I won't grow up!

When we’re young we can’t wait to grow up…at 16 we get a driver’s license, 18 we’re finally an “adult,” and 21…well you know, and if you can’t remember I’m sure there’s a “private” album on facebook to remind you. Growing up it’s as if we’re in a race to the finish, never stopping nearly enough to enjoy life until we reach our golden years. We rush and rush and rush until our youth has passed us by. Today I’m putting the race on pause and being thankful for my youth because I plan to enjoy every minute of it!
In 1902 audiences were first introduced to, what I consider the ultimate symbol of youth… Peter Pan. A mischievous boy who can fly, Peter Pan magically refuses to ever grow up. Instead, he spends his never-ending childhood searching for adventure on the island of Neverland with his gang of Lost Boys. Peter is an exaggerated stereotype of boyhood - the boastful and careless child, always quick to point out just how great he is.

The story of Peter Pan has inspired countless dreamers to recreate his tale in books, films, stage productions, and surprisingly in the fashion industry. While the Peter Pan Collar originated in the mid-twentieth century, current stars like Natalie Portman, Naya Rivera, and Emma Roberts have easily managed to rock the look in an unpdated style for fall.

Images via mystyle.com

Intended to evoke a sense of eternal youthfulness, the rounded collar adds an elegant touch of whimsy to otherwise every day attire.  However, trea with caution fashionistas...the trick to this trend (ironically enough) is to not appear overly youthful. Try pairing it with edgy accents and bold colors for a more age appropriate style. Check out the looks below for a little inspiration of your own.

Look 1:
With a bold dress, try pairing with nude pumps. They not only elongate the leg line, but also keep from overwhelming your look. Let the dress and accessories speak for themselves.

Dress: Oasis-stores.com, $35 (Sale)
Clutch: Asos, $36
Ring: Swell, $12
Pumps: Jc Penney, $40

Look 2:
Peter Pan meets punk rock! Tone down the sweet with leather leggings and stud embellishments.


Blouse: Oasis-stores.com, $45
Leggings: Bluefly.com, $50 (Sale)
Earrings: Charlotte Russe, $6
Clutch: Top Shop, $50
Booties: Wet Seal, $21 (Sale)



It's beginning to look a lot like WINTER!

Today I’m thankful for the crisp, cool weather.

After miserable days pushing triple digit highs completely devastated every part of Texas this summer, the entire state gave a collective sigh of relief when the temps finally began to drop. 2011 will forever be remembered in the minds of Texans as one of the hottest summer we’ve ever experienced – outside of 1980, which consisted of more than 40 consecutive days of 100+ heat, a record we were two days shy of breaking.

Personally, I’ve never been a fan of the heat I’ve always been more of a cold weather kind of gal! What better way to welcome the upcoming holiday season than with forecasts of cool air and highs in the 50s and 60s. It’s that wonderful time of year when you bundle up in plush scarves and cozy knit hats.   There’s something special about stepping outside and being greeted by that first cool blast of air that nips at your nose.  But just because the temps are going down doesn’t mean your style does too. When it gets cold out it’s so tempting to slip into a fashion rut and live in our Victoria’s Secret sweats (guilty as charged), but this season  add a scarf to spruce up your look and  leave your sweats on the shelves!

Prints

Choose a vibrant print for a flattering look that frames your face this season.  Pattern choices generally only go as far as stripes and plaids, with the occasional cheesy snowflake motif, but this winter prints are loud and proud!

Top Images Via Bing.com
Scarves from Left to Right: Arden B, $34; Forever 21, $10.80; Mocloth.com, $18

Fur

Fur scarves are on the top of fashion wish lists for winter. Able to be worn above the coat or with an evening dress, give your look a luxurious dose of fierce with faux fur! Instead of neutral tones, go for a deep jewel tone like those seen on the runways at Prada and Christian Dior.

             

Top Images Via Bing.com
Scarves from Left ot Right: Juicy Couture, $88; Forever 21, $13; TopShop, $40

Snoods

Looking for a piece that exudes comfort and joy? Try a snood! Huge for winter 2012, snoods keep you warm while still looking stylish - as seen at Hermes for Paris Fashion Week and on Jessica Alba.

     

Top Images via Bing.com
Scarves from Left to Right: TopShop, $32; Jane Norman, $29; Miss Selfridge, $32

A-L-P-H-A, C-H-I....Want to be, got to be, an ALPHA CHI!

Today I'm thankful for....MY SISTERS!

Growing up as an only child I always wanted a sister – mostly because my Dad wasn’t the best at playing barbies (sorry Dad). I even enlisted the help of Santa Claus! More times than I’m sure my parents can count, the word SISTER was written in big bold letters at the top of my Christmas list, but the closest thing I ever got to a sister was a wiener dog named Roxanne…Fast forward several years, and like most college students I made the choice to go Greek and join a sorority! The day I was inducted into Alpha Chi Omega is still one of the proudest moments of my life. I may not have had blood related siblings, but that day I joined a group of incredible women who I still proudly call SISTER.

Through good times and bad, breakups and marriages, fashion faux pas and “beyotch stole my look,” I can always rely on my sisters to have my back no matter what. Alpha Chi gave me the sisterhood I longed for, and for that I am beyond thankful.

Sweet sentiment, but how does this tie into fashion you ask? Weeeell, since it’s Fall and Alpha Chi's colors just so happen to be holiday favorites - scarlet red and olive green  (chosen to commemorate its fall founding) check out the stylish pieces below for a quick dash of Alpha Chi inspired fab!

Olive Green

From Left to Right:

·         Marc New York Shirt Dress, $110, bluefly.com

·         a.ok wool felt fedora, $58, oaknyc.com

·         Gloves, $40, Debenhams

·         Jack by BB Dakota Jacket, $80, modlcoth.com

·         Sherpa Short Bootie, $26 (sale), Wet Seal

·         Opaque Tights, $13, Gap

Scarlet Red

From Left to Right:

·         Kimono Sleeve Dress, $35, oasis-stores.com

·         Helene Berman Gloves, $48, houseoffraser.co.uk

·         Wool Beanie, $29, Debenhams

·         Sheer Blouse, $38, Dorothy Perkins

·         Mia ‘Uptown Girl’ Pump, $59, Piperlime

·         Wool Car Coat, $55 (Sale), Old Navy

"It's shake and bake, and I helped!"

When you think of the home you grew up in what room carries the most significance? For some it’s a living room filled with memories of the entire family squished on the sofa watching the Cowboy game, or maybe it’s the garage where you were surprised with your first car…for me, it’s the kitchen.

Like any girl born and bred in Texas, I know there’s nothing quite like Momma’s home cooking. From bad breakups to bronchitis, there’s no problem too big or too small that can’t be solved with one of her famous recipes.  As a child, often in the way (sorry mom!), I watched my mother wide-eyed and excited as she prepared dinner and tried to remember every detail. A dash of this, a sprinkle of that – I looked at my mother as a culinary genius!   Now as a young adult, more times than I can count I’ve sat at the dining room table with my mom and discussed life over a scoop of her delicious dump cake (the name doesn’t do it justice).  There’s truly something to be said about comfort food and good company, which brings me to my first of many posts on things I’m thankful for this November…Momma’s home cooking.

And while I may not know the secret to her mashed potatoes, I do know a thing or two about style, and what better way to celebrate Momma’s home cooking then with a stylish apron?

Check out the super chic aprons by Elizabeth Scokin at Haute Hostess Aprons. Featured in various media outlets including Oprah, Glamor Magazine, and USA Today, Scokin has created three glamorous collections for the hostess with the mostest!

A proud SMU alumnus (Pony Up!), my favorite is from the Give Me Sugar collegiate collection as seen below.

 Images via Haute Hostess: Give Me Sugar Collegiate, $100

For additional styles be sure to check out Haute Hostess Aprons, for the Dallas fashionistas look for Scokin's designs at Stanley Korshak...Who says you can’t be chic AND a chef?