Playing in the snow.. with style

We had a humungous blizzard all across South Dakota for Christmas this year. Today was the first day it was actually nice enough for us to start shoveling snow. It stormed for three days, and we have drifts as high as seven feet surrounding our house. We shoveled for two hours this early afternoon and only made enough of a path to get from our front door to the road.

Most people compained about the blizzard.. mainly because they had places to go and things to do. We didn't mind being snowed in, and I experienced no cabin fever like my friends claimed to have.

Last night when we discovered today was going to be nice enough to go outside, my sister Andrea and I decided to tackle the snow. We felt like kids again. Our neighbors across the street sure had some entertainment while they were shoveling away.

The snow was not hard enough to walk on.. we sank into the snow bank every time we tried. It was easier to crawl to the top of the snow drift. Once we were queens of the mountain, we were able to roll down. I even came up with the smart idea of diving head first into a snow bank. My mother was kind enough to take a video!

As you can see in this photo, we were dressed in our winter best.

Happy Christmas

Hello everyone! I hope you all are having a great and safe Christmas. The blizzard has continued here in South Dakota.. both interestates are pretty much fully closed. Well, whoever asked for a white Christmas (me) has received their wish.

Since I've been unemployed for three months, I try to find any excuse to dress up. Since this holiday is so special, I thought to myself, "What time could be better?" I decided to pair a red, festive dress that I think I purchased from Target (it's a few years old) with some boots I bought at Payless (also a few years old).

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve, and I received some great gifts. Mostly, I was given money, which comes in handy during this unemployed stage of my life.

However, I believe that Santa has visited my home this year. I may have a job lined up in the Black Hills (one of the most beautiful region in the state). Even more, I will be able to incorporate my journalism degree into some of my job responsibilities. So I'm very happy.. and I only hope that the weather will be more cooperative next week so I can get up there for an interview. Otherwise, I have a job at a daycare and possible subbing at the school waiting for me come January.

If I do get this job in the Black Hills, some of the money will be spent on corporate attire as I only have two pairs of nice slacks. It's all working out perfectly. The coming of the new year looks very promising so far!

I ask God that He keep those travelling safe this holiday. And to those lost in car accidents, I ask that He watch over their families and keep them strong. I also ask that He keep watch over those overseas saving our country and their loved ones.

I hope you all are having a great Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!

Fashion from another era

I have been shopping for a job for three months now! It was nice to get out of the house today and shop for Christmas presents with my mom instead.

We decided to venture downtown. While my mom was trading in some gold jewelry for cash, I was busy scouring a bargain book store. They had many hard copies on sale for only $1! And, needless to say, in this day and economy, that kind of sale can not be passed up!

Afterwards, we enjoyed a two-story antique store for over an hour. We had fun looking at all the vintage clothes, furniture and collectibles. My favorite: the hats!

While touring this collectible-crammed store, I realized how much love I have for clothes and accessories dating all the way back to the 1920s. The elegance really appeals to me, especially when it came to gloves and hats. Back then, women's heads must have been as small as their hands were dainty. Both the gloves and hats were too small for me. (I would like to point out that my hands and head are normal sized!)

Anyways.. Luckily, some of the 1920s styles have become trendy again. I was sad to leave this quaint, colorful store empty-handed so I was happy to discover that Target currently sells cloche hats (notice the one in this photo).

The name comes from the fit of this style of hat.. Cloche is French for "bell." Caroline Reboux created the cloche to fit very close to the head and they are, well, bell-shaped.

They were often decorated with ribbons and bows that were styled in different ways to portray relationship status. An ribbon meant the woman was single but had already given her heart to someone in particular, a knot meant she was married and an extravagant bow meant the woman was single and looking.

According to those options, the hat that I purchased fits me perfectly as somebody already has my heart.. they just don't know it yet.

I was so thrilled to find this beautiful hat for such a reasonable price.. Not to mention, one that fit! And I hope to continue finding vintage fashions, whether they are trendy now or not. Because, let's not forget, this blog is devoted completely to my style which is.. me. My own style. Fashion I enjoy wearing, not because it's in style, but because I love it and feel comfortable in it and feel like myself in it.

Be yourself. Don't try to be anyone else. Wear what's you.

The hat: Target $14.99

Charlotte Russe Facebook Fan of the Week

I submitted the photo in my last post into a weekly contest on Charlotte Russe's Facebook fan page. The idea was to submit a picture portraying our "favorite scarf look."

The results came in today and ... I'm this week's Charlotte Russe's Facebook Fan of the Week!!!

Next week's contest photo must portray the best "these boots were made for walking" look. Luckily, I have a few photos on my computer in which I am wearing boots purchased at Charlotte Russe. They can also be seen in previous posts on this blog.

Then at the end of the month, fans will vote for the coveted Charlotte Russe Facebook Fan of the Month.

Wish me luck!

For more information or to become a Charlotte Russe fan and enter in the contests, visit www.facebook.com/charlotterusse

Scarves: Trying a new look

If you've read my blog, you know that I enjoy shopping at Charlotte Russe the most. I'm currently a fan of the store on Facebook, and they have contests to become the Facebook Fan of the Week.

This week, we had to submit a photo of our favorite scarf look. The photo had to contain at least one piece of CR merchandise, and we also had to give an explanation for why we deserve to be the Facebook fan of this week.

The picture on the left is the one that I submitted. I figured that if I submitted this photo, I would have a good chance of winning since it's a much different look. I assumed that most fans would enter photos using the general style for scarves: around the neck.

I've seen a look familiar to this, and I always wanted to try something like it. One day, I was visiting a friend of mine because she was bored at work and being me, I was goofing around.. with my scarf. I put it over my head and started twisting and turning and almost had it but couldn't get it to stick. So when I got home, I continued my efforts and.. Voila!

As for the piece of CR merchandise in this photo: the main attraction is that very piece. The sunglasses are also CR.

Do you want to know the reason?

Well, I think I should be the Charlotte Russe Facebook Fan of the Week because it's the only store I purchase clothes. I buy all of my sunglasses from CR and occasionally shoes when they have the buy-one-pair, get-the-second-for-$10 deal. Considering the time of year, I should also include that all of my family and good friends know this too, which is why I usually get one if not two gift cards to Charlotte Russe.

Besides that, I also have to drive almost an hour to visit the nearest Charlotte Russe store. But when CR is on the list, it's always worth it.

The scarf: $12.99
The sunglasses: Buy 2 for $8 sale

Denim Dreamin'

Every woman knows how hard it is to find jeans that not only fit right, but that are comfortable as well. Usually the comfortable ones that I find are too big on me. They're either too tight in the butt and just right on the thigh or just right in the butt and too baggy on the thigh.

It all comes down to this: If you're not a size zero with no body fat, you're going to have a hard time finding the perfect jean.

It usually takes me several shops and many hours to find a pair of jeans that I feel good about purchasing. If I even question a pair of jeans for a minute, I leave them at the store.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the most luck I have ever had when searching for jeans. A friend of mine wanted to stop in Sioux Falls to pick some things up at the mall. Our first stop: Aeropostale.

Okay, a little background on me and this story: I usually don't stop here. Why? Because the clothes I have purchased here shrunk to a size I couldn't and didn't want to fit myself into after only a few months of owning them.

As we approached Aeropostale, I noticed a huge sign in front of the store stating that jeans were on sale. Buy one, get one free!

I have been in need of a new pair of jeans for awhile, so I figured, "Why not look?" After all, it doesn't hurt to try. But I didn't go in their with confidence I would find any. When I do that, I usually end up disappointed.

Before I continue, have you ever wondered why we call them a pair of jeans, or pants for that matter, when we are just talking about one article of clothing?

Anyways..

After looking for a couple of minutes, I picked out three styles I thought I would like and asked for a dressing room.

The first pair were okay, but a little snug on the waist. There's always trying the next size up if I don't like the other two, right? The next pair I tried on we not only comfortable but also fit well in the waist and the thighs. I could sit down and they didn't suffocate me or show off any of my buttocks in the back. The last style was a pair of skinny jeans. I have a couple already, but one is getting a little too small for me. I usually wear my skinny jeans day or night so I thought it best to own another pair. That way I didn't have to wash my one pair so often.

I walked out of the dressing room after only a few minutes of debating, returned the first pair that I didn't like and went to the counter to purchase two pairs of jeans that I completely fell in love with. The skinny jeans are pretty much my new lover.

The result: two pairs of jeans for only $39.99. Can't go wrong with that kind of deal!

How to add height

Do you have a pair of skinny jeans with extra length? Can you walk well in heels? Are you around 5'4" and want to be taller?

I've got just the magic for you. How? Because I'm 5'4" and would love to be taller every now and then!

Here's what you do. Take your pair of skinny jeans. Fold the legs ONCE about half way up the lower leg. You may be shortening the jeans, but you're adding length to your legs.

To add even more length, pair it with some heels. The ones I wore in this photo were about three inches, but you don't have to take it to that extreme. I regular heel will work just fine!

The jeans: JC Penney around $24.99
The shoes: Payless on sale for $11

It's not orange, it's mango!

There's nothing wrong with being unique, or wearing something that most people wouldn't even try on. Whether it's a certain style or shirt or, hmm, nail polish color. If you want to wear it, rock it! Some may look at you weird. Some may try to stop you from wearing it.

My sister hates the color of nail polish I wear. What color is it? She says orange, the bottle says mango. She tells me, "Don't leave that nail polish lying around.. or it will be in the trash!"

She absolutely hates it. Me? I love it! I wear it all the time! And not in spite of her. I wear it because it's me.

No.. mango, or orange, is not my favorite color. But I like the shade on my fingernails. This may sound weird, but it goes great with my skin color.

And..

It's different! Not too many people wear it. Some people who have been seen rocking this color: mainly Rihanna. Was she my inspiration? No.

I was my own inspiration. If I wear something, it's because of me. It's for me. Not for anyone else.

I'm sure almost everyone has heard the cliche "dress to impress." Sure.. people should dress to impress a hopeful future boss or company clients or that special someone. I do. But I also dress to impress myself. Style and fashion make me happy. I love trying new things, and I honestly believe that how we feel on a particular day impacts what we wear.

The perfect shirt

I have been painting and job hunting and, well, just relaxing on this beautiful Sunday.. so I haven't had the time to take any photographs. But I figured I should at least post something on my blog! :)

Have you ever found the perfect shirt? The one that complimented you so well? And you actually liked it? No, wait. Loved it?

I have. I was in Fashion Valley, San Diego with four of my friends shopping while we were there for spring break my sophomore year. The mall amazed me. It was so beautiful. Multiple stories. But the most amazing thing about it was it was outdoor. You could get a tan while shopping!

Anyways, I found this shirt in a small shop there. Although it was of floral pattern, I fell in love with it. And even more so when I saw how I looked in it. I didn't want to take it off. I wanted to wear it out of the store! (I have always wanted to say that to the cashier. "No need for a bag. I'm wearing it out!)

Then I looked at the price tag..

When I tell you how much it cost, I want you to remember that I was a sophomore in college.. in South Dakota. I realize I was in California, and a $300 shirt probably seems like nothing to Californians. But it does to a girl who was raised in a town of only 800 people.

Unfortunately (for me), this shirt had to go back on the hanger, back on the rack, and some lucky (and wealthy) girl would be able to walk away with a shirt that seemed like it was made just for me.

I know what most of you are thinking.. "What were you thinking? Max out your credit card and walk away with this perfect shirt!"

It all comes down to: I couldn't afford it. (I didn't even own a credit card yet!)

What can I say? You win some, you lose some. I lost this particular game. But I have faith that I will find another shirt meant only for me. I just have to keep looking..

Style Shoot: I'm ready for combat, sir!

I've never had these kind of boots before, but I love trying new styles. And I know Lindsay Lohan has been getting a bad rep with the combat boots that she has been wearing, but I dig this, and I'm going to wear them. That's just who I am: I don't care what people think about my style.. as long as I feel comfortable and powerful in it, I'm wearing it!

And this particular scarf is possibly my favorite one yet.. I love scarfs, and will continue to add to my already-growing collection.

The boots: Charlotte Russe $39.99
The scarf: Old Navy $12.99
** Pair with any dark denim skinny jeans.

Photo by Drea

Style Shoot: She was a little bit country..

I've never been a big fan of floral, but this dress caught my eye. I love the colors. I love how it flows at the bottom. I feel like a little girl when I wear it. And what woman doesn't want feel like a little girl every now and then.

I bought this dress for my birthday (September 22), because I am going to a Jason Mraz concert. I can't wait!

The dress: Target $20
The boots: Charlotte Russe $39.99

Photo by Drea

Booty call

I recently went shopping and came across an amazing footwear sale at Charlotte Russe. The sale: buy one pair of shoes, get the other pair for $10.

With the arrival of fall comes the arrival of boots. I had to take advantage of the opportunity! I bought two pairs of boots and am extremely excited to break them in! One pair was lace-up combat boots. I've never had any before, but I've always loved trying new styles. I can't wait to wear them over a pair of dark blue skinny jeans. The other pair was of burnt orange color and "buckled up" (also accompanied well with a pair of skinny jeans).

The Web site: http://www.charlotterusse.com. Check out their selection of stylish shoes. You might be surprised yourself. And who can lose with a deal like that?!

Be yourself :)
Erin

Welcome, my friends!

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for viewing my personal style blog.

This short blog serves as an introduction to my style: me. Starting tomorow, I will be uploading photos of me as well as my friends, family, strangers, etc. Anyone who has an interesting, inspiring style.

Along with the photos, I will include short stories to accompany the photos including where the clothes were purchased, about how much the outfit cost and what inspired that particular outfit that day.

I will also include tips in this blog featuring hot deals at stores, anecdotes on trends and more!

I hope that you come back tomorrow and visit my blog regularly.

Be yourself :)
Erin