Bess' Style File

My style is an eclectic mixed bag.  I don't like to try to pin it down to say, one adjective {or even two or three}.  But here's some of my favorite things...

I'm also fond of maxi skirts & dresses, pairing plain old tees with unexpected statement necklaces, & bright sneakers.

What makes up your style?

Love,

-Bess-

Bess Style: Plaid is Rad!

I love a good plaid!  I think it comes from the tartan-esque feel & my Scottish fetish.  Add ruffles & it's two of my faves in one!  Here's what I'm wearing:

peplum sweater {tucked into skirt}...Ann Taylor LOFT {thrifted}

wide belt...Banana Republic {thrifted}

plaid ruffle skirt...American Living {JCPenney}

tights...Target

ankle wedge boots...Old Navy {thrifted}

Style Love,

-Bess-

Trending: Faux-Fur Vests {With Styling Tips}

Have you seen these furry vests popping up all over this autumn?  From Target to Forever21 {showcased here} to high-end designers, these vests are the cat's pajamas!  But, don't fret they're all faux!

Not sure how to style one of these?  Keep reading & let that fear of resembling a yak or cave girl go the way of the woolly mammoth!  {That is, extinct.}

Furry vests aren't actually anything new, they've been around before. They can definitely have a boho/hippie feel & what better way to pair em than with a vintage-style, patterned frock?

Most fur vests are collarless, which makes them the perfect match for a collared shirt {or bow blouse}.  Dress it down with a chambray shirt or make it work-appropriate with a pretty silk button-down.

Make it fit for a fancy dinner out by pairing it over a top or dress with a sequined, lacy, or otherwise fabulously embellished sleeve.

Maybe the furry vest just isn't your style.  You can still try out the faux-fur trend, just go for smaller bits of fluff.

Style Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: How do you wear any furry wardrobe pieces?

10 Scarf Tying Ideas

Scarves are such an easy-peasy way to update an outfit + they're the perfect fall accessory for those downright chilly-cold blustery days - & there are so many ways to tie em!  Here's 10 styles to try this autumn from Stella & Dot!

Love & Scarves,
-Bess-

Black Cat Fetish

I've got a thing for black felines lately.  I have no pets, but appreciate cat cuteness all the same.  Remember this cat beanie hat I made last year?  If you have a black cat fetish you should definitely go check it out...  Oh yes, & snag that free tag printable!

Meow Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: My hair was so long last year {it's about half of that currently}!

It's Sweatshirt Weather, Darling!

There is a certain unnameable nostalgia in wearing a sweatshirt.  It's as comforting as mac-n-cheese & carefree like Saturday morning cartoon fests.  This autumn take your pick from the traditional kiddie casual to the updated classier fare.  Whether cheering in the football stands or roasting marshmallows at a snazzy bonfire get-to-together, one can't go wrong with a sweatshirt, darling!

Sweatshirt Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: I think we need a new name for sweatshirts.  If you think about the current moniker, it doesn't sound overly appealing, does it?

Fashion Trending

What I love...

dresses over pants

Wait, really.  It's back on the runways, & I for one have always been a fan of this unlikely style duo.  Perhaps some of it stems from the length of dresses these days.  Ah, can we say a little on the short side much of the time!  Some are mere tunics in my honest opinion!  Anyhow, this trend takes care of that!  But, it's not just for the too shorty frocks, either.  

Click here to see how I take on this trend!

tip top image & the 2 left pics above are via here.

What I, um, don't love...

leggings as pants

Last night, I was lying awake pilfering through my brain for a style trend I truly, completely disliked - & I hit pay-dirt with this one. Unless perhaps you're a teetering toddler tike {I love a good alliteration}, then leggings shouldn't be worn out & about on their own. The solution: Girl, that's easy, put a dress over em, of course! Emma Watson does it all the time. ♥

Trending Love,
-Bess-

P.S.: I also have to add I hate the trend of printing words across the backs of sweatpants & shorts, too. If that's the quality of reading today, I'm opting for an illiterate public! Just saying.

P.P.S.: What style trends do you love & hate right now?

Bess Style: Dress + Pants

What can I say?  I love pairing a dress with pants - & actually it's a big trend right now {look out for my post on that soon (here it is)}.  Who knew?  I've been fashion forward unaware since my little girl days of wrapping quilts {to make a long "flowing" skirt} over top of my jeans & playing princess.  I truly believe I was inspired by the opening scene in the film Labyrinth when Jennifer Connelly's character hikes up her dress to run, revealing jeans underneath, after the clock chimes - that really does sticks out majorly in my childhood memory box...  I kept up this idea right on into adulthood {with slacks, jeans, & skinny trousers - the blanket thing would just get too many stares}.

embroidered dress...C. Luce {$1 yard sale find!}

skinny khakis...Old Navy {I've had these since high school - that makes them almost 10 years old!}

wedges...Montego Bay Club {consignment sale}

bangles...{Who knows?}

My entire outfit easily cost less than $10!

I feel pants under dresses & skirts is either something you love or something you feel the flip side about.  What are your thoughts on this trend!

Style Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: After talking about it, I really want to go watch Labyrinth now!

DIY Jelly Inspired Barrettes

I rocked jelly sandals back in the day & am glad to see them back in full force {though I remember them being sticky in the summer heat like real jelly, maybe they've improved upon them now, those jelly scientists {chemists?} {oompa loompas?} (or maybe it was just me)}.  

True story: I remember begging my mom to get me these platform clear jelly sandals cause my best friend Julie had em & I, of course, wanted to be a cool grown-up-extra-tall 5th grader, too.  I did get them & nearly sprained my ankle - I remember my class was walking in straight-line-school-style & I turned my ankle & ended up on the floor.  Ah, those were the days!  Really, they were.

Here's a DIY hair barrette inspired by that nostalgic jelly plastic!

Inspiration...

I recently found these plastic sparkly bows on an end-cap in the stationary/party department of my local Target.  They had been marked down to $0.45 each!  Yes, I did pile a few into my cart, cause I knew I could do something with them - even if it was just to top off a gift {which is what they are actually intended for}, but I thought they had more potential then that... & once I got to thinking about my jelly clad feet of childhood I knew what I wanted to do.

All you do is hot glue your plastic gift bows to metal hair barrettes {found at most any craft store}.  Make sure you are careful with the hot glue, as you don't want to melt the plastic {either use your regular hot glue gun as soon as it warms up or use a low heat one}.  I decided to snip the ends off the greenish bow for a little different look.  If you can't find the gift bows at your Target, I suggest trying another party store for similar plastic package toppers.

Remembering the Jelly Days of Summers Past,

-Bess-

Let's Go to Disney World {Or at Least Dress Like It}!

Whether your summer plans include a trip to Mickey's stomping grounds or you're simply strolling your city's sidewalks, adding a touch of Disney magic to your wardrobe is always a good idea!  What's your favorite look above, Disney memory, or movie?  Let me know in a comment!

Disney Love,

-Bess-  

Waiting for Spring {Style Preview}

Are you yearning for spring like I am?  What are you looking forward to this new season?  {March 20th is the 1st day of spring this year!} 

Style Love,

-Bess-

Fall {Style} Faves

These are my autumn staples!  What are yours?

Fall Style Love,

-Bess-

Bess Style: Cozy Autumn

chocolate brown silky blouse . . . BCBG Max Azria {Thrifted}

plaid dress . . . Converse One Star {Target/Clearance}

gray tights . . . {Dollar Tree}

vintage leather handbag . . . P.E. Pacific Express {Thrifted}

ankle boots . . . Samuel {Thrifted}

With all my thrifted/clearance finds my entire outfit cost around $20!

Be smart, be thrifty, & have a cozy autumn!

Style Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: I found my leather ankle boots in great condition at a thrift store last month for $3.99!

P.P.S.: I love mixing formerly taboo color mates like brown + gray & navy + black.

College Style Guide

Style Love,
-Bess-

Truth In A Bottle Necklace {DIY}

This world has plenty of opportunities to try & snatch away our hope & the Truth we believe in.  The evil one not only wants to take, but to replace the firm ground of what we know with the shaky sod that comes from a mine-covered field of sneaky & damaging lies.  Make this necklace to keep the Truth close to your heart/mind!  

I found these cork/glass bottle charms at Hobby Lobby, by the way.  

Choose a favorite Truth from the Bible & write it on a tiny scrap of paper {if it’s long you will probably need to shorten it to a key phrase or simply write the book & verse number}.  Roll up your paper & place in the bottle {if you want, you could glue the cork in place, however I didn’t because it felt secure without & I like that I can open the bottle & read the Truth as needed {as well as change it out if I wanted}}.  Decorate the bottle with washi tape, if you like.  Use jump rings & jewelry pliers to attach the bottle charm to your chain, add a clasp, & wear!

You could even add more bottles!     

College, & beginning a life more independent of your family, can be a time when many fall away from the Truth… &, sadly, some never return.  If you’re going to a college in another city/state I recommend researching churches in the area of your school {Hello, Google! =)}.  Make a list of possible churches {with addresses & phone numbers (+ maps if you need it)}, & that first Sunday of your freshman {or whatever it may be} year visit one of the places on your list.  Find a church where the Bible is preached & you can get plugged in with fellowship & friendship & even ways to serve.  It might be easy to listen to the lies that you can miss just this one Sunday here & there {you had to study late, after all, etc., etc.}, but lies are lies… & habits are formed one step at a time.  You don’t want to fall into that trap!  Place going to church & worshiping & growing in Christ high on your list.  It’ll help keep the Truth firm in your life.

Love & Truth for the Road Ahead,

-Bess-