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My Top 12 Thrift Finds and How I Style Them

Welcome back, readers! This week, I will indulge in writing about one of my most loved hobbies: thrifting. Not only am I a sucker for affordable clothing (college budgets, right?), but I also love bringing worn pieces back to life. Plus, it’s a much more sustainable option than purchasing clothing brand new.

Now, if you haven’t tried it, I certainly recommend a trip to your local thrift store. You never know what you may find. As a matter of fact, these items are some of my most worn pieces from my closet! That being said, my goal here is to show that you don’t always have to spend tons of money in order to find pieces you’ll love. Furthermore, I hope this will encourage you to give thrifting a try. So, let’s get into it!

Now, there’s a reason why this item is first on the list. This is, by far, the most worn jacket I own. Ever since I found this gem last year, I’ve looked for every reason possible to wear it.

How I Style it:

Black on black on black—literally my style in a nutshell. If you’ve seen me in real life, there’s about an 80% chance I was wearing this outfit. By throwing on a white graphic tee, the contrast makes this look really “pop”. Of course, I chose to add some leather booties to match the lettering on this jacket and the Harley vibes.

This is definitely the priciest item on the list. However, it is important to consider the brand and condition. Plus, how often do you find a pink leather jacket?

How I Style it:

To align with the feminine hue of the jacket, I layered it over a sheer blush blouse and added some pumps. With the addition of jeans, this look is not too casual, yet not too fancy. Score!

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking—no, I did not steal this coat from the local flea market. Actually, as my boyfriend and I were driving home one day, we saw some signs that said “Free Sale”. (If that isn’t an oxymoron, I don’t know what is.) Naturally, we decided to check it out. Low and behold, the signs were true and there was a whole building of free stuff! Who doesn’t love free stuff? So, long story long, I saw this jacket and fell in love.

How I Style it:

This is literally the perfect fall coat; it’s so cozy! Therefore, I layered it over a chunky knit sweater for extra warmth. With some green jeggings and taupe booties, this fall palette-inspired look is good to go.

Okay, how sweet is this shirt? I saw this at the local flea market and I just had to have it. However, it took me a year or so to put it to use.

How I Style it:

Obviously, my inspiration for this look is Sandy from Grease. After trying on this piece with several outfits throughout the years, an all-black outfit does it justice. I added in a statement double-sided belt to break up this monochromatic look.

When this shirt shrunk after a few washes, my brother-in-law was sending it on its way to Goodwill. (So, in a way, that’s kind of thrifting, right?) Anyways, I got my hands on it first and have cherished it ever since.

How I Style it:

This gem makes up yet another one of my go-to outfits. A tip when it comes to oversized t-shirts: never underestimate the power of tucking or tying a knot to keep it snug. Rolling the sleeves helps, too. With some leather accessories, this simple tee is instantly stylish!

When thrifting, I never fail to do a thorough search for band tees. Why? 1. Music from the 70’s-80’s is the best and 2. they make for a totally rockin’ outfit. Therefore, my closet contains around 10 vintage band tees. (Sadly, I have yet to get a vintage Eagles tee, but then again, who would ever give THAT up?)

How I Style it:

Here we go again—the good ‘ol knot and sleeve roll to the rescue. If I didn’t do this, I would be wearing a dress because this shirt otherwise reaches my knees. With some distressed jeans and Vans, this tee looks right at home. A baseball cap doesn’t hurt either.

Okay, this shirt was just too rare (and cheap) not to purchase. I mean, La Crosse Oktoberfest, baby! I have no idea what year this is from, but judging from the cut and condition, I’d definitely categorize it under “vintage”.

How I Style it:

Due to the shortness of this shirt, I tucked it into some high-rise jeans. Furthermore, what says “fall” more than a good pair of comfy combat boots? To finish off this look, I threw on a belt to tie into the brown autumn footwear.

Here’s another one of my favorite thrifted pieces. I’m pretty sure this sweater wasn’t always supposed to be cropped, but hey, those are totally in now! Also, I recently found out Zara has been around since 1975. Who knew?

How I Style it:

Another signature Paige look: black and white. With this simple contrasting base, I added in a maroon belt for an unexpected twist. This base also gives the gold accents of the accessories their chance to shine!

Usually, I’m not one who wears floral, but when I saw this dress… all bets were off. I had finally found the perfect summer sundress!

How I Style it:

For this ensemble, I planned around the accent colors in the dress itself. Some candy pink heels and a light blush purse effortlessly complete this romantic look.

With the 90’s slip dress and velvet trends coming back into style, I couldn’t NOT purchase this dress. I literally found exactly what I was looking for with this one. It was an incredibly lucky find!

How I Style it:

I went for a wearable, casual look for this piece. The t-shirt-under-a-slip-dress certainly roots back to this popular 90’s trend. However, this dress also looks amazing with some black opaque tights and pumps (another popular 90’s look) to serve as a great New Year’s dress.

When I came across this dress, I was searching for a trending color that was a little out of my comfort zone: mustard orange. Needless to say, I found what I was looking for. Plus, it was only 7 bucks!

How I Style it:

Being that this is an autumn-colored long sleeve dress, I went for a cold-friendly outfit. These suede thigh-high boots are just the answer! Thus, my Thanksgiving of 2017 attire was born.

I’m not going to lie: shoes are a toughie in the thrifting world. The odds of finding footwear that is in your size AND in good condition are slim. Needless to say, these boots are precious to me.

How I Style it:

With statement boots like these, I tend to keep the rest of my outfit more laid-back. These square toe boots give off a strong 70’s vibe. That being said, I styled them with a white embroidered off-the-shoulder top to complete this natural look.

So, there you go. My favorite thrifted finds! I will end with some tips I’ve accumulated throughout the years.

Top 5 Thrift Tips:

· Visit Often – I am, hands down, THE pickiest shopper when it comes to clothes. Therefore, I must make a disclaimer that, more often than not, you are going to walk out of the thrift shop empty-handed. It happens! I have been thrifting for about 5 years now and I only have about 15 thrifted items. So, my point here it that it takes time. However, keep in mind that the turnaround rates of these shops are typically pretty high. So, visit often and don’t give up!

· Look for Trends – One main thing that actually turned me on to thrifting is the prevalence of bounce-back trends. Sure, you could buy a vintage-inspired Tommy Hilfiger tee at Urban Outfitters for $50, or you could find an ACTUAL 90’s Tommy tee at Goodwill for $5. Bam! You’re instantly trendy. See what I mean here?

· Try it on – This is a given. One of the things I like to do is to picture in my mind the various ways I could style a certain piece. If you can’t think of any reason as to why you would ever wear it, then it’s probably not ever going to get worn.

· Keep Your Standards – So, you find an “okay” looking shirt. You typically wouldn’t buy it, but its only 3 bucks! Impulse purchase made. Let me tell you now that it probably isn’t worth it. This is a mistake I made in my first few thrifting trips and I never ended up wearing the clothes. My point here is that, no matter how awesome the price, don’t buy something you don’t love.

· Switch it up – Sure, you may feel the need to limit yourself to women’s size medium, but you might be missing out! Take my Harley Davidson jacket, for instance. This was found in the men’s section, size large, as were my Hard Rock Café and AC/DC shirts. My point here is that there may be potential in other sections that you shouldn’t overlook.

Photo cred: My sister, Tiffiny—I definitely owe you a free night of babysitting.

Thanks for reading! What’s your favorite look? Also, are you a fan of thrifting? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

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The Ideal Outfit Based on Your Zodiac Sign

So, who here is into reading their horoscope? Now, I’m sure we all know someone who is super into it and reads theirs on a daily basis— I am not that person. However, I do find myself getting sucked into articles such as “Find Your Ideal Honeymoon Destination Based on Your Horoscope” and “What Starbucks Drink You Should Order Based on Your Zodiac Sign”. I mean, they’re kind of fun and entertaining, right? Plus, I can almost guarantee that everyone at least knows what zodiac sign they are, so why not pair that with some cute outfit ideas to capture your zodiac’s essence?

After making the decision to write this blog, there was no turning back. Thus, began copious amounts of research on each sign. The sources of my information were www.horoscope.com and www.astology-zodiac-signs.com. If you’re into reading your horoscopes or learning more about your sign, these are great starting places. Now, let’s get into it, shall we?

Capricorn – The Goat

Dates: December 22-January 19

Colors: Dark green and brown.

Key Traits: Detail-oriented, responsible, and hardworking.

(Dress: Amazon, shoes: Zappos, jewelry: Etsy, bag: Michael Kors)

Due to the hardworking nature of Capricorns, it is important to have a bag that can take you straight from class to work. A backpack bag is perfect for on-the-go tasks and won’t slow you down during a busy day; you will sometimes forget you’re even wearing it! Furthermore, a spacious design allows for any essentials you’ll need throughout the day. A flowy tank top dress is the perfect base to layer on gladiator sandals (which, may I add, contribute to the “strength” element of this zodiac). Lastly, an intricate, layered necklace finalizes this look by sealing in the gold accented accessory theme. The end result? A perfect, detail-oriented ensemble that’s fit for a Capricorn!

Aquarius – The Water Bearer

Dates: January 20-February 18

Colors: Silver and light blue.

Key Traits: Independent, original, and humanitarian.

(Top: Polyvore, jacket: The Jacket Maker, jeans: Express, shoes: Adidas)

For this zodiac’s originality, an eccentric look is a must. So, I went for something that is original, yet wearable on a daily basis. This incomparable silver bomber jacket is clearly the most eye-catching part of this outfit, so you are sure to stand out from the crowd. Paired with silver accented tennis shoes to match, this trendsetter look is swoon-worthy. A mixture of textures is created with a baby blue ribbed tank tucked into some distressed black jeans, which helps balance out this look. Moreover, this outfit is super comfortable—always a plus in my book!

Pieces – The Fish

Dates: February 19-March 20

Colors: Purple and sea-green.

Key Traits: Compassionate, intuitive and artistic.

(Romper: Lulu’s, sandals: Kee Shoes, clutch: Contrado, rings: Etsy)

For the Pisces, The Little Mermaid immediately came to mind. With the key characteristics of being compassionate and artistic, Ariel’s musical abilities and considerate ways came to mind. In addition, who else would use a fork for a brush? That’s intuitive art right there. To channel your inner mermaid, this sea-green romper with a twisted belt detailing is flawless. Additionally, some light purple heels match Ariel’s color theme, as well as the Pisces’! Of course, I just had to add some fish scale inspiration with a perfectly matching clutch. The shiny texture also gives off a “wet” look—score! To further this theme, I added in some silver midi rings for even more sparkle.

Aires – The Ram

Dates: March 21-April 19

Color: Red.

Key Traits: Courageous, independent, and impatient.

(T-shirt: Nordstrom, shoes: Converse, leggings: JCPenny, jacket: H&M)

This is probably my favorite outfit of them all, and I’m not even an Aires (I just love me a good band tee)! Prior to writing this blog, even I knew that Aires are known for having a “fiery” personality. Low and behold, their color is red! With splashes of red in the t-shirt and shoes, this outfit is given a bold and daring personality (much like an Aires). Due to their slightly impatient nature, a comfortable outfit is key. Enter: leggings. Furthermore, an old band tee, jean jacket, and Converse give this look an old school, “cool girl” vibe—perfect for this zodiac.

Taurus – The Bull

Dates: April 20-May 20

Color: Pink.

Key Traits: Dependable, elegant, and devoted.

(Blouse: Lulus, shorts: Missguided, sandals: Lulus, necklace: Bija Bijoux)

Despite their symbol being a bull, this zodiac has rather elegant characteristics and mannerisms. Therefore, I put together a more girly, feminine look. Even for someone who isn’t the biggest fan of pink (me), this outfit is just too adorable to pass up. A cropped, ruffled crop top is a fabulous statement piece to have handy in the summertime. Paired with some white high-waisted buttoned shorts, the torso is balanced out. Keeping with this light, romantic theme, some blush pink lace-up wedges were added. As for the jewelry, I decided on a crescent necklace that reminds me of a bull’s nose ring so, naturally, I had to.

Gemini – The Twins

Dates: May 21-June 20

Colors: Yellow and light green.

Key Traits: Affectionate, curious, and kind.

(Dress: Forever 21, sandals: Lulus, bag: Hot Topic, glasses: Sunglass Casa)

What a ray of sunshine! After reading up on Geminis, it is clear that they are typically “old souls”. Therefore, this 70’s-inspired floral dress just screamed “Gemini” to me. It also serves as a romantic look, bridging back to this affectionate zodiac. For the first statement accessory, cat eye sunglasses further exemplify the vintage vibe. Another characteristic of this zodiac is curiosity, leading to their love for curling up with a good book. Needless to say, this rare “once upon a time” purse is an excellent find!

Cancer – The Crab

Dates: June 21-July 22

Colors: White and violet.

Key Traits: Emotional, loyal, and intelligent.

(Two-piece: Lily Boutique, pumps: Shiekh Shoes, clutch: Zatchels)

For the Cancer zodiac, I put together a vintage, 20’s era outfit based on their personality traits. To establish this feminine style, lace embroidery is an essential. Thus, a white lace monochromatic two-piece is absolute perfection for this sign. Furthermore, a touch of violet is added with a simple cross-body bag. Nude pumps pair flawlessly with this romantic look without being too overpowering and distracting from the intricate detailing. Plus, these pumps  also help to elongate your legs (a great bonus)! Finally, I couldn’t resist adding in a ribbon for your hair to finish off this vintage Cancer attire.

Leo – The Lion

Dates: July 23-August 22

Colors: Gold, yellow, and orange.

Key Traits: Bold, humorous, and creative.

(Dress: Rockray Clothing, sandals: Aetrex, earrings: AliExpress, purse: Ebay)

Hit the beach in this fun, lioness-inspired look! Leos are known for being humorous and creative, so a laid-back 70’s themed outfit was my goal here. This loose, brightly colored yellow sundress with bell sleeves effortlessly captures this essence. For a lion’s mane appearance, aim for some voluminous, beachy waves and statement feather earrings. This ensemble is finished off with a woven summer-ready handbag and some beaded sandals.

Virgo – The Virgin

Dates: August 23-September 22

Colors: White and beige.

Key Traits: Organized, kind, and practical.

(Top: Athleta, blazer: Lyst, pants: Neiman Marcus, shoes: Dillard’s)

Moving on to the Virgo! To emanate from their organizational qualities, a striped shirt is the building block of this outfit. Virgos are all about functionality. Now, what better way to go from work to play than having a trusty blazer handy? Leather pants also contribute to this dual purpose outfit with their ability to transition from the office to happy hour. Lastly, flats were chosen to complete this look due to their practicality. No one wants to be slowed down from task to task, especially a Virgo.

Libra – The Scales

Dates: September 23-October 22

Colors: Pink, blue, and green.

Key Traits: Cooperative, intelligent, and gracious.

(Shirt: Yours Clothing, necklace: Accessorize, capris: True Religion, shoes: Bohme)

Next, we have a style that is built with Libras in mind. With intelligent and gracious qualities, this zodiac is gifted at finding the ideal outfit for every situation. Due to the fact that their symbol is the scales, a balance between elegant statement and basic pieces is attained to encompass this attribute. A breathtaking statement necklace with blues and pinks does just the job for an otherwise casual outfit. These light, pastel tones mix and mingle with the feel-good vibes of summertime! Combined, these items make up a sophisticated, polished look for tactful Libras.

Scorpio – The Scorpion

Dates: October 23-November 21

Color: Scarlet.

Key Traits: Brave, stubborn, and independent.

(Top: Polyvore, skirt: Lipsy, purse: Venus, heels: Larizia)

For this zodiac, a dark, classy ensemble perfectly captures their essence. This flowy top adds just a pop of scarlet to pay homage to this sign’s symbol: the scorpion. With independence being a key trait, a straight-from-work look was achieved with a classic pencil skirt and gold accented pumps. Alas, we mustn’t forget about their bravery! To capture this characteristic, a striking leopard print purse was added to finalize this outfit.

Sagittarius – The Archer

Dates: November 22-December 21

Colors: Light blue and black.

Key Traits: Humorous, creative, and idealistic.

(Skirt: H&M, shirt: Asos, heels: Express, bag: Nicole Miller)

Calling all Sags! Last, but certainly not least on the list. After studying up on this sign (and being one, myself), I decided to go for an outfit made up of timeless pieces. Of course, these pieces consist of a plain white tee and some black strapped open-toe heels. Then again, a bold leather skirt packs a creative, unexpected punch to the look. To incorporate a light blue hue, this textured rectangular bag is an impeccable addition.

Here ends my list of outfits inspired by your zodiac. Do you agree with these picks? Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Paige

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Spring Cleaning: 7 Steps to Creating Your Dream Closet

It’s springtime! I think we all know what that means – time for spring cleaning (or, for some, time to do everything possible to put off spring cleaning). Yes, I realize it is nearing summer, but there is a probable chance that there is one spring cleaning task you haven’t yet completed: your closet.

Personally, words like “cleaning” and “organizing” are like music to my ears. I literally have goosebumps right now as I type this introduction. Anybody else with me on that? I sure hope so. Otherwise, please disregard this short paragraph.

Nonetheless, whether you love it or hate it, cleaning and organizing your way to a fresh, revitalized wardrobe is the perfect way to start out your summer of style. In today’s blog, I am going to take you through my 7 steps to an insta-worthy closet. That’s right, it’ll look (and feel) that good.

Step 1: Prepare.

Okay, you’re not just wiping down a counter here, this is cleaning out your closet and everything in it. If you’re anything like me, this is going to sound like a pretty daunting task. Where do you even start?

A wise Benjamin Franklin once said “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”. Now, I’m sure Franklin was referring to something a little more life-changing than cleaning, but it works. So, let’s start the preparation!

· Schedule it. Ideally, you should give yourself about a day to do this. Of course, this is coming from someone who gets WAY too easily distracted… and picky. However, knowing you have at least a few solid hours can’t hurt. No one likes to feel rushed.

· Get motivated. This one doesn’t have to be incredibly difficult, just go ahead and search “closet” on Pinterest. If those beautiful photos alone don’t make you want to get your stuff together, then I’m not sure how else to help you. Maybe look up some motivational life quotes or something?

· Tune it up. Now, make an awesome new playlist that will get you super pumped up. Blast it as loud as you want (without upsetting your neighbors, of course). Here’s a great list of upbeat songs from Popsugar.

· Get comfortable. Go ahead and grab yourself a coffee, energy drink, glass of wine (preferably white— we’re dealing with clothes here), whichever you fancy. You’re probably going to be here a while. In fact, you should probably get some snacks on board as well. Snacks make everything better. Pretty sure that’s a scientific fact.

Step 2: Take. Out. Everything.

Yes, I realize that this sounds incredibly counterproductive. Nothing says spring cleaning like tearing through your closet like a human tornado. However, hear me out on this. As busy human beings, it’s totally normal to get a little lazy, especially when we are taking on a task like this. For example, if a shirt is hanging in your closet, it’s far too easy to tell yourself “this doesn’t take up that much room, it can just hang out here for a bit longer” instead of taking the time to walk yet another shirt into the “no way” pile. It’s like having an old bag of spinach in the back of your refrigerator that you’re honestly a little scared to check on. It’ll be fine for another couple of days, so you leave it for your future self to deal with. Is that just me? Oh, okay. Anyway, my point here is that by preemptively removing everything from your closet (or refrigerator, apparently—my metaphors aren’t the greatest), you’re more likely to get rid of the items that’ll never see the light of day and to keep only the ones that will serve their purpose in the future.

That being said, it’s time to strip your closet and throw everything on your bed. Every shirt, dress, pair of jeans, pajamas, shoes—everything. Don’t forget to also empty any storage container or shelf, as well. If you want to save yourself a little more time in the future, its best to separate them into categorical piles. We can’t go all “Gatsby throwing Italian-made shirts onto Daisy” on this and create an even worse mess. While you’re at it, grab your vacuum, rag, and spray bottle and clean that sucker.

Phew! That was the most strenuous step, good job. Doesn’t a clean slate feel nice?

Step 3: Sweet emotion.

If clothes and shoes are as important to you as they are to me, this is probably going to be an emotional process. Now, not everyone is going to go through this road block and in that case, feel free to jump to step 4. As for my fellow emotional souls out there, maybe you’ll relate. Here are my two most prevalent thoughts I encounter whenever I consider letting go of wardrobe pieces and how I move past them:

Guilt.

You know that dress you bought months (maybe even years) ago that you were sure would come in handy someday, but you still haven’t even considered wearing it? Alas, you still feel the need to keep it because otherwise it was a total waste of money? Yup. It’s that feeling. We’ve all been there. I’ve had shirts remain in my closet for YEARS that I didn’t wear once, simply because I would have felt guilty getting rid of them.

It’s okay, it happens! Everyone has tried on something in the store dressing room and felt fabulous, only to impulsively buy it, bring it home and wear it only once or not at all. There may be several reasons for this. Maybe it just doesn’t fit right, doesn’t look right with your skin tone, or one of your high school friends mentioned that it reminded him of the color of vomit (that’s right, true story). If you know that it wasn’t meant to be, let go. To feel a little less guilty, maybe give the item to a friend or, if it was an expensive item, try taking it to a secondhand cash-for-clothes location such as Plato’s or Style Encore. There’s also the option to sell it online.

What if?

What if one day I’ll be able to squeeze back into those shorts I’ve been storing in the back of my closet for the last 3 years? What if one day those lime green heels will come back in style? I think you see where I’m going with this. My tip here is to simply be realistic and prioritize when it comes to these particular items later on. Also, keep in mind that if you haven’t used something within the last year, odds are that it just isn’t worth keeping. If you must, just keep these “problem child” items tucked away in the deep, dark depths of your closet.

Step 4: Back to the basics.

Alright, let’s get down to business. Firstly, there are some clothing items that should remain to rebuild the foundation of your closet. These include basic outfit pieces, as well as clothing that will never go out of style. You can find my list of 12 pieces you should always save room for in your wardrobe in my previous blog.

Step 5: Sort, sort, sort.

Ready to make some piles of clothes and shoes? Here they are:

Keep

The rock stars of your wardrobe get VIP access to this pile. These are the items that you truly love and wear on a regular basis. In a sub-pile, place seasonal items to store in the back of your closet or in storage containers (see ya in the fall, suckers).

Donation

Go on, start a pile for your next trip to Goodwill. If you’re not completely ready to let go, one thing I have been doing through the years is giving my outgrown clothes to younger family members. I remember getting clothes from my older cousin that I looked up to when I was young and I loved it. Nowadays, my younger cousins go through the same excitement when I give them clothes. One even went on a hunt for superstar Adidas with her mom because “those are the shoes Paige wears”. It made my heart happy. Apparently they think I have style and I am beyond honored.

Trash

These are the items that are damaged to the point of no repair and probably won’t serve a purpose to anyone. However, if possible, you should consider repurposing some of these items. If you’re feeling crafty, here are 11 Innovative Ways to Repurpose Old Clothes.

Maybe

So, what to do with the remaining clothes lying on your bed? Item by item, ask yourself these questions:

· Does it fit?

· Have I worn it in the last year?

· If I saw this in the store today, would I buy it?

· Does it have sentimental value?

If your answer was “no” to 3 or more of these questions, odds are that the item can probably be donated. As for the extremely sentimental ones, it doesn’t hurt to tuck away a few things. You’ll come back to them next closet cleanse. Yay for handing off responsibilities to future you!

Step 6: Organization nation.

Now it’s time to put everything back into your closet. Ready to channel your inner Monica Geller? Here are some closet organization ideas that are bound to catch your eye.

Step 7: Treat yo self.

Go ahead and treat yourself to some ice cream. Or shopping.

Happy Cleaning!

(Photo by Freepik)

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Vita Benedetta

Hey everyone! My name is Kassidy Steyer (everyone knows me by Kas) and I have a passion for capturing the perfect picture of epic eats. You can catch me running between spin class, grabbing a matcha latte, shopping at Whole Foods, or strolling through the farmers market with my mom.

I am studying marketing and communications at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. I will be graduating with my bachelor’s degree in May 2019. College has taught me the importance of balance, positive thoughts, self-care, exercise, and fueling my body. My goal is to be transparent by showing both sides of wellness. While I love me some avocado toast and going for a hike, letting loose on thirsty Thursday and devouring burgers and fries (every once in a while) with friends is part of that balance. 

I want to show you all the grub goodness that can be found in unfamiliar places from Madison, WI and beyond. Thank you so much for visiting Vita Benedetta. I look forward to sharing with you! 

You are probably wondering, “What does Vita Benedetta mean?” From Italian, translated to English, Vita Benedetta stands for blessed life. I come from an awesomely large Italian family—my mom has seven brothers and they all grew up in a two-bedroom house downtown Madison, WI. Growing up with 8 dads has been pretty rad to say the least, and for that I am blessed. As you will see, and I will reiterate, this theme is present throughout all aspects of my life. 

Inspiration 

My inspiration for this blog primarily came from my experiences in college. College, the best four years of your life: supposedly. For me college has been a challenge. A challenge to find balance. Balance between social norm expectations and what I wanted for myself. Balance between mindless fun and exhaustion. Balance between fitting in and standing out. Finding myself was a challenge. 

La Crosse—a city with more taverns per capita than any other U.S city of its size. A city where if a friend states he/she is going to the library, you can assume that person is referring to the bar. Many weekends went like this. I would watch the lights flicker off as a sign of bar close, take the “drunk bus” home at 2:30 a.m., and crawl into bed after eating a triple order of Topperstix. Mornings I would wake to the scent of a Howie’s deep fried burger and fries creeping through my window, faced with a full night of hung-over studying, notorious as the Sunday Scaries. Purely exhausted. 

Undeniably my self-esteem began to dwindle. College presented me with millions of others girls: prettier than me, taller than me, with a whiter smile than me, and much less flab where a girl doesn’t want flab. These girls portrayed their lives as if they were out of a Legally Blonde movie, attending frat parties on the weekends, and posing in pictures eating Big Macs, yet still somehow maintaining flawless figures. 

Deciding to focus on my education and health, I stood out. Contrary to what many people believe this came with consequences. In our binge drinking obsessed culture, deciding not to engage alienated me. I lost the majority of my friends, only later to notice that these relationships were solely characterized by weekends and drinking, and had no substance or depth. The hard part: finding new friends as a junior in college. Friend groups were already tightly formed. Without parties or bars to make friends, this left class, the library, and the gym, all places where college students want to get in and get out as fast as they can.   

Thanks to social media, I found a community where I belonged, where I could engage and contribute. Wonderful humans such as @shutthekaleup and @thetruespoon have shown me what it feels like to: get a good night sleep, eat whole real food (none of that toxic processed ish), and spend time with people who support me. These women portray real lives of self-care, exercise, health, balance, and emphasize fueling your body. I follow their lives for inspiration on: recipes, skin care, athleisure companies, and mainly inspiration to lead my own life—disinterested in comparing myself to others. I finally found the importance behind talking about wellness, and I gained hella confidence along the way. 

Present Over Perfect 

As I began my wellness journey I stumbled across the issue of perfectionism. Did I use the correct Valencia filter for that picture? Did the editor app take away the coffee stains on my teeth? Should I spend a couple more days trying to come up with a more creative Instagram caption? To be completely honest, sometimes I would take so long to capture the most epically epic picture of my food that my meal would be cold to a crisp by the time I ate it (whoops). Yeah I know what you are thinking, this girl is crazy! It was hard to put down my phone. 

It is OKAY not take yourself so seriously. Live in the moment. Put down your phone and go for a hike. Have a meaningful conversation with someone you love. Your phone will still be there. Three things have significantly helped me become more present and aware in my life. 

Morning and Bedtime Social Media Detox 

How many of you are guilty of the a.m. mindless social media scroll? What about scrolling until your eyes can barely take it anymore before hitting the hay? This was my worst habit. When the first and last things you are seeing everyday are other people and perfection, it is hard not to compare and get caught up in everything other than yourself. Instead, try getting up and doing something else for the first part of your day. Go for a walk, read a book, make a smoothie, DO YOU. At bedtime think about your day and what went well. Positive thoughts go a long way to becoming more present. 

Setting Intentions 

How many of you say you are going to do something and days later completely forget about it? Like on January 1st when you got a gym membership and never went back. You are not alone. Writing down intentions is important! This way you can hold yourself accountable. Intentions can be what you read in the morning or at night instead of scrolling on social media. You are able to go back to see whether or not you are achieving them and what you would like to change/adjust. I will leave my intentions below to get you all thinking.

♥ Take each day one at a time 

♥ Spend fifteen minutes a day without Internet connection 

♥ Do your best everyday. Kick a** & do not give up 

♥ Eat mindfully. Nourish your body 

♥ Reflect on the three best parts of each day 

♥ Give back 

♥ Spend more time with family members 

♥ Love fearlessly 

Self-Care 

Because we all need a little me time to be selfish. Taking time for you can seem like a guilty pleasure, but it shouldn’t. As a college student juggling classwork, student organizations, two jobs, and a long-distance relationship, while still squeezing in time to work out, sleep, eat healthy, and umm have a life is tiring to say the least. It is important to honor your body. Know when enough is enough. Know when to call it for the night, even if it means saying no to margs with your girlfriends. For me, this means choosing to walk to the farmers market on a Saturday morning instead of going out to darty. It means being in bed by 10 p.m. on weeknights to make it to my early a.m. spin class. Balance looks different to everyone; however, when the going gets tough (and it will) here are a couple of things that make me feel superbly selfish: 

☆ Cocokind Chlorophyll Face Mask 

☆ Honest Hazel Collagen Eye Gels 

☆ Reishi Mushroom Elixir (supports sleep and stress) 

☆ Watching re-runs of “The Hills” 

☆ Turning on an oil diffusor with essential oils 

☆ Putting in a coconut oil bun 

☆ Going to a spin class (get in the zone to Kayne West/Odesza) 

☆ Yoga to get your zen on 

☆ Going on a hike alone or with a friend 

Finale 

You will look silly, it will take time, but you will feel better. Finding balance throughout all aspects of my life has been my challenge. I am starting to realize that every day is a new opportunity to better myself. I cannot stress enough how much better I feel now that I have started to take care of myself. I sleep better, I have more energy, and I am more positive. Positive thoughts are powerful. Your mind is powerful. Begin. Start. Take on one small change at a time. I look forward to interacting with each and every one of you who decide to embrace wellness! 

Thank you for visiting and you will be hearing from me soon ♥ Make sure to follow my other social media handles: 

Instagram: @vitabenedetta 

Facebook: @ViBenedetta 

Twitter: @ViBenedetta

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12 Wardrobe Essentials You Shouldn’t Live Without

Let’s pause and take a second to look back and mentally picture the clothing items we had hanging in our closets ten years ago. Did you just cringe as much as I did? It’s likely that the most memorable items that came to mind were those short-lived trends that, if you are anything like me, you now choose to repress into your deepest, darkest memories. (If someone back then had just let me know that middle-school Paige was going overkill on the neon fad, the world would truly be a better place.) My point here is, you never know what the next hottest fashion trends will bring, nor what beloved pieces you have today will make you red in the face ten years down the road.

Nonetheless, there are some fashion staples that have stood the test of time and are here to stay. In today’s blog, I will elaborate on these basic, yet timeless pieces that every wardrobe should encompass to remain eternally stylish and chic.

1. White Tee

As a disclaimer, the listing of these wardrobe pieces has no rhyme or reason – except for this first item. This is the most important. You literally can never go wrong with a plain white tee (unless you’re a spiller). In my personal experience, I wear my simple white t-shirt about 80% of the time and I have absolutely no shame. To back up this fashion pick, let’s play a game. What goes well with some distressed jeans? A white tee. Some black high-waisted jeans? A white tee. Your favorite pair of shorts? A white tee. A pair of overalls? I think you see my point. Take my word that this is a timeless piece that should always hold a special place in one’s heart, or closet. Whatever.

2. Little Black Dress

No further explanation is really needed, right? It’s that one dress in your closet that all your other dresses wish they could be. One good-fitting LBD (little black dress) is your best friend when it comes to classy events without much notice. By simply switching out accessories, this piece can go from casual to elegant in seconds. To better ensure its versatility, aim for one with a modest length and high neckline.

3. Button-Up Shirt

As a business major, I would like to stress the importance that my white button-up serves in my closet. If you’re in need of a classy ensemble, there’s no going wrong with this piece. Throw this on tucked into some black pants or a pencil skirt and you’re good to go. Even if you’re going for an off-duty look, this classic top half-tucked into some high-rise jeans paired with some booties or heels is an effortless, yet totally chic look.

4. Jean Jacket

Ah, my trusty ol’ jean jacket. It truly holds a special place in my heart (and my closet). After becoming the hottest trend in the 80’s, it’s one that is sure to stick around for many years to come. Nothing spruces up an old t-shirt quite like a light-wash jean jacket, especially if you’re going for that 90’s grunge look. Even here in Wisconsin, where the weather is typically either 20 or 80 degrees, I find a way to sneak this classic in somewhere within the glimpses of spring. Pro tip: don’t make the same mistake I did; go for one that is a bit oversized so you can layer, layer, layer! Mine is a bit snug, but being a bit chilly sometimes is still 100% worth it.

5. Leather Jacket

The one piece of clothing that you can throw over any outfit and BAM! Instant badass. If you don’t own one yet, there’s plenty of styles to choose from. A faux leather moto jacket is the perfect starting point and you can find one pretty much anywhere. Coming from someone who looks for any reason to bring out my inner rebel (spoiler alert: it’s pretty much nonexistent), I guarantee you won’t regret it. Once you get a basic black one, you can even extend your collection by adding in some other colors. My closet consists of leather jackets in black, gray, white, brown, pink (for when I’m feeling more feminine vibes), and, my personal favorite, a floral embroidered one. Do I have an obsession? Probably. Am I ashamed of it? Not in the slightest.

6. Knit Sweater

Nothing says “cozy” quite like a big, soft sweater. As a college student that faces the true brutality of Wisconsin winters, chunky sweaters have been a lifesaving essential. This is probably the one item that I would vouch for as being most splurge-worthy. There are far too many itchy sweaters in the world that fall apart after two washes, so my advice to you is to seek out a comfortable, long lasting one. You deserve it. Now, say it with me: “I am better than itchy sweaters”.

7. Go-To Jeans

So, you had a plan to go over to meet a friend for lunch, but you overslept, you’re already running late and you have yet to get dressed... and do your hair… and makeup. We’ve all been there. There’s always the option to hit cancel on the hair and makeup; just bun it up and go for the au naturel makeup look that is so in. Alas, you probably still need to put on some clothes (I know what you’re thinking, but let’s just assume your just-slept-in yoga pants just won’t cut it this time). You don’t have the time to try on every pair of pants in your closet, not this time. So, what jeans are you thinking? If you have one specific pair in mind, your one true pantsmate, you are a lucky gal. If not, you owe it to yourself to go find that special pair. High-rise, low-rise, boot cut, skinny, whichever you fancy. Go find that pair that speaks to you. One you can always rely on, even around the holidays (i.e. stretchy fabric is your best friend). If you’re having trouble finding your pantsmate, here’s a helpful article on which jeans are best for your body type. Go on, get educated; become a jeanius.

8. Leggings

This is just a given, we all have ‘em. They’re truly amazing. Life-changing, even. Finding a sturdy, warm pair of black high-rise leggings will surely get you through any challenges life throws at you. Hence, why they make up half of the official finals week uniform, along with a greatly oversized sweatshirt that probably hasn’t been washed since syllabus week. On top of that, they serve an even greater purpose rather than wallowing in salty finals tears: working out. Who knew? I can’t be the only one who only works out 2% of the time when I wear these. Nonetheless, leggings are an essential for both everyday wear, or for the workout buffs (kudos to you, brave warriors). Also, I must add that leggings with pockets do exist and they are a total game-changer.

9. Pencil Skirt

The ultimate formal attire must-have. For any occasion where you just aren’t feeling a dress, a solid pencil skirt with a nice blouse or button-up is your best friend. This simple, timeless piece is one that will never not look classy and stylish. Plus, if you find a good quality one like I did, it may just last you for over 10 years. (I bet middle-school Paige didn’t see that coming.) My pencil skirt has gotten me through almost every single presentation in college thus far and I don’t plan on trading it in anytime soon.

10. Ankle Boots

Who doesn’t love a good pair of booties? They are the ultimate autumn fashion staple that you are guaranteed to fall in love with. I own two trusty pairs of booties: one in black faux leather, and the other in taupe suede. Both have been through countless lectures, business meetings, and crunched their way through the crisp fall leaves on the way there. They are the ultimate comfort shoes.

11. Black Pumps

Now, I’m going to assume here that no one likes walking in heels. We typically wear them to dress up an outfit, improve our posture, accentuate our legs, or to give us a little confidence boost. No matter what the reason, a pair of simple black pumps can really do it all. Whether you’re heading to a business meeting, happy hour, or a casual date night, they’re one accessory that won’t let you down (unless a heel breaks and in that case, they are quite literally letting you down). I suggest you invest in a pair that is somewhat comfortable. Believe it or not, there are some shoe makers aren’t out to kill your poor feet. Here are some top-rated heel brands based on their comfortability.

12. Basic Sneakers

If you were to see me any day during the week, odds are that I’d be wearing either my Slick Adidas or my Snappy Vans. That’s right, I even named them. Walking-friendly shoes are a necessity, especially for college students. I honestly have not realized the amount of walking I would face in my life until I entered college. However, with a nice pair of worn-in sneakers, the lack of car travel is no problem. I’d recommend either black or white; that way, they pair well with any outfit.

So, there you have it: the wardrobe pieces that have a lifetime membership to my closet. What is one timeless wardrobe piece you couldn’t live without?