Tips on Re-styling Your Wardrobe

Forever 21 tee - $10.80

My style has changed a lot over the past couple years, so I this season I unfortunately found myself with little clothes that still fit my style. Luckilly, however, I have had a steady income the past few weeks and have been able to revamp my wardrobe. Here my suggestions for anyone looking to greatly update their wardrobe:

1. Make a list.
When I decided I needed to re-style my wardrobe I made a list of everything I wanted and how many of them (example: 1 Pair of dark skinny jeans that fit well; 3 Pairs of strait cut jeans that fit well - light wash, medium wash and dark wash; 3 Colored camisoles; 1 Black Leather jacket; etc)

2. Look for versatile pieces that you can mix and match in different ways.
This will probably depend on your style - what is versatile for one person will not necessarily be versatile for someone else, but there are some generals. Tee shirts, for one. Forever 21, and Old Navy both have great, inexpensive tee shirts and other simple pieces, I find.

Old Navy ballet flats - $19.50

3. Get some nice accessories.
It’s amazing how new and fresh a new necklace can make and old tee shirt. Accessories can make the old, uninspiring clothes you have more interesting and can prompt you to create new combinations you never would have thought of otherwise.

4. Shop online.
I find that if I shop online, or at least find pieces that will work well in my wardrobe online and then get them in the store that I get less distracted by that beautiful - albeit not very practical - pair of six in high platform oxford heels. :D

5. Plan ahead.
What will you bee needing most in the next few weeks? What can you afford to get in that time? If you need some nice tee shirts now in the heat of summer, and are short on money, this may not be the best time to get that black leather jacket you have been wanting - even if you know you will use it lots.

Forever 21 headband - $4.80

And lastly, some of my favorite stores while re-vamping my wardrobe:
Forever 21 - inexpensive tees, inexpensive accessories, and great sale items!
Old Navy - inexpensive, versatile pieces.
Charlotte Ruse - inexpensive, really pretty accessories.
H&M - inexpensive basic pieces and accessories
And of course, thrift stores are always great!

I hope this helps anyone out there who may find it!

At the Dig

Vest - Thrifted
White Blouse - Candies
Jeans - So...
Ballet Flats - Old Navy
Fedora Hat - Target
Locket - Thrifted

Oh man! I just realized that you can't see my beautiful flower pin on the hat! >.<
Well, anyway, this is my "archeologist" outfit. The vest reminds me of my archeologist character, Barnett Wilkinson; and the hat reminds me of my big sister's archeologist character, Nate Marshall.
Of course, with such a masculine hat and vest I had to add some more feminine touches - hence the badly photographed pink cameo locket, black ballet flats and pink flower pin.
So that is my outfit. Please comment and tell me what you think!
~ Katie

Nautical in a Rush

Shirt - Old Navy

Jeans - The Limited
Ballet Flats - Old Navy
Locket - Thrifted
Purse - Charlotte Russe
Bow Headband - Forever 21

All of today I was dying to get out and go to store, so - after dinner - my mother was kind enough to take my little sister and I to Ulta. I was just wearing my plaid shirt and jeans. I was not very pleased with this outfit, and I so hate going to nice stores when I'm not happy with my outfit as it makes me want to buy stuff even more - so I decided to dash upstairs and throw something else on real quick even though I knew I only had a few minutes.
After a couple unsuccessful attempts I finally grabbed my new black and white striped shirt, my ballet flats and locket. Usually I would have softened this look with my pink flower pin - and I was tempted to do that - but I decided not to. Instead - inspired by this picture from Marc Jacobs latest fashion show - I decided to try it.
It was definately a more bold style than I would usualy go for, but I like it - bold is more summery, in a way. The only problem was I had no make up on - just some concealer. Luckilly a 50's style (light eyeshadow with dark mascara and eyeliner and very red lips) is easy and quick to put on and - I think - has a very nautical look about it.
After a quick brush of eyeshadow, a sweep of mascara and eyeliner and a rubbing of red lip stick I was off! And I felt fabulous all evening! <3

Bird Watching

Black and White Dress - Faded Glory
Cardigan - Old Navy
Belt - Charlotte Russe
Flower - Charlotte Russe
Leggings - Target
Ballet Flats - Old Navy

Taking pictures is always difficult for me - I don't have a tripod, so I have to find something to set my camera on. Because of this I rarely go further than the park behind my house. The arrival of summer, however, has made my own personal photographer (my friend Christina) more easily accessible. :D
So today the two of us and our little sisters took a long drive through the nearby forest preserve - stopping at the bid watching deck to
a) Try to spot some birds and
b) Get some pictures
The first of these was very unsuccessful, but I the latter turned out very well. My little sister Maddie even helped too; taking the close up picture.

I got this dress at Walmart yesterday. I had wanted the solid black one, but they didn't have any in my size, so I settled for the black and white one - I'm so glad I did, now! I wasn't sure how to style it at first - I thought a plain black belt would look dull - but then I found my flower pin/barrette. The barrette clipped perfectly to the belt and added a really nice flair! After that the rest just fell into place! It was perfect for the weather - not too hot, not to cold - and the most comfortable dress I've ever worn before! Most of the time I didn't even feel like I was wearing a dress! I think - I know I'm in love. <3

Fearless!

Blue Plaid Shirt - Candies
Jeans - Old Navy
Ballet Flats - Candies
Belt - Thrifted
Locket - Thrifted
Bracelet - Gift
Bow Headband - Homemade

I love plaid shirts, but today I decided that I needed a new way to wear my beloveds. So I skedaddled over to Google and googled “ways to wear plaid shirts” and read somewhere a suggestion of tucking it in – so I decided to try it.
I put it on with the belt, and thought it looked rather masculine. So I unbuttoned several buttons, added feminine ballet flats, a pink cameo locket on a long chain and a gold flowered bracelet and put on my favorite white bow headband. I rather liked the finished effect. It was very different from what I usually do – less feminine and I usually accentuate my waist. I wasn’t completely sure I could pull it off, but I decided to trust my instincts and wear it anyway. Fearless!

A Little Geek and a Little Chic

Jeans - Old Navy
Ballet Flats - Old Navy
Plaid Shirt - Old Navy
Tank Top - Walmart
Necklace - Black Market Minerals
Bow Headband - Homeade

2009 was a very difficult year for me. It was full of trials, and I changed a lot due to them. Last year I followed. My friends, bloggers who fashion I liked, etc. But no longer. I am who I am and I like who I am. I'm far from perfect, but I'm me, and I like me and I'm past caring what other people think. If they don't like me that's their problem. Yeah, I listen to Demi Lavato, and Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez - that's fine. Yeah, I don't date; could care less about boys - that's fine. And yeah, sometimes I dress casually and wear jeans - that's fine too. I'm a little geek, and a little chic; a little country girl and a little city girl - but not going to change myself to impress anyone else - not anymore. My true friends will love me no matter what.

So now I am trying to find what my "thing is." I know I'm interested in music, writing and fashion but I'm not sure which - if any - are serious or will stick around in the long run. I'm blessed to have the most amazing big sister, though. She's so supportive of all my (crazy/wild) endeavors, never tells me I can't do something, and always makes sure I stay grounded on the "straight and narrow path." I know through God's will, with her and all my other friends' and family's support I can find what I'm meant to do. :-)

So here it goes - this should be some adventure. ;-D