Night Tribe

I used to be a night owl and not at all an early bird. Morning and I did NOT get along. Now I'm less of a night owl and still not an early bird, but more of a middle of the day right before and slightly after lunch person. Is there a name for that? "Day parakeet"? "Noon flamingo"? Does it have to be a bird? Can it be something else? Something ferocious,  like a "pre-lunch koala" or a "midday alpaca" (those things can be mean ya'll).

In any case, The following photos were, indeed, taken at night time - it was dark, cold and rainy - perfect sleeping conditions! It's amazing that I was still awake, usually I like to be at home, in bed getting that good sleep. That good half snoring, mouth open, partially drooling type of sleep. Hmm...I fear I've shared too much about myself. Let's move on, shall we?

 I decided to get my tribal print on and do a bit of pattern mixing as well.

Look how awake I'm pretending to be!

I love tribal print! It's so much fun and you can wear it so many different ways. This top was so bright and fun, plus it's got a bit of neon-ish green happening. Neon + anything = yes please! It's always fun mixing tribal print with an animal print element too, just for funsies.

 I love crossbody bags. This one was perfect as it picked up the color of the shoes and the black in the shirt. Plus I love the fun zippers.

Ignore my pant cuffs here. They're all wonky. Perhaps they, too, were tired.

I think I was sleeping standing up...that's talent.

So how about you? Are you an early bird, night owl, or midday alpaca?

Jacket: Not sure, it's from long ago
Top: via Buffalo Exchange
Tank: Target
Jeans: Wet Seal (long ago)
Shoes: Aldo
Jewelry: Heartbreaker/H&M/Forever21/Vintage
Bag: Target
Glasses: The Icing

Week in Review: News from The Fresh Factor and Beyond...

1. This week was full of street style! Lots of suited and booted people here in the Twin Cities! Check through this week’s posts to see them all!

2. 'Tis the season of fashion weeks: this time it was London's turn. I didn't catch too many shows, but I made SURE to see Burberry, I thought it was brilliant! Check out Burberry and the others here.

Photo: Style.com

3. If you haven't heard yet, the next big designer and H&M colabo is with Marin. I am a fan of all of the tribal print and also a fan of not paying designer prices. Check out the look book. Will you be shopping for Marni?

Photo: Fashion Gone Rouge

4. Levi's jeans has made news this week for their not so inclusive Curve ID campaign because, while the name would suggest the line includes jeans for all body types, the add sure doesn't reflect it. What are your thoughts on the matter?


5. Look of the week: This look is just so bold and chic! I love the head-to-toe red.

Photo: Refinery29

5.5 For something totally, totally different – runner up was Lala. I want this jacket in my life, and I’m not sure why I like the blue and orange sneakers with everything else, but I do. Goodness help me, I so do.

Photo: Fashion Bomb Daily

I hope you have a happy weekend! Any awesome plans? Please share!

Emerging Designers Showcase

On Monday I had the pleasure of attending the Emerging Designers Showcase, an event put on by L'etoile Magazine and MNfashion. The show was as unique as it's location, CO Exhibitions, which provided a backdrop of artistic creations to peruse between designer's presentations. It was great to walk around and look at each of the thought provoking pieces. The thought they provoked in me most was, "I don't understand this, am I not deep enough to understand?," but they were wonderful to look at none the less. Scroll down for the designers work, my look from the night, and some street style type pics:

The art that that was making me insecure.You win this time art. You win this time.

My look for the night. Half dressy, half casual, half something else. Wait....

The showcase was an informal event, 5 designers showcased 3 pieces each - leaving time in between to socialize with fellow show attendees. I had the chance to meet some amazing people and snap some pictures of the fly folks of MN:

YQY by Vivian - Vivian Aronson/ KR Designs Jewelry - Kristi Relopez

Nicole Larson/ Lefthand Originals Jewelry - Larissa Loden

Marrisa Bridges/ Jewelry by Vanessa Zahid

The above Marrisa Bridges pieces were a few of my favorite pieces in the showcase. I'm loving the ombre details of the lace dress, the water color blues of the white dress, and the semi sheer maxi skirt needs to get in my closet now!

Gina Marie Vintage/ Camba Jewelry - Krissy Krull

Caroline Haden/ Jewelry by Carla Cohen

This Caroline Haden/Carla Cohen combination was my other favorite presentation. The black dress on the left was just beautiful and I am simply digging the green printed blouse.
 

Music came by way of the lovely and  talented Oso with a little help from Mayda

Some fashionable Twin Cities Folks: 

Ray of Nardo Wardrobe Consultants                                       India, Shop owner of Behind the Scenes and Laura
                                                                                                       I'm excited to visit this new boutique! I'll tell you all about it!

         I didn't catch her name, but I'm loving her look!                                      Adrienne Yancy, designer of Ariel Simone

It really was a great event! I enjoyed getting out and meeting the good people of Minneapolis/St. Paul. To cap off a wonderful night (a night which I decide the weather was going to be fantastic and, thus, did not bring my coat into the venue and wore suede shoes) by the time I left, it was a frigid, blizzardy wonder land:

You win this time Minnesota weather. You win this time.

Sigh. Good thing the event was so great, between the paintings and the weather I could have walked out with some type of cold weather triggered, art related complex. I'm just thankful I survived and did not bust my stuff on the slippery sidewalk on the journey back to the car. Sometimes you have to appreciate the little things...

My Look:
Jacket: Arden B
Cardigan: Forever 21
Tank: Jack BB Dakota
Pants: Rachel Rachel Roy
Shoes: Sam Edlman
Jewelry: Forever 21/Vintage

Cool Combinations

Where would we be without great combinations? Some of the best stuff is an amalgam of other really great stuff, I offer up for your consideration: sporks - is it a spoon? Is it a fork? No. It's neither, because it's both (Did I just blow your mind?). Or how about cookies and milk? French fries and ice cream?? (If you haven't tried it you must. You simply must).

I kicked off my MN fashion week by attending The Cool & Co. Presents: Exchange Clothes, an event that was not only a fantastic  gathering of some very fashionable people, but also an opportunity to give back as all were encouraged to bring clothes to be donated to those who need them. See? Super swanky party + a good cause = great combination! The spork has nothing on this!

 

I decided to combine lace and stripes, plus pinks and oranges. It's kind of a lot to pull off, but it was just random enough to make me ok with it. Sometimes the things that make no sense are the best kind of combination!

Here with my buddy Faith of Urbane Montage

I wanted to share a few photos of some stylish people who attended the event.

A good friend of mine and one of the most stylish guys I know! He's the dude who takes many of the pictures you see on this blog - It's the mastermind behind
 K. Diarra Photography!

What are some other good combinations?
Hope you had a fabulous weekend!!

Lace Bodysuit: American Apparel 
Skirt: Wet Seal
Ring/Earrings: Forever 21
Bracelets: H&M
Belt: Target
Shoes: Aldo
Jacket: Some obscure store from long ago

Week in Review: News from The Fresh Factor and Beyond...

1.       Congrats to Eva for winning the gift card giveaway and thanks to all who entered! Never fear, there will be more giveaway goodness in the future!

2.       New look! You like? I thought it was time for something new! A HUGE thanks to Marius of Custom Initiative for the new design! I’m very picky and he was very patient! If you need some design work done, I highly recommend Custom Initiative. Tell ‘em I sent ya!

3.       Some random, interesting facts as NY Fashion Week comes to an end. Who knew fashion and fiber went hand in hand! Did you catch any shows? 

4.       MN Fashion Week: Yes, we have one too, and it starts tonight! Here’s where you can find a list of events if you’re in the area. I will be out and about at many of them. My first stop will be at Exchange Clothes  – which is an event where you bring some clothes to donate and then hang out for a super chill party.  I love  a good cause :)

  If you see me at any of the events, please come say hi!!

5.       Look of the Week: Wendy Raquel Robinson for the upcoming issue of Denim Magazine , one of my favorite reads. She looks super gorgeous, and I love the pattern on top with the simple color blocking on the bottom. I’ll definitely be pulling some inspiration from this: 

Have a fantastic weekend! Hope you're doing something super fun! 

5 Tips for (Probably) Successful Thrifting

 In a recent conversation with one of my bffs, she mentioned she was going on her very first thrifting/vintage excursion. I took it upon myself to give her some unsolicited advice, because who doesn’t love that? At the end of said advice, we decided that it might be a great thing to turn into a post for those of you who want to try your hand at something a little different. I'll also introduce you to a few of my favorite places along the way.

Here are my top 5 tips for your thrifting pleasure:

1.       Be Patient: Successful thrifting takes a certain thoroughness. The fact that there is only one of everything is great because you know you are getting something unique. However, because there is only one of everything, that could mean looking through just about everything to find something that makes you happy. Take your time, and enjoy combing through racks of sui generis - awesomeness that could end up in your closet!

2.       Get Creative: Again, since there is only one of everything – this requires you to be creative, to think outside the box. If you are medium and find something you really love in a large, think of how you would tailor it to fit you. If there’s  a dress you really love the pattern on but don’t particularly like the style, consider wearing it as a top. Let your mind run free to dream up some sartorial goodness.

Everyday People because I am, in fact, an everyday person. Every day.

3.       Be Discerning: This is the other side of being creative. While sometimes you find something with a slight tear that can be mended or in a size that can be tailored, don’t be so married to something that clearly won’t work that you get it home with a bag full of clothes, take them out and then wonder what the heck you were thinking, collapsing on the floor into some sort of conniption. Ok – that was a little dramatic, but you catch my drift. Feel free to Tim Gunn a piece  (make it work), but also be realistic.

Buffalo Exchange: Though the name is deceiving (you don't really get to exchange buffalo, ya'll. Imagine my disappointment) it's a great place!

 4.       Keep Care in Mind: When I started going vintage and thrift shopping, I was overwhelmed by all the great stuff I could find. I built up a small collection before it really sunk in that everything had to be dry cleaned. I felt like I was going to need a second job to  foot the new bill I was going to incur. I worked it out, but keep in mind the care for your purchases. You want to make sure you care for your garments correctly and keep them in good shape, just don’t be surprised by the extra cost. Like I was. 

B-Squad Vintage, a place in which awesomeness abounds.

 

5.       Fortitude is Fashionable: Part of the fun of thrifting or going vintage shopping is the thrill of the hunt. Some days it seems everything in the store is just for you. Some days you search and search and end up with nada. Don’t fret. Remember to go in with an open mind realize that some days are just better than others. Don’t give up, go to a different store or go back to the same one a few weeks later. Something is bound to have your name on it – you just have to be in the right place at the right time to find it.

There you have it party people. These tips won’t guarantee you success, but at least you’ll have some things to keep in mind.  Hopefully this was helpful for you. If not, blame my bff. It’s ok, she won’t mind. 

Where are your favorite places to go? 

Also, congratulations to Eva for winning the Forever 21 Gift Card Giveaway!! Happy shopping!

Dapper Duds

Sometimes I like to get down right dapper. That, and I can be super random, hence, a bow tie. Want to dress up without actually dressing up? Throw a bow tie on it! Have to wear a choir robe?  Scrubs? Throw a bow tie on it! Court ordered community service in an orange jumpsuit? Throw a bow tie on it! Let's also keep in mind that that may be a bad idea. I decided to be down with my dapper side and jazz up my jaunty with a tie of my own, it's a cool way to class up something casual:

The look in my eyes? That's the look of straight swanky-ness. Or else I need a hug...maybe both?

Every once in a while I like to do something a little different. Sometimes it's fun to add  little quirky touches to an outfit. Two watches does the trick. One watch no longer works so it doesn't count. So really I'm wearing one watch and a bracelet masquerading as a watch. 

I'd tell you I tied this tie, but then I'd be a liar. 

What are some of your favorite ways to add a touch of posh to your apparel? 

P.s. Today is the LAST DAY to get in on the GIVEAWAY!! 

Also, thanks to Walk of Fashion for featuring me! Check it HERE! 

Bow tie: Ragstock

Shirt: Ragstock

Belt: Vintage via Everyday People

Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: INC International Concepts

Jewelry: Heartbreakers/Forever 21/some other place I don't remember