fashionable conversation from a lovely life

Write it, see it, believe it

2012-01-22T21:34:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've taken to writing on my mirror. I used to do this some when I was younger--that or I'd stick up cards with quotes, verses, or goals. It's amazing how much words on the mirror can improve my day, as it is one of the first things I see every morning.

A couple weeks ago, I was kind of letting some things consume me. While my head knew what I should do and my friends were telling me exactly the same thing, I couldn't get myself to hold to what I knew. I guess we all secretly enjoy ignoring what we know to be true sometimes. Anyway, I thought through the best advice I'd received and decided it was going on my mirror, so it could really sink in. I didn't have a dry erase marker, but I had some cheap eyeliner that I never planned on using. Now, I'm kind of in love with writing in eyeliner.

You can write so many different types of things on your mirror. Here are a few secrets from my own mirror writing.

* Words of affirmation
I don't know about you, but I love compliments. There are certain ones that I've never forgotten--ones that continue to encourage me daily. I recommend storing away nice things people say to you in a cute little journal. When bad days come, pull out that journal and be reminded of the lovely person that people see in you. And...write it up on that mirror and be encouraged!
     You are ridiculously beautiful, charming, fun, interesting, and smart.

* Advice received
Taking good advice to heart means actively pursuing it. Back in high school, I received some especially great advice regarding relationships that still directs my thoughts and actions. Seriously, that advice has served as my point of reference for worthwhile relationships ever since. Listen to those people who are not afraid to be honest with you (aka, don't run to those friends who tell you exactly what you want to hear).
     If it's meant to be, it will be.

* Goals
Ambitions cannot be achieved if you don't remember what you're aiming to do or where you're wanting to go. Have daily, instantly-achievable goals and longer-term, challenging goals. When coming up with goals, I always ask myself, "Where am I now? Where do I want to go? How am I going to get there?"
     Make your bed today.
     Backpack across Europe.

* Quotes
I can't go through books without underlining hundreds of lines or folding down pages I like. Lately, so many articles have been hitting home with me, and I keep sharing them with all my closest friends.
     Pretty is a mutually enriching balanced combination of beauty and projected innocence. (source)
     Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned. (source)

Happy writing!

xoxo,
Sarah

Image Source

Who is a gentleman?

2012-01-18T18:51:00.000-08:00

Robert E. Lee’s classic Definition of a Gentleman.

The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.

Okay, confession is that Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy is the first person that comes to mind when I think of a gentleman. So gorgeously handsome. I love the picture above because it was captured during the part of the movie when he has been doing everything he can to forget about Elizabeth Bennett, and then she shows up at Pemberly and throws him completely off. Oh gosh, I love A&E's super long version of Pride & Prejudice!

Anyway, a friend sent this quote from Robert E. Lee to me a few months ago, and I came across it again while I was cleaning out emails today and had to share. :)

xoxo,
Sarah

You go, girl!

2012-01-17T18:47:00.000-08:00

No surprises to anyone that Zooey Deschanel was my favorite on the red carpet of the Golden Globes this year. One of a kind Prada gown and tuxedo manicure. Loving it. And how cute that she came with her sister, Emily. Gotta love sisters! :)

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. Happy birthday to Zooey!!!

The Paris Wife

2012-01-16T13:20:00.000-08:00

I love a long holiday weekend. As of lately, I've started enjoying quiet afternoons relaxing on the couch under a blanket, reading a good book. As I mentioned a few posts back, I recently joined a book club, so this group has been keeping me accountable in actually reading for pleasure--not a usual choice for me.

Our current book choice: The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Plot: Without giving away too much, this book documents the courtship and marriage of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley.

While I'm not even halfway through the book yet, so much of it has already struck me really hard. Whenever I read anything, I automatically look for ways to relate what I'm reading to my own life, even if that just means finding parallels between a character's actions, feelings, emotions, or thoughts and those noticed or experienced in my own life. The portrayal of Hadley definitely brings to mind lessons I've learned and people I've known. Just reading her thoughts and wonderings about her relationship with Ernest makes me want to stop her. But then, when is attraction or love logical? It makes us do crazy things and doesn't let us think straight.

During a portion of the book, Hadley is discussing with a friend, like all girls do, what to do about Ernest. It's one of those times when a serious DTR (define-the-relationship) discussion with the guy is needed, but all you have is your friends to analyze the situation way too much.

Excerpt from Chapter 7, page 49 of The Paris Wife:
   "I think I'm too old to fall in love sometimes." I said to Ruth one afternoon. We sat in my room on the bed, a plate of tea biscuits between us, while outside it snowed like it might never stop.
   "You're too old--or he's too young?"
   "Both," I said. "In a way he's lived more than I have, and he's certainly had more excitement. But he can be awfully romantic and naive too. Like this business with Agnes. She did break his heart, I believe that full well, but he carries it around like a wounded child."
   "That's not very fair, Hadley. You suffered over Harrison Williams, didn't you?"
   "I did. Oh, Ruth." I put my head in my hands. "I don't know what's gotten into me. I think I'm just afraid."
   "Of course you are," she said gently. "If you honestly think he's too young for you, all right then, make your decision and stick to it."
   "Do you think I'll stop worrying when I know he loves me for sure?"
   "Just listen to yourself."
   "There's so much to lose."
   "There always is," she said.
   I sighed and reached for another biscuit. "Are you always this wise, Ruth?"
   "Only when it comes to other people's lives."

Isn't that the truth for every woman? We're so great at giving advice to each other and seeing a situation clearly. But when it comes to our own predicaments, we allow our hearts and emotions, rather than our heads, to lead our decisions. At least, we're prone to that course of action--no matter how much common sense and life experience we have. It's part of being a girl I suppose. Furthermore, even if we don't act upon our emotions, there's no denying that we think about it.

Anyway, I just had to share...because I'm a girl. Back to my book. :)

xoxo,
Sarah

Ernest Hemingway & Hadley

Steal His Heart

2012-01-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

I love when I come across new artists and find a new song that I want to play over and over. Today, I discovered Emily and the Woods, and I can't get enough of her song "Steal His Heart." I'm especially loving her cute little music video.

Some of those cute lyrics...

Get in my boat
We'll sail away
I've always been scared, scared of the sea
I'll give you some string, you'll find your way home
And I will be waiting when you return

I can't steal his heart, but I can steal back mine
I can steal back mine, I can steal back mine
I can't steal his heart, but I can steal back mine

Happy weekend!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. I love her thick eyeliner. It looks awesome.

Falsity

2012-01-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

So I'm just a little obsessed with false eyelashes right now. I'm fortunate to have naturally thick, long lashes, but sometimes I feel like more drama. Besides, with all the Christmas parties and get-togethers this past month, I decided it would be a fun little something extra. I definitely hit up Forever21 for pretty much every pair (only $1-3/pair).

While I'm sure I'll probably continue wearing false lashes here and there (as special occasions allow), I stick with Falsies Mascara by Maybelline on a daily basis. I wouldn't be surprised if I was one of the first thousand customers of this lash magic makeup. I grabbed it the moment it hit stores and have never felt the need to switch since then. And believe me, I'm known for always switching my mascara out of want for trying something new. Currently, there are three versions of Falsies:
Original
Black Drama
Flared
I have all three, but I'm using Flared the most right now because it was most recently introduced. I think Black Drama is my favorite though - absolutely high on the drama.

Love your lashes, lovelies!

xoxo,
Sarah

So long, 2011!

2011-12-29T18:00:00.000-08:00

* See below for shopping details

This has been one of the BEST years of my life. <3

Whenever I think back upon where I started just a year ago, I feel all giddy inside. I love my friends, my city, my job...just life in general. The opportunities and experiences this year have been tremendous, and I could not be more grateful for or in awe of the life I am blessed to live. Seriously, I cannot even count the number of times I've thought, "This stuff only happens in the movies, and it's happening to ME!"

Since I am a frequent list-maker, I could write a book of goals for the coming year. My goals sometimes get a little out of hand actually...they start broad and then turn into categories, sub-categories, and bullet points. It is just a little insane. So let me just give a few general ones - I will bore myself with the details.

1. Explore new places
I absolutely LOVE where I live...so much that I've been completely content with sticking around there during the weekends and having fun with friends. I've certainly had my share of weekend excursions, but I definitely want to see more of those in the coming year. And I'd really like to travel across the big pond and see what there is to see in Europe.

2. Find a creative outlet
I have some new ideas in the works, and I could certainly be more regular in my blogging to fulfill this goal. I would also REALLY love to take a dance class...just because I can.

3. Read more
I recently joined a sophisticated book club (deep discussions, tea drinking, and scrumptious snacking), so I'm hoping that this will encourage me to read for fun. Beyond that, I want to stay on top of reading the news. I'm pretty good about it, but I can definitely improve.

4. Be active, eat better
I live in one of the most beautiful cities in America. Why am I not running outside? In the past, I have been pretty good about taking the stairs at least once a day at work, and I need to get back into that habit. In addition, I need to lay off on the carbonated beverages, though I do love Cherry Cokes!

Like I said, I could go on, but those are some of my main goals for 2012.

* My NYE Look (similar to what I'll actually be wearing!): Dress - Georgiou - $149; Chandelier Earrings - Piedra Studio - $35; Bow Pumps - Target - $20; Glitter Nail Polish - OPI for Sephora - $9.50; False Eyelashes - Forever 21 - $1; Glitter Crown Headband - Luna on the Moon - $48

Again, it's been an amazing year, and I am really looking forward to seeing what 2012 holds.

Happy New Year, lovelies!
- Sarah

Here's some NYE tune-age from my faves. :)

Fashionable Face: Twiggy

2011-10-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

Okay yes, Twiggy is more than a fashionable face. She is, without a doubt, iconic. And however expected or unoriginal it sounds, she is my greatest style inspiration. When I discovered who she was, I secretly wanted to be her, especially since I was often called a twig as a little girl.

This year, as Halloween crept upon me once again with no costume ideas, I finally realized that I should go all out with the mod look of Twiggy (and the mod movement itself). After all, this is an era that I love so much for its style...and great eye makeup. Plus, I am a big fan of buying things that I will continue to wear or use in some way, so it made sense to dress as my style icon.

See how I pulled off the mod look without stepping foot in a costume shop.

Get the look:
1) Dress - $17.80 - Forever 21; 2) Tights - $15 - Anthropologie; 3) False Eyelashes - $2.80 - Forever 21; 4) Black/White Eyeshadow - $58 - Sephora; 5) Fringed Oxfords - $62.99 - Mod Cloth; 6) Earrings - $35.99 - Mod Cloth

Get the hair:
I washed my hair and immediately parted it very far on one side and combed it over. While it was still wet, I pinned it down because my hair isn't used to being parted on the side (plus, I have bangs). As it started to dry, I began applying some hair paste to slick my hair down flat and cover up my bangs. I kept the bobby pins in to keep hair from getting in my eyes, and I teased the back of my hair to get a little volume and then set everything with Aquanet hairspray. Yes, how retro of me, right?

Get the makeup: Tutorial by Pixiwoo
Where would I be without my darling Pixiwoo? These British sisters who just happen to be makeup artists have taught me so much, and they have a fabulous Twiggy-inspired makeup tutorial. I had it playing while I was getting ready to ensure I did not miss a step.

So lovelies, that is how I stayed fashionable this Halloween!

xoxo,
Sarah

Hello Fall!!!!!

2011-10-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

It's finally my favorite season of all! If only it could be this beautiful at least six months out of the year, I would never be indoors! I am so in love with the bright colored leaves, perfect temperatures, and autumn smells (candles and cookies that is). Oh, and I can't forget the fact that I'm finally able to pull out my boot and outerwear collections. And yes, I already have my eye on those items that must be added this year...still looking for just the right cape. *sigh* This is perfection.

Here's to a BEAUTIFUL fall. :)

xoxo,
Sarah

The Future Belongs to the Dreamers

2011-09-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
- Eleanor Roosevelt

Such profound words, still true today. Life is too short not to reach for the stars and go for what you want.

What are your passions? Where are you gifted? What is your dream job? Does your current path look like it will lead you there? Are you living up to your full potential?

Never stop asking yourself these questions. The moment you do, there's a good chance that you've become complacent and jaded...or you really don't know what you want. Just food for thought.

xoxo,
Sarah

Photo Credit

Fashionable Face: Florence Welch

2011-08-31T20:54:00.000-07:00

On my daily quest to change up my daily music listens, I was reminded of Florence + the Machine this afternoon. I confess that I was not too familiar with her music, as I only really noticed this vintage songbird during the Academy Awards in that lovely red carpet look that had everyone talking for weeks. Anyway, with my new Spotify account, I pulled all her albums and sent them to my queue, and now I am obsessed...particularly with the following songs:
- "What the Water Gave Me"
- "Dog Days Are Over"
- "Cosmic Love"
- "Swimming"
- "Drumming Song"

Musically speaking, I love anything with a good beat, especially when you can hear those great vocals clearly, feel that drum, and get a hint of techno at times even. It makes you want to get up and jump around and shout to the world, "THANK GOODNESS MUSIC EXISTS!!!" Well, that's how I feel when I hear Florence Welch make music at least.

Style-wise, Florence continues to inspire. Her wardrobe proves to be made up of vintage and vintage-inspired uniqueness that includes sophisticated lace, floppy hats, and flirty prints just to name a few. And that bright red carefree hair makes me envious, almost giving me cause to go red myself.

I leave you with the latest from the stylish songbird:

xoxo,
Sarah

Obsessing: August 2011

2011-08-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

So many things have been catching my attention lately.

Accordion/Pleated Skirts - From the moment I saw Marilyn Monroe's dress in Seven Year Itch, I have loved thin pleated skirts, which is why I snatched up an adorable gray pleated skirt for myself at Urban earlier this year. Having my own pleated skirt just deepened my current obsession. Now I am seeing pleats everywhere (have you seen H&M lately?), I couldn't be more excited. Of course, I like to believe that I've been loving them on my own accord and that the fashion industry is just catering to my tastes. What can I say? I like to be ahead of the trend!

The Weepies - I am listening to them at this very moment actually. They are one of those bands that are both perfect for background music or singing along if you prefer. Seriously, this group makes my heart sing. It's almost as if their music is indirectly saying, "Relax. Everything is okay. You're good." In other words, they are just great chill music.

Topknots - Per a couple posts back, this is already known, but I couldn't help myself. These buns look so high fashion, especially if your makeup is dramatic.

Feather Extensions/Earrings - My little sister had a feather extension in her hair for about two months, and it looked amazing. But the same look can achieved with long feather earrings or clip-ins as well. I have been wearing my feather earrings all weekend.

Leifsdottir - Anthro sends me cute little emails every day, and last week, they were sweet enough to tell me that new items from Leifsdottir have arrived. This is such a needlessly tempting brand of loveliness.

What are you obsessing over right now?

xoxo,
Sarah

Sweet Tangerine

2011-08-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

The latest Anthropologie catalog has arrived. OH MY GOODNESS!!! Fall cannot get here fast enough!! And I cannot get to an Anthro store quick enough to try on this dress. I'm pretty sure that I would sing "Sweet Tangerine" by the Hush Sound all day long while wearing that dress!

xoxo,
Sarah

Latest Obsession: High Hairbuns

2011-07-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

Dear fashion blogger lovelies,

I'm back!!! Have you missed me? Because I've sure missed you all! Life has been quite crazy, but I cannot tell you how much I am growing as a person and loving all the people around me. For the first time in a while, I feel like I am consistently taking advantage of every opportunity that comes my way, and I am making some wonderful friends in the process. Life is fun, and I am just having so much fun all the time...hence the reason I rarely update anymore. :)

But, as this is still a fashion blog, I came back to actually say something fashion-related. This new city has been so inspiring for my personal style. I am constantly stealing ideas from the many stylish people on the streets and giving it my own spin. Most recently, I have been inspired by one of our interns and her high hairbuns. The look is both easy and high fashion, especially if you style it well with your clothes ensemble. While I have not worn this hairstyle out and about much yet, I am well on my way to possibly making it a signature look for this fall. Only time will tell.

For your viewing pleasure, here are some cute tutorials:
- Loose
- Messy (reminds me of my middle school days!)
- Topknot (my FAVE look!!)
- Ballerina

That is all I have for now, as I have to get some sleep. I will be back again soon!

xoxo,
Sarah

Mustard Tights

2011-03-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

I love mustard yellow far too much. If I could get away with wearing it every day, I would be more than okay. It's so easy to wear this color because is IS a favorite in the color palette amongst fashion retailers. But I'll have you know that I loved mustard before there was so much of it out there. Now, lucky for me, it's just more accessible to grab scarves, dresses, shirts, gloves, hats, and TIGHTS in this bright, cheery shade. So I'm stocking up!

My latest mustard wardrobe love are my tights from Anthropologie. At first, I was afraid they would just sit in my dresser unopened, but they have already gotten quite a bit of use, especially when paired with a LBD. It also helps that my favorite coat of the moment has hints of mustard in the plaid.

Who could pass up a photo opportunity like this? I match!

What I Wore:
* Retro swing coat - $50 - H&M (I have one nearby now!)
* LBD - $40 - Gap
* Mustard tights - $6 - Anthropologie
* City flats - $20 - Gap
* Vintage purse - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Earrings - under $4 - Forever21

xoxo,
Sarah

Are you a mod or a rocker?

2011-03-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

"I'm a mocker."

PLEASE tell me you've seen A Hard Day's Night (1964) with those fabulous Brits! I grew up on that movie (or just Beatles mania in general), and you'll often catch my little sister and me dropping references to the film. Many of our favorite quotes, including this post's title, are in the video seen above.

So why this sudden reference to the Beatles? Well...I just trimmed my bangs tonight, and, as always after a trim, I'm feeling very modish, which brings to mind the quote I just mentioned. My hair is looking more and more retro every day with my thick, straight-across bangs and long hair without layers. I'm a fan. I guess it's because of my obsession with 60s/70s fashion and my efforts to emulate those mods and rockers (and folkies) in whatever way I can--stylishly-speaking. It's no wonder that I can't go a day without dramatic black eyeliner and thick mascara.

Now I just want to share a few other videos from the movie because I'm missing my little sister, and these remind me of her. Plus, the humorous conversation of the world's favorite "mockers" is worth a watch or two anyway. Better yet, rent the movie!

"They're [shirts] dead grotty."

"Hey mister! Can we have our ball back?"

"I now declare this bridge open!"

You must check out the movie for yourself!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. Yes, it's been ages since I last updated, but not without trying. Between my wonderful new job and unreliable Internet, I think I deserve a free pass for my epic fail in the New Year's resolutions department for blogging. However, my other goals for the year are going quite well. I still need to pick up more books in my spare time, but I'm challenging myself wherever possible, taking in my new city, and experimenting with some new fashion combos. I really wish I had a tripod here for my camera, as many of my outfits have DEFINITELY been blog-worthy.

The 4 P's of Anthropologie

2011-01-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

How do you know you live in an awesome place? For me, it's when I have access to my FAVORITE store in the whole world, Anthropologie!!

I've never lived in the same town as an Anthro, which means all my admiring of the beautiful clothes, pretty trinkets, and cute housewares has been via the Internet or during an occasional visit out of town. That's hard on a girl who loves to try on clothes and get lost in a store for hours. Long distance relationships just don't work out so well for me. But all is well with the world, as I now have TWO stores just a train ride away. I really couldn't be more pleased.

I remember when I first discovered Anthro, or, rather, I should say my sister did for me. She was working near one at the time, and, the moment she walked in the store, she knew I would gladly wear anything in it. So she took me there, it was love, and the rest is history. Right away, I could tell that going to Anthropologie would be like stepping into a magical land where everything is pretty, quaint, cute, girly, happy, sweet, and elegant. Or, as my edgy little sister would say, everything is very "delicate."

LA store at The Grove

Now for girls that live around here, loving and wearing Anthro already feels a bit like a club and/or sisterhood. Day one of work, one of my coworkers asked me if I liked Anthro, I got really excited, and she quickly told me where to find the nearest store (much-needed information!!). Plus, just the other day, I met a lady who was sporting a GORGEOUS mustard jacket that I had totally seen on the website, so of course I had to say something. She talked about how she'd been "stalking" the jacket for some time and luckily caught it on sale. We continued talking about how much we love the store for a good two minutes. So great.

Anyway, I finally had the chance to visit one of the stores yesterday, and it was wonderful! I was there most of the afternoon trying on practically everything. But my oh my, how time flies when I go there. Anthropologie really does a great job of creating a happy shopping experience, and I think I know why...

The 4 P's of Anthropologie:

Mostly everything that I tried on during my recent store visit!

* Patron - They know their girl.
I obviously love this store, so it's hard to imagine others not loving it as much as me. But I do recognize that there is a specific type of girl that frequents the store, and Anthropologie has THAT girl figured out. Anthro girls embrace the beauty of their femininity, go crazy over anything vintage-inspired, and invest in quality pieces. Trust me, I'm of those girls.

* Product - They know what their girl likes to wear.
The store is filled to the brim with sweet pieces that you will meet and love for a very long time. I could easily pick up and wear almost anything in the store and be completely true to my style and also be on-trend. That is a rare find anywhere else. Yes, I can find pieces of my style in most stores, but Anthro KNOWS my style.

A few dressing room looks - you'll have to wait and see what I actually bought later!

However, just to be clear, I think it best not to limit yourself to one store for your style. I just think it's refreshing that Anthropologie gets me so well that I could incorporate anything from there into my wardrobe.

* Presentation - They create the environment that their girl loves.
Decor, lighting, displays, colors, smells...it's a fantastical world at Anthropologie. Some of the larger stores have a really inviting home section with beautiful furniture. I could grab a copy of The Great Gatsby along with some warm tea and curl up on one of the couches for hours. It's just a cozy, warm atmosphere.

photo via Feminine Modern

Check out some pretty pictures of these stores: New York, Los Angeles, London, New Orleans, DC

* Personnel - They take care of their girl when she comes to visit.
Nearly every time I've visited a store, the sales associates have been fantastic and really gone out of their way to help me. There's no limit to the number of items you can take into the dressing room, they don't rush you out, and they're more than happy to grab a different size if needed. Plus, the associates are well-informed about the pieces they're selling--most likely because they love the store too.

I'll stop jabbering now and shall leave you with a few of the pieces on my wishlist!

(collage created via Polyvore - click on the photo for links to each item)

Happy week ahead!

xoxo,
Sarah

Natural ACNEdote by Alba Botanica

2011-01-09T20:33:00.000-08:00

When I was out on my spontaneous adventure a little over a month ago, I came across this skincare line. The clean white bottles looked promising, so I picked one up, smelled it, read about the ingredients, and debated purchasing. As a girl who has tried practically everything that is out there for acne, my skin can handle and needs strong acne-fighting solutions. And since my skin becomes somewhat immune to various cleansing treatments after a while, I try to switch up my products when I can. In need of a switch is right where I found myself when I discovered ACNEdote by Alba Botanica.

But I didn't purchase the product(s) that day, even though I probably should have. I needed some time to research the ingredients, check out reviews, and compare prices online (yes, I'm one of those shoppers). Plus, even though my current skin care system (at the time) was beginning to lose its effectiveness, I still liked it and wasn't ready to risk having painful breakouts or allergic reactions from a brand I hadn't ever used. However, it was becoming pretty expensive to invest in every three months. So when I returned home, I started researching and quickly became very impressed with the Alba Botanica brand. I liked their use of natural ingredients--something I had surprisingly never tried for skincare.

The key ingredients in ACNEdote are willow bark extract (natural source of salicylic acid), lemon balm and parsley extracts (for deep cleansing and oil control), and green tea (to calm irritated skin). One of these ingredients makes the system smell really good. My sister walked by the bathroom when I was treating my skin and could smell the aroma, so it's quite a strong scent. Your face feels clean, refreshed, cooled, and tingly right after, which is something I certainly love.

Currently, I am using the following products from the line:

* Deep Pore Wash, $7.47 - I thought I wouldn't like this foaming wash because it doesn't exfoliate your skin, but it does an amazing job cleansing. It also leaves your skin feeling soft while cutting down the oiliness.

* Deep Clean Astringent, $6.97 - This is the product that makes your skin cool and tingly. It might feel slightly harsh the first couple times, but you just have to get used to it. I look forward to putting it on my skin everyday.

* Oil Control Lotion, $11.47 - I love using this as my moisturizer. It works so well with my acne fighting foundation during the day.

* Invisible Treatment Gel, $6.97 - For those target areas where you have a spot, this gel is perfect. I really have seen great results within a few hours, as promised on the packaging.

Since ACNEdote has passed my test with flying colors and I still miss a little exfoliation, I am ordering the face and body scrub to complete the system. All of the products, except the scrub, are available at Wal-Mart on the natural beauty product aisle. Obviously, it's very affordable for everyone!

Anyway, I highly recommend this skincare line for anyone with acne-prone skin. In the month that I have been using it, my complexion has improved tremendously. Three cheers for clearer, smoother, softer, and happier skin!

xoxo,

Sarah

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2011-01-01T16:00:00.000-08:00

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

As you're reading this, I am on my way to a NEW city to begin a NEW job!!! It feels a bit like starting college again, as I'll be making all new friends and figuring out how to make a city my own turf again. This time, however, I am even less familiar with where I'm moving, making it all the more exciting...and slightly scary perhaps. But I thrive when challenged and thrown out of my comfort zone, so I am definitely embracing this fresh start and opportunity to grow.

Now I'm sure my goals will evolve more once I figure out this new place and realize what I need to get out of the experience, but what would a new year be without resolutions? Here it goes!

For the blog:

* Make schedule for posts and follow them through
* Connect better with the fashion blogger community
* Channel my philosophical thoughts about fashion in periodic essays

For personal growth:

* Challenge myself beyond others' expectations - always, always, ALWAYS
* Read at least one book per month - especially those relating to politics, religion, philosophy, and history (my brain is hungry for knowledge again!)
* Continue to enjoy new things - types of food, genres of music/film, forms of entertainment, etc.

Just for fun:

* Incorporate unique and "not-necessarily-me" pieces into my wardrobe periodically to keep things interesting - This might be something like putting a studded, semi-punky belt with a delicate, feminine dress. In general, I don't do stuff like that because I gravitate and love the pretty look. Now, I have no desire to change my style or have different taste, but I do want to spice things up and foster creativity in my wardrobe.

It's going to be a wonderful year lovelies. Looking forward to sharing it with you!

xoxo,
Sarah

Fittingly, with my big move and everything, here's a pretty cover of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by Chantal Kreviazuk:

Success

2010-12-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

Favorite Text Received Today

"I'm wearing boots. And I now own two pair. And a cool green scarf from India, which is funny because I'm recently obsessed with Confessions of a Shopaholic, which I feel is your fault somehow." - Em

I feel like this should serve as a testimonial of my fantastic fashionable influence. Haha, not really...but I am happy to take all the blame for a girl's new found love of boots and Shopaholic. Thank you very much!

xoxo,
Sarah
aka, the REAL Girl in the Green Scarf ;)

Christmas Eve Dress

2010-12-26T10:58:00.000-08:00

A few days before Christmas Eve, I was out searching for the last couple gifts when I happened upon an amazing sale at The Gap. Yes, I'm a last minute shopper...but it's only because I get too excited about the gifts I buy and want to tell the ones receiving them right away. Basically, I don't like to keep the secret, so I delay my shopping!

Anyway, Gap drew me in with their cute window displays, and I happily found out soon after that EVERYTHING in the store was 50% off until noon. So even though I was supposed to be buying for other people, I bought myself a bunch of new clothes--including the gorgeous dress I'm wearing in these pictures.

I also snagged two pairs of City Flats (in black and camel), which I have been wanting ever since I heard about them. These cute little shoes are great for girls living in big cities, with working commutes that involve a lot of walking, because the flats are designed to fold into a bag. The idea is to stylishly and comfortably conquer the commute wearing them and save the trendy pumps for the office.

The sale seriously came just in time for Christmas Eve. Every year, there is a lovely candlelight service at my church, and, this year, I wanted to dress in something extra pretty for the celebration of Jesus' birth!

After church, I went with my family to my grandparents' home for a light dinner and gift exchange. I was so glad to see the fireplace lit when we arrived. My oh my, it's cold outside right now! It's so smart of me to be wearing sleeveless dresses, right?

In other news, my hair is getting SO long, and I'm really starting to notice it in pictures lately. Even though I need a trim, I'm definitely a fan of the length!

Overall, it's been a really wonderful past few days. Christmas day was filled with family time, Christmas movies, delicious food, and lovely gifts. I really am so blessed to have a family that loves and supports me no matter what. Couldn't ask for better!

What I Wore:
* Dress - $35 - Gap
* Cardi - under $20 - Target
* Tights - FREE - my grandma's closet
* City Flats - $20 - Gap
* Vintage Burgundy Purse - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Headband - under $5 - ULTA

xoxo,
Sarah

It's December 25!

2010-12-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

Enjoy this beautiful day of giving!
Put on a pretty outfit, spend time with your loved ones, drink something warm, eat LOTS of food, and be thankful for life and love. It's not all about the gifts, but DO enjoy receiving too!

Merry Christmas lovelies!

Stylishly yours,
Sarah

"It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!"

The Secret's Out!!

2010-12-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, N.E.E.T. Magazine's editor asked me to be a part of a TOP SECRET book project to celebrate the mag's fifth anniversary this December. I couldn't NOT be a part of a project as VIP as that, so I jumped on board.

Well, the book is officially available for sale, and it's just as beautiful and "n.e.e.t." as you'd expect! I'm one of the five N.E.E.T. writers and had the honor of interviewing some of the best indie designers around. You'll have to buy yourself a copy, so you can admire this gem of a book in real life. I can't wait to get my hands on one!

Read more about the new book here!

Happy 5th Birthday N.E.E.T. Magazine!

xoxo,
Sarah

Pictorial Ode to Fall

2010-12-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

Fall is almost on its way out...oh my, oh my! I'm always sad when fall comes to an end. For a brief time (not long enough), the weather is perfect, the leaves are colorful, and the fashion is just right. I love that sweetness and little chill in the air, which is more than bearable with a bright cardi or lightweight trench.

With it being December, it's time to say goodbye to fall weather. Winter is quickly on its way, bringing in beautiful coats, warm boots, lovely hats, knitted scarves, and leather gloves. It'll be great, really it will. I just have a special place in my heart for fall and hate to see it go so soon!

What I Wore:
* Tunic/Dress - under $20 - Forever 21
* Boyfriend Cardigan - under $15 - NY & Co.
* Jeggings - under $25 - Pac Sun
* Tall Boots - $50 - local boutique
* Scarf - FREE - gift from my sister (London street market)
* Leaf Earrings - $4.80 - Forever 21
* Vintage Purse - $5 - thrifted

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. Enjoy a pretty little video with fall scenery from A Fine Frenzy:

Latest Obsession: Blow Dry Bars

2010-11-29T21:12:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned earlier, I had some quality time with the newest issue of InStyle Magazine while I was waiting for my plane home a few weekends ago. Since we're quickly nearing the end of 2010, this issue was loaded with so much loveliness that I still need to finish "studying" everything. During my LONG delay at the airport, I spent most of my time reading the STYLE 100 section, which included the top 100 fashionable highlights from the year. You better believe that I folded down a bunch of page corners!

Well, #52 in the STYLE 100 especially caught my interest. Over a week later, I am still talking, thinking, and tweeting about it...

BLOW DRY BARS!!!

Source: Dry Bar LA

Blow dry bars are much like your typical hair salons, except that the services are limited to washes and blowouts, meaning no cuts or dyes. By cutting out those regular, expected salon services, it actually opens the door for stylists to focus on creating more complicated hairdos. Customers go to blow dry bars specifically to get salon-quality styled hair without having to wait for the next cut.

At first, I thought this idea sounded a little crazy, but the more I've researched it the more I can't wait to visit one of these salons. Yes, the prices can be a little steep, but it would definitely be worth the investment, every now and then, for special occasions (like upcoming holiday parties). I'm already planning to visit BLOW, the NYC salon that InStyle credits for starting it all, next time I'm up that way. Also, fortunately for me, new blow dry bars are already popping up nationwide, so maybe one will turn up around here in the near future. I sure hope so!

Where to go for blowouts:

* BLOW - NYC

* Dry Bar - Los Angeles (new locations coming)

* Bubble Blow Dry - Los Angeles

* Republic Salon & Blow Out Bar - Folsom, CA

* Blo - San Francisco

* Swink Style Bar - Seattle

* HERSHESONS - London (salon has hair tutorials here)

When I go, I want my hair styled something like Lily Donaldson or Taylor Swift's waves. I think it would look especially pretty swept to one side.

Source: Style.com

Source: Poozt

If you live near any of the salons listed or even a different blow dry bar, please pay a visit for me. Tell me what you think, so I can live vicariously through you!

xoxo,

Sarah

Thankful

2010-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

It has been a really wonderful year, and I have so much to be thankful for right now. I have been met with some tremendous opportunities and experiences that I wouldn't trade for anything. Some are wrapping up and others just beginning, so, on this Thanksgiving Day, I find it especially fitting to sit back and reflect.

I am thankful for...
* Faith - I don't know everyone's religious backgrounds, but I think most of us would agree that there is a higher power at work in this world. To let you in on my beliefs, I am blessed to have the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He is my Rock, my Savior, and the guiding force in my life. He brings me through the trials, and He deserves all the glory for my successes. Without Him, I have no purpose!

* Family - I can honestly say that I have a family who would do anything for me. My parents have been huge in helping me pursue my dreams and passions, especially this year. I couldn't have asked for greater support, sacrifice, and selflessness from them. I'm also thankful for my beautiful sisters and awesome bro-in-law, who always offer a listening ear and wise advice. I love you guys!

* Friends - As I've said before, relationships are huge to me. I enjoy making new friends, keeping up with old ones, and loving on people around me. I am blessed with so many amazing friends and mentors who have invested in my life. I treasure the memories past and those to come!

* Freedom - I am proud and grateful to be an American, born with freedoms that are unheard of in so many countries around the world. I'm thankful that Christopher Columbus ran into the Americas and that the Pilgrims took a leap of faith in settling at Plymouth plantation, enduring a brutal winter and suffering tragic losses (I can't even imagine it). I'm thankful for the Founding Fathers, who fought for the freedoms that I enjoy today, and for those who continue fighting.

* Fashion - Obviously, I had to bring fashion back into the equation somehow. That's the fashionista in me! I am thankful for the beauty, creativity, and fun that the fashion industry provides. I love that fashion blogging found me unexpectedly when I started contributing at DFOF over a year ago. Now I have my own creative outlet with Fashionable Conversation and new ideas flooding my brain almost daily. I still get excited about new trends, figuring out my own style, searching for the next must-have, taking style risks, and meeting others who share the same love of fashion. In addition, I love my growing community of fashion blogger friends and hope to meet up with some of you girls someday! <3

Now that I've written an essay, I want to hear from you! What are you thankful for?

xoxo,
Sarah

Photo taken with my sister's Holga!

Business Professional

2010-11-24T12:08:00.000-08:00

Here's another look at my work clothes. I love all these pieces because I can mix and match them to create a multitude of professional outfits. So convenient and economical!

What I Wore:
* Silk Shirt - $13 - TJ Maxx
* Pencil Skirt - $20 - Target
* Blazer - under $25 - Target
* Tights - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Platform Pumps by Madden Girl - $34 - TJ Maxx
* Vintage Clutch - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Pendant Necklace - FREE - gift from my grandma

Hair:
* Hot rollers - I dried my hair almost completely (a little dampness helps) and set the rollers somewhat randomly around my head. For loose curls, I left them in about 5-7 minutes.

xoxo,
Sarah

Many moons ago...

2010-11-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Many moons ago (before I even had side bangs!), I took these pictures with my bestie. I came across them randomly and decided the blogging world should admire them. Enjoy!

Our era of inspiration for the last three pictures was the 1970s, and I love how my hair looks. Maybe I should get layers again, tease up my hair, and go all retro glam? Nah, not yet. I finally got my layers grown out!

Oh, but I kind of want more interest in my hair. Layers might be nice. Opinions please?

xoxo,

Sarah

On a Whim

2010-11-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

First off, I want to say that I was totally planning on blogging last week, but then I ended up going on a last-minute trip with my best friend. I literally decided to go on Monday afternoon, headed out Tuesday morning, and spent the entire week just having fun in one of my favorite places here in the states. So I took an unplanned yet COMPLETE break from everything. I barely even touched my macbook! I loved having the opportunity to be completely spontaneous, carefree, and relaxed. I really needed it after this very busy year.

Here are a few highlights from my week of free spirited happiness:

* Amazing conversation - I am a huge relationship, quality time person, so naturally I love hanging out, talking, and learning about people's lives. We don't even have to be doing anything super fun (you can make fun anywhere). I just enjoy conversation with friends, old and new. And there was certainly a lot of that on my trip. Good times!

* Sushi tasting - Believe it or not, I had never tasted sushi before last week. And you better believe that I will probably never taste it again. Yes, I gave it a shot, but it's not my thing unfortunately. For not tasting good (to me), sushi certainly looks pretty. Oh, and on a side note, a couple with our group shared/consumed 82 pieces between the two of them. I was absolutely amazed!

Trying sushi - before & after! :)

* Skiing - Again, this is another shocker, but I had never been skiing until this past Friday. My friends told me I caught on quickly because I was off the bunny hills in no time and going through some real powder most of the day. Even though I'm a little bruised and battered from falling a bunch, I'm ready to go again!

* Coat Wearing - While the weather has been kind of indecisive around here, my vacay location had coat-worthy weather nearly everyday. So I was VERY glad to have my newest coat (bought last season). I'm still looking for the perfect tiered coat to add to my outerwear collection, but I absolutely love my tweed trench from New York & Company.

* Quality InStyle time - While I was waiting for my plane, I grabbed the latest issue and shortly realized how many things I need to cover on my blog. I was so inspired by the contents, as I'm sure you noticed if you follow me on twitter. I like to give commentary when I read mags...or anything for that matter. So follow me! (Note: My tweets are protected for now, but I approve almost everyone)

Okay, so back to reality. It was a great trip, but there is much to be done this week! Seriously, the moment my plane landed, I was already thinking up to-do lists. I'm a crazy girl like that though. I HAVE learned to take no-planning-allowed breaks, which has become a wonderful thing to me. Planning is definitely necessary, but too much planning can ruin your life and make you insanely stressed. If there's one thing I've learned since graduating college, it's to be open to things outside of your "master plan." Besides, life is much more interesting when you aren't planning every last detail. I'd rather be surprised!

Later lovelies!

xoxo,
Sarah

Black & White Stripes

2010-11-09T07:49:00.000-08:00

I already have another outfit post, and, for the first time in ages, I actually wore lipstick. I love what it does for my photos, so I think I'll let the lip color happen more often.

The temperature was perfect, and the sun was shining, which made everything work out wonderfully for this shoot. I really enjoyed being outside!

These boots are quickly becoming my favorite fall wardrobe staple. I had been looking for a pair of tan, slouchy boots all last fall and never found THE pair. Then, while I was making the rounds about a month ago, I happened upon this pair at my favorite local shoe store. They were even on clearance, and, since I can't pass up a good bargain, I knew it was meant to be!

Now I'm on a quest for some brown riding boots. It's funny how just as you find something you've been searching for, the victory is short-lived, as you're immediately onto the next "much-needed" stylish item. That's how I am anyway.

As you might have noticed from previous looks, I love wearing dramatic black eyeliner. But while I've always been a fan of eyeliner, I only recently started drawing it out more exaggerated on myself. It can be tricky to get it just right, but the resulting look is fantastic. Fortunately, Pixiwoo helped me get the "flick" part down. I highly recommend their tutorials!
(read to end for a listing of my eye makeup products)

I just love this shirt. It screamed out to me on the rack this past weekend, so I tried it on and couldn't leave without it. I see a lot of potential in it, beyond today's look, so it was worth the purchase. I try to buy clothes that can be worn and accessorized over and over (much like a LBD). That's just smart shopping folks!

What I Wore:
* Striped Tunic - $17 - TJ Maxx
* Jeggings - under $25 - Pac Sun
* Vintage Clutch - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Tall Boots - $50 - local boutique
* Bow Headband (from London!) - FREE - gift from my sister

Eye Makeup:
* Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner - $7 - Maybelline
* Falsies Mascara - $5 - Maybelline
* Eyeshadow Quad (in menage) - $15 - Victoria's Secret
* Eyeliner Tutorial - FREE online - Pixiwoo

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,
Sarah

Fashionable Face: Alison Sudol

2010-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Do you recognize this lovely redhead? You should! She's none other than Alison Sudol of A Fine Frenzy.

I don't remember how I discovered Alison's music, but, one day in 2007, I realized I had been frequenting her myspace multiple times a day for weeks. So I ordered her album, One Cell in the Sea, and was hooked. And like any good friend, I got all my besties hooked as well!

Alison is known for her ballads (especially those reminiscing past relationships - what could have been, what she's glad is gone, how to move on, etc.), but her latest album has a good mixture of upbeat and slow numbers. If you're new to her music, I recommend any of it! But for a quick taste, listen to the following:
"Almost Lover"
"Near to You"
"What I Wouldn't Do"
"Swan Song"

Beyond her beautiful tunes, she has incredible style. In many ways, I feel like we should be style sisters.

We both love...
* Vintage outerwear, hats, and scarves
* Mustard yellow
* Long hair
* Pretty dresses
* Feminine, delicate details (lace accents, high waists, and floral prints)

Alison often looks like she stepped out of another era but was slightly modernized, leaving her completely current yet unique at the same time. Now that's difficult to pull off! I feel like that's how vintage lovers should be though. It's not necessarily about being a complete "replica" of an era - it's about making it work for the here-and-now, mixing modern and vintage creatively. Does that make sense?

xoxo,
Sarah

Check out this cute stop-motion video of Alison!

Asian Market

2010-11-06T22:27:00.000-07:00

I was out and about town this afternoon, so I decided to have my sister snap a few pictures of my outfit. We were out with my mommy looking for very specific items for making Asian cuisine, so I have some "scenic" pictures of the marketplace throughout my post. Enjoy!

We finished off the day with some boba tea (technically, mine was a boba smoothie). It's always such a delicious treat. I was drinking it so fast that I kept getting a brain freeze!

What I Wore:
* Plaid Shirt - under $25 - Forever 21
* Jeggings - under $25 - Pac Sun
* Trench Coat - under $35 - Old Navy
* Vintage Purse - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Tall Boots (my latest obsession!) - $50 - local boutique
* Braided Headband - $2 - Claire's

In other news, I've decided that I should start wearing lipgloss and/or lipstick again. Typically, I just prefer my Burt's Bees lip balm, but I need more color going on. I'm feeling bright pink or dark red for some reason...

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. My friend Travis just reintroduced me to Gavin DeGraw, and I'm loving the song "Dancing Shoes" from his newest album Free. Take a listen!

The Brooklyn Bunch

2010-11-05T23:10:00.000-07:00

Top: Ingrid Michaelson, Greg Laswell, Jenny Owen Youngs, Bess Rogers; Middle: Lauren Zettler, Rosi Golan, Ian Axel, Katie Costello; Bottom: Peter Bradley Adams, Allie Moss, Allison Weiss, Greg Holden

There is an ever-growing number of indie artists based out of Brooklyn, and I am a huge fan. After seeing many of them together in various concerts and videos, I've noticed that they are more than individual artists. Many of them are really good friends, and, depending on who is headlining, you might even catch a few backing during another's tour. It's really cool to see that kind of community among artists.

Not long after discovering this cool little community from Brooklyn, my bestie and I decided to dub them "The Brooklyn Bunch." For us, it all started with Ingrid Michaelson's tour last year. We had heard that Bess Rogers and Allie Moss were backing, but we didn't know anything about who was opening. And then we met him, Greg Holden...it was love at first word! Yes, his charming British accent got me, but his music drew me in because of its honest lyrics and beautiful melodies. Not surprisingly, I snagged his EP at the concert and looked him up on myspace, where I later discovered even more artists like Ian Axel and Rosi Golan.

Since my blog has been dry on the musical inspiration lately, I'm sharing a playlist with my current faves from The Brooklyn Bunch (click the link for my mix on iTunes). Enjoy!

And check out this awesome cover of Go West's "King of Wishful Thinking" by Lauren Zettler and friends. It's always been one of my favorite songs, and I love what this group did with it!

Oh! And since this is a FASHION blog, I can't end without commenting on the style of The Brooklyn Bunch. In general, their looks are carefree, relaxed, and thrifty. The girls wear vintage boots, skinny jeans, and basic tees or blouses, paired with knitted scarves and hats. And the boys rock shaggy hair, plaid shirts, and dark-rimmed glasses. These looks definitely work for them!

xoxo,
Sarah

Concert Fashion

2010-10-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

A while back, my besties and I went to a concert featuring Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. I have to admit that I was only slightly familiar with Grace, but I left the concert inspired and blown away by her powerful pipes. Just listen!

Yes, I definitely recommend giving Grace a listen, but let's get down to concert fashion real quick...

As every fashionista knows, musician or not, a concert is not a concert without the perfect outfit. I've always thought it important to think about the concert venue and music genre before going. For example, when attending folk concerts, I usually dress in vintage-inspired prints with moccasins or my mom's cowboy boots from the 80s. That same outfit wouldn't feel quite right for a punk rock concert--I'd prefer an edgy vest and screen tee.

Anyway, since the venue for Grace Potter was pretty casual (standing room only), and I didn't know her genre too well yet, I decided to wear something comfortable and typical "me-during-FALL." So I threw together a look with one of my favorite shirts and signature skinny jeans:

What I Wore:
* Plaid Button-Down Tunic - under $20 - Forever 21
* Gray Skinny Jeans - under $25 - Pacific Sunwear
* Slouchy Boots - $8 - Ross
* Vintage Purse - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Vintage Coin Necklace - FREE - my grandma's closet

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. Hope you enjoyed some new scenery in my photos today!

Oh, and you might notice that I have a hairband around my wrist. That totally reminds me of a post one of my fave bloggers, Brittan from What She Should Have Worn, wrote recently. Check it out: Hairbands are NOT bracelets

Red, Black, & Gray

2010-10-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what my style is like at work? Today is your lucky day!

Now I wouldn't say that I wear red, black, and gray on a daily basis, but I have been a color repeater the last couple days without even realizing it. Mostly, I think I am just obsessed with my red cardi because I only wore a few of the other items twice. However, I still managed to come up with an outfit showing off the same flavor. You'll even notice gold accents in both.

Outfit #1

What I Wore:
* Gray Dress with Black Belt - $18 - Ross
* Long Red Cardi - under $15 - New York & Company (SALE!)
* Black Tights - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Vintage Purse - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Black Flats with Gold Buckles - under $15 - Ross
* Skinny Black Headband - under $4 - ULTA

Outfit #2

What I Wore:
* Black Shirt with Peter Pan Collar - under $20 - Dillard's
* Gray Pencil Skirt - $20 - Target
* Long Red Cardi - under $15 - New York & Company
* Vintage Belt with Gold Buckle - under $1 - thrifted
* Black Dotted Tights - about $5 - Target
* Black Oxfords - under $15 - going out of business shoe sale
* Vintage Purse - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Black Skinny Headband - under $4 - ULTA

Which outfit is your fave?

xoxo,
Sarah

FALL is in the air!

2010-09-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy fall everyone! Isn't it the most WONDERFUL time of year? I certainly think it is - especially now that the air has that cool crispness about it, and I can finally pull out my collection of boots, outerwear, scarves, and hats.

Boots won't be leaving my feet for another six months, and I'll probably add a pair or two along the way. With winter just around the corner, I'll continue my search for this year's perfect coat, even though outerwear is always on my radar despite the season. I never grow tired of discovering yet another gorgeous coat.

I am also ready to bring out my scarves, even debut a few new ones. Thanks to my mommy and our de-cluttering extravaganza over Labor Day, I have an even larger collection of vintage scarves. It's great when you know the origin of your vintage - I love that my grandmothers and mother wore many of the things I rock around town now.

Oh, and I've decided that I want to wear hats more often in the coming months. Growing up, I was quite the little hat girl, but I moved on at some point I guess? Anyway, since I recently became reacquainted with my lovely red beret and hunter green cloche (both WAITING for a day out), I'm ready to become a hat-wearer once again.

As you can probably tell, I'm excited about fall and am enjoying it thoroughly!
I've already started layering my clothes...

Foundational outfit - dress, skinnies, and boots

Adding my accessories - scarf and purse

Closer view of that scarf - thank you Anthropologie NYC!

Got my trench, and I'm ready to go!

What I Wore:
* Floral Dress - $17.80 - Forever 21
* Gray Skinny Jeans - $25 - Pac Sun
* Ruched Scarf - $30 - Anthropologie
* Leaf Earrings - $4.80 - Forever 21
* Trench - Old Navy (don't remember price - had it for years)
* Gray Boots - $8 - Ross
* Vintage Purse - FREE - my grandma's closet

Hair:
* I twisted my hair into a loose side bun and secured it with two decorative hair slides (from Anthropologie). Thick slides, like these, work best.

xoxo,
Sarah

In other news, Mumford & Sons is my new favorite band.

A lovely Saturday afternoon

2010-09-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Apart from it being a little toasty outside, this past weekend was really fun! On Saturday, I visited my little sister (as in younger). We ran around town doing some of our favorite things:
* Tried local dining - Bacon cheeseburgers (3 bucks!) and fountain drinks
* Got snow cones - Cherry & cream is my fave flavor! <3
* Breezed through some thrift stores
* Talked, talked, and talked - What are sisters for?

Anyway, my lovely sister snapped a few photos of my outfit while we were out exploring. Enjoy!

What I Wore:
* Striped tunic/dress - $15 - Forever 21
* Jeggings - $22 - Pac Sun
* Vintage belt - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Moccasins - $15 - made by me from a kit (bought locally)
* Vintage purse - FREE - my grandma's closet
* Leaf earrings - $4.80 - Forever 21
* Sunglasses - $5 - local boutique

Here's a better shot of my earrings from a photo booth session with my macbook (haha). I wear these almost every day right now...in anticipation of fall weather. Just get here already!

xoxo,
Sarah

I LOVE Pockets!

2010-08-30T22:05:00.000-07:00

An outfit post. Wow, aren't you proud?! Today, I'm excited to share my FAVORITE new skirt from one of my favorite stores, TJ Maxx. I find myself trying to wear it nearly every day lately. It has so many great elements that have fast made it a staple item:
(in order of excitement!)
1. POCKETS!
2. Buttons
3. High Waist
4. Flattering Fit
5. Quality Denim
6. Comfortable

On other days, I've paired it with a solid mustard yellow top, a bright red top with 3/4 sleeves, or a darker floral sleeveless blouse. I always tuck it in because that lovely waist is one of the best aspects of the skirt.

I'd also like to highlight the lovely back of the skirt that gives the waistline a little elasticity, adding to the comfort. Now, if you're like me at all, running around places constantly, it's great to have that go-to skirt that looks and feels great.

Oh, and check out the exposed zipper on my floral top (above). That was the selling point for me - plus, I'm a sucker for anything in cream.

Finally, I have to mention my NEW-to-me huraches from a recent thrifting adventure. Ever since I discovered my grandma's pair several years ago, I have been a bit obsessed with this style of sandals. I wore hers until they finally decided to give out on me (that was a sad day). Fortunately, I happened upon this pair for $2 in my size a couple weeks ago. It was love!

What I Wore:
Floral Top - $10.48 - Target (sale!)
Denim Skirt by WD-NY - $18 - TJ Maxx
Vintage Hurache Sandals - $2 - Thrifted
Plastic Headband - $5 - Ulta

As always, thank you for reading! <3

xoxo,
Sarah

Fashionable Face: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

2010-08-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

Alright, so today's post might as well be an excuse to talk about one of my many celebrity "crushes," all of which are always recognized for their impeccable sense of style.

Back when I first noticed Joseph Gordon-Levitt in 10 Things I Hate About You, I was actually a little more into Heath Ledger. But ever since he starred in (500) Days of Summer and Inception, Joe (can I call him that?!) has stolen my heart.

Whether he is rockin' a tailored suit (complete with a vest or bowtie), slicking his hair back or keeping it a tad shaggy, or making that signature "Joe" grin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt always looks clean cut. I think he looks old school yet timeless. Based on looks alone, he's the kind of guy your parents would be proud to see you bring home. Beyond giving off that feeling of being a respectable guy, he is also full of personality and unexpected talents. Seriously, have you SEEN him dance in (500) Days or during his opening number on SNL?

My sister and I get especially smiley when Joe talks...he just says some words in a really cute way. Part of this comes from him being an actor playing different characters, but I want to believe that some of it is just him. For instance, while he's portraying Jason Mraz on The Mellow Show SNL sketch, he talks about "playing music for girls." And he owns that accent for his character in Inception. It's just cute!

Okay, I'll stop gushing about this man of style now and leave you to enjoy his impressive dance moves and contagious grins in this video from (500) Days.

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. For another dance routine from Joe (featuring Zooey Deschanel), click here!

The ever-popular stream of consciousness blog

2010-08-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

In anticipation to a very busy summer, I started a mini blog in early June. As much as I love writing full-blown posts for you lovely people, my schedule this summer has only been conducive to short snippets into what I am thinking about, listening to, or admiring. Hence, the creation of It's a Lovely Life, which has long been my twitter user name as well (follow me @itsalovelylife). You might have noticed the reference to "lovely life" in the subtitle of this blog.

Hope that you are already a reader there, but, if not, check it out!

Again, thanks for bearing with me this summer and continuing to check back. I have really enjoyed reading your sweet comments. Get excited for a packed-out fall with fashionable conversation. I have been brainstorming all summer!

xoxo,
Sarah

I ran away to the mountains...

2010-06-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

How funny is it that I have updated on the first and last days of this month? It has not been intentional, I promise. Life has been a balancing act more than usual lately because of my main job as an event coordinator. I really enjoy it, but it has been a very busy season in my line of work. And sleep has just happened to win out against blogging. Plus, I have been doing a little traveling...

Yes, I spent a few days with the mountains in my own "backyard." Since one of my dearest friends from college was tying the knot, my bestie and I went out for the bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and outdoor wedding--meaning, fun times were had by all and new friends were made. We especially enjoyed staying up late on Friday night playing ninja and signs with the boys. Oh, and I cannot forget to mention being eaten to death by mosquitoes...never seems to matter as much when you are having fun though.

Anyway, the wedding was beautiful. The bachelorette party was hysterical. And my first go at fondue was divine. Wish I could still be trekking around in the mountains, enjoying the cool evening breeze, and taking in the unique style of those living in the area. I will have to elaborate on the "mountain girl" look at another time, as I am still deciding which elements I want to incorporate into my wardrobe. I bought a cute pair of sunglasses for starters!

As always, thanks for reading! Once the summer is over, I should have more time to talk.

xoxo,

Sarah

Ramblings of a fashion blogger with fishtail braids

2010-06-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

You know what I love most about freelance writing? Meeting new people and being inspired by them! There is just something especially cool about working alongside other bloggers and writers and not only reading their work from afar. Joining a blog team allows you to move from "commenter" to "team member," and all kinds of learning opportunities ensue...at least, that has been my experience!

Most recently, I have been inspired by Katy Jones, a fellow N.E.E.T. blogger and the author behind Dirty Hems. Katy has a knack for organizing and presenting relevant and fun D.I.Y. tutorials. She posted a tutorial (with video) about fishtail braids a few weeks ago, and, as you can see from the snapshots above, I tried it out!

Watching Katy's adorable tutorial sent me back to elementary days when french and fishtail braids were all the rage amongst my friends. Most of my braiding know-how actually came from playing hair at slumber parties or reading Braids & Bows.

Let me just say that this instructional book (published in 1992!) came with a slew of hair accessories, including metallic hair ties, funky ribbon, and a SCRUNCHY! That was a big deal to a little girl in those days. I would curl up in a comfy chair and pour over the book for hours and then rush on to practice braiding on my American Girl doll. Yes, those were the days!

xoxo,
Sarah

Black & White Only Please

2010-05-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Apart from being excessively interested in fashion, blogging, and both those things combined, I also work during the day putting my marketing degree to good use. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend an amazing event for work with some pretty notable people in my area. It was a dress-up occasion, which made me especially excited. Not surprisingly, I had just as much fun coming up with an outfit as I did meeting some fabulous people!

What I Wore:
* Little black dress by Ruby Rox from Ross
* White patent leather pumps by Michelle D from Dillard's
* Vintage white clutch from my grandma
* Retro sunglasses from a local boutique
* White earrings from H&M (in NYC)

Do you like my black and white theme? It had been a while since I worked that combo, so I enjoyed the classic simplicity of the look.

What a fun night!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. I ended up wearing those pumps for over three hours, and there was not much of an opportunity to sit. So my feet gladly enjoyed flats the day following the event!

Film Affair: An Education

2010-05-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ever since hearing about An Education, I have been wanting to see it. Last weekend, I finally had the chance to grab a copy of the movie, along with some very unhealthy snacks, and watched it with my best friend. Word on street has been that the storyline and fashion of this movie are equally thrilling, and the rumor was proven true...at least in my opinion!

The movie follows the life of a young girl, named Jenny Millar (Carey Mulligan), who thinks she is missing out on life through her monotonous and seemingly boring days studying to get into Oxford. While going to the university has always been the dream and plan for Jenny and her parents, she is mostly ready to make decisions for herself and be a grown up. But a door into adulthood comes much sooner than expected when she meets an unlikely yet attractive man (Peter Sarsgaard) and his friends. As these new acquaintances and accompanying situations throw her for a loop, her wardrobe fittingly changes and shows her transformation from girl to woman.

In addition to telling an interesting story, An Education is filled with beautiful fashion. I especially adored the floral dresses worn by Jenny during the Paris segment. When I spent last Saturday at the mall with my mother, I kept gravitating toward dresses that looked very similar to those seen in the movie. So the movie obviously inspired me.

Here are a couple of my own takes on 60s fashion, as seen in An Education:

1) Tweed Shift Dress by Michael Kors - $129.50 - Macy's or Bloomingdale's; 2) Cultured Pearl Earrings - $1,175 - Tiffany & Co; 3) Metallic Clutch - $52 - Endless.com; 4) Vintage 60s Socialite Pumps - $32 - Revolving Styles

1) Bow Detail Cotton Dress - $117.90 - Nordstrom; 2) Retro Sunglasses - $5.80 - Forever 21; 3) Vintage Flower-Etched Pendant - $11 - In the Past; 4) Black Pumps - $69.99 - Dillard's; 5) Checkbook with Flap Purse - $18 - Urban Outfitters

xoxo,

Sarah

* Note: Movie images via IMDB

The Fashionable Faces of First Aid Kit

2010-05-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Klara and Johanna Söderberg of First Aid Kit are everything modern folk singers should be. Soon to be everyone's favorite sisters, these adorable Swedes sing and write fantastical music accompanied by great instruments like acoustic guitar, ukulele, and autoharp. Beyond their pretty melodies, the girls have a distinctively folk look, but, unlike some folkies out there, they manage to pull it off without looking disheveled or frumpy. With wardrobes filled with plaid shirts, denim vests, and great sweaters, First Aid Kit shows carefree style at its best. Plus, their success in wearing all denim is inspiring!

Check out this adorable video of "Hard Believer" from their new album The Big Black & The Blue:

And while we are on the subject, let me ask you this: Would you wear all denim? Why or why not?

xoxo,

Sarah

P.S. Thanks to my awesome cousin for introducing me to First Aid Kit. It should be obvious that they are a new fave of mine, especially since they were also in my soundtrack of April!

Check out more from the fabulous duo...

Website

Youtube

I-Tunes

* All pictures from First Aid Kit's myspace and Facebook pages.

Musical Inspiration from my April

2010-04-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

As promised, I am back with another edition of music that I could not get away from throughout this month! The grouping includes an interesting mish-mash of folk (surprise, surprise...), acoustic, country, and even a little mainstream goodness. Some songs are new, others are old, and one is even older (good ole John Denver), but this month's soundtrack all comes together to be quite marvelous if I do say so myself.

1) You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
2) Forgive You - Vedera
3) Cemeteries of London - Coldplay
4) I Met Up With the King - First Aid Kit
5) Bird Song - Sherree Chamberlain
6) We Sing - Vedera
7) Ambulance - Eisley
8) The Girl - City and Colour
9) Electric Bird - Sia
10) Grandma's Feather Bed - John Denver
Description: Beautiful songs (some happy, some sad, some indifferent) that have inspired my April.

Download the playlist on i-Tunes!

What songs, albums, or artists made your April fabulous?

xoxo,
Sarah

Pretty Picture: Girls in Coats by Danny Roberts

2010-04-26T23:48:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that Danny Roberts is my favorite fashion illustrator, and I might or might not have a secret crush on him. Anyway, I was browsing his etsy shop recently and fell completely in love with this painting, entitled Girls in Coats. Whether I am savoring every moment in them during winter or eagerly anticipating weather that allows me to pull them out again, coats draw me in all year round. So it is not surprising that this painting especially caught my eye.

If you have not discovered Danny yet, do not waste another moment! Check out his fantastical blog Igor+Andre right now!

xoxo,
Sarah

Casual Evening Out

2010-04-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Most of my previous looks have shown me in dresses and skirts, but, believe it or not, I actually wear skinny jeans most days. I am especially in love with jean leggings because they are very flattering on my twiggy legs. I wore this outfit out to dinner with my parents and some long-time family friends last night!

What I Wore:
* Bright yellow tunic from Heritage 1981 (sold in Forever 21)
* Gray cardi from Target
* Jean leggings from Pacific Sunwear (I have two pairs already)
* Classic kitten heels from Target
* Deep red vintage bag from my grandma
* Silver cut-out earrings from H&M (my go-to earrings that look FAB with almost anything in my closet)

Check out this look on Lookbook or Chictopia!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. How do you like my French braided hairstyle?

Dressing for Earth Day can be every day!

2010-04-24T00:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, I realize that it is not Earth Day anymore, but it sure was fun while it lasted! Celebrating this day definitely makes you stop and think about all the innovation surrounding the green lifestyle. And for fashionistas like me, fashion is one of the first things on the mind, so it is especially intriguing to watch independent (and some mainstream) designers in their efforts to become more eco-friendly.

The cultural movement toward being environmentally and socially aware has encouraged the fashion industry to work with new materials, seek out and use local labor, find new uses for old things, and watch the entire production process from seed to cloth. Realizing these byproducts of the green movement is enough to even grab the attention and appreciation of those who are not necessarily into the movement itself--simply because it has fostered creativity and innovation. Really, you have to admit that there is something very interesting and fun about the need to be green and socially responsible.

While we are on the subject, here are a few seemingly-obvious but easy ways to incorporate a green perspective into your wardrobe:
* Buy vintage clothing and accessories - Rummage through your local thrift stores or online marketplaces like Etsy and Market Publique. And check with your grandma or great aunt!
* Wear hand-me-downs (only if cute though!) - Be open to free clothes from relatives or friends. You might already share clothes with your best friend or sister, so that works too!
* Support eco-friendly designers - Check out Matt & Nat, Fin Oslo, and Lu Flux for starters!
* Build a sustainable wardrobe with staple pieces - Look for classic silhouettes and interesting details.
* Host or attend a "Swishing" clothes-swap party - This is such a fun way to change up your wardrobe just a bit. Gather up several items of clothing that could use some new loving and get together with friends or the community to swap. Planning one of these awesome events is on my to-do list!

As we are in the green-loving spirit, let me remind you to keep a lookout for my eco-friendly column on N.E.E.T. Magazine's blog twice a month, where I go in-depth with eco-friendly designers from all over the world!

Get the Eco-Friendly Look...
1) Amber Dobby Dress II (eco-friendly materials) - $398 - Shop Substance; 2) Woven Clutch (organic cotton) - $40 - Greenloop; 3) Honeycomb Charm Necklace (ethical fashion) - $620 - Juno & Jove, Inc; 4) Knee-High Socks (organic) - $8 - Sock Dreams; 5) Vintage Oxfords - $67 - Kenaione; 6) Vintage Cardi - $34 - Paradox

xoxo,
Sarah

Pretty Picture: Boredom with Bubble Gum

2010-04-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

Flickr can be so addicting sometimes. Just typing in a few words like balloon or bubble will send you perusing for hours, just because there is so much out there. But even though there is an abundance of talented photographers, it is always a treat to stumble upon a new one like the author (BOP33P via Flickr) of today's inspiration pretty picture.

The bubble-blowing model above is also the photographer and creative mind behind all her pictures. Be sure to take a look through her photo stream on Flickr, where she is currently finishing up a very cute series through the alphabet ("A is for..." or "B is for...").

Oh, and as pictures inspire me, you can expect more loveliness from a fashionable perspective!

xoxo,
Sarah

Latest Obsession: French Braids

2010-04-20T22:43:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago while watching a movie, I started playing with my hair, twisting it around this way and that. Before long, I managed to have a very loose French braid coming around into a side ponytail. Wondering if it was even presentable, I ran to the mirror to check out the style and realized that it definitely had potential to be street-wearable.

Since my first go at this style was a complete accident (after all, I was styling blindly), I have continued to perfect the look. Thanks to the numerous tutorials online, getting braiding tips from the pros is easy and fun. In general, Ford Models and fashionface.tv (pixiwoo on youtube) are my go-to sources for hair and makeup tips. Always fantastic!

Here is my favorite braided style from Johnny Lavoy at Ford Models:

If only I had an extra hand at my beck and call...braiding can sure make your arms tired after a while! Good thing that the finished result looks pretty and bohemian. And it really does not take that much time, making it a great way to stylishly pull your hair back, especially if you are in a hurry.

Next time I document one of my outfits (or the next few since I am a bit obsessed), expect a French braided look with my hair!

xoxo,

Sarah

P.S. Yesterday was my DFOF posting day, and I am quite in love with the collage I created about hot air balloons. Go on over to see and read for yourself!

Random Red Bag

2010-04-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, the red bag is just a small part of my outfit, but it definitely adds the needed POP of color. It has been very rainy these past few days, and today I needed a dress-up outfit that is semi-warm and easy to keep dry. As much as I love my rainboots, they do not look that chic with a pretty skirt and top. But since my oxfords are not suede, they are great for wearing in the rain!

What I Wore:
* Black top with ruched sleeves from Ross
* Red vintage purse from my grandma
* Cream vintage belt from my grandma
* Skirt with blue stitching from Forever21
* Black tights from Target
* Black oxfords by Maripè from a MASSIVE closeout sale

Hype this outfit on Lookbook and vote for me on Chictopia!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. I apologize for the poor coloring in my photos. It has been so gray outside lately, and the lighting inside is not very good either. Of course, it ends up making everything look quite retro, which is always a plus in my eyes anyway...sometimes I feel like I belong in a different era. But you can expect better quality and coloring in the future! <3

Nadinoo Revisited

2010-04-16T01:24:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I chatted with Nadia Izruna of the fantastical, whimsical brand Nadinoo. Based in London, Nadinoo recently unveiled its Spring/Summer 2010 collection, and it is nothing short of lovely (as usual). Filled with Peter Pan collars, high-waisted shorts, and sweet dresses (all impeccably tailored), this brand still has my heart.

When you check out the full lookbook, pay attention to the pretty designs, but also notice the GREAT shoes that Nadia paired with each look. The t-strap pumps with ankle socks are my favorite combination!

Learn more about Nadinoo...
Nadinoo.com
Official Blog
My Interview with Nadia Izruna ~ written for DFOF

xoxo,
Sarah

Just another day at the office...

2010-04-15T00:30:00.000-07:00

What I Wore:
* Crocheted Green Cropped Cardi from H&M (snagged it in LA!)
* Little Black Dress by Ruby Rox
* Ivory Vintage Belt from my Grandma
* Black Sandal Wedges from Target
* Silver Filigree Earrings from H&M (my sister brought them back from London!)

Hype this outfit on Lookbook or vote for me on Chictopia!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. My first designer interview article ran yesterday on N.E.E.T.'s blog! I had the pleasure of chatting with the lovely ladies at Sublet Clothing, Inessah and Tara. Read the article and be inspired by this eco-friendly label!

Last minute birthday wishes...

2010-04-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

Some of you already saw my birthday wishlist, but I came across a couple things in the last couple weeks that I want:

* Girls in Glasses Tee by Danny Roberts - $45 - Igor+Andre Store

* Diana Camera with Flash - $74 - Amazon.com

The tee is fabulously mod because of the great illustration by Danny Roberts, the amazing artist behind Igor+Andre and my current cute boy "crush." And I love the Diana camera because it takes fantastical, fairytale-looking pictures. My sister has a Holga, so I need a Diana for our lomography collaborations. Plus, I would love to document my travels across Europe through the eye of Diana...as soon as I get the chance to go in the next year or so.

Thanks for reading lovelies!

xoxo,

Sarah

Fashionable Face: Diane Birch

2010-04-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

From now on, I will periodically be focusing on a fashionable face from the music, film, and street scenes...or simply anyone whose style inspires me. Watch out, it could be you!

Starting off with this fun new category, it makes sense to talk about the fabulous Diane Birch, who has been a fave singer of mine since Bible Belt debuted last June. She has the thick, blunt bangs with the straight, long hair, and her clothing choices typically have a 60s or 70s feel. Often spotted wearing a black hat, classic trench, or mini dress, Diane makes a statement wherever she goes by mixing modern details with vintage loveliness. Plus, her unique singing voice makes her an instant standout in the sea of the same.

Check out her newest music video to her hit song Valentino:

You know you are inspired too, so snag Diane's album on iTunes or Amazon!

xoxo,

Sarah

Easter Dress

2010-04-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

All the cool bloggers post what they wear, so it is about time I join the group. Besides, my LOOKBOOK profile has been abandoned for far too long.

So the title is pretty self-explanatory. The picture shows what I wore today for Easter Sunday. I am especially in love with the boxy wrap-around purse. It looks sort of vintage, camera case-inspired to me. I swiped it while thrifting with my sister yesterday, and it ended up being a great accent with today's look.

Okay, now go give me some love on Lookbook & Chictopia please! <3

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. In other news, I want to purchase a really nice camera. Any suggestions?

Another N.E.E.T. Surprise!

2010-04-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

What can I say? Writing for the March issue of N.E.E.T. was such a blast that I jumped on the opportunity to be a permanent contributor for the magazine's blog. Joining forces with N.E.E.T. is super exciting because it is an amazing magazine based in the United Kingdom, and the blog will be nothing less than fantastic. It is also a huge honor to be in the company of five other bloggers from across the world, each bringing a unique perspective to grassroots creativity.

As the eco-friendly blogger, I will be interviewing designers focused on sustainability and social responsibility and providing an in-depth look into their design stories. By the way, N.E.E.T.'s editor-in-chief Stephanie J has already given me a sneak peak into some possible labels to feature, and every single one is incredible. Stay tuned for my debut article with N.E.E.T. in the next week or so!

Read more about the lovely ladies of N.E.E.T.'s Blog Team here!

xoxo,
Sarah

Musical Inspiration from My March

2010-04-01T00:11:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in previous convos, fashion and music go hand-in-hand. Whether it is hip, indie bands bringing skinny back or fashionistas styling the up-and-coming for shoots, both groups are essential in making our world lovely.

Being a musician and fashionista, it seems only fitting to share my musical inspirations, which always spill over into the aesthetic of my style anyway. So at the end of each month (or early into the following), I will provide a quick rundown of music that has won my attention and numerous listens, complete with a playlist!

During my March, the following songs were playing on repeat:

1 ) Harold T. Wilkins, or How to Wait for a Very Long Time by Fanfarlo
2 ) Acorn Factory by The Dodos
3 ) Rebellion (Lies) by The Arcade Fire
4 ) Fools by Diane Birch
5 ) She's Got Something by Greg Holden
6 ) Telephone by Pomplamoose
7 ) Maneater by The Bird and the Bee
8 ) Bicycle by Memory Tapes
9 ) Eet by Regina Spektor
10 ) The Hat by Ingrid Michaelson
11 ) Vagabond by Wolfmother
12 ) This is the New Year by Ian Axel
13 ) Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Bublé

Download my playlist on iTunes!

xoxo,
Sarah

P.S. Ian Axel has been a favorite for the last couple weeks, ever since discovering his youtube channel. Currently in the touring company of Greg Holden (another fave and featured artist above), Ian's music is filled with honest lyrics and fun melodies, which mixes great with his unique voice, so definitely check him out. His very cool video of "This Is The New Year" (below) features several New Yorkers from the music scene up east. Such a blast!

Follow the fashionable conversation!

2010-03-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

I just joined Bloglovin, which means that following my blog is now easier than ever! Yes, I sound like a commercial, but I am a marketing grad after all...

Anyway, I cannot wait to get to know more of you!

Click here to respond to my "commercial" and follow my blog with bloglovin! <3

xoxo,

Sarah
@itsalovelylife

Almost a year older...!

2010-03-28T00:14:00.000-07:00

1) Set of Professional Makeup Brushes - $60 - Sephora; 2) Cuckoo For You-oo Necklace - £11.50 - Eclectic Eccentricity; 3) Vintage Floral Dress - $31.50 - The Wooden Spool; 4) Peter Pan Collar Blouse - $38 - Urban Outfitters; 5) Ultra Chi Pink Straightener - $129.95 - Ulta; 6) High Pigment Eyeshadow Palette (66 colors) - $24 - Urban Outfitters; 7) Vintage Granny Ankle Boots by Gucci - $115 - James Rowland Shop; 8) Black Bow Headband - $20 - Jennifer Birge; 9) Quilted Detailing Bag - $228 - Kate Spade

The last several months have been so busy that I almost forgot that my birthday is coming up next month! While I figure out with whom and how to celebrate it, let me direct you to some fabulous items that have been on my radar for quite a bit, all perfect gifts for me by the way...

First up, a few essential items that I need for my daily getting-ready routine:
* Makeup Brushes - Since last Christmas, I have been looking for a really nice set of professional makeup brushes, and I am just about sold on the ones above from Sephora. With ten assorted brushes bundled in a lovely pink pouch, this set is just the thing for budget fashionistas (like myself) with expensive taste.
* High Pigment Eyeshadow Palette - While we are talking about makeup, I must say that I am ready to take the advice of all the fabulous web makeup artists (as made famous by youtube) and invest in a high pigment eyeshadow palette.
* CHI Straightener - Investing in a quality product is definitely worth it when it comes to hair and makeup. Over the years, I have probably purchased and worn out three cheap straighteners (all rough on my hair). In college, I was spoiled by my roommate's CHI, and I have been wanting one ever since. The one above from ULTA is even on sale right now!

The other items included are versions of things that I really love right now:
* Unexpected Charms on Jewelry - Since I have an obsession with Germany, it fits that this cuckoo clock necklace strikes my fancy. Matryoshka dolls (or Russian nesting dolls) as charms are also looking great on necklaces. Leave it to me to love anything foreign-inspired. Even when I am not traveling to other countries, my clothing and accessories possess hints of other places.
* Floral Dresses - While we were working through our spring trend series on DFOF, I wrote up a piece on floral dresses. I am especially fond of bright floral prints, preferably with exposed zippers.
* Peter Pan Collar Blouses - This design is so cute. A little childish with a hint of sophisticated, any fitted blouse with a Peter Pan collar grabs my attention. They look best in some kind of print, either in muted or bright colors.
* Quilted Detailing on Anything - Whether it is spicing up a leather jacket, cotton bag, or printed skirt, quilting is one of my favorite details right now. I am especially digging this chic Kate Spade bag with simple square quilting.
* Bow Headbands - I love this headband by Jennifer Birge! Even though I have seen and loved this designer's work before on Etsy, I was reminded of how gorgeous her pieces are after she was featured in the last issue of N.E.E.T. Magazine along with Kelsi and me (aka, the Dedicated girls).
* Prairie Girl Boots - Also called Granny boots, I have pretty much been obsessed with these boots for six or more months. I always loved the style when I was a kid, but I need a new "grown-up" pair for my current fashionising.

Now that you know what to get me, how should I celebrate? Ideas please!

xoxo,

Sarah
@itsalovelylife

Featured in N.E.E.T. Magazine!!

2010-03-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, Dedicated Follower of Fashion was contacted by Stephanie J, N.E.E.T Magazine's editor-in-chief. She asked us if we were interested in being guest writers for the March issue of the magazine, and we could not have been more delighted or excited to be a part of it!

The March issue of N.E.E.T. was focused on sustainable, eco-friendly fashion, so the Dedicated girls helped paint a picture of four amazing brands devoted to these standards in design. Our spread in its entirety is called Green Piece.

My first article in the spread starts on page 92. I wrote about Suno, which is a unique new brand based in New York and produced in Kenya. Definitely read the article on your own to learn more about the label's creative director Max Osterweis and what led him to create Suno in the first place. It is quite an interesting story!

By the way, Suno just showed its first collection at New York Fashion Week this season, which pretty much means this brand has ARRIVED in the fashion industry. It was an absolute pleasure corresponding with them and having the opportunity to write this article!

My second article begins on page 128. I interviewed the lovely trio behind Jackson, Johnston & Roe. Based in Brooklyn, this brand encourages its fans/wearers to create sustainable wardrobes through staple pieces. As noted in the article, the label succeeds in this effort by focusing on classic shapes and simple lines. And as a bonus, all designs are produced locally. Three cheers for social responsibility!

Wow, it was such an amazing experience to work with N.E.E.T. for this issue. There is something so wonderful about seeing your name in print!

When you go over to read the issue (because I know you will!!), I am featured on pages 92-107 & 128-138.

March 2010 issue of N.E.E.T. Magazine:
neetmagazine.com

xoxo,
Sarah
@itsalovelylife

P.S. Kelsi (aka, DFOF's editor) also wrote some wonderful articles on behalf of Dedicated Follower of Fashion. Check out her features over Lu Flux & Adhesif on pages 108-127.

I've always wanted to live in a store...

2010-02-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

This has already been a crazy busy year, but I LOVE it! New opportunities find me all the time, and some/most are absolutely mind-blowing. I am very fortunate! In my newest fashionable endeavors, I may have the opportunity to do some freelance stylist work. More details later if the opportunity works out, but the possibility of the job gave me an idea:

As I was cleaning my bedroom this evening, I realized that there is just not enough room for everything in my closet. I can get things put away, but I always end up forgetting about what I have because things get crammed together. So I am thinking about a bedroom redesign--possibly resembling a stylist's closet. Instead of keeping clothes only in my closet, I want to get some smaller rolling racks for the main space. I have some shelves that are not going to any real use, so I can use that area for hats and headbands.

I would love to have a bedroom to be used almost like my style office. It would be the perfect inspirational environment in which to write my fashion articles, and I could bring clients in to choose outfits for shoots. Plus, none of my clothes would get lonely or forgotten anymore!

This could be fun...almost like living in a mini boutique! I will keep you updated on everything!

xoxo,
Sarah
@itsalovelylife

Today's Winnings

2010-02-14T22:06:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a wonderful day! I spent the afternoon hanging out with my younger sister (she is also one of my besties!!). After a nice, VERY-filling lunch, we hit the malls to work off a few pounds before heading back to watch (500) Days of Summer. The shopping trip was really successful for us both. Check out my "winnings" (pictured above) in detail below:

1) Free "Be Stupid for Successful Living" t-shirt from the latest issue of NYLON Magazine - What a wonderful way to get people to buy NYLON. My sister and I often share issues of mags, but getting a free t-shirt enticed us into buying our own copies. Funny thing is: I rarely wear t-shirts. This one is pretty cool though!

2) Latest issue of NYLON Magazine - This magazine is so hip, fresh, cool, creative, etc, etc! Not your typical fashion magazine and always an interesting read, I dream of writing with them one day. On my way!

3) Boho Magazine, Issue No. 6 - Just discovered this New Jersey-based magazine in the bookstore today, and I am quite possibly in love. Upon every turn of the page in this green fashion magazine comes something very whimsical and pretty. Plus, every issue is printed on recycled paper!

4) Feather Earrings - Not sure how it happened, but until today's shopping trip, I did not have any feather earrings. These were cute and only $3.50 from Claire's, so "cha-ching" went my card! Who carries cash anymore anyway?

5) Gold & Cream Dress by Rampage - Sometimes you happen upon those dresses that look just as great on the clothing rack as they do on you. Seeing and trying on this dress led to that kind of lovely experience. By the way, it was on sale for only $16.99. Now that is an absolute steal!

6) Leopard Ruffled T-Strap Pumps by Madden Girl - I love t-straps, animal print, and pumps...ruffles are debatable. Combining several good things can sometimes lead to a disaster, but, in this case, it worked. Even if it had not, these pumps were only $12.99. Once again, CHA-CHING!

Until next time...

xoxo,

Sarah

@itsalovelylife

Modeling the free tees from our NYLON mags!

I saw it first Miley!

2010-02-07T23:49:00.000-08:00

The Grammy's have come and gone already, but people are still talking about the fashions on the red carpet. As I was admiring the celebrities in their designer wear (labels that I look forward to wearing one day), I was most excited by Miley Cyrus' choice of a long-sleeved, Hervé Léger mini dress. Some called it a bit casual for the Grammy's, but I loved it, especially because of the tie-dyed material. In fact, I loved it when I first picked it out on the catwalks and featured it in my article reviewing the collections during NYFW S/S 2010. It feels good to be on the same wavelength as a celebrity! What can I say? We have great taste!

Check out my original New York Fashion Week article on Dedicated Follower of Fashion (scroll down to "Night Life").

Plus, if you love the dress as much as Miley and me, it will be in an auction (February 8-18) to benefit Haiti relief efforts. Way to go Miley!

xoxo,
Sarah
@itsalovelylife

Your English Is Good!

2010-02-01T22:32:00.000-08:00

Once you have been around me long enough, you will discover how much I adore music. Not only is it a fabulous means of expression (a bit like a journal), but musicians are often seen as trendsetters. Just remember the Sgt. Pepper look from the Beatles or the recent revival of military attire by Coldplay with Viva La Vida. And do not even get me started on Eisley; they definitely have their own kick going (quite possibly responsible for bringing skinny jeans back), and most only wish they could keep up!

All that to say, music inspires me, and it influences the fashion industry. This evening, my lovely sister introduced me to Tokyo Police Club's video "Your English Is Good," which is filled with very stylish individuals enjoying a summer day. I want to join in the fun chronicled by this adorable group of friends!

See for yourself:

xoxo,
Sarah
@itsalovelylife

P.S. In other news, I am ready for spring and cute floral dress wearing!

If I was couture, Chanel would be my name

2010-01-31T22:01:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, I was browsing through all the fabulous collections presented at Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture last week, and I was immediately drawn to Chanel. With a beautiful mixture of pastels and silver, Chanel's designer Karl Lagerfeld showed a collection filled with finely-tailored suits, pretty day dresses, and exquisite evening gowns. Each look was paired with shimmery tights and metallic silver shoes. Oh, and one cannot forget the dramatic hair bows decorating a heart-shaped, almost-Victorian hairstyle.

All in all, it seemed that Chanel's couture line was meant to portray everything that is timeless and elegant, except with a modern and very flashy twist. Accessorization, exaggeration, and color were key to this collection's success and appeal.

Now for a review in pictures:

(I am quite in love with this dress)

(I would absolutely wear this dress to the opera...if we had one)

(those bands look amazing, totally what draws me in--a bit Grecian even?)

(I love couture because it is exactly what everyone else does not have, totally unique)

(I think "updated, more-relaxed Victorian" with this look)

(the shoulders and metallic fabric totally make this dress)

Now for my favorite suits:

Yes, if I was couture, Chanel would be my name. My personal style and tastes identify most with the flavor of this collection. Thank you Chanel!

xoxo,
Sarah
@itsalovelylife

Note: All pictures from Style.com!

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2010-01-30T19:01:00.001-08:00

Finally!!! I am starting up my own fashionable blog and style diary! In the coming weeks, I will start writing at least once or twice a week. I have so many ideas for this site, and it is really exciting to finally share them with more stylish people. It is TOO difficult keeping them all bottled up inside!

By the way, I am the Junior Editor of Dedicated Follower of Fashion, which is an up-and-coming fashion blog based in Los Angeles. We are moving toward a magazine format more and more everyday and recently launched a redesign. I write up and publish articles on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so definitely check me out there too. Of course, I will probably be reminding you anyway!

xoxo,

Sarah

@itsalovelylife

P.S. With this being my first post, enjoy a little soundtrack!!