Florals for Spring

(All Photos: Briar Burkhead)

This dress is something I have been dying to wear ever since it first started to warm up. It's so comfortable and lightweight. I picked this dress up about a year ago at Plato's Closet along with the shoes that I am wearing. The floral pattern on this dress is a must have for me for spring.

If you have never been to a Plato's Closet before and you're on a budget like I am, I would highly recommend shopping there. People sell their name brand clothes to the store, which is why I was able to find this dress for only $8. The colors are so vibrant and the dress is very different from anything else that I own. I decided to pair it with these sparkly Oxford shoes.

I can't always afford to buy new clothes since I am on a college budget. In fact, I don't even remember the last opportunity I had to go shopping. When I do get to, however, it's the best feeling in the world to spend $80 on more than just three items. Don't get me wrong, I understand the importance of owning high quality items that will last you a long time, but sometimes thrift shopping can add to the variety in your wardrobe. It's honestly a quantity versus quality kind of deal. I will admit that I had to fix the straps on this dress after I first bought it. So if you're looking for pieces that will last you a long time, then I would definitely go somewhere else.

Thank you all for reading! Let me know in the comments where you guys like to shop at when your on a budget. Have a beautiful day<3

-Emily Austin

My Top 5 Favorite Fashion Blogs and Youtubers

Everyone draws inspiration from somewhere. For me, I'm constantly trying to find new fashion blogs to follow. Honestly, following these blogs and YouTubers is what got me into pursuing fashion. I've always loved pairing outfits together and seeing what new twist I can come up with for a top I've worn 1,000 times.

I've always thoroughly enjoyed writing. When I switched my major from English to Journalism I had sort of a melt down. What do I want to do with journalism? I certainly did not want to be stuck in a court room all day. I wanted to write about things that I'm passionate about.

I have been reading fashion blogs for a quite a while now, but just recently it struck me: Why don't I write about fashion? I certainly enjoy it. It just never occurred to me that I could be the one that people follow for fashion advice and tips. However, I'm finally beginning what I want to do in life and I could not be more thrilled. It will be a slow going process trying to learn the gist of things and get my blog together, but I know it will be worth it in the end because it is something that I love.

So here are my top five favorite fashion blogs and YouTubers that have inspired me to pursue my dreams:

5. Ohabioh

Blog: http://ohabioh.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ohabioh/
Store: http://ohabioh.bigcartel.com/

Abi posing for a fashion post for her blog Ohabioh (Photo: Ami/Ohabioh)

I am obsessed with Ohabioh's unique sense of style. She tends to go for a grunge look. I first found out about her from her Instagram and it took off from there. She is self employed, running her own online store where she sells painted phone cases and crafted jewlery. All of which is completely made by hand. The designs are simply stunning.

Hand painted Wanderlust phone case by Ohabioh (Photo: Ohabioh/Instagram)

Ohabioh is one of the first people who made me believe that it's possible to be self employed and that I should strive after what I love. It is so incredibly inspiring to see women who are passionate and that are succeeding in life.

4. Kalel Kitten

Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/1eRSjoPTA6/?taken-by=kalelkitten

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WatchUsLiveAndStuff

Kalel Kitten being super casual in a "classic" look (Photo: Kalel Kitten/Instagram)

I went back and forth on whether or not to include Kalel in this list, but I had to. There was no denying that she has had an impact on my life. Although she is more of a YouTube vlogger than a fashion guru, she has been going to school for fashion and hopes to one day create her own clothing line (she has not given an update on this in a while so I am not 100 percent sure she is still in school).

I have been watching Kalel on Youtube since she first started off as QueenBeauty. Since then, she has gone through a number of phases. What I love about her is that her style is always in flux. She's constantly switching things up and refuses to stick to just one style. Her most recent style is what she calls "Rocker/Sex Kitten" where she wears a lot of black clothing and bondage inspired outfits.

(Photo: Kalel Kitten)

This look below is when she went through a fantasy phase where she created really unique outfits. Some of the clothes she wore at this point were a lot of DIY projects, including the arm cuff she is wearing in the photograph below. She drew inspiration for these looks from fantasy and anime and ran a blog called Wonderland Wardrobe.

Kalel Kitten with a look she created for her old blog Wonderland Wardrobe (Photo: Kalel Kitten) 

Then she went through a frilly phase where she wore many girly inspired outfits and lots of pastel colors for a blog called Frilly + Fancy.

Kalel Kitten celebrating Valentine's Day (Photo: Kalel Kitten)

So basically you never know what to expect from her. Some people seem not to like this about her, but it is something I adore. She is constantly switching it up and shows us that people continue to grow throughout their life and, along with it, their style.

3. Fashionista804

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/fashionista804
Instagram: https://instagram.com/fashionista804/

Sophia Chang sporting her look for Coachella day two (Photo: Sophia Chang/Facebook)

The lovely Sophia Chang. Although not a blogger, I still had to include her because I keep up with her YouTube constantly and she is someone who has inspired me with fashion and beauty. She discusses beauty products and does makeup tutorials more-so than fashion, but I still had to give credit where credit is due. Also, pretty recently she collaborated with Gerard Cosmetics to create a beautiful nude lipstick called Kimchi Doll. Luckily I was able to snag the one with her signature!

Kimchi Doll lipstick from Gerard Cosmetics with Sophia Chang signature (Photo: Emily Austin)

You can buy the lipstick here: http://www.gerardcosmetics.com/shop/lips/kimchi-doll.html

2. In the Frow

Blog: http://www.inthefrow.com/\

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/inthefrow

Instagram: https://instagram.com/inthefrow/

(Photo: Victoria/In the Frow)

Victoria has a more sophisticated look in my opinion, even with the purple hair which has become a sort of a trademark for her. Just one look at her blog and you can tell that she has so much enthusiasm and love for what she does. In her blog In the Frow she covers everything from fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle in London.

(Photo: Victoria/In the Frow)

Check out her YouTube and you will simply fall in love with the sound of her voice and the excitement she brings to each and every video. She has a wonderful way of explaining how she pairs her clothes together and what she enjoys about each article of clothing.

1. Evelina Barry

Blog: http://evelinasfashioncafe.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Evelinicutza/featured

Instagram: https://instagram.com/evelina/

Jewelry Line: http://www.ok1984.com/collections/evelina

Evelina wearing a sporty-chic style in Paris (Photo: Evelina/Fashion Cafe)

Last but not least, is Evelina Barry. I originally found out about Evelina through YouTube and I adored the cute energy she brought into every video. This Russian babe is all about sporty chic style and clean city vibes. 

Evelina brings her unique personality and love for clothing into everything she does. The beautiful imagery she gives in her blog and her fashion videos is so inspiring. She is incredibly relatable and down to earth. The best part is that she is encouraging to all of her "unicorns" to do what they love to do instead of sticking themselves in a job that they hate. 

(Photo: Evelina Barry/Fashion Cafe)

Evelina moved to the United States and started at college as a political science major. Soon she switched her major to interior design so she could let out her creative spirit. Although she did not end up actually being an architect, she still brings those skills to the table with her style. 

She began YouTube as a normal person four years ago, but it quickly escalated from there. On her Youtube you will find look-books, beauty tutorials, fashion advice and more. She explains everything so well and with such enthusiasm that you cannot help but love her. 

Recently, she has created a jewelry line called Electric by Evelina. In her YouTube video My Exciting Announcement | Electric by Evelina she says, "If there's anything you should know about me is that I'm absolutely obsessed with geometric shapes. That's basically what I had in my mind so I sat down with a sketch book and started creating." 

(Photo: OK1984)

 She is the person who made me stop and think, "I love fashion. Why don't I give it a try. Everyone starts somewhere, right?" There is no denying how inspiring this woman is and I wish her nothing but success in everything she does.

Thank you guys so much for reading my blog and taking the time out of your day to see who has inspired me. Leave a comment down below letting me know who has inspired you in your life to chase after you dreams! 

Have a fabulous day<3

~Emily Austin

Fashion Post: High-waisted shorts and crop tops at Stones River

My boyfriend and a few our friends recently took a trip to Stones River in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to check out the beautiful scenery. It has to be one of my favorite places to go on the weekends. With the amazing weather that we've been having lately, it was definitely time to get out of the house and enjoy nature.

Of course, we also had to bring our five-month-old German Sheppard. You guys have absolutely no idea how much she loves playing in the water.

To celebrate the amazing weather, I obviously had to do a crop top with high waisted shorts. The flowery crop top is something I scored from Plato's Closet. Plato's has to be one of my all time favorite stores. If you have never heard of it before, it's a place where people can sell back their name brand clothes.

I wore it with these purple high waisted shorts that I bought from Delia's. These are the first and only pair of high waisted shorts I own and I am honestly obsessed. Shorts shopping is definitely in my near future.

I decided to throw a black button up blouse with this that I also bought from Plato's. What's great about this top is that it is very flowy and has a bat wing to it so it makes the outfit look almost effortless. I wore my gold body chain which I purchased super cheap on Amazon. This thing has become my new prized possession and I have a feeling I will be wearing it a lot this summer. I think it's a beautiful statement piece to have and it can add a little something extra to any look.

I hope you guys enjoyed my first fashion post! I can't wait to do more of these in the future. What items are you guys ready to wear now that the weather is getting nice? Let me know in the comments.

Have a fabulous day<3

~ Emily Austin