Thursday, March 31, 2011

Triple French Twist

I like to come up with fun and creative things to do with my hair because it's so long and I get bored easily by straightening it or curling it every day. I was particularly interested in finding unique new ways to style my hair last year and this morning when bored with my long straight locks, I pulled out one of my favorites involving three french twists and a pony tail or pigtails, whatever suits your fancy. It's surprisingly simple and easy to do in the morning but looks polished and chic.
finished product

Simply start with brushed out hair, preferably straightened to make it easier to section.

Make a middle section in the exact middle of your head, brushing any side hair down and away.

Take the front of the middle piece (mine was my bangs) and start to twist them.

Keep twisting downt he middle section to the back of your head, pulling pieces in as you go. try to make the lines of the section even so it isn't zig-zaggy.

Once it's done bobby pin it by opening a bobby pin wide, with one metal tong on either side of the twist and stick it into it forward, then a bobby pin flat. That's how I do it because my hair's so thick, but you can do whatever works for you.


Then do another side the same way. Section it off, brush down the side hair, twist and bobby pin.

Next you do the other side and it should look something like this from the front. (Note: you can simply stop here, especially if you have really curly/volumous hair. I decided on a pony tail because I liked the more pulled back look for my outfit.

Finally pull it back into a pony tail and ta-da! Triple French Twist!
Hope y'all are keeping it classy and ready for Friday! (No I will not be quoting the Rebecca Black song)
March has been a great month and I hope you keep coming back to see what I've been learning through fashion as a Young Gucci Purse
-Leah

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Gypsy

When I wore layers of soft, draped clothing in this outfit, I felt a tad bit like a gypsy. For a long time I've wanted to wear this skirt-it's super soft and comfortable and very feminine and pretty. I also really like that the length is longer and it's a-line so you don't always have to be tugging at it or fixing it. (My mother likes the long length as well.) I layered it over with a tank top and cardigan because it was a tad bit chilly and decided it needed a pop of color so I went with a scarf-I recently posted some others I love and how I think they're very versatile.

skirt-Urban Outfitters, Shoes-Franco Sarto, Scarf-Wet Seal, tank top-Nordstrom, Cardigan-Khols
  The detail on the skirt is also exquisite. Tiny details can make all the difference, and this certainly is an example. I also liked mixing all the neutrals of white, grey, and taupe in this outfit, in addition to the brown shoes. I thought it turned out better than expected. I also got some fun new headbands that I'm excited to mix into what I'm wearing. This black one is pretty basic and my go-to head accessory but I'm particluarly excited for a bright pink polka dot headband!
 It was a little windy resulting in much messier hair than intended-but still an enjoyable day. I liked the pink as a focal point and another obsession over the skirt is where it cinches at the waist-very flattering.
 And while the skirt was perfect for colder days, I can definitely wear it in the summer sans cardigan and/or scarf and go for a more praire style look. I'll show you when it's warm enough to do so.
I know I look a tad bit awkward in some of the pictures, but I am often awkward and it translates surprisingly well in photographs. This will be administered to and improved in future shoots. Tomorrow I start school again, much to my dismay, however this also means that I will not sit in pajamas half the day, resulting in actual outfits and clothes being worn. This translates to more consist outfits posting and I have some great stuff lined up that I'm super excited about! Of course, these things will rely on the weather because I have completely lost myself in spring shopping even though everyone knows that you're most likely to get a blizzard in CO during March and April. Sigh...oh well, what can you do?
Hope Tuesday has been terrific. Keep it classy
-Leah

Monday, March 28, 2011

Sun Kissed Inspiration

My Summer Inspiration Collage
Bright, Beautiful, Sun Kissed, POP
A combination of magazines: Teen Vogue, GL, People
Hooray the blogger is working again for images! Hope everyone's week is off to a good start!
-Leah

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Slight Frustration Leads to Improvisation

      I was planning and very excited for, posting a collage of inspiration today. However, blogger has unexpectedly had some issues with the posting of pictures, so that will have to be delayed until tomorrow, when it will hopefully work. However, fear not. I have a backup. I realized that as much as I do thouroughly enjoy the visual aspect of blogging, I often forget one of the main reasons I started: writing. With my schedule being less than flexible, I've often had to suffice with a couple pictures and captions thrown up without time to truly contemplate and express my thoughts. What awoke my mind to this lack of words was a combination of increased time and the blog (one of my favorites) The Fancy Teacup when one of her posts had a beautiful description of scenery and feel and it was even more rewarding than her creative and elegant photography. "Tumbleweeds wander aimlessly across an open expanse of stark beauty that people would not be able to enjoy in place where buildings and residences loom. " This was an excerpt from the post which I highly encourage you reading as well as her other work.So today when my computer absolutely refused to allow any pictures to go up, I was frustrated but also decided that a lack of visual aid, in no way, should hinder me from posting if I so want to.

       One of the subjects that broached my mind was regarding comments and questions I've gotten lately. I've been asked why I do a blog when my schedule is already so packed, and why I put so much effort into looks. I've also received comments pertaining to this interest in fashion resulting in a materialistic or otherwise vain personality. I did not enjoy those implications in the least.

       I do not have a blog because I like to look 'pretty'. There are many people in this world who like to look 'pretty' and have absolutely no interest or intentions of putting it up on the internet for the world to see. Not to mention I don't always get positive feed back, and yet those often seem to be my favorite ensembles, because they are unique and creative and not status quo. I blog because I enjoy fashion as a creative outlet. I can express ideas and emotions through my clothes and looks, which often results in me seeing so much more in a dress or headband than my shopping partners realize. I like to think that a theme or personality can be determined by my presentation, which may seem vain, but is analogous to an artist who interprets thoughts through a painting or a poet with a poem. I enjoy spending that extra bit of time to make my hair and makeup and clothes and shoes cohesive in order to portray a theme, and revel in inventing new ways to wear individual items.

     And as much as some may insist otherwise, your appearance makes a statement about you, whether intended or not. I for one would rather make a statement with high heeled platforms and dresses than jeans and converse. In no way am I saying that others should not express themselves with jeans or tshirts or whatever their hearts desire, I just feel that my way is what best conveys me. I'm most comfortable in high heels, and so I will wear them when I please, not because I'm vain or materialistic, but because they bring me joy when I slip them on in the morning, and give me a sense of self importance and confidence. I also find walking in them easy because I naturally walk on my toes and have since I was one years old. (fun fact) and my mom says that is obviously a sign I was born for high heels.

    In days packed with multiple extracurriculars, inhumane amounts of homework, and little sleep, I spend multiple hours per week on this blog whether it be getting a special look ready in the morning, taking pictures during lunch breaks, or manuevering the technological aspects of posting it (technology has never been my strength). I do all this because it brightens my day. Looking nice gives me confidence, helps me be creative, makes me smile, and getting up the finished post makes me feel accomplished. This experience has gotten my brain working in new ways, inspiring new ideas, and giving me the encouragement and confidence to dress exactly how I want to. And in the end, it's what makes us happy and makes our days a little more pleasant that are really important.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Absentee in Atlanta

Hello all! Sorry I've been very infrequent. I have actually been in Georgia and South Carolina the past few days to look at a couple colleges and experience the south. I've often aspired to be a southern belle. Anyways I had no computer access and luckily my dearest friend/photographer Louise kindly put up a pre-written post Thursday so I wasn't completely gone. Anyways I completely love Georgia. It's magnificent, at least the parts I saw.
We drove a heck of a lot. Greenville to Atlanta to Athens to Columbia to Greenville all in five days. That in addition to extensively long flights, that took us in a huge loop around the country before bringing us back to DIA. My mom said she's never been so happy to see our airport. One plus? I got complete control over the radio this trip meaning Country music 24/7!

1 of the 18 I counted.
 If y'all didn't know, there are a heck of a lot of Waffle houses in the south. We started counting and I got a total of 18, keeping in mind I dozed off for a better portion of the driving. Moving cars and airplanes are like sleep medication for me, knock me right out. We ate in one for the sole purpose of seeing what the hype was about. It was cute, diner style, and guess what they served? Waffles, that's right! Well, my opinion was that it was fine but not spectacular, however it must be observed that I am not a breakfast person at all.
We ate at this great all vegetarian restaurant on the UGA campus called Grit, which I highly recommend. They also served diet coke in a glass bottle, which made my little heart just leap for joy. My shirt, is indeed, a Georgia shirt that my mom insisted I get and is super comfortable. Plus, I totally loved UGA so who knows, maybe it'll come in handy in the future! And other than this shirt, we did plenty of shopping that I'm excited to feature! The botiques there are great and the sales people are so cute and accomodating. "Y'all have a nice day now!" Such a pleasant sound!

The sorority houses were mcmansions and the architecture was stellar, and super southern. All the houses had big pillars and windows and porches, many of which were accompanied by rocking chairs. I wish I 'd taken more pictures but I was very lazy about it. Georgia was completely fabulous though, I loved the campus and the culture, and am certainly pleased to say I love the south! The trip was just what I needed to rejuvinate, ease my mind of any worries that home had provided, and have one on one with my mom, an uncommon specialty when you have three younger siblings. Speaking of three, three things that Georgia never seems to be short of: Peaches, Sweet Tea, and Waffles.
I hope everyone has had a pleasant week and should expect lots of new posts in the upcoming days from me!
-Leah

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Shall We Go for a Stroll

Lately the weather in here in Boulder Colorado has been thouroughly pleasant, however, particularly in the months of March and April the weather can change quickly, and is most definitley not the promised 70 degrees until past noon. However, being one who simply revells in the adornment of dresses, I often bear the shivering and chattering of teeth until the sun peeks out. But, also being resourceful, I've brainstormed a compromise. I feel that an addition of a scarf to dresses can be a stylish way to warm up your shoulders and add another layer to a cute dress.
Hello adorable ruffles! And very versatile...I'm not sure I can come up with many dresses at all that you couldn't pair this with, and nice and light fabric so that if it heats up you won't suffocate from heat.
Nordstrom
Accessory Street Sheer Ruffle Scarf
$42
 I really like the adorable floral pattern that could add a focal point to a more plain dress.
ShopRuche.com
fresh bouquet floral scarf
$13.99
 This I actually saw on a clip of Gossip Girl this afternoon while channel surfing and I really loved it. The crystal work at the bottom is beatiful and kind of reminds me of my last design. Also a more classic scarf look.
Valentino
Fringed Crystal Cashmere Scarf
$380
(Found at Bergdorf Goodman)
 Scarves also seem to be popular for head accessories as well, which I for one fully support. It's nice to be able to wrap up hair, especially when it's long and thick, during hot summer afternoons. While I'm aware it's not Summer, I'm daydreaming of it constantly.
Urban Outfitters
Cooperative Conversational Print Oblong Scarf
 Not a scarf, but still very adorable and perfect for spring to warm up your frigid shoulders in sleeveless dresses. I also love the crocheted look (very popular this season) and it gives me a nostalgic vintage feel.
Anthropologie
Shadow-Spun Capelet
$198
Hope everyone's having a breezy week!
-Leah

Monday, March 21, 2011

Night on the Town

This was inspired by some slinky sequined dresses I saw and liked, but a little different...ya know, I sometiems realize that the first idea things originate from, ends up bearing little resemblance because it mutates in my mind. Anyways here's a design, since I know I haven't put one up in a while:
This number has a simplistic shape, that would fall nicely over an hourglass shape. The neckline is a tad bit deep which may be scandalous were it not for the classy black mesh draped over it, providing a high neckline. I would imagine it in two color schemes; the first being deep avy blue with the stones being shiny rhinestones that would reflect the light. The second would be white with the stones being black. I drew out the layout for how the stones would be aligned in case my sketch wasn't very clear. It would hem right above the knee. I would imagine it for a night out or even a school dance.
Hope everyone's week started out well!
-Leah