OOTD {Clearance finds!}

This really is one of my favorite times of year for excellent fashion finds. Despite the fact that I am writing this during another snow day for it being just too darn cold here...this time of year provides some of the best clothing steals. Target has huge clearance right now and I have been scoring big time! I hope to share another outfit this week made up mostly of Target clearance as well.

I know a lot of people around where I live that avoid dresses during the winter. My apologies to them for their craziness. You can bundle up a dress and be just as warm, if not warmer than if you were wearing pants. Leggings, tights, boot socks, and boots make this possible. This outfit was super cozy and comfortable. I almost went rogue and wore yellow tights as well but chickened out at the last second. Instead I accented my pop of mustard cardigan with a new necklace (Christmas gift from my sis--Thanks Janel!) and called it good. 

{Shop the Style}

Cardigan: Target (clearance)

Sweatshirt Dress: Target (Clearance--I own the khaki one too)

Tights: Target

Boots: Herberger's

Necklace: Gift (need to find out where its from!)

Stay warm peeps! 

{OOTD} faux fur vest

 I like to be trendy when it comes to fashion. Not too-too trendy though. When I see a new trend I tend to sit back and watch for a bit. Who all is jumping on the trend? What age group claims it? How long is it going to last? One of the trends I waited THE LONGEST to join was the skinny jean trend. I was convinced it was going to be a flash in the pan! Hah! What do I know?!

Anyway- faux fur is a trend I've been watching for a while. I'm still not convinced I'm an any kind of fur gal. I kept seeing faux fur pieces like everywhere and they just wouldn't let be be. When I fear something is über trendy and I think its popularity will burn very quickly, I buy it in its cheapest form so as to not feel guilty when it hangs lonely and forgotten in the back of my closet. I saw this fur vest at Target nearly a month ago but didn't want to pay $27.99 for it and vowed to keep my eye on it. Well, during Black Friday Target had ALL of their clothing 40% off! I went for it. $16 is perfectly fine for a trendy items in my book. Turns out I absolutely LOVE IT! Hears hoping I can wear it for a good while!

{Shop the Style}

Vest: Target

Sweater: Target 

Leggings: American Eagle (cutest zipper at the ankle)

Socks: target

Boots: JC Penney

Necklace: Forever 21 

Six Ways to Style~{Boots for Fall}

The ONLY reason I wish for fall and winter is so I can break out my decent boot collection. I adore boots and what they can add to an outfit. I am fully aware that you "can" wear them in the summer as well, but I have too many cute sandals to do so. When it is boot season though I go ALLLL out. We thought we would share a few of our favorite types of boots and how to style them for the fall. Check out the links for some places to purchase your own.

1. Hiking Chic
We are loving the trend of masculine style boots for fall. Combat boots and hiking-esque boots can be found everywhere right now. They add a perfect, chunky compliment to leggings and skinny jeans.

Get some!

2. Sox Appeal
Boot Socks! Love this trend. You can pick a printed sock or a sweater sock for a little more detail rather than just a plain design. These are a great pair of gray suede boots with three tiny buckles on the back rim. They go with more than you think. I've paired them with a ton of different colors. I used a water proof spray on them so they would stay protected.

Get some!

3. Not Just for Mud
A friend of mine introduced me to Bogs two winters ago. Where I live, winters can be brutal and I HATE having cold feet. I scored a pair of Bogs on super duper clearance that year and am so in love with them. They are completely water proof and totally toasty. Did I mention they are good to 20 degrees below zero? Yep.  I wear them religiously in the winter and change into my cute flats and pumps once I get to my destination. Makes winter much more bearable when you tootsies are toasty.

Get some!

4. Perfect Slouch
The boots match the belt. This is an easy way to stay coordinated in your outfit picks. I have to say I wear these boots ALL the time! This is the most basic color and texture (light brown/leather) that goes with just about everything. They have a buckle around the ankle for a touch of detail. If you're looking to buy your first pair of boots, I highly suggest a pair similar to these.

Get some!
 
 5. Over the Knee Glee
My husband says there is just something racy about over the knee boots.....? I think it might be the whole Pretty Woman thing.  Anyway, I could care less. I got this pair from Urganog and adore them. They can be worn tall or folded down and add so much to any outfit. Mine are a flat stye and are super comfy for walking around. 

Get Some!

6. Bootie
Ankle boots! These are a great accessory to skinny jeans. I chose to add some lacey boot socks for added detail. Pick a pair that have a buckle or some detail to finish off the look. If you're not quite ready to be so trendy, these work well under most pant leg cuts.

Get some!

Come back Tuesday to enter our GIVE AWAY!

Six Ways to.... {Fall for Fall Style}

Fall is my second favorite season. (I'm a summer gal). I love the colors of fall, the pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING, and of course, the fashion. We wanted to share our favorite fall fashion trends so you too can style this season with sass.

1. Scarves
These have to be my favorite fall accessory. They give you just enough added warmth to get you through the chilliness of fall while adding a perfect style pop to any outfit.

2. Leggings
When its chilly out you really just want to dress comfy and warm. Leggings offer you both while still being super stylish. Snag some with fleece lining and you are good to go.

3. Layers
Fall can be a bit fickle in the temperature department. Mornings can have a chill where temps can rise throughout the day and make the afternoon warmer. Dressing in layers is the perfect solution. This outfit would look great with just the striped tee and necklace but it also rocks all three layers.

4. Leather
Boy do I miss my leather pieces during the summer. They are the first thing I grab when fall weather hits. You can dress up an outfit in an instant by adding a leather jacket or blazer. I even have two skirts with leather accents that I love to style for fall.

5. Blazers
Blazers are my go-to outer layer in the fall. I tend to use cardigans as my outer layer in the summer because they are lightweight, yet warm. Blazers add style and warmth to any outfit which is just perfect for fall days.

6. Boots
These are another item that I miss dearly in the summer. Right around September I start pinning for days cool enough to wear skinnies, boot socks, and my favorite boots. Boots look great with leggings, skinnies, dresses, skirts....Love! 

Fashion Foundation: {Shoes}

This post on what you should have in your foundation closet for shoes has been soooo difficult for me to articulate and write. I cannot in any honesty sit here and tell you to only buy a set few basic pairs of shoes and make every outfit work with them. Why? Well--confession time--I don't really believe you can have too many shoes. There. I said it. I stopped counting my own pairs at 80. Yes. 80. If you could win a medal in clearance shoe shopping, I would have several gold ones. And I know that 80 is a big number for some of you but a tiny number for a crowd of you too. Own it and accept it wherever you are in the shoe realm. No judgement or snarky comments here. Now that that's off my chest I do want to actually talk about shoes for a bit. Shoes are a very personal thing to a lot of people. There are the people who are totally shoe-comfort people. There are those that suffer in their shoes for fashion. There are those that wear the shoe if it fits regardless of comfort or style. I am one of those that enjoys comfort but will totally suffer if an uncomfortable shoe makes an outfit outstanding. Shoes have the ability to take an outfit from blah to BAM in about 2 seconds.

There are four main types of shoes to keep in mind when you are out shopping. Having a nice variety in each category (3-4 of each maybe?....who am I kidding?!) will give your shoe foundation a solid start.

1. Boots: All types. All heels, heights, and colors. Let your boot socks peek out and you just mastered the art of adorable.

2. Flats: Comfort and fashion make nice and play in these babies. Invest in a great insole though. It will give your foot the proper arch that flats can sometimes, well, fall flat on. (EVERYONE needs a pair of cheetah/jaguar print flats. We firmly believe they go with just about anything and everything!!)

3. Pumps: Ditto on the boots. Love my black and nude pumps. I wear them all the time.

3. Sandals: Wedges, strappy, T-style, gladiator...on and on and on. Yum.

The biggest deal about shoes however comes in the next four items--regardless if we are talking boots, pumps, or sandals. You must consider these four things when buying any shoes and when choosing what to wear each day.

1. Heel: 
What is your day going to be like? Will you be sitting most of the day? Standing? Walking long distances? What is the hemline of your pants? You should have several shoes that have different heel heights to accommodate your outfit and your lifestyle. Again, we strongly suggest investing in a stellar insole to maximize your comfort level while in heels.

2. Color
The color of your shoe can be the ONE thing that makes your outfit stand out. Wearing all black? Pop with a green flat or heel. Rocking a particularly loud colored outfit? Tone it down with a lovely nude pump. Accent with a cognac accessories including a great cognac boot and your whole outfit will look effortlessly pulled together. Try and find 3-4 pairs of shoes in universally flattering colors and they will make your outfits look amazing. My four favorites? Mustard, green, red and an animal print. Add in a few neutral leather tones and you will be SET.

3. Purpose
Let's be honest. A shoe can ruin an outfit too. If the shoe does not match the purpose of the outfit...ouch. You could have a perfectly pulled together outfit and then throw on the wrong shoes and the whole thing goes down the drain. For example: Adorable lace tee, jean jacket, boyfriend style green capris and.....running shoes. Really? Running shoes are for RUNNING. They have a purpose. Use them for that purpose. Want comfy tennis-like shoes to finish off this outfit? Try a pair of Vans or Sperrys instead. Similarly, don't wear an adorable dress and then finish it off with a pair of Keens. Gracious. Some of you are thinking...but my Keens (or tennis shoes) are comfy. I get it. I don't disagree with you. However, I do think you can have comfort AND style at the same time.

4. Weather
There is nothing worse (fashion wise) than choosing to wear flats on a rainy day only to step in a puddle and ruin your shoes AND the hem of your pants. Trust me, I've been there and it bites. I now have no problem mucking around in my Bogs and then changing into my cute flats once I am INSIDE. Keep your shoes from being ruined by watching and paying attention to the weather. Be willing to keep your feet warm when warranted and break out the cute shoes when they are in no danger of getting snow and salt damage (this is a huge reality where I am from). I learned the hard way to protect my shoe investment.

If you were starting from scratch, the pics of shoes above would all be a great start to building a shoe foundation. Is there a shoe you can't live with out that goes with everything? Let us hear about it!