Maybe it IS Magic...

 The Silk Magic Wrap skirt is way cooler than getting two birds with one stone- we're talking many, many birds here. Imagine an article of clothing that is not only reversible, but can also be made into a skirt, a top, or even multiple dresses! I never would have believed it until a friend showed me hers. To get so much from just one article is unheard of. Each individual style looks great on it's own, has dimension, and can be worn two ways since it's reversible.

There are an enormous array of colors and patterns available. You're bound to end up with a one-of-a-kind look no matter how you choose to wear yours. Also, the silk material allows for you to either play it up to be a more elegant and dressy look, while at the same time the very free-flowing styles can be made into a flashy and fun casual look.

I only price checked on eBay and Amazon, but found that they typically range from $25-$35. Personally, I would consider that a steal, especially since you are getting much more than one article of clothing out of the deal. They even have DVDs available that offer a thorough tutorial of how to wear your wrap. It may be worth the small investment since the return means not missing out on a single option from the plethora available with the Magic Silk Wrap.

*Let me know if you find them for cheaper or if you've found anything similar. Thanks!

Sunglasses

I'm a sunshine girl myself and love sunny days more than anything. Though it's important to remember not all sun is good for us, and it can cause a lot of damage if we do not take the necessary precautions. Sunglasses- an excellent example of where function meets fashion. If there's any part of my body I want to try my best to protect, it would definitely be my eyes. I still have a long life to live, and I don't want to pay a high price later on if I can possibly avoid it. The only thing we can do is be careful and hope for the best. Sunglasses protect our eyes and eyesight, and for this reason alone we should all be using them.
Now for the fun part. The potential fashion statements are endless, as the styles and types of sunglasses are seemingly endless. If you are wanting to try a bold new look, sunglasses are the best way to start. Call it a baby step if you will. You can take them on and off with ease- so you don't have to be fully committed to the new look. Yes, you get to have your cake and eat it too!
Another thing to keep in mind is the more we squint, the more wrinkles we can expect by the eyes. Naturally, larger sunglasses give better coverage, so we're in luck! There is actually a practical reason to reach for the big-statement, large-framed fashion sunglasses!

Winter Warmth

I remember back to the snow-covered, winter days back in elementary school. These were the days when I had to be so bundled up in order to walk to school that you could barely find me behind all of the layers. Once safely inside the classroom, it was time to shed them, and the pile of winter clothes was nearly as big as I was!

Now that temperatures are dropping, we'll all be looking for extra layers to try and keep warm; but what we need is higher efficiency and style now that we're all grown up.

These cute crochet ear-warmers are a great way to protect your ears, but at the same time they allow you to wear something that compliments your outfit. The feature I'm particularly excited about, is that this is one additional layer that you don't necessarily need to take off once you're inside. They are not only very practical, but can also function as a wintry headband. You can even find (or make your own if you're just that good)  crochet ear-warmer/headbands with detachable flowers so you can mix and match to your hearts content!

Any other finds like this?

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Rain is lovely, just don't let it get in your way. Everyone is in need of an umbrella at times- depending on where you live this may be quite regularly. The umbrella is a simple staple, and it doesn't take anything extra to do it right. There are both stylish and inexpensive umbrellas all over the place. I got mine on clearance at The Gap. I love it when I have the chance to use it! It doesn't have to be Burberry to look good. (Quick aside: That being said, I sure wouldn't mind one- just in case anyone was wanting to gift one to me.)

Also, while we're on the topic of umbrellas, I wanted to raise a question: what about the parasol? Is this something we could actually use? You really don't see many Americans using them anymore for protection from the sun, though umbrellas for sun protection are commonly used in countries and cultures like Japan, for example. I was just thinking about it, and I'm leaning towards the idea of using one so long as it was under the right circumstances. A cute little parasol, in a style that will coordinate with your outfit, could be really cute...but I just don't know if I could feel natural using one... I think it's a lovely idea... Opinions anyone? Suggestions?

Where do I put my purse?

We've all been in this situation countless times. You go out to eat, sit down at your table and...where do I put my purse?? You don't want to get your purse dirty by setting it on the floor...Hanging it on the back of your chair is, in my opinion, like saying "Rob Me"...You don't want it on the table- totally annoying and crowds everyone...Sooo...do you just keep it on your lap? Hopefully there's an empty seat next to you, right? Well, you're forced to weigh the pros and cons and settle with one of these options. There IS, however, a way around all of these- the Purse Hanger. You'll never have to worry about where to put your purse again. It will hang from the table right there next to you. Your purse will be clean and safe, readily accessible, yet at the same time out of the way- just as it should be. Invest in a little purse hanger and save yourself some hassle. 

Until a friend of mine gave me one, I never knew just how handy they really are. She came back from visiting her family in Hawaii, and brought back a cute little purse hanger for me. It's super compact and when it's all put together it's only about 1.5 inches in diameter and about 3/4 of an inch in width- just a perfectly sized little silver disk with a hula girl on it. This helpful little lady tool can be slipped into every woman's purse as an excellent preparedness item. There are plenty of cute and inexpensive purse hanger options, and my vote is that it's worth adding to the list of purse essentials- right up there with your lip gloss and breath mints.

Coaching for the Brooch

Thanks to a comment from a friend and follower of this blog, I'm going to be focusing on brooches for this post. She was wondering whether or not wearing brooches was still stylish and if so, wanted ideas on how to wear it. Brooches have been around for centuries, and so I would deem it a classic piece and definitely safe to say that it's still stylish for that reason alone. However, wearing a brooch today doesn't have to evoke strictly vintage qualities. There are so many different styles of brooches to choose from, and what's more, there are more ways in which to wear them than ever before.  They truly are a beautiful and versatile accessory.

Here are a few ways to wear the brooch that I've thought of and found: 

• There's of course the classic way of wearing it pinned by the shoulder. To play it safe, my personal recommendation is to where it with a sheath dress (or any other similar style). This is because the cut of the dress (or top) is typically more basic looking and so you have better chances of pulling it off as a nice accent rather than running into the dilemma of your outfit looking too busy. Also, the fabric is generally better at holding its own so you don't end up with the brooch drooping off of you.
• Also a time-old classic, but wearing a brooch on the lapel of a jacket can be stunning. This is a pretty risk-free feminine touch.
• Try pinning a brooch to the loose knot of your scarf. The two have potential to work really well together and can create a pretty focal point- just be careful you don't choose an overwhelming combination.
• If you have a dress with a definite waistline, even a high waist skirt, or perhaps a gathering at the bust of a dress- you can enhance these features with the brooch as well. Also, a bow is just begging for a brooch to sit at its center. With the right dress, adding the brooch can make you look red-carpet-ready for your classy evening out. 

If your brooch just doesn't seem to work on any of your clothes, but is too cute to ignore- no problem!

• Your brooch can be transformed into a pendant for a necklace!
• If you're feeling extra crafty, the brooch can be added to a headband or made into a barrette for your hair!
• It can also be made to fasten to your purse, giving it a decadent little detail. You could try this on either the base of one of your purse's handles, on a pocket etc.

Once again, I've finished writing another post for this blog and feel like I need to go shopping so I can find the perfect brooches to incorporate into my wardrobe. 

Any thoughts on how you like to wear brooches? Any favorite styles? 

Also, if you have anything in particular you'd like me to write a post on, let me know- happy to do it!

Timeless Trench

Fact: the trench coat is an absolute classic fashion piece. 

We've seen classy women wearing them for decades, and I don't see this changing in the decades to come. All you have to do is find yourself a classy trench with a feminine cut and details that speak to you, and then you're all set with a jacket that will continue to work for you and look stunning. Not only has the trench coat withstood the tests of time in the fashion world, but it is still given limelight at even the most recent fashion weeks around the world.

The trenchcoat will keep you warm, dry and totally classy. It's easy to incorporate additional layers if you need the extra warmth. You can also add a little flare by adding accessories to finish your look. A scarf has never looked better than when paired with the right jacket, and you might even consider adding a broach. We'll talk more about the broach next time...

Autumn is in the air and if it hasn't happened yet where you are, temperatures will be cooling off for most of us here in the northern hemisphere. The idea of wearing a classy trenchcoat is sometimes my only comfort when accepting the harsh reality that colder weather is coming. It's hard to complain about the cold when you have a beautiful jacket waiting to be worn.