Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Just call me Dotty

Hello lovelies! Since Sunday I talked about plaid, a major trend right now, I want to continue on with the trendmobile and jump into another very popular trend right now: polka dots. I've heard people talking about how when they were kids they owned polka dot things and gave them away thinking they'd never need them again, and now they have to re-buy the wardrobes they once had. Do not fret lovelies! That's what sales and thrift stores are for! As I proved last Wednesday, you can buy designer things for a mere fraction of the cost!

Taking the "trend" part away, polka dots  have been seen through the decades. They are a classic print that really and truly never goes out of style. Polka dots can be worn at any age for any occasion, save for maybe a funeral. Other than that, they are always a welcome sight. Polka dots aren't just prim and proper; they can be sexy, cute, sweet and very very fresh. They are not a stale item in the back of your grandmother's closet, they can be worn in any style.

Polka Please



$50 or Less



Quite possibly the most perfect jacket ever created.



Absolutely adorable and perfect for any occasion, as well as your wallet! Looking adorable without breaking the bank is a must for any wardrobe. Just throw on some flats and a jacket and you're ready for any situation that comes your way.





The most posh little bag with a touch of attitude thanks to the gorgeous chain strap. 



The uneven hem gives a breath of fresh air to a classic item, taking it from the back of the thrift store to the front of your closet.



Just the sweetest top in an alluring red and white polka dot combination. The layers make it easy to hide any problem areas while still looking modern and not like Anne from Green Gables.



With the rainy winter months approaching, everyone needs a solid, cute pair of rain boots. Why not go bold and stand out from the standard crowd in this sunny pair of yellow polka dot boots?


A nod to Amy Winehouse without going full beehive, and an easy way to hide a bad hair day. (I do this often)



The easiest way to wear polka dots you ask? Wear your favorite LBD, throw on these tights, some ankle booties, a sweater, and you're set. See? Easy as one, two, dots.


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Saturday, October 8, 2011

It's a plaid world, plaid world

Good evening lovelies! I hope you all have had an amazing week so far with everything that's been going on with you. If you've started school on the quarter system, not to worry, only a few weeks and then you'll be having turkey and stuffing with your family while it's snowing outside.

One of the biggest trends seen on the runways this year that has been making a huge hit (or comeback since it never truly 100% goes out of style) is plaid. We are mad for plaid! Especially with the cooler weather setting in; time to bring out your gorgeous plaid accessories and make it work people!

Mad for Plaid

$50 or Less

Women



Quite possibly the sexiest wedge oxford heel ever made.



Absolutely beautiful, classic gloves to make any outfit go from lovely to lovely AND polished. Something about a proper pair of gloves just makes an outfit that much more amazing and pulled together. It also makes me want to go driving in the countryside, but that could just be me.



Do not fear the romper, the romper is your friend even in the autumn! Pair this with a crisp white button-up underneath and a tailored jacket, and for your legs wear a pair of wooly tights and heavy boots. See? Easy as one, two, cute outfit!



Boots are a must-have for any wardrobe, and these are the perfect way to wear boots and still get in on the latest trend in a subtle way. The touch of plaid pattern on the foldover is the perfect punch to a pair of black tights.



You don't have to be Neyo to love fedoras. (Fun on the farm fact; he actually came out with his own line of hats since he loves them so much) You also don't have to wear a full plaid tartan to get some plaid in. Just throw this on and it will keep your head warm, AND make you look stylish.



This gorgeous little number will keep your neck warm from those bitter winter winds and add some color to your outfit. And if your outfit already has some color, well then it will add some more. Don't be afraid to layer and show your pattern/color love!



I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but cropped tops are all the rage. This one is cropped without going too high, so if you're like me and aren't sporting a six-pack, you can still show some crop top love without exposing your whole midsection. You can show just a touch of skin, but this top still has the popular silhouette that everyone wants right now. Don't worry ladies, it will be very easy to wear this loose, or tuck it into a pencil skirt, throw on a jacket and funky belt and wear it into work. Where there is a will, there's a way!

Men

$50 or Less



Gorgeous hightop sneakers with the popular fold-over style in a cool plaid highlight. Score 1 for True Religion.


Men SP: $45.00

Very chic, very warm, very appropriate. Plaid really and truly never goes out of style; everything is cyclical. If you buy this now, this will last you for as long as it still fits, and it will ALWAYS look good. Reason being is the main color of this jacket is black. A simple, chic black jacket with a plaid detailing around the neck in colors that work with everything. Yes please!



Levi's Men's Woven Shirt Chili: $24.99

The perfect way to break in on the plaid frontier without breaking the bank.

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topshop.com

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calvinklein.com

25% off all shoes

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Steals and Deals

Good evening lovelies! I hope you have had an amazing week so far and enjoyed the beautiful rain today followed by all the gorgeous sunshine! We need more rain and it's so much fun to snuggle up while it's pouring outside, just not when you have to drive to LA afterwards, but other than that.

Tonight, I am incredibly excited because I've found some amazing deals that different websites are offering, and I also found an amazing steal myself at the Coalition Thrift Store in downtown Ventura.

Steal


Tod's Handbag: $5

No, i didn't actually steal it, but considering that a Tod's handbag can run anywhere upwards of $1,000 on a good day, I consider this a steal. Clearly the sales associates had no idea what they were holding when they tagged this beautiful purse! I thought I was going insane when I saw the tag reading $4.99. I truly thought I was seeing things and needed to go see a doctor. Then I clutched on to it tight and didn't let go the rest of the time I walked around the store, which was especially fun when I was trying on shirts. Nothing brings out the possessive purse beast in you when you see a woman eying your $5 Tod's bag. MINE! >=O

Deals


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IN STORE: 50% off sale prices. Yes, an extra 50% off of sale prices. I got a pair of shoes there the other night for $5! RUN PEOPLE, RUN!!!!!!

Free shipping online on orders of $50 or more: plus free shipping & returns

Extra 25% off of sale: discount taken at checkout

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Absolutely adorable and perfect for the cool autumn months. The design is gorgeous and the cut is roomy with a slight nod to the retro trend while still keeping the earthy Free People vibe that they are so well-known for with a modern twist. Yes please!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Soul Punk: $50 or Less

Good evening lovelies! I hope you all have had an amazing week so far. Tonight, I want to talk about something I found out recently.

For those of you who remember the band "Fall Out Boy", the band of men including the charismatic Pete Wentz on base and the gorgeous voice of Patrick Stump leading the chart-topping hits, the days of "Dance Dance" are long since passed

For a while now, Fall Out Boy has not been together and it seemed as though everyone but Pete Wentz had fallen out of the spotlight. And then, Sunday evening I was listening to some music on Youtube and saw an ad for Patrick Stump's new single "This City". I listened, and fell in love, all over again.

I was already in love with Patrick Stump's vocals to begin with. I feel he has one of the most amazing male voices to date, but now with his solo career his writing skills are able to show through, and it is a fantastic thing.

Along with a new solo career, Patrick has also lost some weight over the past year. and has found a new style to go with his new look. I loved his look when he was heavier, and I love his look now. He can do no wrong in my book, and he keeps on coming out with hits, both in and out of the recording studio. Tonight, i want to bring a taste of his style for the men.

Patrick Stump


 

Soul Punk

$50 or Less













 Outfit Total:  $42.89



 And there you have it lovelies, any nice dress shoes you have will work and then you're officially a Patrick Stump style fan!



Sunday, September 25, 2011

Scubey Dooby Doo + Burgundy Beginnings

Good evening lovelies! I hope you all have had an amazing week. After being around the scuba scene for over a month now, I've noticed that it's not just basic black wetsuits. There is a fun fashion among scuba enthusiasts and for those of you out there who love to dive and explore the ocean floor, I have some fun things just for you.

Also, I will bring you some beautiful burgundy bags; the hottest trend to sweep Hollywood.

Scubey Dooby Doo 

$50 or Less


This gorgeous graphic tee will look good on everyone and show how much of an extreme diver you are, or hope to be some day. (Like me)



This is my boyfriend in a nutshell.



A gorgeous necklace perfect for that special lady in your life who likes to explore sunken ships and creepy caves with you, or who just loves watching "Sea Hunt" just as much as you do.



Scuba Kitty, need I say more?



 The perfect mug to carry your coffee around in, coffee that will keep you awake during your scuba explorations.



Burgundy Beginnings

As the cooler weather starts to set in, we suddenly find ourselves wanting to pull out our boots, sweaters, and for the latest trend for this fall, our burgundy bags. This rich, beautiful color is perfect for the autumn palette and making you feel warm and toasty inside, even if the weather is cold and biting outside. The trend is everywhere on the runways, from Miu Miu to Rebecca Minkoff to Stuart Weitzman to Lanvin. Everyone everywhere is going mad for burgundy.





$50 or Less


Beautiful detailing with the zipper and the foldover front. Thankfully this has a little loop so you can let it hang on your wrist instead of having to carry it under your shoulder the whole time. Also, it can fit your phone and cards without looking like it's going to rip in half.



Absolutely gorgeous color and the silhouette is just so spot-on with the trends right now.




This is a gorgeous bag that will go throughout any season and with any style. This will be able to carry all your necessities quite comfortably and still make you look stylish and chic!


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Trending Now: $50 Or Less

Good evening lovelies! I hope you have had the most amazing first week and a half of September so far. Tonight, to make up for lost time I'm going to bring you a trend that is very hot right now, and break an age-old rule.

First though, the trend: Suede shoes. Celebrities have been seen wearing suede shoes everywhere. They are very very hot, and very appropriate with the cooler autumn months coming. Suede can definitely work for summer as well though when worn in adorable summer silhouettes.

Celebrity Suede Sightings




As you can see, suede can be worn in both warm & cooler-weather outfits, and even in bright colors! You don't need to stick to nature-colored hues; you can have fun and play around.

Suede Sightings: $50 or Less



The perfect pair of summer wedges done in a bright purple suede. These will be your go-to shoe for spring, summer and into the autumn.




Adorable and goes with everything. These boots you can wear throughout the year; wear them in the winter with your skinny jeans tucked in and a cute sweater, or in the summer with a pair of shorts and a funky tee. The sky is the limit with these hot booties



The color and the fact that they're slouchy thigh-high boots alone should have you scrambling for your credit card. This particular shade is incredibly versatile and will go with any color you own and every silhouette. You will get more use out of these than you can imagine and you'll end up living in them.


Pretty much the coolest suede pump around thanks to that awesome detailing along the sides. The black piping, peep toe cut-out and funky platform shape help take what could be a plain pair of shoes into the coolest pair of peep-toe pumps you'll ever own. Compliments from everyone you meet guaranteed.




Now, for the next topic; White after Labor Day. A lot of people say this is a don't, but I say, who gives a flying freak?! I don't care if it's after labor day, white works for any season depending on how you wear it!!!! And just to prove it, i found some goodies.

White Willies: $50 or Less



This is very easy to transition from summer into fall and winter. In autumn, pair it with a sweater and some boots. In the winter, wear tights or jeans, a heavy jacket and boots and a fun hat and you're good to go. This works very nicely for any season, you just have to be creative with how you layer!



This little shorts are so fun, and still very appropriate for autumn. To transition these into winter, you'll have to be very creative and go with more of a sweater and heavy tights combo, but you have to play with the textures and patters to make sure they don't clash too much with the summer vibe of the shorts, but transitioning these for spring or autumn is a piece of cake.



Nice linen pants like these are always perfect for any time of the year because all it really depends on is the footwear and then you're good to go.




And there you have it lovelies; suede and dressing after labor day! <3

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Perfumed Perfection

Good evening lovelies! I hope you all have had an amazing week so far. Luckily in 2 weeks my classes will be over and I will be able to go back to my regular updating schedule! To make up for lost time, I want to talk to you about something that most of us love but we don't really think about very much: perfume. Our signature scent. Yes, we have those designers that we love their clothes and so of course we want to smell like them as well, but is their scent really meant for us? Or is it just too overpowering and making us smell less than wonderful? Or do you not wear perfume at all?

While I can't afford miss Coco Chanel's clothing, I can afford to quote one of my favorite quotes of hers:

"A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future"

Now, Miss Chanel was famous for her opinions, and boy did she have many, but this is one of my favorite ones because I feel that it's true to a degree. Mind you, wearing perfume during an interview is a no-go, ever ever ever because you never know what scent your employer prefers, but other than that it needs to be worn, at least, in my opinion. 

Will you die without wearing it? No, but will you get complimented? Yes. I get complimented on my scent often. I sometimes hear "That smells like what my grandmother used to wear" and they smile sweetly and inhale, looking like they're with their beloved grandmother again. I personally take that as a compliment because A.) nostalgia factor, and B.) grandmothers always seem to know what's up.

The only one who has ever not liked my scent is my dear friend Andrew, but mind you he doesn't like any scent period; his nose is extra sensitive, so it's no big deal. What do I wear you ask? Betsey Johnson's scent that has sadly been discontinued. (I will buy out every supply I find until there is no more, and then I will cry because no other scent has ever mixed with my skin so well).


Of course, being a thrift addict, I refuse to pay a lot for my fragrance. How much do I pay you ask? Never more than $30, while this originally retailed for nearly $60. Where do I find it you ask? Tj Maxx & Ross. Don't believe me? Tj Maxx is one of the best-kept fragrance secrets. They always have the best fragrances for a mere fraction of the retail cost. 

Another great place to find inexpensive prices is:

You always must shop around ladies!

How to find your perfect scent

Now, for those that aren't sure how to go about finding your fragrance, remember that the most important thing about a fragrance is to try it on your wrist and wait about 5-10 minutes to see how the scent mixes with your body's natural scent and chemistry.

In the latest issue of Allure, there is an article about perfume in France entitled "French Lessons" by Judy Bachrach. In it, it talks about the differences in how French women view perfume as compared to American women. They like their perfume seductive and subtle, where as American women prefer loud, in-your-face scents that say too much and are far too overpowering for the person.

For me, I prefer my scents subtle and sweet. If you're unsure of what to wear, wear pheromones. Yes, you read correctly, pheromones. I used to wear a few dabs on my neck a few years ago for a very specific reason: they always smell good on you. You don't need to think about if it will work with your body's specific scent because everyone has pheromones. Plus, everyone is happy when their pheromones are going, so you will always smell good and attractive to both sexes. You can buy them at any sex store.