Top Ten Tips to Finding the Perfect Button Down Shirt

Good evening, all! The Thanksgiving holiday and preparing for finals has definitely bogged me down. Nevertheless, I have intended to blog all weekend long. Also, I promise to do much better as soon as my exams are over. What I want to talk about today is why men and women MUST understand the fit of a button down shirt. Of all items in your wardrobe, the fit of this piece requires some work on your part. When you have a shirt with the proper fit, you WILL use it endlessly. Let me give a little hint hint and say that if you do not own a white button down shirt, now is a good time to get one. White is an extremely basic color and this one shirt you will use time and time again. No excuses, I know that you can find one of these anywhere. Ok, back on track, button down shirts are everywhere and they are used in all types of ways. Believe me, I know that it is sometimes hard to find a shirt like this that looks good on you. It takes patience but it will pay off. People will be stopping you on the street in no time. For me, I have problems with sleeve and body length. The important thing to remember is that there is no reason to get frustrated. If you try on ten of these shirts and only find one, you've succeeded. Now, let's talk about the fit of this shirt for men and women. Below is a list of things that you need to look for in this type of shirt. If you already own one, make sure it is fitting you well. I know these tips sound picky and it is not always possible for every person to find every fit to a tee. However, getting the fit as close as possible to the tips below means that you can use this shirt for several outfits.

Men and Women:

1. The shirt needs to be long enough to tuck in but short enough to wear un-tucked. Basically, you need this shirt to be versatile. Having one shirt that can be worn both ways saves you money. Consider this an investment piece. Literally, I have a white button down that I have owned for six years and I am still wearing it!

2. The shoulder seam of the shirt needs to fit right at the edge of your shoulder. Having a seam too far above your shoulder means that the shirt is too tight on the arm. Also, having it too long means that it is too baggy. Look for the proper fit in the arm. For men, a good arm fit is a big difference when showing off those guns on a first date. For women, a good arm fit means that we have the mobility to put our arm around those muscles. Ha! (Pictures 2, 3,7)

3. The cuff of the shirt should hit right at the bend of the wrist, no more or less if possible. For men, this helps to ensure that the sleeve will not be too long if worn with a dressy jacket and tie. Women's shirts are usually in a variety of lengths. As for those, no real worries here. (Picture 5)

4. Men, make sure that the neck can button. A good way to not get the neck too large or small is to make sure that two fingers fit comfortably in the neck. (Picture 6)

5. For the fit of the chest and shoulders, avoid pulls in the front and back. The buttons should lay flat and when the shoulders are relaxed, the shirt should lay flat there as well. This is one of the most important aspects of the shirt fit. Do not forget about it. Having these areas fit properly will make you feel much more relaxed. (Picture 4)

6. For the fit through the body, pick a shirt that is comfortable around the stomach and hips. By this I mean, do not have the shirt hanging off of you. This will make you look fat. Additionally, do not pick a shirt that does not meet at the ends when you button it all the way down. Moreover, a man's button down will have a straight fit so be searching for the one that looks best on you. For women, the same rules follow but when it comes to the fit of the stomach and hips, most button downs will include curved seams. These are PURPOSELY meant to emphasize your waist. (See picture 1 above-sorry its kinda hard to see the curved seams but look to the right and left of the buttons and you get the gist)

7. When wearing the shirt, unless with the tie guys, never button the top two buttons. Ok, I know unbuttoning the second button down on the shirt is just a personal preference. I think it just looks more relaxed and not so stuffy.

8. Men: I LOVE UNDERSHIRTS!!! A good ole' Hanes five pack is CALLING YOUR NAME!

9. Women: Because we can use this shirt in a TON of ways, neutral colors and/or neutral prints are a great option. Picking these types of basic colors ensures that you can get the most for your money. Even still, if you have a print you love that is bold, go ahead and get it-just remember that other neutral accessory items need to go with it.

10. Remember that tailoring is always an option. I sound like Stacey and Clinton on WNTW. Most dry-cleaners will do this for just a few dollars. If you still cannot find a well-fitted button down after trying these tips, you might have to resort to tailoring. Find a shirt that fits the largest part of your upper body comfortably and then fix the areas that need adjustment.

As for outfits that can be worn with the classic button down, try belts, cardigans, sweaters, and jackets as the accessories to complete your outfit. Hopefully a later post can be all the things you can do with one button down. Sounds like a fun post to me.

Love to all!

How To Look Better Than The Thanksgiving Turkey

Picture of me is to show that daily, I try my best to live by the tips I am sharing with you!
Hello to all! After what has been quite the stressful day, posting at the moment is allowing for a little "me time." Well, we've all got a wonderful holiday approaching less than forty-eight hours away. I am truly thankful this holiday season. I have so many blessings I cannot begin to name them all. I hope all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving. Remember to soak up every moment of this wonderful holiday. And, let me add my thanks for all of you readers out there! I am so encouraged by your following.

Maybe some of you already have that special outfit planned for this holiday and maybe some of you haven't even given it a second thought. Lets face it, in between cookin' that turkey, choppin' that celery, and watching football all day, you sometimes don't give a care about your looks. STOP! Just think of the billions of pictures that will be taken of you and, gasp, what's more, they might end up on Facebook! Wouldn't it be grand to have the perfect outfit for those numerous pictures that will be taken? You will feel SO much better if you put some time into your looks especially on the holidays and you won't want to untag yourself. Who knows, there might be a potential profile picture out there somewhere! :) Here are some quick ideas to look snazzy for your Auntie's house and while MawMaw is a snappin' that Polaroid, you'll feel totally at ease.

These tips go for our handsome guys and our gorgeous ladies both!!!!!!!!!

1. Dress in layers-If you are visiting multiple houses throughout the day, be prepared for different temperatures inside the house. I am EXTREMELY hot natured and I cannot stand to feel smothered in a hot sweater when I am inside cooking. JUST THINK AHEAD!

2. Try some dark denim-Nothing dresses up an ordinary look like a nice pair of dark wash jeans. I literally am obsessed with them. You cannot go wrong with a good pair of these and they will last and last. Good places to pick up a pair are TJ Maxx, Gap (my fave), and if you're in for a more pricey brand, try Joe's or Blue Cult (usually available on Clearance at Anthropologie or at many specialty boutiques)

3. Pick a simple shirt and wear a scarf-I like to wear a lightweight cotton shirt such as a v-neck (Hane's mens five pack at Wal-Mart) or a button down with a scarf on top. Scarves are an easy accessory that can be taken on and off quickly. If it bothers you when your cooking, just slip it on for a picture. Then you're look will be remembered as smashing! This makes the outfit look classic and you won't feel as toasty as those freshly baked yeast rolls.

4. Wear your hair simply-I think that ponytails with scarfs are so simply gorgeous. Also, you could try a half-back to avoid having hair all in your face. Just be whimsical.

5. Remember the jewelry-Don't pick your largest accessories if you're going to be using your hands. You always need to wear some jewelry to pull your outfit together. Remember, nobody wants a large cocktail ring as the garnish on their potato salad. :)

6. Men, sweet men, get in there and help your hot mama in the kitchen! I promise she will forever remember your sous chef skills and you might only miss one first down play.

7. Guys, don't forget to shave and I mean it. You know that all your female relatives will think you are so clean cut and a perk is looking totally fresh in all those pictures! This means you too sweet Billy!

8. This would be a perfect time to refresh yourself with the post on belts. What better day to try a new look?

9. Ladies-If you are just dying to wear that perfect sweater, choose a lighter option for your bottom half such as a skirt with some colored tights.

10. Remember to smile and enjoy the day!

Love to all!

The GORGEOUS Homes of Williamsburg, Virginia

Oh my word, this place is even more gorgeous than I remember. Perhaps I am in love because I have my sweetie by my side and it is the first time we've been on a trip alone together. Also, the leaves are FABULOUS! We have had THE BEST time visiting this place. As previously mentioned, I try to always take pictures or chronicle ideas for a future home. I've taken pictures of homes nonstop here. Truly, I am in love with the architecture. I am drooling over the possibilities for our future home sweet home! I know this post is short but I am soaking every moment of vacation in while I can. Here are some of my favorites! ENJOY and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Love to all!

Neutral Speak for Men and Women

Hello, again! Man, this blogging thing is really getting addicting. I am loving every minute of it. I just wanted to take a few minutes and talk about the power of neutral clothing items. Neutrals are a MUST in a complete wardrobe. They function as your go to items basically, the staples that make your outfit fabulous. I know, I'm being so cheesy. There are two separate categories of neutrals I want to discuss: neutrals and semi-neutrals. It is important to distinguish between these groups of colors because it can help you mix multiple combinations in your wardrobe. With this type of color palette as a base, you literally have endless possibilities. This post might seem simple to some of you. However, for those of you that have asked me to work on a color palette post, keeping these shades in mind is extremely helpful. The next time you go shopping, think about adding the colors that you do not have. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely not afraid of a bold color or print. What I want you to think about is how much these items can really mean to a stylish look. They help you wear more bold items. The pictures I'm posting are to show you possible combinations that you don't have to be afraid to try. I have to admit, when I'm out shopping, I see many people commit fashion feaupaxs because they are confusing these two categories. Often, I see men and women put together boring outfits by combining two neutrals with no other colors or prints. At that moment, what I really am craving to do is help them out. I just want to say, "Help me help you!" Its like seeing a little old lady trying to get something down from the top shelf in the grocery store; I'm going to be the one to help her get that last box of Jiffy pie crust mix.

Here are just a few examples so you get the gist:

Neutrals: These are technically standard colors that cannot be mistaken for more complex shades
White
Blacks
Browns
Greys
Navy
Kakhi/Cream/Tan-I consider these neutrals of their own-since you can combine them with anything

Semi-Neutrals: Colors that aren't your everyday black business suit shades but are neutral enough that they can be paired with another color
Army Green
Wine

Dark Purple

Deep Turquoise
(yes, I'm in the mood for fall shades)

P.S. There are neutral and semi-neutral prints as shown in some of the pictures. These patterns are muted and allow for more bold color options when making outfits. It is also important that I clarify that when looking at prints such as these, it is not a good option to combine two prints together (pretty obvious)

Ok, lets look at options. *Technically, you can pair any NEUTRAL with any SEMI-NEUTRAL. All of these colors work together. *

And sorry guys I don't have any guy outfits at the moment, Billy is doing all his laundry here. Anyway, just follow the color schemes and you boys can figure it out!

Photo 1:

I have paired ONE neutral print (grey with black and brown stripes etc) with a bold coral blazer

Photo 2:

An example of a neutral dress- ALL three neutrals in ONE dress

Photo 3:

An example of a neutral print-TWO neutrals together

Phoyo 4:

Examples of polka dot neutral print-TWO neutrals in ONE print

Photo 5:

A pair of cream winter wool pants with a dark purple top and a deep turquoise cardigan-ONE neutral and TWO semi-neutrals

Photo 6:

I have paired a pair of navy blue dress pants with a cream shirt and a turquoise sweater. I have used ONE neutral, ONE semi-neutral, and then a bold color.

If you will notice, I am making a complete outfit by having one item be the focal point no matter what color it is. This makes your look effortless and classic. I am using the endless possibilities of these neutrals to make several outfits that work all sorts of ways. When you have a few minutes, explore your closet and find the neutrals that you have. I would suggest organizing and separating your neutrals from the other bold pieces of your wardrobe. This way, you have your go to staple colors and you can mix and match from there.

Love to all!

Wrapping for Pennies

Hello, all! Lately, I've noticed a trend in gift wrapping. It seems that many stores are leaning to using the "recycled look" to give gift wrap a new face. For example, Target's brand of gift wrap has a lot of brown craft paper involved in their products. Well, I wanted to come up with a few ideas to show you how you can get a polished look when you've wrapped a present and spent just pennies. Again, I'll throw out one of my mottoes, "Shop the clearance rack!" Also, remember the items that you have at your home. Just look around for the materials you already have on hand. I know some people might be thrown off by having a shopping logo on the reverse side of the wrapping paper. But think about it, what do we do as soon as someone opens the gift? You guessed it, make a huge pile of paper and throw it away. So, that does not really bother me. I like the organic look! Save your shopping bags. You can reuse them for so many things i.e. trying my idea! :) Personally, my main concern is presenting a gift that looks like I put some effort into it. I love shopping for others and putting time into their gift. These are two presents I've given to friends recently for a bachelorette shower and a birthday party. Below is a list of how to and how much I spent.

Materials:

1.Paper shopping bag (or cheap brown craft paper if you don't save your shopping bags-which you will after reading this I am sure)

2. Piece of scrapbook paper (I bought a big block of paper on sale at Hobby Lobby)-any size is fine but my block was 12 by 12

3.Ribbon or raffia (buying neutral colors means you have more options to use with your scrapbook paper)

4.Tape and scissors (Often just as essential in your home as good ole' s & p) :)

Directions:

1. Cut down the length of the bag and make the bag flat just like a sheet of wrapping paper

2. depending on box size-cut paper to your needs

3. with design side facing the present-wrap the box just as you normally do

4. Take scrapbook paper and fold flush to sides of top of box (you could also fold a piece of colored tissue paper if you do not have scrapbook paper)

5. use two small pieces of tape to secure paper to box

6. take piece of ribbon and wrap underneath present tying a loop on top-this might take a few tries to make sure that the ribbon can wrap around to the back of the gift

7. Secure ribbon to back of gift with tape

8. Cut small pieces of ribbon and tie on top of knot on front of present

9. if you want, fold small end of ribbon in half and cut downwards to make a V on the end of the ribbon

Also, I used an Anthropologie bag to make the present with the red and cream colors. I asked them for a gift box (which was already brown) and then followed the directions above. I just cut a strips for the cream paper shown and the rest of the bag I trimmed down to use at Christmas) Also, instead of throwing away the red string handles, I pulled the cardboard piece out of them and used them as a tassel tie on the top. I did the math on how much I spent on all of these products and how much I used. Basically, because I bought everything on sale except for the scissors and tape I already had, I wrapped this gift for less than 50 cents. No complaints here and I've saved myself at least $4.00 from buying wrapping supplies at Target every time I need to give a gift.

Sorry my pictures are somewhat askew. I am new to this and still working on my layout! Just follow the directions and I believe you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

Enjoy!

Saving Your Ideas for Home Design

Magazine Examples: Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Living

Book $10 Barnes and Noble

Materials:

Any type of blank notebook

double sided tape

images from magazines, newspapers, etc.

Ok, I know that all of us get stressed when we are busy. But, honestly, when you think about it, when do you really make time to do something you LOVE everyday? Now I'm not talking about watching television. I mean, how often do you sit down and really focus on something that inspires you? My guess is not that often because I myself get easily distracted.

Well, here is an idea that you can use to calm yourself down. Long ago, I bought a sketch book (ones made for compiled drawing-found at thrift stores, book stores, target etc.) and my purpose for it was to arrange any type of item that caught my eye for the future design of my home. Now, you could use a book like this for any type of jumbled ideas. In mine, I have mostly home things but also some recipes and wedding ideas. Don't limit yourself! I just want you to think ahead and feel inspired! This will take minimal amounts of time and it is easily addicting. You won't believe how relaxed you feel when you catalog something you love. Remember, in the time you take to watch a thirty minute television show, you could've put together 8-10 pages Attached are some pictures of my book. There are paint schemes, house designs, and organizational ideas. I hope you enjoy!

Belt it Up!

Oh man, what the power of a belt can do for you. Several people comment that I wear belts all the time in all kinds of ways. What can I say? I just cannot help myself. Great belts are everywhere! And sometimes, the best ones are found when digging through your closet! Many of you might know that I am a hard core follower of What Not to Wear. Well, as Stacey and Clinton would say, "A belt worn the right way accentuates the best part of you." I just love wearing belts around my waist. They pull so many outfits together! You can use belts with cocktail clothing items and simple cotton tshirts. There are endless possibilities. Please, if you are going to buy yourself any kind of staple for your wardrobe this year, make it a belt. It can do so many things in so many ways. Here are a few examples of what I have done with ONE belt that I got from the clearance rack at Anthropologie. Go forth and belt up your bod!

On Outfits:

All three of these are outfits I have worn before. I bought every item in these photos on clearance. Shop the clearance racks! For a little bit of digging, you can find so many neat things. Sorry I didn't just try them on for you and have someone else take a picture. I will describe them below.

Outfit 1: Kakhi skirt, solid cotton shirt, belt around top of skirt

This outfit would be great with tights and boots or flats. Simply tuck the shirt into the skirt and place the belt on top.

Outfit 2: Cream silk top, navy dress pants, belt around highest part of waist

This is a great outfit for work or a dressy school activity-pair with brown flats

Outfit 3: Little black dress and belt around waist

Yes, I admit it, over time I have changed my ways about pairing black and brown together. The color combination has really grown on me. I love this for dressy occasions. I wore it with brown boots and dark purple tights.

I don't want you to think that if you have nothing similar to these outfits that you cannot make it work. It is fine to use a belt of almost any kind with almost any outfit. Just EXPERIMENT!! TJ Maxx and Target are great to find belts on a budget. Also, if you do have a lot of belts but not all will fit around your waist, do yourself a favor and get a leather hole puncher. I got mine at Lowe's for just a few dollars and it was totally worth it. I have punched holes in belts for friends as well as transformed all of my belts to different sizes. Above is a picture of that so you know what to look for. Some of you might have one of these around your house.