Blog name possibilities – update

Alright readers, I’ve managed to come down to two different possibilities for a new blog name.  As I mentioned last week, I want the new name to somehow incorporate the word “smiles” to reflect both a positive outlook on life, and the amazing difference a smile can make in one’s appearance.  Several variations were already taken, but I’ve come up with two that I love, and that both have .com addresses available.

Smiles Go With Everything – (I’ve actually already bought this domain, but I haven’t decided if I’ll use it for my blog yet).  This was one of my earliest ideas and is still one of my favorites.  I like how it captures the philosophy so beautifully.  It does create a somewhat long address, but it’s also very memorable.

Diana Lynn Smiles – I like the idea of incorporating my name, and I think it makes for a sweet title.  It makes for a slightly shorter address, which can be useful.  There are other blogs out there with Lynn in the name, but I don’t think that would be a serious problem.

So readers, help me decide!  Which is your favorite?

Daily Outfit: Urban Bohemian

Generally, I am not a big fan of bohemian styles.  I went through a “hippie” phase in my teens, and such styles generally make me think of the awkwardness that was those years.  Yet lately, I find myself drawn to flowing silhouettes and earthy shades of brown.  However, I don’t think I’ll ever go “full-hippie”.  What I do like is mixing bohemian accents with modern colors.  Thus, this outfit is born.

This beautiful blue tunic is a twin of the purple one you’ve  seen before.  For some reason, I often find twin Target items at my favorite thrift store, Second Image.  I don’t usually buy both colors, but I couldn’t resist with these.  I removed the ties off this top, since they made it look too much like a maternity top for my liking.  Pairing it with my favorite belt gave it plenty of waist definition, although it looks fine unbelted as well.

And in case you were curious, that is my sewing machine in the window.

Tunic: Target (thrifted)
Belt: Anthropologie
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Nena
Purse: Easy Spirit Outlet
Cuff: Thrifted
Earrings: Efy Tal

Shoe Lust: Tsubo Kiho

tsubo-kiho-whiteTsubo Kiho in White  $190

Could these be a modern version of the white go-go boots I’ve been craving?  I think so.  Tsubo’s are known for being very comfortable.  I love these in white, for a mod feel, but I could easily see myself wearing the brown or black version also.  My only concern is the the circumference of the shaft is only 14.5 inches, which would be painfully tight on my calves.  I could get them stretched, but there’s no guarantee that they could stretch enough to fit comfortably.  I’ll be keeping my eye on these.

Items for the Frequent Travelers Wishlist

(I did buy some things this week, but they haven’t come in the mail yet, so I’m going to do a shopping ban post for this week and next week next Saturday.  In the mean time, enjoy this post about gifts for travelers)

 

I don’t really get to travel as often as I would like to.  Generally, I only get out of Florida once or twice a year.  Yet every time I travel, I always manage to come up with a list of things that would have made my trip more enjoyable.  Some are simple, some more extravagant, but all would make travel more pleasant.  Here’s some great items for the frequent traveler on your Christmas list:

  • A Non-Black Suitcase

Orla Kiely Tripp Cabin Upright  $317

When you get off your plane and go to the luggage carousel to pick up your items, doesn’t it annoy you that every single suitcase (including yours) is pretty much identical and boring?  Well, it bothers me, and with a gorgeous suitcase like this, I’d never be confused about whether or not a piece of luggage was mine.  For the matchy-matchy, there is also a laptop bag, a large tote, a hold-all and a wheeled duffle.

  • Sewing Kit – Really, you should have this in your purse everyday anyhow.  But when you’re traveling, it really helps to be able to sew that button back on when you only have two shirt options.  And carry safety pins for emergency fixes.  And fashion tape.
  • Lots of moleskin

Dr Scholls Moleskin Plus $24.72 (8-pack)

Travel generally means lots of walking which also means lots of blister potential.  Be prepared and your feet will thank you.

  • A Neck Pillow

Bucky Fuzzy Wuzzy U-Neck Pillow  $24.95

It’s hard enough to sleep on planes as it is.  Make it a little easier with a cozy neck pillow.

  • A Better Toiletry Kit

Ebags Pack-it-flat Toiletry Kit  $34.99

My current toiletry kit takes up way too much space.  Something that packs flat like this would be much better, and can keep one’s toiletries much more organized.


Daily Outfit: Simply Sweet

I wore this last weekend for dinner out with the family.  We went to a hip new restaurant in our neighborhood, Ella’s.  The food was amazingly good, and the atmosphere was gorgeous.  We are on their outdoor porch under some beautiful old oak trees.  I highly recommend going there if you’re in the area.

This purse is too small to be practical most days, but it’s perfect for going out to dinner.  It has just enough room for a wallet, cell phone, and a few other necessary trinkets.  It’s like having a clutch, only with handles.

Blouse: L8ter (thrifted)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Jeans: Express Stella
Boots: Dansko Nena
Purse: Heiress (Vintage)
Necklace: Garage Sale
Bangles: Jill Popowich

Daily Outfit: Matchy-Matchy

I usually shy away from matching too many elements in an outfit.  But for this outfit, it just felt right.  Every other color of purse I tried felt out of place, and this was perfect.  There’s no such thing as hard and fast style rules in my book.

The theme at my school for this day was “Fall Colors”  However, most fall colors don’t really look good on me (at least when they’re all together).  I chose to make it simple and wear brown and brick red, with denim and black to keep the ensemble from being too warm in tone.

Oh and of course, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  And Happy Thursday to those not in the States!

Tank: Ann Taylor (garage sale)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Jeans: Express
Boots: Born Biddy
Purse: Morelle Truffle
Pearls: Garage Sale
Earrings: Efy Tal

Etsy Love: Little Bird Necklaces

Sometimes, my Etsy Love posts come together organically as I’m favoriting items on Etsy.  Such was the case with this post.  I began to notice that I had many items in my favorites that were “little bird” themed.  Some searching revealed to me that there’s quite a few beautiful items with little birds in them.  Here’s some of my favorites:

(I focused on necklaces, because there were so many)

Little Bird Necklace   $19

Blue Dove Studio

Sweet Modern Bird Perched in a Raindrop   $48

Modern Bird

Little Bird in the Tall Grass   $46

Lulu Bug Jewelry

Birds on a Wire Necklace with Pearls  $88

Jane E Roberti

Sweet Little Chick  $21

Lana O Crystal

Daily Outfit: All Hail Fluevog

I’m still debating about whether or not to keep my orange Fluevog Fiorenzas (I just really don’t like the color orange anymore).  But one thing is definitely for sure, my goldenrod Malibrans aren’t going anywhere.  I adore these shoes.  They were my first real style investment, and they were worth every penny.  I may feel fickle about orange, but I love goldenrod for an accent color.

See how much more boring this outfit looks when you can’t see the shoes?  My Malibrans really make this outfit shine.

Oh, and these shoes are very popular with the kindergartners at my school.  They love the bright color.

Dress: Lush
Cami (under dress) Gap
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Belt: Vintage
Tights: Target
Shoes: Fluevog Malibrans
Purse: Thrifted and re-conned
Necklace: Chocolate Cake Jewels

Looking for a new name

Well, folks, I’m beginning to feel like it’s time to really take this blog seriously.  Simple Elegance has mainly been a fun hobby for me, but I want it to be more polished and professional.  I’m starting to work on the beginnings of a book, and I want this blog to become a platform which that book might be launched off of.   I’m also thinking about become a professional shopper/personal stylist on the side, once I find out what training is necessary.  Also, I’d really like to have a url that doesn’t still bear the name of what was originally a crafting blog.  I’d like to have a site that looks good on business cards, that people might want to advertise on.

So, I’m ready for a name change (again).  While I like Simple Elegance, having a double “e” looks sloppy in urls.  Plus, SimpleElegance.com is unavailable, and when I google the name, lots of wedding and interior decorating companies come up, which could be confusing for someone who doesn’t realize that my blog is a style blog and not a wedding blog.

Plus, I want something more original.  Something that still reflects my personal philosophy about style, and something that doesn’t sound like a million other generic blog names.

I am very open to suggestions, because right now I haven’t come up with much.  But the one possibility I do have I like a lot. Here’s a few possibilities I’ve come up with.

Smiles Go With Everything.  This definitely reflects one aspect of my view of style and life.  Nothing bugs me more that sullen faced models wearing gorgeous outfits.  Or women who are absolutely beautiful yet can’t stand the site of themselves and are always depressed and frowning.  Smiles instantly make you look better and more beautiful.  Frowns can make even the best outfits look awful.  And really, I think it’s best to always have a positive outlook on life.  It’s just too short to let all the bad stuff get you down.

Here’s some variations on that idea:

Smiles Are in Style

Smiles Are Chic

Pearls and a smile (because I love to wear classic pieces like pearls) (Never mind, it’s already taken)

Both of those versions have fewer characters, which is often beneficial.

So that’s my only really good idea so far. What do you think of these for a new blog name?  Any other ideas?  Once I buy the domain name, I’ll be sure to make a post before I switch the blog over.

Daily Outfit: Night Time

Normally I prefer to always take my pictures in natural sunlight.  Sometimes though, the day gets away from me, and I have to settle for porch-light.  One of these days, I’ll get my broken flash fixed, but this works for now.

The unfortunate effect of this lighting is that the color gets very washed out.  This tunic is actually a dusty-purple, but you can’t really see it here.  I bought it when I was at a garage sale in California, but it took me awhile to decide if I wanted to keep it.  In fact, I took it to the clothing swap last week, but it didn’t work for anyone else, and everyone encouraged me to five it another try.  I’m glad they did.

I absolutely love my new Born Sokals.  They have a decidedly sweet, Audrey Hepburn vibe to them.  However, I learned the hard way that they need lots of breaking in.  My heels had horrible blisters when I took these photos.  I’m going to stick to wearing them at home in the evenings for awhile before I wear them for another eight hour day at work again.

Tunic: Kensie (garage sale)
Cardigan: Minimalist (handknit by me)
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Born Sokal
Belt: Old Baltimore Vintage
Scarf: Target
Necklace: Local Boutique
Purse: Easy Spirit

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