Lace with Gold Accents

Lace Cream Top - Forever 21

Red Jeans - Vigoss

Floral Cowboy Boots - Boutique

Gold Earrings - Forever 21

On occasion, I like to channel my inner Taylor Swift. One of my favorite things to do is to mix soft, girly pieces with harder, edgier items like cowboy boots. I also love wearing cowboy boots with dresses and jean jackets. I wore this outfit to work and it was a huge hit with one of the little guys I provide therapy for that loves country music. I walked in the door and he screamed "CARRIE!!!!" It put an enormous smile on my face. 

Lace always looks better when paired with gold accessories. It gives outfits a more vintage and sophisticated feel. I chose these simple gold drop earrings to compliment my outfit because they contributed to the overall effect of the outfit without being too much. Accessories should always accentuate, not take away from your actual outfit. 

The romantic curls made the outfit elegant as well. I always curl my hair the day after I wash it so that the curls hold better. They held all day and I got so many compliments along the way! I love straightening my hair, but sometimes, it's fun to change it up and do something you wouldn't normally do! I love getting ideas from Pinterest, my friends, and even random people I meet during the day.  

As for the colored jeans, I always like to add some color to my wardrobe during the colder months because as the summer tan wears away, darker colored clothes can look dull and make my skin look washed out. I recently got advice from a professional make-up artist that told me that darker colors look best during the winter months. A general rule of thumb is that you should go lighter for summer and darker for winter. 

Do not be afraid to experiment. I love trying new clothes pairings and seeing all the unique combinations that I can come up with. :) 

Hope you all had a lovely November. I know that my Birthday month was totally fabulous! 

Xoxo! <3

Wine Tasting Elegant

Lace Peter Pan Collar Dress- H&M

Tights- Forever 21

Jeweled Ballet Flats- Forever 21

Lipstick- Estee Lauder

I have been waiting all year to wear this dress! I bought it last year and I love it because it's the perfect transitional item from summer to fall. It's warmer than most summer dresses so it's great to wear on a crisp fall day. I love these tights because they can easily dress an outfit up. The tights are a cream color and match the collar on my dress perfectly. I am not typically a fan of wearing all black because it washes me out so I like to add cream accents to make the look less dramatic. Also, adding lipstick is a fun way to add some color! Since the Peter Pan collar on the dress makes a statement in of itself, a necklace is not necessary. I would suggest a simple bracelet or pearl studs if you want to accessorize! 

My pewter ballet flats added to the girly feel of the outfit. Although they are not necessarily the most comfortable shoes, they were a steal and I can never pass up a great buy. :) Metallic and jeweled colors are extremely popular for fall so add some amethyst, sapphire, emerald, ruby, garnet, and citrine to really spice up your fall wardrobe! If you want to be daring, try wearing a jeweled color outfit from head to toe. However, if you want to still embrace the trend without going over the top, let your accessories speak for themselves. Gem tones also sparkle when paired with fabrics such as satins or metallics and clothing details such as pleats and draping!

Although I chose to wear this outfit to go wine tasting with friends, it is also dressy enough to wear to a wedding or other formal event! Happy Monday everyone. Cheers to good friends, fun clothes, and fall festivities! 

Xoxo!

Fall Essentials

Leather Riding Boots - Fabianelli 

Purse - Kate Spade Gold Coast Maryanne

Black Sweater with elbow patches - Marshall's 

These leather boots were definitely a splurge, but I love them! :) They are lined with fur and so comfy. They may be a bit too warm to suit California's attempt at fall weather, but I like pretending that we are actually graced with a fall season. I was surprised to find such good quality boots at Marshall's. They were about 160 dollars with tax, however, they are made in Italy and seem like they are good enough quality that they will last me for quite some time! Leather riding boots are a great way to dress up any outfit. The chestnut brown color of the boots is perfect because it looks great with red, purple, black, or even grey. I will continue to get a ton of use out of these boots for years to come! 

I love my new red bag from Kate Spade. It is the perfect all-around bag. Who says red isn't a neutral nowadays? ;) I say that red is appropriate any time of day. Red is the color of confidence so have fun with it! This bag was also a splurge but as the savy shopper I claim to be, I am always looking around for the best sales. At retail price this bag goes for approximately 400 dollars. Kate Spade was doing a 2 day sale and I was able to snag this fancy bag for 209 dollars with tax! It's large enough for me to carry all my work supplies in and I just love the color. However, as an evening bag, I would probably opt for something smaller!

I have been searching for a sweater with elbow patches for a while now and I FINALLY stumbled across this one at Marshall's for only 17 dollars! Sewing on elbow patches could also be a fairly easy DIY and a fun fall project to do with friends. Here is a good site to refer to if you are looking to DIY! 

http://freshly-picked.com/how-to-sew-leather-elbow-patches-onto-your-cardigan-and-sweater/

Happy Fall shopping lovelies! Xoxo! <3

Frenchies and Fall Weather

French Bulldog Blouse - Keds

High Heeled Boots - Steve Madden

Pearl Bracelet - Forever 21

Black Jeans - Vigoss

Fall is my favorite season! I just love everything about it. The colder weather makes me feel refreshed and alive. I make sure that my wardrobe reflects my love for autumn. Even though the leaves are changing colors and the trees are being stripped bare, that does not mean that I forgo vibrant colors and fun prints. Fall is an excuse to really let your style shine. Anyone has the ability to dress down during the summer, but it takes a true fashionista to get creative with layers during the colder seasons. 

Blazers are my favorite go-to item during the fall. It isn't quite cold enough yet in California to wear a blazer so I really try to focus on my accessories and shoes/boots in order to make my outfit really pop! I saw this shirt in Macy's a while ago and it was just too expensive. No matter how I tried to justify it, I just couldn't bring myself to make such a lavish purchase. Anyways, the beauty of being a shopaholic is that if you shop frequently enough, things go on sale. :) About a month ago, I was shopping in Macy's and saw that this adorable blouse was on sale for 22 bucks! I got it immediately and couldn't have been more proud of myself that I had waited patiently for something I really loved! It felt great to be a smart and price-conscious shopper! When you are trying to decide whether or not to put forth the money, it is important to think of items you already have in your closet. Try to think of the practicality of the clothing (what will you wear it with and for what occasion?). 

Because the french bulldog blouse was fun and lively, I wanted to pair it with more classic and elegant pieces. With that said, the only piece of jewelry I wore was a pearl bracelet. I also opted for black jeans and stiletto black boots to give me some height. I absolutely love that it is cold enough for me to wear my boots again. :) This was a great outfit to wear to work because it was professional, but age appropriate at the same time. I got so many compliments on my outfit! 

Have a lovely fall! I'm off to indulge in a pumpkin spice latte! Xoxo! <3

Inspiration is Everywhere

Don't be close minded when it comes to fashion. Inspiration can come from anywhere! I really love getting ideas from some of my favorite television shows. I also like browsing through fashion magazines, trend reports, and exchanging ideas with friends. Here are some of my favorite fashion icons from different shows!

Spencer Hastings from Pretty Little Liars (Troian Bellisario)

I love Spencer's style on the show. She always looks like she has stepped out of a Ralph Lauren/Tommy Hilfiger catalogue. She is the perfect combination of conservative and preppy. I just love how polished her outfits are! She really knows how to pull off a look with the right layering and accessories. I always pay attention to the fun prints and patterns that she wears!

Dr. Zoe Hart from Hart of Dixie (Rachel Bilson)

Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) also is a huge style icon for me. She really utilizes classic colors such as red, black, and nude. Her outfits are fun and flirty, while always being professional. The key to fashion is knowing that you can look hot and sexy without looking trashy. Zoe Hart is the ultimate fashionista! I also love how Zoe Hart dresses well for her body type. She is a tiny person so she knows that she can accentuate her legs by wearing high-waisted shorts and heels! Learning to dress for your body type is half the battle when it comes to fashion. 

20 Classic Pieces to Spend Money On

"Fashions fade, style is eternal."

— Yves Saint-Laurent

I was flipping through my Lucky Shopping Manual this morning and thought I would share their idea of classic pieces that are worth spending money on! When you are shopping for these items, spend more for an awesome fit or high-quality fabrics. You will not regret it when you are still wearing the same clothing or shoes five years down the road. 

1. Cashmere Sweater

2. Parka 

3. Menswear trousers

4. Trenchcoat

5. Fitted Blazer

6. Overcoat

7. Wool A-Line Skirt

8. Fancy Earrings

9. Evening Dress

10. Black Leather Bag

11. Black Flats

12. Black Pumps

13. Knee Boots

14. Leather Jacket

15. Sexy Suit

16. Strappy Evening Sandals

17. Sequin Top

18. Sequin Evening Bag

19. Good Watch

20. Leather Tote

Enjoy! Xoxo <3

Pearls and Curls

Have fun with color!

Striped T Shirt - H&M

Colored Jeans - Target

Pearls - My Mom's Closet

Ballet Flats - Sperry's 

Dog - My little love Stella

Colored jeans are so in and I literally have jeans in every color. I love playing around with new color combinations! You can find awesome colored jeans at almost any store, but my personal favorite place to shop is Forever 21 because there is such a huge selection. If you are going to go for a bold color like this hot pink on bottom, make sure your top is fairly muted. Use this rule with any outfit. If you are going to wear a vibrant top, then make sure you wear more of a neutral color on bottom! 

I love this black and white striped top because I can wear it with literally anything. I could also pair it with red jeans, mint jeans, purple jeans, or even black jeans. I have had to dress down for my job so I love finding new ways to dress up t-shirts. It's also a great top to layer with! Once this heat wave dies down, I will be sure to be break out my cute jackets and boots. You could transform this outfit entirely with a sweater, jean jacket, or even a leather jacket. 

I am obsessed with my Sperry flats because they make me feel like Minnie Mouse! It is alright to mix different patterns such as stripes and polka dots if you are mixing prints that are using the same color schemes. These shoes are very comfy as well which makes it easier for me to play with the kiddos I work with on the floor, or anywhere they are willing to work! 

Pearls are always my go to accessory. They are classic and can be worn with almost any outfit to dress it up. If you are going to invent in any jewelry piece, I would highly recommend saving up to buy a nice pearl necklace! With that said, be aware of necklines. You don't want a piece of jewelry to weigh down your outfit. If you have on an elegant looking top, make sure you don't pick a necklace that is too chunky or it will become the main focal point instead of your outfit that you spent time picking out! Statement necklaces should be worn with caution. For example, if I had chose to wear mint jeans with this outfit, I could have worn a mint bubble necklace that would have balanced out my mint jeans on bottom. 

Remember, fashion is all about trying new outfits. Experiment and have fun in the process! My room is always a disaster after I get done playing in my closet. :) 

My Personal Inspiration

Since I have gotten a couple requests for me to make a fashion blog, I thought I would share with everyone my appreciation for fashion! Fashion is something that I love because it is expressive. Appearance is salient when navigating relationships with other people. I choose to represent myself as a person of class, intelligence, and poise. I hope to portray those traits with the clothes that I wear and the values that I cherish. My hope is that people understand that fashion is not contingent upon the amount of money that you have. Fashion is about creativity. It is about creating a representation of yourself that people are sure to remember! A fashionista needs to be innovative, smart, and flexible. Fashion is never stagnant. My goal with this blog is to make fashion a little more accessible for the average consumer like me!

If I had to describe my own personal style, it would be a cross between traditional and preppy. Let me shed light on the term "preppy." Many are quick to confuse preppy with labels. Preppy is more of an attitude. It is holding yourself to a higher standard. I believe that regardless of self-esteem, if you carry yourself with confidence, you will eventually learn to embody the qualities that you want others to see! In that sense, I have fun with bright colors and patterns. I let myself experiment with sparkles and fun prints. Any outfit can be customized with unique accessories. As far as traditional goes, I like classic pieces that can be worn for years! It is always good to have staple items in your closet that will never go out of style. If you are going to splurge, spend that extra money on your traditional pieces. For instance, I have a pair of Steve Madden stiletto boots that I have gotten SO much use out of. A basic brown trenchcoat, a little black dress, and a nice pair of boots are items that you will cherish for quite some time!

 Make people take you seriously. This means do not be the girl that gets attention by showing too much skin. Be the girl that turns heads because she is powerful, elegant, and a force to be reckoned with! Happy shopping and styling to all!

Xoxo!

Katie