Pretty Primpin'

This past weekend I had the pleasure of hanging with some fellow Minnesota bloggers. It was nice to meet other ladies who enjoy kickin' it in the blogosphere! Lindsey of Ruby Girl and I decided to stop in this awesome boutique in St. Paul called Primp after we got done meeting-up.  I have to admit, I had no idea this gem was hiding there (and by "hiding" I mean standing on a fairly busy street corner in plain sight).  There was a plethora of pretty things to look at and I could not resist taking something home! It will pop up here soon, I'm sure. I got some spur of the moment pics of what I had been blogger meet-uping/shopping in.

Wearing my fake glasses. They help me fake see better.

Blazer: Rampage via Macy's
Belt: Salvation Army
Shirt/Jewelry/Jeans: Forever 21
Glasses: The Icing
Shoes: Nine West

Bittersweet Blues

Every now and again, I like to browse the Youtubes for hair and/or make-up inspiration. Not too long ago, I happened upon a video of a look I wanted to try. The look is what hooked me initially, but the spunky personality of the make-up artist, Kandee Johnson (which is totally a sweet name...haha, get it? I'm sure she's heard that a couple (million) times), drew me in. The more I learned about her the more I liked her! For instance: on her "About Me" page, she says in the 80's she played with barbies. Guess what ya'll, so did I! Clearly we have a lot in common.

What I really enjoyed was learning about her story. She's been through a lot of really difficult situations, and come out on the other side not only ok, but with such a positive attitude! I love that she didn't let what she went through take her spirit. Instead she pressed on, followed her dreams, and is now encouraging others to do the same. Sometimes we forget that the bitter and sad times can become the very things that motivates us to live the "sweet" life we've always wanted. We all get knocked down, but the important thing is that we don't stay down.

How do you turn the bitter into the sweet?

Inspired by this video.

Scarf: Thrifted
T-Shrit: Target
Cardigan: New York & Company
Jeans: Forever 21
Shoes: Steve Madden
Necklace: Arden B
Bracelet (right): Vintage
Watch: Heartbreakers
Earrings: Forever 21
Bangles: Totally don't remember. Sorry!

The Show Must Go(ld) On

I remember my first encounter with theater. I was in preschool. It was a production of Snow White. I was auditioning for the very crucial role of "tomato seller." I was in character, I had my line down (I believe it was something like "tomatoes for sale!" - gripping stuff, I know). When the time came for me to perform in front of my teacher and an audience (about 5 of my fellow preschoolers), the pressure of carrying this pivotal role was too much....I cried. I ended up being a flower - no lines, but I jumped around at the end of the play when Snow White woke up like a freakin' boss. I wore my paper bag with a face hole and purple construction paper flower petals glued on like a rock star. I was the best flower that preschool had ever seen.

I have come quite a ways from those days, and being a part of theater is something I still enjoy. One of my favorite spaces in this city is the Guthrie Theater. It has ridiculously amazing views and the inside and outside are gorgeous. I found an amazing, glamorific vintage skirt and thought it was perfect for the setting.

Walking the red carpet! No pictures please! Well, except this one.

As soon as I saw this skirt I knew I needed it. I love the shimmery gold fabric and all the pleats. So many pleats!

Look how happy I am about the pleats! I look a little crazy, but happy crazy. So that's a plus.

 

 

I'm glad I didn't let that childhood trauma stop me from having a (pseudo) successful (can barely be described as a) career on the stage. I can use it in my method acting. I know what that means, since I'm a super serious actress and all. With that, I will leave you with something anyone who calls themselves a thespian should be familiar with....

....over the shoulder backwards awkward looking jazz hand. It took me years of training to master this....


Photography: K. Diarra Photography

Top: BCBG
Skirt: Vintage (via Mighty Swell)
Shoes: Sam Edelman (via DSW)
Necklace: Aldo Accessories (long ago)
Bracelets: Forever 21

Peplums-a-Plenty

Firstly, (is that a word? My spellcheck isn't correcting me but I feel like it should be. I'm worried.) I hope you had a fantastic MLK day yesterday. I went to a wonderful program honoring the life of Dr. King through the arts. It was all types of amazing.

Secondly, a little fact about me, I enjoy a good peplum. They make me endlessly happy with all their little pseudo-skirtness. They seem to say, "I have aspirations to be a skirt, but why do that when I can just hang out here and be awesome?" I hear you peplum. I had aspirations to be an astronaut who moonlighted as a figure skater when I was younger, but I then I thought, "Why be a space figure skater when I can chill on earth and hang out on the internets wearing outfits and whatnot?" I mean, I don't really remember my thought process at that time, but I'm fairly sure it went something like that.

I also love military style jackets. When I found one with a peplum my heart just about exploded with joy! I'm glad it did not. The green top also has a skirted bottom. Yay and yay!

Double peplum. Cooler than a double rainbow? I think so.

If anyone knows any skating astronauts, let me know. I think I might still like to make that a reality. 

Jacket: Arden B (long ago)

Top: H&M

Jeans: Forever21

Shoes: Aldo
Jewelry: All gifted to me by my (awesome) aunt

The New New: The Factors

Hello All! I'm excited to kick of a new feature of The Fresh Factor called, The Factors. I really wanted to make this blog not just about me, but also about the community of stylistas making positive contributions to the world around them. If you know someone making a difference or you're making one yourself, submit the info and tell me all about it! (Submission requirements are after the jump on a page labled "Submit a Feature."

I'm excited to kick off The Factors with a beautiful friend of mine who always looks fantastic! Not only that, but she's making a huge difference in the lives of those who need it! Stephanie of Graded on a Curve wrote a little bit about her experience volunteering in an orphanage in Guatemala. Enjoy!....

There are a few major loves in life.
Love is funny because you discover things, people, quirks that you love in life as you live it. I happened to find one love last June when I traveled to the Casa Angelina Orphanage in Guatemala...Continue Reading

I Don't Know. It's a Mystery.

Happy New Year to ya! I hope these first few days have been good to you! I bring you the first post of 2012 from a super secret location. A hallway. Not just any hallway, this one. If I told you the location it would ruin the whole mysterious nature of the post, and who doesn't like a little mystery?! (That was rhetorical, don't answer that.)

Through a couple of my favorite bloggers, I was introduced to this cool company, Stitch Fix. I got the opportunity to try them out recently. Basically what happens is, you sign up and take a survey about your style and then they send you 5 pieces for you to try on in your home with your wardrobe. You keep what you like and send back what doesn't work for you. How cool is that?! (Another rhetorical question, but you can answer if you want.)

In my "Fix" I received this super cool fishnet sweater. I knew immediately it was something I was going to want to keep.  I decided to pair it with one of my favorite vintage blouses.

Striking a super secret pose in my secret location. Except the pose isn't that secret, since you can see it and all.

The fishnet kind of acts as a pattern, so putting it over a small pattern can be tricky. I thought it was fun in an understated way, so I just went with it!

Having a fun time in my secret location, which is apparently a secret from my face which says I'm having an awkward time.

P.S. Plus a million cool points if you know what movie the title of this post is from. It's repeated often by one of the characters throughout the film - which is a favorite of mine.You know what? Make that plus 2 million cool points, I'm feeling generous today.

Sweater: aryn K c/o Stitch Fix

Blouse: Vintage via Mighty Swell

Jewelry: Forever21/Vintage

Jeans: Forever 21
Shoes: Steve Madden