Glamour: Pleather Leggings

Chambray shirt: Delia's / Tank top: Delia's (I think) / Leggings: Charlotte Russe / Shoes: Don't remember (sorry!)

Pleather leggings?!!?!

Wait! Before you overlook it completely, take a look at the outfit I styled here with these wet-look/pleather leggings.

I'm not a huge fan of leggings as pants but since these leggings look a bit more like pants than regular leggings, I figured it was okay to pair them with a long tank top and a chambray top. As a rule, NEVER wear leggings as pants unless your shirt is covering your crotch and butt. Please. I've seen way too many girls at school wear skin-tight leggings that reveal way more than should be seen in public.

Anyway, typically, pleather leggings are seen as super glamorous, party-like outfits, but if paired with casual pieces like a chambray shirt and a graphic tank, can be toned down for everyday.

Since I didn't want the outfit to completely lose its glamorous touch so I opted for some cute slip-on wedges that are actually really comfy. I got these in freshman year (ahh so long ago!) and I just remember teetering in them during the last day of school with a short skirt, thinking I was super cool. Oh boy. Thank goodness I've changed.

Earrings: Charlotte Russe

For jewelry, I went with gold bangles and these cute hoop earrings. For some reason, hoop earrings always seem kinda "bad girl" like. Ever heard of the saying, "Hold ma hoops!"?

The Maxi Skirt

Maxi Skirt: Forever21

 I used to think that short girls couldn't wear maxi skirts, that despite what all those fashion blogs said about maxi being for everyone, it just would not look right on me. I guess I never realized though that the material of the maxi plays a HUGE role. Heavy, knit maxi skirts will definitely drag your figure down if you're short whereas the one I'm wearing, a light, slightly sheer chiffon one, can elongate your legs and make you seem ethereal.

Maxi skirts can also be worn in a variety of ways, either at the waist (the smallest part) or at the hips. I prefer the look of the maxi skirt sitting just on the hips because I think it looks more laid-back and casual, but it's harder to pull off if you're short in my opinion.

I paired my maxi skirt with a chambray button up which I tied up at the bottom so my legs look even longer with the maxi skirt sitting at my waist. I actually think the outfit looks great with a bit of stomach showing, but since I can't wear that to school, I tied the shirt a little lower and pulled the skirt a little higher.

As a 5ft tall girl, I needed heels so the maxi skirt wouldn't drag on the ground, but I think that the heels just made my legs seem even longer. Look at the picture...it's kind of ridiculous!

As you can see, the skirt is sheer in the sunlight.

Since coral goes well with gold, I paired some gold bangles.

So after receiving many compliments on my outfit, I think I've changed my mind about maxi skirts. They're so comfy and just make the outfit so laid-back and California casual. Plus when I'm wearing it and the wind blows it around, I just feel like a goddess.

Watercolor Florals

Chambray Shirt: Delia's / Purple Tank Top: Old Navy's / Jeans: Loehmann's / Boots: American Rag (Macy's)

It finally rained! I feel like it hasn't rained in so long. I could barely remember what a rainy day was like...

Today, I ended up wearing a new tank top that my mom had bought for me a long time ago. It's hard to tell in the picture but the tank actually is quite loose and drapes very nicely. The floral pattern on it reminds me of watercolors. I know the photo makes it look rather harsh, but trust me, it's like I'm wearing a watercolor painting.

The material's pretty interesting too. It feels kind of like a raincoat? (Haha, perfect for the weather!) Underneath, I just wore a simply purple boyfriend tank to stay covered up. And since it was a tank and for some reason, the weather is still rather chilly, I put on my chambray button-up over it for a very casual look.

Honestly, my chambray shirt might be my favorite piece in my entire closet. It always makes any outfit look more fashionable. It's super comfy AND looks laid-back. It never looks like I'm trying too hard. It has that effortless California look (Think Blake Lively). 

The other day, I saw an interesting make up tutorial that I wanted to try out. It basically involves rose gold eyeshadow all over the lids and turquoise eye liner on the bottom lash line and waterline.

My take on it:

Yeah I know, I take awkward pictures.

 Yup, so that's it for today! Here's a random picture my brother (the photographer) took:

Chambray Take 2

Shirt: Delia's / Skirt: Forever21 / Shoes: American Eagle

Earlier this month, I put together an outfit mixing chambray and lace for a chic western look. Now, I'm bringing back my chambray shirt and remixing it with a less fancy and more casual, feminine floral skirt.

To bring the two pieces together, I added a boho-inspired brown belt and finished off with brown lace-up booties.

For perfect, lovely spring days, I always like to keep my outfits simple and casual to embrace the weather.

Western Chic

Shirt: Delia's, Skirt: Forever21, Shoes: From somewhere in China?

 Although I didn't notice when I first planned it out, the outfit reminds me of a Western-style cowboy with the chambray shirt and the brown belt. The black lace skirt adds a finishing girly touch to keep the outfit from becoming too cowboy-esque. The shoes probably could have matched better, but these are actually my only pair of sandals (I have to go shopping again!)

Bracelets: Forever21

I topped the Western Chic outfit off with some glam: metallic, studded bracelets.

Color Theory

Sorry I haven't been posting lately! Most days, I don't get a chance to take photos of my outfits. I'm working on getting better at that!

When I put this outfit together, I thought about color values. Although the shirt, pants, and boots are different colors, they represent medium, light, and dark colors. I like outfits that have a bit of contrast. I find that if I wear an outfit that is all dark or all light (not including dresses - those can usually work in just one color) the outfit doesn't look as nice. Instead, mixing up colors or prints can make a big impact when done the right way.

Outfit Details: Shirt: American Eagle/ Pants: American Eagle/ Boots: Luxury Rebel / Scarf: Adrienne Landau / Earrings: American Museum of Native American History

Since I'm tall, I used the different values to break up my long body. The scarf, a gift from my grandmother, pulls it all together with the combination of purple to go with the chambray of my shirt, teal to go with the aqua of my pants, and black to go with the black of my boots. It's not too matchy-matchy, but it's got a rhyme and reason to it. This is one of many scarves - I have a pretty substantial collection, and I'm always looking for new ways to wear my scarves.

This was a photo of me with my sophomore year biology teacher - we were holding something up and I liked the light in this photo. We took it in the greenhouse, so we're surrounded by plants. 

Hair: Clipped back with hardshell clip, Earrings: Sterling silver leaf earrings

Eyeliner: Physician's Formula Eye BOOSTER in Ultra Black

I have a good deal of Native American-inspired jewelry, and a lot of the jewelry I wear is pieces I have made. I'll do a few features on my DIY jewelry!

This last one is just for fun. I'm looking quite pensive. I think it's cute how the wall was the same color as my pants, and that border by the floor is the same color as my boots. 

Hope you're having a great day and enjoyed learning more about my style philosophy (with a mini art lesson as well)!