Every Girl Dreams Of Being A Princess (So Why Not Dress Like One?)

This week I want to focus on a few different ladies who never let the fashion world down. Kate Middleton has a classic, simple style that more people should really take notice of. Sometimes we get a little too caught up in crazy patterns and trends and accessories, forgetting about the basics such as a good fit and good shape which can make for timeless pieces. I don't need to say much about this famous beauty that her pictures don't say for themselves, other than she was born to be a Princess.

 Kate's jewelry with this dress is a perfect choice. You never see her wear anything that overwhelms her. At first glance you see a beautiful woman, and then notice the clothing, as it should be! Never get lost in the mess of your own clothes, use them to emphasize yourself instead!

love the opaque black tights and black heels paired together. 

If only I could wear this to work everyday! Somehow we really need to bring this whole hat look across the pond, I'm dying to wear some.

but she also looks fabulous in casual wear as well!

(and even wears the same belt twice)

I think one of the best things that we can learn from Princess Kate's closet is that classy is always beautiful, and even though we may not all have a royal wardrobe, simplicity makes a statement all on its own. Stay elegant!

It's A Peplum World

As much as I love Fashion Week, a lot of the trends we see on the runway are not exactly things the average woman can walk through the grocery store in...

                                                            (I don't plan on attending a mad tea party any time soon..)

Luckily, there are a few styles this fall that I am super excited about working into my wardrobe in more of a subtle way, and one that I am particularly fond of.

The Peplum
We first saw the peplum reappear in the fall of 2011 and an official comeback the following spring, but from the looks of this fall's styles, it isn't leaving anytime soon. Basically a peplum is an added ruffle at the waist of an item of clothing. Peplums can come in jackets, tops, dresses and skirts. There have been a few attempts at pants but I wouldn't exactly suggest those to anyone..(meaning they are hideous). Although the first thought of peplums instantly filled my mind with awful 80's images, when it is done correctly, they can be highly fashionable and classic.

                                                       (because between this and the hat, I'd choose Wonderland..)

Thank goodness for time periods with better fashion sense. Due to a little 1940's influence, peplums, when made with the correct amount of fabric and hitting the body in the right place, can be very flattering to the body. While hiding the negative and accentuating the positive, is there really anything better?

And now that I have become fascinated with them, there is really no place to look without finding a great peplum outfit not only at every store, but in every magazine and award show I look at. It seems like every star with every body type has found a fantastic way to wear this classic revisited style.

Check out how these stars rock the peplum look!

                                                                       Emma Watson in two different styles

                                                                                    Gaga looking flawless

                                                                                           Jennifer Hudson

                                                                    both a formal and more casual look from Michelle Williams

                                                                                        Kim Kardashian

                                                                       Beyonce in an outfit very similar to Lady Gaga's

              clearly designer Victoria Beckham has this style down. One of her peplum dresses has been spotted all over Hollywood     
                                                                                                    (including herself!)

                                               And let's just be honest, anything Kate wears is something I want to wear too.

So here's to a fantastic style that can still make a huge trend wave over seventy years after it's first big moment!

How To: Turning Summer Favorites Into Fall Must-Haves

As any self-proclaimed fashion lover, I can't wait for every season change because of the new possibilities in the clothing and accessory world. Unfortunately, when new styles come in, usually the season before fades away, leaving behind items I'm never quite ready to let go of. Luckily some pieces are able to make the transition from one season into the other if it is guided with a few accessories, leaving both your closet space and your pocketbook thanking you for not buying a full new wardrobe every time the leaves change!

Maxi Dresses

To save your favorite maxi dress from retiring for the year, pair with a leather jacket and ankle boots. The combination of a light flowing dress and leather make the perfect soft but edgy fall style we love!

Sundresses

To keep a sundress in your wardrobe cycle, pair with a light blazer and trade wedges for a closed toe pump. This refines your look while still being able to have fun with bright summer shades and shapes.

Colored Skinny Jeans

One of my favorite trends lately has been the colored skinny jean and I am so happy I will be able to wear them for at least a few more months! The trick to bringing colored jeans into autumn is to use neutral tones to calm down the over all look. Try a basic striped tee with a chunky knit sweater. Accessorize with a warm high boot and a muted scarf.

Shorts

In order to stay in those super cute shorts a little longer, ditch the sandals and upgrade into a pair of fun bold tights and a thick heel, A short sleeved sweater keeps the outfit from feeling over weighted and stuffy, while still feeling weather appropriate.

There really is no reason to get rid of things you love as the seasons change,as long as you know how to bring them up to date, so hopefully these easy styling tips will keep your favorite clothes in your closet and a few extra dollars in your pocket!

Girly Details I'm Obsessing Over (and you should be too)

As every well dressed woman knows, it's all in the details. Little inexpensive and easy touches make a simple outfit more of a statement and play up the feminine part of any item. Here are a few examples of the ones I've recently been fixated on.

1. Lace Footies

2. Brooches

3. Bows and Open Backs

4. Hair Accessories

5. Nail Art

So if you haven't started playing around with a few of these yet, now is the time to get back into your closet and see what little details you've been missing that you can play up yourself!

For The Love Of Pan Am

As many of you may know, I am a huge fan of anything vintage. The trouble with genuine vintage clothing is it can be very difficult to find still in good condition and at a price that won't make your pocket book cry a little inside. My newest obsession is the clothing worn in the new television show Pan Am, especially the wardrobe of Christina Ricci's character Maggie. Every time I watch the show, I try to find an element of an outfit I love and create it in today's clothing, and at a price I can afford!

  

( If only women still looked like this everyday!)

So for just a little inspiration, I've put together a few outfits to help guide you in how to have that beautiful vintage style and still look up to date!

focus on basics when it comes to clothing choices, but have fun with your accessories!

play with mostly neutrals, and use a contrast color to add a little pop

(such as black, grey, and pink)

tiny details such as buttons down the front of a pencil skirt add a little retro feel to a classic piece

so find someone or something that catches your eye and see what new looks you can create!

The Power Of Red

Sometimes, the best way to react to rough day is a little retail therapy. But what happens on the days when your bank account isn't in support of your need for that new pair of heels after not getting that job promotion? The trick is a good red lipstick.

During The Great Depression, cosmetic sales rose 25 percent and it was more likely for a household to own a tube of lipstick than a jar of mustard. If a lady couldn't afford a new dress, she could easily freshen up her look and pick up her mood with her lipstick of choice.

During WWII, lipstick was considered part of the war effort, promoting femininity and boosting morale for the women wearing it and the men looking at them. The Marines even had Estee Lauder's "Montezuma Red" and Revlon's "Certainly Red" as part of women's uniforms.

Although most of us don't consider lipstick a part of our uniform and probably have mustard in our refrigerator, there is something we can take from women of both The Great Depression and World War II. 

When times are hard, glam it up!

Because nothing says confident,

classy,

and sexy

like a well done pair of red lips.

Tips For Your Lips

1. When wearing red, tone down the rest of your look.

Keep your eyes light and wear a touch of blush to keep your face from looking too harsh.

2. Choose the right color.

If your complexion is a pink tone, go with plum based reds. If you are more of a yellow undertone, warmer reds with brown undertones will be the most flattering.

3. Line your lips.

Reds tend to feather out and bleed, so line your lips to avoid a faded look.

I often use my liner on all of my lips as a base to keep the color vibrant.

4. Avoid getting lipstick on your teeth.

The best way I've found is to stick my index finger in my mouth, close lips around it, and then pull out your finger. Excess lipstick will be on your finger instead of the inside of your lips.

5. The older, the lighter.

As you start to age, it's important to lighten your lipstick shades. Our lips start to become smaller over time, and wearing dark colors accentuate lines and create a harsh look.

so just like the ladies before us, when in doubt, go red!

The Men I've Dated (And the Clothing They Remind Me Of)

The older I've become, naturally, the more relationships I have been in. And as most of them have not exactly been your average 'run of the mill' kind of situations, I have realized that the best way to explain almost everyone I've dated was to compare them to an article of clothing. Now, this could be because I relate nearly everything to clothing, or I may really be on to something here. Either way, I'd pick clothes over men any day, anyway.

The Uggs

I've never been a big Ugg fan to be quite honest, and although I've never actually owned a pair they do remind me of a certain boyfriend type. Even when you know you can do better, they're comfortable and always a strong go to when you aren't ready to go out of your comfort zone. The sad thing about Uggs are you're not really fooling anybody. We can all tell you're just doing what takes the least amount of effort, and that's about the worst thing you can do to yourself. Just to make myself clear, we should all move on from Uggs, both the boyfriends and the shoes.

The Poncho

The Poncho is kind of like the wet blanket of boyfriends. He has no structure, no backbone, and does nothing for you, or anyone else really. No one should waste their time trying to make things work with a poncho, because really all it's going to want to do is hang there.

The Skinny Jeans

These Skinny Jeans is not so much the cut as it the size. He's usually more of a good memory than anything else, and you like to keep him because you're reminiscent of who you were then and hope you'll fit back into that pair of jeans again someday.

The Turtleneck

I tend to date a lot of Turtlenecks. They are usually best described as 'clingers' and are often emotionally needy. The thing with Turtlenecks is everyone else usually loves them, but that's because they're not wearing one. No matter how much everyone tells you how cute it is and how perfect it is for you, every time you give a chance you find yourself suffocated, overwhelmed, and asking yourself why the hell you put yourself through this again.

The Little Black Dress

And finally, there is the "Mr. Right" of clothing, the Little Black Dress. The great thing about the perfect black dress is it compliments you in everyway and is perfect for every occasion. In all reality, you probably can't imagine life before you found your LBD and in the end you wonder why you wasted so much time on Ugg boots and turtlenecks.