Spring Essentials + Betabrand

So spring has technically already arrived but in my mind it is just now feeling like spring. The weather has been absolutely hideous and I have been in a funk because of it. But now warm weather is approaching and I am so ready to wear all of my spring and summer clothes. More specifically, my spring and summer essentials--the pieces in my wardrobe I get the most use out of and wear often. 

It isn't always easy for me to transition my wardrobe to spring and summer. Often times I am lost on what pieces I want to purchase and what type of style I want to stick to for the season. However, throughout the years I have found myself reaching for specific pieces in my wardrobe that I can easily style. I'm sure you all have maybe 3 or 4 pieces that you stick to each season as well. It could be a jacket, a shirt or even a pair of sunglasses. For me, in spring and summer I have about 9-10 pieces that I have no problem grabbing in the mornings. These pieces are easy to style, easy to wear and they never disappoint me. 

I have teamed up with Betabrand, a company whose focus is on versatile and comfortable clothing, to share what spring and summer essentials I can't live without. We want to spark a conversation this spring and get to know what you all have in your wardrobes that you can't live without. What pieces do you enjoy wearing most? What pieces do you consider timeless? Please share your thoughts by commenting below after you take a look at what I consider my spring and summer essentials.

1. Jean Jacket

We all know what a classic and timeless staple item the jean jacket is. We have seen it for many years in different styles, with added accessories and with intricate details. The jean jacket is and will always be a great spring essential. Honestly it is a great all year round essential. But some may ask, how do you find the right jean jacket? Well the "right" jean jacket will vary for all of us. There are so many different cuts and fits out there. You have to be careful in choosing the perfect one. For me, I needed a jacket that was long because I have a long torso. Most jean jackets cut me off at the waist and some look too cropped. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy wearing the short/normal length jean jackets with my high-waist trousers and such but it is better for me to have one that hits me below the waist. This style is more useful in my wardrobe. I found this amazing jean jacket at Forever 21 for less than $40. The structure is very flattering with my broad shoulders and the light wash denim goes well with bright and vibrant colors. 

2. Pant and Shirt Set

Have you all heard, pant sets are totally on trend right now and I can't get enough of them. This ribbed pant set is from the Zara TRF collection. It comes in black, navy and grey and I purchased all of the colors. The light weight fabric and flowy structure makes this pant set crazy comfortable and versatile. What I love most about the set is that you can wear each piece separately--use the top as a basic tee with jeans and use the bottom as palazzo pants with a cropped tee. So I have two essential pieces that also make one essential outfit for spring and summer. The styling options for this set is endless. You can wear it with white sneakers for a casual day of errands or stylish heeled sandals for a dinner date. The key in any essential piece of clothing is practicality and this set is definitely practical--financial and fashion wise. 

3. Metallic Sandals

We all need a statement piece for spring, mines happens to be metallic. Most people like to stay away from the shinny pieces but I am constantly drawn to them. What most people don't know is that metallics are the perfect neutral piece to add to any wardrobe to make it instantly better. Now if you are going to go metallic, you mustn't get something that looks and feels cheap. These metallic sandals by AGL where definitely expensive but worth every penny. The heel height is perfect for everyday use and it literally goes with everything and anything I own. This has been my go to sandal when my outfit is missing some spark.

4. Culottes 

Culottes made their grand entrance into the fashion industry last fall and they are sticking around for a while so I suggest you invest in some. I personally can't get enough of my culottes. I already have many different colors and styles and I still want more. I am not a big skirt and short wearer in the warmer months so culottes are my go to's. For the spring and summer you want to find some that are light weight to combat the heat. My favorite culottes are by Zara. The splits in the legs add a nice feminine touch and the crisp fabric makes them perfect for workwear.  I consider them a spring essential because of how much use I get out of them. They look great with a cropped shirt and a jacket, a flowy blouse, a button up shirt and so much more. Betabrand offers great comfortable and chic pants that are also multipurpose. If you aren't sure what spring and summer pant essential you should have start there!

5. White Tee

Now of course the white tee is an essential piece for spring and summer. However, what I look for most in my white tees are their "tuckability". Most of my tees in the warmer seasons are being tucked in with high-waist trousers and knotted for a cropped look. It is hard to find one that can do all of these things and still look flattering. I find that tees with a bit of nylon in them is perfect for such a job. They are easy to wash and you rarely have to iron them because obviously we don't have time for that. We have things to do and adventurous to go on in this spring and summer heat. 

6. Brown Heeled Sandals

Although I love my metallic shinny sandals it is always good to have a more subtle option. These 70's inspired sandals are to die for. From the chunky 2 inch heel to the cognac brown suede these sandals are literally perfection. A bonus is that they are surprisingly comfortable. This is my go to sandal when my metallic sandal is just too loud. It is still interesting enough to make my outfit pop but it is more ideal and practical for work or more casual days around town.

7. Head-wraps 

Hair wraps have been considered "fashionable" for quite some time now but they are also functional in many ways. Apart from their cultural importance they are used as protective styles for natural hair. I will be wearing many hair wraps this spring and summer as I am growing my hair out. What I love most about head-wraps is that they add so much effortless style to my outfits. You can wrap them in many different ways and they come in different patterns, fabrics and colors to match every outfit you have in mind.

8. Tunic

Last but not least, a chiffon tunic is the perfect spring and summer essential to add to your wardrobe. It's light-weight material and draped appearance makes it flattering on all body types. Adding this essential piece to your wardrobe will allow you to have one go to dress for many different purposes. This tunic is a little sheer so it is perfect as a beach cover up. You can pair it with jeans and heels for a sophisticated date night look. Throw it on with a slip and sandals to strut around town. No matter the purpose for the day you will look absolutely stunning. This is my favorite spring and summer essential by far!

So now that you all got a peek  into my spring wardrobe, I am dying to hear what you all have to say. Share your spring and summer essential pieces by commenting below! Also, if you are at the starting point with finding your spring essentials, go to betabrand.com for great pieces and inspiration.

Photography by Joshua Shelton

1 Shoe, 1 Trend, 3 Ways

Baby, it's cold outside! Too damn cold that is. I am not built for this weather. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it *stomps feet and cries*. Well, enough of that. There isn't much we can do about the weather besides dress appropriately. Working in a shoe store has helped me figure out that the best way to stay warm in 20 (and below) degree weather is to wear cashmere socks and tall boots. Not the cheap boots either, you invest in a pair of well-made boots that will last you more than one winter season. Now I am usually a cheap skate but after trying on a pair of the 5050 Stuart Weitzman boots at The Shoe Hive, I decided I had to have them. And I could not be happier with my purchase! They are truly the best sleek black boot I have ever owned. And if you have narrow calfs like myself, you don't have to worry about the bagging and empty space. All selling points for me. 

So after falling in love with the 5050s, I tried on the Lowland thigh high boots and dropped my jaw to the floor. They were just as perfect. Ugh! They wrapped effortlessly around my leg and thigh and I instantly felt warm and cozy with them on. So me being a crazy college kid, I decided to purchase them as well. I know some of you may be shaking your head but I believe they both are a GREAT investment. So to make myself feel better, I have created 3 different looks with the Lowland to show you all and myself how far they will go in my fall and winter wardrobe. I also incorporated the funnel neck trend we have been seeing this winter because I find it very flattering with my short hair cut. Welp, lets get started!

Look 1: The simplest of them all which is obviously my favorite out of the 3. This knit funnel neck dress by Mango is the perfect staple item for the cold weather. You can style this dress in so many ways-- belt it, throw on a blazer, a sweater vest, layer it with jeans. For the purpose of this post, I decided to keep it minimalistic with a black cross body and the Lowland thigh high boots. The dress will fall slightly over the boot so tights are not necessary. 

Look 2: A very Velma inspired look. The school girl skirt adds so much character and aesthetic to the outfit. The high low sweater will give a bit more shape to the outfit as the A-line skirt could be slightly unflattering in fit. Paired with black tights and the Lowland for the chicest school girl look. 

Look 3: On the go and unbothered. This cool thrown together outfit is for the Uptowner. The cold weather can truly put a damper on your mood. These essential pieces are great to add into your wardrobe because eventually you will need them for an outfit like this one. Super easy to style and no one would ever know you have 3 day old hair. 

These are 3 great looks to show you how a chic well-made boot can completely change your winter wardrobe. Now don't get me wrong, a Sam Edelman riding boot would still do the trick but you can't beat a 5050 or Lowland Stuart Weitzman boot. 

Trust me! 

link to products:

* http://www.revolveclothing.com/stuart-weitzman-lowland-boot-in-black-suede/dp/STUA-WZ87/?d=F&source=polyvore

* http://shop.mango.com/ficha.faces;jsessionid=44ED6F81ACB0754D1BE0ECA54EAF57FF?state=she_006_IN

*http://www.hm.com/us/products/ladies/accessories/bags

*http://genuine-people.com/products/high-low-oversized-turtleneck-sweater?utm_source=polyvore&utm_medium=cpc_desktop&utm_campaign=sweaters&variant=9616276869

*http://www.currentboutique.com/burberry-plaid-wool-skirt-sz-10/

*http://www.monki.com/gb/Socks/Beata_rib_tights/8649977-12890718.1

*http://www.chicwish.com/grid-turtleneck-sweater-in-black.html?utm_source=polyvore&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=tops

*http://shopmrsh.com/products/J_Brand/Midrise_Blackout_Jeans/

Trend Alert: Slip-On Sneakers

A new day, a new trend alert. I feel like I haven't done a trend alert for you all in a while so I thought today would be the perfect day to do so. This is the season of nonstop shopping and prepping for the holidays. I have seen so many great new trends that are worthy of purchasing thus far this season but this is by far my all time favorite. Slip-on sneakers have been apart of my wardrobe since I was a little girl. Needless to say, I put them away for quite sometime because they started to decline in the fashion world. But now, there is no holding me back. I am going to wear my slip-on sneakers with pride and comfort!

For those who are not familiar with the term "slip-on" they are sneakers or flat shoes that do not have any laces, buckles or straps. You simply slip them onto your feet and go. There are so many different designs for the slip on sneakers nowadays-- they have many different patterns, textures, and even platform heights. The list goes on but for the purpose of this trend alert, I styled 3 of the basic slip-on sneakers you will see often in retails stores today. Of course they differ in appearance but they can be worn relatively the same. So lets jump right into the details of each look.

Look 1: The first look is for those lazy feminine days. The slip-on sneakers are very simple in style and color. They do not have any distinct features or details which gives us a lot of wiggle room for our outfit. I decided to style them with a shift sweater dress. The ribbed detailing and the pockets of the dress gives this look more texture. I love the balance of this outfit. 

Look 2: Next is for the tomboy or more masculine days. I enjoy wearing boyfriend jeans and over-sized sweaters in the fall and winter because they make for an easy look that always seems put together. To jazz up the dull colors of the jeans and sweater, I went for the leopard patterned sneakers. The turtleneck will give you more height. This is an added bonus given that we are not wearing heels. 

Look 3: Last but not least is for those glamorous, nothing to do days. You know those days were you wake up feeling very Audrey Hepburn but truly are just going to work or out on a lunch date. Well this is the look for those days. I played with texture and pattern in this look while still making the outfit very clean. The midi skirt is the jaw dropper as it takes away from the boyish and casual feel of the sneakers. The blouse is very feminine which adds to the glamour factor. 

As easy as it can be to style slip-on sneakers you have to first find the right pair for you. I have seen many great slip-on sneakers at Aldo Shoes, Topshop, The Shoe Hive, H&M, DSW and more. When you are out shopping for your new sneakers, be sure to try them on. You want to be sure they are the perfect fit for you!

Happy Shopping!

Trend Alert: Funky Sunglasses

Hi my loves! I hope you all are enjoying the kick off of the weekend. I was inspired this morning by a few Pinterest pics of these crazy cool sunglasses. I have been seeing more wacky and funky sunglasses these past few months thus a new Trend Alert was inevitable to happen. I for one am very happy and excited about this new trend as I have always loved crazy looking sunglasses. In the process of making this post I found an amazing online website called 80sPurple. They have some amazing sunglasses for very affordable prices. I will include the link to their website at the end of the post. 

I know some may be completely frightened by this post. Trust me, I was in the same boat at first, but after seeing a few street style post with people rocking these funky sunglasses I fell in love.

It is always very fun to add super cool accessories to your outfits. They are also great conversation pieces! If you tend to go for a more casual wardrobe, a statement piece such as these sunglasses will dramatize your entire look making it more interesting. For the spring and summer, funky sunglasses with soft, colorful tones are better to wear. This brings softness to your tanned skin and bright outfits. In the winter and fall darker tones with prints and patterns are more ideal. Cheetah print, zebra print and leopard patterns will add flare and funk to your textured cardigans and heavy scarves. If you love this new trend as much as I do, go to 80sPurple to find the perfect sunglasses for you. 

http://www.80spurple.com/

Happy Saturday!

Trend Alert: Gaucho Pants

It is Trend Alert time! I know it has been a long time coming. I have been really inspired the past few days because of New York Fashion Week. One day, I'll be able to go (a true goal of mines), but for now I am happy to look at the shows and street style fashion behind my computer screen. This new trend alert has been on the rise for the past few months. At first I wasn't digging the trend at all but after seeing a few street fashion and street style photographs I became intrigued and interested by it. I decided to do 2 looks with the gaucho pants. I feel that this trend can only be worn in 2 distinct ways. Of course you can accessorize and change it up a bit but the basics still remain, in my opinion. 

Look 1:  This look is absolutely for the flirty girl. These high to mid rise gaucho pants are the statement piece in this look. They are bold (in color and style) which is perfect for a date night or event around town. I decided to go with a long sleeve cropped sweater because it is a great transition piece into spring. The hat is a great accessory for this look because it is bold and definitely a statement piece. Thus allowing the cropped sweater to be a little less dull and boring. The shoes are absolutely perfect. I know it is still cold outside but I am already dreaming of spring. These high wedges will add more height to the look as the gaucho pants tend to cut off the legs. 

Look 2: If you are more chic and trendy, this look is for you. I for one am dying to wear this look myself. I adore the colors and I believe that styling neutrals together is always a plus. These gaucho pants are a little more subtle than in the first look. With that being said, we add a little more flare with the burgundy fringe cape. Side note- the cape has been another great trend this fall/winter that I love! The sleeveless sweater brings a more sophisticated vibe to the outfit which compliments the subtle pants. The shoes are bold in this look so they are definitely the statement piece. The colors of the shoes compliments the sweater and tones of the cape thus bringing the entire outfit together. 

So encase you missed it, the two basic things to know when styling the gaucho pant is to keep it either subtle with jazzy accessories or bold with clean and flirty pieces. Easy right? Own the look with your choice of accessories and you are good to go! Try out this new Trend Alert with me and be sure to tag #brokecitygrl

Love ya! 

Trend Alert: T Shirt Dress

Hi everyone! I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving and ate lots of turkey :) I love Thanksgiving and spending time with family and friends. It is always a great time. As I enjoyed my family the past few days, I was unable to post any Lookbooks for you all. But, I haven't posted a Trend Alert in a while and because I have been super busy I figured this would be a great time to do so. This trend alert is dedicated to a trend that has been on the rise for quite some time now, the t-shirt dress. If you are a minimalist you are probably already familiar with this trend. I say that because many people style this trend in a very simple and easy way. I have three different looks to cover the basis of each style category. We have a feminine look, a rugged chic look as well as a more tomboyish look.

Look 1: This look is very feminine and classy. I happen to be a huge fan of this look because it is very simple but still utterly chic! The warm tones of this look will bring a nice glow to your appearance. It is pretty daring because of the cream t-shirt dress but the booties and hat brings the look together and makes it more fall/winter appropriate. 

Look 2: Dare to be different. This look is very unique which is why I love it. If you are very laid back and casual this look will suit you. This dress is designed a bit differently. It resembles a midi length style with little form. The booties and the beanie is a great way to accessorize this look. A great outfit for a casual day out. 

Look 3: This is probably my favorite look out of the three. I love the bowler hat in this look because it makes it very tomboyish and androgynous. The dress is very simple and sleek so the accessories should compliment that. The lace up booties are a perfect touch because they add a bit more flare making the look more interesting. 

Overall, it is fairly easy to style this new trend up or down depending on your personal style and the occasion. If you are hesitant or confused as to how to wear it, just play around with this trend and come up with great looks that match your personality.

I hope you all took away some great tips! xo

How to Wear It: Ankle Booties

Hey guys! I'm coming to you all with a great styling tip. As we all know, ankle booties are super trendy! Specifically the all black, classic ankle booties. By classic I mean very simple without buckles or much design. You can find many of these ankle booties at Nordstrom, Topshop, H&M and Urban Outfitters. My favorite brand that makes these ankle booties are Acne Studios. They have the best booties and they are very chic and well made. They are a bit more expensive of course. If you are looking for more affordable booties you should try Steve Madden. They have very chic booties as well. You can style these booties in so many different ways! I wanted to touch base on how I would style them. It is important to consider your body type when choosing the right ankle boot for you. 

Style 1: Tee Shirt Dress, Duster Jacket, black Ankle Booties. The key to this look is proportion. Most tee shirt dresses are lose fitting. Pairing this with a more fitted cardigan or jacket will add more flare and funk. You will look very effortless in this casual look. 

Style 2: Leather Pants, V Neck Sweater and black Pointy Toe Booties. With pointy toe booties, it is best to wear a slim pant leg. This is the look that everyone tends to go for! It is very fashion forward and chic. Because the weather is beginning to get a little colder, throw on a nice comfy sweater and you're good to go. 

Style 3: Boyfriend Jeans, Mock Neck Sweater, classic black Ankle Booties. With basic booties, it is ideal to jazz up your look a bit more. The boyfriend jeans add more texture to your look while the mock neck sweater gives it some flare.

I hope these tips are helpful! 

Sneakers with a Twist

 

As requested by one of my amazing followers, I have a new Trend Alert for you all! This trend has been on the rise for the past few months. It is very special and crafty in my opinion because you have to style accordingly. I first started to fall in love with this trend when I spotted a few street style photos of Solange Knowles. She totally rocks this look! I don't think there is a true name or title for this trend but I think of it as a feminine twist to wearing sneakers. We will focus on how to wear these sneakers with dresses and skirts. I wanted to break this down with 3 different style of sneakers to make it easier for you all to understand the trend. So, we have the slip-on sneaker, the running sneaker and the tennis shoe. I have come up with distinct ways to style each of these sneakers.

 

First, we will discuss the Slip-On Sneaker. This is the easiest to style! They resemble flat ballet shoes so in a way the same sort of outfits you wear with flats, you can wear with these sneakers. They are a bit chunky on your feet so it is best to add a flirty skirt. The flirty skirt takes away from the masculine and chunky sneaker. I love midi skirts because they keep you warm during the colder months. The pleats make them very feminine, which in this case we need. I would pair the skirt with a cropped sweater or a loose fitting sweater. Whichever you prefer would work. You want to play around with proportions here. So maybe try tucking in your sweater.

 

Next, we will chat about the Running Sneaker. The most popular running sneaker is the Roshe Run by Nike. This sneaker is very light weight so it is not very masculine. But because it is a running sneaker, it is hard to dress up. These sneakers are best worn with dresses or tunics. The length of the dress matters. You want a dress that is a little shorter. A shorter dress shows off your legs and those amazing calf muscles. Since these are running shoes, we want to stick with the sporty look. Simple mini dresses and shift dresses are perfect for conquering this trend.

 

Finally, we can discuss my favorite sneaker, the Tennis Shoe.  I am sure we are all most familiar with this style sneaker. Brands such as Rebook and New Balance carry them. Currently, new balance tennis shoes are all the rave! They come in many different colors so you have a huge variety to pick from. These can also be pretty easy to style. Because they are very bold in color, it is best to stick with simple colors. If you are bold, you can totally rock the mix patterns and colors. However, I like to keep it simple. As with running shoes, sneakers are best worn with shorter lengths. I would not wear dresses with this style unless it is a casual dress, such as a denim dress or button up tunic. Usually, a mini skirt and a chunky sweater will do the trick!

 

I hope you all took away some great styling tips and ideas from this post!

 

If you guys have any other questions just comment below. xo

Trend Alert: Jogger Pants

 

A new trend that has caught my eye this fall/winter season is the jogger pant. These have been trendy for a while but people are beginning to change how they wear and style them. In my opinion jogger pants were for casual and chill outfits but now they can be worn differently! The pictures above give you a little idea of what I am talking about. A lot of ladies are wearing these knit and cotton jogger pants with heels! I know, who knew. I am completely loving the look. If styled correctly, this look can be phenomenal.

 

I own a few knit jogger pants myself but I normally wear them around the house or to run quick errands. Now, I can use them for more useful outfits ;) You can find these jogger pants just about everywhere. I have seen a lot of different styles at Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Guess, Express, Gap and H&M. They come in a ton of different designs and styles so if you aren't interested in the ones I am showing in this post, don't worry! They have plenty more you can choose from. I would style a pair of knit jogger pants with a long sleeve crop top and an oversized flannel for a causal chic look. Or I would style them with a silk tank, a nice blazer and booties. You get the best of both worlds with this new trend.

 

So, go out and get you a pair, ASAP!

 

 

P.S. You can click the links below to find a few jogger pant styles. Thanks for reading loves :)

 

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=33195439&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS#/

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=33322793&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS#/

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=LOVE21&Category=bottom&ProductID=2000064382&VariantID=

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=LOVE21&Category=bottom&ProductID=2000122462&VariantID=

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?vid=2&pid=139928012

http://www.hm.com/us/product/42450?article=42450-B

http://www.hm.com/us/product/46637?article=46637-C

 

Trend Alert: Duster Jackets

Hey everyone! Today is the day for a new Trend Alert. I am sure you all have been seeing a ton of post and pins on this new fall trend. Duster jackets, coats, sweaters and vest have been all the rave for the past few months. We have seen many celebrities rock this look such as Victoria Beckham, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian and more. This new trend is perfect for fall and I would say, should become a staple in your fall wardrobe. What I love most about these duster jackets and vest is that they can be styled many different ways. If you are more sporty, you can pair them with boyfriend jeans, a white tee and Nike sneakers. If you are more boho romantic, you can pair them with a silk romper, a floppy hat and chunky high heels. If you are more causal chic, you can pair them with trousers, a cropped tee or sweater and flats or heels. They can be styled multiple ways which means they can be worn by everyone.

 

My personal style is more casual chic. So I would most likely pair a duster jacket with black leather trousers, a cropped sweater and high heels. I have not purchased a duster jacket or vest yet but I have seen a few that I am dying to try on. You can find most of these duster jackets, coats, sweaters and vest in retail stores such as T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, H&M, Nordstrom, Asos, Free People, Urban Outfitters and many more. The price ranges from $50 to $300 depending on where you begin your search. No matter your budget, you can enjoy and embrace this new trend like the rest of us.

Go out and search now!

Fall Favorites 2014

 

Fall is right around the corner! The weather is beginning to change and I am ecstatic about it all. Fall is my favorite season, the weather is great, no allergies, no insane bugs and most importantly GREAT fashion. There is so much potential and excitement in fall fashion. There is so many styles, details, and accessories that make up a single fall wardrobe. It was so hard figuring out what I considered my fall favorites  for this upcoming fall season. After a lot of thought and consideration I came up with 7 fall favorites that I believe are worth purchasing! And with the help of Raise.com we can get these items in such a way that you will not believe.

 

Raise specializes in the buying and selling of gift cards. I know, sounds crazy right? But actually this online marketplace is a great resource for us fashion fanatics. You are able to buy discounted gift cards to your favorite stores such as Macy's, Target, etc. You are also able to sell your unwanted gift cards for cash. So all of the gift cards from grandma and grandpa to stores you have no interest in do not have to go to waste now. Great, right! Click the links below for more information on the process of buying and selling gift cards on Raise.com.

Buy Gift Cards

Sell Gift Cards

 

Now let us discuss what I am digging this fall! My fall favorites are pertaining to my own personal style. I love a lot of baggy, androgynous looks for fall. My first favorite is the wool floppy hat. I suggest everyone get at least one hat this winter. It makes all the difference. A chic hat can change a simple outfit into a high fashion street style look. Next are the oxford loafers. I have also been a fanatic for oxfords but the new styles and designs that I have seen thus far are completely to die for. My third favorite is the leather tote. A simple tote bag is all I need. Seriously, with the right leather tote you can conquer the world (dramatic I know). Next is the cape/poncho sweater. I am just showing one version of this style but there are so many different designs and variations to choose from. I personally believe that the bigger and baggier the sweater, the better! Of course I had to include the boyfriend jeans. I live in these jeans all year around but I love pairing them with baggy sweaters, blazers and scarves in the fall. It looks so effortless. My next favorite is the cropped knit sweater. I think that this piece is timeless and is very versatile. You can pair a cropped sweater with a long maxi dress, jeans, a midi skirt or harem pants. Last but not least is my absolute favorite, the midi skirt. I have fallen madly in love with midi skirts this year. I especially love the midi skirts with oxford loafers. It is definitely a throw back to the 20s. That's it! Those are my 7 fall favorites for 2014. If you all have not done your fall shopping, I hope you all took away some great tips and ideas that will help you!

 

Fall, we're ready for you!

Warby Parker: Fall Collection Launch

Hi everyone!

I am coming to you all with a fabulous company. Warby Parker was introduced to me about a week or so ago. The company specializes in women's and men's sunwear and  optical eyewear. They have many different styles and colors to pick from. You can find a pair of shades or readers that fit your personal style in no time! If you all are not familiar with this company you should click the link to go directly to their website; Warby Parker. What I love most about this company is their  "give back" concept.  Their motto is "Buy a pair, Give a pair". I love that companies are lending a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. Another bonus for Warby Parker is the quality of their products. They are amazing and very stylish! Each frame is created with great design and great quality. The company has retail stores in NYC, Boston, Dallas and Los Angeles. Their website includes their background and history, their product construction and design process and so much more interesting facts.

With the release of their new fall collection, I maneuvered around their website and took a look at their product. I found it very helpful and interesting that they offer several options when purchasing eyewear. These options include prescription lenses, progressive lenses and single-vision lenses. I found this aspect very helpful. If you wear glasses you understand why! I wore glasses all through out high school and every once in a while I have to pull them out of my closet-- especially during the school year. My glasses are not that trendy or stylish so I am super happy that I found a company that has such great optical eyewear. It is so hard to find good quality glasses at a reasonable price. They have nine new and fabulous frames that range from $95 to $300. A few of my favorites from their new fall collection include the Coley Crystal in clear, the Baxter Ti in sugar maple and Durand in woodland tortoise. They are all very unique.

 

If you love these styles, you should check them out.  They have many more!

Trend Alert: Dark Lips

This upcoming fall season we have seen so many different beauty trends surfacing. My favorite thus far is the dark lip colors. I first fell in love with the darker lip when Rihanna was spotted wearing black lipstick. I loved the color on her and the idea of such a dark and harsh color with a subtle beauty look. Then came Kylie Jenner. Everyone (including myself) fell in love with the dark and matte lip color she wore in her Instagram photos. It is such a universal color, meaning it would look GREAT on any skin color. This trend is definitely one that we all should be following. If you are a beauty guru or if you just love wearing make up in general, you should go out and swatch a few of these darker lipstick colors. Try them out for yourself. See which colors work best for you! My two favorite dark lip colors are by MAC Cosmetics. My first is the Viva Glam Lipstick in the color Viva Glam III. My second is the Mineralize Rich Lipstick in the color Lush Life (click the links for full details). Here are a few inspiring photos for this new dark lip trend. 

Take notes ;)

Trend Alert: Leather Jackets

 

This Trend Alert was inspired by this amazing biker chic look I found on Pinterest yesterday (last photo). I began to think about fall and winter and what pieces are great transitional pieces for the colder seasons. Automatically I thought of leather jackets. You can wear a leather jacket with just about any outfit. I would wear a leather jacket with a flirty dress and booties, boyfriend shorts and a tee shirt with boots, leggings with a knit sweater and flats. There are so many options of what to style leather jackets with which makes them perfect for this transitional season.

 

There are so many different styles and shapes so it can be overwhelming finding the right one for you. In my opinion, you want a leather jacket that is a little form fitting with a very shapely silhouette. I have found a few styles that may work for different body shapes and different preferences. For instance, I love the blazer styled jacket with leather sleeves. I find it more interesting and chic. No matter your preference or style, there are a ton of retail stores that sale multiple shapes, sizes, colors and styles of leather jackets. Some retail stores I have noticed thus far stocking up on this trend are Forever 21, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, All Saints, Zara, H&M, Free People and more! I would suggest you get yourself a leather jacket for this season.

 

Trust me you won't be disappointed!



Trend Alert: Fall Shoe Love

I am looking forward to the fall season. Although summer is always good to me, my heart is truly in love with fall. Windy mornings, colorful scenery, pumpkin spice lattes, boots and chunky sweaters. These few days I have been catching up on the latest fashion news, glancing at my favorite retail magazines and catalogs, reading fashion magazines, etc. I love the new trends for this fall but I find the shoe trends to be most interesting. The booties have cut outs and fun laces. The sneakers are being styled with cute skirts and dresses. The heels and flats are more interesting and funky. I can tell that this fall will bring lots of new styles and looks.

 

My particular fall style consist of lots of chunky knits, boyfriend jeans, leggings, high waist jeans, blazers and scarves. To be honest, I don't pay that much attention to my shoe wardrobe but this coming fall I have decided to make a change. I am putting a lot of thought and money into my shoe wardrobe. After all, a shoe, just like an accessory can make or break an outfit. I keep my outfits very simple in the colder months, thus I want to have fun and funky shoes that will add more spice to each outfit. So far, I have found these styles at retail stores like ASOS, Nordstrom, Nasty Gal, Steve Madden, Aldo Shoes, Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters. I will be purchasing all of these styles and more for the fall.

I will keep you all updated on my fashion finds for the start of fall!