The Basics

Hi. My name is Danielle and I started this blog to share what I know and enjoy about fashion, clothes, dressing, and style with whomever is interested. Fashion is something I've always loved, followed, and enjoyed. Moving into the burbs from Manhattan was definite culture shock, but I am no snob, and I am very far from rich. My husband and I have 3 kids, 1 dog, and utter chaos in every corner of our lives. I do not take hours to get ready in the morning, or even for a wedding; who has that kind of time?? People think I have it together, though, because I dress a certain way. I do not wear yoga pants unless I am going to, coming from, or in a yoga class. I live in jeans in my every day life; but I put it together so that everyone knows that I have not given up on myself.
This is why I'm writing. I see a lot of women out there that are insanely busy and don't have the time to do much of anything for or to themselves; they have put themselves on the back burner. I love my children, and of course they come first, but I also take care of myself. It's a message to them that I will not lose myself in raising them. It's a good thing; I'm telling them that I am worth that, and therefore, so are they! So are you!!!!
The Basics: Woo-hooo, where do I start?!?! Leave the sweats at home. And the yoga pants, my God, the yoga pants!! Step away from the yoga pants!!! Jeans are comfortable; there are a million styles to suit every body, every mood, everything. There are plenty of clothes that are comfortable, move with you, that you can wear for 20 hours wrestling an alligator in an alleyway. (Exaggeration.) I can help you find what you like, what works for your life, that doesn't break the bank. Here it goes...

There are some very basic things I see constantly that make me insane. Here are a few to start:

#1: FIT
Wearing huge clothing does not make you appear thinner. Nor does clothing that is too small. Accept your size; embrace it, whatever it is, and dress it for what it is.

#2: GET THE GIRLS MEASURED
 Go get your real bra size measured!!! Nordstrom is a great place for this, or Victoria's Secret. Most women are wearing the wrong size. Having your boobs where they should be (halfway between your shoulder and your elbow!!) changes everything about what you're wearing and how you look. I don't want to see a foot of your cleavage; in front or in the back, thank you very much!!

#3: SHOWER
Or at least appear as though you have. Regardless of what we all wish, we are judged on how we look.  

#4: ENOUGH WITH THE EXCUSES
We are all overworked, overtired, charred pieces of toast. 
I get it. I really do. I get out my clothes the night before, and I get myself and 3 kids out the door in an hour or less. People make excuses about their weight; yo-yo dieting, kids, they all mess with our bodies and our size. You don't have to break the bank to look not only presentable, but great. Trust me. It all goes back to #1, fit.

#5 DRESS FOR YOUR BODY
Every season, there are tons of new trends, which I love to follow (and I'll write plenty on that later). This does not mean that everyone should be wearing all of them. Pick and choose what works for you, your body, your lifestyle. I LOVE high-high heels. I'd look like a supreme ass walking my kids to school in them. I wear them when the occasion arises. I'm built like a boy. No discernable hips, teeny girls, very short-waisted...I'm not complaining-there are plenty of perks to my frame. Shopping for flattering dresses is tough. Growing up, before there were low cut stretchy jeans, I lived in boys Levi's 501's. They were the only thing that fit. Sometimes you have to think outside the box. There is more available to us than ever before. Whatever your body has that you like (there IS something!) show that off, accentuate that. 

Plenty more to come, but those are The Basics.