Wednesday Wants: Fall Crop Tops

Last week I talked about the trendy crop top and how it's sticking around for the fall. I've actually loved my summer tops and the styling challenge that has come along with them. Mine aren't the super tight crop tops the teens and 20s are rocking, but I still feel that I get the same amount of crop even if they happen to be a little more boxy. And, because of that, I feel like I'm staying age appropriate with the trend. A super important styling tip in my book!

So with that said, I've been doing a little research/browsing for the perfect crop tops to take me into fall and possibly winter. And, I've found some super cute styles! And can I just say how much I'm loving that the 70s are back. I mean, they never really left my closet, but I love that fashion is embracing one of the best fashion eras! 

And with that, on to my fall crop top picks!

1/2/3/4/5

My personal fave? The eyelet on the top left from Zara. But, I love number 2, 3, and 4! Nothing wrong with number 5, but since I have a striped top in navy, do I really need one in black? Why am I even questioning it! Of course I do!

What do you think of my five fall picks? Would you wear any of these in the coming months? Let me know!

Happy Wednesday!

The Blanket Scarf

 Scarf: ASOS; Sweater: Robert Rodriquez; T-Neck: J.Crew; 

Boyfriend Jeans: Loft (similar); Boots: Ivanka Trump (similar/under $50); 

Bracelets: J.Crew/David Yurman (gift/similar)/Gorjana (similar)/Gift;

Handbag: Balenciaga; Gloves: Target

 The blanket scarf is one of the biggest trends this winter and I for one am a huge fan! It's incredibly warm, super chic, and this particular one is so strong in color! And with this arctic like winter, tomorrow is supposed to be five degrees when we wake up, I'm pretty sure this will be the first thing I grab when walking out the door.

Because I love this trend so much, I discovered a little DIY version on Pinterest! MomAdvice provided a little tutorial on how to create your own and it's a no-sew version as well! I tried it out and it totally worked! I can't wait to share it with you tomorrow. You too can have a blanket scarf in a matter of minutes! Okay maybe an hour! Check back tomorrow for a little how-to!

The Sweater: Before and After

    

 

 

What are you doing this winter to stay warm? Are you wrapping yourself in the warmest sweater or going for head to toe wool? Let's discuss!

Photos courtesy of Caitlin Fore

It's a Party

Jacket: Wrangler (my mom's); Top: LOFT (similar); Skirt: ASOS; Heels: Ann Taylor (similar);

Bracelets: J.Crew (on sale)/Ralph Lauren; Belt: Ann Taylor; Lip Color: Clinique Drama Red 

 Last Thursday was technically my last day of work for a while and my team threw me a little farewell get-together. Since it was a party, I threw on my most festive party skirt! The look felt a little 1950s, with my Peter Pan collared top, so I added my denim jacket to help bring it into modern day. 

I am in love with these midi skirts. So much so that I'm adding a little DIY to my list of things to do, and making one of my own is on the list. I'm inspired by this version and hope to find some similar fabric. Can't wait to get started. Stay tuned for all the DIY projects I have in store.

The Skirt: Before and After

 I'm really excited for the future! I look at this change as the next chapter of my life and I can't wait to start writing it. I hope you stay with me on the journey!

Styling Moments...

 

Jacket: Wrangler (my mom's); Top: Ann Taylor (similar); Skirt: ASOS; Belt: Ann Taylor;

Pumps: Prada (on sale/Saks credit/similar); Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (various colors); 

Necklace: Banana Republic; Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Lip Color: MAC Ruby Woo; 

Nail Color: Essie Sure Shot

I am having a love affair with my midi skirts, however I find them challenging to style. I've turned to Pinterest and other bloggers for inspiration. However, I find that when I wear what I love, my true style shines through. 

I love this look! Is it odd that we bloggers compliment ourselves? Kinda sounds conceded, no? But I love it none the less. It's simple, yet chic. And those are the style moments I love the most!

The Skirt: Before and After

Recognize the bag? It's the Rebecca Minkoff Cupid bag from my On the Hunt post a couple of weeks ago. I originally had my eye on the pale pink version and then this coral bag literally fell into my lap. Okay, it didn't fall into my lap, but Gilt had a Rebecca Minoff handbag boutique that I discovered a day after my post! It was roughly half off, and I had a credit on my account, so I paid very little out of pocket for this amazing piece! Love it when that happens!

 

This look is from last week, when spring was in the air. Today, it's freezing and snowing. Mother Nature clearly didn't get the memo....

Happy Monday!

XOXO

Full -On Fashion

 

Sweatshirt: Old Navy (similar); Button Down: Ann Taylor; Skirt: ASOS; Heels: Jimmy Choo;

Necklace: Banana Republic; Bracelet: J.Crew (gift); Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff;

Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Lip Color: MAC Ruby Woo

This is a combo I've been dying to wear since I first saw a similar look on Pinterest. And, I knew the right venue for something like this was the Saturday afternoon runway show at KCFW! I love everything about this look. The sweatshirt combined with a crisp button down. The sweatshirt/shirt combo paired with a lady-like skirt. A chunky necklace, ruby red lips, and simple black heels bring it all together. I was definitely ready for a full-on fashion Saturday!

 

 

The Sweatshirt: Before and After

Inspired by a Red Skirt

  I have become obsessed with finding a red skirt after I saw this darling look from Hallie Daily on Pinterest!

And as I explored Pinterest, I found these amazing looks from Blaire over at Atlantic Pacific.

I love this concept from Kendi over at Kendi Everyday! I have my fair share striped tops, but there is no way I could pull off the knee-socks and tall boots. She's way cooler than I am!

I've worn several different versions of a red skirt here, here, and here, but I'm really in the mood for a longer version. I have a red version of this black one on order and I can't wait to style it well into summer! Thankful for bloggers and Pinterest for fueling my creative side and obsessive shopping!

Photo number one courtesy of Hallie Daily.
Photo number two courtesy of Atlantic Pacific.
Photo number three courtesy of Atlantic Pacific.
Photo number four courtesy of Kendi Everyday.

The Midi Skirt

 Top: J.Crew (gift); Skirt: ASOS; Tights: We Love Colors; Pumps: Sam Edelman;

Belt: ?; Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Lip Color: NARS Shanghai Express;

Necklace: Jane Basch (gift) Gloves: Target

Several months ago I blogged about the midi skirt in my weekly Dream to Reality segment. At the time, I had my eye on a floral version, but when I finally made the investment, I went for a black. To test out a trend, one that's still very hot, I decided that I should go for a more basic color. A color that allowed me to trial the item and to see how many times I could style it. (In all honesty, I wish I had gone a size smaller. This has an elastic waist and I felt it was a little too roomy.) 

I knew immediately that I wanted to pair this top with the skirt. I just love the playful print and thought it would amp the basic black. I tried several shoes and decided that the suede version really helped lengthen my leg. A patten leather version was too shiny and seemed to cut off the look. I'm thinking for future stylings of pairing it with this sweater, this jacket, and possibly this t-neck. And, I'm thinking of going for a more bold print next time around! Hello spring....

 

 

The Top: Before and After

Dream to Reality - Midi Skirt

From the moment I saw the full, midi skirt from Tibi, I've been in love! Blair from Atlantic-Pacific rocks several versions of the skirt and I love every single one! Here is one of my favorites! You know how much I love red!

So while searching for a possible Tibi sale of the skirt, which I haven't found because it seems to never go on sale because it's always sold out, I found this one! I absolutely love the print and can think of numerous ways to style it. And, I wouldn't just save it for a special occassion. This skirt is too special to just sit in ones closet. Paired with a black t-neck and either my moto or denim jacket, this could totally pass for business casual! Or business special occassion day! However, retailing at $650.00, this will be a very special, saving for a very rainy day skirt to invest in!

 

 

That is until I found this little gem. ASOS has been my go-to for trends and styles that are more along the lines of my budget! Is it a midi, yes! Is it full, yes! Does it have a beautiful print, yes! And can it meet my needs regarding a business special occassion day, most definitely! It's in the of-the-moment color bourdeax, and though it says it's a camo print, I doesn't come across that way in design. Can it be paired with my moto or denim jacket, absolutely! And, I'm pretty sure it will look amazing with fur for an even fancier, special occasion night out! It comes in at $88.99 which is right up this girls budget alley!

 

 

What do you think of the midi skirt trend? Is it something you will invest in or let pass? I have to say, it's been on trend for the past two seasons, so it might be a bandwagon to jump on. And, how adorable will you look on said wagon? I'm thinking pretty special!

 

Happy Friday!

XOXO

Fresh Picks - The Floral Suit

The floral suit. A trendy, whimsical option if you aren't into the stiff feel of what a traditional suit might offer. At first I thought I would totally invest in the trend, but now I'm really on the fence. Will this be something I can take from spring to fall? Will it be around next season? Will I care if it's not on-trend for next season and just embrace the fact that it's a lovely suit with tons of options?

While I'm still trying to make the decision, I've been browsing several different looks. One of my favorite looks is completely sold out so I'm thinking I might need to jump on the band wagon and soon. These pieces may not be around much longer!

This suit from Ann Taylor is an amazing pop of color in royal blue! The blazer would look amazing paired with white pants or shorts! Pair the pant with just about anything. Just make sure it's a solid!

I love this suit from ASOS. The only problem is that it's completely sold out! Too bad because this is the suit I would have invested in! I can tell you that Krystal Bick, over at This Time Tomorrow, looked fab when rocking said suit!

I love the soft lavender of this suit from Banana Republic and what make it so unique is that it's shorts! So many options with this one. I wouldn't wear it to work but would wear each piece in various ways. A shorts suit would be darling on the weekend for baby/wedding showers, dinner and cocktails.

Okay, okay, this might not be an actual floral design, but OMG! The detail and design is simply amazing! To me, this couture and it's from Anthropologie! Seriously need to own this exquisite piece!

Then there is just a piece of floral that can be worn multiple ways! A blazer is great with jeans, skirts, over a dress or with pants or shorts. I'm loving these below.

This jacket is from Forever21 and I would never have believed it! Coming in at under $30, this is an investment if you think this is just a 2013 spring trend!

This blazer, from Piperlime, is definitely whimsy in design and little on the dressy side. Still totally wearable for a casual look on the weekend but it definitely ups the wow factor!

What are your thoughts on the floral trend? Too much or just right? Would you wear it all or just one piece? Let's discuss! Happy Monday, trendsetters!