The Fast Fashionista

Welcome 2024!

HELLO 2024!!

I’m always so happy to welcome a new year and new start! I’m also thrilled out of my mind that this year starts with a MONDAY!I deeply love Mondays.

Every December, I like to reevaluate The Fast Fashionista. Which has been my little corner of the internet for almost ten years. Blogging has changed, content creation has changed, and I have changed. All (for the most part, minus some silly algorithm things) have been good changes. I’m in an extremely content place in my life and after my usual blogging hiatus (where I amerce myself in my kiddo’s birthdays, the holidays, and this year some travel) I’m back again and ready to welcome a New Year. Not a new me that’s for sure. Same me, even though I am always aiming to be better no matter what time of the year it may be.

Anywho. This space isn’t going to look too different in the coming year. I’m still keeping my three categories of Fashion, Food, and cocktails…fast. I’m not the blogger who is going to tell you a three year long story before I give you a recipe. No need for that. Who has the time for that anyways? Not I. This, and my Fall Fashion post are the longest posts. But that’s why I like to keep it. Short and sweet so you can check out something new but also get on with your life. I’m also not the blogger who will monetize. I’ve frequently gotten that question and it’s a simple answer. I don’t want to. This space is for me to share my passions and creativity not to make money from you reading that.

Last year, I started my “What I Pulled” segment. I didn’t get a chance to do as much with it as I wanted so I’m pulling it into 2024 and I’ll continue sharing with you outfits I pulled for whatever it is I’m doing. I’m also adding the science of fashion in with that. Think “dopamine dressing”. The fashion forward part of The Fast Fashionista has always been the most popular. It’s changed over the years from a year of color palettes and the Dior Dictionary year, two of my favorites. But, fashion is such a major part of my life and I love sharing looks and how and why I put them together. I feel style is a constant evolution and I love that so many of you have been on that ride with me throughout the years.

I absolutely have a passion for food! Mostly healthy with some cheat days sprinkled in. I’m pescatarian and dairy free 90% of the time and leave that 10% for special occasions or if I simply must create a certain dish. But I live for seafood so there will for sure be a lot of that.

I really like to focus on a few different things. One being making something that looks complicated and showing you that you can make it too and to not be afraid to try different things. Another being healthy foods made interesting and delicious. Being vegan sometimes can get a bad wrap but I absolutely love being creative in the kitchen, making cooking fun and elevated…usually with a glass of vino in my hand.

Speaking of having a drink in my hand… “My Martini Moment” is a segment that I’ve had around since the beginning. It’s taken on many different shapes and concepts but is now fast, pretty, and delicious cocktail recipes to share or keep for yourself. Since my early employment days of being a bartender (quick random story: I had to fight to be a bartender at a restaurant when I was a brand new 18. After holding a couple different positions there I wanted to bartend. I asked my boss who was, pardon my french, an asshole. He rolled his eyes and said no. After I asked again, thinking I’d never do it, he said he’d give me a daytime bar shift and if I made 50 dollars he would let me be a bartender. Well for my first daytime bar shift I made 150 dollars and I was put on as a bartender. Don’t ever tell me I can’t do something. Ha.) I fell in love with shaking up a good drink and sharing that experience. Experimenting with new cocktails is something (when I have the time) I love doing.

Well that about wraps up my blog breakdown for 2024. I can’t remember where I heard it but I think going into a new year and picking a word for it is really cool. So here’s mine: Elevate. I’m elevating everything baby. Fashion, food, drinks, and every damn part of my life. Down to the tiny details I’m bringing it all up and romanticizing it all.

With all of that said in my longest post of the year, I love that you’re here and that you let me share this part of my life with you. I’m forever grateful I’m able to step outside motherhood and dive into a different part of me that makes me feel alive. It’s a good balance.

I hope this new year brings you nothing but happiness, great outfits, delicious food, and really good cocktails.

Pulling Patterns

Hello, hello!

To add to my very busy life, I’m a t-ball mom now!

Theo really loves it but it sure does make for some busy days. So here is what I pulled for a day of drop offs, pick ups, errands, work, and finishing the day with t-ball.

Since it was chilly layers were very important. Another thing that’s very important? Your favorite denim. These are my go to jeans. Also, a no fail pattern to pull is stripes and plaids! This is a great outfit combination to have at the ready.

Another thing to have at the ready? An umbrella. Because rain, haha!

Have a great Tuesday! Be careful though, as you may know, I don’t trust them.

The Transitional Secret Weapon

Now that my Fall Fashion post is officially out of my head, I can focus on the other fun fashion things.

This week, in “What I Pulled”…

As you probably know I’m a very busy Mama to a five and three year old. They are both in some form of school so my days start early. Which is exactly the way I prefer it. I’m completely ready for the day and have their lunches packed by 6:30 am. This requires an outfit that is really going to be able to hang in there all day and not make me want to light it on fire.

I’m not one to always be thinking of comfort when it comes to style but some days demand it. What I pulled for a busy day of school drop off/pickup, errands, cleaning my house and whatever else I may have done was both stylish and comfortable but also great for this transitional weather here in Southwest Pennsylvania.

One of my secret weapons for the transition into fall weather is black bike shorts. Not only are the possibilities endless with dressing them up or down, they are so cozy. Mornings right now are chilly so I grabbed a seasonally appropriate print to layer that was lightweight. I threw it on over top of my black bodysuit and bike shorts for an instant look. But, once it warms up (or you break out into an uncontrollable sweat from getting small children out the door), take it off and tie it! Still cute, still put together, and you aren’t dying of a heat stroke.

For the shoe, a bootie is my favorite for this time of year. These chunky heeled shoes are perfect for a look with cool tones like this one. Finish the look with silver accessories (cool tones, see?). To further talk about completing the look, I ACTIVELY tried to not wear a hat. I just couldn’t stop myself from wearing one. I’m a hat girl. Why hide who you are? Haha!

Here’s to hoping your week is fantastic and full of good things!