haddenqhawkinsons 123 blog: July 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

sTuMbLeD

Get your creative juices flowing and your pen ready and submit something for this weeks Weekly Writing Assignment

Organise your thoughts in a list with the Secret Society of Lists.

Short list, I know, but I these two sites where just far too fabulous not to share :)

Have fun and enjoy!

*eLLa*

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Encouragement

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Everyone's definition of success is different and just because someone else doesn't understand you and your goals does not mean that they are any less important and worth of your time. Success does not come quickly, its takes time and you appreciate it more in the end. Do not let anyone make you feel like what you think, feel or are is any less worthy than what they think or feel you should be. Press forward and pick yourself up after each hurdle that is put in your way. It just means that the more you overcome, the more successful you will be one day. And remember, success does not always equal money.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

A visual list

I have offically streamlined my wardrobe and thrown away everything that I don't absolutely love. I can now focus on purchasing some new fab pieces that I will also absolutely adore. So in quest to find these new fabulous pieces I have decide to make a list but not just any list, a visual list. So, using the power of Polyvore I have created a "visual list" of the itens I would like. This is very useful to discover the styles that you like as you can shop and look at pieces and places that you wouldn't normally so when you hit the shops bot only do you know what you want but you have a more specified visual, cut and style of the item. For example, I am looking for a white shirt but I find white button down shirts so uninspiring so I am only the lookout for a white wrap around shirt.

Wardrobe wants by **eLLa** featuring American Eagle Outfitters

Remembering who you are

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In a world where we are constantly bombarded with images and advice on every aspect of your lives telling us how to act, dress and be it can be very easy to forget who we really are. One can get so caught up in trying to be who we think we should be according to society and the world around us.

So, my challenge to you is to find that one thing that reminds you who you are. That thing that inspires you to break the mold's and conventions of "what is expected" of you and be who you really are. The thing to inspire you to put that pretty wrap dress on instead of resorting to jeans and a t-shirt.

Its should be something that you wear everyday and is part of your everyday ritual of getting ready. An accessory that you wear everyday, a perfume that you love, a lipstick colour that gives you confidence. Find that which represents YOU whomever that may be.

So take up the challenge and find that which represents the fabulous that us you!

*eLLa*

Monday, July 27, 2009

qUoTeD

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" I cannot control how I am perceived,
I can only control how I am presented"

- Tim Gunn's Guide to Style

Take A Look.....

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Instead of reading the numbers on the scale today, read this.....

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Goals for the coming week :)

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Goals are a wonderful thing. They give you focus and a sense of accomplishment and structure, especially if like me you are s elf employed and therefore don't have the set rigid structure of getting up at a certain time each day and an office to go to. Structure and formality tend to fall by the wayside. And so, this week I am going to apply a technique learned from a fabulous book my mom bought me many moons ago when I was a "sweet young thing", as my high school biology teacher used to say, called The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens.

Each of us have our own goals for the future and for me, I have many and they are large and often seem unachievable but I keep planning focused. I however do find myself getting lazy or side tracked at times. So, in order to keep focused, it is important to break down these large goals in to smaller more achievable pieces and then into tiny bite sized morsels which can be achieved daily and weekly.

So, here are my goals for this week:

1.) Create a morning routine
2.) Get apartment listings for next year
3.) Send out invoices
4.) Brainstorm and work on blog articles
5.) Spring clean my space

I hope I have inspired you to set yourself a set of weekly goals to get to were you want to be :)

Have fun and enjoy :)

*eLLa*

Saturday, July 25, 2009

UPDATE Personal Style Challenge - The Little Black Dress Edition

I am so thrilled with all the fabulous submission :)
The outfits are SO cute!!

Please carry on creating and for those of you who haven't submitted anything go ahead and get creative.

Take a look at all the fabulous submissions so far Polyvore - Little Black Dress Challenge

Friday, July 24, 2009

The essential wardrobe item

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Since embarking on my own style quest for the "perfect wardrobe", the idea of the "closet essentials" or "basics" have been a big discussion is any series or article on wardrobe. Each list has a few variations but items like a plain white t-shirt and black pencil skirt for instance have been on most. However, these do not fit in with everyone's unique style and owning these items does not necessarily mean you will use them. If you have an office job a pencil skirt will definitely come in handy but if you are a personal trainer, not so much. Thus the article Real-life wardrobe taming: Getting inspired over at The Glamourous Grad Student was a real interesting read and turned the whole concept of starting from the basics up on its head.

I do agree completely with this notion that these "basics" are not necessarily the building blocks of everyone's wardrobe. I DO however believe that there is one item, that no matter what, should be included in everyone's closet as a practical and aesthetic tool.

THE TRENCH COAT

I really believe that no matter where you live in the world that a trench coat will com in handy. What could be more versatile? You get them in different lengths, styles, colours, material. The can be thick and cosy or light and more airy for warmer climates. The come in every style and fashion ternch possible as the trench is re-invented each season with the trends. Banana Republic even did a sleeveless trench.

A style for every taste and can be worn to any occasion. In my opinion the trench is the ultimate useful wardrobe basic!

Have fun and enjoy :)

*eLLa*

Thursday, July 23, 2009

A Twist on The "Daily Outfit" Photo

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I have read many a wardrobe taming article which re-iterates the importance of the "daily outfit" photo or simply the idea of making up outfits and taking photos for inspiration or to avoid "fashion brain freeze" when you simply "have nothing to wear".

I also came across the idea of taking pictures of your clothes and trying to make outfits by pairing the pictures. This idea is much more "me". I'm not a details person and have a rather short attention span so a project as big as taking all my clothes out and trying on numerous outfits and packing it all away simply does not fit with me.

So, evolving the idea to yet another level I thought of the perfect tool - POLYVORE. What I suggest you do is search for items that resemble the items in your closet or even better, install the "clip to polyvore" function and search the stores online websites where you bought the clothes and create your wardrobe in your "items" in your polyvore profile.

When you have all the items or replica's of them you can then mix and match items and accessories to create and save hundreds of inspirational outfits. This technique can also be used if you are contemplating purchasing an item, especially with online shopping, and want to see if it will fit in with the rest of your existing wardrobe and what sort of outfits you could create with it.

Have fun and enjoy :)

*eLLa*

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Apologies

Greetings everyone,

I do apologise for the lack of posts recently as I had to go on a last minute long distance trip due to a family emergency.

I am back and have a list of inspirations for new articles so keep checking back :)