Daily Outfit: I Saw Red

Are we sick of hearing about "pops of color" yet? I tried to think of another phrase, but nothing really covers it like that one...let's go with "color burst" for today. After lots of searching, I found the perfect go-to top for a color burst this Spring. Besides looking at the classically chic Equipment blouses (but yes- they are pricey) it wasn't easy for me to find an affordable loose-fit silk blouse that met my criteria; I'm curvy and I love button-down blousy tops, but they don't always flatter my shape. There can be issues with pulling or gaping to consider, and I want to achieve that drapey shape without the blouse overwhelming me. The Blythe Blouse is perfection in bright red, and now I want one in every color...especially the neon versions!

This look is more "business" than what I usually go for, but I made it my own with a couple of  unexpected accents- my leopard booties, a full top-knot, and an oversized bloom. 

 I have a couple of tips when styling a this type of blouse...if you are petite and curvy like me, the structured blazer is a key piece. It will tame the drapey fit, ensuring that it doesn't engulf your frame and make you look bigger than you are. Also try tucking a loose blouse into fitted high-rise jeans or a pencil skirt. Totally flattering!

(Blythe Blouse- J.Crew, Cartonnier Blazer- Anthropologie, Silence & Noise High-Rise Jeans- Urban Outfitters, Lips-Urban Decay Super-Saturated Lip Color in Punch Drunk, Thai Rose Headband in Nude- MavenFresh, Leopard Booties- Nordstrom)

Daily Outfit: Fur Allure (especially if it's Vintage Fur!!!)

fur vests are right on trend

i combined my fave mascara and my fave MF headband

the ruffles on this jacket are sooo fun!

ruffles coming...

 ...and going!

i never thought to consider myself a fur type of girl but, there's something so chic and luxe about it.  don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean that i don't feel for the animals that lose their lives so that we can indulge.  ...but what if it's vintage fur???  no NEW animals were harmed for this PFM trend!  this fun fur vest was found on eBay and, though an animal did lose it's life, i think i'm doing my part by recycling it!  the warmth of the day meant i could shed some layers and don my fur vest with pride.  

this was a day of accessories because accessories were totally the highlight of this outfit.  under my vest was another one of my favorite jackets.  it's made by Free People and i was drawn to it because of it's puffed shoulders and ruffles - two features i love and especially together!  this jacket can almost be considered vintage too now; i got it over two years ago!  i combined the whole look with a MF crocheted mobius in paintbox and the new MF crystal ball headband.  once again the term modern vintage came to mind as this outfit came together.  fur, ruffles, bling AND neon... what more could a girl ask for!!!

(Fur Vest - Maven ReFreshed, Ruffle jacket in Black - Free People, Straight Leg Jeans - Buffalo by David Bitton, Neon Yellow Tank - Old Navy, Clogs - Swedish Hasbeens, Crocheted Mobius in Paintbox and Crystal Ball Headband (available on special request)- MavenFresh

PFMs on the Town: IFB Con, Take 2

at this year's IFB Con, we were far from the only fashionistas in the house.  it was truly inspiring to be amongst other talented artists - including designers, social media execs, and tons of fashion and style bloggers - all gathered to learn the top tips for achieving a successful blog.  it felt right on to be networking with others, like us, who share a love of fashion.  we have already incorporated a few things that we've learned (have you noticed any thing new?) and plan to make even more changes in the near future.  so stay tuned!  

btw - if you like our blog, please feel free to let us know!  is there something you'd like to see more or less of or something you'd like us to add?  we really love to hear from our readers (you have to become a subscriber to comment on our blog).  also, if you like what you see, share it with a friend!!

(Sequin Black Tank - Simply Vera, Vera Wang. Black Boyfriend Cardigan - H&M, Printed Leggings - Rachel Pally, Studded belt - J. Crew, Knee-High Grey Boots - Fergie, Elliptical earrings in Sunshine and Thai Rose Headband in Taupe - MavenFresh) 

Daily Outfit: Purple Princess

i had a co-worker tell me that i looked like a princess in my outfit.  i laughed in response because i don't think i thought "princess" as i got dressed but, hey, i can roll with it! :)  that is how i was dubbed "purple princess".  it might have been this long, flow-y skirt that got her feeling a royal vibe (not to mention the royal color), but i was inspired by comfort, as usual, and this outfit did the trick!  don't be fooled by the maxi skirt or the tulle bow, this princess has edge!  under my trusty Northface is my leather motorcycle jacket that i added for this exact reason - for edge as well as office warmth.  i completed the look with a Wheels & Dollbaby tank, my bamboo hoops and studded cuff (not shown) and this princess was ready to go! :)

btw -if you remember, i believe it's absolutely mandatory that every skirt and dress get the twirl test (refresh on the twirl test here).  i also had fun doing the can-can ( my boots and skirt made me feel straight out of the saloon lol).  though i've had this skirt for ages (it's a vintage find from long ago), i'm not sure if i was aware that it had such great spinnage (i think i've coined a new word lol)!  actually, i've had it for so long that it's more likely that i forgot just how well it passed the test!  

(TNF Arctic parka - Northface, Leather Moto jacket - Rachel Rachel Roy, Dollbaby tank - Wheels & Dollbaby, Vintage Purple Maxi Skirt - unknown, Gold Bamboo Earrings, Knee-High Charcoal Gray boots - Fergie, Studded cuff - Matt Bernson, Purple Tulle Bow - MavenFresh)

Fresh Out of the Workshop: The Divine Turban Headband

This latest design came to be out of the desire for a stylish, vintage-inspired accessory that would keep ears warm and hairstyles in tact. Since I tried to shop vintage and couldn't find exactly what I wanted, it was time to create a la MavenFresh. Ta-da, introducing the Divine Turban Headband! It's cut wide and made of a lusciously soft fuzzy blend of mohair, alpaca, cashmere, and wool. So it's totally indulgent, and you deserve it. Turbans are taking on many different forms these days, but can they get you through cold-weather months in high-fashion style like this one can?!! Keep in mind this is not just a piece for outdoor wear; put on a blouse and some shiny jewelry and you're perfection at the office. If you're going to be prancing outside in the chilly air, pair it with a cocoon coat...this turban is divine!

I'm such a hat girl and this just adds to my growing number of toppers. And now you can get a head start on building up your own collection. This will be available in more colors, just click here and visit our etsy shop. You know you want to. 

Daily Outfit: Silver Lining

sometimes it is a challenge to get our photo shoot in before the end of the day but the benefit for delaying this time was the beautiful way the natural sunlight played a part.  my outfit is usually colorless for me so it's a good thing the sun came to literally brighten me up! it wasn't supposed to be that way but i planned to wear something else and, in the last minute, had to change the plan.  instead of glam goddess i had envisioned, i went for comfy fashionista instead lol.  somedays, simple is better (and easier).

you can tell by my comfort outside that the weather was mild.  all this warm-ish weather has me pining for a "warm" winter.  it's actually a tease more than it is pleasurable.  every morning i am forced to check the weather to see what i should wear to be sure i'll be comfortable all through the day.  well, though i'm complaining, the stream of mild weather has definitely been the silver lining to the winter cloud looming overhead.  as november comes to a close and we enter into december, i am realizing just how lucky we have been!

P.S. AND THE WINNER IS (drumroll, please)... Kristina!!! Congrats for being lucky number 7!  And even better, all the other MF freebie contestants will receive 15% off their purchase of MavenFresh items! Everyone's a winner! 

 Thanks to Random.org for the number generator that randomly choose our winner! 

True Random Number GeneratorMin:Max:Result:7Powered by RANDOM.ORG

 (Colorblock boyfriend blazer - Rachel Rachel Roy, Grey long -sleeve Tee - Old Navy, Denim leggings - Dollhouse, Steel Grey Uggs - Uggs, Watch - Toy Watch USA, Jersey Mobius in Charcoal, Vintage Applique Headband and Fancy Feather earrings - MavenFresh)

Daily Outfit: Take a Bow

i just love to mix vintage trends with modern ones.  now that my shopping desires are curbed (yes, money is still tight), i have had to go shopping in my very own collections. i have come across many treasures that still have tons of life left in them.  take this scarf, for instance.  this scarf is a thrift shop find from quite a few years ago.  considering all of the great uses i've gotten out of it and the many years i've owned it, i definitely have gotten my $3 worth!  i have worn it as a belt, a head band, and now, a neck tie.  who knows how i will wear it next!  the great colors just make me happy and i feel ultra chic at the same time.  it took this outfit from blah to wow.  it is the perfect outfit for the office or for shopping on Fifth Avenue. yes, every now and again, this downtown girl can be an uptown girl!  i plan to wear this outfit and this scarf style throughout the fall and winter!

(Magenta cardigan - Zara, white tank - Old Navy, Purple Bow belt - Anthropologie, vintage Vera scarf - Maven ReFreshed, Black high-waist jeans - Sass & Bide, patent booties - Anne Klein,  Supersized Rose headband in Violet and Moonbeam earrings - MavenFresh) 

Daily Outfit: Mirror, Mirror

i don't know how it is for you, but i totally dress based on how i feel.  that's why my wardrobe is so varied and why i can look so different from day to day.  i express myself through styling.  today i woke up feeling like  being dolled up.  my gold sequin shirt called to me.  unlike most days, i actually tried to talk myself out of putting this shirt on; it was too dressy for day i told myself.  well, after a feeble attempt at getting a plan b, i gave in to my desire to be golden.  maybe i was inspired by the unexpected warm sunny day or maybe i wanted to convince myself that, just cause i was going to work, it didn't have to be a boring day.  either way, there is nothing like looking and feeling good and knowing it! i don't think of it as being cocky at all.  instead, i look at it as being happy and loved and showing that on the outside.  dressing up and putting different outfits together makes me happy! it has come to my attention that it makes other people happy too; there have been many times that i've had people tell me that they look forward to seeing what i have on each day.  that is an added bonus to "living my life like i'm golden" (thanks, Jill Scott :).

(Gold Sequin tunic - Michael Kors, Nude boyfriend sweater - H&M, Dark denim Skinny jeans - Uniqlo, strappy black sandals - Zara, Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs, Studded skinny belt - J.Crew, Ellipticals in Sun Rays and Taupe Thai Rose Headband - MavenFresh)

Daily Outfit: Eclectic Orange and Argyle

Can I please direct your attention to my favorite summer jacket...meet my Juicy Couture puff sleeve blazer. She has been in my life for 8 years, occupied my washer and dryer countless times, and I think she actually was my first ebay win for$25- can't even get over it! The color is a versatile staple and the fit will never be something that I tire of. Cheers to that! What's your amazing buy that you have loved for years and years? 

These linen shorts had to come out of the closet for a last hurrah before the cooler weather. I love that the print is reminiscent of argyle, or even ikat depending on how you look at it. For the final touch I slid on my bright orange bloom-adorned headband. It feels casual but gussied up at the same time! I am loving this color story, as you can tell by my big smiles.

(Allotrope Shorts- Anthropologie, Tank- Anthropologie, Juicy Couture Blazer- ebay, Thai Rose Headband- MavenFresh, Hammered Gold Hoops- Urban Outfitters, Skinny Studded Belt- Target, Boutique 9 Sandals- Bloomingdales)

Daily Outfit: Loco Legs

i think i can blame the late hour or maybe it is just my love of children's television.  it definitely doesn't hurt that i have a 3 year old who helps me stay current.  one of his favorite shows is the Fresh Beat Band.  i can't even lie - the first time i saw this show, i was mesmerized by the music and catchy lyrics.  well, my outfit today and the silly time i had with snappin pics, reminded me of one of the best songs from this show - Loco Legs.  one of the main characters is so excited to perform at school, his legs start to move all crazy-like, hence the name loco legs lol.  some may say that leggings have run their course as a fashion trend but i'm not giving mine up just yet.  wearing leggings in an awesome print like these from Rachel Pally (a super find on eBay) are a great way to add edgy and comfort to your day.  i have really long legs so the leggings accentuate their length.  it totally inspired my loco leg poses :).  i paired the leggings with an off-the-shoulder tunic top and though i was super comfy today, i still looked put together. my clog sandals help to dress up the look and it didn't hurt to have my strands II earrings (one of my personal MF faves) and my black tulle bow headband (freshly made) to bring it all together! i got, i got, i got loco legs! (that's for all the mommys out there lol).

(printed leggings - Rachel Pally, black tunic - Victoria Secrets, clog sandals - Zara, strands II - opalicious and tulle bow headband in black - MavenFresh)