I wish I knew this blogger personally so I could potentially raid her closet and never have to search for anything fantastic again. I'd have an entire perfectly sorted wardrobe...or 'pantry', at my fingertips. I love pretty much everything she features, especially her classic mix of Denim, Tees/Blouses, and Heels. Below I've pictured a few of my favorite looks. For more Style Pantry go HERE.
Photo from Hudson's '13 Lookbook feat.: Nico Mid-Rise Super Skinny-London Print
What is my body type like? I can describe it in three words "gangly", fairly "skinny", "boobs" Ok... well technically I suppose that was four words. But either way, I apologize if the "boobs" comment offended you. I'm just keeping it real. What I'd really like to point out is the fact that, "amazingly shaped butt" is not in the word description portion. Now, while I wouldn't call it "flat" per say, the back/bottom portion of me still isn't anything to write home about. ...and I know, SQUATS SQUATS SQUATS! Well, I'm working on it people.... but in the mean time, I'd still like to look presentable. ...and for this reason, I tend to buy an assortment of the following denim brands, Paige Jeans and Hudson.
HUDSON
TRY THESE JEANS ON. period. If you want to see an instant butt lift, you need these. I'm not sure if its the location of the pockets, or the size of them, but Hudson is definitely a go-to brand for me for fashionable butt enhancements. lol.
Nico Skinny Stretch: Classic white denim is a MUST for summer :)
Collin Skinny-Youth Vintage: These seem perfectly distressed to me.
Nico Mid-Rise Super Skinny-London Print. These are the jeans in the first photo. Athough I have absolutely no place to wear them, I still would like to have a pair. :)
PAIGE
Paige is one of my favorite brands for jeans, as they tend to fit well around little legs...While my calves are muscular, they are fairly tiny. Many Paige styles fit snuggly all the way down to your ankles. I also tend to get a size lower, because these jeans definitely stretch after a few wears and washes. Click HERE to find your own personal fit.
Verdugo Ultra Skinny: One of my personal favorite jeans for everyday wear.
Kylie Crop-Poppy Red (I saw these bad boys on the PAIGE Instagram page... I've honestly never tried the Kylie style but I'm hoping for the best, since those little bikes are so cute!)
PAIGE SHORTS
I personally like to have at the very least one of the following colors/styles in my Summer shorts collection...Below are my Paige Picks, but many other brands contain suitable options.
Echo Park Short - Riley Destruction: Light Wash Distressed Cut Offs..pair with a tank or fun tee-shirt
Jimmy Jimmy Short-Wreckage: Like basic denim white pants, the Summer calls for a pair of solid white classic shorts.
Jimmy Jimmy Short-Glass: A bright color is essential. I love this minty hue :)
Amani wanted in on todays extravaganzas...I haven't given you a "Meow or Two" in a long time...so heres a dose of the true young Queen... haha!
If you're like me, One of a Kind's are your thing. I love speciality gifts, trinkets, and the sorts, and generally check out places like Etsy, weekly for interesting finds. So anyway, yesterday I was talking to a friend and came to realize that she was a master at combining two of my favorite things (shoes & artwork!)to form a specialty piece that would be perfect for anyone's holiday gift giving.
Check out La Shoesies. The creator makes a replica of your favorite shoe (Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Sam Edelman etc.) with the letters from your name. These amazing personalized pieces are delivered beautifully framed, boxed, and ready to be wrapped up and gifted. Although shoes are her speciality, she has also made pieces for baby gifts and even a few styles for the animal lovers. Check out the photos below and if you would like to order one go HERE. If you cannot access the link, shoot me an email :) Time is running out for the November promotion...BUY ONE..GET ONE 50% off! xo-SBG
www.facebook.com/LaShoesie
I love my mother very much, and therefore this post is long long lonnggggg overdue. She keeps asking me, "When are you going to post something for the women of my age? All of my friends are waiting!" So I think I may start a mini series just on topics concerning age appropriate styles. I'll see how it goes. :) But, for now, lets get right into todays post... According to an article I read on Oprah.com...
'Lloyd Boston, author of Before You Put That On, says the number one mistake women make is shopping by size, not by fit. "They're married to an 8 but the 10 starts fitting a little better," he says. "Go ahead and get the 10 and cut the number out. Get the clothes that fit, not the number you want to be and your clothes will look so much sexier.'
Now, any person can benefit from this advice, but as we age, our bodies naturally change shape. I mean, I turned 27 in April and I already feel like I may have to change my pen name to thatSometimesSkinnyBrownGirl. ...My BCBG powerskirts are all splitting up the side hems, my tailored pants are becoming stretch, and lets just say I may be hitting the gym for more than just health reasons. haha. We are women... our bodies change... you may not always be a size 6, but THATS OK. Pop on that size 8 and exhale! Im not at all against weight maintanance and such, but if you want to look great and feel great, it is truly imperative that your clothes fit well. No one knows what number you're wearing anyway, they're just checking you out to see if you look good or not, and if you're comfortable and everything fits properly, it will definitely show both on the inside and outside! ;)
Below I've listed 3 of my favorite needs for women over 40. If you have any questions on where to purchase the below listed, feel free to comment below or shoot me an email.
1. Great Denim. Lets face it. Jeans are one of the most easy pieces to throw on, match a shirt with, and run out the house to the grocery store or whatever errands you have for the day. Every woman over 40 needs a great pair of jeans and the brand, "Not Your Daughter's Jeans" are my personal pick.
Style Tip from Tim Gunn of BRAVO TV's Project Runway: Try to avoid, "Capri-length pants and low-rise jeans.".
NeimanMarcus, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom... pretty much all major department stores carry this line, and you can even order them off of Amazon. The great thing about Not Your Daughter's Jeans is their lift/tuck technology that helps smooth everything out and lift you in those important places ;). Check the brand out by clicking each Store link above, or go to their official website, HERE.
2. The Perfect (Summer) Jacket. My mother always says, "I just need something to throw over my shoulders..." So, my suggestion is to seek out a great thin weight jacket style or summer sweater. Choose a fabric that can be worn in warm weather, cover your shoulders, but not cause you to overheat. Stick to lighter neutral colors so you can wear it with many options...and avoid at all costs, double breasted jackets, which tend to make one look boxy and less shapely. Show your feminine curves ladies!
J.Jill Utility Jacket, Drawstring for Waist Shaping, Need this? Click --->HERE.
J.Jill Textured Sweater, Layering piece. Need this? Click --->HERE.
3. A Touch of the Tribal Trend
Its ok if you're not all that into trends...No matter what your age is, I hate when people go trend crazy and overdo a certain look... However, it doesn't hurt to have one piece that draws a particular trend in. For the summer, currently Tribal pieces are extremely popular. Add an interesting oversized tribal necklace to a plain dress... or a silky printed scarf w/ fringes to enhance any everyday look.
Theodora and Callum, Blue maya linen biarritz Tote. Need this? Click --->HERE
Nordstrom, Accessory Street 'Tribal Animal' Scarf. Need this? Click --->HERE
BCBGMAXAZRIA, Amara Printed Maxi Dress. Need this? Click --->HERE .
While BCBGMAXAZRIA does offer a variety of styles in Petite sizes, this particular dress only comes in "Missy". You may need a good taylor to hem or take-up this dress. :) ...Remember... Its all about the FIT!
Its no surprise that I've left blogging behind for the past few months. ...and honestly, my only excuse is lack of inspiration. Every once in a while I run into a creativity block. For me, this is merely a sign that I've been doing TOO MUCH... Each thing or project in my head seems to compete for space in my brain... there ends up being little space left just for my personal thoughts! ..although, sometimes they're one in the same...
But either way, I'm back (and yes, my foot is pretty much healed and sandal ready!!) , and what better way to start off, than with a list? I clearly love listing things... Best new websites, awesome hairstyles, latest cosmetics... the list goes on... (lol) For this post, however I'll be listing just a few of my favorite new purchases. Per usual, underneath I've linked you directly to where you can purchase the item. If you have any questions shoot me an email. I love mail. lol
"Nicola"Dress, BCBGMAXAZRIA
Lexi Shirt, GUESS
Get it HERE ...I've been looking for a chambray shirt for a little while, but all the ones I came across were just too baggy. This shirt actually fits very well, has stretch, and breathes pretty nicely. I usually tie the ends up right under my belly button ...kinda sorta like this...
Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Leave In
Target is my 'go to' for this product... My hair type needs moisture moisture moisture especially in the summer! ...And I totally refuse to not apply a Leave-In Conditioner after doing any treatment to my hair, whether it be washing, cowashing, etc. This bottle actually lasted me a pretty long time, as I substitute regularly with Humectress Luxe Ultimate Moisturizing Leave-In Spray (below) My favorite thing about the LTR however is the smell. It smells soooo good! Fresh, Fruity and a little bit flowery... Yum.
5185's Essentials in Black, CHANEL
Get them at Bloomingdale's or HERE. Now, I absolutely am not the girl that spends hundreds of dollars every year on designer shades, however I have to admit... I was getting tired of buying cheap sunglasses and having them break within the month. So I splurged a little, and coped these babies! lol. They're super chic and I feel my cool points go up about 20 when I put them on, haha. Plus, every girl needs at least one piece of Chanel -even though I think they license out their eyewear to Luxotica- but who cares... I love these. :)
Misty Denim Leggings, True Religion
Get them HERE. I LOVE THESE JEANS. like period. I really do. Being a skinny girl, with curves has its pluses but its also very difficult to find a jean or pant in general that fits properly around my tiny knees and calves but also my thighs... which are small but still hold a definite shape. I've tried Adriana Goldschmidt, Citizens of Humanity (some work great), Joe's etc... none of these brands really fit except for True Religion and J Brand. J Brands are super plain however, so for my new pant purchase I chose these traditional skinny leggings with an interesting 'stingray' wash.
Sateen Skinny Ankle Pant, MadeWell
Get them HERE. Madewell is an obsession of mine. I literally visit this store at the very least once a week...and I have to purchase at least one thing, even if its a tank top. Its sad really. Im addicted! These pants however are great to just throw on for everyday...very soft and thin to help you out in the summer heat.
SBS Color Trak Crock Clips
These are my FAV clips to use when Im sectioning my hair to detangle or apply a deep conditioner. When you pinch the clip it opens but bends even more in the middle for extra hair space. My hair is ridiculously thick so these are some of the only clips that fit each section inside.
Another place I like to buy cute hair accessories that I can actually style my hair with is Youtube's Kimmaytube's online store, LUVNaturals
Sweet Almond Body Butter, the Body Shop
Get it HERE. If you dont know about the Body Butter from the Body Shop, you've been living under a rock. Thats all Im going to say about that! lol No, but really, I dont like eating almonds, but I will buy products with the nut in them. I especially like this body butter lotion, as well as straight almond oil, which I put in my hair to seal moisture in. You can get plain sweet almond oil from your local Wholefoods Store.
...Just a few of my runway favorites. :) xo-SBG
I cannot lie...the thought of walking into ANY Forever 21 store makes me cringe. I don't remember a time where I entered the store and the merchandise was...how should i say it?...actually MERCHANDISED. Either way, I recently was checking out one of my favorite youtube channels, "ulovemegz' ...and I stumbled over one of her 'product haul' videos, which featured some pretty accessories from Forever21. The pieces were so cute that I decided to do a corresponding post for you...which wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be since discovering, Forever21.com. NICE. Clean online merchandising makes me smile, and considering Im still hobbling around with this huge medical boot weighing me down, online shopping has become a daily activity. :) So anyways, I hope you love what I love, and Happy Shopping! xo-SBG
(all products can be found on Forever21.com under Accessories)
...Just a few photos from the British Fashion Awards :) xoxo-SBG
Twiggy, Photo via www.dailymail.co.uk
Naomi Campbell- Special Recognition award winner, photo via www.dailymail.co.uk
Phoebe Philo for Celine-Designer of the Year, photo via www.britishfashionawards.com
Alexa Chung- British Style Award Winner, photo via www.britishfashionawards.com
VV Brown, photo via www.dailymail.co.uk
Meadham Kirchhoff- winners of Emerging Talent - Ready-to-Wear, photo via ww.britishfashionawards.com
Thandie Newton in Peter Pilotto, photo via www.dailymail.co.uk
Husam El Odeh- winner of Emerging Talent - Accessories, photo via www.britishfashionawards.com
I'm super excited to watch the Victoria's Secret Fashion show tonight! Like pretty much every young girl, I once worked retail at the then Limited Brands company. I loved trying out each new fragrance and beauty product, not to mention, all employees got gratis gifts of each new bra to try out. (best thing ever!) Either way, I've always (and still do) loved Victoria's Secret branding methods...they provide styles for all types of women of many sizes... and still manage to evoke that, "I know I look good, girl!" feeling every time. :) Cheers to you VS. I hope you have many more shows to come. I'll definitely be watching tonight. xoxo-SBG
p.s. Look below at some of my favorite VS treats (good gift ideas too!).
I prob. use this scrub 3-4 times a week. Overload? Maybe...But its just so creamy and luxurious, I subconsciously reach for it every time I step into the shower. Its also great to use after you shave. ...and who doesn't love the Dream Angels scent?
My regular readers and Twitter pals, know that I'm far from a makeup nut. I generally go after products just because the packaging is pretty. (curse of a Graphic Designer). Yet, I will slap on a coat or two of this Vickie's High Def. Mascara. It's not so pricey at 12 bucks, & still gets the job done.
I dont care what none of you all say... There is NOTHING like a VS PINK hoodie! I sometimes hear that PINK sweats aren't 'cool' anymore...or are way too young. Well, I have to tell you...the PINK brand was made for young people....highschool/college age! Thats why they exhibit so many fun university prints, and are adorned with the logos of birth years like 1986. Either way, I'm 26, far out of my college years, and yet I still wear my hoodies on the reg. Its time to stop caring what people say about your style...just WEAR WHAT FEELS GOOD to YOU!
One year I gave 2 pairs of these pants to nearly every woman on my Holiday Shopping list. They FEEL GREAT. That is all.
I use to love the original Bronze push up Bronzer brush, but this Limited Addition one I have to try soon! If you already have it, let me know how it smells and feels. I'm extra curious. (ps. its on sale 2 for $20 now) :)
This holiday season, Ladies...you NEED a seamless panty! Not everyone likes to wear thongs (eh hem... o_O ) So, to avoid the entire world checking out your panty line, PLEASE go purchase some Seamless ones like the ones pictured above.
Remember when I said that I sometimes purchase cosmetics merely based off of the interesting packaging? SMH... I got caught up on these little eye pencils, packed into tiny ornaments that can be hung right on the tree. smh. LOVE IT.
Last but not least, Every year, VS comes out with a Sexy Santa lingere outfit. Every pretty girl needs this, even if you're single! 3 pieces for $98. HERE
