Flat sandals are the obvious choice to pair with a maxi skirt because they match the flowing, laid-back look that most maxi skirts have. Match sandals with your maxi skirt when going for a more relaxed, casual look. Dress this style up with a beaded, flashy sandal if you want to look more glam. Gladiator sandals paired with a maxi will add a casual-chic element to your outfit. Wear an ornately beaded sandal paired with a pleated pastel maxi skirt and simple white tank. This look is relaxed with a hint of elegance and can be further dressed up or down with accessories. Heels add a level of elegance to any maxi skirt and are a great way to style a maxi when you are going out in the evening. If you're petite, wearing heels will elongate your silhouette, making the maxi skirt more flattering. Go for a casual-chic look with an elegant red maxi, a graphic T-shirt, and simple taupe heels. This playful outfit mixes class with personal style and is a fun pairing for a casual day around town. Wedges are a great option because they are classy but also fun and colorful. Wedges work well with maxi skirts as they share a similar style that hovers between fancy and relaxed. Wear a colorful floral wedge with a pastel maxi skirt and a simple crop top for a feminine summer look. Wearing a thick belt around the waist of your maxi skirt will define your waist while contributing texture and style. The belt will help you look more polished and put together, reigning in the flowing silhouette of the maxi. Add a thick leather belt to an especially billowing floral maxi skirt. Pair with a bulky off-shoulder sweater and a stylish floppy hat to create a boho look fit for any festival. Choosing the right jewelry is key when it comes to accessorizing your outfit. When wearing a brightly colored maxi skirt, or a maxi skirt with a wild print, choose jewelry that is toned down and classic. On the other hand, if your maxi skirt is monocolored and simple, feel free to wear a chunky necklace, bright dangling earrings, or thick bangle bracelets. A thick gold necklace is the perfect accessory for a sleek black maxi skirt worn with a tailored white button down. The necklace will add class and style to an already elegant look.
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One-sentence summary -- Wear sandals with your maxi skirt for a beachy summer vibe. Try heels to elongate your silhouette and dress up your maxi. Pair wedges with your maxi skirt to add height and casual elegance. Add a wide leather belt with your maxi skirt to accentuate your waist. Choose statement jewelry to complete your outfit.

Alternately, have a rag or piece of old clothing nearby. Use this to clean pastels from your fingers, as needed. Also clean off the pastel sticks as needed. Make the underpainting of your drawing. Then slowly build up layers and colors to create depth and intensity. Add a background last to make your object really stick out with defined edges. For example, draw a loose sketch of a light-colored piece of fruit. Create shading with colors. Finish up with a dark background. Another technique is to make the background first using oil pastel in one direction. Then layer more colors on top. Try both techniques and see which one works best for you! Put your artwork in the refrigerator for twenty minutes. Then warm your pastels in your hands to achieve better coverage. Use this technique if your paper isn't allowing you to add more layers. Draw freehand by sketching with light pressure to the edge of the pastel's tip. Make choppy, tiny markings to achieve a stippled look. Create "blanket" strokes by making thick, fast squiggles. Use thick, vertical strokes to create hatching. Blanket strokes and hatching work well for backgrounds. Experiment with different strokes and pressure on a scrap sheet. You can blend and mix colors on your paper or on a palette first. Practice using blending to make shadows and reflections. You can make a final blending with baby oil or other liquids. Try the baby oil blending technique on a practice drawing first. Soak a cotton swab in baby oil. Smooth it over your work to blend. Allow it to dry overnight. Use water for a smooth wash of color. Try turpentine, linseed or other oils for oil pastels that aren't water soluble.
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One-sentence summary -- Use paper towels and/or plastic gloves to contain the mess. Layer your drawing. Change the temperature. Try different strokes. Blend your work.

Place a large pot of water on the stove, add a pinch of salt, and wait a few minutes for the water to boil. Run the Brussels sprouts under cold running water, and peel off any yellow leaves. Cut them in half from the top to the stem, and make a 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) incision in the stem. They should just begin to go soft. Then, drain them. Add 2 tbsp. of butter, 1 tsp. of salt, and 1 minced clove of garlic to a pan. Wait 1-2 minutes for the ingredients to heat up and for the garlic to become fragrant. Gently stir the Brussels sprouts to mix them with the other ingredients. If the pan gets too dry, add another tablespoon of butter.
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One-sentence summary -- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Wash the Brussels sprouts. Cut the Brussels sprouts. Boil the Brussels sprouts for 5-10 minutes. Add butter, salt, and garlic to a pan and heat the ingredients. Cook the Brussels sprouts for 3-5 minutes, or until they're brown.

The next time you're out for a stroll, see how many new plants you can spot. Get a photo and jot down a short description of the most common species, then look up the names to assign to their general characteristics. You can gradually expand your knowledge of regional greenery to include species in neighboring areas and rare seasonal offshoots. Before you can rattle off the names of plants growing halfway around the world, you should make an effort to familiarize yourself with those that are found where you live. It's also a good idea to brush up on the nicknames of common local plants, as you're more likely to encounter these than their more technical Latin names. If you're at a national park, arboretum, or wilderness preserve, keep an eye out for small signs displaying the names of prominent plants. These signs will typically include additional contextual information, such as the species' preferred growing conditions and history in the area. They may be just what you need to satisfy your curiosity on the spot. Floral factoids are also frequently found on placards along hiking trails and at scenic landmarks. If you're serious about continuing your quest for knowledge, sign up for a class or two at a nearby university or community college. In an academic setting, you'll be able to examine a wide range of specimens up close, follow growth and reproductive cycles, and learn the fundamentals of classification and taxonomy. Guided instruction can lend you a deeper understanding of the biological differences that determine a plant's appearance. You may be able to audit classes like introductory botany, horticulture, and principles of gardening if your time or money is limited. Some schools offer specialized self-study courses online for as little as $50-100 per unit. Distance learning is perfect for those who are interested in progressing at their own leisure.
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One-sentence summary --
Teach yourself to recognize local flora. Look for plaques when you're in natural areas. Take a botany course to receive a formal education on plants.