Football and Fashion?

I was at my first Minnesota Vikings football game this last weekend, I'm not a huge sports fan (I'm not really a sports fan at all, actually) but I had no idea how much it included fashion and shopping. I remember thinking I should wear a Vikings shirt to get into the spirit. On the drive there I was actually kinda bummed I wasn't wearing one. But when I got there, I saw all the fans in their Vikings gear and realized that's not me and was glad I wore a blue sweater with a yellow tee underneath and pig tails. There must have been other girls who were thinking the same thing as me because there was a lot of other fashions to look at besides 'team gear.'

I was there early and watching people filter in was much more fun than whatever was going on on the field, I'm still not quite sure what happens on the football field. Although, I was distracted when the teams were stretching, bending over and doing squats. What was I saying again? Oh yeah, fashion. I saw a girl walk up the stairs wearing a super cute tribal baggy tee. The tribal design was black down the center front and the shirt was ivory/white. She paired that with jean shorts, gladiator sandals and a small satchel purse with a long strap. I'm not sure how I would've worn the tee, but her outfit worked. She then walked back down the stairs and I lost her. As the game went on I kept watching for her to walk back up, I wanted to tell her I liked the tee and ask her where she got it. But I was judgemental and figured since she was young and had long blonde hair that she would be snooty. I thought my chance to buy the shirt from the same store she got it from was gone, but I just happened to turn around and saw her sitting a row and aisle behind me. I debated getting up and walking over to her and her friend, but then decided, I'm cool, I look good, maybe she'll take it as a compliment.

Once those words came out of my mouth, I knew I was wrong for judging her. She was as friendly as I am and just as bubbly. She was very flattered that I liked her tee and she said she got it from Marshall's. I told her I have to get it! Since Marshall's is like a Fargo TJ Maxx, you can't order online because everything in each store is different. I knew that from my college fashion days and was sad we don't have a Marshall's in Fargo. Ever since that day I have been looking at tribal style clothes and really liked the designs. Although, I don't want it to seem too far from my style so I've considered making my own print and having it screened onto a tee that I would buy so I know it would fit me right. I definately think it is an upcoming fall trend and would be really cute on a sweater or dress with tights too. If my print turns out, I may consider doing this with more designs. We'll see how it goes and the response I get, for now it's just a thought.
 

History of Fashion 101

On my drive to work the other day, I saw a woman walking to the college with her backpack on her arm and realize school has started once again. As I watch her walk down the block, I remember one of my favorite days walking to college. I moved into an apartment a few blocks from campus and didn't have a car, so I walked. One day in Fashion Design class I had a presentation that I needed to dress professional for. I decided to wear black dress pants with a white button down blouse and a black button down sweater over and some black heels that I would never wear now that I have more style. They were black and strappy, with one strap over the toes and a strap around my ankle with a thick chunky heel. Not at all the 4 inch heels I wear now. This was the first time I had actually walked the entire 6 blocks in heels and all around campus that day. I remember feeling like I was really dressed up and looked very professional. Everyone was commenting on how I looked and how good my heels looked with my pants. It was such a good feeling and nice to be noticed that I took the time to put myself together. Believe it or not, I used to wear sweatpants outside and to class, mostly because I was always running late.

By the time I got home that day and done with classes, not only was my self esteem raised but I couldn't wait to go to class the next day and wear my next professional outfit. Surprisingly, my feet did not hurt from walking to and from campus and the 4 hours of classes. Since the black heels were my only heels, I had to go shopping for more. So began the itch for shopping for shoes, that I had to scratch! The next pair of heels I bought were hot pink pumps from Wet Seal - that I still own, although I wore them so much they are really worn out.

Now when I put on my heels everyday (or every other day), a little part of me remembers the day that I first wore heels and fell in love. It's almost like when Dorothy puts on the ruby slippers for the first time and feels transformed into Dorothy from Oz, not farm girl Dorothy from Kansas. And doesn't everyone want to be transformed into color and stand out?

Is a sweater fundraiser really that weird??

I was recently searching online for some sweaters and Banana Republic was one of the top searches. And the first sweater on their website, I immediately fell in love with. Although, since it is Banana Republic and I would be ordering online, the sweater costs $80 and shipping is probably half that amount. I may be fashionable and fabulously dressed but I do not have $80+ to spend on a sweater. Even if it is the coolest, most amazing gray sweater I've ever seen. I love the asymmetrical look of the button, if I could find another cheaper version of it, I would be in heaven and make the order now.

People raise money all the time and have fundraisers for all sorts of things; pets, clubs, families. Why can't I have a fundraiser for this sweater?! If you would help support the cause of 'Get Kari the Banana Sweater' comment on this post or on my Facebook and together we can help me but my essential Fall sweater.

Don't you want one too? First, help me get mine then I'll help you pick out yours and what to wear with it! Thanks for all your support!!

I'm only half kidding about the fundraiser. But how cool would that be?

Looks can be decieving...

This past weekend I went to Albertville Outlets with 2 of my good friends and we were prepared to spend some money!  It has always been one of my favorite places to go and my friends and I have decided to make it a yearly visit. I always have to make a stop at the Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Outlet, Nine West Outlet and the Charlotte Russe Outlet. Since I love almost everything on Charlotte Russe's website, I figured I would walk out of the store broke but with some awesome purchases! I have never been so sad in my life! I knew some of their stuff online was a little wild, but I did not realize that the entire store would be ghetto club fabulous!  For as many times as I look at their website every chance I get, I still don’t understand the midriff baring tops. They are not attractive and who wants to show off their muffin top, since I’m sure the right people for those tops don’t even wear them.

If you find me someone who would wear this, I will buy it for them and take pictures of them to be in my ‘What Not to Wear’ post!

Of course I cannot leave that store without buying something. After spending almost 45 minutes in the store, I found a dress that I was in love with, a butterfly scarf and some bracelets. I am still thinking about a few things that I saw, but put back because I thought my total would be too much. I should've went back to get them because I had only spent $31.00! Which is another reason why I like them - cute stuff (online) for not very much money. Although, just because their store is not as classy as I would like, their online stuff still has me sold with them. I left after checking out and telling the associate that each pay check I place an online order, I love the store so much! She looked at me like I was nuts and that she didn’t even spend that much. I even asked if Charlotte Russe had a credit card so I could buy more! They don’t now, but hopefully in the near near future. I’m running out of cute clothes!!



Project Lara

Lara S. -- 32 years old -- Wife -- Mother -- Full-Time Personal Trainer/Yoga Instructor
Like most women, Lara leads a very busy life with mothering and trying to make time for herself, shopping and finding outfits for each day may not be top priority. Being a fashionable Mom can be easy and make you look like Celebrity Mom Gisele Bundchen. A comfortable everyday look can effortlessly be cargo pants with a simple white top and a few small accessories. Also, by adding a fun color sandal you can create any eye catching look all the way to your toes that is more trendy than a simple pair of white flip flops.  

Women, especially Moms can get stuck in their color palette of neutrals; white, black, gray, tan. My closet isn’t any different, but I also have several pops of color to mix with them. A teal cardigan, pink blouses or even blue dress pants can jazz up any gray cardigan or white tank. Lara likes to incorporate jeweled bangles and scarves in her wardrobe which is a great way to add a pop of color. Scarves are so easy and comfortable to wear; I usually wear my hair pulled back and some cute dangling earrings with the several different color scarves I have.

Doing this research on scarves and how to wear them has gotten me inspired to wear a summer scarf to work tomorrow. Whenever I'm not sure of how to wear something or what to wear it with, I always do some research first and see what I have in my closet and what I could wear with it. Style is contagious so if you decide to try a new look, you may inspire someone else to try a new look they were considering.