Signature Pieces

I think it would be appropriate to give a little history on myself. I am not a cowgirl, in fact I have never been on a horse other than the merry go round kind. Up until a few years ago I had no interest in western fashion and certainly did not see myself purchasing let alone wearing anything remotely western.

I have a good friend that is actually married to our company President and we were at an activity and I noticed her boots. They were cute and made such a statement. Like myself, she is not a cowgirl, she doesn't dress western from head to toe. Just the boots. I would say that is the point I fell in love with western fashion.

It doesn't need to be a head to toe type of thing. Pick a signature piece weather it be boots, a hat, jeans, a belt,tops, jackets, or jewelry. What ever makes you feel great and fits your personality. I have some trendy tops that I sometimes pair with some slacks and flats or heels, but I pair it with jeans and a pair of boots and it creates a great and unique look that is all my own. A fun plaid button down looks really great with a pair of skinny jeans and flats also just as cute with boot cut jeans and boots (of course)

Pick just one piece and add it to your current wardrobe and you'll find yourself wanting to try incorporating other unique things.

Spring Trends

I read an article that stated, Trends begin, they evolve, and then they fade or simply become a standard. This is certainly true in the world of fashion. I set out to come up with an exciting report on the fashion trends of Spring 2011, and came up flat. Yes, there are some very exciting and different trends for the spring in the fashion world, but none seemed to really apply to the fashion of The Cowboy Way.

Why is that? Because the western style of fashion is a standard and not a trend. Not to say that there aren't trends that play into a standard, but they are in the details. So taking a different approach I came up with some of the great details that we will be seeing this spring.

Beginning with what I consider the standard of my wardrobe, jeans. This spring we will continue to see a lot of heavy embroidery and saddle stitching. Stitching adds a lot of interest and texture. Flap pockets are also another hot detail for the spring. Feminine rhinestones and studs are adding that extra little something. Another thing I noticed was that distressing is coming more in shades and tones on the denim with less fraying and tearing of the fabric itself. Boot cut still ranks number one, but Rock & Roll Cowgirl has an adorable pair of skinny jeans great for tucking into and showing off your boots.

In tops, fitted, feminine plaid button ups continue to be a great staple in both long and short sleeved. Fun, bright colors and topstitching are keeping things fresh. Burnout fabric seems to have carried over into spring fashions as well. There are some fun tops with burnout fabric used for the sleeves in a layered look. Flourishes are adding fun details to several tops.

There are also so many fun accessories to add to your wardrobe in boots, hats and jewelry. I will spotlight those items next time.

Under Kody's Hat

I am so excited one of my fellow co-workers at Burns Saddlery is starting a new blog. Kody our hat specialist is just getting his blog Under Kody's Hat up and running. It will feature cool facts, great tips and stories about cowboy hats.

It is so exciting to discover the fun way you can use western wear as an accessory to your other wardrobe items. You don't have to be a working cowboy to wear the attire. Just as I have learned that boots are one of the coolest accessories, a hat can definately give you an entirely new attitude.

So check out Kody's blog at http://www.underkodyshat.blogspot.com/ and learn about the great ways to incorporate a hat into your wardrobe.

Change is Good

The word change can illicit a lot of different responses and feelings in each individual person. Some fear and resist change, while others welcome and embrace change. Either way change is an opportunity to grow and learn. It pulls us out of our comfort zone and forces us to open our minds.

The Burns family of stores is undergoing several changes this year and we couldn't be more excited. We are looking forward to presenting a new face and serving our customers better. For us change is definately good.

An Exotic Experience

I walked into Burns Cowboy Shop in Park City with a pair of Blue Jean Stonewashed Mad Dog Goat boots in my heart. I had seen them in Carmel and was just sure that I had to have them, they would go with everything. Sitting to the right of "my boots" were a pair of Mosaic Caimen boots, it was love at first sight. I almost forgot I was after a pair of blue boots.
What a jump, these boots are not only unique and beautiful they are so versatile. I am such a fussy dresser. Black boots with black and grey shirts, brown with brown and cream shirts. I can wear these boots with any color and I really mean any color. They pick up the tone of whatever you are wearing. I had to have them and they are such a good investment. I can dress them up or down and they will just take on an entirely new personality.

During my time at the Cowboy Shop, I was so amazed at how incredibly versatile boots are. It's so fun to be able to try on boots that I didn't think that I would even consider and see just how they look. Taking a boot from the shelf and onto your foot opens you up to an entirely different perspective.

So take a risk, try on something that you normally wouldn't consider, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Book Review

Reading is a passion of mine. I love to read, and having the opportunity to read while at work, it couldn’t get any better than that. I just finished reading Win with Bob Avila Beyond Training: Mentoring From a World Champion Horseman By Juli S. Thorson. Not being a horse person, I wasn’t sure if I would even make it through it, but I did and in record time. I started and finished the book in an afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised, it was very motivational , not only from the horse aspect, but the definite lessons that you can apply to every aspect of your life, not just those applying to your horse goals.


Over the next few weeks I am going to share a few excerpts from the book that I found particularly intriguing.


The first paragraph of the book reads
"You don’t have to be a show rider to be someone who wants to win with horses. To me, winning is synonymous with reaching goals- with getting where you set out to go- and that brand of winning means different things to different people. "

That is so true in every aspect of one’s life, from work to personal. I truly believe that reaching a goal is winning. However, winning definitely means different things to different people. You have to decide for yourself exactly what it means to you.

I can’t wait to share the other bits of great wisdom I learned from this book, but if you are looking for a great and inspiring book, you can purchase this book on our website at : http://www.burnssaddlery.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=WINWITHBOBAVILA&eq=&Tp=

New Year's Goals

I don't make New Year's Resolutions, I set goals instead. Some may ask what is the difference? A resolution is defined by dictionary.com as a resolve or determination and a goal is defined as the result or achievement toward which the effort is directed; aim; end. To me a resolution is a thought, but a goal is an actual plan made and carried out.

I limit my goals to just a few in each area of my life, personal, professional etc... Then I sit down and make a plan on how to carry out each goal I have set. One of the goals I have set this year is to blog on The Cowboy Way, twice a week. I have set Tuesday and Thursday as my post days.

So I hope to inspire you to set your own goals and invite you to check up on me each Tuesday and Thursday to see how I am doing with mine.

Happy New Year to you all and here is to a fantastic 2011.