Inspired by The Ocean (Yesterday's Outfit)

Hello Readers!

I hope everyone is having a good Tuesday! Here in St. Louis, it's been rainy almost all day, and I think as a result of this weather I've been moving at a snail's pace all day. Oh well! According to the weatherman St. Louis is supposed to have a sunny day tomorrow! Hooray!

Anyways. . .

Yesterday I decided to pick an outfit that reflected my source of inspiration from Sunday: The Ocean. Since most of my wardrobe consists of ocean-y tones (blues, greens, and greys), this wasn't a major challenge, but I made intentional selections that reflected the aspects of the ocean that I find so inspirational (Color Palette, Movement, and Fun).

Here is what I came up with:

Color Palette: As you can see, the color palette of this outfit mimics many of the colors found in the ocean. My charcoal trousers (also featured here) and belt, and light grey cardigan are the same colors as many of the rocks and pebbles found at many of the beaches I used to frequent when I lived in Vancouver (Eagle Harbor Beach!). My two tank tops are the colors of the waves, and my gold shoes are like the color of the sun and those tiny glimmers of gold that touch the tops of waves on a sunny day.

Movement: I see this feature most prominently in the ruffles of my cardigan and the otherwise streamlined profile of the outfit. I also wore a locket with a long chain, so when I walked while wearing it it swayed to and fro.

Fun: The fun starts with the colors of this outfit. I love wearing these colors, and the confidence that comes from wearing these colors, in a way, give me an extra capacity for fun- which is essential for Mondays! The other part of the "fun" element of this outfit come from the ruffles on my shirt. They look a bit silly at times, but don't they just make you want to smile?

Do you have any ocean-inspired outfits? If you do, feel free to send a picture to me- I would love to feature your outfit on my blog!

Until next time. . . here are my Retail Details:

Light Grey Cardigan: Banana Republic

Green Laser-Cut Tank: American Eagle Outfitters

Mint-Green/Ocean-Mist Green Tank: Anthropologie (for 10 dollars last year!)

Dark Charcoal Wool Trousers: J.Crew

Gold Ballet Flats: American Eagle Outfitters

Silvertone Locket: American Eagle Outfitters

Charcoal Patent Belt: Ann Taylor (I LOVE this belt!)

Drumroll Please. . . .

And we have a winner!

Thank you everyone who entered my contest! I enjoyed reading everyone's favorite flowers: hyacinths, tulips, sunflowers, hydrangeas, lilacs, amnesia roses, the siale Tonga, the Queen Elizabeth hybrid rose. What connoisseurs of flowers you all are Readers! I am impressed!

Congratulations to the winner of this giveaway: Anna J.! Her favorite flowers were tulips and hydrangeas.

Anna and I met a few years ago when we were both bridesmaids to our mutual friend, Jessica in her December 2005 wedding. We bonded over wearing the same dress, getting our nails and hair done, and being there to see our friend get married- a bridesmaid bond.

So, you can imagine my delight when the name I drew out of the hat was Anna's! I did a bit of "investigating" (aka stalking) and read her blog, Just a Smidge and a Pinch, and it is quite lovely (this is my favorite post).

Congratulations Anna!!!

PS- some of my favorite flowers are these:

Bourganvilla

Roses

Peonies

Water Lilies

*all photos by me :)

How Inspiring: The Ocean

(Pipeline, North Shore O'ahu- you may, or may not recognize this beach from Blue Crush)

Readers,

Those of you who know me well know that I love being near the ocean. In the water, on a boat, or standing on shore; there's a certain ease and peace I experience when I'm near a large body of salt water. The ocean, in all of its beauty, is a constant source of inspiration in the way I choose to narrate my life through clothing. How?

1) Color Palette

(Ocean Park in San Francisco, CA)

All at once subtle and stunning

(somewhere in Ireland- I've forgotten where exactly)

2) Movement

(Northern Ireland, somewhere on the way to Bushmills)

The ocean is ever-moving and always fresh, qualities reflected in the large stocks of flowing and ruffled skirts and blouses in my closet.

(Ocean Park, San Francisco, CA)

3)Its capacity for fun (when you know the rules)

(Ocean Park)

The ocean, like fashion, is an incredible resource of endless possibilities for fun and leisure. But, in order to participate in this fun safely, we must enter the water with a sense of adventure and the common sense to stay away from the dangers that lurk in the water (ie; MC Hammer pants, leggings with UGGs, or generally wearing leggings as pants).

(Ibiza, Spain)

There's Still Time. . .

Hey Readers!

There is still time to enter my latest giveaway, which closes on Monday at 5 PM CST!

All you need to do is:

1)"Follow" me on blogger or Google Reader (there are buttons you can click on at the top of this page, and on the side)

2) Leave a comment on the giveaway post with the name of your favorite flower

Good luck!

The *Makeup* of a Look

Readers,

This week, a dear friend brought an important matter to my attention: that I have not discussed a very important element of fashion on this blog. What is that element? Makeup.

As I've learned from teaching Public Speaking, audience-centered messages are often the most effective messages, and since my audience (or at least a portion of my audience) is interested in this topic I thought it would be an appropriate post. And since she suggested the topic, I chose my friend Giuliangela to be interviewed and featured here on my blog. Here is our interview, as well as a few photos:

Q: You approached me about doing a blog post about makeup, a topic that hasn't been featured on my blog yet. Tell me more about this request.

A: Laura, I love that your blog deals with fashion, clothing, accessories and the like. To me, makeup is an extension of "putting it all together" and think that anyone who is interested in fashion, inevitably will have some interest in makeup as well.

Q: What types of makeup do you wear on an everyday basis (ie; mascara, lipgloss, etc)

A: On a daily basis I wear a loose powder, eyeliner, mascara, and a lip gloss. Of course I add and subtract from that list based on the occasion :)

Q: What brands and types of makeup did you wear today?

A:

Bare Escentuals: Primer

Bare Escentuals: 2N Medium Beige Foundation

Bare Escentuals: Warmth (bronzer)

Bare Escentuals: Mineral Veil (tinted) (finishing powder)

Victoria Secret: Ravishing eye palette

Bare Escentuals: Devotion Eye Shadow

Sephora: Matte Deep Plum retractable eyeliner

Blinc: Black Mascara

Benefit: Highbeam (highlighter for cheeks, inner corners of eye)

Tarte: Moody Lip Stain

Q: Of all of the makeup you own, what is your favorite item? (Or top 3, if you can't narrow it down)

A: It changes often but I would definitely say my Blinc Mascara and Tarte Lip Stain. A friend recently recommended the mascara to me. It's really amazing! It tubes your eye lashes instead of painting them and creates a longers, sleeker look. It's just something you have to try to understand it! Also, I love lip stains. It gives you that freshly bitten, berry stained look and lasts a long time.

Q: When shopping for makeup, what do your look for? What are your requirements?

A: I'm always up for trying a new product at least once. I normally ask around about products first before I try them, or at least will take a recommendation from a salesperson. I like to balance price with quality and something that will last a long time.

Q: Do you have a favorite brand of makeup? (I love Clinique, btw)

A: Probably Sephora's own brand of makeup. Its price point is the lowest in its stores so you can feel free to experiment with different colors and products! Also, Laura Gellar is another one who I really love. That brand does Italian baked eye shadows and foundations that give you a really balanced clean look.

Q: Who are your makeup icons? Where are your sources of inspiration?

A: I love classic looks -- the women from the 40's and 50's come to mind.... cherry red matte lips and darkly lined eyes!

Q: In your opinion, what can makeup do for a look or an outfit?

A: Makeup can complement an outfit in so many ways. Whether you are using colors that complement or provide a nice contrast to your wardrobe palette, you can definitely add to much more depth to an outfit. For example, using a eye liner that matches a focal point of your outfit can really tie it all together. (I love doing this with bright blue eyeliner!)

Q: How does makeup narrate your look?

A: Laura, I love that in your blog you view fashion as storytelling. I think makeup can do the same thing! You can go glam for a night out (using eye shadows and eye liners that have a lot of shimmer) or simple and classic (using matte and neutral colors). Whichever look you choose, you are telling a story with your makeup..

Q: What advice or recommendations would you like to share with my readers about makeup?

A: Try new stuff! I think some people get stuck in the same makeup routine or consistently use the same colors. Finding colors that complement your complexion and eyes (I have hazel eyes, so I use a lot of plums and browns in my palettes) and learning to mix them up can be very rewarding! Don't be shy to ask people working in makeup stores to recommend or show you how to use new products. Also, get a good set of brushes! Cheap brushes can actually be bad for your skin. I use Mary Kay and Bare Escentuals brushes. It's important to know how to apply your makeup correctly, and when you have the right tools it can be a lot of fun!

Q: What recommendations would you give me (or other pale chicas)?

A: Stay away from any liquid foundations! Use powders that you can blend together to look balanced and polished. Using cooler and neutral colors on the eyes, light color on cheeks, and paler or pink lipsticks.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

A: Laura, I appreciate the opportunity to share my experience. See you soon with a new product in hand?

Thank you Giuliangela!!!

Trousers for Tall Girls (Finally!)

Readers,

Since I can remember, my height has played an important role in my sense of identity and self. In middle school, and a part of high school, this meant that I looked and felt quite awkward and this awkwardness was accentuated by jeans and pants that were simply too short.

Eventually, I gained a fondness of my height thanks to: (1) positive and tall role models of similar stature (namely, my mom, my Aunt Teresa, Heidi Klum, and Tyra Banks and (2) finding stores with trousers and jeans long enough for my legs.

So. . . what are these stores? The majority of my bottoms come from the following stores: American Eagle Outfitters and Abercrombie & Fitch (for jeans), Banana Republic and J. Crew (for dress pants/trousers). Today, I wore a pair of pants purchased from the Final Sale at J. Crew. Not only were these pants available in my size (the ever elusive 6L), the fit perfectly! I can ever wear heels with these beauties! (They are still available on the j.crew website in tall and regular and in a light grey color in petite).

Here are a few pictures of the pants in all of their perfection. Trousers for Tall Girls- thank you J.Crew!

Retail Details:

Blue and Black Beaded Headband: Aerie

Faux Pearl Earrings: American Eagle Outfitters

Light Teal Cashmere Cardigan: Martin & Osa (my favorite!)

Ivory Craft & Creation Tee: Deletta (Anthropologie)

Dark Grey Lace-Trim Tank: American Eagle Outfitters

Dark Charcoal 1035 Wool Crepe Trousers: J. Crew

Red Suede Maryjanes: Michelle D. (Dillards, $15)

The Photographed Photographer (My Headshots)

Hello Readers!

I love being behind the camera, but I don't quite love being in front of the camera, especially really in close proximity.

Let's back up a bit. Over the past few weeks I've been taking headshots of graduate students in the communication department at my school for our website and this has been a great experience. Through this experience, I've had the opportunity to become better acquainted with my coworkers and friends in a way that usually doesn't take place in the classroom or the office.

When we find ourselves in front of a camera, to some extent we become vulnerable. Aware of our imperfections and insecurities, we worry about our ability (as well as the photographer's ability) to portray ourselves positively in a single frame. Truly, this is an intimidating endeavor but it is well worth the challenge. But today- it was even more of a challenge because I was the person being captured on camera.

Here are a few of my favorites; raw, unedited, and vulnerable me. Enjoy!

No Glasses!

I guess I do have a button nose!

This screams "movie star," no?

Sometimes I am awkward

PS- thank you Megan A. for these wonderful photos!