Spotlight on Etsy shop The Bohemian Dream

Upcycled, eco-friendly, one of a kind bohemian pieces to fit even the modest of budgets is all found in Etsy’s shop, The Bohemian Dream. I love the store owner and fashion designer Lucia Flores’s take on upcycled fashion – taking what it is already beautiful and in our hands today and recreating it into something new, cute and unique. Add to your bohemian closet with Lucia’s unique and stylish designs. She ships worldwide from Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Check out The Bohemian Dream’s shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBohemianDream?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav.

Your Curator of All Things Bohemian and Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Free People on Boho Love and Gypsy Soul

My Pinterest board, Boho Love and Gypsy Soul (https://www.pinterest.com/syryn22/boho-love-and-gypsy-soul/) has over 3200 pins of countless images of bohemian style pieces for the gypsy spirits. One clothier who is a constant on pin status logs is Free People. Free People’s bohemian inspired clothes have a vintage feel, yet also has a very modern, 2015 edge to them, making their clothes sought after by the rich and not so rich. Free People’s models and design inspirations take me to Coachella Music Festival, back to the colorful and vibrant streets of San Francisco and Berkeley.

I am always scoping their website to see what they will come up with next in bohemian and wanderlust fashion. Here are some of my favorite Free People pins (it was hard to choose which ones to showcase!):

~Your Curator of All Things Modern Bohemian, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Pantone’s 2015 Fashion Color Trends of the Year

Color trend predictions to fashionistas remind me of sports fans pastime of predicting football’s best teams for the year – part speculative, part intuitive, part historical reference. We love to see if our own predictions and all-time favorites made the list. We find ways to incorporate the current year’s colors into our wardrobe.

Pantone’s 2015 color predictions promise many hues of blue, juxtaposed against powerful tangerine, sensual marsala, and subdued by toasted almond and custard. According to Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2015, the colors will be like a vivid, eclectic daydream, a throwback of sorts to a time when colors were vivid, yet whimsical – a la 1970s (I’m swooning!).

Your closet probably already has some or all of these colors represented. See if your wardrobe already has the 2015 spring colors. Save money by moving your color forward garbs to the front of your closet – ready at your fingertips (Tip: Change out your wardrobe 2-4 times a year to ensure you’re wearing your clothes and donating/selling what no longer is working. This allows you to fall in love with your clothes all over again, season to season. I swap out my clothes twice a year – fall/winter, spring/summer).

Color is an instant boost to an otherwise stale wardrobe. If you don’t have the colors in your current wardrobe and don’t want to spend a fortune on trendy items, opt for colorful accessories like scarves. Scarves can update an outfit in a cheap and chic way. The same with earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, which has a small storage and economical footprint and can spruce up any outfit.

What colors are you drawn to in 2015? How do you freshen up your wardrobe year to year?

Here are some of my favorite, wearable 2015 colors of the year examples:

Tangerine:

Aquamarine:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toasted Almond:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsala:

~Your Curator of All Things Stylish and Colorful, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Winter Rising

The poetic and chilly time between November and December marks the delineation between fall and winter. Those of us who swoon over cool weather clothing are very happy with 2014’s options for an easy, indulgent, and all-comfy ensemble. This season celebrates the nester in all of us, with easy layering pieces that dance the fine line between loungewear and high fashion.

Check out the below curated pieces for your 2014 fall/winter inspirational pieces…

~Your Curator of All Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

2014 Fall and Winter Denim Trends

2014’s fall and winter denim trends haven’t changed much from my spring and summer denim round up (https://abundantlifeinitiative.com/2014/01/02/spring-and-summer-2014-top-denim-trends/). Below, find the styles that will have you set through the beginning of 2015. Curating denim trends is my favorite of all fashion pieces to look for and share with my readers. What do you think about the latest denim trends? Any trends you are wearing now that’s not on the list, but should be?

Boyfriend:

Retro: (or high rise) wear them fitted (straight legged, or flared for a retro look) – with crop tops or thin shirts tucked in:

Patchwork:

 

Overalls: (Yay!)

Mom Jeans: (I will likely never embrace this trend, but I am here to report what’s hot in denim, so here it is)

Distressed:

~Your Curator of All Things Stylish and Denim, Kimberly Jo Cooley

2014 Fall Must Have: Shearling

It’s no surprise Glamour Magazine singled out this soft and warm textile as a must-have for Fall 2014. I am an endless summer kind of girl, but there’s a time when the Sacramento ninety degree weather breaks, the days get shorter, colder and I do a little happy dance when it’s time to pull out my cool weather garbs.

Shearling is like plaid in the cold months – timeless. But, (the look of) shearling is in vogue this season, so for those lucky folks who already own a shearling lined jacket – rejoice! And, for the rest of us who covet one, take a look at the styles I curated below – bound to conjure daydreams of all the outfits a shearling jacket would complete :-).

Here’s a round-up of the flyest shearling jackets for all budgets:

~Your Curator of All Things Stylish (and Bohemian!), Kimberly Jo Cooley

The African Shop Delivers in Dramatic Fashion

I love how now more than ever, we have access to worldwide clothiers and Etsy provides a platform for the exchange between buyers and sellers. On my Facebook newsfeed, an African clothing seller caught my eye. I clicked on it and lo’ and behold, stumbled on a gorgeous, affordable collection of beautiful, modern, African dresses, skirts and pantsuits that are sure to flatter most figures and budgets.

The African Shop opened it’s virtual Etsy store in March of 2013, by Christelle and Michelle Nganhou. The store’s owners are based in Great Britain, but lucky for world shoppers, they ship to most places. The African Shop’s fashion forward African clothing lives up to its motto: “Empowering African designers/tailors while providing the best of African Fashion.”

There are 76 pieces for sale in The African Shop’s Etsy store, and it was difficult to choose which curated pieces to highlight for this blog post. Be sure to check out their complete collection at https://www.etsy.com/shop/THEAFRICANSHOP?ref=pr_shop_more.

~Your Curator of All Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

One Green Blouse and Two Pairs of Jeans

I’m often asked what’s the “in” denim color to wear this season. I am happy to report anything goes for denim color.

The above pictures illustrate how the same green blouse can be worn with either dark or light denim.

You can update your wardrobe by mixing up your denim colors with your favorite tops and accessories. Dark denim has a different feel than light, so play with the different looks and have fun with it.

What’s your favorite denim color and go-to denim look?

~Your Curator of All Things Denim and Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Inspiration Succulent

Succulents’ geometric shapes and varied colors lends itself to inspiration for art, style and home décor. Below is a curated selection of fashion accessories for you and home, all from etsy.com:

~Your Curator of All Things Succulent, Kimberly Jo Cooley 😉

Modern Bohemian Threads by Nuichan on Etsy.com

I love to virtually window shop Nuichan on Etsy.com. Niuchan is a Thai designer who creates the prettiest handmade dresses, pants, and shirts for the Bohemian Earth Mother in all of us. Nuichan’s clothes have a modern air to their bohemian patterns and shapes and are one size fits most, and even offers plus size. Here’s a curated list of the beautiful Nuichan creations found on Etsy.com:

~Your Curator of All Things Stylish and Bohemian, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Crop Top Sets!

I inherited a cool outfit circa 1990 from my mother, with the tags still attached! I googled the clothier, Miss Selfridge and as it turns out, they have a wonderful website that sells – you guessed it – crop top sets! It’s no surprise the 1990s has influenced our style for the last couple of seasons (not to date myself, but my teen years were set in the 90s, so you can imagine I am having nostalgic moment after moment).

Ladies can rock this look with a pair of cute sandals and a light denim jacket. Check out Miss Selfridges’ cute separates for inspiration or to add to your wardrobe. Under the Apparel section, click on “Co-ords,” which will take you to their “Two Become One” section (a fitting title for coordinating outfits).

~Your Curator of All Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Summer 2014 Handbag Round Up

Summer’s fast approaching and it is time to switch out your winter carryall to a summertime one. The handbags below are budget-friendly and stylish. All the curated bags have lasting style power, and can be worn for many summers to come. For inspiration or to check out different color options, click on the images.

~Your Curator of all Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Jump Into Jumpsuits!

Jumpsuits are the cat’s meow! They are comfortable, flattering, stylish, sexy and timeless. Here’s a curated list of some of the hottest jumpsuits on Forever21.com – and believe it or not, this list just scratches the surface of all the jumpsuits Forever 21 has to offer!

~Your Curator of all Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

A Vintage Coral & Turquoise Journey

~Your Curator of all Things Beautiful, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Oaklandish & Their Trendsetting Tees

My mother-in-law bought me the pictured yellow tee shirt and for those who are from Oakland, California, they may recognize the giraffe. Oaklandish.com is a brand of tee shirts of Oakland symbols and phrases. Tee shirts with images, graphics, phrases and labels are big this year (although I never wait for trends to wear comfort clothes). Representing the city I was born and raised in, here’s some cute tee shirts from Oaklandish.com to round out your tee shirt collection.

Oaklandish’s proceeds go to back into the community and a listing of all the organizations and community events they’ve supported is extensive. It’s a feel good situation all the way around! From buying socially responsible clothes to wearing them with your favorite jeans, you’re bound to feel and look good from the inside out. Support your local clothing makers and businesses.

~Your Curator of All Things Beautiful, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Tribal Inspiration

I am in love with my colorful flea market purchased tribal top. It can be dressed up with some white or black pants, or casual in blue denim jeans. For $15, I’ve got a versatile top to wear with gold, wood, or leather accessories.

~Your Curator of all things Beautiful, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Seasonal Closet Cleaning

I live in an abundant universe, which is why I have to constantly share what no longer serves me to make room for what does serve me. Making room for our ever evolving desires is how new things come more easily to us.

When our closet (and lives) are filled to the brim with too many things, we cannot make room for what we presently want. We are too busy holding onto what we used to want. When there’s too much stuff, we are constantly in a state of being overwhelmed, and less in a state of appreciation and gratitude for the items we have and the new things on their way. We can’t even see all that’s in our closet (and in our lives) because there’s too much to see – sensory overload.

Donating allows me the chance to share clothes and shoes with others, maximizing the life of an article of clothing. Selling clothes can be a test in futility, especially if they are not designer, because many shops, such as Crossroads Trading Company have a very specific look they are looking for. Also, donating feels a lot better than gaining a few dollars.

I am donating the shoes pictured below to a women’s shelter. It’s a win-win – I am giving/sharing my shoes to someone who will wear them and I am making room for my new sandals.

As I remove and store my winter clothes, I pull out the clothes I did not wear at all during that season and set aside for donations. I also try on clothes for fit and check for tears/stains to see if these items should remain in my closet. I do this for each season, which helps me track what I own so I do not make repeat purchases.

For the items I’m donating, I snap a picture for record keeping, just in case the IRS comes knocking and as a reminder that I do give.

It is fun assessing what trends I already have and find when it comes time to shopping, I rarely have to buy whole new wardrobes because of this practice of seasonal closet cleaning. This leaves more budget and closet space for accessories and other quality staples (like shoes) to add to an already sustainable and stylish wardrobe.

One tip I am going to start doing is taking photos of the upcoming season’s clothes that I will be wearing, which will prevent me only wearing a small section of my summer (or whatever upcoming season). I’ll refer back to my outfit pics so I can remember that I have lots of choices. I bet there’s an app for that :-). Happy spring cleaning!

~Your Curator of all things Abundant, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Light denim in Focus

 

As a curator, I take current trends and distill them into every day, timeless looks for the everyday person and the everyday budget.

I am super casual in the above pictures, but wanted to share my ways of wearing light denim this season.

I used to only be into dark wash denim, but am now a light denim convert. I see this trend lasting for at least a few years. Just as skinny jeans started as a trend and turned into a pants mainstay, so will the light denim wash. What’s great about light denim is you can never wash them too many times, because the more they’re washed, the more comfy and unique they become.

My very random musing on fashion – Synchronicity in fashion trends: everyone collectively liking the same things at the same time before trends manifest for the upcoming season. Kind of like the chicken and the egg (which came before) situation – is it the fashion designers that create the fashion trend or is it the every day people who are tapped into what they are gravitating to next, sending out inspirational vibes to fashion designers?

~Your Curator of all things Light Denim, Kimberly Jo Cooley

 

Urban Outfitters Does Overalls

A favorite store of mine in the 1990s was Urban Outfitters. As a teenager and young adult I often shopped at the Berkeley, California Urban Outfitters store for boho chic looks. A recent Google search for duvet covers led me to Urban Outfitters’ website, where I unearthed a great collection of overalls! I almost forgot how cool this store was.

I curated some of their best pairs of overalls (what can I say, I’m hooked to overalls!):

~Your Curator of all things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Flea Market Bound

Saturday was an awesome adventure at Denios Farmers Market and Swap Meet, filled with great weather, family and yes, overalls.

~Your Curator of All things Abundant, Kimberly Jo Cooley

My Early March Denim Looks

Spring is approaching and in Northern California, one day its seventy degrees outside, and the next, cold stormy weather. My colorful jeans have a late eighties, early nineties vibe, but the skinny shape makes them 2014.

~Your Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

2014 Overalls Overhaul

I have always been a huge fan of the versatility of overalls. I wore them back in the 1990s, sporting the baggy, carpenter variety (a la Osh Kosh).

2014’s overalls has a place in your wardrobe to allow you to express them in a sophisticated, casual or edgy way.

What Shoes to Wear with Your New Overalls:

Transitioning from winter to spring, booties look best. Spring to summer, wear canvas shoes, such as Vans or Toms. Summer time is great for options. Wedges, flip-flops, Birkenstocks, gladiator sandals or high heels are all for the taking when wearing your overalls.

How to wear your Overalls:

The look is off duty model look than baggy farmer look. Watch the fit and pay attention to how the overalls fit in the rear. It should fit like a comfortable pair of jeans. There are some overalls being made today that are tight – which some ladies can pull this look off well. I will stick to a slightly looser fit so they can be my go-to uniform on weekends. Also, the more distressed, the better. A notable difference from 2014’s overalls versus 1994’s is the cuffed, cropped looked of today’s frocks. Once upon a time, body suits and fitted shirts was the look, then there was the music group TLC’s baggie shirt and overalls look. Remember to bring in edge with your choice of accessories and keep the shirt from being to voluminous as it will make you look like you have extra pounds.

The Dream Team (These finds are great for inspiration and for the ones who wish to splurge):

For the Budget Minded Spiritualista:

I curated many options for you to pull from, but the best finds are at vintage stores, for a unique, one of a kind look that is budget friendly.

I will be showcasing my overalls style in upcoming blogs, for your styling pleasure and inspiration. I bought a couple of pairs of overalls (shown above) for my own denim collection and will demonstrate different looks as the seasons change.

~Your Curator of all things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

2014 Faded Denim Trends into Focus

Every Spiritualista needs a little bonding time with her son – why not take some selfies on a Sunday afternoon? We both are wearing some of 2014’s denim trends. Check out our photos of our look as well as source images to cop your own faded denim look.

~Your Curator of all things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Bohemian Accessories for You, Me and Our Abodes

I am bohemian in my clothing, lifestyle, home, and spirit…I love to scope out standout, eclectic pieces. Check out the home and style accessories all curated from www.etsy.com.

For You and Me:

For our homes:

~Your Curator of all things Beautiful, Kimberly Jo Cooley

My Spring 2014 Accessories

Today’s Super Bowl Sunday, and I don’t know too much about football or even who’s playing! But, I know what accessories to wear for this coming spring. Check out what I’m wearing this Winter/Spring 2014:

~Your Curator of all things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Get Your Bootie On! Luxe Booties For Less

Image Courtesy of http://www.solesociety.com/kita-black.html, and, it is one of the pairs I scored today for $45.00!

Okay, now that I have the perfect light blue denim jeans, naturally I need some new kicks to wear with them! I have been in the market for the perfect booties for YEARS, all because I am too picky to settle on just the right one. Some are too tall, too dressy, not dressy enough, too expensive, too cheap looking (I can’t stand a faux stacked heel!) – you get the picture, I’m persnickety when it comes to my footwear. I was determined to find the perfect bootie and lo’ and behold, I hit the mother lode for short boots! Now is the perfect time to get booties, as most are on clearance as retailers transition from winter to spring wear. I patiently waited until now to score some fantastic deals on some timeless booties.

• Nordstrom has some great boots under $100.00 on their website.
• DSW.com has a great selection of booties, many under $100.00.
• Amazon.com is another place I checked out, but my picky ways couldn’t nail down the right pair for under $100.00.
• Sole Society (http://www.solesociety.com/invite/link/index/id/11705993/type/2/) – Divas, I saved the absolute best for last. I scored THREE pairs of cute, timeless booties for under $125.00! Just last night, they put all their boots and booties on clearance (I’ve been stalking them for weeks now!) and this website will not disappoint. A big plus is their free shipping. If you click on the invite link above within the next three days, you’ll get 20% off your purchase of $60.00 or more.

~Your Curator of all things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Light Blue Denim Go To Color for Spring 2014

I’ve been hunting the perfect light blue jeans since last year. Every other week, I trolled the internet for vintage stone or acid washed jeans. I almost went with Forever 21.com’s light blue denim jeans (see next image), but I didn’t want to spend extra money to reach the $50 free shipping minimum requirement.

Before committing to Forever21.com’s jeans, I took a peek at Loveculture.com. I called Love Culture’s Roseville, California Galleria store and placed a pair of the Iceberg jeans on hold. A trip to the mall with the jeans I wanted already picked out saved me time and money.

What’s great about Love Culture is although it carries junior sizes, the store carries up to size 15 jeans.

Ahhh, some jeans with a little stretch – 2% spandex. Online, this “Iceberg Wash Skinny” jeans, was exactly what I was looking for and they were just as cute in person. Near checkout was another cute pair that had a warmer light blue tone and brown stitching (versus Iceberg’s cool blue look and dark blue stitching) that I could not pass up. For $35, I got two pairs that will have me en trend and super comfortable this season.

~Your Curator of All Things Stylish (and Comfortable), Kimberly Jo Cooley

Spring and Summer 2014 Top Denim Trends

Forever 21 Shows All of Us Some Love