Stupid Rules!

Happy Halloween, guys!!!! This is my costume - I am a fashion blogger. Surprise... Chase and I aren't partying type of people...or dress-up people...or fun people. We're hoping our apartment building is on lock-down so we don't get kids at our door asking for candy. How about YOU give us your candy, kid?

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A Businessly Casual LBD

First, thank you to my +2,000 Google followers!!!!!!! You may have noticed that I begged you guys on my Facebook and Twitter for someone to be my lucky 2,000th...and Kinsey saved the day. This is me doing a little dance. Not really. But it kind of looks like it.

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Colorfully Wonderful

Day two of taking pictures in the early morn. It's actually not that early. But it's the earliest I've been up since high school...especially since I had to do early morning seminary.

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Military and Lace

With my new job, I needed to figure out when to take my outfit pictures. By the time I get home it's dark and then I have to clean the house and feed my husband or something. So now I have to be a morning person.

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I'm Famous

You guys... Check this out. Christa just emailed this to me. It's my FACE. They totally stole it! I'm tempted to get it since it's only $15 but I think it might confuse some people. Somebody please wear my face..

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A Little Blue

I forgot to take a picture of what I wore to church on Sunday. We had Stake Conference. It's not an excuse - I'm just sayin'. But I did wear this to a friend's house afterward and it's kinda similar to what I wore earlier but not really.

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Edelweiss by Sarah Giveaway (CLOSED)

Edelweiss by Sarah is a newly developed brand from New York City that just launched in 2008. Sarah is inspired by her own German heritage and 1940s Hollywood glamour. You can see from her collections her modern approach to vintage style. She also has the most amazing credentials... She's worked under fashion elites such as Vena Cava, Elise Overland, and Maggie Norris Couture! {source}

I wore their wool gray jacket a couple days ago here. Like I said, their products are really well-made and you can tell they're good quality and not some cheap fast-fash clothes you'd get at the mall. They've recently collaborated with Shabby Apple and came out with The Silk Road line! Lucky for you, they've offered to give away three of their Bergman Wraps! They're idiot-proof scarves and so easy to wear. I really really really really really wish I could keep one!!!!!

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Family Time

This weekend some of Chase's family came by to see our new place and to make sure we haven't been robbed or shot. Kidding. Our area's pretty safe besides that fist fight we saw a couple nights ago by the bumpin' Asian club next door. It was really nice to see his family again. As you know, after our Philippines trip this past summer we stayed with Chase's parents until we got settled in L.A. We lived like babies...and it was awesome.

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Grayday

I don't usually wear like-colors together but I really wanted to wear my new gray jacket from Edelweiss by Sarah. I was afraid it would be made of some cheap fleece material like this jacket but it's actually really well-made from wool. It's also dry-clean only...which means I'm NEVER washing this jacket.

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Working (It)

Today was my first day of work as a college grad... I HAVE A JOB!!!!!!! (Thank you, Jessica!!!) I'm not 9-to-5 material but if I was able to go to school full-time and work part-time for four years, I can probably work just full-time.

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Not a 70s Show

Last night, Jess and I went to a gallery and presentation for a few local artists and designers for L.A. Fashion Month. Sometimes I forget that I now live in a fashion-conscious city...and then I go to events like this and I'm so relieved I don't live in Utah anymore.

We got our pictures taken on the red carpet.. We're almost famous!! We wandered around Little Tokyo wishing the mochi shop was still open and ended up at a busy little ramen house. I wish I were the type to take pictures of my food but I'm usually done eating by the time I realize I should have.

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Skirt Your Curtain

I've been sick these past few days so I've been sleeping and watching T.V....which is what I do anyway. But because you're usually discouraged from doing much when you're sick, it made me want to be more proactive than usual. I should be sick more often... or get a job.

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Reader Question: Wedding Dress (...not that one)

Elaine,

I have this dress I plan on wearing to a wedding next week, but it feels pretty dressy to be wearing all day long. Can you help me with ideas on how to make it look different for, say, the luncheon versus the reception? Even though I don't plan on changing during the day, I'd like to be able to make it look less dressy since it is pretty fancy on its own. The only obvious addition I can think of is a black cardigan. Any ideas? I have black earrings to wear, but because the neck of the dress is so high, I was thinking the choker necklace that matches them might be too much. Also, it seems that with a neckline like this it is flattering to wear your hair back away from the face, but again, I don't want to be too dressy. What do you think?

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Courtney Brooke Photography

Last week I met up with Courtney. She just moved out here from Utah like me! She is a photographer - duh. I mean, look at me. I'm not that pretty in real life. Last week we had a photoshoot in Laguna Beach. I was also an hour late. I hate L.A. traffic.

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annilygreen

I'd like to introduce you to one of my newest sponsors, annilygreen! She makes pretty things to pretty your house. Need new pillows? Check. Need a fabric print? Check. Need a new clutch? Check. Okay, maybe one's survival does not depend on a pretty pillow or a fabric print...but that just means you haven't seen annilygreen's throw pillows. I am loving the pixelated pillow and this grand gold flag pillow. Which is your favorite?

These clutches are bomb! I've been into smaller bags lately just for my cellphone, wallet, and keys. These would be perfect to glam up a casual outfit of a t-shirt and skinny jeans. I love that subtle metallic shimmer and that raw uneven edge. It says "I'm fancy because I have a kind-of-shiny clutch and this raw edge tells you that I'm down-to-earth and effortless."

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Cute can be an ugly word.

Jess and I went out last night to an art and fashion event in downtown L.A. We weren't sure of a lot of the specifics but if it was anything related to fashion, we were going to be there since we're obviously stylin'. It was more luxe than we thought. I was definitely dressed "cuter" than the other girls there, which is saying something because you know I hate that word applied to me.

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Blogging Tips

I've been getting several emails about tips on starting a fashion blog and building your readership. I wish someone had given me tips on what to do and what not to do a year and a half ago when I started blogging. Keep in mind I'm no expert - these are just some tips that I've learned through trial-and-error.

First, if you're in it for the money, quit now...because you're going to be sorely disappointed.

Have a clean layout. There are times when I come across a blog with a hot pink background and bright yellow and green font...and then I immediately close the window. Keep a simple neutral-colored background. That means no colorful backgrounds with big prints. If you want to use a patterned background, make sure it's a small print and, again, a neutral color. There is a reason newspapers are a light gray with black font - it is easier on the eyes. Also, use a legible font. Cutesy isn't legible, sorry. Keep the font size mature. I've been to a few blogs that have the font blown up it resembles a poster. Please...keep your blog professional!!!

Keep your sidebars clean. It's very annoying to go to blogs and they have award after award after award on their sidebars. It just crowds the sidebars with unnecessary pictures and buttons and adds to the page loading time. Only post elements that are direly necessary to your blog. Remember, you want to keep readers on your blog, you don't want to confuse them with 100+ other websites you linked to that they can go to and get lost in because at this point, they're already lost in your blog. If you are having trouble keeping your sidebars clean, start using pages. It'll open up the blog a lot more. You can create pages by going to your Blogger dashboard, then to Edit Posts. Click on Edit Pages. Click on New Page.

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A Couple Outfit(s)

I'm so glad you guys liked the video! If you used my belt technique on your blog, I'd love to see. Leave a link!

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Twisty Belt Tutorial Video

My first video. It took me like five tries to stop mumbling and to remember to talk slowly. If you still need help, I'll come over and twisty belt it for you every day. I'll give you the outfit details tomorrow (today). P.S. Told you this was easy. Didn't I? I don't remember.

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Published

You guys.... I am published in a magazine!!!!! Okay, not me but my words and a couple pictures of me. It's such a humbling experience to be a part of Latter-Day Woman Magazine. I love what they're doing. They reach out to women who are tired of values being thrown by the wayside, who want to receive encouragement and strength, who want a place where lives and spirits can be touched daily, who are tired of living by the world's standards. It is for LDS women to come together and share a common bond, a sisterhood really. {source}

I wrote an article about 10 inexpensive ways to freshen up your wardrobe. I've mentioned a lot of the rules on my blog sporadically but for your convenience it is all on one page. If you want to see what I had to say, go here - it's on pages 25-26. There's also a great recipe for creamy tomato and artichoke soup that sounds pretty easy on page 9.

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Real Menswear

Thank you for all your comments yesterday! I wasn't sure how you'd respond because the sentimental Elaine doesn't come out often on this blog. Virtual hugs for all!

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Thank You

I start a lot of projects. I also think of starting a lot of projects. ...and I almost always never see them through. I'll be on a high for a few weeks or so and then I'll be over it. It's happened to me with knitting, scrapbooking, sewing (that comes and goes...mostly out of necessity), playing the guitar... My blog is one project. There were so many times I wanted to quit!! But I stuck through it. And for the first time in my life, I am proud of myself. (More proud than when I received my college diploma in the mail....but that is another story.)

Every time I look at my blog, I am so pleased with myself. It was all done with hard work, a ton of hours, and a lot of sweat and frustration. But I've learned so much from it. I learned more about HTML. I learned that Blogger is lame. I learned that my simplicity extends farther than my fashion sense. I learned how to make a little money. I learned to be a better instrument of God. I learned that I have to be in a good mood to take outfit pictures or I'll look mad in all of 'em. I learned to use Photoshop better. I learned to see money, clothes, and necessity all in a new light. I learned to be more inventive with what I have. I learned more about my style and what I like. I learned what self-confidence really means. I learned to love myself.

I've met so many great people and made so many wonderful friends through this. I really never imagined you would all be reading this. To me this is a silly little blog of an insignificant girl who just wants to look and feel good with the little clothes she has. And you all made this happen for me.

I know I can be sarcastic and a little snarky but please know from the bottom of my heart that I am grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you.

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Either Belt It or Belt It

I've worn this a few times but never got the chance to photograph it because you know...I fired my husband....although we did agree on nights and weekends only. Wait, those were the terms before I fired him... So the few times I have worn this, I have changed it up a bit. This version is belted.

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I have one more friend!

Yesterday I met up with Jess from Stylepint. That's right. I now have ONE friend in L.A.!!! Isn't she adorable? She is super nice and friendly and has the cutest outfits! We went to a cute little French bistro restaurant and then went shopping in Santa Monica. It was so much fun!! We talked about every single one of you. Just kidding. (....Am I?) I ended up shopping more for Chase than myself...because I bleached his favorite shirt a few days ago and had to repair our marriage somehow. You can totally buy love.

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