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April 2019

    Fashion

    Mom Jean Outfit Inspo

    April 30, 2019
    by

    The most commonly asked question I get is ” how do you put your outfits together”? So I wanted to start sharing some outfit inspirations with you guys. I thought I would start off with an easy piece like denim jeans. These jeans in all the outfits below were on my Spring essentials list. Everything else in photos was in my Spring Trend list.

    My style is not perfect. I like to think of it as effortless but put together. Never to look like I’m trying too hard. I don’t have the time or energy on spending a ton of time on what I’m going to wear every day. Making this list of essentials and trends ahead of time helps me not have to think too hard about what I’m wearing on a day to day basis.

    Disclaimer: I’m not a model and I don’t know how to use Photoshop nor do I want to use it.



    1 bodysuit 2 looks. In these outfits I used the 70’s style halter bodysuit. Funny how changing your shoes and taking off your hat can change your look completely.


    Hope this inspires you in some sort of way.

    Xx,

    Christa

    Style Finds

    Spring Trend List

    April 24, 2019
    by

    As the weather gets nicer, I find myself constantly looking at spring inspiration. All I want to do is shop for my spring trend pieces to freshen up my closet.

    Trend Pieces are true to the seasonal trends but will likely not be a part of your wardrobe the following season, these items I will try to find on a budget.

    Here’s a look at what my personal “Trend list” looks like for Spring 2019.

    Handbags

    1.Straw or rope natural bag

    2. Black fringe bag

    Hats

    3.Fisherman’s hat (White or camel color)

    4.Wide brim hat

    Belt

    5.Tortoise shell Belt

    Dresses /Skirts

    6. Open back ruffle hem Sun dress

    7. Red v- cut Sun dress

    8.Dot print button up Sun dress

    9.Leopard slip dress

    10.Leopard slip skirt

    Tops

    Vintage tees

    11.Band tee

    12.All American tee

    Specific trend tops

    13.Puff sleeve top

    14.Tie front top

    Body suits

    15.One shoulder bodysuit

    16.Neon body suit

    17.Halter 70’s body suit

    18.Nude color body suit

    Everything in the list above has direct links to take you straight to the website.

    Hope this post inspires you with some fun spring looks.

    Xx,

    Christa

    Style Finds

    Spring Essentials List

    April 15, 2019
    by

    As I mentioned in my first Blog  3 steps to loving your closet my first step is to write out a wish list for the upcoming season and identify what pieces are essentials and what ones are trends.

    Essential Pieces are key items you will use to create multiple outfits throughout the season; this is when I’m willing to spend a little more money. ( But I still try to get the best deals I can.)


    After I write my list, I check my closet first. For example, I use my Faux leather jacket and ankle boots that already used in the Fall and Winter for my spring outfit looks. You don’t need to go and purchase a whole new wardrobe every season. The goal is to use as much clothing pieces you already own and sprinkle in the new season appropriate pieces to freshen up your outfits.

    Here’s a look at what my personal “Essentials list” looks like for Spring 2019 with some added styling notes on how I envision wearing these pieces.

    1. Faux leather jacket – This jacket is a year round piece for me. Goes with literally everything.
    2. Denim Jacket – I have a couple but I’m really loving the oversized look right now.  My oversized denim jacket is actually a men’s jacket.
    3. Slim destructed mom fit denim – love to dress up or down without looking like your trying to hard.
    4. Denim shorts– I like mixing casual tops and sneakers and or boots as well as dressing them up with heal sandals to give a fresh look.
    5. White ankle booties– Love to wear with dresses and denim.
    6. Black booties– Love to wear with dresses and denim.
    7. Espadrilles– Goes with everything. Dresses, skirts, denim, all shorts.

    Everything in the photos above are linked in the list.

    Xx,

    Christa

    Wellness

    Ultimate wellness shot recipe

    April 14, 2019
    by

    This year has been germ central at our house. No joke, the boys are bouncing colds off each other like it’s a game. It all started the week of Christmas, all 4 of us were down for the count with a bad head cold. I started drinking Wholefoods cold press wellness shots at least twice a day. They were making me feel so much better, but I was paying almost $4 a shot. 

    My sister in law was making her own and inspired me to give it a try. Three months and I still make weekly batches for my husband and me.

     I’ve been getting tons of questions and request on these wellness shots since I’ve posted myself making them on my Instagram story’s.   I’ve tried a few recipes but wanted to share my favorite that I make most often.

    Things needed

    -Juicer (I use Aicook slow press juicer)

    If you don’t have a juicer you can use a zester and cheese cloth, but it takes a lot more time)

    -2 or 4 oz Glass bottles

    Ingredients

    • A piece of fresh ginger about the size of your hand or more ( should be 1 cup juiced)

    • 4 pieces of fresh turmeric

    • 1 whole pineapple

    • 2 lemons

    • 1 tsp of cayenne pepper
    • ¾ cup Apple Cider Vinegar

    Instructions

    Makes 12 shots

     I start by juicing the ginger first (about 1 cup juiced), then the turmeric, lemons and pineapple.  I mix them all together adding the Apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper last.

     I use a liquid measuring cup or funnel to fill my 4oz glass bottles about half way. 

    Hope this helps you as much as it’s helped my family.

    Xx, Christa

    Fashion

    Buy, Sell, and Trade your way to a better closet

    April 12, 2019
    by

    One of my first buying jobs was when I was in college at a store called Crossroads Trading company. I remember coming home to my father after my first day of work, As I’m telling him all about my day and the concept of the store his face instantly showed a mix of confusion and disgust.  He didn’t get the concept or why anyone would wear used clothes by choice. 

    Fast forward four months later; I was wearing Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Cynthia Vicente, Tory Burch, etc. Like most people, his perception changed. Shopping at Buy, Sell, Trade stores gave me an opportunity to wear the clothes I loved but never could afford at normal retail price. Years later I’m still a fan of Buy, Sell, Trade stores.
    After every season, I clean out my closet of things I don’t want or wear anymore, and take those clothes straight to sell or trade.
    Frequenting these stores is a huge part of my process to maintaining my closet and buying strategy for the following season.

    My Favorite Buy, Sell, Trade stores

    I frequent the stores Crossroads Trading Company and Buffalo Exchange the most.  Crossroads Trading Company usually has more designer pieces and Buffalo Exchange has amazing unique finds and vintage.

    If you have never sold your clothes at a store like this, it can be intimidating. So I’ll try to break it down so it’s not so overwhelming and you know what to expect.

    How it Works

    Since I visit these stores most, I’ll explain how they work.

    • Bring clothes you want to sell.
    • Make sure these are washed and clean.
    • Make sure the clothes are in good condition — no holes or peeling.
    • Make sure they are in season.  These clothes go straight on the floor after they buy them, so don’t try to sell them Sweaters in the summertime.  They want appropriate season clothing.
    • Make sure you have time (about 1-2 hours) there is usually a line to sell clothes, but I use this time to shop around the store to see if there is anything, I want so I can use my trade for it.
    • Don’t get offended if they don’t take some clothing pieces.  It could be something they have too much of at that time, or they know that style doesn’t sell well for their Demographic.

    At the end of your “buy” they will total up the selling prices of the pieces they are keeping and either give you 30% back in cash or 50% in trade to shop in the store.  If  you don’t find anything you like that day to trade, you can use the trade another day as a gift card.

     Some stores also offer consignment selling if it’s higher price retail. So, consignment is an option as well.

    Benefits

    Going to Buy/Sell/Trade stores gives you an opportunity to find some great pieces for your closet at a fraction of the cost.  You can find some great pieces for a fraction of what you would pay in a regular store.

    Even if you decide to take the cash, you can put the money towards other clothes that you have your eye on. That’s money you didn’t have in your pocket before. So, it’s a win-win.

    There are tons of different Buy/ Sell/ Trade stores or consignment stores with great clothing pieces at low prices. I hope this post inspires you to go and check one out.

    Xx, Christa

    Style Finds

    Favorite Spring Trends for under $20

    April 11, 2019
    by

    1.       Shell Jewelry

    Shell jewelry has to be my favorite trend for spring. Loving the chockers and layered style necklaces mixed with gold jewelry pieces.
    I remember living in my puka shell necklace in elementary school, so this trend is close to my heart.

    2.       Straw handbag

    Adding a cute straw bag gives you an instant spring look to your outfit.

    3.       Wide brim  Hats

    I can’t get enough of hats lately.  Wide brim hats make  every outfit complete while protecting you from the sun.

    4.       Slide on Sandals

    This is the one thing I will live in for Spring and summer. I love that you can dress these sandals up or down.

    5.       Neon

    I don’t know if I could pull off a head to toe neon outfit, but I’m really feeling neon pieces that make an outfit pop. I’m liking neon activewear, bodysuits, and a bralette.

    Fashion

    3 Steps to loving your closet

    April 9, 2019
    by


    Have you ever stood in front of your closet full of clothes but found nothing to wear? This would happen to me all the time. So, I tried a new approach. As a buyer in the fashion industry, we would buy seasonally for the stores, look at trends, outfit pairing, inventory, and the budget among other things.
    Implementing aspects of my buying strategy from my work life into my shopping habits in my personal life helped with creating more outfit options. Rather than having single clothing pieces purchased on an emotional whim and little to wear them with, I found this approach kept me focused and at the same time saved me from overspending.

    Steps to my shopping approach

    Step 1: Make a shopping wish list


    o I start by looking at Fashion trends I like for the season coming up. (magazines, blogs, Pinterest, etc.)
    o I see what I already own in my closet that will work in those trends to build outfits.
    o I come up with a list of pieces I like and need for the trend or looks I’m trying to achieve. Making sure to keep in mind nightlife, work, and casual outfits. (I want pieces that can create multiple outfits)
    o I identify if it’s an essential piece or a trend piece.

    • Essential Pieces are key items you will use to create multiple outfits throughout the season; this is when I’m willing to spend a little more money.
    • Trend Pieces are true to the seasonal trends but will likely not be a part of your wardrobe the following season, these items I will try to find on a budget.



    Example of my Fall 18” /Winter 19” List


    My Essentials
    o New black booties
    o Black leather or faux leather crossbody bag
    o Black raw hem midrise skinny jeans
    o New black turtle neck
    o Moto jacket (which I already had in my closet)
    o Good red lipstick (Already own)

    Trend pieces
    o Faux fur or Fuzzy coat leopard or burnt orange color
    o Black Backer boy hat
    o Lace bodysuit
    o Lace long sleeve bodysuit
    o Couple crop sweaters that I could wear with pants or over dresses
    o Tights (warm plain ones & dot designed)
    o Dresses I can layer with

    Step 2: Closet Clean Out

    After I get my list together, I DON’T start shopping yet. I begin my closet clean out. Getting rid of the old clothes to make room for new. I go piece by piece and ask myself these questions.

    1. Have I worn this piece in the last two months?
    2. How many outfits can I create with this piece of clothing?
    3. Does this piece fit into my vision of the coming season
      Whatever clothing pieces I decide to get rid of I either sell, trade, or donate. Selling or trading clothes helps towards the cost of your future wardrobe.

    Step 3: Buying


    At this point, my list is made and the style hunting begins!

    I hope a look into my process helps get your closet where you want it to be.
    Xx,
    Christa


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