So long, 2011!

* 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

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!!!!!

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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?

"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. 

Natural ACNEdote by Alba Botanica

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

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: