Leather and Stripes

My affliction for stripes as finally found it's way into my pants... Um, okay... that sounds a little raunchy...

I've been searching for a pair of striped pants for a couple of months, but every time I tried a pair on, either the fit wasn't right, the stripes were too thin, the cut of the pant made me feel like I had on clown pants. But, leave it to the Brits to make a proper pair of striped pants: Thank you, Boohoo.com for letting me wear my favorite affliction!

This outfit is how I do a casual Sunday... jeans, a tee and some sick accessories. The laser cut details in my Sole Society Camille bag set off my theme of subtle details with slight contrast. All about leather and lady-like lace details - right down to my Shoemint Gina wedge shoes.

What I'm Wearing:

Black Tank - Old Navy / Valencia Striped Skinny Jeans - c/o Boohoo.com / Camille Bag - c/o Sole Society / Gina Wedge - Shoemint.com / Necklace - c/o Sira & Mara Jewelry

Links A La Mode: Where It's At

*Thanks to Jeanine and the IFB team for picking this post as part of their January 19 Links A La Mode!

By no means do I think I'm the epitome of fashion authority - but I will say in New Jersey, I sometimes stick out. Perhaps I should've been raised in New York, where keen sense of style is lauded. New Jersey has been pigeonholed by Jersey Shore and the nickname "Dirty Jersey." And I'll admit - the stereotypes are true. Depending on the part of the state, you'll find girls looking like melted Twix bars, barring more makeup than Tammy Faye Baker and non-prescription sunglasses that, yes, they really do wear at night.

I live in the land where Sunday Best is considered pajama pants to the mall... Where there really isn't a fashion culture. Style takes on a different meaning in the Garden State... and that's cool because individuality is where it's at. But the NJ standard just isn't my bag.

But to some, it means I don't look like everyone else.

Outfit:

Sheer Leopard Print Top - Forever 21

Red Jeans - Forever 21

Boots - Lulus.com

Necklace - Send the Trend (via Blogger's Night Out)

Spiked Bracelet - Forever 21

Gold Bangle - J. Crew

Buckle Up Ring - Henri Bendel

Hence, a woman gave me the One-Up yesterday due to my read jeans. You know what I'm talkin' about: when someone looks at you, feet first to face. 

It doesn't bother me. Red jeans are normal, right? Can't please em all. And don't really want to, either.

This is why blogging is a huge part of my life. The idea that you can have your own soapbox, where opinion is welcomed and you're free to show yourself in your true colors, no matter how bright it may be. Where you can find people from across the country who relate... who understand how much you love fashion and take a genuine interest in who you are. People who appreciate individuality. 

That, to me, is where it's at. Blogger warm fuzzies, ya'll.

That's me (below). Thanks again, IFB!

Fresh New Start

Edited by: Collette Osuna of Statements in Fashion

Even though January is one brutal cold month in Michigan, it happens to be one of my favorites. It’s a brand New Year.....it’s the opportunity for each and every one of us to start with a fresh clean slate. What will you be taking on this year? A new hobby? Losing weight? Starting your own business? Bettering your blog? The ideas are only limited by your imagination, and I for one, cannot wait to begin this new adventure. This weeks links are chock full of awesome DIY ideas, product reviews, and ways to make yourself smile!

Have a fabulous month everyone!

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: JANUARY 12TH

• Ethical Fashion Blog: What do you think about charity shop pricing?
• Fashion is Evolution: How to make a clothing-tag specimen board
• Fashion Moriarty: If you only buy 12 magazines this year
• House of Jeffers: Not fitting in because of the way you dress
• Letter Kay Blog: How to wear leather leggings
• Life of a Recessionista: Products I can’t live without
• Life Style Flash: Things I hate about shopping
• Marionberry Style: It isn’t easy being green
• Nadalyn Margaret: All about brooches
• Over 50 Feeling 40: Journalism 101 for Bloggers
• Pandippo: Sometimes a simple dress is all you need
• Paper Cloth: Things I learned from January J.Crew
• Pretty Quirky Pants: DIY Beaded stretch cuff bracelet
• Statements in Fashion: Twitter Tuesday: "Chuffed to Bits" for The Whitelist
• Style Delights: Ten tips to be happy!
• The Calvin Show: How to take great street style photos
• The Dapper Bun: DIY Simple hems
• The PVD Journal: How to take gratuitous photos of yourself
• The Shop Hopper: Shopping Manifesto
• The Window Shopper: DIY Getting your colors done

SPONSOR:
New Dresses at Shopbop: Just Cavalli, BB Dakota, T Bags LA, Nightcap, SoLow, Zac Posen, Malene Birger, Phillip Lim, See by Chloe, Nanette Lepore, Tucker, Cut25 & Parker

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Don't fake the funk

Outfit:

Chunky knit sweater - Express

Striped three-quarter sleeve top - Forever21

Jeans - Mandee

Sunglasses and necklace - Mandee

Patent leather penny loafers - Zara

In my role as a blogger, I'm often wondering what other bloggers think of their own work and image. I would hope that no one makes pre-meditative moves to create an image of oneself that isn't true. Let me rephrase that...

While, yes, planning your outfits around your blog is a conscience decision, and organizing is certainly part of generating ideas and content for your blog, I can only speak for myself that I'm not putting on airs for the world to see. I think there may be people who do just that... who fake the funk and be what they think everyone wants them to be, wants to see... This lies in fashion choices, general bandwagon jumping in terms of changing their admiration for various designers as fast as Charlie Sheen says winning and casting oneself in a light individually deemed as pleasant, when in reality, the lighting captures all your bad sides... and I'm not talking about your physical appearance.

On the other hand, deeming yourself as a "fashion blogger" does come with pressure to look your best, but the best content you can together and stay true to yourself and your blog. When I attended the IFB Evolving Influence Conference in February, many panelists stressed the importance of thinking of yourself as a brand. At first, I thought the concept was a little weird.

"I'm not selling an image. "

Well, actually, if I'm putting up photos of myself in an attempt to display my own personal style views and looks, then I'm branding or "selling" my perceptual image in a particular way.

As a writer and blogger, I feel it's my duty to be bluntly and blatantly honest about myself and to my readers in terms of my style. I don't shop in certain stores just because I notice that everyone and their mother is doing it. I don't conform to style standards strictly - instead, I draw inspiration from them and make em my own. It might be weird, and you might think I'm nuts occasionally for wearing it, but at least it's genuine. All any blogger can be is themselves, and I think it's really whack when I see 10 bloggers rocking the same look all in the name of label dropping. Luckily, I don't come across that often, but it happens, and it's really tacky. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is: Do you, bro.