A Quick History Lesson: Clogs

I was reading an old copy of Real Simple that was lying around my house and noticed an article on clogs. It reminded me of my trip to Amsterdam a couple of summers ago and got me thinking of the traditional clogs they sell in all the gift shops over there. I realized I didn't know much about clogs or how they were made so I knew it was time for some research. This is what I found out:

Clogs first came around in Scandinavia and the Netherlands during the middle ages. They were made from willow wood for warmth and protection. By 1830, clogs became popular in the British working force and were also being used through out Europe and the United States to make rhythms to dance along too. By the early 1900's they still haven't gained much popularity outside Netherlands, Sweden, and the working force. Around the 1960's the emerging hippies were starting to spread the new trend around the United States, thus making them popular through out the rest of the world as well. Today, the clog was rediscovered when Karl Lagerfeld designed a line that was showcased in the 2010 Chanel runway show. Now stores everywhere from Nordstroms to Forever21 are selling the item. We even see certain stores devoted to only selling the clog, such as No. 6, a store in New York City as well as Clog Factory downtown Seattle.

Here are a few of my favorites in stores today:

1. Opening Ceremony, $605
2. Chloe Sevigny Opening Ceremony, $305

3. Diane Von Furstenburg, $175

4. Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony, $380

5. Jeffrey Campbell, $66

6. Miu Miu, $495

7. Opening Ceremony, $395

8. 3.1 Phillip Lim, $278

9. Asos, $95

XOXO, PF

If You're A Bird I'm A Bird

I feel like everyone needs a pick me up every once and a while. Because of this I created a list of my favorites and their all under $100! Hopefully the pink and red tones will get you excited for one of my favorite upcoming holidays; Valentines day! Maybe the summery items will make the nice weather gravitate this way faster than usual :) While I am still on a hunt for a perfect fur jacket, I am also on a hunt for the perfect summery shorts as well.

My favorites include the red bralet top by Betsey Johnson, the swallow printed dress from Modcloth, and the lace shorts by Victoria's Secret (which are on sale!). I am so excited for Valentines day this year! I have already told my boyfriend I expect something along the lines of flowers, have already started planning for his suprise and just love the holiday in general. Although this could be because I have a boyfriend and would probably hate it otherwise. But might as well enjoy it while you have it right? :) The red Demi Cup Swimsuit top reminds me of the famous scene from the notebook when their on the beach playing in the water. So romantic!

The swallow print dress is a great deal for the item. It has elastic around the waist and bow ties on the sleeves. This allows the dress it fit perefectly! It seems like the swallow print is popular this season, I just posted about bows below this which includes 3 blouses with similair prints. I love it! The lace shorts would rank in as number three for me. I have been looking for the perfect pair of shorts ever since my friend returned mine with the zipper broken. These look like they would fit perfectly and look adorable as well. And its a bonus their on sale! Hope the rest of your week is awesome! And wish me luck on the rest of my finals!

XOXO, PF

P.S. For the links from the images above, click on the image

Bows Bows Bows

I love the look of the pussy bow! It is so adorbale. I borrowed a couple pieces from Emily's piece here and also found a few others that I loved as well. I love the versatility of the bow, wearing it tied or down. Im waiting for forever21 to come out with similair versions of the ones above. My favorite part is the flowy material. The way it just floats on your body makes it gorgeous. All these would look adorable with a pair of skinnies. Make it work :)

1. Topshop, $75

2. Oasis, $59

3. Warehouse, $89

4. Topshop, $100

5. Warehouse, $81

6. Lotta Stensson, $355

7. Dorothy Perkins, $39

8. Dolce & Gabanna, $270

9. Warehouse, $89

XOXO PF

P.S. Im saving up enough money to buy the swallow blouse by Warehouse. Which do you like, blue or white? (#'s 3 and 9).

Revamping

What is it about fashion that interests me so much? I really don’t know how to answer that question. I have heard that people who are good at math and science are usually good at art. I enjoy math and have been trying different things through out my childhood to find the art activity that is my calling. I have yet to find it. Maybe its fashion? It could be.

Today I was sitting at the lunch table and realized that I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. This is a pretty scary thought, especially because I’m leaving for college in seven months. I asked the people around me what they see me doing after college. Every one of them said “something in fashion” without a single hesitation. I have been debating on getting a degree in fashion for quite some time, although I know it can’t be a very stable career. But if you make it- you make it big.

What if I’m no good at fashion? What if I completely fail? This is going to be my first start. I started this blog as a school project, being interested in clothes and shopping, thinking I could never break into the fashion industry. As I search more and more fashion blogs I realize that fashion is what you make it. You’re only bad if you don’t believe in yourself. Since it’s an industry in the arts, you are allowed to do what you want.

After having this realization I decided to make a pact with myself. I am going to make my blog better and do my best to start a career with my favorite hobby; fashion. I think my blog posts were so blah before because I didn’t have faith in myself. But this is slowly changing. It may take a few months before my posts are interesting to read but who cares? At least I will have something fun to do in my spare time and a place to vent about all the trends I’m in love with (all my friends are tired of it!).

XOXO, PF

ps. promise a real update later today or tomorrow!

Reversable Denim

{Reactive Bleu}

{French Chalk}

{Oxide Bleu}

I love the idea of having a reversible denim and Bluelab has finally done it. It took designer Carl Jones a considerable amount of research and testing but he made it work. Each pair is cut from one piece of denim avoiding any funky seams. Each pair has a darker wash for more sophisticated styles and a lighter wash for more of an everyday use. They run around $158 unless you want leather, which runs around $208. These are a must for light packers and anyone on the go who wants to change their wardrobe with just a switch around. You can find each pair here.

XOXO, PF

Where was the sunshine?

{Blazer- H&M, Shirt- ???, Purse- vintage}

I did nothing with my hair today but thought my loyal followers deserved an outfit post. It has been a while since I have done a good update (sorry about that...). We decided to take the dogs to the beach but there wasnt any sun today! It was really cold so we didn't end up staying long. I recommend never wearing a white blazer to the beach. It was a task keeping mine clean. I had a good day never the less.

XOXO, PF

A Quick History Lesson: Chris Benz

I just recently learned Chris Benz attended the same high school I am going too!!! I was shocked because Chris Benz has beautiful clothes and his spring summer 2011 line was gorgeous. The floral and color matching was breathtaking. Here is a quick history lesson on Chris Benz:

He grew up in the northwest area and attended the same high school I do now. (!!!) After graduating he applied to Parson's School of Design and was accepted. He studied there under the wing of famous designers such as Marc Jacobs. After graduating from Parson's in 2004 he got a job working for J.Crew. He launched his first line in 2007. Since then he has been known on the runway for his color, texture, and print combination's. You can find his current collection here.

{A Glimpse of Chris Benz's Spring Summer 2011 Collection}

{Chris Benz Himself}

XOXO, PF

Winter Flowers

{Pike Place Market}

{Beautiful Flowers}

As I was downtown with my boyfriend the other day, we decided to hit up the market. Because of the crowds I usually end up going to the market only once or twice a year, and its usually to go to the magazine stand or to grab a bouquet of flowers in the summer. We decided a bouquet of flowers would cheer my house up and went to check out what kinds they carry in the winter. All were beautiful although most had branches of trees in them, which would result in much sneezing in my house. We hunted until we found a beautiful dried one with no trees. Its a beautiful purple color with white and lavender mixed in as well. A great touch to brighten up all these gloomy days.

XOXO, PF

Snowy and Cold

{Leather Jacket - H&M, Grizzly T-shirt - University of Montana Bookstore, Leggings - American Eagle, Boots - Hunter Rain Boots}

The day after new years is always so slow. Since my day consisted of only errands and the weather was so cold I decided to stay warm rather than stylish. I opted for my hunter rain boots with a warm leather jacket to go with it. My boyfriend and I are spending the day making Chinese dumplings after going to every store looking for the right ingredients. Hope the rest of your break is just as relaxing!

XOXO, PF

P.S. Sorry for the bad picture quality. I have yet to get a camera with a cord that hooks up to the computer.