Practical Fall Wardrobe Staples for a Polished Look


Fall is filled with trips to coffee shops (thanks to the pumpkin-spice latte!), grocery store runs for hearty slow-cooker ingredients, pumpkin-patch-picking and hay rides. Every year new fall-fashion-trends emerge that some of us aspire to shop for, but in reality shopping trips don't always give us the return we expect. That's ok!

Your closet already has the basics for a polished & simple everyday look. Keep reading to learn the wardrobe staples!

I've started pulling my go-to outfits for quick errand departures, cafe meet ups, dinner dates, and autumn festivals.

My advice: keep it simple and add one thing to your outfit that makes you you. My choice, naturally, is jewelry.

from my closet




























My closet is mixed with brand new designer-labels, thrift-store finds, plus new & sale items from Target, Ross and the like. Here's what you'll need this fall...

Practical Fall Wardrobe Staples for a Polished Look


1. A good fitting pair of jeans
Each season our bodies fluctuate in size due to eating habits, exercise regimens as we tend to get busier, and changes in the weather. My favorite jeans for fall and winter are my Hudson's. They have enough stretch to make me feel comfortable, are a darker wash which is great for slimming, and well made so I know they will last. 
2. Heeled boots
The key here is to wear a short wide heel, less than 2".  I jumped on the tall-boot band wagon when every one else did, but I prefer a heal over flats for the sake of elongating my legs. 

3. One to Five basic tee's or blouses
Whether it's a v-neck, crew, boat neck, or collared shirt - solid colors, simple patterns, and old rock tee's will work. The important factor is that you LOVE the fit because you'll wear them often. These are important for a simple put-together look and act as a foundation to layer with a jacket, blazer, or sweater, which leads me to the last thing...

4. Black and neutral colored jackets, sweaters, blazers, and cardigans
My favorite pieces to wear this season are long cardigans. I love black and white patterened anything: home decor, fashion, or office supplies - I love the color combo. An over-sized cardigan is my go-to until it gets cooler and I'll switch over to my leather jacket.

5. Accessories
This is simple! We all associate hats and scarves with fall (click those links for the top pins on Pintrest) but what can really complete your look is jewelry. Once your indoors hats and scarves tend to come off, and the right jewelry can lend itself to a complete look. Keep it simple and your style.


For simple and edgy pieces for this fall and gifts, check out my designs at BAD BAD.


























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She believed she could, so she did.

Oscar Wilde said it best when he said,

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.

In case you were waiting for it, you have permission to go be yourself and live your dreams boldly.

Should you need a reminder, here's the perfect ring.



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Who do you want to be today?












If you could be any way today, perhaps powerful, adventurous, funny, loving, or peaceful, what would you choose?

The way you talk to yourself and the way you see yourself, can alter the direction and the outcomes in your life.

 Anything goes here.

Who do you want to be today? Leave it in the comments below.

Fight For It

Rocky is my favorite movie series of all time. Sometimes I wonder if I should take up boxing (I probably will at some point). I was around 12 years old when one of my brothers asked me if I knew how to punch. I said "no" in anticipation of an educational moment with him. He said, "The first thing and the most important thing is to protect yourself first. Keep your fists up like this," he took my wrists and pulled them up in the air so my forearms were blocking my face. 

 "Good. Now you always want to keep your fists up until it's time to make your move and then SWING!" He paused, "Ok, now try to punch me."

 Ok, lets stop here for a moment. My 15 year old brother just invited me to hit him, and in the face nonetheless. I felt like the heavens had parted and I was given an invitation to the event of a lifetime. 

 I couldn't wait to tell mom that my brother gave his approval for me to hit him. Before I continue this story, I must note that I've since had several conversations with this brother and we do not agree, whatsoever, on the outcome of this story. However I believe mine to be true for the very fact that I lead a very successful (not organized) high-school boxing career. I never lost a fight. (Kinda not proud of that fact, but kind of am.)

 So there we are, my older brother and me standing in the kitchen. This was my time to shine. 

 Hop. Hop. Duck. Hop. Shuffle. Bob. Hop.

 My brother drops his arms for a moment. I drop my right hand. Pull back. Throw.... and CONNECT. 

 Oh crap, did I just hit my brother?! VICTORY! Victory is mine!

 And then if I wasn't victorious enough, I would be soon. After seeing the look on my brother's face and the thought of My little sister just punched me in the face was realized, I ran. I ran as if I were in hot pursuit of another gold medal victory. I am certain that I ran faster than the 4-minute mile in that moment.

 Not once did I ever ask my brother for another educational moment again.  

 I love that story for several reasons. The obvious being that I got to hit my brother in the face. The second reason is because I received a good dose of needed confidence. I realized I was capable of outsmarting my brother and I could connect a powerful punch. The last thing I gleaned from that day was that I was a fighter, and I liked it. I rose to the challenge and I delivered. I surprised my brother, which was also rewarding, but I think I impressed him too.

 I have always been a fighter. I stand up for others and I definitely stand up for myself. If we only have one life, why waste our time repeatedly getting hit? Why take the punches and blows? Why not fight back? Or better yet, you call the shots, you pick the fights, and make sure they are fights worth fighting for.

 A top boxer isn't just suddenly the best one day. Muhammed put in the time, he practiced, trained, and took hits nobody else wanted to take. When a fighter repeats that sequence, he gets to the level where he's better than most, and that is when you get to pick the fights. 

 This is all a metaphor for something, probably to stand up for what you believe in. Maybe your morals at work. Perhaps its your salary (I've fought for that before. It's bloody, but it sure as hell is worth it for the experience of embracing your own value.) Maybe its for a cause you believe in. Shit, maybe its even a fight with the numbskull at the bank to get one of those fucking fees reversed. Whatever the case is, we all know in our gut when its time to fight. There's that boiling-in-the-gut feel, the heat flare in the knuckles, and the involuntary head tilt because suddenly your neck has full control of your posture. 



 I will leave you with one of my favorite scenes from the entire Rocky Balboa series.



Go out with a fight today. It's training day.

 Oh I almost forgot, I'm selling you stuff. Buy the necklace here.

 All fists in,

 Sarah

GIRLS ONLY: Working out while you are on your BLEEEP.

I have no idea WTF happened last week. Wait, yes I do... female hormones. They went through the roof! I f'd up my diet and made myself wrong for it. The mistakes were not the same extremes that I have made in the past, still I ate...

  • 3 mini (bite size) candy bars two days in a row 
  • 4 bites of ice cream on the weekend

That is nothing compared to past eating habits, but its something considering I have made the choice to alter my life to a healthy one. Luckily the ice cream wasn't my favorite flavor so I gracefully bowed out after a quick sugar fix. I horribly dislike sugar cravings. I have a salt tooth, not sugar cravings, but once I get a taste of carbs it becomes Me vs. the Fridge. Me = freight train.



This last week was difficult because I had 10+ hours of prep work to do for a weekend photo shoot I had been planning for 2 months for the release of my new fitness jewelry line. On top of my full time job, running my own part time business, squeezing in workouts 4 days a week following the Jamie Eason Live Fit program, and maintaining healthy relationships, it was hard to stay on top of it all.

I was pushing against the body and mind to get stuff done. I had to take several (hundreds) of breaks, cry over the phone with a girl friend, text-vent to 2 close friends, and stare off into space 5 times.

Here is what I learned

1) When I  define my priorities and am committed to letting nothing stop me, I will always find ways to MacGyver my schedule to make it all happen.

















2) Use a calendar and schedule priorities first and allow the calendar to dictate my day. My calendar is my acting personal assistant, I do what she says.

3) If my body (not my mind) is telling me to take a day off from working out, do it. I learned the hard way that when there is blood loss due to menstruation, my strength and endurance is diminished and I need to build up the iron in my blood.














4) If I skip a workout, double up the next day.
















5) After 15 years of having monthly visits from Aunt Flow, I am very aware of my capabilities during her visit and after her visit. I know that as soon is her bon-voyage I'll powerfully get right back into the swing of things.

6) Listen to my body and give myself some grace and time to rest. More than likely my body needs it.










Sure enough, yesterday after the calming of the storm I got more done than I ever thought possible.

  • Worked my full time job
  • Spoke to 2 new VIP gym contacts about selling my jewelry through their businesses
  • Corresponded & got the go-ahead for another contract with Nasty Gal
  • Created 6 new designs
  • Hand wrote corresponding "thank you for your order" cards
  • Packaged and shipped all 6 orders
  • Got in a full leg workout
  • Made dinner & today's lunch
  • Walked the dog
  • Started my first day of school and completed 3/5 of the homework
  • And a crap load of other boring business related details 
My day started at 5:30am and ended at 10:30pm. Who's the shit? I am. No excuses. Figure out how to make it work for you.

Back on top!


















You want it right? All you have to do is start....somewhere!

Ladies, I leave you with this advice

Take breaks when your body needs it. Stay focused on your goal by reading about diet and exercise, or watching YouTube vid's on your favorite fitness models or VC runway shows while you're laying low. Don't lose site of your goal. Whatever you do, don't get off the roller coaster while it is still going.

A little too extreme,

Sarah


18 Things Highly Creative People Need to Hear

18 Things Highly Creative People Do Differently is a great article for the creative types. There is a distinct experience of uniqueness for those who have embraced their creative self.

IME, creative expression can feel egotistical, but when art is recognized as an expression from the perspective of “I”, it is inseparable and some how no longer feels egotistical. More so the artist is a conduit from the unseen to the seen world.  For my dear friends who are creative types, this article exposes many points that may make you feel normal….. no, magically not alone.

For short attention spans, here is the list of 18:

  • They daydream.
  • They observe everything.
  • They work the hours that work for them.
  • They take time for solitude.
  • They turn life's obstacles around.
  • They seek out new experiences.
  • They "fail up."
  • They ask the big questions.
  • They people-watch.
  • They take risks.
  • They view all of life as an opportunity for self-expression.
  • They follow their true passions.
  • They get out of their own heads.
  • They lose track of the time.
  • They surround themselves with beauty.
  • They connect the dots.
  • They constantly shake things up.
  • They make time for mindfulness.


I must have dozens of examples to for each 18 item on the list. The most prominent to come to mind is in relation to "they observe everything". It was only 3 years ago, I was walking through a mall parking garage and noticed the patterns in the pavement. The trowel that was used to create the surface of the floor had grooves in it, and all along the thick stacks of concrete slabs making up the garage and parking spaces had rainbow shapes, thousands of rainbow shapes. The creative eye has the ability to look past the dark, dingy, oil stained, gum infused, urinated on, public parking garage ground and see the possibility of a heavily layered women's necklace to emulate the same design. I fell in love with my mind in that second. I was proud to see beauty in the mundane. I designed the necklace a week later, it sold for $75. Thank you Horton Plaza.

Share your stories. What do you most relate to?

Fitspiration

Happy Monday doll faces!

Remember... you've got to start somewhere!
If not now then when?


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