chocolate laced: how to

Saturday, October 12, 2013 No comments

Many of you are already acquainted with Pinterest, but for those who aren't here's a very brief spiel.

Pinterest is, in short, a virtual pinboard. I have wished upon many stars to have a massive collection of magazines that I could cut out pictures from and pin to my cork board in my room and create a deliciously aesthetic collage of everything I want my style to be. But after many wishes unfulfilled, I encountered Pinterest and it has been my online granted wish! There are MANY things you can use Pinterest for! Interior design, wedding planning, cooking, travel, photography... the list goes on!

But for now, we'll stick to one: Style Inspiration!

Here are six (6) ways to use Pinterest to find and define your style!

1) Go in with an idea!

Do you have a style inspiration—don't say me! I'm barely there yet. Give me another year...or three—or a look that inspired you? Keep that in mind as you prepare to dive into the sea of greatness that is Pinterest. It's always good to know what you want before you set out to get it! However, there are many of us that won't have any idea until we start to swim a little! So, if you are going into this with little to no idea, LET'S SWIM!

2) Create specific themed boards.

I use Pinterest for a variety of things but when it comes to style, I get specific! So far, I have style boards dedicated to seasonal inspirations, styling jeans (because maybe the reason I dislike them so much is because I can never put anything together that I love!) and a couple others!

The key here is to divide and conquer! If you put ALL your style inspirations together, you'll get lost in the abyss and drown when trying to find your GOLD-fish. Hehe. It's a lot more appealing when you departmentalize each idea. For example, let's say you're inspired by menswear done with a feminine touch:

DO: Create a pinboard strictly for that look. That style. You'll see how quickly the image develops and how much more feasible attaining and maintaining that style becomes!

DON'T: Don't go to extremes by creating a separate board for each item in that look! That is just overwhelming if you think about it. One board for ties. One board for vests. One board for shoes. Oh, what a mess! If you're a guy, sure, that can work. But remember, you don't want ACTUAL chaos with so many pinboards. You want ORGANIZED chaos. ;)

3) Pin (and repin!) outfits that "match" items you already have!

YES!
This is a MUST-DO!
See?
I've already done it!

It gets a little tough sometimes because I have so much in my closet that I pin something I think I have....and I really don't!
*throws hands in air*

But, for those of you who don't have that problem, this is the easiest and the most fun part of Pinterest. The gathering of all your interests into little rooms so they can party together and have a good stinking time! I browse Tumblr, Facebook pages, and Pinterest itself and whenever I see a look that
1) matches a style I'm tackling, and
2) I know I can put together from my items, I
3) pin that baby to the board it needs to be in, tuck it in, and visit it later to make sure it's enjoying its stay.

Sometimes, you may come across a look or an item that NEEDS to be in your closet. Look over your left shoulder. Now your right. Is anyone looking? No? Good. Pin that baby, too. And when your funds allow it, analyze your pins to create a shopping list and go thrifting!!

4) Use the search bar!

I know. This seems obvious. But seriously, the Pinterest search bar is your new best friend!

Be specific with your searches! Go ahead, type in "female menswear". Or, better yet, "African print skirt"! That's the way to do it! Get creative! You may not find EVERYTHING you search for, but the internet is wide and vast. So, where Pinterest fails (which, in my opinion, is NO WHERE), the interwebs can pick up its slack!

5) Add the "Pin It" shortcut button to your bookmark bar!

This... is my absolute favorite thing about Pinterest. It is with me wherever I browse...in spirit and in button form! It's super easy to install and once you do it and have it at your disposal, just watch your baby pin boards mature into wonderful thought-out adults ready and prepared for the world.
Here are the steps:

I use Google Chrome (the Wrench icon changed. It's now a menu sign!), so I'm going to assume that the help page changes to accommodate whichever browser you're using. *crosses fingers with hope*

6) Get started!

Last but most certainly and absolutely not least,

START PINNING!

(and follow me on Pinterest if you'd like!)

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Thursday, January 17, 2013 1 comments

Monday, November 19, 2012 No comments

What I'm Wearing
Pearl Necklace (as headdress): Express (gift)
Pearl Bracelets: assorted
Chiffon Blouse: H&M ($7.50)
Denim Jeggings: H&M ($15)
Pink Linen Blazer: Chaps (old gift)
Brown Oxfords: Bass ($20)

I cannot express the extent of how much I dislike jeans. Jeans are the sweatpants of my closet. They really are. Ask any of my friends. If they see me in jeans, the first question they're likely to ask is if I'm okay.

But I have so many in my closet! *leaves desk to count* Well, 19 pairs can seem like a lot to one person and a little to another, but that is a lot to me! (And that is only counting denim denim. Colored denim not included!) Here are a few of my tricks to feeling not so bleh in jeans:

How To Dress Up Jeans

Pair them with a lightweight blouse to add a feminine touch.
Add a blazer. Creates a wonderful shape that you won't get wearing a t-shit alone.
Statement shoes (and socks in this case) will always jazz up jeans!
Two's company! Pair them with a denim top in a different contrasting wash.
Accessorize! Let your jewelry, purse, scarf, etc. complete the look!

***Check out some of the ways I've styled my jeans in the past.***

Now, pick up your closest pair of jeans and sing in Beyonce's voice:

"You gotta let me upgrade ya!"

Hey! An added bonus! I was featured in IFB's weekly Links A La Mode! Here they all are!

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: OCTOBER 11TH

A Minor Obsession: Baggy Leathers
A&J’s Hairport: Spotlight – Solange’s Losing You Style Story
Arash Mazinani: Introducing Street Style Icons
Beyond Fabric: We Have It So Much Better
Bon Vivant on a Budget: Closet Case // How To Wear The Grey Sweatshirt
Chic & Cheap Living: Fashion Highlights of PFW SS13: No Pastels Here at Christian Dior, Lanvin
Chocolate Laced: So, I Went Thrifting… And Did Some Major Damage
Closet Coach: How To Create a Working Mom Mom Outfit
Don’t Care Big Hair: The Clutch – Three Must Haves
Dress Code High Fashion: Who Deserves to Sit Front Row?
Fashezine: The Abscence of Color
Ghazel Elhaei: DIY Pop Art Bag
Inspirations & Celebrations: Frankie B & Interview With Daniella Clarke
La Fille en Rose: Army of Me
Mossypants: The Make Up Spill w/ Samantha of Could I Have That
Nicole Kelly: Fashion Must Haves A-Z – Bangles
Not Daydreams: How To Wear Faux Leather This Fall ft. Sararose Krenger
The Curatorial: Dolce & Gabbana Earring Controversy
The Simply Luxurious Life: Style Inspiration from PFW
What 2 Wear Where: Madison Avenue’s Walk in the Park

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Saturday, October 13, 2012 1 comments

How To Wear A Maxi Skirt In The Fall (My Way)

Simply Chic: A white tee, leather jacket, & statement necklace

How To Wear A Maxi Skirt In The Fall (Erica's Way)

Colorfully Cute & Comfy: Graphic tee, fun plaid button down, and mocassins

"You gotta let me upgrade ya!"

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: OCTOBER 11TH

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How To Wear A Maxi Skirt In The Fall (My Way)

Simply Chic: A white tee, leather jacket, & statement necklace

How To Wear A Maxi Skirt In The Fall (Erica's Way)

Colorfully Cute & Comfy: Graphic tee, fun plaid button down, and mocassins

"You gotta let me upgrade ya!"

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: OCTOBER 11TH

About me

Follow Us

Subscribe

Where I Shop

Blog Archive

recent posts