Tuesdays, and a few favorite things....

Wow, I am exhausted! Finally done with finals, and the Montrose Wine Festival, and its already time to take on summer. I realized this morning between packing a school lunch, and chasing a lazy pitbull out of my bedroom, that in the craziness I had not posted in awhile. I started to think about what to write, and decided to share some of my favorite things with all of you....
Every once in awhile it is soothing and fullfilling to take a step back, breathe deep and look for inspiration.
I've been looking for a lot of inspiration lately. Praying hard for my baby cousin Gracie (who was recently diagnosed with cancer at barely a year old, and is undergoing chemo treatments in NY), I have really been touched by all of the support from my friends who are praying hard for her, and donating money to help my family out. From my oldest and dearest friends to my newest ones, including Kristin from 11D on a flight to Phoenix, you all have been amazing.

 I have been working on some special prayer boards, pillows, and headbands for Gracie, and some wholesale orders. I love to mess around on Etsy, read my latest Vogue, and check out my favorite blogs for inspiration. So here we go.

Photography is an excellent place to start for inspiration. Tomorrow my friend Kaylan, who I met through work, will be coming down tomorrow to feature my work in her blog. I am excited and a little nervous! She is truly talented both with photography and in her art of jewelry making. She was one of the first women to inspire me in the handmade world. You can check out her talents here:
http://www.krobinsonphotography.com/.

I love discovering new designers. This is how I like to do it: search through a Vogue and polyvore.com, find a dress or outfit you like, and then put its characteristics into an Etsy Search. Here are a couple items from my new favorite shops.
"Lirola" has an affordable and chic style, very similar to many dresses by "Issa" that Princess Catherine is frequently wearing.

Lirola's Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lirola?ref=pr_shop_more

Or this adorable store Venni Caprice, by super nice Lori,

Lori's Etsy Shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/iyiamihandbags?ref=seller_info


Sometimes the cutest things are found in european Etsy shops, which makes sense in that Europe is usually adopting trends faster then we are. It can be intimidating to order from overseas on Etsy, so be sure to check their feedback, and their circle of stores. You can usually use those tools to see if a store is trustworthy. I love the new twist on hobo bags that this Etsy store presents. They also have adorable satchel purses.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/iyiamihandbags?ref=seller_info

I am in awe of people who completely step out of the box in their creations. Markhed Design's jewelry has a total dark edge, but is also really intricate and beautiful. And all handmade! Here is their "Franken Heart" Necklace. See more at :
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarKhed?ref=seller_info

I have been really into making paper flowers for decor, hand stamping ribbons, and stencilling pillows and fabrics lately. It is a fun and easy way to work on some home decor improvements, decorations for parties and weddings, and let's not forget a good craft to do with your kids.
Stencils can be found everywhere on Etsy and are fun to have a "swap" lunch with your friends to get more use out of them.


I love beautiful table scapes with paper flowers. These are a challenge to make, but I am working on it. If you have the patience, just google some "how to's" and see which style you like.

One of my absolute favorite things right now are feather earrings, and it just so happens, I make them ;) I wear a pair almost everyday. They are beautiful, trendy and total attention getters.

Check them out on my Etsy here, and keep in touch for more pairs I will have this week...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73838338/black-white-and-grey-feather-earrings

So its Tuesday, and those are some of my favorite things. Share your inspirations with me anytime you wish either here or on Facebook, I love to see what you all are up to. And also, please pray for sweet Gracie. XOXO Mag

"Notions" of good fashion...

What separates you from the worst dressed list? Your own style of course. Finding your style is never hard, your eye will always lead you to what you like, and it may not be what other people like at all.

Trust your eye! I always tell clients when choosing one outfit over another "What's your gut instinct on this?" Your first instinct is usually the best.

With all of the prints from floral to aztec, and embellishments of flowers, lace and ruffles in our busy closets right now, its hard not to start wondering "does this look like a pillow? A nightgown? Or even worse, a tablecloth?"

So how do you avoid that?

Here are some simple fashion tips to wade through the world of prints and embellishments:

Ruffles! - I love ruffles, especially vertical ruffles. They are slimming, stylish and super chic. If you are looking for a great cocktail dress, look no farther, vertical organza ruffles in nude or black with spagetti straps are perfect. But be careful of fabrics, you should stick with organzas and sheer fabrics. Cotton knit ruffle dresses can easily fall into the PJ category. If you dont like ruffles on your clothes, you can always incorporate them with fun sandals or a scarf.

Buttons Transplants- well lets just switch this right over and say when it comes to buttons, opt for brooches! Vintage is here to stay, and you can always find some great old clip on's or brooches at a thrift, antique or secondhand store, to spice up an outfit in lieu of a button. A needle and thread or glue gun is all you need to perform this vintage transplant.

Lace and Embroidery- Oh lace! It is so very flattering feminine and delicate. Don't be afraid to pop colors through or with your lace. A fresh pop of color in your outfit screams Spring :) A good way to introduce lace into your wardrobe is a lace back cardigan or a top with lace trim on the neckline. A little goes a long way with lace and embroidery. Sometimes a light floral embroidery on a top is all you need.

Flowers, flowers, flowers- between flowers and feathers, I am set. I love all kinds! But some don't belong in your wardrobe. If you have a flower you dont like on a shirt, take it off and upcycle it to a vase applique or attach to a frame! My one piece of advice here is, if it works for a dishcloth or pillow, don't wear it on your body. Have fun with flowers, especially the re-usable kind!

Prints Prints Prints- They are everywhere, and SO FUN. A good rule for prints is, if its overly flowy- tie with a belt or scarf at a flattering spot for your body. Right now, the belt is moving from the upper waist to sit loose and crooked around the hips.
Or when looking for a print dress, try to locate one with a solid color block area to enhance your figure. A good example would be a black area around the ribs between a printed top and printed skirt is really flattering. You want to wear the prints, not have the prints wear you :)

 Remember if one area of your outfit is busy, try to have something else plain. Like a floral skirt with a plain color tee, plain white scarf with an aztec poncho top, or an awesome leather satchel purse (my personal fav this season) and cowgirl boots with a floral dress.

Most of all, make your spring "notions" all about you. Happy Easter! xoxo Mag

Roarin for 20's Fashion and a Great Charity

Who doesn't love a good theme party? I love to dress up in character and paint the town red with the best of them, but when the party benefits a great charity like CASA (court appointed special advocates for abused and neglected children), then I am ALL over it! I was asked this week to feature fashion trends for this chic event, and am honored to do so. The event is "Puttin on the Ritz, A Roarin 20's Dinner & Dance, as the gorgeous Bridges Clubhouse next Friday night, April 15th. Click here to see the event on facebook and get info on tickets-http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=182953295080961.

The best thing about the 20's is that a lot of the trends are coming back by way of bows, lace and embroidery, and of course hair accesories. Let's take a closer look....

The 20's fashion is described as "depression chic". The decade where women liberated themselves from constricting corsets and ventured into trousers, flowy, comfy dresses and short skirts! Now the 20's was actually not all flappers, that trend did not come in until much later in the decade. But let's face it flapper fringe is fun. Look at these super stylin' 20's ladies, experimenting with new trends....

So right here you get a good look at outfits you could put together at home, with some men's trousers and boots, add in a chunky sweater and a cute headwrap (see me for those of course :))....

Now if jazzin it up a bit more is your style, look at everything black, cream and even red. This pic is the epitomy of 20's fashion- the sack dress, the forehead band, the super long necklace...simply gorgeous...

 The "sack" or "shift" dress, as it was called, is a straight square cut dress with a high neckline and usually two layers of fabric. Lots of lace and bows will get you in the mood. Look for mary janes, oxfords and spectator heels for your feet. I put together a special rack in the Pollux Montrose store specifically for this party, here are some ideas!

 This beautiful lace jacket is a personal favorite of mine, but you can wear it too :).

Here is the gorgeous sack dress with a large bow tie on the shoulder....

Now for your accesories! Long strands of pearls, headwraps secured with a vintage brooch, flowers and feathers with birdcage veils, and LOTS of sequins. Here are some examples of pieces I have for sale. I will offer free delivery for this party for anyone purchasing a piece, as well as donating 10% of my proceeds to CASA. The sky is the limit on what I can make for you, and in addition to these I have black sequins with peacock feathers, black and white feathers and much more. Email me here: magmocko84@gmail.com or search MagSoul on facebook to get your order in.

So ladies, get your handsome men, your beautiful girlfriends, and some great MagSoul gear and attend this fun event for a well deserving charity!
Xoxo, Mag

Retro Silhouettes and the new Maxi

The silhouettes in style this year are all retro! Simply chic 50's dresses, flowy print blouses, and skirts!

Last year it was all about the maxi dress. The easy breezy style was great from the beach to the bistro and everywhere in between. This year the maxi has taken a retro turn, and is at its new best: The Maxi Skirt.

These two gorgeous skirts can be found at urbanoutfitters.com. From these full maxi's to pencil skirts, and even the high waisted full skirt, your summer wardrobe will be at its best. Now here's the good news, this season its also all about mixing your basic neutrals into everything trendy. Upcycle your wardrobe!Take a look at the gladiator sandals the girl above is wearing- don't you all have a pair in your closet? And if you haven't already seen or worn it, the CUTEST thing to pair with your new skirts is a plain tee. White, tan, black, grey they all work. And my personal favorite it not to try to match it too closely. Go funky!
So how do you know what type of the new skirt goes with your body? 

First off, most women hate how their calves look in certain skirts. My philosophy is to love yourself, but if you are worried about thicker calves avoid a directly below the knee cut. Either go a bit higher or a bit lower.

Petite Gals:  High waisted skirts make your torso elongated and slim. Shorter hems make your legs look longer,so avoid really voluminous styles and tea lengths that can drown your cute body. If you really love the tea length, there is a skirt for you though, try finding one that is fitted all through the hips. Pleats are so cute!

Curvy Gals (or with problem areas around the middle): The high waisted skirt accents the narrow upper waist and curve to your chest and is super flattering. Rock your curves, guys love 'em. Avoid clingy fabrics like jersey knits. Patterns (which are really hot right now) and textured fabrics are great, and avoid pleats.

Find your full skirt style and rock it gals....

Introduction to Love

This is me, officially joining the blogging world. And doing so under the guise of polka dots. Its true though, I do LOVE polka dots. In fact I love everything fashion. And that is what brings me here. I am a mom first. A daughter and sister, an aunt, a niece, a cousin and a friend. I am a Fashion Merchandising major a Academy of Art University out of San Fran. I own MagSoul (see here http://www.magsoul.com/). I love designing and sewing clothes for myself. I recently started Day 17, with my best friend (we do weddings, events, floral design,etc) I am a Pollux girl (the best home for fashion on the Western Slope). But thats all titles. What I really love, the great love affair of my life, is FASHION. I am a fashion forward, clothes lovin', trend sportin' woman with one too many dressers, not enough closet space and 14 extra totes in the garage, full of beautiful and fashionable clothes. And this my fellow bloggers, is where it all begins and why I will be sharing with you my fashion tips and more. Follow me on my journey through a fashionable life and my adventures, travels, laughs and more...