It's Time To Step It Up A Notch

I have a lot to talk about today, so if you are just here for the pics…skip to the end.

I want to start by mentioning a great project by some of the ladies in our community.

Basse Mode is a project to create a magazine focusing on what the creators are calling “low fashion”. I’m very excited about the concept. I cannot tell you how many times I have asked Nathan why there are no magazines that focuses on shopping and fashion for the middle class. I can’t afford 99% of the things in fashion magazines. Lucky, when they started, used to be much better about incorporating some affordable fashion, but I actually opted not to renew my subscription this year as more and more it was only focusing on high end pieces. Look, high end pieces are great. And they have their place. I enjoy reading about them and I aspire to be able to own some one day. But that’s not the reality for me now. Nor is it the reality for most of you. Here is a snippet from Basse Mode’s site:

“Basse Mode is a magazine built for normal everyday women. We know that the feeling of flicking through a glossy magazine can’t be beaten. However, all the magazines feature the same thing – unwearable looks, unaffordable clothes, and an emphasis on being and looking the same as one another. We want to condense all the brilliance that the fashion blogging world has to offer into something that we can put on the coffee table. That we can show off on the coffee table. A beautiful documentation of what real women wear, what real people think, and things that actually affect our lives. Nothing like this has ever been done before, but we think it could be brilliant.”

Pop over and take a look. Seriously consider signing up to contribute. I already have. I’ve got a link over in the side bar below my followers, and you can get that badge over at Basse Mode. If you believe in the project, I encourage you to get involved, and post the badge on your site.

I also want to talk a little bit about “Stay Fabulous or Get Slapped Friday”. There are not a lot of rules, OK? But there are a couple.

1. No slapping someone who has made an effort. Not everyone can be as naturally stylish as you.

2. I’m going to go ahead and state that slapping people at work or school is probably a bad idea. If you get into trouble, do not blame me.

3. Remember that the whole thing is just for fun. No hurting people. Faces or feelings. (Unless they have those sweatpants on that have something written across the bum, and then look, I totally understand. You can’t be expected not to over react to something like that. Especially if they are also wearing Uggs *shudder*.)

Guess what? It’s only Thursday and I’m already fabulous.



This is a Wal-Mart $14 dolla dress, just like the Chambray dress that you all loved so much last week, but different. I am feelin' just a little bit of pressure today in fact, because you guys loved that look so much.



This time, I just embraced the inherent country look of the dress and ran with it. I added the moto jacket to keep it true to my own style. I honestly don’t think I have much I can’t add a moto jacket of some sort to.



Even without the jacket though, the style of the boots keeps it from being too costume-y. I just love the cut on these dresses and feel it’s so flattering. It also came in a red plaid, and maybe blue plaid, but I find I do best with solids and black and white. I love a black and white print or pattern.



The belt was actually Nathan’s tweak. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go with a vintage western belt of a plain brown belt. I had the dress laid out with a plain belt, and Nathan said “Why not wear a western belt?” and that clenched it for me. Then we had a look through his collection of buckles for the perfect one. I knew which one I wanted all along of course!~ Texas!



And to stay with the theme, a bat skull and a bullet on a chain.



I know I’ve preached this before, but if you don’t have a set of needle nose pliers, a bag of cheapie jump rings and some cheap chain…get some. It opens up a world of possibilities. On longer lengths of chain when I don’t even bother to add a clasp, since I know I’m only customizing the piece for one or two wears and then I will change it again.

Jacket, Alexander McQueen for Target
Dress, Wal-Mart (P.S. it's only $10 right now!)
Tights, Old Navy
Boots, Target
Belt, vintage
Buckle, vintage
Bag, Lucky “Stash” bag