Lovely

Hello, Lovers.  I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but believe it or not February will be here in virtually no time at all, meaning sneaky cupid is currently sharpening his pretty little arrows.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but it’s hard to believe that in just a few weeks some of you will be dancing around with little pink cartoon hearts for pupils.  I can’t say that I’m much different, because deep down inside just about everyone wants to be gifted a box of dark chocolate covered strawberries, from a special someone, right?  Perhaps I’m feeling a bit nostalgic today, but I couldn’t help but think about this lovely little holiday that’s right around the corner. 

I know what you’re thinking… how can I be concerned with Valentine’s Day when we’ve yet to celebrate Groundhog Day?!  To be quite frank, I love winter in Pennsylvania and always secretly hope that little creature sees the biggest shadow ever, and flees back to his crummy hole for six weeks and then some.  Especially this year, seeing as though we haven’t even really had a Pennsylvania winter. I’m ready to bust out my toboggan, whip some snowballs at you when you least expect it, and drink some hot chocolate already. 

Seeing as though I haven’t been able to do any of that, yet, I have had ample time to search for pretty little Valentine’s Day inspired treasures and trinkets that are flirty and fun, to say the least.  In fact, a lot of these items are quite Spring-like, which may help some of you Winter-haters get through these Winter months that {hopefully} lie ahead.  

1.     Find It in Your Heart Handbag, $54.99, ModCloth.  This vintagey little handbag would be the perfect accessory to any Valentine’s Day look (or any look any day, for that matter).  The gold hardware gives it the perfect amount of edge.  www.modcloth.com

2.     Floral Mary Jane Platforms, $25.80, Forever21.  These ankle strap Mary Janes are so sweet I can barely live without them.  The price won’t break your pockets and they can be worn to spice up a pair of black cigarette pants or breathe new life into your favorite LBD.  Mary Janes available at Forever 21 stores and www.forever21.com

3.     Love Blood Scarf Set, $36, The Purple Zebra.  Hand crochet scarf, headband, and fingerless “txting” gloves make this set hard to resist.  Pair this set with a cream colored wool coat and you’ll look like a Valentine’s Day goddess.  The Purple Zebra is located in Bloomsburg, PA.  For more information check out www.purplezebrashop.com

4.     Heartstring Earring, $3, The Purple Zebra.  These tiered earrings are not for the faint of heart.  Make a bold statement by wearing your heart on your ears, literally.  For more information check out www.purplezebrashop.com

5.     Shimmer Twins Purple Scatter Heart Lashes, $26.86, ASOS.  I have no clue to what or why I would ever wear such a thing but I sort of want these.  I sort of really want these, actually.  Darling.  www.asos.com

6.     Sally Hansen Salon Effect Nail Polish Strips in Bling it On, $9.99, CVS.  These bad girls last up to ten days and leave your nails looking girly and glittery.  Let’s face it, even if you’re not a pink girl these are somewhat appealing.  CVS stores.

7.     Call Me Fan, $8.95, ASOS.  What does this remind me of?   Those little NECCO sweethearts conversation candies, duh.  You know the ones…. I believe they now say things like “tweet me”, as opposed to “call me”, but you catch my drift.  This fan totally “rocks my world”. www.asos.com

8.     Bird & Heart Pillow, $38, Etsy.  I love searching Etsy for cutesy handmade items, and this pillow is just the dainty piece I was looking for.  Add this pillow to a chair or sofa this time of year to brighten things up.  After all, love is already in the air.  www.etsy.com.

For more fashion wholesomeness, check out my store website at www.purplezebrashop.com and follow me on twitter @goodnpretty.

The Skinny on Food + Fashion

I typically never use recipes when in the kitchen, but each time I've made this dish it's been a huge hit, so I just had to jot it down.  Such a hit, in fact, no one even misses the actual pasta!  Try topping this dish with grated parmesan cheese!

I’m writing about food this week.  That’s right, food.  Do I have any authority whatsoever to teach healthy eating habits?  Well, not really (although I have always been an advocate of a balanced diet and am fairly well versed on this topic).  Have I ever worked in a kitchen?  No, unless you count my brief stint in my church soup kitchen 10 years ago.  I do, however, really like to eat and I also really like to cook!

I know this column is supposed to be about style and fashion, but to be quite honest, the only thing that has popped into my brain this week that is even remotely worth writing about has been edible in nature.  Perhaps my hunger issues are due to the twelve-day fast I’m currently undergoing, during which I have removed meat, gluten, and coffee from my diet (I cheated on my birthday for a red velvet cupcake and enjoyed every last crumb).  You better believe that when my 12 days are up I will thoroughly enjoy being treated to a 12oz birthday filet mignon.  I do think that this food-related topic does come at an apt time, seeing as though many of you may be initiating New Year’s resolutions to lose weight or healthify your lifestyles (yes, I am aware that I just made up a word).    All jokes aside, food is definitely related to style and fashion in some manners.  Personal style is absolutely affected by a confidence that can grow from knowing that you are healthy, regardless of size, and eating properly is definitely a solid place to start. 

I have been known to have some extreme opinions on a few things, and food (unfortunately for you) is one of them.  I gained approximately 60 pounds during pregnancy, which is A LOT for a typically active person who enjoys eating healthy (it wasn’t until I buckled down and revamped my diet, re-joined the gym, and started seeking a personal trainer’s help regularly that I finally lost all of the weight 12 months later).   It’s so hard to get sucked into eating poorly for so many reasons!  Eating crappy is fairly cheap, it’s “easy”, and it tastes so good, right?  Yes, these may be true, but feeling lethargic, irritable, and developing lasting health concerns are just a few of the very common issues that coincide with a poor diet.  Not to mention being unable to fit into your favorite pair of “skinny jeans”.   Obviously a nutrition lesson would be a bit too lengthy for one column, nor can I really claim to be a professional on this topic (i.e. Please seek a medical professional before drastically revamping your diet and blaming Moi.  I don’t need any lawsuits on my hands).  I will, however, tell you what I believe to be a few key factors to maintaining a healthy diet and staying in your favorite skinniest jeans.

1. What are calories?  We all learned about them in grade school, but it’s so easy to forget what calories actually are, and what they mean to us.  Of course I remember from Chemistry that a calorie is defined as a unit to measure the energy needed to increase the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius.  Umm, ok, that’s a great little piece of info to remember but doesn’t mean a whole lot to the vast majority people.  I like to think of consuming calories as putting gas in my car.  Yes, food is enjoyable, but just as overfilling a gas tank can cause a mess, so can overfilling your body!  Although the amount of calories needed is dependent on age, sex, weight, activity level, and muscle mass, figuring out an average number of calories that you consume to maintain your weight will also help you to determine what you need to do to lose weight, if that’s your goal.  Many people stick to the 2000-calorie guideline (which is unfortunately, I believe, quite high for an average adult woman whom is not exercising regularly).  Here’s a reality check:  Hypothetically speaking, let’s say McDonalds is your thing and you rather enjoy the Angus Chipotle BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger they now advertise.  Well, according to www.mcdonalds.com, a Medium Value Meal featuring that sandwich contains 1390 calories, which is practically an entire day’s worth of calories for the average lady.  Ew!  Not to mention the harmful trans fats, sodium, and sugars this meal is packed with.   You wouldn’t want to fill your precious vehicle with bad gasoline, would you?
2. What's a balanced meal look like?  Pretty, duh, just like your new wardrobe after dropping a pant size or two.  Lots of color!  Contrary to popular belief, traditional carbohydrates as we know them are not a necessary part of a healthy diet, although they are tasty and rice does make an excellent side dish.  I like to fill my healthful plate with as many textures and colors as possible, and always a lean protein such as fish or chicken (there’s nothing wrong with red meat, either and eggs are essential for breakfast).  By colors I don’t mean fruity pebbles (whoever invented cereal for breakfast is a moron, anyway), but I do mean lots of veggies and fruits!  The best vegetables are always the most colorful, and those are typically the best for you, also! Diet tip:  Mashed cauliflower with garlic is in my opinion just as tasty as mashed potatoes and so much better for you!
3. How much is too much?  Portion control is never fun for anyone, but the key to success is to eat until you are satisfied, as opposed to eating until you are full.  Not only is it a good idea to eat until you are satisfied, eat frequently.  For me, eating frequently seems to keep my metabolism at it’s most efficient, and also prevents me from overeating a bunch of crap from being famished.  I always keep nuts on hand for convenient snacking, especially natural raw almonds.  I eat almonds daily for the most part, with Greek yogurt and fruit for breakfast, in salads for lunch or dinner, and for snacks in between.  They’re chock full of protein, magnesium, potassium, vitamin e, and antioxidants.  They are also high in fat (the good kind!), linked to lowering the risk of heart disease, and known to lower cholesterol.  As with anything, it’s important to not over do it and eat an entire jar of peanuts daily, but nuts are a tasty snack that always seems to do the trick to keep cravings at bay.  Try them!

Obviously for some, losing weight is far more complicated than following these silly guidelines, but hopefully this may give you a little food for thought. (or at least squeeze you back into those skinny jeans a few weeks sooner!)  As with any diet, always consult a physician before attempting to diet, and adding an exercise routine to your plan is always the best bet!  For more fashion wholesomeness, check out my store website at www.purplezebrashop.com and follow me on twitter at @goodnpretty.  For questions or column ideas, email me at goodnpretty@gmail.com!

The Wonderful World of Winter Accessories

Hey, the temperature has finally dropped!  Strangely enough, I rather enjoy the cold weather and the entire winter for that matter.  January is my birth month, after all (on a side note, I have been known give 15% discounts to customers that wish me happy birthday next week and I also accept gifts).  If only these temperatures would stick around and bring me enough snow to make for decent skiing conditions.  Well, since I’ve yet to worry about the color of my snow pants this winter, I’ve had plenty of time to consider more fashionable items, such as winter accessories!  As I may have antecedently stated, I have quite the appreciation for all things vintage, but above all have an admiration for vintage accessories.  I’ve compiled a list of my favorite vintage look accessories to get all of you summer lovers through these next few (hopefully) snow covered months that I love oh so much.  In fact, all of these items would look magnificent if worn together.  Happy online shopping!

1. Oxblood faux fur stole, Dorothy Perkins, $28.00.  I would wear this over all of my cardigans and coats.  This hue would be absolutely stunning with nude and black shades.  A definite boost to any winter wardrobe, find it at www.dorothyperkins.com
2. Gather Ye Rosebuds Ring, ModCloth, $12.99.  This vintage inspired ring is oversized but still delicate, and will surely remind you of summer! I’m dying to get it on my fingers.  Plus, the blue will pop against that oxblood stole.  Ring available at www.modcloth.com
3. The Standard, Marc Jacobs, $1,295.  Ok, so this one is a bit of a stretch for most of our pockets these days, but it doesn’t make it any less desirable.  It’s easy to over-do it on the accessories when you have something as vibrant as an oxblood stole around your neck, so keeping a muted handbag will help to downplay the situation.  I love the combination of gold and gray and would love this bag even more.  Marc Jacobs Collection available at www.marcjacobs.com
4. Embellished Leatherette Cuff, Forever 21, $8.80.  Yes, that’s probably more like it.  This cuff has vintage elements that are made a little more rock and roll by the leather cuff.  The perfect piece to take a vintage inspired look from too girly, to edgy.  Find this cuff at www.forever21.com and Forever 21 stores.
5. Premium Abstract Leaf Necklace, Topshop, $90.  This art deco-ish necklace looks like it was practically made for number 4.  I love mixing jewelry in a variety of ways, but it’s always best to not be too matchy matchy (ie, if you purchase a matching earring/necklace set, never actually wear the pair together).  It looks less contrived and tons more fun to mix different pieces that aren’t packaged as a set.  Necklace available at www.topshop.com.
6. Flower lace bralette, Honeydew Intimates, $32.  Wear this under your best silk top, or wear it like a camisole and let it peek out from under a v-neck sweater.  Just be sure to get the correct size (i.e. A small is not meant for a DD cup size.  Cover up.  Even those of you with no morals must know its cold outside).  Shop Honeydew intimates and more at www.madewell.com
7. Two-Tone Circle Shades, Nasty Gal, $40.  I have been obsessed with two-tone sunglasses since I saw Nicole Richie sporting a serious pair of Chanel shades this summer.  These are just as fab (who am I kidding, they’re not even close to the originals, but they’re still pretty good) and a lot more pocket friendly.  Plus the wine color will look extra cool with your oxblood stole.  Find these two-tone shades in wine and black at www.nastygal.com.
8. Faux Fur Turband, The Purple Zebra, $15.  I’m sure you’ve seen that the 1920’s style turbans have made a huge comeback as of late.  If you’re not up for the full turban hat, opt for a furry turban headband to keep your ears warm all winter long.  Plus, a little leopard print never hurt anyone.  Check out the Good+Pretty accessories at www.purplezebrashop.com or stop into The Purple Zebra for this turband and more!  
9. Jenks Bootie, Vince Camuto, $159.  This round toe suede bootie is sleek and modern with its stiletto heel, but given a vintage detail with the tab and button closure.  These make me want to dress up in a lace dress and dance around in circles under a large willow tree.  Vince Camuto booties available at www.shoptheshoebox.com
10. Tirelessly Tasteful Gloves, Modcloth, $59.99.  Last but not least, these elegant leather gloves are sure to give that wow statement to any ensemble.  The lipstick red color and the vintage inspired bows and cutouts will look so feminine and chic under any winter parka.  These remind me of a coveted pair of brown Driving Gloves my Aunt gave me years ago.  Gloves found at www.modcloth.com.

For more fashion wholesomeness, check out my store website at www.purplezebrashop.com and find The Purple Zebra on facebook.  Email me with column questions or suggestions at goodnpretty@gmail.com.  

Ugly Sweater Party!

Hello, 2012!  With 2011 officially checked off of my to do list, there’s no better way to start fresh in 2012 than to clean out the closets.  I am sure we all have things that would be better off in the hands of someone else, or better yet, recycled into something as fresh as the New Year!  Most of us have some pretty horrific finds hiding deep in the darkest corners of our closets that are just dying to make a comeback, so bring it on 2012. 

Is it possible you attended one of those weird ugly sweater parties this year and are stuck with a cheerful mess of embroidery on your hands? Perhaps Grandma made you a homely knit for Christmas this year, or last year for that matter, and you would hate to hurt her feelings by not making it useful somehow.  Maybe your New Year’s resolution is to cut back on the cookies and lose a few pounds and you’d like to rid yourself of some oversized clothing?  Or you could just be looking to re-invent your style and rid yourself of any and all snowflake sweaters from seasons passed.  Whatever the reasons may be, most of us have some sort of sweater stuffed in our closet that we have no idea why we would have purchased.  More importantly, as each year passes it becomes more and more important to renew, reuse, and recycle as many resources as possible, including textiles.  To me, sweaters always seem like a good idea, but rarely are actually very useful for more than one season.  All of those old knits have to be good for something, however.  They are cozy and warm, and have cute little designs and patterns… just not designs and patterns that I wish to wear as a top.

Regardless of why you wish to rid them from your closet, think twice before throwing these cozy creatures in the trash pile.  Old sweaters are awfully useful for many things, such as recycled toys, jewelry, and more.  Not getting the picture?  How awesome would it be to turn your child’s favorite out-grown sweater into a stuffed animal they could cherish for years to come?  Sweaters can also make awesome pieces of jewelry.  Start by covering large wooden beads with an old knit and stringing them onto a silk ribbon.   My favorite way to repurpose an old sweater, however, is to turn it into an infinity scarf!  If you are unfamiliar with the infinity scarf, it’s a huge trend right now, so get familiar.  An infinity scarf, or circle scarf, is simply what it’s called.  It is one continuous loop of material that creates a “circle” so to speak.  I am completely obsessed with these, since I am a clumsy mess and regular scarves seem to end up everywhere but around my neck for some reason (I’ve also been caught tripping on a scarf that is haphazardly dragging on the ground once or twice).

 Google ‘infinity scarf’ and you will yield about 5,750,000 results in 0.24 seconds.  My brain began spinning shortly after, especially when I saw all of the shopping results with prices ranging from $19.94 at Old Navy to  $209.99 at Saks Fifth Avenue.  By this point, I felt like I had been riding the ring of death at the fair with no sign of being let off anytime soon.   This is when I realized that I could make an infinity scarf for virtually nothing, and it would most likely be way cooler than any $200 scarf I had ever seen.  And all you need is a pair of scissors and a sewing machine (optional). 

1.     Find a clean sweater with a fun pattern or texture that you would like to recycle.  If you’re cleaning the closets, be certain this sweater really needs to be retired before moving along to step 2.  Try to find an acrylic sweater with a tight knit (these will be less likely to fray less, if you do not intend to hem the cut edge).

2.     Using a ruler, determine how wide you would like your infinity scarf to be.  Measure from the bottom of the sweater up toward the neck.  If you would like an average scarf, 10 inches would be a sufficient width to mark your sweater at.  In fact, you would most likely be able to get two scarves out of a women’s medium sweater at this width.  I like a very thick, chunky infinity scarf, so I cut my sweater at 18” from the bottom of the sweater, as shown.

3.     Cut around the entire sweater, and remove the top portion of the sweater.  Use the top of the sweater for a jewelry project or other craft! 

4.     Though this step is optional, I do recommend hemming the raw (cut) edge of the sweater, even if your sweater isn’t fraying.  It will create a longer lasting, more professional looking scarf that no one will believe you made in 5 minutes.  Using a few straight pins, turn the raw edge of the sweater to the inside two times.  Your raw edge will be hidden in the center of the hem. Straight stitch around, creating a finished hemmed edge.

5.     Show it off!  Scarves are a great addition to accessorize any basic outfit, so enjoy your new project by wearing it!  This project is guaranteed to get tons of compliments, so be prepared to start making these as gifts for all of your loved ones. 

Happy New Year!  For more fashion wholesomeness, check out my store at www.purplezebrashop.com and follow me on twitter at @goodnpretty!