Chic Traveling!

Nothing is more chic than traveling! What better way to have a great trip than helping others along the way. I shall be traveling and helping others this summer in Santiago, Chile. As many of you know, recently a devastating earthquake hit Chile. Although the city’s buildings were built to withstand such acts of nature and the Chilean people are resilient, any helping hand is greatly appreciated. This week’s blog is about all of the wonderful thing that you can do in Chile. While next week’s posting shall describe some of the occurrences of the earthquake and the various ways that you can help.

Great things to do in Santiago, Chile and surrounding areas are: copper mine tours, tours of the Valparaíso port, the many wineries, Chilean universities, and wondering through the town to see what else you can find! Here darlings, I’ll give you a preview of each of these wonderful places!

Retro Chic!

Bonjour friends! I know I could never attempt to even bother you lazy lizards with another fashion lesson, so I shall keep this week’s post light-hearted and merely an idea that you may incorporate into your life! I hope to inspire you today to partake in something I have recently started: Decorating with vintage album covers! Now, please do not let your mind get too carried away, and think that I am about to convince you to cover every wall of a room in album covers! Oh that would be much too busy to relax in! (But what an accomplishment!) But sprinkling a vintage album cover here and there can add the most delightful splash of color, and even essence of nostalgia!

I came upon this idea when I became totally bored with my iPhone backgrounds. I was tired of the previously-uploaded ones that the phone came with, and the pictures that I had taken myself were becoming less and less interesting. I needed a change, and I somehow though that the colors and feelings of an old record would really brighten my day each time I needed to use my phone (A.K.A. all the time!) But some of you may not be interested in this, so other great places to use old record covers, or even just the print artwork of these would be: on billboards with other photos or knick-knacks, placed on the wall in groups as artwork, inside coffee or other decorative tables that can display objects, or even just placed within a stack of magazines to surprise a house guest looking for something to read!

Here are a few examples of vintage albums that I have used for decoration:

I find that I love album covers even more when I love the band. Steppenwolf, the Who, and Led Zeppelin are a few of my favorite classic rock bands. (Classic rock is chic by the way! Not too main stream! It’s only un-chic when riding on the back of a Harley Davidson in too-tight leather apparel. Dreadful!)


If you are not much of a music person or do not even know where to start, a great place would be to search the 60’s era through 70’s era artwork, or even visit the Fort Worth Modern Museum of Art! What another delightful and chic activity that compliments this fresh idea! Remember living chicly is always about keeping things fresh, lively, and always fun!

You could also look to album covers of today’s artists if you have even more of a modern flare! Surprisingly, even though there is so much distasteful music playing today, there are many great album covers! (Although today, these are compact discs, and are exactly that, much more compact and do not provide as large or significant of artwork as in the past.) But this can be worked around as artists are selling their own posters with their artwork as well! Here are a few example of modern album covers:

So no matter your fancy; go find YOUR retro chic!

Scarf It!

Last week, I offered a few delightful suggestions for exercising without sweating. You might have noticed on my last picture that the chic-erblader was wearing a head scarf. How divine! These head scarves have not only been in style for decades, but are still a hot trend right now! Loves, I will show you how great scarves looked decades ago, but also how great they look today! Scarves can be worn around the neck, around the head, or even woven into your hair as an accessory. All are equally delightful, but I will focus on head scarves since this is the epitome of chic and takes some courage to wear! But they just look so fierce once you do!

Look here’s the founder of Chic – Audrey Hepburn in a gorgeous head scarf!

As you can see they look fabulous paired with sunglasses and bold lipstick. (Although both these items should always be worn!) Also, scarves are great for very windy or rainy days to help guard against tousled hair. The video below, which will show you how to construct this great look (do not fret, it is easy!) also gives a great idea of using a scarf to hide less than clean hair. This is great for times when a shower may not be available such as very secluded vacations, camping (heaven forbid), or a mission trip. All great things to be participating in anyways! Go ahead love, watch and learn!

I just love that look! Don’t you? I hope you can try it yourself! Here I’ll show you how I usually wrap my scarves as a headband and also use it to secure my bun. This is a great example for those of you with shorter hair like me, especially since the video focused on longer hair.

See if I can do that with a scarf so can you! Here is a picture of some of my favorite scarves! I think it’s great to have bold, plain, solid, patterned, big, and small scarves! I also have not even touched on winter scarves!

Oh they are just delightful too, but I would much rather prepare you for the summer and having a great beach scarf! In addition to the beach, great places to wear scarves would be shopping, to a brunch, or even to dinner parties. I will warn though like I shared with you earlier about the differences in occasions for chic leisure attire compared to professional attire. I would advise against wearing bright head scarves in a professional setting because they are very stylish for everyday activities, but not dressy enough for weddings or meetings. These sort of events require more professional attire as I addressed earlier (if you missed this posting, be sure to go back and dive right in!)

That is all for this week loves! Go get wrapped up in a scarf! Ciao!

Chic-ercising.

The definition of exercise, but chic.

Being chic is being happy, and to be happy one must be active! Not only does exercising give you energy but it also is a great way to expend energy that can build up after gruesome days at the office, or studying in the library for dreadful tests. Chic exercising does not have to be strenuous either! In fact, it is quite un-chic to sweat publically. How presumably un-feminine. It is much more chic to enjoy the exercise that you are getting, and to look great while doing so! Here is a list of some ideas of chic ways to exercise!

Walking (especially along the beach!)

Walking is a wonderful way to stay fit and feel great! Taking long walks after dinner was a favorite of Audrey Hepburn (and think of how chic she was!) Take any opportunity to see the scenery around you, and walk! To add a splash of romance, have your significant other accompany you on a walk! This is a great time during vacations, business traveling, and even during the holidays to take a break from those overwhelming families. Walks are splendid in that they run the cool breeze through your hair and pores, and provide tantalizing scenery for your eyes, which can even be great conversation starters for your walking companion! You don’t always have to be on a beach to walk! Try it along a river, on a hiking trail, in the middle of a city with tall buildings, or even just around your neighborhood (you will be surprised how many families’ cook-outs you will smell or dogs you will meet! How delightful!)

Riding a Bike

Now the chic way to ride a bike is not to wear neon spandex, and race a large group of people (although I know this can be a great hobby, and provide physical exercise, and I support that!) That way is, however, a different form of exercise, and does not belong next to chic exercising. Chic bike riding includes taking a “beach cruiser” bike (which are so cute!), and pedaling at a comfortable and enjoyable pace (but you must speed up for quick drops or turns, how fun!) A beach cruiser does not have to be rode on the beach, but can also be taken through a forest, much as the characters on the Notebook! Another chic-ercise to do with a loveable companion (try your furry dog friend too!)

Chic-erblading

Okay, so I mean just rollerblading, but doing so in great looking clothes makes it chic-erblading! This is the least common form of chic-ercise because some may pass it off as “too 80s” but it most definitely is not! Rollerblading is wonderfully fun and great for sculpting legs!

Now go, embark on your own chic-ercising and tell me how it goes loves!

Antique-ing

Darlings- Have you gotten tired of doing the same activities in the city of Fort Worth over and over and over again? I know that I absolutely adore shopping in those quaint little shopping centers, such as University Park Village. What a delightful bakery, bookstore, and apparel shops! However, I do seem to get into a rut of visiting the same places far too many times for it to still be entertaining. How particularly drab to browse a store in which you already know each article of clothing’s position in the store, and how long till it hits the sale rack. Where is the fun in that? I certainly do not see any! Therefore, one must travel beyond the limits of the ordinary to a large, and I might even say “enchanted” place called The Montgomery Street Antique Mall.

“Antiques, those are even more predictable than trendy clothing, Brittany. Where are you going with this?” you may be thinking. But, trust me darling, there is nothing predictable about this antique mall. It is so large that I have lost myself amongst the things several times. Of course, I have always found my way back because here I am, but the sheer amount of antiques the mall delivers is sure to take hours to even catch a glimpse.

Montgomery Street Antique Mall has over 200 retailers. I have not even seen all of them myself because I get so caught up in the delightful trinkets as I am going through I cannot make it to the end of the mall without leaving for a quick brunch or coffee to renew my strength. How delightfully full of adventure though! I am a seasoned veteran at antique shopping! I have been to multiple places in the states to find exquisite gems of the past, yet that display current moods and trends.

Here darlings, I’ll show you:

This is my antique desk that has fueled all of my great ideas.

Here is a decorative vase that is not an antique but looks like one. How cost effective!

So go forth and find delightful treasures of your own. You can also gather help along the way to learn more about the antiques. Many have a history of owners or a time period that they are known for. You can ask an employee of the shop or antique mall you are browsing through, or you can even watch shows such as “Antique Roadshow” to learn what is valuable or buy an explanatory book at your nearest Barnes and Noble.

See how much more fun and exciting antiques can be than you thought? Pencil some time in this weekend to browse the 200 retailers in the Montgomery Street Antique Mall.

See you there love! Ciao!

Divine Dining!

Of course Fort Worth classics like Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Dutch’s have splendid cuisine, but it is even more chic to try something new and even more delightful! A great place to find restaurants that can offer this type of cuisine is Magnolia Street, just south of downtown Fort Worth. Not only is Magnolia Street cute and quaint, it is a full of equally cute and quaint cafes! Spiral Diner, Nonna TaTa, are both excessively delicious and quite chic. Each café can cater to different tastes or different moods! Also, if the food is not already delightful enough, these venues offer outside seating for your viewing pleasure of scenic Magnolia Street. There is no better place in Fort Worth for a brunch with the girls than Magnolia Street.

Let’s begin with Spiral Diner. Even though this posh diner is vegan, do not let that scare you, it is absolutely delicious! From a “Sweet Hummus Wrap” to a “Chikn-Less Salad” to a “Meatball Sub,” this vegan diner serves only flavors that make your taste buds dance. I absolutely adore Spiral Diner. It’s so different than the typical, dreadful American fast food or even restaurant chain. I want to faint when I see how popular these sodium-ridden Outback Steakhouses, Chili’s, and TGI Friday’s restaurants have become. I cannot even take my bicycle for a stroll without being bombarded with these disgusting neon signs and drink specials. I, however, do adore a lovely stroll on my bicycle down historic Magnolia Street, yes, much better. Speaking of drinks- Spiral Diner offers organic wine and beer, even from local breweries like Rahr. How positively exquisite to support local businesses rather than giant somewhat beer holding companies! Yes, I know what you are thinking, is it really chic to drink beer? I say yes! If it is something organic and local and possible with an orange slice in it! If it is in a can and has been sitting in a cooler all day at a NASCAR event, not necessarily chic, but I suppose it shall still give you some thrilling times as well. I digress. None the less, Spiral Diner not only offers tasty and unique cuisine but the inside is bright and buzzing with energy, and it is sure to add zest to any day’s lunch!

Now, Nonna TaTa is equally as divine, but smaller in size. Nonna Tata is an Italian restaurant owned by a woman who used to work in the fashion industry for Versace (how remarkably chic!) She decided to open up a restaurant two years ago and named it after her Italian grandmother (darling!) It is especially divine with dainty, super fresh food that is not Americanized Italian food like pizza.

I can say no more without letting you experience this divine dining for yourself, so go forth and dine on gorgeous Magnolia! I shall see you next week love!

Dreamy Decor

Now that you know what chic means and how to dress chicly, you’re going to need somewhere divine to BE chic!

That brings us to our next topic, DÉCOR! Surrounding yourself in a bright environment can help lift your spirits and keep you energized. Chic living is about enjoying and savoring every moment of living and it is much easier to do so in an inviting environment. There are 3 keys to chic interior décor.

1. bright colors
2. memorable items
3. uniqueness

Bright colors do not necessarily mean only hot pink or yellow, but refer to cheerful colors. For example, my room is a bright pastel green. I LOVE green! Green is fabulous! If you follow the link to this site, you can read about how room color actually does affect your mood and energy level! http://freshome.com/2007/04/17/room-color-and-how-it-affects-your-mood/

Here love, I’ll give you a quick peak of how each room color can affect your mood:

Red- raises the energy level
Yellow- evokes happiness
Green- the refreshing quality of blue with the cheerfulness of yellow in one! (okay, so I’m biased!)
Blue-calming, relaxing, serene

Browse the site and see which color is best fit for each room in your house! My regrets to those of you who still reside in those tiny hamster cages called “dorms.” I do not believe that you are allowed to paint those, even though it would help them to be less dreadful! I do have a delightful trick for you in this category though! POSTERS! They are so lovely because they are allowed and can easily be taken down at the end of your residence there. They are a great way to add color too! I have two posters of famous artwork in my room. I had them when I resided in a hamster cage (dorm) and all of my fellow peers delighted in them just as much as I!

Since I love you so much, I’ll even give you this link to browse some posters. (Don’t forget my tip about famous art posters. It’s also chic to be knowledgeable about art!) Here's a picture of one of my famous art posters. This is called "The Kiss" by Klint.

www.allposters.com

Just as important as surrounding yourself in color is also surrounding yourself with items that are meaningful to you. Photographs are great, especially multiple ones in a variety of frames, but there are also other very creative ways to display memories. One is very similar to a photograph but is actually shadow box. I have one such box with pictures of my family and I in it, but also a rosary from my grandmother who has passed. I find it to be a delightful way to remember my granny and am pleased to have something of hers intertwined in my room. (pictured below)


Uniqueness can also not be forgotten! Although there is not much to say, you can absolutely not be surrounded in decorations that every other human has! How very un-delightful and so very un-chic! Not only does having a bright, memory-filled room help your everyday mood, but also when it is different from everyone else’s. If your home was the same as everyone else’s, well then how would you ever know if you are actually home?

Until next time love.