You're So Vintage.....

The other day I am sitting on the couch with a friend playing on the computer (what's new) when she decides to show me these dresses she is ordering. They are from a site called ModCloth.com. If you haven't heard of it, it is a great site featuring vintage pieces. It was started by a lady named Susan because of her love of vintage clothing. The summer before her freshman year of college she began the site selling a few pieces she found here and there that needed a good home. This love of selling vintage clothes continued through college and grew a little more each day. By the time graduation rolled around, she decided to take on the site full time. Susan has a true passion for vintage clothes and accessories and it shows on her site. I like to think of it as Urban Outfitters but so much better and truly original. PLUS, the prices were really good too! So next time you are looking for a great vintage pieces, I suggest you check out Mod Cloth!

What Not to Wear...NASCAR Edition

For the 4th, I did something very patriotic (and by patriotic I mean redneck and truly American). I went to my very first NASCAR race. I must say this was definitely an experience to remember. While there, I saw some things I hope to never see again. Now I know what you all are thinking. You are probably thinking I saw some truly inappropriate public behavior. While I may have seen some of that, it is not what I am talking about. I saw some of the most hideously dressed people ever. Therefore, I would like to take this time to inform you of some of the things that should never ever be worn EVER (including to any theme parties such as white trash bash or even Halloween). First, I have no problem if you are overweight but, I feel that if your midsection flops over the top of your pants that are coincidentally 4 sizes too small, you should NEVER wear a shirt bearing your entire midsection. In case you were wondering, your bra is not a shirt and should not be worn as one. Continuing, I love a great backpack or messenger bag as much as the next person when times call for it but never should these be made of clear plastic. In case you were wondering, NASCAR does not check bags when you walk through the gate. And, if I wanted to see what's in your bag, I would ask. Next, if you are missing your teeth and have falsies, I suggest (for sanitation and the well being of others) you keep them in your mouth. Lastly, shirts come with sleeves for a reason. You should not cut them off to where others can see your entire ab-less stomach by looking at you through the side of your cut off tee (again, if I wanted to see, I would ask, but I don't so please keep it to yourself). These shirts have one purpose only, the gym (and that is pushing it sometimes)! Just remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression and no excuse to dress in any of the above stated items!

Dreaming in Plastic....

The other day I get an email from a friend interning in NYC this summer telling me of a company that wants to advertise in Clutch (Florida State's fashion magazine). The name of this company is called Melissa Plastic Dreams. Wanting to know more about it, I check out their website. There I find the cutest wellies (rain shoes) I have ever seen. Now, these are not your typical wellies. These shoes are made of the same waterproof material that keeps feet dry during tough rains but in trendy styles such as ballerina flats, wedges, and even sling back pumps! The only downfall is you can't purchase online yet. However, the site assures me that feature is coming soon! And when it does, I can guarantee you I will buy a couple pairs (mom wants some too!). So, check out her site and next time it rains go out in style!

Shopping on Ebay?????

So Ebay has always been a great place to find great deals on anything and everything from electronics to designer duds. But, did you know that if you search your favorite TV show on Ebay you can find looks straight from the show? For example, the other day I searched Gossip Girl on Ebay and found Blair inspired headbands as well as lots of items the stars have been caught wearing on and off camera like Blake Lively's red carpet ready white and navy blazer from a recent charity event and Taylor Momson's long stripped hooded sweater. I also tried searching Project Runway and found many pieces made by designers from the show (and most were fairly reasonably priced). Now beware while searching that this does not work will all shoes. It pretty much just works with shows where fashion is an emphasis. So next time you are playing on Ebay I suggest you give this a try and see what great things you find!

Will you Merrime?

Today I'm playing on twitter (what's new) when I read a post by Jill Zarin to check out a site called merrime.com. Intrigued by the name I check it out. Turns out it's a web series (a show that only air on the internet). It's actually a really good show all about this recently single 20 something girl from LA who's father is threatening to freeze her trust fund and cut her off without a dime unless she finds a job and/or new boyfriend within 3 months. So far only two (short) episodes have aired online and I must say that I am looking forward to the next episodes. Even though it is manufactured for short web episodes, I would totally watch full length eps on a major network (hint hint Kaily Smith)! So, moral of the story, everybody check out merrime.com and get hooked!

Let's Be Original!

Tonight's post is taking a new twist. It's not giving advice or insight or my opinion. Tonight's post is all about hidden treasures on the internet. It's all about this fantastic website known as ETSY. If you have never heard of etsy.com, it's this great site featuring handmade items from small, never heard of designers. Most of these people are making this stuff in their own homes and it is better and more original than most stuff you can find in stores. And bonus, you will most likely be the only person to have it as most items are one of a kind! People are making and selling everything from clothes to jewelry to paintings to furniture. Literally anything you could imagine is on this site! Plus, everything is super affordable (all about the chiconomics!). I actually just bought a super cute vintage mirrored vanity tray and a couple of super cute painting to hang in my living room and kitchen! In addition to all the original items people are selling, the site features a huge vintage section. This vintage section is the most diverse I have seen on the internet. And, it definitely has the largest selection! Some of my favorite ETSY sellers are lakeillustration (fantastic pop art paintings of notable celebs like my fav Audrey Hepburn), iomiss (handmade jewelry from Spain), and rikrak (they make all their items like envelope clutches and adorable coasters from recycled vintage fabrics). So next time you are on the hunt for an original gift for someone (or yourself) or looking for great vintage finds, I suggest you check out ETSY first!

Enjoy life....

So as I am sure you have heard, today both Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett passed away. I was saddened to head that two American legends had passed at such early ages. It made me realize how truly short and special life is. Not to be a downer, but for all we know life could be taken from us or a loved one tomorrow. It makes you want to live your life to the fullest; appreciate the small things in life. Spend your days doing the things that make you happy. Surround yourself with those you care about most (and care about you too!). Enjoy every minute of the time you have now because who knows what is going to happen tomorrow!

More hours in a day? Possibly....

As I'm sure you all are aware, this past weekend was father's day. If you were unaware of this fact then I suggest you quickly make your father a card and send it his way! Anyways...I have a very tight family and we all live in a very close radius to each other (this is important to know). Well, this weekend my grandparents were out of town and we were unable to celebrate father's day with my grandfather. So, tonight we were dropping by my grandparents to give Papa (my grandfather) his cards when we pull up to see the car of a man my dad did not particularly want to talk to at the time (now my father has nothing against this man, he is actually very nice and wants to buy my parent's investment property from them...however, dad did not want to discuss business with him tonight therefore was trying to avoid him). So, instead of doing the normal thing of going inside and casually avoiding the topic, dad decides to call my grandfather repeatedly while driving around the block to figure out how we can sneak into the back living room of my grandparents house and celebrate with him without my grandmother and this man hearing (who were sitting in the front living room). This process took around ten minutes (ten minutes we could have been spending with Papa), and while yes I was absolutely rolling over laughing in the back seat while it was happening (these are the kind of moments with my family that I wouldn't trade anything for), it made me start to think. There are so many things in my life I spend tons of time trying to figure out how to make perfect or avoid or put off till a later time when in reality the situation would have been over in the time it took me to figure out how to avoid/get out of it (and ultimately be put though exactly what I was trying to avoid in the first place). What if instead of trying to figure out how to get out of the all the things I felt were bothersome, I simply held my head high and got them over with? Think of all the time I would have to do the things I actually wanted to do. I could stop complaining that there are not enough hours in a day to get everything done (although this probably will not happen because from August to April there truly are not enough hours in the day) because I could probably save myself at least an hour (if not more) a day in which I could spend in a much more productive way. Just think, if everybody did this what we could accomplish as a society!

Oh Dating....

The other day I was talking to a friend about the recent spike in her love life. We were discussing how she has been going on numerous dates with this one guy and how it seems that everyone I know, except me of course, has had this sudden turn for the better in their love lives. This prompts me to tell her that "there must be something in the air and I am just not catching it." Being the witty person she is, she quickly responds with "well maybe you should stand outside." Now at first I just laughed at that statement, thinking to myself how funny that statement sounds, especially when talking about dating. However, the more I began to think about this, I realized she had a point. What if I stood outside? What if I took the time to put myself out there instead of expecting dates to magically appear at my door? I think that one of the problems with dating today is that nobody is willing to put themselves out there, be bold enough to say "I like you" or "I want to take you out". I myself have fallen victim to this fallacy many many times as I'm sure many other people have. So I wonder, what would happen if we all got off our asses and simply stood outside, let ourselves be open to others and finding love? Maybe we all would be happier. Maybe the world would be a little bit better place if we all found someone. So my challenge to you this week, if you are single of course, is to stand outside, to tell that person how you feel. And if you don't have a specific person in mind, open yourself up to meeting new people. Who knows, maybe the next one will be worth keeping around longer than a casual conversation over a mediocre meal!

Adventures in the Bookstore...

So...today I ventured down to my local Books-A-Million in search of a summer read. While there I purchase what I'm sure will be one of my new favorite books, sTORI Telling. In addition, I bought Italian: A Self-Teaching Guide for my trip in September. On my way to the register I walk through the U.S. History section, or history in the making section, or whatever the section where they have all the books about current politics and hot topics is called. In this section I see no less than 50-100 different books all about Obama and his life and family. Amidst these books I find approximately 10-15 different books about how the GOP can once again rise to the top, how the south will rise again, how Reagan was one of the smartest men to ever be leader of our country. Basically all books contradicting everything the current administration stands for. Then, I look right in the middle of the books about Obama and find "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Islam" as well as a few other books all about Islam. Once seeing this I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of these books placed on the same shelf. It also makes me wonder what message my local Books-A-Million is trying to send. Hmmm.....