Interview 2: Nicki's Got Style

Hey Guys! I am so excited to share with you my second interview for the "Everyone's Got Style" project.

Meet Nicki:

Age: 25

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa

Occupation: Wedding Suite Coordinator

One thing most people don't know: As a baby, Nicki was a model for a national diaper campaign!

The first time I met Nicki, the first thing I noticed about her were her shoes! Of course, I went up to her right away and complimented them and had to find out who made them. With no hesitation she replies, 

"Oh thanks! They are Jimmy Choo!" 

Sadly, I was disappointed and knew I probably couldn't afford them at the moment. The next time I ran into her, AGAIN, I noticed her shoes! I'm like, okay maybe these ones will be a more "normal" brand... but nope! Of course I was full of envy to find out they were also indeed Jimmy Choos. She then politely explained to me that she used to work for Jimmy Choo and had a closet full of them! I about fell over. Therefore, when I thought about starting this blog project, I naturally thought of Nicki. I just had to see what was in that closet of hers!

1. What are your 5 "Can't live without" items right now?

Black and White Tweed Isabel Marant Jacket: I love this because I can effortlessly dress this up or down!

Citizens of Humanity "Phantom" Jeans

Jimmy Choo Black Leather Over the Knee Boots

Louis Vuitton "Neverfull" Tote

Aesa Ring from Barney's (A present from my boyfriend)

2. Where do you look for fashion inspiration?

"I'm really into this street style trend where the editors and stylists have become the 'style stars'. The recognition is deserved because they're in the industry and they know fashion. I can't wait for the day we transition from celebrities on the covers of fashion magazines."

3. If you could only wear one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be and why? 

"Isabel Marant because I love her aesthetic. Her clothes are high-fashion but effortless. She creates these insanely covetable pieces that girls just go crazy for."

4. What do you put on for a night out?

"An LBD and a pair of Choos!"

 

                      

                              

Dress: Just Cavalli 

Shoes: Jimmy Choo (Duh)

5. What is your favorite season for fashion?

"By far my favorite season is Resort. I love getting the first peak at what's to come for spring. It's so energizing and exciting to see the first deliveries (into stores) of resort wear while it's still cold outside."

Dress: Sweeties

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Watch: Michael Kors

6. Going into fall, what are you most excited for? 

"In Arizona we only get a small window of time to wear our cold weather clothes. So i get super eager! I bust out the fur jacket and over the knee boots as soon as it gets down to 60 degrees."

Just a few of Nicki's favorite Choos

Nicki has a very classic sense of style. She would much rather save her money and splurge on one quality item that is going to last a lifetime than many affordable options. Her look is timeless and sophisticated. This says a lot about Nicki's personality and the way she views life and commitment.

Stay tuned for more styles to come!

XO Tyler Jane

Bohemian Life : How I Do It Part III

Hello!! This will be my last post about this topic so that we can get back to what we all really want to read about, beauty! I know these 3 posts won't pertain to a lot of you, but nevertheless I want you to get a feel for who I am and a large part of that is my crazy lifestyle. So here we go!

Once you have chosen where your first destination will be, there are a couple things you need to scope out and prepare yourself for:

1. Finding housing that will allow for a short term lease. This can be tricky, but I have never not been able to find something. Sometimes I have to pay for a lease that's 5 months when I'm only there for 4.5, but that is something I know going in. Many jobs offer employee housing, which is much akin to dorm style living. Craigslist is your friend.

2. Pack LIGHT. Do not bring anything you will not need, seriously, because you're the one who has to lug it around. I'm a bit of a hypocrite though, you should see the number of heels and dresses I bring, but I do what I want. You can find furniture once you get there, and usually resell it for a profit once you're ready to leave. I bring my clothes, a small dresser, lamps, mattress, kitchen utensils/appliances, MAKEUP of course and anything beauty related, a TV and DVD player, laptop, camera, camping/backpacking gear, a few little things for decoration, and my handsome dog : )

Mr. Tyson guarding the campsite

3. Job Searching. I do this at least a month or 2 before I plan on moving. I send out resumes and schedule interviews so that I'm ahead of the game. People begin hiring prior to the season starting. As soon as I pull into town I get a hotel, and spend the first few days looking for an apt and job searching. I bust my ass to get these 2 things done first, and I usually have a job and a place to live in the first 2-4 days. Researching ahead of time is KEY.

4. Furnishing your apartment. I literally just buy my furniture when I get there. There's always people trying to sell their stuff. I don't mean janky 30 year old pieces, I've never had a problem finding really nice stuff. I usually just need a couch, coffee table, TV stand, and a small nightstand. Most of the time I resell it all at the end and MAKE money. My boyfriend has been working and moving seasonally a lot longer than I, and did ALL this in his Mazda 3 sedan.

5. Stay organized. You'll start to get into a routine, which is important. There's a method to this madness to keep it all moving smoothly. Have a box or binder where you keep important documents such as resumes, previous housing info (landlords will want to see this to make sure you're not a psycho), Social Security Card (for credit checks), banking info and checks, bills you need to change the address on (cell phone, medical insurance, netflix, etc), and if you're a dog lover like me your puppies medical records. 

6. Get all your services set up. This includes utilities (if they are not included in your rent), gas, water, cable/satellite, and internet. By the way don't let the assholes at the cable companies screw with you, they'll try to talk you into crazy contacts and upgrades. Tell them NO, all you want is month to month service for cable and internet. You don't need phone services or anything else that is useless. Sometimes you have to be firm with them. ALSO if you're in a decently sized city shop around for services, especially cable/internet and find the best price. In a lot of the small towns these companies have a monopoly on their service, but in the bigger cities they do not. 

These are the basics of what I do and how I stay organized. I know it seems like a lot but it get easier each time you do it, and it's not as much as it seems. You go balls to the wall the first week of your move and then you're all set up! I really hope this peaks some interest in people, its such a fun way to live!! It's not something I'll do forever obviously, but for now I'm having fun : ) 

XO Amanda

Bohemian Life : How I Do It, Part II

Hello!! So in this post I'm going to start to get down to the details of how I maintain this lifestyle, stay organized, and afford it. I broke these up into multiple posts so that it would not be obnoxiously long, but we'll see how that works out! 

So technically, I would be what you would call a 'seasonal employee', I travel to tourist driven cities/towns during their busy season and then when the season ends, I move on. Most of these towns' businesses hire employees specifically for their busy time, and then let them go at the end. A season typically lasts 4-5 months depending on where you go. You will make the majority of your money during this time, which means working your butt off during work days. Ideally, I prefer to work 4 days in row, all double shifts, so that I can have 3 days off in a row to go explore and enjoy the beautiful place I am currently in, which is the whole point right?

After the season is over, I take a month off. This is not something you have to do obviously, but I use that 3-4 weeks to spend time with family and friends before moving on to my next destination! So here is a typical 12 month period for me:

May: month off
June-September: Summer Season
October: month off
November-April: Winter season

Rinse. Repeat.

I know that is very vague, but it is pretty much the pattern I follow.

Arches National Park

How do I chose where to go?
Well, its a much easier question than you think, where do you WANT to go? You need to know your preferences: Do you enjoy living in the snow or would you rather stay in more warm moderate climates? Do you enjoy the mountains, beach, high desert, etc? Then, take those answers and research tourist areas within those parameters. For example, if you are looking for a destination for the summer season, the more north you go the cooler it will be. I always go to higher altitude mountain towns during the summer, its absolutely beautiful and I'm not sweating my ass off. Places I have gone are Whitefish, Montana and Lake Tahoe, California. Same goes for the winter season, but reverse. I prefer to be closer to sea level, so that I'm not then freezing my ass off. But, I highly recommend braving the snow. There are many breathtaking ski resort towns where you can earn great money, and most of the time you get a free ski pass as well. 

ALSO, one of the FIRST things I look for during my summer destination search is where the National Parks are. So many people go through life not even taking a footstep into one, and it really is a shame. During my days off is when I pack up my overnight pack, plan out a backpacking trip, and set off into the wilderness. It is a feeling I cannot describe to you. You will learn more about yourself whilst you are in nature, in your most primitive state, than anywhere else. My favorites include:

Glacier National Park (Montana)
Yosemite Nation Park (California)
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
Arches National Park (Utah)

Campsite, Yosemite National Park

Where do I work?
This is the part that is the most limiting. You must be willing to work in customer service, because your money is going to be coming from tourists. For example if you're a total ass and hate working with people, then this will be a problem for you and I highly recommend some soul searching. Anyways, there are still a good number of options you have, you just have to decide what interests you. I chose to work as a server. It is where you will make the most money and a monkey can do it. I have been doing it for a decent amount of time, so I am able to work in the more fine dining restaurants. I am a firm believer that EVERYONE should work in a restaurant at some point, but that is just my opinion. Some people just can't hack it. You're on your feet all day, dealing with all walks of people, including amazing people and people who were sent from the bowels of hell. BUT the money is usually very good, like make your rent in 2 nights good. However there are many other jobs such as retail, tour guiding, sports activities, hotel positions, etc. Also, sometimes I work 2 jobs, sometimes 1 depending on how many shifts they are willing to give me. 

Keep in mind that this is not your life career, your seasonal job is simply how you pay your bills and add to your savings. You will only be working there a few months, so don't freak out if it isn't your dream job, because it won't be. You definitely want to enjoy your job, but its not going to be rainbows all the time, its the service industry so it can't be but I personally enjoy it. I get to meet people from all over the world and you just never know who is going to walk through the door. 

I really hope I am explaining this well, I know its a lot of information and seems a little crazy, but that is why its so exciting!!! We only get one life. I will continue lining out more details in my next post including getting a place to live, how to search for a job, and how to be smart financially. Please do ask me questions, I know we just started this blog and there' are probably only 5 of you reading this but if this can benefit even just 1 person I'd be absolutely thrilled : ) 

Morning Glory Pool, Yellowstone Ntl. Park

Remember, you are beautiful!

XO Amanda

Interview 1: Jackie's Got Style

Okay everyone, as promised, here is my first interview for my "Everyone's Got Style" project. 

Meet Jackie:

Age: 24

Hometown: Phoenix, Az

Occupation: Accessories Stylist (5 years retail experience)

One thing most people don't know: Jackie has a pierced nipple and 7 tattoos

From the first time I laid eyes on Jackie I knew she had a strong sense of personal style. She is all about mixing prints, skinny jeans, high rise skirts and higher heels! Anytime Jackie goes out she knows how to make a splash. She is all about what is hot, trendy and in the moment. Definitely a "Fast Fashion" gal. Here are a few questions I asked her.

1. What are your five "can't live with out" pieces right now?

Alex and Ani Bracelets

Black Coated Citizens of Humanity Skinny Jeans

Jeffrey Campbell Platform Booties

Steve Madden Studded Boots

Studded Valentino Sunglasses

2. Where do you look for fashion inspiration?
"Vogue Magazine, US Weekly, People, Nordstrom, Barney's and Neiman Marcus Catalogs."

3. What items are you most likely to splurge on?
"Definitely shoes, accessories and denim! The right accessories can make any simple outfit amazing. And denim... well ANYONE can tell the difference!" 

Eg:

4. What is your favorite season for fashion?

"Definitely Fall! I love layering, boots and darker tones."

5. When you shop, do you plan your outfits or shop piece by piece?

"Oh, I just buy things I am obsessed with and then throw them all together!"

Here are a few of Jackie's favorite ensembles along with the details:

Crop Top: Tildon

Acid Wash Vest: Thread & Supply

Leopard Skirt: Mural

Earrings and Necklace: House of Harlow

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff

Boots: Steve Madden

Sunnies: Valentino

Denim Top: Trouve

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

The bottom line is Jackie pulls off her style because it reflects her outgoing, free spirited personality. Everytime I see Jackie she is dancing, smiling and laughing. She loves people and life and her fearless risk taking in fashion shows it. 

Stay tuned for my next post with someone with a completely different perspective!

XO Tyler

Bohemian Life : How and Why I do it and Why Should You? Part I

I would just like to start by saying that this is in NO WAY related to gypsy culture/romanian culture. Thanks to TLC, I know that some of you reading this title may have that thought in mind, and luckily for you, I will not be assaulting your senses or your ideals.

If you read our About Us page then you know I (Amanda) live a very unique lifestyle, and if you have not read it, then please take a seat, because I am about to confuse your brains, but don't worry you will like it : )

Overnight backpacking trip to a Glacial Lake with my pup Mr. Tyson

So let's start with asking the question most of us have to ask ourselves once our days of "all my responsibilities include are making it to class, doing decent on exams, and keeping myself alive and out of jail" are over..."what the hell am I going to do after college??" For a lucky group of you, this answer is easy and you know exactly what your passion is. Two of my absolute best friends are in medical school, God help them, and I couldn't be happier; we need people like them. For the rest of us, we spend our last year of college pretending like real life isn't about to happen, only to find out it doesn't just happen, it kicks you in the ovaries.

Let me just set this up for you, I was a Classics major. No, not classical music, Classical HISTORY. You know, information I will use to help people and make a fabulous career for myself. I studied latin, Greek/Roman history, art, architecture, etc. I started my first year as a Marketing Major with life plans in tow, and then came accounting and finance classes, brutally tearing my plans to shreds. I was miserable, so like most people I realized life doesn't always go as you plan, and switched my major. I absolutely love Classics, and if that makes me crazy then even better.

My options were get my PhD and become a professor, an archaeologist, or do latin translation research, but none of these appealed to me. Then a wonderful human I met gave me the idea of a lifetime: Either give myself anxiety over this huge decision, and possibly force myself into doing something I hate, or take control and do something I and most of us love...travel, and I did.

I go anywhere I want to go, work and provide for myself, and see some of the most beautiful sights and places that most Americans never get the chance to enjoy. So many people think they need to travel abroad to be amazed, when we have so many mouth dropping destinations right in our backyard.

Montana

Knowing that this was going to be the best possible time in my life to do this, I took the plunge. I had no idea what I was doing, and was of course nervous, but we only get one life, and I made the decision that I was going to see and enjoy as much of God's green earth as possible before making the decision to become a real adult. I can't even begin to describe to you the memories I have created. When I tell most people about my lifestyle they say "Oh my goodness that sounds amazing!! I wish I had the guts to do that!" I am here to tell you that YOU DO. This is possible for anyone, no I do not live on my parents funding, I work my ass off to pay my bills and to afford what I do, and I love every minute.

Hiking to a Glacier, yes that is a goat behind me

It is so easy to get stuck in the belief that after you graduate you have to find the decently paying 9-5 job, find someone willing to put up with your shit, slap a ring on it, and throw up that picket fence. This does not equal happiness, maybe it does for some, but it sure as hell doesn't for me. Life has so much more to offer than that. It isn't just college grads that are confused about their life path either. Maybe you got the dream job, only to find out it wasn't the dream you had hoped it would be, or you are in college and have decided you need a year off, the scenarios are endless. 

I know this lifestyle isn't for everyone, and that's perfectly ok. It's hard to get the courage to go against the grain and out of our comfort zone, and some simply don't want to. But for me, going out of my comfort zone has helped me to learn more about who I am and what I want, so that one day when I am ready to grow some roots I'll know exactly who I am. 

I know this is getting grudgingly long, so I will end here. My posts won't normally be this long I promise, but I just have so much I want to share. I'm going to write a Part II about where I have been and how I work to support this lifestyle, so if you are intrigued then please do read that one, but if you are not then, well, don't : )

XO Amanda

For the Love of Free People

Ok so I just had to write a quick post on how much I love my new free people hooded sweater! 

I am so excited to wear this so many different ways.

This is my favorite: Simple black dress with Sam Edelman wedges.

What would you pair it with?!


XO Tyler

Everyone's Got Style

Everyone's style has a personality. What does yours say about you?

Often times you can tell a lot about a person based on their clothes, hair, and makeup. It can reveal subcultures people identify with (hipsters, gang members, etc.), moral values (conservative vs. nonconservative), pride in appearance, and where they draw inspiration from. Many people's styles are subconscious collaborations of items randomly selected to go together, while others take great time and care to create a cohesive "look".

The way a person shops can also tell you a great deal about them. Would they rather buy 10 items for $100 or one quality item for $80? In addition, does the person try everything on and make sure each piece is tailored correctly, or do they just buy things on a whim? All of these factor into the person's personality and lifestyle.

Great style is the best way to make any first impression a positive one. When you look good you feel good and that positive energy will carry through the way you walk and send energy off to others.

These next few weeks I am going to interview a few people whose personalities shine through their style and hopefully inspire those looking how to share their point of view.

XO Tyler