Today's Everyday Fashion: The Sweater Cape

/

































Anyone else super-excited that sweater capes are back in style? Not only are they adorable, but I think they are about the coziest thing around. (I could also be biased because I have two sweater capes, including this one, that I'm excited to pull out of storage!)

Photo left: My inspiration from FabSugar.com
Middle photo: My re-creation of Dakota Fanning's look
Right photo: I recently figured out how to belt sweater capes (big surprise, I figured out how to belt something!). The key is to leave the back open and just strap the front of the sweater to your waist! Which way do you prefer the sweater?

Occasion: Shopping, traveling, many a holiday activity
Sweater cape: Gap
Pants: TJ Maxx, $17 (recent purchase with my gift card)
Belt: H&M
Boots: Aldo, $75

Crush Luxe

/
What do you get when you combine eBay and blogging? A really cool website called Crush Luxe, that's what! The creator, Genevieve, has knack for finding designer clothing at really, really steep discounts. But she doesn't keep them all for herself - they are for sale on her blog so you can score great deals too. (I love this idea!)






































Take these Paige denim shorts for example -- the MSRP is $158, but on Crush Luxe the price would be $29. (Luckily for me Gen was feeling generous and sent me my very own pair!)  Make sure you check out Crush Luxe for other amazing deals and click here to subscribe to emails to get the best stuff before it sells out.

Disclaimer: This post contains my own opinions and I was not compensated for it. I only share links to companies and websites that I think you guys would enjoy. Check out my disclosure policy for more info!

Today's Everyday Fashion: Camel Cravings

/

































Camel is my favorite color. I haven't had much success finding it in stores, but when I see it I always snap it up! Like this H&M sweater, which I've had for about 4 years. Today I styled it into a mix of neutrals inspired by the J.Crew picture, left!

What are your favorite colors to wear? -- Mine are camel, turquoise, white, blush pink and navy! Oh, and just about every other color in the rainbow ;-)

Turtleneck: H&M, $20
Trench (left): New York & Co, $40
Belt: Gap, $40
Skirt: Banana Republic, $40
Shoes: Restricted/Endless.com, $39
Necklace: Stella & Dot, c/o Denee Brochardt (http://www.stelladot.com/sites/deneeb)
Photo left: My inspiration from J.Crew!

Celebrities vs. Everyday Fashion

/

























I swear Forever 21 has it out for me. They are torturing me with a bunch of pretty dresses that I want but don't need. :-) Doesn't mean that you guys shouldn't miss out on the fun though! First up is this gorgeous lace number for $27.80. Celebrities are all over this look, as seen in the People.com photo on the left.





































Almost a perfect match to the inspiration photo (from InStyle.com), this sequin party dress is perfect for a New Year's celebration and only $27.80!




































I'm crushing on polka dots lately and this adorable bow dress is only $24.80! Similar styles have been seen on Rachel Bilson (InStyle.com, left).

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Sweater Vest

/




























I love this outfit from Banana Republic.com (far left) - so I created my own version. One for colder weather (center) and one for Florida weather (right). I'm loving my new sweater vest and can't wait to create more outfits with it!

Occasion: Work (I wore the right version to church yesterday, but I would also wear this to work)
Sweater vest: Forever 21, $22
Shirt: Ralph Lauren Outlet, $20
Belt: American Eagle/Filene's, $5
Jeans: Gap, $30
Watch: Fossil
Boots: Aldo, $75 (middle)
Pumps: Boutique 9, $75 (right)

Today's Everyday Fashion: LOFT Feature

/





































The LOFT recently started a feature on their Facebook page with photos from different bloggers showing how they wear LOFT (love this idea!). They asked me to submit a couple photos, and this is what I came up with! Outfit left is my favorite blush pink cardigan from them, and outfit right is a LOFT dress shown with navy and cognac accessories to transition it into fall. Which one is your favorite?

LEFT
Cardigan: LOFT, $20
Shirt: Banana Republic, $35
Necklace: J.Crew, $40
Belt: Gap, $10
Jeans: Gap, $44
Shoes: Banana Republic, $22
Bracelet: Banana Republic, $15

RIGHT
Cardigan: Gap, $15
Dress: LOFT, $29
Belt: Gap, $40
Earrings: Urban Outfitters, $5
Shoes: Restricted/Endless.com, $39
Bracelet: Banana Republic, $15

Fabulous Finds: My New Boots

/














1. Aldo, $75 (I used a 10% off coupon)
I'm so in love with these boots and will pretty much be wearing them every chance I get. I don't normally go for faux leather but you seriously can't tell these aren't leather, and the price is phenomenal!
2. Cynthia Rowley/TJ Maxx, $85
I didn't own a pair of black boots, so I recently picked these beauties up using my TJ Maxx gift card.
3. Forever 21, $33
I earned enough with "Shop J's Closet" to pick up these boots too. I'm surprised at how comfy and high-quality they feel! (ps. They were online yesterday but seem to have disappeared, check out these similar booties.)

I only own two other pairs of boots so you will be seeing these new boots in tons of outfits! :-)

Video: How To Belt a Cardigan

/
                                                                                                                                       


People ask me all the time to show them how to belt a cardigan, so I thought I'd put together a little video and show you guys! My method doesn't require pnching any new holes in your belt. Let me know what you think, and feel free to suggest ideas for future videos! 

Four Ways to Update a Blazer

/
This is my third guest post with Sheckys.com. You can see this post on their website here.


Blazers are the ultimate workwear piece for winter, but like any staple they can start to feel a little drab. Here are four ways to jazz up the blazers you already have in your closet!

1. Add a brooch: Embellish your blazer with a brooch (or two!) as an alternative to wearing jewelry.

Just like J:
Gap Lightweight Wool Blazer, $98
Aldo Wieczorek brooch, $16
Aldo Elford patches, $10
Express Dangling Charms Pin, $35

2. Add faux fur: Attach a faux fur collar with safety pins to the lapel of your blazer. Adds instant drama and warmth to your outfit!

Just like J:
Ann Taylor LOFT Military Wool Jacket with Fur Collar, $128
Gap Double-layer tuxedo blazer, $88
The Limited Brown Faux Fur Wrap, $39.50

3. Add a belt: Belts are the ultimate accessory this fall—don’t be shy about belting your blazers to give them a new shape and style.

Just like J:
Gap Boyfriend Belt, $34.50
ASOS Tailored Heritage Check Jacket, $103

4. Add a scarf: A take on the menswear trend, a scarf tucked into your blazer pocket doubles as a pocket square and adds a fun detail.

Just like J:
Gap Lightweight Wool Blazer, $98
ASOS Pieces Chains Print Scarf, $25

Today's Everyday Fashion: Trouser Repair

/






































You know when you buy something that doesn't fit, and you promise yourself that you will get it tailored, and then it sits in your closet for months? That's the story behind these pants. I bought them online a few months ago, and now they finally fit! My first order of business was to copy this look from Refinery29. (Note, if you are planning to order these pants: they fit true to size in the waist, but I had to have the crotch area taken in.)

Pants: Gap, $15
Blazer: Gap, $70
T-shirt: Gap, $10
Scarf: The Limited
Shoes: Chinese Laundry/Piperlime, $34
Bag: Juicy Couture
Watch: Fossil

eVanity Giveaway! [now closed]

/





































I recently teamed up with Vanity, a mall-based chain of clothing stores that sells young women's apparel and accessories to style one head-to-toe look from their online store, eVanity. And now you can win an outfit from them too! Simply leave a comment below with a link to your favorite item from eVanity.com and you'll automatically be entered to win an outfit of your choice (one top plus one bottom). Comments left as "Anonymous" will not be counted (please leave your name or initials). The giveaway ends Sunday (11/14) at midnight, and be sure to check back on Monday to see if you are the winner and to claim your prize!

My outfit details:
Jeggings, $29.80 - These are super-comfy and run true to size! I'm wearing a size 26 with 32" inseams, but their sizes range from 0 to 17 and inseams go all the way up to 37 inches.
Pumps, $29.80 - I adore these shoes and will be wearing them in many upcoming outfits!
Shirt, $26.80 - This shirt combines 2 hot trends right now - lace and polka dots.
Necklace, $7.99 - I love lucite jewelry. For reals.

Disclaimer: clothes that are listed above were given to me by Vanity. For more information on my review practices please see my disclosure policy






































Another look I styled my new Vanity items. Blazer and skirt are from Express - everything else is from eVanity.com!

Today's Everyday Fashion: Schoolgirl Prep

/





































There is really nothing I love more than a super-preppy look like this one. I've been drooling over the picture on the left from Talbots.com, so I decided to create my own version of this look. I didn't have any patches, so I pinned this gold brooch I recently picked up from Banana Republic onto my trusty Gap blazer to achieve the same look. Tell me - do you like the preppy look? What's your go-to style?


Navy blazer: Gap, $70
Skirt: J.Crew, $45
Shirt: H&M, $10
Brooch: Banana Republic, $15
Shoes: Restricted, $39
Photo left: My inspiration from Talbots.com 


Embellish your blazer with these options:
Aldo brooch, $16
Aldo patches, $10
Express brooch, $35

Fabulous Finds: Champagne Splendor

/
























Sequin skirt, $32.50

I have two words for you: holiday collections. This is absolutely my favorite time of year for shopping and this collection from Charlotte Russe (titled "Champagne Splendor") is just one reason why. I don't usually shop much at Charlotte Russe, but I am overwhelmed with the great offerings from this collection! I tried on a few of these in the store, so check out my reviews below each picture.


























Lace blazer, $39.50
I bought this jacket. It's so not a practical purchase, but it is gorgeous in person and I just couldn't resist. It runs really small though - I'm a size 0 in shirts and bought a M.

























One-shoulder shirt, $24.50
I looooove this shirt and the ruffle detail is amazing in person, but the XS was huge on me. WAY too much material. Broke my heart, but I decided to pass.

























Lace shirt, $22.50
This shirt is a great price, and it's even better in person. Still deciding whether I'm going to get this one! (the XS fit perfect)

























Feather dress, $38.15 (on promo)

Which one is your favorite?

Today's Everyday Fashion: Feelin' Green

/





































Leave it to Jenna Lyons (J.Crew Creative Director and now President) to pair two shades of military green and some pointy black shoes. I re-created the look and am totally digging it for work!

Occasion: Work
Shirt: H&M, $10
Skirt: H&M, $25
Belt: Forever 21, $8
Scarf: H&M, $13
Shoes: Calvin Klein/Filene's Basement, $70
Earrings: Banana Republic, $20
Photo left: My inspiration from FabSugar.com

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Leopard Shirt

/





































My practical side got the best of me last night, so I decided to dress more appropriately for the weather. I looove yesterday's blue skirt look, so I will definitely be wearing it another time! For now, how do you think last night's outfit came out?

Occasion: Dinner, Planet Hollywood event
Shirt: Express, $37
Belt: Limited, $15
Jeans: Gap, $35
Earrings: Urban Outfitters, $5
Leather jacket: Banana Republic, $150
Shoes: Cynthia Rowley/TJ Maxx, $85
Clutch: Urban Outfitters, $30

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Blue Skirt

/






























Don't you hate it when the weather doesn't cooperate? I'm going to an event tonight, and have been planning to wear this outfit all week. There's just one thing: we've had a sudden cold front in Florida and I'm not sure I can brave the cold with bare legs!! Not sure what I'm going to do yet, but fingers crossed I can pull off this outfit.

Occasion: Stockholm world premiere (band event at Planet Hollywood)
Skirt: Express, $30
Shirt: Gap, $30
Belt: Forever 21, $8
Necklace: Stella & Dot, c/o Stylist Lori McMinn
Shoes: Carlos Santana/DSW, $33
Jacket: Forever 21, $40
Photo left: My inspiration from Lucky.com

Fabulous Finds

/
















My co-workers got me J.Crew gift card as a going away present (best gift ever!) and I just couldn't resist ordering these beautiful fall pieces.  Right now you can take an extra 25% off all orders over $150 with code FALLSALE. Ends Saturday!

1. Wool skirt, $45. The best thing about this skirt is that you can pull it up high and wear it as a mini-skirt, or wear it around your hips for an office-appropriate look.
2. Polka dot shirt, $45. Even prettier in person and satisfies my new polka dots obsession.
3. Corduroy skirt, $37. I die for this rich blue skirt in soft corduroy. It's a bit short for work though, so not sure if I'll keep it or not!