Crop-tops: are they making a comeback?

A few seasons ago, I read about the "40% Rule" in Glamour magazine. (Here's the link to a similar article from the Telegraph). In condensed form, you want to have no more than 40% of your skin showing per outfit. So you're wearing a backless gown to that black-tie event? Cover up the front. Same goes with your legs-- if you can rock the short-shorts trend, don't wear something revealing/tight/skimpy on the top. Keep the amount below 50%.

This relates to the comeback of cropped or circle tops. Now, I say comeback because the first crop-top I ever got was from my mom's best friend back in 2002--I was 7. These tops are a great way to show some skin without overdoing it. In fact, here a few examples from a recent purchase:

Pink and red striped "circle tee" HIP $34 ($15 at Nordstrom Rack)

James Perse white box tee $175 ( $15 at Found Underground)

Love on a hanger lilac lace tank $32 ($8 at Nordstrom Rack)

And a few more from celebrities, models and real-girls alike:

I would wear these fashionable tops with jean shorts or jeans for day, a cute skirt for night:

Crop-tops have also been a major fashion staple for those of us that go to concerts or festivals like Lollapalooza. Next week, I'll be posting my outfit for the Ke$ha/LMFAO concert, Saturday, Sept. 3. Expect lots of glitter. 

How do you even spell it anyway?

So today was my 1st day of sophomore year, and yes, that is how you spell it to answer the question I got asked all day. Of course we (as a reference to my class) weren't going to even attempt to shout out our cheer at the pep assembly this morning because a) we would get mauled by the seniors/juniors and b) no one knows how to spell it. I could guarantee that an "f" would be shouted out instead of the "h" or someone might take out all the vowels...it's best just to leave it alone.

Last night I debated what to make my grand entrance in for about 2 hours. I tried on dress after dress, shorts, skirts, rompers and finally made up my mind after changing about 15 times. I wore my Elizabeth and James white ruffle tank from Neiman's, a navy patterned bandage skirt from Forever 21, jewelry from Forever 21 and Aldo, my coveted Steve Madden jeweled sandals and my spiffy new leopard backpack. Ok, I guess that doesn't really count as an accessory but for once my school supplies is actually cute so it's an upgrade of sorts.

All the other kids with their pumped up kicks

I love this song by Foster the People:

This song served as my cousin's and my "jam" when we were together back in my hometown of Jackson Hole, WY just last week.  Though it's not obvious, for my lack of blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes, I am 25% Swedish and thus decided to substitute "kicks" for "clogs."I do not currently own any clogs but rather stole my grandma's that were 2 sizes too small to wear to campfires and such.

Even though I don't have any "kicks", I did acquire some  snazzy new Birkenstocks from my Aunt Shelley. Yes, they are Birkenstocks but they are way too fashionable to make me look like a hippie.

My cousin also gave me a tan, Lucky Brand purse and some Ray Ban wayfarers:

However, I'd say that my best, most recent purchase would be my new, leopard, Jansport backpack, as school starts in an unsettling 4 days:

You can buy one too at: http://jansport.com/js_product_detail.php?cid=1&pid=TDN7.

I love love love love anything leopard, but it has to be tastefully done like a Betsey Johnson cosmetic case, not some stripper boots.

Here are a few examples:

Look out for a blog post coming this weekend/early next week to see what I'll be wearing for the first day of sophomore year!