Get That Style: PREPPY

Hello, all!

Today I'm going to give you guys some tips on how to achieve that good, old-fashioned "preppy" style. I channel inspiration from this style so often; it just seems natural for me to do a post about it.

For those of you that are unaware of what this style is, think of the generic, Catholic schoolgirl look mixed with a country club and a Shetland pony. I don't know how to make it any clearer than that.

Without further adieu, let's get started with necessities for the Preppy Girl style:

Plaid
One of the main, if not the most popular, prints associated with preppy style is plaid. You can't go wrong with the classic red, but feel free to add your own twist by using different colored, or even multi-colored plaid. Plaid is mostly seen in skirts and pants, but I also see it in shirts, dresses, accessories, and sometimes outerwear.

Theory oversized sweater

J Crew long rayon skirt

Mango shorts

Forever 21 hair clip accessory

Pleated Skirts
What's a preppy schoolgirl to do without her pleated skirt? These are seen in both plaid and solid colors (I happen to have both in my own wardrobe!). I love seeing them paired with knee-high socks and Mary Janes for that authentic school uniform look.

McQ by Alexander McQueen blue high waisted skirt

Topshop knee length pleated skirt

Floral knee length skirt

MANGO knee length pleated skirt

Zara faux leather midi skirt

Cable-Knit Sweater
If you live in an area where the temperature is usually hot, like god-forsaken Los Angeles, this staple may not be practical for you. However, some brands do make thin sweaters that still have a cable knit texture to them. Get your hands on those rarities while you can!

Forever 21 sweater

Balmain sweater

Long sleeve sweater (white)

Long sleeve sweater (lilac)

Collars
Perfect with your cable-knit sweater, an item with a nice collar is definitely a preppy necessity. Depending on what climate you live in, get yourself either a long or short-sleeved collared shirt. Collars also come commonly on dresses, like mine below. I can't get enough of collars; there are so many options to choose from, and they all just happen to look adorable!

Fit flare dress

Christopher Kane top (black)

Free People sheer blouse (white)

Zara blue top (blue polka dot)

H&M round collar blouse (pink)

Forever 21 peter pan top (model)

Oxfords and Mary Janes
The two essential shoe styles for preps are oxfords (which look like lace-up jazz shoes) and Mary Janes (flats with a strap). Every prep owns one of each. Every. Single. One. I happen to have two of each, no big deal.

Dolce Gabbana leather flat (black)

Marni galaxy shoes (leopard)

Jil Sander leather flat (yellow)

Mary jane (pink)

I remember when I went through my ~dark~ phase in middle school, I would always make fun of preps and what they stood for. This post is kind of in dedication to me evolving into a more tolerant, rational human being.

5 Basic Beauty Tips

Hello, all!
IT IS OFFICIALLY OCTOBER DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW EXCITING THAT IS?!

I haven't done a beauty post in a while, so here are some simple rules that I think everyone should follow:

That's my handwriting! I know, it's almost too exciting.

1. Never pop your pimples.

This one seems pretty self-explanatory, but I admit that I'm guilty for it pretty much every week! I hate seeing acne, and I sometimes can't help but pick at my blemishes. But it's a bad habit to have, since popping zits only irritates the skin more and increases the amount of time it takes for them to heal. This is a reminder to you and me both to stop popping pimples!

2. Wear facial moisturizer with at least 15 SPF everyday.

Even on cold or overcast days, the sun always strikes your skin when you're outside. That's why we have to protect it with sunscreen! Many moisturizers (and even foundations and powders) have SPF, but you should still check to make sure. I would even take this one step further and say that you should wear sunscreen on your body everyday, but perhaps I'm just a tad overzealous when it comes to skincare.

3. Always take off your makeup at the end of the day.

I'm guilty of breaking this rule too, but it's so important! Before you go to bed, even if you're too lazy to wash your face, at least take off your makeup. You don't want to go to sleep with all that dirt and excess oil on your face. Not taking off your makeup irritates your pores and makes it more likely for you to get pimples.

4. Exfoliate your skin once a week.
Exfoliation is great for your face; by removing your dead skin cells, you're allowing your skin to repair more quickly, leaving silky-smooth skin. You can purchase facial scrubs and exfoliants at beauty stores, but I always use the DIY method of mixing olive oil and sugar! Massage your skin with a scrub for about a minute, rinse, and apply your regular skin regimen. Exfoliating just once can do wonders for your face.

5. Don't wash your hair everyday.
Many people already know how important this is, but for those of you who are unaware, washing your hair strips it of its natural oils. You need a moderate amount in your scalp to keep your hair soft and smooth. Most hairstylists suggest you should wash at most every other day. You can always substitute a dry shampoo for the days you skip washing your hair; I typically put my hair up or curl it when it's dirty. Still not convinced? Not washing your hair everyday saves the planet! By saving the water you would've used washing your hair, you're saving about two gallons of water. In short, dirty hair saves the world!

Summer Beauty Tips

Am I the only one ecstatic that summer's coming up?! Hooray for no school and endless trips to the beach! Here's what I do to make sure my face doesn't look like it's melting off on those unforgivable summer days.

1. Tinted moisturizer 
   
   Instead of caking on foundation and concealer over the summer, I prefer to put on tinted moisturizer instead. I tend to avoid using BB creams because with Western makeup brands, usually they're just tinted moisturizers anyway. Make sure to pick a moisturizer that has SPF!
2. Lipstick blush
   
   To avoid putting lots of powder on my face, I use my lipstick as blush. All I do is dab some lipstick onto my cheeks and blend it out with my fingers. It's super simple, and feels weightless! I don't wear bronzer over the summer because the sun provides a natural glow.
3. LUSH products
   
   One of my favorite skincare brands is LUSH; for those of you who are unfamiliar with it, they make handmade, organic cosmetics that are great for all skin types. Their makeup is breathable and good for your skin! My favorites are their mascara and color perfectors. 
4. Sunscreen
   
   I know this is a given for summer, but lots of people forget to wear sunscreen! This stuff is vital to keep your skin cells healthy during scorching weather. Suncreens with at least 50 SPF are best. Stock up and pile it on to avoid those uncute clothing tans!
5. Tinted lip balm
   
   To keep my lips hydrated over the summer, I use tinted lip balms. They give a nice, soft, natural look. Since the weather is humid over the summer, I usually only need one coat! I use Burt's Bees and Baby Lips.
6. Dry formula mascara
   
   My mascara tends to melt off and smudge my eyelids, especially on warm summer days. Wet formula mascaras, used for length, are infamous for doing this. To avoid this issue, opt for dry formulas; these are used for volume. Currently, I'm addicted to Covergirl's Clump Crusher mascara.
7. Water
   
   I cannot stress enough how important this tip is. Drink lots, and I mean lots of water over the summer--at least eight glasses a day! It's crucial that we stay hydrated because this helps keep our hair and skin looking glowing and healthy. True beauty has to be both inside and out!

That's all for this post! If you have any beauty tips of your own to share, please comment down below! Have a lovely summer, everyone.

Guide to Vintage/Thrift Shopping

I am a huge, huge fan of thrift shopping. In fact, I'd be content with shopping at vintage and thrift stores for clothes for the rest of my life. I'm in love with the idea of recycling clothes and expanding their shelf life. I feel like if more people shopped at thrift stores, we could increase product sustainability and help decrease the superfluous consumerism that characterizes today's society.

Yes, I love Macklemore. Sue me. 

Anyway, here are some tips for those of you who frequent thrift stores!

1. Don't judge a store by its window display.

Some thrift stores seem really dirty/gross/messy/etc from the outside (some from the inside, too!). However, don't let that stop you from seeing what they have! Just tolerate the not-completely-par quality of these stores for the time that you're inside, and the gems that you find will be well worth it. Most thrift stores, in my opinion, are diamonds in the rough. All the thrift stores in my neighborhood are less-than-luxe, but the great deals I get on good-quality clothes are beyond worth it.

2. Be careful when trying on clothes.

Especially with vintage clothes, be careful with how you handle them. Much of these items are very old, so there's a higher chance of them ripping or tearing. Make sure to tug gently when pulling things off your head or over your hips. Also, be wary around things like buttons and zippers. The majority of thrifted clothes don't come with extras!

3. Leave no section of the store unexplored.

Just because you couldn't find anything in the women's section doesn't mean there isn't something ultra rad waiting for you in the men's or children's sections! I've bought a couple shirts and jackets from the men's section that I wear oversized over dresses and skirts. You can also try looking outside your size range. The opportunities are endless, I promise.

4. Give these clothes a chance!

One time, I bought a men's button-up shirt from Goodwill and wore it as a dress! You never know what you can make. As my sewing teacher puts it, see these clothes as fabric that you can transform into whatever you want. Even minor changes like adding new buttons or ironing on a patch can make a huge difference in the look of a garment.

5. Be flexible with sizing.

This really only does for vintage clothes, but just because something isn't exactly your size, doesn't mean it won't fit. Sizing charts from ages ago tend to run a lot smaller. Don't be freaked out when you find that something that's normally your size doesn't fit you! For instance, I'm usually a size 2 and I recently bought a size 14 dress that fits me perfectly. If it looks small/big/long enough to fit you, then by all means try it on!

6. Wash or dry clean your purchases before wearing them out.

This goes for any time you buy clothes, but for thrifted stuff especially. As a rule of thumb, I generally dry clean my thrifted clothes. If you don't know whether or not an item needs dry cleaning, and it doesn't have a tag, take it to your dry cleaners and ask. Also make sure to wash or sanitize your hands before and after thrift shopping. Always be wary of germs!

Well, that's all I have for now! I hope that was helpful for some of you. Stay tuned for my upcoming thrift haul.

Do you have any tips to share that I've left out?  Please share in the comments below!

Stay beautiful,

Patricia