Going Out Bohemian Style

So you have to pick out an outfit to wear to go out on the town. I suggest a pair of dark denim skinny jeans with a dressy bohemian top. How do you turn casual comfy bohemian style into a night time look? Look for details like metallic detailing, beading, sequins, sheer fabrics or fun prints. Here are some examples I found on http://www.forever21.com/:

Boho Chic Layers

Layers are a staple to any bohemian style. Also, layering flatters every shape, just as long as they are balanced. A way to make sure layering is flattering rather than sloppy is to pair layers such as flowy cardigans with a fitted buttom like a pencil skirt or a pair of skinny jeans. Here are some cute short sleeve cardigans I found. (They are best paired with a fitted tank top.)


The first two styles are from Forever21
http://www.forever21.com/
The last cardigan is from New York & Company
www.nyandcompany.com

One Girls Trash is Another Girls Treasure

The Art of Thrifting:
So here I am jobless with a love for all things shopping...
what's a girl to do? My solution was to go thrifting. There are some consignment stores but most of those sell big name brand like Gucci and Prada which I have no interest in or budget for.

So I decided to go the Salvation Army/Goodwill route.


My Finds:

• Club Monaco blue pin stripe blazer- perfect condition $5
• H&M light yellow ruffled sleeveless button down $5
• The Limited brown dress slacks $5

The Downfall:

Get ready to go through tons of racks, roll up your sleeves and dig and allow a bit of time

The Best Procedure:

As you file through the racks pick up anything that may be a find in your size or a size or two larger (people often give things away when they have shrunk). Then when you get to the dressing room try everything on, you may surprise yourself with what looks good on you. Plus, if you pick up any "possible" finds no one else can get to them you have claimed them for yourself...well until you realize up close or after trying them on they are a good find or a no-go.

The Pay Off:

Spending so much less for the same satisfaction as spending more and still looking stylish.

Good luck and happy thrifting :)

Eco-Chic Must Have

I have discovered a new lip product brand I love, Mad Gab's wildly natural bodycare. Mad Gab's lip balms come in small tins that you can easily stick in your pocket and when you put it on your lips have a subtle sheen so you can skip gloss and lipstick. Here are a few of my favorite flavors:

The flavors remind me of Bonne Bell chapstick I got as a child but even better. For people that aren't crazy about fruity smells there are flavors like vanilla and sugar cookie that aren't very strong at all. There are even body balms and candles available on the company website. To order these products go to: www.madgabs.com

She's Crafty

I have finally accepted the fact that my favorite t- shirt has bitten the dust. I love the graphic on it so I decided to give my beloved shirt a new lease on life by turning it into a pillow.

Here are some steps so you can do it too!

1. I bought a Wonderform pillow from Joann fabrics.
2. Then I cut out large squares from two old t-shirts that were super soft.
3. Then I sewed the squares together on all sides except the bottom (you can hand sew or use a machine) then I inserted the Wonderform pillow and sewed up the bottom of the pillow.
4. After that I hand sewed the graphic from my favorite t shirt on to the pillow.
5. One more detail I added was I cut one of the shirts into long strips (using the extra fabric) and I braided a long t-shirt strand that I hand sewed along of the edge of the pillow.

Now it's my favorite pillow :)

Boho Chic Clothes

Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores but the prices are a bit high....a good alternative with simular fashions is Forever21! check out these good finds from Forever21.com:

This top is only $18.90 which is a more reasonable price point. Also, this rust color is flattering on several skin tones.

I also found this cute top which features two great boho staples: patchwork and embroidery! Also, it's under $25 bucks!

Eco- Chic Must Have

I had a coupon for $10 at Victoria's Secret so I wondered into the beauty section. I ended up picking up this body scrub that I now love! Victoria's Secret Pink Energizing Sugar Scrub in Citrus & Mint.

Not only is this scrub organic, it smells refreshing and really leaves skin feeling softer! Buy it in stores or online....

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=CP-233016&page=1&cgname=OSBAFPINZZZ&rfnbr=5630

Earth Friendly Living

This morning I was watching the Bonnie Hunt Show and she was interviewing two men who had built a boat out of plastic bottles to prove a point that we should all reuse and recycle. Plastic doesn't disintegrate which makes it so important to use different types of bags like cloth reusable shopping bags.

You can buy recycled plastic, recycled cotton, organic cotton and hemp bags on this site:

http://www.reusablebags.com/

I tend to reuse my plastic shopping bags for my trash but I found these garbage bags called BioBag on this website and they are 100% biodegradable which is a good alternative. Also, several grocery stores have stations to recycle plastic bags.

The ultra-compact Envirosax bags come in cute patterns and are small enough to fit in your jacket pocket or purse when they are folded up.

Boho chic clothes

A tunic made of bamboo? The Hempest has this cute bamboo tunic on their site, it is supposed to be a dress but no one likes to see people wearing tunics as dresses let's just get real with ourselves! My suggestion-wear it with some super dark skinny jeans.

Find this tunic along with some basic tanks, cute organic graphic tees, hemp lotions and more on the Hempest site:

http://store.hempest.com/catalog/

Eco-Chic Must Haves

Today I was looking on Marieclaire.com and found a great product slide show! "24 Eco-Chic Must-Haves" here is the link:

http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/trends/articles/green-organic-beauty-fashion

These green label Keds are a good basic casual shoe:

You might be wondering, what makes Keds green label green?

Keds Green Label uses 100% organic cotton on their shoes which can reduce 1,000 pounds of toxic pesticides. The shoes from this line come in an array of different colors that were created from non-toxic dyes and the rubber is 20% recycled, the shoes laces are recycled as well and made from water bottles.

Also, on the must have list is this Burt's Bees product:

Some of my personal favorite Burt's Bees products:

• Lemon butter cuticle creme
• Almond milk beeswax hand creme
• Extra energizing citrus & ginger root body wash

Find more products on the Burt's Bees site:

www.burtsbees.com

Cozy living

Right now Pier 1 has these super cute bohemian pillows that I love. Here are some of my favorites:

http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/RugsPillowsWindows/RugsPillowsWindows/tabid/514/CategoryID/144/List/0/Level/a/catpageindex/1/Default.aspx

Changing throw pillows is a great and cheap way to add character to your environment!

Boho chic clothes

Today I checked out Anthropologie.com and realized they now have a section called "The New Bohemia" here is a link:

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/category.jsp?popId=APPAREL&navAction=poppush&navCount=25&itemCount=-1&pushId=APP_BOHO&id=APP_BOHO

My favorite item is this dress, embroidery never goes out of style and always makes garments look unique:

She's Crafty

DIY otherwise known as "Do it yourself" is a big trend right now, so be crafty and think outside the box. I went on http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/ and even found a DIY yourself section:


http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?popId=APARTMENT&navAction=poppushpush&isSortBy=true&navCount=45&pushId=APARTMENT_FURNISH&id=A_FURN_DESIGN

Some essentials for wearable art:

• Hot glue gun and pliers- take backs of heavy post and make them clip ons or take vintage buttons and make them posts!


• Sewing kit- great for mending, changing buttons that are ugly etc.


• Lack of fear- it's ok to go to a yarn or fabric store or even button store

Book to check out:

Newly discovered bath products

Recently, I came upon an amazing "mint tea" scented body wash by Korres Natural Product it was even organic! I also bought the body butter in "quince" it transforms skin after a shower I love it!
Check out the site:

http://www.korres.com/

Glamour mentioned Korres "watermelon" tinted moisturiser on one of their top ten lists:
http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/beauty/products/top-ten-galleries/081112-top-ten-tinted-moisturisers-korres-.aspx