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Sunday, March 23, 2014

Leggings: Can A Fashion Don't Become A Fashion Do?

Leggings: Can a Fashion "Don't" Become A Fashion "Do?"


Mom jeans, socks with sandals, the Canadian tuxedo...

Can a fashion "don't" become a fashion "do?"  

My friend and very talented professional photographer, Linny Foerg tackles this very question in her below guest post*:

Fashion is a unique form of expression that combines both art and commerce seamlessly. Social media is an amazing platform for complaining about those style choices that rub us the wrong way. Our social circle is just waiting to click their like buttons in agreement.  

That "Oh My God, What is she wearing?" comment that you would normally whisper quietly to your BFF while sipping your favorite Starbucks, can easily become a topic of serious discussion when it becomes a status.

Recently, a friend's status read like this:

 “Leggings do not = pants."

Normally I won't like or comment on something like this because I know it's going to get a big response. However, because I've seen this status, and ones like it, written at least once a week, I felt I had to do something.

Quickly, I stood on my designer shoebox and shouted:

"I am Linny, I speak for the leggings. I speak for the legging, for the leggings have no tongues. I'm begging you at the top of my lungs. Don't judge all leggings by the ones that you see, these sad little leggings that really should be jeans. They didn't mean it. That don't want to offend or cause you stress. They're thin and little and should be worn with a dress. Yes! A dress! That's just what they need. Still some legging, yes some leggings, can be pants...indeed."

Okay, I made that up just now, but I basically said the same thing.

Style has no real rules. Any "don't" can become a "do", in the right setting if you believe. Does this mean that there's no wrong way to wear an item? Of course not! There are things that look good and things that do not. However, a good stylist can make any item work. 

Clearly, I could go on and on about this, but let's just focus on the leggings issue for now.

To style a legging look, the wearer must think fit, fabric, and friendly frocks
(I’m trying too hard to make that F thing work).


Photo source 1, left and source 2, right

In the photos above we see a clear right and wrong way to wearing this article of clothing. On the left, a slender woman wears the leggings. This doesn't mean that leggings are made only for slender women. Adele, a gorgeous full figured young lady, often rocks leggings and looks amazing, pretty much always. On the right, a clearly ill-fitted pair of leggings... and well, we don't have to say much more. See for yourself.

Tips:

1. Consider how the leggings fit. If you buy them to fit like sausage casings, there's no way that's going to look good, no matter your size. Leave a little room for your beautiful body to breath.

2.Next, notice the fabric being used here. The leather look is fabulous, but even a simple cotton can work as well. Just remember that thicker is better. If you want something thin, you want tights. Tights cannot be pants unless you're Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, or Beyoncé. Basically, unless you can also get away with carrying your tiny dog with you wherever you go, you can't get away with this look.

3. Now, let's talk about what to wear with your super cute new leggings. If you've followed the first
two steps, you can now pair your leggings with a long top. The top should cover your bottom.

4. If you'd like something tight on bottom with your cropped top, you're looking for skinny jeans or cigarette pants.

5. If you'd like something causal with a shorter top, you’re looking for...No! I know what you're thinking and No! Put down the yoga pants and walk away before someone gets hurt! Fancy sweats, you want fancy sweats. Save those yoga pants for, get this, yoga or laundry day.


Photo source

Now that you know the guidelines, get creative! Start putting on your accessories. Style your look until you feel like the outside matches the inside (beautiful!). Push the limits and try new things. Some will work and some won't, but that's what fashion and personal style are all about.

Be you and do that don't!

Author Bio: Linny Foerg





Linny lives in Indiana with her husband, Eric, and their beautiful daughter, Willow. Aside from her very successful photography business, she enjoys online window shopping, dancing around the house with her daughter, and taking beautiful family photo stories which she posts regularly on Instagram.


For more from Linny, check out her Facebook fan page and follow her life through the lens on Instagram.

What do you think of these fashion tips from guest writer, Linny Foerg? Do you agree or disagree?

*This article was written by Linny Foerg and edited by me, Selena Marie.
*Linny's bio was also written by me.
 
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XOXO,

SELENA MARIE

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Snow in March - Let It Go....

Amidst the crazy weather we've been having here in Arkansas (Snow in March?!?!), I've been working my butt off and finally deadline time is over so I'm back to the blog. This weekend I am taking a little break to enjoy life. As things are finally melting outside, I've settled into the coziness of my couch to watch the ice- this time not outside my window, but on my TV Youtube App.

Disney Style : Elsa

I am sure you all have been following the huge trend of the Disney movie, Frozen. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I've heard good things about it. And I'm loving the fashion influences!

Elsa - Formal - Disney's Frozen



 Apart from the obvious style inspiration, I like the fact that Disney made a movie that is primarily about family, with a strong female lead, and not a love story with a princess waiting for a man to save her. We need more movies like this especially for young girls.



 I wouldn't be surprised if you have already seen this clip- an Africanized cover of "Let It Go," but I had to share it because I just think the whole video is so beautiful and the treatment of the song is stunning. I have literally watched this video over and over again. It is that good!



I have also really been loving this mash-up of Let It Go and Let Her Go by Sam Tsui.




I absolutely love this mash-up! I think I like it even better than either song separately.

Enjoy!



What do you think of these covers? Do you like any of these better than the original? Did you see the movie? What did you think of it? 

Please leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

 If you know anyone else who covered of this song, please feel free to leave a link!

Related content:

I must have a thing for videos shot in the snow. Back in November I did a shot by shot screen capture of Katy Perry's Unconditional video, which was equally as magical and breathtaking! You can check that out here.

Twitter: @selenamarie318  
or LinkedIn Connect with a message: linkedin.com/in/selenamarienorris
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XOXO,

SELENA MARIE

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Razor Review: Gillette Venus Embrace Sensitive Vs. Schick Intuition Plus Sensitive



So I am super excited to share with you my very first product review! Influenster sent me a little package with a sample of the new Gillette Venus Embrace razor for sensitive skin for product testing purposes. If you don't know about Influenster, you can check them out here. You sign up, review products, and eventually you might get some thing free and new to test out! Yay!

Disclaimer: *I received the Gillette Venus Embrace Sensitive products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster. All below reviews are my own and I have not been paid for any endorsements.

Now on to the razors...

My number one TOP favorite shaving product is Schick Intuition Plus Sensitive razor.

I did NOT receive the Schick Intuition Plus razor from Influenster but I am mentioning it because the Intuition razor is the gold standard against which I am comparing the Venus Embrace razor.

The Schick Intuition Plus comes with built- in soap around the razor and needs NO shave gel. Just add water! Yay! I'm allergic to shave gel so I have to use soap anyway. The Intuition razor takes that step out for me. It has 4 blades and is fragrance free with aloe and vitamin E.

 The only down side is that the Intuition razor runs out of soap by about the 3rd or 4th use and it is a little pricey for how few uses you get out of it. But I highly recommend it because I never get shave bumps when I use it.

 Tip: In a pinch, conditioner works well as a shave cream substitute, perfect for sensitive skin!


Image Source: Schick Intuition

The Gillette Venus razor has an aloe strip above and below the 5 blades. Yes, I said 5. Wow- a lot of blades!



 It's supposed to get a closer shave and help avoid razor bumps and etc. 

 Bonus: It has a nice razor holder for the shower. I recommend using this, because otherwise the aloe strip will stick to your tub and then become non-existent. Yes, I did that. Err. :/ 

Image Source: Amazon.com


For the sake of testing and comparison, I tried it first with water only and found it to be a bit itchy. It worked great on my legs and was better than a plain razor when used with soap, but it was still a little uncomfortable (read: it felt like sandpaper) on sensitive areas like the underarms which tend to have more bumps and wrinkles.

Tip: When switching out the razors, watch out! That razor is like a flying weapon. It flew across the bathroom, and I hardly pressed the button. They should make nerf toys with that technology! LOL.

Verdict:


Schick Intuition Wins!


The Gillette Venus Embrace Sensitive razor for sensitive skin is better than a regular razor but not my top favorite razor. The Schick Intuition razor still wins in my book, but depending on the price or if I had a coupon I would keep the Venus razor around for my legs, but I definitely would not recommend use on sensitive areas. Step it up, Gillette!


Hashtag: #ItsNotMe



Thanks, Influenster!

Boa Noite!

Twitter: @selenamarie318  
or LinkedIn Connect with a message: linkedin.com/in/selenamarienorris
Or reply in the comment section below!
And please don't forget to subscribe or follow by email! There's a spot in the side bar! ------->

XOXO,

SELENA MARIE


Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Dreaming of Brazilian Beaches

It's 16 degrees Farenheit here in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA... so when my Brazilian photographer friend, Edney Suiter offered to show a few of his photos as EXCLUSIVE images for Kindred Closets, I jumped at it, even with his deadline of 24 hours.

If you are a photographer or model, you know it is difficult to photograph or be photographed in swimwear. Often times there is a fine line between "high fashion" or "catalog" and "men's magazine" style bikini photos. Not to judge the artistry of either category. The difficulty is in planning and execution of a desired visual and it takes hard work on the models part and photographers part to get it right.

This set of photos are PERFECT examples of how to do relaxed fashionable bikini photos without being over the top or too sultry. The model looks fresh and sweet and not too done up. She has natural poses and very little of the S curve so well known in men's magazines. These kinds of images make you want to go on vacation and enjoy a little bit of fun in the sun, especially on these cold winter days here in the Northern hemisphere. 

Edney Suiter: Kindred Closets EXCLUSIVE

Edney Suiter Via Facebook

Edney Suiter: Kindred Closets EXCLUSIVE

Edney Suiter Via Facebook

Edney Suiter Via Facebook


Edney Suiter: Kindred Closets EXCLUSIVE
Edney Suiter: Kindred Closets EXCLUSIVE
Photography:
Email:
Suiter-photo@hotmail.com


Model Booking:

 Related posts:
Suiter Shoot: Brazilian Bohemian with Clara Torres
Suiter Shoot: Boho Chic Bilingual English/Portugues Make-up Tutorial
Suiter Shoot: Feather Lashes A La Jennifer Lawrence In The Hunger Games
 I have a few Suiter posts lined up that haven't yet been completed so stay tuned for some more of Edney's beautiful work!

Thanks, Edney, for sharing your beautiful work! And thanks to our beautiful model, Clara! Now I'm going to go off and dream of warmer weather, the sun on my face, sand under my toes, and the scent of the sea! 

Boa Noite!

Twitter: @selenamarie318  
or LinkedIn Connect with a message: linkedin.com/in/selenamarienorris
Or reply in the comment section below!
And please don't forget to subscribe or follow by email! There's a spot in the side bar! ------->

XOXO,

SELENA MARIE

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Grateful Memories



I took a bit of a break for the holiday and I will admit- I had a few posts on autopilot ready to roll since way before Christmas. But the timed posts timed out and you were left with a couple weeks of no-shows on my part. I'm sorry about that. A good friend of mine asked me, when she read about my busy schedule, "What is the purpose in it and what is your goal?" And it made me stop and ask my self that very same question. Why do I do this?

I want to leave something behind- impact the world in some positive way and I'll admit, I still haven't figured out just yet how that will happen. Still sometimes I feel like we impact our world in the greatest ways through the littlest things.

I lost a friend last week: a dear coworker who sits next to me passed away. She had a quiet spirit, but I'll remember her smile. It's important to remember one another. People should be remembered. Maybe that's part of the reason why I do this too.

But also, I write because I am thankful that I can write, no matter how few or many of you are reading this- even if it's only me reading back my own words. At some point these things do matter, and these tiny things can build up to be something big in the long run. In the big picture one brush stroke at a time is what is needed to create a masterpiece. I don't claim to be a master of anything, nor do I claim that this is a masterpiece. But life is a great and glorious masterpiece. And I am grateful to be alive.

Peggy, this one is for you. Thank you for sharing your life. I am grateful to have known you.

What are you grateful for?

Twitter: @selenamarie318  
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XOXO,

SELENA MARIE

Monday, December 30, 2013

What Are We Really Selling & What Is Being Sold?

"Ads sell more than products.They sell values. They sell images. They sell concepts of love and sexuality, of success, and perhaps most important of normalcy. To a great extent they tell us who we are and who we should be." Jean Kilbourne



This is a trailer for "Killing Us Softly 4" Featuring Jean Kilbourne
Available on DVD at http://www.mediaed.org

Twitter: @selenamarie318  
or LinkedIn Connect with a message: linkedin.com/in/selenamarienorris
Or reply in the comment section below!
And please don't forget to subscribe or follow by email! There's a spot in the side bar! ------->

XOXO,

SELENA MARIE

Thursday, December 26, 2013

DĂźner en Blanc®: The Ultimate Global White Party

Hello, all my kindred spirits! I hope you all had a lovely holiday!

The following is a guest post by my dear friend Darryl Warren. We worked together as co-petition organizers on the petition to Please Make Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty A Traveling Exhibition.

Darryl is a talented blogger/forecaster who focuses his posts on the sociology of fashion. Here he shares his views on an event he attended in the Northern Hemisphere in Spring/Summer. I thought it would be fitting for my Northern and Southern hemisphere fans- especially my Brazilian readers, as Brazilians have a tradition to wear white on New Years Eve! It is thought to bring good luck!


DĂźner en BlancÂź: The Ultimate Global White Party

DĂźner en Blanc®: The Ultimate Global White Party by fashionobserved featuring a white tie dress

"The proliferation of white featured in most Spring Summer 2014 collections only highlights the importance of white as a millennial mainstay. That white was prominent in previous spring summer collections as well as having a place in fall winter collections form last season only serves to emphasize its importance.

Not coincidental is the surge in popularity in participating in one of the more exclusive epicurean celebrations gaining esteem not only for its mystery and spontaneity, but also for the fashion element of the entire celebration focused on a strict adherence to a code of white in elegant expression.

Launched with just a handful of friends more than 20 years ago and founded by François Pasquier in 1988, Paris’ DĂźner en Blanc® came out spontaneously when he wanted to hold a dinner party to reconnect with friends after living abroad for a few years. The idea was so infectious that the requests to join resulted in setting the gathering at the Bois de Boulogne. He also asked them to dress in white so they could find each other and to bring a friend.

24 years later, the French capital’s most prestigious sites have played host to it and following in the footsteps of Paris, one of the sons of Francois Pasquier, Aymeric Pasquier, moved to Montreal and kept his family tradition going when he came together with friends and held the first DĂźner en Blanc® in August 2009.

In 2011, Aymeric associated himself with Sandy Safi to launch the first US DĂźner en Blanc in New York. On August 25th, 2011, 1200 diners (selected from over 30,000 hopefuls) celebrated outdoors in front of the wonderful World Financial Center in Battery Park. Over a dozen cities, on five continents joined the DĂźner en Blanc® family in 2012, including Vancouver and, as of this year, Los Angeles.

The event is only expected to gain popularity as a phenomenon representative of the desire to commune in spontaneity to create memories that transcend past habits of merely logging eve action on social media. The all-white colour scheme reflects the clean palette of hopefulness we anticipate as we live the millennium celebrating the moment in style.

Dress for the millennium and a white, bright fabulous future; the designers have made it so easy now."

Guest Post By Darryl Warren

Check out photos from the event here.

Interested in the items shown above? Shop at the links below! You may still have time to buy and have it shipped before NYE!

Jack Wills white dress
jackwills.com


White tie dress
modaoperandi.com


Alice Olivia short dress
mytheresa.com


Topshop cut out dress
$65 - topshop.com



Lover white eyelet dress
shoplesnouvelles.com



Marni white dress
marni.com


Vero Moda short dress
$56 - veromoda.com



GAT RIMON white dress
$180 - zalando.co.uk


Alexander Wang open back dress
bernardboutique.com





Nine West clutch
ninewest.com


ALDO white purse
aldoshoes.com


Zagliani snakeskin clutch
$1,415 - stylebop.com







Follow on Twitter: @FashionObserved

What are you wearing for New Years Eve?



Twitter: @selenamarie318  
or LinkedIn Connect with a message: linkedin.com/in/selenamarienorris
Or reply in the comment section below!
And please don't forget to subscribe or follow by email! There's a spot in the side bar! ------->

XOXO,

SELENA MARIE


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