Chelsea Grey

We did two green fashion posts last week ( here and here), so it seemed a little redundant to do another one in theme with this week’s Friday’s Fancies. Therefore, please enjoy our alternative fashion post! We still want to link up for Friday’s Fancies, but the only green in these photos is the background!

Meet Lindsay! She is pursuing comedy and improv while also working as a nanny. You can find her tumblr here. So CG readers, we have decided that aside from just featuring ourselves in fashion posts, we would like to feature a variety of young ladies. We think this is a great way to reach every girl and every style. We want to represent girls of all different shapes, hair colors, heights, styles, and the list goes on! So here we have our first girl, Lindsay. She is actually my (Brooke) sister so you might be seeing posts of her often, but she has a unique style and we like it! We are also in love with her gorgeous, thick hair. Poofy hair is in. Which is such a relief. I was made fun of relentlessly during my middle school years because of my thick, poofy hair. Ironically my hair is no longer that poofy and now I find myself jealous of my sister’s hair. Oh well, we always want what we can’t have.

Quick side note: If you live in the Los Angeles area and are interested in being featured on Chelsea Grey email us at info@chelseagrey.com. We are looking for girls with creative and cute style who can put an entire outfit together from their closet and do a photo shoot with us! We have a professional photographer and not only will we link back to your blog in your post, but you will also get the digital files we post from your photo shoot to keep for yourself and use on your own blog, on facebook, or print! 

Okay, enough chatting. Onto the fashion post!

So, what do you think of Lindsay’s style? Super cute, right?! We love the polka dots and we also love the bold coral color of the skirt. Perfect for spring! And of course, we love her natural, beach-wave hair. Thanks for showing us your style, Lindsay! (Actually be on the look out for her again next week…she did two outfits for us!)

Forever 21 Shirt | Skirt | Calvin Klein Pumps (old) | bracelet (old) – contact Jaimie directly and she can make you one | Guess watch (old) | J.Crew necklace (old) | Earrings (old) – similar

Photo Credit: Brooke Louise Photography

Well, happy Mani Monday everyone! We love our nails, we love our glitter, and we definitely love our ombré. These were super easy to do…I mean, really really easy. Here’s the tutorial:

1. Apply your Butter London Nail Foundation (or another base coat, but we highly recommend this one).
2. Apply two coats of Essie: Bobbing for Baubles (Amazing navy blue color that is a staple in every girl’s polish collection!)
3. Apply a generous coat of Essie: Set in Stones to the tip of the nail. Then take your brush and gently pull the glitter upwards working your way up the nail. The trick is to just make it really thick at the end of your nail and then use thinner layers as you work your way up.
4. Apply a very generous coat of Deborah Lippmann: Addicted to Speed (or another favorite top coat)

And that’s it! This is a quick and easy manicure that not only looks great, but also looks like you spent more time on it than you really did! Try it out and let us know how it works for you…or send us a photo of your version of the glitter ombré nail!

Thanks for reading and we hope this inspires some easy, DIY nail art you can try

xx

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Keeping up with the green inspired post earlier this week, we are featuring yet another green outfit. This is a super simple, everyday outfit that’s cute and comfortable. Emily is wearing an amazing pair of dark denim, skinny Paige jeans along with a kelly green blouse. We also paired her outfit with rose gold accessories and a cream Michaels Kors bag. Lastly, her Vince Camuto pumps are to die for. We are obsessed.

How do you incorporate green into your wardrobe? Let us know what you think! xoxo

Paige jeans | Green blouse | Vince Camuto pumps | rose gold chain link bracelet | rose gold Marc Jacobs watch | rose gold hoop earrings | Michael Kors bag

Photo Credit: Brooke Louise Photography

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Chevron!!! We LOVE chevron! So much so, that I decided to stencil one of my bedroom walls with a chevron pattern. I will not sugar coat it and pretend like it was easy because it wasn’t. It was super hard and took me much longer than expected. That being said, I am SO happy with how it turned out and it was definitely worth all the hard work! I am extremely excited to share these photos and really hope it helps inspire the use of chevron in your space. I truly believe, every house/apartment needs a splash of chevron somewhere! Below you can find links to several of the items featured in this post. Please let us know what you think and say hello…we love your feedback! xx

West Elm dresser | pintuck bedding | ombre purple throw blanket | mongolian lamb pillow | West Elm lamp | chevron stencil | mirrored nightstand | purple ottoman

Post/Photos: Brooke

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First off, we would like to state how excited we are for this post. This is our first time posting photos of our own fashion, on our very own, Emily! We really hope you enjoy it because it really means a lot to us! We had so much fun with the photo shoot and absolutely love photography and fashion! So, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to the details of this outfit We decided to go with a bold green for a few reasons: First, emerald is the pantone color of the year (which we are ecstatic about), so why not wear something in the emerald family? Next, we really feel green often does not get the appreciation it deserves. It is such a wonderful color that can really add a nice punch to an outfit. Finally, St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner…need we say more?

We are really loving this kelly green skirt paired with the lace, black top. It’s a subtle sexy and screams spring. We paired the outfit with a gold necklace and gold arm candy. Emily is also wearing a patent peep toe pump by Enzo Angiolini and carrying a Michael Kors bag. Details on all the pieces from this outfit can be found below at the end of the post. Again, we hope you enjoy the photos and the outfit! Let us know what you think! As always, we love to hear from you xoxo

Black lace tank – old from Nordstrom, but here is an alternative | Jessica Simpson green skirt – old, but here is a great alternative maxi skirt | Enzo Angiolini patent peep toe | Stella Dot leather wrap bracelet | Tai pave crystal bead bracelet |  Gold necklace – old from Nordstrom, here is an alternative | Michael Kors Jet Set Leather Tote

Photos: Brooke Louise Photography

No, it’s not summer but we can’t help wishing it were. Go away cold weather! Seriously, it’s been in the low 40′s here in Los Angeles and that is just too cold. On top of the low temperatures, it has been rainy and super windy. I find myself daydreaming of warm, summer days at the beach or hiking. Hence, the inspiration for this post. I don’t know if it’s my constant longing for summer or the fact that nautical accessories are just becoming more and more popular, but I am finding anchors everywhere! Plus, we have been meaning to do a nautical post for quite some time now because our very dear friend, Kate at Nautical By Nature, inspires us

1. I want, want, want this. First off, I love this quote and was looking for a way to frame it and put it in my room. Then I stumbled upon this wall decal and it is just too cute. I’m not sure where it’s going in my room, but it’s going somewhere.
2. These have always been my favorite nautical nails. I’ve seen many variations of it, but the beauty department simply knows how to do it best.
3. I have tons of these types of hair ties and love them. They don’t get stuck in your hair as much, they don’t leave as much of a crease, and they are cute on your wrist when not being used in your hair. I love the addition of the mini anchors on these.
4. Okay, these diapers are adorable. I’ve seen them in person and have fallen in love. Thanks to Jessica Alba at The Honest Company, diapers can be eco-friendly and trendy.
5. What a cute backpack for the summer! This might be a little too nautical for me and I would choose a more neutral backpack, but this is a nautical lovers dream.
6. Who doesn’t love a new iphone case? Especially when it’s chevron and an anchor. I’m also loving this mint green and white.
7. So, I’ve seen a lot of anchor rings and this one is by far my favorite. I am a sucker for dainty jewelry and this one is perfect for me. I love that the anchor is sideways and is just simple and delicate.

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Post: Brooke

Spring is almost here and we are looking forward to bright colors, pretty pastels, and the ever-so-popular ombre trend! What started with hair has evolved to nails, dresses, and even bathing suits! Here are some spring favorites:

sunglasses | bracelet | sweater | pants

At 12:01am on 1/1/13, we all took a collective sigh of relief that we survived the night and immediately started creating resolutions to be better, healthier, prettier, or different in 2013. New Year’s resolutions are NOT REAL–not real because you’re drunk when you make them, the first time you break one the whole thing crumbles, and they’re unrealistic.* Point of this story? Resolutions suck and this post is not a post about making resolutions. There, I said it.

*For tips on how to set realistic, low-commitment resolutions, please refer to “¡Viva La Low Bar! The New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep in 2013.”

Moving on…

One thing we could all work on is saving a little bit of our money so we end up with more. We’re all in this together. The US of A is trying to save us from falling off the fiscal cliff and we should work on saving ourselves from falling into a pit of doom, debt, and disappointment. I’ve come up with some handy, probably not-very-original but still useful, ways to save money, get back on track, and check one item off the list of “things I should be stressed about today.”

 1. Get a smartphone

Wait…really? You’re solution to save money is to spend money? Why, yes, and here are some very compelling reasons why:

• Download the following apps: Mint.com, GasBuddy, Yelp, Foursquare, Groupon, LivingSocial, and your banking application.
• Use them. Setting up an account on Mint.com and creating a budget was the best thing I’ve done for myself this year. It keeps track of your spending and helps you understand how you use your money and where you can save.
• Using tools like GasBuddy and Yelp help you price the things you purchase most: gas and food. Saving a few cents a gallon can add up in tremendous savings over the year. And opting for happy hours and lunch specials by searching on Yelp can save money, too. Some places on Yelp and Foursquare offer check-in specials to guests so make sure to always check that first. Convenience is no longer an excuse if you’re prepared with your phone.
• Although the Groupon and LivingSocial trends are starting to fade, they do offer instant deals which can be very useful. $10 for $20 worth of Indian food you’re already planning on purchasing? Yes, please!

2. Use a cash budget

Most people spend cash immediately when it’s in their wallets. This can be bad, but not if you’ve given your cash a purpose. Each week, I allot myself $50 for groceries and lunches. This is a pretty small budget, but I’m still experimenting. The cash is the only form of currency I can use to purchase my food for the week and if I run out, I starve (not really, but it’s good motivation). Try creating a cash-only budget that you can stick to. If you spend a lot of money on coffee each week, figure out how much you should really be spending and pull out your cash. If you have money left over at the end of the week, save it for later. You never know when that extra money could be useful.

3. Personalize your personal services

I’m referring to your manicures, pedicures, facials, hair coloring, waxing, etc. Depending on what you’re comfortable with, all of these treatments can be done at home. Brooke has a giant box of nail polish in our condo and we do our nails as a household once or twice a week. We’ve gotten really good at our own manicures and save so much money (while still looking fabulous). If you can save $20 here or there by plucking your own eyebrows, putting on your own face mask, or touching up your roots, you’ll have more money in the end to use for emergencies or more worthwhile experiences. It’s ok to treat yourself once in awhile, but if you’re truly committed to saving money, this is one of the best ways to cut expenses.

Need inspiration? Check out some of our nail DIYs:
 

4. Bulk up

Buying in bulk = major savings. The next time you visit the grocery store, try calculating the ratio of product to the price. Almost always, you’ll find that purchasing the bulk item is cheaper per unit. For things like toilet paper, olive oil, cleaning supplies, shampoo, etc. buying bulk can save you time and money.

5. Repurpose and share

I love to shop and I’m usually the person to buy a new outfit for every occasion. Not this year! I’m working on using what I’ve got and finding new ways to wear and use things. My current technique is reorganizing my closet. Putting things I haven’t worn in awhile in the very front forces me to look at them everyday. By evaluating what I have and how I can make it feel “new” I’ feel like I’ve gained a new wardrobe. And for the things I no longer want to wear, I share them with friends! Sometimes seeing your “boring” dress on someone else who wears it fabulously can re-spark its energy.

Saving money is not just about cutting back. I plan on living fabulously this year by making smarter choices, not by depriving myself. Financial responsibility is something we’re constantly working on. Very few people are 100% financially secure, and if ever I start to feel bad about my lack of fiscal responsibility, I pick up a newspaper, scan for the words “deficit” or “fiscal cliff” and immediately feel like I’m ahead of the game.

Good luck and may 2013 bring the most prosperous yet.

Pantone’s Color of 2013 has officially been announced. Emerald (17-5641) is the “it” color of the year and we couldn’t be more excited. Green is the most abundant color found in nature and is the color absorbed the most by the human eye. Sporting a jewel-toned frock this year could bring you more attention than normal, which is why we’ve put together some beautiful pieces that sport this year’s color.

PS. Word on the street is that “mint” is going to be a predominant color for Spring 2013. *so excited*

Happy Holidays! I just got back from a visit to my hometown, Colorado Springs, which was super cold. Brrrr! Definitely not the place to wear light layers. I did pick up on some cute fashion trends that keep you warm while still looking hot!

Some cool notes: The North Face boots are super trendy-looking and are 100% waterproof with special traction on the bottom so you don’t slip on ice. The long puffy jacket is absolutely necessary if you are spending more than 10 minutes outside. Who knew keeping your butt covered could make such a difference in warmth?! Enjoy