A Basic Foundation

I love edgy, funky and standout pieces but I mix those with my classic pieces that stand the test of time. These go to basics are a great foundation, no matter your personal style. A while back I took a basic t-shirt and jeans and added accessories and shoes to make three different outfits. These basics can work for anyone as a foundation for their wardrobe.



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At first glance these items don't seem exciting or stand out.  That's really the point. They are the foundation of an exciting wardrobe. They are the canvas for your statement necklace or coat, your fancy top, or that amazing jacket you just had to buy. You can even mix and match these basics for some great outfits. Add a few accessories and you're set.

White Button Up Blouse - can be worn with jeans or a skirt. Add a necklace or a scarf and you're set.

Motorcycle Jacket - I wear my leather moto jacket with jeans and with my skirts and dresses. If a biker jacket isn't you, choose a more simple leather or faux leather jacket. If you select a style with few embellishments and a flattering shape, it will last for years.

Cashmere Tee - I wear my lightweight cashmere tee alone and layered with a shirt. I throw it on with jeans on the weekend and with a skirt for work. The lightweight cashmere is warm but not too hot for layering.

Simple Women's Cut T-shirt - A simple t-shirt is so versatile. A women's cut is more flattering for women (petite to plus) and isn't boxy. I love my gray t-shirts. I have quite a few but any other neutral would do (white, black, ivory, tan). I usually snag mine at Old Navy or Target. I think paying a ton for a t-shirt is crazy.

Black A-Line Dress - Most lists say that you should buy a black sheath dress. I disagree. An a-line dress is flattering on all body types and it's more forgiving when you gain or lose a few pounds. If the fit is good you won't even need Spanx (bonus). I'm a pear shape (I'm sure you've noticed) and an a-line dress looks better on my shape than a sheath. My sister is tall and lean and proportional. She looks great in both.

Black Ankle Boots - They go with everything! Pants, skirts, dresses, casual or a bit dressy. I wear mine constantly. They work for more than half the year.

"Nude" Flats (or Heels) - I have both nude flats and nude heels. If you want something in between, go for a mid or kitten heel. They elongate your legs and will work with every outfit you own. Remember, nude is not universal. You'll want to try on your "nude" flats or pumps to make sure they work with your skin tone. My friends with darker skin tones will want to gravitate toward a tan or brown shoe.

Jeans (Dark Wash) - A great fitting pair of jeans (skinny or straight leg) can be dressed up or down depending on the day. I own both skinny and straight leg jeans. There are lots of brands and they all have a different fit. I love NYDJ jeans. They work for my pear shape and come in tons of styles and colors. You can always find them on sale for great prices at places like Nordstrom Rack, 6pm.com, and Amazon.com.

I'll expand on styling these basics over the next few weeks.

New Year's Wishes

The term resolution is daunting.  It's always seems like pressure and not in a good way.  To me it is similar to the times that my parents or someone of authority would tell me that I had to do something. It just makes me want to do the opposite.  A few years ago a close friend suggested using the term, New Year's Wishes instead of Resolutions.  It sounded so much more appealing.  A wish is like a gift.  You can make it a goal and if you can't quite reach it, then you don't feel like you've failed.  After all it's a wish. The promise of good things to come.

I thought I'd share some of my New Year's Wishes with you all.  In a way it will help me to stay accountable and it will make them feel more real. These are in no particular order.

• Save and Invest More - This year I've been focusing on getting my financial life in better order, saving more and putting aside money for our upcoming wedding. I've also renewed my interest in using coupons. I'd like to get more organized with my coupon shopping. I'd also like to do some investing with my Honey in some stocks. I think it would be a good project and a way to earn some extra money for the wedding.  

• Eat Healthier and Exercise More - I want to be healthier and in better shape for my life and our wedding (April 2013).  Health is a priority for me due to my family history and my life in general.  Wedding dress shopping is scary to me. Dress sizes are not forgiving and run small. The standard is that you need order your wedding dress six to eight months prior to your wedding.  That deadline gives me a timeline of August to October to get myself in a bit better shape. I'm planning to work harder at choosing the most healthy food and by taking our fuzzy kids for walks regularly (as a start).

• Organize my Exploding Wardrobe - I have some amazing clothes and shoes.  I am terrible about holding onto items because it seems that every time I get rid of something, I decide I want to wear it again.  My wish is to cull through my closet and storage area. I need to box up items that are out of date (for now) or that don't fit.  Get rid of terribly dated pieces that aren't vintage quality and trash anything that's too worn. I can also swap or donate items that just don't work or that I don't want to keep. There are a few swaps coming up. I'll be posting about swaps tomorrow. They are great ways to purge a little.

• Find the Perfect Shade of Red Lipstick (for me) - I love bold lips but the perfect shade of red lipstick seems to be an unattainable beauty item. I can rock fuchsia but when I wear red I always feel like my lips are overpowering my face. Finding the perfect classic red for me would be fantastic. I'd love to find a bargain shade but to be honest if I find a pricey brand that's perfect, I'll take the plunge because I know I'll wear it often.  

• Give Back - Volunteering has always been part of my life. Unfortunately, when things get hectic, I don't do it as much as I'd like.  This year I want to look for new ways to give back and volunteer. I've already signed on to help a local high school with their Cinderella project (free prom gowns for needy girls). I'm sure I can find some great ways to help in my community.  

What are your New Year's Wishes?