FASHION DAIlY Photo Challenge Day 14. Mad Men

Ever since the hit tv series "Mad Men" aired in 2007, the style of the 1960's has been making its way into stores. Banana Republic even brought in the costumer designer of the show, Janie Bryant, TWICE, to help them create a "Mad Men" collection. The Banana Republic Mad Men collection hit stores in August of 2011 and March of this year. This was the first time Banana Republic had ever worked with an outside designer. But it definitely paid off at the beginning of this year when Banana Republic's North American same-store sales rose 5 percent in three months. According to Bloomberg, that's the most in the last two years.
So clearly Mad Men has made a major influence on the styling of today. The dress that I am wearing happened to be an incredible present that was given to me years ago by an amazing friend who purchased it from the Bettie Page store in Las Vegas. Thanks Angela, you really know how to choose em, because you just couldn't get more spot on for me!! It's such an amazing feeling when you realize the people around you just...get you!
And if you have not seen the show Mad Men, check it out. Especially for the fashion, if nothing else!!!

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge Day 13. Socks

Sooooo today is my 26th BIRTHDAY, so I am a little pre-occupied. I will talk more about socks tomorrow boy scouts honor!!! Post your socks!!!

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge
Day 12. Mix + Match

I used to be the girl that had only solid colored items in her closet.  I was afraid of patterns and even more afraid to mix and match them.  Now I am always looking for something with an amazing pattern, and I am constantly looking to mix and match my patterns together.  It definitely takes some getting used to, but the key is to trust your eye and keep working on it.  Look through some magazines to get an idea of what  mix and matched patterns you gravitate toward.  That will give you a jumping off point, some, inspiration.  When you go into your closet, start with a item that you want to wear, and hold it next to your other items.  Its just like pairing the right belt with a dress.  Trust your instink and your eye will guide you.  Be open to it and actually try them on, because most of your clothes do not look half as good on the hanger as they do on your body!!!  I started off with this coral, floral, (haha that rhymes) tube top romper from H&M.  I wanted to wear something over it so I didn't have to wear a strapless, ladies you know how that is.  I came across this top very hesitant, but as soon as I tried it on and synched the waist with a belt I adored it!  This shirt that I am wearing was actually a dress that I found at the $1 sale at Jet Rag years ago. ( side bar, if you are a hunter for a bargain and have not been to the Jet Rag $1 sale, you must go.  Its in Hollywood every Sunday) Anyway the dress had a stain on the lower part of the dress but I loved the colors and pattern so much that I took it and cut it to make it into a top!!!  When you have some time, jump into that closet and play!!  Do not be afraid of color and patterns.  They like each other!!

FDPC Day 11. Neon

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge

Day 11. Neon

Neon is sooo bright!!  How can you not smile when seeing anything neon?  Its impossible.  It also screams SUMMER TIME!!!  I think neon can be very intimidating when it comes to your wardrobe because its close to impossible to wear without being noticed and attracting a lot of attention.  But it is a must try for the summer.  If you are slightly apprehensive to neon try starting off with a solid color neon item and mixing it with your every day favorite item.  Try neon shorts with your favorite t, or a neon tank with your favorite jeans, or a neon cardigan/jacket with your favorite neutral solored dress.  I guarantee you will not be walking around with a frown, and you will notice that no who looks at you will be either.  When you start to become more comfortable with all the attention try mix and matching different neons together or with patterns.  It will be hard at first to get used to so many bright colors next to one another but once you find a color combination that you agree you will never turn back!!!  My neon cardigan is from the sale rack at Old Navy years more then 3 years ago and my floral print crop top tank I got at a a thrift store on Ventura just a few weeks back.  I didn't have a neon colored belt that matched the color I was looking for so I took a piece of blue ribbon that I had lying around and tied it around my waist with the bow in the back.  The head wrap is actually just a long skinny scarf that I got as a present from American Apparel.  I wrapped it around my head three times then tied it into a knot at the top, then I just tucked the end pieces under the wrap and presto chango its a head wrap!!!! 

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge Day 10. Tribal

Tribal... Hmm. Lots of different types of patterns are very popular right now and what I discovered this morning while searching for my most "tribal" inspired item, was that it was hard to find something that had one style pattern on it. I was having a difficult time differentiating what would be considered "tribal" and what would be considered "aztec," so I did some research. Right now the trend is to just blend together ethnic patterns. But if I were to pull apart tribal patterns I would say they tend to be not as geometrical, and a little more free form. Inspired more by nature and animals. This skirt that I'm wearing is actually a tube top dress that is too big for me, so I tucked in the top part of the dress and tied the attached fabric around my waist to keep it tight. You would never know!!!

FDPC Day 9. Vertical stripes

Today's photo shoot was a blast. I had so much fun playing with my hooded cardigan that it made it really hard for me to choose one photo for today, so I asked friends and majority ruled this to be the one to use!
When I created this photo challenge I thought to myself, "you have so many vertical stripe options, that one will be easy." Side bar, if I am stating a thought that I had, do I put quotations around it? Hmmm anyway
Come to find out this morning, that most of my striped items are horizontal. Which helped me realize why I have been gravitating toward this top so much recently. Conclusion is... I need more vertical striped clothes. Why you ask, because vertical stripes are much more flattering then horizontal stripes. Having vertical lines on your body create a visual of length, by elongating the area it's covering. I also think vertical lines typically have a classier more mature look to them. You usually see them in pin striped pants, or a nice button up shirt and horizontal stripes tend to me much more casual. But don't think I am putting down horizontal stripes by any means, because I think they are great too. I just think its important to have both. Check your closet. Odds are if you are more of a casual dresser you'll have more horizontal stripe options then vertical. (that's me, but I'm looking to cross over!) ☺

FASHION DAILY Photo Challenge
DAY 8. Your favorite jeans

This one was a no brainer.  I live in these jeans.  Yes I bought them with tears in them, yes they have expanded since I bought them and yes that is a sticker tag on the bottom of my shoe from Goodwill that reads $5.09.  : )  The jeans were a solid purchase I made from Forever21 over three years ago that I dont think cost more then $25.  Brilliant!!  And the checkered shirt was an item off the sale rack at Urban Outfitters!
I must admit that  I have a really hard time wearing any item twice within the same month.  But these jeans have broken that mold and are now outside the "once a month" stigma I have.  They are just so darn comfortable.  I would consider these jeans to be a "boyfriend fit," even though they were much smaller on me when I first purchased them.  I think the name is pretty self explanatory but a "boyfriend fit" jean is something I would advice you to have in your closet.  They are completely wearable for numerous occasions.  Add a heel and you are good for an evening out!!!  They have a great look without looking like your trying to hard.