January 19, 2016

FASHION APPS TO DOWNLOAD NOW

January 19, 2016/ Alexandra Evjen

How many hours a day do you think you spend on your phone? Eeek, if you're anything like me, probably a scary amount. Running a business that depends so heavily on social media and the internet I definitely rack up the hours. I've got countless apps to make life easier, plus a few for leisure, but lately I made it a point to make my iPhone a little more fashionable. (With apps, that is.) Fashion has always been one of my biggest passions and although I'm getting more and more into the lifestyle sector of blogging, fashion will always be a part of my everyday life. These apps are my go-to's for staying updated in the world of fashion and cultivating my closet.

Vogue Runway

Free in the App Store, the Vogue Runway app is the ultimate high fashion archive. Photos from designer’s shows are uploaded almost real-time, so you can always head here to see what’s fresh off the runways. (Download this before “fashion month” in February and you’ll never miss a show.) This app is especially fun because the archives date back to 1991, feelin’ like a flashback anyone??

Tip: This app is Pinterest friendly, so pin straight from the app to give your feed some high fashion flair.

The Hunt

You’re scrolling through Instagram and see a pair of heels. Not just any heels, THE heels. You know, the heels of your dreams that you’ve been searching for endlessly. Only it’s not on a blogger’s account, not linked, and you have no idea where these beauties came from. The Hunt begins. Open this app, post a pic of the mysterious heels and wait for the community of fashion fiends to lead you in the right direction. Seriously, this app is amazing.

FAD - The Ultimate Fashion Dictionary

Pay $3.99 in the App Store and never wonder what an epaulet or lettuce hem is again. This app is the perfect investment if you're looking to improve your fashion literacy as it covers all types of fabrics, garments, cuts, and even provides information on designers. You'll be amazed at the phrases you didn't even know you didn't know!

Stylebook

If you're an organization guru, this app is for you. Stylebook is essentially a virtual closet, allowing you to easily see what items you have and put together new outfits. These "outfits" can then be saved and placed on the in-app calendar, so you have record of what you wore each day. The $3.99 download fee is worth never having to wrack your brain to remember what you wore last time you saw your in-laws or had brunch with the girls.

While there are countless fashion-related apps out there, these are just a few of my favorites. I'd love to know what your favorites are, too! Drop me a note in the comments.

January 16, 2016

THRIFT LIKE A PRO

January 16, 2016/ Alexandra Evjen

Savings aside, there’s just something so exhilarating about thrift shopping. Finding that “fits like a glove” vintage dress which no one else at the party will have, or the exact blouse that sold out months ago at the mall, thrift shops hold countless opportunities to save money and score major style. Lately I've been finding really current pieces hiding amongst the racks of Savers. See the sweater in the pic above? This practically brand new Topshop sweater was only $6!

Finding the Right Place:

Since thrifting is about 80% luck of the draw, finding the right location is vital. A quick Google search can help you uncover some local spots, but don’t stop there. Savers and Goodwill can be great places to start but consider some smaller off-the-radar shops like nonprofit thrift shops run by churches or different charities.

If you can, find a thrift shop that functions as a buy/sell clothing exchange. Buffalo Exchange is a great one. Since these stores aren’t donation-based their merchandise is typically of an overall better quality. It may be a little pricier but it’s still cheap and you can bring a load of clothes to sell for store credit to get the price down.

Most importantly, don’t judge a thrift shop too quickly. None of them look like much at first glance but some of the most rundown thrift shops house the greatest treasures. You just have to search. (Did I mention? Patience is KEY.)

What to Look For:

The whole fun of thrifting is the fact that you can stumble across just about anything. However there are some particular items that thrift shopping is especially great for. Take denim, for instance. Denim seems to be one of those magical fabrics that only gets better with time. You really can’t replicate the cozy worn in vibe of a Levi’s denim jacket or the perfect naturally distressed pair of boyfriend jeans, although brands nowadays sure do try. Also, if you buy your jeans at the thrift shop you never have to wonder how they’ll fit once you take them home and wash them. What you see is what you get.

Leathers are also great pieces to thrift for. Most thrift shops are filled with vintage leather skirts, moto jackets, and purses galore. They won’t cost you a fortune and nice leathers should also wear well with time. Even if the leather you find isn’t in the greatest condition, a quick leather conditioner or shine will usually bring it right back to life in no time.

Expert Tips:

Do some research. Brush up on your knowledge of fabrics and begin to pay attention to the construction of certain garments. Not only can this help you to date vintage pieces back to a certain era, but it will also help you steer clear of knockoffs when buying designer goods secondhand. Here are some tell-tale signs of quality:

-Metal (usually YKK) zipper

-Clean but intricate stitching and straight seams

-Fabric (Is it 100%? What does it feel like to the touch? Is it thick?)

-Patterns aligned at seams

-Silk lining

-Details, details, details!

What's your favorite thrift shop find? Comment below or tweet me @avestyles! Photos by Rennai Hoefer

January 13, 2016

MUST HAVE SHOES FOR SPRING

January 13, 2016/ Alexandra Evjen

This post is sponsored by Neiman Marcus.

Spring is almost here! Can you believe it? If you're shopping the malls these days you'll notice spring resort styles on display. For some of you the weather may still be too cold, but if you live in Arizona or California you are ready to start struttin' in those sandals. Here are my top five spring shoes you plan to have this season:

PLATFORM SANDALS - We have seen then come and go, but platforms are here to stay for another year. Add suede fringe, an espadrille platform, and you have yourself the perfect shoe for any vacation. These Tory Burch wedges are comfortable and easy to walk in. They also would go with any spring outfit.

FLAT SANDALS - These gold studded Ancient Greek Sandals are my FAVORITE flat sandal right now. They are the perfect combination of comfort and style. If you like adding a bit of edge to your outfits definitely consider these shoes. I paired them with my pleated maxi skirt, denim jacket and fringe cross-body bag for a casual weekend outfit.

BETTER BIRKENSTOCKS - Remember how Birkenstocks came out in full force last summer. Yeah, I'm not a fan and never was. Those shoes make my size 10 feet look like they are size 14. For a stylish walking sandal that is flattering consider these metallic Pedro Garcia shoes. They feel like butter and provide arch support for those long walks on the beach this spring.

BLOCK HEEL SANDALS - Heels come in all different shapes, and right now block heels are having a moment in fashion. Being a tall woman I feel more confident walking in block heels than stilettos. These Joie suede heels are my go-to spring heels because they work with any outfit. I feel really secure with the ankle strap and the mid-heel is a manageable height. You'll be able to walk miles in these gorgeous shoes.

SUMMER SNEAKERS - The stylish, slip-on sneaker is a necessity for your closet this year. Loeffler Randal is a shoe designer that I have been watching over the years, and every season they nail it. This perforated espadrille sneaker is a unique and ultra cool take on the classic slip on. The two tone color reminds me of Chanel without having to pay Chanel prices, and the perforated leather is so eye-catching everyone will be asking where you got your shoes.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer.

January 03, 2016

PINTEREST LOOK FOR LESS

January 03, 2016/ Alexandra Evjen

During the winter months, it's easy to fall into a bit of a style rut. Gravitating again and again to the same coat or sweater and wearing jeans 90% of the time. Whenever I'm feeling like this I turn to Pinterest for inspiration. Winter should be a fun season to dress for, not a bland one. Just think of all the things you could layer...

The outfit below is a perfect example of a unique, layered winter look. (And considering this image has been re-pinned over 325 times, I can't be the only one to think so.) You probably already have a simple black sweater and white button down hiding in your closet, so all you'll need to add is a slim-fitting leather midi skirt, which is also a versatile piece. Plus, this look can take you straight from the office to happy hour! Feel free to add your favorite winter trench coat and switch up the peep toe booties for some closed toe pumps.

R omwe Cropped Sweater - $22

Uniqlo White Collared Shirt - $25

Boohoo Leather Pencil Skirt - $35

Boohoo Peep Toe Booties - $42

Total: $124

For more Pinterest style inspo, follow along here!

December 28, 2015

NEW YEAR'S EVE SPARKLE

December 28, 2015/ Alexandra Evjen

2016 here we come! Are you excited for the new year? I am! Even though every day offers a fresh start, there's nothing like the feeling of a brand spankin' new year. But before we get to goal setting and resolutions, let's party!

Do you know what you are going to wear to your New Year's Eve party? You know it has to sparkle, and in my opinion you can't have enough. May I suggest an all sequin dress like this silver one?