Fall Fashion...Cowgirls and Indians

Fall is in the air, and while I have been fighting off the reality (summer just got started here in the NW), I really am happy. Fall is hands down, my favorite season!

The mornings are cool and crisp, the sun is shining, and there is a smell in the air that is indescribable.

This time of year, my oven returns as the most used form of cooking and the bbq gets covered for the winter. Baked goods, homemade chili, and soul food are abundant.

My closet also welcomes the change of seasons.

Time to put away the summer clothes and dive into sweaters, boots, and jeans!

Ahhh, cozy clothes, that not only keep me warm, but cover cellulite as well.

I am loving the style this year...here are some of my personal faves:

Fringe.

It is everywhere, and looks good on so many things.

It's playful and relaxed and I love the earthy feeling of all of the leather and suade.

Feathers.

Since I no longer have them in my hair, I have to incorporate them in other ways.

I found a belt similar to this one at Ross Dress For Less for $7.99 that I will be purchasing if I can find it in a size smaller than 1x!

This gal has it figured out.

Feminine, stylish, aaaaaand comfortable!



I am a sucker for coats.

After shopping with my Mom yesterday, I learned that I got this obsession from her.

I have been drooling over this one from Anthro. The ruffles seal the deal.

However, the Anthro price is a little much...found a great mustard colored toggle at Forever 21 that might find a new home with me!

 Another great fashion statement.

A girl's gotta wear socks with her boots, so why not make 'em pretty and show 'em off?

Love that gals aren't limiting themselves to skirts, but doing over the pants as well.

Rosettes, Riding boots, and Tall socks!



 Check out this adorable girl...

Love how her tall socks are lacy and tie in with her top!

 This dress is my idea of perfection.

Some fun jewelry, boots, and a cute denim jacket....yes please!

These Minnetonka Boots are on my wish list this year.

I already knew I liked them, then I found them in grey, and it was all over.



Seems like anything that resembles those braided rugs is also in right now. At first I was a little hesitant, but I'm warming up to the idea.

Lastly, I just found this cowgirl the other day, and fell in love!

She has a business called The Rusty Rose, where she sells clothes and jewelry to the fashionable country girl.

It's fun, and classy all at the same time!

The picture above is from her facebook page.

Look close at her bootlegs...

Yes, those are fur leg muffs!

Add those to my list of fall must haves.

I am so happy that this years style incorporates the rugged, and earthy elements that tie in well with a cowgirls wardrobe.

Feathers, fringe, boots, leather, colorful woven fabrics that scream Pendleton blankets...

I like to refer to the 2011 Fall Fashion as

Cowgirls and Indians

Feather Hair Extensions

Depending on where you live, you may have noticed that people are walking around with feathers- in their hair! The feather trend is catching on...more rapidly in certain locations; but, like skinny jeans, it's coming whether you like it or not. I was recently at a trunk show where a hip friend of mine was sporting the feather look. As we stood talking, I caught a glimpse of a white feather, and being the stay-at-home mom that I am, thought, "hmm, poor thing has down feather from her coat stuck in her hair." I attempted to pluck it out for her.

I soon learned that it was a feather hair extension and began searching my memory bank to see if I had any recollection of feathers in hair...American Idol, Steven Tyler, Yes! I knew I wasn't soooo out of it-just a little.

photo credit

Days later, my sister-in-law who lives in Bend, Oregon came over to the valley for a visit. She too was wearing a feather extension! However, hers was removable, and had a couple of strands of tinsel in the mix. Super cute!

As I'm starting to warm up to the this new hair craze, I visit my hairdresser only to find a few feathers floating about her workstation. She had just finished up with another client and suggested we put a few in my new do. "Yes, please!"

So I did it, I took flight with the feather trend. I went with the natural feathers (they come in colors too) and I must say, they are amazing!

*Side note*

Because this hasn't caught on everywhere, I recently encountered the following:

The cashier at a local grocer says to me, "Is that a feather in your hair?"

"Yes, it, is." I reply.

He adds, "Oh, is it that bird crap?"

Me, taken aback, stand there mouth open not sure how to respond to his rudeness. "Uhhhh" is all I can get out.

He quickly follows up by telling my that, "Bird Crap" is a brand of feathers!!!!!

Hahaha! These feathers are really throwing me for a loop!

Are feathers "in" in your neck of the woods?

If you live in the Salem, Oregon area and want to take flight...

Call my friends, and hair experts, Lindsey and Krista at Salon Mecca

Now, if you have a daughter that is a natural fashionista, like I do, then she too will want feathers. Which, I must admit, we put pink feathers in her locks and it is very fun! However, I know that many people wouldn't be comfortable with the crimped-in feathers for their little ones. Why not get them a Hillbilly Headband from The Farrier's Daughter?!?! Many are adorned with feathers galore!

I think the feathers are great for all of you gals that like to bring a little trendyness to your western style. I can't wait for the warm weather so that I can sport my sundress, cowboy boots, and feathers together. Very cowgirl chic in my opinion!

Cowboy Boots...A Girls Best Friend

Click here to see the most recent post on How To Wear Cowboy Boots with Dresses 

I dedicate today's post to a lifetime friend of mine...the cowboy boot!

Being a Farrier's Daughter and growing up in the country, I was destined to be a fan of the boot. I remember as a young girl going shopping for a pair that I had had my eye on. I was probably about 5 at the time, and I was excited to say the least. These boots were not just any ordinary boots, no ma'am, they had fringe! Yes, fringe, all the way down the side (shaft). I was in heaven! I remember wanting to wear them with everything...a mother's worst nightmare I now know :-)

Skip forward about ten years. I am in high school now. Same small town, and a school which sits smack dab in the middle of corn fields...lot's of corn fields. It's a small school, where most kids are the offspring of farmers of some sort, and they are proud of it. Here is where I ran into some problems that sent me soul searching. You see, there is a certain type of person (narrow minded person) that believes it is only ok to sport your boots if you are a "cowboy". In their minds, boots are to be worn only if you meet the following criteria:

1. You own a horse

2. You are in FFA or 4-H

3. You only wear them with Wrangler brand jeans that come up so high they double as an underwire.

4. Your top is long sleeve and button down...plaid

5. You have a belt buckle that is often mistaken as a dinner plate!

I would post a photo here for a better visual, but don't want to offend anyone. And let me add that I have no problem with this look, heck I have the same look...when I go riding.

Back to high school. We have already established that I love me some cowboy boots. And I want to wear them. Only I want to wear them my way, with my stylish jeans. I want to mix it up a bit. Why not be trendy while rocking your boots? I had to get away from the typical "high school mentality" that what other people think is important, and just be me. This was big. I had figured something out. To be a cowboy or country had nothing to do with what you wore or the after school activities that you participated in. It was, and still is in my mind, a frame of mind. It is someone who is raised with morals and values that reflect hard work, honesty, and genuineness. Boots or no boots. It is a way of life, not a piece of clothing.

That said, I am thrilled that over the years others have come around and can now also enjoy their boots without the looks, snickers and jabs.

Boots are Back!

My babies love boots! Safe to say they have been wearing them since infancy.

These gals love boots so much that they jump, split and cheer in them!

Now that's dedication to the boot if you ask me!

Ballerinas love boots too! Celebs are fans as well. One of my favorites is to pair a sundress with boots in the summer time! Speaking of dresses...brides everywhere are trading in the uncomfortable pumps for some leather dancing shoes! Here, the whole wedding party got in on the trend! How much more perfect could this picture be? Boots, brides and an Airstream?!?! Some even like to wear them with shorts (however I strongly suggest that you think twice about this-it's risky, just sayin').

How do you like your boots?