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.

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.

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

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.

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.

MC Hair Fashion Show + Noto: People

A week ago today I attended the MC Hair fashion show featuring Noto to give Akron it’s own rendition of Fashion’s night out. Many amazing people helped in making the night. The first person, who seriously ended up making my entire night, was Lauren Ward of Noto.

Lauren is the owner of downtown Akron’s boutique Noto, where she bring city style chic clothing to Akron with mostly independent designers, including Canada’s Gentle fawn. She also has a local vintage line and some jewelry from local designers as well. The slogan for her shop is “fashion is a choice” and at the MC fashion event on Thursday she gave all attendees plenty of choices.

In the back of the salon she had a mini version of her store set up with and adorable display of accessories and multiple rolling racks full of clothing for summer and winter. I was literally dying over everything she had, especially her coat collection. I bought two things: a convertible clutch/purse and a green woven belt which I got 20 percent off of for purchasing at the event. The 20 percent off coupon was available for everyone at the even and I know most people took advantage of them. To me, this was the best part about the entire night so I do recommend checking out her store!

Other great people of the evening were Liz and Jason Of Urban Eats who catered the event with an array of amazing food. Urban Eats is located next to Musica and Noto and is full of amazing food and art done by Jason.

And the in house artist for the event Bernadette Glorioso who drew a picture from a fashion coffee table book and then painted it encouraging party goers to paint too. It was mainly little girls who kept getting in line to paint…and then there was Lindsey and I right there with them. I got pretty excited about the color pink I made.

The best part about Noto and Urban Eats is that they are ownder by incredibly down to earth people aaaandd they are right next to each other! It’s perfect! So the next time you go to a show at musica, stop in and visit them! Also please please check out Bernadette’s art! it’s incredible!

All photos by Lindsey