Hello, loves! Did everyone have a gorgeous & eventful summer? Mine flew by, and I can’t believe it’s almost Autumn!!!
Well, get ready, because this month I had the special honor of doing a Fall Fashion report for our dear local Boise Lifestyle Magazine. I’m reprinting that feature here, just for you, with a little extra dose of love: links and info for where to purchase these darling outfits & accessories!!!
Enjoy the fashion inspiration, and as always, I adore your feedback so please comment away below & tell me what you think! XOXOXO, Tanya
FALL FASHION FEATURE: Gemstone Hues
Whether it’s a bold red lip, flash of accent green on a handbag, or stripes of yellow and purple across a shoe, this season’s trends showcase every color of the rainbow.
As the soft pastels of previous seasons fade with the summer sun, expect Fall to come in strong with a dazzling array of gemstone colors, vivid stripes, and a plethora of edgy prints from around the world.
The 90’s are back, too, with chunky footwear, colorful overalls, whimsical sunglasses, and a wide variety of denim styles. From ruby red to sapphire blue, choose your favorite haute hues and embrace the crisp coolness of autumn.
Fall fashion’s overall message for 2018 is: Be bold!!!
I had a blast shopping for the hottest trends at three wonderful boutiques in Boise: Ibeni, Shift, and Swank! Check out my fashion inspiration looks below, and tell me in the comments: Which ones are your faves?
~ photos by Allie Smith Hobbes, myself, or shared with permission from businesses below~
In the last few years, there’s been a major shift in the fashion industry towards a more ethical design, manufacturing, and shopping experience. From employment practices abroad, to real financial impact closer to home, it’s encouraging to watch this movement grow and blossom into something truly impactful… And truly beautiful!!!
Christmas is near, but if you still have shopping left to do, check out some of my personal favorite companies below for inspiration! Some items are available locally, and most are also online. I’ve chosen these products and companies because I have either connected directly with the fine people selling them, or have a deep personal passion for the mission behind their products.
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But think of this list as just a beginning! Please (pretty please with sugarplums on top!) tell me YOUR favorite give-back-biz in the comments below. Post links, pics, anything you love; share your faves, so we can spread the joy, together!!!
XOXO,
Tanya
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Bought Beautifully
Bought Beautifully is a lovely online shop founded by Colin & Emily Betzler, two-huge-hearted entrepreneurs from Wyoming. The Betzlers believe in changing the world by living generously, and to that end, have built “a marketplace that empowers you to create dignified opportunities for people around the globe, one purchase at a time.” Every item in their shop, from jewelry to Christmas ornaments, is both beautiful and fashion-forward.
I fell in love with Bought Beautifully’s Brass Stud earrings from Sasa (pictured above, lower right), a brand that empowers and supports deaf men and women in Nairobi, Kenya, and on the Island of La Gonave, Haiti.
Bought Beautifully sells handcrafted items from 36 partners in over 16 nations across the globe, and you can search by category, or by the cause that is close to your heart!
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Beaded Tassel Earrings from Milot, Haiti, help bring sustainable development through design, training, and job creation. $32
Bracelet by Badala; proceeds fight human trafficking and empower women to rise out of poverty in East Africa, Central America, and the USA.
Speak Your Silence
My friend Matt Pipkin founded Speak Your Silence in 2012 as a place of healing, recovery, and empowerment for men and women around the world who are victims of sexual assault. Speak Your Silence’s unique zigzag pattern can be added onto any piece of apparel or accessory, as an unspoken sign of solidarity and support among those who have suffered.
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Whether you have personally experienced sexual violence or not, wearing the zigzag pattern shows you care, and want to inspire others to prevent sexual assault and share your voice for those affected.
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Speak Your Silence has partnered with Boutonné, a San Diego-based brand that produces leather goods, to create a special Swivel Clip, Envelope Laptop Case, and the Mills Tote I am wearing in the photos above. Click hereto purchase the tote ($190), and find out more about Boise-based Speak Your Silence! T-shirts, decal kits, and other products are also available for purchase.
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Corbin’s Legacy Bracelets
No child should have to go an entire school day without lunch. That’s the basic, and passionate anthem behind Corbin’s Legacy bracelets. Founded in honor of Corbin Leafman, a beloved and compassionate kindergarten teacher who passed away at 31 years old from cancer, Corbin’s Legacy bangles give back 100% of their proceeds to food & medical care for disadvantaged elementary school children.
Corbin was known for “always walking through the lunch line holding up a $20.00 bill to make sure that the cafeteria lady knew that none of her students were to go without a hot meal.” She bought backpacks, school supplies, and gifts for children in need, and her giving heart lives on in those who knew and loved her! Bracelets are $30 in downtown Boise, at Swank Boutique.
Tentree Sweatshirts
Did you know our local Buckle store is a major force for good in the community? Through their Buckle Believes program, they offer multiple give-back lines of clothing and accessories, all with great style and affordable prices! I loved these soft, cozy sweatshirts by tentree, available in multiple colors, and all fleece-lined. Ten trees are planted for every item you purchase, and the tag comes with an extra seed for you to plant! These tops are great for stocking stuffers, and cold winter nights. Shop the entire collection here, and at your local Buckle store, $35-76.
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Girl Power for good!
All right, I get to toot my own horn on this rad project! But don’t worry; no money goes in my own pocket. 😉 It’s all for giving back! I teamed up with brilliant Boise designers Fourthwave Apparel for a special collaborative design, Nobody Puts Girl Power in a Corner. For every shirt sold, 40% of the profits go directly to Leap Charity, a local non-profit org that helps house and support refugee families arriving in our community.
You can read more about our story here, or jump straight to Fourthwave to buy one. $22 adult, $14.50 kids.
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Proof Eyewear
If you live anywhere in the Treasure Valley, you know about Proof Eyewear! We all love this local company that’s made it big in the fashion industry, but did you also what big HEARTS they have as well?? Through Proof’s Do Good program, thousands of dollars have gone back into health and vision projects around the world. From micro-loans for entrepreneurs to building orphanages, Proof ‘s commitment to socially-conscious programs across the globe is unmatched.
Click here to read more about Proof’s Give Back program, and all the amazing projects they support, or visit their new downtown flagship store at 314 S. 9th Street, Boise, for last-minute gifts!
Buckle Believes
Those who know me well, know that I am passionate when it comes to fighting bullying. My son went through some horrific experiences at a very young age, because of his Asperger’s. Please read more about his story here; Ethan is an incredible kid, and I will fight tooth & nail for the life he deserves to live.
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When I stopped by Buckle to look for give-back brands, these Buckle Believes t-shirts made my eyes leak a little. The Be Buddies, Not Bullies top was my fave, and I’m proud to wear it to help raise awareness for my son, and all kids everywhere!!! Proceeds from all three of the tops pictured above go to The American Cancer Society, and Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center. These designs (and more!) are available for $28.95 online at Buckle.com, or available at your local Buckle store.
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Don’t forget to add your voice to the conversation!
Please comment below with your favorite give-back gifts and companies.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and may all your days be merry & bright!
XOXOXO
It’s a little strange, isn’t it, when we mourn for someone we didn’t actually know? Today I was barely able to choke back the tears as I explained to my little girl that the Goblin King had just died… Her eyes welled up, too. “But I just learned about him, mom!” I know she’ll fall asleep to the Labyrinth soundtrack tonight.
“There’s such a sad love Deep in your eyes, a kind of pale jewel Open and closed within your eyes I’ll place the sky within your eyes…”
I understand her sorrow. I didn’t know who Bowie was until I watched Labyrinth for the first time, and felt, like Jennifer Connolly’s character Sarah, the deep battle that churns in a young girl’s soul when her heart is both drawn to – and repelled by – the bad boy who works so hard for her affection.
There are thousands more people far more qualified than I am to write about Bowie’s influence and career. He was a musician, an artist, an actor, an instigator, an icon, a space oddity, a star, a rebel, and yes, even a Goblin King. He held up a mirror to our labeling and boxes, challenging us to throw it all away and just appreciate each other as unique humans. He was hated for it by some, but overwhelmingly loved by those who understand what’s it’s like to be Different. In case you were wondering, I didn’t rush out and take pics in a Ziggy Stardust shirt, just today. A little while ago I did a photo shoot with Jeffrey Pierre, a really cool new photographer in the Boise area who invited me to collaborate with him. I got swamped in other work and forgot to post these photos until now, when I heard the news about Bowie this morning and pulled my favorite rock t-shirt out of my closet. (Swank Boutique in downtown Boise still has a few in stock, if you’d like one of your own to wear in tribute to this amazing man!) ❤
The stars look very different today…
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January 8, 1947-January 10, 2016 ~ Rest in peace, David Bowie.Or whatever magical creature you really were. Somewhere, out there, I hope that your star has at last found its home, back in the celestial place you truly came from. ❤
XOXO,
Tanya
David Bowie released his newest album Blackstar, while suffering from cancer. It was his last gift to us, his final work of art for a planet that adored him. Go get it here: http://davidbowie.com/blackstar/
With 2015’s trend towards 70’s fashions, it’s no surprise to see one key 70’s trend making a major comeback: the Jumpsuit. First invented in 1919 by designer Florentine Thayat, whose goal was to create a subversive and futuristic fashion piece, jumpsuits have long been seen as quirky, unusual, and frankly a little rebellious. It’s like saying, Ok, I’ll come to your fancy ball, but I’m going to wear pants. And not only that, but I’ll wear them so well and be so comfortable, you’ll want to shed that straitjacket corset dress and come join me!
Jumpsuits are flamboyant, but also extremely comfortable and easy to style around! For these photos, I wore a black Jackie O jumpsuit from Black Halo, and simple gold jewelry. All I had to do to change the look entirely was alter my handbag and shoes!
Jumpsuits can also be a fantastic styling tool to work with your body type. I’m a strawberry, or upside-down heart, meaning busty on top but narrow through the hips and booty. This jumpsuit gives me a great curvaceous shape that evens out those proportions, by adding volume to my lower half, fitting snugly up top, and clearly defining my waistline. I’m kind of obsessed with it – thank you Black Halo!!!
It seems like every brand, store, and fashion line is selling jumpsuits this season (read more about why, here), and I highly recommend you go shopping for one! Be adventurous – try it out! You might be surprised at how comfortable and effortless they can be. They’re available everywhere right now, from high-end couture designers to this cute $35 patterned summer jumpsuit from H&M.
Some important things to look for in your perfect jumpsuit are:
1. Length. A wide-leg jumpsuit can be incredibly elongating, but only if it’s the right length! Choose one as long as you can, but NOT touching the ground. You don’t want to ruin it, or hide your shoes completely! If it’s a fitted jumpsuit, go for ankle length to show off your shoes, or longer if you want a little “scrunch” right above the shoes.
Peek-a-boo, cute shoes!
2. Fit. Look for a jumpsuit for your body type! One that’s fitted through the hips, booty, and legs but has more volume up top is great for “pear” bodies. An hourglass body type can pull off either style. For all body types, play with proportions on sleeve length, neckline, and where the waist hits for the perfect fit.
3. Color. When in doubt, go with solid color. If this is your first time in a jumpsuit, get black. Once you’re more comfortable with the style, amp it up with florals, patterns, and bolder prints!
Curvy ladies, you can pull this look off too!!! Check out this stunning Michael Kors jumpsuit I found at Nordstrom.com – it’s 40% off right now!!
4.Go short for summer. Rompers are the summertime version of the jumpsuit, and are HUGE right now in major fashion hubs! They’re super cute for daytime, but a romper can also be very elegant for a night out on the town. Add a necklace and sandals, and you’re done!
5. Check your booty! A jumpsuit with a high rise can lead to the dreaded “mom butt” if you’re not careful! Check the mirror, and make sure the jumpsuit doesn’t make your posterior look longer and flatter than it really is.
6. Layer, layer, layer. Think of your jumpsuit as a version of the LBD (Little Black Dress) every woman should have in her closet. It’s a basic piece that you decorate, to fit your style, your body, and whatever event you’re wearing it to!
7. Have fun. You’re going to feel a little subversive in your jumpsuit, but if it fits well, you’ll also feel very elegant and chic. Be confident! Rock it! And when those ladies in the tight, fussy dresses are staring you down, just smile and give them a happy wink.
XOXO,
Tanya
Gold ring: Coach (Something similar here) / Black ring: I confess this is the metal tag that came attached to the Black Halo Jumpsuit label! Couldn’t help it… had to wear it! 😉
So you’re heading to Las Vegas for a fun weekend, but you want to save room in your suitcase for all the shopping treasures you know you’re going to find? Pack light, and wear versatile pieces! I stick with one set of colors when I travel: black & white, with splashes of a few favorite colors as accents. If everything in my suitcase goes together, I know I can mix & match with ease and efficiency!
Here’s my guide for making one easy outfit go from day, to poolside, to nightclub… And it all fits in one bucket bag!
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I fell in love with Bought Beautifully’s 
Style Spy Girl 