street cred.

{streets of Milan}

street style is more inspiring to me than the best fashion magazine out there.

i love browsing photo's of people's random, quirky, and individual style...

obviously one of my favorite sites is the ubber famous

The Sartorialist.

here are a few images posted lately that just make my heart go pitter patter.

{streets of Florence}

{streets of NYC}

to do: trip to the zoo.

{anna rubik for Apart Jewelry campaign}

i am an animal lover.

most of the time, i'd rather hang out with a cute, furry creature over another human being. (who wouldn't, right?)

anyway...just a little fun post from my heart to yours today...

how cute (and chic) are these photos?

how'd they get these wild animals to pose so nicely as props?

{free people :: april 2011}

{images via fashiongonerogue}

to do list : trip to the zoo.

ps. it's almost friday!
XOXO

be classy. (your mom said so)

"classic" is not a term i use often -  when it comes to my personal wardrobe.

i lean towards : casual, girly, hippy & comfortable.

but we all need a few great classic pieces.

i love Zara's March 2011 Lookbook for this type of style.

The very reasonably priced retailer keeps looks simple and timeless - but with pops of bright color and a little edgy detail here and there.

{images via fashion gone rogue}

which look is your favorite?

I bet you can't guess which one i like best...

hope you've had a great day!

XOXO

under my umbrella. (ella.ella.ay.ay.ay.)

"well, the way i see it - if you want a rainbow - you gotta put up with the rain."

dolly parton

where the H did this dreary weather come from??

it can go back to wherever that place might be.

i'm not a fan of the drizzles.

... c'est la vie.

on days like today, i wish i had a cute rain jacket.

i don't.

 i only have a bright yellow Northface jacket...that makes me look like a chubby man or Big Bird.(you choose) 

i guess a piece like this really is considered an "essential". it can be worn year-round.

that's the excuse i'm going with anyway....

{Banana Republic Madras trench}

{Target :: Merona water repellent trench}

{Banana Republic Nylon Ruffle}

{Fred Flare Plaid Natasha trench}

I mean, you can go all out too--and throw on some legit Rain Boots with your cute coat. If the Olsen's look good doing it, I guess we can all try, right?

Some of my fave options:

{just an Olsen. looking chic in some Hunter Rain Boots}

{Steve Madden Tsunami's}

{dav English Rain Boot}

{dav English Riding Style Rain Boot}

Thought it was only appropriate (and typical) to end on a cheesy note and supply you with a video.

Glee always brightens my spirits!

Have a wonderful day!

:: Stylish Blogger Award ::

This week has started off on the right track...in so many ways...and to go along with my happy attitude, I'm so excited to have recieved the Stylish Blogger Award from my sweet friend, Lisa Olsen over at http://something-pretty.net/! Something Pretty is a must-read. Lisa is so cute and does a wonderful job with her fun blog!

For this award, I'm supposed to list "7 fun facts" about myself and then pass this award onto another blogger. I'll admit...this type of blogging is much more difficult for me than covering current trends, but here it goes :)

1. my very favorite thing in the world is traveling.

Above is in Aspen, CO...one of my favorite places ever. I've always said that my dream job would be to travel to random places, live within the culture, and write about it. If you hear of an opening for National Geographic, let me know.

2. I had the honor of meeting one of my VERY favorite men - the great, Johnny Cash - before he passed. I looked everywhere for the actual photo of Mr. Cash & I (if I find I'll post later). We were in Jamaica on a family vacation - he quietly walked in & sat down to watch what the locals said was one of his favorite Reggae Bands.

Love him so much. No problem Mon!

3. I grew up in a town with less than 3500 people. Most of my friends high schools were larger than this.

Get this - it was in Arkansas, but the nearest Wal*Mart was still 30 minutes away. I actually loved small-town life. The biggest gossip topics were who killed a deer that morning or who the town cop stopped each morning before school.

This is the honest truth (and may be the truth for only myself)...but what I looked forward to year-round was the Arkansas County Fair. To this day, the smell of funnel cakes or the sight of carnival ride makes me so happy. The biggest part of our County Fair was the Demolition Derby. Yes-I'm going redneck on you now...but this was the hottest ticket in town. Just old cars...driving around in the mud, smashing into each other, until the last man's stick is broken.
Now THAT is what I call a GREAT time!

4. I accidentally adopted a 25 lb Maine Coon.
Meet Ruby Faye. You see, I have this problem with wanting to save any cute little animal in trouble and Miss Ruby had no home, so she is now my kitty. I love her. I had no idea I'd have Garfield on my hands (or medium sized dog).
She loves shopping too (i.e. the photo above)

5. I was a child beauty pageant contestant. Actually, I was in beauty pageants until I went to college (it sounds better just saying "child"). My mother "says" that she SWORE she'd never let me enter one of these, but I would not take no for an answer and demanded to be in the pageant. The rest was history. I loved it and thought I was just the coolest kid ever. I can say-for all of those pageant-haters out there-I can answer any interview question you ask me in 2 seconds flat, speak in front of a crowd and never skip a beat, AND do that model hip-pop turn-with a bikini, heels, and some ugly scarf they'd give you to wave around as a prop. (what I'm saying is--I did gain some positives for life outta these little things :)

6. I spent my college summers working at Kanakuk Kamps, in Branson MO. This is a Christian Sports Camp that is dear to my heart and I loved my time there. I may be writing about fashion now and a huge priss on most levels, but there was something I loved about spending time in the middle of nowhere, forgetting about make-up, raking leaves and sweating like you've NEVER sweated before, and hanging out with teenage girls also trying to get away from the hustle/bustle of life. (parts I don't miss: going on a weeklong camping trip with no shower and brushing my teeth from my Nalgene bottle & eskimo rolls from a kayak. forget. about. it.)

7. Running is my therapy.
I used to run a lot more, but that's quickly changing around here! Above is part of my DeWitt Dragonette Track Team. I ran the Mile Relay, 2 Mile Relay, 800 M, 1600 M, and 100 yd hurdles.
I've also run 4 Half Marathons. My goal is to run 1 race every year...until I can't do it anymore. Hopefully my 5th Half will motivate me to train for a Full. We'll see.
It might be the only thing that brings me sanity.



There ya have it. Not sure how "fun" those facts were, but I tried!
Onto the next one...the next Style Blogger Award.
 Have a wonderful night!

colors galore.

i want some colored jeans.

the problem is - i want every, single color.

i love all of the bright denim for Spring/Summer!

mix up your wardrobe and have a little fun with all these options!

choices... choices...

{current/elliot}

*i know, these aren't "technically" considered a color.

but, white will always be a color to me.

{j brand}

Okay...these either. but i love the style.

ugh. i get distracted from the subject of my posts....oops.

red jeans may just top my list. actually they do. 100%.

love you all!

have a wonderful week!

retro road trip.

I am being 100% un-original today.

i can't help it.

i just LOVE this lookbook from ShopBop.

i wanna go on a "Retro Road Trip" myself.

anybody wanna go with me?

pretty sure every item shown is on my "Spring Wish List".

now..if I could order that model's body to go in these clothes, i'd be all set.

happy st. pats day!

CHEERS

wild, wild west.

{elle spain :: march 2011 :: via fashiongonerogue}

Maybe it's because i'm from the country or maybe it's just because this editorial in Elle Spain makes country look SO good...but i am liking the whole wild, wild western style for Fall.

Runways at NY Fashion Week were filled with this popular trend, but it's being called "Prairie Chic".

ahem. 

Whatever the cool term for this may be ... it's looking like denim, fringe, pretty girl skirts, and the looks of the good ol' days are back in full effect. 

Bang bang!  

{creatures of comfort via refinery 29}

{Rodarte F/W 2011 via fashionologie}

{Steven Alan F/W 2011 via stylist.com}

Name this tune:

"waiting in the front yard, sitting on a log;

single shot rifle and a one-eyed dog.

Yonder come my kin folk in the moonlight..."

Giddy Up, y'all!

XOXO

guest blogger :: living4london

Happy Friday everyone!
Enjoy the first Guest Blogger post today from my friend, Megan Pursley & be sure to check out her blog at
http://living4london.blogspot.com/
***

Hey guys ! ( I am a west coast girl so we say Hey guys)


I am a former LA fashion industry girl that transplanted myself (and my husband..its a package deal) in London for a year.


I lived, breathed, and worked in the LA fashion industry since I was fourteen years old.
quite literally birthed into the industry by my television writing father.

I came out of the womb with my pouty face on.

oh look, it's my pouty face in action. photo by oz wroe

When the realization occurred to me that I would be in London for London Fashion Week I gasped and did a little yelp of excitement. I MUST be there, or I will have failed the fashion Gods. They do exist you know...in the form of Anna Wintour, Robbie Myers, and Glenda Bailey.


They.own.you.


Just kidding.


they own fashion.


and the world.


Anyway.


So I caught some London Fashion week vibe.
and it was.oh.so.good.


And it was not just the designers who represented.
it was the common folk dressed to the 9’s giving street style a whole new name.


It was a fashion explosion of all of the hottest trends: fur, leather, big hats, 9 inch heels, platforms, wedges, leopard, socks with heels, maxi skirts, ankle boots, large scarves, knits, top buns, capes, etc etc...but no mini skirts here people. to the knee, or high waisted dominated the micro mini. 

probably because it is freaking freezing in england. 

'via' 'via' 'via'

Colors were subdued and people stuck to more muted tones with maybe a splash of color.








London fashion is pristine. 

you cant go wrong if you have the confidence to pull it off. 

whether you are polished or “thrown together”

(both involving countless hours of work and planning, lets be honest) 

in London anything goes.


Unless you are going to Burberry’s show.


then black goes.only.


Fashion is global.

It transcends cultural boundaries.

It crosses ponds. 

I mean, sure, I am not going to venture out in london in sandals and a flowy dress like I would in LA (some people can, but I cry when I'm cold) 

but if it were sunny and warm here...

ever...

you bet your booty people would be rocking a little number like this:

Alexander Wang

Speaking of Alexander Wang...



oh..here we are together..no big deal..he is my fashion hero..whatever.



Now throw out your micro mini and stop wearing tights at pants.

standards people.

standards.