Vintage Finds at Your Fingertips

As I was searching for a job in fashion design, I came across a company that very much intrigued me. ModCloth, at Modcloth.com, is an online retailer focus on promoting small designers and businesses at a modest price. Their website is absolutely adorable, showcasing mostly vintage inspired pieces, and authentic vintage finds. I am absolutely in love with this dress:

What I also found inspiring, was the story behind the company. ModCloth was founded by high school sweethearts, Susan and Eric Kroger. Susan was an avid shopper of thrift and vintage shops, so much so that she would buy pieces that were not even her size! And now she shares her love of unique pieces and great finds with the world by selling them online. Eric takes care of the business end and their company has grown by leaps and bounds since its beginning in 2002, to include women's, men's, accessories, shoes, and decor. They incorporate customer involvement through Facebook and Twitter and have their own blog through the website.

And it sounds like it is fun to work there, too! Their offices seem laid back and to truly cultivate individual creativity. They have a dog friendly work environment, where even Susan and Eric's pug, Winston, is working hard and making friends. Overall, ModCloth is an inspiration to follow your dreams and do what you love. And we could all use a bit of that everyday!

PS: This is what I wore today.

Star printed tank: Kat Walk

Shorts: Club Monaco

Wedges: bebe

Leather and Rhinestone cuff: Nordstrom

(Meet my puppy Apollo!)

Kids Wear the Darndest Things

I was at a baby shower yesterday, the best baby shower ever I might add, and as the mother-to-be opened her gifts of cutesy baby clothes, I got to thinking about children's rules of fashion. And my conclusion: there are none. Children can wear whatever, however, they want, and people will think it is cute. In fact, the more mismatched, the better!

Case in point, my adorable 4 year old cousin often chooses to wear mismatched flip flops. And I have seen her in an array of patterns, as well as with scrunchies around her ankles. She is merely expressing her creativity, and I love her parents for letting it shine. A little girl at the baby shower wore a huge tutu skirt. I would love to wear a tutu without getting looked at like I was crazy. 

And, trends do not apply to children. Even my previously noted unfortunate adult trends are completely acceptable for children under the age of 10.  (I woke up this morning to a picture of my little cousin in UGG boots and shorts. :)) I do not personal love wearing a lot of designers names on my clothes, but I am the first to buy a bedazzled D&G Baby tee, or a baby bebe velour sweatsuit. So, parents, dress them up, dress them down, but choose your battles and let them express themselves!

PS: This is what I wore to the baby shower.

Dress: Brittnee Braun (That's me!)

Earrings: Betsey Johnson

Bracelets: Gap

Shoes: bebe

Free Birthday Presents!

As my birthday month approaches, I look forward to checking my mailbox every day for cool freebies from all of my favorite stores. These are extra coupons, gifts, and promos that they send my because I am part of their “clubs” or “frequent buyer groups.” I highly recommend signing up for as many as you can. Most are free and they usually earn points of some sort, but if nothing else they send you coupons, let you know when the big sales will start, and give you a heads up for special events like collection premieres or new product launches. And my favorites send you birthday presents which takes some guilt away while I am shopping for my birthday suit! Here is a few “gifts” I have received so far:

bebe: clubbebe sends you $10 reward.

The Limited: The Limited card gives a $15 birthday reward.

Express: The Express card gives $10 birthday reward.

Victoria’s Secret: The Angels’ card gift changes but it is always at least a free panty.

Hallmark: Hallmark Rewards gives a $5 of $25 coupon. Great for thank you cards!

Sephora: “Beauty Insiders” gift a free gift on their birthday.

Anthropology: Get 15% off and a free necklace.

Godiva: Get one free piece of chocolate per month all year long!

I will keep you posted on new goodies to follow.

PS: This is what I wore today.

Printed Tank: h.i.p.

Jeans: Paige Denim

*Today was an errand and lounge day. :)

Designer Shoes for Less

I LOVE shoes! If I could have all of the designer shoes I want, I would be in heaven. However, most of my desires would cost me almost a week's pay check. Thank goodness for companies like bebe who do shoes inspired by the designer runways for less! Here's a few examples from my closet that are part of the new fall collections.

Yves Saint Lauent Tribtoo Pump-$880

bebe Liza Pump-$149 (They look exactly alike!)

Fendi Deco Bow Satin Pump-$655

bebe Mariah Pump-$129 (I have the black!)

Valentino d'Orsay Bow Pump-$645

bebe Heidi Pump-$129 (I opted for more color!)

There are tons of ways to get the designer look for less. More to come!

PS: This is what I wore today.

Striped Sweater: Hinge

Denim Legging Jeans: bebe

Black Pumps: bebe

Black and White Pearl Necklace: The Limited 

Not So Fabulous Trends

Growing up in a small town had some major disadvantages when it came to fashion exposure. In the entire city, I had only one mall that housed a Saks and Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom only came a few years ago. We didn’t have a Melrose Avenue, Robertson Avenue, or Rodeo drive and most people dressed on the fashion conservative side. One big thing Missourians did know how to do was dress appropriately for each occasion. Dinner at a nice restaurant calls for nice clothes. When I moved to Los Angeles, I was so excited for all the shopping opportunities, not to mention the hoards of people who love fashion as much as I do. 

However, Los Angeles is the home of two trends that drive me a bit bonkers. Number one, LA is filled with sweatpants, gym clothes, and track suits. When Juicy Couture first came about, the matching track suit was trendy, and that was all fine and good when the wearer pulled herself together and did not look like she just rolled out of bed. But now, it is out of control. If you are not going to the gym, coming from the gym, or running just a few errands after, you should not be in gym clothes. LA is entirely too casual for my tastes, and I don’t quite understand it. There are so many amazing options out there, why waste them! (And as a side note, you should always return your shopping cart to the cart return, but especially if you are in work out clothes!)

Secondly, everyone knows the weather in LA is fabulous, and a huge winter fur is never really necessary. But ladies, UGG boots do not magically warm your entire body when you pair them with a mini skirt/shorts and a tank top. Neither does a scarf . UGG boots are never really a great choice, (sorry I am not a fan) but at least reserve them for lounging around the house, or wear them with weather appropriate pairings. 

PS: This is what I wore today.

Boyfriend Jacket: Hinge

Star Printed Tank: Kat Walk

Sweater Mini Skirt: Windsor

Tights: Gap

Boots: Nine West

Leather and Rhinestone Cuff: Nordstrom

Clean House

I am a huge fan of reselling clothes. I clean out my closet at least once every season and then sell what I can and donate the rest. It was not always easy to part ways with some of my old pieces because like a lot of people, I attached sentimental value with some of my favorite ensembles. And that is dangerous, very dangerous, 50 pairs of unworn jeans dangerous. 

I love clothes, but I will still admit that too many clothes can cause problems. If you forget you have items in your closet, too many clothes. If you cannot remember the last time you wore something, get rid of it. If you like something, have packed it for two vacations, and did not wear it on either trip, let it go. If it is missing a button, and has been for more than 3 months, it is out of there. 

Classics should never go, provided they are in good condition and still fit, or will fit when you lose those couple extra pounds. Trendy pieces that are one of a kind should stay, especially vintage pieces, or pieces that cost quite a bit money.  Pieces are considered out of style and are not worth more than $10 retail should go. When they come back in, you can buy a new. (Probably pieces you will like more...And who doesn’t like new things!)

Jeans, jeans, jeans. I find most people have the largest collection of these, especially in LA. Every women should own three main styles: a great skinny, a great boot cut or slightly fitted style, and a great semi flared pair. You can have two each, one casual pair, one dressy pair, but when you get into five or six pairs of each, there is a problem. Everyone naturally reaches for one pair over another. Get rid of the other pair. I own five pairs I think, and still only wear one of those pairs, most of the time. 

And my final note, this is my new personal rule, if you buy something and have not worn it within the return policy, take it back. When we really love something, we want to use it as soon as possible. Most places have at least a two week policy (Macy’s is three months!) and that is plenty of opportunity. 


PS: This is what I wore today.

Striped Blouse and Belt: Club Monaco

Jeans: Paige Denim

Shoes: bebe

Flower Ring: Love Diva

About Me

I, Brittnee Braun, was born and raised in Saint Charles, Missouri. (Locals pronounce that Muh-zur-uh.) The daughter of an electrician and a hair stylist, my obsession with fashion made me a bit of an oddity in my small home town. I attended private schools from preschool on, and uniforms left little room for personal expression besides winter coats and "out of uniform" days.  My classmates would literally line up at my homeroom to see what I wore to school on those days. My family took frequent trips to California, so my clothes were usually about two years ahead of what everyone was wearing in the Midwest. More notably, I wore furry coats everyday it was cold. Every color, every style, every length. I was known for my coats. 

I've had Barbie since I can remember, so she naturally became my muse. I do not so much remember playing with her, but more so dressing her up and putting her on display. In middle school I started designing and in high school began creating and selling custom evening wear. It was a rush, and I refused to go to school dances in anything other than something I made. With encouragement from family, friends, and teachers, I moved to Los Angeles to study fashion design and am now an alumni of The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. I wanted to know all aspects of the industry, so I completed a business degree in marketing at Saint Louis University, as well.  

I have performed all my life, dancing, singing, and acting. Much of my inspiration comes from costume and the stage because there is something so beautiful about becoming something or someone else. My favorite designers include Christian Dior, John Galliano, Versace, and Betsey Johnson because they embrace the fun, playfulness, exhilaration, and beauty that is fashion. 

So this is my blog about how fashion engulfs my life. I am currently living in the Los Angeles area, searching for my place in this ever so hard to crack industry. I survive by coupon shopping, hunting for sales, and working at the same place [insert any struggling actor, singer, artist here] does, a restaurant.  

PS: This is what I wore today. 

Leopard Headband: bebe

White tee: Club Monoco

Jeans: Paige Denim

Shoes: bebe