One Direction Concert Essentials

This past Tuesday night was amazing!  My best friend and I have been One Direction fans for years (before they even were known in the USA), so when we scored two floor seats for their current Where We Are Tour, we were thrilled.  Like any important night, what to wear and what to pack are two of the first things that pop into a girl's head.  After attending Osheaga Music Festival this past summer, I felt more confident in what to wear and bring to a concert.  Here are the seven essentials:

1. A Concert Shirt - fangirling is part of the experience of going to a concert.  Show your love and support by rocking your artist's pic and name on your top for the night.  Plus, the top acts as a long lasting souvenir.  I started my concert shirt collection in middle school and it's so fun!  Tip:  If you don't want to wait in ridiculously long lines at the actual event, buy one from the performer's website or another store so you have it beforehand.  
2. Shorts - jumping around in an arena with thousands of other people tends to make for a warm evening.  Skirts and dresses are fun too, but make sure to wear shorts underneath them, so you can have fun without having to worry.
3. Comfy & Height-Providing Shoes - being on the more petite side, having floor seats can sometimes be a little problematic.  With comfortable platform sneakers like these, I get about 4 more inches of height for a better view and have no problem jumping around to all my favorite bands' beats.
4. Instax Camera & Cellphone Camera - cellphones have come a long way in camera features and quality, so to capture the moment and be able to live it to the fullest, cellphones cameras are very convenient.  For me, I also like to have a memory I can physically hold onto, so bringing a Polaroid along makes for unique, cool pictures that I can immediately hang on my wall! Tip:  Remember to pack extra film! 
5. Extra Battery Phone Case - I learned the hard way how fast a phone's battery dies at a concert.  With all the excitement of picture taking, snap chatting, Instagramming, texting, etc. you don't even notice you're in the red!  To solve this issue and reduce stress, have a battery case.  Tip:  In-store prices for power cases are around $100 while online I found a killer deal for only $32.  I totally recommend HDAccessory.com.  Here is the link to the case I purchased and love. 
6. Light Jewelry - have fun with bracelets and rings, but be selective with necklaces and earrings.  I recommend stud earrings so nothing pulls on your ears while moving around and a little necklace or choker so nothing hits you or breaks while you are dancing.  
7. Something to Tie Around Your Waist - not only for styling purposes, but in case you get chilly or don't want to touch the seat with your bare legs, a cute flannel comes in handy!
8. Backpack - last but not least, a fabulous backpack is necessary to carry your phone, camera, money, tickets, I.D., purchases, etc.  Tip:  Make sure to keep it in front of you on the floor so it's in your eyesight but not in the way.

The night was unforgettable, and I can't wait to see Katy Perry perform next Thursday night.  Then I'm off to LA for Teen Vogue's Young Hollywood Event!  Life is so surreal sometimes.  :)  What concerts have you attended and loved?  Comment your favorite concert memories and outfit details!  I always love hearing from my readers.  Xoxo, Shelly

Outfit Details:  Shorts & Instax Mini by FujiFilm courtesy of Garage ♡ | Top from One Direction Store | Plaid Shirt from Urban Outfitters | Shoes by Dirty Laundry from Hot Topic | Backpack from Forever 21

Fashion Tip:  Concert shirts can tend to be on the less flattering side due to their generic cut, so to make them more feminine, try rolling the sleeves up twice and tucking the top into high-waisted bottoms to accentuate your waist.  

Phoenix Fashion Week: Spring into Fashion

Last Friday, Phoenix Fashion Week held its annual Spring into Fashion event highlighting Arizona's Top 5 Stylists and local boutiques.  Being an AZ fashion blogger, I couldn't wait to attend!  I brought along my photographer (also known as my BFF) Kiersten Graber to enjoy in the festivities, including an official press conference, blogger lounge, socializing, live music entertainment, the Spring into Fashion show, and after party.  The whole night was a fashionista's dream and I couldn't wait to share it with you all!

To start the evening off, a select number of photographers, journalists, and bloggers attended the Phoenix Fashion Week 2014 press conference, in which we all got to ask the local boutique owners, buyers, and stylists, who were featured in the show, questions about upcoming trends, career advice, closet staples, etc.  The panel of interviewees included stylists Rochelle York who teamed up with Kim Kendall, owner of Clothes Minded, Yekatherina Bruner who styled Allie Ollie Boutique, Vanessa Renee who teamed up with Fresh Start Treasures, Jessica Hunter who styled 7 Diamonds, and Jenesis Laforcarde who teamed up with Divaz Boutique.  It was fun to hear the stylists talk about what inspired them and what trends to expect this spring. 

After the press conference, Kiersten and I rocked the red carpet, mingled with fellow fashion bloggers, relaxed in the exclusive blogger lounge  (where we got incredible goodie bags filled with items I can't wait to blog about), ran into Jordan Wessel, Miss Arizona, and enjoyed live performances from local up-and-coming musicians.  

Enjoyed catching up with fashion blogger, Audree Lopez of Simply Audree Kate.  Fun fact:  we grew up in the same hometown and attended high school together.  Can't wait to see where fashion takes us!

Loved chatting with Jordan Wessel, a.k.a. Miss Arizona 2014, the soon-to-be Miss USA ;) 

Jordan and I were featured alongside one another in the recent Marie Claire April 2014 issue.  

Be sure to check out the full Marie Claire article here.

Photo courtesy of @phxfashionweek

See photos of the entire runway show here. 

Tired from a long day of fashion (not complaining), Kiersten and I couldn't resist taking a post fashion show selfie, documenting the moment and our outfits.  Kiersten rocked a Charlotte Russe blouse, American Rag skirt, and H&M wedges, while I wore a Missguided dress, Daily Look purse, and Grey City platform boots.  

Hope you enjoyed Spring into Fashion and a little sneak peek of a day in the life of a blogger. 

 Xoxo, Shelly

My Style: Cozy Autumn Days

Today's Look:  is all about welcoming the new season that has just arrived: fall.  You can feel the coolness in the air, see the changes in the trees, and hear the new sounds all around.  There is no denying the leaves will all fall off soon and winter will be here before we know it, but until then, scarves, ankle boots, and cardigans get taken out from the back of our closets to star in their shining season.  To start the look off, I first chose the white, embroidered tank top, a rose, oatmeal cardigan, and a tank undershirt for layering.  Next, I chose my navy, skinny jeans, and multi-colored scarf.  I liked that the scarf had the oatmeal color, as well as white, black, and green.  Finishing off the look, I chose  to wear black ankle boots, a crochet purse, a camouflage cap, green dangle earrings, and two rings. 

Outfit Details:  Cardigan, Top, and Purse from American Eagle (Tucson, Arizona), Jeans by Levi's at Macy's (Scottsdale, Arizona), Scarf from Urban Outfitters (Tucson, Arizona), Hat from Basement Marketplace (Flagstaff, Arizona), Earrings from JCPenney (Prescott, Arizona), Rings from Aeropostale (Scottsdale, Arizona), Boots by Steve Madden at 6pm.com. 

Fashion Tip:  Ankle boots are a girl's best friend, especially in fall.  

Photos by Kiersten Shae Photography

This fall's "it" ankle boots feature a low cut, simple design that is very European and chic.  Boot and photo links found here. 

     Lily Allen              Miranda Kerr              Harry Styles               Rachel Bilson

My Style: Made in the '90s

Today's Look:  is military inspired with camouflage clothing, combat boots, and a whole lot of attitude.  To start the look off, I first chose the camo, zip-front jacket.  I love the military cut and decor buttons.  To make the long sleeve jacket more casual, I decided to roll up the sleeves and leave it unzipped.  Next, I knew I wanted to wear my black combat boots to keep the theme going, so I chose to wear my black v-neck that says "Made in the 90's."  To add edge, I chose a beige, spiked headband and pulled it in by wearing beige, lace shorts.  Finishing off the look, I wore a black fringed purse, tan bracelet, and stud earrings.  

Outfit Details:  Jacket c/o Charlotte Russe ❤, Shirt from Forever 21 (Scottsdale, Arizona), Shorts by Sparkle and Fade at Urban Outfitters (Tucson, Arizona), Boots by Steve Madden at nordstrom.com, Bag by American Eagle at ae.com, Headband from Claire's (Tucson, Arizona), Earrings from Aeropostale (Scottsdale, Arizona), Bracelet from American Eagle (Tucson, Arizona).

Fashion Tip:  Adding a lace piece into an edgy outfit creates a feminine yet tough look that is attention worthy.

Photos by Kiersten Shae Photography

Camouflage jacket and photo links found here.

  Cara Delevingne          Ellie Goulding             Kat Graham             Selena Gomez

My Style: My Chick Bad

Today's Look:  channels influences from street-style casual and hip-hop edge.  For this look, I wanted something tough but feminine.  First, I chose the varsity jacket.  What I love about this jacket is the body is dark denim, while the sleeves are black sweatshirt material.  Since the jacket's collar and cuffs are striped black and white, I decided to style the rest of the outfit accordingly. Next, I chose a white crop-top featuring a yin-yang symbol and high-waisted denim shorts.  To add attitude, I wore a black trucker hat that says "Shell Ya" and bedazzled aviators.  Finishing off the look, I chose a white studded backpack, white Keds, black studs, three rings, and a black-jeweled bracelet.

Outfit Details:   Jacket c/o Charlotte Russe ❤, Shorts by Good Time at urbanog.com, Crop-Top by Nollie at PacSun (Tucson, Arizona), Shoes by Keds at Dillard's (Presscott, Arizona), Backpack from riverisland.com, Hat by Billabong at Tilly's (Tucson, Arizona), Sunglasses at Foot Fetish (Prescott, Arizona), Rings and Earrings from Aeropostale (Tucson, Arizona), Bracelet was a gift.

Fashion Tip:  Varsity jackets are great for adding a sporty edge to an outfit.

Photos by Kiersten Shae Photography

Varsity jacket and photo links found here.

          Rihanna               Hilary Duff                Cara Delevingne             Kim Kardashian