Aesthetic Value Turns 2!!

                   Yep I've finally hit the big 2 year mark. But unlike the dreadful terrible twos that new parents have to look forward to I'm hoping to experience a "terrific" 2nd year. (I know that is so corny) LOL. Anyway in my 2nd year Im going to bring my devoted readers more fashion, more commentary, and more inside into the ins and outs of Chicago's Fashion world and my take on it.
              In honor of the 2 year celebration I've decided to pull a traditional fashion blogger trick and post my outfit for today. I was also inspired by the instagram february photo challenge. Today I went for a cute and classic polished look. So here you go enjoy and thanks for all the support in the last 2 years. XOXO Your newly recommited blogger. - Brittany Nichole ;)

 

 

 

I Resolve

            
             Every January 1st Americans around the country marvel at the past year and look forward to whats to come in this new set of 365 days. We do many things to celebrate this new beginning: attend an over pass service, spend quality family time, shack up with our lovers, watch the ball drop or get stupid drunk and have your phone stolen (my NYE shenanigans). But among all the most common tradition is making a list of things that we hope to change from last year.
              I too sat down with my favorite purple pen and my Marilyn Monroe spiral and tried to think of things that I would resolve to do in 2013. Although I definitely came up with some essentials: don't give my number to every cute random guy, be nicer to my brother, try to land an internship; it occurred to me that one of the most frequently overlooked categories of resolution is our wardrobes. Such a vain sounding resolution yet potentially a stepping stone to achieve other goals. Sure changing up your personal style may not win you a Nobel peace prize or grant you a new Audi but it just might increase your chances of getting that promotion and new shoes might finally catch the eye of the office cutie you've been eyeing.
            So in this new year I resolved to make some necessary changes to my personal style and outlook on my appearance. But we shall call them vows (after all the divorce rate is still lower than the number of new years resolutions kept). As I put up my new calendar and try to consciously remember to write 13' in all my dates instead of 12', these 13 things are my vows for the new year and a very stylish new me (OK I'll admit I've had the movie on replay) ;)
           

1. I vow to rededicate myself to Aesthetic Value
2. I vow to rekindle my love affair with accessories
3. I vow to take risk in my garments, not just my accessories
4. I vow not to be intimidated by prints
5. I vow to engage in vintage shopping on a regular basis
6. I vow to not let my uniform stunt my personal style
7. I vow not to follow trends but to embrace them organically into my wardrobe
8. I vow to wear heels on non - special occasions
9. I vow to stop matching my makeup with my outfit
10. I vow to remember that a bad hair day or bad attitude are the biggest enemies to a chic outfit
11. I vow to accept that beauty is pain
12. I vow to break gender specific dressing rules
13. I vow to purchase at least one pair of jeans (for those friends of mine who beg me to put on pants in winter months) lol

           

AV Crush: September

                 Its that time of year again; when the deceptively bright sun pays no homage to the surprisingly chilly winds once you step through your respective thresholds. Yes indeed fall is here. The season for layers and outrageous mixing and creativity. The space right in between covering everything up with a knee length coat and not being allowed to wear your toesies out. I am dying to stock my closet with this seasons essentials but being that my pockets have taken a bruisin' due to the double edged sword called rent, I guess its just window and online shopping for me. Anyways here are my September Crushes, that will hopefully magically appear in my closet right when I post this...a girl can always dream right??

Printed Peplum Skirt *Perfection*. Xenia.com.au

Obvi Ima #90's Baby. Hat. Nastygal.com

Mixed Media Saddle bag. *BANANAS*. Chictopia

Zodiac Bracelet. *#TeamLEO*. NastyGal

Havent Tracked Down the site yet.
*Self Explanatory*. 

Nike Dunk Leopard Sneakers. *The obssession is real lol*

Abby Dawn jacket (modeled by Kendall Jenner)

XXI

                For most young people there are usually 3 birthdays you look forward to; your 16th, your 18th, and your 21st. At 16 you get your license and can drive free of domineering, over cautious parents; at 18 your can legally get tatted, pierced, and stoned and don't have to worry about doing any of these things in secret anymore. But 21? That's the most celebrated, and hyped up birthday of them all! 21 is the perfect case in point for YOLO. Cause after 21 you can gamble, rent a hotel room, get access to the chicer cousin of the likes of Mr Rickys and Secrets (lounges like MAXBAR, and Shrine) and why of course kiss worries of gettin caught under aged drinking goodbye. Since I joined team XXI a month ago, I have pretty much exclusively concentrated on the last two. 
              However, much to my surprise the lounge scene that I thirsted for for so long is not exactly how I pictured it. Ive been to about 6 different lounges since bday and aside from the overpriced drinks, the hit or miss DJ's and the ehhh choice of men 'older men', the most eyebrow raising factor has been how people dress at these shindigs. In the fantasy of Brittanyland, everyone would be dressed like they are about to attend a fashion show. But what I've experienced thus far is quite the contrary. Now maybe its the lounges I been to or maybe its because I need to switch to places where there is actually a cover charge (not that I'm complaining about that #teambrokephibroke). Eitherway, the observation has struck a burning question in me; how do people in their 20's dress?
             If taking the leap into the Dubb Club and forever leaving your teens is such a big deal, shouldn't it come with a grown and sexy dress code? Shouldn't there be a distinct marker from someone who's 17 and someone who is 23? Of all the many forms of self - expression should your wardrobe not seek a fitting change to bring in decade number two? And if so, where do we find such models? Are the manuals handed out when we renew our licenses? Is it a soul searching process? or does it just naturally happen? Who is to say what's 'age appropriate' when the world is your oyster?
            Personally, my style has taken on a edgier yet more sophisticated look in this brave new world. I look at my style idols like Rihanna, Blake Lively and Adrienne Bailon and I feel so enlightened and empowered by their personal style. Its so fresh and individual yet you can tell they are just, free. And its the best kind of freedom. Creative expression through hair, makeup, and dress. That's the goal. I haven't figured out everything about who I am, who I want to be or how I want to be perceived. I haven't even figured out what companies to apply to when I graduate; but what I do know is on this journey to self discovery of my new 21 year old self. I want my appearance to journal the liberation of my soul, from the inside out. After all, that's what your 20's are for right?