How To: Ballerina Bun

This quick, easy, and chic hairstyle is pretty popular in many variations and incredibly easy to do. I use a roll I bought in a blonde color at a local beauty supply store, there are many variations all over the internet and in drug stores. Another option is to cut off the toe of a sock that is similar to your hair color and roll it into a donut. I made my bun kind of big and messy but you can easily adjust the size depending on how tight you roll it up or how big of roll you start with.

Bun Helper

1. Start with a ponytail placed where you want the center of your bun to be, then pull your pony through the center of your donut.
2. Next, pull the donut to the end of your ponytail and wrap the end around it.
3. Roll the donut down the full length of your ponytail, it will naturally spread itself out.
4. Once at the base of your pony spread your hair evenly around and adjust it to make sure everything is covered underneath.
5. Pin it down to secure, and lightly hairspray.
6. Voila!

The Under $20 Gift Guide - For Her

Whether youhave a tight budget, or a bunch of ladies in your life to buy for, these are a few budget friendly options that will bring a lot of cheer. The Seche Vite Top Coat (1) is a must for any manicure if you pair it with a color polish (2) selected to suit your girl it can be useful and thoughtful gift. Most girls and ladies are obsessed with colorful pens, we love to write out cards and maybe some still even right checks, or add a little color to doodles, this pack of Le Pens (3) class it up a bit with there chic nimble design and your lady with have a year full of colors to choose from. An affordable, casual, and stylish scarf (4) that goes with most skin tones and personalities never goes to the Goodwill bin. I grouped ModCloth accessories (5) into a bunch because they have a lot of fabulous options that will definitely afford you the opportunity to watch your pennies while getting a completely personalized gift for your gal. The best parts of the ASOS belts (6) is there are tons on sale so you can pick two! Maybe choose one neutral and one vivid for a well balanced gift.

A Post for the Men: Socks

Ok guys, this is a pretty cheap and easy redo to your wardrobe, although depending on how into it you get it could get expensive. That said, here are a few options at reasonable prices to get your toes wet... errr keep them warm and dry?

Here is the deal, plain black dress socks just show how boring and uninspired you are, and white socks show you are just plain old lazy. Add a little bit of easy style to your wardrobe and the ladies will think you are a dapper dude who gives a shit about his appearance, which means he is a guy that gives a shit about things in general....that is a good quality to have!

Be bold! Be brave, take the dive and I promise you will garner compliments from the ladies in your life, hopefully not just from your mom....

1. Cheap and easy, go ahead and order multiples of craziest colors.
2. Yikes! Stripes!
3. Spots and Dots 
4. Hip To Be Square

Colors! - Noir Edition

With winter coming most of us are likely pulling out our warm, cozy, and reliable black layers. Why not spruce up your moody-broody winter black with some pops of color! Here are a few suggestions to get you started, but don't forget about the impact some bold make-up can have, a little bit of color can go a long way to making you stand out in the crowd.

I Want to Party!

I have kept these tabs open way to long but I can't give up hope, I want this to be my holiday party look!

1. ArtiChic Dress
2. Apropos-priate Accessory
3. A Little Bit of Peacocking Can Be a Very Good Thing!

Double-Crosser Scarf Tie

This scarf tie works great with regular-old scarves, they can be winter-weight or light-weight,  cotton or wool, because the emphasis is on the tie around the neck. It is also great for adding a little flair under coats, jackets, blazers or cardigans. Unless you have a very long scarf it might look a little off on its own as it ends up with shorts end, great for tucking under a top layer.

1. Start with the scarf behind your neck about 3/4 of it going to one side.
2. Next wrap the scarf around one time.
3. Adjust the tightness around your neck.
4. Drop your hand over and into the loop you just made.
5. Pop your hand under the hanging side, so it is over the loop and under the tail.
6. Grab the other hanging tail in your looped hand.
7. Pull completely through the hole your hand was previously occupying.
8. Give both ends a tug and tuck under your jacket, coat, blazer, etc...
9. Ta-Da! The final product.

Ask Fancy Fox: (N)o Grease Lighting

Dear Fancy Fox,

I am a normal woman in her 30's, not a Pat Benatar impersonator or a daredevil biker. And yet! I really, really want a pair of (p)leather leggings. For now, I have my eye on these: Kick A$$ Pants since H&M pants fit me really well. IF I buy them, what do I pair them with? A chunky sweater? I get it, but I hate those. Please advise on shirt and shoes. 

Me: 5'4", 120lbs, lives in the city, is not cool anymore (but apparently is still trying, oh bless your heart), can wear whatever I want all day because I am my own boss

Halp!

Sincerely,

Doesn't want to look like Sandy at the end of Grease

Dears Sans Sandy, 

No need for chunky sweaters here, there are a ton of great options whether you are feeling casual, ultra feminine, romantic, chic, or super trendy. Also for the sake of cheap shipping or ease of getting in and out of the store as quickly as possible I found you a bunch of options right there in H&M (This post is not sponsored by H&M, but I would happy to accept their sponsorship at anytime!)

Each of these tops can be worn alone with the pants, of course the jackets need a base layer...unless you are feeling extra brave. The U-shaped hem of the denim shirt (2), the drape-y  T-shirt (9) and the tank top (6) are incredibly flattering to the female shape. Tank #6 is one of my wardrobe staples, choose whatever colors work best for you and mix and match accordingly it is a great and flattering base layer.

1. Simple Chic
2. Lose the Leather Belt
3. Tux Lux
4. Flattering Floral
5. Going Batty
6. BUY THIS IN EVERY COLOR!
7. Classic
8. Hopeful Romantic
9. Cute and Casual

A. Burgundy Beauty

B. Black Ballet Basics

C. Glam Glitter

Keep the great questions coming!

Golden Girl

Be brave! Add a little golden glitz to your day! Keep these pants (1,4) and skirt (8) casual with a chambray shirt or dress them up with a classic fitted black sweater. Throw on these metallic shoes (2) or tote bag (7) and add a touch of glam to everyday errands. For an even subtler approach put on a slash of golden eyeliner (5) or a slick of metallic polish(6) for some surprise shimmer. This snazzy collar (3) infuses an elegant cuteness over a simple blouse or crewneck. Go ahead, you can do it!

1. Go for Baroque
2. Midas Toes
3. Hardware Neckware
4. Golden Gams
5. If Cinna can do it, so can you!
6. Good as Gold
7. I have a couple of these in different colors, no cute name, just facts
8. "Flash" Some Thigh

Ask Fancy Fox

If you have anything you want me to post about shoot me a message and I'll be happy to dedicate a post to you! Want to know how to do a hair or nail something? Need help with an outfit? Curious what you should wear with a piece you already have? Ask me and I'll be happy to help!

Nail How To: Cuticle Care

Once a week or so I sit down for an hour in the evening in front of the TV with my big basket full of nail polishes and goodies and give myself a manicure. I used to be an extreme nail biter - ragged nail stubs, bloody shredded cuticles, the whole nine yards of obsessive chewing. One day I decided that I just wanted to put a stop to it once and for all, and I did. The key to this cold turkey bad habit quitting was making my fingers something that I wanted to admire, not devour. Hence, the start of the weekly manicure. As long as my nails and cuticles are well groomed I am able to avoid the temptation to nibble and the side effect is fabulous nails!

The first half of my manicure is grooming my cuticles. I am not one of the lucky people who have nice smooth set back cuticles, I have the dry - would creep over half my finger nail if I let them - type. Below is my four step process diagrammed out in full detail. 

Tools:

1. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU NEED! I have tried other cuticle removers this is by far the most effective, and cheap!
2. Cuticle Nippers
3. Metal Cuticle Pusher I couldn't find the one I have exactly, its a few years old, hence why I like the metal, they last forever and can be cleaned and sanitized and keep a sharp edge, unlike the wooden ones.
4. Paper Towels 

1. Apply a generous layer of the cuticle remover onto the cuticles of one hand. Let it sit for a minute.
2. Use the cuticle pusher to push cuticle back, it shouldn't hurt, but you will have to push hard enough to scrape them back. It may take a few tries to get this down, but you learn in time how aggressive to be. 
3. Finger by finger, firmly wipe away the gel with a paper towel and use the nippers to cut off the excess cuticle. *Cuticles if cut to far will bleed profusely, I learned this the hard way, and still do it on occasion.
4. Check out all of your fingers and make sure you don't have any little bits to clip.
5. Repeat on the other hand.

Now you are ready for polish....or you are done, depending on how you like your nails!

Great Coats Under $300

A great coat is a winter necessity. Since it is the piece you will wear almost every day and is the first thing people will see when you meet them during the cold season, it makes a big impression. You are also dependent on it to keep you warm while looking great. When I buy a coat, I expect it to last at least three winters - if not more. A few years ago, with the help of a coupon, I invested in the Thinsulate lined tall version of the classic wool J.Crew coat; it has not let me down in terms of warmth or appearance. I expect to have it at least three more years. I found these coats that I think will keep you warm and chic well into next winter: 

My Coat (but mine is petrol blue from a few years ago) - This is under $300 if you use a coupon which J.Crew offers for signing up for email, or just every few weeks on their site.

1. Great Color and Collar
2. Pretty Puffer
3. Fantastic Faux Fur
4. Perfect in Persimmon
5. Cute Color Blocks
6. Thats A Wrap

Nail Polish: Essie - beyond cozy

What a lovely way to welcome winter with a bit of comfortable glam! I suspect this bottle will be used up by February.

Essie - beyond cozy

How To Tie A Scarf - Fancy Cowgirl

Start with  large rectangular scarf:

1. First hang the scarf around the neck with approx. 2/3 hanging over your shoulder on one side, while grabbing the top corner of the other, tuck the corner under to form a triangle across your chest.
2. Pull the longer side to allow for enough scarf to wrap around your neck.
3. Next wrap the longer side loosely around your neck one time.
4. Repeat the first step on the other side grabbing a corner and tucking it under the wrapped portion around your neck to form an overlapping triangle.
5. Ta-Da! You can use safety pins or a brooch to hold this wrap in place or just re-tuck the corners throughout the day, depending on the texture of your scarf you may not need the pins.

This wrap looks great layered under coats or just on its own, it is generally my go-to wrap if the scarf is going to be a day long accessory and not just for cold weather layering. This tie works well with large scarves and many different weights.