fashion gone prairie: 2011-12-04

Saturday, December 10

Travel outfit #2: out and about

this is my second outfit in the travel wardrobe collection. this outfit is great for going out to lunch, shopping, really any activity. i picked a few more key pieces and some of the ones used before. some of the key pieces are

denim jacket- they are perfect because they can be dressed up and down, and they keep you warm without over heating you in cool weather. they are the kind of thing you can wear almost anywhere, so they are great to travel with
sundress- pick a sundress that can be worn dressy and casual. i love the colour of this one because its bright yet with the black, its still in a winter colour pallet, which can be hard to have because most of my sundresses are very summery
sandals- they should be comfortable and easy to wear for a long time. these have some embellishment while keeping it neutral so they will go with a lot
fedora- i added this one because, if your going somewhere warm, its always a good idea to bring something to cover you head and protect you hair, scalp and face from overexposure to the sun. its also super cute with a denim jacket :)

more travel outfits coming soon, have a good weekend!

Travel outfit #2: out and about by dhirsch featuring a metal necklace

Paul Smith strap dress
$610 - paulsmith.co.uk

Scotch Soda denim jean jacket
€110 - scotch-soda.com

Mystique strappy sandals
€155 - pret-a-beaute.com

Proenza Schouler suede shoulder bag
$1,595 - lagarconne.com

H M metal necklace
£6.99 - hm.com

Rag bone straw hat
$88 - net-a-porter.com

Lancome Bienfait UV SPF 50+ Super Fluid Facial Sunscreen
$35 - neimanmarcus.com

Nails In Green Room
£5 - topshop.com

Benefit Benetint Lipbalm SPF 15
$20 - bloomingdales.com

Friday, December 9

Travel outfit #1: on the plane

this year, i am giving up the white christmas for a sunny one in phoenix! i decided i wanted to pack pieces that all could be mixed and matched, especially since i usually throw in pieces i love and end up packing a different outfit for everyday. my suitcase is always over the weight limit, and thats before i shop! so i am creating sets inspired by pieces similar to my own that i will be packing. this set here is for the plane ride. there are a few basic necessities for a successful travel wardrobe in here:

dark jeans- can be worn casually or dressy and its always important to have them in case of cooler weather
basic white tank- does it really need to be explained?
basic COMFORTABLE flats- made for travel, shopping, or exploring. they can also be worn casually or dressy

side note: shoes are some of the hardest things to pack because, at least for me, i always want to bring too many

satchel- a bigger bag to bring everything you need on the plane, or wherever you explore in your destination
draped cardigan- can be worn casually or dressy, and they are soo comfy! i have a deep purple one, it is a more basic colour yet it still bring great colour to the basic outfit
a skinny belt- try and bring one you can wear around you waist and hips, that way you only have to bring one and it can dress up outfits or the draped cardigan like i used here

there are a few necessities for the plane too

moisturizer- the plane can make your skin very dry, so try to minimize make up and maximize moisture
rosebud salve- cuticles, lips, elbows, they all need them!
reading material- cosmo is a must, duh! and sophie kinsella is a hilarious author, she wrote confessions of a shopaholic, her most known book series, but she has some really great ones like remember me
iphone- for music and games!

my next few sets will have a lot of these items repeated and a few more so we can learn how to pack without packing your entire wardrobe, and still having a ton of choices! you'll also notice i try and use pieces that can be worn both casually and dressy, it makes finding an outfit when you only have a suitcase full of clothes wayyyy easier!

Travel outfit #1: on the plane by dhirsch featuring skinny leg jeans

Stella McCartney racerback shirt
€110 - youheshe.com

Long sleeve cardigan
$52 - reissonline.com

True Religion skinny leg jeans
€349 - jades24.com

Chanel ballerina flat
consignofthetimes.com

Proenza Schouler suede shoulder bag
$1,595 - lagarconne.com

H M metal necklace
£6.99 - hm.com

Zara braided belt
$15 - zara.com

Armani Beauty Eyes To Kill Stretch Lengthening Mascara
$30 - neimanmarcus.com

Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel Cream
$25 - barneys.com

Wednesday, December 7

building your wardrobe on a budget

men may laugh at me for saying this, but we all know shopping can have its stresses. flipping through a magazine you see a gorgeous bag you want, then look at the price and its $3000!!!! you cant afford it, most cant. ive been there. many times. it seems, a lot of the time, the in season, stylish clothes are way to expensive for my budget. the thing is, your wardrobe doesnt have to cost more than your house in order to be in style. i have a few tips on how to build a wardrobe on a budget. and when to spend the money on that item, and when to say forget it.

if your going to spend money on an item, look at it as an investment. there are certain necessities all girls need in their closet such as black pumps, a fitted blazer, of course a LBD. things that are timeless and that you will use for years and for many different types of events. those are the items you can spend more on and not feel guilty. you want good quality pieces that you will get your money's worth.
once you have those basic investment pieces, you can then spend a little less on the in season pieces. styles come in and out of season, and its hard on our credit cards when we spend a lot on those must have items that are a must not wear the next month. we have some great stores that can provide us with those fad pieces without breaking out budget. H&M, forever 21, BCBG, store like these can provide us with some really great pieces for even better prices! from time to time i have stumbled upon that gorgeous expensive piece that i know wont be in style forever but i just physically cannot let go. it happens and we only live once so dont fret if you find that one piece, just try to be conscious of how much you can actually afford to spend.
if you do have a addiction to those luxe labels, may i introduce you to Beyond the Rack? www.beyondtherack.com, they have designer brands for super cheap!
thrift store are also AMAZING for finding cute vintage pieces. i know sometimes i get clouded when i go because there is so much random stuff, but if you look at each individual piece, its surprising the different ways you can visualize it
lastly, ive heard it said many times and i truly believe it "its not what you wear its how you wear it" if you think it looks good, rock it! ive rocked the bold looks that i have no idea whether people will accept it, but hold your head high and be yourself, its better to stand out then blend in!

i hope my tips help a little bit! happy wednesday!

Monday, December 5

its hard to keep glowing skin in the winter cold, but i have a few tips i use to keep my skin and body as healthy as possible:

i always keep some blistex in my bag during the winter for when my lips get beyond the dry point. at night, i put some vitamin E oil on them, and i wake up beautifully hydrated lips (my mom taught me that one)
also, try not to lick your lips if they are dry, ESPECIALLY when your outside. i know its hard, but you will be thankful in the long run, i try to put on some lipbalm before heading out, helps a lot!
mom also used to put vaseline on my hands before i went to bed and threw socks on top of them so my hands would stay hydrated. i HATED it as a kid, but i definitely cherish the lesson now
i hate getting out of a warm shower only to put on cold lotion, so i use coconut oil in the shower as lotion. i keeps your skin soooo soft and glowing, and i cant lie and say i dont close my eyes and maybe pretend im under a tropical waterfall, the coconut smells so good! bf likes the smell too ;) (the blog www.bellamumma.com gave me that tip, thank you!!)
we've all heard not to have too hot showers, as freaking lovely as they are, it can dry out your skin, also, the longer you spend in the shower the bigger risk for dry skin, so on those cold morning, try not to spend too long in a too hot shower ( :( i know)
throw on a leave in condtioner! hair is important too!
for all the water your not wasting in the shower drying out your skin, drink it! lots of water means glowing skin! to get my water intake i drink tons of green or peppermint tea!

I hope theses are helpful for the winter!

canadian winters

being from canada, our winters can be bitterly cold. and often times its hard to stay fashionable when your bulking up on heavy layers. sorels are a must here in winnipeg, i own that exact pair and love them. canada goose parkas are the best out there, they were made for our harsh winters. keeping it simple under the outerwear with tee shirt and jeans, a warm sweater and thick socks, just a day to day outfit. and the accessories are a must. one of my biggest pet peeves is when the back of my neck is cold, so i am always sporting a scarf! a few beauty needs: burts bees hand lotion, too keep them nice and soft, and rose bud salve for every moisturizing need. i cannot go a winter without rose bud salve! i use it on my lips, cuticles, knuckles, elbows, everywhere! so if you live somewhere cold, join me and be appreciative that there are designers out there that sympathize with us. and if you live somewhere warm, just know how lucky you are that you dont have to get into a freezing cold car everyday and count down the seconds until your heater starts warming up! and maybe, if your out in the sun today, throw your head back and enjoy the warmth for those of us who dream about it at night. Happy December :)

canadian winters by dhirsch featuring heart shaped jewelry