FASHION Archives - Sparks and Roses

How To Determine Your Personal Style and Always Look Your Best

Have you ever looked back at a photo of yourself and wondered why in the world you were wearing that? Or have you ever impulsively bought an article of clothing only to donate it with the tags still on because it just didn’t look like you?

With new trends going viral every month and the world of online shopping at your fingertips, it can be easy to mindlessly make clothing purchases you don’t even like. That’s why it’s helpful to determine your personal style—not only will you prevent yourself from buying clothes that don’t look good on you, you’ll stay true to yourself and achieve a timeless look that others will envy.

If you’re not sure what your personal style is, use these 5 tips to figure it out.

Tip #1: Go Through Your Closet

If your closet is cluttered but you feel like you have nothing to wear, it might be time for a fashion refresh. Sort through your existing items and pick out the pieces that you love (if you have any!). Lay them all out and look at them together. What do you love about them? Do they have similar colors, fits, or vibes?

Tip #2: Find Celebrity Style Inspiration

The internet can hurt or help your sense of personal style. On the one hand, social media can influence you to try fleeting trends you later regret. On the other hand, you gain endless access to style inspiration from people you admire.

Hop on visual-heavy social media, like Pinterest or Instagram, and search for a celebrity whose style you like. Keep in mind, you’re not just looking for outfits you think are cool—ask yourself, could you actually imagine wearing that? Once you’ve found a few you really connect with, bookmark their page and return to it when shopping or trying to make a fashion decision.

Tip #3: Make a Mood Board

Celebrity fashion inspiration: check! Next, take a few photos of your inspo’s everyday outfits and create a mood board. Note what colors, styles, or jewelry pops up as you sort through your favorites. How do these items make you feel? Once you’ve put together something visual, take a photo of it so you’ll have it handy to reference next time you go shopping.

Tip #4: Don’t Make Hasty Judgments

When you’re trying out a new look, it’s easy to get insecure. The first time you wear sneakers with a dress, statement earrings, or bold colors, you might want to run back inside and change before anyone sees you. But just because those items haven’t been a part of your look before doesn’t mean they don’t suit your style now.

If you’re nervous trying out a new look, wear it once or twice at home before heading out. Don’t give up on it on your first try—stick with it until you start to feel more comfortable.

Tip #5: Don’t Make Hasty Purchases

The best way to determine your personal style is to reflect on the pieces you’re dying to have, like that deep plunging one-piece swimsuit you’re still drooling over, or the baggy jeans you’ve been debating about for months. The pieces that stick in your head long after you tried them on are the ones you really love.

What’s the catch? You can only figure out which pieces these are by waiting to make purchases. If you’re trying to figure out your personal style, impulse buying is not your friend. Next time you’re shopping online or at the store, check out some pieces you’re interested in and then leave. If you find yourself thinking about them day after day, they probably point to your personal aesthetic.

Finding your personal style is a journey, and it can change over time. By developing a sense of confidence and ownership over your appearance, you’ll create a unique personal style to be proud of.

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A DELIGHTFUL DISCOVERY

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6 Reasons Why You Should Go On a Retreat

Have you ever considered taking a retreat instead of a vacation? While on the surface they seem similar, retreats are organized trips focused on a specific topic, like relationships, yoga, or wellness.

They offer you a chance to learn something new during your time off while also being relaxing and rejuvenating. Here are our top 6 reasons to go on a retreat.

#1: They’re More Restful than a Vacation

Let’s face it—planning a vacation isn’t fun. No matter how much prep work you do ahead of time, you still spend some of your precious time off arguing over where to go to dinner or trying to find parking.

When you go on a retreat, everything is planned for you. It’s a little like summer camp when you were a kid—activities, meals, and accommodations are all scheduled in advance. All you have to do is get there, and then you don’t have to make another decision for the rest of your trip.

#2: You Gain Long-Term Benefits

Vacations can certainly boost your mood for a week or two, but once they’re over, life quickly returns to normal. Because retreats help you learn something new, they provide a more lasting impact than a vacation.

Not only do you get those full nights of sleep you’ve been needing (like on any vacation), but you also gain a new skill or self perception.

#3: You Have a Reason to Disconnect

Not all retreats require you to give up your phone or computer for a week, but some do. While at first this may seem impossible, you might find a forced break from technology to be surprisingly beneficial.

Increasing evidence points to smartphones as negatively impacting sleep, creativity, and even our lifespan. A week away can work wonders for your mental health!

#4: You Invest in Yourself

Many of us invest in ourselves by taking continuing education classes or exercising regularly. While investing in yourself professionally or physically is certainly important, we often neglect to invest in our personal development.

Retreats can help you improve your relationship, learn new strategies for self care, or meditate on your life’s purpose. Think about it: you’re going to be in your body much longer than you’re going to be in your career path. Isn’t investing in your own mental health worth it?

#5: You Connect with Others on a Deeper Level

Whether you’re traveling alone or in a group, a change of scenery gives you a unique opportunity to meet new, like-minded individuals. There’s no better way to meet new potential friends than at a retreat. After all, you already have something in common—the topic of the retreat!

#6: They’re Good for Your Mental and Physical Health

A lot of us treat vacations like our time to “let loose.” We drink more, eat unhealthy food, and take a step back from our exercise routines. While this feels good in the moment, after the vacation’s over, we’re left feeling bloated, sluggish, and out of shape.

Retreats are designed differently—they’re often characterized by healthy food and mental and physical stimulation. Going on a retreat helps you avoid the “vacation hangover” which so often counteracts the benefits of taking a vacation in the first place.

Next time you’re booking a hotel for yet another beach vacation, consider trying out a retreat instead. You’ll be surprised how worthwhile it can be to invest in your wellbeing

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26 Reasons To Throw a Party

Birthdays
Calendar events
New job or retirement
Wedding anniversaries
To say “Welcome Home”
Wine tasting
Neighbor welcoming
You mastered a new recipe
Summer is finally over and the weather is finally cooling down. Cue the backyard dinner party!
It’s football season, baby! Get out the chips and dip.
You got new pillows at HomeGoods and you need to show them off.
The kids are finally in school again! Time to kick-back and relax with friends.
You’re about to move away and want to say goodbye to all your family and friends with a killer soirée!
You’re engaged!
You’re preggers
You need to clean out your closet
Sport events
It’s Friday. Or Saturday. Or Tuesday. Whatever day it is, you’re craving some actual face time with the people you love most.
Your sibling or friend wants to introduce you to their new significant other.
You just got back from an amazing vacation and want to re-create some of the cuisines you tasted while traveling.
An old friend you haven’t seen in forever is in town.
Your first wine club shipment has arrived, and you want to attempt a few wine pairings, a la Martha Stewart’s pairing tips.
You’ve taken a cocktail-making class and are eager to show off your new skills as a bartender.
Reality show watch party
Gorgeous weather
Mercury is finally NOT in retrograde! Time to celebrate!

Friends Photography Style

How to Start a Food Blog

Do you love to cook (and eat?). Do your friends come to you for restaurant recommendations? Do you have the dish on the trendiest dinnerware and kitchen gadgets? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then maybe you should consider starting a food blog!

Blogging is a fun way to share your expertise with the world, and if you put some effort into it, it can even bring in passive income. Here’s a quick guide on how to start a food blog.

Step 1: Pinpoint Your Passion

There are many different kinds of food blogs out there—blogs that post one-of-a-kind recipes, blogs that review restaurants, and blogs that spotlight local food issues are just a few of the different types. Which type excites you?

You’re going to captivate future readers by bringing unique insight to a specific niche in the food industry. Some readers might be really interested in a blog spotlighting vegan food, for example, but those same readers might not love content about restaurants in New York. That’s why it’s good to have a focused scope of content that will appeal to your diehard readers with every post.

Step 2: Name Your Blog

It’s not quite as much pressure as naming a baby, but…it’s pretty close. Try and think of a name that’s unique and descriptive. Think back to the niche you identified in step 1. If your blog is highlighting vegan food, like the example above, you might want “vegan” in the blog name. If your blog is focusing on local food, then the name of your state or city would be great to add.

Whatever you decide, make it to the point, easy to spell, and descriptive, so potential readers will want to click on it. Once you’ve come up with a name you love, check to make sure it’s not already taken.

Step 3: Choose Your Web Host

Every website needs a web “host” which houses your site on the internet. This host gives you access to your domain name (the name of your blog). Some common web hosting providers are GoDaddy and Bluehost.

You’ll have to pay a monthly fee to host your website online. Think of it like renting a room on the internet for your site to live. You might also have to pay to register your domain name, although some web hosting providers throw in the domain name for free when you host your site with them.

Step 4: Select a Blogging Platform

Next, you’ll want to choose which blogging platform to post on. This is the behind-the-scenes website that will actually display your site. Some common platforms are WordPress and SquareSpace.

Blogging platforms vary based on price, ease of use, and customization capabilities. Browse the options out there and choose the platform that you’ll feel most comfortable using.

Step 5: Customize Your Site

Now comes the fun part—creating your unique site! Depending on which blogging platform you choose, you’ll have tons of premade themes to choose from. If you are a technology pro, you can even customize your chosen theme to better reflect the personality and tone of your food blog.

Pro tip: Food blog readers probably don’t want to just read about food, they want to see it! To really get your readers drooling, choose a theme that’s pretty image heavy. This way, you’ll be able to add photos of all your yummy dishes.

Step 6: Start Creating Content

Now that your site has been created, it’s time to start filling it with content. Try and plan out content a few weeks or months in advance, so you’ll have a backlog of engaging posts planned no matter how busy you get.

Well, there you have it! If you’re into food, then don’t let intimidation stop you from trying to start a food blog. The setup is quick and easy, so get started today—before you know it, your recipes could be shared all over the world!

Cooking Woman