Pretty in Pink

Reese Witherspoon is probably one of my favorite style icons, right behind Carrie Underwood of course.
Reese always looks polished, classic and radiant.  Her latest public appearance was at the Governors Awards, a ceremony hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (the people who host the Academy Awards!).  This small ceremony honors three individuals with special achievement awards.
For her Governors Awards look, Reese opted for a classic sheath in a beautiful shade of magenta.

Reese let the hue of her dress do the talking and kept accessories to a minimum.  I absolutely adore the shade of pink used on her lips.  It complements her skin tone without overpowering her look.
Well done, Elle Woods!

OOTD: Ankle Pants

Hey guys. One of my favorite looks for fall has to be ankle pants.  I think they are so versatile, you can dress them up or down and provide you with a very polished look.  They can be worn with flats or boots making them a great transition piece.

Here is one of my recent looks with a pair of Old Navy's Pixie Ankle Pant in Black.

I love wearing nude flats with these because they do not compete with the color of the pants which can result in cutting your body off in weird places.  

My blouse is from LOFT, no longer available, my necklace is from Express, and my flats are Steve Madden, here is a similar pair.

Old Navy has a great selection of colors and prints, and are at a reasonable price.  I also love to check out Target.  I was able to get a really great pair of bright pink ankle pants this summer.  Target currently has some great jewel tones for fall, I have a pair in plum (which looks great with the J.Crew Herringbone Vest...)

My Latest Obsession

I've been doing my best to limit my spending this summer, so I've been avoiding my favorite stores with the hopes of being a good girl.  However the other day, I received an email from American Eagle declaring that they were having a huge sale. I believe it was an extra 40% off sale prices... So I did some browsing, with little expectation of making a purchase.  I haven't been super impressed with AE's offerings throughout the past few years, however there are always a few diamonds in the rough!
Anyways, I made my way over to Aerie, and realized I knew what I was going to buy.
Lace bralettes have become a rising trend the past few seasons (they followed closely on the heels of bandeaus!).  Being smaller, I saw the bralettes as lacy, expensive sports bras, so I wasn't compelled to purchase a pair.  Yet the price at Aerie was just right.  I figured, "why not, they are cheap enough; I should just try them out".

Let me tell you, I am pleasantly surprised! I ordered two, each was under $20, and they for shipped free (which if any of you know me, you know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE when shipping is free!).
One style is racerback without any padding, while the other is padded with adjustable straps.

Softest Lace Racerback Bralette

I purchased mine in teal!

Softest Lace Perky Bralette

As opposed to a sports bra, you don't feel squished or compressed! Instead, I feel as though I can breathe!  Not to mention the soft lace feels more feminine than the sweat absorbing material of sports bras.  Like most bras, these come in a variety of styles and colors allowing you to feel comfortable in your own skin.  They are typically worn under lose fitting tee's and tanks!  If you are interested in purchasing one of these lacy gems, be sure to look at the company's sizing chart to give you the best fit possible. I recommend checking these out if looking to give yourself a little treat!

Lilly Pulitzer Fall 2014 Preview

Happy Friday! I am so excited to celebrate the beginning of the weekend with big Lilly news!  We have official previews of the company's first looks for their fall collection.  The Fall 2014 collection is all about extending summer, and not saying the "f-word".  I think this is such a cute concept, and fits with the brand's image.  However, for a New England girl, it is slightly disappointing.  The weather changes too quickly and is too cold to be wearing silk tank dresses.  At least this will keep me from spending money!  I'll just spend time drooling over how cute all the Southern Lilly ladies look while I am bundled up.

The prints are colorful and beachy, what else would you expect from Lilly Pulitzer?  Everything screams resort, so clearly the company delivered its promise.

Elsa in Green Under the Palms

Hayden Open Cardigan in True Navy

Marielle Boatneck Intarsia Sweater in True Navy

Palmetto V-Neck T-Shirt Dress in Sapphire Blue Rollin In the Grass

Brielle Sleeveless Dress in Hotty Pink Ottoman Stripe

Betty Silk Racerback Tank Dress in Bright Navy Electric Feel

Carol Shift Dress in Green Under the Palms

Sanibel French Terry T-Shirt Dress in Sunkissed Pink Under the Palms

Betty Racerback Maxi Dress in Cameo White Electric Feel

Janice Shift in Hotty Pink

What are your thoughts on the collection?  My favorite dress would have to be the Carol Shift, I love a long sleeve dress for seasonal transitions!

Geometric OOTD Post

Hello, Fashionistas! I haven't done an OOTD post in awhile, and felt that I just had to share this dress with you.  I it picked up back in September, but never found the right time to wear it, especially because it grew cooler on the Hudson.  I attended a surprise birthday party the other day and decided it would be the perfect time to wear it!  I love the geometric play on chevron, and the teal and bright blue are perfect for summer.

I attended the party with my gorgeous cousins, Bethany and Carrie!

The dress was from Francesca's and is no longer in stock.

This dress has a similar geometric vibe to it!

J. Crew Factory Sale

J. Crew is having a massive sale right now to celebrate the Fourth of July.  Everything is 40%-60% off.  Everything.  So I did some browsing to see if there were any good deals.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the Herringbone, Black Puffer Vest was back in stock!  This vest was super popular last season, but it kept selling out (at full price) before I could get my hands on it.  When I saw it was back in stock I was a happy girl.

However, it was on sale for $98 from $108.  So, clearly, that price was not adjust to the ongoing sale.  So I did some research and discovered if you call J.Crew customer service, they would honor the sale and adjust the price.  In the end, I was able to get the vest for $53.99, and $5 shipping!  Not a bad deal!

I love how these ladies have styled it.  I can't wait to wear mine this fall!

If you are interested in purchasing, call J Crew Factory customer service, have the item number ready, and know your size and the color.  This vest is considered black.  Just mention the price is not adjust to the appropriate sale price and that you have a friend who received it for $54.  Good luck, and you only have until the end of the day Tuesday to get the sale price.

Feeling Lucky in Lilly

To me, the color pink screams warm weather and happiness.  Throw it together with an A-Line, flowy skirt and its perfection.  The tea-length, a-line skirts started trending in the fall and I believe will continue popping up in the spring and summer.  I'm keeping with the full skirt trend with this one from Lilly Pulitzer.  I picked it up last summer during their Endless Summer Sale.
Here's what I pieced together for a presentation I had to give.

Met Gala 2014

While Award Season is always exciting, the Met Gala takes the cake.  This annual event is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museam of Art's Costume Institute.  It is a highly exclusive social event and is considered the premier red carpet event.  With that being said, celebrities and artists arrive in their gowns, often outreageous but all trying to make a statement.
Here are my picks for best and worst dressed.

So, so in love with Blake Lively's Gucci gown.  The champagne/blush color on her is so elegant and the form-fitting silhouette is sexy and glam.  She took my breath away.

Fashion Google

The internet is completely saturated with all kinds of content, especially when it comes to fashion.  There are so many search engine style websites that have been popping up & allow you to search for a specific item or for hard-to-find designers.

 

Shopbop is an online boutique specializing in hard to find, high end designers.  It was acquired by Amazon in 2006, and has continued to grow and has recieved recognition for its fashion forward ways by Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Elle.  While the site is great, I personally don't goto Shopbop because it only features designers with price tags too high for my college budget.  However, I think its great to keep in mind for when you are looking for a one-of-a-kind piece for a special occassion.

Shop Style is actually formatted like Google.  You can type in anything you want, and it will come up with a long list of products matching your search.  From there you can refine your search through color, brand, price, sale & size.  I found Shop Style to be more relevant to my shopping habits because it includes the high-end designers and more affordable options.  There is even an app available in the iTunes Store.  Since discovering it, I am kind of obsessed with it.

Zappos, an oldie but a goodie. Zappos has been around since 1999 and has grown into a national favorite when it comes to online shopping.  It was built on the premise of customer service, and they certainly uphold to a very high standard.  If you haven't shopped through Zappos you haven't lived! For whatever reason I always goto Zappos for shoe shopping, sometimes the prices will be a few bucks cheaper, and there is free shipping, its a win-win.

Maybe in the future there will be an actual Fashion Google, where all kinds of brands, companies and designers are represented in one search engine.

Coral is Calling

For some reason I have been drawn to the tropical, bright color of coral.  I've been wearing it on my nails, through my make up and of course my clothes!

Monday, I went for a striped maxi skirt from Target and made the coral pop with a solid coral tee.

Thursday, I wore this great dress from Target, it is available in plus sizes only online.

If you are a non committal kind of girl, add some coral into your beauty routine.  These are some of my favorite products.

Nail Polis OPI Toucan Do It If You Try - This is more of an orange rather than a peach.

Benefit Cosmetics Coralista Box-O-Powder

Maybelline Color Sensation Color Whisper Lip Color - Coral Ambition or Orange Attitude

This orange based hue is going to be refreshing against the neutrals we've been chained to all winter!

Defining Your Style

Today I decided to do somewhat of a reflective post about fashion and style, and how we determine our individual voice in the matter.  We live in a world saturated with style magazines, fashion blogs, trend report websites, and apps giving us the latest in industry news.  There are so many types of influences when it comes to picking out what to buy when we cash in our paycheck...  Do you look at what is trendy? Do you buy what your style icon was just spotted wearing?  Do you buy that Kate Spade bag you've been eyeing? Or do you feel completely lost?

Why is this so difficult? Why do we struggle picking out an outfit every morning?  I fall victim to this every so often.  Just the other day I changed my top three times, after spending fifteen minutes deciding what kind of pants to wear...

I think I found the answer to this question.  I watched a documentary about Tom Ford and one of the statements he made really resonated with me.  He said:

Style for me is some one who figures out who they are. What works on them. What they feel good in and develops that. Develops their character. And the outer expression of their character is what is style.

We have such a hard time with picking out what to wear because our clothes represent our character, and misrepresenting ourself would lead to a disaster by today's social standards.  Our culture has evolved to be extremely image driven making us all judgmental.  Because of this standard, I believe that women either have a hard time staying true to their character or are reluctant to define their character.  I'm sure we all can agree with at least one part of that statement.

I am writing this post to give you a different perspective on style.  If you feel the pressure to dress like everyone even if it isn't your style, then don't! You are an individual with special traits that contribute to your stand out character.  Be proud of who you are and let your character shine through your actions and your clothes!

I apologize if I sound sappy, but I was just so inspired by Tom Ford's quote that I had to share with you my thoughts on the subject.

Sandals for Spring

Warm weather is slowly but surely approaching!  I can't help but get excited for fashions that won't be hidden by puffy jackets.  I have already been picking items strictly for warm weather... I just can't wait any longer.  One of my recent buys is a bargain and very versatile when it comes to dressing up or dressing down.

Target had these sandals in their shoe department a week ago for $15.99.  I thought, just wait they may go on sale.  Luckily, a few days later, they marked down for $12.00.  I couldn't believe it, I picked up two pairs.  Even for $15.99, I think these are a great purchase.  You can easily begin wearing them in late April all the way through early September.  I will be interning this summer and will probably wear these because they can look great with a dress or skirt.

Merona Emily Sandal in Natural

Merona Emily Sandal in Peach

While I wouldn't call this burnt orange color peach, I think its a great pop of color while still remaining wearable with almost anything.

Target is also selling the Emily Sandal in Navy, Mint, Black, Cognac.  I was very tempted to purchase them in black, however, I have this habit where I buy the same style of shoe in both black and nude.  I figure they will go with everything and I will get use out of them.  Unfortunately, my shoe collection is very lackluster: black and nude ballet flats, black and brown leather boots, black and brown booties, black and brown flip flops... Its an issue.

At the time of posting, shoes and handbags are buy one, get one half off.  If I were you, I would consider picking yourself up a pair of Emilys!