spring is finally here! (In Utah at least) And that means it's time for spring fashions! Spring fashion is about a lot of things, and one of those things is COLOR. Don't continue to wear the dull grays, blacks, and neutrals of winter if you can help it. Go for bold colors that you look good in. You can use color in your fashion in multiple ways. One way is to take a dramatic bold piece with a solid color, like all of the dresses below. The dresses are a bold color while the accessories, shoes, and purses are a neutral color. It makes a statement and if done right, can lead to more confidence.

Another way to use color is to use it as an accent against an outfit made up of mostly neutral colors. These guys aren't really dressed for spring... but the principle still applies. Notice the first guy is wearing a bright red pant and a bold colored shirt with the black coat being the main article of clothing. Since it is spring, you can wear a cardigan instead. Or a light jacket. The second guy is wearing a red scarf against a mostly neutral outfit. If scarves aren't your thing, you can wear a red shirt or coat instead. And then the last guy has his accent color in his shoes. Notice how the blue doesn't really match anything else that he is wearing, and yet it still goes. Keep that in mind when you are looking to use an accent color.

You don't need to wear colors that are matchy matchy. But you should be wearing color! Wearing a bold colored shoe is a great way to add color to an outfit- whether you are a guy or girl. Pretty much all of the color rules go for either sex. A really popular color right now is mustard yellow. It looks good paired with pretty much any color- my personal favorite is when it is paired with navy blue. So remember to be colorful, be bold, and be confident. It's spring!