Nail It !

I am a big fan of nail polish.  With my old ranch hands I need something to perk them up and make them look a bit girly from time to time so I like to paint my nails.  Fall is in the air and just like a change of wardrobe for fall , the tips of your fingers need to follow suit.

Gone is the fluorescent shades of summer, green, yellow , pink and blue. Personally I never got into this trend it was just a bit too much for me but I do love however the new colors for fall.  Shades of brown, neutrals, dark reds and dark greens and grays are taking front and center stage on our short filed down tips.

Nail color should complement your outifits. Never have nails that scream – “ look at me” – I think it is best to choose a shade that works with all of your fall tweeds, plaids and rich deep gem colors.

My favorite polish is Essie and you can now purchase Essie polishes at mainstream drug and discount stores. It was once an exclusive salon polish but like many things it has made its way into CVS pharmacy stores and Targets across the country.  Typical price is right around $7-8 per bottle !  A cheap investment to add a little punch to your outfit and they make those old ranch hands look a little prettier .

A Little Bit of Magic Found in Middle America

Many of you know from following me on Facebook that I took some time to visit Nebraska this past week.  Some might also remember me sharing that I did a report on Nebraska in 4th Grade. I did a booklet with the state flower, bird, state seal , etc etc. The typical grade school project.  During my oral report to the class I said someday I would visit. Time passed and at 43 years young I finally took my trip to Nebraska! Thanks to some amazing friends offering a visit!

What a wonderful little part of rural America!  My adventure brought me to the Nebraska State Fair where I spent a few days helping friends with 4-H animal projects.  I was simply amazed by the amount of people participating in the Fair and the Fairgrounds itself - Wow! I fell in love with the washracks and the electrical outlets - I know sounds a bit strange but when you have shown at numerous cattle shows you can appreciate good facilities! They were top of the line !  Big screen televisions in all the barns showcasing the classes in the ring and alerting young people of their next class - quite cool.

I met alot of wonderful people, some that were facebook friends that now are real friends. Some found out I was at the fair so they swung by to meet me and visit , bringing me a tshirt from their local 4-H club or breed association - fun stuff!   I will be sure to wear them with pride throughout California !!

On the final day I had the opportunity to watch the market steer grand champion drive- I have never witnessed such an outpouring of support for young people! Literally hundreds of people gathered to watch the champion selection and hear the words of the cattle judge share his thoughts not only on the calves before him but the importance of young people. I have heard numerous speeches given by folks from throughout California discussing the importance of young people and commitment to agriculture but I have yet to hear it with the meaning and the heartfelt truth that I did during this show.  Nebraskas commitment to young people and agriculture is something they can be extremely proud of , many of us talk the talk but in Nebraska it was evident they walk the walk as well !

After my Fair Adventure I got to spend some time with a real Nebraska Farm Family. There home is a small slice of magic in the heart of America. Their commitment to family, to their livestock and to their friends is next to none.  It was humbling for this California Girl to spend some time in a place where makeup did not matter, where what I wore did not matter, where who I was or where I came from did not matter - the only thing that seemed to matter was those moments that I spent feeding pigs, chasing little donkeys, playing with doggies and spending time talking about REAL things that truly mattered.  

I want to thank all of you that made my Nebraska experience one I will certainly never forget. Thank you for introducing me to Mountain Dew made with real sugar, Runzas, skrew top cheap wine $2.77 per bottle to be exact and dill pickle sunflower seeds :) :)

You guys are the REAL DEAL - everyone should have the opportunity to take a trip to the heart of America and to give you the feeling that you matter and find your newfound love of all things agriculture- give you a shot in the arm that agriculture is alive and well.  Look out California, I have a new excitement for our industry - who knows whats in store next !!!

Spring Forward!

A peek into the year ahead~

Fall is in the air but Spring is on the minds of fashion designers everywhere.  It is said that one sign of a retreating storm is a rainbow.  A rainbow is what you will find when you checkout the 2012 spring line of clothing. 

According to the San Francisco Chronicle Personal Journal , colors will be vibrant and saturated! Look ahead to below the knee skirts, high necklines and overall less skin showing.  Many seem to be thinking retro and 1960 style thoughts.

This is not the last you will hear of this , eager to share lots more in the months ahead but thinking y'all might want a glimpse into what the Fashion World will be showcasing in 2012!

Until next time ~

A little bit of QUEEN in all of us!

As time marches on I get more and more excited about my fashion blog!  It has really found its way to fun rural areas of America!  Not only are we blogging about my two loves agriculture and fashion we now have a spot on Rural Route Radio with Trent Loos each Friday ~  Really?  Pinch me ! How fun !  Excited for the opportunities that seem to keep popping up , but enough of that lets talk clothes.

A couple weeks ago after the radio show aired I had one young woman facebook me and ask about Rodeo Queen Fashion.  Now, I was never a rodeo queen but I just love them all , they are all so beautiful and always look so lovely.  The question she posed to me was this, What does a young girl wear to run for rodeo queen in small town rural America?’  So I did some investigating to find out and talked about it today on my radio segment and figured I would visit about it here too!

First of all being a rodeo queen is 90 % self confidence so if you look good in what you are wearing it will shine through!  The most important tips are color and fit of clothes, in style hair, hat shape and makeup.  Monochromatic outfits are good to compete in but if it is not in your budget then it is best to have clothes that fit and compliment you rather than a full matching outfit.

Check out http://www.rodeoroyalty.com/ to check out what other queens are wearing.  Get a feeling for what is in right now.  Big chunky jewelry can really dress up any outfit.  Blue jeans will work , so if you find a cut of jean that fits you well pair with a nice collared shirt and hat and splash that fun jewelry you will be all set.

One tip is that you can find used clothing that might be able to fit what you are looking for.  By doing a search on your computer you might be able to come up with some lovely outfits for minimal cost.  And another thing, there may be a seamstress in your rural community that has a knack for creating some fabulous pieces; it is worth a shot to check it out.

Bottom line you don’t need to spend lots and lots of money~ with a bit of  investigative work on the computer and within your own community you will be able to create something fun and suitable to fit your own unique style !

Cows and Clothes ~ The Making of a Fabulous Weekend !

Its Wednesday and why not talk fashion today? I wont be near a computer on Friday for my normal Fashion Friday segment  because I will be traveling to the beautiful Sonoma Valley to visit with Hereford Friends from around the country. We will be raising our glasses of vino while raising money for young people within the Hereford breed.  Being a past national officer I am honored and excited to be a part of this epic event!!  I am excited to visit with old friends and make some new ones. You can guarantee there will be lots of exciting fashions spotted at the Gala on Saturday night and you can guarantee I will have lots of new things to post following my return.  But in the meantime lets talk Fall Fashion!

Every girl can use a Fall Fashion Cheat Sheet – Thank you San Francisco Chronicle Style Sheet~

The Palette~ Saturated colors and jewel tones. Cobalt blue, plum, purple, magenta, emerald and jade green.  The new neutral is winter white.

The Coat~ Outerwear in bright colors, parkas, ponchos and fur vests.

The Pants~ Wide legs, high waisted trousers (not sure about this one yet) and skinny cigarette pants.

The Jeans~ Colored !

The Blouse~ Bow front (personally not a real fan of this trend either but who knows I might give it a try for that sexy secretary look – hee hee)

The Bag ~ Structured top handle bags in leather with croc or snake print. 

The Shoe~ A pump and coordinating back to the bag.

The Details~ Lace and leather

Hopefully you can take some time to rummage through your closet and see just what you might have in there from seasons past, what is old is new again !

If not , maybe treat yourself to something fun for Fall

Happy Shopping !

Until next time ~

Cheers to you - MOM!!

Mothers are the world to us when we were small...our lives revolved around her. For everything that we need we call mother. To protect us from all perceivable dangers we want her around us. To kiss away our wounds we run to her. And for a warm hug and love we look for her. She is the focal point of our lives, the greatest human being in the world or should we say divinity on earth. Mothers are the greatest blessing God can give us

Cheers to you for the countless hours spent on 4-H projects, making food for the brandings, driving bean truck to the hopper or driving the truck as we stacked hay out of the field, being presidents club president, room mother, 4-H leader, mentor, spiritual advisor, dedicated wife, ranch hand, best cook in the world, housecleaner, 3 meals a day kinda lady, gardener, kid taxi, fair mom, junior cattle advisor, travel partner, tail fluffer (yes years ago when we had to spray and twist tails into a ball my mother was the absolute best !!- kids from far and wide would ask if MOM could help rat a tail – it was quite a talent – really )  teacher, best daughter in law ever, confidant, go the extra mile kinda gal …………………………above and beyond  my very best friend.

Happy Happy Birthday Mom – Thank You, it’s that simple- I never could have found a better one!  So very blessed that Baby Paige has a NONI that will show her all the good in life that you showed John and I

I love you MOM!!!

Mom and I in Italy ~ a trip of a lifetime!!

HEY ! We’ve Got An App for That

Seems like everywhere you turn there is a new phone application popping up for your Smart Phone~ The Fashion World is no different.  You can now download applications that can create personal look books, an option for maps depending on shopping destination, catalog browsing and options to go directly to the designer’s shops.

Shopping has always been a very social experience, its fun, it’s relaxing and now you can shop by phone.

Some suggestions of fun new applications to check out~

• Lookaroo
• Fashion Nomad
• VIZL
• GreenGlamGo
• Catalog Spree

And for those of you that have inquired already ~ NO the couture cowgirl has no intentions of creating her own app – at least not for now ;)

Grab that phone and get after it – there is a whole new world of shopping experience out there!!

Until next week~