Thanks to MS ARSCOTT

Hopefully you have noticed my new look. I love the soft, feminine undertones to the title, and I have MS ARSCOTT to thank. As a fellow blogger and a colleague, MS ARSCOTT is constantly inspiring me with her keen eye and passionate spunk. If you want to be amused, entertained, and inspired, you should follow MS ARSCOTT.

Guest Blogger: The Tale of an Amazing Find

Still not a TJ fan? Read this post from a dear friend, Natalie Anderson, and fellow TJ fanatic. If this doesn't change your mind, I suppose you are hopeless! (Don't forget to checkout the "compared at" price.)

If you’re like me, you have a hard time not picking up a few items for yourself while Christmas shopping for others. I had not considered this risk when my mom sent me to find a “fabulous” purse for her to give my sister for Christmas.

I went straight to my nearby TJ Maxx for their variety of styles and prices. While I found a few great options for my sister, there was one that called my name and I knew I could not give it up!

I found this amazing handbag in the clearance section, marked down to $90 from an original $180 TJ Maxx price. A little google searching after the purchase confirmed that this was a VERY good deal.

Some of you might be thinking I’m selfish for not giving the fabulous purse to my sister, but I can assure you that her personal style and lifestyle do not fit with this beauty. So I’m off the hook for any guilt!

Shoulder Service

Even if you are not knee deep in fashion trends, it is probably hard to ignore the overly exaggerated shoulder trend. While I think strong shoulders are amazingly lovely on a woman, the massive 80s shoulder pad throwback and futuristic harsh angles are unrealistic for everyday wear. And they tend to make women look more like a football linebacker versus simply accentuating a sexy female trait.

Here is my real life compromise: bedazzled shoulders.

Obviously accentuating shoulders doesn't always have to entail sparkles, but look for detail around the shoulder area from studding to a contrast knit. Then look for a slight scoop neck that shows off your collar bones. You might as well accentuate another sexy female trait if you are drawing eyes to that area.

The Ugg-ly Truth

As of late, I have been agonizing over a fashion situation. I know I am about six years late to the conversation, but I have finally come around to considering the purchase of Uggs. At first encounters, I found Uggs clumsy and anything but feminine. But as the temperature drops and my fashion motivation decreases, the thought of rolling out of bed and throwing on leggings, a cozy flannel shirt, and comfy Uggs is rather tempting.

Before I take the plunge of a $200+ investment (which is a lot for my thrifty self) I need to weigh all sides. For example, has the Ugg phenomenon run its course? And if so, what is their comfy replacement? That is why I am turning to my trusty readers. What do you think I should do? Uggs or no Uggs?!

Picture Source: Cupcakes and Cashmere

The Weather Outside is Frightful

The single good thing about the sub freezing weather san snow is all the fun, cozy outerwear. Right now I am loving my mittens, which I happened to get at this year's War Eagle Craft Fair (craft fairs aren't just for your grandmother). The mittens are made from vintage sweaters and buttons and warmed up inside with a fuzzy fleece.

Don't want to wait until next year's craft fair? Check out this Etsy site with a similar mitten concept.

Guilt Free Shopping

I sometimes need a "me" break during the craziness of the holidays, but since it is the season of giving, I often feel guilty buying items for myself. I have the perfect solution: thrift store shopping. Look at these Frye-like boots I found today at the Springdale Salvation Army. The are real leather, and I love how the person before me has worn out the toes. It makes them look tougher. The best part: they were $10! Definitely guilt free!

I know that so many of you like the idea of thrift store shopping but are painfully afraid to venture on your own. If you need a "me" break this Saturday (December 12), let me know (via the comment section) and I will organize and lead a guided tour through a couple Rogers, AR thrift stores.

Can't get enough ...

...of BIG, embellished belts. I love how retro they look and how they have the ability to add personality to even plain jane tees. Best place to get them? Thrift stores!

Guest Blogger: Fashionable Gifts for Men

I am often asked about men's fashion and then I have to kindly surrender that I know nothing about it. This is proven by all the clothes I buy my husband that are still sitting in his closet with the original tags. So to properly guide you women on men's fashion, I tapped into a man who seems to get it right. Jamie Cornett has a distinct sense of style that seamlessly blends an urban funk with a preppy polish, creating stylish ensembles that are never over the top or masculine compromising.

So here you go ... fashionable gift giving advice for the man in your life from a man who gets it:

Ok ladies, I feel like I need to start off with news you probably don’t want to hear…men don’t like getting clothes for Christmas. It’s not because we don’t trust you to find a pair of jeans or a polo shirt that would look good on us. It is because with each gift that is carefully wrapped and placed beneath the Christmas tree we immediately imagine ourselves rocking out with that new MP3 player, catching YouTube worthy video on our Flip Ultra HD camcorder, or staying cool with Dyson’s new Air Multiplier that we are convinced is inside those boxes. We want the latest gadget for Christmas. When we open that first package only to find another sweater vest we will of course be grateful…on the outside. Inside, however, we are already looking forward to that next box and hoping that whatever is inside either requires batteries or plugs in. I’m going to let you take a peek at my Christmas wish list and hopefully allow you to not only avoid this scenario completely but help you find some clothes that make your guy look great.

Jeans
Everyone knows that jeans are a staple in every guy’s wardrobe. When jeans become a gift they need to have a little more style than the 10 pairs of Levi’s that are already hanging up in the closet. Go for a darker wash and stick to either a straight leg or slim cut. This ensures that they are not overly casual and are perfectly acceptable for jean’s day at work.

Source: Gap

Cardigans
I had trouble with this one at first but you have to believe me. Take note the next time you are watching a primetime sit-com that includes young, professional men in the cast. One of them will be wearing a cardigan. Think Mr. Rogers Neighborhood! You can choose from standard colors like gray and black or if your guy is a little more courageous go out on a limb with purple or blue…and don’t forget about argyle and cable-knit styles. You might initially get a funny look once he realizes he’s holding a cardigan but insist he try it on with a dress shirt underneath and he will realize that it looks great.

Source: Banana Republic

Sneakers
While guys don’t have the obsession with shoes that plagues most females we undoubtedly feel a little better about ourselves when we’re wearing a nice new
pair of sneakers. And they go with everything! You can go super casual with jeans and a t-shirt or high-style when paired with a suit. Here the important thing is that they have something a little different about them. Maybe they are made of patent leather or have an odd mix of color (orange and turquoise perhaps). Some brands to look for are Nike, Diesel, Converse, and Puma.

Source: Puma

Half-zip Sweaters
Go to any office where the dress code is business casual and without question the majority of the guys there will be wearing long sleeve button down dress shirts. These are easy for us to buy on our own. They are either solid or striped and for the most part all look fairly similar. A great way to update this look is to add a half-zip sweater as a top layer. The color or print from the shirt is still visible and you get the added bonus of looking like you put some thought into your appearance. The good thing is that you can buy one or two half-zips and wear them over several of the dress shirts that are already in your closet. Don’t be afraid to branch out color-wise. Shades of blue, green, and purple are good choices. Also make sure the material is thin enough so that over-heating isn’t an issue.

Source: Banana Republic

Ok, there it is…my no-technology-allowed Christmas wish list. One more thing, don’t forget that there is plenty of room in your guy’s stocking to include some guy friendly fashion accessories. A pair of argyle or striped socks, a new brown or black belt, or even a black skinny tie (seriously, I still love the skinny tie) would be a great addition to the chocolate santa, chapstick, and Nerd rope that I usually find in mine.