Anatomy of an Outfit: The Slouch

Photo: The Sartorialist

I love how the subject of this photo isn't wearing heels. I rarely wear heels because, you know, they're painful. I prefer flats in pretty much any shape or size. Lately, I've been obsessed with oxfords. They're really great back-up shoes for when my heels start killing me, too. I also love her pants and wish I knew where to get them. The downside of street style is rarely finding out everything a subject's wearing. 

Maybe I'll see what Gap has in stock right now.

Got an outfit you'd like to see on this feature? Submit it here.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE 

Color Story: Bright Light

Photo

Something about the color story in this photo makes me want to travel. The only time I've been overseas was when I went to Paris last year, but I'd like to go somewhere that would really open my mind to a completely different culture. I saw a quote from Naomi Campbell the other day about how she always dresses according to the country she's in. I'd like to go visit somewhere that would require me to change my daily routine and activities out of respect, while also teaching me a lot about a country.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE

Tell Me About It, Stud

I never thought I'd like a bustier until I saw the studded House of Dereon one above. When I reach my goal weight, I'm getting something similar. I'll have to wear something over it, though, because I'm still a pretty conservative dresser.  I'll take the Franchi clutch right now, thank you.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE

Rebel Chic

Photo: Anais Pouliot by Damon Heath

When I started Feather, this is what I had in mind. Fashion that's edgy with a sweet side. Obviously, that doesn't fit everyone, including myself, but I try to incorporate this type of stuff in on our Tumblr as much as I can.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE

Anatomy of an Outfit: Double Denim Feathers

Photo: Street Peeper

Yes, this is a week of new features. Hooray for you, right?

I love street style because I can deconstruct the looks and try to figure out what this person was thinking when they got dressed in the morning. Obviously, I'm not a mind reader and I'd never be able to pull off a look like this one (or most street style looks), but I'd totally wear double denim or the shoes or the statement necklace. These tips are universal to any outfit that fits any of this criteria.

Got a photo you want deconstructed? Submit them here.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE 

So Fetch: Ombre Tights

Photos: BZRBZR

There are a zillion things on Etsy and most of them are the same item over and over, but every once in a while you come across a gem. These ombre tights from BZRBZR definitely fit in the gem category. If they haven't already, fashion bloggers everywhere will be wearing these before the weather is hot and then put them on again next winter.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE 

House Envy: Sarah from Chevron & Stripes

Photos: Glitter Guide

Sarah Lederman from Chevron & Stripes has the cutest home. I'm really in love with pastels right now and her home is full of them. As far as architecture, Miami does pastels totally wrong, but her South Beach home, she's doing it totally right.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE 

Color Story: Dimmed Texture

Photo: Peace, Love & Magazines Tumblr

This is a new feature I'll be doing about color in photos. Every photograph has a color story and it's supposed to evoke some kind of emotion. Some of the photos will be from magazine editorials, but most will just be beautiful images of different cultures, places and spaces. It'll be hue narration and I'll enjoy every minute of it.

I love the how the colors in this photo are dark and bright at the same time, with the exception of her sweater. The colors in the skirt are sort of tropical, but the texture gives a different perspective. It's like being on the Miami coast after a hurricane.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE 

May-Jah Shoe Moment

Photo

I'm usually not a fan of Christian Louboutin flats, but these I'd spend real money on. If I had that kind of money, that is. I've got to start playing the lottery. My tastes are way more expensive than my budget.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE 

Classic/Retro/Modern

My first few years of college, I had a shower and not a bathtub. When I moved into my current place, I was ecstatic to have a tub again, but let down when it wasn't as big as I wanted it to be. To add to the various dreams of living alone or maybe with just one roommate (I have three!), I want a deep tub. I've always loved clawfoot tubs and that's what I'm hoping to get one day. I'm leaning toward the classic or maybe the modern if the rest of my home decor allows.

(images: 1 2 3)

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE 

Sleepy Time

Photos

I've never had the pleasure of choosing my own bed. I always had a twin bed growing up and I really didn't care what it looked like, so I left that to my mother who was probably an interior decorator in another life. Every place I've lived in since I moved out has been furnished. Since I know I'm moving to a different city sometime in the next year, I will have the pleasure of choosing my own bed and I refuse to move to another place where I cannot paint the walls.

For inspiration, I'm looking to the photo below. I've always wanted my first place to be really comfortable for me and for any guests. I hate houses that feel like hotels.

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE 

Fitness Friday: Push It

Even though I got incredibly sick on Wednesday (which accounts for the lack of strength workout), my trainer and I decided to really push it and go hard to get close to losing the first 30 pounds. That translates to working out every day this week and taking shorter breaks in between workouts.


We'll see if I can at least get to 15 pounds of total weight loss. It's crazy how I can see the changes in my body and I've been eating healthy, but my scale has barely moved. Why won't you move scale?! 

SUNDAY: Yoga 

MONDAY: 1.25 mi jog, quadruple ab workout, 3 sets of 15 reps with 20lb weights, 3 sets of 12 crossbar at 50lbs 

TUESDAY: 1.25 mi jog, quadruple ab workout, 3 sets of 12 lunges with 20lb weights, 3 sets of 10 squats with 40lb barbell, 3 sets of 12 reps at 70lbs on the hip adduction/abduction machine, 3 sets of 12 leg curls at 55lbs, 3 sets of 12 leg extensions at 55lbs 

WEDNESDAY: 1.25 mi jog 

THURSDAY: 3 sets of 12 straight posture exercises w/5lb weight; 3 sets of 12 side posture exercises w/ 5lb weight; 3 sets of 12 ab extension; 3 sets of 12 weight lifts w/ 20 pound weights 

FRIDAY:1.25 mile jog on the treadmill, 3 sets of 12 reps with 15 pound weights, 3 sets of 12 reps with ab crunch with 20 pound bar / 10 sit-ups in between sets, 3 sets of 12 pull down bar at 70 pounds, 3 sets of 12 cable cross overs at 55 pounds 

SATURDAY: Running 

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: 13 LBS

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE

 

 

Fitness Friday: Setting Goals

I hate how I look in this photo, but I love what it signifies.

If you follow me on Twitter, you're aware that I finally ran a mile without stopping last Friday. It took almost 17 minutes, but three weeks ago I couldn't even run for five minutes straight. Seventeen would've killed me.

My trainer's set up a reward system for when I hit certain goals. For running my first mile, I got to eat fried ice cream. (It's sounds weird, but it's SO good!) The night before, my motivation to get to that point was thinking about that ice cream. It's really heaven on a plate.

Giving yourself rewards really work, especially if they're food rewards. If you're still getting used to the insane lifestyle change of becoming a healthy person, then you will have cravings and do anything for them to be fulfilled. Junk food is literally a drug and I was addicted for 23 years. I swear if someone comes near me with McDonald's fries, I will snatch them and run off, while stuffing my face with their greasy delight. That said, my next reward is fries cooked in olive oil. That will happen when I lose fifteen pounds. Only five more to go!

Speaking of goals, I'm totally committed to losing 30 pounds in the next six months. I'm not going to stop there, but that's my main goal and every day I realize how much I want to be healthy. I was at Super Wal-Mart yesterday and there's a McDonald's in there. And people were walking around with burgers in their hands. And Dr Peppers were on sale. But I only bought the healthy stuff and didn't even get a pint of ice cream, which is actually OK with my trainer as long as I don't eat the whole thing in one sitting.

Today, as I ate chicken and green beans, while sipping on water, I thought to myself: WHO AM I?

The old Brianti would call me a freak.


SATURDAY: Run around my block; time: 6 minutes, 40 seconds
SUNDAY: YOGA
MONDAY: NO WORKOUT
TUESDAY: NO WORKOUT
WEDNESDAY: 1.5 mile jog, 3 sets of 16 reps w/ 15lb weights, 3 sets of 10 on cross bar, quadruple ab workout (It's  hard to explain, but insanely tough!)
THURSDAY: 1.5 mile jog; 3 sets of 12 straight posture exercises; 3 sets of 12 side posture exercises; 3 sets of 12 bar pulls at 55 pounds; 3 sets of 10 weight lifting with 20 pound weights
FRIDAY: We moved it to tonight instead of this mornings, so we'll see.
TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: 10 pounds

TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST | SUBSCRIBE