Missy's Closet

   It's been a while since posting because like I said in the last one, I needed to find some inspiration. Well recently I have been having friend ask me to help make outfits for them out of what they already have in their closet.

   My best friend Missy just got her first big girl job in an office so she asked me to help her put together business appropriate outfits. We went through and picked out some staple items like trousers and blazers and mixed them with different shoes and blouses she had. I put together four different outfits to start for her first week and she put together her last outfit for the week. Here are there four...

Here is Missy on her first day! Follow her on instagram to see her outfits everyday @whatmissysaw

Helping Missy was so much fun and really made me remember what I love about fashion, I love to put together outfits for people to fit their own personal style. I promise there is more to come with styling.

Get Up, Get Out.

It may come as no surprise to you, considering my lack of posts, that I am lacking a bit of influence and passion. Passion for those things that I used to be totally amped on, like fashion and blogging. But in light of trying to dedicate this year to making things in my life better, I decided to stop that quickly, and turn my rut around.

Welcome March: month of sensory overload and forced inspiration. This month I have been striving to bring my creative side out of hibernation by making myself do something different involving culture or art every week, and I think its finally working. Over the past couple weekends I attended the Cleveland Art Museum, a friend's art show, a few local shows and tonight my roommate and I really pushed the creativity envelope for ourselves, and made a bookshelf into a bar! (thanks to pintrest, of course!) My friends and I will also be having another clothing swap this month, So if that doesn't get the creative juices flowing, I don't know what will.

Outfit post is in a way pushing myself creatively, as well. Not saying that it was hard for me to assemble a blouse and skirt together, more like…bright colored florals are a little intense for me. But I was drawn to this top’s brightness, I feel like it’s not your average floral, It’s like floral on acid, and I like it. Pushing myself out of this rut has been difficult, but I was the only thing holding myself back from feeling creative again. So I got up, got over it, and forced myself to go out and see and do until I finally felt it again.

So if you are experiencing a bit of a rut, and it’s winter so I believe I’m probably not the only one, Get up! Get out! and force yourself out of it! you are the only one who can really put an end to it and make yourself better. It was a lot easier than I thought, and besides, of course things are only going to get better, spring is right around the corner!
 
All Photos By Lindsey at http://www.flickr.com/photos/viewoutoffocus

Year of The Blonde.

 

These photos were intended for my New Years post, however, when I went to post they had some how disappeared. So it’s appropriate that they resurfaced for the first of February, so here is my not-quite-so New Years outfit and post.

 

 

 

How could I not incorporate this vintage sequin bustier into my New Years outfit? This puppy is probably my proudest vintage find, but i don’t know if people could handle it in day to day setting, so I brought it out to be a little fancy to ring in a new year, which, not in a selfish way, I am devoting to me and self improvement.

 

I am not one for resolutions, but I have had a rough start to the new year, with that being said I am setting small goals for myself this year to achieve. Last month, Obviously, was keeping positive. And this month I am devoting my month to health. I have always been health conscious, especially regarding cholesterol (seriously, I’m a freak about it!). But this month is going to be about staying active and eating well to improve my physical health, while, of course, being mentally healthy.

 

So here is to kicking off the New Year (Better late than never!). I hope you all have amazing goals set for yourselves and I hope you know you can achieve them!

 

All Photos by Lindsey.

Happiness Is a New Idea.

 

I don’t talk about being in school on here often, but each day further into my fashion merchandising major fuels me. I have a love hate relationship with the school of fashion. Obviously, I am incredibly grateful for going to school everyday and learning more about my passion, but I am also newly inspired everyday by what surrounds me. Whether it be the fashion I see on other students (sometimes I feel like I’m at the capital in The Hunger Games with the styles I see), the abundance of information regarding fashion news and trends, or just the fact that every class I attend reassures me that I am doing the right thing.

 

I have mentioned this before on here, but I have been in school for a while, I started college as a fine arts major and two years into it I panicked and knew it wasn't right for me. Fashion was not always an obvious career path for me, just something I was interested in, but I took a chance with fashion merchandising and couldn't be happier.

 

To those who are unsure of what they want and where they will end up, this is for you. Take a chance, go with your gut, and see what happens. Amazing things are bound to happen.

 

In light of a theme I’m noticing emerge here on my blog…keeping positive and happy, especially in the winter, and taking chances and finding what is right for you..

 

I chose a way to dress up in the winter. It is so easy to fall in the funk of not caring what you look like when its cold, but it is just as easy to throw on a dress and a nice pair of shoes and tights. I am so inspired by girls here in Akron especially, regardless of how cold it is, I know I can probably go to High Land Square and see some girls who care. This goes out to you as well.

 

All Photos Be Lindsey

Cartoon Spirit.

      




Considering that it is winter and it is about 7 degrees outside, I am all about doing anything right now to stay positive, happy and most importantly…WARM! I’ve mentioned this before and i will say it again, bright colors make me happy! So to get rid of these wintery blues I am embracing my colorful side to keep me and hopefully everyone around me, cheerful!

So for this outfit i channeled a happy l mouse. Mickey Mouse, that is. Perhaps me being trying to be so cheerful is turning me into a cartoon character? Oh well, i’m ok with it until i get through February.

All Photos By Lindsey.

Trouble.

 

All Photos by Lindsey.

Ode to Mandy

      

I have always been drawn to a more edgy style when it comes to the way I dress, accessories, and even decorate, however I have also always had a soft spot for the simplest stlyes and even someone of a preppy type style. It may be the inner emo kid in me, mixing alternative styles with preppy, but when done well, I think it looks pretty good.
I was recently inspired by an outfit I saw on Mandy Moore (Yes, Mandy Moore) on WhoWhatWear. She was in a leather skirt by The Row and a Vintage oxford button and some heels; she looked effortlessly cool. realizing I had a skirt with pleather panels I thought I would try a variation of the outfit.



 
                                                  

I wore a gingham button I got at a clothing swap with my skirt from Wet Seal, however instead of heels, I wore the outfit to work with a pair of gray tights and oxfords from Target. I really liked the juxtapostion of the button up and skirt, achieving a nice balance between simple and edgy. I played with the theme by wearing my Warby Parker glasses, oxfords and gray tights to compliment the more prep side of the outfit, and I wore my skull and spike jewelry to compliment the edgy side.

So there you go, I guess Mandy Moore inspired me to look like an edgy librarian? Whatever, I was really into it, and felt good in it, so I guess that’s all that matters.

 

All Photos by Lindsey

Love is a Place.

         

Though I have been living here for five years now I have never considered Ohio my home. California will always be my home. I came here for college and family, and during my time here I have made some of the best friends of my life and someone I consider the love of my life. I never excpected to fall in love with the place, but after years of being here, how can I not call this my home? I have been thinking a lot and discussing with my friends that I want to go home soon. But I kind of am home.
Ohio has a certain charm about it in it’s cities and in it’s people that I feel like you can’t find anywhere else. I have spoken to others who are not from here and they say the same thing, this place is home. It actually makes you feel like home. My time in Ohio made me recognize all the things I love most, it helped me find my love for fashion and style. It has inspired me.
Of course there are places and people here that would make you feel otherwise, but when you got to the right areas and find good company, it’s pretty obvious to me that this place has a lot of heart.  

(Dress Figleaf. Shoes Wet Seal. Purse swapped. Jewelry Aldo, Forever21.)

I was lucky enough to end up in Akron. I’m not saying that I will always be here, I dont know where I will be, but right now, I am so happy to have this as my home. If you live in Ohio and think other wise, slow things down and take a look around you at the places and people you love, and see how wonderful this place really is.


All Photos by Lindsey.

Getting Personal

My favorite thing about fashion is and always will be style. A piece of clothing, like a plain black dress, can be completely transformed depending on the girl wearing it, and how she makes it fit her style. Personal style is what makes one’s fashion sense completely unique to them. And when you are dressed completely to your taste, you generally feel your best and most confident. This is the power of someone individuality. As cheesy as this may sound, it’s true. and you know it it.

With that being said I was lucky enough to get this Brooklyn Canvas dress from Sugar lips to make my own and style as I please. When I received the dress, I had a completely different style in mind for it. I was going to wear it as more of a bohemian style dress with some black sandals and a jean vest with wavy hair. Obviously, I didn’t take that route. When I tried the dress on one night before taking photos, My hair was done up like this twisty, faux victory roll style, and I got inspired. It made me think of the blues in the 60’s. (Watch Cadillac Records, and you will see!) I decided to pair the dress with my wing tips from Urban Outfitters, and my vintage blue belt that I got at a clothing swap, and boom, I felt like I was ready to go see Muddy Waters play in Chicago. If only…I am going to Chicago this weekend, so maybe I can just pretend.

My switch from one style to the next with this dress is a perfect example of how a piece can be transformed. It just depends on your mood and what inspires your style. All of the different prints in the dresses and tops at Sugar lips really speak to me in creating a more retro-vibe in my style. What inspires your styling?






All Photos By Lindsey.

Complemantary Colors.

                           


I feel like it’s starting to become old news for me to say that I like mixing colors. But let me just say it one more time, with feeling, I LOVE mixing colors. Exploring with different color combinations can really make an old piece shine like new again.


My new Favorite way to do colors is with the complementary colors. Here I use yellow and purples. It can also work with blue and orange and red and green. I know that a few things may be coming to mind with these pairings…sports, high school colors, Christmas. yuck! I too have the fear of looking like an obsessed sports or Christmas fan sometimes when doing this, but here is a little trick…try mixing different shades of the complementary colors.
Here I am wearing an obviously VERY purple skirt, but with the yellow and white striped shirt, not only is the yellow more of a pastel, but its also toned down with the shear chiffon and the white stripes.

Another color combo I am absolutely love is turquoise and coral. Its a nice was to do the blue orange with out being overly bright, and the colors are everywhere this summer, so it’s an easy combo to accomplish.






I did decide to style my outfit with ( what do ya know!) more colors! I promise that this wont be the only thing I talk about, but my next post will be obnoxious with a red, white and blue post. Whoops!
All Photos by Lindsey.

Mustard Stripes.

There is something about summer that makes me want to only wear dresses. Cute. New. Dresses. Lots of them. So that means I basically need to practice self control and not buy every dress I see. I may have splurged on a few here and there, like on this mustard striped dress I got from Forever 21.
It’s a perfect summer staple in my opinion. The structure of the shirt dress makes it not so girly and the colorful stripe was a perfect way to make it more appropriate for summer. Here I have it styled with neutral leathers in navy and brown to make the dress seem a little more masculine. It could be styled with a floral cardigan for a more quirky girly look too.





Photos by Lindsey.

Promise.

                        



This summer holds so much promise for me. Nothing too huge is happening, but I just have a really great feeling, ya know? The 330 Blogger collective already held an extremely successful clothing swap, I am going to Chicago in July with all of my good friends, and possibly Kelly’s Island, plenty of summer concerts, moving and of course spending time with friends and family.

I still have a full-time job, but since I don’t believe in summer classes, I am taking my free time for spending as much time with friends, family, and Mike. Mike just left to for a few days to Chicago to play a show with Empires, he will be back but leaves for tour next week. So we have been squeezing in as much “us” time as possible, and it really has been nice.

I also plan on spending as much time AS POSSIBLE with one of my best friends, Missy. She is moving to France in September to teach English for a year. So since I have basically seen her almost every day of the past 3 years(we live together) I am going to try to see her even more to get in all the friend time I can!

So this outfit post is kind of a kick off to a fun, promising summer! I figured a fun retro-inspired outfit would do the trick with my tied chiffon blouse and polka dot shorts(Forever 21), accessorized with striped cat-eye glasses(Wet Seal) and fuschia loafers(Target).






All Photos By Lindsey.

Rainy Day Dark

All photos by Lindsey.

Color Story

I have always wanted to try a bright colored tight, but I have been aprensive. I guess i have always thought of bright colored tights as like neon and scary and kind of something people wear to raves. I dont know why, but thats what I think of! Luckily a friend of mine has convinced me otherwise.

Jessica from Midwest Muse can literally pull of any color of tight and it’s adorable. The last time I saw her she was wearing these burgundy colored tights with a skirt and a blouse that matched perfectly. It was so cute. I expressed to her my concerns about bright colored raver tights and she said to choose tasteful colors, not neons.

It really makes sense. It is so easy to match with jewel tones, and brights are especially nice for spring. So here I had my first attempt! I chose these cobalt blue tights given to me by my friend Ashley. I took the tights, went to my closet, and dove in to find the perfect blue to match it. When I emerged, i had found this accordion pleated dress I got from Wet Seal a couple months before hand.
I have recently been into mixing different bright colors so this dress was a perfect choice! So here it is Jessica, my first attempt at colored tights. I hope I made you proud and didn’t put you to shame!

Here is Jessica with a very cute striped dress and colored tight outfit! Check out her blog for more colored tight options.

what was your first colored tight outfit?
all photos by Lindsey.