A Semester of Fashion Faves in Review

Hello world! I am back at it blogging. Who knows how long this will actually last since I start up a lovely winter intersession grad. class and go back to work in about a week. I can't believe that it's been about a year since I posted but being a full time working girl-student-fashionista can be tricky.

I wanted to make this post to share some of my favorite style staples from this past fall season as we make our way into the new year (2015? What!?). With my hectic schedule, it can sometimes be hard to put together cute outfits every day. These adorable fashion pieces have helped me so much with throwing together fashionable looks. First up I have one of my most favorite recent looks:

This sweater is a recent purchase (sale!) from Old Navy. I had been looking for one of these loose turtleneck sweaters for awhile and fell in love with this adorable and super cozy one. Another reoccurring trend you will see in my outfits is this pair of adorable boots. I have been wearing them nonstop this season and I love how they can be paired with just about anything. The look of the sweater, leggings, and boots is so effortless and somehow makes me feel put together on the busiest of days! Here's another couple of outfits with the same boots. Each outfit is so different but somehow the boots tie it all together. Oh, and did I mention that these were only $30 from Forever 21!? I think that everyone needs a pair of functional brown boots and you don't have to break the bank to get them. I admit that I should probably invest in a quality pair, but these have held up amazing so far and look so cute with every outfit. See below for evidence!

 
Clearly I have mastered the mirror selfie in the name of fashion! ;)

Next up I have another favorite look, featuring THE fuzziest vest. I remember featuring a different fur vest last year, but this one has a little extra flair. It started off as a jacket with sleeves but I ended up cutting them off to achieve this precious fur vest! I am so happy with how it turned out and I love how cozy it is (feels like I'm wearing a robe!), while also bringing the outfit together. I paired it with an all black look and an extra style boost with some brown booties and my infamous cheetah print scarf. This look is totally acceptable for my job or even going out with friends or for a date night. Super simple! 

Another outfit featuring my lovely scarf is this look that I pulled together pretty early on in the season. I love how simple it is but also looks really polished and classy. I paired my new vest from The Loft (latest obsession) with a simple long sleeve tee, jeans, and my beloved Tory Burch, Reva flats. This vest has become such a staple for me and I have already gotten so much use out of it. It creates such a fun, layered look and I know I will be getting a lot more use out of it soon. 

This post would not be complete without one of my most favorite, fall, must-haves: My Hunter rain boots. I had been in the market for new rain boots for awhile and figured I might as well invest in a good pair. These bad boys make rainy days not so dull! They are navy with a royal blue stripe on the back for an added pop of color. I love how even though I'm wearing rain boots, I can still make my outfit look put together with these. In the picture below I'm wearing them with an adorable plaid shirt and skirt combo. I have also been loving the knee high socks peeking out from the boots look as well!  And again, totally acceptable for work and school throughout the semester. I never thought I could wear rain boots in a fashionable way! If you're in the market, I would definitely suggest investing in a pair of Hunters. Rain on!

And lastly, we get to my final faves! First up; the blanket scarf. I have gotten SO many compliments on this scarf all semester. I have always been a scarf person, but when I saw this one, I knew I had to have it. It is an extra large scarf, but so cozy and can literally transform into a blanket. Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in a sea of scarf when I wear it, but I'm okay with it. I pretty much wear this whenever possible and it is such a staple for me this fall/winter. 

 There's me and the scarf taking over my body!

You can find the same one here from Aerie: http://www.ae.com/aerie/browse/product.jsp?productId=1729_2273_184&catId=cat5650221

It's a little pricey for a scarf (I got mine on sale-duh) but totally worth it in my opinion. I know a lot of places like Zara and Express have similar scarves now as well!

Last but not least, I have these perfect booties. I literally just bought these at Forever 21 (for 20 buckaroos) so they aren't really a favorite from this semester, but I can already tell I will be getting a ton of use out of them. I love the buckles and cutouts on the side for an edgier look. They are also super comfy, which is perfect for going out or even wearing to class/work. I can totally see pairing these with a skirt/dress or a skinny jeans or leggings look. I'm in love with these shoes and I have no shame about it. 

That is all for now fashion friends. Hopefully I won't be MIA for as long this time! But for now keep shining on for the new year full of fashion and fun!

The Weather Outside is Frightful, But the Fashion is so Delightful

Welcome back! I have been MIA on the blogging throughout the entire semester, but I am back for winter break. I have survived the semester (in style of course) and can safely say that I have one semester left of my undergraduate career! With that being said, my schedule has been so hectic that I have barely had a chance to do much of anything aside from school work, job responsibilities, and mandatory events. Well, let's get started with what we are all really here for: the fashion!

The fall and winter seasons are most definitely my favorite, especially in terms of fashion. I just love being able to layer up and try out different styles and looks. I figured that this post would be dedicated to some of my favorite fall/winter fashion must haves that will maybe even inspire some upcoming looks!

First and foremost, I have been loving the classic black dress look. I have found a way to make this dress work so many times already this season. A plain dress goes a long way, as I have been mixing it with different colored/patterned tights, scarves (a MUST have in my life), and different boots. This particular dress is from H&M and is skater-style. I loved how it looked with these olive green tights and the cream colored scarf. A perfect outfit for student teaching in my case, a dinner outing, or even a great Christmas look!

Next, we have another one of my favorites this season...the fuzzy vest. Now, this may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I personally think it adds a lot of fun to a plain outfit. I choose to pair this vest with a simple look such as black leggings, black boots, and a plain white top. The key is to use the vest as the statement and avoid overpowering it with any other bold pieces to avoid looking Ke$ha-esque. 

Here we have another must have for the season: patterned leggings! I searched all over for a pair that was just right. I knew I wanted a black and white pattern but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for at a decent price. The other day, I happened to come across these from H&M for $5!! Yes you heard me $5! I loved the funky pattern and the leggings are a nice quality and aren't see through (a difficult issue to avoid). I love how these leggings add so much to an outfit and can be paired with virtually any color sweater/boots. I like the look of these with an oversized cream sweater...just my style! 

Well, that's all for now, but I promise to keep up with the blogging throughout my winter break! Stay tuned for some of my favorite holiday looks and different ways to go out in style even in the cold winter months. Happy holidays everyone... stay toasty and remember you will always look good with a beanie on your head and a Starbucks cup in your hand! :) 

Packed up in Style

It has been quite some time since I've posted anything; mostly because I have been packing and getting ready to go back to school! With entering my senior year of college, (seriously how did that happen?) you would think I would be a pro at the whole "packing just the right amount of stuff without packing my entire room or excluding anything important". Nope... not even close! I have come a long way from freshman year, when I basically dumped the entire contents of my room into large, purple, plastic bins! Now, I attempt to seriously look through all of my clothes and see if I will actually be wearing any of the stuff that I am packing! This year I did exactly that! Only problem is... I have A LOT of clothes to choose from (pictures below will show you what I mean). Being the type of person who loves to dress up and experiment with outfits and styles and rock different looks, it is a challenge to pick out clothes that I don't want to bring with me to school. I always think "what if I want to wear this dress at some point?" or "what if we have a themed party that could require me to wear this shirt?" It is surely the struggle of being a girly girly and a fashionista! My advice to those struggling with the same problem: pack the clothes that you think will make YOU happy while you're away at school! Even though you might be limited on space, it's okay to bring that extra sweater or that adorable dress that you can wear in a bunch of different ways... be daring!

Now, the real issue is the rest of the stuff that isn't clothing related! Bedding, kitchen supplies, bathroom essentials, decorations, and most importantly accessories. ;) Happy packing!

These pictures surely show how much stuff I have... that's not even half! 

Bonus tip: bins are super helpful! I pack everything in these colorful bins and they make it really easy to organize all of my stuff! 

GASP! An empty drawer in my room.. that's something you don't see too often! 

Back to School in Style

It's that time of year again.. back to school! For some it is a dreaded time; dealing with homework, papers, assignments, and stress. For others, it is a fresh start and a chance to get back on a schedule. Although I am going into my senior year of college, I still enjoy the excitement of going back to school. Call me crazy, but it's true! I'm not exactly looking forward to the "work" aspect of school, but I am most definitely looking back to all of the fun back to school accessories/shopping! Since I was little, I always loved going to Target, Staples, etc. to pick out new notebooks, highlighters, agendas, and whatever other back to school items were available. Not much has changed at the age of 21 (I guess it's the future teacher in me?) With all of that being said, I have put together some of my favorite back to school accessories for this coming school year. Hopefully they will give you some inspiration for your own shopping!

Ah the excitement! Pictured above I have:

• Vera Bradley tote in "Heather"- I am seriously obsessed with this tote/pattern! Vera never lets me down! This bag is the perfect size to hold books/binders for school. With all of the different patterns you really can't go wrong transitioning into the different seasons. 
• Vera Bradley agenda also in "Heather"-How could I resist the matching agenda? I am a total agenda junkie. I would be lost without my agenda so I figured it was worth the investment for one that was both cute and durable! This agenda is also perfect for college students and has plenty of space under each day, a place for your schedule, and of course adorable patterns throughout! A definite must for this school year. 
• Michael Kors black wristlet- I have had this wristlet since last year, but I still think it's a perfect option for back to school. It is conveniently small in size but does the job! There's plenty of space for money, ID cards, credit cards, and even your iPhone! The handy wristlet makes it perfect for a grab and go on those busy mornings! Tons of brands have items like this, I just happen to love the Michael Kors because of it's durability and sleek style. 
• Pink travel coffee mug from Target- Of course we need an adorable coffee mug for back to school! With hectic mornings rushing to class or student teaching, I need my coffee on the go! This travel mug comes in a few different colors and keeps your coffee nice and warm on those chilly mornings!
• Assorted highlighters-Pretty self explanatory, but I love highlighters! They help to keep my notes and agenda organized and the fun colors really make things stand out! Gotta have them!
• Monogrammed post-its- Post-it notes are another organizational essential! It's hard to tell from the picture but these have a little monogrammed "C"... I am a sucker for anything monogrammed. Post-its are great for writing reminders to yourself or keeping track of your busy schedule. Again, these come in tons of styles and colors but these happen to be my personal favorite :) 

Notebooks and Folders! I love mixing bright patterned folders with plain notebooks and color-coding! These notebooks are also customizable and I plan on adding a cute cover onto them with my class information and a fun design!

Hopefully this post helped to ease the back to school blues a bit! Happy back-to-school styling!!

The Sunshine Behind a Rainy Day

Ah, what a wonderful rainy Tuesday in August. I ran out to do a couple of errands this morning and returned with some very soaked Sperrys! It was seriously raining so hard, but seems to have calmed down a little bit. I know that some people absolutely loathe rainy days... personally, I adore them. Rainy days are the perfect opportunity to snuggle up in bed (even better if you have a cuddle buddy), catch up on some reading, watch TV, and enjoy some quality relaxation time. Now what would a blog post be without a rainy day outfit idea? It's an acceptable opportunity to completely bum out and dress super comfy (not that I don't already do this on most days, but anyway). Below I have my outfit of choice. I am rocking my super nerdy, and yes, prescription glasses, my *Phi Sigma Sigma Spirit Jersey,  super comfy Victoria's Secret black leggings, and of course my natural curly hair.
*Blog post to come about my sorority style!

I am obsessed with this comfy Spirt Jersey in this adorable mint green color. I love that it has my school and sorority name but isn't overly obnoxious. It's oversized and perfect for a relaxing day of snuggling up in bed!













For my rainy days, there are a few things that are MUST haves. Firstly, my laptop.. for Netflix of course! I have been loving The Office lately, but any Netflix series or movie is perfect for this kind of day! My Kindle is another essential. I'm currently reading "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo, which is a really great read! I'm also reading (or attempting to read) a few books for school... trying to get a head start and be a good student, and all that jazz. Regardless, an e-reader or good old fashion book or magazine is a great thing to have with you on a rainy day. And of course, what would any day be without my hazelnut iced coffee from Starbucks? So grab your coziest blanket and your most snuggly pillow pet (Wonton the panda featured below) and make the most of your rainy day and enjoy every minute of time you get to relax! For someone who loves to be on the move all the time like myself, it's important to "find the sunshine" and enjoy time that you have to enjoy a low-key day... make the most of it! :)

Manicure Day

Manicure time!

I have always loved getting manicures for as long as I can remember. I mean, who doesn't love getting a bit pampered and enjoying some "me" time? Being the girly girl that I am, I absolutely adore getting a good old fashioned mani (and sometimes pedi)! The place I go to is close to home, very inexpensive ($7 + tip!), and conveniently located next to a Starbucks... what could be better? Today was one of those days where my nails were looking terrible and I decided to get out for a bit, grab my venti iced coffee and go for a quick mani! 

Unfortunately, I was not blessed with the greatest looking nails. As you will see from my pictures, my nails are pretty tiny and don't grow very much no matter how hard I try. I also have a bit of a nasty habit of picking at my nails. Sometimes I do it without even realizing. Therefore, getting a manicure helps me to keep my nails looking nice, tame those unruly cuticles, and add a fun color to my nails, while also keeping them in tact! I'm not the type of girl who gets my nails done every week with a fancy, French acrylic, but I do enjoy going for a manicure every so often! 

I always have such a hard time picking out my color nail polish from the rows of OPI and Essie polishes! Today, I went for this adorable purple color... "Full Steam Ahead"! This pretty, light purple, with a hint of shimmer is perfect for an every-day look for the month of August!

And there we have it! A successful manicure day! Hopefully I keep my nails strong and healthy and I can eventually have nice, long nails. Voila!... the finished product :) 

Confessions of a Shopaholic

This title pretty much says it all. I am a self-proclaimed "shopaholic". How does one define a "shopaholic" you may ask? Well, I am here to provide that answer for you! I find myself at Target and/or TJ Maxx/Marshalls minimum 4 times a week. Do I actually need anything? Absolutely not. Yet I somehow end up leaving with something, whether it be the latest makeup product or a "great deal on a top that I couldn't pass up". As I surf the web, I catch myself creeping onto shopping sites in hopes of finding the latest trend. My Pinterest shopping board is filled with various styles and trends that I want to explore. I can virtually go into ANY store and find something that I would like. Seriously, you name it.

Some may consider this to be a serious problem, but here's the thing, I don't always shop in hopes of buying something. Sometimes, I shop just for the sake of seeing whats out there and keeping up-to-date on the latest products. I am also a firm believer in bargain hunting. I'm no extreme couponer or anything, but I have realized that collecting rewards cards/coupons here and there can be a big help. Lets be honest, who doesn't love a free Victoria's Secret PINK lace underwear? Or $5 in CVS "extra bucks". I find that even though I am an avid shopper, I am pretttyyy smart about it. We all have our splurges, but it's important to remember to invest in pieces that will become staples in your wardrobe, makeup collection, etc. I recently spent a bit extra on two amazing pairs of jeans from PacSun. They fit like a glove and were super flattering. It made sense to spend a bit extra on something that I knew would be worth it and would last me a while. It's important to see what's out there and find what's right for YOU!

I hope this helps everyone a little bit about being a smart shopper and knowing that it's okay to be a shopaholic... but doesn't mean you have to be a "buyaholic"! Window shopping can work wonders. So, grab your shopping buddies and spend an afternoon of browsing, collecting inspiration, and okay, spending a little at the mall... I know that's how I will be spending my Friday afternoon ;)

Ok.. couldn't resist posting this picture... it's kind of a great depiction of my shopping ways :)