style refresh – the Spiff

Let’s Catch Up!

January 30, 2017 No Comments

fashion blog, fashion blogger, funny fashion blog, style consultant, mom blog, mom life, knoxville fashion, help with blogging

In order to get my head around what it is I’m trying to say here, I’m going to pretend that you just asked me, “So, how are things with the blog?”

Oh! That’s so unexpected, but I appreciate you being so caring. Let me fill you in…

The past two months have been a growing process.

I’ve been writing this blog coming up on 7 years this June. Yeah. If my blog were a human, it would be pretty sassy and potty trained (there lies the extent of my knowledge of seven-year-olds. Get back with me in 5 years. I’ll know more). I have loved every minute of the journey. Well…loved a lot of it in hindsight. Like watching a movie montage – it’s more enjoyable to look back on those late nights when they’re all spliced together in your head with a Norah Jones song layered over them.

Throughout my entire history in this space, my passion and purpose has always been the same. I so deeply desire to help women feel more confident. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is something God has called me to do. And just as it is with anything He has for us…He has opened door after door of opportunity beyond what I had planned for myself.

I just wanted to write, but He had bigger plans and I’m so thankful for it!

So you know how they say you’re supposed to replace your mattress every 8 years? Those commercials make me dry heave *steady Elizabeth* …my point is, there’s a refreshing point for everything. Even our mattress – although, my theory is that’s a completely made up number. Someone just needs to be able to support the 100’s of mattress stores they’ve build on every corner. But that’s another blog…for like an anti-mattress store site, I guess…?

The past three months I’ve taken a step back from the blog. I have re-evaluated where I stand with this space. I’ve had other people evaluate where I stand with this space and I’m happy to report that I’m getting a new mattress. Metaphorically. Lord, I love my mattress and even though we’re coming up on 9 years with it, I’M NOT GOING TO GIVE IN AND BUY A NEW ONE!

Maybe this mattress analogy was too much of a hot button issue…

I just wanted to fill you in on the fact that I’ll be making changes to the blog here and there. Some will be noticeable; others will subtly fill your soul with warmth and wonder.

One that you’ll see for sure, is the fact that Pinterest and I have made amends (follow me there to see!). I’ve come to terms with the fact that everyone can now be creative with just a push of a button, while the rest of us will just have to pin what’s in our heads and stop being bitter about it….it’s what some people deal with…I’m sure. Not me! Ha…

I’ll also be stepping up my Instagram game (follow me there too!). And-God willing-picking up where I left off with personal style consultations.

All of that to say, hold on! There’s so much work being done behind the scenes so that I can be more steady and available to you on a regular basis.

I hope this fills you with joy! I so badly want to help you look your best, and do it using what’s in your closet.

I’m excited to see what this new year holds for our relationship :)

Fashion, west town mall

A Look at Trends for 2017 (along with my disclaimer)

January 25, 2017 No Comments

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If I hear about you wearing any of these things just because it’s what “everyone else is wearing”, I will personally come down and smack the ruffle right out of you.

That being said…here’s some of what’s on tap for fashion in 2017! (applause here).

Fashion, Spiffy

Update Your Look with Ageless Accessories

April 27, 2016 No Comments

handbags, how to update your look, accessories for any age, knoxville fashion blogger, knoxville beauty blogger, gold purse

Regardless of your age you can have great style. And it doesn’t include backing up the dump truck to your bedroom window and throwing out the contents of your closet either.

And to get there, it doesn’t include backing up the dump truck to your bedroom window and throwing out the contents of your closet either. It might involve a painless trip to Forever21 (I’ll be shopping there in my 70’s, so if you need a shopping buddy grab me).

If you’ll update these three things, you’ll instantly breathe new life into your overall look.

Sunglasses

Throwing on a pair of the most current trend in sunglasses will automatically bring your look into 2016.

Here’s where Forever21 comes in – they’ve got the latest trends in shades and they’re super cheap. So buy a couple pairs and throw them on whenever you’re wanting to look updated or downplay an uneven cat-eye (I would insert a wink here, but I don’t want you to examine my cat-eye drawing abilities)

Handbag

The importance of a good handbag cannot be overstressed. It’s something you always have with you, it’s a staple in your closet and high on the list of things to invest in.

A good handbag will give your look polish and last a long time. Consider cost per use when staring at that hefty price tag.

There are so many ways now to get a good designer bag for cheap – my favorite is to keep an eye out for pink stickers at Dillard’s. They often run fantastic clearance events, they just don’t announce it.

Jewelry

Jewelry is the perfect way to breathe new life into your basics without costing you a lot (because remember, you invested in a good handbag). And you don’t have to be twenty-one to pull off a great statement necklace.

Hello again, Forever21. It’s their jewelry section with their $5 earrings that you’ll find me in when I’m 90.

Charming Charlie is another great spot! There are so many great places to go that will give your look a big update with a small price tag.

Special Announcement

This Saturday from 1-4pm the “Indulge” event is going on in West Town Mall! It will include a fashion show, great giveaways and ME! So be sure to drop by right outside of JCP to check it all out!

Fashion, trends

Why I Hate Talking About Trends

June 3, 2015 No Comments

You’ll see me flinch when people start to talk about what the latest trends are.

This happens for one big reason, which I’ll get to in a second.

First I want to say that I’m going to be starting a series featuring a current trend. Because I realize people like to know what’s in style and they don’t always have the time to seek it out. I want to help you decipher what’s worth your money and what’s not. So some weeks I’ll show you how to incorporate it into your look and other weeks I’ll show you how to incorporate it into your trash can.

During my down time I don’t have my nose buried in Facebook, 9 times out of 10 I’m I’m reading other blogs, looking at the fashion magazines, catching up with fashion bloggers I follow on Instagram, or I’m reading the stream of emails I get everyday from big brands/stylists. I know what’s in style.

I just flinch when people start to talk about what’s “trending.”

Here’s why…*steps up to soapbox.

My personal style mantra is if I like it then I’ll wear it. It doesn’t matter if it’s trendy or not. If it fits into my style aesthetic and makes me feel good when I have it on, then I’m sold. If the item happens to be on trend, so be it. Because of this I tend to either be wearing things after a trend has been around for a little while, or I’ll be into it before everyone else is.

Either way, doesn’t matter to me as long as I feel good in what I’m wearing.

What hurts me to hear is when people base their purchasing decisions on the latest item. I’m not kidding when I say I flinch when I hear people begrudgingly say, “well it’s popular right now, so I guess I’ll wear it.” I’d be more comfortable if they were scrapping their nails down a chalk board.

We can all thank the God above that I’ve learned to shut my mouth. However, I’ve also learned that my way of looking at style isn’t for everyone. Some people need to put away their cartoon cat sweaters and start caring about the latest trends.

Which brings me to the single most important word to remember when it comes to having great style: balance.

Balance is the key to all keys when it comes to what you wear.

An outfit made up entirely of what’s in style is going to not only be “out” within the next 10 minutes, but it’s going to look cheap and not showcase YOU one bit. On the other hand, incorporating a trendier item here and there will help keep you updated and fresh, and translates to the world that you’re current but still you.

So how do you know if a trend is worth buying into? You ask yourself these questions, and if you can honestly answer yes to all three then you’re not being a slave to fashion, you’re making fashion work for you…

1. Does the trend your considering flow with your style?

2. Is it age appropriate?

3. Do you absolutely love it for it and not just because it’s a trend?

If you can answer yes to all three questions, then great! Throw it in there. Mix it with your go-to pieces and translate YOU in a fresh new way!

Just please never ever never never wear something just because it’s in style.

I will pinch you so hard if I find out you are. So. Hard.

Beauty, eyes, makeup

A Light Spring Makeup Routine

May 1, 2015 No Comments

A giant eye shadow pallet is enough to make me want to create a new eye shadow look every. single. day.

Which is kind of what I’ve been doing for the past year, ever since I got Sephora’s giant eye shadow collection for Christmas.

One day it dawned on me how much time creating a new look adds to my morning routine, plus my day time look was heavier than it needed to be. Not to mention the fact that I had almost used up all the good shades when I could have been saving them for special use.

Enter: my resolve to pair down my every day eye makeup routine. Spring especially is a great time to do this because everything gets lighter and we’re outside more, so we want to make sure our face is conveying our natural beauty and not a strong sparkly purple shadow.

Here are the three products I used to lighten up my look and my routine…

1. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden: I’ve been using the primer on my lids for years, but when I went in to get some more, the girl suggested using it under my eyes as well. Whoa girl – it does an amazing job of not only brightening that area but keeping my concealer in tact (sometimes I’ll even skip concealer…shhh). This shade is perfect for pulling double duty if need be because it’s light and matte.

2. Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in “Bad to the Bronze”: I’ve written and talked about this product so much, it would take me half an hour to track down all of the other blogs I’ve mentioned it in. This shade is light, it’s shimmery but not over powering. It gives you a nice natural sheen that lasts for hours. And the fact that I can apply it simply with my finger means it goes on in seconds.

3. Hikari Blush in Tango: For over five years now I’ve been slapping on the same old boring blush thinking I was doing just fine. Then when I got this full size product in my Ipsy bag, it was as if someone turned off the black and white in my world. It’s bright, vibrant color translates perfectly on my cheeks making me look as if I just DANCED the tango and am now lit from within. A great blush, truly goes a long way to waking up your look.

Time to take a look at your everyday beauty routine – what can you improve?!