Animal Fall

 

Outfit: Dress - H&M ($30), Sweater - H&M ($20)

It began last year with riding pants and boots. Even sweaters with elbow patches showed up in stores (I am a sucker for them). The equestrian look is back this fall and bigger than ever. Designers have taken the whole look one step further by making dresses, sweaters, pants and tops with the horses all over them. Not to mention bunnies, deer, birds, etc. Animals are everywhere this Fall in a huge way!

I am totally digging it.

I have found myself flocking (no pun intended) to any articles of clothing with an animalistic feel. When I saw this dress I fell completely in love. Apart from the fact it is covered in little deer, I like that it has sleeves and a collar. It's such a perfect dress, except that its made a little small in the shoulders. Can you believe that the dress is a size 10! For those of you who didn't know H&M does their sizes using the European code so a 10 usually a medium. Just a helpful hint when shopping there. Don't worry you aren't huge, the numbers are just different :)

Here is a breakdown - 

American:  2  4  6     8    10  

European:  6  8  10   12  14  

PS - This dress is still at H&M for $30! So snatch it up before it's gone :)

A Very Bright Fall

Outfit: Sweater - H&M ($2), Oxfords - Target ($18), Button-Up - Forever 21 ($15), Clutch - H&M ($12)

I know people tend to think you can't bring bright colors into fall or winter, however, I 100% disagree. The other day while sale shopping at H&M I came across this cropped, button-up sweater in both green and black. Nine times out of ten I pick the black one, however, one of the most scarce colors in my closet is green so I stepped out of my comfort zone and purchased the green one. 

I am so glad I got the green one because I love wearing bright colors with neutrals during fall and winter. Last year, I bought a bright pink sweater and I wear it all the time when it is cold. It's also quite fun to stand out in a sea of nude during cool seasons. 

So my friends, make sure you hit the store selling summer looks for extremely low prices. You may just find something you can wear all year round :)

P.S. I love this buttoned up school boy look. Such a refreshing change from the "school girl" look you often see. 

I Turn To You - Clothing Edition

 

Outfit: Striped Sweater - H&M ($18), Lace Skirt - Forever 21 ($20), Oxfords - Target ($15)

Everyone has a "go to" item in their closet, and with fall just around the corner I have pulled mine out once again. I love my oversized striped sweater. You know the days when you are either in a rush or didn't have time to pick out your outfit the night before (yes, I still do that)? Well these are the times I pull out my striped sweater and throw it on with jeans, leggings, shorts, skirts, etc. I just add my accessories and my outfit is complete!

The key to the perfect "go to" item is finding one with versatility. The other day while visiting my Uncle's house I took these pictures (I mean, how can I not seize the opportunity when his house is so beautiful?). I casually dressed up my favorite piece with a lacy skirt, pearls and oxfords. The sweater has a totally different vibe when paired with leggings and boots. However, both looks are equally cute.

The more ways you can wear your "go to" item the better. Trust me, people will be less opt to recognize you wear it so much when you've jazzed it up a million different ways.

So now that you know my little secret piece of clothing, you have to share what your "go to" item is :)

Hidden In My Moms Closet

Outfit: Top - H&M ($30), Shoes - MOM, Shorts - Forever 21 ($10), Sunglasses - Target ($14)

I love oxfords. In all shapes and sizes, they are so chic and a bit different from what you normally see people wearing. The most recent addition to my collection are these fabulous, black heeled, cutout oxfords. Where did I get them you ask? I am lucky enough to have a mom with an eye for fashion and whose feet get tired of shoes quickly. So, these shoes were passed onto me.

I am wearing them here with an outfit inspired by the always stunning, Olivia Palermo. While I kept it simple with black and white, these shoes can easily be paired with skinny jeans and a boyfriend blazer for a feminine play on menswear.

While I adore these shoes, for sometime now Naz and I have been lusting over this pair of Jeffrey Campbell Oxford Cutouts. Let the swooning begin...

It Won't Be Soon Before Long

Outfit: Blazer - H&M($35), Top - Foreign Exchange($25), Shorts - F21($10), Oxfords - Target($20)

How many of us have seen a celebrity wearing something you desperately wished you owned? It happens to me more times in a day than I can count, which results in me being mildly depressed depending on the cuteness of the item. But, then there are those magic moments when you find a similar item in your price range. Its a moment of pure bliss (well at least for me it is). I had seen Taylor Swift wearing this Wildfox sequins perfume bottle sweater, I then scoured the internet and found it on the Wildfox website for over $100. Depressing, right?

Well, a few weeks later I walked into Foreign Exchange and there on the rack was this sequins perfume bottle top. It wasn't exactly the same, but close enough. Now, I am in no way condoning knock-offs. There is nothing worse than a sad, fake Louis Vuitton handbag. But, finding clothing items similar to designer pieces (that do NOT claim to be the designer's brand) can be a more affordable way to dress like the stars.

For those of my readers in the Bay Area who are unaware of what Foreign Exchange is, you have definitely been missing out. I discovered this store while living in San Diego, but have found that there is a location in the Great Mall, Milpitas! I would suggest to you all to check it out. It can be hit or miss sometimes, but I usually can find several pieces I can not live without :)

Oh, You Mean These Silver Oxfords?

Last Spring, before all sorts of brands were making oxfords, I was diligently searching online and in-store for the perfect cognac pair. The only ones I could find were at Steve Madden and would run me about $70. I just didn't have the funds. So, I held out until July when I found an identical pair from Target online for $19.99. Don't you just love when you find exactly what you've been searching for under $20 bucks? Its euphoric.

After I purchased my traditional cognac pair, in the SALE section of Macy's online I found the most delicious pair of Jessica Simpson distressed silver oxfords (sans shoelaces). The best part? They were on sale for $20! The great thing about a really unique item is that a lot of people shy away from them thinking the piece is weird or different, so the item ends up going on sale when no one buys them. Their loss is our gain! These silver oxford go with everything and the attention they get is fun.

So lets see...I got two pairs of oxfords for $40 and Steve Madden was charging $70 for one pair. Its that euphoric feeling coming on again <3

Outfit: Top - H&M (12.95), Skirt - Forever 21 (11.00), Shoes - Jessica Simpson ($20)