Chels Wears: Skirts in the Snow

Skirt: Thrift Shop | Shoes: Kmart | Shirt: JCPenney | Jacket: Deb | Scarf: WalMart

Oh look, guys, I'm not properly dressed for the temperature again. Imagine that. I just hate snow too much to let it ruin my fashion plans, though I wish my legs weren't so white, holy cow. It was actually fairly "warm" when we took these photos. Like 25 degrees or something that felt decently warm. Erie is a confusing place to live around this time.

This is the first time this skirt has ever made an appearance. Well, that's not totally true. I got it at a thrift shop back home over a year ago and it (along with one other) have been hanging in my closet waiting to be worn by me since. I'm just not normally a midi skirt kind of person. I'm usually maxi or mini so this length has been a weird one for me to decide to wear. But I'm thinking I like it! I'll have to pull out that other thrift shop skirt that I got with this one because I'm really liking this look and I really am surprised by that. I wore this on Sunday to church. I really only decided to go with this skirt at the last minute because I didn't feel like wearing tights and didn't want to wear a maxi. (I always wear a skirt or dress to church, I feel weird when I don't.) So this skirt was the winner...long enough to not really need tights and short enough to not be considered a maxi. Maybe it's time to embrace the midi?

What's your favorite skirt length?

Chels Wears: Winter Layers

Belt & Cardigan: Target | Hat: Charlotte Russe | Chambray, Jeans & Scarf: WalMart
Ring: Old Navy | Flannel Shirt: thrifted | Leg Warmers: WalMart

Well, if you were here yesterday, then you know last night we hosted Thanksgiving dinner at one of Eric's churches for some people in need. And it went great! I'm so proud haha I was really nervous that there wouldn't be enough food and that the turkey would be awful, but everyone was fed and loved it! This was the first time I ever cooked Thanksgiving dinner and figuring out how to cook a turkey was a learning experience, to say the least. Now I feel like a real grown up.

These pictures were taken at a nearby park while I was waiting for the turkey to finish up. This was also the quickest photo session that Eric and I have ever done because it was freeeeezing outside. I'm not excited about winter officially being in Erie, but snow makes for some pretty pictures and I do love layering! But so commences the quick photo session season. Hopefully we'll get good photos on the first try like we did with these ones. Not to shabby for (literally) the only photos we took.

Fashion Week: Meet Jessica of Midwest Muse!

Hoping you all are having a fantastic week! With Fashion Week winding down, I just want to thank you all for following along so far and remind you we're not done yet! And the giveaway winner will be announced on Saturday so be sure to enter to get some great new pieces for spring!

Today, I'm so excited to introduce you to Jessica of Midwest Muse! I honestly don't know when I started to follow Jessica because it feels like I always have. She is easily one of my favorite bloggers and I think her style is unparalleled. How she combines feminine and edgy pieces blows my mind, seriously, she's amazing. I gushed about her in a post last week and have to say it again, she's making Ohio look cool. (That's a big thing for a Pittsburgher to say!) She also has a fantastic taste in music, if I do say so myself, considering we like a lot of the same bands. I feel like had we met in high school, we would've been friends to this day. I hope you enjoy meeting her today and checking out her impeccable style.

All photos provided by Jessica.

How would you define your style? 

I would define my style as being feminine yet edgy.

Where are your favorite places to shop? 

I will shop anywhere with a sales rack and the thrift store. I am so beyond thrifty with my clothes. I like to look great, but I also don't like to spend too much money. Thrifting and sales are perfect for this. Of course, I make exceptions, but it usually involves a lot of waiting and making sure that I NEED a piece over $40 or whatever.

What are some of your favorite pieces or go-to pieces in your closet? 

Dresses. Dresses are my go-to. This sounds generic, but basically any dress that is easy to put on (doesn't require someone to zip, complicated buttons) or skirts + band t-shirts. That's been my main winter go-to. I like to keep it simple.

Where does the inspiration for your outfits come from?

My style is completely based on my moods and practicality. I am always out and about and I want to be comfortable yet stylish. It's sometimes a hard line to balance, but it's necessary. I am also inspired by the weather (duh), my friends, and colors. Inspiration is everywhere if you understand how to interpret it.

If someone asked you for style advice, what would you tell them?

Style isn't what everyone else is wearing. Style is what you want to wear. What you feel good in. What you love. Take whatever that is and own it. Even if it's not what the masses are wearing/loving. Seriously. Just be you and your confidence will be enough to make everyone believe in your choices.

When and why did you start fashion blogging?

I've been into the Internet since I discovered it in middle school. I started off on Livejournal and have been on various blogging platforms before blogging was a term. For my sixteenth birthday, my Dad got me a digital camera (when they were first become affordable) and from there my love of cameras blossomed. I eventually upgraded and started taking self-portraits. My style was evolving and while my portraits were more "artsy" I really enjoyed it. This is about the time that style blogging became a thing. I read a lot and I was like, "I can do this!" So basically, it was me combining my love of photography, blogging, and style. It was a perfect creative outlet for me. Though I had no idea what I was doing when I started. I think this was 2 1/2 years ago.

How has your style grown or changed since you began fashion blogging?

I think my style was much more basic when I started. I wasn't sure how to put together outfits or what I liked beyond dresses. I think my style has evolved into my style. Does that make sense? At first I just liked clothes and now it's a lot more than that. I know exactly what I like and why I like it. I know what works and what doesn't. Which I think just means that I've learned to understand how to dress my body better. Which is to say, I'm sure there are outfits in my archives that I am ashamed of.

What advice do you have for bloggers just starting out?

My advice is this: look around at the blogs you love, at blogs that make you want to blog, think about why you like these blogs. Is it the style? The photography? Their lifestyles? The articles? The design? Take that in, make note and decide which part of those you want to document and which align with your life. Make realistic goals. Realize that your blog will not be a success overnight and that you must cultivate it. For me, coming up with a good name & design are the first steps. Everything else can be built around that. Your goals and ideals will change once you start blogging, but it's important to start off with the right ideas.

Also I think it's important to note that you don't need fancy cameras, expensive software, designer clothes. Just be you and use what you have. You will learn so much just from blogging. Getting started is the hardest part, but once you do, everything else will eventually happen if you work hard.

Lastly, network, network, network. Building and fostering organic relationships is the most important. The big bloggers you admire aren't going to come to your blog (probably), but other bloggers most definitely will. Some of the best people I know I have met from fashion blogging and met them in real life. It's that AWESOME.

Midwest Muse | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Bloglovin

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Fashion Week: Meet Toni of The Love Hanger!

Moving right along...I hope you all are excited about Fashion Week and are so far enjoying the opportunity to meet some new bloggers! (And win a gift card to update your wardrobe doesn't hurt either!)

Today's featured fashion blogger is Toni of The Love Hanger! Since I started Chels & the City, I don't remember a time when I was not following along with Toni's blog. She's one of the main reasons I decided to start doing more fashion posts too because she makes high fashion looks seem so effortless and affordable. Toni is a super thrifter and is able to look expensive while staying on a budget. She recently moved to Portland and it has been fun to see her keep up with the changing seasons while remaining fashionable. Not to mention, she's a mommy to a cute little guy and loves to show him off sometimes too, but who could blame her! I honestly cannot talk enough about how great I think she is so I hope you enjoy her interview as much as I enjoy having her here today!

All photos provided by Toni.

How would you define your style?

I would describe my style as feminine and trendy mixed with a little bit of vintage.  I love a flirty and girly silhouette and I love textured fabrics like lace and tweed.  I also like to incorporate a lot of bright colors and fun prints in my looks.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

I'm a bargain shopper at heart, so I love stores like Target, H&M, and Forever 21 for trendy items.  I find my unique pieces at thrift stores and recycled clothing stores like Crossroads Trading Co.

What are some of your favorite pieces or go-to pieces in your closet?

When I can't decide what I want to wear, I always pull something girly from my closet.  I feel most confident in feminine pieces, so an easy outfit for me is a skirt and silky blouse or a vintage dress with a tall pair of heels.

Where does the inspiration for your outfits come from?

My biggest source of inspiration is other bloggers.  I especially love reading blogs of other women whose style is totally different than mine.  I know what works for my body type, but admiring other styles that I don't normally wear give me ideas for how to incorporate bits and pieces of it into my wardrobe.

If someone asked you for style advice, what would you tell them?

My biggest piece of advice would be to embrace your body type.  Don't let other people tell you what you can and can't wear.  There are so many "rules" for petite women, tall women, thin women, and curvy women.  Knowing what looks best for your figure and feeling confident in it is what creates personal style.

When and why did you start fashion blogging?

I started The Love Hanger in October of 2011.  I had a personal style blog in 2009 before blogging had really taken off, and then I took a break when I had my son.  Once I felt confident in my skin again, I began the blog I have now.  I've never had a lot of girlfriends to talk fashion with or go shopping with.  Blogging allows me to become friends with other women who love clothing and accessories as much as I do.

How has your style grown or changed since you began fashion blogging?

As I've gotten older, I've really figured out what I love to wear and what looks best on my body.  In high school, I used to raid my dad's closet for his cool geometric looking polo shirts, and 70s style leather belts.  I've taken my love for vintage and retro clothing and have mixed it with more modern, feminine pieces and have created my own style that I feel confident in.

What advice do you have for bloggers just starting out?

Having an organized and visually appealing blog layout is key!  Make your blog user friendly and accessible and I guarantee readers will come back.  Photography is also huge.  Brush up on photography basics like lighting and depth of field, and if possible, invest in an SLR camera.  It makes a huge difference!

Anything else you'd like to add...

With so many people starting fashion blogs out there, it can be hard to get noticed.  Just remember to stay true to yourself and don't worry about keeping up with the other blogs.  Be unique, produce great content, and network in a friendly way.  Soon, you'll be an inspiration for many!

The Love Hanger | Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Instagram | Tumblr 

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Chels Wears: Presents from MJ

Dress & Coat: WalMart | Shoes: Charlotte Russe | Clutch: Thrifted

You know how people say that you shouldn't let your man tell you how to dress? Well, those people don't have boyfriends like MJ. Honestly, there is not a piece of this look that I don't love. Although my coat is a gift from my mom, I can only personally take credit for my clutch (which was thrifted) and these heels, that I bought while shopping with MJ. What can I say, he's my part-time stylist! He gave me this dress for Christmas (along with a stunning bag that is not pictured) and this necklace I'm sporting. I cannot tell you where the beautiful ring or necklace came from, since MJ has his lips sealed about that. All I know is that the ring was a gift for my Master's graduation and has Swarovski crystals and the necklace was made by a friend of his just for me for Christmas. He's the best!

MJ and I went to a wedding on Saturday for a friend of his from high school and this was what I wore. These pictures aren't the greatest because they were taken on his iPhone while we were waiting for a serious white-out to pass so we could make it to the reception safely. We did, by the way.

So here's the real question...would you let your man be your part-time stylist? haha

Also, today is the LAST DAY to enter the writtenforyou giveaway!

Fashion Forward Fridays: ecoChic Resale Boutique

Hey everyone! Today I am really excited to bring you an interview from owner Terry Chesky and an inside look of her fabulous resale boutique, ecoChic. This wonderful boutique is located at 401 Home Drive, in front of the Best Buy and Home Depot in Robinson, and hopefully this post encourages you to take a trip there soon! In Terry's interview for Fashion Forward Fridays she explains how ecoChic came to be, how you can become a consignment partner, and how this store is helping transform the fashion scene in Pittsburgh! You guys know that I am all about saving money and still wearing great clothes, thrift shopping is my favorite hobby so you know that I am all about helping out a locally owned consignment shop. Plus, Terry is a great woman who seems really interested in meeting the needs of her shoppers, how could you not want that kind of loyalty to you as the customer while shopping? 

Outside ecoChic in Robinson - all photos provided by Terry.

How did ecoChic get started? My mom and I had been in the consignment business for almost 20 years when we opened ecoChic resale boutique in 2010. We loved second-hand ANYTHING.... antiques, thrift stores, flea markets, and consignment shops. Our first shop, Consignment Cottage, located in Moon Township, is a great store, but off the beaten path. We opened ecoChic with the idea of creating a smaller, boutique resale experience in the heart of the busy Robinson shopping area. We hoped that it would appeal to a greater audience by being in one of the busiest shopping communities.... and it has! 

Guest Post: Lagelle

I know you lovelies expect to see some fashion here on Fridays so I asked my blogger friend, Tye of Lagelle, who is also from the Pittsburgh area to guest post today, as to not disappoint you all! I hope you enjoy meeting her today and her outfit - she always does such a great job with remixing great unique pieces and I really enjoy her style! Happy Friday!

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Tye in her cute, layered look, getting ready for a Pittsburgh Autumn!

Hello Chels & the City readers!  It's lovely to meet you here, I'm Tye a local Stylist and blogger for Lagelle living in our great city of Pittsburgh! Thank you to Chelsea for allowing me to guest blog post for her while she's getting acclimated to her new job, I know we all wish her the best on her new position.  

I'm getting excited about Fall and being able to layer up with scarves and sweaters.  I scored the scarf I'm wearing in this post on Ebay, well it was a score because I wanted this scarf and it was sold out company wide at Madewell but it wasn't the best of prices. I pride myself on being frugal but now and then I'll treat myself to something I really want.

Chelsea asked me to answer two questions one being: Why I blog?  Initially I blogged to market my Lagelle accessories but it was becoming a chore until I decided I was going to have fun and be consistent no matter what.  I've learned that having a great blog takes a lot of work and consistency.  I continue to give my best and grow as I go along.

Photos provided by Tye.

The other question is: What is my favorite thing about Pittsburgh?  Well everyone that knows me knows that I'm obsessed with vintage and what better place to pick for some vintage goodness than our fabulous thrift stores.  Pittsburgh has the best thrifting hands down.  I love finding vintage gems, it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack but when I do I'm overjoyed!  I need to write a book about my pickings & findings (seriously).  I've found some unbelievable treasures throughout the years and for a fraction of the retail price. Often items are not even used, that's awesome!

It was great chatting with all of you today. You can checkout my personal style blog and connect with me here. Bye for now! - Thank you, Tye, for guest posting today and I hope all of you have a great, relaxing and, of course, fashionable, weekend!

Guest Post: DuffyDossier

A recent Pittsburgh blogging friend of mine, Alex of DuffyDossier is today's featured guest post as I still get settled into my new job - I'm excited to have her here today to give all of you the ins and outs of great vintage shopping in the 'burgh. Trust me, this girl knows her stuff! Hope you enjoy her post!

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DuffyDossier is Pittsburgh born and raised.

The lovely Miss Alex of DuffyDossier - photo provided by Alex.

Here we go, gals. It’s time to talk about the nitty gritty of Pittsburgh Resale Shops. DuffyDossier is going to get down and dirty with all the epic details. I’ll give you an inside look into which Pittsburgh resale shops to frequent and which ones to stay far away, (and on the other side of the street) from. We’ll cover which shop owners know their way around resale, and which ones don’t. And of course, this post will talk about the tremendous Pittsburgh vintage selection.

Since taking on the responsibility of ‘Miss Vintage Pittsburgh’, I’ve had my fair share of resale/consignment/vintage shopping experiences here in the ‘Burgh. My first rendezvous at a resale shop began one year ago when I stumbled upon The Clothes Horse on Beverly Road.

Miss Judy sitting behind her glass counter full of jewels greeted me with a smile and personal introduction! Immediately, I admitted to her that I’d never been to a resale shop before, and that I was in need of some assistance.

Judy began by showing me around her shop and then she gave me the ins-and-outs of consignment. She explained how she gets her clothes, how often she gets them, her regular consignment junkies, how she prices items, their self life … etc.

Without that initial understanding of the ‘whats, who's, whys, and hows’ of consignment shopping I may never have been able to grasp what it takes to actually be a great resale shop. Since Judy’s consignment finishing school 101, I’ve been able to critique every resale shop in Pittsburgh on this side of the Mon River.

The Pittsburgh South Side

We all know and love the South Side of Pittsburgh, home to many boozy & woozy college kids after hours, but a GREAT location for consignment, and in particular, vintage shopping! 

Stores you NEED to try out in the South Side:

Luxx, Clothing and Hair Salon. First of all, GFs, this shop is both a hair saloon and vintage reseller … can you say #chictodeath? Second of all, the chic in charge knows how to put on a shoe display. Luxx is by far the best consignment shop for vintage shoes! The shoes in this shop are colorful, diverse, name-brand, and mod. The selection Luxx has going on right now is comparative to Steve Madden and Vince Camuot’s 2013 shoe lines.   

The Pittsburgh South Hills

Since I myself, am a PGH south hills resident, I know my way around consigning town. Here are a few shops that are a must-see!

TheSavvy Fox of Mt. Lebanon. And, boy …is she savvy! The shop recently moved its doors to a new location on Greentree road and also has another location in Peters Township. I was able to find some splendid work attire. Profesh & appropriate styles from Asos, various Macy’s brands, and Calvin Klien …just to name a few!

GladRaggs Boutique of Upper Saint Clair. This little shop used to be an old car garage, so it gets drafty in the winter! So, bring your duck-down coat and prepare because you’ll want to stop in no matter the weather. They boast a petite selection worth all your shivers!

Shady Side, Pittsburgh

Shady side has more than just the shops on Walnut Street! It’s one of my favorite little neighborhoods in Pittsburgh.

EonsFashion Antique. Down a ways, on Elmsworth Avenue, Eons Fashion antique is stacked with Vintage. (I’m not kidding, they have hat boxes piled so high they reach the ceiling) Eons appropriately dubs themselves, ‘fashion antique’ store for good reason. The entire store boasts clothing from all vintage eras, 90s and beyond. Their selection is stitched to perfection and made the way clothes used to be made  …with careful, nimble fingers.

And now, a little bit about me, Alex Duffy of DuffyDossier. Since agreeing to write for Chelsea’s ‘Chels and the City’ Pittsburgh blog, I had to start asking myself the hard-hitting questions, why do I blog? And, what is my favorite thing about Pittsburgh?

Why do I blog? Hmm… that’s a question with many answers! Since I know you don’t have all day, I will sum it up in a few words… I blog because I am creative. It took me 23 years to realize the depth of my creativity and all of my friends telling me I possessed style. So, I got to thinking, ‘Alex, what can you do that encompasses both your creativity and your style?’ The answer: blog, blog and more blogging! …blogging is always the answer.

What is my favorite thing about Pittsburgh? Pittsburgh people. I travel a lot in my free time. Hoping around from place to place, you begin to realize how valuable a genuine smile and a happy ‘hello!’ from strangers. The people Pittsburgh has are what makes Pittsburgh a happy home for me and my family.

Be sure to check out Alex of DuffyDossier on Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram as well!

Chels Wears: $10 Neon

Owl Ring & Leather Bracelet: Charlotte Russe | Braided Belt: Unknown

Neon Shirt: Dollar General | White Tank: JCPenney | Pants: Target | Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Just to brag for a moment, while I was out wearing this outfit, I got a lot of compliments but one lady came up to me and said don't you just love that top? And she went on and on about how she just got the same one from Old Navy and for only $30 dollars and how much she loved it. Naturally I agreed with her because I love it too, but I got this little stunner from the Dollar General, for ten dollars. Sorry, ma'am.

Morale of the story: never question where you can find a great outfit piece. I'm all about saving money, especially when it comes to clothes because I buy them basically everywhere I can, so those couple racks of clothes that you've been overlooking at your local dollar store, stop overlooking. It's usually not a guarantee that you'll find anything awesome there, but sometimes you get nice surprises like this one! And for the record, I did see this shirt at Old Navy earlier in the week, but promised myself to only shop in their clearance section, so I passed on it. Lucky for me, I found it twenty dollars cheaper while I was out buying cat food...it's the little things.

Fashion Forward Fridays Reader Submitted: Meet Rachel!

Happy Friday, everyone! I have to say that I am really loving being able to feature so many readers during my time outside of city life. You guys are so awesome, thanks for helping me to carry on with Fashion Forward Fridays. Today's fashionista is Rachel, who you all should still be jealous of because she was the winner of the ModCloth and Heinz History Center giveaway back in April when Fashion Forward Fridays had it's one year anniversary and Fashion Week. I'm excited to bring you her look because I think it's so unique and I love all of the vintage and upcycled pieces. So without further ado...here's Rachel!

Close up of Rachel's bracelet and ring, from two different family members.

How would you define your style? 
My style is eclectic--- pairing classic pieces with unique, one of a kind finds. Looking like everyone else is boring! You're most likely to find me in a skirt paired with some type of fabulous accessory. Fashion should always be fun.

Where are your favorite places to shop? 
I have been patronizing flea markets, thrift stores and consignment stores with my mom forever. These are the best places to score one of a kind items at affordable prices. That being said, my favorite places in Pittsburgh are Avalon, Designer Days Boutique & Ambiance. You can even score some pretty awesome deals at Plato's Closet and Goodwill. T.J. Maxx and Marshall's are also staples.