Life is For Ridiculous Hats and Pink Mini Skirts

Last week, I read a fabulous blog post by the lovely Gabrielle of Look Sharp Sconnie, in which one sentence in particular struck me: “Now, instead of dressing to live, I live to dress, and walks are made to give me something to wear.” FUCK. YES. Story time! I have always loved fashion…ALWAYS. I do not remember a time when what I wore was not of upmost importance to me. I was always known as a “fashion freak” to my peers, a title I cherished and definitely lived up to. College heralded an era when I developed more of an appreciation, no- an outright burning passion for all things relating to style, design, and fashion. Plot twist: In 2011 I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, year…because I was BROKE. Like, how am I gonna pay da billz broke. But ya know, that happens to people. The point is, during this period, I alienated myself from the fashion world and my passions completely fell by the wayside. I felt like I didn’t have time, money, or energy to devote to something that felt so, frivolous. And I didn’t quite feel like…me. I mean, where did “fashion freak” go?! One day, my man suggested we go window shopping at some vintage stores. And so we went. And we stumbled across a “Pile Sale”. And it was quite literally a giant pile of vintage clothes, and every single item in said pile is $5…or less. And I think I ended up staying for like, 3 hours. And I freaked out about spending $30 on 7 or 8 drop-dead-fabulous pieces; but I did it anyway. Because I had an epiphany sitting atop that pile; when you are passionate about something you will do it every damn day- no excuses. Find a way. Immerse yourself in your passions as much as you possibly can. Whatever it is; running, sailing, painting, Dance Dance Revolution, reading, writing, being a Mom, trading stocks, your dog, teaching…or maybe a combination of all these things. When you live life with passion, everything feels better. I haven’t missed a Pile Sale since that first one, and never let a day go by without indulging myself in some study of the sartorial sciences ;) Life is too damn short not to wear ridiculous hats and pink mini skirts. Can I get a Amen?

Vintage sweater. Vintage skirt. Thrifted hat. Steve Madden boots. 

PS- Cash flow is good these days so don’t cry for me Argentina. I could certainly go out and buy more “expensive” clothes but…well that would make me a sucker ;)

Until next time,

Brittany

Love Without Measure | Outfit Post

Top: c/o Love Without Measure. Leggings: Topshop. Boots: Urban Outfitters. Hat: Topshop. Backpack: Urban Outfitters

If you have one staple item in your wardrobe, let it be this top. It is absolutely perfect for throwing on over jeans, leggings or tights and can be equally dressed up or down and achieve a thousand and one looks - there's not much more you could ask of a garment of clothing. I'd probably go as far to say that I might even wear it to bed...(not joking).
Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate this backpack - yes I feel like Dora the Explorer but that was clearly my intentions when I bought it and it's my favourite purchase for a while. I managed to pick it up in the sale for £25, however that seems to have sold out now but they have a similar one back in stock! 

This weekend (I'm thinking ahead) will involve a liiiiittle bit more house hunting - yes it has replaced clothes shopping *sobs*, although I kinda LOVE IT! 
Do you have many plans? Hoping the sun will be a-shining :)

Smile for Hope is THIS Sunday!

                                            

PRESENTS THE

4^TH ANNUAL 

SMILE FOR HOPE

SUNDAY APRIL 21, 2013 FROM 1 – 4 PM

BURGUNDY BASIN

TO BENEFIT

Join in the fun!!  It's a ladies day out, so grab your girlfriends or your family members and head over to the Burgundy Basin on Sunday April 21, 2013 from 1-4 pm.  With your $30 donation, you will receive a family portrait (bring your calendar to book your time slot) and spend some time with some amazing female artists and business owners.  There will be many items up for raffle from local businesses, as well as local female business owners displaying and selling their artwork.  The proceeds support Safe Journey.  Let's break the cycle of domestic violence one person at a time.

Contact Jennifer – sweetpicklephoto@aol.com / www.sweetpicklephotography.com / www.safejourney.org

And just in case you needed a little extra incentive to attend, your favorite Fashionista will be there sharing style tips, offering FREE personal shopping assistance, annnnnd giving away a giftcard to one lucky new client.

You won't want to miss this fabulous event that is all about empowering and supporting other women.  Love!

Hope to see you there!

xoxo

Jenny
The Flower City Fashionista

Bloggers Event | E-tailwebstores and AX Paris | Outfit Post

Last week I travelled to London to attend the AX Paris event at Circus, held by the very wonderful e-tailwebstores. It was my first bloggers event and nerves do not begin to cover what I was feeling; it was really quite strange as usually I’m confident in social situations but I was stupidly panicky and hardly spoke to anyone (which I’m regretting now) – but I couldn’t help it, nerves just took over. Alas, the event was incredible both E-tail and AX Paris had put on a fantastic night with cocktails, canopes and breathtaking performances galore well as a cheeky preview at AX Paris’ new collection video. It was also really lovely to meet some amazing ladies including, Tami (Tami Bee), Helen (I am Lily Bee) and Lauren (Oh LittleRed), thank you guys for letting me stick by your side and be an awkward turtle. 

And of course, I thought you lot might quite like to see what I wore to the event...! I decided to go quite casual, I didn't want to be worrying too much about my outfit and just enjoy myself. (btw, the skirt was an absolute STEAL from spitalfields market in London, only £10, herrow!)

Jumper: GAP. Skirt: Spitalfiels Market, London. Bag: TK Maxx. Boots: Hudson of London. Belt & Jewellery: Vintage

Obviously, not forgetting the photobooth...much fun to be had in these babies!

I wish I’d plucked up the courage to speak to a few more bloggers, but despite that I had a great time and a big fat thank you to all the wonderful people organising it. For my first event it definitely set the bar, so well organised and the goody bag was a bit fabulous...hello Ryan Gosling colouring-in book!

Were you at the event? Or do you have any events in the pipeline for 2013?

Coachella: Social Media Circle Jerk in the Desert

Obviously, the root of all great advertising lies in making you feel inadequate in some way. (All the fun is happening somewhere else! You’re not sexy/smart/cool enough!) So how about a big BRA-VO to the social media circle jerk in the desert that was Coachella weekend numero uno. This big ass advertising campaign masked as a “noveau-hippie” music festival is the stuff of Freud and Bernay’s wet dreams. A whole Instagram/Twitter feed featuring a smorgasbord of visuals to remind yourself how utterly lame you are in comparison to the members of the uber-cool club. And here’s what’s really innovative: Our peers are delivering the message. Consumers trust social media, after all it’s made up of “real people”. And social media’s got what every brand pines for: a feeling of genuine authenticity. In a world where everyone is for sale and branding is a way of life…are humans the advertising medium of the future? #TrustNoOne

PS- I’m not hating, simply observing. I WISH I could have spent the weekend at Coachella! I die to see Grimes and RHCP. And I would have been 'gramming it up. But don't even get me started on the whole "festival fashion" thing...vomit. JK. We'll  save that topic for weekend #2 ;)

PPS- Moving on from the 90's and rocking an early 2000's zebra skirt. I can so see XTina rockin this. 

Thrifted angora sweater. Vintage Lil Gemini top. Thrifed zebra skirt. Converse All Stars.

Until next time,

Chelsea

BeBe Mills One Year Anniversary Giveaway

BeBe Mills is a contemporary clothing and accessory store for women of all ages located in Brockport. They carry lines from Funky People and YA Los Angeles, as well as MOGO, Lucky Feather Jewelry, and more. Their motto is "Be cute. Be cool. Be contemporary. Be dressed at BeBe Mills!"

Storefront

I can't wait to get out there and check out their shop.  I've been following them on facebook since they opened, and they have some really cute stuff.  I was thrilled when they asked me to host a giveaway for a calinana wrap bracelet in honor of their first year in business.

One lucky reader will receive this baby:

Enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And seriously, who's up for a Brockport road trip?  I need to check BeBe Mills out stat!  Who's coming with me?

xoxo

Jenny
The Flower City Fashionista

Social Media is Cray

I am obsessed with the Vine app. Are you on there? By the way this is not like, a pitch to get people following me on Vine, I just think it’s freaking amazing. Instagram is the shit as well. You know why I love Vine and Insta? They are like extra brain storage that hold memories. How amazing will it be to go through your Instagram snaps say, 40 years from now? Or watching those little 7 second videos of your kitties who have long passed away or you and your girlfriends dancing in the car blaring Britney or even just making stew in your little apartment. Most of us will have memories saved from every single day of our lives on there! On a related note- what about kids who are born like, right now? At what age do they get started on social media? I mean, I’m pretty sure every 3 year old already knows how to work an iPhone. Should you be a responsible parent and nab them their social media handles before they gets taken? Should you start marketing them from the womb? Like, “Hangin’ out in Mom’s uterus! #YOLO #Newb #ItsSoWarmInHere #Fetus #ThanksMom”

PS- You know how people DREAD looking back at photos thinking, “ZOMG what was I wearing?!” That seems LOADS more interesting than the alternative. Let your freak flag fly, people.

F21 Meow tank. Random pink sports bra. DIY skirt (Was a MuuMuu. Until I chopped it off at the top and added some elastic around the waist...I couldn't pass up the gorg print!) F21 sandals.

Until next time,

Brittany