Spring 2014 Trends
1. Pretty Pastels.
Pastels are in, in a major way. It seems like high fashion has taken a page out of the southern girl's handbook as we have always had light blue, mint green, lavender and perfectly pale pink in our closet! I am loving pastel shift dresses with jeweled sandals and coordinating seersucker clutches. Bring on Spring!
2. Flirty Florals
Adding just one floral item to your spring wardrobe will open a world of possibilities. I am loving floral skirts and shorts. Top them with a patterned shirt in a coordinating color or a ruffled top and you will be as lovely as a sweet southern sunrise.
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Head-to-toe white is tres chic this season. The easiest and most flattering way to pull off this look is by donning an all white dress. Top it with a statement necklace and white sandals and you are ready for a night out on the town. I would also look for white dresses with texture as it will work for seasons to come.
I am in love with this trend. Finally, I can wear all the sparkle I want and no one will bat an eye! It seems designers have added jewels to everything and then some. Have you always dreamed of bejeweled shirts? This is your season!
5. Stunning Stripes
Classic striped dresses just scream spring and you can make them new again by adding a stunning statement necklace. Add a simple wedge sandal in a coordinating color and you have a beautifully pulled together look!
6. Ruffles
Designers have fallen in love with this darling detail and they range from petite to grandiose. I say the bigger the better!
{This post contains links to the author's Etsy site.}
{Follow Your Dreams Friday} 5 Questions with Mrs. Tyler Thompson of Kentucky Sports Radio
If you love the Kentucky Wildcats, you've read Kentucky Sports Radio, the most over-the-top, ridiculous, 'Cats-lovin website out there. In honor of March Madness, and the three Kentucky teams who play today, we sat down with KSR writer Mrs. Tyler Thompson for this special March Madness installment of Follow Your Dreams Friday. Talk about a dream job -- Tyler gets to write about Kentucky sports all day long! -- HCW
HK: Tell us a little about yourself.
TT: I'm a Danville, Kentucky native who grew up spending Friday nights at Admiral Stadium watching high school football, Saturdays at Commonwealth Stadium watching college football, and any chance I got in Rupp Arena watching college basketball. I went to Davidson College in North Carolina, where I clashed with plenty of Tarheels and Duke fans before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where I clash with plenty of Tennessee and Vandy fans. I like to think those experiences have hardened my UK fan-hood.
Tyler with UK's 2012 National Championship Trophy.
HK: How did you become a sports blogger?
TT: It's actually a really random story. I grew up wanting to be a sportswriter, but in high school, my English teacher discouraged it because she thought reporting box scores and statistics would be too dry for my writing style (fortunately, blogging allows me to be more creative). In college, I pursued literary analysis and non-fiction prose, and wanted to go into publishing after graduation. I ended up with a job as a copywriter in Nashville, but because I am obsessed with UK sports, always followed the Cats via Kentucky Sports Radio. They had a "Who wants to be a blogger" contest back in 2008, and I entered, partly as a joke and a dare from my sister. I finished third and kind of put my blogging dreams back on the shelf for a while until my friend and I started RealGirlsWatchSports.com as an outlet for our sports obsessions. A few months later, Larry Vaught asked me to contribute to his site, and a few months after that, Matt Jones asked me to join the team at KSR. Over the next three years, I began to take on more responsibility, and in December 2012, I became a full-time employee. Looking back on it, it still seems like a dream. It just goes to show, don't ever be afraid to take a chance on something because it seems silly--it may end up landing you your dream job.
HK: How is it different watching sports in order to write about the game rather than watching for fun?
TT: It's very, very different, and still an ongoing transition for me. On KSR, we do live blogs for each game, which include play-by-play and analysis (and plenty of jokes), so there's not a lot of time to "linger in the moment," if you will. Also, you're not allowed to cheer on press row, which is always a struggle for me. Most of the time, I'm tapping my foot and chewing my lip during stressful moments. There have been a few times I've slipped up and let out a whoop or a holler, but thankfully, I haven't been reprimanded...yet.
HK: For me, the “I wish I was half as cool as Tyler” moment was when you wrote about sitting next to legendary football commentator Paul Finebaum at SEC Media Days. What has been your major “pinch me; I must be dreaming” moment as a KSR blogger?
TT: Honestly, it happens every single game I go to. I keep thinking that awe will wear off eventually, but it hasn't yet. Meeting Paul Finebaum was amazing, partly because he just happened to sit down next to me. He couldn't have been nicer. I'd say my most recent "pinch me" moment was when I met Jay Bilas during the Calipari Fantasy Camp. We were both in the gym watching the team practice, and I knew that I had to go introduce myself. He was unbelievably nice and offered to help me in my profession any way he could, which is something I'll never forget.
HK: What advice do you have for women who want to go into traditionally male-dominated fields?
TT: There will always be people who don't take you seriously because you're a woman (I like to call them the "make me a sandwich" crew), but instead of letting that get you down, use it as fuel to prove them wrong. Also, don't be afraid to connect with your audience in ways the guys can't; I'd argue there are just as many female Kentucky sports fans as male Kentucky sports fans, and I love being able to give them a voice. I'm not saying you should swap recipes or anything, but keep in mind you bring something to the table that most don't--a female perspective.
What to wear during March Madness!
1. Flatter yourself! Look for flattering articles of clothing in your team's signature colors. While I am sure that everyone has blush and bashful in their arsenal, I know that I have very few real articles of clothing that are Cardinal red and Wildcat blue. So each year, I go shopping for current and flattering silhouettes that scream my team allegiance to the roof tops! One of my favorite outfits to wear when I am cheering for the boys in blue is a blue and white polka dot dress from Old Navy. There is no doubt that I support UK and I look great whilst doing it! I purchased that dress a few seasons ago and was not able to find it, but I stumbled upon these super cute striped dresses. This dress is only offered in two colorways and they just happen to match UK and U of L! Maybe the designer is from Kentucky?
2. Colorful Bottoms- Lucky for us, colored pants are in this season and they just happen to be featured in our two favorite colors. Top it with a chambray shirt and a statement necklace and you are ready to support your team in comfort and style!
3. Accessorize! - Everyone I know has a plain white button up that flatters them. I love the idea of topping it with your favorite strand of pearls adorned with a ribbon in your team's colors. You could also jazz it up by adding a colorful team themed scarf.
Get Ready for March Madness Parties with Louisville Stoneware!
You can choose Rupp Arena's floor;
Here's to unlimited basketball, your favorite team, and chips and dip!
{Follow Your Dreams Friday} Megan Whitmer, Author of Between
Get Ready for Spring with Macy's, Estée Lauder, and Lilly Pulitzer!
Estée Lauder's business model was so simple and yet so brilliant: You can sell more face cream if you offer your customers a free tube of lipstick. And Lilly Pulitzer -- well, y'all already know how much I love her -- wasn't comfortable sitting around living the life of a socialite, so she started selling dresses inspired by her Florida citrus groves.
