Year of Style: Memorable Outfits of 2013...

Wow...wow.. wow... 2013 is going going gone! Two things hit me about looking over this last year's outfit posts.. 1)  A lot has happened in a year! 2) I miss those aviator sunglasses... wish I could find them...They are probably hanging out with half of my socks.. It's a conspiracy... 

I don't know about you but when I think about a year in reverse I'm always shocked in how fast a year goes by! You'd think I'd be used to this by now... But when I stop and think about wow, so much has happened and I'm so thankful! I'm thrilled that you've been with me all the way! Thanks for making 2013 are truly great year... here's to making 2014 even better!! Thanks for reading!

Happy New Year!

What to Wear, Christmas Party: A little red lip...

A little red lip... by hchdesigns featuring a black dress

In this season on Christmas parties and endless fashion options... try a little red lip!  It's the perfect little pop of red to your look, a little black dress, gold accessories and a gorgeous white coat.. it's the perfect look that says I'm classic, don't underestimate me and I like to party...  This is almost the exact look I wore to a Christmas party this last Saturday night (except the bag & different white coat and earrings).. to where I had sincere plans and aspirations to get documented in an outfit post..rolling my eyes.. however, I did not get ready in time to catch the daylight... When did I become so high maintenance?

Holy green eyes batman...thanks Instagram for saving the day like you always do...

Here's my tip for wearing a bold lip color, if your doing a bold lip do a simple eye... You don't want your face competing for attention... bold lip = subdued eyes... want to make your eyes pop? Do a nude lip with a slight gloss....Normally I'm an eye girl and lips are usually very basic, but my look by itself wasn't super glam so to step it up I did a nice bold red lip... I'm wearing True Red- L'Oreal Colour Riche... Gorgeous color and great if your like me with fair skin and red tones in your hair... This Christmas don't be afraid to go bold... pair with classic pieces such as black, white & gold and believe me you won't be sorry... you might even get stuck under some mistletoe! 

Pinterest, Ebay, Stretchy Pants.. Oh My....

Oh Pinterest... how you seduce me... Life lately has been a whirlwind of  family time, overeating, stretchy pants and burning my tongue consistently on hot cocoa... It's the price I'm willing to pay for the Holidays! It's officially here, my favorite time of year... and these are some things I've pinned on my Pinterest lately... the hub of holiday and fashion inspiration....

Lately I can't get enough of slouchy sweaters and anything ski lodge related I mean isn't that picture of Audrey Hepburn divine? It's like a combo of all things awesome.. fashion, Audrey, snow & fabulousness...
I think love affair with all ski lodge things comes from being raised in NY and a winter without snow is just unheard of ...California fail... and even though I do not miss those 4 feet of snow winters.. for realz.. I do miss hearing the crunch of snow under my boots and stepping outside to hear the silence the falling snow makes... it's just magical... Also currently obsessed with any thing Christmassy, such as ice skating or plaid or a Christmas tree on top of a car... I cant resist it... Along with my Christmas obsession is flare jeans... for some reason right now I'm dying for a great pair of high wasted flares.. channel my inner Rachel Zoe... well kinda... Picture this, high wasted flares, red plaid button down, faux fur vest & wide brim floppy hat or just another slouchy sweater.. to hide the inevitable food baby.. I mean it's so perfect!

My trick for finding some great designer jeans is Ebay.. I have found some great deals on there and I always plan on getting alterations to ensure a good fit & length...I do not have any delusions about this, a 34 inch inseam isn't ever going to work... My tip for buying jeans on Ebay is (especially if your picky about the fit) buy only something that is in amazing condition and  in case it doesn't fit well,  you can re-sell... I bought a pair of JBrand jeans for a steal ($30 after alterations) but I wasn't certain on the fit.. so I planned on if they didn't fit I could re-coup some money back by selling to Plato's Closet (unaltered)... If that isn't an option for you or they simply wont give you enough money just pop them back on Ebay! Done and done! Personally I always calculate the shipping along with the cost of alterations added to the list price to determine if I'm getting a good deal... Then I also give myself a cap on bidding an easy way to do that is setting it with the auto bidder... It's really easy and it will keep track of your bids so you don't have to! And that's it, with those tips I'm sure you can find some seriously awesome denim for a bargain! Now I'm on the hunt for either some Hudson or JBrand high wasted flares... I know they are out there... Come to mama!

Swedish Apple Pie...

 In a recent blogpost I mentioned how I made a Swedish Apple Pie and a couple of you asked for a post of the recipe! Well in the spirit of giving here it is... I may or may not have touched up my manicure for this...

Peel and slice as many apples as you need, I slice them into the baking dish I'm using so I know I've got enough... I usually make this into a pie plate but I took it to a dinner at friends so I needed more than usual.....

Once you have enough apples toss with 1/2 tsp Cinnamon & 1/2 tsp sugar (you can just eyeball it).. Mix and put back into the baking dish...

In a seperate bowl mix 1 Cup of Flour & 1 Cup of Sugar.. 3/4 (1 stick and half) I used more since I was making more.... and 1 egg.

Pour melted butter into the flour mixture and stir quickly so you dont scramble the egg.. mix well and it will look like the picture below...

Pour the buttery sugary glob mixture on top of the apples, try to distribute as evenly as possible... and bake 350 for 1 hour....

Prepare yourself for the amazing smells about to come from your kitchen... and this is the end result!

If you having a dinner party or supposed to bring a dessert to a group gathering or even Thanksgiving Dinner... this recipe is sure to impress! Simply top with vanilla ice-cream and indulge... I'm not sure where I got this recipe and I realize that this is really more of a cobbler than a pie... however I like to call it a pie, it makes me feel like I've accomplished more! Between apples, cinnamon & butter you really can't go wrong and this recipe has it all! I hope you enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

~Swedish Apple Pie~

• As many apples as needed (peeled & sliced)
• 1/2 tsp of Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp of sugar (less if apples are really sweet)

Mix put in the baking dish. 

Top

• 1 Cup Flour
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 3/4 Butter (melted all the way)
• 1 Egg

Mix, pour over filling and bake for 1 hour at 350

Gift Guide For The Guys...

Gift Guide For The Guys... by hchdesigns on polyvore.com

It's that time of year! Time to get shopping! Ya know, you would think that buying gifts for our guys would be easier... but honestly it's so hard.. My husband he seriously is the greatest however whenever he wants something he plans on buying it himself ... which to me is like "seriously??!"... I love surprising people.. actually I love surprises just in general... so when I can find a present for someone and it's not something they told me they wanted it almost makes it better... like I get extra points or something for finding a gift he'll love that wasn't on his list... It's a complex I'm pretty sure...

My husband has been really into hunting these days, so for our Anniversary I thought (all on my own) of getting him a hunting cookbook... Found a perfect book and with my very proud self I ordered from Amazon and boom! I was a gift giving GENIUS!! Eat your heart out Santa.. Then the thought occurs to me... Uh oh, the confirmation email... Seth is going to see it.. Nah... I think "he never checks his email and I'll just delete it when I get home before he sees it... and that was the end of that... Not even 30 minutes go by and Seth is in my office (we work together and yes I made an online purchase at work... I know I'm a terrible employee... blah blah blah...) Seth is in my office and asks "did you buy me a book?" to which I'm like "seriously? How did you know that?" "I got the email while I was on break"... dang it, stupid technology...  "Uh, well yeah.." to which he responds, "well I thought it was fraud so I canceled it... " Cue look of disbelief... So then I had to go back in and reorder the same book and then tell Seth to disregard the confirmation email... Ugh... trying to surprise my guy is hard work! That my friends is why we now have separate Amazon accounts... he loved the book by the way and was looking at something similar that morning without my knowledge... #worldsgreatestwife that apparently is challenged in the art of surprising her man...

So I've created three different sets of gift possibilities for the guy in your life, hopefully it will aid to inspiration... if you want to see the individual item details simply click on the picture... Do you have any gift giving bumbles?  I'd love to know!  Good luck and happy shopping!

Be The Leading Lady Of Your Life...

Be The Leading Lady Of Your Life...

Lately I must confess, I've been behaving like the "best friend"... I've been down on myself for lack of blog posts and lack of outfit pictures... we're getting real here folks! It's not for a lack of wanting, oh the desire has been there but find myself thinking thoughts like "get it together Hope".. and "can you really do this?" To which I say, "what the?" I've got a real grown up life going on and when that happens.. well.. sometimes the inspiration doesn't always flow.. ya know? But beyond that I've allowed myself to think about me not as the leading lady but someone who is off to the side... not cool.. 

It's not a good thought pattern and it sneaks in so quickly, in this world of beauty, trends and fashion statements those are all amazing but a complete waste if I'm not thinking of myself in the real light... a positive light...  "in the movies there is the best friend and a leading lady, you I can tell are a leading lady but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend..." 

It's true.. and when I realized this I'm inspired to change..has anything changed in my circumstances? Obviously not since there is a video up there and not pictures of me trying pose.. posing is hard work... however my attitude has gotten a nice swift kick in the behind... exactly what it needed... Everyday is a red carpet moment and wherever you go it is your runway... you are the leading lady of your life... and when you  believe it, others will too...  What do you do when you hear those thoughts that bring you down or say you aren't amazing? I have ignore it and listen to the voice that says "you're beautiful, you're amazing... you are strong and that when you smile it shakes the world... " That's the voice I have to listen to and if I can't hear it then I remember what I've heard before... because all it takes is just a second of quiet and you'll hear it.. that positive voice that says.. "You're amazing..." It's what completes any look and makes me be the most beautiful version of myself... that my friend is the necessary accessory to any outfit! 

My Pinterest Christmas Wishlist...

Christmas Wishlist... by hchdesigns featuring DeLonghi

Black top / Hunter knee high boots, $145 / Sole Society bootie boots / BaubleBar multi row necklace / Tinley Road faux fur loop scarf / Tildon scarve / DeLonghi kitchenware dining / Sugar Paper Gold Stripe Notebook / Porcelain cup / Hot Tools Big Bumper 1 1/2" Prof. Spring Hair Curling Iron #1102 US..., $72

It's officially now feeling like fall is over and winter is almost here.. where I'm getting cozy on the couch with a blanket, hot cocoa & happily pinning everything on Pinterest... I'm not sure what it is about this time of year that makes me glued to the visual buffet that Pinterest is, but wow.. it's a problem.... One of my favorite ways to use "this wonderful waste of time"  is to create a Christmas Wishlist! My family loves this, it gives a visual for what I like... You know that phrase a picture is worth a 1,000 words.. yeah...I kinda think mine are worth a little bit more... As my good friend Karen would say... "I need a Pintervention"....


So, I designed a little board of a few things on my Christmas list and since it's two weeks away from Thanksgiving... yeah I know.. cray cray....

One of the great things about Pinterest is it's availability to anyone... I usually start creating my wishlist right around November and when I've got a few items, I email the link to my family and voila! Instant visual wishlist for anyone and it's instantly updated when I add new things, they can see my style,preference and I can make a note on what size to order! No one wants to return something because of it being the wrong size...awkward... 

This year I'm all about coffee, green & scarves... I honestly can't get enough... Oh gosh, that faux fur scarf? I think I need it in my life, it's gorgeous...  Hunter rain boots, sigh... need I say more? Ok.. we've all decided they're amazing.. and what would an honest to goodness Christmas Wishlist be without a sweater? I never need a reason for more sweaters.. but I'm thinking, a relaxed tee, that sweater, leggings & those hunters... Holy moly it's a perfect look for overeating and hiding the evidence... uh.. not that I ever do that... All I'll need then is spiked hot chocolate.. Which did not make it on Pinterest wishlist.... but hey, there's always next year...

Feel free to follow along for the fun here...

Champagne Thursday & Leather Leggings...

Sweater- TJ Max

Tank- Target

Leggings- HM (similar)

Heels- HM

Necklace & Bracelet- Aldo (similar necklace & bracelets)

Earrings- Gift

Bag- TJ Max

My completely logical reasons for the bubbly... 

-Ran three times now... I was the girl wheezing on the side of the road..

-Cleaned out the fridge... Don't judge...

-It's almost November which means it's almost Christmas... my logic is sound.. 

- Totally gave myself fake bangs... see here.. not too shabby..

-Figured out that Starbucks is my workout motivator... if I could run with a Starbucks cup in my hand I would.... it's how I roll...

- Christmas commercials have begun... only 7 more weeks...not that I'm counting...

- Totally rocked the leather leggings...and...my legs make duck noises when I walk...

-Actually used my running playlist while running.... It's a Christmas Miracle! 

- Two words, customer service... #dayjob 

-It's officially sweater weather... Thank you October for giving me my wardrobe back... 

- All four of my houseplants are still alive a month later! #crossingmyfingers

-I get an extra hour of sleep this weekend... It's like a state wide corporate nap... Thanks California... thanks... 

- I baked a Swedish Apple Pie... it was amazing... take that Martha Stewart!

-It's Thursday.... nuff said.

Mama Got A Makeover: The Blog Salon...

You know those shows like What Not To Wear ... where they take a tired woman who's making due with what she's wearing and how's she doing her hair.... then they take her and give her an amazing makeover? Yeah... I'm like one of those women... only for my blog....

I first discovered Ashley at The Blog Salon about 6 months ago and I was instantly impressed! Her professional and yet extremely talented designs are nothing more than art... It's a scary feeling trusting (trust issues) someone else with your blog.. It's a big deal, it needs to reflect you, be professional and yet awesome... From the moment I first had communication with Ashley she instantly put me at ease... she's like the "blog whisperer"... Plus I have to mention she's currently getting her Masters in Design, while still rocking at her day job as a high school teacher! #rockstarstatus

One of the selling points for me was the method of inspiration,  Ashley suggests starting with a Pinterest board! It was like someone was speaking my language, creating a new look for my blog and using my favorite waste of time? Sold!! I collected all the most inspiring photos as a visual buffet for Ashley to get a pretty good idea what I was wanting... I gave her all my details and sat back and waited while the magic happened...  Picture an impatient girl sitting next to a phone waiting for a boy to call... I must have checked my email at least 20 times in one day... I'm not very good at waiting or being cool for that matter... Ashley then emailed me two proofs to choose from, both were gorgeous! I could hardly contain my excitement! Let me just say that having to decide between two amazing designs is not easy... It was like trying to choose between two amazing pair of shoes and you can only have one! Such a good problem to have... After choosing a design and doing minor tweaks this is the final product! I am sure you can tell that I am beyond thrilled with the final result.

The Blog Salon offers a variety of services from Blog Design, Brand Identity to Business Card Design. It's really a fantastic one stop shop that I feel I can go back for any of my other blogging/branding needs... So if your blog design is feeling a little desperate for a makeover like mine was, head on over to The Blog Salon check out all that Ashley could do for you. I promise you won't be sorry! As bloggers we usually have about 3 seconds to capture the attention of our readers, might as well make those 3 seconds memorable!

*This is a sponsored post by The Blog Salon, the opinions expressed are completely my own.

Did You Know?

Things you might not know about me...

• I'm a natural redhead.. although some people confuse my hair color for blond in certain lighting... nope au natural ginger!
• My signature scent is Bright Crystal by Versace.... I love it! Been wearing it for almost 5 years!
• My laugh is kinda loud and my sense of humor is totally slapstick... cue Funniest Home Videos!
• I LOVE Jennifer Garner and Alias is still one of my favorite TV shows..I don't care what anyone says, that show is killer! Haters gonna hate...
• My go to Starbucks drinks... AM- Half/Caff coffee with cream & sugar and a sprinkle of Cinnamon... PM- Decaf Vanilla Cappuccino.
• I've moved something like 9 times in the last 13 years..yeah that's an insane amount of moving... 3 times of those was across the country... I'm an expert at packing boxes...
• My Icons: Celine Dion... girl can sing! Rachel Zoe stylist skills & Audrey Hepburn... ever the class act.... If I ever would get the chance to meet Celine or Rachel I would probably geek out in the most unflattering 13 year old girl way...
• Getting my drink on:  sparkling water on a regular occasion & Cabernet!
• I've got an accent... it's a mix of NY & a Chicago/ Wisconsin sound... think Minnesota "don't ya know" ever so slightly... with a little Boston "wicked" mixed in.. Wicked awesome....
• I adore giving gifts...seriously it's a problem... I actually have to wait til pretty close to Christmas to shop for Seth so I don't give in and give his present early! 
• I'm an expert on over cooking chicken! It's my specialty... 
• I adore white orchids.. however I've yet to figure out how to keep them alive... again another specialty of mine... 
• I dream of the day when I get to rock my children to sleep and I sit front row at fashion week... 

Feel The Burn: Motivation & Procrastination..

Procrastination... it should be a skill... or like something you'd want to put on a resume'... I'm skilled in administrative duties, customer service and I excel in rolling over and hitting the snooze button.. For the last few weeks I've had a desire to go running... mostly because my dad used to and I think I want to give it a try.... however I've yet to put that motivation to good use and actually get myself on the road for a good run...

I'm one of those girls that gets excited about exercise because I can buy new workout gear.. I mean, I'm all about looking good and feeling good but come on? Who doesn't want another excuse for some sweet gear? That and making a good playlist... a girl can't workout without some tunes! I believe that a good workout/running mix needs to have the proper mix of good beats and embarrassing tunes from my childhood... fake cough Spice Girls... I honestly believe that if you can get out of bed in the morning then you're golden! However I've yet to master that... unless of course Starbucks is involved and then I'm out of bed with lightning speed.... for local readers if you see a 30 something woman sprinting to Starbucks you'll know I've figured out this whole procrastination thang... Oh the power of espresso & foam...

As for my "Feel the Burn" goals... well... lets just say it's still a goal and I haven't given up but it hasn't been easy... The most important thing I'm doing right now is being easy on myself.. My life has been nuts since I last posted a Feel the Burn post and I believe that in part of having a healthy lifestyle is knowing your limits... For me, I feel that maybe a good run once -twice a week is a good starting over place... Also have a healthy lifestyle is not taking yourself too seriously! And to that I'll confess that I've had this running mix for almost a year and I've yet to use it while running... there I said it... I also wonder how many of us buy yoga pants and actually use them for yoga..Deep thoughts today by yours truly...

Falling For You...

Falling For You... by hchdesigns featuring platform heel pumps

Lately I've been totally falling for anything red.. It's one of my favorite colors... and true story I wore amazing red heels for my wedding shoes.. I was so glam...but I digress... When the Phillip Lim Target collection hit stores like an idiot I thought for sure I'd have days to score one of his trademark bags...  You know that part in Pretty Woman? "Big mistake... Huge"... I went to my local Target thinking I'd obviously still have a chance in my area.. When I asked the sales associate for help, he looked at me with look of pity and said "they were gone within hours"... So, I'd accepted my fate and let the dream die and honestly I'd only seen the bag online so I wasn't so certain it was the right one for me anyways... So then a week later, I spotted one lonely bag in the Target in Montana.. I couldn't believe my luck "what? Can this be true?" and then in a moment of what I'll call fashion stupidity... I put the bag down and walked away... Granted, I wasn't in a frame of mind to really think clearly... Rule of thumb, do not make decisions on handbags that you've been wanting forever when you are in the middle of a family crisis...  so I walked away.. and all the fashion world is screaming in slow motion... "Nooooo!!!"

Sigh.. So now instead of going for the $55 one.. classic Hope.. I've got my eye on the $800 red one that I like even more.. I keep thinking there's got to be a way I can score this awesome-ness...save my money, take on a few extra jobs, sell a kidney.. Ya know the usual options.. Expensive taste.. the bane of my existence.. that and laundry.. but I want to talk about that... Between my desire for scarves, gold office supplies and my ridiculously overpriced fashion choices..Fall shopping/Christmas wish list is getting full and who can blame me when there are sweet things like an $800 bag or a $1400 Burberry Trench to dream over.. and everyone in my family says "keep dreamin Hope"... Oh I will and if all else fails there's always the whole sell a  kidney option... kidding..

Inspirational Thursday....

Today I had grand schemes of doing this wicked awesome fashionista post where we all "ooh and ahh" at all the pretties...Alas, it wasn't meant to be.. Instead this phrase was running through my head these last few days... We've all got dreams and aspirations and sometimes it just feels like the mountain of our dreams get larger and larger everyday... but don't worry... you're gonna make it.. and before you realize it, you're closer than ever before! A little Thursday inspiration for you... Keep chasing the dream!

A Tribute to My Dad- Allen Burdick...

It's a hard thing to talk about real life, real pain on a blog...  On September 27 2013 my precious Daddy, breathed his last breath of this world and started breathing the breath of heaven.... About an hour after I posted my last post, I found out that due to complications from a second stroke... I needed to rush to Montana and be by his side for his last days.... I made it, kissed his head... told him I loved him and it was ok to go.... to be free... With tears and my eyes  I just wanted him to be free of the pain and frustration of being wheelchair bound for almost 7 years. To run again, to see my brother who had passed away almost 32 years ago... To feel joy and life in deeper ways than I've ever known.... And yet, I didn't want to loose his hugs... his smile and laugh... hearing him call me "Hopie Celestial".... (my middle name is Celeste).

My dad's favorite movie was Chariot's of Fire... he watched it in 1982 soon after my brother (who was only 6 at the time) was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver... I was only about 6 weeks old... The movie  spoke to him of never giving up even when his grief was tangible and real, to run the race with purpose and conviction... I have many memories of my dad coming home after a discouraging day and putting on the movie and he was instantly encouraged.  My Dad believed in living out your dreams even if it wasn't the easiest route to take and not compromising character along the way... He an inspiration to me and his legacy is something that I cherish.... To this day the music from Chariots of Fire speaks to my heart and is a reminder of my dad... it might as well have been his story because to me he was always my hero, the one who could do anything...

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." - Eric Liddell   Chariots of Fire....

It's a surreal feeling knowing that the man who kissed your face goodnight, cheered the loudest for you at soccer, buckled you in the car, held your hand to put you down for a nap and gave you away on your wedding day.... is gone... And yet I can say with absolute assurance that even in the middle of thick grief there is a real truth and hope... I'll see him again and everything is gonna be ok.... It's not a sugar coating, the grief is real and yet the hope is real too... With tears streaming down my face, missing his smile more than I can express, there is a soft sweet hope that wiggles it's way into your heart till all of a sudden, life that is ended  is not the end but only intermission and the real story the real life is only just begun....

My Dad, Allen H. Burdick June 29 1942- September 27 2013... 

I'll miss you forever but I'll see you again...

Feel The Burn: No Pain... No Gain...

Let's be real... after squats, lunges, working the glutes and everything esle... even the most menial tasks are evaluated...Who knew that toilets are so flippin low?? Oh it's a real crisis folks....  Sitting on the couch after dinner, I want something to drink...I think,  am I really that thirsty? It's a lot of work to stand up and then sit back down again..Oh the agony...  Legs not rubbing together while walking? I'll take it... Uh... seriously evaluating the need to sit down on anything? That's a tough one...

Right now I will be honest... the whole fitness/weight loss thang is going slow.. honestly slower than I would like.. however these these take time and I'm still seeing progress.. Even though I would like to run around the block without feeling like I need an oxygen mask!  This week I did, 10 (girly) push ups with no problem! No carpet face plants for me! Mountain Climbers? Did them like a beast... however the next day I could have parked in the "Expectant Mothers" parking spot at Target and no one would have questioned me, just by the way I was walking... I've perfected the waddle...

In the pain of progress I keep telling myself it will get better... and eventually I will see my goals but until then I'll take it as a win when I can climb the two flights of stairs to my apartment in stilettos without whimpering... cuz Lord knows I'm not giving up the stilettos... Here I am working out, hitting a punching bag like a boss... Doing the lunges down the street being like "oh yeah, I work out"... "What these lunges? Oh yeah.. no big deal.." And then the next day reality hits... that you've just been beaten.. by toilet..

Final score...Toilet-1 Me-0.

Date Night Dilemma....

Tee- H&M

Jeans- American Eagle

Heels- H&M (similar)

Bag- MMS for TJ Max (similar)

Date night... ahh.. the magic...  sipping Sauvignon Blanc and laughing about about inside jokes... Last night Seth and I stepped out to a little date night to one of our favorite Thai restaurants... OMG... they had me at peanut curry sauce... I digress... 

Oh the dilemma... the epic crisis... I'm not sure what to wear... it's a moment of emptying the closet on to the bed... It's not that I don't have options, am I right ladies? It's the lack of inspiration! So when inspiration lacks... Style your look around the item your most excited about! Which for me was my new tee shirt & bag....  I wanted to wear a cute graphic tee and I wanted to have my new fall bag... what goes with both? easy... distressed jeans or pencil skirt...  I chose distressed jeans since it was a casual date.. however if you wanted to dress it up a little simply just add a pencil skirt instead of jeans, leather jacket and put your hair up in a sock bun sort of thang... and switch out the bag for a clutch..  go for a deeper color on the lips and add a statement necklace...Easy peasy.

For us curvy ladies... make sure you tuck that tee shirt in... must show that you have a waist...No one likes a moo moo... saves my bacon every day... then lastly... add a fun heel... it sophisticates your look and it creates a little balance between casual and chic... and who doesn't want that? Even if your tall.. if you are.. I'm already jealous.. don't be afraid to rock a good heel... you don't see Heidi Klum with legs that go on for days afraid to rock a stiletto.. and neither should you... and for us girls that can't reach the top shelf of anything.. well, most likely your best friend is a 5inch stiletto and a step stool... not to be used together...

In deciding what to wear here is my best advice.. be happy with who you are... yes there might be things you would like to change... Lord knows I do.. however until it happens or you wake up magically looking 30lbs lighter... if that happens let me know what you're drinking! Until that magic happens, don't waste life and happy moments wishing for things to be different.. because you're amazing right now.. and you deserve to believe it... and that awesome guy standing next you deserves to see you believe it too (it'll make his day)... woah.. deep...  Then really the clothes end up just being the frame on a really amazing piece of art!