My Story

I have loved fashion for as long as I can remember. I started flipping through fashion magazines and catalogs when that is all I could do (not that much has changed now, I still do mostly flipping). My first publication I got in the mail was the J. Crew catalog. I would flip through it and tag the pages with clothes I really liked. Soon Seventeen and Sassy followed. While my style changed as I grew, my love of fashion never did. Fast forward several years and it is time to be done with high school and head off to college. While I loved fashion, like many practical people, when it was time for me to head off to college and start my big girl life, I never even considered studying fashion; I remained practical and chose to study business. I never thought that everyday girls, like myself, got jobs in fashion; we got "normal" jobs. Fast forward four more years and I graduated from college! After graduating and not being able to find a job in marketing, which is what I studied, I took a job at an insurance company. Normal job, Yes, exciting job, NO. Taking a job in the insurance industry was somewhat of a double edged sword; it was good I had a job but as the only real work experience on my resume, it also meant I became stuck in the insurance industry, no one would give me a job outside the insurance industry. I went from one insurance company to another. Well, after a few years and many uninspired, monotonous days in my cubicle I had an unplanned change occur; my company downsized and I was laid off. While this may seem like a bad thing, it actually turned out to be a great thing. I was unhappy and wanted a change but wasn't sure how to go about making it happen. I took this time as an opportunity to get away from playing it safe and take a chance. I decided to not go back to work and go back to school instead. So I have kind of come full circle, I have made my way back to flipping through magazines, this time not just for fun but because I am a fashion student! I am so glad I decided to step out and take a chance. I am loving school, loving life and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Girls Night Out

This weekend I was reminded once again why a great pair of shoes can not only make an outfit, it can do wonders for your confidence. I have been lately working on cutting back on my shopping and extra spending. Anyone who knows me knows that this is a real challenge for me. I am almost physically unable to go into a mall and not come out with something. With a girls weekend planned to celebrate my good friend's birthday, I took this opportunity to put my quest to save money to the test. I decided I was not going to buy a new outfit, I was going to shop locally and by locally, I mean my closet. After ripping everything with potential out of my closet and trying numerous combinations, I felt good about my final choice, I settled on black shorts and an emerald green loose-fitting top which I paired with my favorite Jessica Simpson Platform sandals. I'm feeling good and I'm ready for Saturday! Fast forward to Saturday...I'm getting ready at my friends house and I think this can't be the same outfit I tried on days before, I am not feeling this at all! What happened between really feeling good about my choice on Friday and hating it on Saturday? Its looking like its not going to be a good night...but I found my silver lining when I finished getting dressed and put on the finishing piece..my shoes! I took one final look in the mirror and now I'm not seeing how much I don't like my outfit, I'm seeing how great these heels make my legs look in my shorts, how much taller I appear, and I remember why I love these shoes so much!

I'm glad I didn't let not loving my outfit put me in a bad mood and ruin my night or my friend's birthday celebration. Another reason, I'm glad is because I happened to be in the right place at the right time to meet the lady who was stepping out in these very fabulous tan and yellow heels. Odd enough of all places, I meet her in the bathroom! Weird I know, but hey, I really wanted to know where her shoes were from. I am always on the lookout for great shoes when I am out that I can feature on the blog under what I have deemed Street Sole, what everyday women you come across are wearing, and how they express themselves with their shoes. Send me pictures of your favorite shoes or fabulous shoes you see while out and about, I would love to feature them on the blog! Her shoes were from Heels.com, check out the site, they have some great shoe selections!

I know to some it may seem over the top to hear someone say, a pair of shoes can have that kind of impact on their mood, but I really believe it. When I put on a great pair of heels, not only does it make me walk a little taller, it really is a confidence booster. You might have a "fat day" where you don't like any piece of clothing in your closet and nothing seems to look good on you, but with a great pair of heels, you never have to worry about a fat day or your shoe not fitting.
So the next time you are hating everything in your closet, throw on your highest pair of heels, stand tall, and strut with confidence!



With Sole,

Bianca

Post-It Art

I came across these creations and I had to share them. Who knew post-its were good for more than scribbling down phone numbers and writing to-do lists on? Check out how these artist have found more creative ways to use post-it notes.Who knew with a few strategically placed post-its you could create real works of art. Happy 30th anniversary post-it!

Artist Rebecca Murtaugh has been using post-it notes as her
art medium for several years now. The pic above is her first art project with post-its, She covered her entire bedroom, walls and furniture include..

Who says you have to spend a lot of money to bring new energy to your living space? Check out the refrigerator ,interior designer, David Stark refurbished with post-it notes

a mantel above the fireplace designed for Metropolis Magazine's Home Exhibition by Post Typography's Bruce Willen

Another of Willen's creations. A colorful addition to a wall in a living room space

And the journey continues...

I guess I enjoyed July 4th celebration a little too much, I haven't posted in a week! But if it helps my case any, I have been thinking about blogging..I have been doing research and trying to find great new things to bring to you. My journey into blogging is just that; a journey. I want to look back over my blog and see growth: growth in my writing, my concepts, and my fashion knowledge. With this in mind, I am changing my initial concept up a little, I am not going to be so routine and predictable. Not knowing what I might come across and be inspired by is exciting for me I hope what I find will be exciting for you as well!

Please check back next week and see what I have found to blog about

With Sole,

Bianca

From Head to Toe

You know the trend, you have seen the clothes, now check out the shoes. Here are some examples of showing your support of the sport inspired trend with your feet.....

Look Ma, New Shoes

So the BET awards came on Sunday night but I didn't get to see the entire show so I went online to check out the fashions from the show since of course seeing what everyone wears is the best part! While flipping through the photo album I came across Eva Marcille who went simple and chic in her clothing and let her shoes do all the talking. After doing some research, I found where her shoes were from. Check out the shoes Eva wears in addition to some of Gasoline Glamour's other shoe creations.

check out http://www.gasolineglamour.com/ to see more of their shoes and other accessories

Friday Night Lights

Inspiration is a funny thing, it can come from almost anywhere. 2010 brings fashion trends with roots steeped deep in sports wear. Designers have taken the ruff and tumble uniforms of America's most popular sport and smoothed out the edges just enough to find the perfect balance between the toughness of the sport which the trend was inspired by and the softness of lady-like femininity needed to pull off the look. Check out some of Alexander Wang's fashions inspired by the battle of the pig skin.

Shoulder pad sleeves mixes with soft fabrics and cropped tops for the feminine element

No captain's uniform is complete without their Letterman's jacket. The effortless tomboy feel created by the jacket is balanced by the feminine feel of sheer fabrics and high heel lace up peep-toe boots

Wang brings the active wear lace up element to shorts paired with a cropped, shoulder pad top in a cotton, sweat shirt inspired fabric. Knee high socks add the final touch to this football practice inspired outfit

Whats more feminine than a little shine and sparkle? Mixed on top is again high shoulders on a cropped top and side-piped fitted pants with a V-shaped waistline to expose the mid drift, again aiming to balance feminine and tough

Some key elements to keep in mind to successfully pull off the sport-inspired look:

1. keep the balance between tomboy and glamour - You want to make sure the look is not sloppy but you don't want to go overboard on glamour and over styling either

2. Always pair with sexy, sports inspired heels - choosing high heels (wedges and lace up options) to pair with the more relaxed appeal of active wear will help insure your look doesn't become too sloppy and come across as gym inspired instead of active wear inspired

3. Don't over do hair - keep hair a bit messy, a loose side ponytail is a great option

4. Lace-Up Options - cross lacing reminiscent of baseball gloves and lace-up pants are a great sports inspired touch