top Sol Angeles// socks Burton// record player Crosley
Gloomy, cloudy days are meant for cozy clothes, good tunes, and staying in bed. This week was cloudy, rainy, and all around gloomy, so I spent lots of time curled up in bed with good music and some Netflix:) The only way to dress on days like these is in comfy boyfriend jeans, big wool socks, and thermal tops. This week's fav pieces and best deals are my blue shoulder-less thermal and Burton socks. I found this thermal at Anthropologie in none other than the SALE ROOM. Since purchasing it, it has proved to be a staple in my wardrobe. The top is so versatile and perfect for layering! Pieces like this top are great purchases because of their simple look. They allow for versatility in your look and are super comfy. Thermals are a must-have for chilly fall and winter days. Due to their versatility and comfort, thermals are an item worth spending your money on and there are plenty of reasonably priced options and stores like H&M and Forever 21! Not only are they super cute, but they also will keep you warm- it's a total "win-win" situation! Another chilly day necessity is wool socks. These colorful patterned socks are from Burton and were a gift from one of my many awesome uncles. I've practically worn them out from how often I wear them. Since wool socks are such important winter essentials, so you might as well make them fun! One of the things I actually remember from freshman year was something my English 1001 teacher, Mr. Storm, told my class. He told my class that life can be boring, so we might as well wear fun socks! Well, the good news is Burton has a plethora of fun socks that will keep your feet stylish and warm in the coming winter months! While the socks are slightly more expensive, they will not disappoint when it comes to quality, they are definitely worth the purchase. Lesson of the Week: With the weather beginning to turn and a long winter ahead of us, it’s important to invest in warm clothes. Thermals and printed wool socks will not only keep you warm this winter season, but looking cute as well!
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jacket Knitted Dove// pants & top J. Crew// scarf Thrifted
Something I won't be able to stress enough in this post is the importance of taking care of your clothes, your shoes, your purses, etc. Taking good care of what you own is a must if you care to dress well and save money. This week I am wearing a coat and a scarf that I got when I was a sophomore in high school. However, wearing old pieces like these only works if you take care of them and if you go for timeless style rather than the latest trend. Simple ways to take care of your belongings include not leaving your clothes in a ball on the floor of your room, keeping your shoes in their boxes, and even stuffing your purses with tissue paper to help them keep their shape. Hanging your clothes up, or folding them, immediately after your wear them will keep them looking fresh and wrinkle free. Wrinkle free clothing immediately makes your look clean and much nicer. As for shoes and purses, by keeping your shoes in their boxes you can avoid them losing their shape or getting unwanted scuff marks and the same goes for your nice purses. Caring for shoes and purses is especially important because these pieces can often make or break an outfit. Lesson of the Week: Take care of your belongings. The crispness and cleanliness of your clothing and accessories can make a difference in the look of your outfit and increase the life (in terms of "wearability") of your pieces. Hang up your clothes, shine your shoes, and care for your purses! 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! 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. necklace free people
Meet Molly, sweet, silly, jolly Molly. Molly is a teammate, former roommate, friend, and fashion guru. This week I have asked Molly to model for me for a few reasons: 1. she's got a closet that I would kill for 2. she knows how to accessorize 3.she's totally gorgeous. So, Molly's closet is filled with loads of unique clothes, but I challenged her a bit with this outfit. I told her my aim for the week and asked that she come up with a simple outfit to which she replied, "I'm not simple." Yet, given her unique style she managed to kill this outfit and shoot even with a fairly simple outfit! So what is this week's focus? Statement jewelry. Necklaces, rings, earrings, watches, bracelets. A piece of statement jewelry is an easy way to dress up your look. If you feel that your closet is filled with the basics like white tees and blue jeans, it may be time to get yourself a big piece of jewelry. This week Molly is wearing a necklace from Free People which, yes, does not always offer the most reasonably priced goods, but if you are looking to upgrade your basic look jewelry is a good investment. And if you're not looking to spend the big bucks there are plenty of places that offer jewelry for your coca-cola budget. Some of my favorite places include H&M, Forever 21, and Francesca's. Another great place to find unique jewelry is at local farmers markets, festivals, and art shows. Not only do vendors sell a wide variety of pieces, but at great prices and it's always nice to support local artisans. Lesson of the Week: A piece of statement jewelry can turn the most basic look into a fancy, upscale look. If you're looking for an easy way to upgrade your basic look, try investing in a statement piece! sandals Target// pants J. Crew// top Anthropologie// sunglasses Ray Ban
Summer doesn't last long in Milwaukee and it's that time of year again when the weather slowly starts to turn. This weekend though God graced Milwaukee with some sunshine, giving me one last chance to wear a few of my favorite summer pieces, including this pair of striped jeans from J. Crew and white blouse from Anthro. I love this top for its versatility and lightweight material. I can definitely say that I've gotten my money's worth of this blouse. I especially like its attention to detail with the beading. This subtle detail makes the top a bit more interesting and adds a fun twist to a simple look. Its lightweight material also makes it perfect for warm summer days, but don't get me wrong, I'll definitely be pairing it with a cardigan come fall! I know in my previous two posts many of the featured pieces are from higher end retailers such as J. Crew, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters, but here I want to make note of my sandals. On numerous occasions I've been asked if these jeweled, brown-leather sandals (one of my favorite purchases this summer) were from J. Crew? To which I reply no. In fact, I snagged the last pair from Target after having had my eye on them for some time. As someone with champagne taste, I often overlook Target. However, the anything and everything retailer offers great basics and shoes at affordable prices. Unfortunately, it takes a bit of patience and perseverance to shop at Target. Not every trip to the store will result in a killer find, but trust me; it is possible to have success shopping there. Lesson of the Week: Having champagne taste doesn't mean you only have to shop at expensive retailers. Stores such as Target offer reasonably priced items with a high-class look that will help keep you looking fancy. shoes & pants J. Crew// top Anthropologie// purse Urban Outfitters
Sale section, sale section, sale section. When I walk into a store I head straight to the sale room and start my shopping there. As a college student with limited spending cash I often look for pieces that will make my look timeless rather than making purchases based solely on the latest trends. In this look I'm wearing two pieces that I practically stole. The first is the shoes. These classic black loafers are the Darby Loafers from J. Crew. Originally priced at $160, I got them for only $60. As I mentioned in my first post, shoes are something to splurge on, especially when they are quality. The Darby Loafers are Italian-made, patent leather shoes and are seriously THE BEST. I've had mine for three years now and they've held up quite nicely. I'm a firm believer in having a good pair of black dress shoes and can't imagine my closet without these loafers. They are a pair that will always be in style and add a sense of class even to a pair of distressed jeans. The second piece I want to make note of in this look is my top. This boho top from Anthropologie is the Lace Scroll Peasant Top and I recently purchased it for $14. No, you did not misread that. Originally marked at $118 I found this gem for roughly 10% of its original price in the sale room at Milwaukee's Third Ward Anthropologie location. Now, I would list Anthropologie among my top three favorite retailers and it can often be difficult to shop there when prices are so high, but the store always provides a great selection of sale items. With a bit of diligence you can have success in finding deals in the sale room. And don't forget about seasonal sales! I just so happened to snag this top on a day when the store was offering an additional 30% off sale items. Always be on the look out for deals like this, they can make a BIG difference. Lesson of the Week: Sale sections, sale rooms, and sale racks are your best friends. Be diligent when making purchases. Remember to not only look for the latest trends, but also the pieces that will keep your look fresh and timeless. |