Striped Midi Skirt, Part Deux!

Do you remember this post featuring my Old Navy midi skirt from back in the fall? Many of you liked the look, but I felt like it wasn't quite right. (I'm also super happy that I stopped doing collages. My posts are much more streamlined now!) I think I was just SO covered up, my boots came up to the hem of the midi length skirt, my shirt was 3/4 sleeves...you get the picture. Anyway, I always knew I'd restyle it, I've actually worn it 3 or 4 times since and didn't like the results, but this time I think it works. I just needed a little more SKIN to work it!

Chill out, I'm not naked or anything you pervs.

Here's the restyle:

I paired the striped Old Navy skirt with my hot pink sequined tank ( I know, sequins during the day AGAIN? I'm such a sucker for sparkles!) I added my multi-color belt from Target, metallic peep toe flats, my star and moon necklace, a cuff, floral earrings, and this GIGANTIC yellow bag. It has a little dangle-y piece that has blue and pink discs that exactly matched my skirt!

A brightly colored bag has been on my thrifting list for awhile! Glad to finally check it off.

DO YOU WANT IT STRAIGHT OR DO YOU WANT IT BROKEN?

(Someone please get that reference!)

So happy with this look. It's bright, it's comfortable because of the flowy skirt and the flats, it's fashionable and the best of all, it's SPARKLY. 

So how do you like my striped skirt, part deux?

ON ME:

TANK: DOTS 

SKIRT: OLD NAVY

FLATS; WET SEAL

BELT: TARGET

EARRINGS: FOREVER 21

BANGLE: GLITTER

NECKLACE: GLITTER

BAG: THRIFTED/GOODWILL

Style Crush: Rachel's Lookbook

Let me tell you a little bit about this lady I know. Her name is Rachel, of Rachel's Lookbook.

I first came across Rachel here on The Stylized Wannabe. She was one of the first people (besides my mother LOL) to comment on my blog. We comment back and forth pretty much every day. I think we're bloggy friends. (Aren't we? Did I read too far into your awesome, encouraging blog comments? Too late now I guess!) If I had to classify her style I'd say she was vintage-inspired./classic-chic with a bit of rebel thrown in. 

Everything looks good on this chick. She can rock anything from a little red dress, or tights, shorts, and wedge sneakers!

I also enjoy that her blog is extremely user-friendly. The layout is easy to navigate and everything is labeled for easy searching. I wanted to show the pic of her rocking her wedge sneakers so I just typed "wedge sneakers" in the search box and there it was. If you follow over 100 blogs, as I do, you will appreciate that.

                                              

Another thing I love about Rachel besides her style is her warm, funny, thoughtful personality. She's just the nicest person ever. Seriously. Check out my blog comments. All kinds of love.

Everything Rachel wears is something I could find and emulate, and I cannot begin how to tell you how much I adore that! I don't know how many times I have liked an item on a blog, found out it was $300 for a t-shirt and then found nothing else like it that I could replicate on the cheap. Ya'll know Stylized Wannabe is about affordable fashion for all. The only thing I'll pay $300 for is a handbag, and mostly not even then!

If you like bright colors, classic silhouettes, affordable fashion and appreciate a witty, warm, thoughtful personality, then I definitely recommend Rachel's blog. She is an awesome fashionista AND an awesome person. The best of combos if you ask me!

* I do not own these photos. They belong to Rachel. If you pin them or something please link back to the original source Rachel's Look Book.

Channeling my inner someone

So, so happy with this look, but something kept nagging me. Did I subconsciously copy a look I'd seen on another blog? nope. I figured it out. I am dressed like my 3rd grade teacher! She always wore breezy skirts and flowy things with her glasses and bun. If I had left my hair down I think I'd have felt differently. I still love this outfit! 

I paired this thrifted (new with tags) Merona tank over a black cami and this long, brightly colored skirt that I recently thrifted with a black cardigan, leopard belt, zebra flats, and a purple envelope clutch. I think I may have to add glitter to that clutch though. It's pretty boring!

I also wore my orange bauble necklace. It ended up tying the whole look together!

I unintentionally paired the leopard belt and zebra flats. I thought I grabbed my black belt! It's okay though. you mostly just see the flats because the belt is tiny and is lost in the pattern of the skirt.

IS there too much going on or is it JUST right?

ON ME:

CARDI: MY SISTER'S

TANK: THRIFTED/ GOODWILL

CAMI: DOTS

SKIRT: THRIFTED/ GOODWILL

SHOES: TARGET

BELT: DOTS

BRACELET: TARGET

BAG: THRIFTED/ GOODWILL

NECKLACE: BODY CENTRAL

Summer Basics

Summer Basics by windchakra featuring scalloped shorts

ASOS v neck tank H m tank top Object Collectors Item denim waistcoat Tommy Hilfiger skinny leg jeans Tokyo Fashion scalloped shorts Skirt Canvas espadrille Nali bead jewelry Accessorize  Fluro Turnlock Straw Bag

I really need to grab some basics and start filling out my summer wardrobe! To go with all of my brightly colored and patterned skirts I really need basic v-neck tanks, then I'd love a denim vest for some light summer layering. I also want these olive skinnies so I can cuff them and wear with a float-y top and wedges. The pleated midi skirt has been on my list for a while, as has scalloped hem shorts, and the bright colors just makes them even cooler. I'm already thinking ahead to pair them with tights for fall! When I was organizing my bags and shoes last week I realized I don't really own any summer-type bags OR shoes. I think this straw bag and these closed toe wedges would be the perfect addition to my wardrobe, and the price ain't bad either. I can even wear the wedges with my longer slacks to work! Finally, I'd really like to add more brightly colored jewelry so to add pops to my outfits, as I mostly purchase my basics in black and white. 

What do you think? What are you wanting to add to your summer wardrobe?

-Ash

BA Star eye shadow review

When BA Star offered me an eye shadow palette to test and review I jumped at the chance. I love make-up! At $8.75 for 5 shadows, it is definitely affordable and not something I wouldn't buy on my own or feature on my thrifty blog.  BA Star is the #1 choice of make up for cheerleaders and dancers, so I thought it would work very well for my active, chasing-kids-around lifestyle.

I chose the Natural Eye Shadow Palette palette for the pretty, earth tone hues. The colors are bronze, cocoa, and nude, as well as a gold glitter and crystal glitter gel. The glitter gel scared me a bit. Am I too old for glitter? We'll see. It also came with a dual ended applicator, one side was a sponge tip and the other was a blend-y type brush, but I used my own.

The colors in this palette are perfect for the look I've been trying to achieve

. I have found myself gravitating towards a neutral eye and a bright lip, and since my glasses are quite big I feel like anything dramatic on my eyes would be overkill. Here are the swatches:

The bronze and the coca show up quite nicely, and the nude actually pretty much matches my skin tone exactly. They are medium sheer, so you can build up the intensity or leave it light for a more natural look.The texture was lovely. It went on very smooth! The glitter gel surprised me. I thought it would be the consistency of the play make up kits that you buy for kids, but it was quite nice. The gel held up nicely and didn't budge or slide around on my skin.

I decided I would do my make up two ways: regular; which consists of eye shadow, liner, mascara and powder, and then I applied it as I would if I were going out i.e. the works plus primer so I didn't sweat my face off. Alone the eye shadow did just fine. It went on smoothly and silkily , though it creased a tiny bit, which I attributed to the gold glitter gel. With the primer in place, my shadow stayed all night and looked awesome! Definitely a deal at $8.75. I would compare it to Revlon or Cover Girl shadows in terms of consistency, color payout and staying power. 

I used the nude to highlight my brow, the bronze for my lid and cocoa in my crease. I also used a tiny smidgen of the gold glitter on my lid as well, just for some extra sparkle.*The shadow is not creased in these pics. I kept opening my eyes. This is the best shot Jamie could get of me lol.

I like that it's just natural and the perfect colors for day. though you can apply them wet and get a darker, smoky effect for evening!

The colors really complete my eyes and make them look more blue!

Over all, I think it's a great value and good quality. I can't wait to try the SMOKY palette next! 

ON ME:

BA STAR SHADOW PALETTE IN NATURAL

EARRINGS: DEB

TOP AND CAMI: DEB

*Disclaimer: Aside from the eye shadow palette, I was not compensated for this review. All opinions stated are 100% my own. I really like them!

Taylor Swift?

Roger said in this light blue dress, nude shoes, red lips and blond hair that I looked like Taylor Swift. Ok Rog. Whatever you say.

I wore this thrifted Merona dress with a black cami under it, added a thin black belt, and nude heels. These heels EXACTLY match my skin. They were a steal too. 75% off at DSW plus a ten dollar off coupon equals $8 leather Guess heels. Happy Ashleigh!

The necklace is just a pearl brooch I pinned to a gold chain. I am also rocking my straw envelope bag I thrifted back in March. I love how it makes everything look summery!

You can barely tell when my foot end and the shoes begin! Spot-on color match here! I also am extremely happy these aren't patent leather. I never bought nude heels because the ones I found were patent. These are just regular-not-shiny-leather.

Gosh. I'm so pale!

I really love this dress. It was so comfortable to wear, plus it's cotton so it breathes which is great for when it gets sweltering hot! Next time I'll add some brighter accessories, like magenta, to complete the look. I kinda feel this is all one tone with my pale skin, pale dress, pale hair, and nude shoes. Well, you learn through trtial and error!

So did I err with this look or do you think it's a win?

ON ME:

CAMI: DOTS

DRESS: MERONA/THRIFTED/GOODWILL (NEW WITH TAGS!)

BELT: DOTS

HEELS: GUESS VIA DSW

NECKLACE: THRIFTED/HOMEMADE

BAG: LIZ CLAIBORNE/THRIFTED/GOODWILL

Oh, eShakti dress, how I love thee!