Top 5 fashion Rules

I read an article on Thought Catalog the other day, called the 5 Fashion Rules You'll Ever Need to Know. While I thought some of them were accurate, most weren't super applicable to me, and it got me thinking about what I would consider my top 5 fashion rules!
So here goes:

Number 1: Fit Over Fashion
A flattering fit always reins supreme over a fashionable item. I went into a Target the other day and tried on maybe 5 pairs of the same bright teal skinny jeans in various sizes. Each one of them fit wrong in some area and just generally whaled me out. So guess what? Even though colored jeans are the 'trend' and I reallyreallyreally wanted them, I put them back! The most fashionable trend in the world will still look horrendous on you if the fit is wrong. This is a big one for me, because for yeeaarrs I would ignore this rule and feel uncomfortable and waste tons of money on things I would only wear once.

Number 2: Trend Within Reason
This is along the same lines. Trends are fun. Trust me, I've been through my fair share of them. Some of them stick, like fitted jeans, polka dots, flats. I chose to follow these because I feel they are flattering on my body type, not just to fit in! But the highwaisted denim shorts, crop tops, and religiously satirical jewelry trends are just not for me and that's okay :) Find what you like the best and carve out your own style instead of being pulled every which way by the current trends and pinterest boards! 

Number 3: Recycle and Restyle
This is probably the rule I follow the very least. I love getting new things and amping up my wardrobe when it's financially viable, but something I've noticed a lot of bloggers do that I really admire is to recycle and restyle staple pieces to get new, interesting, and affordable outfits! By just putting in a little bit more effort and creativity, you can save some cash, and still feel fresh and great every day. A fantastic post on this is this one by Delightfully Tacky. She's just the best at layering, pattern mixing, and wardrobe remixing! (Plus she's beautiful, sweet, and hers was very first blog I ever began following!)

Number 4: Know thyself.
The biggest rule I follow on a day to day basis, is just to be myself. I know what I like, what looks good on my body type, and what image I want to portray when I get dressed in the morning. Knowing who you are and what you want to exude is a pretty huge part of your personal style and one that I think gets overlooked too often. If that hi-low dress in navajo print is just not you, then guess what? You don't have to wear it. You don't have to try to make it work with your style if it just doesn't fit! I'm all about expanding and trying new things, but if you try them and just get a wonky vibe about it, or feel you aren't being true to yourself when you're wearing it, then do yourself and your personal identity a favor and put it back on the rack!

Personally, I like clothing with a little edge, a little weird, and a little retro. Combine those and I'm in heaven. Sweet dresses, leather jackets, bright clogs, statement jewelry. I'm not a huge fan of clothing that's too clingy, too bright, or too trendy.

But at the end of the day, clothing ain't no thang, it's the smile and heart behind it that matters and that's the most important 'rule' to remember. We're people, beautiful people, and all deserve equal respect no matter our appearance.

Have a beautiful day.

All the best,

Grace Elizabeth.

Wu is Me

In the midst of the Jason Wu for Target craze, or Wunami if you will, I saw this gorgeous and slightly weird dress hanging. I ran up and it was my size, the last one. I immediately purchased it of course, but once I got home and tried it on I realized it was not super flattering on my short and stubby with boyish hair frame. 

But alas, a slave to fashion, I tried every combination of belts and tights and shoes until I found this one. Still slightly conjures images of bowling shirts and cowboys, but I kind of like its weirdness :)

And at the end of the day, whatevs.

Hope you've been well, awesome lovely readers of this blog.

I'd love to hear from you, if you have time.

All the best,

Grace Elizabeth.

Luhvely

I've been thinking alot lately about what defines us as people. I think a lot of us attempt to get our self-worth from what the people around us think or feel about our lives- the way we dress, how clean our house is, how often we attend church.

My entire life, I've alwaysalwaysalways felt good when people felt good about me and felt bad when people felt bad about me, and I've never given it a second thought. After graduating though, and moving on to get married and carve our own lives out for ourselves, it's made me very anxious and overthink-y whenever I see someone from Highschool. I'm sure a lot of people feel this way too! Especially in this day and age of social media,  it gets so awkward to see an old acquaintance in real life because we feel like we have to prove how well we're doing and show them how much we've improved and progressed. I get this gross fake persona happening and I totally hate it.

Similar to this lady.
(If you've seen Adventure Time, read what she's saying in LSP's voice, baha.)

I really enjoy who me and Calvin are when it's me and Calvin. I feel crazy content when it's just us sitting around being with each other, I never feel any need for anything. I have all of the attention and friendship and comradery that I need. In this blog too! I feel like I really get a chance to represent accurately who we are here. It's only when you try to mix other people in that have preconcieved ideas of who I am that I get all weird and self concious and defensive. I need to relax! I'm really working on shutting down that part of my personality that get's all hyperanxious to prove anything to anyone. We're good people, we're happy, but we are not perfect and that's okay!

Because Calvin and I 'took a risk' by getting married so young, against the advice of some friends and most of society, I feel like we really need to prove to everyone that it was a good decision, the best decision in fact, and that we're thriving and growing and are going to make it. But you know what? I know we're going to make it, and Calvin knows we're going to make it and I really need to recognize that is enough. My God's opinion matters, my husband's opinion matters. Above and beyond that, any negativity or judgement forced on us by strangers or even friends and family is going to be pushed by the wayside. It puts a ton of pressure on my shoulders always trying to look and act perfect all the time, when we're not perfect at all. We fight sometimes. We bicker about oranges and sock colors and a million other irrelevent little issues but at the end of the day our love is unceasing and that is all that matters. The health of our love is one of our biggest priorities, and we are fighters and we will make it on this Earth and what lies beyond, and that is that :)

credit.

If you are someone who also struggles with this, I want you to know that worry gets you nowhere. You can actually look pretty lame, always trying to look great and wonderful and like we're not all falling apart because we are and that's okay. It also makes other really great people feel like crap, when you try so hard to make everyone believe you're flawless. This world is not meant for us to be perfect, that part comes later. Right now, we are deeply flawed. Fake personas and appearences are a vicious cycle, and I plan to keep them out of my own life. I hope you aim to join me when you feel ready.

Have a beautiful day.