What we love about this style is that it isn’t so blatantly obvious, nor is every girl on the street sporting it (unlike the draped neckscarf).

It’s beautiful, posh and very feminine. The good news is, you can find a pair of your own at Target

 Do: 

-Spark up a winter coat with these colorful hand warmers

-choose a bright color and match it with your shoes, handbag, hat, or neckscarf.

-choose leather or faux leather

 Don’t: 

-choose a patterned pair, it clashes and takes away from the signature vintage flair.

-pair your bright gloves with more than one other bright color otherwise you’ll end up looking clownish with eye-popping color everywhere.

By friend and guest Blogger Emily Norton of the “The Little Window Shoppe”

Pregnancy is a beautiful experience. It brings about its own mix of wondrous joys and little challenges along the way. Some of my most cherished memories are of my pregnancy. I loved experiencing the happiness of feeling my baby grow and the glow of new motherhood. It was an exciting time for me, however, behind the scenes of all the fun planning and preparing, I was experiencing weight gain, swollen ankles and couldn’t find ANYTHING to wear!

All of my favorite clothes didn’t fit and I was in need of a little fashion makeover.

Throughout my pregnancy, I went shopping for clothes about three or four times just to keep up with my growing tummy. Here is a list of some of my favorite places to shop that I think will help you to look beautiful and stay comfortable the entire way.

Clothes:

Motherhood Maternity

This is one of my favorite local places to shop, we live by a Motherhood Maternity Outlet store, since I didn’t wear many of these outfits more than a few times, it’s nice to find cute items on sale! My very favorite dress came from Motherhood Maternity - it was black with white flower trimming and it was a little stretchy in front so I was easily able to wear it from start to finish. It was crisp, so I was able to wear it to work, yet it was stretchy and soft and was definitely comfortable. I am excited to wear it again for any future pregnancies. Currently, Motherhood Maternity is having a Fall Sale and you can find pretty cardigans, dresses and skirts at an affordable price.

Figure 8 Maternity

Figure 8 Maternity is a another great place to shop. They have a great selection of clothes, pajamas and accessories from pregnancy through nursing and they always have special deals and clearance items so that you can save! They always have a clearance for the Bella Band too.

Isabella Oliver

I wish I had known about Isabella Oliver when I was pregnant, this collection features luxurious pregnancy friendly fabrics and they create clothes that are designed to work from day to night. You can shop by trend, budget, size, or temperature! Isabella Oliver features wrap tops and dresses that are so beautiful that you may momentarily forget that you’re pregnant when wearing them.

Baby Style Maternity

Another great place to add to your list as they have a chic collection of modern clothes with a touch of Italian luxury. These sophisticated tops are sleek, simple and their crafted in Italy. You can also catch their Fall Sale with prices up to 60% off.

Shade clothing

These next two places have mainly women’s clothing, but I like Shade because their tees and camis are long and modest - which is great when you need a longer shirt to cover your growing tummy. Those first few months are a little hard to get used to because you are essentially “caught in the middle”. Your pre-pregnancy clothes are a little too tight: buttons won’t connect, shirts don’t tuck in like they used to, yet you’re still too small for maternity clothes.These shirts give you that extra length you need so that you can relax through this phase and move around throughout the day without having to worry about your skin showing.

Onto The Shoes!
The last few months of my pregnancy, it was hard to bend over to tie anything and my feet wouldn’t fit into my normal shoes! It was very limiting…
Flats (i.e. Mary Janes), or low, wide shoes or heels with a good arch support were the way to go…and it was helpful if they were easy to slip on and had a little breathing room.
Crocs and Sketchers have excellent shoes that look stylish, but that also add comfort to your stride. And recently, Angelina Jolie (when pregnant with her twins) sported a pair of Cole Haans with a low heel and Nike sole that were perfectly comfortable.

Accessories

Finally, my last fashion focus is on the accessories.

Blush

Blush Topless Undershirts are so useful and cute for everyday use, they add the layered look to your shirt, without adding straps. They fit perfectly just above your waist and they stay on effortlessly under your favorite shirts.

Bella Band (Find it for about $10 at almost any maternity clothing store).

This is something you definitely should have. It is the perfect cover for when your jeans won’t button up. Just slip this ultra-soft, seamless knit band around the waistline, over unbuttoned jeans, skirts and shorts. It’s very comfortable and no one will know your pants are slightly unbuttoned. I LOVED mine as it helped me to wear my favorite pre-pregnancy jeans a little longer.

Thanks Emily for your Tips shopping suggestions! All these cute pregnancy clothes makes me want to be pregnant!

Ever wanted to know how to wear makeup but didn’t know where to start or what goes on first? Rest easy, your questions have been answered

Step 1:  Even out Skin Tone

Creating a smooth, even-toned skin complexion is the first step in any makeup application.  Apply a small amount of concealer along the inner corner of your eye and blend down underneath your eyelashes. (You can utilize a cream concealer or powder, whatever works for your skin)

-camouflage blemishes (click here for more info)

Step 2: Light Foundation

If using liquid foundation:

If using powder foundation:

When using a brush to apply the powder foundation, swirl the brush to pick up the foundation. Tap the excess powder and brush onto your face with gentle, circular motions.

Step 3: Highlight your eyes

Instantly make you look aware and awake.

Starting at the outer corner of the eye, position the wand horizontally and the base of the lashes, wiggle a little to secure its hold, and sweep upward to the tips. Repeat as you move in. It’s a natural tendency to move from the inside out, but in fact moving the brush outward in will apply the most mascara at the outer corner, where lashes are the longest and need more color.

Step 4: Eyeshadow (optional)

For an extra boost, apply a subtle shadow. Lavendar is the universal shade

Tap off the excess and apply the color from the lash line to just slightly above the crease.

Step 5: Lipstick

One well-executed swipe and you’re good to go.

Step 6: Blush (optional)

For an additional color burst, add blush and you’re done. If only the rest of your day were this fuss-free.

The Streamlined Makeup Kit:

Concealer, Foundation, Mascara, Eyeshadow, Lipstick, Blush

Guest post by my very own sister, Kelly Taylor

If you’re me, you’ll just get Christa to peruse the local Goodwill’s and thrift stories to find the ideal vintage outfit, while you stay at home in quiet trust. However, some of you are not so fortunate to have a live-in stylist, (my sincerest apologies) so I’ll try and give my two cents on the matter.

Tip #1: Look well before buying. Don’t just settle for the first thing you find, in hopes that it’s cute. If you don’t find your ideal at one store, be sure and try the next. I must admit, my first experience vintage shopping, I picked up at the first store a bright pink/green plaid “tunic”, (which was meant to be a dress, but didn’t go long enough for my comfort). The first time I tried it at home, it ripped. It was then I decided I didn’t really like it that much in the first place. Be smarter than I and make that decision before you make the purchase. This leads me to

Tip #2: Watch for quality. There’s nothing worse than buying something only to realize you’re going to have to mend it before you even get to wear it! If it’s pricey, be sure to check on the quality of the garment to make sure it’s going to last as long as you want it to for the price you’re paying.

Tip #3: Take a risk. This is not a contradiction to either of the previous points. It’s merely a warning to not go too far in your critique and quality check that you bypass the find of the century. Usually thrift store shopping is relatively inexpensive, and more than likely, your investment will not be wasted.

Sources: Thrifty Chic, by Sandra Mendoza-Day

Hey girls-

Any and all of you who had questions regarding the appropriate use of makeup-

would you please visit my other blog and post your questions regarding makeup in the comment section of the makeup post?

It would be helpful as I write on this topic.

Thank you!

Christa Taylor

Smoky eyes don’t always have to be dark and moody. Perfect for everyday use, try this shimmering gold lid to bring in the warmth of fall, and bid adieu to summer.

How to do it:

-First cover your lids with matte brown shadow for depth. Not too dark mind, but layering metallic over matte is what gives it the smoky effect.

-Using your fingertip press on a wash of glimmering gold shadow and blend up to your brow bone. (underneath your eyebrow)

-For evening work in black/brown liner into your upper lashline and finish with mascara.

-Finish with dusty rose lipstick, but keep it subtle. You never want to emphasize both eyes, lips and cheeks all simultaneously. You’ll end up looking more like a clown than a queen.

Not so ordinary lips this fall, no ma’am. We see statement lips all over the place. I have focused one lip that is very vogue without teetering towards the extreme “black” lipstick seen on the runways.

Burgundy Lips

 That Vintage Wine gets a modern update when paired with fresh skin and a touch of blush. No mascara required

How to do it: 

-Don’t use liner for this lip, it can appear too harsh. Gently apply color in short strokes along your natural lip line.

-Keep your skin fresh, apply concealer and light powder only where needed.

-Swirl on light rosy blush

-Final trick: skip the mascara. Curl your lashes  but refrain the mascara to keep the look youthful.

No one likes to wear the same outfit day after day for weeks on end. It would quickly become dull and boring. In the same way keeping our makeup routine the same week after week can leave us feeling colorless, humdrum females.  I’m here to fix that with a few stimulating makeup looks making their debut this fall.

Try them, experiment a bit. Don’t go overboard. The beauty of your character should outshine the beauty of your face.  (coming soon, Must Know Makeup Basics)

Luminous Skin

Shimmering peach, pink and ivory tones replace conventional bronzer to give your skin an ethereal, lit-from-within glow.

 How to do it: 

- Brush or Dab on a light foundation, concealing any blemishes

-Blend a pea-size dab of cream highlighter (a pale cream eyeshadow would suffice) on cheekbones, brow bones and bridge of nose.

-Swirl and brush a generous amount of luminescent baby-pink blush on the apples of your cheeks. This is a soft ballerina look, so avoid burgundy or brown tinted blushes.

-Finish off with a light ivory or pink shadow on your lids and a dab of nude lip gloss.

Voila!

Guest post by blogger Anna Friedrich from Classically Clothed

If you dislike shoes it’s only because you haven’t been exposed to them enough. If your favorite footwear is flip flops, then it’s time to slip on pair of lighthearted, red leather mary-janes with a 2.5 in. heel and take an unceremonious walk on a fresh fall day down an avenue with leaves winding crazily down and the wind blowing your hair. If your flat brown oxfords are boring you to death, exchange them for patent flats in a bright vivid color that instantly adds pizzaz to your outfit. A girl can survive with the following bare minimum of shoes:

• Black Pumps in leather or patent leather, with a 2.5 - 3 in. heel. These pumps will add polish to your casual garb, and match with your skirts and dresses when attending wedding showers, parties, events, and church.
• Casual loafers, or flat mary-janes. Slip them on for running errands. No girl should be caught wearing tennis shoes or crocs while shopping. Another casual option is a pair of comfy Converse sneakers.
• Hide those flip flops in the back of your closet to save for a beach excursion and choose a pair of flat sandals with whatever sort of details appeal to you most! Get a pair of dressy flat sandals, and casual flat sandals. Here are some other options, as well.
• A pair of high-heeled leather sandals. Appropriate for wearing with cotton skirts and dresses during the summertime, and underneath white jeans on hot summer nights when out and about. Pick a sandal with a stable, walkable heel height, 2.5 - 3 in. Again, here are some other options. If you really want stylish stability, opt for a wedge sandal
• For cold, wet, winter months, pick a bootie, or mid calf boot with a shorter, sturdy heel that slips or zips on easily for wearing under jeans and pants.
• Tall boots are striking and comfortable to wear under skirts. Keep your jeans from getting wet by tucking them into your tall boots in fall and winter. Heeled or flat avoid going wrong with tall boots by buying refined looking leather in dark brown, or black, and if you choose a pair with heels, pick stable, chunky heels that are 1.5 - 2.5 in. tall.
• Flats are available in a dizzying array of colors and patterns. Spring and fall is the time to break out your Audrey Hepburn like flats for wearing with knee-length skirts and trousers.

To care for your shoes, store in the original boxes that you buy them in, but don’t store them all in one container unless they are laid flat and not jumbled together which will crease the leather or fabric. Brush off dust, and dirt with a soft cloth after wearing, and avoid wearing your shoes more than two times in a row, unless you want stinky feet. Usually, after a year of hard wearing your shoes will be ready to retire, unless you pamper them and walk only walk on soft carpets. Styles and colors are unlimited when it comes to shoes! You can never have too many, unless of course, one day you look in your closet and find boxes of shoes stacked up that you have never even worn.