Fayettechill Style

Fayetteville, AR is amazing! The first thing I saw after getting off the plane were cows in a pasture directly across from my airport terminal.  My original assumption that I was in the middle of nowhere seemed correct, but I definitely underestimated Northwest Arkansas. I expected it to be a little more remote, like Ithaca is, but they had everything and more. Multiple movie theaters, every type of food I could ever want to eat,  a beautiful public library, the most adorable park, and the Crystal Bridges Art Museum.

But as my sister knows, SHOPPING is my passion, and boy did we shop! I apologize in advance for my lack of personal pictures from AR.  I was too busy shopping to snap photos, so all my photos were stolen borrowed from the web.

Thrifty Style:

Cheap Thrills. Follow them on Facebook!

There were a plethora of thrift and consignment stores in Fayetteville.  I honestly think that small town has more consignment stores than all of Baltimore! Our first stop was Cheap Thrills.  They had a great selection of both recent items and timeless classics.  I loved the area where they split the clothing by era! Diana got a fantastic new blue party top (tags on) and I got tan Ugg clogs for $35.  I can’t express how much I love these clogs.  They are comfortable with the fur at the toes, a great height with the platform and heel, and the color is perfect for the spring.  I plan to wear them with jeans and adorable sundresses. (They also had some purple Ugg boots which I almost scooped up for Raven’s season, but I thought they were still a little too high priced.)

Ugg Abbie Clogs

Another notable consignment spot was Grey Dog, which was in an old Airstream!  Made over with clothes racks and hardwood floors Grey Dog had a great selection of vintage dresses, all of which I fell in love with!  My mom also got this fabulous 70s style shirt in a shiny, liquidy, pink hue which she wore to Diana’s birthday dinner.  (Sadly, no picture of the cool shirt, maybe mom will post one if she reads this.)

Grey Dog. Follow them on Facebook! 

Pop-Style:

I bought the same print on a brown long sleeve. Follow them on Facebook!

Mustache

There were so many great little boutiques and I can’t remember all of them.  My favorites were Mustache and Riffraff.  I got my two Arkansas souvenir t-shirts at these stores.  They both had a great selection of accessories, clothes, and gifts.  My sister described Mustache as having an independent Urban Outfitters vibe, which is accurate.  A lot of their clothes were emblazoned with cute little mustaches. They did have a variety with men’s and women’s clothes and shoes as well as quirky gifts. Riffraff had a beautiful home section as well as very chic clothes, accessories, and shoes.  A very girly-girl vibe.

I bought the green one on the right. Follow them on Facebook!

Fashion Dos From Fayeteville:

I have been in a total shoe craze lately, so while I did notice some fabulous above the ankle style, there are 3 definite shoe trends I clearly need to get in on. (I realize that I am kind of late to these, but can you blame me, I was focusing on boots all winter?!?!)

Olive Green Toms

Toms- the hipster foot necessity. They look so comfortable and easy for the summer.  I think the most difficult part will be what color to choose.  I am currently leaning towards the classic olive green color, but red and blue also seem fun.

Minnetonka Mocs

Moccasins-Again, I love super comfy, laid back looks.  I want a cute pair in classic tan with a little fringe or maybe a little embroidery.  I am thinking some Minnetonka like these or these. I also think with the right pair of slacks, I may be able to pass them off for work once or twice.  FYI, my sister just told me she scored an awesome pair at the T.J. Maxx in Owings Mills, so I am super jealous.

Chaco Sandals

Chaco Sandals-I can’t figure this out.  I kind of think they’re dorky, but at the same time attractive and incredibly practical.  Everyone was wearing these in AR.  Maybe they are more outdoorsy than we are here, but that’s ok because I want to be more outdoorsy this summer.  I want point out though that I will only buy them in all black, and I want a pair with a back ankle strap so if I get the urge to go rafting I have shoes to wear. The big question will be what strap variation around the top of my foot to choose!  There are so many options.  I will probably have to go to a store (or go crazy with Zappos) and try on the different styles to see what looks the best on. 

Have you been on vacation recently?  What were some style trends you picked up from your recent getaway?

Packing for the Unknown; Arkansas

I was going to do a blog post last week about packing for my trip to Arkansas last week, but it turns out that I did an awful job packing!  I was also planning on writing a ton during the trip, but I only took my computer out once while I was there because we were so busy.

My final packed suitcase; no pictures of the return suitcase as it was a nightmare.

I have a definite process when I pack. 

1. I pull out everything that I think I might want to bring, and then I narrow down. 
2. Then I set limits.
1. For example, for a 5 day trip, I can’t bring more than 5 shirts (not including sleep shirts or exercise shirts, just everyday shirts.)
3. Size also matters.
1. I really wanted to bring this new hi-low skirt I have that is really cute, but it would only be an outfit for 1 day, if that, because it is a little fancy and is more of a night time look. So it didn't make the cut considering how much extra room it took up in my suitcase.
4. Consider what activities you’ll be doing.
5. Leave room for other essentials like toiletries… If you’re not bringing a ton of clothes, you can let your accessories do the talking.  You can wear the same black dress twice with different jewelry and have a totally different look! A whole other outfit would take up way more space than 2 necklaces and 2 pairs of earrings.
6. Leave room for what you may buy while you’re there.  I love a souvenir, or 2, or 3…

Original discard pile; which is now still sitting like this on top of my dresser!

On to my failure! This was my first time going to Fayetteville, Arkansas and I had no idea what we were doing or what it would be like.  I also did not realize how much shopping I would do once I was there!

My First Attempt At Packing; It Didn't All Fit!

When speaking with my sister over the phone she told me I needed a few going out outfits (including heels, which take up major space) exercise outfits, hiking outfits, nice walking clothes for meeting her professors and going around campus, and everyday clothes. That is a lot of different outfits to plan for! I felt like I was packing for a cruise with an excursion each day and fancy dinner each night.

Unfortunately, while I was there it rain most of time and drop into the low 50s. I also caught a cold, so there was no hiking or exercising to be done. (That’s 1 pair of shoes, a hoody, a pair of pants, 2 shirts, and a fleece that didn’t get used.)

As you can see from above, the dress had too much fabric and was put into the discard pile.

Also, the partying was not as crazy as had been explained.  Not that I mind since I am much more of a homebody, but I definitely did not need as many going out clothes as I brought. (I wore both pairs of heels that I brought, but only once each.  I would have been fine only bringing one pair which would have saved a ton of space. Also one dress and two party tops were not worn.)

Lastly, I did a ton of shopping, which I will be posting about soon.  Fayetteville had an amazing mix of stores; hip, new, thrift, and consignment. So I came home with way way more than I arrived with.

Rules to live by:

• Jeans can be worn multiple times, so for a week-long trip you really only need 2-3 pairs.  Make sure they are different styles so it is more versatile.
• Shoes take up a ton of space! You really only need a few different styles; something flat and comfortable to walk in, and something dressy.
• Stick with items you normally wear. If you are not an avid exerciser, it’s probably pointless bringing your running shoes and workout gear.
• Dresses take up less space than separates. Or bring mix and match separates.  My most successful trip I brought all clothes in white, black, and grey with colorful accessories.  It made getting dressed a breeze, plus the color palette made me look very sophisticated. 
• Plan actual outfits and only bring 1 extra.  By planning outfits you force yourself to only pack what you need and it makes you think ahead to what you will be doing that day.
• I say bring one extra because I had an unfortunate accident on the plane last summer where I spilled maple syrup all over myself.  Jen, Nate, and Dave will all attest to how sticky I was and that I had to sit like that the whole flight! It makes sense to have a spare outfit for emergency needs. 

The next time I go to Fayetteville I know I will be brining half as many things.  Maybe even less, or nothing at all…just more excuses to go shopping J