Function over fashion

So the weather in Boone has been absolutely crazy over the past week. With snow and bone chilling temperatures this weekend, I figured it’d be helpful to talk about what to wear when it’s this cold outside.

When researching some key items to wear in freezing weather, I not only found warm clothing ideas (which I’ll get to later), but I learned that hypothermia is more prevalent in the spring and fall instead of winter. This is because it can be 45 degrees out and with winds at 35 MPH, the wind chill is 11 degrees! This completely blew my mind. So even if it isn’t really cold, keep an eye on the wind and be sure to stay bundled up.

The first step in doing that is to wear a hat. Everyone knows that the first place your body loses heat is through your head. Why not stop that problem before it starts and get a nice warm hat lined with fleece to keep your ears warm while it’s at it.

The second step is to layer. Now I know that I’ve preached on layering all year, but this time a good base layer is essential in keeping your body temperature up when you’re hiking from Sanford to Walker and the wind is blowing like mad. My favorite brand is Cuddle Duds, you can find them at the Mast General Store for a relatively low price in a few different colors, and they are amazing. They’re great under t-shirts or sweaters, walking to class or hitting the slopes.

Good socks are another must have when battling Boone weather. You can scope out Footsloggers, Mast General Store, and Farmer’s Ski Shop for great sales on brands like SmartWool. Keep in mind that you won’t go wrong on splurging on a high quality brand, they’ll last much longer and have a much better performance when it comes down to it.

Overall, there are lots of good places to find discounts on quality pieces to keep you warm. But remember that during this time of year in Boone, you’re safety is more of a priority than saving a dollar or two here and there. In the fair or cold weather, keep an eye out for the wind chill and dress accordingly. Function over fashion might be a good motto for the next few weeks.

Keep it cute (and warm!),
Sharyn

Small Changes with a lot of Style

It has never occurred to me, until recently, that someone could make such a small change and still make such a bold move.  I guess I should have realized that when you’re talking fashion, anything is possible and everything can make a statement.  It simply depends on what you’re trying to say.

I have also decided that I want my hair cut.  Not anything too dramatic or different, but since then I’ve been looking up tons of different looks to decide what I want to do.  While browsing many sites and people (mostly celebrities, let’s be honest) I noticed that each look told so much about the person.  I mean, I don’t know any of them personally, but I think that how bold, plain, or in the middle someone’s style was, definitely came across in the way they style their hair.

Weird to think about, I know.  But when something that small can say so much about you, why not put a little extra thought into it?  The great thing about Boone is that although there aren’t a ton of places to get your hair done, the places that are here are fabulous!

Sassy and Company off of 105 always offers great deals, HairCut 101 is a quick walk from campus and their professionals are always on top of their game.  If you’re looking for something fast without an appointment, SuperCuts and SmartCuts have coupons in the books you receive via your P.O. Box.  There are a few other places, like Shear Shakti, that I’ve never been to personally but I’ve heard they’re great!

With all of these great options so close, why wait to make a change?  Whether it’s bold bangs, longer layers, high or low lights, do something subtle that can take your personal style to the next level!

Keep it cute,
Sharyn

Lilly Pulitzer Prints

So I’m pretty excited about today’s post!  While most of you all know about Lilly Pulitzer, many non-Greek affiliated students aren’t aware that they provide a line of sorority prints.  There were originally four and then a contest was held to see who the next four prints would be designed for.

All but three of Appalachian’s sororities had prints as of the last vote.  But earlier this week Lilly announced that Phi Mu, Sigma Kappa and Alpha Omicron Pi along with two others (Alpha Xi Delta and Pi Beta Phi) to be the newest members of their print collection!

While that doesn’t mean a lot to the outside world, it’s actually exciting because carrying these totes, clutches, and scarves around are a great way to look cute while showing off your letters in a classy way.  Even if you aren’t affiliated with a particular organization, these items make great gifts and Lilly offers a lot of other unique patterns that you won’t find anywhere else.   You can check them out here.

What might be the most interesting part of this whole process is that the entire event has been based on Facebook.  All votes and entries were submitted through their Facebook page and viewed solely from there.  I thought this was pretty cool considering it’s a fast, easy way to market a product and get direct feedback at the same time.

Way to be innovative Lilly Pulitzer!  And congrats to the newest members of the Lilly sisterhood prints!  I can’t wait to see what those patterns look like.

Keep it cute,

Sharyn

Making a Statement

Hello everyone!  I hope you had a great weekend and are getting a productive start to your week.  For my birthday, I went shopping the other day and noticed a lot of trends starting to catch on that I love!  I wanted to share them with you because even though theyre not completely new to fashion, theyre definitely making a statement.

First up are stripes.  While horizontal striped blouses are always something that I've tried to stay away from, there is no denying that if you can pull them off, they look amazing. 

The key to this is wearing the sweater/ blouse to buy them a little more lose than normal to avoid the stretched out, I-can-barely-fit-in-this look.  Another good idea is to buy something with stripes at the top or bottom as opposed to completely covered.  This helps the eyes focus on the shoulder or hip region, essentially accentuating your best features.

Another great trend is patterns.  Patagonia has taken this and ran with it and the response has been overwhelming.  I remember in high school seeing one of my friends sport a llama pattern and everyone thought it was crazy.  How funny is it now that large, plain patterns (that often remind me of New Mexico) have become such a hit?

The nice thing about these patterns is that you can literally wear them with anything and they're cute.  It's also one of the few items I write about that applies to both men and women (sorry boys)!

A few others that have caught on are neon colors, lace, high waist pants, and oversized clothes in general.  All of these trends can look fabulous if worn correctly and are definitely great ideas if you're trying to make a statement.

If you have any trends or styles that you've tried (even unsuccessfully) let me know!  I'd love to write about it!

Keep it cute,

Sharyn

Work out your style in the new year

It’s a little past that time of year again, when the gym is always full, everyone is talking about getting in shape, and Spring Break is right around the corner.  Despite the crowded workout space thanks to New Year’s resolutions and the progression of “spring break bodies,” there are still a lot of benefits to this time of year.

Sales on active wear are everywhere!  You all know that I’m a huge fan of T.J. Maxx and Old Navy since they’re so convenient, but they really do have amazing sales on everything gym-related!  I found a super cute Nike Dry-fit pullover for $25! That’s almost a $30 savings on such a versatile piece of clothing.

The great thing about active wear is that it’s useful not only for the gym, but class, rainy days, and running around getting errands done.  With a few key items like this in your wardrobe, you can look casual and classy even if you’re not at the top of your game.

While you’re out shopping around for leggings, pullovers, jackets, or base layers, stop by and pick up a few magazines.  Spending a few extra dollars now might help you in the long run.  Here’s why: January is the perfect time for stocking up on your favorite [health] magazines.  Right now they are targeting women looking for better workout plans for their ‘hectic’ lifestyles.

By going through and finding a plan that works best for you along with some healthy food ideas, not only will you look the part in your new clothes, but you’ll actually be making a difference in your everyday life.  That’s the point of resolutions anyway, right?

So get out there and go stock up on some cute work out gear (while it’s cheap) and throw in a healthy recipe while you’re at it.

Keep it cute,

Sharyn

Save a little, craft a lot!

The middle of December is one of the best and worst times of the year in the life of a college student.  While Christmas is well on its way, which is always exciting, everyone is knee deep in exams and late night library dates; at least I know I am.  While I’m low on cash and time as the semester ends, I’m still full of holiday spirit and want to get something for a lot of my close friends.  So I thought it’d be nice to share some do it yourself gift ideas before we head home for break.

Personalized Coasters-

Maybe a bit random, but so perfect for your best friends apartment!  With scrapbooking paper, felt for the bottom, tiles from Lowes (for only 16 cents!), all thrown together with Mod Podge, you spend around $10 and that includes buying all the supplies that will go a long way.  Be sure to spray a final coat of polyurethane to protect against water damage. 

Silk Flower Headband-

So cute to wear out and spice up an otherwise plain outfit!  This is seriously the easiest thing I’ve ever made and so unique.  All you need is a silk flower (important: make sure there is a PIN on the back!) and a strip of elastic measured to you or your friend’s head.  Pin the elastic together at the ends and there you have it!  The best part about this is that you can turn anything into a headband with a little hot glue and a box of pins.  Get creative!

T-Shirt Crafts-

I know it isn’t a surprise that I love t-shirt crafts.  I just think it’s so crazy that you can make so much out of one simple item!  My favorite idea is a long t-shirt necklace using only two strands of material.  Unlike the one I talked about earlier this year, this takes a little more effort.  After tying a knot about 1/3 of the way down with both strands of material, string beads on the “top” and bottom” strands.  Tip: start with smaller beads on the sides and move to larger in the middle to look a little more polished.  When you’ve added all the beads that you want, knot the end with both strands again to complete the look. 

I hope these helped a little with time and cash when we’re all trying to stretch both!  Good luck studying for exams and have a wonderful Christmas!

Keep it cute,

Sharyn

Rain, rain, go away!

So after looking outside yesterday and deciding that it would probably rain, I remembered how terrible dressing up in Boone tends be. Between picking the right shoes, staying warm, and trying to look nice for whatever you have going on, it can definitely be a struggle.

Yesterday morning I planned on wearing a skirt with a nice warm top, but when I unsuccessfully looked for my tights, I knew I had to get a back up plan going ASAP. So instead of freezing all day, I opted for dress pants layered with leggings underneath. I was very toasty, so I think this is a good idea!

Another idea is to wear boots. They’re warm and waterproof (hopefully!) and with a neutral color like brown or grey they are sure to work with almost anything. The great thing about pairing boots with your outfit is that you can layer on thick socks and no one will ever know!

Some things just aren’t suitable in the rain, no matter how hard you try to make it work. Anything white is pretty much a no go. If it gets wet, you’re sure to either be self-conscious or stained with mud afterwards. Glasses tend to get streaky and foggy, so contacts might be a better option. And flip flops, even if it’s hot outside, can fling mud all over you, plus, who wants wet feet?

The weather has been so frustrating lately and trying to dress for it has been equally as annoying. Is there anything that’s worked for you? Let me know and I’d be glad to share!

Keep it cute,
Sharyn