Empowered Traditionalist

So you’ve found this fabulous vintage necklace at a thriftstore or from Gramma’s dress-up box- but it just seems to be missing something.

Add a bow. Really truly.

Do:

- pick a satin or patterned ribbon in your favorite color (maybe to match your eyes?)

-Experiment with different bow styles (square, flat, standard)

-Tie your bow onto your necklace for instant facelift and vintage kick!

-wear your new necklace with a simple blouse, it’s a statement piece drawing attention to your face. If you pair busy jewelry with a patterned or heavily textured blouse it is overwhelming to the eye.

Don’t:

-Make the bow too big- we don’t want to look like Bozo the Clown.

-choose ribbons that are too wide, they will be difficult to tie and bulk up your necklace

-put more than one bow on each necklace

P.s. – don’t you love the hair in these photos? So cute!

Photo Source:

Debutante Blog

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The key is to keep everything else sleek and simple yet lush: a cropped leather jacket that defines her waist, black slim-yet-drapey top and feminine black ballet flats.

Do:

-Pair your long petticoats with a tough contemporary bag.

-Opt for flats in the same color as your skirt

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Here are two prominent formal (yet not so formal) looks that Rachel McAdams and Emily Blunt featured in the past few weeks.
Relaxed, beautiful and easy enough to do yourself.

HOW TO: Emily Blunt

1. First, apply “no frizz” cream to wet hair to prevent it from frizzing.

2. Create pin curls by taking half inch pieces of hair and wrapping each piece around her finger and then pinning them to the top of your head. Alternating the twisting monition both clockwise and counter clockwise to add dimension.

3. Let hair dry naturally.

4. After the hair was completely dry,  use both a medium curling iron and small barrel curling iron to accentuate the curl.

5. To add a bit of sophistication to the look, she used a flat iron on each curl, straightening the bottom inch of the hair.

For Rachel’s Boho Braid-

Which do you prefer? Like one, hate the other?

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Long hair is definitely the trend…you’ll notice all these trends have long or at least shoulder length hair as their base. This is a great beach look, or relaxed weekend wear- but I wouldn’t style my hair like this for any dressier events.

Do: 

-Let hair air dry, or blow dry depending on the silkiness desired.

-Spritz with hair volumizing spray, or thermal hair spray.

-divide hair into small section and use curling iron to curl only the middle of each hair section, leaving the bottom and top curl free.

- Spritz with hair spray for stay-power.

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Every guy will tell you a mini is eye-catching- but did you know floor length beauties can have the same effect? Walk down the hall with 39″ inches between your waist and the carpet and you are beaming: romantic, polished, classy, laid-back, or even daring.  Never thought long skirts could be so chic now did ya?

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I’ve wanted to make one of these myself for at least 6 months now…this time, I’m going to do it!

Here’s my inspiration: Tutorial Ruffle Shirt

Check out the step by step instructions!

Tea Rose Home is so inspiring, check our her blog for some creative ideas on turning old things into new!

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Christian Dior started this 1940s Hairstyle Revival, and I love every retro inch of it. They key to this look is starting with soft smooth hair as your base- the rest is a cinch.

Do: 

1. Freshly wash hair and blow dry. If you have wild hair, like mine, apply smoothing cream before blow dry.

2. Part your hair on the far left or right (whichever you prefer) This hairstyle is meant to have a severe side part like, plus side parts make the nose look more delicate.

3. Begin by heating your curling iron and creating barrel sized curls that roll sideways on the head. Clip each roll with a duck bill clip or bobby pins.  (Like giant hotdogs with  the ends facing the mirror in front of you. )

4. Spray with hairspray and let set for about ten minutes.

5. Remove clips or bobby pins and brush out curls gently.

6. Apply a bit of shine creme to your hair with your fingertips.

Note: the Trick to that glam side swept wave at the top of the forehead, is to really get a solid curl pinned up. When it relaxes it creates that rich roll.

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One of the prominent trends on the runway this Spring was this soft, boho French braid. It’s feminine,can be worn on a variety of hair textures/curls and…it’s super easy.

How To: 

 1.  Loosely spray your hair with hair spray for volume and stay-power.

2. Finger part at the far side of the head.

3. Gather your (unbrushed) hair at the nape of your neck, and pull hair to the front

4. Divide hair into 3 uneven sections. Braid and secure with small elastic.

Do: 

-keep the braid swept to the side. The side sweep keeps the look modern and relaxed.

-Pair  the braid with modern or menswear inspired pieces. To avoid looking like Laura Ingalls Wilder, choose an outfit that has a contemporary cut. Blazers, shrunken jackets, wide leg trousers, suspenders, vests and the like.

- Have fun with a Fedora. this braid will look great with a variety of hats.

Don’t: 

-make the braid too perfect. It’s messy, and supposed to be that way.

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I like this look, but I don’t think I could pull it off. My hourglass curves don’t like skinnies too much.

Photo Credit:

The Sartorialist

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Again to grace the pages of our blog, First Lady Michelle Obama.

Mrs. Obama has a few key elements in her outfits that are always the same, can you spot them?

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