Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Fall is Fully Upon Us

I feel like this outfit is the epitome of fall. A red/orange jacket like the fallen leaves and brown boots to keep warm. 


Jacket: Forever 21, Brown top: Target, Jeans: Old Navy, Boots: Thrifted, Earrings: Old Navy



These pictures were taken at the lovely school where my brother teaches, Providence Academy in Plymouth, MN. Isn't it beautiful?


Monday, October 29, 2012

Miss Colbie Caillat

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a Colbie Caillat concert. I was so pleasantly surprised when she came out and she was so pretty, and I was coveting her outfit the entire show.


Picture c/o C.C. Rode

Picture c/o C.C. Rode

Picture c/o C.C. Rode

She was wearing a gold sparkly cap sleeved sweater, a white pleated hi-lo hem skirt, high-heeled suede boots (which aren't totally my style but so her) and stunning gold jewelry.

My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the concert for a number of different reasons. 
          1. Her music, especially the lyrics are just fantastic- very positive and upbeat. 
          2. She is so feminine and beautiful, a real woman's woman. All the guys were chanting "We love you, Colbie!" 
          3. She is strong-willed, and has some soul. You can just hear it in her voice, but also she was bustin' a move on stage.

Here were my two favorite songs she performed:






Thursday, October 25, 2012

Project Refashion: Entry 2

This look didn't quite go as planned. I completely ran out of time, and fabric so I wasn't able to make the ensemble I had originally intended to for Entry 2. Here is how it turned out...

Instead of the grey ruffle top I used this black beaded blouse.

I dismantled the front and back yoke so that I could reassmble it using the different blue fabrics.

This insert was originally black, but to help tie the skirt in I used the same fabric as the skirt.

The finished garment! Man, this dress has got some unintentional Rihanna shoulders goin' on...

I really like the back!



This model, Emily, is also a good friend and she has modeled for me before. She did such a great job the first time, and she is just stunning, so asking her again was a no brainer.

These two garments, along with the garments made by all the other students in the class, will be showcased and sold in a Trunk Show at Express Yourself Clothing on Friday November 9, from 7:00pm-9:00pm.
Voting will take place for the "People's Choice Award" so stay tuned!

Project Refashion: Entry 1

I just finished both refashioning projects! It sure feels good to be done...



Constructing the skirt...I didn't want to make the hem too short in the front so I nixed the hi-lo idea and just made it assymmetrical.

I used the lining of the skirt as the lining of the bodice.

Connected the bodice to the skirt.

Attached the sleeve to the bodice.

Finished dress!



The model, Libby, is a friend of mine and she is just helping me out. I told her she has the exact body type of a stereotypical runway model. She said she had considered modeling in high school but was too afraid of the cattiness of the industry. She is a "Senior Intern" in the Catholic Studies Leadership Interns program. You go girl!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Project "Refashion"

We just started a new project in one of my fashion classes, and our task is to "Refashion and redesign" pre-existing pieces into something new. Once we are finished with our ensembles, they will be showcased and sold at a "Trunk Show" here in St. Paul. All our designs will be opened for a vote on "People's Choice" at the beginning of November. Stay tuned as I blog about the process!

Entry 1

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Entry 2


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Friday, October 12, 2012

Rocky Mountain High

This past June, I went on the Catholic Studies Leadership Interns bi-annual trip to Denver, CO. I could probably write an entire 10-page essay on all the things we did, not to mention how it all impacted me, but for your sake I will try to give you the abbreviated version.

All the interns when we spent a day visiting with the Little Sisters of the Poor and even put on a talent show for them!

The year’s theme for the Interns was “charity,” and what better place to see that in practice than at one of the nation’s most active and thriving Catholic Charities location in Denver, CO.?  On May 22nd, thirty college students, one priest, and I got on a plane for the Rocky Mountains, looking forward to a 10-day trip that ended up changing my life and my views on everything.

The common sentiment among the Interns in years past has been “not much of what we learn throughout the year will make sense until the Spring Institute at the end. Then it will all just click.” How true that is. Now don’t get me wrong, I learned plenty of things throughout the year, very informative and helpful things from how to run a Christ-centered business, to why marriage between a man and a woman matters, to what my temperament is and how that can play out while being a leader. Before this year I thought charity meant giving money to the poor and collecting canned goods. However, the overall theme and meaning of charity came alive for me because of our trip to Denver.

The ten days were anything but boring. Our schedules were jam-packed with visits to the happening places in the Archdiocese, monumental Churches, homeless shelters, informational sessions at Catholic Charities as well as a talent show, dinners out, and intense games of Mafia. We also spent most of our time with missionaries there who were part of a program called “Christ in the City.” They hosted us, showed us the town, taught us about their ministry and shared their world with us. In fact, their witness had such a great impact on our group that after the visit, three of the Interns decided to do a year of missionary work with them!


We traveled around in 15 passenger vans, always sure to make an entrance.
 The most influential moment of the trip came when we were to live a day in the life of a missionary by participating in “Street Walking.” This is when you walk the main roads of downtown Denver and just spend time with those on the streets there. I. Was. Terrified. I seriously contemplated saying I was sick so that I wouldn’t have to go. I had never done anything like this before and I feared the worst. What if they ignore me, are rude to me or ridicule me for thinking I could make a difference? We were all worried at first, “what if we go up to someone and they’re not actually homeless?”  That definitely happened a few times, and someone even asked an intern if she was homeless! Sometimes you would say hello to someone and they would take that invitation, run with it and talk unceasingly for hours. Others wouldn’t even look you in the eye or say a word. But what we learned was that the most valuable thing you can give someone experiencing homelessness is your time. To show that someone cares about them, that they are not forgotten, that they indeed still possess an inherent dignity. Just stopping to say hello is huge. Most people ignore them and walk past like they don’t even exist.

One of my favorite guys, Mike.

We met people from all walks of life, with all types of personalities. Some people were very hopeful, positive, cheerful, and faithful. Others were very desperate, rude and angry. Some people had excellent grammar and manners, others were disabled and in wheel chairs. But this exercise taught me more than just to spend time with the downtrodden. It taught me that the dignity of the human person is most important and it needs to be cherished and upheld at all times—whether it is the person experiencing homelessness on the street, or the person walking by him in a Gucci suit on his way to a business meeting. Their soul is more important than their current state of life.  Christ calls me to, no, rather, Christ demands me to do what I can with what I have to preserve that.

Through the Leadership Interns program, I have come to learn what charity really means. It is not only a big benefit one attends once a year, but rather a lifestyle. We are called to act charitably by making small sacrifices for those around us. To speak charitably to all those we interact with by being loving, kind and uplifting, and to honor, praise and glorify He who is charity Himself.

(Originally written for the Catholic Studies Blog on October 9, 2012)

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Video Killed the Radio Star

I don't know about you, but I have a little ritual when I climb into my car in the morning. I turn on the lights, and crank up the heat and radio. However, when the lyrics lately are "blow my whistle, baby" and "I know we only met but let’s pretend it’s love... tonight let’s get some and live while we’re young," I find myself refraining from pushing the dial so quickly. 

However, here is a little gem I came across while station-surfing the other day. It has a fun beat, all-too relatable yet encouraging message, and she has some sweet outfits! A bit on the costume-y side, but very feminine and I am lovin' the accessorizing. Enjoy!




Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Elements: Fire

My cousin Cory just shared with me what she learned in a style class she attended a while ago. The image consultant's philosophy was that every person has an "Element" and the element is made up of a color palette that will highlight the person's overall complexion. Here is the first outfit pic in the "Elements" series. First up is "Fire." Take a look at this board for a better idea of what colors make up the color palette for "fire." 




Jacket: Old Navy, Dress: Target, Necklace: Target, Belt: Thrifted (in the little boys section) 
Shoes: Steve Madden


It's funny, when I think of fire, I think of warm hues of oranges and reds--this looks more like earth to me... Stay tuned for the other three elements! 

Friday, October 5, 2012

My Stylist, Kristy


Even though I love fashion and everything about clothes, I too often neglect the other important aspects of a woman that make her look complete: accessories, makeup and HAIR! Until recently, that is.

Last summer my hair was just looking terrible, "scraggly" is my term for it, so my friend recommended a gal she went to high school with. I visited her website to check it out, and saw an awesome deal where if you do a "cyber consult" with her, you get 50% off the first cut! So I sent Kristy a photo of myself, a couple pictures of celebrities that I liked and she e-mailed back a few of her own ideas. If nothing else, I would go get my haircut and get a good deal.

BUT IT WAS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT!

1. She has a little salon in her home that is SO CUTE! I want my whole house to have her salon's decor--not to mention I love the smell of the products she uses.
2. She is SO great! So cute, so nice, so real and so Mormon which equals fabulously modest.
3. She is a really talented hair stylist. She knows what she is doing and what she is talking about, but perhaps more importantly she knows how to deliver that look you want. While going with short hair my biggest concern has been to remain feminine, and she not only understood and recognized this desire but has also held to that standard.

A conversation I keep finding myself participating in lately is about the fact that we need good, Christ-following people in every area of life, even seemingly non-Christian fields, specifically and even especially in the fashion and beauty industry. Kristy is a perfect example and witness of this. When I go get my hair cut, it is not just a get in and get out kind of thing. We talk a little about faith, a little more about family and a lot about fashion. It is refreshing to have positive and uplifting conversation with her. Also, a really unique quality to Kristy is that she is so encouraging and inspiring, every single time I walk out of her salon I feel reassured, rejuvenated and more confident than ever, ready to take on what the week ahead will throw at me. I never knew a hair stylist could do that!

The most recent style plunge I have taken is getting a pixie cut, and I have never gotten more compliments in my life. I am tellin' you, Kristy is a rockstar!


The lovely Emma Watson was the latest inspiration.


What "style plunge" have you been dying to take?

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Watermelon III

Can you guess what my two favorite colors are lately? Pretty sure this is my third post with these exact "watermelon" colors. They are just so pretty and feminine!


Top: Gap, Skirt: Target, Bracelet: Gifted, Shoes: Kohls


Modest Tip: When shopping, try searching less common sections of the store. For example, this entire outfit is from the kids sections of Gap and Target. They are XL, and often times stores even carry XXL or XXXL! This is great for shorties like me :) And because the styles are made for younger girls, the necklines are not as revealing, and (usually) the skirts are longer. Also, the price differences are significant.

However, if you are not a petite or don't want to run the risk of having the same clothes as your 3rd grade students, check out the Misses as well (even if you are a Juniors kinda girl). You may think most of the clothes are too mom-ish, but usually the styles are a little more loose fitting and the tops are often not as low-cut.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Catholic Fashion Blogger


You may or may not have noticed the new "Blogger Button" on the right tool bar:

I <3 Clothes: Catholic Fashion Blogger.

Victoriuss has just been added to the "Catholic Fashion Blogger Movement" blog list of, you guessed it, Catholic fashion blogs. The movement was started to join the Mormons in having AWESOME modest fashion blogs combined with a bit of evangelization.

Kate Rose, a good friend of my sister in Austin, Texas, is the head of this movement. You can find her over at her website "It's Fun to be a Girl."

She can obviously describe her mission statement better than I can, so head on over and take a look around. 

It is so inspiring to find other gals with the same love for fashion and faith, and I think it is a dream come true to be able to combine my two loves in this blog and, God-willing, my future profession. I will just leave you with these two quotes: 

“It’s especially necessary now to intensify apostolate in the field of fashion, so as to take the ‘good fragrance of Christ’ to that sphere too, since it is a great way of influencing society. What we desire is to find God in the fashion sector, which is often so paganized. We want to find God in the sphere of human life and human behaviour, and try to turn fashion into an opportunity for apostolate, something that speaks of God and leads to God.” -St. Josemaria Escriva

"Vocation is where our greatest passion meets the world's greatest need."    -Frederick Buechner



Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Phil Wickham

This past weekend I was able to take some me-time out of my busy school/work schedule and attend the Phil Wickham concert with some friends.

Top: Rainbow, Shorts: Ralph Lauren, Shoes: Place in California


Don't know who Phil Wickham is? Here is my favorite song of his:

Sorry ladies, he's married :/

Anyway, I was expecting a concert concert, but it was more of a Praise and Worship set. But it turns out that is exactly what my friend and I needed. She had been having a rough day and I was my usual complacent self, and together we were able to experience the Holy Spirit move, and sing a long with the talented Phil Wickham.

Who is your favorite Christian artist?

Monday, October 1, 2012

Deals, Deals, Deals

Before school started I was shopping for a new book bag. I wanted a camel color crossbody bag, one that would serve it's purpose, be able to fit my books at least sized 8.5"x11", have a small pocket on the outside for easy access to my phone and keys, but with a little more style and sophistication than a regular backpack. I also decided I could splurge on a leather bag because they last longer, and I worked a lot over the summer so I could indulge a bit. It was tough to find a style I liked that was big enough to meet my criteria, but I decided on this bag from Fossil, especially because when I use my Discover card I get a 10% cashback bonus!


When I told my friend that I was willing to spend that much on a bag, because I couldn't find anything else I liked that was more affordable she said "I bought mine that I really like from Delia's, I bet I can find you something for much cheaper." And she was right, she showed me this little number and I was in love! Only $29.50! Needless to say, I ordered it right away and put the Fossil bag out of my mind.

A couple days later I went to my favorite thrift store and you will never guess what I found. A crossbody, camel colored bag that even fit my laptop! The best part, it cost me $8. I was able to cancel my order with Delia's and my thrifted bag and I have been very happy together.