Life + Style

You can't be singing the blues when you're wearing Mink Pink's gorgeous soft suede-like kimono! We're especially swooning over the delicate laser cutout and scallop trim! Taylor wants to show how to take this one beautiful overlay and give it two different vibes.

In the first outfit, Taylor has a laid-back summer approach. Mix textures like distressed denim and delicate crochet. Throw on some hard metal jewelry and colorful beaded bracelets. Don't forget some tall wedge sandals to add some height!

Mink Pink Lackawanna Blues Kimono $86 // Tank Top $43 // Shorts $37 // Roxy Rabb Necklace $33 // Brown Bracelet $22.95 // Tan/Cream Bracelet $26.95 // Wedge Sandals $37

After wearing your favorite new Mink Pink Lackawanna Blues Kimono during the day, get ready for date night! Taylor makes this soft overlay super sexy by layering on top of a basic black tank slip dress. Tie in the earthy tones with a statement necklace and layer stone jewelry. Add strappy flat sandals and get ready for dinner with the significant other!

Mink Pink Lackawanna Blues Kimono $86 // Tank Dress $25 // Roxy Rabb Necklace $75 // Mason Strap Sandals $29 // Black Bracelet $32 // Gold Rock Bracelet $30

Which style would you wear?

Stay Stylish!!

How long has it been since you and your love just spent a whole day together? With work, school, parenting, and other outside demands, it can be difficult to be 100% focused. Trust us, we know! So try to carve out time this Valentine's Day just for you and your loved one. Whether you get to snuggle up in the morning, take stroll with coffee in your hometown, or reserve a table for a fancy dinner. Find a way to show your significant other that they are your #1.

Jordan is wearing our new high waisted denim. For a retro style, she tied our Michael Stars top at the waist and added a pop of color with a skinny belt. She took a plain blush pink top to the next level with a bold statement necklace.

Here are some of our favorite carefree daytime Valentine's Day date ideas:

Browse local thrift stores for a unique gift to surprise each other.

Grab coffee and light lunch at your favorite locally-owned cafe.

Take a stroll in your downtown to window shop.

Stop in a small business you've never visited before.

Take a selfie in a location that has personal meaning to your relationship.

Steal a kiss in a doorway.

Select your favorite dessert from a small bakery.

Go treasure hunting by hitting up some estate or yard sales.

Pick out some books and movies at the library.

Go to a student art show.

Check out local farmers markets.

Get crafty and do a project together.

Enjoy a local festival or wine/beer tastings.

Daydream about the future together.

Just enjoy each others company. Be silly and laugh together.

Our stylist, Jordan, is very excited to spend February 14th with her husband, Jared. Their favorite place for a light lunch is at Longbranch Cafe & Bakery in Carbondale, IL. Longbranch is a vegetarian and vegan cafe that prides itself in delicious handmade meals using locally grown and organic products. They support local farmers and strive to build community with staff and neighbors. That is definitely a business we can get behind at Eccentrics!

Special thanks to Longbranch Cafe & Bakery for letting us hang out and drink their delicious coffee!

Miss Mississppi USA 2014 Chelsea Reardon spent an afternoon with us at Eccentrics Boutique! She tried on some of her favorite outfits and we couldn't resist snapping a few pics! We also asked her a few questions to learn more about her!

Use 5 words to define yourself.

Definitely resilient, sensitive, driven, passionate and outspoken! 

What’s something you do every day that you love?

Something I do every day that I love-- Read the news!! I'm obsessed with politics and I love staying up to date with what's going on in the world.

Do you have any secret talents that most people do not know?

I love to write! I enjoyed writing short stories my whole life, and once I got in high school..I became the editor of my high school newspaper. Then I started writing as a guest columnist for my hometown newspaper in college. 

What’s your best kept beauty secret?

I put plain white toothpaste on a blemish to get rid of it quickly!

What is your favorite thing about Eccentrics?

I was so excited to see this fabulous boutique come to southern Illinois. I am originally from Murphysboro, but moved to Mississippi after graduating from SIU. There are a lot of boutiques down south, and I always thought how neat it would be for southern Illinois to have one, so I was so pumped to see it come to town! I love the atmosphere, the friendly staff and of course, the gorgeous clothes! 

What was the first pageant you entered? Did you win?

First pageant I entered- I started doing pageants as a little girl, and I got back in to them as a teenager. I found out about all the scholarship pageants in southern Illinois, and I entered them to help pay for school. I didn't win the first one I entered, but I knew I loved it and wanted to keep competing. I told my mom when I stepped off the stage of my first pageant that I belonged on the stage and I was going to Miss USA! Here I am...six years later and I accomplished my goal! 

What advice would you give for anyone wanting to compete in pageants?

DO IT! There's so much to gain from competing in pageants from confidence to networking to interview skills. I have loved every second of my journey in competing in pageants, and I would highly recommend young ladies getting involved in pageants.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself starting a family, working in the entertainment industry in Nashville and staying active as a spokeswoman for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a sexual assault victim specialist.