The Influence

Tawny Smith March 21, 2017

I've been wanting to bring in some men's fashion to my blog for awhile now so when the opportunity presented itself, I had to jump on it! I took a little trip to Portland, met up with my bestie, Hobie and an amazing photographer, Olivia and made it happen. I had a specific vision for this shoot, I wanted it to be modern, simple, and relatable. I wouldn't of been able to pull this off without my favorite little boutique, Satori. Most of the clothing you see from this shoot is from Satori, the cutest little downtown shop that just recently started bringing in menswear.

Since bringing in a boy is new to the blog, I thought it might be fun to get some insight on how boys (or this boy I guess) views fashion. I asked Hobie several questions and I was actually really impressed with how detailed and honest his responses were! I hope this makes you giggle as much as it made me.

1. It’s said that every woman should own a little black dress. What are some essentials you feel that every guy should own?

- A good pair of black jeans. Black jeans go with pretty much anything.

- A piece of jewelry like a watch, ring, necklace, bracelet, etc. These things can complete a look if you place them with the right outfit!

- White t-shirts, because you can wear them with anything and everything. Causal looks, they are good for undershirts for flannels and jackets and such. They are also just a comfortable way to go without giving up that "cool factor" if you use them right that is..

2. What is/are your favorite go to piece(s)?

I love watches and necklaces. I think they can compliment any outfit if done right.

3. Do you have any major fashion “no no’s”?

- short t-shirts that don't cover the stomach or that barely cover the waist

- I hate when people have their whole outfit match one color. Color blocking your whole outfit is a definite no no. (Hi, Tawny here. I don't necessarily agree with this one, color blocking can be legit when, of course, done right.)

- deep v's NO NO

- I've always found that it's kinda weird if someone is decked out in one brand... like if you were drenched in head to toe with Nike I would kinda be set off about it. Mix it up if you wear a lot of name brand stuff.

- on that same note, don't wear 5 different sports companies at once. I don't know if it's different for more fashiony companies but for sports and causal wear, don't walk into a room wearing a New Era hat, a Puma hoodie, some Jordan shorts, Adidas socks, and some Nikes. Because people will stare at you with judgement.

4. What’s one of your favorite looks/styles that’s coming out in men’s fashion currently?

- I love the street wear yeezy kinda look. Now I don't have the money to go out and pursue that look, but if I did, I would!

- I also love the business causual look. Some skinny slacks or skinny black jeans on with a blazer and a nice long shirt or a button up of some sort, with those cool slip on shoes or chelsea boots.

- I also love the causal comfy look when it's done right. A flannel, nice skinny jeans (not too skinny). Simple look goes a long way.

5. What era of fashion is your favorite?

It's a tie between the 80's and the 20's. Some of the things in the 80's are actually back in style today which is crazy to think! But I also love the clean cut suit look that dominated the 20's. Everyone was professional and looked the part as well.

6. What’s something you can’t stand that men AND/OR women wear?

Men

- flip flops with jeans

- skin tight jeans

- boots with too much of a heel

- long straps coming out of jackets

- bell bottom jeans

Women

- thigh high converse

- baggy jeans (excluding the mom jean look)

- high waisted shorts so short that the cheeks make an appearance

- any shirt from Forever 21 that has a lame joke on the front

7. What’s something you secretly want to wear/give a try but you’re too chicken to go out in public wearing it?

I would say there isn't a whole lot I am too chicken to wear. I know what I like, I know what looks good on me, and I know what I can pull off. Now, don't get me wrong, I still am open to things and learn stuff everyday, but I would say my motto is "less is more." But power to you guys and gals that get out and wear those risky/out there outfits; it makes things spicy in the fashion world!

Hope you enjoyed this different type-a blog post! As always, I would love any kind of feed back, more guy stuff? More Q&A's? Agreed with what Hobie said or thought it was awful and irrelevant? Let me know!

Thanks for reading,

xx, CC

Photos x Olivia Renee Photography

Dare to DIY

Tawny Smith February 22, 2017

Excuse the cheesy title, but I really didn't know a better way to describe this post. As some of you may know, I am not the DIY (Do It Yourself) type of person. I actually suck at it. Which gets frustrating cause as a creative, aren't I supposed to be good at that kind of stuff? The arts and crafts?

Truth be told, I have failed numerous times. I think that it's just that I don't have the patience for it. For example, I have two sisters; one is great at cooking, and the other is great at baking along with all her artsy Pinterest crafts she can do. And then there is me... When I bake, I forget that there is a certain process you're supposed to follow and I kind of just end up throwing all of the ingredients in together thinking it will come out just the same, cause duh, I have all the right ingredients so why wouldn't it? But then my cookies come out of the oven looking like deformed pancakes...

So when I wanted to get artsy with some DIY idea for clothes, I of course went to someone who knew what they were doing, someone who wouldn't let me down. I went to my mom. Side note though, she actually did let me down the first time, she cut the shirt before I could explain to her what I wanted done to it *eye rolling emoji* BUT she redeemed herself cause moms are the best and they ultimately know what they are doing... I think.

When I came to her with an idea for my pants, she got super excited and showed me just how to do it because she used to do the same back in the 70's. (FYI I really really really like the 70's.) I wanted to fray the ends of my jeans to get a stringy look, and although this is time consuming, (I stayed up until 5AM watching One Tree Hill while working on them) it was so worth it. I loooooove the outcome.

So since I have been getting lots of questions and comments on my pants and top when I wear them, I decided to do a DIY post explaining how we (my mom and I) accomplished the desired look. I am going to do my best to explain it in a step by step process, and of course if you have any further questions or I don't make sense, message me! I would love to help however I can.

For the shirt... This style has really become a big thing lately. The first time I saw it was last Spring in a boutique in Beverly Hills. The cost as I am sure you can guess was ridiculously high. I looked at it and thought to myself, I can totally go thrifting for a $5 shirt and do this myself, a/k/a, my mom can totally do this for me. So, here is the process that I have now learned from my mother.

1. Lay the shirt out flat on a counter or table

2. Make sure the seems on the sides of the shirt are straight

3. Decide how low you want the cut to go, mark it with a pencil (works best if you are wearing it)

4. Using a ruler, find the center of the shirt, and mark it with a pencil at the depth you wish the shirt to be cut at

5. Using a ruler, find the center of the shirt just below the neckline. mark with a pencil

6. Use the ruler to connect the pencil mark from the neckline to how low you want it to be cut, and draw a straight line using a pencil

7. Make a small snip with fabric scissors and begin cutting along that line

8. Try on the shirt to make sure it is at the depth you want the cut to be at, while still wearing it, decide how wide you want the neckline to be cut at (it is best to underestimate, you can always cut more off so start small)

9. Take the shirt off and starting at the open center slit just under the neckline of the shirt, cut along the neckline to the desired point for both sides

10. at this point you should have two flaps of fabric on either side of the shirt, try the shirt on again and fold the flaps in to see if the cut is wide enough. If you want the cut wider, then follow step 9 until you have it as wide as you want.

11. Once the shirt is cut how you want, lay the shirt back out on the counter, flat with the flaps of fabric laid flat as well. Take the ruler and connect the end of the cut from the neckline to the end of the deep center cut using a pencil, cut along that line and do the same for the other side.

Woahla, your shirt should be "chestless"! Now, it is your turn to get creative and make it your own. I cut the seems of my sleeves off so that they roll once I wash it. I also have splattered bleach on this particular shirt. So have fun with it, snip the sides and lace them up, cut the bottom seem so it rolls too. Whatever you want!

For the pants... the pants are a much simpler process, just much more tedious.

1. Start by cutting the pant of each leg, cut however much you want

2. Now get comfortable because you're going to be working for awhile

3. For the fraying, I used a seam ripper, they are super cheap you could find them at Joann's or click here and I have found a cheap one for you!

4. Take the seam ripper and start ripping the seams at the end of the pant leg, what actually makes the pants fray is the vertical threads, not the horizontal threads.

5. Wash the jeans once you have ripped the seams (haha that rhymes ) to the desired length, washing them will help them fray on their own a bit too.

I hope I explained it all well enough, but like I said if there are any questions don't hesitate to leave a comment or send me a message by clicking the "contact" option in the drop down of the "About." Best of luck to you DIYers and Non-DIYers. If I can do it, so can you... seriously, you can.

Photos x Kelsey Marie Photography

An Original

Tawny Smith February 13, 2017

Is it just me? Or is anyone else struggling to be original in a world where it feels like everything has already been done?

I feel like even the concepts or visions I have for shoots aren't very original sometimes. When my inspiration roots from an outfit or costume, or even from a location I happen to pass, I feel like the vision is authentic in that moment. But then I go to create a mood board (Pinterest of course, cause is there really anything else that can get the job done properly?) and while I find images that better portray my idea and vision, I also begin to feel like it has already been done by someone else out there.

Which leaves me wondering... Where does true inspiration come from? Designers find inspiration in architecture, patterns, paintings... But where did those architects and artists find their inspiration? In colors? Light? Human interactions? I ponder where it all starts from, and I wish so desperately that I could find my own root of inspiration too. Some type of inspiration that I didn't get from a movie or an image, or even a song. But a work of art that would be birthed from my own mind and soul. Is it even possible for such a thing to occur? Is being purely original attainable anymore?

I believe it is. I believe that God has given us the capability to discover inspiration within our own minds, we need only tap into it. How do you tap into it though? I think it's different for everyone. For me, I come up with my best ideas when I'm alone, driving in the car. If you've ever been in the car with me you've probably noticed I actually don't like to talk much in that setting. I'd rather just be quiet, listen to music, and look out the window. That's when my mind is at it's clearest, and that is why I believe I get my best ideas then. Because I let my mind wander and roam and dream in what I feel like is a peaceful setting.

One of the reasons why I love this white blouse from SheIn is because I feel like it's classic yet so original at the same time. It's simple yet complicated and unique. Not to mention its just really fun to wear in general. I get to style it how I want, dress it up or dress it down (which is basically what every woman wants; a universal piece) and You get to style the bow, front, side, back. I love big bows so I chose to tie mine on the side. You can find this piece by clicking here!

For this shoot, this top was the inspiration. It encouraged my photographer and I to venture somewhere new for the shoot, and I am so happy we did. In relation to what I have been saying about originality, I am going to try to set myself up to find that place of inspiration. Whether it's through a piece of clothing (just like this shoot was inspired by the blouse) or a song, or a story. I am going to strive to clear my mind and open up to new ideas and concepts that come my way.

With that being said, and my thoughts being laid out for all to read, I want to hear from YOU, creatives and readers. Where do you find inspiration? What do you do to clear your mind? Or what do you find the most inspiration in? Do you ever feel like you're stuck artistically? Please leave some comments, I would love to hear your thoughts on originality. Finally, I really do encourage any ladies to give SheIn a look, their clothes, bags, shoes, etc. are fabulous, along with great prices. And who can resist affordable fashion?

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to hearing from some of you.

xo, CC

Photos x Kelsey Marie Photography

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