Alexis Teichmiller

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Styled by SheIn

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Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years.

There’s no how-to road map to style. It’s about self-expression and, above all, attitude.

Style encompasses your personality, mindset, and outlook on life. It was an honor to work with SheIn to showcase my style with their fuzzy coat. This jacket is warm and cozy, which is perfect for the winter season! If you are looking for chic, trendy styles, I highly recommend SheIn.

 

All images by Jessica Steddom

 

Denim Daze ft. TOBI

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Nothing makes me feel more like summer is around the corner than denim dresses and sneakers! I’ve teamed up with TOBI to feature this adorable piece and showcase their style. Their Denim Daze lace up dress is honestly one of my favorite new go-to dresses for the summer.

The lightweight denim is wearable on those hot summer days. The lace up feature is hands down what made this dress a must have for me. That and the fact that it has pockets!!

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I’ve always been someone that despised jeans and pants in general. I always feel constricted! One of my favorite aspects of summer is that I can wear dresses every single day. Paired with my favorite sneakers, sandals or heels for a night-time look – you can change the level of dressiness with different shoes. I went for a more casual style in this Denim Daze dress, paired with my staple converse.

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What you wear should make you feel good. It should make you feel confident and comfortable. That’s exactly how I feel when I wear this dress. Sporty, casual, and confident. Ask yourself how your clothes make you feel. If you don’t feel good in what you’re wearing, change it up. Always stay true to who you are and what your style is. Everyone is different and everyone showcases their personality though their style. What’s yours?

I was thrilled to team up with TOBI to showcase their adorable and classic styles. Also – insert happy dance here – new customers get 50% off their first order! With their selection of Dresses, Rompers, Maxi Dresses, Party Dresses, and Jumpsuits it’s hard to narrow down what you want! This is a brand I’ve followed and shopped from for a long time and I’m honored to be apart of sharing their story and style!

 

Denim Daze Dress | Click here

Converse Leather Sneakers | Click here

Photography | Blue Genes Photography

Be The Real Thing

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We are immersed in a culture that encourages false personas.

 

We only post what we want people to see – the good stuff. Our online lives are but highlight reels, never showing the broken hearts and tear stained faces.

 

Appearance isn’t just about looks though. It’s about how we act.

 

Vulnerability doesn’t seem to be celebrated as much as it is shamed by our society.

 

How many times a day does someone ask you a version of, “How are you?” How often do you tell them the truth? How often are you real?

 

Now I know the Starbucks barista (unfortunately) doesn’t really care to know the intimate details of my life. I’m not talking about strangers here – I’m talking about people that know you. People that are in your every day life. People that ask because maybe they actually want to know.

 

But the fear is that they don’t really want to know. That they don’t care. That they couldn’t possibly handle the rawness of our pain. Or anxiety. Or illness. Or fears. Why would anyone want to know that?

 

I refuse to believe that we are destined to go through life carrying all our burdens on our own. We are put here for a reason – love God and love one another.

 

Loving each other means being there for each other. It means being real with each other. Being vulnerable.

 

Learn from my mistakes though, you can’t trust everyone. Not everyone can handle your truth. Not everyone can help carry your burdens. Not everyone has your best interest.

 

Use wisdom and discernment when choosing whom to open up to. God will give you openings and opportunities to show your heart to someone else. Listen to Him.

 

When He gives you that nudge, take the leap in the sea of vulnerability. Shame might try to sink you, but don’t let it.

 

We all crave to tell our story. To be known.

 

At the end of the day though, the biggest comfort we can have is to know ourselves.

 

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I’m Gonna Fly

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(Written on a big white plane 30,000 ft. in the sky en route TN > CO)

 

There is something about being 30,000 ft. in the air, above the earth that reminds me I’m apart of something much bigger.

 

Giddiness fills the pit of my stomach every time I arrive at an airport. It’s the feeling of adventure and a promise of experiencing something new. I was twenty-one the first time I flew alone. That was the day I truly felt like an independent woman.

 

Traveling alone still gets me amped and a little nervous.

 

The acceleration of the machine, much bigger and more complex than my brain will ever understand, takes off and I get pressed back into my seat.

 

I make my silent peace with God that I am His property and His will will always be done. This makes me feel better if a crash landing or all out free fall is involved. That last sentence sounds like something my mother would say. I mean that in the most loving way possible, too.

 

My nerves always settle and I allow myself to finally look out the window. Mismatched sized, technicolor squares cover the ground below and houses look like ants.

 

Here are my thoughts as I stared out the rectangular double pained window:

 

Someone thought the impossible was possible. That we could fly. That something could be built to house a hundred people to sit next to each other, strangers nonetheless, to fly across the world.

 

I’m sure the Wright Brothers were ridiculed for their faith in flight. But the Greats are always told they are crazy. That they will never succeed, their dreams are too big, too unrealistic, and will cost too much money to ever take form.

 

Wake up call: Your time here is limited.

 

Will you deprived yourself of seeing the world because you’re scared to fly?

 

Will you push aside your aspirations to sacrifice for those who don’t deserve it?

 

Will you let the words of others hold you back from achieving true greatness?

 

For the sake of being dramatic, say allowed to yourself right now, “No I will not.”

 

 

The first step in chasing fearlessly after what you want, is actually deciding to do so. And that takes courage.

 

Do it. Chase it. Conquer it. Share it. Love it. Live it.

 

The only thing that is worse than never trying is the regret that will fill your heart and steal your joy if you don’t. I write this to you, but I’m speaking to myself as I write.

 

Sometimes, I lose sight of my vision. I get angry that I’m not where I see myself, only to be reminded that I still have so much to learn and do before I ever get to where I’m going. But that doesn’t make the journey any easier.

 

I seem to lose sight of my vision and forget my flight plan.

 

So right now, I’m gonna’ fly. Will you?

 

 

Blaze Your Own Trail

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Back when I wore a middle part (I still might do this even if my brother and boyfriend don’t like it) to school everyday and my teeth were similar to that of a jack-o-laterns, I discovered the world of fashion. I loved how clothing made me feel and what it said about my personality – even if that meant getting made fun of.

 

I was one of the first people to wear my boots on the outside of my jeans and my classmates thought I was nuts. I sported full jumpsuits and suspenders whenever I felt like it. Being from a small school in a small town of only 600, people didn’t know how to react when people dressed outside the everyday norm. Of course, their words hurt my feelings. Negative words are just as deadly as bombs. They kill our self-confidence and make us questions our identity. Longing for acceptance, I bought the Hollister brand jeans and American Eagle clothing (not that anything is wrong with these brands) to fit in with everyone else. But I wasn’t really being myself.

 

When you find yourself in a situation where you act like everyone else thinks you should act or dress how everyone else is dressing, you’re not being true to yourself. Everyone struggles with this in some area of their life. Mine happened to be fashion and my dreams of becoming famous (still waiting on this one to happen, HA!). Beyond not completely fitting in, I struggled with my body image and wishing I wasn’t so curvy. It takes work to like what you see in the mirror.

 

I can’t pinpoint the exact moment that I stopped caring about what people thought about my style, but I’m grateful I did. Whether it be your clothing, career choice, or what you like to do for fun, don’t let anyone tell you that you’re wrong because you’re just being yourself. Blazing your own trail isn’t easy. You might stand out, and that’s a good thing. It’s more than okay to blaze your own trail, but you have to be careful not to run over people in the process. It’s okay to be stubborn at times and do your own thing, but not at the expense of others. It’s impossible to be an island, where everything you do only effects you. Every decision we make effects someone else.When you stand out, people are watching you giving you the opportunity to be a positive influence in their lives. And most importantly, shine your light for God. So be a light, stay positive, and blaze your own trail.

 

Get the look:

{Dress: The Shop Around the Corner in Franklin, TN, similar here}

{Floppy Hat: A T avenue, here}

{Shoes: Maurice’s, similar here}

{Bag: A T avenue, similar here}

{Bracelet: A T avenue, similar here}

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The Adventure Begins With You

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Mint grain bins are my favorite. Especially when they are located in the small town you live in. As mint is my favorite color, my pastel floral jogger pants went perfectly with this grain bin! All grain bins should be painted with pastels. I’m writing you today from Durango, CO as I’m visiting my boyfriend on my spring break. If you ever get the chance to travel to Colorado, do it. Especially to Durango. It’s this amazing small, up and coming mountain town with gorgeous downtown shops and gobs of kraft breweries. Not to mention the view is spectacular.

 

Speaking of spectacular, I am stoked that these pants are back in style. It’s like wearing socially acceptable pajamas, and its considered fashionable. I picked up these jogger pants in the small island of Tobago at a little store on the coast of Buccoo Bay. Not only are they light weight and comfy, they also have pockets. Score!! Jogger pants are becoming quite the trend this spring season. I paired mine with my favorite wedges from Off Broadway Shoes. These shoes are  my absolute favorite. If you can find a comfortable pair of wedges, it’s a good day. This top is a Lauren Conrad design from Kohl’s. The jeweled lapel is what did it for me. I wear this tucked in to my favorite pants or skirt or even under a crew neck sweater that desperately needs a pop of bling.

 

Let me talk about this simplistic long necklace. I snagged this necklace from the new A T avenue spring arrivals! Simplistic jewelry is very popular this year, especially as the bohemian style is emerging. This spring and summer, instead of wearing a heavy statement necklace, opt out for a simplistic look and layer your favorite necklaces for a eye catching street style fav.

 

Being out in Colorado, it’s made me appreciate how wonderful traveling is. I know it can be expensive, but if you save up and find cheap flights, it will be the best thing you ever did for yourself. It opens your mind to new cultures, breath-taking views, and mouth watering foods you’ve never even heard of before. This world is a big place and we are in an age where we have the resources and transportation to explore it. Get out a piece of paper and pen and make a list of the top three places you want to visit. Mine are Australia, Seattle, WA, and road trip down the east cost, starting in Maine and ending in the Florida Keys. It doesn’t have to be anything outrageous and even if it is, you now have physical evidence that your heart desires to explore the three places on that piece of paper.

 

I challenge you to start making plans to cross those three places off your list so you can add three more! Grab your favorite pair of wedges, a comfy pair of jogger pants, a Polaroid camera, your best friend, and make it happen! The world is yours for the taking darling, it’s time to explore. The adventure begins with you.

 

Get the look: {Top: Kohl’s, similar here} {Joggers: Tobago boutique, similar here}

{Shoes: Off Broadway Shoes, similar here}

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