Back To School Season: 7 Time Saving Tips ...

Back To School Season.. by hchdesigns featuring a ray ban aviator

Ok so it's back to school season.. and it's like a madhouse with traffic at 8:00am and you forgot to leave for work early... Gosh those little kids are cute but they are a real buzz kill when it comes to getting to work on time.. unless.. you plan ahead! Here are some tried and true tricks to help you getting out the door on time!

• Shower at night.. I know, brilliant right? I should write a book.... If you shower at night, first off it will relax you and help you sleep better, therefore not waking up like the zombie that may or may not happen.. 

• Speaking of sleep, go to bed! You are not a kid, you are not going to par-tay all night long... the average person needs about 7 hours of sleep.. Getting enough rest will help you not curse at your alarm and help loose the under eye baggage!

• Skip the coffee shop... There is nothing more chic then saving money... so set your nifty coffee maker to brew right before your alarm goes off in the morning.. that way when you get up, the house smells like coffee and you can stumble to the kitchen poor yourself a cup and all will be right with the world again.

• Keep your makeup fresh & simple, skip the layers of eye shadow and false lashes... go for neutral tones and classic looks... If you need to carve out more time for this, to do it at home, then do it... It's tempting to do your makeup in the car but repeat after me, "I will not put makeup on in the car".. there are kiddos out there and you need to pay attention to the road... If you are carpooling, then well, if you are comfortable putting on your makeup with an audience then be my guest... 

• Pick out your outfit the night before, try it on.. accessories and all and make sure you like it.. I say this because there have been many times I've picked out a look the night before only to change my mind the morning of, which consequently results in half of my closet emptied onto my bed.. never a good idea...

• Set your alarm to go off 15 minutes before you need to get out the door.. this helps me so much, because before you know it you've wasted some serious time wondering if your eyeliner is on evenly..and your not dressed it's time to leave.. awkward...  if you only have 15 minutes left, then you my friend need to start to hustle...

• Top knot...I know, brilliant again! I'm on a roll.. So you showered the night before and then didn't dry your hair enough, you wake up with random waves and not in a cool way.. Brush that bad boy and pull it into a top knot... 

So there you have it.. my tips and tricks for getting out the door on time! It's that time of year when we are playing frogger with school buses and summer is over... We can handle it with these tips and comfort ourselves with this, if school is back then so is FALL FASHION! Can I get an amen?

Style is Who You Are...

Style is Who You Are... by hchdesigns featuring a chain bracelet

Stella McCartney / Miss Real trench coat, $61 / Coach es jacket / SELECTED short jacket, $99 / AG Adriano Goldschmied skinny leg jeans, $135 / Vintage shoes / H&M h m, $76 / Barneys New York clutch / MICHAEL Michael Kors roman numeral watch / Fantasy Jewelry Box yellow gold jewelry / Chain bracelet, $30 / Lipsy logo sunglasses, $23 / Ray-Ban logo sunglasses / Versace fragrance

I firmly believe that style is who you are... it's a reflection of your personality... and just a tiny glimpse into what makes you into the person you are... In figuring out what your personal style is it can be incredibly intimidating... so much pressure... I mean this is a reflection of who I am??? MUST GET IT RIGHT!!! augh... who can live that way? Not me... I've found my personal style has evolved over the years... Back in the day, I would die for a plaid flannel shirt wrapped around my waist or a pair of Doc Martins! Or my go to perfume was Sunflowers , remember when that was huge? Can we say Dawson's Creek? As my style evolved so did I... praise em! At one point I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher... Those who know me, know that I have the utmost respect for our teachers (they don't get paid enough in my opinion) but there is no amount of money that could coax me into that profession... Never did I ever think that writing and fashion would be in my lifelong goals! But here I am and  I'm so happy that I changed along with my style....

Right now my style is a mixture of classic, trendy with a bit of flair.. but the good news is if I want to change that, I can!! In the evolution of my personal style one thing has remained consistent, classic.. and I think that is true in life as well.. things will change and we will change with it... deciding that bronzer is a good idea and that maybe wearing too much eyeliner makes me look a little too Evanescence and not in a good way.. or not to hold on to past hurts but forgive and then let myself be the true awesomeness that I am... getting deep over here...

 In my personal style I gravitate towards versatility and adding pops of color in accessories and keeping everything else pretty neutral...  Adding a tangerine clutch to a LBD is just the pop of color that I like! All though a tangerine shift dress with a black clutch would be killer!!

My personal style can't and wont be defined into one category... simply because I'm always changing and I think that's a good thing... Even when I think," nope I wont be defined by one style category".. I find that there are constant things, like a LBD (little black dress) or leather jacket or a trench... these are items that will be with us forever... it's like the style compass that keeps us going in the right direction when all we want to do is just go neon everywhere..  And then in real life there are things that are a part of your heart and soul that keeps you going in the right direction no matter what.. So if your feeling a little like don't know how to define who you are? Just peek into your closet... I bet you'll see more and more of yourself in those gorgeous shoes then you ever did before!

Submission to IFB Project# 89

For the mama to be..

For the mama to be.. by hchdesigns featuring michael kors watches

(don't freak out, I'm not pregnant)

So I was thinking a few days ago... I've got a lot of friends who are pregnant... I think I counted at least 5 on Facebook... wow...  One being my amazing sister in-law Leah... she asked me a little while ago to do a blog post on Maternity Clothes... I of course said yes! And since I don't have any experience in this department ... I asked a few of my friends... This is what some of  them said...

Erin -"it needs to be cheaper!!"

Kirsti - "It soooo needs to be cheaper! And cuter! And they need to have more flattering options for those of us (like me) that get pregnant "all over"..."

Sarah - "Urban outfitters maternity"  She wishes...

Tara  -"Something I wish I had more of are maternity clothes that don't look so maternity! (If that makes sense) I love when I can wear something while pregnant and after I've had the baby!"

In hearing all this... I had to do a little research... and here are some awesome links that I found along with a few tips!

Inexpensive Maternity Clothing sites or stores-

1. Old Navy... Did you know that you can order things online and return to your closest Old Navy store?
2. Target... Same story, you can find more selection online and return it to the local Target store...
3. Pink Blush Maternity.. typical 30 day return policy, responsible for shipping charges..etc.
4. H&M.. so if your lucky to live close to these stores then score! Otherwise, I would search Ebay for this brand of Maternity..
5. Ebay... check for used/gently worn Maternity or brands that you love... some great deals on there!

Tips-

•  Spend money on items that are versatile... and will (hopefully) last a while...
• Accessories are your best friend! A scarf is a great way to add pop to your outfit without spending an arm and a leg...
• Dress to flatter your shape, not cover it up... repeat after me... moo moos are not for me..

OK, so full admitting here that what these tips are just basic fashion rules.. but I feel the same thing applies...  Spend the money on your basics like jeans, T-shirts etc... (depending on the season) they will get a lot of use... and these are things that you will always reach for in your dresser.Then pull from your closet, anything that has an open front like a cardigan,wrap sweater or blazer... Add in a few awesome accessories and cute comfortable shoes..

Then lastly...

Hair, Nails & Makeup! I know this doesn't really count for the Maternity category.. but honestly I feel like its extremely important to pay attention these area's especially if the rest of your outfit is a little on the casual side. Tease the hair, play with some new eye shadow and get a pedicure... Because hey, you're making a person and that's more than the rest of us can say we did with our day!

Release Your Inner Audrey...

Release Your Inner Audrey... by hchdesigns featuring a turtle neck sweater

Sometimes a little black ensemble is the best thing for those, ahem... blah bloat days...  You know what I'm saying... All black creates a slimming affect to where... we need it most.. Glory! I have to be honest doing this trick saves my bacon on a regular occasion.
Coming off the holidays everywhere you look there is new motivation for creating a new healthy lifestyle.. which I am in full support. However, what do you do when you efforts haven't taken full affect? Release your inner Audrey... my favorite item to help with this, is the leopard print flats.. Can you say awesome? With the monochromatic color, slimming and all that goodness... an interesting print it draws attention to all the places you do want to show off! Don't feel you can "pull off" an animal print? That's ok,  you can... just like here, do it in small amounts .. see there is no other print in the entire outfit...
Besides, it's a New Year and a new you! Go for it... I am sure Audrey would... and that is enough for me!  

Feeling like a boss...

Well, tomorrow is my first day back to work after 2 weeks of vacation... trying to psyche my self up for it... but let's face it Monday's aren't for sissies... and since I am still jet lagged, I plan on wearing a version of this outfit (since I can't afford any of these items ) to inspire me to take life by the horns! Paired with a coffee mug, of course! I am a firm believer in dressing how you feel or how you want to feel, and nothing like showing up to work wearing a fabulous tan and killer shoes to lift the Monday blues... 
In the meantime... I will be parked on the couch watching football with my husband and ignoring the unpacked suitcase on the living room floor... ahh...bliss... 
Happy Sunday everyone! 

Starbucks run.... by hopehowland featuring michael kors jewelry