SHOWING SOME FLARE

I've traded in my skinnies for some flared jeans, and I forgot how good they feel. Do you remember wearing flared pants or even wide leg jeans? I know! It feels like a distant memory, but they are back in a big way and I finally bought myself a pair of Who What Wear jeans from Target. 

I love them because they make my legs look even long and my waist ity-bity. Oh yeah, did I mentioned they are high waist jeans that suck everything in too? Oh yeah, baby! This mama is one happy girl right now because, as I shared in a past post, my body isn't quite back to itself even though Levi turns 1 years old this coming week. AHH!

If you have long legs and a long torso, the key to wearing these jeans is to define your waist by tucking in your shirt. I don't like everything super structured, so I added my kimono (also from Target). A contrasting denim jacket would work well or simply a tank and t-shirt is always great. 

Length is always an issue when you wear flare pants. I'm going to hem these jeans because I love wearing lower heels. For now, it works with these suede wedges.  So, are you ready to get your pair of flare (see what I did there)? If you're a bit hesitant you can find them at Target on sale for $34.99. That's such a low price for a fashion experiment! Let me know if you try!

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

MY CODE OF ETHICS FOR BLOGGING & SOCIAL MEDIA

I had no idea that I would become a blogger and social media influencer when I started AVE Styles six years ago. The idea that people could make a living blogging and pinning on Pinterest wasn't conceivable. In fact, Pinterest just started six years ago. I'm so thankful that I get to share my ideas and thoughts with the world for a living, but with that power comes great responsibility, right? (Yeah, I totally borrowed that from Spider Man). 

Because this industry is so new, how to responsibly operate your business is a bit gray for us. We have Federal Trade Commission guidelines to adhere to and social media platform policies to obey, but how we choose sponsored projects with brands, whether or not we put ads on our sites, using affiliate links to make commission on sales all way down to doing Instagram giveaways to grow our following varies from blogger to blogger. So, I wanted to share with you my guidelines for AVE Styles, so you know what exactly to expect from me. 

1. AVE Styles first and foremost exists to positively encourage readers to find beauty in the messy world me live in. I do not want to cause harm, slander or portray anyone negatively in this space. If I find that any comments are hurtful I will delete them. If comments are simply different then they will remain. The fact that I get to make money as a blogger is amazing, but it comes second the purpose of my business. I only started making a living at blogging three years ago, and I would continue to blog and create even if I wasn't paid. 

2. In 2015, I decided that 95% of the image content that I share on my blog is styled and created with my hands along with my photographer. Any image that I share that is not mine I will cite and credit the owner of the image. I believe in the power of imagery and telling a story, and I plan to keep this value through my time as a blogger. This 95% rule also applies to Instagram.

3. I do not take brand sponsorships unless I personally enjoy the brand/product. All sponsored posts will state they are sponsored in the beginning of the blog post. Any sponsored social post will say it's sponsored in the hashtags of the post.

4. I have chosen not to place any ads on my site because I don't want them to detract from the conversation I'm hoping to have with my readers. 

5. I do use affiliate links when there's a product that is shop-able. 

6. I have chosen not to have any contributors on my blog, so that all words and ideas come from me. I do have an assistant that helps me draft my look for less posts and fashion trend features. However, they are all edited and reviewed by me personally. My assistant will also share on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn articles and videos that I find interesting. Again, everything is reviewed and approved by me, personally.

7. I do not use any third party networks to boost my traffic. I do not even paid for boosted posts on social media at this time. The only time a post has been or will be boosted will be at the request of a sponsor using their marketing dollars. 

8. I believe in organic growth on social media, and I have chosen not to participate in Loop giveaways or any other scheme to rapidly grow my following. If there is a giveaway on the blog or on social media it is only in conjunction with a brand partnership. I do have a group of 25 bloggers that regularly update and share what I'm doing on AVE Styles. We often comment and share each other's posts with our communities only if we genuinely enjoy the content and find it helpful to others. 

9. I feel that it's important to be honest and personable with my community. Authenticity is king. I'm still trying to find a balance of making sure my loved ones are protected and letting readers into our lives, but I never, ever want my community to get a false view of our lives. 

10. Blogging is my business, and I strive to do it with integrity. I'd rather forfeit dollars to maintain your trust and relationship than to make money. If you see or read anything that you find annoying, frustrating or distasteful please tell me. I want to know.

There is more to say on this topic, but I wanted to make sure these values and personal rules of operation were written down transparently for you to to know. Please feel free to ask more questions in the comments if you have them. 

THE "S" WORD

There are two words that begin with the letter "s" that have changed my life. The word "stupid" and the word "smart." Everyone has one or two words that can pack a punch to their heart in the best and worst way, and these are mine. 

Growing up, I was told I was stupid a lot, and by "a lot" I mean on a weekly basis and sometimes more depending on what had happened at school. I was put in the "slower" classes, tested for learning disabilities and I never once had a report card without a "c" on it. If adults and educators thought I was stupid surely they were the people who knew best, right? Even objective tests told me so. This word became part of my identity. "Hi, my name is Alex. I'm friendly, I'm creative, but I'm not smart."

I barely made it into college, which was am embarrassment as the only child of two educators with PhD's. I began as a business major, but I didn't make into the business school when my junior year came around. The only way I could graduate on time was to get a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (two minors that equal a major) with a focus on business and communication. I ended up graduating, getting a job and fitting in with the rest of the world. With school over with I wouldn't have to think about the "s" word too much anymore. It would creep in here and there when I made mistakes, but, for the most part, I never thought about the word. But, then I began a business...

Everyone has dreams for themselves regardless of their aptitude. Our dreams are all different, and some may seem smaller than others. I didn't stop dreaming just because I thought I wasn't as smart as my peers. I dreamt of being a big time fashion editor or stylist starting at the age of 14, and when I faced the trajectory of my life without achieving those things it looked bleak. Motivated by the fear of regret and the passion for the fashion industry, I steam rolled over this identity of being stupid, and here I am. 

But, you see, there's a problem. Even as I type, "stupid" still haunts me and the word "smart" feels like buried treasure at the bottom of the ocean. Because even though I'm running a profitable business, I've spoken at many conferences, I have a beautiful home that I can pay for, and other things that most would call "accomplishments" I haven't told myself that I'm smart and I haven't heard anyone else other than Ryan tell me that I'm smart. Well, until a couple days ago. On Sunday, the CMO of Chatbooks, Rachel Hofstetter, said that to me in a business meeting and again over email, "you are smart." I'm still in shock and blown away. I'm even moved to tears. I've never been so happy to hear the "s" word in my life, and it clicked. I really am a smart woman, and hearing it from an unbiased person and a peer meant more than anytime I've tried telling myself that I am. There's power in the unbiased voice from a peer. 

The whole reason why I share this all with you is to remind you how encouraging your peers means a lot. Even telling someone you barely know in a business meeting that they are smart can change their, so don't hold back. 

Photo by Rennai Hoefer wearing accessories from Fossil. 

AUTUMN SPICED ICED TEA

This post is sponsored by Gold Peak Tea.

I recently shared with you what home feels like to me, and I mentioned that sharing good food and drink with friends and family is essential. I really enjoy drinking iced tea (a love that I picked up while living in Houston). So, I'm happy to share a yummy fall iced tea recipe using Gold Peak Tea that I think will not only make you feel at home, but make you feel like you are drinking fall sip by sip.

AUTUMN SPICED ICED TEA

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup apple juice

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 orange, cut in half

1 cinnamon sticks (+ 4-6 for garnish)

2 whole star anise (+4-6 for garnish)

4 whole cloves

1.8 qt bottle Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea

Method:

Pour water & apple juice into a small sauce pot. Add sugar and whisk to dissolve. Take one half of orange and peel two long pieces of rind.  Slice other orange half into half moons and set aside. Place orange rind, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole star anise, and 4 whole cloves into sugar mixture. Place over medium high heat, and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

Remove spiced simple syrup from heat and strain into a bowl. Let cool for 20-30 minutes, or chill over night.

Pour spiced simple syrup into a large pitcher, and pour a (1.8qt) bottle of Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea into the pitcher. Mix tea and simple syrup together with a spoon or whisk. Feel free to add more or less syrup to your desired taste. Then pour spiced tea into ice filled glasses, and garnish with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise.

If you're entertaining, consider pouring the iced tea into pretty copper mugs like these that were designed by my friend Katie, and garnish with a cinnamon stick, orange rind or star of anise. I particularly love that the mugs say "gather" on them. It's a word we often use around Thanksgiving time, but it applies to anytime we're at home sharing good food and drink with friends.

Gold Peak Tea would love to hear what home feels like to you too! You can go enter their contest to win a trip back home and a custom experience while you're there. The deadline for entries is September 1st, 2016. Run, don't walk!

Photos by Rennai Hoefer, Recipe by Brendan McCaskey, Styled by Alex Evjen

FALL MUST HAVE BOOTS

This post is sponsored by Zappos and LuckyBrand.

When fall fashion season starts I do a little happy dance because that means it's boot wearin' time! As excited I get to buy new fall shoes, I hate the process of shoe shopping. It's frustrating for size 10, narrow, flat footed people. So, I do all of my shoe shopping online with Zappos now. It's fast, easy and the online reviews help so much in determining what size is best. In fact, I've teamed up with Zappos and LuckyBrand to share with you my favorite picks and how I style them on the daily.

Not only have I learned to shop exclusively online for shoes, but I've learned to stick with a couple tried and true brands that I know fit me well. Comfort is just as high of a priority as style to me, so LuckyBrand is a go-to for me. Their leather quality is wonderful and their styles always match my west coast easy style.

I have several booties in my shoe collection already, but I just can't resist buying a black and brown pair each year. This year I chose black leather booties with a slightly pointed toe (Eesa style) and toffee colored suede wedge booties (Yamina style).

My daily outfits no matter if it's during the week or weekend usually involve some kind of denim and simple color palettes. I just spoke at Say Hi Society about Pinterest, and I wore my gray blazer, jeans, a black t-shirt and these Eesa boots. I felt comfortable and confident the whole time.

I'm also loving head to toe blue these days. Blue hues are a huge color trend for fall. Though I don't mind mixing black and navy, brown just complements blue so well and gives that fall vibe you can't miss. The Yamina style is great for miles of walking because the wedge style is supportive for your feet. I've been wearing them while I play with the kids, shop and work, and I love that the suede material makes them wearable well into the spring.

If you're in the market for new boots definitely give these a try. You can easily purchase them on Zappos with free shipping and easy free returns. They come in just 3-5 business days too! Let me know what you think!

Photos by Rennai Hoefer