fashion52: photo challenge (4/52)

In attempts to not let the weather get me down (currently -2 out there) I decided to go for a more colorful ensemble. I'm a strong believer in 'you feel how you dress' or vice versa so HOPEFULLY, by doing this, I can stay positive, think warm thoughts and avoid uprooting the entire family to some quiet beach town somewhere in Hawaii (even tho that actually sounds pretty amazing right now). :)

Aldo Boots, American Eagle Tank (both a few seasons ago)
bright pink necklace made by me for only pennies from random garage sale necklace torn apart  - Love :)

grey boot search

Sometimes there's something that just needs to be in your closet. Right now, for me, that item is knee-high, grey riding boots.  The grey would go well with so many outfits I've dreamt up. Especially my navy Paige Denim skinnies (similar here but I found mine at Nordstrom Rack on super sale :). It would be a great way to tie so many things together when black or brown boots just don't get the job done. And to be perfectly honest, having that low heel means much more wear when it comes to the average Wisconsin weather. 

Unfortunately, I'm having a really hard time finding them (within budget and in my size). There's a lot of greys that have a lot of yellow tones and aren't a true grey. Or they have gold hardware when I'm leaning on silver, etc..etc...  Either way, the search continues! Until then, here's a watercolor and pencil sketch of mine and a few other inspirations.

Here are two that are SO close but not in my size. :(

1. Kelsey     2. Lundunn

And here are two Polyvore ensembles that I would love to recreate if I got my hands on some knee high grey boots. They may seem a bit plain and monochromatic to some but I definitely have a thing for matching and keeping things simple, so for me, they are perfect. :)

Casual ensemble with a pop of beautiful coral - my creation from Polyvore

A classic combination - very Kate Middleton I think - my creation from Polyvore

fashion52: photo challenge (3/52)

At first, I thought this fashion challenge would be a piece of cake. But during the frigid winter months, this small midwestern town doesn't have much to offer in terms of fashion eye candy. So it looks like I'm going to have to get creative going forward. 

For NOW, here's another closet shot of one of my favorite casual shoes. These well-worn, dirty 'ole chuck taylor knock-offs are from Payless but are actually the most comfy of all my chuck taylor type shoes. A girl needs more than one color, right? ;) 

rustic industrial in the making

For the past year or two I've been loving all the rustic industrial furniture & decor. I just can't get enough of that chunky reclaimed wood + iron bars combinations. I fell hard for orb chandeliers as well. I did some heavy research and deliberating and finally splurged on a fantastic brass one from Ballard Designs. It now hangs in our entry and is often the first thing people see before they even walk through the door. I really want to carry that theme and feel throughout the rest of our entry area and possibly kitchen and the inspirations are endless. Check it out.

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11

amazing full room inspirations:

Restoration Hardware

Home Decorators

Jane Kim Design

Industrial Kitchen - Desire to Inspire

Keegan Kitchen/Family Room

fashion52: photo challenge (2/52)

Now that my work dress code is business-casual, my jean shelf hasn't been getting much love. *tear*...However, it hasn't deterred me too much from being on the search for the perfect pair of stretchy, dark denim, skinny jeans OR some perfect, endless-legs, beautiful flares that hit the ground. I think I can say, regardless of the dress code, I will forever be keeping my eyes open for "the perfect pair of jeans".

beauty favorites

I can't tell you why I love makeup so much. I think it goes hand-in-hand with my love for painting. How you can create contours and highlights – make things stand out or less noticeable. It's like girly-magic :)  Another huge bonus to mastering makeup tricks, and a wise cousin of mine might agree, when you LOOK good, you FEEL good ;).

Here are a few of my fayyyyvorites... seriously love these little gems. Don't be afraid of the dark stains - they all come off so natural and pretty. Leaving gorgeous flushes on your pretty little cheeks. :) 

Laura Mercier matte eye colour in Buttercream 

Pixi Sheer Cheek Stain in No. 2 Sunkissed 

Anastasia Brow Wiz - Brow Pencil in Medium Ash 

Lip Smackers - Dr. Pepper

Tarte Blush: in Flush and Natural Beauty

fashion52: photo challenge (1/52)

Do you ever feel like you're OVERinspired? and it's hard to know where to go first or what you'd like to do the MOST? Pinterest has done this to me more times than I can count. I decided to make the big decision to commit to a year long (wow, did I really just type 'year'?) photo challenge. Photojojo, a super cool photography site&shop, gave me the boost I needed. My goal is to take and post one fashion photo a week. I truly love fashion, beauty and style and crave that outlet however possible and thought this might be a fun way to keep it going. (check out more challenge ideas from photojojo here)
Wish me luck! :)  

photo taken laying down in my closet, looking up