Thoughts

I haven't blogged in forever mostly because I hate posting blogs without photos and my camera situation has been less than ideal! I cannot find my battery charger for the life of me. I've borrowed Kyle's camera a couple of times but it died on me too when I was in Austin this week!

So, since I haven't been wondering around trying to find good style for you, I've been thinking a lot. I know what you are going to say-"DANGER!"

I have been thinking about how self-confidence relates to friendships and how they affect each other. As a girl who has walked the thin line between self-consciousness and self-confidence, I have a personal interest in the topic. I've noticed a certain amount of push back from some of the people I've asked to let me photograph them for the blog. As girls we struggle with our own self-image versus what the world really sees. A lot of us have also been taught to be humble, either that or no one ever taught us how to take a compliment! How many times have you given a compliment to a friend "I love that dress" and she said something self deprecating like "Oh it makes my butt look huge". What is it inside our heads that lets that come out of our mouths!?

I've also been thinking a lot about how we as females react when one of the ladies in our lives experiences great success in any area. How many of us tend to feel the jealous feelings first?( i.e. Why does she get to drive such a nice car and not me?; Why can't I be a size 4?; Why can't I have such a successful career?) Some of us have gotten good and talking ourselves off of that ledge and realizing that we are all different and in different places of our lives. Personally I am getting better at this and have begun to use the amazing women in my life as inspiration to go out there and get what I want out of life! I hope that we all can learn to celebrate each other as strong and independent, successful women. I am so lucky to have an amazing group of supportive friends which makes it very easy to want good things for them. But I am extending this idea even out to the people outside of my circle... I want to wish good things for everyone, including myself. And YOU!

Anyone else have thoughts on this topic?

Shop Girls

Is it me? Or do ladies working retail tend to have the best style around? Is it because they are surrounded by beautiful things all day? Or are they inherently stylish, drawing them to work around what they love? Either way, here are a few girls who caught my eye while shopping in California. They each have a style that perfectly fits their lovely personality.

Emma

Nordstrom San Francisco

This gal and I got into a conversation about Loehmann's and how amazing it is (I was still carrying my bag from my morning shopping trip there). She also helped me figure out what to do about a white leather bag I have that got stained reddish from a dress I wore it with. I love her polished look and her sincere attitude. She was even brave enough to let me take her picture at work! Thanks again!

Kayla and Willow

Betsey Johnson Walnut Creek

I'm pretty sure I have "Kayla's" name wrong :( Note to self- WRITE THINGS DOWN! These girls were super sweet and I fell in love with the focus pieces of their outfits... I mean come on... snake print tank? Too cute. And don't get me started on that sequin mini. So perfect to dress up or down!

Work It

I spent most of last week in California at a sales meeting for work. I also spent most of last week highly inspired! I work with some very stylish ladies and couldn't help but catch a few of them is some great ensembles. Check 'em!

Destiny

Destiny has a really great personal style! She always looks classy and yet hip. She and I had a great time scouring the clearance racks at Ross and Nordstrom in Walnut Creek. She found this great white linen short-sleeved jacket for about 10% of its original cost!! I love a deal! We also hit up the Betsey Johnson Boutique and H&M for some great accessory finds! Her earrings and necklace are some of our scores. I must say, she is one of the best shopping partners I've found and I can't wait to do it again!

Tammy

Tammy has had impeccable taste and style since the first day I met her! She always looks perfectly put together and has some great tips to share with us. You would never know by her presence, but she is a tiny little thing! Her style is anything but petite. Look for a full profile on her in the coming months!

Sonya

I fell in love with this outfit Sonya was wearing at one of our meetings! I love the black on pink and all of the girly yet tough details! She had a great outfit on the day before too but I wasn't quick enough to corner her with my camera.

Shirley

Every single outfit that I see Shirley wearing gives me a burst of inspiration to tweak and tailor my own style. She has such a vivacious personality and presence and is such a joy to be around! Her style is eternally spotless, perfectly polished and at the same time, extremely interesting. All of her outfits have a unique quality to them. And all of her wardrobe items have unusual detailing that makes them memorable. She also has a great eye for color combinations. Check out her two snazzy outfits from our meetings.

Debbie's Super Cute Shoes!!

I only caught Debbie in a two second shoe shot but these are some of the cutest "flower detail" shoes I've seen in a while. They have a distinct 1940's feel to them and the flower is not so much a flower as it is a fleurette. They have a great story that goes along with them too! They are actually her second pair exactly like these. The first pair was sacrificed to the dog toy gods.

Cali Style Tour

Okay. So. I'm still figuring out the logistics up updating a blog while constantly traveling like I do for work. Two key things I keep forgetting.... 1) Camera Charger and 2) Camera Chord. So that is the bad news.

The good news is that I am getting all kinds of great shots of people with some very impressive personal style! Check back this weekend for a little bit of everything.

Shout out to my girls at the Betsey Johnson Boutique in Walnut Creek! Email me your names so I get them right when I post your pic!

As always, more soon!

Effortlessly Expressive

Des and I got together this afternoon for some girl time. We had some great conversation and took some fun pics of her fabulous style! Des continues to be an inspiration to me the longer we are friends. She is all about the perfect balance of being comfortable and also pulled together. For example, she excitedly showed me how the black dress she is wearing in the above pic could be rolled into a ball and packed into a suitcase without worrying about wrinkles. Young girls take notice! This is the girl you want to be when you grow up. Enjoy her tips and adorable outfits!

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6: Tell me about your style:

Desiree: I like things that are easy and comfortable. I wear a lot of dresses because you look really put together without too much work. Also they help me keep cool in our 11 months of summer. Also, I wear scrubs at work so I like to feel like a girl in my private life!

6: What are the three stores you couldn’t live without?

Desiree: J.Crew, White House Black Market and Sylvia’s- a boutique in McAllen, TX where I get most of my dresses.

6: Who were your real-life inspirations growing up?

Desiree: My mom, honestly, she reminds me of myself because she doesn’t have a “specific style” and she always looks very cute and put together but not anyone could pull off some of the styles she wears.

6: Real life inspirations now?

Desiree: I love the way my friend Marlen dresses. She wears a lot of stuff from Metro Park and she just looks cool. I really love that “edgy look” and I don’t think I show it in the way I dress as much as I would like sometimes. You have to have a certain attitude to pull off.

6:Do you have any celebrities that inspire you?

Desiree: I don’t emulate celebrities for the most part but I do love Sienna Miller’s style. She always looks cool and so does Rosario Dawson. She looks confident. Also- this may be stupid- but I love the things Lauren Conrad wears… it always looks like something I could wear. She is always versatile and edgy, yet real.


6: What types of things are you drawn to when you are shopping?

Desiree: I just recently noticed that I have a bikini, a camisole nighty and a shirt that are all yellow polka dots. I think I like it because is looks innocent. I like feminine pieces that are simple and clean. However, when I look through my closet I see a lot of bold prints and graphic designs so I’m not sure what that means about my style.

6: Maybe it just depends on your mood and what you are dressing for…

Desiree: Yeah, it’s like “do I feel girly today or tough”?

6: Is there any style that makes you cringe?

Desiree: I don’t think there is anything specific that I hate. Clothes are so personal. I wouldn’t wear fur, both for moral reasons and it isn’t really my style. I don’t like things that are too complicate or uncomfortable. I hate itchy fabric. I like things that are effortless and feel good on my skin. I would like to say that I sacrifice comfort for beauty but I don’t always do that.

6: Do you like to shop?

Desiree: It depends on my confidence and my bank account. But if I’m bloated and broke, no way.

6: Who are your favorite people to shop with?

Desiree: I usually shop alone or online. But in person, I like to shop with my mom or with an honest friend who will let me know if something isn’t the best for me without hurting my confidence! I want gentle honesty.

6: I know you have some good beauty and perfume tips…

Desiree: Perfume is a big part of getting dressed for me. I don’t feel fully dressed without it. Smell is one of the greatest senses people have and you can look great but if you smell bad? Ew. I like to put it in my hair so that it leaves a lasting impression when I am walking away. Also I like to layer perfumes and body oils for a longer lasting scent.

Also, lately I’ve gotten really into eyelashes because they are very feminine and sexy. I wanted long luxurious lashes for my wedding so I’ve been using Latisse (a product that helps your lashes grow longer and thicker). I’m still trying to decide if it is working but at least I feel like I’m doing something.

6: Quantity or quality?

Desiree: Quality. People are surprised when they see my closet. I am such a girly girl but I probably only have 10 pairs of shoes. I buy shoes that last and are very versatile. I have to LOVE something to buy it but if I love it I am willing to pay a little bit more.

6: Give us your best style advice:

Desiree: Be FEARLESS. Growing up I was afraid to look different or out of place so I would immolate the things my friends or classmates would wear. But as I’ve gotten older I have realized that I am different, and we all are. I like my style and I like the individuality of the things I wear. I like it that they are me and no one else.

6: Your style in two words:

Desiree: Effortlessly Expressive

Desiree Skye

What to say about my beautiful friend Des? She is such an inspiration to me and I'm not even talking about her style yet! She is such an amazing person, full of drive and gusto. Des has her Masters Degree, has run a marathon and just married the man of her dreams (the above picture is a few days before her wedding in Mexico). You could say that she has it all... including a style all her own. But don't be jealous girls, tips from this gorgeous gal are right around the corner!

Rikki Sue, Disturbingly Sweet

Like I said in my previous post... Rikki has a spunk that cannot be faked! She is confident and energetic. She is expressive and polished! Check out the outfits she threw together in her everyday, fly by the seat of her pants, way. I love what she came up with and we had an absolute blast shooting the pictures.

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6: If you could only shop at 3 stores for the next year what would they be?

Rikki Sue:
Goodwill, Nordstom, and Fallas Paredes. You can find some great t-shirts and tanks on the$2 rack at Fallas!

6: That is true! You found me a Ramones t-shirt for $3 bucks there once!
What are the things in your closet that you would cry over if you lost them?

Rikki Sue:

Black Leather Jacket (my friend Des gave it to me and I LOVE it!)
My necklace given to me by my grandma who has passed away. It is heart with a diamond in the center. (pictured)
My pink faux fur jacket because I could never replace it!
The black boots by Carlos Santana I bought last winter. I’m always looking for an excuse to wear them! (pictured)

6: Who influences your style these days?

Rikki Sue:
Gwen Stephani is the most inspiring to me these days. She is over-the-top glamorous. She has this great ability to bring things back into style like long, red fingernails. I tried to emulate her when I was pregnant because she always seemed so pulled together. Now that I have had my son I look at the way she dresses her kids and it inspires me to help him develop his own style.
Zooey Deschanel has that whole artsy, tomboy, 1950’s pin-up model thing going on, yet she still seems very real.

6: What about when you were younger?

Rikki Sue:
I went through four fazes:
Punky Brewster
Molly Ringwald in Pretty and Pink
Betty Page
Audrey Hepburn

6: Are there any styles that are absolutely not for you?

Rikki Sue:

It bothers me when things get too matchy matchy.

I despise when I look at an outfit when it looks like everything “goes”. Style shouldn't be so thought out and methodical. I look better after I’ve scurried around getting ready. That is when my creativity comes out… my outfits aren’t overdone when I am running around just trying to get out the door.

There aren’t many trends or fashions that bother me too much, I love it when people show their individuality.

6: Latest purchase?

Rikki Sue:

Nude tights (pictured) and a neon yellow clutch from Fallas. I also bough some royal blue Crocs for my son.

6: Your style in two words:

Rikki Sue:

Disturbingly Sweet

Random Encounter #1

That's right Tam... you are #1!

I met this lovely young lady outside a great Cajun eatery in Houston. She looked so well put together and fresh that I had to get her photo. Surprise, surprise... she is an image consultant in her spare time! So send her an email if you need some help developing your own image. By the looks of her outfit, she is an expert :)

T_vu720@yahoo.com