Thrift Store Deal

I am a sucker for a good deal. Usually whenever I see a thrift store or consignment shop I always have to stop and see what I can find. This coat was meant for me. I wear it constantly and am so glad I found it. Only $4.00 at Goodwill! Seriously, if you are looking for a good deal go to your local thrift stores. You can really find a lot of great pieces. I am so looking forward to exploring the twin cities and finding all the great shops that I can share with you all!

Nine West coat found at Goodwill
for only $4.00

Surprise Date Night

Sometimes Mondays aren't so bad! My husband suggested a random date night yesterday. I was so excited that I went all out and dressed super cute! Here I am in my Express dress and leggings and my justfab.com boots.

Winter White

Transition your summer tops into fall and winter by adding a white jacket. It goes with any color top and bottom! In the look to the left I took my favorite skinny jeans and added a bright blue top, my white jacket, and one of my favorite accessories: my blue vintage necklace.

Jeans: Express extreme stretch skinny jeans
Jacket: Briggs New York
Top: Willi Smith (TJ Maxx)
Necklace: vintage costume jewelry

The dress to the right is my wedding rehearsal dress from earlier this October. I transitioned it into a fall and winter look by adding a gorgeous white and tan wrap, red belt, and red pumps. You can also wear nude tights or nylons to add a little more warmth to the outfit.

Dress: Tahari
Wrap: Younkers
Shoes: JC Penny

In this look I took the same white and tan wrap from the above picture and used it with a short sleeve simple black dress. Look how you can totally transform this dress from plain and boring to classic and eye catching with just a few great accessories! They are the perfect transition pieces that take this dress from warm to cold weather ready.

Dress: Merona
Wrap: Younkers
Shoes: Ann Klein
Necklace: New York and Company

This final look again proves that white is a great fall and winter color! Throw on your favorite skinny jeans, add a sparkly summer tank, a great statement necklace, and a white cardigan for warmth. Tall brown riding boots finishes this look off perfectly!

Jeans: Express Extreme Stretch skinny jeans
Top: Express
Cardigan: Jessica Howard
Necklace: Patricia Sjulson (handmade by myself)

Locks of Love

For most of my life I've had long hair. A few times when I was younger I had cute little bobs, but for the most part I've always been able to pull it back in a pony tail. I love long hair because you can do absolutely anything to it. You can curl it, straighten it, pull it back, do crazy up-do's. Seriously anything! But at some point I think every girl with long hair needs to think to themselves "is it time for a change?"; "does my long hair define who I am inside?".

For about a year leading up to my wedding I grew my hair out to the longest length it's ever been. My friends and family loved it. They commented all the time about how my long hair was perfect for me, and they were just accustomed to seeing me like that. As soon as the wedding was over I knew it was time for a change. Not only was I tired of dealing with so much hair, but I was also tired of always looking the same. Every morning I would get up, be too lazy to style my hair, and then end up pulling it back into a ponytail. Why have long hair when you aren't even wearing it down? I definitely knew it was time to cut it off when my family and friends were giving me such a hard time about going to a shorter style. They loved my long hair and thought that was what I needed to keep. Your hair is not what defines who you are, and sometimes cutting it off can be like a new beginning. I was already living a new adventure in my personal life, so why not have the outside of me reflect the inside?

I also knew that I wanted to do something meaningful for someone else, so I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love. I did this once in high school, and even though it seems like such a simple act of kindness it really is one of the most meaningful things I have ever done. I was so happy I could donate my hair again this time, and knowing what I was going to do with my locks of hair made the actual hair cut so easy to go through! Who cares if I have short hair or long hair? You can feel good about yourself either way, so take a chance and try something different. I truly feel now that my hairstyle reflects the new changes that are happening in my life, but at the same time I know that my hair is not what changed me. I changed how I felt about myself inside first, and then I let me hair reflect that amazing change.

Now I want to challenge everyone out there with long hair to try something different! Take a chance and while you're at it help someone else in need. Donate your hair to Locks of Love. It is an amazing feeling to know that you can truly make a difference in someone else's life.



For more information about the process of donating your hair, check out the Locks of Love website

http://www.locksoflove.org/

What Every Girl Needs

Every girl needs a pair of black high heeled boots. No matter what the occasion these go perfect with everything!

Bought from shoedazzle.com for only $39.95

You can even wear them in warm weather! Take a look below! My favorite look is with my Express extreme stretch skinny jeans and an over sized top. Although a cute sweater dress and tights in colder weather is another fantastic alternative.

I'm pictured on the right in an Express tank,
extreme stretch jeans, and  my black boots.

Take a look at the outfit I put together today! I seriously love these boots.

H&M dress $10.00, sweater from Nordstrom Rack $12.00,
Express leggings, Express earrings, and my black boots $39.95.

Inspiration of the Day

While walking through Target today I saw something that caught my eye. I was looking through the office product aisle looking for a cute new notebook to keep in my purse, and I found one that would do more than just hold all of my thoughts and inspirations. On the front cover read this simple yet powerful message: 

"Do what you love to do". 

So simple, yet so powerful, and it describes perfectly what I am trying to do with my life right now. It was like a big sign flashing in front of me saying READ AND REMEMBER THIS! I love writing, fashion, and working with people. So I asked myself why not go for it, start a blog, and get my ideas out there? It is the most liberating and exciting feeling to know that I am doing something that I really love to do. I love to write, and I am so lucky to be able to mix that with other things that I enjoy. 

Now whenever I pull out that simple little notebook not only will it keep my thoughts safe within its bounds, but it will also always remind me that no matter what happens or what I do in my life I must always continue to do what I love to do. 

About Me

I am so excited that this is my first post! I thought I would start things off by writing up a short "About Me" section. I love fashion and I am really looking forward to sharing advice, my favorite trends and classic styles, and fun fashion finds with all of you. Enjoy!

Name: Patricia Ann Sjulson
Age: 23
Residence: Inver Grove Heights, MN
Relationship Status: Married (Just two weeks ago!)
College and Degree: Iowa State University '11; History - Bachelors of Science

Graduation party with my family!

Favorite Job: Working as a sales lead at Express after I graduated college
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite Color: Red
Food I Could Not Live Without: Any sweets and pasta!
Guilty Pleasure: any season of the Real Housewives
Articles of clothing I could not live without: skinny jeans, leggings, and the perfect little black dress
Favorite fall accessory: my brown riding boots

My favorite things: leggings and my brown boots

Favorite designers/brands/stores: Express, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Ann Klein shoes, Von Maur, Coach, Nordstrom Rack, Justin Alexander (my wedding dress designer), J Crew, Elizabeth Arden Pretty perfume, Lancome make-up

Best Fashion Finds Ever: Antonio Milani black pumps at Salvation Army for less than $10.00; simple business dress at Dillards for $8.99; my prom dress from Dillards for $40.00

Favorite Vacation Spot: North Shore of Lake Superior

Lutsen, MN

Randoms: I love coffee, antiques, going to museums, craft projects, playing the oboe and violin, listening to music, exploring the twin cities, tennis, golf, fishing, making jewelry, spending time with family, my husband, horses and dogs, my coach purse, making up recipes and cooking with my husband, baking, trying new restaurants, New Year's Eve, fall colors, reading and writing, thrift stores, camping, dancing, reality TV, Iowa State University, exploring new places, the Midwest, my brown riding boots, my friends, a million other things and of course everything to do with fashion!

Wedding present from my husband. My Coach purse!

I love these earrings I made!

My most recent craft project. Making decorations for my wedding!