Biking in heels

Every day (when Travis is working) I bike to work. I bike with my son to his school and then I bike to work, about 30 minutes total. And I do it in heels. No big deal. 

When I first starting to commute to work on a bike, I had two alternatives - bike in my regular clothes and heels or bike in sportsy clothes/jeans and change into something appropriate at work. I weighed my options and I decided to bike in my regular clothes, skirts and dresses and heels and all that. I can't imagine to carry my purse and my lunch bag and a bag full of clothes to change into while balancing on a bike through traffic. My town is not that big but the traffic gets pretty crazy sometimes.  

I have an adorable Huffy Nassau Cruiser with a front basked and a cup holder which I don't use since the first two times I tried I spilled coffee on my pants. Oops.  

But when I tested biking in heels, it was an instant success. My pedals lock right in between the platform and the heel and the platform actually gives me extra two inches I appreciate every time I have to stop at the lights. I found out that platforms are not comfy for biking so I will be sticking to platforms and stilettos.  

Shirt (Camaieu) // Patterned Cropped Pants (JCPenney, similar at Kohl's) //

Royal Blue Heels (old from Payless, similar and affordable from Paris Hilton HERE - and on sale!!) 

And this is my view :) Do you also bike to work? Share your experience below!

XOXO,

The European Redhead

Memorial Day 2014

Today, many of you will put on sun screen, have a barbecue in your backyard, drink a beer, go camping or enjoy some relaxing at home. Me too, because I worked all day yesterday at a booth my company had at the Memorial Day Commemoration event. I love working during festivals and carnivals, it's so much fun to get out of the office and actually talk to people.

I got inspired with the World War II theme and went full retro, red-white-blue and all that. Do I look like Rosie the Riveter?  

Tank top (Walmart) // Denim skirt (not pictured)

Headband (Styles For Less, similar HERE) // Necklace (Walmart, similar HERE)

While I was working, Travis and Junior had fun at Kids Zone.  

Free newspapers and flyers, candy and pinwheels already disappeared.  

I walked around on my lunch break and I got sunburned! I didn't put any sunscreen on because I thought I will be in the booth all day ... Did not see it coming. My face is alright, because my Neutrogena lotion has a SPF 15. Be smarter than me and put some sunscreen on, every day! 

Have a safe Memorial Day! 

XOXO, 

The European Redhead 

Nautical is always in style

Old Navy Shirt (thrifted) // Striped skirt (Banana Republic, similar here) // Purse (Old Navy)

Mint Necklace (Styles For Less, similar here) // Yellow Wedges (Payless, similar here)     

What do you think is always in style?

XOXO,

The European Redhead

Dear Redheads, please forget black!

Yes, I was there too. Stocking up my closet with black tops, black blouses and black dresses thinking that black and only black will accentuate my red hair. Combine it with slightly wider hips and you will get a sea of black fabric wrapped around my body with a bright fire engine red hair on top.
Yikes.
After years of being a Redhead I learned my lesson, but sadly I still see Redheads who are sticking to black like it's the only color in the world. Dear Redheads, please forget black!

Example 1:

The biggest offender is Christina Hendricks. Her stylist clearly hates her because she wears black on almost every single red carpet event. Why Christina, why? The fact you have boobs won't save you from looking frumpy and old.  

I played in a basic photo editor and gave her color of Kiernan Shipka's dress. Look at her vibrant skin now. Look at her smile. Look at at least ten years melting from her face. Love it!

On another hand, Kiernan should do something with her eyebrows. They are too large and dark for her and make her look older. 

Example 2:

Ariel, you are 16. Why would you wear a black dress? Because it's the easiest and most obvious choice? Because it makes you look 26? Because ... ? I can't come up with more reasons, sorry. I just know it was the wrong choice. 

That's Ariel from about two years ago. Much more appropriate color choice for a teenager. And much more flattering to her red hair. There is a risk with every black dress - casting shadows on your skin. Unless you are a super model carrying a ray of light with you at all times, black will actually accentuate your every crease, wrinkle and spot on your face. Do you really want to risk it?

XOXO,

The European Redhead

Happy Anniversary!

On Friday me and Travis celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. We got married in a castle in Europe, in a town called Banska Stiavnica. We wanted something different, and what is more different than a medieval castle? It's called Stary Zamok and because it's now owned by the city, the rental was no more expensive than renting a community wedding hall. Score!

And this is me, right after I became a Mrs. 

Travis sent me purple tulips to work - a lovely tradition since purple is my favorite color. To celebrate, we went to a Manteca Rotary Wine Tasting at the Delicato Winery just outside of town.

I drank delicious rose wine and Travis tested numerous red wines. Local businesses provided cheeses and chocolates and it was simply divine. I love low-key celebrations, I'm not a person to host a full house of people on Thanksgiving and I prefer small, intimate parties, so this was perfect. 

I'm sure we have a lot of celebrations like this ahead of us. Six years is just a beginning.

Xoxo,
The European Redhead

V is for Victory

There is a problem in my office: The AC is constantly on. I wouldn't mind if it was actually hot outside, but since the weather has been pretty mild for the last couple of weeks, I resorted to layering button-downs with sweaters again. And I thought summer is just around the corner. 

Blue, white and red is an universal combo of colors for every patriotic occasion, including today. We are celebrating Victory in Europe Day, the end of World War II in Europe. Since the Slovak flag is also red, white and blue, my nautical take on a patriotic color scheme.  

Chambray Shirt (Walmart) // Anchor Sweater (Old Navy) // Thrifted White Pants (GAP)

Red Belt (Kohl's, similar HERE) // Bubble Necklace (Walmart, similar HERE) // Bow Bracelet (Forever 21, similar HERE) // Shoes (Alfani, almost the same HERE)  

United States are however celebrating the Victory Day day later, on May 9. So wherever you are, whatever you do, think about the amazing victory the whole world was able to reach in May of 1945. And celebrate with a cute outfit like me.  

XOXO,

The European Day

Fearless

A coworker told me: "What I like about you is that you are not afraid of color."

Nope, I 'm fearless.

Thrifted Shirt (Goodwill, similar HERE) // Window Pane Printed Pants (JCPenney)

Purse (Just Fab Online) // Loafers (JCPenney) // Bubble Necklace (Styles For Less, similar HERE) 

Ring (H&M) // Watch (Walmart, similar HERE) // Bracelet (Burlington, similar HERE)

What do you think about this color combination?

XOXO,

The European Redhead

Birthday Party

My family was invited to a birthday party this weekend for a very sweet little girl named Ciena. It was her first birthday and her mommy - my friend Megan did an exceptionally good job when preparing for Ciena's Sweet ONE-Derland. From adorable pictures capturing Ciena's progress from a tiny newborn to a bouncy toddler, cupcakes and cupcake themed pinata to a full candy buffet - everything a birthday girl can wish for was there. 

 Megan said she spent months planning the party and crafting. She did a great job! Look at the custom board her baby can keep as a sweet memory when she will be all grown up. 

 We never match, we go. It was all jewel colors for us, I wore sapphire and Travis chose amethyst. I don't like when the whole family wears the same color, it screams that they are trying too hard. I prefer much more to have similar flair, similar colors that look good together.

  Here is the full look. Junior did a great job with the camera, I have to give him props for capturing the light on my face. 

 

Jeans Zara // Thrifted Top (Dressbarn)

Quilted Purse (Forever 21) // Golden Sandals (Target)

I hope your weekend was as fun as mine!

XOXO,

The European Redhead

 

California Weather

I love the California weather. I am from Central Europe and we usually don't get a nice, warm, summery weather until May. I remember many Junes I spent wearing long jeans and a thick jacket. California is different. I can count on shorts and tank tops in March and when I buy sandals, I know they will last me for the majority of the year - that's an investment, not boots I will wear just a handful of times. 

No white before Memorial Day? Puh-lease! White looks great when paired with vivid colors such as royal blue and hot pink. At the same time.  

I found this shirt at my Goodwill last weekend. I didn't really intended to shop, but that's the way it goes in thrift stores, if you don't get it, it's gone. Goodwill shirts are $3.25 and looking at the American Eagle website I saved about $40, similar shirts go around $44. Crazy!  

Thrifted American Eagle Shirt ($3.25, Goodwill) // Elle White Jeans (FREE, Kohl's) 

Nine West Bag ($25, Ross) // Hot Pink Bracelet ($5, H&M, similar HERE)

Royal Blue Shoes ($15, Payless, similar HERE)

XOXO, 

The European Redhead

April Favorites

Business Nautical

Red pants are an amazing staple in my closet - mostly because I love the nautical style and they add a pop of color I need to balance all the blue and white. Two of my favorite outfits this month were nautical and fairly business casual, since I tend to dress more casual than business.

 

Thrifted Blazer ($1, Goodwill) // Striped Shirt ($7.80, Forever 21) // Red Pants ($9.99, Burlington)

Necklace ($5, Walmart) // Shoes ($18, Macy's)

Grand total = $41.79

Brights on Brights

I felt so cheerful in this outfit! It was a part of the Style Me April challenge with the objective to be under $100. Well, mission accomplished I must say.

 

Thrifted Hollister Shirt ($3,Goodwill) // Turquoise Jeans ($4, Wet Seal)

Necklace ($10.80, Forever 21) // Heels ($10, Payless)

Grand total = $27.30

Little Miss Sunshine

I had so much trouble with this skirt when I bought it! Because I honestly only wanted to style it with a dark blue shirt. But I stepped outside my comfort zone - and that's what fashion is all about - and added yellow. Blue and yellow together. Groundbreaking, I know.

 

Thrifted Old Navy Shirt ($1, Goodwill) // Thrifted Liz Claiborne Skirt ($4, Goodwill)

Yellow Shoes ($5, Payless) // Blue Necklace ($10, Styles for Less)

Grand total = $20

Boho Casual 

Sometimes I don't even know what will look good on me unless I actually try it on. These pants - similar to the skirt above because the are predominantly blue - were in my mind supposed to be paired with blue and blue only. I did pair them with blue, but of the chambray kind. Add simple golden sandals and boho casual was born! 

Chambray Shirt ($7.50, Walmart) // Patterned Pants ($9, JCPenney)

Leopard Scarf  ($5, Walmart) // Gold Sandals ($16, Target)

Grand total = $37.50

XOXO,

The European Redhead