The Road to Fabulous

Hey there followers! Do any of you have that one friend who always manages to look absolutely fabulous? You know, that one girl that has the perfect look everyday, leaving you look like you just rolled out of bed? Well I do, and I have a sad little story about my struggle going from sloppy to sensational, and how my fashionable friend inspired me.
Over New Years, I traveled 3,000 miles to visit my very best friend, Katie. We met when I lived in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. It's the tiniest, cutest little surfer town you ever saw, just north of San Diego. When Katie and I became friends, there were obvious differences between the two of us. Her mother raised here to always look well-kept whenever she left the house. She always had her nails painted, no scuffs on her shoes, and hair shiny and clean. My mother just wanted to make sure my tee shirt didn't say anything offensive. All I ever wore were band shirts and denim jeans that never fit right. I wore skate shoes and never did anything with my hair, it was just a perpetual poof. Walking down the street together, the two of us looked like day and night. She said she loved that I didn't feel a need to impress anyone when I was out. I was just me. Though, I admitted I admired her care for the way she presented herself, something I never really knew much about.
One day, I was at the mall with a friend, and a stranger mistook me for a boy! At the time I thought it was funny, but then it happened again and again. I said to myself, "this needs to stop, but what can I do?" I didn't know how to go about making myself look pretty while still dressing the way I wanted it.
Time went by, and I moved back to the D.C. area. I had lived there before I moved to California, and I was excited to see my old friends again, but boy, what a let down! I don't know if I was just used to Katie's clean style, but my old friends looked like slobs! Many of them had greasy hair, holes in all their clothes, and wore nothing but flip flops all the time. It really made me realize how important your visual impression is. From then on, I made strides to create a marvelous style all my own.
Since then, I've expanded my wardrobe at least 75%. I said to myself, "I can still like the way I look without dressing like a 15-year-old metal head from the 80's." I save the band shirts for concerts, I gave my confused jeans to Goodwill, and I wear my skate shoes only when I'm actually skateboarding. Today, I own enough dresses to play Eeny Meeny Miny Moe when I can't decide what to wear. Before, I owned one (hideous) dress for special occasions. I have more pumps than I'd ever imagine, (and I wear them all, too!) I have a variety of nail polish and makeup, which, for me, was the biggest leap into a feminine style. I never wore makeup until about 6 months ago!
When I returned to California for my visit, Katie looked great, as usual. The perfect outfit with the perfect shoes, ya know, the whole nine yards. I didn't really get to whip out my new look until we went out for a fancy dinner that night. I put on a high-waisted skirt with Aztec print, a white tank with lace on the neck, and suede t-top black flats. I applied some light, natural-looking makeup and finished it all with a cropped leather jacket. When we were ready to go she gave me the once-over and with these wide eyes said, "Oh my God, you look FABULOUS!" That was it. That was all I needed to know I took my style in the right direction.

I used be afraid of so many things; mascara, open-toed shoes, v-necks, the list goes on. Now, my world is open in a way I never thought possible, and I owe it all to Katie. She taught me not to fear to unknown, just give it a try! So followers, if you're ever apprehensive about changing up your style or taking on a new look, just go for it! You may end up loving it.

By: Laura Sullivan