Who are you?

The people you meet, the things you read, and the places you go shape the person you are. Who are you?

If someone were to ask me this question, I'm really not sure what I would say. It would probably go along the lines of, "Hi, I'm Madison Rodick, I'm 18 years old and I'm a senior in high school. I like sports, I'm athletic, very involved in school, I'm a Christian, I've moved a lot." ( I mean, I guess that's all I would say..) It's kind of strange to think about who you are and how you would describe yourself to someone else.

Recently I went to a workshop that focused on personal branding. One of the things I took away from the workshop was "personal brand is what others say about you when you leave the room" and "why someone knows your name, it's not all about who you know and who knows you, but why they know you." This is a concept that seems very interesting to me.

Aside from personal branding, I want to get back to generally meeting someone. When I meet someone there are certain things that I would like for them to think about me. One being that I am a nice person, I think I'm a pretty nice person and I generally try to do nice things for others. But what makes me, me? And more importantly what makes you, you? There are so many things I want to accomplish and do in my life and I feel like it's only the beginning, like I haven't even begun to break the surface of opportunities that await me. It's a nice thought.

So tell me, who and what has shaped your life lately? Really think about it.

Talk to you soon.

Love,

Madison

0

November 4th, 2014, it was a Tuesday.

"It was a Tuesday", actually it still is..

Anyways, I haven't written in a while and I have definitely missed it. So, to make up for all of the time that I should have spent writing on my blog, I am going to write the best thing you've read today. (Yes, yes, I know this is a pretty heavy promise considering some of you are probably very classy people who read very sophisticated things. But I am telling you that today, this is just as good as the best thing you've read all day, if not better(: ) Let's get to it, shall we?

It was a Tuesday well spent if you ask me. I did not have school today so I decided to take full advantage and spend the night with my best friend last night. I also took advantage of the "midnight rule" in my art class to get my project done on time, (a job well done, by the way) (that's beside the point, but oh well). Then, since it was rainy and cold night I decided that I had no option but to run by the local grocery store and pick up a tub (yes, a tub) of Tollhouse Chocolate Chip cookie dough and some Tazo green tea in a glass bottle (go big or go home). I ended the night with Lexy in her basement watching Gilmore Girls and Friends, and eating my stress away (ha). Is it bad that I decided to buy the Tazo green tea because I convinced myself that I would be eating healthier? Oops, my bad.. By the time this morning rolled around, I had awoken off the couch with my makeup still on, feeling like a million bucks. Fast forward to about 10:30 a.m. when I got back to my house, and I spent about an hour going through clothes that my grandma gave me when she was cleaning out her closet. Jackpot (kinda), it was a mixture of really great shoes and vintage finds, and a variety of eighties patterns and jackets with shoulder pads. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. I went up to take a shower feeling pretty happy. When I got out of the shower I decided to fully primp myself for the day. I picked out a super cute, fall (sweater weather) outfit, I even added some gold eyeshadow above my eyeliner to enhance the fall look I was going for. (nailed it) (: I even painted my nails, except I painted them the same color as before..but I still say it counts. Unfortunately, I can never paint my nails without at least smudging one finger, so right on schedule I smudged my index finder nail as I was putting my wallet in my purse. I did not let that put a damper on my mood, so no worries. Next, on the list of events for my Tuesday, consisted of me trying to vote and then being informed that I missed the deadline to register..I was pretty bummed about that one considering I had already picked out my Instagram caption for the picture I planned on posting of me with my "I voted today" sticker. No sticker for me..): The day went on and I went to work around 1:30 p.m. Work was work.

Now, the good part. Finally, I came here to my favorite coffee shop to write about my day as I listen to "coffee shop music" on Pandora. I left work early and drove here while I admired the amazing Fall Happenings(: I got a parking spot right in front, "an omen" and then I ordered a medium Mocha with a gift card I got for my birthday. *raise the roof emoji. I guess you could say it was a pretty cool day, and the best part is that it's not even over.

Get happy and go listen to some "coffee shop music" on Pandora. I know you just wanna be like me, and I can't blame you(; just kidding, just be yourself and spread some happy sweater weather cheer. You know you want to(:

I guess that's all for this evening my friends.

Love,

Madison

p.s. Peace, Love, and Coffee. Also, I hope I lived up to my promise about writing the best thing you have read today, if not there is always tomorrow(;

0

inspired.

Let's get inspired.

What exactly does that mean? To get inspired.. What is your inspiration?

When I contemplate these questions, I think about things that make me happy, things that motivate me.
It feels good when you become inspired. I find that too often when I talk to people my age, they talk about their lack of inspiration or motivation just for everyday things. This is no way to live your life. We need to get inspired. We need goals, and we should be happy.

Today my inspiration is the future, the knowledge that someday soon I will be doing something great and experiencing my life in the best way possible. It's all about having something to look forward to. Give yourself something to look forward to, and get motivated for the future.

Be inspired and live everyday like it could be your last.

That is my tidbit for the day(:

Love,

Madison

1

Big Style, Small Wallet

What do you do when you have great style, but no way to finance it?

I find myself asking this question more often than I would like to admit. Every other Friday, I like to pretend I have an unlimited amount of funds that I can dedicate to my fashion obsession. However, by Saturday morning, or even Sunday, I am reminded that the last two weeks of working have just gotten me a couple of shirts and maybe some dinner. Every week I tell myself to save, in fact I am really great at being poor and never spending any money (not because I want to, but because I have no money to spend). But by the time I get my paycheck, I spoil myself for good behavior...I buy something nice and I enjoy the next few days of financial security. But like I said, by the beginning of the next week, I find myself trying to figure out how to make my funds stretch until my next paycheck. Every week, I predict how much my paycheck will be and then I set aside a certain amount of money for each of the things I have to pay for. Gas is usually the top priority, $50 aside for gas, and the rest goes towards a variety of future purchases. Each week I tell myself that I should be saving my money, yet every time I seem to fail at saving as much as I had set out to. Someone wants to get coffee, or Chipotle and I find myself unable to resist the temptation of good food or some caffeine.

Do you see any similarities to yourself here?

If so, you should join me in trying to save. Let us save now and be poor while we are young, so we can enjoy financial security and nice clothes in a couple of years.
Look around your school, people don't care if you are wearing the newest designer jeans, or have $300 Frye boots. Now don't get me wrong, if I see someone in the hallway with a pair of Frye boots or a Marc Jacobs watch, I will definitely appreciate their style. But in all reality the percentage of people around you each day who actually appreciate what you're wearing is very minimal. Save your treasures for someone who cares, don't waste your money and time trying to impress people who don't have the background knowledge to appreciate your outfit choice.

This is not Gossip Girl (while I wish it were), and we are in Missouri, not New York City. So dress accordingly. Pin your fashion finds on Pinterest and save up for those amazing pieces that you can't live without. But, don't worry about not being able to keep up with the latest trends from Fashion Week. Dress with confidence and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, Just be you. I guess that's all for today.

Love,

Madison

p.s. nike shorts and sweatshirts aren't always a bad thing...

0

Anywhere but here.

Today

I feel like I would like to be anywhere but here. Anywhere else than where I am at right now. Or at least where I am at figuratively speaking (because literally, I am in my bed and it feels nice and warm in here). Figuratively speaking however, I am in a state a limbo, some sort of in between type of a thing. I have a fear of the unknown.

Lately, people keep telling me that I should be having fun, I should be enjoying my last year of high school. Except all I can seem to think about are failed relationships, staying up late to finish my homework, and not knowing where I am going to end up next year for college. Mostly I spend my time thinking about college, but the other stuff always seems to follow on the long list of things that are always on my mind. Right now, I just wish I could be anywhere but here.

Sometimes I just have to remind myself to take deep breaths and that everything will be okay, things are all going to work out for me. Time heals wounds, homework gets done eventually, and I will come to a decision about where I want to go to college soon enough.

Life has a way of working itself out, I just wish I could speed up the process every once in a while.

I imagine myself somewhere in Europe, maybe at a coffee shop with some friends. I would like to think that I would be having an amazing time traveling with amazing people and making wonderful memories. Maybe that is my dream for now, the thing that gets me through today. That some day, maybe a year or two from now my dream will be a reality and all will be well.

In the end, things aren't so bad here after all. All it takes is a deep breath, a cup of tea, and some Christmas lights to cheer you up. Don't forget to love yourself and love others. Life is a lot better when you have someone to love, so choose wisely(:

When you're feeling down, just remember this, "Your darkest hour lasts only 60 minutes." It really doesn't seem so bad when you think about it like that. That is all for today my friends.

Love,

Madison

p.s. things that help me feel better include: candles, sweatpants, hot tea, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, writing, reading, watching Sex and the City, and taking a hot shower where I let the water stream down on my face like it is washing away all of my worries (all of which I did today)

0

Do you ever have one of those days..

So this morning I woke up on time. This is a big step for me because usually I wake up like 15 minutes before I'm supposed to walk out the door. Anyways, I woke up at 6:00 a.m., right when my alarm went off, and I actually wanted to get up. But then, I just laid there. I could not bring myself to get out of bed and everything seemed to be sucking so bad at that exact moment. I looked at my phone and I got a notification that said "Good morning, today is going to be chilly, so get your jackets out." That was irritating since I had planned on wearing a dress today and looking super cute. I decided to try and calm myself down and be zen or something. I just wanted to be calm and relaxed and not feel like I was rushing anywhere. I continued to lie in bed for the next 45 minutes and I practiced my yoga breathing and relaxation.

When I finally pulled myself out of bed, I scrapped my cute outfit and opted for leggings, a vintage sweatshirt, scarf, and white converse high tops. I proceeded to put my hair in my "everyday ponytail" and I went with concealer and mascara for the face.. I felt pretty great, not gonna lie. But every time I decide to wear something comfortable instead of cute I start to regret my decision by about noon. I see other people who decided to wear cute outfits and feel all stylish, and then here I am in my casual, semi-eighties workout getup..

So I ask you, "do you ever just have one of those days?" Because I 'm pretty sure that I am having one of them today. One of those days: you wake up, you don't feel like getting out of bed, you have to get out of bed anyways because you have this thing called school and responsibilities, and then you come to school and everyone looks cute.. Day equals crap. Actually, it's not so bad because I feel pretty comfy and I plan on reading my book tonight so at least I have something to look forward to. Well, that's all for today my friends..

Love,
Madison

0

The Scenic Route in Life

I love driving. Whenever I have a lot on my mind, I love to just go for a drive. I drive with the windows down, listen to music, and just stick my hand out the window. Instead of taking the quickest way to get home, I will take the back roads and make my drive last as long as possible (while trying not to use all of my gas of course).

Something I've realized about myself when I look back on my life is that often times I seem to choose the scenic route in life (or it chooses me). Without fail, I seem to always end up on the scenic route, the place where I set out to be is always just around the bend, not quite close enough to reach, but close enough to see. 

This is an interesting discovery that I have made about myself. You would think that with your goals, you would want to reach them as soon as possible, but for me that is not always the case. It's something that I have realized deep down, on the surface (yeah, of course I want to reach my goals as soon as possible), but deep down I would almost rather be where I am right now for just a little while longer. Just be, and enjoy the moment.

Madison

1

Dream Big

When someone tells you that you can't do something, don't believe them.

Lately I seem to be hearing a lot of discouraging things. "You can't do that" or "it's just not going to work out", "it's for the best." I hate hearing someone tell me I can't do something.

I can do whatever I set my mind to. And if for some reason, it turns out that I can't do something, I want to figure it out on my own. Chances are, if I try something and fail at it, I will learn what I can do to solve my problem for next time. I will only keep trying until I get it right. I can do what I want, and so can you. Don't allow others to tell you that you can't do something. Sometimes just because something is practical or realistic, doesn't make it right. Just because someone else seems to have gone through the same or similar situation you may be going through doesn't mean that you will have the same outcome as they did. Some people really love giving you advice, but you have to remember that in the end you are the one who decides what you will do. I let myself get too wrapped up in what other people are telling me sometimes, and I forget that I am the only person who can determine what I will and won't do.

Someone very wise once told me this: "Don't listen to those who tell you that you can't do something. Never let somebody invade your dreams and tell you that you can't reach them. Every person in history who has done something great has always been told all about how they cannot achieve something, but if they had listened to that advice...we wouldn't have anything today. Don't let anyone hold you back." - a friend.. How great is that? People like that inspire me. Teachers and adults should stop going around telling us to be "realistic" and discouraging us, they should be inspiring us. Why does everyone go around acting as though they are afraid to get hurt or fail at something? One thing I have realized over the past year is that if you love something enough then it's worth getting hurt over. The pain you feel symbolizes how great it was when you had it. So don't live life worrying about whether you will get hurt or fail at something, instead embrace the happiness and joy you have when you succeed at something.

I don't know about you, but I want to be inspired. Inspiration is a wonderful thing, and those who are inspired are unstoppable. You can do whatever you set your mind to. You only get one life, so you may as well make it a good one. Dream big, my friends.

"Life's too short to even care at all."
- young the giant

Love,

Madison

0

his name was Marshall

the mysterious man at the coffee shop

His name was Marshall and that was all I knew. He sits behind me as I write this. I wonder if he knows that I am writing about him (probably not).

I was sitting here with friends; minding my own, and doing some homework, when in walks a man with a beard. Not a really shaggy beard, one that was well-kept. But, one that suggested he may be an adventurer. I believe you can tell a lot about a man by his facial hair. There was nothing too special about this man with the adventurer's beard, but he caught my eye as he walked in with his dirty hiking backpack and wallet made of linen and leather. 

His backpack seemed to be begging to tell a story, like "ask me where I've been, these marks tell a story." I concluded that the backpack and Marshall had definitely been on an adventure before, the question was, where? Where have you and your backpack been?

When he walked in, he was stopped at the door by a man who called him by name, "Marshall!" That's when I knew, I knew his name was Marshall.. ha(: They stood talking for a few minutes and then I heard the other man say something about how Marshall should visit the Oregon coast, "for it was absolutely breathtaking." I could tell Marshall was intrigued.

Marshall chose the table behind me and got settled in, doing something (I'm not quite sure what because I don't want to turn around and investigate for fear that he may think I'm weird or something.. Funny, since here I am writing about the intriguing man with the beard in my local coffee shop.) Anyhow, the owner of the coffee shop came walking around asking how everyone was doing and how we liked our drinks, he stopped at Marshall's table and called him by name (I now knew that Marshall was either a regular or friend of the owner, I think he's just a regular but I suppose he could be both).

I really do not know much about this man, but for some reason he is quite intriguing. I think it must be the mystery surrounding him. His average height; dirty blonde, tousled hair (modeled to perfection); perfectly well-kept, scruffy beard; and his clearly toned (but not too toned) body. This, paired with an effortless, casual jeans and t-shirt seemed to occupy my mind while I tried to finish my homework. I wondered why he intrigued me as I factored my algebra equations, and I wonder if he was intrigued by me too.. He is gone now, and I wonder if I will ever see him again. That's the thing about strangers, sometimes they pass you by and you never see them again.

We never actually spoke, but if we had I imagine he may have told me about the time he climbed Mount Everest, or the year he lived in Australia, maybe even the time he backpacked across Europe.. I guess I'll never know, but it's kind of fun to imagine what could've been (maybe even better than reality).

This seems silly to have written, but people fascinate me (especially when I think they have a story to be told). Until next time.

Love,

Madison

p.s. did anyone intrigue you today?

0

Fashion: yesterday, today, and tomorrow

In the sense of fashion, change can be a miraculous thing depending on how you look at it. Everyone looks back on old pictures of themselves and thinks "What on Earth was I wearing?" or "How could that have been acceptable?", fashion is always changing. Seasons change which gives way to new styles. Designers are always two steps ahead of consumers. Designers handpick the colors, styles, and trends that will stock stores in the seasons that follow. Fashion can have a huge impact on someone's life. People gain confidence from the outfits they wear. Clothes are a magnificent thing, they are tools that chip away at the outer surface of the person wearing them and allow true personalities to shine through.

Fashion has many aspects: from professional, to casual, to more appealing. In the professional world the phrase "dress for success" proves to be very true. Dressing for the position you want can help push you towards success. In the workplace your outfit and the way you look is the first impression that you give your employer. A well put together outfit symbolizes that you are taking your job seriously.

Fashion has taken a huge turn in the last couple decades. In the 1950's, people were more conservative and your clothing often reflected your job. Nowadays a lot has changed, people take a more casual look towards fashion. Most people wear what they want and their clothing usually reflects their personality. This is more proof that change is a miraculous thing. People break away from the norms of society and do their own thing, which leaves people being more independent than ever.

In fashion change is a good thing, people look for change and hope to start new and fresh with clothing that gives them confidence. Fashion impacts people's lives for the better, giving them a sense of freedom. Fashion is a big part of my life and I use it every day to express myself.

Enjoy this tid bit...

Love,

Madison

0

Old People with great Fashion

Google: old people style

Old People with great Fashion. You're probably wondering what I mean when I write this.. Well I mean what I wrote. Picture someone old, okay now picture what you believe to be good fashion. Now put them together, what do you have? Old people with great fashion.

Here I am, sitting at a coffee shop (as always), when in walks a woman about the age of my grandma (this is not a bad thing, I love my grandma and she is wonderful) and she is wearing a very large, flowy, white linen top. She paired the top with loose, black linen pants that gathered at the ankle. She had dark, short hair and she was wearing very cool hipster glasses with red rims (so cute).

*Disclaimer

Prior to seeing this woman, I had been reading Cathy Horyn's "Sign of the Times" article which ever so wittingly bashed Hedi Slimane's new YSL line. (By the way, if you find yourself looking for a humorous read on fashion, you should definitely check the article out). Now back to my story, when reading about fashion and understanding what the writer is saying, I suddenly begin to feel as though I am a fashion critic as well. I mean why shouldn't I be? Well, moments after reading the article on Slimane, the older woman walked into the coffee shop with her also fashionable friend and I was immediately intrigued by her outfit choice. I felt as though it were my duty to report on such a matter because you, like the rest of the world should be well-informed on fashion trends and activities in the area.

So now, down to business. The point of this post is to beg a very important question: Can old people have great fashion sense? Now don't get me wrong, there are obviously many old people who have cute fashion and they always will because that's just who they are. But we cannot forget about the many other "oldies" (ha) who seem to get away with dressing in gross outfits simply because they are "old." This is no excuse. They make great clothes for old people too, don't be perceived. For some reason old people get a hall pass when it comes to dressing with the trends, people think that it doesn't matter if old people aren't fashionable. I mean they've made it this far, let's just let them wear whatever they want, who cares. Right? Wrong. This is not cool, old people should be held accountable for their fashion felonies too.

I say this because the poor, old, fashionable ladies with the red rimmed glasses out there are getting stereotyped with the rest of them, we need to appreciate them more and give these fashionistas the credit they deserve for not giving up on fashion. So this is my thank you to the lady with the red rimmed glasses: Thank you for dressing with class and good taste. She looked perfect for an afternoon coffee outing with the girls, and I applaud her choices on pairing the large shirt and pants. She was the epitome of retro in a coffee shop and I love it. The next time you see someone old, remind them to stay up to date on what is fashionable and what is not. FYI: socks with sandals is not and never was acceptable in the fashion world. Dear old people, please go shopping and pick yourself out something nice, you deserve it. But before you buy: ask yourself if you would've worn the outfit in 1984. If the answer is yes, then I beg you to reconsider. Aim for vintage with a bit of a modern twist to it. Hope this helps. Also, don't forget to admire the picture above, it showcases old people with great fashion sense.

That is all.

Hope you enjoyed this food for thought, because I thoroughly enjoyed writing it.

As always.

Love,

Madison

0

Reminiscing on the Sunshine

Today marks the end of an adventure, Summer is coming to an end. Summer 2014 has treated me well, I have grown so much and I walk away with many new friends and memories. This Summer I was forced to step out of my comfort zone and stop being so content with my life. I put myself out there, tried new things, and decided to let go.  True freedom is to let go, let yourself live and stop worrying about what others think about you. When you let go and abandon your worries, you get the opportunity to relax and take a deep breath. All of a sudden everything around you seems to slow down and you find that you are able to enjoy the moment. How much sweeter does it get? You don't know what life has in store for you, the future is a land of unknown and there's no sense in worrying about something before it happens. This Summer has given me the chance to evaluate my life and put things into perspective. In one year when high school is over, none of this stuff is going to matter. No one is going to care who is cool or who isn't or if you were at a certain party. Every one is going to go their separate ways and life will begin. So why worry about the little things of today and tomorrow when there's all of these amazing things to look forward to in the future. Don't wish away today, instead let go of whatever it is that is weighing you down and take a deep breath. So, when you find yourself stressing out about tomorrow: stop, take a deep breath, look up from whatever you are doing, and be happy. There are so many things to be thankful for in this world and you and I are one of them. Love ya(; Ha, well on that sappy note let's talk about fall(:

I don't know about you, but I am ready to start my next adventure. Summer 2014 was great, but something tells me that the next eight months are going to fly by. I cannot wait to live out my senior year of high school. All we need to remember is to not get too focused on something so minimal, remember to think about the grand scheme of things and hopefully it will help us get our priorities straight. School is important, but it's just school. Don't let yourself worry too much, and remember to love yourself and others. You never know when someone around you may need a helping hand. Writing about my senior year of high school feels surreal. I never thought this day would come. But here I am, fabulous as ever(; This year is going to be amazing and I can't wait to share it with you. I suppose that's all for now, enjoy yourselves but remember not to get too crazy(:

Advice for the school year: Be nice to everyone and don't take life too seriously, just smile and laugh more

p.s. you rock

Love,

Madison

0

foggy skies and a full moon

Today I come to you with a heavy heart. I haven't been able to write for a while which seems like a common issue in my schedule these last few months. However, I am here now and I'm ready to unload some important thoughts and experiences.

To begin, I will give you the DL on my life. I sit here writing to you at 8:47 p.m. on a Friday evening (my last Friday of Summer), I am at my local Starbucks, and I am listening to my Frank Sinatra Pandora radio station. This is the epitome of my Summer. Now don't go getting the wrong idea..I have had an amazing, wonder-filled Summer and I do not regret one second of it. But here I am: relaxing, writing, and drinking my coffee (a hot mocha, the usual) all by myself. I am not saddened by this fact, more so at peace in the sense that I am finally happy enough to be able to spend an evening enjoying some peace and quiet time. I have discovered myself this Summer. I know who I am and I know who I want to be. I want others to know about me and understand that I am who I am, and I am content. I am happy and I am enjoying my life one day at a time. I used to get overwhelmed by life, but now I find myself being more calm and at ease with what life decides to throw at me. I have also realized that if ever I thought I was normal or perfect in any sense of the word, I am not. No one is, I don't think. It's actually somewhat settling to come to that conclusion. No one is perfect so it's okay to stop trying to make others believe that you are. My new motto is to let go of the past, stop worrying about the future, and enjoy today. Live in the moment and stop trying to understand everything going on around you. We live in a constant cycle of uncertainty and unknown situations. I have accepted the fact that I will never be able to understand what is going on all of the time and it's okay because the second thing I've realized is that we aren't meant to. Life is beyond our boundaries. My advice to you is to accept the boundaries of your life, and know that in the end if you do the right thing and trust God with your life, then everything is all going to work out for you. You're going to look back at your life in five or ten years and be like "wow, I'm glad things worked out the way they did.." Ha, I sure hope I feel that way. I have already had the chance to look back at life and be happy that certain things worked out the way they did. Kinda nice to know that someone out there has your back.. People, relationships, life, some things have a way of working themselves out. Wow, I feel in awe as I look back over my high school years and think about how much I have changed. Growing up is scary, but every little memory and friendship, all the tears and the laughs, that is what makes your life unique. I smile as I write this to you, hopefully you are reminiscing along with me. "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." -Forest Gump..hahaha I just had to(;
As I go into this new school year, I am happy as I remember how I used to be, but more happy to know how much I have grown and how much I will continue to grow as I get older. Lately, when discussing our futures, my friends and I have talked about how scary growing up is and how it has come so quickly, we wish we didn't have to grow up. But I've come to realize that there's nothing scary about growing older, it's just an adventure. Who doesn't love that, maybe that's what makes living life so exciting. You don't know what the future holds, but you know that whatever it may be, it must be something wonderful. The best is yet to come, and on that note I leave you. So long, my kind friends.

Until next time,

Madison

0

goosebumps and coffee breath

I giggled because I think my title is clever hehe(:

I'm still sitting at my fave coffee shop, on my second mocha at this point. I've somehow managed to get in trouble twice already by my parents and I'm not even doing anything..oh well. Those are the moments where I tell myself God will take care of all of my problems (ex. mowing the yard and calming down the parents) (; It seems to be working for me so far. So I'm sitting here in this coffee shop looking cute and stuff and I'm freezing. I have goosebumps and I really want to step outside and feel the warm air on my skin, but I have a really good booth and I don't want anyone to steal it.. The thing that sucks is that I just shaved my legs this morning and as India Arie would say sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't..so I'm trying to make these silky smooth legs last as long as possible. (: Darn this air conditioned coffee shop. Even though I'm on the brink of freezing, I am still having a fabulous afternoon. I told myself I would write in my journal, but I decided that reading the Man Repeller blog was much more appealing. So I have spent the last two hours just chillin, drinking coffee, listening to indie pop music, and trying really hard not to laugh out loud at the blog posts on Man Repeller (when you're sitting by yourself and you laugh out loud people give you that awkward stink eye, like "why are you laughing this is a coffee shop and we are having a dramatic conversation over here"...oookkaaayyy sorry sir..) #awksauce.

This is awesome, two posts in one day and I'm on a role (go me!) lol.

It's funny because when I'm sitting in a coffee shop I suddenly transform into "hipster Madison" where I drink coffee and dream about living in New York City when I'm older. All I like listening to is "coffee shop music" which consists of artists like: Jack Johnson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Norah Jones, etc.. Being a hipster is fun.

alright well I'm going to get back to Man Repeller now, don't forget to have a fantabulous day (yes I just merged fantastic and fabulous to make fantabulous and I have more where that came from(; ).

Love, Madison

0

Today is a beautiful day.

It is ironic that the title of this post is "Today is a beautiful day." because when I woke up I felt like crap. It's really hard because I feel like lately every day has been a struggle. I wake up feeling stressed and anxious and I go to sleep feeling calm and serene. Naturally today is one of those days. Surprisingly I slept in (until 9:30) and then I sat up in my bed and wrote in my journal to get some things off my mind, then I read my verse for today out of my Jesus Calling book (which is awesome by the way(: ). I then proceeded to get ready for the day. I have a terrible sunburn so I was in pain as I changed out of my pajamas and got into the shower. I had this feeling that I practically couldn't describe. It's really strange and I found that the only way to help myself feel better was by writing my feelings down and trying to let go of all of my cares and worries. It's as if I have this huge weight on my shoulders, like I am being tied down by something invisible. However, I am happy now as I realize that as this day has gone on, I feel like the weight has already been lifted off of my shoulders. I have to remind myself to take deep breaths and trust in God. That's truly the only way I can feel renewed. Haha, it's sortof depressing that I've been so caught up in the future and trying to predict what will happen that I have forgotten to enjoy living in the moment. Where has my Summer gone? It's already been a whole month. I can't believe that Friday is the Fourth of July. Anyways...

After I got ready for the day I decided to drive to my favorite coffee shop and write this letter(: I've said this before, but I always feel soo much better when I am put together, my makeup is done, my hair is done, and I have a trendy/comfortable outfit on. It doesn't get any better than that. I walked outside and oh my goodness the weather was absolutely perfect, it is a beautiful day (hence the title for today). I was immediately put in a good mood, it's sunny and 75 and it feels like a September day. Beautiful. I got into the car and drove to the coffee shop (by the way I love driving, it soothes me). I drove the whole way with the windows down and just when I thought it couldn't get any better "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton came on. PERFECT. Hahaha(: I sang the whole song at the top of my lungs and it couldn't have made me any happier. I love music, I love driving, I love writing, I love coffee, and most of all I love God(: What a great list of things to love(: Well that's all for now, I'm happy to report that things are going well with me and it feels good to take deep breaths and relax every once in a while, ahhhh(; Talk to you soon my friends..

Love, Madison

0

New Beginnings

Lately I feel like I've gone through a lot of changes. Change is good though. I called this post "New Beginnings" because that's what this is. Sometimes breaking away from the past and finding new things that truly make you happy are the best things that could ever happen to you. For me, I found God (I've always been a Christian, and gone to church, but I never felt like I had a personal relationship with him). I have developed a really amazing and intimate relationship with God where I journal to him nearly every day. I feel like I can't get enough of his love. But finding God isn't the only "new beginning" in my life, I am newly single, and I am learning to enjoy being by myself and just do things that make me happy. I have spent countless hours writing and listening to music these past few weeks. I can honestly say that I have never felt more at peace and more sure of myself in my whole life. I feel like I have undergone a self-transformation. I know who I am and I can see the kind of person I aspire to be as I grow older. I sit here in my favorite coffee shop, drinking my mocha as I write this to you. I have been able to let go of all of my cares and worries and I know that those things are things I will never be able to control. It's a nice feeling to not feel the weight of burdens on my shoulders. I feel so alive and free, and I thank God for everything he has done for me. I live a wonderful life, a life full of blessings.

I know that this post is a lot different than my past posts, but I have decided that I want to write about life a little more and judge others less. Although I have always enjoyed playing fashion police, I think that I see myself enjoying life and giving fashion advice even more. My goal with this blog will be to write about life as it relates to me, and of course share some of my favorite things. Things like: fashion, music, books, and much more.

This blog is a good representation of how I have grown this past year and where I see myself ending up in the future. Thanks for reading, hope you're looking forward to my new beginning just as much as I am. You are awesome, by the way. Just in case you didn't already think so(:

love,

Madison

0

Life

Okay so this summer I have experienced some pretty big changes in my life, my friends who may be reading this will probably smile as they read it because they know all too well what I'm talking about. Anyways I have been writing a ton. And it's so awesome. So basically, the reason I am writing this post is to inform you all that I will be broadening the topics that I will write about. I am not only going to write about fashion and style, but also just about myself and life in general, the blog is called "life as me" after all(: Anyways I hope you all enjoy reading what I have to say.

xoxo

0

Summer

Well it's that time of year again. School is out for summer and here we are. Summer means no makeup, natural hair, and tiny shorts. Right? WRONG. As I have gotten older, I found that I have gained some wisdom. Short shorts aren't cool, and if you're wearing them neither are you. Be classy. Show some self-respect and cover up your cheeks. Haha, oh summer. You bring out so many fashion don'ts. That's all my fashion advice for today(: Now, let's talk about SUMMER. This summer is going to be fun. Do things that make you happy and try something new. If you're having a rough day, pick up a book and get lost in it. I have had some rough days this last week and I'm not afraid to admit that I may have ignored my personal hygiene. But newsflash: if you look like crap, you are definitely going to feel like crap. So my advice is to grab a book, put your hair in a ponytail, throw on a little mascara and head to Starbucks. Once you're there order yourself something nice, and read your book. If you're not into reading, I don't believe you. Everyone should love to read. You just haven't found the right book yet. I went to this awesome bookstore in Westport KC the other day and I spent like fifty dollars on six books. I love bookstores and the whole time I was in there, they were playing Elvis Presley and some other old classics, how can you not love that. I guess you could say I've got an old soul..(; Anyways, look up a bookstore in your area, and just walk in. But don't go in looking for a specific book. Just walk in and go through the aisles. Grab the books that draw your eye and read their descriptions. Don't be afraid to ask people for some recommendations, you'd be surprised by how many great books you might find. I love reading and writing most of all. Can't you tell? haha well I guess that's all for today. By the way, I know you've missed me(:

xoxo

0

Chi-town

I've been pretty busy lately. I took a spontaneous trip to Chicago with my family and it was jam packed with really great things to do! Each day this week I'm going to write a post about a different attraction I visited while I was in Chicago and I will share some great pictures too! Most of these attractions had to be on a budget and I'm going to share how we accomplished to go to Chicago and have a ton of fun while seeing the cities greatest attractions all in 3 days!

0

The Bean

While in Chicago "The Bean" is a must see. It is located in Millennium Park. I loved visiting The Bean and of course I took many, many pictures. So here are just a few for you to see(:

0

It's been a while..

Well it's been a while since I last wrote. In my last post I promised that I would write about my recent trip to Chicago so my next few posts will be all about Chicago! Don't worry I promise I won't forget this time(:

xoxo

p.s. Spring is FINALLY here!

0

the oscars

For starters, I know this is a couple of days late, but I would just like to say that I love Ellen and I thought her hosting the Oscars was absolutely hilarious. But before the Oscars even started, my TV was playing E for five hours straight as they showed "pre-Oscar filler activities" leading up to the red carpet. Once I was finally able to start watching the stars walk out onto the red carpet I was much more satisfied. My favorite look of the night was definitely Lupita Nyongo's icy blue Prada dress. I felt that it looked absolutely stunning on her and was perfect for the occasion. I also loved the way it made her skin tone glow. I loved everything about her outfit, along with the jewels and headband. I ♡ you Lupita Nyongo. And to top it all off Ellen's performance was extremely entertaining. 

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/bibby-sowray/TMG10674946/Oscars-2014-Lupita-Nyongos-stylist-on-her-winning-Oscars-look.html

0

crafting is fun

This weekend I had a little bit of extra time on my hands and I decided to do some crafting. I made a collage, vintage frames, and a couple of small diy projects. Here are some pictures!

This was made by poking holes in a shoe box and putting the cords through the holes. Then I put all of my wires in the box to keep the clutter hidden!

This is a small canvas with pink fabric stretched across it, I'm using as a small "bulletin board" and I also put some decorative pearls and flowers on the corners to glam it up a bit.

The top picture is a large canvas with fabric stretched across it and then a collage on it, all I did was tear out fun pictures from my favorite magazines.

This collection of pictures was made with an old Audrey Hepburn calendar, also in the top left corner I used small clips to hang pictures from the lights that I have strewn across my curtain rod.

These frames were made from old frames that I repainted a cream color, then I used grey chevron fabric as the background and black letters to spell out the word live.

1

can you not

Hey guys so today I came face to face with a serious problem. Leggings, once again are proving to be the main topic for the "can you not" category. Unfortunately girls continue to wear them day after day. And I am not going to lie, even I wear leggings every once in a while, but whenever I do I always make sure to cover my bum and at least do my makeup so I don't look like I just got out of bed (even though sometimes that is exactly the case). However, most people are not like me, at least not the ones I see on a day to day basis. I think wearing leggings and "bumming it" should only be a once a week thing. The reason I am writing this to you today is because there is one fashion offender who continues to make the same fashion offenses day after day. You would think that she has more in her closet than just leggings and sweatshirts. Maybe she is just wearing the cute stuff on the weekends? (I highly doubt it). Anyways, this one person in particular has a standard outfit (if you can call it that) every single day, it consists of: an old crew neck sweatshirt with color coordinating leggings, and her choice of shoes (summer-sperry's, winter-uggs) along with mis-matched socks. This crisis could be averted, however, I can not dismiss it because she continues to wear sweatshirts that do not cover her butt, and never feels the need to brush or fix her hair let alone put on a little bit of makeup. (Now, don't go thinking I'm some horrible person, I just felt the need to speak the truth.) Please help me to spread the word on the "leggings as pants crisis."

p.s. no makeup isn't always a bad thing, it all depends on your preference

xoxo

0

Mornings are gross

Today, I found myself face to face with a dilemma. As my phone's alarm was going off this morning at 5:45 I decided to get up and grab it, the alarm (as it does everyday) continued to go off in five to ten minute increments until 7:15. I finally forced myself to get out of bed at 6:53, abandoning all hope of a cute outfit. I felt terrible and all I wanted to do was climb back into my nice warm bed. The night before I had unintentionally stayed up completing my work (I happen to be somewhat of a procrastinator), of course I waited until Sunday night to start a huge project. Every Sunday I do the same thing, and I ask myself "why? why did you do this to yourself again?" It is a terrible thing to have to start your week off with a tired, sleep-deprived Monday morning. Especially when I do it week after week, you would think I'd have learned better by now. Anyways, before I went to bed last night I picked out a super trendy outfit consisting of leggings, a fishermen's sweater (covers my butt), black flats, and a cheetah print headband. Unfortunately, I barely had time to do my makeup this morning so the cute outfit had no chance of making an appearance. Instead, I opted for some running tights and a big red, acid washed, crew neck sweatshirt from the 70s..(it was my grandma's). I quickly threw my hair up and swiped on some mascara right as I was running out the door. Obviously running late, because what else would you expect? Ha, it's actually really bad. I feel like me constantly being late to everything is probably a huge contributor to my stress, I should really work on it more because it's a terrible habit to have. At least I have yoga to look forward to this Thursday night. (Oooohhhhmmmm) "deep breaths Madison, it's all going to be alright.." ha at least that's what I'm telling myself(; Hopefully tomorrow will be better, I'll be sure to report back and let you all know(;

p.s. all I want to do is wake up, drink some coffee, and watch the news, and relax- is that so much to ask?

xoxo

all i want to see is the sun rise

0

Zen

Oops, haven't posted in a while. Sorry, I've been super busy. I have actually been running and working out lately so props to me ha(: Also, I started a yoga class and it is great. It is actually way harder than I thought it was going to be and it requires a lot of balancing and inner strength. One of the hardest things for me was remembering to breathe while I was doing the different poses. But once I got into it, it was really great. I did a class called "hot yoga" which was just yoga in a really hot room. The hot room is to help you sweat and burn more calories, and also help loosen your muscles to give you a little more flexibility. I really enjoyed the class and even though I may have laughed a little at some of the things the yoga instructor said, I really think it helped. My goal of going to the class is to help me lower my stress levels and also to get another version of exercise. I would definitely recommend a yoga class to anyone who is thinking about trying one. They are really good about helping you focus on your inner self and taking things little by little. Anyways, I hope you go out and try some yoga!

p.s. I almost laughed out loud at the end when the instructor basically sang "ooohhhmmm shaaantii shaaaantii shaaantii, ooohhmmmm" hahaha there's a small chance that I am totally immature and like a little kid, but don't worry I kept my laughter in and chanted it along with them "OOOOHHHMMMM" (:

xoxo

0

can you not

This week's "can you not" post is about wearing super tight shirts that don't fit you. Day after day I see girls wearing shirts that they are "popping" out of.. Either it's too tight on top (in which case you have some "overbearing cleavage," which no one is prepared to see) or it's too tight on the bottom and you have a nice fluffy muffin top poking out between your shirt and your pants. Now, there are two ways to solve this problem.. 1) wear a longer shirt, perhaps one that isn't so tight.. 2) buy a larger pair of pants, it's okay to wear pants that aren't suffocating your legs. That is my advice for today.. hope the word gets around that it is okay to wear clothes that are actually your size. Let's just say we have some serious work to do.. (:

p.s. I also want to share that I am anti-ruffles..just thought you should know..

xoxo

http://www.yorkblog.com/smart/2013/08/14/fashion-panel-are-you-committing-one-of-these-fashion-crimes/

0

stylish sunday?

Happy Sunday everyone. This morning while picking out my outfit I decided to dress for Summer, even though it's still in the low thirties..(beauty is pain/being cold). I decided to wear my blue lace dress with black flats, I also curled my hair and did my makeup with a light grey smokey eye. While I was at church I began thinking, "what is the standard dress code for church?" Some people wear jeans and a t-shirt, whereas other people (like me) are in dresses and heels. So am I overdressed, or are they under dressed? Is being stylish overdressing..does it matter? I leave you with this question.. Style can be interpreted in many different ways, so what's your style?

xoxo

0

how to stand out in a crowd of people

So the past few days I have been pretty busy and I've had a lot on my mind lately. On Thursday I had an all day event to go to and there were hundreds of people there. Everyone was "dressed for success" and I found myself thinking, "how do I make myself stand out in a crowd of people?". This isn't the first time I've wondered about such a thing. I mean that's what most people try to do right? They want to be noticed, they want to stand out and be the center of everyone's attention..right? Well here are my thoughts: I think that there are a couple of different types of people and if you think about it I'm sure some names will come to mind. Okay so there is the person who commands everyone's attention as soon as they walk in the room, these are the people who seem to be overflowing with confidence; the next group of people are the shy ones, they use their clothing and personality to draw attention to themselves and be noticed, the third group of people are the ones who are just quiet and nobody really gives them much attention but if you really look at them and think about it, they are absolutely flawless. Which one are you? Are you any of them? Well, I decided that in order to make yourself stand out in a crowd of people you have to find something that is unique to you (a talent or something) and use it to create a difference between you and others. Maybe its not the "standing out" that you need to worry about, but instead being memorable. Being memorable is something I think we should all remember. It's not about being crazy or gorgeous. All you have to do to stand out is be memorable. All it takes is making a few people and you're the one everyone's focusing on.

xoxo

0

what to wear- the age old question

Is it just me or do you feel like you never have anything to wear. I was talking with one of my friends today and we both seem to agree on this fact. But I have a feeling it's not just us.. Ha, I'm sure this could go under #firstworldprobs but it is truly an issue women face everyday. As dumb as it may sound, I'm being serious. I mean my closet (like many others) is overflowing with great pieces so why is it I always seem to wear the exact same thing over and over again. Is it because I'm lazy (perhaps), do I just forget about my other clothes? I can't quite seem to figure it out, but every season I seem to get into a rotation of only six or seven different outfits. Sometimes, when I buy new clothes I wait until the right moment to debut them, I want everyone to notice and I want the day to be just right so I can make a great fashionable impression. Sometimes I even get nervous, like the first time I wore my leather skirt, I felt like I was taking a risk; what if someone makes fun of me, what if I look stupid, what if no one likes it.. However, all it takes is one or two compliments and your self-confidence is soaring, you feel like a supermodel and you end up having a fabulous day. How is it that a simple outfit can make you feel so good? One of my fellow fashionistas once said (or at least along the lines of) "as much as I'd like to say that this outfit I'm wearing was just thrown together without any thought at all, I must admit that I spent at least an hour putting it together." Why does it take us so long to pick out an outfit? Is it really that important what we wear? I mean who cares what everyone else thinks? Well, here is my theory: I don't think it matters what anyone else thinks (don't be fooled, I among most people still take other people's perceptions of me into consideration) but I think the reason we spend so much time choosing an outfit is to express ourselves. Our choice of clothing is how we communicate our attitude or feelings that day, we do this without any words at all. We are able to create our very own style and personality and all it takes is some fabric and accessories.  So, tomorrow think about how you're feeling: will you feel dark and gloomy or happy and bright? Take a second to look around at some of the people around you and think about their personalities, does their outfit relate to them? Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Just remember, it's okay to wear sweatpants (not everyday..maybe once a week..month..never..) when you're tired, but more importantly it's okay to express yourself with your outfits because someone out there is going to appreciate your love of fashion and they will be wishing they had as good of fashion sense as you. It happens to me everyday, I decide to "bum it" and I see someone else wearing a casually cute, trendy outfit, and I wish I were them. Don't be afraid to admit it because you're not the only one. There are plenty of fashion lovers out there who will make sure you know you're wearing something worth complimenting.

p.s. I was feeling tired, happy, and caffeinated today (I decided to wear my "lumberjack flannel" with my Rolling Stones shirt and leggings-the flannel shirt was loose and covered my butt). (:

xoxo

0

just an ordinary day

Today was just an ordinary day. I sit here writing to you on my laptop as I listen to my "Sixpence None The Richer" Pandora radio, and I feel great. Anyways, not much to report except that apparently the majority of high school girls did not get my memo about the leggings as pants no no. We will have to spread the word and help everyone with their fashion choices from here on out. Okay, so my next "to do" for today's post is to motivate you to dress up and wear cute outfits during the week. Apparently it's a proven fact that you will actually have a better day if you look nice. And it doesn't hurt to look good(; I also want to share that I am making my summer goals for working out, I am going to try and do P90X for the next three months (starting tomorrow of course..ha). I think it is super important to feel healthy and good about yourself. It's all about building your self confidence. Oh and one more thing, can we please educate people on the importance of wearing clothes when it's negative temperatures outside, I actually saw people in shorts today, like what are you thinking..everyone should just be more like me and bundle up in their scarf and coat all day(: Who cares if you look like a very unattractive Eskimo. (I actually drove with my gloves on this morning-pretty sure that is not safe by the way...). Until tomorrow(:

p.s. my quotes for the day are from the songs I am currently listening to (I'm sure you will all be able to relate)

      1) "winter just wasn't my season"

      2) "I'm waiting on the sunshine, the sunshine"

xoxo

0

Can You Not

Today I am going to start a new piece that I plan on doing pretty regularly. It's called "Can You Not." This is going to be my very own perspective on the most interesting and perhaps unacceptable outfits I see on a day to day basis.

Today we will be attacking the whole leggings as pants situation, very interesting topic I must add. Now, are they leggings or are they pants? Could they be both? These little beauties whom I first paired with Limited Too skirts and assorted dresses--that went well past my knees--have somehow forced their way into the everyday attire of teenage girls everywhere. Let us not forget that even old people are deciding that it is acceptable to show the world their behinds with only spandex between you and their backdoor. So, what is deemed appropriate you may ask? I'm going to go ahead and say that if you're going for the hipster, bohemian look and you want to wear a cute little tunic or a large cardigan then you are deemed appropriate, but please I am begging you to look in the mirror and ask yourself: "would I offend people by wearing this in public?" Unless your behind is covered by more than spandex, please keep it to yourself. I don't want to see that "very attractive" thong line or anything else you might have to show. Also, (and I'm sure this is a given) please never wear a tight shirt with your very tight leggings, I mean please give the world a break. I guess that's all for today.

xoxo

p.s. I saw a girl with cheek piercings today...please tell me this is not becoming a thing..

0

Suri's Burn Book

I know, two posts in one day, who am I and what have they done with the real Madison.. ha. Anyways just wanted to share that I found an absolutely hilarious blog that I have been reading for the last two hours (should I be ashamed..maybe, but I'm not because I don't care what those pop culture haters have to say). So this blog, Suri's Burn Book, is about a woman who has taken on the persona of Suri Cruise (the seven year old daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) I know what you're thinking, but don't knock it til you try it. I have actually been laughing out loud at these posts as "Suri" bashes other well known celebrity spawns. You can't help but smile while reading these posts and it has become my new guilty pleasure to read what Suri may have to say next. If you don't like this blog then something is definitely wrong with you.. Another thing, I have ashamedly taken a blow to my self esteem after reading about Suri's "too good for you attitude" and I am not sure if I should be more worried that I feel offended by a seven year old or that in reality there is a grown woman out there pretending to be "said seven year old" (in which case I don't think I'm the one we should be feeling sorry for here). However, props to "Suri" she is a genius and I'm just upset I didn't think of something this great first. In conclusion, Suri Cruise I praise your overpriced clothing and designer handbags that quite possibly could cost me a semester at college.

xoxo

p.s. is it just me or is there a real life mean girls situation going on here between a bunch of seven year olds

0

snow

So apparently Mother Nature didn't like what I had to say about winter being over. She responded with yet another snowy day. Oh well, I guess that gives me an excuse to break in my Hunter boots(:

0

I'm back(:

Geez, I haven't written in a while, but I'm back. And I'm sure you've missed me(; I'm ready to talk about fashion. I feel like everyone has been so busy this winter and I'm not afraid to admit that my inner fashionista has been hibernating.. I've opted out of my cute, trendy outfits and moved more towards sweatpants and tshirts. YIKES, not that it's a bad thing, but let's just say I think I have been in a funk and I can tell I'm not the only one. Anyways I've been thinking and I believe it's time to break out of this funk and start planning for spring and summer. I am ready to wear dresses and wedges and enjoy my sun kissed skin once again. Time for manicures and pedicures and days on the beach. Gosh, I can just picture myself walking on the beach right alongside the ocean, I will be wearing my new bikini and my beach bod-currently in the works ha- will be rockin, my hair will be blowing in the light summer breeze and I will look absolutely flawless, don't worry it's not like I'm self-absorbed or anything.. ha! (let's just say that this little fantasy is what's getting me through this horrendous winter weather). I mean, I like snow just as much as the next person but I think my Ugg boots and army coat are getting a little too much attention this winter. So I'm jumping head first into this year's 2014 trends. I think there's a lot in store for all of us this year and I can't wait to start filling my closet once again with my favorite thrifty finds and new trendy pieces for spring and summer. It's time to say Good-bye winter and hello spring. I mean who cares if it's February..(: Cold weather won't stop me and it shouldn't stop you either!

0

All About the 70s

Hey guys so lately I feel like I've been having this obsession with the 70s. I'm all about the high waisted jeans and my retro floral tops. I love the hair and the clothes and I just can't get over it. This summer I had an obsession with vintage high waisted jeans and remaking them. They were wonderful and I literally have like 50 pairs (ridiculous..I know). Anyways I just wanted to share my inspiration for the week- vintage styles (my favorite by the way)

http://m.vogue.com/magazine/article/fashions-familiar-faces-the-women-who-have-most-often-graced-the-cover-of-vogue/

0

Tights

So today I want to talk about tights. There are so many different colors and patterns. I love the new fall trend of the brightly colored tights that people are wearing with cute dresses and skirts. It's very Blair Waldorf inspired or so says my fashionable friend(; anyways go out there and start wearing more tights. Make a statement and be a trendsetter for your community! You'd be surprised by just who may take notice...

0

Red Lips

Today I want to talk about Red Lips. We see this simple fashion accessory used all the time. From movie stars and fashion icons to your average girl on the street. Red Lips are a classic accessory used by many women to make them look powerful and strong.
Now is where I come to the road bump... how do I do red lips without making myself looking like a clown.. Well I am sure this is a very common problem among the average women wanting to keep up with the fashion trends (at least I hope so, I mean if I am the only one then this is kind of embar

rassing..but don't worry, I trust you to keep this little secret between us). Alright so here is the way to accomplish perfect red lips, first you must keep in mind that less is more. Now before applying the lipstick, I like to use my Chanel lip liner (this makes the lips look more finished and it also gives them a defined shape), then you outline your lips. Next, you take your favorite shade of red lipstick (I love MAC lipsticks) to color them in, and make sure you stay in the lines(;. Now you have your perfect red lips!

http://www.posh24.com/photo/1343569/angelina_jolie_red_lips_black

0

Lets get crafty

Loving this quick and easy way to organize/ style your makeup brushes!

0

The daily crunch

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=Y7J4SDmwUXdyPM&tbnid=qkLenNs8sBwe_M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azarialamode.com%2F%3Fpaged%3D2&ei=rP79Ue3XHuWw2gXAs4HIAQ&bvm=bv.50165853,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNGE1LS17KTxBpGdAGwl7Lgv-lxkkA&ust=1375686678005515

Okay so here is our picture of the day. These are the fall 2013 trends for New York Fashion Week. This is my take on the whole fashion week thing: so wow this is all really cool and these clothes look so awesome on the models and gosh they are just so stylish and expensive looking. But wait a minute...I'm pretty sure I could never afford any of the clothes in this picture (and if I took enough time to save up the money they would no longer be in season..) and  I could definitely never see myself working up the courage to wear any of these items to work or school so I ask myself "why am I so intrigued by something I will probably never own and never be able to wear?" my answer to this very important question is...I don't know... But then again why strive for something that is not likely to happen (in this case owning high class couture clothing) when you can adapt these styles into your everyday fall outfits with pieces you already own. Ah Ha! Okay now that I have your attention, lets get into the juicy details. First on our list is Animal Prints, this look could be achieved merely by pairing your favorite pair of skinny jeans with your classic, chic black blouse; your cheetah print flats; and a chunky necklace- affordable, stylish, and up to par with the 2013 trends! Next we have Floral. A floral print dress at Target or H&M for about $20 would fit perfectly in this category and to spice things up a bit you could always pair it with a cute belt that you already own. Now it is time for my favorite category, Gold, alright so this one may be a little more tricky. Now assuming that you're like me and you only have so much money to spend on clothes each month, your wad of cash for this month's shopping may be going down sooner than you thought. An affordable way to accomplish this trend would be to buy some gold accessories; such as a gold bangle and a statement necklace. Now we are on to the Earthy trend, my opinion is that this trend is one of the easier ones to incorporate into your daily outfits. A simple outfit of a grey dress with some nude heels and curled hair would be perfect. So next is Fur...achieving the fur trend is a little harder than I would have imagined, however it is definitely achievable. For starters I would just like to let everyone know that I do love animals and I am not an animal killer so I would opt for the faux fur vest which you could wear with black pants. Finally we have Shoulders, (what is this the 80s? Ha) okay so one thing to remember when wearing a jacket with built-in shoulders is to make sure it flatters your body, the last thing you want to do is make yourself resemble a large, stocky man. Anyways, here is how you achieve this look; a sleek hairdo, black leggings, and a colorful jacket with your ever so lovely structured shoulders. I want you to know that whatever  you decide to do with these trends is your choice. Just remember that when you're wearing them make sure you're walking with confidence and rocking it like it's nobody's business.

Madison

0

my go to faves

clothes -high-waisted shorts (Levi's)
            -cropped yellow vintage top (60s)

shoes -Steve Madden Miidori Brown Riding Boots: Dillard's
         - vintage brown roping shoes: Grandma
         - brown TOMS
         - cheetah flats: Target
         - Vans
         - Steve Madden gold sandals: Dillard's

accessories- Swatch, white skin watch: Dillard's $110
                 - Anthropologie earrings: Anthropologie $20

hats- navy blue Polo Ralph Lauren hat: Polo outlet $10
      - white Nike hat: Nike outlet $20

face- Kiehl's Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser (face wash): Dillard's $20
       - Clairsonic: Dillard's $130
       - Cetaphil oil control moisturizer: Walmart $8
       - Purminerals Fulvic Mineral Mist: Dillard's $17

make-up- Purminerals blush: Dillard's
             - Maybelline dream liquid mousse foundation
             - Lancome Definicils mascara
             - Clinique Nude pallet eye shadow
             - Chanel white eye shadow

stores- Urban Outfitters
         - H&M
         - Dillard's
         - Nordstrom
         - Anthropologie
         - Thrift Stores
         - Banana Republic
         - Old Navy
         - Target

phone- Iphone with Kate Spade case

my idols- Audrey Hepburn
            - Carrie Bradshaw

my favorite bloggers- ManRepeller
                              - TheBlondeSalad

       
       

0