Heaven to a Tea.

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Tea for the soul.

After pulling an all-nighter to finish a paper and study for an abnormal psychology exam, I made the worst coffee ever, didn't realize this until I got to school, and couldn't even drink it. Classic worst morning ever. I somehow made it through the day, turning in my paper, taking my exam, etc. and then somehow stayed awake through my train ride home. I decided to then treat myself to an argo tea. I'd never been in one of their shops and since I was waiting around the train station anyway, I decided to stop in. I was not disappointed. It's so amazing in there! I'm a big fan of tea, as my home cabinet overflowing with different tea bags will tell you. I had a chocolate mint fuzed with black tea and it was so good, I never would have thought up that sort of combination. It was the perfect drink for the dropping temperature outside and my aching-awake all night muscles.

What's your favorite tea or coffee combination?
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Sincerely, Ella

Beauty Inspirations.

Recommended:

Approach your face like a canvas

After creating my fashion inspirations series I realized I was coming across so many works of art in the makeup realm that I wanted to share. I therefore present makeup tidbits that I have come across and have been amazed by or inspired by:

 

 

Hope you enjoyed!
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Sincerely, Ella

Outfit of the Night Featuring Vintage.

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Over-sized blazers for Fall

I have always been up for some thrift store shopping but I have never before made a specifically vintage purchase from a vintage store of sorts. That changed this week when I discovered Arcadia Vintage on etsy. I purchased a vintage Ann Taylor red blazer from her online shop and I'm extremely happy with it. 

It's in perfect condition and I can definitely see myself wearing it a lot over my dresses or outfits that involve skirts. The first time I wore it was for a nice family dinner. I styled it using solid colors but I can see it going with patterned prints as well.

It's a great Fall piece so I definitely had an excuse to bust out my boots for this one. They're from Born and are so very comfortable (this is coming from someone who's picky about the comfort of shoes).

I kept the makeup pretty simple but couldn't resist a smattering of my favorite red-orange lipstick, So Chaud by Mac. 

I topped it off with my Urban Outfitters initialed locket (from the boyfriend!) and a random ring I found at an art fair a few years back.

 

What are your favorite Fall pieces?

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Sincerely, Ella

Four Simple Goals (Before 2013).

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Realistic goals

Elsie from A Beautiful Mess (click to become obsessed) started a challenge in 2010 in which she blogged about four simple goals that would provide her with inspiration before the coming new year. She has repeated this challenge ever since and has invited others to jump on the bandwagon... and I have jumped.

The "rules" to this challenge are as follows:

1. Choose simple goals that will make your life richer and happier on a daily basis. Choose things you may not otherwise get done, but that are not difficult to accomplish.

2. Do not choose result oriented goals, choose activity oriented goals. for example.... instead of "lose 10 pounds", choose something like "eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day". Get what I'm saying? Positive actions instead of just the end result!

3. Choose goals that are personal that you believe will truly make your life richer just by doing them! They can be daily, weekly or one time experiences.

4. Choose a reward for each goal as it is accomplished! It can be a small or large reward- it's up to you.

5. Blog about your goals, each one as you achieve it and a big post when they are all finished before the new year!

Here are my goals:

1. Begin drawing again. I used to be an avid (self proclaimed) artist, always looking for inspiration in the mundane. That has somehow been lost over these past few years and I would like it back please.

One of my chalk drawings from three years ago

2. Take walks at my own pace. Whenever a walk arises it takes quite a push to get me out of the house. I somehow always forget I like walks. I don't, however like walks in which I'm rushed. I tend to always be rushing out the door to walk to work or if I'm walking with another person I don't like having to keep their pace. I do however enjoy my own stroll; without time constraints (well, apparent ones anyway) and without the pull of another person's longer legs. I would like to set aside some time to walk and enjoy my surroundings, and although it may make me sound like a loner, I would like to do it by myself sometimes.

3. Create. I have a large box full of clothing that I've set aside to alter into various things. I have old ties in there that could potentially be headbands, old men's shirts in there that could be tunic dresses, and scraps of interesting patterned material that could embellish something that calls for embellishment. I have the materials, now all I need to do is create.

4. Keep my motivation. The problem I've had with goals in the past is that whenever I would start to see results, I would fall back into my past routines. I want to keep my motivation with the simple goals I've set for myself this year.

What are some of your goals for the remainder of the year?

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Sincerely, Ella

Fashion Inspirations Two.

Recommended:
Fashion


Tumbler has yet again succeed in inspiring my fashion sense in some way. Here are the images that have recently caught my eye:

A watercolor rendition of a Vogue cover by Los Angeles artist Cate Parr: I'm a big fan of the red lip contrasted with basic colors. I can't wait for the colder weather so that I can bust out my red lipsticks without looking too done up.

Franck Sorbier: I love the material on this! It's a rugged beauty.

So bohemian! I love it.

 

So girly and yet such an androgynous look; definitely a style I like to try my hand at once in a while.

I love everything about this outfit! I love how the triangle shape repeats itself in the necklace, edge of the shorts, pockets on the jean shirt, and the flap of the bag.

I guess I like triangle necklaces.

So polished looking with a definite edge. Love it!

So many of my obsessions in one outfit! The high bun, leopard print, distinct collar, layered bracelets, bold sunglasses, and classic black pumps.

Basic colors with a twist; just the way I like them.

Berets are so versatile!

Love the mix of fabrics and the accessories.

Brigitte Bardot: I would definitely love to pull this off!

Hope you enjoyed!

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Sincerely, Ella

Summer Wedding Outfit Ideas for Men.

Recommended:
A hot climate that requires fancy attire


Hello lovely males out there (or lovely females who would like to help dress the lovely males in their lives)! If you've happened to come across my blog, this post is for you (since realistically most of you will not be interested in my makeup and fashion musings). During any other season I would envy the ease you have of just putting on a suit and waltzing into a wedding. Yes, there will be those of you who obsess over your ties, shoes, cuff links, pocket squares, hair gel, facial hair etc; but girls have a few major things that you don't even have to consider (usually), and that is makeup, an elaborate hairstyle, and nails, nails, nails. We women just have a slightly larger load of factors to consider beyond what we're wearing. It's just a fact. Summer weddings in which black tie attire is not required; however, may leave you men at a crossroads between a heavy suit and a Hawaiian shirt; neither of which I recommend (unless of course the wedding is Hawaiian shirt only). Here are as few suggestions that you are free to incorporate into your own style:

Shoes can definitely make all the difference in an outfit. No broken down sneakers, but a pair of converse in good condition are an interesting alternative to dress shoes that may be more suited for colder weather.

A pop of color is an idea to consider. Although it doesn't necessarily have to be as intense as this pop of color, you can go wild with a tie, some cuff links, a pocket square, or even a bow tie.

For a wedding with some spunk suspenders are a lovely option to consider. Suspenders all but eliminate the need for a suit jacket.

A vest is another possible suit jacket eliminator, and it's one that you could definitely have fun with.

Consider the alternatives to a black suit if you require a suit jacket.

The white on white! Kudos to those of you who can pull off this daring number.  For those of you who aren't feeling as daring, the white pant with dress shirt is also a nice summer combo

I'm not quite sure whether this guy is being daring or downright crazy.

Well, I hope I provided you males with some inspiration for a Summer wedding (or hot climate wedding) outfit idea!

What would you wear to a Summer wedding?

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Sincerely, Ella