Top 10 Wardrobe Essentials #10

And Essential #10 is accessories!!

Accessories allow you to bring your own brand of flair to any outfit. You can purchase any mannequin's outfit and make it your own, simply by changing the accessories.

Example

 This dress isn't super girly but it has some super feminine flair. The hem has ruffling detail and the dress has a scalloped neckline. With different accessories I was able to create three completely different looks. The first look is very J.Lo. The wide brimmed hat and silver bangles give this look a glamorous touch. The second look is ubber-feminine and the pink notes pop with this muted dress. The third look has a bit of a punk rock flair with it's ubber-long double-chain cross necklace and spiked heels.

The important thing to remember with accessories are that they should match your specific style and personality. You will not see me with a big bow in my hair but I may do a flower... You may never see me in a flowered dress but I would do a flowered top with a blazer. It's about what makes your specific style unique.

A good example of this is my husband. He loves to match his shirt, hat and shoes. There is no fashion rule that says this is necessary but it's what makes his style completely him. I like my accessories and my shoes to match some color found in my outfit. Again, there is no fashion rule that says this is necessary but I like the polished look of a completely pulled together outfit. Also, I will wear a Bullet For My Valentine or Avenged Sevenfold t-shirt under a blazer with some heels. Sometimes I even walk out of the house in a cute t-shirt and jeans but I always do something to bump up the style factor, whether it's a new hairstyle (ehem, ladies... HAIR IS AN ACCESSORY!) or bangles, or even a jacket.

Also, accessory size should be relevant. If you are tiny, don't buy HUGE jewelry. You will look like a kid who has gone to play in her mother's closet. Also, luscious ladies, do not go buy the daintiest accessories you can find. Your limbs, neck or whatever else you can accessorize will look even bigger.

Hope you enjoyed this series of postings... Next will be, how to dress your specific body type.

30 Days of FAB Hair - Day 6

I said once I found some hairstyles that worked well with the new do I would post them. This was the inspiration for my Day 6 hair. My hair is very layered so some fell forward and my bangs were not pulled back but side-swept. My hair being thinner I should have used a hair-piece to make my bun fuller but it still looked very cute.

Today's Outfit 3-30-12

Today's outfit was purchased last night at Wal-Mart. My top has a lot more to it but the shape is right. I am keeping it pretty simple because it's a summery outfit and in summer less is more :). Hence the bikini :). The aviators are, again, my husbands and my earrings came from Claire's. The necklace was a Christmas gift from my hubby and the sandals were also from Wal-Mart.

Spring Fever

Man, I have been going crazy on Polyvore today. I have been in the mood for nights spent at the lake house, reading on the beach, morning walks in the sand and I have to say, the weather here is cooperating. It is putting me in summer mode instead of spring. I can't get enough of the maxi dresses, gladiator sandals, nude makeup, leather jewelry. It's insane. I feel as if I have wasted an entire day just looking forward to something that is not likely to happen any time soon. I know it's just around the corner but I feel like I have completely overlooked all the wonderful things spring can offer (allergies aside). I have not had a chance to go hiking or camping this year and they are two of my favorite things to do this time of year.
I keep thinking about tanning and slimming down for summer and all the things that go along with it instead of enjoying a cup of coffee in the cool morning on my balcony (which I don't do much anymore, because I have crazy neighbors).
So... take the time with me today and enjoy everything spring has to offer. Put on that maxi dress and take a stroll. Cuddle up in a sweater on your balcony and read a book. Enjoy the mild weather of spring before the scorching temps of the summer drive you inside!

30 Days of FAB Hair - Day 5

This was my inspiration for my Day 5 hair. Again I couldn't get a good picture. All I did was fix my hair the way I normally would but twisted the strands around the straightener for the soft waves.
I have really been obsessed with Vampire Diaries for a little while and I ALWAYS LOVE Caroline's hair. She always has the cutest braids, curls, mod-fashions and I love her as a vampire as well :).

30 Days of FAB Hair - Day 4

Yes, you are seeing me sans makeup and with a red mark from where I bit my lip. In this pic I have come home, put on pj's and have been lounging around the house for quite some time. Please ignore the fabulous Avenged Sevenfold T-Shirt!
This is my go-to hairstyle. The one I am trying to break away from but since I had a VERY rough morning... well... it happened. I actually love my hair but I am getting bored with the same old thing all the time.
I put root-lifter in my roots and shine serum on the rest, blow dry it out with my head flipped upside-down and then run a straightener through it for a polished look.

30 Days of FAB Hair - Day 2 and 3

Sorry I didn't get to post yesterday but here it is! Day 2, I found some really cute headbands and I figured I would buy a few and try them out. This is a style I see a lot and I figured it can't be too hard. All I did was straighten my hair, pull it into a low, off-center pony and then put the headband in. For Day 3 I did a variation of this same style with high-pony and pinned my bangs back with the same headband.

Day 1 - 30 Days of FAB Hair

Today I went with a half up/half down style. As you can see it's smooth and shiny! I used one of my favorite styling products, a shine serum, to tame my frizz and leave my hair super glossy. I didn't have anyone here to photograph the back of my head (I tried, it didn't turn out well... the photo... the hair looks great!) but it's pinned on both sides with two bobby-pins on either side and in loose ringlets. The pins are the same color as my hair and are hidden but it looks fab.

Beauty Riot 30 Days, 30 Styles -This is where the idea for the hairstyle came from, so you can see the back.