boots Dr. Martens// choker Claire's// shorts H&M
Happy Halloween! Things are a little different on the blog this week because it's Halloween and I couldn't pass up having a costume post. October 30, a night known around the country as Mischief Night or the Devil's night, is a night for pranks, shenanigans, and all-around mischievous behavior. It was only fitting that on this trouble-filled evening that my friend Alyssa and I transformed ourselves into angsty, troubled youth. Donning our dark make-up, lace & leather, and chokers (#throwback) we went from bright-eyed young ladies to dark-souled beings. Many fashion bloggers are even calling the gothic look this fall season's most bada$$ trend. Our gothic looks were easy to put together and involved several pieces to be worn again. The first of these pieces is the choker and I know what you're thinking. You're probably thinking that chokers are something that should be left in the 90's, but according to online fashion magazine, Who What Wear, chokers are making a comeback. While today's most stylish celebs probably aren't wearing plastic chokers, the close-fitting necklaces are back and are a hot accessory. Who What Wear also states that the key to pulling of the Goth trend is simplicity. "With just a small detail here and there, the goth will shine through plenty, but you'll look completely sane—win, win." (whowhatwear.com) The simplicity of the choker strengthened the overall look of our costumes. The other piece of this costume that really offers some wearability are the boots. These shiny black boots are an iteration of the classic Dr. Martens AirWair boots. Freelance fashion and beauty writer Bobby Schuessler claims that his best style secret is the addition of Dr. Martens into his everyday wardrobe. The British-made boots are "cool, unexpected, and feel so of the moment" according to Schuessler. I can say for myself that they are one of my favorite pairs of shoes. They add an edgy look to the simplest or most feminine outfits. Lesson of the Week: Halloween doesn't have to be about store bought costumes or things you'll never wear again. Consider looking in your closet (or your friends- shout out to my roomies Ashley Handwork and Cali Pyzdrowski for the shirt and shorts respectively) and use things you already have. If you need to buy something make sure it's something you can use again!
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pants Free People// sweater J. Crew// shoes Nike// bag Dooney & Bourke
The groufit: my favorite outfit whether I’m in sweats or all dressed up. This week's grout consists of a cozy cashmere sweater from J. Crew and my favorite corduroy pants. However, the two pieces I want to focus on this week are the shoes and the purse. Being an athlete, I often have an obsession with athletic wear and tennis shoes, so when I can find a pair of shoes that satisfies my need for chic and athleticism I jump on them! I snagged this pair of high top Nike tennis shoes from J. Crew. These shoes paired perfectly with my cuffed grey cords and simple sweater. The versatile shoes also look great with blue jeans and a cute sweatshirt. Okay, the real steal in this post though is the purse. I recently found this vintage Dooney & Bourke bucket bag at U Turn Consignment Boutique in Wauwatosa. For several weeks I had been on the search for an affordable bucket bag and when I happened upon this one I just had to get it. Originally priced at over $300, I made this purchase for only $50 and it’s been my latest obsession. Consignment shops are great places to find designer or upscale goods for discounted prices. Don’t get stuck in thinking that the only way to build a strong closet of quality goods is by buying full price. Consignment shops and other resale shops are a great way to do this without breaking the bank. Lesson of the Week: Don’t feel like you have to settle for not having quality goods because of their prices. There are plenty of resale and consignment shops out there and if you find the right ones, you’ll find yourself with a wardrobe filled with designer goods! leggings Gap Fit// sweatshirt Target// scarf Lulu Lemon// vest Patagonia
The weekend- a time to run errands, catch up on work, get your yoga or workout fix, or just relax. Whether you're bustling around town or hanging at your local coffee shop, the weekend is for casual, comfy looks. This chilly Saturday morning (the first "cold" day Milwaukee has seen this fall season) I grabbed my favorite new leggings and vest and headed to Colectivo Coffee in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. This week's affordable finds include my Gap Fit leggings and sweatshirt from Target. I happened to get these leggings a few weeks ago at the Gap outlet and have practically been living in them. They aren't like normal leggings and that's exactly why I love them. The slightly thicker fabric makes them super cozy and perfect for fall days like today. They also paired super well with the grey cowl neck sweatshirt I found at Target. As I mentioned in my Last Ounces of Summer post, shopping at Target is not something I do on a regular basis, but need to consider doing more often. The featured sweatshirt is just another example of why I should do so. I came across this top after having poured over a similar one from Nike, but decided the hundred-some dollars Nike was asking for was more than I could afford for a sweatshirt. Yet, I have been more than pleased with this Target version. I love wearing it with my Vinyasa Scarf for the perfect sporty chic look. Lesson of the Week: Cold fall weekends are for comfy, casual looks. No need to dress like you're going out when you're running errands- pair your favorite leggings with a scarf and vest for a look that will keep you active and ready for what your weekend has in store. shirt Brew City Apparel// jeans BDG// jacket Lucky Brand
Milwaukee- the brew city, the good land, the city I love to call home. This week it's all about taking pride in where you come from and showing it off! I'm Milwaukee born and raised and until recently I had failed to see how great of a city Milwaukee is. Founded in 1846 by Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn, and George Walker, Milwaukee is an old city with a rich history. Due to a large influx of German immigrants in the mid-18th century, the city was home to dozens of breweries in the 1850s and quickly became the nation's leader in beer production. While many breweries have close or relocated, and others have opened, Milwaukee continues to be home to dozens of breweries. Now, to be honest I'm not much of a beer drinker, but I take pride in the industry that made this city what it is today. So, this week I'm sporting my favorite t-shirt, which I happened to purchase at the Milwaukee Public Market. The graphic tee sports the Miller logo with a slight twist. Instead of the usual Miller slogan, the shirt states: "Milwaukee- A Fine City With Beer." I decided to pair this super soft tee with a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans I found on the sale rack at Urban Outfitters and my friend's denim trucker jacket (Shout out to Meegan Johnston) for more of a grunge look. I know the Canadian Tuxedo can be a tad intimidating to try and pull off, but if you're bold enough it's a fun look to try. Lesson of the Week: Take pride in where you're from and don't be afraid to show it! jeans H&M// oxford Ralph Lauren// sweater J.Crew// Boots Clarks
"Baby you're so classic" -MKTO This week it's all about keeping it simple and classic. Not every look has to be elaborate with lots of color, patterns, or accessories. One of my favorite looks, in fact, is a pair of dark wash jeans and a white oxford. Here I'm wearing my favorite jeans that I've probably had for six years now. I got them in high school at H&M for $10 and they haven't let me down over the years. While they've definitely started to fade, their dark wash still compliments the bright white of the oxford nicely. Now I'm wearing a Polo Ralph Lauren oxford that I happened to get at the outlet in high school, but don't feel like you have to buy from Polo. There are plenty of retailers that offer quality oxfords for lower prices. If you're looking to add this classic piece to your closet I suggest purchasing from the Gap, Old navy, or H&M. No matter where you buy from, an oxford is a great addition to any closet. The purchase will be worth it! These classic shirts have been around since the 19th century and there's a reason they're still around: they are simply timeless. Unfortunately (or fortunately, I'm not really sure), the weather has started to turn here in Milwaukee. The temperatures have been dropping and it's starting to feel a lot more like fall. This means one thing: sweater weather. The simplicity of the oxford easily allows for the addition of a sweater. Today I added a crew neck knit with elbow patches. The sweater keeps the outfit simple while keeping you warm! Lesson of the Week: Keep things simple from time to time. Pair an oxford with some dark wash jeans for a classic look that never goes out of style. |