Hits or Misses?

I've been doing a bit of online window shopping, and am finding so many new pieces that I'd love to incorporate into my closet. There are so many new trends this season, and I am really excited to try them out once the weather gets a little warmer. I'm going to try a new little tradition here-a weekly "hit or miss" post, where I find things that seem to be "on trend" and then get your feedback. I need your help though! With the feedback I receive, I'll make a more in-depth post about the item that got the most "hits". So here's what I'm asking from you: with the five items I post, number them from 1-5, 1 being your biggest "hit", and 5 being your biggest "miss", whichever piece is most commonly #1, will have a more detailed post about how to incorporate it into your wardrobe, and similar pieces. This can all only happen with your help though, so please leave me a comment with your opinions! Shall we go on? :)

1. Madden Girl Naughtyy Red Multi Color Block Platform Heels

2. Fade Out Button Down - White to Grey

3. Chevron Beaded Clutch

4. Sailor Girl Ponte Dress

5. Triangle Feather Dangle Earrings

So there are your contenders. Let me know what your faves and non-faves are!

Ciao!

Hats!

I'm obsessed.

Hats are all I think of. I see them everywhere and am dying for an excuse to wear one.

But since it's a stifling 27 degrees here, I'll have to wait. 

Thanks to the Little Pink Blog for the pic!

I won't even go into how much of a hot mess LiLo looks in that last pic...

Anyways.

I am super self-conscious in hats, I feel like I look super-douchey, but this season, since I'm vowing to step outside my "fashion box", I'm going to rock one during our Spring Break vacation in Charleston. If people want to point at me and laugh about how ridic I look, that's cool. 

I found some really adorable ones at Target, and I think I'm going to go back and scoop one (or two) up, before ordering more online, so I know what I look like in them. The biggest piece of advice I got from a good friend-DON'T PACK IT! She said she has crushed too many hats that way and has finally learned her lesson. So, point taken, it'll be worn to the airport, or packed very carefully in my carry-on. :)

So let's get to the point here, there are a whole bunch of different styles of hats available to you. It all depends on the "vibe" you're going for, and what sort of outfit you plan on wearing with it. 

1. The ever-famous fedora: 

They come in wide array of fabrics and designs, but since Spring is rapidly approaching, I like the straw versions the best. They're lighter and breezier, perfect for warmer temps! I like how each hat's look can be changed, simply by the sash that's around it. The leather strap adds a more hipster vibe, the zebra print is edgy, and the flower is super girly. I like these with a tank top and maxi skirt. 

2. Floppy hats:

I love these. They're so free-spirited and remind me of Summer. They're a great way to keep your scalp safe from those UV rays, while still looking chic. Again, each hat has a different feel to it, the stripes are a little more preppy, the woven scarf one is a little more sophisticated, and the buckled one is totally hippie. I think these are best paired with your swimsuit (obv), or a flowy shirt and jeans. Add some chunky platforms too.

3. The cloche

How fabulous is this hat? It's so awesomely vintage, and I love it for that. This hat was made popular in the 1920's, but has recently become hip again-no wonder why! This one may take a little more courage to pull off, but I think it's totally doable. Pair this with a girly dress for those afternoon Summertime parties.

3. Wide Brimmed hats:

These aren't quite fedoras, and they aren't exactly floppy hats, but they're still super cute. The first one looks a bit like a trillby hat, but don't quote me on that (and does it really even matter?). The style of the hat all depends on what I'd pair it with. That first one would be cute with a button-up and cut off jean shorts. Maybe some old school Ray-Ban-esque aviators too. The second one is a little more "70's", so I'd go with a fitted tee and flared trouser pants. Oversized shades are a must as well. ;)

You can find all the hats right here, Forever 21 has a whole bunch of different styles! And remember, no matter what you wear, make it your own. There are a ton of different styles of hats out there to try. Maybe be like me and take a risk this season, you never know what you might fall in love with!

Happy shopping!

Oh hey, I love you.

Find these beauties here.

I dare you...

So I've been creepin' around on some new sites and have come across some pieces that I absolutely love, but have a feeling they'd look better on someone else rather than myself. I have vowed to myself that come Spring and Summer, I'll take more risks. I think a part of that is my quarter-life crisis, and I want to be a bit edgier, but I could be wrong.

Dare Number One: I'm pretty positive I'm too old for bustiers. I also don't have the flat stomach that's required to wear them, but I'm sure some of my followers do, so here ya go. This is the Trixie Bustier from Necessary Clothing. I, for one, love it. It's sassy, colorful, and just plain cool. I love it with high waisted skirts or shorts, and think it would look really awesome with some high waisted parachute style pants. Pair with sky high heels and you have a rockin' outfit for your next night out. 

Dare Number Two: Cutouts. There are many extremes to the cutout fad, and you can REALLY big, or stick with only showing off one body part (like your shoulders). I love to pair cutouts with color blocking, I think it adds an extra punch to the outfit. Tobi has a TON of super swell dresses at prices that you can't beat. Plus, right now, they have a whole bunch of their new arrivals 30% off (I'm PRAYING the sale is still running when we get our tax return back so I can buy some of the stuff I've been absolutely drooling over)! They have loads of cutout dresses that I really love, but I went with this one:

The sides are cut out, but the front and the back are still covered. I love the color combo (although I can't really pull off yellow too well), it's called "peacock". That blue/green is absolutely gorg! I like a long necklace with it, and some funky wedges.

Dare Number Three (and four): Neon colors and bodysuits. I thought my days of wearing both of these were long gone, but when done correctly, they're super chic and very modern. This top is very wearable, and can be paired with numerous bottoms. I like some flared black dress pants, but you could do a pencil skirt, high waisted jeans, the possibilities are endless! Keep your accessories simple, but have fun with your shoes! Thanks to Lulu's for carrying this stellar piece!

Dare Number Five: Prints, prints, prints! I'm not talkin' some subtle little floral pattern on a t-shirt-I am talkin' "IN YO' FACE!" type prints. This Python Print Dress from Lulu's is just that, it's bright, it's colorful, and it has a killer pattern. It took a classic design, and upped the ante. Plus, it also have the cutouts and the neon colors, so you're being SUPER daring! 

So there are my dares for the week, are you willing to try anything you see here? Maybe not this minute, but maybe this upcoming season? Springtime is for new beginnings, so why not? And if you aren't totally cray-crazy about what I've posted, what would you be willing to try? Hit me up and let me know! Until then, happy shopping my lusties!

Muah!

Copy her style!

Welp, she's not necessarily a "celebrity", but I think you'll agree with me that Pippa Middleton has KILLER style. I love that she keeps it classy, but still has fun with her looks (that you'll see in the first pic). She has an air of confidence about her which is so refreshing. So, without further ado, here is Miss Middleton in all her glory, enjoy! All photos are courtesy of InStyle. :)

Super easy look:

1. Black blazer

2. Neutral plaid shirt

3. Colored denim

4. Black boots

5. Black purse

6. Chic shades

Shall we?

1. Black blazer: These are SO easy to find. I got a cream colored one at H&M for $19.99. Love Culture has one for $27.90, you cannot beat that!

2. Neutral Plaid Shirt: Again, you can pretty much find these anywhere. I would try to find something that is fairly neutral so it's not competing with the jeans. Forever 21 has a plaid woven top for only $19.90. Total steal!

3. Colored Denim: Since this is such a hot trend right now, so many stores are carrying the colored denim. You can find them in almost any color, and Urban Outfitters has an awesome selection. They run a little bit more than what you may want to spend, but I think they're worth it. Remember, pair with neutrals, or you'll end up looking straight out of the 80's.

4. Black boots: I'm going to go ahead and assume that you already have a pair of these. They can be booties, knee highs, calf, whatevs. Throw 'em on. If you don't have a pair, ballet flats would look super cute too.

5. Black purse: Love Culture has the perfect slouchy black bag. I love the handle on the top and the zipper details.

6. Chic shades: You can really get away with anything here, but I'm just gonna say that I luuuuurve these shades from Mod Cloth. The shape is super funky, and I love the color of 'em. Scoop them up for only $11.99! Love it!

That'll do 'er for today, lusties.

Cheerio!

A quick celeb-inspired look...

I caught a peek at this pic of Vanessa Hudgens in Hawaii and I knew I had to share it with you. I am totally diggin' her Ikat print bikini, but since it's from Trina Turk, each piece retails for about $40+. Neiman Marcus actually has a one-piece cutout suit on sale for $49, you can find it here (what a steal)!

Now, $49 is a pretty good deal, and even the full price designer suit isn't too shabby, but if you're like me and enjoy buying numerous suits each season, spending almost $90 on just one suit isn't going to work. Forever 21 has a really similar Ikat Bikini, for around $21! 

If you want to complete her super boho look, add a chunky necklace like this:

Maybe some bangles:

And you're set! Rock that suit with the confidence you've been hiding behind bulky clothes all winter. 

Soak up the sun (with SPF of course)!

I'll admit, I would absolutely LOVE to own a pair of designer heels. Or carry a designer bag on my perfectly manicured hand while a Tiffany charm bracelet delicately dangles from my wrist. The reality of that is though, is, that will probably never happen. I'm not going to cry about it though because I truly believe you can LOOK the part without breaking the bank. Plus, I'm one of those people that has an anxiety attack just about every time I go shopping, so saving me a mental breakdown is probably a good thing. ;)

I occasionally browse Neiman Marcus's website and drool over their shoes, bags, and gowns. Then guess what I do...head over to my go-to websites and try to find similar styles for cheaper. A lot cheaper. Living in [extremely] rural Upstate New York, my efforts will usually go unnoticed, but I don't care-this is what I love doing, it's my passion, and I truly believe that shoes can change your life. 

Right?

Anyways, I wanted to show you, my lovely lusties, my proof. That even though you may think a certain shoe is out of your price range-it's not. There's usually a similar shoe out there that you can wear to your heart's content without freaking out that they'll get ruined or lost (and yes, I've lost LOTS of shoes, I'm still mourning the loss of the PURRFECT pair of black suede heels from Payless!). 

Here is a pair of Brian Atwood Suede Colorblock Pumps, which retail for about $350:

(gorgeous, right?)

Now, here's a pair of Ami Clubwear Fuschia Faux Suede Pumps, which retail for $31.99:

Obviously, they aren't exactly the same, but they are similar in their style aspects. It's not about finding an exact "twin", it's moreso about finding something that has the same idea. Here, it's the bright colors and the color blocking (which, btw, I luuuuurve).

Moving on...

I die for this Alice + Olivia Laken Long Tank Dress, which usually retails for $440. Now, you may not be able to find a dress exactly like this, but it sure won't be hard to go another route by using separates!

Basically, all you need is a striped shirt (use horizontal stripes), a skinny belt, and a long maxi skirt. You don't have to use all black and white, it would be cute to add a pop of color in the belt or the skirt-or even the stripes of the shirt! Play around and have some fun with it! 

I'm obsessed with the color of this Chiffon Maxi Skirt from Old Navy. It's only $30 (on sale now!) and it's absolute perfection for Spring. 

The only tanks that fit me well are the Long and Lean Basic Tanks from Target. They're only $8, so I can stock up each season and buy all the colors I need. Since the skirt is so WOW!, I'm going to pair it with a neutral gray and white striped tank. 

A skinny belt from Forever 21 will complete your look. I really think the brown will be a bit more casual, which is the look I'm going for here.

You can add your own touch with your bag and your jewelry, I'd go the tribal route, but that's just me. ;)

That's all I've got for tonight, I hope that I've at least given you some inspiration to bargain hunt and realize that you totally CAN look totally put together without spending a fortune. It takes a little time, but in my eyes, it's totally worth it. Because, when you look good, you feel good, and that's what matters the most. 

'Tis all...