Being Bohemian with Shannon Jenkins

How To Be Boho Chic

Guest Post by Shannon Jenkins

I've always loved the free-spirited indie appeal of bohemian style. Wanting to learn how to achieve this look, I knew I had to get the expert advice of fashion blogger Shannon Jenkins. Shannon's blog, Upbeat Soles is a stunning example of modern bohemian style, where she displays perfectly put together outfits that are exemplary of this hippie chic theme. 

Here are Shannon's Tips on Bohemian Style...

Hi all of Sam's beautiful readers! This is Shannon of Upbeat Soles! The lovely Sam has asked me to take over for the day and talk a little bit about my favorite style, bohemian! A little bit about me, I am a born and raised Florida girl blogging about my love of fashion with daily outfits. I would describe my style as trendy with a definite bohemian vibe! So lets get started shall we!

So when choosing a bohemian style top definitely go for something loose fitting and flowy! Peasant tops, crop tops, baby doll tops are always a safe bet! For the detailing, go for a top with embroidery, lace, crochet, tie dye, fringe, or an aztec/tribal pattern. 

When picking out shorts, high waisted is the way to go, and more distressed the better! As for cotton shorts, go with a fun aztec or tribal pattern. Even better, try ones with a cute pom pom detail!

For pants, flare flare flare! What's bohemian without a little flare!? If you're feeling really bold, go with a patterned flare or even a lace! Also, a jogger or track pant in a fun pattern can be super boho!

If you are new at the boho style definitely start with a dress! So easy and beautiful! The same applies to dresses as the tops, loose fitting, flowy and lots of details and patterns! You really can't go wrong!

Shoes! My favorite part! You will always be safe with a good gladiator to complement your boho look! Get bold and go with a knee high gladiator! Also, the chunky wooden heels are super trendy right now and don't forget the Birkenstocks (because we all know everyone loves them ;)) For the details, look for embellishments, like studs or beads. Feeling funky? go for some fringe!

A good boho look is never complete without some headwear! Embellished headbands, turbans, felt fedoras, and flower crowns you can't go wrong with!

The absolute most important part of a boho look, jewelry! The more the better! Go for jewelry with coins, fringe, lots of layers, gemstones, and of course, turquoise! For the bracelets and rings, layer them up, like I said the more the better and don't forget about the armband! 

I am definitely no expert on the bohemian style, but honestly I don't think bohemian has an expertise! It is all about being relaxed and free, there is really no right or wrong! There are really so many variations of the boho style! I would like to call my style more boho chic, although I still love that raw bohemian look! I will leave you with a few of my own favorite bohemian looks and feel free to click on the picture to see the full post! Also, if you feel I missed something you think is important to the bohemian style, please do tell below! :)

Thanks to the lovely Shannon for this wonderful guest post and for sharing her personal style photos. You can catch up on more of her inspiring outfits here

Looks of the Week - 05/07/14

The weekly roundup of celebrity style, on and off the red carpet.

Taylor Swift's Street Style

I may not be able to name a single Taylor Swift song, but I must admit that this girl dresses well.
1. The songstress wears a lemon checked Miu Miu top with a mint green Topshop skirt, styled with a taupe Dolce & Gabbana bag and orange hued Seychelles sandals.
2. Taylor is pretty in a red and white floral printed Oscar de Renta dress, adding a bright apple green Elie Saab bag and green heels to elevate her outfit.
3. The 24-year-old was spotted this week in a green and white tropical printed romper from Topshop, which she paired with suede mustard Gucci shoes and her favored Dolce & Gabbana bag.


Denim Nation

Jamie Chung wears a sleeveless denim vest with a pleated black midi skirt, expertly accessorized with a tiger print tote and two-tone sandals, both by Loeffler Randall, with straw hat in tow.
Anja Rubik looked runway ready with a camel suede coat paired over her denim shirt and cut-off shorts. Trendy high black gladiator sandals complete her look. 
Jessica Alba's summery white midi dress is given an urban touch via a faded denim jacket. She walks in nude tie-up Monique Lhuillier sandals.
Karolina Kurkova suavely wears her classic beige trench coat over a black top, jeans & sneakers.
Gisele Bundchen is effortlessly chic in a this light blue denim Sam & Lavi jumpsuit, worn with flat tan sandals and a Prada bag.


Get Printy

Fearne Cotton's eclectic Aztec printed coat is added to a prim white shirt and black skirt, with azure blue shoes to brighten things up.
Ashley Tisdale is patterned in a black and white cropped top and flaired skirt by Parker, styled with a leather IRO biker jacket and multi-strap shoes.
Emmy Rossum waves by in a simple black top and chic greyscale printed trousers. A pop of colour is provided by her red Ralph Lauren bag.
Poppy Delevingne's pretty tapestry printed dress is given an edge with pointy black ankle boots. 


Pale Veil

Nicole Peltz is stunning in a white cut-out Stella McCartney bodysuit worn under a sexy sheer scalloped lace Dolce & Gabbana skirt.
Princess Beatrice displays grace in this beautiful flower embellished Nicholas Oakwell Couture dress with sheer yoke & flaired skirt. She accessorized with a lime green clutch & lavender heels.
Keira Knightley looked elegant in an ivory and gold embroidered Simone Rocha dress.
Alessandra Ambrosio wears a cream lace Valentino dress that we have seen many times before, but still manages to make it stylishly her own.


Summer Soiree

Clémence Poésy is pretty in a pastel pink printed dress with tiered skirt by Chloé. The French actress added red ankle strap sandals and a pink Chloé clutch to the mix.
Samantha Barks was fitted in a metallic dusty rose corset dress by Burberry Prorsum.
Gemma Arterton wowed in this red hot number by Prabal Gurung, featuring a jacquard cropped top and exaggerated frill hemmed skirt. Ribboned red heels complete her look.
Zendaya Colemen shows off the artistic appeal of this jazzy Peter Pilotto digi-print one-shouldered dress with flaired skirt. Red heels compliment her outfit.
Keira Knightley takes a colourful risk in Chanel, wearing a beaded bodice dress with floral appliquéd skirt that's layered over a pair of white sheer wide leg pants.

Who is Your Favourite 'Look of the Week'?

Friday Frills - Life is a Privilege

Not all the puzzle pieces of life will seem to fit together at first, 

But in time you’ll realize they do, perfectly. 

 So thank the situations that didn’t work out for you, 

Because they just made room for the situations that will. 

 And thank the people who walked away from you, 

Because they just made room for the ones who won’t.

No matter how good or bad you think you have it, 

Wake up each day thankful for your life. 

Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. 

 Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, 

Think about what you have that everyone else is missing.

Think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive in your own shoes...

To breathe a fresh breath, to think another thought, to enjoy a new moment, 

To have options – then go out and make the day count.

Quote by Marc & Angel.  Image via Pinterest.

The Spirt of Summer with Vogue China 2014

Kati Necsher and Natalie Westling take a stroll through a field of dreams for Vogue China's whimsical July 2014 edition. Lensed by Mikael Jansson, the captivating editorial sees the models styled in glamourous bohemian-inspired outfits from Spring to Fall runway collections. Entitled 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', the duo encapsulate all that is idealistic about the warm season. Romantic floral crowns and vast grasslands add to the mystique of this fashion spread.

Russian-born, German-raised model Kati Nescher paints a dynamic picture on the cover of Vogue China, in a voluminous red floral Dolce & Gabbana gown with sweeping cape.

This hazy editorial features forest fairies in ethereal white dresses. Natalie wears an embroidered ivory look by The Row and Kati is enchanting in a sheer Temperley London gown.

American beauty Natalie Westling displays the bohemian undertone of designer Anna Sui in an eclectic teal blue and gold damask printed dress. Her brown suede boots by by Miu Miu.

Natalie and Kati capture an indie essence wearing flower embroidered lace & sequin gowns by Marc Jacobs.

Kati is pixie pretty in a petal pink ruffled cotton frock by Isabel Marant.  

The free-spirited ambience of this editorial is captured in animated blue dresses by Chloé.

Capturing the woodland spirit, Kati wears a Western inspired look in an embroidered white prairie blouse with fringed sleeves and skirt from Chanel's Pre-Fall 2014 range.

Kati unveils an early winter trend in a metallic gold lurex and velvet tapestry printed gown by Etro.

Natalie enjoys the summer sun in a cornflower blue lace Michael Kors midi dress.

Kati is angelic in a fluttery white V-neck Philosophy dress with tiered butterfly sleeves & frilled empire waist.

Olive green has never looked more appealing. Kati wears a beautiful gardenia embroidered tulle illusion bodice gown from Valentino's Fall 2014 collection.

This dreamy white chiffon gown with colourful floral appliqués & lace sleeves is by Alberta Ferretti.

What do you think of this Romantic Summer Editorial?