Bra straps and layered necklaces

"Showing your bra straps is tacky."

I've heard it.. several times. I'm sure many girls have heard it. The thing is, not only can it look classy, but it's also extremely fashionable. Watch Sex and the City. Sarah Jessica Parker, or Carrie, shows her straps, and sometimes the whole back of her bra.

Look at the photo I have uploaded of myself, showing that bra straps can actually make an outfit. Any bra converted into the racer-back style paired with an off-the-shoulder blouse or a boatneck sweater can look stylish.

I have also included a layered chain necklace purchased from Charlotte Russe. A co-worker of mine, who is from the Philippines, asked about the necklace cost. I told him around $6. He then told me that this particular style of necklace is very popular in his country right now, and you can buy them for $1! I replied saying that I should go there to shop. Thinking about it awhile longer, I decided that's probably not a good idea!

The sweater: Gap $4.99 on sale
The necklace: Charlotte Russe $6.99
The bra: Target $9.99

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

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