Fashion Fix: Denim

Does your denim fade fast? Shrinkage giving you the blues? Confused about care?
At a reader request (I'm listening people!) today we're talking blue jeans, baby!

Caring for Denim:

• Wash infrequently. Unless you're wearing the same pair daily or in dirty situations (I'm not even sure what that would be...) denim doesn't requires a wash with each wear.  Put it off as looong as possible to retain color, shape and fabric quality. Unless you're going for the perfectly 'broken in' pair.
• Turn jeans inside out before washing. It prevents additional bleeding and helps even out any fading that might occur.
• Wash in cold water using a mild detergent. (See below for recommendations) Never, ever, eeeever wash in warm/hot, unless of course, you need some shrinkage or are up for fading. 
• Always air dry. The hot air from the dryer will shrink and fade your favorite blues.
• As for storage, folding or hanging makes no difference. I prefer folding as the thick fabric doesn't wrinkle much and they just seem so heavy on hangers. 
• Steam or iron as needed. Denim has as high cotton content (more on the awesomeness of cotton) and can take the heat (hee hee) when it comes to removing wrinkles.

Tips:

• Old jeans looking tired? Try washing them with a new pair to freshen them up! 
• On the flip side of the aforementioned tip, don't wash dark and light denim together.
• Use a color enhancing detergent or one formulated for darks like Cheer brightClean or Woolite Dark
• To regain the crisp, newly laundered look in between washings, lightly mist with water and pop in the dryer for a few minutes.

Extra Credit:

When your favorite blues have bit the denim dust, don't give up yet. Take inspiration from a few of these ideas, bust out the scissors and studs, and get to work!

Denim cutoff tutorial by A Pair & A Spare    /      Ombre Studded Cutoff's by Sabo Skirt

Need more ideas? Here's a whole blog dedicated to Denim Therapy!

Do you have a question for Fashion Fix? I'm accepting 'issues'! :)

Fashion Fix is a new series dedicated to helping you care for your favorite pieces or solve your fashion dilemma's.  In case you missed it, check out last week's post on Sweaters!

Black & Blue (jean)

Shirt - AE  // Skirt - Kmart  //   Necklace -  Macy's  //  Belt - Vintage  //  Earrings - Gifted  // Boots - kelly & katie

The denim shirt/fancy black skirt combo might qualify as one of the most popular outfit blog ensembles of all time. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who post's outfits regularly that hasn't interpreted this look in her own way and who am I to not cooperate? Since the weather has been unseasonably warm this fall (thank you soooo much Mother Nature) I'm trying to get as much use as I can out of my skirts and tights (before things look like this again) including this sassy little number I picked up at Kmart for fourteen buckaroo's. (Same shopping trip as the sequin sweatshirt!) Call me crazy, but the Bieb's girlfriend {aka Selena Gomez} is becoming a bit of a favorite these days.

Have you experienced any unexpected finds lately?

Update: this look was featured on DailyBuzz Style's "Ladylike in Lace" Top 9 roundup - honored!!

Shine Your White

Top - Banana Republic  /  Jeans - Express  /   Earrings, Ring, Sunnies - H&M  

 Shoes - BCBG  /  Belt - Borrowed from Husband 

The sun came out this weekend and it was absolutely thrilling. (Just in time to participate in the PSS Bloggers Do It Better linkup featuring one of spring's hottest looks - head to toe white.)  Besides the fact that my toes were itching to peek out of my new sandals, (DSW clearance rocks!) the weather was still a bit chilly at times and I didn't feel quite ready to full on white out just yet. Opting for peanut butter brown accessories grounded the bright white.  And you know how bad I wanted feathers...so far I'm content with these pop of peach earrings that, combined with platforms, feel very hippie glam.

White is chicer than ever. Worn crisp and cool in the form of a white suit or crinkly and comfy in a linen pant version, this trend is truly timeless.

Do White Right:

• When considering undergarments, nude is a better choice than white or cream. And did you know light gray can work just as well? It creates a shadow effect, nearly disappearing below the surface. A good rule of thumb about visibility - if you think we can see it, we can probably see it ;)
• The fewer seams underneath, the better. This goes for VPL, bra straps and/or cami's. White reflects light and any bump, groove or lump is only intensified. That being said, some white's are purposely thin or sheer (like my top above) so a visible tank is expected. However, more substantial fabrics (like my denim) calls for coverage...a polka dot thong would be unsightly. 
• To avoid the Michelin man look, find ways to add depth or dimension with accessories like long necklaces, a belt or additional layers to break up the monotony. 
• White (and it's many versions) is extremely versatile. It's accented well with warm or cool tones, looks fabulous head to toe or in pieces. 

Here are a few of my favorite white combos.

Finding the Right White:

Skins tones are like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. Hair color (natural or otherwise), eye color, even the brightness of your teeth affect the overall way color can enhance or diminish your appearance. Finding the right white can be as simple as asking yourself a few questions:

             What's my skin tone? Are my undertones blue-ish, pinkish, or am I more olive or yellow? 

           What colors am I wearing when I receive compliments? Are they in the warm or cool family? 

There's the scoop. Go forth and rock the whites! Still want more? Check out my Winter White Out.

How do you wear your whites?? Comment, Tweet me or join the chat on Facebook!

Neon Queen

Ever since we hosted an 80's party last summer, I find myself inspired by the colors and trends of that time (neon and acid wash anyone?) So when I spotted these tie dye wash jean leggings on sale at Express... come to Mama.  (Though they may be a little more '90's than '80's and just so happen to be called Zelda. -- Please tell me you remember that video game. No? Go ask your little brother.) The pink top has a deep V and loose shoulders that give it a little Flashdance feel. And blue leopard print? Hellooo 'borderline-so-tacky-it's-almost-cool!' If you squint, you can see the multi gemstone peacock earrings that I actually wore to '80's party - well, one of them... these babies go with tons of stuff! And a neon queen isn't complete without splash paint nails. (We'll discuss later this week.)

Earrings: Icing  /  Clutch: Aldo  /  Top: Armani Exchange  /  Jeans: Express 

Shoes: Rugged Warehouse  /  Manicure: Sally Hansen Collide-o-Scope