While I’m Away

Hello My Lovelies! I have a favor to ask. Hubster and I work in the education system, so lucky us we get the summer’s off. We are headed back to our home towns to visit family and friends. I know I was just away for two weeks, and I asked for guest posters and you ladies did such a lovely job I am going to ask the same favor again.  

I am looking for 6 to 12 guest posters who want to write about style or food or DIY or anything that might be of interest to my readers. 

Email me if you are interested at roxiefitz@gmail.com

Thanks!

much love.

Guest Post by Vintage Reflection

Today’s guest post is by Amy of Vintage Reflection! Amy is a gal after my own heart; she has a passion for vintage, photography and amazing hats! I’m am over the moon she could be here today!


I’m Amy from Vintage Reflection and I’m really happy to be sharing my blog post with you. I wanted to create an outfit post for Roxie’s blog but the British weather had other plans, so heres a best of and a little introduction to me and my blog. I’m lucky enough to have a Boyfriend that’s into photography so I get lots of pretty photographs for my blog and we often combine our outfit photos with walking my dog Coco and it works out perfectly, these are a mixture of my favorite and most inspired photographs from my blog. 


I love all things vintage and like to buy mainly second hand clothing and like my outfits to consist of mostly vintage pieces. I’ve been buying vintage clothing and accessories for years now, it started with a bag or a pair of shoes and has grown into a way of life now. 
I liked knowing its a one off and thinking about its history. This seams magical to me, where as high street clothing just doesn’t conjure up this inspiration within me. 



One of my favorite retro buys is my Hercules Balmoral Bike it’s from 1948. I picked up my baby from London’s Camden Markets. I love going for bike rides and putting together outfits that complaint my bikes colour. One of my all time favorite dressesmatches my bike and I love wearing it while on bike rides. The colours within it are my favorite colour pallet, my fluffy hat is from Topshop I enjoy mixing little snippets from the high street stores with all vintage. 


Hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me and liked seeing some snaps from my blog. Come pop over to Vintage Reflection and say hi!

Guest Post by Mademoiselle Meese

Today’s guest post is from Donyel from Mademoiselle Meese! This girl has a super sweet blog with wonderful recipes and photos of her beautifully styled outfits. I’m so happy she could do a little post for me!

I’m Donyel, from Mademoiselle Meese, and I am beyond thrilled that Roxie invited me to help guest post for you on Fabric Strips and Ruby Lips while she is away. Since we’re all aware of Roxie’s love of vintage, I thought I’d plan my outfit around some of my favorite classic pieces.

What I’m wearing:
Blouse: Banana Republic
Jeans: Banana Republic
Trench: Calvin Klein
Shoes: Me Too {old}
Jewelry: Tiffany & Co. and Hadaya 

My love for simple clothing stems from one of my favorite style icons, Audrey Hepburn. Her elegant and effortlessly chic style continues to inspire me. Both on and off screen, Audrey Hepburn could often be found in a pair of skinny pants or denim.  As she did, I prefer a dark wash, which is universally flattering.

When it comes to tops, pair your bottoms with a blouse well-fitted to your body type. If it’s too loose, the garment hangs off of you, and too tight shows more of you then should be seen. I prefer them in solid colors, so in this case, I chose a light pastel well suited to spring. The day was chilly so I threw one of my favorite trench coats, a la Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Although I’m often seen in heels, there’s no denying that a pair of ballet flats are always perfect. They come in many shapes and patterns, so find one that suits you. Never skimp on quality or comfort. Audrey’s favorite was Ferragamo, but be aware that they do not come cheap.

Dressing like Audrey Hepburn is to know yourself and embrace what makes you unique. My personal style really developed when I looked critically at myself. I faced my flaws and played up my assets. And as a result, I have a look that is uniquely “me”.

How would you describe your style?

Guest Post by Unusual Form

Today’s guest blogger is Kara from Unusual Form! This gal is truly something to behold; she is a remixing master and always looks like a million bucks. I am so thrilled she’s here with us today!
Style inspiration is such a funny thing.  It isn’t just the fashion magazine you read last month or the cute outfit you saw on Pinterest last night.  It encompasses all of your life experiences.  As a personal style blogger, I find inspiration from a variety of sources: fashion magazines, TV shows and movies, other blogs.  Perhaps one of the more unusual places I find inspiration is in the thrift store.
If you are familiar with my blog, you know I’m a big proponent of thrifting.  It’s great for the environment and your wallet.  I have an on-going thrift wish list, specific items that I look for when I’m thrifting, but more often than not, I just go for whatever I’m drawn to.  While this may not make for the most coherent closet, it does make for an interesting one.
It’s those serendipitous finds that you just can’t plan for.  I can go into a thrift store looking for a red skirt and may have a modicum of luck.  But no one ever goes into a thrift store saying, “I’m going to find a vintage blouse with a vaguely animal print, turquoise accents, and I want it for $0.53.”  You can’t plan these things, they just happen.  Call it luck, karma, whatever you want to, but that’s were I find my inspiration, in fortuitous thrift finds.  Below are three ways thrift finds influence my wardrobe.

         Inspiration 1

Blouse - Vintage, Thrifted
Skinnies - F21, Resale Shop
Heels - Antonio Melani, Thrifted
Belt - Vintage, Thrifted
1. Accent - When I’m thrifting, I look for items in unique colors and patterns.  These items act as the accent in my closet.  The above blouse was indeed thrifted for $0.53.  It perfectly matches my turquoise skinny jeans, but would also be a perfect pop of pattern layered under a more neutral shift dress or blazer.

Inspiration 3

Blouse - Vintage, Thrifted
Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted
Flats - Vintage, Thrifted
Necklace - Vintage, Antique Mall
Belt - Gap, Thrifted
Bracelet - Vintage, Garage Sale

2. Interest - At thrift stores, I look for interesting pieces.  Things that are different than what you may find in retail stores.  Sure, I could go to the mall and probably find a midi skirt in a vintagy floral print, but by buying this skirt at a thrift store, I can pretty much guarantee that I won’t see another girl wearing it around town.

  Inspiration 2

Dress - Vintage, Thrifted
Sandals - Vintage, Thrifted
Bracelet - Vintage, Local Boutique

3. Statement -  At thrift stores, I look for statement pieces, items with a real wow factor.  It doesn’t make since to pay hundreds of dollars for a dress you may wear once a season or once ever.  So a $3.00 psychedelic maxi dress is just right for that garden party.
Hopefully I’ve inspired you to give thrift shopping a whirl.  Thanks, Roxie, for letting me share my love of thrifting on your blog!

Guest Post by Dash’s Personal Styling

Today’s guest blogger is Dash from Dash’s Personal Styling! This is gal exudes cool and chic with a little bit of edge. Plus she’s sweet as pie! I’m so glad she made it here on my lil blog!
Darlings,
My name is Dash. I write a style blog {dash’s personal styling} and I’m so stoked to be a guest here on Fabric Strips & Ruby Lips! 
My theme for today is nautical inspiration:
My Boo and I are new Portlanders {hailing from Austin, tx}, and we are starting to look for a home to purchase… yikes! I’m such a vagabond at heart, the concept of living and staying in one place for more than a year or two is a bit daunting. Thankfully, we’re looking at some fabulously vintage, quirky houses. Today, we are looking at this masterpiece of weirdness. Seriously, a house in a marina on the river? Sign me up. 
Since we are venturing all the way to the marina, I decided to go with the whole “nautical” concept.
 
I paired a Free People Ruffle Dress with my new blue denim jacket {forever21}, a feather earring from Argentina, and an enormous gold seashell necklace from the Betsey Johnson outlet. I also found a Blue Raspberry Tootsie Pop at the restaurant on the dock - don’t hate.
I felt so sassy. I’ll definitely be rocking this ensemble again.
We probably won’t wind up living somewhere so impractical…. but a girl’s gotta dream!
Any house hunters out there finding awesome, weird places? I’d love to know!
Have a fabulous day, and join me in wishing Roxie a fabulous hiatus.
xoxo,
dash

Guest Post by Just Take a Bow

Today’s Guest Blogger is Sarah from Just Take a Bow! This lovely gal has a style and a mind of her own. She is a whiz at mixing edgy pieces with the ultra feminine. I’m so overjoyed she’s here today@!

Hey there, friends! My name is Sarah and I blog over at Just Take a Bow. While she’s away, Roxie asked for some posts all about inspiration! I knew immediately who I wanted to write about and she happens to be another (more successful) blogger named Kristine. 



I adore her ability to mix and match patterns, wear a scarf on her head like nobody’s business, and the girly style she rocks that I have never mastered. I also totally appreciate that she wears a sufficient enough amount of clothing that you can’t see her secret bits. Because I am definitely in the minority ‘round these parts for doing that same thing.


Shirt: H&M | Skirt, belt: thrifted | Shoes: Steve Madden
In tribute to my admiration for Kristine, I mixed some patterns of my own and wore a skirt length that she frequently rocks. Kristine also kicks some major butt at having great colors going on, so… I went all out with this ridiculous fangirl outfit, folks.


And yes… going all out meant my own interpretation of the head scarf. I can never manage to make that work, so I went with a fun headband instead. Next time, I promise to try and find a dreamy, warm sunset to take photos in, okay?

Guest Post by Dash Dot Dotty.

Today’s guest post is by Dotty from Dash Dot Dotty! She is one of my favorite bloggers; her photos are magnificent, her locations are great and her style is so chic! I’m so thrilled she’s here today!


[wearing]
white jacket: theory
trench vest: forever21
jeans: target
flats: j.crew
bracelets: gifts and thrifts
oh, hi roxie-readers!  i’m filling in here today while roxie is off on a giant vacation, but i usually can be found over at my blog, dash dot dotty.  i usually keep my babbling to a minimum, but today i’m going to chat a little about my inspiration.  while i don’t actually see tons of brightly-colored pants in real life, they are a blogger staple that i’ve become quite fond of.  why wear blue jeans when you could be wearing MAGENTA ones?  seriously, why not? lately, pinterest tends to inspire/cloud my judgement when i’m coming up outfits ideas.  for this particular getup i really wanted to pair the brightness of the magenta with a crisp white, but it was a little chilly for so few layers.  i’ve been seeing trench vests layered over all types of jackets lately on style blogs, so i wanted to give it a whirl.