Monday, September 30, 2013

Trend We Love: Head Wear

Glamour Magazine lists knit beanies as one of this fall's most wearable runway trends.
It’s no secret that boys have been fans of the beanie trend for ages now. Just look at the many beanies of Harry Styles to the simple head-wear style courtesy of David Beckham. 
peacelovejuliet.tumblr.com
dailymail.co.uk
But recently some fierce females have been taking a page from the boys’ book. Take a peek at model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne:
dailymail.co.uk
Modern Magnolia favorites- Reese Witherspoon:
www.stylebistro.com
and Selena Gomez:
dailymail.co.uk
Not to mention, Queen B-
talkingpretty.com
We are big fans of this trend. Safe to say, beanies aren't just for skater boys anymore. Anyone with thick, curly hair has experienced the struggle of bad hair days. Sometimes a top knot just won’t cut it. Need to add a bit of edge to your outfit? It's a bit chilly outside? Don't have time to do anything to your hair? Cue the beanie. We suggest slouchy, oversized ones to add a hipster vibe to your look!
Beanies aren't the only hats that we are loving right now. Floppy hats and felt fedoras are the perfect final touch to your sassy fall outfit. Whether your have big, loose waves or a fishtail braid, you will look beyond fabulous. Are baseball hats more your style? Thanks to J. Crew, fancier, embellished baseball hats are the perfect addition to every outfit. Check out some of our favorites here:
Hats

But, hold up. Hats- as cute and as trendy as they may be- aren’t your only solution for a bad hair day. Another trend we have been all over lately is the headscarf. There are loads of options out there specifically for this, but we are all about using what you’ve already got. So break out those old scarfs you forgot about and resurrect them. Simply fold into a triangle then continue folding until you have a long band of your desired thickness- we are fans of everything from the thin, chic ones to chunky, statement pieces. Tie it around your hair, and voila. Not ready to commit to a scarf yet? Go for a headchain or flower crown!
www.thebrunetteshake.com
We still love the Olsen girls, and we know you do, too. We love these scarves and chains, too.
 
Scarves and chains

Some of you will be hesitant to try it. We hear way too many fabulous girls say, “I love that trend but could never pull it off.” We’re here to say, “Yes, you can.” Don’t be afraid to put down that straightener and let your natural hair fly (with a beanie or headscarf taming it, of course). It’s good for your hair and your soul (we’re simply oozing hippy vibes in this post).

But your scarf sure looks fabulous, Styles...

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Not Your Dad's Wallabees

According to the Clark's website this funky shoe, originally named "Grasshopper" was designed in 1961 in Kilkenny, Ireland. It wasn't until the shoe came to America that it acquired the name that it's famous for today, the "Wallabee". The combination of their simple style and supreme comfort has withstood the test of time, and these shoes are still quite popular though 52 years have passed since their debut.
via rainbowdiamonds.tumblr.com
Chances are, if you're a high-school or college student you see these shoes on the daily. Their unbeatable comfort and unassuming style make them the perfect shoe for long days trekking across campus. I've seen them worn with everything from norts and t shirts to boot-cut jeans and button downs. Before I wrote this article I did some Pinterest stalking research to see how other people have styled these quirky kicks. Here's a few looks I found-

via statigr.am
via twirlingclare.blogspot.com
via lh4.ggpht.com
After some Pinspiration I put together three different looks styled with Wallabees that would work for anything from a day full of classes to a weekend of brunch and shopping

1. [boyfriend jeans + a striped tee]
via Lanie's polyvore
2. [swingy skirt + neutral cardigan]
via Lanie's polyvore
3. [statement cords + chambray pop-over]
via Lanie's polyvore
Hopefully this gave you some inspiration and motivation to try out these classic shoes for yourself! How do you style your Wallabees? Let us know!

Monday, September 23, 2013

What You Should Start Watching on Netflix. Immediately.

When @RulesForBelles asked me to write a post for Modern Magnolias about Netflix, let’s just say I was a bit excited. Okay, I was ecstatic. You get a good storyline with plenty of drama and some attractive people and I'm SOLD. Because I love finding a show I like and watching every season in like a week or less. Because I watch roughly 7,834 (maybe not quite that many) television shows my challenge is narrowing down what to suggest for y’all. So, I decided to base my suggestions on what shows are starting new seasons this Fall and what shows have most, if not all, of their past seasons on Netflix. So, whenever you need to put off studying for another hour or so, add these shows to your must watch list!

1. Scandal

A number of people suggested that I watch Scandal a while back and I hate myself for not listening sooner. This is one of those shows that will leave you wanting more after every single episode. Kerry Washington is amazing as the always fabulous Olivia Pope. Pope is a D.C. attorney who, along with her “gladiators” (like, they call themselves gladiators, how could you not be obsessed?), make scandals disappear. AKA DRAMA 24/7 AND I LOVE IT. Not to mention that the President of the United States, Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, is probably the hottest prez of all time. Fitz cries a lot, but who cares, he’s attractive so it’s fine.
Side Note: Olivia wears some pretty awesome clothes, so the show is literally worth watching for that alone.


Scandal returns for its third season on October 3rd on ABC. Seasons 1 and 2 are both on Netflix.



Don’t look so sad Fitz! I’ll hang out in the oval office with you!
2. The Walking Dead

Okay, so when I first started watching The Walking Dead I was terrified (seriously, it took me a week to get through the first episode). I am not one that’s usually into zombies and end of the world stuff, but this show actually has a lot more depth than that. The show, which is based on the comic book series of the same name, starts with police officer Rick Grimes waking up in the hospital and it’s like OH BY THE WAY THERE ARE ZOMBIES NOW, so he has to figure out how to survive and meets up with more people who he leads all over Georgia (HEYYY SOUTHERN) while they fight to stay alive. It takes a couple of episodes to get used to the “walkers” (AKA ZOMBIES), but I promise it’s worth it. As you get deeper into the show it becomes more about the relationships and dynamics between the people in Rick’s group (and you thought a zombie apocalypse meant no drama). I guarantee your boyfriend will appreciate the fact that you watch this, and now you’ll know what to do if the zombie apocalypse happens. These people come up with some pretty creative ways to deal with walkers. 

The Walking Dead returns with its fourth season on October 13th on AMC. Seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix. It’d be worth buying season 3 on DVD.

Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play walkers attack you
becauseyou were an idiot and rode there on a horse.
Work that crossbow, Daryl.
3. The Vampire Diaries

This show is my guilty pleasure that I don’t feel the least bit guilty about watching. Classic girl falls in love with probably one of the hottest people vampires on the planet and just does not know what to do about it. If you haven’t watched The Vampire Diaries and you’re thinking it’s going to be anything like Twilight, think again. I know super manly, southern guys who have willingly watched this show with me because they are so intrigued by the storyline (it probably doesn’t hurt that Nina Dobrev is maybe the prettiest person alive). The show is based on the books of the same title by L.J. Smith, but the writers certainly take liberties with the story, and from what I hear don’t really follow the books (which is fine because the show is actual perfection). This is another show that keeps you on the edge of your seat as main character Elena Gilbert discovers more and more about her family’s past and their connection to her home town of Mystic Falls, Virginia while dealing with relationship drama with her beautiful vamp boyfriend Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) and his sassy, smoldering brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder). Wanna know how I know you’ll love this show? All of the most attractive people you’ll ever see in one place, and it takes place in the south, so flashbacks to Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley in Civil War period clothing and Confederate uniforms, y’all.

The Vampire Diaries returns for its fifth season on October 3rd on the CW. Seasons 1, 2, and 3 are all on Netflix. Season 4 is on DVD.


I'll have one of each, please.
4. GLEE

I’m not even going to get into a huge explanation of Glee, because if you don’t know what this show is by now, you’re probably living under a rock. The kids on the show deal with high school drama just like everyone else, except they sing about their prob-lems. The show is actually hilarious (thanks in large part to Jane Lynch) and they cover songs from literally all genres of music, and do it very well. Although a self-professed “Gleek”, I am admittedly extremely behind on the series. But with Modern Magnolia Demi Lovato joining the cast (which I am aggressively excited about y’all), there is no way I won’t be watching.

Glee returns for its fifth season on September 26th on Fox. Seasons 1, 2, and 3 are all on Netflix. Season 4 is on DVD.


NAYA AND DEMI ON SET I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS
5. Revenge

Okay, so I’m not that far into Revenge (still on the first season) but what I have watched so far I AM OBSESSED with. Emily Thorne works her way into the lives of the most prominent members of Hamptons society to get revenge on the people who ruined her family’s lives. We’re in the Hamptons, so you know the clothes are going to be pretty fabulous and the people are going to be attractive. And again, DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA. And apparently this show was inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, so maybe you can use this in a lit class?

Revenge returns for its third season on September 29th on ABC, SO GET TO WATCHING Y’ALL. I’ll be right there with ya. Seasons 1 and 2 are both on Netflix.

Like, hi cast of Revenge, you're all fierce and perfect so DUH I'm watching.
6. Sons of Anarchy 

In all seriousness y’all, if you don’t take my advice and watch any other shows on this list, you NEED to watch Sons of Anarchy. I know you are sitting there thinking, “But my boyfriend/brother/dad/some guy I know watches this and it’s about bikers so like no I’m not into it.” Do yourself a favor and throw those thoughts out of the window. Two of my sorority sisters (who used to make fun of me for watching this show btw) have just started it on Netflix and are so obsessed. Literally the best storyline of all time (hello, it’s based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, so like YAY FOR BEING CULTURED). If any show keeps you on the edge of your seat it’s SOA. Jax Teller (literally the most beautiful human to ever walk the earth) deals with being second in command to his step-father, the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club’s president, while handling other club drama (illegal stuff like selling guns and whatnot), as well as the drama that comes along with his ex-girlfriend moving back to their home town of Charming, California. Still not convinced you should watch SOA? Ever heard of a little book called Fifty Shades of Grey? Well, Charlie Hunnam, AKA the main character in SOA, has recently signed on to play Christian Grey in the film adaptation. You get a little preview of what's to come in Fifty Shades if you know what I mean.

Season 6 of Sons of Anarchy premiered on September 10th on FX (GET TO BINGE WATCHING THIS SECOND). Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4 are on Netflix.

Never have I wanted to date a biker so badly.

Still haven't convinced you to watch? See image below.




Tweet us at @ModernMagnolias and let us know which of these shows you love and which shows we left off that you will definitely be watching this Fall! And in all seriousness, if y’all want television suggestions tweet me @LaurenReddeck, because I literally could have gone on for days with this post.

Happy Netflixing y'all!












Tuesday, September 10, 2013

#HotMessExpress- Wrecking Ball and Chain Edition

via Huffington Post
When I wrote the first #HotMessExpress post, I honestly thought it was going to be a one time thing. Miley had other plans though...

via stole-my-nutella.tumblr.com
You're right Miley, they will. Especially if you release the kind of video you just released... So let's talk about it- Wrecking Ball. ughhhh.

via jelizabethl.tumblr.com
So the conversation probably went something like this...
"Miley, how are we EVER going to top that (now infamous) VMA performance??!?!"
via Buzzfeed
"Well I have this really deep idea for my new video."
via @_conallkeenan
"Perfect. Let's do it! I'm sure it won't be raunchy or sexual at all. Nothing but deep, meaningful symbolism."

So here's the video:
When it first starts, you think, "Hmm... she has really blue eyes. She's not twerking yet so maybe we have the old Miley back..."
via dondurmakamyonu.tumblr.com
(Mainly, I just want to know what kind of lipstick/stain she is wearing because that stuff DOES NOT MOVE. She rubs her hands and a sledgehammer all over her face and it doesn't budge. That is a quality product right there...)

A little further in you start thinking, "Well this isn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. She could be wearing something else, though. I wouldn't mind that."
via loveantigravity.tumblr.com
And then she starts licking the sledgehammer...
via shortstories-plus-nightmares.tumblr.com
And you think, "Of course. After all, she's just being Miley." It's weird and very try too hard but you think, "I guess it could have been a lot worse..."

Then BAM. She's freaking naked, swinging back and forth on a HUGE phallic symbol. (No I'm not going to post a GIF of it. I think this post is scandalous enough...) My AP English teacher would have had a field day with this video, y'all.

Now a lot of Miley fans seem to be getting angry at people for criticizing her when so many other females have been naked in videos.
via theimmortaldiaryofvdb.tumblr.com
via memesdebritneyspears.tumblr.com
What Rihanna and Britney managed to do that Miley COMPLETELY failed was be naked without it being sexual... that's why Miley is being criticized. She be quiet.

Anyway, the video got over 18 million views in less than 24 hours. So regardless of how I feel about her, the conductor of the #HotMessExpress knows how to go viral.

via tvguide.com
In other good news, SNL announced the first three hosts for their new season and Miley is one of them. Here's hoping we get to see more of this...
via onelesslonelylovato.tumblr.com
I think it's safe to say we will.

But all that twerking has left some people not so impressed.
via dnaindia.com
According to multiple sources, the Ice Queen has removed Miley from the cover of the December issue following her "distasteful" VMA performance. At least someone around here has got a lick of sense!

Until next time, which probably won't be too long at this rate...

Monday, September 9, 2013

Runway to Reality: Fall's Most Wearable Runway Trends

Remember how I talked about how much I loved reading magazines in this post? Obviously, I still love to, especially Glamour, and I am struggling to decide how I feel about this particular article. Some of these trends I love, some I loathe and some I just can't decide on...

1. Winter White
via Glamour
I am 100% in favor of winter white when it is actually winter white- which is extremely different from just wearing white in the winter. "Winter white" is obviously more of a cream/ivory color. As far as head-to-toe white, I am just not a fan.

Verdict? Loathe.

2. Knit Beanies
via Glamour
Modern Magnolias clearly love a good head accessory. Personally, I am a huge fan of beanies. I have super thick, curly hair so when I have a bad hair day, a baseball cap just doesn't work for me. I'm not exactly sure about pairing such a casual accessory with dressier outfits, like the ones above, but I am definitely a fan of the beanie. If you're not, it's just because you haven't tried yet since they are not only comfortable but very warm.

Verdict? Love.

 3. Classic Patterns
via Glamour
I don't think this trend needs much explanation. From tartan to leopard, we are on board.

Verdict? Love.

4. Over-the-Knee Boots
via Glamour
I can't imagine these would be very comfortable and I am genuinely at a loss for what I would wear them with. I think these might end up being one of those things that just aren't applicable to the South.

Verdict? Just can't decide.

5. Turtlenecks
via Glamour
I guess I didn't realize that these had ever gone out of style... I've always loved a good turtleneck and I always will- I guess it's just the WASP in me. A simple, elegant black turtleneck with a strand of pearls will forever be a classic.

Verdict? Love.

6. Shades of Green
via Glamour
I haven't seen much to suggest that this is actually going to be a "thing" but I don't think I would be opposed. I think this could definitely be a good color to have on hand when the holidays roll around.

Verdict? Just don't know/Love-ish.

7. Slouchy pants
via Glamour
Hmm... I just don't think I'm interested. Sure, these look fine on the models in the pictures but in any kind of practical setting, they would just look sloppy. No thank you.

Verdict? Loathe.

8. Statement Outerwear
via Glamour
I'm just going to let the pictures speak for themselves...
via caitlinsixx.tumblr.com
Exactly...

Verdict? Loathe.

9. Folk-Inspired Pieces
via Glamour
While I don't like the examples Glamour has given, I am pretty indifferent to this trend. I much prefer the camouflage/military inspired looks that I've seen recently. I'm sure this trend has potential but, for now, it just isn't for me.

Verdict? Just can't decide.

10. Rounded Shoulders
via Glamour
This one genuinely confuses me. It just isn't attractive... No one wants or needs their clothes to help them look like Quasimodo. It's just really not a good look y'all.

Verdict? I'm sure you can guess...
via Buzzfeed
(You're welcome for the bonus Miranda Priestly GIF. After all, it is Fashion Week...)

What trends are you looking forward to wearing this fall? Do you think Glamour got them right or wrong? Let us know over on Twitter!

Stay Southern y'all! xx