FBFF: Fitness

Fitness and Fashion
1. Do you keep some kind of fitness routine? 
I used to workout like a fiend. A crazy obsessed fiend. I was up at 4:30AM Monday through Friday and at 7:30AM on Saturday to go to the gym. I kept that up for years. Then over the last couple of years it dwindled to 3 days a week and Saturday. Then 3 days a week only. Then it went down to 2 or 3 days each week. In February 2011 > I quit.

Last Minute Cruise Shopping

My brother Wayne called me last Wednesday to beg me for some style help. He and his wife Melanie were preparing to go on a cruise. The ship was set to sail on Saturday so they needed

immediate help. We all know I love to shop so he didn't really have to beg too hard. This was going to be FUN!

                   

This is Wayne's version of casual cool.

FBFF: Inspiration & Contest Update

Inspiration - To further mark one year of FBFF we are going to answer the same set of questions asked this time last year as they are still pertinent today and usually ever changing. 

1. Which celebrity (celebrities) do you look to for fashion inspiration?
I usually don't actually look to celebrities for inspiration but I love Angelina Jolie. She is absolutely divine and I love that her fashion changes with her mood. She does tough girl chic effortlessly.

Bloggers Do It Better: Make Mine ColorBlocked Please

When I first saw the post at PrettyShinySparkly about Bloggers Do It Better and the first assignment, I got very excited. I immediately grabbed a badge for my sidebar. I knew exactly what photos I wanted to use. I was prepared, ahead of the game even, and looking forward to posting. 

Five days later, I look something like the above photo: Scratching my head and wondering "Where did I see that blog event? I know I wrote that down..."

Urban Chic Goes Camo

I may be going backward where the trends are concerned, but I don't always follow them anyway. Fridays are casual in my office so I decided instead of denim, I was going camoflauge! 

FBFF: Gratitude & Unveiling Project Style Entry

This week's Fashion Beauty Friend Friday topic is all about gratitude. I have much for which to be thankful. FBFF began a year ago on ModlyChic - Katy's brainchild for community engagement amongst fashion bloggers. 
Today is also the beginning of voting for Round 1 of Project Style - I am happily a semi-finalist. I will be grateful if you would take the time to vote for me on www.shoptopia.com
Let's start with the Friend Friday topic and then move on to the Unveiling. 
Gratitude:
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.


1.  When it comes to me personally – I owe a lot of who I am to: 

My MOTHER! Oline Wallace b. 1943 - d. 2002

Mom and I

The Search is Over

The nude shoe made its way onto the fashion scene with a splash in Spring 2009. I have been in RECONnaissance mode for the perfect pair of nude for me since then. Of course, the Christian Louboutins that were out at that time are perfect> except for the marriage of price tag and my wallet. They totally disagree and are not harmonious. They can't even go on a "first date!"

Christian Louboutin Pigalle Pumps Nude Leather

I saw many pairs of nude in my local shoe stores and haunted the DSW weekly. Unfortunately, the perfect pair eluded me. The ones displayed were either the wrong color (yes, there are shades of nude), uncomfortable or not the "right" style. 

Project Style: Shopping Under Pressure

By this Thursday I must have four photos and a video submitted for Project Style 2011 at Short Pump Mall. Last week I posted photos of items in the mall I thought might comprise a trend setting outfit for the contest and asked for input from you - my lovely readers. You all graciously responded with many kind words, advice and well-wishes. Everyone seemed to like this outfit. 

FBFF: Top 5 Spring Trends

This week Katy at ModlyChic asks that we expound on Spring Trends:
What are the top 5 Spring trends that you are looking forward to seeing/sporting this season? (Can be anything from makeup, shoes, accessories, clothing, etc..) 

1. COLOR: 

I am really into color for Spring/Summer. I love the tomato orange with turquoise. The turquoise really pops with the almost-red shade. I also really like it bright for Summer. I am inspired by what I see in nature as much as I am by the runway. The tulips in my garden in Spring make me see RED with yellow and chocolatey brown with a nice soft green! 

Cuff from Francesca's Collections

Top from Express

2. Wide Leg Pants

I am a Hunter/Gatherer/Collector! This means that I HUNT for fashions I love, GATHER them into my closet and COLLECT them there for Eons. Of course, collected fashions DO get out on "work release" when they have a job to do! So my wide legged/flared pants from several years ago are really glad to know that the trends are "hiring" while my skinny pants are sad to know they must go back into the archive. I have a great pair of orange colored wide legs that have been begging to get out. Can't wait to wear them!!

Tulips, Daffodils and Grape Hyacinth

3. Full Skirts and Maxi Dresses

I love the skirts that swirl and make me feel like a little girl again. I have a maxi dress from a few years ago that is dying to make its way out of the closet. Plus I have seen some really pretty ones in both Urban Outfitters and H&M. 

Maxi Dress from UO

Full Skirt Dillards

Maxi Dress from UO

4. Fun and Funky SHOES

Chunky Heel Pumps from UO

Aldo Color Block Wedges

Aldo Platform Heels and Wedges

5. Summery Hats and Gardening

White House Black Market

Violas in my garden

**Fashion Beauty Friend Friday is an opportunity for fashion and beauty bloggers to share their thoughts on a specific topic and read what others have to say on that same topic. For information on how to get involved and be a part of the discussion go to http://www.modlychic.com/friend-friday-fbff

Have a fashionable weekend!!

H&M Grand Re-Opening at Short Pump Mall

We have had an H&M store in our mall for several years now but they just remodeled the whole store and it has been under wraps for months. Our store was rather small and only carried women's clothing. Now it is two stories and carries Men's, Women's and Children's lines. Today they have the Grand Re-Opening and the first 100 people in line got a giveaway and a card valued from $10 - $300. 

Wednesday Webbies: Alexa Stats

I received a request for information on alexa stats explained > How do they work? Are they accurate?
I don't use Alexa yet I found data for my site, so this is a bit of a challenge for me but I am trying to meet it head on and take the plunge. 

Short Pump Mall: Project Style Round 1

Back in February I discovered a contest at my local mall in conjunction with Shoptopia, Project Style 2011. I decided to enter by submitting a photo and a short explanation of my style inspiration. To my delight and surprise, I received an email on Friday that I had been selected as a semi-finalist for Round 1 of the contest! I am beyond thrilled to have been chosen and determined to give it my best shot. As a semi-finalist, I won a $150 gift card to shop the mall plus one item from my closet to create my ultimate trend-setter outfit showcasing my style. Over the weekend, I photo shopped at the mall to get inspiration for my outfit. The clock is ticking as I only have until April 14th to submit four photos and a 60-second video for the online voting which begins on April 15th and closes on April 30th. The most votes, of course, wins. 

Classical Concert Fashion

My good friend Ruta invited me to attend a concert with her Saturday night at the Singleton Center for the Performing Arts at VCU. The accomplished cellist Zuill Bailey headlined with Piers Lane as accompaniment on piano. Ruta and I both love classical music but I had not heard of this particular cellist prior to her invitation to attend. Unaware of the program for the evening, I was glad to accept the invite and hoped for the Bach Cello Suite No.1 as it is my absolute favorite cello piece. I rather have a "thing" for J.S. Bach anyway.

A concert is a perfect reason to dress up a bit!

#FBFF

It is Friend Friday again here at Fashion RECON and on a number of other blogs. This week's topic concerns how to deal with shameless self-promotion from others.