Styling: Mixed Florals

Believe me, it's possible! You CAN wear two different floral patterns in one outfit, you just need to know how to do it right. Here's the trick.

1. Make sure both patterns are either small or large. One small pattern and one large pattern will be too dramatic and cluttered. 

2. Break it up. Layer with 2 other solids to break up the floral patterns and create a flowing contrast. No one piece of this outfit should stick out. 

3. Keep the shoes low key. Shoes should also be a solid color, again, you want flow. 

Once you've established the outfit, add a simple necklace and you're ready to go!! 

Health: Let's Talk Vitamins!

It's about dang time we talk about vitamins! Many people take them, not everyone needs them. There is skepticism in the health industry that every individual needs to take a daily multivitamin. What I have learned from this is 1. Good multivitamins are generally quite expensive 2. They don't make those awesome gummy vitamins for adults and 3. If I take a multivitamin, I'm getting about three times the amount of specific nutrients than I actually need. So do some research and save some green!

Levels of vitamins and nutrients differ among every individual. Each person does not need to sustain the set level that you see on food labels-- much like how not everyone needs a full 2000 calorie diet. The most important thing you need to do is track what nutrients you get the least of and make up for it. The best way to absorb vitamins is through food, not a pill. Change your diet to include what you are lacking. If this is for some reason impossible, then taking vitamins is your back up plan.

If you DO need to take vitamins, I would suggest figuring out exactly what you are lacking and take only that. Sustaining high levels of other vitamins is useless to your body because you will just pee it out, and in some cases, too much of one nutrient can be harmful. Pay attention to how your body reacts to vitamins and food. Track what you eat and track your energy levels. This is the best way to figure out what your body needs.

I take B-Complex, for energy metabolism (I don't process food very well or get much energy from it) Iron, for proper erythrocyte function (when I'm at home, my parents are weekday vegetarians, at school I only eat chicken and fish- hence little iron) and St. John's Wort (this is an herbal supplement, not a vitamin)

 The latter is literally a happy pill. It was used early in the 1900's as a treatment for depression (which proved effective) but when the FDA was formed, they decided to not extensively research it. Now the label says 'Promotes a Positive Mood'-- and it really does. It is believed to inhibit the reuptake of seratonin, (to biology and psychology savvy people, it acts like an SSRI) therefore increasing the levels of seratonin in the synaptic cleft, allowing more to be absorbed by the postsynaptic neuron. Long story short, it doesn't increase levels of seratonin, it just increases availability and seratonin = emotionally, environmentally conscious and happy. Life is SO much easier when you're in a positive mood, so if you are chronically effected by your own negativity, I recommend this supplement.

Odd Places for Style: College Football Games

The Cougs played on Saturday (WE WON!!) and while at the game I observed something strange; a large number of girls wearing dresses. Ok, so I understand it's really hot outside and those tiny-weeny dresses keep you cool, but it's a football game, not really an event in which you dress to impress. Generally, the Typical Girl of WSU (that will be their name from now on) will dawn perfectly straightened hair, possibly some glitter makeup, a temporary cougar tattoo on their cheek and a cougar t-shirt that they have managed to make as slutty as possible without exposing vital parts, but now they are wearing these miniature dresses made from oversized t-shirts. 

Now, in an attempt to maintain the integrity of my blog's purpose (to offer positive and individualistic styling advice) I give the Typical Girl of WSU props for being really freaking creative with a pair of scissors, and for sacrificing the vitality of their cheek skin by sticking a tattoo on it. However, to stick with the same theme here's my advice: dress as an individual!! And while we're at it- dress properly for the event!! 

Something for the rest of us

As much as I would LOVE to say that no one should care about what others think of them, a huge purpose to having style is to create an impression on people (the most important purpose is to feel good about yourself) College life is so much easier when people don't think you're a hussy, so please girls, dress for the reputation you actually want. 

GO COUGS!! 

DIY: Drab t-shirt to Dazzling Tank

I am in a Walmart refashioning phase. I really should be studying for my quiz tomorrow, but I figured I could do some review later. If you need some time away from work for a while, try this fun project!!

Take any t-shirt you barely wear or buy a cheap one at Walmart. 

Cut off the sleeves, 1 inch away from the armhole seems. You want the armhole to be decently wide because you will be tying it in the back. 

Now, cut a deep neck, cut both the front and back layers at the same time. 

Next, cut the back even deeper than the front, this is to reduce any pilling at the front and by the arms. 

Last, put the shirt on and tie it in back with ribbon. I find it easiest to tie when it is on to ensure you tie it in the right place. If you desire, cut the bottom of the shirt in a curved fashion to make it cropped with small points on either side, this makes it great for layering over other tanks!! 

Try this with all of your old t-shirts!! 

DIY: Off-the-Shoulder Sweatshirt

It's been forever again, I'm so sorry! School/Crew started last week and I'm just trying to focus and get into the swing of things. Taking some time to get organized NOW will hopefully prevent mental breakdowns LATER.

keep your fingers crossed

As a way to keep my creative juices flowing while living in the small town of Pullman, Washington (look it up, I promise it won't be exciting) and wearing shorts, t-shirts and running shoes every day at practice, I've decided to take the 'Best of Pullman' and find a way to make it stylish. Some of you may know where this is going...those of you that don't, beware. The 'Best of Pullman' is our Super Walmart. Yes, Walmart. It opened last year and was the most exciting thing WSU students had seen since we won the Apple Cup back in 2008. 

I know what you're thinking: Brittany, how COULD you? You're supposed to be delivering us quality fashion advice in a positive, individualistic way! My rebuttal? I'M TRYING. Try living in Pullman, our poor excuse for a mall is 8 miles away in Idaho (of all places), and it has maybe 2 good stores, and a Macy's (ew) The closest Nordstrom is over 90 miles away. In this dire circumstance, I'm resorting to desperate measures. This DIY is a great bargain and is also highly versatile. 

First, acquire a Hanes crewneck sweatshirt from Walmart, they are $5 or less and come in a bunch of different colors. I used a size Large, and would normally wear a Small. Measure 1 inch from the neck stitching on either side and cut. When you get to the bottom of the curve, hug the seam, you don't want to cut too deep.

Next, cut small slits in the waist band. Make sure you are only cutting the slits on one side of the band, these will serve as belts loops. Space the slits as you so desire, I did 2 slits about 2 inches apart then left a 3 inch space. Cut these around the whole band. 

Last, slip a satiny ribbon through the slits, scrunch the band a little bit, and tie into a bow! 

Wear it with leggings, wear it with jeans, wear it with shorts on a warm, breezy day!! 

There you have it, a cute sweatshirt restyled from a Walmart sweatshirt! 

Nature Nurture Heaven and Home

World, I'm sorry if I'll never meet your ideals, but I meet mine and honestly, that's all I really care about.

Find your Personal Style 

 Take your favorite tank top, favorite skirt, tights and boots and pair them together. Chances are, it'll look great, if it doesn't at first, tweak it a bit till it does work and accessorize accordingly. This outfit should make you feel really great about yourself.

photo by LRK Studios

Listen to music that makes you think "wow, these are my brain waves in musical form". If it's music that is truly meaningful to you, creativity will flow and you'll easily create something that is purely you.

I listen to A Perfect Circle and Puscifer <3

Spend some quality time with people you love. 

Title from Puscifer 'The Humbling River' 

Rockin' the Leather Skinnys

I am calling it right now-- LEATHER PANTS will be a huge hit for Fall/Winter 

If I end up being wrong then I will happily eat my words. 

That being said, here's what's new with leather pants: They're skinnier, more flattering, in some cases cheaper, less constricting, and they go with everything!! Can you tell why I'm excited?? 

photo from styleinspired

These things are versatile, I'll say it again VERSATILE. Wear them with anything, sweaters, tshirts, layered tank tops, bright colors, dark colors, FAUX FUR, boots, sandals, flats, but please no running shoes or converse or anything similar

Jumping for joy in my leather pants!

They add an edgier look to any outfit and let's face it, we all need more adventure in our lives. 

<3