I planned on doing a video blog last year. The problem was, I was scared of looking silly on camera (inevitable, trust me) and hated that I didn’t have the ability to create a television-ready broadcast complete with studio lighting and zippy Flash intro. I was daunted by the fact that I had no clue how to get professional results using an amateur video editing program.

Really, how ridiculous is that? But because I was putting all this pressure on myself to create something perfect the first time around (I do this often, and it is often the source of my frustration), I was so afraid to tackle the project that it never got done.

Do you know how good you get or how much you learn from doing nothing? Mmm-hmm, you guessed it. Zero equals zero. Even I know that, and I got C’s in math. Except in geometry, which is the biz. Anyway.

I had to give myself permission to mess up. Not only did I give myself permission to mess up (because why do things halfway?), I made it mandatory.

I said to myself,

Self. You must make a big honkin’ mess of this whole thing. When you’re finished, it should be blatantly obvious to anyone who watches that you are a goofball and a complete amateur. The results should be so horrifically bad that you never want to show anyone for fear of public shaming by a mob of angry villagers wielding torches.

And then you’ll post it for all to see.

When I changed my mindset, screwing up became my goal. And guess how much I learned? A lot more than I did waiting to magically achieve newscaster-esque perfection on the first go-round using a program I’ve only used a few times.

Swap haul video

Note to self: face powder is a must. Sigh.

So, I’m passing on the assignment. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself and find something to really f*ck up. Create a really ugly website using tables(!); take blurry, grainy pictures of the weeds in your garden; make an ice cream and fried chicken casserole; wear white patent leather sandals with fishnets. DO IT. Own it. F*ck-ups lead to freedom.

Look, everybody messes up. Sometimes you have to just do it. It’s not a mistake if you learn from it, and if you learn something, you’re already moving forward.

You have my permission, so…what will you f*ck up?

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Have you ever seen something you put off buying, only to have it disappear/sell out before you had a chance at it? I’ve kicked myself more than once for letting the perfect whatever get away, until I realized how easy it is to stalk merchandise* online. Here’s my technique:

I saw a pair of sturdy-yet-cute sandals on the Urban Outfitters site a few weeks ago. I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of walkable heels since the Ugly Shoes proved to be pretty darn comfy for up to 12 blocks, but I held off on buying the sandals since I’m trying to sensible purchasing decisions and whatnot.

PS: The secret to walkable heels = A shock-absorbing platform, ankle support (in the form of a strap or similar), and a sturdy (not spindly) heel. Trust me, stiletto heels and sidewalk grates to do not mix.

When I went back to the site weeks later, they were gone! Or, they’d disappeared from the shoe section. They were still visible in some of the outfit shots. Hmm…

Step 1:Figure out the manufacturer

If you can locate the brand, you can find the style name/number. This is the key, and the part that takes the most effort. There are a few ways to go about it:

1. Look at the brands available on the original site.

Online shops usually carry a few select brands, so there’s a good chance the item you’re looking for is made by one of them. Most shops will also list the different brands they carry–check it out and see if anything rings a bell. I noticed that there were a few different styles of Seychelles sandals available on UO.com, and it sounded familiar…
2. Look at other shopping and personal style sites

Sites like Kaboodle, Polyvore, and ShopStyle, and even personal style sites like Lookbook and Chictopia let users bookmark items and note the brands they’re wearing. I noticed the shoes I was looking for had been bookmarked 5 times on Polyvore!

3. Do a search on mainstream retail sites

Retailers like Zappos, Endless, and Piperlime may carry the style. Include standard characteristics (platform, heel height, material) in your search to see if the desired style (or something similar) comes up.

Step 2: Search for the brand and style

Once you know the brand, Google it if the style name/number hasn’t already popped up in your search. Most brands are online and list the season’s available styles even if they don’t sell directly.
I went to the Seychelles site and browsed until I found the shoe I was looking for (and happened upon their neat blog) and discovered it was called “Gypsy”. After a quick Google search, “Seychelles Gypsy” popped up all over the place!

Step 3: Compare availability and prices

I wanted the black, which seemed to be sold out on Zappos, Lori’s Shoes, and Endless. They were available on the manufacturer’s site, though, so I took action!

Step 4: Make your purchase

You’ve hit the home stretch! Now all there is to do is wait for your purchase to arrive. UPS/USPS tracking will be your new best friend for a few days.

Step 5: Get ‘em!

Once your order finally arrives (try not to hug the delivery person), take them out and try ‘em on! Walk around a bit and see how they feel. I usually wait a day or two before throwing out the shipping box, and I always hang on the the bill of lading and return label.

Now all that’s left is to look cute and enjoy the compliments!

*Note that this is an exercise in using the net for research, and can be applied to more than apparel and accessories–think job openings, information for a project, or people you want to stalk meet. Um, yeah…meet.

Have you ever stalked anything online? Is the feeling of triumph a huge rush for anyone other than me?

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I use a lot of free software as a service applications to do everything from create and manage documents, to publish Style Sample magazine. I love free stuff, so if it looks interesting and doesn’t cost money, I’ll try it!  Here are some of my favorites:

Google Apps

You can use Google Apps to create and manage documents, develop free websites, create embeddable forms, and if you own your own domain name, manage your email. So instead of you@gmail.com, you can be you@yourdomain.com. I use the free Standard Edition to manage just about everything for the magazine ’cause it’s easy. And free.

ScreenJelly

Create screencasts quickly and easily with ScreenJelly and a microphone. It will record your screen as well as any audio, so you can create screen caps, site tours, and anything else that suits your fancy. At work, I use it to create quick video tutorials for the tech-challenged.

DimDim

DimDim provides a platform for free online conferencing, and allows you to share your screen, write on whiteboards, upload presentations, and record your audio, visual, and chat. I’ve used it to host and record training webinars, remote meetings, and brainstorming sessions. They recently changed their policy so that meetings can no longer be recorded using the freebie version, but it’s still free for up to 20 users.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud-based storage service that has saved me from the days of forgetting my USB drive. You can upload files online or save them in your downloadable drop box, which functions the same as any other folder on your hard drive–except that it’s accessible via the web. Sign up is easy, files are share-able, and it’s free for up to 2GB of storage space. If you need to manage files across multiple computers, it’s life-changing.

Teux Deux

Described as a  simple yet design-y web-based task list, Teux Deux was created by a graphic designer and allows you to add day-to-day tasks as well as long-term items to your weekly list. I like to plan my entire week at once, so it’s perfect for me.

Twaitter

Some people may find it disingenous, but it can be difficult for us easily distracted folks to remember to tweet important stuff at the appropriate time.  Enter Twaitter, a service that allows you to schedule your tweets in advance–perfect for when I know I’ll be at work and may not have remember/have time to post.

Evernote and Instapaper

I have a million ideas and a short attention span, so I often don’t remember those ideas if more than 8 seconds pass before I write them down. You can frequently find me squinching my face in a fruitless attempt to remember something I just thought about.

Thank the tech gods for Evernote and Instapaper, which allow you to bookmark pages, record inspiration, and capture ideas just about anywhere. Both tools have a handy bookmarklet for when you’re browsing the web. (I wrote about these on StyleSampleMag.com, too.)

Firebug

Firebug is a nifty Firefox add-on that I use to check under the hood of sites I like and sites I run. I wanna see your code ’cause I’m nosy that way. Firebug is invaluable for learning how websites are put together and testing to see how changes affect design and layout.

Color Scheme Designer

Another design-y tool I use is Color Scheme Designer, mostly to determine the hexadecimal values of colors for print and the web. There are a lot of color scheme generators out there (Adobe Kuler, Color Schemer, Color Wizard, etc.), but this one has a lovely, sleek interface and is just generally fun to play with.

Font Picker

Some people clearly have too many fonts installed and always seem to find more (not me, of course). Font Picker is a simple but ingenious tool that reads all of the fonts installed on your system and allows you to type in a word or headline so you can see what it looks like in all of your available fonts. Typeface geeks love stuff like this, and I’m no exception.

I figure tools like WordPress, Twitter, Gmail, and their ilk are ubiquitous enough that they need no introduction. The above are my favorites, but what would you recommend?

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You know that “closet full of clothes but nothing to wear” feeling? I hate that. I’ve tried many times over the years to do something about it–I’ve tried reorganizing my wardrobe, picking outfits in advance, separating clothing and accessories by style–all to no avail. Some days I stand staring into my closet with no idea where to start.

So now, I’m trying something different: I’m limiting my wardrobe and any future purchases to a defined color palette. The palette consists of my favorites as well as the usual standbys, so hopefully I won’t feel as if I’m missing out on anything. The idea is to develop a wardrobe in which at least 80% of the items can be worn together in some combination and amass a substantial collection of pieces that work with anything.
Top to bottom, left to right: Black, blush, gray (my favorite!), cream, greige (gray/beige), chocolate, mustard (can’t just call it yellow), loden (can’t just call it green), animal print (not just leopard, baby!), red, purple (my favorite actual color), & stripes

Right now my goal is to have all of the basic pieces (tops, trousers, skirts, sweaters, etc.) in black, white/cream, and gray, then add from there. I’m currently on the lookout for interesting/funky/detailed blouses, so if you see anything Margiela-ish or Westwood-y that I might be able to actually afford, let me know.

Tops from one of my Top 10 online shops, Farfetch.com

Surprisingly enough, I don’t feel limited as I thought I would. Conversely, I feel free–no more second-guessing whether this dress or that skirt will fit in with anything else in my closet. It makes shopping easier because there are some items that can immediately be eliminated–I don’t feel as if I’m prohibited from purchasing those things, I feel like it’s easier to determine when my money would be better spent on something else. I’m telling you, so far it’s been extremely liberating!

Of course, this could be an attempt to give myself a sense of control in a world otherwise filled with chaos, as the wise Dionne would say. WHAT-ever!

Have you ever tried to stick to certain colors or is your closet pretty much a free-for-all?

You’ll like these, too:
Resolution #27: Organize Closet
Top 10 Online Shops
Trailer Chic

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Dynasty reruns notwithstanding, I think we can safely say 80′s fashion has been in full-on revival mode since the surprisingly persistent return of the legging. Though early 90′s-era grunge has been threatening to take over for the last few seasons, the multitude of shoulder pads on the Fall runways indicated that, at least ’til next February, the 80′s are still the retro decade of the moment.

Images, Style.com

To get in on the bold shoulder action, I of course turned to vintage. Why pay oodles of cash for new Armani when old JC Penney will do just fine?

While thrifting, I found this linen blazer as part of a two-piece set that included a dress I still haven’t had altered due to the fact that I keep convincing myself “I can take it in my darn self.”  Months later, this has proven to be extremely unlikely, so I figured I’d take the jacket for a spin on its own.  Already armed with puffed shoulders, a nipped waist, and an exaggerated peplum, I paired the jacket with simple pieces–skinny black pants, a simple gold camisole–and added a vintage belt and earrings and snakeskin Zanotti heels for interest.

I think the trick to making these jumpin’ jack flashback pieces work is to stick to one retro item and keep the rest as modern as possible.

What do you think? How do you mix your vintage pieces with the rest of your wardrobe?

Read these, too:
You don’t have to watch Dynasty
Got ‘em!
Easter Style: Suited Up

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After wasting spending time watching reruns of My Name is Earl on Hulu, I was inspired to dress like Jamie Pressly’s character who, let’s be honest, is a l’il trashy. Trashy can be fun when it’s done right, though! Let’s take a look at some of the key elements:

1 & 2 “A-line” Tank top Shown: American Apparel 2. Hanes
To keep it simple, go for the ol’ standby classic: a ribbed cotton wifebeater. If you don’t like the idea of wearing such violent-sounding clothing, try to find something that looks like it was procured at an impromptu roadside biker rally. I picked up my combination tie-dye/bald eagle flyin’ atcha duck! ribbed tank top from a mall in New Jersey. ‘Nuff said.

Bonus points: Tube top or bikini top–anything that opens the possibility of “accidentally” exposing boobs.

3. “Gold” accessories Shown: earrings, girlprops.com
You can’t go wrong with a cheap gold accessory in this case, so I say doorknocker earrings for the win! You could also try hoops the size of a small foreign car–as long as they’re not real gold. Because really, what would be the point then?

Bonus points: Wear a several pairs of said oversized earrings.

4. Cutoffs Shown: Ksubi, LaGarconne
I made my denim cutoffs from an old pair of jeans–my “8th grade jeans” to be exact. I remember roaming the halls of WWMS thinking I was hot stuff when I wore those jeans, but eventually I, er…”outgrew” them. Not to worry! A few rough measurements and handy pair of scissors took care of that in less than two minutes. You can buy ‘em or do it yourself–they’ll fray and fade nicely after a few washings.

Bonus points: Cut the leg higher than the bottom of the pocket lining for a Britney pre-comeback look.

Note: If you stop here, you’ll probably fall into “trailer” side of this look, which just so happens to be all over the runways right now so score! If you prefer to add a bit of chic, keep going.

5. Add a cover up Shown: Lux, Urban Outfitters
I know I said the point was to show skin, but limiting the exposed skin to one body part (legs, shoulders, back, etc.) will keep you from getting arrested while standing on the corner waiting for your bus. I chose a black open cardigan because it’s easy to put on and remove. For when I get hot, not to fool the cops! Jeez…

Bonus points: Wear a well-cut designer piece like Nini.

6 & 7 Keep the remaining accessories sleek Shown: Belle by Sigerson Morrison sandals, Shopbop; Michael Michael Kors belt, Bluefly
A simple black belt with a gold buckle, strappy black sandals, a vintage cuff…I wore these because black leather is always trailer-appropriate, but also because of the streamlined silhouettes. In this case, too many accessories can look busy and distracting.

To achieve style harmony you must balance the trailer and the chic, grasshopper.

Do you ever get inspiration from unusual places? What are your tips for mixing seemingly disparate styles?

Read these, too:
Fashion Math
Style: Like the Boys
What I Would Wear if I Had a British Sugar Daddy

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While I’m much too busy lazy to actually do anything about it, I’ve always loved the idea of do-it-yourself fashion. Unfortunately–or maybe fortunately–the height of my forays into hand-crafted apparel and accessories peaked right around the time of neon puffy paints and Jams shorts.

However, my generosity compels me to share some of the best DIY tutorials from talented bloggers across the web. From bib necklaces to Miu Miu-inspired minis, here are some great ways to further personalize your look, glitter not included:

From “The Miu Miu inspired skirt tutorial”, Kingdom of Style

From “DIY: Studded jeans and more”, Miss at la Playa

From “How to: Scissor a baggy shirt into a bitchin’ top”, Cheap JAP

From “Glamourai DIY/Candied Crumbcatcher”, The Glamourai (cover girl for Style Sample Magazine issue 2!)

From “Welcome to my Bleach Party”, Femme Rationale (Style Sample Magazine issue 1 cover girl! Hmmm…is there a pattern here?)

Have you done any interesting DIY projects lately? Share so I can get all excited and then not do it!

Read these, too:
Blogger Jewelry: Rare Jewels
Excited/Exhausted
Casual Style: Sweat Me

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Not that I would claim to be an expert, but I’ve been shopping online since 1999 or so, back when I worked for Victoria’s Secret in the online customer service department. Since then, a lot has changed–some sites have disappeared (remember Girlshop?), sites like etsy have given independent designers a stronger voice, and I’ve purchased many many more pairs of shoes–but there are still shops I consider to be my go-to shopping destinations.

Here, in no particular order, are my top 10:

Topshop: Internationally known fast fashion at it’s best. Plus, there are some really lovely items in Kate Moss’s current collection.

Shopbop: The sheer number of items available means I’ll almost always find something I “need.”

Le Train Bleu: Based in Portland, they carry a great mix of mid-range lines like Eskell and Sophomore.

Yoox: Discount designer goods are always in order, no? Tip: buy now or you’ll regret it later!

Farfetch: Fashionable goodies procured by 20 different boutiques from London to Milan, all in one spot!

asos: An acronym for “As Seen On Stars”, and while I’m not really into the whole “Star Style” thing, the items I’ve received have been great quality and fit. They also carry some name brands–it was the first place I heard of All Saints.

Pixie Market: Hipster headquarters and one of the few US sites that sells Shakuhachi, one of my favorite Australian brands.

Zappos/Zappos Couture: Source of the much beloved snakeskin Zanottis. The service alone is worth a purchase–free next day shipping is almost as good as the instant gratification of brick and mortar shopping.

Free People: Girly-grungy items perfect for this season. Plus, The Boy really enjoys the videos.

Stars and Infinite Darkness: Originally known as Virgin Threads, this was one of the first sites to sell items from independent designers all in one place. Many of the names are now key players in the indie fashion world, so when I’m looking for something different, this is where I go.

Note: I left out the ubiquitous eBay on purpose. The passive-aggressive competition gets my heart pumping, but I don’t want to know if I won an item, I want to know exactly how much it costs and when it’s coming. Now. Up front. Not after bidding has ended.

Which sites are on your top 10 list? Any suggestions? (As if I need another place to shop…)

Related Posts:
One Piece, Three Ways
Fashion Math
Current Obsession: Couture Lab

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The thing about Sunday brunch is that it usually occurs immediately after I’ve rolled out of bed, which leaves precious little time for primping. Inspired by the recent onslaught of sweats on the runway, I decided to try my hand at wearing them outside of the house–in public, even!

Cardigan and pants, Forever 21; tank, Victoria’s Secret; heels, Steve Madden; clutch, vintage; earrings and ring, Urban Outfitters.

I think the real trick is to keep the colors and shapes fairly simple. Adding bold accessories makes it look like you meant to wear your sweats outside as opposed to looking like you accidentally got locked out while taking out the trash (hey, it happens to the best of us).

Ooh, I almost forgot!  My posts are now syndicated over at Stylux.tv, an urban lifestyle site for the greater Cincinnati area. Check it out if you’re in town!

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Memorial Day weekend usually marks the unofficial start of summer, and as such, is usually when I start pulling out my warm weather wardrobe. This year is a little dicey because I’m so busy doing other stuff–working on the 2nd issue of Style Sample Magazine, preparing for a business trip, gorging myself on fried foods at Taste of Cincinnati–but I figured I’d at least take inventory of what I have.

Except…Oh, what a tangled web. I pulled my summer stuff out, but there’s no room for it because an obnoxious closet monster has apparently regurgitated all of my belongings onto a chaotic jumble of hangers and shelves.

Silk camisoles are hung with Boy Scout shirts mixed in with graphic prints stuffed in with way too many skirts crammed next to Lord knows what else.

Don’t even get me started on all the tees and tanks and jeans haphazardly stuffed in the armoire. Or the inextricable tangle of costume jewelry. Or the pile of blushes, lip glosses (really, who needs this many? I only have two lips, right?), eyeliners, etc.:

Forget a weekend, I need a week.

On the plus side, I (re)discovered a treasure trove of thrifted and vintage items that I was on the verge of giving away:
What was I thinking? I’m a pack rat, I don’t give stuff away! So, I have a huge pile to take to the dry cleaners and a smaller one to take to the tailor, but I’m really excited about my new/old stuff!

How do you manage your seasonal wardrobe switch? Any tips? Help!

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