Eff Your Beauty Standards

For today's casual post, I am excited to feature my new "Eff Your Beauty Standards" tee.

Tee:  Tess Holliday.com

I pre-ordered this tee a few months ago, and I was so pleased when it finally came in The material is soft and high-quality, and the tee fits just like I wanted!

If you're not familiar with the #effyourbeautystandards hashtag, let me fill you in.  Created by Tess Munster (Holliday), a model and body positivist activist, this hashtag was meant to reject the notion of there being one narrow beauty ideal.  The hashtag has since become a movement all of its own, prompting people of all shapes and bodies to share photos of themselves engaged in radical self love. 

Needless to say, I think Tess is amazing!

Jeans:  The Limited Petites

Booties:  Sonoma life+style (Available at Kohl's here)

I'm not usually much of a jeans and t-shirt gal, but sometimes, you just need to throw something on and go!  While I'm planning on incorporating this tee in some more fashionable looks, this outfit was perfect for running the kids around this weekend and visiting my sister and brand-new niece!!

Earrings:  Handmade

Clutch:  The Limited (Similar here)

Also given the message of this tee, I wanted to feature a more stripped down look, minimally accessorized, with me wearing only lip gloss.  Fashion and make-up are fun, and I love creating new looks for everyday and for special occasions.  Fashion is certainly a huge part of my identity, but I often remind myself that when you strip it all away, that's where you see the true beauty!

I encourage you to engage in some radical self-love, to say eff your beauty standards.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all.  It's time to behold the beauty within!

For these jeans in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

From The Street To The Backyard

Happy Monday!

Top:  Forenza by The Limited (last year)

Shorts:  Torrid (Similar here)

The work week may be back for most of us, but my mind is still on the weekend.  Casual spring and summer weekends call for easy pieces that can transition easily from errands running to hammock lounging.

Necklace:  The Limited

This comfy look fits the bill.  

The denim Bermuda shorts and breezy top are perfect for weekends in the yard, but they also work well for running to the farmer's market or for a walk through the city.

I added a few masculine touches with beige brogues and a straw fedora.

Fedora:  Target (Similar here)

Shoes:  Target (Available here)

I'm trying to expand my shoe collection, especially my small selection of comfy shoes.  

I have liked the look of brogues on other women, but I wasn't sure they were for me.  This pair sold me.  The nude (for me) color doesn't cut off the line of my leg (important to me when wearing flats), and the perforated detail adds a unique (and airy) touch.  

The fact that I also found them on clearance sweetened the deal.  :-)

Necklaces worn as bracelet:  World Market (old)

Slightly bohemian jewelry adds a feminine touch that doesn't compete with the easy vibe of the outfit.

What do you like to wear for casual warm weather weekends??

For these shorts in other looks, see here, here, and here.
For this top in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Denim For All Seasons

Happy Friday!

Today, I bring you a casual outfit I wore a couple months ago to hang with the extended family. 

Sweater:  Forever 21 (Available here)

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)

I'm a big fan of neutrals, so the mix of grey and black with denim was an obvious choice; however, a bright color could have been substituted for the black to add a little more vibrancy to this look.

Clutch:  The Limited

Last time, I wore this top with nothing under it to highlight the back-baring cutouts.  For more everyday wear, the tank provides coverage and allows for wearing a bra.

Tank:  Old Navy Petites (Similar here)

Rings:  The Limited and Earthbound Trading Co.

This is the type of no-brainer outfit that I usually opt for on weekends when I have errands to run or informal plans.  I like to give my feet a rest with flats since I usually wear heels during the week. 

Stretchy denim is comfortable and looks great with just about everything.  The lightweight top is virtually season-less.  Where I live, I could wear this outfit 9 months out of the year.

Bangles:  LOFT
Shoes:  Target

What do you like to pair with your jeans?

For the sweater in another look, see here. 
For these jeans in other looks, see here and here.

Denim Week 2: Moto-Mouth

I've been wanting a flannel for the last two years, but I couldn't find one that properly fit my bust without leaving the dreaded gaps.  

Finally, I found this plaid top from Wet Seal.  The fit in the bust is good (not perfect), and I love the color mix of burgundy with a hint of teal.

Shirt:  Wet Seal (Available here)
Jacket:  Gap (Similar here)

Pants:  New York & Company

I became a fan of the company Wet Seal after seeing the amazing way that they lived up to their diversity statement and welcomed the awesome Karrie Brown from my hometown into their family.  I wanted to support the company, but I found the styles too "juniors" for my lifestyle and personal taste.  I decided to give their web site another look recently, and I was pleasantly surprised to find several pieces that I loved.

Purse:  Target (Available here)

Bracelets:  New York & Company (Similar here) & Express

I wore a ton of flannel plaids during my high school grunge phase, but I hadn't worn one since.  Today, I'm not quite as into the grunge look, but I think a flannel plaid button-down is a great casual addition to my wardrobe.

The family and I were running around last weekend. It was unseasonably warm, so I was able to skip a coat.  I paired my comfy pants with easy booties and my denim moto jacket.  

Boots:  Payless (old)

Would you wear a denim moto jacket?  Are you a fan of flannel plaids?

For this jacket in another look, see here and here.
For these pants in other outfits, see here and here.