The Beanie

The indispensable winter garb I will never leave the house without, is not a winter coat (though I should consider it), but a beanie.

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Specifically, a Neff beanie, for it puts all other beanies to shame.  What could this simple hat possibly add to my outfit or my life?  Everything.

The beanie is typically associated with hipsters nowadays, but that’s when it is paired with all other hipster essentials, i.e. a plaid shirt, to-go cup of coffee, Vans, skinny jeans, an iPhone, and a music library filled with bands and artists no one has ever heard.  The beanie is versatile, and instantly makes anyone look cool.  I’ve witnessed it, and my friends agree, once they place a beanie on their head, they feel a tad more awesome.  I can’t explain this phenomenon, it just is.  So that’s partly why I must sport a beanie, but of course there’s more to it than awesomeness.

A beanie goes with everything, especially in the winter.  A beanie and a jacket looks classic, but once the jacket comes off and your shirt is revealed, the beanie still complements one’s outfit.  A beanie adds a certain quality of coziness to more feminine garb, such as dresses and skirts; paired with jeans, the beanie displays a slight edginess or comfort, depending upon the rest of one’s look.  The beanie can also illustrate one’s laid back mood.  Basically the beanie can and will be anything you want it to be in an outfit.  And since beanies come in any color from the spectrum, it can even match your mood.

Apart from style, the beanie is also practical.  Ears cold?  Then put on a beanie.  Hair untamable today?  Then wear a beanie.  The beanie is not only stylish, but functional.

The beanie is also a conversation starter: “Hey cool beanie, can I try it on?”  And so begins playful banter and discussion of the beanie amongst friends or strangers.

You can not go wrong in wearing a beanie.  So next time you decide to go outside and conquer the cold, be sure there’s a beanie on your head.

Closet Must Haves

Do you ever have those days where you’re standing in front of your closet, and you have too many clothes and you cannot decide what to wear?  That’s like everyday of my life, but I’ve come to realize that there are certain clothes I reach for more than others because they are staple items.  And because every woman deserves to look good, here are some must have clothes.

 

1.  A kick ass pair of jeans.  The pair must flatter your figure, go with every shirt you own, and allow you to wear any kind of shoe with it; your jeans should be versatile.  Shop for your figure, though.  I prefer skinny jeans because they show off my legs which is one of my better assets.  And also make sure that the color compliments your skin tone, I go dark wash, but check out the jeans spectrum to find the color that suits you.

pacsun.com

pacsun.com

 

 

2.  A solid white V-neck or a white scoop neck shirt.  White goes with anything, so you can pair this with your kick ass jeans and other pants.  A white top can also easily go with a crazy colored skirt, and you can also wear your white tee with lounge clothes or to bed.  Again, this white top is versatile and indispensable.  Hell, I own three white V-necks and I have to wash them each week because I am always wearing them.

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3.  Of course a little black dress for when you are going out.  This is a classic and every woman must own one, so ’nuff said!

 

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whitehouseblackmarket.com

 

4.  A cardigan, in any color you want.  Cardigans can be worn with jeans or leggings and can be for day or night.  They’re perfect for winter for a little extra layering and also wearable during a spring or summer night or if it’s cool outside.  I’m attached to my hot pink one.

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5.  A solid pair of black leggings because they allow for a quick outfit.  I sometimes just throw an oversized T-shirt on paired with my leggings, or I can pair it with my white V-neck and cardigan.  And sometimes if you’re sick of the restriction in jeans, it’s nice to be able to move in leggings.  I prefer capris leggings, but whatever works.

 

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6.  A cute dress for when you are going to a BBQ, maybe someone’s soccer game, or just a night out with friends.  Preferably in a bright color or a wild pattern.  Sometimes you want to get a little dressed up, but not go all out in your ball gown.

 

hollisterco.com

 

hollisterco.com

 

7.  A pair of TOMS because I swear these are the next generation of ballet flats and they go with anything.  You can pair your TOMS with shorts, or a skirt or your jeans or your leggings.  I am in love with my black classic canvas pair, but if you’re a little more bold try a fun color or print.  And, not only do TOMS go with anything, they are so incredibly comfortable.  I wear them instead of flip flops because they allow your feet to breath, but I can also substitute them for sneakers because they offer full coverage (unless I’m going for a jog, then I need my sneakers…).

 

TOMS.com

TOMS.com

 

8.  A gorgeous heel, preferably in black, but whatever you think you will wear will do.  You can dress your jeans up, your cute summer dress, or wear them with that little black dress.  But, be warned there are numerous options so know what you like: strappy, or the classic look, a thick heel, or a thin heel, a 5 inch heel, or a 2 inch heel, straps, or no straps, shiny, or not.  Decision, decisions, decisions.

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9.  The best pair of flip flops, trust me on this one.  Flip flops are for the beach, a quick drive to your friend’s house, relaxing at a sporting event. etc.  Plus flip flops can be paired with your dress, a skirt, jeans, or your bikini.  Make sure they are comfortable.  You don’t want one of those cheap pairs you can get for five bucks pretty much anywhere.  You want a pair that you actually love and will be excited to slip on your feet.  My suggestion is do not go with a plastic pair, they can cause blisters, and be uncomfortable if you do too much walking.  Be on the lookout, I found a great pair in a random store in Disney and another key pair at a hat store.

 

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10.  Lastly, but no least, I’m going to give you an option (or just go for both!): a necklace you can wear all the time or a scarf to accessorize.  I’m not big into jewelry but I always wear a necklace and I have a select few necklaces that I wear all the time and if I can’t find a necklace to go with my outfit, I go with old faithful.  Also, if you’re not into necklaces, or you want to mix it up every now and again, a nice scarf will do your outfit wonders by adding another texture, maybe that pop of color you want, or the finishing touch.

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So now with all the key pieces, rock your outfit every day!

Girl World

It was recently brought to my attention, that I am not like most girls, or at least insanely girly girls.  A list was begun of reasons why I am unlike most females.  For starters, I do not wear a lot of makeup.  I do not know how to put on blush or coverup; I simply wear mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick or lipgloss, if I even feel like it.  I do not spend hours on my hair.  I never blow it dry, and some days I just roll out of bed without brushing it.  At college, I didn’t bring my entire wardrobe plus another with me.  I brought the basics and I wear them often.  I did not bring an array of dresses, skirts, shoes, tees, and blouses.  I do not even own a blouse (this may be untrue, I think I have one…), and I didn’t bring any fancy clothes to college, such as a cocktail dress.  I typically dress for comfort, and sometimes I leave my dorm not looking my best because I do not feel like it.  I’m not big into accessorizing; I own a limited amount of jewelry and I only packed a few necklaces at that.  It does not take me an hour or more to get ready in the morning, some days all I need is a solid fifteen minutes to start the day.  All in all, it was summed up that I act more like a boy in the appearance department.

At first when I was told this, I didn’t think much of it.  My friends who discussed it, offered advice, told me to go shopping with some girly chicks, stop wearing my favorite pair of lime green sunglasses, have my mother ship me more of my clothes, etc.  I took the comments lightly because I knew I was not going to change, but after thinking about the statements more and more, the thought popped into my head why are girls so obsessed with their appearance?  Sure, maybe most of them simply like looking nice, but who are they getting dressed up for?  Themselves, or the various people they will see in passing by, or a crush, or a boyfriend?  And, do these girly girls who spend hours prepping and putting on makeup and trying on clothes and doing their hair, how do they feel during the day?  Girls have a tendency to compare themselves to other women.  I admit, I am guilty of this.  There are days I wish I had another’s girl’s eye makeup, or her skirt, or her wavy hair.  It happens, but to be honest, I do not have days like those often.  I don’t want to sound braggadocios, but all in all I’m pretty happy with who I am, how I look, and I have confidence in myself.

I wasn’t thinking when I was being told to act more like a girly girl, but now that I’ve toyed with the topic, I’d like to say no thanks.  Not all girls dress like they are ready for the runway, and that is perfectly okay if one does.  But, I, on the other hand, am content with how I dress, how I act, and how I look; it is what makes me special and attractive.  I like to think I’m a breath of fresh air from perfumes, mascara, hair spray, and Hollister scented clothing.  I am comfortable in my skin, and in girl world that is pretty hard to come by.  The way I dress and present myself speaks to my character: I appreciate the simple, little things in life, I am laid back, I am not looking for people to impress me, and I do not put up a front.

And for good measure, I’d just like to say, as a girl I prefer men’s oversized hoodies because I think they’re comfortable; I enjoy wearing my soccer shorts and a V-neck even if I am breaking the rules of fashion, and I only learned how to curl my hair last year.

 

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