Shh... it's a secret

That I am telling the whole world. . .

How is it still considered a secret you ask?  Deal with it "because I said so" and no I am not Diane Keaton. 

So, here's the deal.  I'm finally going to tell you what happened!

I wrote a 50k novel in the 30 days of November (along with lots of other people, with the NaNoWriMo group, but they are not as awesome as me... cause it is me).  Long sleepless nights, endless staring at the computer wonder "WHAT am I DOING?!?", and wondering how truly terrible it will really be.

But alas, it is done and it is awesome if nothing else to be able to say, "I wrote a novel."

On to the reason you came:

Do you remember that shirt and pants that I wore for two days on a trip?

Well, here's it with the sweater.  Simple and easy and took up about the space of a small purse to pack: awesome!  ; P

Here's to wish you a happy weekend! 

By Durham Wedding Photographer

Sponsored by: 

Amazing Raleigh roof repair

Great raleigh headshot photography

Fall Must haves 2011

Today I know everything, and I am sharing my depth of knowledge with you, are you feeling privileged yet?  Cause you should be, this is going to be some pretty awesome stuff ;P

Today I will download info that only I can, cause I'm that awesome.  Ok, for real though this post is all about fall basics.  

I like fads and trends but when it comes down to it I lean on the basics and then throw in a few "new tricks".  

Have to haves:

Opac black tights 

Skinny jeans  (if you like boots, other wise a nice trouser cut jean)

Leggings (great for warmth and wearing under skirts)

Go to skirt ( I like to have one that can be dressed up or down, and a little funky never hurts)

Long sleeve swoop neck shirt (great for layering and flattering for most every body type, lengthens the neck)

I included another long sleeve shirt,you can vary the neck line obviously

Go to sweater (I prefer a vintage feel to add "funk")

I included another sweater, you can go any which direction you want (I went button up)

Couple knee high socks

Boots (if I had to pick one pair I'd go black... but my sister would go brown, so it's up to your wardrobe)

Basic jacket (for fall I prefer the lighter side as to not get too hot with sweaters)

and obviously as with any season:

Good undershirt and bra. 

These somewhat few items can be transformed into over a month's worth of outfits

Small things like:

Scarves

Necklaces

Hats

Statement purses 

Statement rings

Written by: Rachel Abi

These next photos are samples of outfits:

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As for hot trends and fads!

This year as there is every year there are a lot to choose from.

 "hint of animal print" 

60's Plaid/ 60's look in general

Fur (this is in every year)

Mustard (pretty much anything in that color)

Pleating

Maxi skirts (especially sheer)

Jade (dresses especially)

Tuxedos (especially white)

Polka Dots

"Hint of lace"

"Working Girl" dress

Parka (not the biggest fan of this one)

Bright bottoms (trousers, jeans,you name it)

My favorites of trends:

Maxi skirts

Polka dots (because they are awesome)

Fur (not really a fad but they like to think it is)

60's pretty much anything (vintage need I say more?)

Now go search your closet, be amazed at the fact you own most all of what you need to have a fabulous and fashionable fall!

By Durham Wedding Photographer

Sponsored by: 

Amazing Raleigh roof repair

Great raleigh headshot photography

Guest Post: Making Make up fun and easy

On many occasions I have referenced my skills... or lack there of when it comes to make up.  Luckily for me I have a friend who is very talented when it comes to make up in fact she is forging her way into making by it!  So I decided to ask her a some questions.  10 questions to be exact.  So here goes:

So, tell us about yourself.

             Well, My name is Hannah.  I’m a 23 year old, sometimes college student, married to an amazing man. I am finishing up an Associates degree and looking for a good esthetology program so I can be certified to do facials, skin care and what I love doing the most…makeup!  I Love all kinds of makeup but I focus on special event makeup. I do anything from weddings to costume parties. I’m also available for private consultations, which means I can help women figure out what kind of makeup is best for them and how to get the look that they want. 

What is it about make up you like?

            Remember playing dress up as a little girl? You can be a princess or a pirate, or anything you want all you have to do is pick the outfit. I still feel like I’m playing dress up whenever I do makeup. There are endless possibilities, and all you have to do to is pick one. I guess I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic, but I love the ability to change my look completely every day. I try to never do the exact same look twice.  I love the creativity involved in doing makeup and the fun. I still get giddy over a new shade of lipstick, hehe. 

Why do you like make-up enough to want to do this for a living?

            Simply put: because it’s fun! And who doesn’t want a job that’s fun?

Do you have a favorite feature (nose, eyes, lips) you like to accent?
            That usually depends on the person and the look you’re trying to achieve. However, as a generalization, I have found that most women like to play up their eyes. A person’s eyes are so unique and expressive; an easy way to communicate a look is to draw attention to the eyes.

 How can a reader know what is best for them? 

            Doing a little research is always good, there are lots of resources to help women figure out what colors will complement their skin tone and eyes best. After that, experiment! One of my favorite things about makeup is that is will wash right off. If you don’t like something, you can try again. I would recommend taking a Saturday afternoon and sitting down with your entire makeup stash. Pretend you’re a little girl playing dress up, and have fun. Try things you wouldn’t normally try. It’s a great way to find what works and what doesn’t. You might even surprise yourself with some amazing new looks.

             

  What challenge would you like to throw to the readers?

            I hear women say things like “Oh I love that look but I could never pull it off” or “That looks so cute on her but I’d be afraid to try it.” My challenge is, take a chance. Try a look that you love but have always been to shy to try.  I really believe that anyone can pull off whatever they like. All you need is confidence and a little creativity. You can tailor a look to fit you. For instance, if you love the smoky eye look but it’s just too dark for you, try going with browns or grays instead of black. Just don’t rule something you like out because you think you can’t pull it off. Go for it!

Why do you think looking beautiful is important?

            I’m really glad you asked that! I never want a woman who talks to me or reads my blog to come away feeling like she needs to wear makeup to be beautiful. I don’t want to sound all Disney princess, but I really do believe that everyone is beautiful in their own way. I myself don’t even wear makeup every day. I think makeup should be a fun way to express yourself, not a means to hide yourself. I’ll spare you my soap box on the way media puts pressure on women to look a certain way, we all see it, I’m sure. But I will say this, whenever I really take the time to look at the women and girls around me, my family, friends, people I pass at the mall, I’m always amazed at how completely unique beautiful they all are. I love that uniqueness and I think makeup should be used to highlight that, not as a way to conform to some arbitrary standard of beauty.

Who are people you look to for inspiration?

            I find inspiration in all sorts of places, a pretty print on a dress, techno dance music, a beautiful painting…you get the idea. But people are the best inspiration. I love to watch makeup artists who have been in the industry for a while do their thing. They make things I’m still mastering look easy! I also love to see what “normal” people are wearing. I’m always curious to see what people are trying and how trends trickle down from the industry big wigs to girls in the mall. I’m not sure if that answers your question exactly….I guess I look at everyone for inspiration cause you never know where you might find it. (:

What are some common beauty mistakes?

            I think the beauty mistake I see the most often is foundation that doesn’t match. If your shoulders and arms are pale and your face is super tan….it doesn’t look natural!! This seems like a really obvious thing, but it really is important. If your foundation doesn’t look natural, it makes even the most skillfully applied makeup look fake. Two things to keep in mind when looking for the right foundation: 1) Get a second opinion. It might look perfect to you, but ask a friend who will tell you the truth. If your face looks orange, you want to know Before you go out, right? 2) Remember that you skin tone changes when you spend a lot of time in the sun. I normally wear a liquid foundation in one color during the winter and fall and gradually change over to a powder foundation in a darker color during the spring and summer. You want your face to match the rest of you. So when your legs aren’t tan any more, you face shouldn’t be either.

What is the most important beauty advice that you can give to women?

            Be yourself! Seriously, all cheesy feel good stuff aside, you will always look the best and feel the best when you are comfortable with yourself. Have you ever noticed that every woman looks beautiful on her wedding day? It’s not just the fancy dress. It’s the happiness that she just can’t keep inside. When you are happy and confident it shows! Wear the makeup that makes you feel like you and rock it.

  

You want to hear and see more of my friend then check her out here

By Durham Wedding Photographer

Sponsored by: 

Amazing Raleigh roof repair

Great raleigh headshot photography

Thrift-a-licious

Thrift-a-licous!  Makes the girls go what what.

You'll be headed round the block to find what I got

Got this dress! Got these shoes!

By Rachel Abi

Super comfortable which is my favorite part... but I like the frump feel with not so frump look 

That's what happens when you wear a dress with a beat-up old T-shirt

Thrifting vintage makes me feel like I am stealing

When get great finds I feel like Gollum... my back starts to hunch as I claw the item to my chest.  I don't pet it... most of the time.

This outfit wasn't any different.  The whole outfit is fully thrifted, thanks to ___ for challenging me to put logs onto the ever growing thriftaholic fire,... ok, save for the necklace: it was a gift from my grandmother.  I got the skirt, shirt, purse at a yard sale and the bracelet was in one of those piles of giveaway that have filtered through my home. 

By Rachel Abi

You can clean in this right?  I guess not but it is great for making your way through your small downtown to a great little spot to write... too bad to, I really wanted to clean?

My poor husband is stuck taking my photos everyday and it isn't his favorite thing...  I make his stop his early morning ritual to come out and take pictures of me in my outfits... and then I act silly, point in fact:

The sad face is because he told me I couldn't smile... so I did exactly that, NOT smile ;P

Breaking out pink

Breaking thrifty yet again.  I wore 5 shades of pink in one outfit... pretty sure that's off the "Ok" list but I enjoyed my ultra girly outfit.  I got the top and necklace second hand.  I wasn't sure how I was going to wear the top but it worked out... or maybe not.  you'll have to tell me.

By Rachel Abi

Travel with style?

I know that you are supposed to travel in business attire to be first choice for first class... I lean on the I want to be comfortable when I travel side but that's just me.

For our recent trip I decided to try and look cute instead of rocking Pj's... thought this was a bit more appropriate.  Rocked out my thrifted necklace and vest and was on my way.

By Rachel Abi

I also tend towards being cold on planes... why?  I don't know you should ask the airlines why they like it feeling like an icebox! ;P

Flashback

No I don't mean that we are going to have a heart warming memorry of years past that have some deep meaning to me.  Much less self important: I mean a fashion flash back.  Yes I did wear this all about town doing what I need to do.  Why?  Just because honestly.  I looked in my closet at one of those items that you at times wonder why you still own it since it isn't the most flattering when you look in the mirror and it isn't the most versitile but then you put it on and forget about your notion to get ride of it.  Does this ever happen to you?

Being the youngest of five, I am no stranger to hand me downs however in my family whether boy or girl the clothes were handed down.  This particular shirt was handed down from oldest to youngest, switched hands 5 times.  It is well worn and is far from fitted since it is a male shirt by design yet some how, despite what I know I actually look like in it, I feel cute and comfortable each time I wear it.  As soon as I look in the mirror I get a large awakening... my solution: don't look in mirrors!

No, my solution isn't the sensible choice of getting ride of the guys shirt that is over 2 decades old but instead avoid seeing my reflection. . . I cannot explain it save for apparently I'm crazy.  And I am in good company!

This week I took on two challengers again: Clothed Much (breaking rules) and Meet Virginia (thirft-a-holic weekly).  The rule broken is a bit (just a bit) obvious  #sarcasm : Looking like I walked out of the 80's.

As to the thrift-y-ness (yes, the Y is needed ;P) that comes down the shorts and socks ( must admit are indeed thrifted but they did have tags still on them, in my defense)
Written by Rachel Abi

What about you?  Do you wear what you know you shouldn't or keep you know that you won't wear?

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Just another one of those days... Get up and think: this outfit is going to work and oddly enough it does.  Well, kind of ;P

And yet another outfit made up entirely of hand me downs... got to love it!

By Rachel Abi

Wells are chairs, right?

The most irritating ring on the cell phone is blaring announcing that it is time to get up yet again... only I don't want to, I know such a change from the normal #sarcasm.  Walking to my closet I deem that despite my going and picking up durrock, for the bathroom we are redoing, I will dress up-ish.  Is it my fault that I want to feel pretty, at least a little, when going to get essentially concrete and wire mesh?  Ok, so I am crazy but I'm ok with it so it's alright.

Dressed and dragging my poor husband out the door behind me I look around our yard and think, "where should I go today? I know that well looks ripe for the sitting!"  

By Rachel Abi

I love having stories behind accessories.  The bracelet I am wearing was given to by my dearest sister.  She and I lived with each other and shared a room for most of our life and between arguments and irritations we are best friends.  For the first time in our life we were separated for 3 months when she left me for the beauty that is Ireland and when she returned she gave me this bracelet (and 2 shirts)... I can't wear it without thinking of her, and I love it for that if nothing else!

This is what I wore Wednesday: thank pleated poppy.

Flashing is never a good option

One night out for a group dinner.

Flash back 2 hours to when I am getting ready.  I look around and I spot those shoes, you know the ones.  Perfectly comfortable and cute all in the same.  I decided I want to wear those having no idea what that would mean.

I break through the skirts I have and come across my "stand-by" for those shoes.  But now what top?  

By Rachel Abi

Break out the hand-y-dand-y vest that works so well with pretty much everything: check.

But now I need bright.  Can't have summer without "Bright".

So out comes the bright leggings undershirt and bow!

I took a look in the mirror and decided that doing the cancan was the only option seeing as I was so Moulin Rouge

Play the accordion?

Each week I enjoy the challenge set forth by Clothed Much: Breaking rule and Meet Virginia Thrift a holics.  Take a casual silk top and put it with a polyester dress-i-er vintage bottom.

Recently I have seen accordion skirts everywhere on celebrities.  I mean everywhere.  Don't get me wrong I like them as much as the next but I was taken aback.  I haven't seen this many accordion skirts since the late 80's early 90's.  All the same about 2 months ago I came across one in a give away pile at a yard sale; I l love vintage and thrifty ness!  It took me a while to get around it but here it is.  I wore it for a birthday party we hosted for a close friend.  I had to get ready in about 7 minutes and I knew I wanted to wear my skirt so I Google image searched for some ideas and then tweaked it to make it my own. 

If you take a look at the link up above you can see the massacre that is our home after the party.  Eeek!

Written by Rachel Abi

Side note: my husband was raised in a military family and they are big on lawns and grass.  I was raised if it is green why fight it.  We have, after many discussions, come to an agreement: we will finish the inside of our house before we do anything outside so we have a nice large yard of beautiful different varieties of weeds!

The triple...

Just another day... but not another date.  We were super married and by that I mean we went on a triple date (us with two other couples).  Whenever we do this I think of all those cliche scene in a romantic comedy where there is one poor (not cause he/she is single but because of the jerks the married people usually are) single chick or dude a midst a horde of married couples all asking "so... who you dating"

As I mentioned before I pick one thing I want to wear well today it was the shirt and then the flower... so I found the skirt and necklace.  I left like the necklace was needed because I have yet to master feeling ok in color blocks without a diffuser. 

The visual makes me giggle inside every time.  If you haven't caught it yet I am a really imaginative person... I can't seem to help it you say man, swaddled, beach ball and I can't help but laugh... the picture is amazing.

By Rachel Abi

  Ps. I always felt like triple should have three p's...