Take advantage of holiday shopping sales

 Last night I went shopping at Menlo Park Mall with one of my roommates and best friends  Ellen looking for a fabulous dress for her to wear tonight to her boyfriend’s date night. We  succeeded in the goal of our shopping trip by picking the perfect dress for her to wear, but  while at the mall we couldn’t help but doing a little bit of additional shopping. Urban Outfitters  was having an amazing sale consisting of everything on sale in the store being an additional  50% off of the already low sale price. We walked inside the store and quickly got shopping.  Ellen found a floral print dress that after the additional sale was only $4.99 and a cute wrap  headband for only $2 making her shopping total a mere $7.49. We found that the beauty of the  dress was that it was perfect for spring, but could also be worn now when paired with boots and  a sweater that made it more wintry. I found some fabulous finds myself and wound up  purchasing more than I had planned too, but instead of just shopping for myself I also got  Christmas presents for my brother. I was able to get a Silence +Noise brown leather bomber  jacket that was originally priced at $99 for only $24.99 after sales and a pair of burnt orange  colored BDG mid rise jeans for $9.99 although they were originally priced at $59. My younger brother is obsessed with camouflage so when I found a collared camouflage button up I thought it was too good to be true. The price of the shirt wound up being only $7.49 after sales and I also found a pair of Vans for him for only $14.99. All in all it was a wonderful shopping trip for both Ellen and me and my suggestion for you is to take advantage of these sales when doing your holiday shopping as well as to treat yourself to a holiday gift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(holiday shopping, Urban Outfitters, Vans, BDG, silence+noise, winter fashion, camouflage)

Velvet slippers you can leave the house in

Do you ever have one of those days where you are dying to slip on a pair of shoes that are as comfortable as they are chic? Although  I love high heels and sometimes choose style over comfort in my shoe choices, there are many days where I am dying to rock the cutest and comfiest flats for both a fashionable and cozy shoe trend. One of the chicest and most comfortable shoe trends of the moment is the velvet slipper. When you first hear velvet slipper you may be thinking that isn’t something I can leave the house in, but I promise these flats are made for the outdoors. Any fashionista who rocks this shoe trend will still get the elegant look of wearing heels, but without the possible discomfort that comes from high heels at times.

Charlotte Olympia Kitty Flats

Many celebrity fashionistas have been seen sporting the latest and trendiest velvet    slippers from Charlotte Olympia’s Kitty Flats collection. If the $595-$825 price tag on  these Charlotte Olympia Kitty Flats doesn’t flatter your budget, you can still get the look  of velvet slippers without breaking the bank.  If you love the fun, feline feel of the kitty  flats then try Forever 21’s version for only $22.80. But for any fashionista who loves the  look of velvet slippers, but isn’t quite yet sold on the feline look, try a pair of velvet  slippers without the added design. These burgundy velvet ballet flats from Topshop are  the perfect way to rock the trend with a more traditional feel and with a $40 price tag you  are still able to get the look for less. No matter which style, color, or version you choose,  velvet slippers are definitely a trendy and chic shoe trend to add to your holiday wishlist.

VENT Metal Heel Ballet Shoes from Topshop

 

Faux Suede Cool Cat Flats from Forever 21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Charlotte Olympia, kitty flats, velvet slippers, shoe trend, fall fashion, winter fashion, Forever 21, Topshop)

Fabulous in fur

Alexander Wang Fall 2013 Collection

 

My Vintage Fur Find

With the cold fall and winter months coming, it can be easy  for fashionistas to feel that they’re chic looks are being covered  up  by bulky outerwear and that the extra layers are  taking  away from their stylish outfit.  But I say  embrace the  outerwear and like your shoes or  accessories think of it as an  outfit add-on, not a cover- up. A  fabulous fur coat is one way  to stay warm and make a bold  statement while also adding  glam  points to your already  fashionable attire. Alexander  Wang’s Fall 2013 Collection was  full of fur looks in  all different  colors and styles. If you aren’t  ready to fully commit to fur in  statement outerwear, try the  trend first in a vest or scarf.  Want to rock this designer look for  less this season? Try  versions in faux fur  and check out thrift  stores because the    beauty of fur is that this is not the first time  it is making an    appearance on the style seen. Fur coats have  been around for  centuries and that allows us to rock the  trend  now, but in a  vintage style if we so choose. A few years back I stumbled across an antique store  that sold clothing and when I found a few different and elegant fur coats I knew that I had to have one.  I saved myself from an impulse buy, but a few weeks later I went back to the store and luckily for me  the coats were still there. I decided on a lighter brown fur that was to my knee in length with leather  detailing on the under side of the sleeves and where the jacket buttons. Not only was my vintage fur  coat an eye-catching piece of outerwear, it was very affordable, priced at $35. No matter how you incorporate fur into your outfit, you’ll be sure to take your look to an added level of luxe.

(fall fashion, Alexander Wang, vintage, fur, faux fur)

Go navy

One of fall’s hottest color trends this year is navy. Whether you wish to wear the hue head to toe or try it as an outfit add-on with a structured tote or infinity scarf, you’ll be sure to hit a fashion high note. For anyone like me who loves to wear black, navy is a great alternative and still gives you a dark color that goes with just about anything. Not quite ready to fully swap black for navy? Well the good news is you don’t have to because the two hues complement one another perfectly. Chances are you may already have an article of clothing in this shade of blue hanging in your closet, but if you don’t you can grab the look for less at one of your favorite and affordable department stores. One of my favorite dresses is a navy and nautical sleeveless dress that I bought for a little under $30 at Forever 21 a few years back. Not only do I love the look of the dress, but I have been able to take the dress from season to season by pairing it different ways. I’ve worn it on its own with sandals in the summer and during the fall with a blazer and booties. My other favorite navy clothing item of the moment that I bought about a month ago is a sheer blouse. I purchased the blouse at Marshall’s for $20 and the brand is Philosophy. My favorite part of the top is the faux black leather collar that adorns the sheer long-sleeved navy blouse giving the look a bit of a tougher edge. Those are two ways I’ll be wearing the color this season, but find your budget-friendly navy picks and try the color trend for yourself.

My Forever 21 Dress

My Philosophy Blouse from Marshall’s 

(navy, fall fashion, Forever 21, Marshall’s)

 

On trend and over-the-knee

3.1 Phillip Lim Ora Boot for $975

A trend that was seen on the runways last spring in many fashion designers fall 2013 collections and  added edge to impeccable outfits was the over-the-knee boot. Over-the-knee boots are the perfect  add-on to take your outfit to the next level and with the chillier months upon us it is a great shoe  trend to complete your look.  Over-the-knee boots can be found in various colors and looks making  them a trend that can cater to anyone’s own personal style. 3.1 Phillip Lim sent this trend down the  runway in his fall 2013 collection and the Ora, over-the-knee leather boot he designed is beautiful. The  boots are priced at $975 and although I would love for the boots to be sitting in my own closet, the  price tag isn’t exactly in my budget at the moment.  But, I was able to purchase a pair I adore at Urban  Outfitters in January last year that were originally $129, but were on sale for $29. My over-the-knee  boots are Ecote and they are black suede with a small heel. Although a different version than Phillip  Lim’s, they are stylish and easier on your wallet. I suggest choosing an over-the-knee boot that best  suits your own style and that you find to be the most wearable. Whether you tuck your favorite pair of  skinny jeans or patterned leggings into the boots or pair them with a sleek dress, you will be stepping  in style this season.

My Ecote Boots for $29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(over-the-knee boots, 3.1 Philip Lim, Ecote, Urban Outfitters, fall fashion)

Do wear white after Labor Day

Derek Lam

Tommy Hilfiger

We all know the fashion rule of white clothing: Do not wear white  before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. But fashion designers are  letting us break the rules this  season by including the chicest  winter  white pieces in their fall  2013 collections. Beautiful winter  white pieces have been seen in  outerwear,  dresses, pants,  sweaters, and tops. Tommy Hilfiger,  Derek Lam, and Marc Jacobs  all had winter white  looks gracing  the runways while showcasing  their fall 2013 collections. I went in  search for winter white  clothing in  affordable yet still chic styles  on some of my go to  clothing sites. I found a great cable-knit pullover white sweater  on Cotton On’s website for $29.95, a winter  white coat on Forever  21’s website for $42.80, and a white sweater  dress from Nasty  Gal’s website on sale now for $46.80. Three great  winter  white  finds each for under $50. Shop the trend now to get the designer  look for less.

Brielle Cable Knit Pullover from Cotton On

Nasty Gal Little Secret Sweater Dress

Forever 21 Retro-Inspired Boucle Coat

(fall fashion, winter white, Derek Lam, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Nasty Gal, Forever 21, Cotton On)

Top it off with a hat

Fashion designers are making it easier than ever for us to add warmth and style to our look or cover up a bad hair day with trendy hats. Most fashion designers have added hats in various styles to their fall and winter collections this year and they even graced Fall 2013 runway shows. Fedoras, beanies, floppy hats, berets, and baseball caps are all options for you to throw on and complete your look. If you’re looking for warmth and style I’d suggest a beanie of some sort, but if you just want to add something extra to your outfit or cover up a less than desirable hair day, my go-to look is always a fedora. I went to the websites of a few of my favorite fashion designers to see what hats they had in their collections for the upcoming chillier months. Betsey Johnson, Marc Jacobs, and Kate Spade all have adorable and stylish beanies and various hats in their collections. I also went on Topshop’s site to view their hats and was also pleased at what I found.  Although many of the hats I found were reasonably priced, some as low as $20, I knew I could find a look for less and in fact I already had. While shopping in the mall last week I purchased a pink beanie from Forever 21 which was full priced for $2.80. My go-to fedora is also a look for less that I purchased a couple of years ago from Urban Outfitters. The fedora is BDG and it was in the sale room for $9.99, but my bargain didn’t stop there because the store was having an additional sale with all items in the sale room an additional 50% off the lowest ticketed price. I snagged my fedora for $4.99. Two great hats to add style to my fall outfits both for under $5 each.

Clean Edge Fedora Hat from Topshop for $50

My BDG fedora from Urban Outfitters for $4.99.

Shorter Turn Up Beanie $20 from Topshop

My Forever21 beanie for $2.80 in a pretty pink hue.

 

(Forever 21, Topshop, hats, beanies, fedoras, Kate Spade, Betsey Johnson, Marc Jacobs, Urban Outfitters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step into fall’s fabulous riding boots

I’m a firm believer that a great pair of shoes can transform your whole outfit and the right shoes can make your entire outfit. I have even created outfits from the bottom up starting at my shoes. There are tons of fall shoe trends that are sure to complete your look whether you are running to class, going to work, or spending a night out with friends. Some of fall’s hottest shoe trends include colorblock heels, tassel loafers, wedge sneakers, ankle strap heels, lace-up booties, and riding boots. A great pair of riding boots is a style investment. The riding boot has become more than just a season to season trend and in turn is a timeless classic. If you are willing to spend more money at first purchase for a pair that are genuine leather or more durable you will certainly keep wearing them for years and get your money’s worth. But if you aren’t in the market right now to spend a couple hundred dollars on riding boots you can still snag the trend. Of course , designer versions of the riding boot are certainly drool-worthy, but they are not the only option. There are various pairs of riding boots that are affordable, chic, and a similar look to the designer versions. Three years ago  I got a pair of riding boots with a little bit of hardware, studs on the sides,from Marshall’s for $30.  The brand of the boots is Wanted and I would say the retail price for them was probably over $50. Wanted is a great shoe brand and I normally find their boots in Marshall’s, but you can check out their online site http://www.wantedshoes.com/ for tons of chic riding boots for under $100.  My Wanted boots are beat up and on their last leg now, but were absolutely worth the price and style points. I wore the boots for years and always got compliments from people I knew as well as perfect strangers wanting to know where I got the boots because they loved them! Here’s a picture of my boots now and the look I snagged for less.

My Wanted riding boots with metallic hardware, 3-years-old

The beauty of this trend is you can wear the boots with jeans, pants, leggings, skirts, or dresses and add extra style points to your outfit. I suggest getting a pair of riding boots in black or brown so that they will they will go with the majority of outfits you already have in your closet. Below is a pair of two-toned leather riding boots from the Ralph Lauren Collection that retail for $955. I found a similar style on Wanted’s website, but in a different shade of brown and the two-toned back color is done in faux suede. These boots retail for $89.99.  Grab the look for less and find your perfect and affordable riding boot this season!

Sabeen Vachetta Riding Boot from the Ralph Lauren Collection

Wanted Stampede Brown Riding Boots

 

 

(riding boots, Ralph Lauren Collection, Wanted shoes)

Motorcycle Jackets: A Fabulous Fall Add On

With the weather getting chillier it can be easy to sacrifice style points for bundling up and staying warm. But why not have both? Moto jackets are one of fall’s hottest fashion trends and also a great add on to your outfit that will keep you both warm and oh so fashionable. Fashion designers have created beautiful leather motorcycle jackets for their fall collections that are certainly on wish lists everywhere. However, these beautiful jackets do not always come with beautiful price tags. For those of us who are more savvy fashion shoppers with a love for bargains and discounts we can still rock this fall fashion trend. Micheal Kors designed leather jackets for his fall collection that are bold statement pieces that would add a layer of warmth and an extra layer of style to any outfit. If the price tags on these jackets are not exactly in your budget you can get the look for less at Urban Outfitters. The Michael Michael Kors Quilted Leather Jacket is available at michaelkors.com for $695. Urban Outfitters is selling a Members Only Quilted Vegan Leather Moto Jacket, originally $99 on sale now for $59 at urbanoutfitters.com. Snag the latest trend for a fraction of the price and stay warm and fashionable throughout these fall months. The beauty of a motorcycle jacket is that you will add a luxe look to any outfit and the trend goes great with anything from jeans and a t-shirt to a sexy little black dress for a night out. If you want to really push the envelope try the trend in a bold color to deviate from the traditional black look. Whatever you decide, adding a moto jacket to your closet will be sure to add extra style points to your outfits.

Michael Kors Quilted Leather Jacket

Members Only Quilted Vegan Leather Moto Jacket

(Michael Kors, Urban Outfitters, leather, motorcycle jacket, fall fashion)