Category Archives: Fashion

Choosing a Style Barometer

March 14, 2016Fashion, Style and DesignAnna Gardner, building a wardrobe, classic style, creating a look, effortlessly cool, Keri Russell, Lily Pebbles, shopping for clothes, style inspirationBeth Berger

My biggest problem when I go shopping for new clothes is that I like TOO many things. Now, hear me out. I’m drawn to a ton of different styles; everything from boho to biz-cas, 90’s inspired to girly shabby-chic. My eye gets pulled from rack to rack and anything that’s flattering once I’ve tried it on may very well find it’s way into my basket. This is great for finding cute, one-off items that I can pull out of my closet and pair with one or two things to make one or two outfits…not so much for creating an overall LOOK of lots of versatile pieces I LOVE.

One way I’ve been able to narrow the scope is by choosing a style barometer. Basically, I’ve selected a few “style icons” and I funnel all my clothing purchases by asking, “Would one of them buy this?” If the answer is no then it probably won’t fit with the overall wardrobe I’m trying to create. My current style barometer go-to’s are Keri Russell and the YouTuber/Blogger guru’s Lily Pebbles and Anna of Vivianna Does Makeup.

(Photos of Keri Russell – 1 // 2 // 3)

(Photos of Anna – 1 // 2 // 3)

(Photos of Lily – 1 // 2 // 3)

Don’t they all just look so effortlessly cool?!

As you can see from above- I’m loving a classic, simple look. Lots of jeans and monochrome. Button-down shirts that are light and breezy. Dressed-up details like lace and polka dots. Fun sandals, structured jackets, and cross-body bags. Plus, the daintiest jewelry.

I’ve been pretty successful with this approach as of late. Last week, with Chet out of town, I decided to treat myself to an aimless shopping trip. I walked away with a lovely white button-down and a striped black and ivory t-shirt dress just perfect for Spring! And left all the graphic tees and floral sundresses I was eyeing behind for someone else. SCORE!

Would you try this approach? Who are your current style icons? Do you try to create an overall LOOK or do you just buy pieces you love? LET ME KNOW!

Wedding Dress Vote!

February 29, 2016Fashion, Style and Designbridal style, bride, crowd sourcing big decisions, dresses, lace, poll, vote for your favorite, wedding planningBeth Berger

Hey friends! So with my wedding just a little over four months away I figure it is probably time to buckle down and find my wedding dress. The only problem? I’m literally the most indecisive person on planet Earth. Especially when it comes to buying clothes. And EVEN MORE especially when it comes to buying clothes that are more than 20 bucks.

Since getting engaged, I’ve kept an eye on a few of my favorite websites and took note of the recurring elements that sent my mouse darting for the bookmark button. I know I want a short, vintage-inspired dress with some lace elements. I’m not too picky about the shade of white. I like a more structured silhouette with classic, flattering lines. And I don’t want anything strapless because I know my life and I would just spend the whole time hoisting it up. And faffing with your clothes is just never a good look.

Based on those specifications, I patrolled the interwebs, and have settled on my EIGHT FAVORITES. (I know, I know. 8 is still a lot but I TOLD you I was indecisive!) While each of these dresses tick all my boxes, they’re all still quite different. And I like them for completely different reasons! So, I’d LOVE your opinion. Want a closer look?

1. ModCloth Perfected Prestige Dress

The overlay on this one is very unique. I like the shape of the dress and think it would be quite comfortable in the Kentucky July heat.

2. ModCloth Beyond the Bells Dress

I love the detailing in this one! The skirt maintains a structured shape with that subtle side gathering while the top is lovely left loose and boho-inspired.

3. Ralph Lauren Embroidered Lace Sheath Dress

This one is definitely the most simple of the 8 but there’s something really elegant about it. I love the straight across neckline and the dainty, barely-capped sleeves.

4. Eliza J Bell Sleeve Fit & Flare Dress

Hello 70’s vibes! This one may be a tad wild but the white makes the lace pattern appear more playful than bold and who doesn’t love an excuse for a bell sleeve?

5. Adrianna Papell Lace Fit & Flare Dress

How beautiful would this be paired with some simple ballet flats and a huge bunch of colorful wildflowers? I’ve always had a thing for all things prairie-inspired and I think this dress fits that bill quite nicely.

6. BHLDN Hadley Dress

The intricate lace pattern makes this one look just a smidge more sophisticated than the rest. I would wear classic and simple accessories and let the dress itself do all the outfit talking.

7. J. Crew Natalia Dress in Leavers Lace

This one would fit in splendidly amongst the art and giant windows at our gallery wedding venue. I love that the dress is short in length while the shape and sleeves play little eye-tricks to elongate.

8. J. Crew Elsa Dress in Leavers Lace

The shape of this dress may well be my favorite. The structure would help me rock the look with confidence while the look of the lace and the sweet sleeves would add softness and romance.

So, now that you’ve seen my favorites, would you pretty please weigh in with your opinions??? You can cast a vote using the poll below and leave any further thoughts in the comment section. Thank you so much for your help!!!!

Creating My Capsule -Sweater

February 12, 2016Fashion, Style and Designcapsule wardrobe, finding my style, minimalism, minimizing decision fatigue, my closet, Target shopperBeth Berger

I thought it might be fun to show you guys the pieces I buy, and pull from my existing stash, on the road to my 50 Piece All-Season Capsule Wardrobe. I picked up this charcoal gray sweater at Target a couple months back and think it’s a perfect addition to my closet. I love the waffle knit! So cozy. Originally priced at $25, it was already a bargain. But I also snagged a 30% discount because I live in South Florida and winter-wear is always getting marked down! Unfortunately, living in South Florida ALSO means opportunity to wear this sweater is few and far between. It’s definitely coming with me up to Kentucky this weekend though!

January favorites.

February 1, 2016Books, Brainpower, Every day life, Fashion, Food, Media, Physical, Style and Designblog, comfies, film, in the kitchen, january, monthly favorites, photography, products I love, YoutubeBeth Berger

With the turning of the calendar page from January to February, it’s time to bundle together the best products, places, media and everything in between from the last month. Here are 9 things I found myself loving in January…

1. Punjammies

Pajamas ranked pretty high on my Christmas list this year because I take my comfies seriously. Lucky for me my mom delivered! She gifted me with a gorgeous pair of pajama pants from the company Sudara. I’ve mentioned Sudara’s punjammies in a blog post before but basically they’re pajamas created by women in India who wish to remain free from sex-slavery. The idea was sparked by International Princess Project as a way to offer an alternative occupation to the women physically, emotionally and economically enslaved in the brothels in India’s red light districts. They are exceptionally comfy and I would be happy to wear them 24-7.

2. Food processor

This one is another Christmas gift from my mom. While I still believe that with an immersion blender and a half gallon mason jar I’ll never need a blender, I was sick of passing up recipes which definitely called for a food processor. I find that a lot of really simple healthy recipes especially call for a few pulses in one of these kitchen gadgets. Since receiving my own I’ve made smoothie bowls, sauces, hummus, and soup. Best part? Chucking all the parts in the dishwasher for easy clean up. Oh, and the delicious food!

3. Herkimer diamond necklace

And keeping with the Christmas theme, my sister gave me this gorgeous herkimer diamond necklace. A friend of hers makes lovely and unique jewelry pieces and I’m so thrilled to give this particular piece a loving home. It’s a great every day necklace and looks cute with t-shirts and dresses alike.

4. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

Sometimes I forget how much I love historical fiction but I love when I read something that makes me remember! This book is about a young Irish girl whose parents pass away on her journey across the Atlantic to America. A plantation owner takes her on as an indentured servant as payment for her crossing. Thus begins her life in the American South where she works side by side with the slaves who are also working in the “big home.” Set in the decades before the Civil War, the story tackles themes of class and race, but ultimately leaves you with a sense that feelings of family can transcend both. I would highly recommend this book.

5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Leading up to seeing this film, Chet and I re-watched the original Star Wars movies so I was really looking forward to keeping the story going. While I wouldn’t say I’m a huge Star Wars fan, I really liked this movie. Rey and Finn were super likable, BB8 was adorable, and Kylo Ren was perfectly troubled and scary. Not to mention all those original cast-members! Overall, a super fun trip to the movie theater. I’m sure you’ve already seen it but just in case–go check it out while it’s still on the big screen.

6. Alba Botanica Hawaiian – Pineapple Enzyme Facial Scrub

Alba Botanica is one of my favorite brands of skincare. This scrub, which I use once a week, is a fantastic exfoliator. The gentle buffing granules leave my skin feeling smooth and glow-y. It is also free from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Always a good thing when slathering something onto your skin!

7. PicMonkey

I’ve been having a blast playing around with this free photo editing website this past month. While they have a premium option, which costs $4.99/mo, there’s still tons of opportunity to create neat images totally for free! I had way too much fun creating (way too many) Save the Date options. (I think I’ll write a blog post later in February to show you how I did these, if you’d like.) Adobe can get pricey so it’s nice to find an affordable alternative.

8. 30 Day Yoga Camp

Hi, I’m a Yoga with Adriene fangirl, nice to meet ya! In all seriousness, this 30 day series of yoga videos is perfection. Each class is between 20-40 minutes. Not only do they provide a fantastic, sometimes butt-kicking flow but the focus on breath and mind was a refreshing change for an “exercise challenge.” The sessions centered around a daily mantra which I found really helpful to focus on, not just for the length of the practice, but throughout the rest of the day. I will definitely return to this yoga camp in the future! And I will carry the daily mantra practice with me through the rest of 2016.

9. Reading My Tea Leaves

Do you ever find a new-to-you blogger and then start binge reading all their backlog of posts? This was totally me this month with Erin Boyle’s blog, Reading My Tea Leaves. With a focus on simple, sustainable living, this blog is beautifully written and accompanied by pitch perfect photography. She recently published a book which, if it’s anything like the blog, I’d love to get my hands on soon.

50 Piece All-Season Capsule Wardrobe

January 22, 2016Fashion, Style and Designcapsule wardrobe, clothes for all occasions, down-sizing, fashion, minimalism, minimizing decision fatigue, Project 333Beth Berger

With more and more people jumping on the minimalism train, some of my more random obsessions are finding their way into the spotlight. Now that everyone and their mother has read Marie Kondo’s book, I can’t shake a stick at YouTube without finding a video highlighting a capsule wardrobe. (This is not a problem for anything but my productivity. I LOVE capsule wardrobe videos.)

33 pieces. 37 pieces. Accessories and jewelry included or not. Two capsules a year. Seasonal capsules. Capsules just for work wear and play clothes and comfies. There’s SO much inspiration out there if you want to go down the capsule wardrobe road.

With all that inspiration in mind, I decided to try my hand at putting together a capsule that could work (with just a few minor swaps) all year long. You could of course store the colder weather items away during warmer weather, and vice-versa. This is a capsule that I see being very feasible for my own life and what I want to work towards. I’d like to use it as a resource when I’m de-cluttering but also when I’m shopping for clothes. Because while I have a lot of these pieces, sitting down to dream up my perfect capsule was actually a great first step in showing me some glaring holes that exist in my wardrobe. (For example – I don’t own a white, collared button-up shirt. Staple item!)

So, check it out and let me know what you think….

1. Dressy top

2. Tank top

3. Striped top

4. Sweater

5. Chambray shirt

6. Long sleeve blouse/tunic/tee (Depending on your life and wardrobe needs. I work from home so tee would be legit enough for me, lol.)

7. Shirt with a print you love (or polka dots. or feathers!)

8. Plaid button-down shirt (or this one.)

9. White tee shirt

10. Turtleneck

11. White button-down shirt

12. Black editor pants

13. Jeans

14. Black skinnies (or leggings.)

15. White jeans (or pants.)

16. Shorts

17. Skirt (dressier option.)

18. Pencil skirt

19. Maxi dress (or floral dressy option. or super casual.)

20. Little black dress

21. Seasonal dress suitable for a party/wedding/fancy event (Winter) (and here’s a Spring option. and a Summer. and an Autumn.)

22. Raincoat (or a parka.)

23. Cardigan (I like black but tan boyfriend sweaters are super versatile, too.)

24. Denim jacket

25. Leather jacket (brown option.)

26. Safari jacket

27. Blazer

28. Winter coat (or how about a hooded option.)

29. Ballet flats (or black velvet.)

30. Business casual appropriate pair (if you prefer heels. if you prefer comfort.)

31. Casual shoes (moccasins!)

32. Sandals (flip-flops.)

33. Nude pumps

34. Party appropriate heels (or booties. or sandals.)

35. Rain boots

36. Trainers/athletic shoes

37. Boots (or chelsea boots. and you can’t go wrong with the brown riding boot.)

38. Seasonal scarf (Autumn/Winter) (or this one.) (Spring/Summer. or this one.)

39. Sunglasses (budget option.)

40. Seasonal hat (Winter) (and here’s a Spring option. and a Summer. and an Autumn.)

41. Casual belt (or black.)

42. Dressy belt

43. Cocktail ring (cocktail bracelet. cocktail brooch. pick your poison!)

44. Classic stud earrings (diamonds if you ball that way.)

45. Dainty everyday necklace

46. Watch (or this one.)

47. Statement necklace (budget option.)

48. Everyday bag in a neutral color (tote style.)

49. Clutch (swoon.)

50. Purse (a little more versatile option.)

*wipes brow* and there you have it! A 50 item all-seasons capsule wardrobe! What do you think? Is this do-able? Anything I’m leaving out or anything I included that you don’t think is necessary or would swap out for something else? Could you do a capsule wardrobe? Do you already?? Share your favorite resources if you do!

ITCHING FOR MORE CAPSULE WARDROBE CONTENT? Check out THIS!

November Stitch Fix (Unboxing + Try On)

November 5, 2015Fashion, Style and DesignFall in Florida, personal stylist, playing dress up, Stitch Fix, subscription clothing, wardrobeBeth Berger

Tuesday morning I received a package on my door-step from Stitch Fix. It’s been a while since I’ve used their services, and I’ve never documented it on the blog, so I thought it was high time for a little clothing extravaganza! You see, Stitch Fix is an amazing online company which basically provides you with your own personal stylist. It’s pretty simple! First, you sign up on their website and fill out a style profile. It asks you questions about what you like to wear and your lifestyle to get a clearer picture of the type of clothing you would enjoy receiving. You can also include a link to one of your Pinterest boards for your stylist to peruse. Next, you schedule a “fix” and leave a comment with any special requests or upcoming occasions. And then WAM-BAM, in a few weeks you have a package with five unique items, hand-picked by your own stylist. You also receive a style card for each of your five pieces with two outfit ideas. This is a neat way of showing you how you can incorporate the pieces into your own wardrobe.

For this November Fix, I told my stylist that I recently moved to Miami and was looking for some Autumnal pieces without going the whole cardigan and heavy knits route. I also mentioned I would love to receive a dress option for a wedding I’m headed to later this month. So, wanna see what I got?

1. Market & Spruce knit top with cut out detail.

3. Papermoon blouse with lace detail and tab sleeves.

3. Zad metal cuff with gold, rose gold, and silver.

4. Mavi knit top with cowl neck and zip detail.

5. Papermoon dress.

Now comes the fun part! Deciding what to keep and what to send back. Your box comes equipped with a pre-stamped bag/envelope so you can send back what doesn’t work for you at no extra charge! However, if you keep all 5 items you receive a 25% discount off your total bill. You have three days to make your selections. I like to have a rifle through my closet, jewelry box, and shoe collection to try and come up with full outfits for each piece. This is my way of sussing out if I’ll actually wear the item or not. Here’s what I came up with…

Look 1 –

Look 2 –

Look 3 –

Look 4 –

What do we think, my loves? All the shirts hit the “Fall in Florida” mark spot on! I can style them with more autumnal accessories but they’re lightweight enough that I won’t die of heatstroke in the process. I’m not certain how often I would ACTUALLY wear the bracelet but I do appreciate that it’s mixed metals, meaning it would tie everything together when I’m wearing silver and gold jewelry at the same time. The dress is the real kicker though. The cut is super flattering and I think it’s a perfect pick for a New Orleans wedding…but there’s a little rip in the fabric! GAH! I know the rip/hole will get bigger each time I wear (and wash) it and it feels wrong to buy something I know I’ll get limited wear out of due to that damage. I contacted Stitch Fix to see what they can do so *fingers crossed*! But I’m curious, what do YOU think I should keep?

If you’d like to give Stitch Fix a go, and I SOOO recommend you do, CLICK HERE. It’s nice to have an option for cute clothes that doesn’t involve schlepping to a million stores! AND if you already know you’re expecting a package, is a great way to curb a bunch of “fast fashion” impulse spending.

Shopping my closet!

September 28, 2015Fashion, Style and Designaccessories, clothes, dressing for normal, outfits, playing dress up, simple lookbook, style rut, wardrobeBeth Berger

There’s a few reasons I’ve felt less than inspired by clothes the last month. 1) I’ve been working from home. 2) Florida is HOTTTT! The less clothes the better, HEY-OOO! 3) Buying a bunch of new pieces really hasn’t been in my budget. So, just for fun I decided to have a nose-around through the ol’ closet and dresser drawers and see if I could come up with a few outfits to be excited about. My goal was to put together 4 looks for ME. 4 looks that would meet my day-to-day needs, so I’ll actually wear them, and made up of 4 components, so I can get out of the shorts + top look I’ve been over-wearing as of late. I’m not saying these ensembles are on trend by any means or advocating for you to replicate them. (I realize it’s actually Fall in MOST of the U.S. and not a million degrees like these pieces would have you believe, lol.) However! I DO recommend a rifle through clothes you already own if you’re stuck in a bit of style rut. You no doubt have WAY more options than you think. And if nothing else, it’s kinda fun to play dress-up!

Look #1

: graphic tee + floral skirt + strappy sandals + bangles

Look #2

stripes + denim shorts + long necklace + silver slides

Look #3

chambray dress + grey sneakers + colorful bag + classic watch

Look #4

: plaid + cuffed jeans + black handbag + dainty necklace; Whatcha think? Do you suffer from wardrobe boredom? How do you usually curtail the symptoms? Do you go on a shopping spree? Turn to Pinterest? Let me know!

Gettin’ in your comfies.

December 16, 2014Fashion, Style and Designbuy from women, comfies, half the sky, human trafficking, India, International Princess Project, pajamas, Punjammies, saris, sex slaveryBeth Berger

I don’t know about you but I’m a get in my comfies as soon as I get home from work type of gal. Especially in the winter, there’s something so cozy about standing at the stove fixing your dinner in a pair of pj pants. I have a few well-loved flannel numbers that I crack out when the days turn dark before 6pm. But, if you share my love of jammies and also enjoy doing some good with your dollars, I’ve got just the lounge-wear for you–Punjammies. These lovely pajamas are created by women in India who wish to remain free from sex-slavery. The idea was sparked by International Princess Project as a way to offer an alternative occupation to the women physically, emotionally and economically enslaved in the brothels in India’s red light districts. Inspired by the fabric of traditional Indian saris, IPP hatched their plan. Now, over 150 women in three sewing centers are gaining confidence from their craftsmanship and new profession. Getting in THESE comfies at the end of a long day means a fair wage and a fresh start for a woman who has broken free.

And if you need proof that this sort of organization is not just feel-good consumerism but can work to help end more far-reaching, systemic problems of poverty, violence, and gender inequity; check out this article by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn. I read it years ago and it remains a powerful reminder of the ability to create change by, at long last, placing your bets on the women in the room.

Let’s talk shoes.

September 1, 2014Fashion, Style and Designcapsule wardrobe, flip flops, heels, hiking shoes, mary janes, moccasins, my shoes, shoe capsule, shoe wish-listBeth Berger

These are my 5 go-to pairs of shoes. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really noticed the effect little things like a heavy purse or uncomfortable shoes have on my mood. While I used to be able to spend hours in a black ballet flat that basically equated to a thin strip of cardboard on the sole of my foot, that just ain’t my style anymore. I definitely have other shoes in my collection that get random wear but these are what I return to again and again–

Kalso Earth Shoes–black mary janes

Some of you may think these are a less than aesthetically pleasing shoe but I quite like the looks of them and I will never apologize for my love of them. Wear these for a day when you have to be on your feet and moving about for 8-12 hours and then get back to me. You’ll change your tune. My arches are insanely high so I went looking for a more functional shoe that could take the place of a black flat when sporting biz cas. The secret behind Earth Shoes is that your toes rest higher than your heels which completely changes how you stand and carry yourself. Not only do my feet feel fine but I find it nearly impossible to slouch when wearing these so my back feels great too! If you have a job that is a little bit more active or you have to work events that require lots of standing and walking, I recommend investing in a pair of Earth Shoes.

Merrell Hiking Shoe w/ Vibram sole

For hiking, running and general urban exploration I’m loving these Merrell trail-runners. Again, due to high arches, I find these to be a much more comfortable choice than your typical athletic shoe. I have fairly strong ankles so I don’t find a boot to be necessary when hiking and climbing about. I don’t wear shoes when exercising indoors (yoga or strength workouts) so I felt it made sense to invest in a dedicated shoe for outdoors as opposed to something more versatile.

Minnetonka Moccasins

I LOVE moccasins. I wear them as slippers around the house (as they were intended) but I also wear them as shoes when I’m running errands or as easy slip-ons when travelling. If your feet get cold really easily these are definitely a must have. Admittedly, my Grandma is a huge fan of these slippers (sometimes we’re even twinsies!) but I think they look quite casual and stylish with a pair of jeans while blogging away at my local Starbucks. Who wouldn’t want to wear their slippers at Starbies?

Aerosoles red heels

While old age (lol) has made me much more mindful of shoe comfort, I still like having a go-to pair of heels for dressier occasions. In the past, I’ve always turned to black heels but if binge watching old episodes of What Not To Wear has taught me anything it’s that one shouldn’t fear a pop of color. So I break these bad boys out for the summer and fall months. I think they make my feet look adorable and really that’s all that matters.

Black flip flops

I will never be rid of my love of flip flops. In reality, I don’t really like wearing shoes AT ALL and this is the closest one can get to barefoot. I think my current pair are from Kohl’s but they’re easily replaceable from Old Navy, Target, even a corner drugstore. These are what I wear around the house or outside and what I throw on if I’m popping out to go to Kroger, Wheeler’s Pharmacy or Orange Leaf (all on my block). Maybe SOME DAY I’ll grow out of flip flops but it seems unlikely.

In hammering out my late summer/early fall capsule wardrobe, I settled on these pairs to be my shoe options. If the weather turns a bit nippy sooner rather than later I’ll swap out the flip flops for my Rocket Dog flat boots but I think I’ll develop a new capsule before then.

However, if the sky was the limit… I’ve been eyeing these choices for this season:

Rust mary-jane wedges.

Black Birkenstock sandals.

Bensimons or Toms in a fun color.

—

What are your go-to pairs? Do you have a huge shoe collection? Does a shoe capsule of 5 seem too edited for your taste? Or do you get by with less? I’m feeling nosy so leave a comment and let me know! : )

Summer Nails.

May 26, 2014Fashion, Style and Designgirly post, nail polish, nails, sea foam, summer, TD4W, try the trend, turquoise, vintage inspirationBeth Berger

Everyone seems to be rocking gorgeous, light turquoise nails this summer. Reminds me of beautiful vintage things, kissed by the (sometimes literal) sands of time.