robin hood, princess of style

maxi dress :: downeast basics (get it here) | earrings :: downeast basics | belt :: maurice's | moto jacket :: H&M (similar) | leather wrist wraps :: c/o salvage west | leaf necklace :: 2 brave girls | moccasin necklace :: from my grandma | purse :: aldo's | leopard wedges :: express (love this pair) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe

A slew of clothing shops have opened up in Tooele over the last few months, and DownEast Basics has now added their name to the list. I stopped by one night last week post-work and was very pleased with the infinite outfit potential I stumbled into. The prices are a tad higher than stores like Forever 21 and H&M, but DownEast also carries a number of name brands, such as Lucky and Anthropologie, for much less than usual retail (similar to Uptown Cheapskate, but with a lot more of their own inventory). I even happened upon a Lucky Brand black leather jacket for just $149... alas that I don't wear real leather.

I did, however, snag the olive green maxi dress and fire catcher earrings pictured here, in addition to a giantly oversized yellow cardigan, for just $67, and not having to pay for gas to drive to Salt Lake City meant that I still had enough money left to buy dinner for my sister and I (which somehow ended up being smoothies from Roxberry).

And honestly, both my sister and I really kind of hated this dress until I pulled it on... but as soon as I slid it over my head, we both fell in love. The cut is unexpectedly and perfectly flattering, and the unique shape of the bust and shoulders made me feel like a Princess Robin Hood - I felt like I should be toting around a bow and arrow instead of an orange purse and a moto jacket.

Overall, most of the clothes hanging on the racks at DownEast Basics were stylish and comfortable. They have a trendy but tasteful look that I think will appeal to any woman with a decent sense of style, and the longer hemlines and more modest cuts will certainly please professional and conservative ladies alike. If you live in Tooele, I'd definitely suggest stopping at DownEast Basics before heading to Salt Lake City for your next shopping trip; it's in the same shopping center as Cafe Rio (incidentally, close to Maurice's and Custom Edge as well). You can use the money you save on gas to buy me ice cream!

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self induced autumn

blouse :: forever 21 (not online, but similar here) | moto jacket :: H&M | skirt :: forever 21 (similar) | heels :: qupid (love these ones) | tights :: forever 21 | beaded clutch :: c/o love charles vintage | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | earrings :: forever 21 | necklace :: forever 21 (get it in silver here) | ring :: forever 21 (get it here) | hat :: olsenboye

This outfit was my desperate attempt to bring some fall colors into the Tooele valley; my sister said I looked like Christmas. To be quite honest, I find myself a tad disappointed with the season so far. It's been relatively warm up until last week and the leaves here in the valley remain a disheartening shade of defiant green. Last week was barely cool enough to warrant a light jacket, and the forecast for this week shows temps clawing their way back up to the low 70s. Desperate for an autumnal fix, I took a drive into Middle Canyon Thursday evening post-work, and as soon as I went around the first bend it became obvious that fall is in full effect in the mountains. There were deer everywhere, and leaves crackled beneath my feet as I climbed up the mountainside, the sound magnified by the slight chill in the air. I've heard it said that Tooele is an ugly little city (the word shit-hole has often been used to describe my hometown), but these people obviously don't know where to look.

Oxblood skinny jeans/trousers seem to be one of the it items this season, and while I have certainly developed a not-so-mild obsession with the color, I chose to take a slightly different approach in the form of a skatery school girl skirt with box pleats and gold nautical buttons. There is a very fine line between stylish and trendy fashion victim these days, and an important part of staying on the right side of that line is knowing how to spin the trends into something less obvious but still current and fashionable. That being said, I'm fairly positive I'll be giving in and investing in a pair of oxblood corduroys sometime very soon...

Any trends you'll be giving into this month? What do you think of the blog's new design? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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shop utah :: uptown cheapskate

red ruffled blouse :: charlotte russe (old but love this version) | floral skirt :: thrifted via uptown cheapskate | nude heels :: charlotte russe (sold out, but dying for this pair) | messenger bag :: via francesca's collections (get it here) | black woven belt :: maurice's | straw fedora :: maurice's (love this one) | gold cuff :: charlotte russe | red scarf :: thrifted via uptown cheapskate | pocket watch necklace :: nine via urban wear (similar here) | earrings :: maurice's | sunglasses :: charlotte russe

To say that this weekend has been one of intense change would be a massive understatement.
Intrigued? Check back tomorrow for photos.

This floral skirt and red scarf are from one of my favorite Salt Lake City thrift shops, Uptown Cheapskate. Since acquiring a car and the obligatory payment, thrift shopping is quickly becoming my main source of wardrobe replenishment. While I occasionally haunt the racks at Tooele's Deseret Industries, I lack the patience to be a good thrifter - digging through racks upon racks of ratty 80s cast offs and floral print pioneer chic dresses in search of the ever elusive designer finds is just not my idea of a good time.

That extreme lack of patience is probably why I find fashion exchange shops like Uptown Cheapskate so alluring; their carefully collected assortment of clothing means that all items are on trend and in good repair, while still maintaining the low prices of a thrift store. Forever 21, Charlotte Russe and Anthropologie are among the more popular brands I've found at Uptown Cheapskate, though I've occasionally come across a few not-so-hidden gems (like a Dior pencil skirt and a pair of Coach flats - sadly, neither of which was in my size) and they also carry a selection of new items for a hell of a lot less than mall prices.

The "exchange" is a bit tricky though - like the well-known Plato's Closet, Uptown Cheapskate advertises that you can bring your gently used brand-name clothing in to sell or trade in for store credit. In my experience, they are extremely selectively in what they will purchase, and they tend not to pay much in cash - but I'm guessing that's how they keep prices low. If you're looking to buy a few new pieces anyway, you'll get more value if you opt for store credit over cash, but keep in mind that they are probably not going to buy everything you bring in. The employees are friendly and quick to help, but at their busiest on Saturday afternoons, so for their sake try to avoid bringing in your entire closet on the weekend. Last time I dropped by, I brought three giant bags of clothing but was in and out of there in under 30 minutes because I went on a weeknight.

In conclusion: the decent selection, fantastic prices and awesome employees make the racks at Uptown Cheapskate worth a thorough perusal next time you're in downtown Salt Lake City looking for a cheap way to update your look.

Uptown Cheapskate

353 West 200 South | Salt Lake City, Utah

801.931.3388 | Find them on Facebook

introducing :: shop utah

This post is the first in a new series on the blog, called Shop Utah, which follow my exploits and explorations of Utah's locally owned shops. Get the full scoop on the series here, then submit your recommendations/requests for reviews in the comments below or by emailing me at fashion.nerdom@gmail.com. If you're a local shop owner who would like to have your store featured, please feel free to contact me as well.

Rating system is based on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the lowest possible rating and 5 being the highest. Check the Shop Utah page for deets.
Disclosure 1: This is not a sponsored post - just my own well-informed and beautifully articulated opinion.
Disclosure 2: Uptown Cheapskate is a chain of franchised locations with two locally owned locations in Utah; one in downtown and a second in Bountiful.

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trenducation: fall/winter accessories

gray crochet cardigan :: H&M (love this one) | neon mustard sleeveless blouse :: H&M (similar here) | electric blue tulip faux wrap skirt :: H&M (dying for this one) | khaki messenger bag w/neon yellow piping :: francesca's collections  (get it here) | pocket watch necklace :: nine, via urban wear (similar) | textured gold cuff :: charlotte russe | gray buckle rope espadrille wedges :: charlotte russe (sold out but similar here) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe

This mildly fluroscent faintly greenish yellow hue is referred to as lime in some circles and cilantro in others, but to me it looks like neon mustard. My co-worker was repulsed. I love it.

While typically I avoid pairing bright shades together, I've recently made it a goal to add a bit of punch to my wardrobe. Adopting neons as a closet staple is a vital part of my new life plan, so when I happened across these two spectacular finds in H&M, I knew they would make the perfect first experiment. Mustard yellow and navy blue is one of my fave fall color combos, so I thought the electrified version of such would be the perfect transition look. After all, this autumn's fashion seems to be nearly identical to summer's; the only modifications being the addition of sleeves and layers, plus a few drops of gray into our favorite hues as some transparent attempt to winterfy neons and pastels.

When I originally purchased this ensemble, I literally spent hours hunting for the perfect accessories. I first set out to locate a chunky, collar-like statement necklace and matching cuff in a burnished gold finish with gray or white accents, but immediately changed course upon sighting a collection of these gorgeous pocket watch necklaces in one of my new favorite shops, Urban Wear (located in Fashion Place Mall for my fellow Utahans). Pleasantly inexpensive and blissfully perfect for this slightly unbuttoned blouse when double wrapped, I am thoroughly satisfied with the fruits of my search... though I am still in need of the perfect arm swag. I'm thinking a gold leaf cuff in an antique finish.....

Chunky jewelry and collar necklaces are certainly among the trends that will be pulled from summer into fall, but in a more refined sense, with a gravitation towards class and elegance over momentary thrills. Summer is the season of youth and frivolity, while fall and winter have a somewhat more grown-up feel to them, and our wardrobes (and jewelry boxes) generally reflect that shift of consciousness. Think heavy neon chains (not cheap plastic links), wrist hugging leather cuffs (trade in those friendship bracelets), skinny metal bangles (in a veritable ROYGBIV of colors) and bejeweled earrings (in tones ranging from neutrals to neons and everything in between). 

The Fall/Winter 2012 runway shows may seem long over, and July is still technically summer, but fall street fashion is right around the corner. Craving more inspiration? In dire need of some trenducation? Check out my Style Survival Guide, and find the picture book on Pinterest.

What trends are you most looking forward to for fall?

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up in flames

House/dog sitting for a friend for the week. As much as I consider myself to be a fairly social person, I can't deny the appeal of living alone - self dinner dates, White Collar marathons, and various fashion magazines strewn about the makeshift coffee table are definitely something I could get used to. Having my very own place is on my list of things to achieve, but somehow my sister keeps including herself in my plans to move out.

The mountains above the Tooele valley caught fire earlier this week, when a stray bolt of lightening struck somewhere in the dry brush about halfway up the mountain, straight out from my office window. The above is what it looked like from my work parking lot when I arrived Thursday morning.

And this is what it had spread to by the time I left Thursday evening. It was nearly out Friday morning, but the winds kicked up again and it had spread even further by 5pm that night. Those winds, however, brought in a pretty intense summer rainstorm that I'm (desperately) hoping drowned the wildfire rather effectively. I haven't been to Tooele since the storm started Friday evening (the house I'm sitting is in Salt Lake City), so I can't personally attest to it's status. The most recent update I've found, from Saturday night, said the fire has burned 370 acres and is at 30% containment.

It seems the entire state has gone up in flames this summer; over 600 wildland fires have been reported so far this year, and twelve are currently active and burning around the state. The majority of those (473 to be exact) were human caused, but most of the ones currently destroying Utah were caused by lightning. (All information from this KSL article)

Wildfires and puppy terds aside, there is some pretty exciting stuff in the works round these parts - the most exciting being The Council of Utah Style Bloggers that Rebecca of Rebecca (hearts)... and I are organizing. It's a working name, granted; for now, we're keeping things pretty informal, and we're planning a group coffee date for Saturday, July 28th. I'll make the official announcement as soon as we have a firm time and location, so check back around mid-week if you're local to Utah and want to meet some kindred spirits.

In the meantime, leave a comment here or drop me an email if you're interested in being a part of our group - any Utah style, fashion, beauty and lifestyle bloggers are welcome to join us!

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contradicting rainbows: 5 steps to gorgeously windblown hair

slouchy mint tee :: forever 21 (sold out, but similar here) | white denim flares :: city streets (get your own white flares here, or try this skinny version) | pink lace bandeau bra :: maurice's | studded black leather criss cross sandals :: c/o kork-ease | black satchel bag :: ebay (lusting after this Cambridge Satchel bag) | gold, leopard & black bangles :: maurice's (love this set) | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | twisted gold collar necklace :: forever 21 (this spike version is pretty cool too)

My first instinct was to pair this loose, airy palette with some dainty gold jewelry... so naturally, I opted for burnished, clunky and leopard. I find the opposite end of the spectrum to be the best place to find inspiration for pairings; the pot at the end of the rainbow may not always be full of gold, but you're certain to pick up at least a few new ideas along the way.

I wandered up the canyon this evening in the hopes of finding an interesting backdrop for tonight's photos, and was rewarded with the perfect amount of light leaking over the mountain as I set up my tripod. I tend to gravitate towards scenery that conflicts with my chosen persona wardrobe for the day, and naturally, today that meant hiking in white jeans and five inch heels.

The above was my second choice for backdrop; my first impulse was to climb down into a man made, dried out stream bed to lean casually against the timber lined walls. Once down there, however, I realized there was something (or someone) up the other side of the mountain. This may seem paranoid, but Middle Canyon is known as a favorite business spot for local thugs and has its own scattered populace of displaced citizens. A couple of fallen rocks and snapped twigs later, I decided it would be best to scramble out of the stream bed as quickly as possible to avoid any unwanted encounters. This led to me climbing up the aforementioned timber and digging my hands and camera tripod into the dirt to pull myself out.

I'm beginning to rethink my method of choosing scenery for style photos.

5 steps to perfectly windblown hair :: a guide for the epicly unskilled

1. Spritz Suave Volumizing Root Lifter liberally all over wet hair, from roots through mid-shaft.
2. Flip hair over; blow dry bottom layer using your fingers.
3. Flip hair back over and blow dry just the roots, pulling small sections straight up.
4. Leave main body of hair wet. Get in car; roll windows down. Drive to work at 50+ MPH.
5. Spray hair with Suave Touchable Finish Hair Spray. Tousle appropriately.

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perspective

blue tunic tank :: forever 21 | charcoal shorts :: maurice's | blue & gold beaded cuff bracelet :: pacsun | black criss cross sandals :: kork-ease | sunglasses :: charlotte russe | the view :: the Tooele valley & Great Salt Lake

Today's outfit was nothing special. My closet has felt particularly uninspiring of late. Buying a car put a pretty serious dent in my shopping budget, which in turn has created a metaphorical gray cloud to form above my head. It did rain last week, which cheered me up slightly, but only momentarily.

Had kind of an odd weekend. In need of some perspective. Desperately in need of a change.

I had my dream handed to me on a silver fucking platter last week.... but it was nothing more than cheap paint. An easily discovered fake.

Heartbreak, I am finding, comes in more than one form.

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beach babes and electrified lions

embellished maxi dress :: heart/soul (similar) | electric blue scarf :: wet seal (old) | sandals :: charlotte russe (last year) | tribal earrings :: c/o con-fused arts | neon pink satchel :: nila anthony, lulus.com (love this version) | sunglasses, park photos :: charlotte russe | sunglasses, festival photos :: my dad's | black studded wrist wrap :: charlotte russe | asst. friendship bracelets :: 2bravegirls, maurice's (get customized ones here) | gold starfish cuff bracelet :: c/o shopcalico (here; & in silver)

The previously promised closer up photograph of my handmade Kenyan earrings (c/o Con-fused Arts). I love their simple, unassuming, tribal vibe - perfect with anything, but especially a vibrant maxi at a summer festival. Enter: this electrified beach-worth beauty. Anything but simple, the embellished bodice and rad color scheme mean that all it requires are some pretty earrings, killer sunglasses and a starfish cuff to complete the mermaid-inspired motif. Add an arm party, and I like to think this is what Ariel would wear to Coachella: Under the Sea.

In that vein, I attempted to beach-ify my hair into some tousled waves, but as you can see, the wind had other ideas. Caught a weather report last night, and the nice lady informed me we hit gusts of up to 48 MPH. I ended up looking more like a lion who had stuck his paw in an electric socket than a beach babe, but whatevs. I rocked it anyway, and the Tooele Arts Festival was awesome, wind be damned.

Now let's address the aforementioned starfish that seems perpetually latched on to my wrist; I developed an obsession with gold cuffs early this year, and when this beauty came up for redemption as a Chic Reward on Chictopia, I clicked the button the quickest. Its seamless blendage of two of this summer's hottest trends make it the perfect way to update the aging items in my closet, and its unique, quirky appeal (and heavy duty construction) mean it's a piece I'll be wearing every summer henceforth. Many thanks to ShopCalico for your kind and generous nature - as well as for your exquisite taste.

Seriously depressed about the end of the weekend - significantly more so than usual. I love the chill vibe of Sunday afternoons, but I'm usually a tightened, fetal-position ball of anxiety by Sunday night. I love my job and I have great coworkers, but the office has been causing me intense amounts of stress recently. I think I need a vacay, and tomorrow needs to not be Monday.

How was your weekend? Does the prospect of yet another week of nose-to-the-grindstone set your stomach into knots too? Or is that just me?

Also: A spider just dropped onto my arm. It's dead now.

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around town :: festival weekend

stay tuned for a proper outfit post tomorrow for the deets on my fab festival look

The Tooele Arts Festival is running this weekend, which translates into a weekend where I actually go outside and do stuff. Spent nearly my entire day wandering through the aisles upon aisles of booths, perusing the various collections and was still discovering things I loved by the end of it. The vendors consist mainly of artists and photographers showcasing their work, jewelry makers and some apparel designers displaying their wares, and food and ice cream vendors to satisfy one's summer calorie cravings. My favorite part of summer is always art festival funnel cake - I practically had to restrain my sister so I could get a photo of it before she started tearing it apart.

I have apparently developed some sort of discipline, because I didn't spend every penny I had in my wallet. I did, however, pick up three new pairs of earrings and some bracelets for my beautiful nieces who are in town this weekend, and collected a slew of business cards for shops that I'm excited to introduce you all to (read: locate websites for and shop). If you're in northern Utah this weekend, the Tooele Arts Festival is definitely worth checking out. The festival goes through tomorrow afternoon, but get there early to catch all the vendors (I may just go back myself, too). They have some pretty fantastic stuff this year, though my favorite was the Paparazzi Accessories display.

I'm seriously crushing on all of the orange pieces, but the silver and orange necklace (in the photo directly above) is screaming my name. It'd be perfect with a white tee or tank, some dark wash denim cutoffs and platform wedges - a look I could rock all summer long. I'm planning on hostessing a Paparazzi party sometime soon, where I will most definitely be acquiring the above necklace in addition to a number of other pieces. Everyone is most certainly invited, and at parties everything is just $5.50. I'll post more info as soon as I get it on the books, but for those of you too impatient to wait for the party (or interested in having your own) holla at my girls Tess and Michelle - and be sure to tell them I sent you.

email :: mlgarbett @gmail.com | phone :: 435.224.2525

Look for a proper outfit post tomorrow for deets on the gorgeous beachy-tye-dye maxi dress I wore today. Did anyone else hit up a festival this weekend? Anyone in town who attended Tooele's Art Fest? Any great finds? More importantly - what did you wear?

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