style – Page 2 – the Spiff

Back to School Outfit From 1998

August 24, 2015 No Comments

Before you see this picture, just know that my outfit for the first day of high school was actually awesome. I wore a floral skirt with a sheer black overlay (which later became known as the “cursed skirt” because I always tripped and fell or spilled something all over myself whenever I wore it).

Pictured below is what I wore when I entered 10th grade.

I remember specifically choosing this dress because I felt as if it really complimented my figure. And obviously comfort played a strong factor, why else would I choose to pair it with 100 pound white old-lady sneakers?

So maybe I didn’t get proportions right, or maybe later on in high school I got the Jennifer Aniston hair-cut that ended up looking like untamed helmet hair. Regardless, I had the right thought process down.

Here are the three things to keep in mind when dressing for a big day…

1. Pick something that makes you feel like the best version of you.

I wore this lavender dress because I knew I had some pretty awesome curves to show off, and that made me feel good about myself whenever I wore it. That allowed me to walk through the halls confidently that day.

2. Make comfort a priority.

Whether it’s the first day of school, or the first day of a new job, there’s a plenty of uncertainty to go around. The last thing you want to do is be uncomfortable. Be sure to wear something you won’t have to tug on or readjust, and always go with a pair of shoes you can walk confidently in – as long as those shoes don’t look like the chunkers I’m wearing ;)

3. Don’t do anything to your hair that’s going to have you second guessing yourself all day

I.E.: do I need more hairspray? Are my curls still there? Go with your easiest style, saving the more complicated ones for after you’ve settled in.

You have a lot to offer this world, set yourself up to present you most confidently!

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.

Fashion, jackets, spring

The Jacket You Need for Right Now

April 22, 2015 No Comments

When I say that a white jacket is going to carry you through this awkward spring/winter transition and how you should really get one, I mean it.

I’ve been shopping around for a white leather jacket to add to some ensembles I had in mind, and I finally found the perfect one.

The funny thing is, I tried this same jacket on in a medium and thought it was ok. It wasn’t until I went back and tried the small size on (only because the medium one was gone) that I really fell in love with it.

What you have to watch out for with shorter jackets like these, is you don’t want the sleeves to feel too big. Because the back of the jacket is so short, I like to make sure that the sleeves don’t go all the way down to my wrists so that it has a shrunken look overall.

If not, it just looks to me like you have gigantor arms, and no one wants to look like they have gigantor arms, right?

I’m just so happy to have found this as it was the perfect dose of edge to add to this floral pattern shirt and pink skirt.

I hope you enjoyed this post from last spring! Here is a white leather jacket that’s similar to the one I’m wearing. And even though I wrote this a year ago, I’ve been on a business trip this week where I packed this same jacket. Which means it’s lasted long and still works when I’m pregnant.

It’s definitely worth it!

Fashion, jcpenney, spring, west town mall, Why this works

Lace and Pink for Those Who Don’t Love Either

March 27, 2015 No Comments

My style as a child could best be described as “hot and cold tomboy.” While I really loved dresses and twirling around in them, I didn’t like lacy socks and wearing loads of pink.

I remember sitting in a restaurant with lacy socks on, tugging at them constantly because I didn’t want them on my feet. Then there’s the visual of being the only girl at a birthday party, running around throwing pine-cone grenades in a pink satin jumper (the drive to that party was not a happy one).

So for my entire life I’ve loved clothes and dressing up in them, just keep the really girly stuff away.

The lace stuff is cute for everyone else, but not for me. Or so I thought until I found this top at JCPenney. What I loved most about it is that I could give it an edge by pairing it with a black cami.

I found this pink…I mean…dusty rose colored skirt at Ross a couple years ago. A long pleated skirt is so forgiving and flattering and just everything you’ve ever wanted in a skirt. And I love the sharp contrast of the black and white up top with the softer color on bottom.

And because the top is so busy, all I had to add were these adorable white flower earrings. I love these especially in the spring because they add the perfect small visual to your ensemble.

See, there’s totally a way to mix in pieces you may not normally wear in order to freshen up what you wear almost every day (which for me in this case is black and white).

Consider a combination like this for your Easter outfit!

Also, yay for great weather to take #ootd pictures in…boo for not remembering to charge my camera and getting only 2 minutes of picture time outside. Hopefully next week the stars will align and I’ll get both back!

Fashion, style setter, the limited, west town mall

Let Me Help You Shop

February 25, 2015 No Comments

Shopping for home decor makes me feel like I’m wandering around in a foreign country. I feel lost, very unsure and have to use lots and lost of visuals to understand whether I want something or not.

If you ever see me in Hobby Lobby with my merchandise sprawled out on the floor, along with my confused body…just keep walking. I’ll ~~get up~~ figure it out in an hour or so.

Maybe you feel this way about clothes shopping. Maybe instead of holding up a decorative vase and having a million questions pass through your head, maybe it’s a sweater or a skirt.

That, my friends, is where I can help. It’s like my bat signal. (True story: two girls I know were shopping once and had questions, even said out loud to each other they wish I was there…20 minutes later I showed up in the same store. Coincidence? Well, yes…but it makes me sound like a fashion caped crusader at least ;)

I understand that lost feeling, so let me help. I would LOVE to help!

That’s why this Saturday I’m going to be hanging out at The Limited in West Town Mall from 12-2:30pm. I’ll be there to answer questions, help you shop – mainly my purpose is to eradicate that confused look on your face (the same one I get when I’m in Hob Lob).

In fact if you already own something but don’t know what to wear it with, bring it in! We can look around and give you ideas as to how to get some good use out of it. The Limited has such a great selection of clothing that’s equal parts classic and on trend. And they’ve started getting in some spring pieces that I can show you how to wear now AND later (which will really stretch your clothing budget).

One of my favorite things at The Limited is the jewelery. They’ve got gorgeous pieces that are high quality and affordable. So even if you just need help with accessories, come on in! Accessorizing and editing a look is one of my favorite things to do in life – seriously IN LIFE. :)

I hope I’ve gotten my point across – I want to help you look and feel good about your clothes, so come on by!

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