Spice Girls: Scary Spice

I told you she was next, so this post is inspired by none other than Scary Spice (aka Melanie Brown) herself. While her style has been toned way down in recent years, at the height of the Spice Girls' fame it was definitely out there.


Abercrombie:Tank Top. Forever 21: Pants. Aerie: Bra
Dr. Martens: Doc Martens. Motorcycle Superstore: Motorcycle Boots
Rue 21: Clips. Twigs: Bracelet

Walking around in a top that resembles a bra or bikini top isn't exactly kosher with the rest of the world, so I threw added a simple tank top with a twist (I love the back). Though, if you feel so inclined, you could buy it a size or two too big, so it sleeps down and shows the very top of your bra. That way it's more casual, and less "Look at me!" I swapped out the more traditional camo pants for a skinny option, but if you prefer the baggier styles, by all means go for it! This is just my interpretation. I included classic Doc Martens, but they're not cheap, so I included a cheaper option as well.


Asos: Belt, Bracelets. Forever 21: Dress
Ami Clubwear: Heels

Scary Spice was known for her love of leopard print, and this particular outfit was one of her most well-known outfits. I chose a dress as an easy way to pull off this look, and finished the look of with simple accessories. After all, you don't want the accessories to be too loud, since the dress should be the focal point of your outfit.


Tobi: Tank Top. YesStyle: Cardigan.Pac Sun: Shorts
Nordstrom: Converse. Go Jane: Ring.
Miss Selfridge: Headband

This is the easiest look to wear, so it's perfect for those who aren't comfortable with a lot of pattern. It's cute, comfortable, and you can wear it almost anywhere. It's also simple, so I chose to spice it up with a glitzy headband and a fun ring.

So, what do you think?

Magical Monday

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It's Monday again! This last week seems like it went by so slowly, but at the same time really quickly. If that makes any sense at all. It probably didn't, but oh well. Here are five things that made me happy.


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1. Kittens. As I already told you, my mom said yes to getting a new kitten and I couldn't be more excited! My friend said that she's super sweet, and she looks absolutely adorable (though she looks absolutely nothing like the kitten in the picture). It's a bummer I'll be at school most of the time, so I won't see her often, but oh well. The minute I move off-campus (even if it's a couple years away), her and my other kitty will move in with me.


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2. Good hair days. Lately my hair has been air-drying really well and it's fabulous! The waves are looking better, and the frizz is toned down a bit (with the exception of yesterday). Hopefully my hair keeps it up!


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3. Getting my ticket. My friends and I bought our tickets to Harry Potter: The Exhibition. I seriously cannot wait until I can go! Also, don't you wish all tickets were as adorable as the ones in the picture?


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4. Spontaneous parties. My brother decided to throw a spontaneous party as an pre-birthday party party, and it was surprisingly fun. It was just us, my mom, and the neighbors, but there's nothing quite like you and your mom dancing horribly and singing loudly to various songs.


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5. My little brother. Don't get me wrong, he can drive me absolutely crazy! But when he wants to be, he can be the sweetest boy ever. He's been extra sweet lately (which is good, because I've been babysitting us a lot), and I absolutely love it. (And don't let the picture I used fool you-- we're not that close in age. There's a twelve year age gap between us).

So, what have you been loving the past week?

You're Never Too Old For: Headbands

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Aren't you proud of me for not using a picture of Blair Waldorf?

I love headbands, but sadly only have two. Crazy, right? There's an enormous variety of them, so no matter what your personal style is, you can find one to fit it. And, I mean, come on-- they're a great, cheap way to add a little visual interest to any outfit.


Forever 21: 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 15. Urban Outfitters: 6, 7, 11, 14
Charlotte Russe: 1, 3, 9. Dorothy Perkins: 10

This collection is nature-themed. As you can see, it's mostly flowers. However, I made sure to include a wide variety, from the over-the-top #3 to the simple, understated #2. I was also sure to include non-floral headbands, like #14. They're perfect for whatever statement you want to make.


Forever 21: 2, 5, 8. Urban Outfitters: 1, 3
Charlotte Russe: 6, 7. Nordstrom: 4

I chose to make this set embellished headbands (with two bow ones thrown in for good measure). These headbands add a little bit of class to every outfit. Also, can't you just picture them on Blair? I especially love 2 and 4. Gorgeous.


Charlotte Russe: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8. Forever 21: 2, 6, 7, 11
Urban Outfitters: 9, 12. Delia*s: 10

These headbands are all more simple, and therefore better for those who aren't too sure if headbands are right for them. Also, you can get away pairing them with pretty much anything.

So, throw on a headband and channel your inner-Blair! You know you have one.

Do you adore headbands like me? Or do you think I'm crazy, and am I letting my love of Gossip Girl go to my head (pun unintended, but amusing)?

Spice Girls: Baby Spice

This post is inspired by Baby Spice (aka Emma Bunton), who was known for her long blonde pigtails and sweet demeanor.


Endless: Bright Blue Flats, Bright Blue Heels. ModCloth: Navy Heels, Ring.
Dorothy Perkins: Necklace. Target: Navy Flats.
Hollister: Plaid Dress. Delia*s: Navy Dress

I was feeling a bit indecisive when I made this set. I wasn't sure to go literal with a plaid dress or not, so I went with both. Also, I added flats, because let's face it, they're comfortable. However some people prefer heels, and that's what she was wearing in the picture, so I included an option for you too. I also made sure that they weren't too high, so you could get away with wearing them during the day. The necklace was a sweet, girly twist, and the ring was fun and cute.


Gilly Hicks: Dress. Old Navy: Cardigan.
American Eagle: Flats. Target: Heels.
TopShop: Headband

You had to know a pink outfit was coming. A pink blazer isn't very practical, so I swapped it for a cardigan, and added a sweet dress. Again, I gave you an option for shoes. Also, I thought the headband was a sweet touch.


Dorothy Perkins: Pink Dress, Bracelets. Forever 21: Black Dress.
YesStyle: Flats. Keds: Sneakers.
Loris Shoes: Clutch

Okay, the pink dress was just too gorgeous to pass up. And it has a similar neckline, so I figured why not? This is a post about Baby Spice. And, of course, the black dress is taking a more direct inspiration from the actual dress she's wearing in the photo. If you've got the legs to rock sneakers and dresses, go for it, however for those with shorter legs like me, I added flats. Sneakers paired with dresses can make your legs look like stumps if you're not careful. The accessories I added could easily work with either dress.

I understand Baby Spice's style is a little too sweet for some people's taste, but have no fear! There are still three girls to go, all of whom have a very distinct style. We've already covered sexy and sweet, and next will be wild with Scary Spice. Hope you're ready for it ;)

Thoughts: Tattoos

I've been thinking about getting one on and off for awhile now. I finally have an idea of what I would get, but I don't know if I'm able to commit to having something inked on my body for the rest of my life. Not to mention I'm terrified of needles. And I'm afraid it'll hurt.

So, while I may never work up the nerve, these people have, so enjoy looking at their amazing tattoos.


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Aren't they stunning?

Anyways, what do you think about tattoos? Love 'em, hate 'em? Do you have any? Did they hurt? I'd love to hear your thoughts!


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OMG

I'm getting a kitten! I'm so excited! I can get her in mid-September. Unfortunately, I won't be home with her, as I'm at college, but I'm still psyched. And hey, I'm only 45 minutes away :) I'm already thinking of names!

Think Positive: Being Short

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I've been short all my life (with the sole exception of fifth grade), and I've always complained about it. However, not everything about being small is bad.

1. You can fit in small places. I remember once I was in an earthquake drill, and we had to get under our desks. I fit perfectly, the guy behind me (a good foot taller than me) did not. Back seats without any leg room? Not a problem. Suitcases? Been there, done that. Being small can lead to being more comfortable in more places, as well as some fantastic pictures (as with the suitcases).

2. You can get away wearing things others can't. Since I'm small, things are always longer on me. Because of this, I can get away with wearing a lot of shirts with leggings (since they go past my butt) that taller girls wouldn't be able to pull off. Which is awesome, since I love leggings. Also, dresses are a little bit longer on me, which is nice since I'm not comfortable showing a lot of leg.

3. You can shop in the children's section. I've posted about this here, so I won't bore you by talking about it again. I'll just say it's a definite plus to being short.

4. Everyone thinks you're adorable. I can't tell you enough how many people tell me that, large in part due to my height, or lack thereof.

5. You stopped growing ages ago. If you're anything like me, you haven't grown for years. Which means you didn't have to deal with outgrowing your favorite shirt or those adorable shoes. Note: you could run into issues with this if you have hoarding issues like me.

6. You're fun-size. Because we all know good things come in small packages :P

7. You always have a friend you can look up to. I bought a shirt that said that in junior high, and I thought it was adorable. And also true. Talk about looking on the bright side of thing ;)

Name Change

It's official. I've changed the name from "Une Fille Extraordinaire" to "Bows and Brunettes." The main reason was that I wanted something easier for any readers to remember, and sooner is better than later. Sorry for any confusion!

Magical Monday

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I move back onto campus next Wednesday, and I'm pretty much psyched. Though you'd probably be able to figure that out on your own, since most of this post revolves around going back.


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1. Anticipation. I am so excited to move back in, see all my friends again, and start classes! And yes, I am a nerd. Also, that isn't a photo of my campus, but isn't it gorgeous?


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2. Awesome gifts. My roommate informed me earlier this summer that she bought me a move-in gift that I'd love and an amazing birthday gift. So, of course, I had to get her something, too. I was freaking out, afraid I wouldn't be able to find something I could afford, but I did. Hopefully she likes it! I think she will...


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3. Feeling productive. At the end of the school year I promised a professor I'd write him a letter of recommendation for tenure, and it's due in less than a month. I finished it last night. While I definitely need to edit it, still, I feel good having the bulk of it done. Also, I finally started getting my stuff organized for move-in.


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4. Friends in my dorm. I'm sad because one of my best friends is moving to another dorm, because another one of our friends refuses point-blank to leave her dorm (which is understandable, since it's awesome, but impossible to get into if you aren't rooming with someone who already lives there. And I love my dorm). Anyways, I'm sad I now need to put on shoes to visit her. Still, I found out one of my friends that's an incoming freshman this year is in my dorm. I'm so excited!


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5. Awesome lashes. I put on mascara for the first time in God know when, and it's amazing how much longer my lashes get. It kinda makes me wonder why I don't do it more often, since it's not like it takes very long. Who knows, maybe I'll start soon. I've also got eyeshadow on.

Thoughts: Boys' Clothing

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I admit it. I like the boys' section. And no, not in the androgynous, menswear-inspired kind of way (though that's good too!). I mean children's clothing. I have a pair of size 4 sneakers that I love (and hello, they were $5) and I just got a jacket today. And, not gonna lie, this jacket is the only thing I've ever bought wear the sleeves aren't too long for me. Which is awesome.

While there are definitely things in the boys' section that shouldn't be worn by anyone over the age of ten, there can definitely be few gems that can be found (mostly in the way of shoes and sweaters).


Old Navy: Argyle Sweater, Striped Cardigan, Slip-ons
Crazy 8: Red Cardigan, Boat Shoes
Gap: Grey Sneakers

So, any thoughts? Is shopping in the boys' section a huge fashion faux-pas, or is it an undiscovered landmine for petite girls?

Rules To Live By: Be Like Barbie

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And no, I don't mean dye your hair blonde, frequent tanning beds, and strive for a completely unrealistic body. It seems like amidst all the controversies surrounding her appearance, the good things about this ubiquitous doll are forgotten.

When we were little, it seemed like every week there was a new Barbie. She's been everything from a ballerina to a flight attendant to a surgeon. And that's not even beginning to scratch the surface. You can see a full list of all her careers here.

What I'm trying to say is, follow your dreams. Want to open up a bakery, but are afraid of burning out? Go for it-- you won't know until you try. Dream of being a high-profile attorney, but are terrified of falling flat on your face? Do it-- everyone makes mistakes. Want to ditch everything and join the Peace Corps? What's stopping you? Even if you do mess up, it'll only make you stronger.

Whatever it is you want to do, do it. If you're truly passionate about something and you give it your best effort, there's no reason it shouldn't work out. So, why not be like Barbie?

Spice Girls: Ginger Spice

Okay, admit it. You know you loved them. I was obsessed. They were my first concert, and I was convinced I would never stop liking them. They popped into my head a few days ago, and I thought, "Why not update their looks and make them more wearable?" And alas, a new series was born! Here's the first post, with none other than Ginger Spice (aka Geri Halliwell) herself.


Forever 21: Necklace. Tights TopShop: Lace Bodysuit
Miss Selfridge: Solid Bodysuit, Ruffle Skirt
Arden B: Bandage Skirt, Heels. Debenhams: Bracelets

Note: This look is not for the faint of heart. It's definitely sexy, but it might be too much for you, and that's totally understandable. I know I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it, though if you can pull it off, more power to you! For those of you like me, add some tights and a jacket of some sort. Or wear a bodysuit with sleeves. Either way, you can be sure heads will turn.


Forever 21: Dress, Sandals, Ring, Necklace
YesStyle: Bag

This is easily the most wearable of the three looks, so it's a good for people who want to take inspiration from her, but aren't comfortable with being as revealing as the first outfit or as flashy as the second one.


American Eagle: Flats. Ami Clubwear: Boots
YesStyle: Tank Top. Wet Seal: Leggings.
Zumiez: Jeggings

And, of course, who could forget her Union Jack dress? It's easily her most well-known outfit. I love the tank top on so many levels. For the more daring, pair it with a pair of leggings and heels (England and shiny things are two of my favorite things). For the rest of us (or if you need to make it more day-appropriate), pair it with jeggings and flats.

Remember: The key to pulling off anything inspired by Ginger Spice (or any other Spice Girl, for that matter) is confidence. Ginger Spice is known for her bold, red hair and her revealing clothes and in order to pull off a look like that, you need to own it. While you're definitely not channeling her look quite that dramatically, you should still have the confidence to rock your outfit.

You're Never Too Old For: Bows

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It seems to me that as people get older, they tend to write off wearing certain things because they think they've outgrown them. And I'm here to say that there are certain things you're never too old for-- it's just a matter of how you style your outfit. So, the first installment in this series is about bows.


Forever 21: Purple Shorts, Peach Tank Top (unfortunately XS is all that's left)
Miss Selfridge: Red Shorts, Leopard Print Skirt, White Tank Top
ModCloth: Striped Skirt
Wet Seal: Cardigan
Asos: Bow Tee

A common misconception is that bows are too girly or too young for most people's taste. And while they can definitely add a young, feminine touch to an outfit, that doesn't mean it will make you look too young. The leopard print skirt is definitely sexy.


Miss Selfridge: Red Flats. TopShop: Ring, Headband
Monsoon: Leopard Flats. Ami Clubwear: Boots
Forever 21: Clips. ModCloth: Tights
Target: Earrings. Debenhams: Bags
YesStyle: Belt

If you feel like bows on your clothing is a bit much, you can try going for accessories instead. Accessories can range from uber-girly (like the hair clips) to subtle (like the bag), and just about everything in between.

So, what's your favorite way to rock a bow? I think mine's got to be a bow headband I got at Target earlier this year.

Think Positive: A New Outlook

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I've always been a pessimist. No matter how positive I may seem on the outside, I have a nasty habit of second-guessing myself and thinking that everything that can go wrong will go wrong. A friend of mine recently changed her outlook on life, and already she's seeing the benefits, which has made me realize how detrimental such a pessimistic mentality could be. So, in an effort to be more optimistic, I'm determined to change my attitude towards life.


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One way of doing this is realizing that no matter what may go wrong, it could always be worse. Even if I go out on a limb and ending up falling flat on my face, I still have a family that loves me, a roof over my head, and clothes on my back.


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Also, I need to remember that everything happens for a reason. Sure, I totally screwed up, but I also can learn from my mistakes so I don't make the same mistake twice. Or I may not have gotten into the class I wanted, but I may end up in a class I love even more.


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You know those days where nothing goes right, and you just want to curl up in a ball in your room and cry? When you end up eating a pint of Haagen-Dazs, and then you feel even worse, because what about that diet you were supposed to be on? Well, it's okay to cry-- it'll make you feel better. And eat that Haagen-Dazs-- everyone's allowed to have a moment of weakness. But know that when you go to bed, you need to wake up the next day knowing that it's a new day. The world won't end, the sun will still shine. And you know what? It'll be okay.


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Let's face it: I'm not overflowing with confidence. It's one of the most important things you can have, though, so I'm definitely going to try and believe in myself more. Because if you can go into a situation with confidence, it'll go infinitely better than if you're a nervous wreck or you think you're not good enough.




As an effort to start being more positive, I've decided I'm going to start posting the good things about things I normally complain about. This way it'll force me to see the positive.

Magical Monday

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It's Monday, which means it's time to make a list of five fabulous things from the past week.


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1. Painted nails. Even better if it's a bright, cheerful color. I don't usually paint my nails, but I did on a whim earlier this week. I quickly remembered just how much of a mood-booster magenta nails can be. Seriously, why don't I do this more often? Unfortunately, it's already chipping since I didn't have any top coat, but I still love it.


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2. Getting mail. I got a letter earlier this week from my lovely friend, complete with a cute drawing on the envelope and various drawings within the letter itself. Nothing makes me happy than good ol' snail mail.


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3. Friends. I absolutely adore my friends. They always know what to say to make me feel instantly awesome. That's all.


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4. Shopping. As you know, I went shopping over the weekend, and nothing's quite like coming home with new clothes you adore. Even better? Buying jeans not one size, but two sizes smaller than normal. And no, I haven't lost weight since last time I tried on jeans. The blessed brand is just amazing. Why have I never tried their jeans on before? My day was instantly made.


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5. Plain Jane. Have you seen this show? Because if not, you should. It's all about turning self-proclaimed plain Janes into bombshells and helping them get the guy they love, all while building up their self-esteem along the way. It's all the warm, fuzzy feelings associated with chick flicks, only these are real people instead of actors portraying characters.