New Loves and Updates

I know that last week I did not post that often, due mostly to technical issues and a family visit. 
So, I am going to do an update of the things that I like, want, or find interesting.


Neon:
Walgreens has a great cheap nail polish line (Sinful Colors) that has some of the best colors. Quite a few neons but also other awesome colors. It's only $1.99 a bottle so don't except the polish to last that long. If you are like me who changes it constantly (a color barely lasts a week) this is fine.


Here is the orange:

The orange neon looks awesome. It's a good accent color. It looks good against my skin, which is more on the pale side. Whereas the yellow just made my skin look gross. If you are darker complected or tan try the yellow, if not stick more to the orange or green. Plus the orange and green cover better than the yellow.


Flannel:
Yes, back, briefly to flannel. Forever 21 was having a sale and I saw an awesome red and black checked flannel shirt for six bucks. It is summer so how am I going to wear this very warm long sleeve shirt? As a cover up! Do it. I get cold easily in air conditioned conditions. Everything is air conditioned now and I freeze. I was asked at work yesterday why I was wearing a sweater. Because it is cold! Replace the cardigan with this fun long sleeve. It's just as heavy as a cardigan but has a little more personality with it's checks and colors.


Jeans:
The jeans I blogged about the other day, the boyfriend fit by American Eagle, amazing. The most comfortable pair of jeans that I have ever worn. Yep, they stretched out a bit, but they make my ass look great, plus they don't slid off, plus they are just comfy. Total win.


Cool things I want:
After spying this type of skirt in just about every magazine last month I have been searching high and low for just such a skirt in my price range. I love the look, it's so easy and free and summery looking.


I found this one at www.romwe.com and just bought it:

The second one is from www.lulus.com and purple. I like purple. But I like the fit of the first one better. I think these long chiffon skirts are so cute. And hopefully it looks good on me. It might be a little difficult to find something to wear with it. It has to be something fitted up top, like a simple tank top.


These earrings:
These long feathered earrings are so interesting and fun-looking and if I had a pair I would only wear one, Lucy Hale-style.

This is from Edge of Urge, so pretty expensive, but Urban Outfitters has some, still more on the pricey side. Maybe I could try and make my own...


Beach Reading:
Lastly, there is a little bit of reading. I picked up Lauren Conrad's new book Style. I haven't gotten very far through it yet, but she offers a lot of helpful and accessible tips, tips for the real girl, even the U.P. girl. It's something you could read at the beach, if you want to avoid a cheesy or badly written romance or want to take a break from all the vampire fiction that's out there now. For me, it's a break from the existential theory I thought would be fun to read last year at the beach. Interesting, but not beach material.

That is it for today. As always, let me know what you think. Let me know if any of these styles would work in the U.P. I am curious on how that chiffon skirt will be taken. I will find out, I am sure.

Shopping Techniques

I have a secret: I am not currently living in the U.P. But soon I will be moving back, in literally a few weeks. Right now I am living in the land of shopping where anything I want is at my fingertips. A fruit from the deepest part of South America, I can find. If I want all natural oreo cookies I can get them (If you are ever near a Whole Foods check them out, so good).
And clothes. Pretty much anything I want. I can shop Macy's, Anthropologie, American Apparel, Victoria's Secret, Urban Outfitters, vintage stores, boutiques.
But I am moving soon, to the land of trees and deer. Which I am happy about, don't get me wrong, but I am wondering how I will do without all this shopping at my fingertips. Probably save money.


There will certainly be periodic trips to the nearest shopping mall: Appleton.


Since Appleton isn't in our backyard, it needs some planning. You want to go there and get everything you need and not realize afterwards that you didn't get what you really needed. Growing up whenever we went to places like this, it was just for school shopping. There was always an idea of what was needed, jeans, shirts, sweaters, etc.
With me leaving, I am planning, it's like getting ready for a new school year. There are certain clothing articles I need/want: a good pair of jean shorts, a few more tank tops, an outfit for the rehearsal dinner I have to attend later this summer, a possible interview outfit, a long chiffon skirt, a decent watch.


Having a list, or atleast an idea of what you need, I think helps so much with shopping. Less distractions,  less spending money on things you don't need or won't end up wearing.


Research a little. Maybe I am the only one who does this, but I read many fashion magazines. When I see something I like in the pages and usually those clothes are designer pieces that I would never be able to afford, I look for a similar cheaper version. Right now I am looking  for a long beautiful chiffon skirt that is actually being a little difficult to find. For my interview outfit I am looking for a black pencil skirt and a white button up. Go online, most places have online shopping now. If you are familiar with what stores usually carry, then you should be able to find what you are looking for. I finally found that chiffon skirt at www.urbanoutfiffers.com, and I am going to make a trip to the mall soon to try it on (fingers crossed that it looks good),


Take a friend who is good to shop with. I took a friend with me a couple weeks ago and told her what I was looking for. She kept a good eye out for me and kept popping up with exactly what I wanted.


Plan the time of year to go. As summer settles in, people are out traveling, I often find more sales. Right now winter gear is on sale or on clearance. I know, who wants to shop for stuff like that in the heat of summer. But stock up on those cardigans, I always need one in the air conditioning stores blast. Stock up on the basics, too. Forever 21 is a great place to get cheap tank tops and t-shirts. For someone like me who loves to layer, they are a staple. I am never not wearing a tank.


So those are a few of my tips on shopping at a distance.  Hope they help in your journey to the mall. By the way, Victoria's secret semi-annual sale is going on right now. Hit that ridiculousness up.

The lifelong search for that glorious pair of jeans

Good fitting jeans for me are hard to find. Over the past five years I have probably only had two or three jeans that fit me amazingly. And yes, I wore them out until there was nothing left. In fact, I still have one pair because I can't bring myself to throw it out. Yet they are so full of holes I can't wear them.


Right now I have a pile of jeans that some aspect of them just don't fit that well. Too loose in the butt, mostly they don't fit me in the waist. There is a gap in the back, or when I bend over my ass hangs out. Jeans should be comfortable. Jeans should fit well. It's unfortunate that this rarely happens. So here is my little guide to helping you make the mistake that I so often do...


I have begun my search for those jeans that are perfect. I have done the rounds of the places that I once got perfect/cheap jeans from. Target, Old Navy (they never actually fit that well, except their trouser pants. Love their trouser pants), Charlotte Russe, Silver Jeans, even Aeropostale. I have since moved on to Gap, American Eagle, Urban Outfitters, and Levi's.
So far all have failed except American Eagle and Urban Outfitters. I just recently bought a pair of jeans from American Eagle and have not had a chance to wear them out and about yet. Urban Outfitters I have heard a lot of good things about but have not yet hit up their store.


Now, to begin your search for that pair of jeans that completes you, do not be faint of heart. It may take a long time. When trying on jeans grab a handful of them, different sizes, different fits. The jeans I got from American Eagle are a size 2, boyfriend fit. Never would I have thought I could fit into a size 2 or even like that usually looser boyfriend fit. 
Ask the salespeople too. Usually if they work there, they buy from there (or at least I would if I worked in a clothing store). They, if they are knowledgeable, know if their sizes run small or large. So don't beat yourself up about whatever size you end up fitting in. In the next store instead of a size 2 I may be grabbing a size 6.
Jeans nowadays usually have a little stretch to them, like 1-5% spandex. When trying on jeans get them tight. You know, not tight to the point of losing breath, but that you can still easily zip them up and nothing is spilling out anywhere. Once wearing them they will stretch out, so don't except them to stay how they are in the fitting room. So for jeans to be a little too tight is good, because they will stretch out. While still in the fitting room, dance around a little, do a couple stretches. Do the jeans say in place? Do they slid off your ass? Do they hitch above your ankle if you sit down? Does the waist gap hugely in the back?
If you have any of these problems move on to the next pair unless you want to be uncomfortable in your jeans or have to have a belt to keep them up. 


Looking for a specific style of jeans? It's nice that there are so many different styles of jeans. There is the skinny cut, boot cut, flares, boyfriend, the jegging...am I missing any? Probably. 
Anyway, Skinny jeans, I think, does take some confidence to pull off, at first. I was nervous for my first pair, especially after a life time of wear straight leg or boot cut. I have quite a few pairs now, mostly due to my love of boots. These jeans have to be the right length. Too long and they bunch at the ankle and it usually looks chunky and terrible. You could roll them, which is fine, or you could move on to try another pair, or find a tailor, like my grandma. Grandma's are usually free, tailors I imagine are not, as I have never gone. But if the pair fits perfectly every other way, and you want to invest in the jeans, then find a tailor. Or try and do it yourself. We've all had a home ec class at one time right?


Boot cut jeans are universally appealing as they aren't tight against the calf and balance out an ass or hips.


Flares make me laugh and I don't have much else to say about those. I never was one much for the sixties looks. But if that's what you like, go for it.


Boyfriend jeans are usually a nice, loose fit. To balance out this comfy cut wear something more fitted up top, even if it is just a t-shirt. Don't make it one complete boyfriend look by borrowing your boyfriend's white t-shirt. Get your own nicely fitted T with these jeans.


The jegging. Do they even fit into this category of jeans? I don't know. I have tried a couple on in the past, but if you are like me and have a wider hip/ass/thigh thing going on be careful with these. Find ones that have a thicker fabric, that skim over curves rather than clinging uncomfortably. My sister found a great pair at the Levi store, probably because those jeggings are more jean than spandex, rather than the other way around.


Now you may have noticed that many of the stores that I have mentioned aren't actually in the U.P. but the jean search can take you far and wide. Appleton isn't that far away. Go to stores you normally wouldn't go to and try on the jeans there. But try them on! Unless you know very well how a certain jean brand fits avoid the internet unless they have a good return policy.


What to do once you found that perfect pair? Stock up. Invest in them and buy two or three pairs. Jeans never go out of style. And who cares about style, if they fit you great, they will be a staple in your wardrobe at any time of the year. Often times stores change their jean selection frequently and that pair you found a year ago may very well be gone. Yes, I am talking to you Silver jeans. Sigh...How I miss that pair of jeans.


I hope this was helpful when shopping for that elusive pair of awesome fitting jeans. I will keep you updated on my jean search. And tell me about yours!