{Flash} Me?

{SS} here!

Let's talk for a minute about flashing. Yeah... that's right, flashing. I'm thinking of incorporating it into {mynewstyle}, you know as a, "I'm stylish through and through" type of thing...

What do you think?

An old photograph of SS & KH getting crazy at the Capitol!

Okay, okay, I'm obviously kidding. I'm actually talking about flash sales sites. Websites where a single item is offered at a deeply discounted price for a short period of time (usually 24-48 hours). These sites  usually require you to be member, which sometimes is as easy as just joining, and other times requires you to get an invitation.

So, after reading {kh}'s post yesterday about store credit cards, I thought I'd follow up and talk a bit about flash sale sites, which have become super popular in the fashion world.

Let me start out by saying, I have never purchased anything from a flash sale site, however, I have had a number of friends who have both successfully and unsuccessfully ordered things from sites such as: Rue La La, Gilt, Hautelook and Ideeli.

Now if you love these sites, I'd love to hear about it, but here's why I don't, or at least haven't yet, utilize these sites:

• They take too much time: In order to get the "best" deals on these sites, you have to be checking them and reading the e-mails they send out daily, something that I just don't like to do. 

• They aren't always the best deals: Often these sites tack on high shipping fees which raise the price, and better deals can be found on sites like Zappos which always offers free shipping (and returns). 

• They make returns hard: These sites often don't allow returns, only give site credit for returns, or charge hefty fees for returns.

• They require you to make impulse decisions and are too tempting: Often times on these sites the daily deal is something that I don't need or even want, but upon seeing it I began to think that I should have it because it's such a good price for such a good brand or whatever. I have enough issues as it is with shopping, so certainly don't something like this to tempt me into making an impulse purchase.  

• They require instant commitment: I'm a bit of a commitment phobe-- I can't tell you how many times I walk through the whole store carrying something I intend to purchase, only to decide against it at the last minute as I'm checking out. I like to have the option of being able to think about something for a while- go home and figure out if it's something that I really need AND that I really can afford. With flash sale sites if you don't make the purchase right away, you miss out on the "deal". 

I'd love to hear what you all think about flash sites!

xo, SS

{ Defining Your Style }

** As Featured on Nelle Creations:: DIY Fashion **

Hi there! I'm {SS} over at My New Style Blog and I'm excited to be doing this guest post!

A lot of times people talk about wanting to be stylish, but that they're not quite sure how to go about attaining or defining their personal style. 

I've decided to compile a list of tips and tricks to help you define your own personal style.

{ Defining Your Personal Style }

{ Define Your Current Style: What's Working and What's Not? }

{ A peek into my TINY closet. }

Whether you like it or not, you already have a {style}, and before you can create your New Style (NS) you need to identify your current or Old Style (OS). Take a peek in your closet (remember to look in the back: there may be things hiding which could be great pieces to incorporate into your NS). As you look through your things ask yourself questions:  What do you love? What are your go-to outfits or pieces of clothing? Are there certain colors you're always attracted to? Do you like certain patterns or fabrics? Now what is it you don't love? Are their shirts with the tags still on them you just can't bring yourself to wear? Do you stray away from certain colors? Are you afraid to wear patterns?

You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn't worked.

Try approving of yourself and see what happens.

Louise L. Hay

Remember when you are trying to define your current style, that your style goes beyond just the clothes you wear. Clothes are simply a way to illustrate and embellish your style. Look at the art and artists you love, the music you listen to, the perfume you wear, the places you go over and over, the people you surround yourself with... these are all large parts of your style.

{ Find Inspiration } 

{ Source }

This is the fun part! When it comes to creating your NS (something we're always trying to do over at {MyNewStyleBlog}) one of the best parts is searching for inspiration. You can find inspiration in all sorts of places. Of course you can always search on websites like Pinterest or Weheartit for images to inspire you as well as look in pretty much any magazine or catalog to get ideas, but also look to unconventional places like antique stores, libraries, parks, museums, and architecture for inspiration you can incorporate into your own NS. When you're paying attention, you can find inspiration all over your world.


{ Create Your Own Style Board/Notebook }

{ Source } 

With all your inspiration searching you need a place to keep the magazine clippings, photos, sketches and words of wisdom you stumble upon. Personally, I have a binder that I use. I have clear sleeves to slip magazine pages or photos into and I also can add sketches on blank white paper. Though I haven't done it yet, I plan to stick photos of outfits I've worn and liked into the binder to remind me and give me ideas when I don't know what to wear. And if you prefer to do things virtually, have no fear... There are great sites like Pinterest and Polyvore where you can waste spend hours. Pinterest allows you to "pin" images and websites onto virtual themed "boards" that you can revisit and that your friends can view, and with Polyvore you can create collages of items you search for such as clothing, makeup, etc. I often use Polyvore to create theme boards which I can look back on for ideas.

{ Some of my Style Staples (sugar included?!)! }

{ Find your Style Staples } 

Whether it's the colorful bangles you love to wear with your watch, the spoon ring you got on vacation in college, the scarf you always tie around your neck, or the purse that's always at your side... these things began to be your signatures and people start to recognize them as part of you and your style. Make them YOURS and don't worry about following the trends or doing what everyone else does. Having your own style is all about being unique and embracing what you love. So, if you have your great grandmother's engagement ring that you love to wear, make it a Style Staple. Remember, your staples can change and evolve-- that's all part of the process! Have fun with it and don't be afraid to take some risks!





{ Determine What You Need Your Style To Do For You  }

{ Painting is not the time for pretty clothes! }

What do you do? Where do you work? Live? Play? Do you have animals or kids? Though I'm sure there are plenty of people who would disagree on this, I believe that practicality, and functionality are as important to your personal style as looking good is. That means you might not be able to pull off the latest trend or have the same style as someone you admire does, because it just won't work for you... but that's okay! I nanny and babysit a lot. Almost two years ago when I started with the family that I am still with, I learned the hard way that dressing up when you're caring for two infants and their older brother is not practical or smart (think spit-up, buttons being ripped off, baby food, markers, pen, etc...). It's taken me a while to figure out how to dress practically and appropriately without losing my sense of style but I finally have. I've also realized that some days it's okay to take a little break from being stylish.
Your style is yours and no one else's, so make it work for you, not someone else!

{ Source }

{ Create Style Goals & Take Risks }

It's fun to set style goals for yourself... Let's say you've seen a lot of pattern mixing that you love, but are a bit hesitant to do it yourself... start small by doing something like adding animal print shoes to an outfit with a striped shirt! Or maybe you want to wear dresses more but you don't think you "can": Try to wear a dress every day for a week... be creative; this may mean you have to wear leggings under a dress for a job that requires you to move around more, but that still counts! Figure out what you can do to adapt a certain style or trend you love in a way that works for you and your lifestyle. Set goals for yourself and do your best to follow through with them. You might find out you love pattern mixing or decide that even though you thought it wasn't practical for you to wear dresses, you can make it work after all and it's easier and more fun!

{ Don't Let Your Style Get "Stuck" } 

{ Source }

Even though you want to "define" your style don't limit it's definition. As your life evolves and changes you are certain to develop new interests and habits, so allow your style to change and evolve as well. I'm not saying you should constantly be changing your style to follow all the latest trends and fashions, but don't be afraid to incorporate something new to your style from time to time as you see fit. Let your personal style be a learning curve, let it be fun and exciting, not tiresome and challenging. Your style can be as simple or complex as you want it to be and just because it changes often doesn't mean it's not still your "style".



{ Remember: It's Not About The Money } 

{ Doing a little second-hand shopping! }

Despite what many people will tell you, you don't have to spend a fortune to update your style or be "stylish". Use what you have in different ways. Do your favorite jeans have a hole in the knee? Turn them into cut-offs! Did the dress you love shrink in the wash? Wear it as a tunic with leggings and tall boots. If you do want to add new clothes to your closet, shop thrift, outlet or second hand stores or websites, or have clothing swaps with friends. You can also save a lot of money by waiting to buy things until they are on sale or out of season when you can get them for discounted prices.

And remember, to be CONFIDENT!!

Confidence is captivating, it is powerful,
and it does not fade-- and that is endlessly more interesting than beauty.
Nina Garcia

I hope these tips and ideas help you along your way to creating your {New Style}. Have fun!

Fashion fades, {style} is eternal.

Coco Chanel

xo, SS
http://mynewstyleblog.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/mynewstyleblogkk

My {New} Hair Style Part II

Happy Friday friends! It's {SS} here-

So on Wednesday I headed to Haven Salon in Uptown for a big hair makeover. It was definitely time.  When I got home, I shared some before and during pictures and today I'm finally sharing the after photos :) 

If you missed Part I you can read it here. 

Also, today is the third day of the new 'do and I have mixed feelings... 

On Day 1: I loved it; On Day 2: I hated it; On Day 3 (today): I just like it...

I will note however, that I've been pretty lazy the last two days and except for a little bang shaping (bangs this short are a new thing for me!) this morning (stay tuned for the SWEET trick I learned about that), I've put pretty much zero effort into my hair. So, with time, effort, and a bit of color fading, I hope know that I will grow to love it :)  

This lovely lady from the Boden catalog/website was my inspiration. 

{ Source }

I didn't want to go quite as short (but now think maybe I should have?) but otherwise we pretty much tried to replicate this look... I'm even thinking of buying that shirt!

Here you can see the color... I opted out of my usual balyage for a shiny, dark all over reddish (the boys I nanny for say, "it's not red, it's purple-brown"). 

So, I think it works, or at least can work, right?! I bet if I try hard enough I can even make it look like the model... (her name is Helena by the way... I only know that because Boden lists the names of their models in the catalogs which I love!). 

I can't believe this is me... I can't quite get used to it!! Ah!!!

Also, she dyed my eyebrows to match which I was a bit resistant to do but actually am loving... I haven't had to pencil them in for 2 days!!! Wahoo!!!

xo, SS

My New {Hair} Style Part I

{SS} here!

Today I embarked on a journey to Haven Salon in Uptown where the awesome Brianna gave me an amazing new hairstyle... It was long overdue.

In an attempt at full blogging disclosure, I've decided to share some pretty icky "before" photos with you, so you can see why my hair was in some serious need of help...

For the past month or so, I've been almost constantly wearing my naturally curly, dried out and color faded hair like this...

You can see here how dry and frizzy it was. Despite trying to wear it curly (I'll spare you the photos I took of that...) or straighten it (ugh, humidity?!), it just tended to end up hidden in a bun with a headband because it was the easiest...





I was ready for something new... and this morning I found it in the pages of the Boden Catalog!

{ Source }

waiting for the color to process... 

... and stay tuned for tomorrow's My New {Hair} Style Part II Post with pictures of the outcome :)

xo, SS

Tools

This is an old post draft I wrote a while back... I know I owe you all some exciting travel ones but since I haven't had internet for a few days, or the chance to upload my photos, this will have to do for now until I get home in a few days and shower you with lots of exciting posts!

Until then...

So when {KH} and I decided to go forward with this blog, I {SS} decided I needed some resources to guide me along my journey to {newstyle}. 

{Style Guides}

Style Books 

I have been collecting some great Style Books over the past few years. My favorites are the ones by Nina Garcia. I love her style advice, ideas and the layouts of her books- lots of inspirational quotes!

Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia
Nina Garcia's Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion by Nina Garcia
The Style Strategy: A Less-is-More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart by Nina Garcia
Fashion A to Z: An Illustrated Dictionary by Alex Newman
What on Earth Are You Wearing: A Michipedia of Fashion by Michi Girl

Magazines/ Monthly Subscriptions

People Style Watch

I love this magazine and when I was able to get a free subscription I jumped at the chance. I love paging through each months issues and dog-earring all the pages that show styles and/or ideas I love.

Birchbox Subscription

Birchbox is a great monthly treat that I'm always excited to get in the mail. Each month I get a cute little box {this months} with several fun beauty/fashion/lifestyle samples. I can go to the Birchbox website to rate the items and earn points which I can use to order full sizes of the samples I've received. Some of my favorites have been:

• June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Enzyme Polish- such a great facial scrub: gentle but powerful and I love the scent!
• Birchbox Notecards- I adore these darling {xoxo} notecards which are perfect for a quick thank you note, simple hello, or love letter!
• Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner- This fun gold glimmery eyeliner goes on perfectly for a subtle hint of excitement. I put it in the outer corner of my eyelid at the top and bottom for just a tad of sparkle. 
• Twistband Hair Tie- I've become obsessed with these pretty hair ties that come in fun colors. I wear them on my wrist with my bracelets and always have a hair tie when I need one. Plus, they make my boring ponytails and buns a little more exciting. 

Hope these can give you some great inspiration too!!

xo, SS