Tag Archives: 2014

2014 Fall and Winter Denim Trends

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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:

1969 patch & repair sexy boyfriend jeans, $30. Gap.com. Great buy – on sale, regular price $75.

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

ModCloth Vintage Inspired High Waist, Flare Weekend Folk Festival Jeans, $70. Modcloth.com. High waist, slight flare is what gives these jeans a retro feel. What’s great is retro looks great in both light and dark washes.

Patchwork:

8Boy Patchwork Boyfriend Jeans, $120. Parasuco.com. Somehow these jeans are super sexy with patchwork and some gladiator heels. One can achieve this same look with finding unique patches and adding them to a pair of old jeans.

 

Upcycled Patchwork Hippie Jeans, $42. Etsy.com

Overalls: (Yay!)

Distressed & Patched Overalls, $35. Forever21.com. This look combines four 2014 Fall trends – overalls, distressed, patchwork, boyfriend style.

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

Urban Outfitters does Mom Jeans justice – making them a more redeeming and longer lasting denim trend. The key to this look is the fitted gray top and the denim color. $59.

Distressed:

Distressed low-rise skinny jeans, $950, Saint Laurent. Net-a-porter.com. I know, I know – these are way out of most people’s budgets for a pair of shredded jeans, but I am highlighting them to show the level of distress, coupled with a perfect amount of fading on a skinny jean. I think you could achieve this look on an old pair of great fitting jeans, but here’s a denim dreamer’s inspiration.

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

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Crop Top Sets!

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My mother purchased this outfit in 1990, and never wore it. It reigns from the clothing company, Miss Selfridge, London England.

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).

The crop top has a sweetheart neckline.

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).

Miss Selfridge Crop Top, $53. Love the pop of yellow and the white, graphic flowers.

Miss Selfridge coordinating pencil skirt, $61.

Miss Selfridge crop top, $49.

Miss Selfridge, coordinating pants, $61.

Miss Selfridge Hawaiian Print T-Shirt, $61.

Miss Selfridge Hawaiian Printed Mini Skirt, $61.

 ~Your Curator of All Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Summer 2014 Handbag Round Up

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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.

Grommets add a funky, modern touch to a shoulder bag. Big Buddha, Jkesha Satchel Top Handle Bag, $95. Amazon.

This mustard hue surprisingly goes well with many different outfits and the gold studs are a nice detail. Vieta Oversized Studded Leatherette Hobo Tote Satchel Handbag Purse Shoulderbag, $90. Amazon.

An Aztec, tribal look in bold, graphic colors and print creates instant drama to your outfit. 50% at Nordstrom, $21,

I’m in love with this bag. I’ve owned this Melie Bianco for over a year, and it’s still holding up well, despite the white color. Can be easily cleaned with a Clorox wipe. The gold zipper detail makes this bag ultra versatile. And, it’s a steal at $38. Amazon.

Boho Patchwork Tote, a wonderful compliment to jeans and a white fitted tee or tank, $38. Nordstrom.

More grommets! Nordstrom offers this cool hobo bag for $38.

Fringe is in! Boho Spiritualistas know that fringe never really goes out of style, but Summer 2014, it is definitely en trend for the rest, $32. Nordstrom.

A slouch bag can hold the world! So, try and remember to pack light in this stylish tote, $40. ‘Mixed Signals’ Print Slouchy Tote.

This lime is nineties, the style 2014, $55. Extra-Large Melie Bianco ”Fergie” Crossbody Satchel. Amazon.

~Your Curator of all Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Jump Into Jumpsuits!

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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!

Strapless, wide legged boho jumpsuit, $30. Forever 21.

Sexy and form flattering, definitely a jumpsuit most ladies can test out. A jumpsuit that covers the arms, belted at the waist and wide leg adds a nice, lean look to most body shapes, $28. Forever 21.

Spaghetti strapped, wide legged jumpsuit. Great for a summer music festival – cool, sexy and practical, $25. Forever 21.

Strapless, drawstring waist, great with strappy sandals, as pictured, $18. Forever 21.

V-neck, wide legged jumpsuit is easy to wear – can wear your everyday bra ladies! Surrealist Wide-Leg Jumpsuit, $23. Forever 21.

I love Forever 21 for not forgetting our shapely figured sisters. Here’s a sexy way to wear a strapless jumpsuit – caged sandals and a clutch takes this look from day to night, $23. Forever 21.

Love 21, an off shoot of the Forever 21 brand, caters to the thirty something crowd and their sizes are more forgiving. Great paisley print, $25. Forever 21.

Brunch with friends, about town jumpsuit. Voyager Wide-Leg Jumpsuit, $23. Forever 21.

This jumpsuit epitomizes the 2014 spiritualista – electric blue, eclectic pattern, modern fit. Eclectic Wonder Jumpsuit, $23.

~Your Curator of all Things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

Light denim in Focus

Posted in Fashion, Style, Uncategorized by

Family bike trip to the park. Daniel getting a hug from his mom.

H&M tee shirt, Love Culture denim jeans, Target sandals.

 

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

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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!):

Image courtesy of Urban Outfitters Ecote Denim Fit & Flare Overalls, on sale for $19.99, original price $89!http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

Image courtesy of Urban Outfitters. BDG Button-Down Slim Fit Denim Overall from http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

Image courtesy of Urban Outfitters 15 Fifteen Skinny Boyfriend Overalls, from http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

Image courtesy of BDG Denim Overalls, from http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

Image courtesy of Urban Outfitters BDG Drapey Chambray Overall, from http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

~Your Curator of all things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

My Early March Denim Looks

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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.

A wool turquoise jacket, a denim chambray shirt layered over a burgundy tee shirt, with abstract patterned jeans and leather booties. Gold hoops round out my look.

Without the picture color tinting and the jacket.

My jeans are from Forever21.com and I got them on sale for $8. I also purchased my chambray shirt from Forever21.com.

I love this American Rag shirt from Macys.com. I got it just last week for $8. On rainy days, a beret works great for hiding bad hair days. I love my Born boots – been wearing them for four years now, and they’re still looking good (with the help of my shoe cobbler, of course).

My take on the Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid.

My mother of pearl earrings go with a lot of outfits.

~Your Curator of all things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley

2014 Overalls Overhaul

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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):

Image courtesy of http://www.freepeople.com/. $398. Style: 28523728

Image courtesy of http://www.freepeople.com/. $148. Style: 30131585

Image courtesy of http://www.freepeople.com/. $98. Style: 26820217. Multiple denim color choices.

For the Budget Minded Spiritualista:

Image courtesy of American Rag from http://www1.macys.com/shop/. $62. Get 20% off now. I own these lovelies.

Image courtesy of American Rage from http://www1.macys.com/shop/. $64. Web ID: 1322783. 20% off on macys.com.

Image courtesy of Guess from http://www1.macys.com/shop/. $158. Get 20% off now. Web ID: 1290909

Image courtesy of Life in Progress from http://www.forever21.com/. $29. I purchased these overalls as well. Product Code : 2000110704

Image courtesy of http://loveculture.com/. $47. Style: 1000021767

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

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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.

My son and I on a Sunday taking Selfies – ah, the joys of parent/child bonding.

Mom and son, February 2014. Dante’s wearing a Hurley sweatshirt from Pac Sun, some medium washed jeans and a denim chambray shirt with the collars peeking through. I’m wearing a Leith (Nordstrom) jean jacket, a white t-shirt that says “Haute Paris,” floral patterned jeans I scored from JC Penney’s for $13! And, Julianne Hough Sole Society Kita booties. I love gold hooped earrings and my collection of spiked, studded wrap bracelets on my left wrist.

Dante’s serious look. I am digging his Hawaiian sweatshirt.

In a posing kind of mood.

63 degree weather – feels like springtime in Northern California in February. I’m enjoying denim jacket days in the winter.

Jacket off, just my lovely t-shirt from Ross for $6! The best part of my outfit? The great deals on clothing!

Leith denim jackets sold out, but check out Leith’s denim vest for $78.00 – very cute at http://shop.nordstrom.com/

I was lucky and scored some floral brocade jeans from JCP during a clearance sale for $13. I found some close replicas for $25, Life In Progress Skinny Jeans from http://www.forever21.com/

Start your own wrap bracelet collection. This bracelet is $7 and can be found at http://www.forever21.com/

You’ve seen this bootie featured on my blog before. I now own these booties and they’re comfortable with edge. They’re the Kita bootie at http://www.solesociety.com/kita-black.html

~Your Curator of all things Stylish, Kimberly Jo Cooley

6 Reasons why Affirmations don’t Work

Posted in Affirmations, Goals, Inspiration, Inspirational Quotes, New Year's Resolutions, Spirituality by
Image courtesy of phanlop88, published on 25 November 2013, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of phanlop88, published on 25 November 2013, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Affirmations are a great spiritual and mental modality that help center your intentions and speak to Higher Source on what you have and what you are bringing into your physical reality. It is a bridge from the sub-conscious to the conscious. When your affirmations are in alignment with what you want – which is to feel great in all areas of your life – they help to shape your thoughts  and shift the “now you” into the “new you.” Here’s a list of ways to sabotage the effectiveness of affirmations and three quick tips to overcome these roadblocks.

6 Reasons why affirmations don’t work:

  1. Setting unrealistic or highly ambitious affirmations.
  2. Limiting beliefs that need to be rooted out so new belief systems can planted. An example of a limiting belief is “you have to work hard in order to deserve more money.”
  3. Listening to others on why affirmations don’t work. Many people will say they do not work, but it could be the naysayers were too ambitious, or perhaps they rarely said or believed them, resulting in failed results.
  4. Failure to say them on a regular basis.
  5. Failure to adjust your affirmations as your life changes (for the better!).
  6. Failing to believe what it is you are affirming.

2 Tips to Ensure Success with your Affirmations:

  1. Have your affirmations represent being in that which you are affirming. Use words, such as “I AM” “I HAVE” and if necessary, “I WILL.” This is not a hard and fast rule, as there are some that do not start with those beginnings, such as my favorite affirmation, “I BEGIN and END my jobs on my own terms.”
  2. Give yourself room to grow in your affirmations.” For example, saying “I am a millionaire” will likely not resonate with you as much as “I am EVOLVING into a millionaire” or “I am evolving into a CEO of a successful company”. The subtle difference is the word “evolving.” It denotes you are moving toward millionaire status, but acknowledges you’re not there yet. The other example is “I work out everyday.” That sets a person who is just starting a workout regimen up for failure. Instead, say “I am healthy, fit and find ways to incorporate health and wellbeing in my day.” No matter what, believe your affirmation as fact, even if you may not be experiencing it yet.
  3. Be patient. It is important to  be patient with yourself as you play with the affirmations modality. If you don’t see results right away, that’s okay. Oftentimes, we are unable to see what has already started manifesting in our life, hidden amongst all the things we do and don’t desire. Allow the blessings to come in their own time and trust they will.  

~Your Curator of All things Inspirational, Kimberly Jo Cooley