small town chic

whats wrong with a little black and blue?

2011-12-07T13:28:00.001-05:00

I dont think i will ever understand what people have against wearing black and blue together...you know? For instance, yesterday i wore a dark navy blazer with a black v-neck, it was cute. and i felt cute. until someone asked me what was i thinking, mixing black and blue together ( by the way, im staring outside, and it just started snowing, okay winter, its on! ) um hello, why not? recently i think fashion has really evolved so much so that the norms for fashion are not really followed any more, and i love it.

So ignore the social norms and tendencies against wearing black and blue, and just go for it.

xoxo

are you bob the builder?

2011-12-05T19:28:00.001-05:00

this is really just my opinion. but, today i want to talk about construction boots. Don't know what im talking about? Work boots? how about now? oh wait, i got it, timberland. i am sure that timberland had no idea that their boots would become so popular, who would have guessed that they are a fashion trend now, but surprise! it is.

Granted, when they came out, i thought they looked really hot on a guy, that could pull them off, and still do. But what i dont understand is girls that think that high-top construction boots are the way to go - side note: there are a few exceptions to this, notice i said, few - and i also understand that they are Dr. Martens, and if you can afford a real pair, go for it. But no offense to the doctor, but i do not love this trend.

HOT

NOT

a few things to consider before you slip a pair on:
1) are they real Dr Martens?
2) did i wear them yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that, and the day before that, and the day before that...i think you get it.
These shoes should not be your' "go-to shoes" pull 'em out for special occasions.
3) finally, do you work on a construction site? if the answer to this is no, then you should reconsider why you own a pair of shoes that look like you just finished pouring cement.

Just my opinions, dont be offended. Now that you have heard them, give me examples, prove me wrong.
xoxo.

you really know how to paint the town, yeah you shut it down.

2011-12-05T19:19:00.001-05:00

im missing summer a lot right now. something about winter and that weird gap between thanksgiving and Christmas is...weird. Anyways, i wanted to fill you in on my buys from blaacck fridday! I went this time for the first time at midnight, and oh my, was it crazy. It was fun, but there was one thing that i want to get on my soap box for ten seconds on: it was one in the morning and there were girls in heels, curled their hair, so much makeup, all i could think was IT IS ONE IN THE MORNING, WHY DO YOU ALL LOOK SO GOOD, i guess i just expect when i look like a freak, everyone else should. so PROPS TO YOU GIRLS, YOU LOOKED FREAKING HOT. and you have so much more motivation than i do, so - props.

The following i found on the internet, but i actually bought and wore the jeans and the sweater together, jeans from F21 for 9 dollas, and the sweater from urban outfitters for 14. so comfy, so great.

i just want to point out, i like the necklace, but this outfit would be so much better if paired with flats.

do you work in construction? no? THEN DON'T WEAR CONSTRUCTION BOOTS.

okay, that was my favorite outfit.

i guess i could share more, but those boots have me thinking.

Hope you all are staying warm!

its a beautiful world, its a beautiful day.

2011-10-21T14:06:00.002-04:00

went thrifting today,this jacket was $2.50 at goodwill!

I just had to share.

xoxo.

greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city.

2011-10-20T15:57:00.002-04:00

i am on fall break! I love school, but i am loooviing this break.
i went shopping at a local store that always has really good deals, and i got this black and white sweater for 5.99, supperr steal! im wearing it with an oversized burgundy scarf.

Sorry for the bad picture quality.

Hope your fall is warm and exciting, i am going shopping for some leather riding boots now, wish me luck!
xoxo,
Tori

lets keep the party going all night long..

2011-10-05T14:06:00.001-04:00

so i was terribly bored in one of my classes yesterday, so i made an outfit list of things that i need for the fall/winter. let me know what you think :).

1) pleated shorts of a fun color, so i can wear black tights underneath, with flats and a blazer.

From LC for Kohls, $33

2) Laceless Oxfords

From Steve Madden $26

3) Pleated Chiffon skirt

LC for Kohls $26

All of these are affordable and stylish additions to any wardrobe, what are your staples for fall?
xoxo.

in real life i'm waking up to roses, champagne and kisses

2011-10-03T21:52:00.001-04:00

i need a pair of solid riding boots. Not the kind you ride a horse with either. The one's you walk around in to look like you just finished riding your really expensive horse, at your posh stable in the village.

super cute.

the collegiate life

2011-09-06T16:25:00.000-04:00

its hard work.

looks

2011-08-19T23:01:00.000-04:00

im putting a few looks together for when i go off to school, so i was browsing lookbook.nu and here is what i found for inspiration!

straight talk

2011-08-03T22:32:00.000-04:00

note* - this is completely unrelated to fashion, but when i read this i loved it and i think many people can identify with it, which is why i am sharing.

My sister showed me this blog post and i loved so much of it! first of all here it is: How to live a great love story - it is pretty much this guy going through a couple different steps on how he thinks guys and girls have failed in being too easy with their love, and then how he thinks women can attract a good guy, not just someone looking for a hookup.
and here are my favorite excerpts of it!

2. Make him work for it: When a guy is made to fight for a girl, he esteems her much more highly. She becomes more attractive in his eyes, and for that matter she becomes more attractive to other men, too. That said, most of the time this will backfire because lots of guys are just looking for cheap and slutty sex and for her to get lost afterward. Still, it’s your chance to weed them out. And believe me, girls, there are a lot of weeds.

4. Be willing to suffer: What this means for you is that your love story needs to have a lot of lonely crying in it. Believe it or not, there will come a day when a man will fall madly in love with you and you will have the honor of sitting down with him one special night to explain that, while you weren’t perfect, you turned down plenty of guys and and cried yourself to sleep hoping somebody would come around and treat you with respect. He will be honored by this, and he will love you and feel humbled. If he doesn’t have the same story, he will feel intensely convicted and unworthy. You’ll really be giving him the foundation he needs to love your heart.

6. Don’t be thirteen: Unless you’re thirteen, ladies, grow up. Many women claim that men just won’t grow up, but then you sit and talk to them and realize they haven’t grown up either. They aren’t strong enough to demand something more from their men. They aren’t strong enough to say no to a guy who just wants to use them. These are all elements of immaturity. And it’s the stuff of a bad love story. A good man will attract a good woman. And a victim will attract a predator. Stop acting like a victim. If you want a strong man who can protect you and your children, stop trolling for predators by crying all the time. Act like a dignified woman who believes her company is valuable and should come at a price.

preach it!

haha, i hope you enjoyed my post, even though it was off of my usual topic :).
xoxo, tori anne

j'adore

2011-07-31T16:11:00.003-04:00

(from: lookbook user - anna w.)

i cannot find something i dislike about this outfit.

je t'aime

tori anne

oh the red white and blue.

2011-07-29T19:15:00.002-04:00

i posted this on ootday, but i thought i would share this on smalltownchicc as well!

just a little "outfit of the day" post.

I recently found these shorts at the bottom of drawer and really wanted to wear them today. here's what I am wearing.

red shirt from Forever 21

nautical striped shorts from Ashley by 26 International

flowered ring from Forever 21

brown and blue boat shoes from Sebago

side note - I am addicted to this song my friend sent me, its Florence and the Machine and Kid Cudi remixxed together, je t'adore.

i hope your summer is singing

tori anne

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we were made for so much more

2011-07-28T16:09:00.000-04:00

Hey!

So my sister and I decided to make this blog updating everyday what we wear, and we called it OOTDay (go ahead, say it out loud, fun - right?) or Outfit Of The Day. Clever, I know. :). So i was just about to upload my first outfit on it and I thought I would share! Check it out, let us know what you think!

http://ootday.blogspot.com/

xoxo,

tori anne

smalltown adventures

2011-07-26T17:36:00.000-04:00

I know this is completely unrelated to fashion or beauty but i thought i would share my little adventure:

so in my little town there is a auction house down the road from me, there is always a ton of things for sale and the auction is every friday. Well this past sunday I was driving by it and I noticed that there was this chair just sitting out in the open near the dumpster, two days after the sale. So since I graduated high school, I'm able to put two and two together and figured out that the chair was destined for the trash, but this chair was too interesting to go to waste, so yes, i went dumpster diving. It was really exciting, and it was kind of addicting, don't make fun!

i know what your thinking - that chair is trash. I disagree.

so I am hopefully turning it into this:

kind of. I am ripping off the fabric and painting it all white with a blue patterned fabric to match my room.

I'll let you know how it goes!

xoxo

L.A. Candy

2011-07-25T20:49:00.001-04:00

A local bookstore is closing, so I went today and found a book I have been wanting forever! L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad - have you read it?

if you've read it, what do you think?

I'll let you know my thoughts on it when I'm done!

xoxo

in advance i apologize for how long this is, ill be back to short and sweet soon :)

2011-07-22T18:35:00.001-04:00

so last week i was in mexico with my church and it was an amazing experience (ill post pictures later)but as you can imagine, getting down there and back has required me to get to know a couple airports pretty well. Something I love to do in airports is to people watch, i feel like a creep at first, but i love imagining that i could potentially see david beckham or zac efron walk by and obviously the middle school girl inside of me goes on to fantasize that on my next flight my seat could be next to justin bieber, i know its not realistic - but let me dream!

anyways, back to reality - as i was people watching, i realized the fashion in airports is incredible! It can range from some shlup who just rolled out of bed (me!) to the girl with the jimmy choo's and chanel bag. I saw one outfit i just cant stop thinking about - it was couple who flew from puerto vallerta to houston with my group and I and i loved everything they had on - the following is a compilation of that.

this black romper with these shoes

(Prada suede & haircalf sandals - $890 at Saks)

by the way, i was going to take a picture, but that would have taken my "people watching" to a whole new creeper level. I just loved this couples outfit!

and this Chanel lambskin bag.

and finally the guys' outfit was much simplier

but it was a perfect compliment to her outfit.

one day..:)

i hope your summer is singing and beautiful!

tori anne

"What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” t.s. eliot

interview with FIDM student!

2011-06-13T12:49:00.001-04:00

Name: Anna Y.

Major: Merchandise Product Development major/student at The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in LA

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I was born in China but came to America when I was 2 years old. Spent my entire life here in LA. Often travel back to where I was born though :) Originally, I was going to study Psychology to become a family and marriage counselor but a week before graduation, FIDM came to my high school and I was blown away by the careers that I was never fond of. There, my interest for fashion took over and I immediately scheduled an interview and tour to FIDM. Went in for a tour and introduction of the school, my parents were more than supportive (which is very rare in the Asian culture), began my studies that summer after my high school graduation, Summer 2008. Immediately when I began going to college, I also took on interning because I knew that was very important in the fashion industry. I've been a dresser at fashion shows, assisted fashion show coordinators, photo shoots and more. My career began when I met fashion stylist Niki Shadrow and was offered a position as her assistant. With her I've styled celebrities on networks such as ABC, E!, VH1, MTV and more. I also work with Carrie Zack, a wedding event planner and with her I've managed many the planning for the big day and on the day of the wedding receptions and dinners.

How did I choose my major:

When I went into FIDM for my interview, they chose Visual Communications for me but because I felt that I didn't need help or be taught to be "creative", I wanted a more challenging major so I took on Merchandise Product Development. The difference between these two majors is that with VCOM, it's more creative and hands on where you make visual displays and arts and crafts. In PD, you are still in creative studying but you also learn to design and draw on the computer, tech packs, and a bit of marketing.

What is your ultimate career goal after graduating from FIDM?
Though I am most likely to end up as a celebrity stylist, in the wardrobe department for a t.v. show/network/company, or as a visual director at a fashion brand, I ultimately want to go back to what I've always wanted to do and that's to help others. Through fashion, I can, by making those who thought they never had style, find their individuality and creativity that they never knew existed. My dream is to have my own company that offers anyone who needs help with organizing their wardrobes, personal styling and shopping, etc..

Favorite designer(s):

Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Chloe, Diane Von Furtenburg, Dsquared, Elie Tahari, Rebecca Taylor, Stella McCartney, Madewell, Thakoon, and lots more but I will stop here :)

Trend, item, you're loving right now:

I'm very happy that the native and tribal trend is hot right now. I've always loved bright and bold colors a long with the prints and patterns. I use to always get called an indian when I wore such things in high school, haha :) An item I am loving right now would have to be my leather ZARA handbag. It's so simple but timeless. I love it!

What advice would you give to students looking to be accepted into FIDM?

You have to be a go-getter and a confident individual. If you aren't sure about being in the fashion industry, don't do it because trust me, you'll be saving yourself a lot of money. So many people decide to quit because they give up and believe me, you do not want to spend so much money on something you are not sure about. You have to handle rejection well because you will come across a lot of people who will tell you no or try to make you feel like you aren't good enough. You just have to be strong and passionate about what you want to do and work hard, work very hard, once you get in because juggling the school work and internships/work can get a bit overwhelming sometimes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to thank Anna so much for taking the time out of her day to do this! And if you want to check her out and what she is doing - stop over at her blog - http://www.annaversary.net/

xoxo smalltownchicc

I mean, you're so shy and I'm loving your tie, you know I really got a thing for American guys

2011-05-27T11:56:00.000-04:00

i looove nicki minaj's song super bass.

and i love the following styles for guys this summerr!!!

i am referring to this post as "man swag" guys can look fashionable yet still manly at the same time. dont believe the lie!

this one above is my favorite - i think guys feel like they can't go out on a limb and mess around with skinny jeans or messenger bags - but i think its hot when a guy has his own style, and actually cares about how he looks. Its manly, but not over the top.

who doesn't love a little beckham swag? i just love his style.

carpe diem,
xoxo anne.

i think its important to remember

2011-05-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

I think it is important to remember how short life is, and how important faith, family and love is. i know that is so cliche to say, but i am finding my self reminded of that especially this week, and in the coming weeks.
I am almost done with high school and i feel like it has just flown by. Yesterday i was in the car, and i was just thinking about how short life is and how people come and go out of your lives. I know i can get caught up in wanting to stay up on all the latest fashion and just being straight up selfish in the grand scheme of things. as i was driving i had like an 'aha' moment and i just wanted to share it with you:
they're just clothes. i know, your probably like, duh. but sometimes all i can think about is the next clothing item i can get for me, or the fad that will make me "happier".

I guess i just wanted to get out some of my thoughts, like how clothes and fashion magazines and shoes and bags, as soon as they catch on fire, they're gone. And as soon as we die, we're gone, its what we did in our lives that make a lasting difference, and what matter. its who we love, help, encourage, encounter, its all of those people. Not things.

“We say we waste time, but that is impossible. We waste ourselves.”

Alice Bloch

time is precious, people are precious, lives are precious. dont take advantage of that.

okay, ill get off my box now. i hope your having a good week, and i hope your doing something or helping someone that makes a lasting difference!
xoxo anne.

I mean my, my, my, my you're like pelican fly

2011-05-23T13:44:00.000-04:00

who doesn't love looking at all the awards show dresses? I love looking at the dresses that i could never dream to afford, and taking tips from the hair and the styles coming out that i can use for black tie events, or weddings i have this summer. The following photos are some of my favorites from this weekends Billboard Music Awards.

selena gomez - the usual, girl next door took things to a new level, and i love it! its a perfect summer dress.

rihanna - this simple Max Azria suit is so great.

for the next one - dont shoot me.

Justin Bieber - i actually really liked what he wore. It was clean and classy, but still fresh and had "swag". i know he didn't wear a dress so it doesn't really tie in, i just really liked it..what do you think?

then it got a little messy

Ke$ha aka Kesha Rose Sebert - i put her birthname in there to remind us all that she is human, and she makes mistakes. What in the world was she thinking? Props for matching all of the blues and grays, but thats where the good things stop, and it just turns ugly. Thoughts?

like all awards shows, there were many more failures, but i don't want to waste your or my time, but i hope you enjoyed the successes of last night, and can laugh with me at the failures!

xoxo smalltownchicc

you make beautiful things out of dust, you make beautiful things out of us.

2011-05-21T22:36:00.001-04:00

i was watching a hills episode earlier today, and lauren conrad met someone for lunch and she was wearing this :

red collared shirt with those wooden heels, and i am just so addicted to it! i love it! she tucked in the front of the shirt but left the back out, it was just a perfect, casual out - to - lunch outfit.

I also realized today how fashion forward the olsen twins are, and I know this is already a established fact, but i personally, have never bought the whole homeless look i always felt like they have had, but recently, i have really loved some of their looks.
Did you know their fashion line - the row - and various other fashion ventures including a line called Elizabeth and James, brings in 1 billion dollars?

oh! and have you seen darren criss recently? he is on Glee, and i love his style and his face! haha. this is a recent shoot he did with GQ on summer wedding styles.

i just love the plaid look with the suit, so casual yet chic!

i hope you had a wonderful spring day!

smalltownchicc

ohh and if you have a few spare moments, check out my friends blog - Keepin' it Classy

she has some really great things on there!

attainable

2011-05-20T11:36:00.001-04:00

inspire: a) to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative.
b) give rise to an action, feeling.

all of these photos contain outfits that i believe are very attainable, see what you think for yourself...

photo credit: lookbook.nu

recently i have been reading a book about how women and young girls get caught up in abusive relationships with men who turn into pimps, and then their struggle to leave the men they believe they love so much, its really goood.
check it out -->

stay classy,
smalltownchicc

sometimes blessings come through tears.

2011-05-19T17:32:00.003-04:00

i posted this originally on my other blog - Smalltownbeauty.blogspot.com but decided that this applied to smalltownchicc as well, so enjoy!

so i was in my local drugstore and i was getting my passport photos taken and i was rummaging through the clearance section and look what i saw:

as you can see it says it is from top Beverly Hills salons and fashion runways, how could i resist?!

yes that is pure sarcasm, what actually made me buy it was that it was only $2.49 so if it didn't work out i would not have wasted a lot of money on it. But i did it! and i love them! so here is step by step, how i did it.

step one: prep

prepare your nails by trimming the nails and pushing back the cuticles. Buff them lightly to remove the oily layer. Finally, file the edges to give a smooth and clean look.

step two: application

the kit came with the cheetah print foils you see above.

The applicator is to the far left, scissors, a file and then the foils.

1.) remove the punch-out piece from the backing film

2.)grasp the foil between your thumb and index finger, lay rounded edge against the cuticle.

3.) use the scissors to cut off excess.

4.) once the foil is in place, rub all of the areas of the nail firmly with the applicator and cuticle pusher. While smoothing nail foils onto your nails, you can stretch them to avoid creating an uneven surface.

5.) file off and cut off any remaining excess material in a gentle downward motion.

step three: making it stay

i use clear nail polish on the tips and around the edges first, then i brush a good amount over the entire nail, and i have had mine on for almost two days now, with no problem, so they seem to stick fairly well!

this was actually kind of fun doing, and i am keeping my eyes open for different kinds of foils that i can use!

stay classy,

smalltownchicc

oh mirror in the sky, what is love? [trend alert!]

2011-05-17T12:26:00.001-04:00

I adore glee's cover of Landslide check it out here - love it.

so a trend that i think is growing pretty fast, is feather hair extensions, not only have i seen numerous videos on them, and on celebrities, i actually talked to a girl at my school today who had some really cool ones in, and i was shocked that this trend had made it to my high school in the middle of corn fields! So i have decided to order some and do it! which ones would you suggest? Have you tried them? let me know! i am a beginner at this, so I will be documenting my journey!

I think i am going to do some thing similar to selena gomez's extensions, they blend really well with her color, and look natural.

love this.

i need suggestions on the best place to buy these, let me know!

oh! i forgot, but my spray tan turned out okay! i was still pretty pale on my face and upper body, but i was able to fill it in with a home spray tan kit that I have, so here is a picture of my prom.

black grecian draped dress, necklace from target, hair : side braid, loose chignon in back, to the side.

i know its plain in the scheme of all prom dresses, but i decided that i didnt want to regret the dress i wore, I am glad that when i look back in ten years i will still love this dress!

xoxo smalltownchicc

oh dear..

2011-05-11T13:09:00.000-04:00

I just got back from getting a spray tan for the first time (its super healthy compared to the alternative!) and it was terrifying!! oh. my. gosh. There were these three massive jets of the tan spray and i couldnt breathe. In one word - horrific. So i made the awful mistake of running out of the booth halfway through the spray! what was i thinking?!It takes 24 hours to set, and so now I am just waiting to see how bad the damage is, ill keep you updated! OH, and did i mention my prom is on saturday?
Do you have any suggestions? ever had a spray tan turn bad? Tell me about it!

In my effort to cover this potentially awful tan, I plan on on investing in a jumpsuit like this one nicole riche has

Because my legs are fine, but I am afraid what my shoulders and back will look like!

I'll keep you updated!

stay classy - even though my unfortunate tan is not even close to any scale of class!

Smalltownchicc