7 Tips To Style Denim For Fall

7 Tips To Style Denim For Fall

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Sweater: c/o Influenster+Kohls | Jeans: c/o Influenster+Kohls | Shoes: Thrifted

Sweater: c/o Influenster+Kohls | Jeans: c/o Influenster+Kohls | Boots: Target

I don't know about you but I tend to wear the most denim in the fall. Maybe it is the cooler temperatures that make me reach for my favorite pair of jeans or the fact that they are the perfect piece to style with a cozy sweater:) While I am often known as a "dress" and "skirt" girl I can't help loving a classic pair of jeans, especially after checking out all the fall styles Kohl's has this year!
When I was growing up I used to shop at Kohl's all the time with my grandmother! It has been years since I have shopped there for seasonal pieces and I am soooo glad that I decided to see what they had for this fall!
Not only did I find two styles of jeans that I LOVE, but I also got to try out two new brands that I have never actually worn before. I have to say that this wide leg denim style from the Jennifer Lopez collection are my new favorite piece! They are the comfiest pair of denim ever (perfect for dancing and teaching) and I love the style, plus they are high waisted:)
As for the second style, it is definitely more modern, but I love the cut, wash, and distressed fray hem! I have always loved Levi denim as a brand, but never actually owned a pair, so I am happy to say they live up to the hype!

However, when it comes to wearing denim I truly believe it is all about how you style it....sometimes it is all about creating an allusion that makes an ensemble perfect and something you love and feel confident in!
So keep reading for some of my denim styling tips:

1. Play With Shapes: As someone who not only loves fashion but teaches design classes, I am often focused on paying attention to elements of design and pairing things that offset each other in a cohesive way. My best advise is to wear a different shape on the top compared to the bottom. For example, when wearing wide leg denim I either pair a fitted top with it or a top that has a wider collar or sleeves (like an inverted triangle). I like to create hourglass shapes or elongated triangles with wide leg jeans and long inverted triangles with skinny jeans. 
2. Chunky Sweaters: I am a huge fan of chunky sweaters! When it comes to wearing them I don't mind pairing them with wide leg jeans, but this can sometimes drown you. Thus, my favorite way to style a chunky or over sized sweater is to pair it with skinny jeans. This balances the focus between the legs and the torso and doesn't accentuate so much of your upper body. (so often people pair fitted tops with skinny jeans which often seems unflattering because it is all the same shape). 
3. Tuck The Waist: I have always liked the idea of tucking in the front hem of tops and sweaters into the waist of skirts and pants, but after following Rachel Martino I have grown to love it even more! This works well with chunky sweaters or loose tops because it recreates shape and a focal point. Often times we wear over sized tops with jeans and leave them be (which sometimes works), but this tends to overwhelm our shape, thus tucking in the front hem of a top or sweater into the front of jeans creates a focal point at your waist and gives you a flattering shape. 
4. Dark Wash First: I have always liked skinny jeans, but haven't always felt comfortable wearing them. However, when I started wearing dark wash jeans I realized they seem less revealing than light wash, thus I started becoming more comfortable in them. If you are like me, I would suggest trying out dark wash skinny jeans before you wear light wash....it makes a world of difference. 
5. Longer Hems When wearing skinny jeans (or really any jeans) you can sometimes be uncomfortable with how tight they are at the back. My trick for this is to style them with tops that have longer hems. This doesn't mean they have to be tunic tops, but tops with longer back hems or sweaters that are longer. Then tuck the front in! This gives a focal point for the front of your look and coverage in the back. 
6. High Waist Is Your Best Friend: If you haven't tried High Waisted jeans you are missing out! They might have used to carry a stereotype of being "mom jeans" but they are so instyle now and are not only comfortable but flattering! High waisted jeans fit at your natural waist and actually give you shape, plus smoothing out any unflattering lines. 
7. Style Up or Down: Don't let yourself get stuck in a box that jeans are only casual. Play around with styling them up or down. The best way to do this is changing your shoes to heels or a statement shoe, but you can also do this with accessories. 

Are you a denim Fan?

- Madison 

**This post is in collaboration with Influenster & Kohls, all opinions are my own**

Pamper Your Skin: Luxurious Eye Cream With VII Code

Pamper Your Skin: Luxurious Eye Cream With VII Code

Friday, January 19, 2018

I've always loved skincare, but I didn't always focus on it specifically for my skin's health. Often times I saw skincare products as a way to clear up my skin and keep blemishes at bay, but throughout the years I have realized that the general healthy of my skin was fading and I needed to make it a priority. I once heard someone say that they used "anti aging" face wash at an early age to be a preventative for the future.....as the years have gone by I have realized that focusing on my skin's health and "youthfulness" right now was something to make a priority. 

With that view in mind I was thrilled when VII Code reached out about doing a collaboration with their Oxygen Eye Cream. Oddly enough, eye cream has never been something I considered adding to my routine, but after learning about the benefits of VII Code's Oxygen Eye Cream I knew it was something I had to add to my daily routine and I am so glad that I did! 

Their Oxygen Eye Cream is packed full of beneficial and antioxidant packed natural ingredients like Elderberries, Jojoba Oil, and Evening Primrose to facilitate the healing and regeneration of damaged skin cells near the eyes. Did you know that under eye skin is the thinnest skin on your face and the most sensitive to products and outside elements.....plus did you know it is also the most prone to thinning over time? With that, why wouldn't you want to use naturally nutrient packed products! It's formula was created to fade wrinkles and signs of aging, firm skin, and treat the look of tired eyes (or dark circles). I am a HUGE believer and supporter of skin products that rely on natural ingredients to restore skin to it's youthful health and glow, and the products at VII Code make that their mission. 

Since receiving the Oxygen Eye cream in December, I have been using it every day, in the morning and evening. I think the one aspect of VII Code's eye cream that stands out to me is it's quality and scent. The first time I used it and experienced it's power I remember the word "LUXURIOUS" coming to mind, because that is exactly how it felt (and smelt) on my skin. Unlike many eye creams that leave your skin feeling heavy and greasy, the Oxygen Eye Cream is designed to be light, absorb well into your skin, and instantly leave your skin feeling moisturized and youthful.....and let me tell you it does all of that! 

My favorite part of my skincare routine might now be my Oxygen Eye Cream! I often wake up in the morning with tired looking eyes (due to late nights, lack of sleep, or general exhaustion) and nothing has ever perked up my eyes like my Oxygen Eye cream. As soon as I swipe on a small dab of the luxurious cream my eyes automatically feel and look more youthful and awake...its truly amazing! It's a great way to pamper your skin every day and I have definitely seen the results of brighter eyes, fading of find wrinkles, and less appearance of dark circles (like seriously, my eyes never looked this good without makeup before!). 

How I Use My Oxygen Eye Cream:

1. Cleanse my face (both morning and evening).
2. Gently pat my face dry with a towel.
3. Swipe a small pea sized amount of eye cream onto my finger (apparently your ring finger is the correct one, but I always forget). 
4. Apply the cream right under my eye and to the sides.
5. Gently massage the cream until it is absorbed by my skin. 
6. Use before make up or in the morning/evening after you cleanse your face.

I seriously can't tell you how great this Oxygen Eye cream is! I am totally sold on eye cream as a beauty and skincare staple in my everyday routine and VII Code's cream will forever be something that I cherish. 

If any of you are looking to start using an eye cream in your routine or are wanting to try out something new I would highly suggest VII Code's Oxygen Eye Cream! I know the cost might seem a bit pricey, but you really do see results, so if you suffer from dark circles or want to prevent and/or fade wrinkles (like me) this stuff truly is magic and is totally worth the investment....plus a little goes a long way and this stuff lasts for awhile. I have been using it over a month and I will probably get at least two more months out of it:) 

Are you a fan of eye cream?

-Madison

Gaby Teller

Gaby Teller

Monday, June 5, 2017

Dress: Modcloth

Shoes: Old

Purse: Vintage

Earrings: Goodwill

Sunglasses:  c/o ilymix

Shop The Look Below to Find The Exact or Similar Items

I can't help but feel like Gaby Teller in Man From Uncle with these fabulously 1960's style round shades that IlyMix so thoughtfully sent me! It's no lie that Man From Uncle is probably one of my favorite movies, not only because it is set in the 60's and stars Alicia Vikander, Henry Cavill, and Armie Hammer, but also because it is full of suspense, intrigue, car chases, gadgets, and all things SPY related. Grabbing these shades for a sunny day makes me feel like I should be a cunning secret agent like Gaby, undercover as an archaeologists fiance in Russia, where I am working to find and capture a deadly nuclear weapon from a mysterious and conniving criminal organization ;)

With that being said, the 1960's have definitely been one of my style inspirations as of late, and these shades are the icing on the cake! I haven't actually ever worn round sunglasses but as soon as I saw these  I knew that they would be the perfect addition to my ever growing sunglasses collection and I LOVE them so much. Of course, as these shades were straight out of the 1960's I had to have the perfect dress to compliment them, and the Windy City dress (pictured in a different color above) from Modcloth fit my vision splendidly! I picked up this darling dress when I visited Modcloth in Austin during my roadtrip, and this dress is definitely a 60's dream in an airy pastel color scheme and print that I can't get enough of!

Ok.....and can we talk about how much I am loving 1960's style earrings after styling this look based of of Gaby's fabulous style. I actually found the pair I am wearing by luck at Goodwill and while I am typically not a big dangle earring fan I think I will be wearing these a lot:)

There really is something different and unique about the 60's, and any time I get to dress in a look that is inspired by a secret agent character I am all for it!

Have you see Man From Uncle?
Are you a fan of round shades?

-Madison

Blushing Daze

Blushing Daze

Monday, May 8, 2017

Dress: c/o StyleWe

Shoes: Cato's 

Scarf: Vintage

Give me anything pink and I will be extremely happy, especially if it is light or blush pink! Ever since I was little I have always LOVED this color (as many girls do); I had a pink room for many years and if I ever had an option to pick a color it was always pink. However, as I have gotten older I have found that I don't wear as much pink as I used to, and that is why I was so excited to receive this perfect blush pink lace dress from StyleWe which truly made all of my girly pink dreams come true. 

To be honest, I feel like I should be at the Kentucky derby wearing this dress with a unique fascinator, but alas flowers and the downtown square will have to do:) With that being said, not only do I love the color of this dress, but the lace fabric and details are so feminine. I have always loved a good ladylike dress and this one fits the bill to a "T." I especially love the higher waist, shapely fabric, and thick pleats that give it a classic feel and will definitely be pulling it out for all the special occasions this spring/summer (to bad I don't have 7 weddings to attend this year).

Anyone else a fan of the color pink?

What is your favorite color?

-Madison