Wearing Whatever the 'F' You Want

Lists. Advice. What to do. What not to do. It's enough to make someone's head spin. A lot of these lists that I have read focus on women and age and I've basically come to one conclusion: You're not allowed to have any fun after thirty. My reaction: Giant. Middle. Finger.

How about making a list encouraging women (and all people) to wear what makes you feel good. Why is age always the focus? Why do we need to stop wearing things that bring us joy? Just to blend into the background? Why are certain things considered juvenile, rather than celebrated as self expression? Sigh.

I am met with these questions almost on a daily basis as someone who works in a retail environment. There are women who come in and are so self judgmental and self depreciating that it makes me so incredibly sad for them. I've met women who tell me that they can't wear a fun printed dress, because their friends are going to make fun of them! WHAT?! My brain nearly exploded. I secretly want to tell them that they can come hang out with me in their fun dresses and we can have a party. Hehehe!

Now, I'm not opposed to advice and those who seek it out. I have read many helpful articles on the art of dress and use those elements for myself as well as when others ask for my help. It's help, not set-in-stone rules. These 'DON'T WEAR THIS OR YOU WILL BE OSTRACIZED FROM THE WORLD' type advice=nope, not listening.

I guess this is all coming from a gal who has always been rebellious, like keeping my hair blonde for years when I was told I could never truly be goth without black hair. Pffffffft.

Life is too short to wear things you hate and in turn hating yourself in them. Embracing age is not a bad thing, in fact I think it is liberating and a part of the journey of life. The voices that emphasize age need to shut the hell up and mind their own business.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Valentine's Day Fashion

The husband and I ventured out into the world this year for Valentine's Day, something we usually avoid as I hate crowds and people are out in droves on this specific day. I think you get my point. Derek surprised me with dinner reservations to our favorite Indian restaurant, Tandooris. We dined, we laughed and I watched my husband drink two very spicy cocktails, ouch! I also love Tandooris, as no matter what day you go all the ladies leave with a red rose, how awesome is that?!

Here's what we both wear to dinner:

Derek is so dapper!

What Derek wore:
Black suit coat and black velvet vest-by I.N.C from Macy's men's store (he always has good luck shopping there)
Black and white striped dress shirt by Lip Service-a gift from me purchased new from eBay a few years ago
Burgundy Tie-department store purchase
Black pants-department store purchase
Wingtip creepers by Demonia-purchased from a 2nd hand store
Tombstone tie tack purchased from Dabble Designs-a gift from me!

What I wore:
Black corduroy blazer (yes, corduroy! it's warm)-thrift store find (the sleeves are a little short on me, story of my long armed life, ahaha!)
Burgundy and black striped button up with giant bow and rhinestone button detail-Forever 21, $7 on clearance
Black skinny jeans with ankle zippers-Old Navy $9 on clearance
Black witch boots-purchased from etsy's vintage section, I think I paid $20
Rhinestone bird brooch-a gift from a friend. I like the extra 'pop' of sparkle on a black jacket.
I'm also wearing a hair bow with a rhinestone detail, it gives my hair a little more feminine touch.

I usually would wear a dress or a skirt at any chance I get, but I was cold and I was having one of those 'I don't like the way I look in anything' sorta days. My go-to dinner outfits are a button-up top and a blazer, add some sparkle and Voila! Now where's that wine......

As a side note-I recommend every woman own a nice blazer and/or jacket, you can find them everywhere from thrift stores to Target to a trendy mall store. It's an easy addition to skirt's, dresses, pants, skinny jeans, etc. It emphasizes your waist and gives a nice silhouette, blazers aren't just for business types! Then again this is coming from the women who has a slight jacket obsession *Wink*.

XOXO-Meagan Kyla