Think Lovely Thoughts

If you had told me at any point that I would have spent a Friday night in a church... and liked it, I would not have believed you. But last night, that's exactly what happened! To be fair, I was not there to praise god but I did learn to give myself a bit of praise while I attended Gabrielle Bernstein's "Highest Self" Lecture at a little church in NYC. Although I'm in no way a Gabby-groupie, I'm really happy that I stepped out of my comfort zone a bit to attend.

(photo from yourbellalife.com)

I attended the lecture with my good friend Donna, aka the Craveologist, and on our way in we were chatting about how the messages we were about to hear could relate to our professional goals. While Gabby's message fits like a puzzle piece with Donna's ideas about loving yourself as you are and finding your cravings both in food and in life - I realized that these ideas are SO important in fashion as well. The fashion industry should be about self expression and individuality but over time it has transformed into a bit of a battle for who's the thinnest, who's the MOST individual, who looks the best. I've spent a lot of time comparing myself to other people but I think that it's super important to take the time to acknowledge that even if you're not "that" girl and don't have the things that "she" has - you're YOU and the things that you have to offer are just as rad and just as impressive.

This isn't what I usually talk about on here - mostly because I'm usually just SO excited about all the awesome pieces coming in to the store (I'm wearing my bulldog tee right now and I'm SO HAPPY ABOUT IT haha) - but I felt really inspired by what I heard last night. My goal for alchemy hour has always been to offer something for everyone and I truly believe that if you feel as awesome as you are and wear any and everything with confidence - you can pull off any look you want or just make a basic outfit look like something out of a top fashion blog.


Check out Gabrielle Bernstein's website here. 

Fresh Crops

.............. !!!

Volcom Artist Series Tees $25

These super rad cropped tees feature artwork by Corinne Lan Franco

I love this tee paired with the Element Lula Skirt (Emerald for the cat tee, White for the bulldog). Throw on some fun jewelry, like our AH Skull Bracelets, and a cute pair of socks with boots or heels!

V.CoLogical Meadow Top - $38

all pieces from Volcom's V.CoLogical line are made with organic and recycled cotton and give back to "1% for the Planet"

Not So Classic Button Up - $40

This rad sheer button up has an amazing mix of colors that pop a little differently depending on what color you wear underneath it! I wore mine with the rust colored Fluxus Tuscan Tank giving the top a more reddish hue! (see photo at the end of this post!)

I like the way that either of these Volcom pieces look with QSW's Tucson Dress!

the cropped cut of the Meadow top hits at the perfect spot to highlight the dress's cute tie at the waist! I accessorized this look with the D. Leather Fringe Bag and Fair Trade Floral Impression Earrings. 

With any other button up, this look would be a little conservative for my taste. However, because the Not So Classic Button Up is sheer, you can button it all the way up while still showing a hint of skin. I paired it with my favorite Vintage Collar Necklace and Vintage Tooled Bag!!

Accessories!!!!!

Caught on a Yacht Straw Hats - $20

Pure Fun Wallet - $27

i'm obsessed with the cobalt colorway...

My pick:

I simply adore every version of the "Not So Classic" shirt that Volcom has thrown my way. The silky leopard print version for holiday, the tougher tribal print for winter and this lovely sheer version for the spring. I kept it simple and paired it with my QSW Lorne Denim, Fluxus Tuscan Racer Tank and just my watch and favorite bracelet.

Tweet-tweet

I'm still not ready to tweet online but in real life I'm currently tweeting to everyone I meet about how much I love these pants! Anyone who knows me knows that I have an obsession with printed pants but even if you're not ready to take the plunge into something like our RVCA floral denim, the QSW grey bird denim ($80) is an awesome way to experiment with this rad trend. 

Quiksilver denim has become my new go-to. Their lorne cut is super flattering and has just enough stretch to keep them comfy but not so much that you feel like you're wearing a different pair of denim by the end of the day.

unlike many other bloggers, I don't have a fancy camera OR a boyfriend that's also an aspiring photographer OR a modeling contract - with that said I think my iphone in my dressing room did the denim justice. haha

i bought my pair in a size up from what I normally wear to give them a more relaxed "boy-jean" look

like little birdie footprints in the sand!

Bright Copper Kettles...

While I share Julie Andrews's affinity for "whiskers on kittens" and "warm woolen mittens", my version of "a few of my favorite thing" would absolutely include almost everything from our Vintage Spring Collection. But rather than bursting into song, I chose my top picks from the collection to share here on the blog:

the Southwest trend isn't going anywhere yet so you might as well embrace it. One way to do this without looking like you're ready for Halloween is to add a rad SW touch like this vintage bib necklace to any outfit! 

This is my #1 FAVORITE piece from the Vintage Collection. If it fit me, it would be ON me right now. But I've discovered that the items from AHVintage tend to find the person who was meant to own them. One person that it will fit perfectly. Lucky girl....

*AHVintage pieces are in-store only but check out Spring styles from our other awesome brands at www.alchemyhour.enstore.com! See something you HAVE to have? Call us at 973.761.0900 to place an order on the phone!

Numb Skull

Anyone who saw our Halloween window display (not to mention our faces that day) knows that we are BIG fans of sugar skulls. Not so much the actual skulls made of pure sugar, although that sounds delicious, as the artwork and masks decorated with bright colors and lovely designs. But why should this rad tradition be limited to one time of year? I came across these adorable little skull bead bracelets and was immediately reminded of the sugar skulls that I love so much. A fun way to wear skulls without looking creepy?? I'm in!!!

AH Skull Bracelet Duo - $12

each set comes with one rad skull bracelet and one 

fun solid bead bracelet to compliment it!

multicolor set!

These bracelets are available in-store only but check out our other styles at www.alchemyhour.enstore.com! Can't make it to the store but REALLY love the items you see here on the blog?? Give us a call at 973.761.0900 to place an order on the phone!