One Love

I'm a huge fan of statement tees because they add a little sass to an otherwise straightforward outfit, but they can also broadcast a good message if you're willing to showcase your beliefs on your chest. 

Anyone who knows me knows I am one thousand percent supportive of human rights. I believe that it doesn't matter who you are, who you love or what you believe in, a person is still a person no matter what and should be treated as such. I hope that one day gay marriage will be as common and accepted as interracial marriage and that another day not too far behind, they will both just be called 'marriages', without a need to specify who. That's why I was psyched when I found this American Apparel tank at Buffalo Exchange this week while probing the thrift scene.

My favorite thing about this shirt is the fact that it was originally sold at American Apparel. This casual clothing company has been around since 1989 when it was created by Dov Charney, a t-shirt specialist and an American culture aficionado. Now, the vender has since won "Retailer of the Year"at the 15th Annual Michael Awards for the Fashion Industry along with many other prestigious awards, and continues to be one of the fastest growing companies in the world. Not to mention that the company's target (young adults) is infatuated with the company because of the status AA has created for themselves. Companies like AA delivering social messages through their products (gay rights, immigration reform) tell teenagers who have not yet made up their minds about hot button issues that it's cool to support them. Status in the fashion world is HUGE and gives so much power to the people who hold it. I only wish more companies would use their influence like American Apparel does to help convince more people of what they, as humans, should be standing for. We're all here for the same reason, why make it harder for someone else on your team?

necklace: claire's

pants: bebe @ buffalo exchange

denim shirt: american eagle outfitters

sneakers: no name

hat: scoutmob.com

Easily paired casually or a little more sophisticated, this shirt is sure to make a pop not only with the words printed on it but also with the bright color of it.

shirt: reckless @ pac sun

shorts: sans soucy @ marshall's

boots: sm @ sear's

tights: t.j.maxx

bandana: michael's

Take the extra step of support and throw on a pair of heart printed leggings or tights to drive home the message of honest love.

skirt: forever xxi

cardigan: piazzitalia

moccasins: target

Express yourselves and your beliefs and think before you speak. You may not be able to change the world (or the government) but having an opinion matters. If your opinion is against someone's rights as a human, you're entitled to that, but reconsider before calling something 'gay' because you don't like it. If 'straight' were used a negative connotation, you wouldn't be too happy, so don't rain on someone else's parade just because they were born different from you. And for all you supporters out there, even if you just buy a t-shirt that says 'legalize gay' or get more educated on how far gay rights have come, it matters. Keep learning, and teach others around you about what they might not know. When it comes down to it, we're all in this together and I can't wait for the day that everyone realizes it.

- nali xo

Green With Envy

Let's make sure colored shoes become a huge thing this fall, so much of a thing that wearing black or brown shoes will be scarce. There's nothing quite like preparing a whole outfit around a pair of kickass shoes and it's much easier to do when the shoes are making a statement through color. Simply find a color that matches or contrasts with the shoes and build your outfit from the ground up. Here are this week's #shoesdaytuesday pick.

Winter is quickly approaching, especially with these rapidly dropping temperatures and when I say winter, I mean boot season. Boots and booties go together with winter better than your favorite TV couple. These Free Lance booties are like chameleons, easily blending with any style outfit you feel describes you that day. Check out what Monica was feeling like being

shirt: marshall's

army button down: pac sun

leggings: burlington coat factory

headband: forever xxi

Casual outfit + awesome pair of bootie heels = tres magnifique! Subtle yet sophisticated; perfect mixture.

Colored heels doesn't mean you have to match colors of your outfit exactly to them. Be creative and as always, don't be afraid to mix patterns.

shirt: delia's

cardigan: audrey & grace

pants: tinsletown @ marshall's

necklace: buffalo exchange

headwrap: urban outfitters

Dressy heels with dressy clothes is, of course, always an option as well. An unstructured blazer with striped skinny jeans is sophisticated and comfortable.

pants: target

blazer: olive & oak

shirt: old navy

necklace: flea market find

Grab yourself some olive shoes today and you're sure to find everyone around you green with envy (;

- nali xo

Check Your Calendars

TOMORROW'S HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!

In case anyone didn't already know. Tomorrow is Halloween. I can't wait to see who everyone decides to be tomorrow night and who will be in a visible identity crisis. Follow me on instagram @ goodbetterdressed because on November 1 I'll be posting pictures of my favorite costumes I saw on the internet and in the outernet. My final Halloween themed inspiration of the week for this year is today (tear) so I decided to go out with a bang. Or should I say, out with a two-step. 

I've created the quick-fix recipe to the 80's style dance/workout girl that has proven to be a Halloween hit over the years. It's ridiculous to pay $30+ at the party store when you could put together an identical uniform for free. 

Ingredients:

1 pair of brightly colored leggings/ tights. I know you've all been to at least one neon party (a sweet sixteen probably). Pull those babies out of the back of the drawer.

1 vintage authentic workout leotard (if your mom was cool enough to have one like mine) 

Leotard may be substituted with solid colored full body bathing suit

2 leg warmers (any color)

1 off the shoulder sweatshirt (bonus points if it has a vintage logo/movie on it)

2 sneakers (high-top, low-top, sparkly, patterned, whatever you want)

No baking necessary for heat!

sweatshirt: forever xxi

leotard:  vintage

leggings: target

leg warmers: wet seal

sneakers: pom d'api

If you're feeling daring, why not try out the gym in these duds? 

Because not every trend from the 80s should come back, that's why not.

Happy Halloween-ing everyone! Have a safe and wonderful day/night, however you choose to spend All Hallows Eve.

- nali xo

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

The clock is ticking away and in less than three days we'll all (hopefully) be dressing up for Halloween! I have a last minute Halloween week #manicuremonday for you all to use or be inspired by!

You can do the candy corn nails, or the new 'bloody' trend, OR you can come up with something completely original drawn by your own hand. The nail art pen I've used for manis in past posts is great for any kind of design, as opposed to previously made decals that can't be changed. I drew up a classic creepy style for Halloween week: graveyard theme. 

One hand covered in cobwebs, the other reads R.I.P. Personalize this idea yourself, the spookier when the lights turn off the better. 

What better way to match graveyard nails than to pair a cobweb look alike sweater with neutral 'tomb color' tones? Here's my fall weather approved/tombstone inspired/manicure Monday outfit.

This time of year leg warmers are obviously a must.

button up: american eagle (mens)

sweater: guess

jeans: my pretty denim by cache cache

necklace: ralph lauren @ buffalo exchange

leg warmers: wet seal

shoes: candie's @ kohl's

Giant, shapeless sweaters may leave you stumped as to how to wear them. Instead of just layering the same white tank top underneath why not try a patterned button-up or a flannel next time you cozy into the knit holes.

"Are wild strawberries really wild? I will not be blamed if your wild strawberries can not be tamed."

- Shel Silverstein


Attempts to find a Halloween costume still fruitless? Orange you cutting it kind of close? Lucky for you I've matched up the perfect pear to ensure your costume is peachy.

Have you had it with the bad puns yet? I for one am just getting started (;

If you're really struggling this year to come up with a simple and creative Halloween costume, have no fear, I've got one a-peel-ing fix to open the door to a million new ideas: the tutu.

Pick any color, your favorite color, a color that makes you happy, a color that makes you sad, any kind of connection will work grape. Now, google said color and see what kind of random objects come up. Kinds of signs, flowers, candy, or fruits and vegetables. You're half way to a sublime costume. Once you have your color and your tutu of that color, just accessorize accordingly. I chose to go with the classic strawberry. Here is the fruit of my labors:

tutu: claire's, party stores, amazon

shirt: h&m

tights: forever xxi

boots: target

bandana: a.c.moore/michael's

Some kind of red shirt and tights with a green bandana ensures you'll have the sweetest costume anywhere you go this year! (Ok I'll cut it out with the bad puns) And if you want to take this costume a step further, why not go for the wild strawberry look? Tease your hair, put on crazy makeup and rip your tights. It's inventive and cute, what else could you need? 

Orange you glad I gave you this idea???

- nali xo

Every week's the same

We can all try to deny it, but laziness is in human nature. Even the most ambitious of people procrastinate and become trifling sometimes. My own personal downfall of laziness is dressing myself during a long week of school. My intentions are always good, but by the end of the week, negligence gets the best of me. I've created a #shoesdaytuesday timeline with a week of shoes, depicting the rise and fall of my urge to impress via my feet. Lucky for you guys you get to see what I see and think every day from my not-so-tall point of view. (hold your applause) Try to read these thoughts as if they were your own, will you?

MONDAY:

booties: jennifer lopez @ kohl's

leggings: just one @ marshall's

"I'm excited for the week. I know this week is gonna be different from last week. I'm gonna get dressed up really cute every day and put a lot of thought into what I'm wearing. It's gonna be great!"

TUESDAY:

boots: alma en pena

tights: forever xxi

shorts: urban outfitters

"Still putting in the effort. These boots are cute and my outfit isn't too casual... I'm doing pretty good this week."

WEDNESDAY:

moccasin booties: target

leather pants: target

"My feet hurt and it's cold out and I think it's raining and if it isn't then there are leaves everywhere I don't feel like wearing heels and these are still cute too ok"

THURSDAY:

sneakers: pom d'api

pants: bdg @ urban outfitters

"Is it Friday yet?"

FRIDAY:

booties: free lance

jumper: cache cache fr

"OMG I'm so excited it's Friday yay yay yay I have to get all dressed up so I'm motivated for the rest of the day I have a great weekend ahead of me oMG"

SATURDAY:

heels: free lance
leggings: pink @victoria's secret
sweater:   liz claiborne @ savers

 "The club can't even handle me right now"

And then the cycle starts all over again. If you don't consciously do it, pay attention to the way you dress yourself this week and I'm 73% sure you do it too. Or you will now once you've read this. May all your days be Mondays. (;

- nali xo

Someone's always watching....

Ever wish you could have an extra set eyes on the back of your head? This #manicuremonday I have found you a fix for that. With Halloween just around the corner I bet you're looking for something spooky to adorn. Even if you aren't, you've come to the right place for Halloween-ready unearthly nails. 

Don't limit yourself to decals and decorations made specifically for nails. Think outside the box and try a craft store for nail enhancement. I've finally come up with the best way to dress up your nails, Halloween style, have the most creative nails at the costume party and freak out your friends all with one style.

Two words: googly eyes (although I'm not sure if that counts as two words because I'm not sure if googly is actually a word. oh well)

Eyeballs are this season's perfect charm, didn't you hear? Black and white nails can go with any costume, especially the scary ones, and no one else will have thought of this inventive ornament. If you're looking to match it with something other than a Halloween costume, black and white all over works fine,  but I took it to the next level and played with an eye theme.

sweater: forever xxi

shorts: h&m @ buffalo exchange

tights: urban outfitters

necklace: claire's

sneaks: converse

Think outside the box this Halloween and every day. Manicures are the easiest and most fun way to express and decorate yourself. Paint responsibly.

The past is so bright, we need shades

A very happy #flashbackfriday to all you beautiful people out there. The sun is shining, the air is warm and there's only one thing keeping you from having a perfect day: new shades. I say "new" but what I really mean is old masquerading as new. You see, my little darlings, almost every trend pasted on the pages of magazines or on billboards in New York City have been inspired by or redeveloped from trends that were huge decades ago. We are not responsible for coming up with anything from scratch because everything we think of is unconscious inspiration from something or someone else. 

One of these fabulous trends taken specifically from the 60's is the art of the sunglass. Sunglasses, like the people who wear them, come in all shapes and sizes and the more diverse the shape, the cooler the shades. Before you pick up those cat eye frames and anoint yourself a trend setter, take a minute and remember all the trailblazers who did it first. 

Style #1: The cat eye

You don't have to be a die hard Tiffany's fan to recognize this image. Miss Audrey should have been a spokeswoman for the cat eyes, she wore them so much, and she wore them well.

Although patterns are less simple and shapes can change subtly or not-so-subtly, the style is the same and they're flying off sunglass racks everywhere. Here are some modern examples of the cat eye frame.

Basic frame, wild pattern. (asos.com)

Sharper edges, grungier feel. (forever xxi)

Inventive design, oompa loompa imagery (in a good way) (nastygal.com)

A little color never hurt anyone, the minimalistic frame and naked underwire give a whole new look to a classic style. (nastygal.com)

Style #2: Circle glasses

                   

 The man, the myth, the Lennon. Another iconic image. This incredible man is remembered for many things, one being this look he created for himself with simple geometric shapes over his eyes. I personally think only John can pull off this exact model and lucky for me this is another frame that has been modified since it became popular. 

Peace, love, pearls. That was what Lennon said right? (nasty gal.com)

Surprisingly modern retro look. Round and somehow still cat eye-esque. (nastygal.com)

Widescreen view anyone? (nasty gal.com)

Classic and chic. The thin plastic rims surprisingly add a lot to a simple frame. (urban outfitters)

Cool kids only double bar tie dye frames. (nastygal.com)

Style #3: Square

The lovely Lesley "Twiggy" Hornby has been and will always be remembered for her teeny physique and huge sense of style. Such large glasses on such a little person is a perfect way to make a statement. You've probably never seen glasses quite as unique as these but the square shape remains in fashion in ways you may not even realize. 

This pair would probably suit Twiggy if she were still modeling now due to the twiglike characteristics of the frame. (asos.com)

A bit more chunky with pink lenses. (asos.com)

This square frame take on a cat eyed approach near the ears and give a combat feel with strong gold lines subtly running down the sides. These glasses mean war. (mango.com)

For the truly daring: this style has an out of this world, astronomical feel to them. Use with caution and for your safety do not take out of this galaxy. (yesstyle.com)

All the frames I posted today were under $50 on the websites and stores I found them from. High fashion doesn't necessarily have to mean high prices! Go fit your face today 

- nali xo