Too Cool For School

Khakis, ties and knee socks.  Anyone who ever attended catholic/private school knows the struggle of not being allowed to wear a jacket in school on the coldest day of the year because it didn't have the school name on it, or going berserk whenever a tag day was announced for the following school day. This is the life of a schoolboy/girl restricted from proper self expression, and it is a grievous one. Talk about a horrible flashback. However, I've noticed recently that high waisted plaid skirts are coming back in style from when they were cool for 5 year olds on Christmas Eve. And what do you know, I've got about 4 of them still hanging in my closet because I was forced to wear one every day for 12 years of my life. There probably won't be a better feeling for anyone in the same situation as me than to vandalize their uniform in the best way they can: accessorizing to the point you'd have year long detention for uniform exploitation. Here are the least uniform-like combinations I could come up with.

If you're into the school girl theme, try some over-the-knee socks to jump the idea of regular knee socks with a plaid skirt to the next level. A pop of color not already included in the plaid design also gains bonus points!

P.S. blouses don't always have to be worn as blouses... as long as they aren't fitted they can moonlight as a satin-y cardigan

shirt: forever xxi

blouse: burlington coat factory

necklaces: claire's

socks: target

sneakers: no name

(Shielding her eyes to my past)

For a grungier look

jacket: pac sun

shirt: buffalo exchange

necklace: kohl's

boots: free lance

And for the prep in us all

sweater: forever xxi

bracelets: forever xxi

tights: scarf:

boots: flea market steal

Stick it to that dress code you probably never got along with and prove that the worth of this skirt is so much more like this than it ever was with a polo or button down tucked into it. 

- nali xo

Forever Young

In honor of my blog officially being alive and kicking for one whole month (woooohooo) I decided to give you all at treat and let you feast your eyes on a small fashionista in the making. Luckily for me, when I was just a wee tot my mom was smart enough to put me in clothes that actually looked good and weren't just good for a laugh 15 years later. Low and behold after those 15 years have passed the only noticeable change in my appearance is a very slight change in height. This #flashbackfriday goes out to mama rucci and how she planted the seed 19 years, 11 months and 8 days ago and how actually cute I was. 
p.s. I'm very aware I'm much less cute now but give me a break this was a good idea at the time. Also please forgive the quality of my pictures but cameras back then were nowhere near the technology of our phones these days 

circa Halloween '97... look at them curls!

^^ Those two pictures were taken in the same place believe it or not. I don't think the fence has been changed or replaced at all to be honest

sweater: vintage

pants: abercrombie and fitch

sneaks: no name

hat: pacsun

Memory number 2: August of '98

Once a flower child, always a flower child. Sorry for the nip slip

tank: abercrombie and fitch

jeans: flea market find with diy rips :)

belt: forever xxi

headwrap: urban outfitters

boots: target

Memory numero tres: no idea when this was taken I'm sorry I look like a demon

so many patterns, so little time

sweater: united colors of benetton (vintage)

jeans: one heart @ marshall's

shoes: steven madden @ marshall's

necklace: ralph lauren 2 buffalo exchange

I'd like to thank you all for taking this little journey with me. Exits are found in the front and rear of the blog, please remember to take all your belongings when you leave cause we don't want em.

- nali xo

"I... am a Star"

"You might laugh because every time I sign my name I put a gold star after it, but it's a metaphor. And metaphors are important. My gold stars are a metaphor. For me. Being a star."

Who remembers the days when Rachel Berry from Glee was geeky and defensive, strong-willed and argumentative? Since the beginning of the series, it is clear that as Rachel's character grows and develops, so does her ability to dress herself fashionably. Where plaid and tweed patterns used to adorn her, now are replaced by leather and tighter fitting clothing. Don't get me wrong, Lea Michele and Rachel Berry are both smoke  shows, but I'm flashing back this Friday to season one to appreciate the underrated art form that is 'original Rachel Berry'.

 Here are a few refreshers for all the folks at home who can't remember what this diva used to dress like. Notice the argyle and other preppy patterns.

And here is a lovely timeline of how the style has grown and how much yellow Rachel used to wear.

 After many hours spent tearing apart mine and my mother's closets searching for hideous prints in the hopes of making them desirable, I present to you my own interpretation of vintage Rachel Berry.

vest: daily habit (vintage)

pants: bdg @ urban outfitters

tank: aeropostale

boots: sm @ sears

Although it may not look like it, this checkered vest has a rocker/grunge feel to it when it's hanging loose unbuttoned. 

tank: hollister co

sweater: marshall's

skirt: j.g.hook (vintage)

shoes: forever xxi

A huge Rachel trademark was plaid skirts with knee socks and flats. I chose to stray away from the socks so it doesn't seem like I'm advising any of you to go back to your schoolgirl days.

shirt: piazzitalia

collar: forever xxi

vest: dakota blues

shorts: h&m @ buffalo exchange

shoes: sm @ sears

This outfit is a blend between old and new Rachel. Only old Rachel would wear argyle socks but I used them in this punk-y outfit as leg warmers with combat boots and leather shorts.

Although adopting Lea Michele's character's outfits doesn't include her voice as a package deal, it's safe to say she rocked it and so can you.

- nali xo 

TGIF

Congratulations to each and every one of you for making it through another week.. it's Friday!!! And according to instagram, it's also #flashbackfriday

If I could've chosen any other era to live in besides the one I do I would 1000% choose the 80s. The music, the rebellious teenage years and most of all, the fashion. One of my favorite trends from the 80s was the leather trend. As always, trends change and then revert back and leather is one of those trends that has come back in our fashion circulation.

Some of the biggest fashion icons of the 80s were team leather. It's so funny to see how much one specific style can change so much over the course of 30 years. Here's my tribute to current day leather

tank: miley cyrus & max azria @ walmart

sweater: forever xxi

shorts: divided @ buffalo exchange

sneakers: converse

 jacket: young and reckless @ pac sun
shirt: forever xxi
scarf: honey
pants: target

shirt: rolla coaster @ t.j.maxx

skirt: one clothing @ t.j.maxx

leg warmers: target

shoes: no name

necklaces: forever xxi

earrings: claire's

Now go out and enjoy the leather!

- nali xo