Guest Blogger! Back to School.

 Hello nomads, I'm the guest blogger this week on TPN and how great it is to be part of such an amazing team. My name is India Severe, I prefer to be called indy, and if you read my blog,

 Miss Indypendent, (www.indiasevere.blogspot.com)  you'll know why. I thought it would be a good idea to give you a background on my experience with fashion.

Writing this, brings back flashbacks of my self, as a fourth grader, going on the school intercom every monday and announcing fashion trends, as I was head of the fashion team (of two people.) at Rocky Mountain Elementary. As a fourth grader, I wrote the fashion column, 'Fashion 411' for our school newspaper. So yes, I have always loved fashion. I tried so hard to start trends in grade school, I even promoted Skirts over jeans. You can't tell me you didn't try that. (Okay, maybe it was just me.) Well, the after math of that Fashion 411 thing, was not pretty. I was made fun of terribly by the 'popular' girls who ended up being my best friends later in the year. I don't think I realized how embarrassing that truly was, until Im writing it today.

Ever since then I have truly loved fashion. I would love to have a legit fashion blog someday, style for a band, or celebrity, intern for a designer, or have a line of my own. No matter what, I would really love to work in the fashion industry. My idols and inspirations would be, Blake Lively, Chloe Grace Mortez, Elle Fanning, Emma Stone, Lauren Conrad,  Emma Watson, Rachel Zoe & Petra Karlsson. And many others, of course. Now, I completely understand I am in no position to tell you how to dress. Trust me, I learned my lesson after the whole fashion column tragedy. I am simply sharing my opinions and secrets on all the latest styles this fall. 

My mantra is, and always will be Coco Chanel's wise words;

"A girl should be two things. Classy and fabulous."

I am a firm believer of these things.

Well, as we all predicted it would, summer flew by too quickly. Don't get me wrong. Im not the biggest fan of school. However, there's always the excitement of stepping into a new scene, and making a statement.

A fashion statement.

There is never truly a year that I don't get excited over School shopping. It's apart of a teenage girl's life.

 So here it is. Your personal survival guide to going back to school this fall.

Color Blocking. 

Absolutely brilliant.

Generally Uneven blocks of contrasting color, make for a super chic look that pulls together a whole outfit.

Next up, Collars. Collars make the world go round.

I feel like the fashionable female version of peter pan every time I wear one.

So, bring out your inner Peter Pan, and buy collars. Buy them all.

Sweaters. Slouchy sweaters, and cardigans.

I am a huge fan of sweaters in general, much less a striped sweater. pair it over a collared shirt and you're golden.

Other trends to look for:

Denim. Oh, darling. If you have a classic denim shirt, you'll go far. Enough said.

You looking for something pretty to put on your feet? Oxfords, Combat boots or riding boots will help you out nicely.

Peplum shirts. These will become huge. You watch.

As for jeans, go with a classic black, or acid wash.

10 SECRETS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING:

1. Avoid the common popular stores at your local malls. Eventually everything will be picked over, and there is nothing that makes me cringe more, than that awkward moment of passing someone wearing the same top as me.

2. Work with basics.

Have you ever stared into your closet and wanted a complete new wardrobe?

One way to make that happen is to have several key pieces. That way, you have a lot to work with and you can pair them with other clothes to give you an endless wardrobe. It's magic really.

3. Online Shopping. Obviously there are pro's and con's to this gift from heaven, but it is truly an amazing device. A lot of times, stores have extended their collections online only. That way you can secure cute looks that are almost guaranteed no one else will have by going to the store. Also, the feeling of opening your package before school is like a fashionistas christmas. Make sure you order early, (NOW) so you can return clothes if needed. Pedaling Nomad has a great online store you can shop at, and they ALWAYS have killer deals.

4. Don't forget makeup, perfume and other accessories.

Delias, sells great back packs and you can also find darling bags  at Target. There is nothing like getting glammed up on your first day of school, and spraying you're new perfume. This can be fun, taking a bunch of friends and trying out all of the scents until you find the one for you.

5. Don't try too hard. You want you're style to look effortless, but still classy and put together. Go easy on the make up and make sure you take good care of yourself, lotion, washing your hair, painting your nails, ect. Besides, everyone deserves to be pampered.

6. Fabulously british. The British invasion is definitely here. I highly recommend guys going to One Direction for fashion advice. And I'm not saying that just because I'm their number one fan. Besides that, everything british is popular right now, so rock a british flag, or even better, shop in the UK.

(Online of course.) This almost guarantees a solid look that no one else will have. Try sheinside, Romwe, nasty gal, and jack wills.

7. Spread out your new outfits. When you get your yearly fashion haul right before school, its natural to want to wear the crap out of every outfit. But it would be wise, not to. if you wear all of your new clothes in the first week, what will you do the next? Spread your outfits out so you have a solid style. Every week. Every month.

8. Shop affordable. Theres no need to get the most expensive clothes possible. You can rock a plain white T, for 5 dollars. Its true, it's all about how you present yourself. If you shop at less expensive stores, you can buy more clothes, where as if you spend all your money on new sperry topsiders, you'll have less of a wardrobe. Again, let me praise Pedaling Nomad for having some of the cutest and affordable clothing I have ever seen in one place. Great place to find all of the trends I talked about earlier.

9. Always take care of your lips. I recommend Baby Lips. It's fine that I have every color & flavor. It's necessary for survival.

10.  Last but not least, have confidence. Own every outfit, by having a smile on your face.

(Cheesy, but incredibly true.)

So here's to a great school year, (we'll end up poking our eyes out anyway.) And a great year in fashion. Always be creative. "An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail." Im quite sure that those were the words going through my mind when I tried the 'skirts over jeans ' thing. Let's not be that creative then. But take after my innocent example. Trying to make a difference in fashion at such a young age. Sure I was made fun of. But look where I am now! Writing for the Pedaling Nomad. I guess dreams do come true. (tear, sniff.)

Well, I have made this post uncomfortably long as it is, so I will leave you once again from the wise words of Ms. Chanel, 

                                                            

Stay Classy ladies.

Cheers, 

Xx

indy

Guest Blogger!

Well hello there pedaling nomad readers.
My name is sydnee and I write at the blog, Oxford Comma.

I love anything fashion and I was asked to write on my favorite summer accessories.
Most of the time I wear minimal accessories or just simple ones in the summer

Luckily for you guys, I’m at the beach! Extra pretty pictures.

For the beach (or for more realistic scenario, the pool or lake)
I think you should keep it simple with a big floppy hat to cover your face (preventing unwanted sunburns) which I bought for three dollars at a swap meet, sunglasses and a bright swimsuit cover-up.

One of my necessities for the beach is also a great book, like the Great Gatsby.

But if you’re just having a simple summer day, shopping at a flea market with your gal pals or having lunch with your mom, you don’t want a lot of fuss, so I love to stack cute single pendant necklaces and a quirky bracelet.

And, of course, sunglasses.

My favorite jewelry is weird, like a necklace with a mini harmonica, deer head bracelet, and a heart ring. The more unique the shape, the better.

Sometimes you do need a little flash like when you’re going out.

Statement necklaces are where I like to stand out. With statement necklaces you don’t have to add too much jewelry to the rest of your outfit which in my opinion is a bonus.

My advice to you is buy stuff at boutiques that way nobody can copy you,
And the best accessory you can carry around is your confidence.

YOU Wear It Best

Hey Gentri! Thanks for sending us this fabulous picture. We’re glad you love the dress. You absolutely rock it!

If you love our clothes as much as she does, send us a picture and we will feature you too. Have a great week!

Bon Fire

Here at The Pedaling Nomad, one of our favorite activites is going up the canyon and having a barbecue/bonfire. It’s always relaxing and is the perfect way to spend time with family and friends. 

If you want to take the simple, classic route, go with burgers, hot dogs, and s’mores. Just make sure you have some kind of salad or side dish to go with your burger and skewers for the s’mores, of course! Don’t be afraid to assign your guests to bring some kind of side dish, drink, or even the utensils. It will take some stress off of you and helps your guests feel more involved. 

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can eat your entire meal from skewers, something we like to call “The Skewer Challenge.”  Here are a few food ideas that are simple and fun for skewing:

• Hot dogs
• Bratwursts
• S’mores
• Starbursts
• Vegetables
• Pineapple
• Corn on the cob

Whether you’re going to classic route or feeling more adventerous, the bottom line is to relax and have a good time.

Lets Go Swimmin'!

What’s the very first thing you think about for the month of July? Here are a list of things that pop into our minds:

• Barbecue
• Fireworks
• Patriotic
• Nautical
• Family & Friends
• Swimming

Looking over this list, we realized that we haven’t even discussed one of the most popular activities of summer!

Swimming, of course!

Everyone loves packing up and heading to the pool/beach for a day to relax. Our favorite part is all of the fun accessories you can wear! From the sun hats to the beach bags, you can take your relaxing day and make it that much better. 

How about that bold color you’ve been wanting to try out? As Jenna mentioned in her guest blog, this summer is the season to build some courage and do it! Bright, bold colors are booming right now and look fabulous when the sun is shining, not to mention how fun they are to wear. Like we always say, color=confidence! 

                             

Ah, so chic and simple. Pure joy!

Ladies, take a break from all of that foundation and eye shadow and go natural. Let your true beauty shine! The only thing we suggest is choosing a bright colored lip gloss to keep yourself looking hydrated. If you feel like you absolutely need it, put on some water proof mascara for the finishing touch. 

Most importantly, remember that the number one most important thing about swimming is wearing sunscreen from head to toe. No matter how many cute accessories you adorn or toned muscles you show off, sunburnt and wrinkled skin is not attractive or healthy. Be sure to re-apply every 20 minutes to prevent skin cancer and keep your skin looking young and fresh. 

Happy summer! Enjoy it while it lasts.

Food.. Glorious Food.

If you know us, you know that we are food fanatics. All you have to do is check out our “Guilty Pleasures” board on Pinterest , and you’ll get a pretty good idea of our obsession. Needless to say, this post is about one glorious thing: food.

Food always goes hand in hand with special events. It’s what makes them, well, special. Have you ever experienced an awesomely memorable party or celebration that didn’t include delicious food? Neither have we. And if you have, you must have low food standards (shame on you!). Right now, you’re probably asking “What kind of food should I make to insure my party is awesomely memorable?” This is exactly why we’re writing this.

Let’s get down to business. Say you’re throwing a big picnic with your family or friends, and you need something that isn’t too big of a hassle but will still be a crowd pleaser. This recipe  for a chicken salad sandwich is the perfect choice. With a balanced combination of fruit, veggies, and chicken, this sandwich is as delicious as it is a synch to create. Just make sure to keep the filling chilled as to maintain its mouthwatering and crisp properties. Yum!

This next dish is one we have been dying to feature, simply because it is so delicious and absolutely perfect for parties. It’s called SNICKERS SALAD. Mmm. We get hungry just talking about it. Not only is it delicious, but it’s healthy too because it’s a salad. 

Okay... Just kidding. It’s probably not healthy at all, but it’s definitely tasty. Find the recipe here and be prepared to shock the tastebuds off of anyone who tries it. 

Interested in a few other succulent recipes we’ve compiled that will make your party a hit? Check out our Pinterest  board! Also, if you know of any fun recipes you’d like to share with us, send them in and we will feature them right on our blog. And don’t forget about the sale this week! 25% off all tops! Click here to shop now before the good deals are gone.

Get them while they’re hot! You can never have too many tops for your back-to-school adventure (that makes it sound a bit more exciting, doesn’t it?). 

Happy one more day until the weekend day! 

Guest Blogger!

Hello! My name is Jenna and if there is one thing I love it would have to be the outdoors. I love to do anything outside. Running, hiking, rock climbing, camping, swimming, biking, or even just a nice stroll through the neighborhood on a warm night. And since we Nomads like to talk fashion, let me tell you something. The world is full of CUTE outdoorsy clothing. A few things I love to wear when i'm in the mountains are 1. comfortable jeans, and 2. accessories. I know it's summertime which means heat, but when you're in the mountains you can always expect it to be a little cooler, especially in the evenings (which is the best time to be in the woods). So go ahead and put on your favorite pair of jeans or shorts, and roll them up a little to stay cute and comfy. Next up you'll need the accessories. I like to wear cute hats, everyone looks good in a cute hat. Don't forget the mittens and scarf that will add a little warmth and make you look GOOD. You know what, you could wear just about anything in the woods and look cute, just make sure you are comfortable. 

I've learned that summer is never what you expect. Sure, there will always be sunshine, warm nights, snow cones, and pool side afternoons. But the best thing about this season is it is a time to be spontaneous, and bold.  There is so much out there for you to explore, so many things you haven't tried yet, and that's what summer is all about. 

As the season has progressed I've realized you could wear just about any color or any pattern and be in style this year. Don't you love that? So go on and buy those bright colored jeans or shorts you've been wanting to wear. I did! Take your pretty friends and have some fun trying on colors and patterns you thought you'd never wear. Stripes, polka dots, floral, it's all in!

What you wear says a lot about who you are, we all know this. So, what do you want people to think of you this summer? Take a look at your closet, does it describe you? Are you being bold with what you wear? Remember that being bold doesn't mean you should try to be something you aren't, it means you should make more of an effort to tell people who you are, and the potential that you hold. Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in and that you feel pretty in. It's hard to look pretty if you don't feel pretty. 

The summer mountains are calling you. We live in a beautiful world people! So get out there and experience it. Don't be afraid to be bold this season, and remember to stay pretty. The fabulous styles of The Pedaling Nomad can help you with that, as we all know.

Happy summertime, and happy styling!

Stars and Stripes

Did everyone have an outstanding 4th? Anyone a little tired from last nights happenings? We definitely are. We’d love to see some of the outfits you guys put together to impress while still having a blast. Send them in! Don’t be shy, people. We love being inspired by what our readers are wearing. 

We had a blast here at Nomad. Hung out all day at the park with a delicious barbecue, then relaxed while watching dozens of fireworks explode in the sky.

Don't forget! This ^ ends at the end of this week. Start shopping!

https://shop.thepedalingnomad.com/ 

Sparks

Well would you look at that—Independence Day is tomorrow! Any fun activities planned? Here at Nomad, we’ve been pondering how to spend this holiday and would love some suggestions. Independence Day has always been a favorite holiday and we are always looking for new ways to celebrate. 

A big plus about this 4th, and the whole month of July in general, is that the patriotic theme and colors have been trending big time. This makes it much easier to be patriotic without looking corny and over the top.

And how could I possibly forget our Independence Day sale? All week long, you will get 25% off everything in the store. Also, any order that is $25 or more receive's free shipping. You don’t want to miss out on these amazing deals. Plus, you deserve it! 

Have a happy 4th! Celebrate it with the people you love.

P.s. Send in some pictures of what you your Independence Day activities, and we just might feature you on our little ol’ blog! We’d love to hear all about it.