Movie Review: Dallas Buyer's Club

I saw Dallas Buyer’s Club the other day and the movie was inspiring.  Matthew McConaughey stars as Ron Woodruff, a rodeo cowboy who is notified that he is HIV positive and only has 30 days to live.  Responding shockingly to the diagnosis, Ron takes matters into his own hands after lack of FDA approved medication in the U.S.  Ron travels to Mexico where he learns of alternative treatments and starts smuggling the medications into the U.S.  With the help of his unlikely business partner, Rayon (Jared Leto), a fellow AIDs patient and transgender woman, they establish the “Dallas Buyer’s Club”, where H.I.V. positive patients can pay a membership fee and then receive free medication and treatment.

This movie was inspiring to me because it dealt with fighting for acceptance, especially since this movie was set in the early stages of the AIDS epidemic where patients were stereotypically homosexual men.  Ron was ostracized by his longtime friends and community to the point where he wasn’t allowed to work as an electrician and he was evicted from his neighborhood.  He felt isolated and the only support he received was from fellow AIDs patients.

I give Dallas Buyer’s Club my seal of approval due to a great storyline along with powerful and believable performances, especially by Matthew McConaughey, and Jared Leto.  If you enjoy stories of survival and finding friends in unlikely places, I would recommend this movie.

The message I received from this movie is that you only have one life to live, so make sure you live the want because you may not have it for long.

What movies have you seen lately?

Winter Staple: Chunky Sweater

Sweater (Old Navy); Gray Shirt (BCBG Generation); Olive green pants (Old Navy);
 Ankle Booties (Kohls); Necklace (gift)

Yesterday, snow came!  I enjoy snowy weather when it's light and fluffy and when there is not any wind.  I don't like it when there are just sheets of ice.  It used to always be a hassle for me driving in the snow, but gratefully now I have a vehicle that drives well in snowy conditions.  When the weather gets chilly, I love wrapping up in warm chunky sweaters.  I bought this sweater this past winter and it has become one of my most versatile winter pieces.  Since the sweater has a neutral pattern, I can wear it with multiple color shirts underneath, such as red, teal, and of course other neutrals as shown.  Another great combo of mine is pairing the sweater with colored jeans or jeggings.

Do you own a chunky sweater?  What do you pair it with?  

2014: Crazed Chameleon Reloaded

Hello again!!  I’m back in business.  It’s been awhile since I’ve written a post for Crazed Chameleon.  Many things happened in the year 2013 that took priority over writing my blog – I was involved in a musical called Eating Raoul at Tallgrass Theatre Company, I moved from my hometown of West Des Moines to Johnston, I bought a new car, I traveled to New Orleans for a wonderful and relaxing vacation, and I gained more marketing responsibilities at my job.  I also just recently went a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean with my awesome family this past January.  Now it’s already February 2014 and I’m reloading Crazed Chameleon once again.  Along with the reloading process, I’m revamping it as well.

Originally, my message with this blog was to inspire readers with different styling techniques and creative outfit options when dressing.  I wanted to encourage readers to challenge themselves to think outside their box and to acknowledge the versatility every clothing item has and how it can be used in various ways. Now I want to depict the same message, but expand it to life in general.  Not only will I write about fashion (which is my primary focus), but I will discuss my other passions and interests, which include performing arts, television and film, health and fitness, hair and beauty, interior design, professional development, entertaining, and much more.  Think of it as a lifestyle blog with a motivational kick.  I have many interests and I want to share them all with you.  I love embracing life and inspiring people to challenge themselves to try something new.  Come take this journey with me while we explore and experiment with new creative opportunities while discovering your inner chameleon!          

Week of Chic: Green with Envy

Last week I decided to be inspired by my favorite color green.  Each outfit last week is designed for a business casual workplace which includes a different shade or tint of green.  Below are a few ideas to incorporate different hues of green into your wardrobe.

Monday: Mint sweater

Monday I could slowly feel the cooler, autumn weather approaching, but I wasn’t ready to put away my pastel colors just yet.  Instead, I decided to transition my mint sweater into an outfit that mixes both summer and fall.  I recently bought a pair of navy dress pants and I thought this was a great opportunity to combine navy and mint together.  Since I thought white heightened the mint color and made it pop more, I wore a white tank top underneath and added white kitten heels.  To add more dimension, I wore a navy boyfriend blazer with a teal skinny belt to accentuate my waist.  This outfit transitions well from business casual to casual by just swapping the navy dress pants with a pair of dark-washed skinny jeans and some boats shoes.

 

 

 

Mint sweater (Charlotte Russe); Navy Pants (Gap); Navy Blazer (H&M); Teal belt (TJ Maxx); White kitten heels (Plato's Closet)

 

 

Tuesday: Kelly green café pants

Tuesday I woke up already wanting to wear my kelly green café pants with a top knot.  Since I think a top knot hairstyle gives off a modern edgy look, I decided to build my outfit around that theme.  To enhance the edgy vibe, I wore a leopard mock turtleneck sleeveless top with black western-inspired boots and a skinny black belt.  To keep the look more appropriate for the workplace, just add a black blazer which gives a tailored touch to the ensemble.

 

 

Kelly green pants (Express); Leopard top (Express); Belt (Target); Western-inspired boots (BCBGeneration at Dillards); Earrings (Gift)

 

 

Wednesday: Teal flowy skirt

Wednesday I wore my teal flowy skirt which can be altered for the cooler weather by complementing it with tan suede boots and a lightweight blazer over a purple tee.  I completed the casual chic look with a bracelet with teal, purple, and silver detailing.

 

 

Teal flowy skirt (Walmart); Purple shirt (Plato's Closet); Blazer (Target); Boots (Second-hand store) Bracelet (Kohl's)

 

Thursday: Olive safari shirt

Thursday I started my outfit choice with my new snake printed stilettos as my inspiration.  These heels have a hint of olive green in them so in response I decided to pair the shoes with an olive green two-pocket safari shirt. I wore a simple black bandage pencil skirt and layered a light khaki blazer over the shirt to reflect the colors of black and light tan alluded in the snake-print.  I finished the look with a silver skinny belt at the waist and silver necklace and earrings to imitate the light sheen on the stilettos.  Simple hair and makeup kept the look clean and tailored.  For a more casual look using the olive green shirt, go to Grecian Casual post.





 

Olive green safari shirt (Express on sale); Black power skirt (BCBG Max Azria); Khaki blazer (Target); Silver belt (TJ Maxx); Snake-print Heels (Target)

 



 

Friday: Lime green v-neck sweater

Two things I love about this sweater are that it can be worn with or without the white collar and the fabric makes it appropriate for cooler and warmer weather.  I felt inspired by the 1970’s decade after watching the movie Dazed and Confused.  Since jeans can be worn at my workplace for casual Friday, coincidentally, I paired the sweater with my high-waisted wide legged jeans and threw a big brown belt around my waist.  I coated the look with a pendant peace sign necklace and plum floppy hat as homage to the decade.   

 

Lime green sweater (The Limited); Jeans (Victoria's Secret Catalog); Belt (Borrowed from my mom); Peace Pendant (Forever 21); Floppy Hat (Gordmans)

 



 

Schoolhouse Rock

This past couple of weeks, many students have been going back to school, rather it be middle school, high school, or college.  I remember this time of the year was not my favorite because it meant the end of summer and the start of homework.  Even though I loathed going back to school, it was an opportunity to see the up and coming fashions being worn and also the beginning of football season!  Below I have concocted three outfits suited for autumn which are collegiate inspired that references both the innocent and rebellious personas.

 

The Rebel with a Fashion Cause

 According to stereotypes from movies, anyone who wore a leather motorcycle jacket to school was considered a rebel.  These people lived by their own rules, especially how they dressed.  As a tribute to the rebels and t-birds of the classic teen movies, I added a black leather jacket to a classic collegiate plaid oxford shirt.  To keep the look rebellious, I stuck with black skinny cigarette pants a là the Pink Ladies of Grease and red stilettos to add a feminine touch.  A topknot keeps the look modern while having a rockabilly vibe.

 

 

Plaid shirt (American Eagle); Black pants (Gap); Leatherette jacket (Lauren Conrad Collection at Kohl's); Red belt (Target); Red Stilletos (Charlotte Russe)

 

The Class President

Displaying a clean, tailored silhouette, this look embodies an authoritative and sophistication woman, who is well-known for her involvement in school.  I paired the classic letterman cardigan sweater with tailored navy trousers.  The red tee and heels adds some youthful freshness to the ensemble, while the long pearls keeps the look conservative and classic.  This outfit would be perfect for a day at a business casual office setting.

 

 

 

Letterman sweater (Forever 21); Navy Trousers (Gap); Red tee (Kohl's); Red Stilletos (Charlotte Russe); Pearls (my Grandma's vintage jewelry)

 

 

The Innocent Bookworm

This outfit is paying homage to my Catholic school roots. Even though we weren’t required to blazers or skirts with knee-high socks, every prep school I have read in books or have seen in movies and on television, references these familiar items.  To recreate the innocent schoolgirl identity, I combined a wool pleated skirt with a cream turtleneck and knee high socks.  Brown oxford shoes, thesignature navy boyfriend blazer, and a headband polish the preppy look while a layered chain necklace gives it an edge.  Although, I’m not in school anymore, this outfit would be great for a day at the library or a café.

 

 

Cream turtleneck (BCBG Max Azria); Navy Blazer (H&M); Wool pleated skirt (Gap); Knee high socks (Target); Oxford shoes (Steve Madden at Dillard's); Chain necklace (a gift)

 

What do you think of these outfits?  Would you wear a collegiate inspired look?  How would you wear this trend?  



 

 

Spring into Fall

When you think of autumn and winter colors, you’re most likely thinking about deep hues, such as maroon, navy, or burnt orange, right?  I think of them too.  But I always feel sad for my pastel and neon/bright colored clothing, because they normally don’t get any loving during the colder months.  Well not anymore!  Every fashionista today knows you can wear white after Labor Day, so why not pastels and neons? There is no rule saying you can’t wear them during autumn and winter, you just need to know how to winterize your outfits with them. Below are different outfits with one item either being a pastel, bright, or neon and how that item can be transitioned from a summer look into a new ensemble for autumn.

Pale Pink Pleated Dress
Summer: My inspiration for this look actually came from my yellow wedges which contains a mauve and pink printed ribbon tied on top of the foot.  With yellow as being my complimentary color with the pale pink, I added a yellow cardigan and belt, and a vintage mauve necklace to keep the look bright and summery.  This outfit would be a great look for work or even a summer date (which is the occasion I wore it for).

Fall/Winter: To transition this look into fall, I paired the pleated dress with one of my favorite neutrals, khaki.  Of course you can pair this dress with black, but I thought khaki would be less harsh for autumn.   In creating this outfit, I was envisioning myself at a Parisian café drinking a latte. The khaki blazer adds some sophistication to the feminine pleated dress.  The oriental scarf, orange belt, and hat add an international flair while the suede boots enrich a cozy appeal.

Pink Pleated Dress(BCBGeneration);Yellow Cardigan(Express); Yellow Belt (TJ Maxx); Necklace (Vintage); Wedges (Charlotte Russe); Blazer (Express-sale); Orange Belt (Target); Orietal Scarf(Vintage); Suede Boots (Thrift Store)   

Neon Green Jeans

Summer: A colored jean is a must have for a fashionista.  Colored jeans can be worn numerous ways just as its normal blue jean cousin.  As a summer look, I went full blown bright with starting with my floral hoop earrings as the starting point.  These earrings have multiple colors, so I decided to choose a coral V-neck tee to compliment the neon green jeans.  Then I added a neon yellow belt to add more brightness.  I toned down the finishing look by wearing white wedges to match the base color in the earrings.  With a top knot as the ultimate hairstyle to show off those colorful earrings, I was ready for a casual date at the ice cream parlor.

Fall/Winter: One way to winterize neon jeans is by pairing it with black.  I chose a black and white striped sweater.  To make the look even cozier, I decided to add my black fur vest and black cowboy boots to embody the edginess of the get-up.  If you don’t want to resort to black, neon green also works well with navy, gray, or khaki as other neutral options.

Coral Tee (Target); Green Neon Jeans (Forever 21); Floral Earrings (Thrift Store); Wedges (Kohl's); Striped Sweater (Plato's Closet); Fur Vest (BCBGeneration); Cowboy Boots (BCBGeneration - Dillards)

Cobalt Blue Wide-Leg Pants

Summer: My inspiration for this outfit came from the bright combination of hues in a candy shop.  With the cobalt blue pants as my base, I decided to pair the color with hot pink with a neon yellow belt and hot pink heels.  What a great way to brighten up your wardrobe at work!

Fall/Winter:  This fall cobalt blue is a color trend this season.  Designers have been combining this color with black, so I decided to follow their lead and choose a sheer black blouse with a floral black belt to add more femininity to the ensemble.  Patent leather stilettos further the luxe romantic theme.

Cobalt Blue Wide-Leg Pants (BCBG Max Azria); Hot Pink button up (Gordmans); Neon yellow belt (TJ Maxx); Pink Heels (Wet Seal); Black Sheer Blouse (Vintage); Black Floral Belt (Wet Seal); Black Heels (Charlotte Russe)  

Mint Sweater

Summer: This past spring and summer, mint green has been a main color trend.  Paying homage to this pale green tint, I mixed the mint mesh sweater with crisp white skinny jeans and a teal skinny belt around the waist.  The white fedora and white kitten heels finished the preppy country club vibe I was visualizing.

Fall/Winter:  Transitioning mint into fall can be simple.  Mint can be paired with black (of course), but also navy, gray, and khaki.  However, I decided to be inspired by a certain ice cream flavor: mint chocolate chip.  I created a more casual look by pairing the mint sweater with chocolate brown corduroy pants and suede boots.  For accessories, a peace pendant necklace and knit hat works well in creating an autumn bohemian look.  Wearing these heavier fabrics, positions mint into a color that could be worn year round.    

 Mint Sweater (Charlotte Russe); White skinny jeans (Kohl's Lauren Conrad Collection); Teal Belt (TJ Maxx); White Kitten Heels (Plato's Closet); White Fedora (Target); Corduroy Pants (Gap); Suede Boots and Hat (Target); Necklace (Heritage)

One Red Blazer...Worn Three Ways

This coral red blazer from Express is one of my favorite pieces to wear! A bright pop of color can change any outfit.  Below are three different looks utilizes this one red blazer.

1.    Lunch on the Weekend – The blazer paired with jeans is a great combination for a casual lunch with friends and family.  Basic dark wash boot-but jeans with the jacket keeps the outfit tailored and sophisticated.  Don’t wear a lighter wash jean unless white or lighter colors are worn with it.  If you’re of an older age, please keep the jeans a darker wash because they make you look slimmer and darker jeans are more age appropriate.  Adding a coral necklace and an old gold shimmer top complements the look while keeping it fresh and modern.  Cage wedges and minimal makeup with a pop of a lip color help complete the ensemble.

Gold top (The Limited-sale), Jeans (Express); Wedges (Target); Coral Necklace (BCBG Max Azria)

2.    Polished at the Workplace – One way to wear this blazer for work during the summer months is to keep it simple and pair it with a crisp white oxford button-up.  During the summer, I enjoy wearing lighter colored pants and skirts.  A pair of khaki pants or even a pencil skirt is a great recommendation.  I paired this blazer with a pencil skirt to demonstrate the mixing of feminine elements (the skirt) and masculine characteristics (structured blazer).  I finished the look with white pointed kitten heels, red and white bangles, and a headband to add more feminine flair.

White safari button up (TJ Maxx); Bracelets ( a gift); Kitten heels ( Plato's Closet); Headband (Walgreens)

3.    Night out on the Town – This blazer is definitely a statement piece if worn at night.  I created a summer night out look using this blazer by adding some glitz underneath the blazer.  I love this spring’s art deco trend with embellished tanks, flapper dresses, and smoking jackets.  I incorporated this trend with an embellished tank and flashy chandelier earrings.  I then paired the tank and blazer with white skinny jeans to integrate into summer.  There are many different shoe options that can look great with this outfit, such gold strappy shoes, black wedges, or basic black pumps as I have shown.  Dramatic eyes with gold shimmery eyeshadow and glossy lips complete the look and you’re ready for a fun night!

Embellished tank (Charlotte eRusse); White Jeans (Lauren Conrad Collection at Kohl's); Black Pumps (Kohl's); Earrings ( Kol's); Envelope Clutch (BCBG Max Azria)