Distressed Denim
Distressed denim is just one fashion trend that I just can’t love… I hate the fact that I’m basically paying for overpriced jeans with holes already in them. I’ve already proclaimed my love for jeans so God knows, I’m all for spending money on a good pair. However, I would prefer for my denim to be brand-new, free of holes.
Nowadays, I have trouble finding jeans that aren’t at least a tiny bit distressed (i.e. a bit of fading) and I’ve accepted that fact. But just when I thought distressed denim was starting to make it’s way off the runways (oh, you know… 5 years ago), it appears… yet again. And to be perfectly honest, I’m not hating it this time around.
HBZ Street Style - Milan Fashion Week 2013
I think paired with a casual sweatshirt or v-neck tee, boyfriend-style distressed denim can work. I may even be considering a cropped, boyfriend-fit for summer.However, pair some tight ripped jeans with a Hollister tee, and I’ve lost all respect for you. Unless you’re 13 years old, then I forgive you.
Below I’ve paired some Gap destroyed denim with a plain white v-neck, an over sized MK watch, and a casual pair of Toms for a boyfriend-chic summer look. What do you guys think of distressed denim… yay or nay?
Wedding Guest Attire 101
Wedding season is approaching and I don’t know about you guys, but I stress majorly over what to wear to weddings. Finding the perfect dress that’s wedding-appropriate, the right color, and just the right amount of “fancy” is nearly impossible. You want to look cute, you have to be able to transition the dress from the ceremony to the reception, you have to be able to walk (and dance) comfortably… and you have to be conscientious of the weather.
I chose to dress up an otherwise formal navy dress with some cute yellow and gold accessories. When choosing a strapless or sleeveless dress, you might have to worry about covering up for the ceremony, but with short-sleeves or 3/4 sleeve, no sweater necessary!
Weddings are meant to be fun so while your outfit should reflect that, you should also be mindful of tradition. What do you recommend wearing to a spring wedding?
LUSH Product Review
It’s no secret that I love Lush. They actively fight animal testing, promote ethical buying, and donate to charities regularly, and their fresh, handmade products are to die for. I’m always willing to spend an extra few dollars to know that I’m getting a great, fresh, ethical product and I know that everytime I walk into the store, I need to prepare my bank account beforehand… I can’t resist trying out a new product and their salespeople are very, very good at their job.
I’ve established quite a collection of Lush products, some of which I like more than others so I figured I’d do a Lush product review…
Dressing for a Successful Interview
I’ve spoken about dressing for an interview previously, but with spring approaching (graduation season), I thought it’d be helpful to touch upon this again. I’ve always had problems figuring out exactly what to wear for an interview. Is the workplace casual? High-end? Will I look overdressed? Underdressed?
When it comes to dressing for an interview, I’ve found that it’s always best to feel overdressed than underdressed. I’ve also found it’s important to be comfortable in what you’re wearing… the few times when I’ve interviewed in New York and came home with a billion blisters from my heels have definitely taught me that lesson! You want to be concentrating on nailing your interview, not tugging at your skirt or fidgeting with your collar.
I’m a strong believer in the conservative ‘classics’ – a black knee length pencil skirt, a button-up oxford, low, close-toed heels, minimal jewelry, and sheer tights – you really can’t go wrong! I also believe in big bags… the bigger the better. This especially goes for interviews so you can keep your important papers, such as your portfolio and copies of your resume, as well as room for a notebook to take notes.
Do you agree or disagree with my conservative interview look? What would you recommend when dressing for an interview?
The Perfect Weekend Bag
With spring and summer approaching, I’ll (hopefully!) be making some more trips to the shore and other fun weekend getaways with friends and family. I recently bought a couple of basic tees from Everlane and while browsing, I found a great weekend bag… sweet and simple. This got me started on my search for the perfect weekend bag… now I don’t know which one to decide on!
Quick trips always seem to be the hardest to pack for. You can’t really justify bringing a large bag. And, no matter how many days you’re gone for, there’s always a “fixed” amount of things you need. (As in, even if you’re spending a week away or just one night, you’ll need all your toiletries and pajamas and at least two outfits… right?) I’ve already gone through some of my typical overnight essentials.
Finding the right bag is key. I’m the kind of person who needs restrictive space, because otherwise I completely overpack.
Do you have a go-to weekender bag? What are your necessities?
Friday Favorites: Things That Make Me Happy
http://saturday.com/
It’s finally Friday and this week has been a bit crazier than usual. I recently got over a bad cold and after a hectic week with work and errands, I’m ready to kick back and relax this weekend… tonight, I can guarantee you I’ll be rocking sweats and a tee shirt in bed while watching Say Yes to the Dress re-runs… don’t judge me.
In attempt to get to know my readers better, I thought I’d ask a few questions where you name some of your favorites. Reply below in the comment section!
1. What are you currently reading? What book would you deem your “all-time favorite”?
2. What your favorite clothing item in your closet right now?
3. If you could have anything in the world to eat for dinner tonight, what would it be?
4. What is your favorite season?
Without further ado, here are some of my Friday Favorites and things that make me happy under the cut:
Greek Yogurt for Breakfast
I’ve recently gone Greek and I’m not talking about a college sorority.
Lately, I’ve been loving Greek yogurt… it’s my breakfast almost every day. Greek yogurt has substantially more protein than standard American yogurt as well as reduced sugar. The more protein, the better – additional protein can help you to feel fuller and more satisfied – big bonus. Greek yogurt is also chock-full of essential healthy bacteria that can aid in keeping our digestive system healthy.
Aside from the various health benefits, I love how filling it is and seriously, it tastes good with just about anything. I’ve been getting more creative lately and this morning I decided to try out some plain Greek yogurt, honey, and banana… AMAZING!
What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy Greek yogurt?
What to Eat Before and After a Workout
As I’m trying to get fit in time for the spring and summer seasons, I’ve been working out more often (goodbye February Fab Ab challenge, hello March!) and have been making some minor adjustments to my routine along the way. One thing I definitely need to change is what I eat before and after a workout. I realize that nutrition and exercise go hand in hand and if I expect to see results, I have to eat like it and apparently coffee isn’t considered a good pre-workout meal (who knew)? According to Livestrong, it’s important to try to drink two to three cups of water a few hours before you workout and remember to bring your water bottle with you. Hydrate throughout the day to replace all the H20 you lost while sweating it out.
Pre-Workout Food
A mixture of carbs (yes, carbs are necessary) and some protein is what you should be aiming for in any pre-workout food, regardless of the time of day. Fruit and yogurt are ideal to eat before the gym at any time, particularly for breakfast. If you are heading to the gym in the middle of the day or toward the evening, some lean chicken and a salad or veggies work well to provide enough fuel for your workout. Even a few bites of oatmeal or a banana is better than nothing!
Post-Workout Food
According to personal trainer, Jarret Del Bene, you should eat within 30 minutes after your workout so your body doesn’t start burning muscle. I personally never feel hungry right after a workout but I definitely plan on starting to make a habit of grabbing some protein such as a handful of almonds or a small protein shake – enough to hold me over until my next meal. Almost any small snack will do to prevent overeating later on because you suddenly realize you’re starving.
What foods do you recommend for before and after a workout?
A Wall O’ Paper
So I kind of left you guys hanging last time I mentioned decorating my home office… mainly because I’ve yet to do anything with it! These past few weekends have been absolutely insane but now that spring is approaching, I have more energy to start fixing up the office. So far, I’ve only looked at some flooring options, as well as a few paint swatches and I’m still contemplating how I would like to set it up. I definitely want to hang up an inspiration board above my desk and I’ve been seeing more and more wallpaper on Pinterest… specifically, one wall of wallpaper.
Sometimes I think wallpaper can be a bit overwhelming but by covering just one wall, you can really make a space interesting without going overboard. I’m really into the geometric patterns and think that when used scarcely as an accent or feature wall, can do a lot for a room.
Modcloth has some great temporary wallpaper designs, which is perfect if you’re renting and are looking to spruce up your plain white walls. Other options to get a wallpapered look without the hassle of wallpaper is by stenciling and using paint to achieve the look. This is easier with geometric designs like chevron but if you invest in a good stencil, you can even go for a floral design.
What do you think of using wallpaper to spruce up your living space?
5 Reasons Why We Love Anne Hathaway
The Oscar’s last night were a blast to watch… and I typically hate award shows. From Jennifer Lawrence’s stunning white dress to Amanda Seyfried’s red bombshell-of-a-dress, the stars were dressed to perfection. One actress who really stood out to me that night, however, was Anne Hathaway and it was more than just her Prada gown. Ever since her “debut” as awkward princess-to-be, Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries, it seems like every female in America had fallen for the oh-so-relatable Anne Hathaway… and her stunning performance as Fantine in Les Miserables pretty much sealed the deal.
Here are just a few reasons why we love this gifted actress:
1. Anne makes being awkward royal. Every girl can relate to this first real-life Disney princess in The Princess Diaries through the trips, falls, and foot-popping. She has shown many young girls that you don’t have to be the prettiest or most popular to be a royal success.
2. Anne works with the best in Hollywood. From Meryl Steep to Julie Andrews, to Hugh Jackman, and Jake Gyllenhaal… Anne has worked with the best in business and it’s not surprise why. Even next to these legends, Anne is able to hold her own in every scene.
3. Anne can sing. As you might have caught on, Anne can really sing! Just when we thought her acting skills were unsurpassable, we heard her sing in Les Mis and fell even more in love with the multi-talented actress.
4. Anne has style. Even with her short pixie cut, Anne definitely knows how to rock it. She has a great fashion sense (regardless of her occasional wardrobe malfunctions).
5. Anne is bold. Aside from her fierce performance as Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, Anne is just as bold in real life. She sacrified her long locks for Les Miserables and lost a significant amount of weight for the role… if that doesn’t show dedication and passion, I don’t know what does!
These are just a few reasons that make Anne Hathaway a fantastic role model for all ages and she just keeps giving us more and more reasons to love her. As a beautiful actress, wife, and person, she absolutely deserved the Oscar as ‘Best Supporting Actress’ this year and is living proof that dreams come true.
