3rd Time's a Charm

Shirt: Thrifted // Tank: Wet Seal // Jeans: Forever 21 // Shoes: Naturalizer // Earrings: Betsey Johnson

How awesome are these pictures? Liz is becoming a better photographer every time she takes my pictures! 5 points to...Ravenclaw for Liz! (I just decided her house now.)

I swear I have been wearing this outfit once every couple weeks trying to get pictures of it, and I have epically failed until today. I thrifted this lace shirt a while ago but I wasn't sure about it, but after wearing it a few times, I have decided I'm totally in love with it. It's feminine and neutral and surprisingly versatile. Do you have any recent purchases that pleasantly surprised you? 

P.S. How about this weather?! 45 and sunny, that's a heat wave in Wisconsin in January!

The Kate Factor: Kate Beckinsale

Today I am starting my new feature, The Kate Factor. A few months ago, I talked about doing this feature. Outfits inspired by my favorite Kate's. Today, I decided to start with my most favorite Kate, Kate Beckinsale. Many of you probably know her from the Underworld movies, along with Serendipity, Click and Van Helsing.

Kate Beckinsale is known for her simply chic outfits and muted color palette. You will most often find her in black's, grey's and navy's. She tends to stick to leggings or skinny jeans and boots. She has a great casual-chic look.

My inspiration:

Source

My interpretation: 

Shirt: Wal-Mart // Skirt: Target // Tights: Target // Leg Warmers: Kmart // Boots: Target

 I decided on this outfit inspiration because I wanted something that was a little more of a challenge. If there is one thing that I'm not very good at, it's wearing all black. I always want to add a bit of color. I did add a little bit of interest by wearing a striped shirt instead of the plain black, but it was still a big leap for me. I learned that it's not as scary as I originally thought, so I may start trying it more often. It can be very chic.

P.S. The lighting in the school library is awful and I apologize for not having a better place to take pictures!

Black and White and Red (Almost) All Over

Coat: Candie's // Jeans: Target // Boots: Target // Sweater: Target // Gloves: Kmart // Scarf: Wal-Mart // Purse: Epiphanie Bags

I would like to welcome my new photographer, my beautiful friend Liz! (I'm sorry, I don't have a picture of here today. Soon, I promise!) Although photography is not her main hobby, she is wonderful and I'm lucky to have her. 

So far, I have been pretty lucky with my winter pictures. We haven't had our usual below zero temperatures yet and the snow is still actually white and pretty. I have been looking at other blogs though and seeing the girls on the coasts (except Washington, I hear they got quite a bit of snow) is making me miss spring and summer. I'm already bored with my winter clothes. 

How are you dealing with the snow? Any fashion pick me up ideas?

Today's Outfit

Coat: Candie's // Pants: H&M // Boots: Kmart // Sweater: Target // Tank: H&M // Hat: H&M // Glasses: Ray-Ban // Necklace: Tiffany's

How to get out of a fashion slump without spending money:

1. Put on an item of clothing you haven't worn in a long time.

I haven't worn these pants in I can't even remember how long. They are a perfect in-between  regular and colored jeans. And they are super comfy!

2. Add color.

Nothing freshens up an outfit like some color. Especially now that it's officially winter and dull outside most days (unlike today).

3. Spice up your make-up.

I'm usually a minimalist when it comes to make-up, but when I do wear lip stick, it's normally red. Today I grabbed my bright pink to match my sweater.

4. Top it off.

I love love love hats, but I don't wear them too often. So when I do, it can be a real pick-me-up.

I'm pretty happy this slump didn't last very long. I found some clothes I haven't worn in a really time, which is amazing because most of them ended up in the Goodwill bags. One of my New Year's fashion goals was to work more with what I have and go shopping less. (I know, I have a lot of different categories of New Year's goals.) Although, I don't know how I'm going to survive all winter. It's only 4 degrees outside!

In a Slump

Sweater: Wet Seal // Tank: Wet Seal // Pants: Old Navy // Boots: Charlotte Russe // Glasses: Ray-Ban 

  

 I've been in a bit of a fashion slump as of late. I'm not sure if it's because I'm used to all my clothes, or I'm already over winter (yes, I realize that it technically just started), or maybe just because I've been working really hard at not blow drying and/or straightening my hair so I've been putting it up everyday.

I was at the mall the other day getting my computer looked at and while I was waiting, I was wandering around a couple stores. Everything in all the stores just looked the same. I wasn't planning on actually buying anything, but not finding anything I completely fell in love with was rather disappointing. Like I said, I'm in a slump. Advice anyone?

2012 Blogging Goals

Although it's already halfway through January, I wanted to post some of my 2012 goals, specifically my blogging goals. I don't like to use the word "resolution" because it always just makes me feel like I'm supposed to make this life-changing thing. Goals always just sound more reachable. 

I wanted to really evaluate my blog and decide the direction I wanted to take this in before officially deciding on my goals.

1. Social Networking

It would be beneficial to my blog to network more. I read a lot of different blogs, but I rarely comment on them. I often forget about my Twitter and Facebook page. So my goal for this year is to be more outgoing and make myself known. Comment on the posts that I love. Utilize my Twitter and Facebook more. 

2. Content

I would like to broaden my horizons with my posts. I originally had a lot of plans for this blog and I know I talked about some of them on here, but I think I got into a bit of a slump in just posting outfits. I personally get most of my inspiration from outfit posts on other blogs, but not everyone is like that and I want to cater to a broader audience. 

3. HTML

Learn it! I love looking at other blogger's layouts. I would like something a little more elaborate, but I'm a cheapskate on here because this is still an experiment for me so I don't want to spend the money on hiring someone to do it for me. Plus, one of my 2012 life goals was to learn more, so this falls into that category too. 

The trick to setting goals (or resolutions, if you prefer) for the new year is to decide on goals that you can actually achieve. They need to be things you actually want to change/work on, not just something you feel like you should do. Also, keep the list short. Having a long list of goals is intimidating. If/when you check off the things on your list, then you can always add more! One last tip: post your goals somewhere where you will see them everyday, and make it appealing to look at. Write them in different colored markers or post little pictures with them. Whatever makes you motivated to look at them frequently and work at them. 

What are your goals for 2012? Blogging or otherwise. 

Glamural: Seafoam Green

Time for a new feature! Glamural is a mural of things I'm loving right now. I've been spending a lot of time on Pinterest and Polyvore (click on the links to follow me!) and this is a great way to combine them with my blog!

For my first Glamural, I am featuring seafoam green. It's my favorite color in the world (see my recent change in color on the blog) and I've been finding so many cool combinations with it! My favorite is seafoam and tangerine, or the seafoam with leopard print. What are you favorite color combinations?

It's No Wonder That Her Name Means Beauty

Sweater: Wet Seal, Skirt: Target, Tights: Target, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Belt: Charlotte Russe, Bow: Made by me

 Beauty and the Beast in 3D came out today, and you better believe I was there! Oh my goodness, it was like seeing it for the first time again! It was amazing and so well done. "Be Our Guest" and "Tale As Old As Time" were epic pieces before when the movie was release, and seeing them in 3D just made it even better!

 This is my modern-day, Belle-inspired outfit. I stuck to the blue theme like her original outfit. Her golden-yellow ball gown is still something I dream about (see my pinterest here), but the beauty in that is it being a formal gown.

Beauty and the Beast was my favorite Disney movie growing up (along with The Little Mermaid...red hair had to come from somewhere!). I love that Belle is an independent woman who wasn't all about finding Prince Charming, but still understood that when she found true love, she was not about letting it go either. What is your favorite Disney movie? Are you going to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D? You should! It's worth it!

Polyvore

Polyvore has quickly become one of my favorite websites. Lately I've been sketching a lot of ideas, and this website allows me to create my own inspiration. It took me a while to get on here because it always seemed like it would be difficult to use, but it's so user friendly! These three are the only ones I've made so far, but you can follow me here! There will be lots more to come!

On the Ice

Sweater: Thrifted, Skirt: Thrifted, Tights: Target, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Earrings: Gift

 These pictures were taken on the pond in the "backyard" of Garrett's apartment before we got yelled at for being on the ice. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever been on a real frozen pond before. Usually, if I go ice skating, it's at an ice rink. 

 I've been rather busy the last few days, hence the lack of posting. Karen came to see me at the end of last week and stayed a day longer than planned, which was awesome! Then I had to head up to Point for a bit, then to my dad's in Oshkosh, and then back home before my mom and Bob flew out to Seattle. (I hope you guys are having fun! Are are giving lots of hugs for me!)

 I basically thrifted and refashioned this entire outfit (and the shoes I got for only $9.99!). My outfits have been pretty lazy lately, so I was excited to be back in a fun one again!

I started watching the new ABC Family show, Jane By Design. The storyline is a mix of Pretty in Pink, Hannah Montana and The Devil Wears Prada. It's a bit high school (since it takes place in high school), but the outfits are awesome, so it's totally worth watching! 

Can anyone else in Wisconsin believe this lack of snow still? Apparently we're supposed to get 5in tonight, but we'll see...

BFF Day

Shirt: H&M, Sweater: Canyon River Blue, Jeans: Target, Boots: Modcloth, Necklace: Rue 21, Glasses: Ray-Ban

 My bff, Karen, took my pictures today! She came up to visit for a couple days, so naturally we went shopping and had a One Tree Hill marathon. :)

 I found this shirt at H&M and it was too good to resist! 

 Earlier this week my mom and I went to the salon and got our hair dyed and trimmed. My bangs are a bit shorter than I was wanting, but the color turned out great! 

Hello 2012!

Dress: Deb's, Sweater: Target, Tights: Target, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Belt: Charlotte Russe

 A very happy belated new year to you all! Truthfully, my outfits have not been picture worthy this past couple days. I've been spending my time cleaning, organizing and sorting through pretty much everything I own. 

 I bought these shoes at UO for only $9.99! I love my black heeled oxfords, and I'd love to wear them all the time, but half my outfits work better with brown, so I was very excited to find these. And I was even more excited about the price!

 My stepdad and I went to the Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee today. Unfortunately one of the domes was closed to set up for their next season (they just took down their Christmas display), but I haven't been there in about 8 years so it was still pretty fun to go back. These are some of the pictures I took.