Fifties Flare: The Elegant Full Skirt

Out of all the different era's in fashion, one of my favorites is the fifties. What I LOVE about the fifties era is the classic look-good-on-anyone silhouette. Ya'll know what I'm talking about here...the flared, full skirt (@ a knee or tea-length cut) with a fitted button-up shirt, tucked in sweater or a more modern take- the crop top. The proportions ALWAYS work, especially on a curvier girl such as myself. I love the gorgeous green too- and the fabric is a perfect combination of not too heavy, not too light. I've had skirts that are so flimsy they blow up any chance the wind comes whipping by (HELLO underwear! EEkkss!), but I've also owned skirts so heavy it's hard to move at a quick pace (not to mention the overheating from the fabric AND trying to move quickly). I can leap and bound in this skirt with grace and ease. Lovely, no?

What do YOU think of my fifties inspired look? Would you be willing to rock something similar?

Thanks for reading, commenting & supporting me! Have a happy, happy Tuesday!

Photos: Tyler Hayes

Top- Zara, Skirt- Topshop (old), Heels- Old.

Until next time, keep styling! XOXO!!

Courtney

Plaid & Check: What's NOT to love?!

HELLO, hello, hello again my lovelies! I am SO glad to be back to blogging again! My, how I've missed all of you...... Thank you for staying true to me although I've been on hiatus for awhile. 

Truth be told, there are several reasons why I've been lagging behind on blogging....some of them include work, personal time, birthday & illness (boo-hoo, right?!). It would take me a LOONNGG time to explain it all...and rather than do that, I'd like to talk about style!!

Ok- so Fashion Week was just upon us last week (here in NYC anyway!), and now London Fashion week is starting. I must admit, I didn't follow it as much this year- and I am actually happier. I DID miss all the phenomenal streetwear (which of COURSE I'll catch up on!). What are some of your favorite fall trends (if you have any)? And now we can look forward to Spring/Summer trends too! I happen to still be caught up in the wonderful textiles of fall to notice anything else. Clearly I am sporting the plaid trend (BUT- to be FAIR, I have ALWAYS been a person to pledge the plaid!), along with a check/gingham dress. I LOVE LOVE this...so romantic, no?

Let me know what you think about my look...you know I love to hear it! Thanks, as always dears for reading, commenting & supporting! BIG HUGS & Happy Weekend to all!

Photos: Tyler Hayes

Dress- ASOS, Shoes & Scarf/Shawl- Zara.

Until next time, keep styling! XOXO!!

Courtney

Mixing Prints: Polka Dots & Tie Print

Another Wednesday is upon us....so happy Wednesday to you! :) Here is my most recent look. I was feeling very print-y (Is that even a word?!) and it shows. I have been interning at a fashion design textile studio for a couple months now and as more time elapses, I want more and more prints! They are so fun to look at, aren't they? 

One of my favorite ways to mix prints is to do opposites- as I did here. Opposites attract- and I LOVE it! What do you think of it? 

As always- thanks for visiting & reading! Please share....

Shirt- J Crew, Pants- Zara (old), Sandals- Zara, Bag- Anthropologie

Photos: Tyler Hayes

Until next time, keep styling! XOXO!!

Courtney

Silhouette Study: Modernized 50's Look

Citrus. What is more summer than citrus? I'm talking lemonade stands, limeade, lemon bars and fresh squeezed orange juice. Such a great inspiration, don't you think? I took this citrus inspiration and spun it into this look. I am totally digging this awesome (almost Hawaiian) printed skirt...and clearly I am still sporting the crop tops (I simply CAN'T resit their cool ease). 

I have newly observed something about myself style-wise. I am loving the 50's silhouette with the full skirts modernized with crop or tied tops. Talk about a classic silhouette and one that I keep going back, and back and back to. Have you given this classic shape a try? If you have...do you like it? If not, why? If you haven't taken the silhouette for a spin, let me know when you give it a try! 

Thank you for reading! I LOVE to read your comments, so please feel free to leave one!

Crop Top- Topshop, Skirt- Asos, Heels- Prabal Gurung for Target heels, Necklace- Old.

Photos: Tyler Hayes

Until next time, keep styling! XOXO!!

Courtney

Street Style Interview by Arash Mazinani

Good morning readers! (I had to actually make sure it still WAS morning! Ten minutes left of it....so enjoy while it lasts!) I wanted to share an exciting and amazing endeavour I've had with you this week. I was recently interviewed by Arash Mazinani for his street style feature on his blog. He is such a charming and likeable guy, plus this guy can WRITE! I really enjoyed his post recently about Celebrating our Bodies and I suggest you get readin' it ASAP! Please show him some love and support and check out his posts.....it's all about supporting each other, no?

Below is a glimpse of the interview, as you can read the full post on his blog!

Street Style Icons: Courtney Hayes

by Arash Mazinani on April 20, 2013

There were a couple of my Twitter followers discussing Courtney’s fabulous style a couple of weeks back. Naturally, I had to click through and see what all the fuss was about. On my first viewing there were a couple of things that struck me about her style: she certainly wasn’t shy about wearing bright colours and her shoe game was tight! Any blog that mixes bold colours and great shoes instantly wins me over and I knew straight away that I wanted her to feature as a street style icon. She had agreed to allow me to interview her and feature on my blog within a few days of discovering her site ‘CupcakeObsessions‘. You should definitely check her out, especially if you’re a bit shy about using colour and need some ideas for combining colour palettes. So let’s see where she get’s her inspiration from… (FOR FULL INTERVIEW, CLICK HERE :)

As usual- thanks for reading lovelies!

Until next time, keep styling! XOXO!!

Courtney

Be Bold: BE YOURSELF!!

Is today really Wednesday? WOW! This week seems to be flying right past me and I feel I'm loosing grasp on catching up....Oh well, I suppose I can let it slide this week, right? If we all tried to be perfect and on-point with everything ALL the time, (which, let's just STOP right there...it's IMPOSSIBLE folks!) we'd never even have the strength to roll out of bed, let alone tackle one event in our day. I am taking it easy today....had a wonderful long walk outside and enjoyed some much needed sunshine. So yeah for slow & relaxing days! Anywho....on to my look! :)

This photo was taken last night and I just couldn't get enough of this look! Seriously....this outfit is possibly my favorite so far. However, that being said, have any of you noticed that you state something like that, then in a couple weeks are like, "yeah, it's ok" and have moved on? Yep, that is the effect of style growth....something we all must have, or we will fail. I have learned to embrace failing rather than appalling it. 

When I first started styling myself, I thought I was really great (now don't get me wrong, I know I have talent in this area! :)) but was ignorant about ever making a mistake and ever thinking I'd look silly. I think y'all know what I'm talking about here....ever look back to a couple years ago, thumb through pictures and think "what WAS I wearing?". Yeah, that! Maybe part of it is that I'm getting older (READ: (hopefully) more mature) and accepting failure in life because it is unavoidable (this is a BIG one to remember, so mentally note it!). I am actually getting to the point where I am now seeing the positive effects of those first negative (silly, awkward, unbalanced) looks. I hope this makes sense....I think it has to do with being fearless, accepting who you are NOW & being bold and just DOING what you feel. I want to keep these things in mind and keep on being who I am. 

Thanks for reading lovelies! Love to hear your thoughts, comments, etc! :)

Jumper- Topshop, Shirt- Zara, Skirt- Zara, Tights- HUE, Heels- Zara. 

Photos: Tyler Hayes

Until next time, keep styling! XOXO!!

Courtney

Floral Bodycon Dress

Happiest Tuesday to everyone! Remember my last ON MY MIND post? It was all about bodycon dresses. I STILL have bodycon dresses on my mind so I decided to wear one of mine this week. The print & colors of this bodycon are divine, aren't they? The fit is pretty good...I have lost some weight since I last wore it (like 5lbs), but it makes a big difference in the way it fits as the waist is too big. I still wore it anyway although I do need to get my sewing machine out and fix it!! I will, I will (at least, that's what I keep telling myself....I have about 10 other clothing related "I will's" sitting in my closet...I need to change them to " I DID's!"). 

Texture, prints & colors were my main focus. I loved the cardigan playing off the printed dress, whilst the sheer polka dot tights against the brown suede and leather sandals gave it a playful feel. For some true "me" in the mix, I added this gorgeous necklace & awesome purple riding hat for some funk and 'tude. Tell me, what do you think? 

As always- thanks for spending time with me....I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Hat- Locally Made (Tag removed), Necklace- Old, Dress- ASOS, Cardigan- Topshop, Belt (worn backwards)- Zara, Tights- HUE, Sandals- Steve Madden.

Photos: Tyler Hayes

Until next time, keep styling! XOXO!!

Courtney

The Knotted Skirt

HAPPY TUESDAY!! WOW! It is an absolutely incredible day here! The weather is just GORGEOUS! Today is supposed to get up to the lower 80s. Can you see I am finally able to wear an outfit without a coat AND without tights? I seriously feel like I am in California right now! PARTY!! (Currently doing a slight groove on the couch while typing this :)). No joking around though, I do feel as though summer just got dumped on my lap! It's a good thing that I keep all my maxi skirts in my closet year-round (most of my tank tops, shorts, summer linens- get stored up for protection against sun, heat and bug damage),and here I am sporting this comfy jersey one. I love to knot this maxi as the fabric is perfect for it (jersey is known to be a highly sought after fabric for fashion designers who love to drape on the form/body). 

In case any of you are getting tired of the BLUE hues....I hope I'm not boring you! I just love, love, LOVE them!! And, when I look good in them- its a win-win!! 

The most important thing about this look is I have managed high style and gave up no comfort. The cropped top is a sweatshirt in a cotton/poly blend, the maxi skirt is rayon jersey (it feels SO yummy on the skin!) and the heels aren't very tall. This is what I call a SLAM DUNK!! 

As always...I love hearing any and ALL of your thoughts, comments, questions, tips! Thanks for reading!!!

Cropped Top- Topshop, Skirt- Nordstrom (old), Heels- Aldo (old).

Photos: Tyler Hayes

Until next time, keep styling! XOXO!!

Courtney