Unexpected & Maybe Awesome Guest Post Series: Brandilyn from Cats & Cardigans

<div _yuid="yui_3_1_1_2_131171226033463">Hey, Day in the Life-ers!  So excited to be hanging out with you here today.  I'm Brandilyn, and I blog over at <a href="http://catsandcardigans.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Cats & Cardigans</a> about my simple personal style and life as a recent college graduate and boutique owner.  So very nice to meet you!</div><div><br /></div><div>I've totally got something unexpected and maybe awesome to share with you today.  It's my <i>favorite</i> ways to make a modest skirt because, honestly, those guys are tricky to find.<br /></div><div>I started with a flowy tube top with elastic lined throughout the top, like this one from Forever 21:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/brandilyn89/top.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="640" src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/brandilyn89/top.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>(Please excuse my closed eyes. It was a bright day and this, sadly, was the best picture that came of that shoot) ...and I just yanked that bad boy down to my hips.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/brandilyn89/top2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/brandilyn89/top2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>BAM!  It's a skirt! I'll bet you totally didn't see that one coming, huh? </div><div><br /></div><div>I also think (and this is just a guess, because I have yet to join the ranks of stylish mommas everywhere) that this would be a comfy option for any pregnant ladies out there.  I can only imagine how uncomfortable that summer heat must be, and how nice a stretchy-banded skirt would feel on a growing tummy.  </div><div><br /></div>Now go have fun turning your tube tops into skirts!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>[Thanks, Brandilyn! This is sheer genius! I'm now on the shopping hunt for something I've never thought to look for before...the perfect tube top, slash, skirt. Everyone go check out (and follow, if you're not already) <a href="http://catsandcardigans.blogspot.com/" target="blank">her blog</a>!]</em></div>

Unexpected & Maybe Awesome Guest Post Series: Brandilyn from Cats & Cardigans

Hey, Day in the Life-ers!  So excited to be hanging out with you here today.  I'm Brandilyn, and I blog over at Cats & Cardigans ab...

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Unexpected & Maybe Awesome Guest Post: Elissa from Dress With Courage

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Hi all. I'm Elissa, and I blog over at<a href="http://www.dresswithcourage.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1311623425_0">Dress With Courage</span></a>. I was thrilled when Brittney asked me to guest blog about unexpected and totally awesome personal style. I blog a lot about dressing as you want to, not as you "should," and I was so flattered that Brittney thought of me for this series.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xAPk9dKy7vk1yy2Nm1MPF3E1cIHh4SDL7c0bVHTBvZoWFd1nrXkrnnchpsrQIq_dC2AhsC7wF7uSHKyA7tdOcvqRbDchUyT-jisLN4y-hczjjXF6jOmyNiCQCPWSzsn_nN-XRomLYAX4/s1600/Elissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xAPk9dKy7vk1yy2Nm1MPF3E1cIHh4SDL7c0bVHTBvZoWFd1nrXkrnnchpsrQIq_dC2AhsC7wF7uSHKyA7tdOcvqRbDchUyT-jisLN4y-hczjjXF6jOmyNiCQCPWSzsn_nN-XRomLYAX4/s640/Elissa.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Have you ever seen the TV show</span> <i style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Dharma and Greg</i><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">? It revolves around an extremely mismatched couple - quirky, free-spirited, yoga-teaching Dharma, and conservative, old-money, silver-spoon lawyer Greg. When my husband and I were dating, </span><i style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Dharma and Greg</i><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"> was one of the few shows we enjoyed watching together, primarily because we could relate to the lead characters so well. Like Dharma, I was eclectic and liberal. I came from a performing arts background and had wildly colored hair. My husband, meanwhile, was a young lawyer working at a midtown <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1311623425_1" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Manhattan</span> boutique law firm. He wore lots of Ralph Lauren, read Wine Spectator Magazine, and was president of his college's Young Republicans club.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">As our marriage has evolved, we've both somehow managed to retain our individuality. I've gotten tattooed, remain fiercely independent, and spend at least two days a week digging through the racks at the Goodwill. My husband, meanwhile, is employed at a large, extremely conservative insurance company, where he sports expensive cuff links and rep striped ties and enjoys conversations about residuary charitable bequests.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I met him for lunch at an upscale restaurant near his office, the kind of place visited by old-money Dallasites who wear couture purchased at <a href="http://www.stanleykorshak.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1311623425_2">Stanley Korchack</span></a> and own private yachts. Visiting a restaurant like this always causes a bit of a crisis concerning the need to dress appropriately, and my desire to remain true to myself. I am extremely hesitant to sacrifice my personal style in order to appease those around me. It has taken me a good long time to fully accept who I am, and embrace all the qualities that make me unique. That includes my proclivity towards vintage clothing, and my loud girlish laugh. I truly appreciate who I am, and am proud that I don't blend in with the crowd. Furthermore, due to my tattoos and red hair, I am undeniably noticeable and unique. I couldn't blend in if I tried. </span><i style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">And that's perfectly fine with me.</i><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;"> Life is too short to be anyone other than who I am.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Yves <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1311623425_3" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Saint Laurent</span> said, “Fashion fades but style is eternal.”  My personal style is here to stay. It is forever. I believe that too often women downplay their personal style because they are either too busy to refine it, lack the confidence to reflect it, or fall into the trap of dressing as they believe they're "supposed to." It isn't easy to be courageous and embrace who you are. You have to be brave and authentic, and take risks. That's what dressing with courage is all about. I realized years ago that I was never going to be the glamazon my mother wanted me to be, or the romantic woman dolled up in ruffles and lace. I am only comfortable dressing as me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">However, there are occasions where it becomes necessary to reign in my personal style in order to be respectful. Dressing respectfully often means "doing as the Romans do." In an establishment like the one I visited, that translates to subtle jewelry, covered shoulders and subdued make-up. I personally have no problem trading in my 1970's beaded sheer blouse for a simple crewneck sweater, if that's what the occasion merits. Furthermore, I understand that my value as an individual is not defined by what I do or do not wear. Just because I outfit myself in long-sleeves and simpler styles does not mean that I have abandoned my own beliefs to take on that of those surrounding me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Respecting other people's beliefs does not mean you have to give up your own. It also does not change who you are.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>[Thanks for this fabulous, insightful, and totally honest post, Elissa! You're one of my favorite Unexpected and Maybe Awesome style bloggers. Everyone, you should head over and check out (and follow, if you're not already) <a href="http://dresswithcourage-elissa.blogspot.com/" target="blank">her blog</a>! Seriously. I'm always inspired by Elissa's style and/or food-for-thought posting.]</em></div>

Unexpected & Maybe Awesome Guest Post: Elissa from Dress With Courage

Hi all. I'm Elissa, and I blog over at Dress With Courage . I was thrilled when Brittney asked me to guest blog about unexpected and to...

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Luke, I'm not your father.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby3iL4-W-d60Y6ggxRpmcjhm_zgS30Hn3ffEiIyEUpICj6DjfXgJaPnwIWCeap0RfQd2NIpCerYOF7k6dUuvT2L_J0SIluHKCYua-UyyEAmODudEzOV6tqcUKZAah1au8QSH7JM06S1S0/s1600/J2britt4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby3iL4-W-d60Y6ggxRpmcjhm_zgS30Hn3ffEiIyEUpICj6DjfXgJaPnwIWCeap0RfQd2NIpCerYOF7k6dUuvT2L_J0SIluHKCYua-UyyEAmODudEzOV6tqcUKZAah1au8QSH7JM06S1S0/s640/J2britt4.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: steve madden. cutoffs: express. undershirt: downeast basics. shirt: american eagle. bracelet: forever21.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL0vgIkLC-onHoWU5HZxBVZztd-zIzJNjT3aX7bUf0ZxXxh6uf6HlsJuyOywuCCLW5U0p_AC70nEnsp4ohqA8rilxR6RP39gUHH8RysLqjkztcaQPtT_tc1NfbfjFEpdX1qN1P09rPt9S/s1600/J2britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL0vgIkLC-onHoWU5HZxBVZztd-zIzJNjT3aX7bUf0ZxXxh6uf6HlsJuyOywuCCLW5U0p_AC70nEnsp4ohqA8rilxR6RP39gUHH8RysLqjkztcaQPtT_tc1NfbfjFEpdX1qN1P09rPt9S/s640/J2britt1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXBz-5GGpZX239e07qSZMfDnN01HaT0s-oh5e98STBXVjQ3ITSko6oiyZ12z6PjQAbHDMv_c1rReIamC9PhrjYe5g0aUqhBdIfXpNTUpBjlQl30ddYc9mBj6nalgmGCXehfAShzdXPIxT/s1600/J2britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXBz-5GGpZX239e07qSZMfDnN01HaT0s-oh5e98STBXVjQ3ITSko6oiyZ12z6PjQAbHDMv_c1rReIamC9PhrjYe5g0aUqhBdIfXpNTUpBjlQl30ddYc9mBj6nalgmGCXehfAShzdXPIxT/s640/J2britt3.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xJAAF25SUZdszt1KEDAezjuV12kHV09kSEH9OYqCdFwAIqPVFYprd77GtV04t7I7Rqy_9RmHTMklRHClrDS2rNUtYOaBTfGe_frPKb-17XuOv0ibyaYiOGZa0a7ah1X72X8e_OM1-B50/s1600/J2britt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xJAAF25SUZdszt1KEDAezjuV12kHV09kSEH9OYqCdFwAIqPVFYprd77GtV04t7I7Rqy_9RmHTMklRHClrDS2rNUtYOaBTfGe_frPKb-17XuOv0ibyaYiOGZa0a7ah1X72X8e_OM1-B50/s640/J2britt2.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Jumping-off point for this ensemble was the fact that I'd shaved my legs. Plus it was hot. Got ourselves a two-fer in the Why I Will Wear Shorts Today department. The only protest, as far as I could tell, is the fact that my legs are a pale shade of white that hovers uncomfortably between "ghost" and "dead."</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">To which protestations I say: Bring on the death march then. And also fame, because I'm pretty sure my legs inspired the pasty makeup job of Darth Vadar's mask-removed face near the end of Return of the Jedi. Which, in my humble opinion, was and remains the best Star Wars movie of them all. Mostly because the ewoks are cute. And Jabba the Hut is can't-look-away revolting.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I sound like a Trekkie, don't I. Er, not a "trekkie," actually, but rather I sound like whatever the name would be for the Star Wars version of an obsessed fanatic. I'm really not, and the fact that I have no intergalactic name for myself, or accompanying powers, proves it.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">And, although I may or may not use the quote, "Do or do not; there is no try" on a weekly basis in casual conversation, I can safely assure you that it's almost always in reference to my hearty consumption of entire bags of pnut m&ms...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Monday.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Click below for similar...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3536223&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Forever-21#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">More Forever 21...</span></a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></span></a></div></div></div></div>

Luke, I'm not your father.

  shoes: steve madden. cutoffs: express. undershirt: downeast basics. shirt: american eagle. bracelet: forever21. Jumping-off point for this...

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