Shop Small Saturday, Support Local Businesses

Odd for me to have a moment on the weekend to post between work, getting school work done, and of course going out with friends. However, today I wanted to make a very special post to promote local businesses.

Shop Small Businesses Saturday started in 2010 to help promote buying local and supporting your local economy against Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The millions of dollars Americans spend during this weekend is astronomical, all to prepare for the holiday season in December. I believe this holiday is an amazing idea to promote the small businesses that make up 40% of the American retail sales.

I believe in promoting your local shops and boutiques because it helps build a stronger community. When you can come together as a community and support one and other through business it helps create a bond that is hard to break. Growing up in State College, Pennsylvania also known as Happy Valley we live in a very unique bubble of a community. Happy Valley got its name because during the Great Depression because our economy sustained itself compared to the rest of the country. Today after going through the drama of the Penn State scandal our town is still proud to stand together and support our university and community. No matter where you live it's important to believe in the community and to show your pride through support.

As a retail worker myself I love going into local shops and feeling the difference in the comfort of your shopping experience compared to chain stores. One of my favorite stores downtown is Connections, located on South Allen Street. They carry some of the most adorable and well priced dresses, tops, and accessories I can find around Central PA. From tribal print maxi's to Free People, Guess jeans and much more!

A favorite shoe store is called Barefoot and is on College Avenue located right next to a delicious local bagel shop called Irvings. Barefoot carries brands from Jeffery Campbell, Steve Madden, Frye, Ugg, Converse, Vans, Havianas, Rocket Dog, Hunters, to Sperry's. It's a quaint store with a large shoe variety and they carry mens shoes as well!

I love rings, they're probably my favorite piece of jewelry to wear on a daily basis. Surprisingly I get some of my favorite rings from a Western & English Saddle and Tack shop down in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania called Saddles Etc.

Before I worry about what I'm going to be wearing that day I worry about taking care of my skin and hair first. I prefer to use organic products because I have fairly sensitive skin and I don't like perfumed lotions. I get some of my favorite products from Turtle Moon Garden, a locally owned business that sells all natural lotions, perfumes, and essential oils. They sell their products directly from the website and at Contempo Artisans Boutique in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.

How To Rock Concert Attire

Next to fashion I have to say music is my second favorite passion. I enjoy all genres of music and absolutely love attending concerts. Whether its a small local event like Movin' On or a DJ at Levels to big festivals like Bonnaroo I just can't get enough of these experiences. It's awesome to come together with a group of people who share this same kind of love to support the artists as I do.Of course half the fun to going to these shows are getting dressed for them!

I was supposed to be going to a Life In Color concert tonight up at Tussey Mountain that got canceled. But with how cold it already is here I'm kind of glad it did AND I still get to see the headliner Fedde Le Grand thanks to a local nightclub Levels. Fedde is one of the top DJ's in Holland and has started exploring the globe to share his fantastic talent. I am beyond excited to go see this show & hopefully meet him!!

Tonight I am wear tribal print leggings I scored from TJ Maxx. Then I couldn't resist but to wear the Ain't No Wifey tank from Dimepiece with an urban renewal bandeau and my pink & pepper boots to pull it all together. 

Free People Me

I've been inspired by this company ever since I got my first blouse from them for Christmas in tenth grade. Now almost four years later my fashion sense has grown and matured but this brand is still ever present in my top selections of pieces I desire. Free People has evolved into a contemporary modern brand for young woman to be able to have a unique shopping experience while walking out feeling confident with their purchase. After reading their story on the website I found this description of the target market they are trying to reach one of the best I've ever read," a 26-year-old girl, smart, creative, confident and comfortable in all aspects of her being, free and adventurous, sweet to tough to tomboy to romantic. A girl who likes to keep busy and push life to its limits, with traveling and hanging out and everything in between. Who loves Donovan as much as she loves The Dears, and can't resist petting any dog that passes her by on the street.". This description truly gives you an idea of what exactly this brand is trying to achieve.

In the last year with the popularity of Instagram Free People has launched the #fpme campaign to get their followers to show off how they style their favorite pieces. You link these pictures to your account on FreePeople.com and connect with other people to get ideas for styling and to heart their looks. Free People even re-Instagram's some of their favorite looks that are included with the hashtag. This whole month they're also running a contest called FP Off The Runway Sweeps if you title your FPMe picture with this title you could win a $500 Free People wardrobe. It's an awesome way to get connected with others who share your passion for the Free People spirit.

I've decided to finally post my first FPMe style pic today with some of my favorite fall items I've picked up from Free People. After seeing this jacket for the first time in the July catalog issue I knew I had to have it. I was looking for a similar jacket last winter but didn't find one that suited my fancy. It's beginning to get cold enough in Central Pennsylvania I'm so excited to be able to finally wear it! I found these Free People patterned jeans at a local boutique called Connections in State College. Going from freezing to a mid 60 degree afternoon takes some layers. I paired some short boots, a sheer burgundy blouse, and graphic tank from H&M with these Free People pieces to create today's fall look. Also I chose to wear my favorite statement necklace today, a petrified butterfly wing I got in St. Thomas from the butterfly farm. Let me know what you think!

Equinox Enticing

Happy Fall Equinox everyone! I don't enjoy the cold very much but I do love sweater weather, there isn't a more comfortable time of the year. This season has a way of warming people's souls with it's beautiful transformation of colors and excitement of the joyous holidays that will be coming up shortly. This is also a transitional time for everyone's wardrobes.

Living in Central Pennsylvania we are blessed with the challenge of dressing for low 50 degree mornings that lead into 70 degree sizzling afternoons that disappear with the sunset. This makes it extremely difficult to get dressed in the morning (or to find the motivation to get out of bed). My first suggestion is get comfortable with layers, it can be a trendy way to prepare yourself for all weather situations throughout the day. I also keep a back-up outfit in my car, a mixture of something cute but comfy like yogas, a graphic tank and plaid button up.

Today I kept it simple in one of my favorite sweaters, a pair of green Hudsons, my coveted Frye boots, and my new favorite pair of socks. My jewelry accented  my Ogre-the-top-blue nails (from the OPI Shrek collection). Everyone should have a motivational piece of jewelry that makes them feel empowered. Be true to yourself, is a bangle from Ettika that I absolutely adore.

And always remember the best accessory a girl can wear is a smile. 

Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Brown and black is a combination I often found myself debating over whether or not to mix the two and when the mixture looks appropriate. As a girl who usually lives in bright, bold colors and patterns it's difficult for me to piece together an entirely neutral outfit. So today I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone into something a bit more modest.

 I chose one of my favorite fall time dresses, a French Connection lace a-line. I can already tell that this pair of boots is going to be a go-to option for me this season, they're so comfortable and easy to style! I thought the fun textured tights underneath the dress really added some dimension to the look. To pull it all together with some more neutrals but in a fun printed scarf I felt a little more comfortable in this ensemble.

Pinspiration

Most of my outfit inspirations lately have come from Pinterest. If you're not already addicted to this site you must sign up today. Not only is it super helpful for outfit, hair, makeup and body tips but just about anything else you can think of too! Everyone can find a board the become utterly obsessed with. Mine just happens to be titled addicted and of course is dedicated to clothes. 

A favorite fall go to. 

It's been so helpful with styling ideas, it can truly show you how to put something together you never would've thought of. Especially with the new trend of mixing patterns, this has to be done tastefully. It shows you that every girl can be put together and cute without putting a lot of extra effort in. A little layering or that extra piece of jewelry can really pull the entire outfit together. 

A good mixture of patterns! 

Cute and Easy 

Now is the time to start caring, the better you feel about yourself the more it will show. As a young woman getting ready to enter the real world I feel it's very important to start reflecting myself in a way I will look back and be proud of. I've come so far in the last year since graduating from high school I really think my style displays how my maturity has grown with me. However, always stay true to your core values and let that reflect through your style as well. Don't compromise yourself to be the cookie cutter image you think you should be. Instead break that mold and add your own personal flare to your favorite classic looks. 

Little Details Mean The Most

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I know I enjoyed mine and wasn't ready to get back to the daily grind quite yet. Oh well, so that's the way the cookie crumbles and you must make the most of the week to truly reward yourself this coming weekend!

Take time to appreciate the little things in life that don't always catch your eye. How beautiful the sky looks today or how kind it was of that stranger to hold the door open for you this morning. If you make an extra moment to see the beauty in the details you will be able to live a more positive way of life.

This is also true with observing others outfits and when styling your own. When you throw that extra little flare you'll find a bouncier hop in your step throughout the day, just that little something to perk you up. Today I chose to mix some of my favorite patterns and textures to add some detail. The wool sweater vest kept me warm in the chilly PA fall while I could still wear my backless long sleeve dress with some nice brown leather boots. The pop of the bucket studded bag with my long turquoise statement necklace really tie in the feel of the whole outfit.

I want to hear what you guys are doing to spice up your daily lives! Whether it's in your outfit or something kind you did today for someone. 

"Amor la vida que vives"

Don't forget to love the life you live, everyday. 

Bonnaroovian Style

In the last couple years festival fashion is a category that has exploded into the mainstream industry. With Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Camp Bisco and many more in the United States alone this lifestyle has also created its own line of fashion.

This summer I was blessed to have my first festival experience going to Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee. Bonnaroo is like no other place I've ever been to listening to all genres of music from mid-day to the wee morning hours. One place where no one will judge you for how you're acting or what you are wearing. It's four days out of the year you can truly display your uniqueness through what you wear, the people you meet, and the memories you create.

Here are some of the few photos I collected at Bonnaroo this year & some of the outfits I put together.

#1 Rule: Radiate Positivity.

The living spaces 

Suggestion: Pack more than enough H2O and food. 

Basically lived in my Minnetonka Fringe Bootie moccasins. 

Awesome amiga Emily. 

Pack a light sweater for the night time shows, it does cool down. 

One of the only places it's more than acceptable to wear a headdress. 

Gotta rep some DIY projects for the festival attire. 

This t-shirt was from when my brother went to Bonnaroo 10 years before I did. 

It just so happen that this year the dates were exactly the same as they were in 

2003 except the festival is a day longer now. 

Buddha and I at Nas. 

The Free People crop bralette was perfect for the festival. 

Wearing a bathing suit is nice during the hot afternoons to cool off. 

Most of all enjoy the views. 

A Day to Remember

On the eve of this national anniversary of the horrific events of 9/11 everyone has at least taken one moment of silence today to remember those who have served for our country. As I struggled with finding a topic to write about tonight that was relevant on such a grim day I tried to find the light in remembering the amazing loved ones who were lost.

National 9/11 Memorial Site

As someone who also lost their father very young in a traumatic accident I can only imagine how the victims families have healed and have honored their loved ones over the years. On the anniversary of someones death it's a chance to remember all that they brought to your life and the lessons they taught you that will be with you forever. I still wear my dads shirts to bed almost nightly because it just feels comforting to be reminded of them.

When coping from a loved ones death it's important to know that they will always be watching over you. You will forever have the best guardian angel protecting you along your journey.  

A Woman Can Never Have Enough of a Good Thing

Everyone has that one print that they claim as their own. Mine happens to be any kind of tribal/Aztec print, I go crazy for any clothing piece covered in the divine colors and shapes that create these patterns. As any of my friends would be able to tell you my closet may have a bit too much tribal and Aztec print going on, but what woman can ever have enough of her favorite pattern?

When you're wearing your favorite print or pattern you just naturally feel more comfortable which will lead to more confidence. It doesn't matter whether your favorite go to is a bold leopard print pump or a simple plaid button up that you can throw on over almost anything. One of my favorite bangles I wear says, "Be true to yourself", and anytime I'm wearing my favorite print or channeling my inner Native American spirit I feel as though this statement is never more true.

So be true to yourself and never let anyone tell you that you can have too much of a good thing. 

The photos today were taken in my house by my coal stove, please excuse the coal bin. :)