Fall Photo Shoot!

SPOTTED:  A caravan of Groove Girls driving around Santa Barbara with flowers in their hair and arms full of shoes.  They quick change, accessorize, touch up their makeup and hair.  Why are they dressed for the springtime in the middle of winter?  Well, you’ll just have to read on, because I’ll never tell!

                           XoXo,

                           Groove Girl

  Our Newest Groove Girls

It’s that time again, and I’m not talking about the holidays.  This past Friday, Groove Footwear featured the newest styles from our Spring and Fall 2014 lines in our photo shoot!  This shoot went unbelievably well…they just keep getting better every time!  Through all of the ups and downs, the stress and drama, we had yet another fabulous shoot!

Planning one of these takes a lot of time and organization!  We had to start planning it almost 2 months ahead of time!  The first obstacle was finding our photographer, hair and makeup stylists, wardrobe, and the most fun part…the budget!  Nothing gets officially booked until we coordinate and adjust our budget until its just right.  Our amazing photographer, Christianne Taylor, was our first to lock in for the shoot.  Her work is so beautiful, feminine, charming and whimsical.  While having experience in editorial, the weddings and other events she captures give her that versatility that makes her the perfect fit to capture the essence of Groove Footwear.

After the photographer, makeup artist, Janice Johnson, and hair stylist, Katie Lee were scheduled, it was time to start scouting the talent.  Chase stepped in to help add a little masculinity into the mix….hey, I mean we’ve either got a crush, a boyfriend, or hubbie.  It’s very important to find the right face and look for our newest Groove Girls.  We looked through so many amazing and beautiful young women, but when you see a Groove Girl, you just know.  We chose our fabulous threesome, Gabby, Hannah, and Leila, because they exude Groove Girls from the inside out. 

Once we got everyone booked, it was time for the fun part…wardrobe!  In order to really understand what types of looks we needed we had to pick out which shoes we wanted to features, as well as get a good feel for the locations.  On the Monday before the shoot, we drove up to Santa Barbara and scoped out a few prime locations.  In collaboration with Christianne, we solidified our 3 locations and storyline for the day.

Then it was time for the fun part...picking out all of the clothes and accessories! It's like the ultimate game of dress up...only with life-sized Barbies!  Along with our own clothing, we are so grateful to have been able to pull items from Holly Sharpe; a local Laguna Beach boutique we are obsessed with! 

One of the best characteristics of Groove Footwear is that no matter what you wear, Groove has the perfect pair!  We wanted to tell the story of a day in the life of a Groove Girl.  She can wear the same shoes from day to night, from class to the mall.  

We started off with a whimsical and feminine atmosphere at one of the Santa Barbara Mission locations.  The girls had flowers and braids in the hair, natural faces, and very casually elegant outfits.   We had SO much fun with the flower crown headpieces! Just amazing.  To switch it up a little, we added in a little a little black, fur and flannel to feature our trendiest boot collection for fall and show off a little bit of Groove’s edgier side.

Next we came back to the studio to refuel, change, and get ready for the next location.  To incorporate the playful, innocent and fun side of Groove, our Groove Girls hit the road for the beach in a vintage pink jeep in colorful outfits and fun Groove styles!  

After a day at the beach, what’s more fun than a bonfire party while the sun sets?!  Our boho-chic bonfire was the perfect place to wear our newest casual springtime styles, like our gladiator sandals and wedges.  Cuddling up next to a cozy fire in our Comfy slippers is such a perfect end to a whirlwind day!  

Stay tuned for more behind the scenes and exclusive sneak peaks at some of the final shots!

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Meeting the Parents!

Meeting the Parents: Holiday Edition

SPOTTED: If coming face-to-face with his whole family for the first time over the holidays is totally stressing you out, don’t worry… Groove Girl’s got your back!  Take a deep breath and blow the family away with your impeccable styling choices that make you blend right in! 

XoXo,

With Thanksgiving around the corner it’s about that time to start looking up recipes and planning outfits.  Figuring out what to wear to your own family dinner is a piece of pumpkin pie, but what if you are attending your boyfriend’s Thanksgiving?  Meeting the parents can be scary enough, but now we’re adding in the whole fam…yikes!

Impressing your man? Easy. Impressing his family?  Take note on these quick tips to keep in mind:

·      Don’t ask him about all 50 potential outfits.  Chances are he has no idea what all the fuss is about and you might make him feel like he should be stressing about you meeting them too. 

·      Read up on the names of the family members that will be there and try to get pictures of them.  This will help you recognize them before you’re introduced.

·      Don’t come empty handed.  You don’t have to go Martha Stewart on them, but bringing a bottle of wine or a nice box of chocolates will definitely earn you brownie points right off the bat!

Dressing to impress his family can be a little tricky if his family is more, or less, traditional than yours.  A great way to gauge the formality of the day is to Facebook creep on last year’s pictures!  Not only will you ensure your appropriate for the occasion, but you can also get some inspiration for outfits the women of the family will automatically love. 

So, his family is a laid-back, no drama, and casual celebratory group.  Even though it is a casual occasion, you still want to look your best because, hey, it’s still a holiday party.  You might come off the wrong way if you show up in a black mini dress, pumps, and bold jewelry.  Instead, opt for a classic, conservative style like this: 

Let’s turn it up a notch; his family is traditional, but in the no frills way.  You’re still not going to want to be super dressy, but jeans are not an option for the dinner table.  Show his parents that you’re a mature, sweet and confident young lady.  Try pairing a modest blouse with a feminine skirt…remember the fingertip rule ladies!  Ballet flats and simple jewelry will complete the look.  Try and pick jewelry that holds a sentimental value that can be a great conversation starter to break the ice before you get to know everyone. 

Woah there...It’s a holiday soirée!  To fit in at the table you’re going to need to look classic and modest…we’re not dressing up for a night in Vegas!  You’re not trying to be too trendy or audacious.  You want them to see you as a classic, sophisticated, and mature woman who they’ve always wanted their son to end up with.  Choose a dress that is figure flattering, but not too tight.  These are some great examples:

Dig out your classic, closed toed pumps, or dressy flats if his mom is petite.  Picking a dress with interesting detail (like a bow, pockets, or a plume) and have fun with your accessories.  Grab a tasteful glitzy clutch, statement necklace, or a gorgeous pair of earrings.  Timeless staples and classic (or even better, vintage/family heirlooms) will score you major style points.

Be sure to keep your hair clean and simple…stay away from the pageant curls or formal updo.  Especially if there are grandparents present, keep your makeup natural looking and shy away from the eyeliner.  Dressing the part is key when meeting your guy’s parents, especially when that first impression is over Thanksgiving, or other holidays.  Be sure to be yourself, but stay confident, polite, well mannered, and poised.  Most importantly, relax!  You got him to fall in love with you, most likely they will too!

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A Groove Your Wallet and Body Will Love!

SPOTTED:  Organic foods, lower calorie entrées, and healthy alternatives all seem to have steeper prices.  Busy students, professionals, moms and other women rushing to pick up takeout or find a short fast-food line.  Why does it seem so difficult to eat healthy, while also being frugal?  You'll need to read on, because I'll never tell!

                  XoXo,

                  Groove Girl

Lunches That Will Slim You and Your Wallet! 

What is worse than getting the mail to find this months credit card statement? Seeing in black and white how much you spent eating out for lunch!  Especially with the holidays coming up we are going to really need to make our wallets stretch. An easy way to treat your wallet to a well-deserved vacay is cutting out the take-out.  Meal planning can feel a little overwhelming, but don't worry I'm sharing some great tips on how to save your wallet (AND your figure) for the holidays with easy and healthy lunches!

I seriously don't understand why it seems so hard and expensive to be healthy...especially opting for healthy alternatives at your favorite restaurant.  The best way to get more bang for your buck is stocking up on frozen meals. You can make a variety of dishes out of the same ingredients (buying in bulk can cut costs and keep your freezer stocked all month!) with little to no effort.  You can make a healthy pot of yummy soup (frozen into a weeks worth of portions) for the cost of a slice of pizza! The best thing about veggie packed soup is that it tricks your body into being more full because it's hot and full of fiber (did you know you'll eat less of your meal if you enjoy a cup of soup first).  Just be sure when making frozen soups to remember these tricks.  Wild rice freezes better than white, stay away from cream based soups, and keep your veggies undercooked so they're just right when you reheat!  Also, bean based soups are best and if you are adding cheese, do so after reheating.

Another healthy alternative for lunch is the mason jar salad!  These are genius, I promise. Have you ever tried to bring a salad for lunch and by the time you go to eat it, it is just a soggy mess!? As long as you layer your ingredients the right way, you'll have a crispy and tastes salad every time!  Another reason why I love the mason jar salad is I can keep my meals under 400 cals while staying around $5 per serving!

So, you've got your mason jars (Michaels craft store has tons of sizes) and you’re probably wondering what is this magical combo?  Dressing, hard vegetables, protein, grain, soft vegetables, greens.  Here are some of my favorite delicious combos that will slim down your figure and credit card bill.

There you have it.  Don't drop another pair of heels worth of cash on takeout any more!  Have you had any great jar salads, or other great healthy lunches?  Let us know below :) Be happy and live healthy, Groove Girls!

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On-the-clock Outfit Ideas

SPOTTED:  Blazers, slacks, pointy toes and hair pulled in tight buns.  Beige on the walls, hard metal cabinets, black desks and old coffee.  Break the office drab and save your style!  Don't ask me how, though, because I'll never tell!

As office dwellers by day, fashionistas by night, we have witnessed the pain and suffering our style has endured.  Navigating office dress codes can be tricky and it's usually our style that suffers.  However, it doesn't have to be a suit to be suitable for work.  I am going to help you build a work wardrobe that's equal parts professional and trendy.  Your favorite stores are stocked with the best styles to take you through your work day (and after hours) in style. Don't let your work style put you to sleep anymore!

Most professional outfits tend to suck the femininity out of you, but lucky for us more feminine silhouettes are a huge comeback this fall! The first style that you just have to have in your work wardrobe is the modern suit.  The modern suit gives you more freedom to express your style through mixing different fabrics, lengths, colors, and styles.  You can achieve that feminine, and sophisticated, look that doubles for the office and happy hour after!

Probably one of the most flattering trends out there right now is THE must-have to wear to the office, or anywhere...I'm obsessed!!! It's the peplum!  Peplums on coats, dresses, skirts, shirts of all kinds, it's everywhere you look...and for good reason.  Who wouldn't want to have a smaller waist, more defined hourglass figure, no pooch, and that classic polished look?

Rocking a pair of dress slacks isn't the most fun garment to wear whilst staying super cute.  So, try adding some printed pants into the mix.  Stay simple and polished everywhere else with a bold geometric print on your pants (or skirt).

Leather is not just for bikers or rock stars anymore!  There are tons of fun ways to incorporate this edgy trend into your work wardrobe.  You can play up your safe, boring knit sweater with a leather skirt, or throw on a leather jacket instead of your blazer.

Choosing which style skirt is best for your office depends on your dress code, but the midi skirt is one that will fit in with most workplaces.  Since it is a little longer in length, and has a little more volume, make sure to pair it with a fitted top.

Finally, no outfit is complete without some accessories!  Especially if your workplace is more strict and limiting in the style department, you can always stay styled with bold accessories.  If you must dress in blacks, greys, whites, and the drab family of beige, put that color back in your life with statement necklaces, layered chains, arm candy, rings, or earrings.  Not a big bling fan? Try out a bold bag or clutch.

 For some great personality-improving makeup tips that are perfect for the workplace, check out this video for some great tips.  Now you're all ready to give your on-the-clock look a major style injection and make a lasting impression every day of the week!


XoXo,

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