Summer into Fall

For me, this is one of the saddest times of the year--when summer becomes fall. I love fall and everything, but there's just something so magical about summer. I love the long, warm days with nothing to do, family vacations, grilling in the backyard, the 4th of July, my birthday...it's such a great season. And I love all the bright summery fashion, as well, so it's sad to say goodbye to all that for a year. One thing keeping me from dreading fall is all the great new autumn clothes my favorite stores have to offer. Check out my picks

Sweaters: I like the versatility of a simple cardigan. My favorite way to wear them is over a tank top and with a full floral mini. The AE Cardigan ($34.95) from American Eagle is on such simple cardigan that I could see myself wearing with anything. I like it in Raspberry Bubble and Aubergine. I also love Hollister's Wipeout Beach pullover sweater ($59.50). It's Epic Only, so I'd have to order it online, but I love the red version's cute seagull-and-heart graphic. I'm not usually one for stripes, but I like A&F's Vanessa button-down in pink stripe ($48). I'm in love with all things pink, and the stripes add a nautical touch.

Bottoms: This includes jeans, pants and even skirts. First up, I love the AE Military Skirt ($34.50). The military trend is so in right now and I've yet to own anything this style, so this would be a good starter piece. I'm not usually one to wear sweatpants, but I really like the styles they have this season at Hollister, especially the Awesome Butt Boot in dark grey or pink ($39.50). It looks great with a thin long-sleeve graphic tee or even a bright basic tank. And call me crazy, but I'm actually considering buying jeans from Abercrombie Kids! I've recently had problems finding jeans that aren't too long for me and since I'm practically child-sized, they might actually work for me. I like the Mackenzie flare in rinse ($39.50) or the Haley boot in destroyed dark wash ($59.50). Another plus with kid's jeans, even from Abercrombie, is that they're much cheaper!


Shoes: Last weekend, when I tried on the Grosgrain Ribbon Moc ($29.95) at American Eagle, I fell in love. I unfortunately didn't buy it because they didn't have the half-sizes in the store and I needed to go down to a size 5 1/2 for them to fit snugly. But I love the dark tan color, it's so pretty. I know flip-flop season is almost over, but I like to push it as much as possible. I like Hollister's Epic Flip Flops in red ($24.50). Another Epic Only item I may never buy, but it doesn't hurt to dream! I also still love the full-priced real leather sandals at A&F, especially the one with the metallic ribbon ($58). They're cute and don't scream summer, either.
So there you have it, just a few of my favorite pieces for the upcoming season. What are your fall must-haves?


P.S. I've discovered the magic of Polyvore to actually show the clothes I'm talking about. Genius!

Mission Impossible: Jean Shopping!

Every girl needs jeans, right? Even though I wish I lived in a place where jeans aren't a necessity, I don't and I will definitely be needing some come October and November. A week ago, I only had two pairs left over from the winter (the rest went mysteriously AWOL) and I was dreading the jeans shopping. Why? Because, I realized as I was in the middle of the process, that the jeans this fall aren't the same or even similar to the ones this past winter!
I started out at American Eagle last Friday evening. I first fell in love with their jeans at the end of last year, when I got my first pairs from there. So I assumed it was a safe bet, and tried on a pair of dark-wash Artists and Boyfriend Fits. Boy, was I wrong! Now all of a sudden, AE's short inseam fits more like a regular (aka too long for my 5'1 frame) and every style, not just the skinnier ones, fit like jeggings, with a super-low rise and too much spandex. Yuck!
So I checked out Hollister next. It's probably my favorite store, but I had never bought or tried on jeans from there. My younger sister has a pair, and she loves them, so I thought I'd take a chance on them, too. Also another disappointment. I sized up to a size 1 short (I normally wear a size 0, sometimes even a 00 at AE, where they tend to run big), and they were even longer than the AE jeans and super-tight in the thighs. And these were supposed to be flares!
On Sunday, I was back at home and I went to the mall with my sister and mom. I was still in the hunt for great jeans, but was also looking to buy tops and such from Hollister. Surprisingly, my mom took me to the Dillard's juniors department and we actually looked at the Levi's jeans, which I had never considered. I also wanted to steer clear of skinny jeans, but I ended up bringing a pair into the dressing room, loving them more than the flare style and...ended up buying them! I got them in a 1 short, since Levi's juniors sizes run small. If you plan on buying any check out their size chart online--my normal size (a 0) is only for a 22-23 inch waist while the 1s are for a 23-24 inch waist--so you may have to size up one or two sizes to get the right waist fit. Otherwise, they're great and now I'm looking for the perfect shoes to pair with them.
Also, I got a pair of dark-wash Boy Fit crops from AE. I already had the destroyed light wash in a size 0 and my mom thought they were too big, so I got the dark-wash ones in a size 00 and they fit loose without being overly baggy. So I'd suggest going down a size, unless you really like the boy fit look. And they're only $19.95 now, so they're a great deal and go with anything!
I'm still on the lookout for great denim, so next time I might head back to AE for their skinnies, or maybe even Abercrombie Kids for a slightly looser flare style (and the shorter inseam will be great, too).

Shopping Adventures!

This weekend, I got to spend some time away from my dorm and I came home. I was glad I got to spend some time with my family, and today my mom, sister and I went to the mall for a mini shopping spree.
I was way overdue for some jeans (before today, I only had 2 pairs!) and my trip to another mall on Friday wasn't so successful. I was shocked to find that most jean styles, even flares and boot cuts, are cut more like jeggings, so they're super-tight. But luckily, I went out on a limb, tried on some Levi's from Dillard's and I love 'em. They're a skinny jean style, which I never really liked before but these are great.
Next we went to American Eagle, where I found another pair of skinnies that I liked, but I didn't really want to spend a lot of my money on them, so I passed and instead got the AE Boy Fit Crop Jean in dark vintage indigo ($19.95). I also had to take advantage of their buy one get one 50% off jewelry, and I got my first set of bangles and a blingy leather bracelet.
Finally, we hit up Hollister, my favorite store. I had been looking at the Point Dume plaid tunic shirt ($39.50) in turquoise and luckily, I was able to find it at the store. I also bought the Point Loma sweatshirt ($29.89) in orange, and I really think it's a great piece to brighten up any wardrobe.
However, during the checkout process, I hit a little snag. My debit card was declined, because I was a few dollars short, but my mom ended up having to pay for the entire purchase because the cashiers didn't know why it was declined! So that was a problem, plus I couldn't get a gray cami that I needed, but all in all, it was a good day (going to Starbucks afterward didn't hurt either :D).
What's your favorite memory of a shopping trip?

Sweaters For Petites

Not every article of clothing flatters everyone. If you know even a little bit about fashion, then you already know this--however, it's still important to keep in mind, especially in a world filled with skimpy tops and baggy jeans.
A petite body can be extremely difficult to shop for (this I know--I'm only 5'1 and wear a size 0/XS typically). Others may be jealous and think, "How hard can it be to shop for tiny clothes?" Believe me, it's usually easy to find the sizes...it's much harder to get the right fit. Petites have to be wary about the length of pants, the cut of dresses and skirts, the proportion of accessories...I could go on and on. The point is, every body type has its own fashion dilemmas, but luckily, these can be solved with a little know-how. This post is about finding the right sweater if you're on the shorter or smaller side.
One great style for petites is the poncho. I like the AE Rugby Stripe Poncho ($39.95). The material is not too bulky and the horizontal stripes create curves, a plus for many petites. I also just like how it's very casual, with a nautical feel, which is still 'in' for fall.
Another option is the cardigan. These never go out of style, so you can afford to splurge on a nicer one, such as the Hailey sweater ($150) at Abercrombie & Fitch, which is 100% cashmere. Cardigans last forever and look great over everything from dresses to tanks and even tees. Try to avoid the boyfriend styles, unless they are tighter-fitting--you don't want a sweater that's loose and long (one or the other is fine, though!)
Also look into more drapey styles, like Hollister's Ormond Beach ($27.93). Make sure it comes with a belt, or you use one of your own, to carve out a waist.

What kinds of sweaters will you be wearing this fall?

Stripes are a Girl's Best Friend

I used to hate stripes. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the type to dis all patterns--I love a good floral, polka dot or abstract. Stripes just never used to appeal to me, I guess, because they seemed too "sporty" for this girly-girl. Well, not anymore! I love some of the striped offerings at my favorite stores and wanted to share my finds with you.
I love the AE Rugby Stripe Poncho ($44.50)--period. It comes in three great shades (my favorite is raspberry heather) and has a collegiate appeal. I would wear it over dark wash skinny jeans (AE Skinny Jean in bright indigo, $39.95) with silver ballet flats (AE Ballet Flat in light pewter, $29.50) and maybe the AE Bomber Jacket in grey ($69.50) over it.
I also love Hollister's Santa Margarita dress in pink stripe ($20.93). The color is perfect for me, since it sweetens the basic stripes. It would look amazing under the Mission Beach denim jacket ($59.50--I love the sparkly floral brooch!), and paired with a simple leather belt (woven Vintage Beach Belt, $29.50) and embellished flip-flops (Vintage Flip Flops in pink, $12.89--the bow detailing is so adorable).
At Abercrombie, I really like the Victoria sweater ($58). I like its simple design, thin cherry-red stripes and rosette applique. I would totally layer it over the Kendall tank in red ($17.89) and wear it with destructed light-wash crop jeans (Jody Crop Destroyed, $48).
Remember: stripes aren't just for referees or little kids anymore--you can make stripes work with your style!

                                                                                

Fall Is The Season For Fashion: Part II

In my last post, I talked about the pieces that I'm lusting over at American Eagle and Hollister. Now it's time to divulge my faves at Abercrombie & Fitch and Gilly Hicks.


Abercrombie & Fitch--Sweatshirts are always an essential, but can often look boring. Not this one: the Rebecca hoodless sweatshirt ($39.89). I originally wanted it in the pink, but now I have a similar pink hoodie, so I prefer it in red now. It's slouchy without being sloppy and the slight fading adds to the appeal. I'm really getting into the nautical vibe, so I love the Charissa skirt ($29.89) in blue stripe. It would be perfect for a picnic on the dock, or just walking to class and I adore the eyelet lace hem. Plaid is great for fall, and of course, back-to-school means having to carry a bunch of books and other supplies around. With the Vintage Tote ($48) in red plaid, both of those goals are met. Plus it looks ruggedly-cute, which is awesome. And finally, I really like the Christa skinny cargos ($70) in khaki. While the price is a little over my budget, I really admire the military-inspired style.


Gilly Hicks--I never thought I'd say this, but I've fallen in love with a pair of socks. Seriously! The Vintage Knit Socks ($12.50) in heather grey dot look so soft and I like their childish appeal. Another must-have is the Surry Hills sleep shorts ($15.50). I like 'em best in light red (plaid pattern, since I'm a sucker for plaid) but the burgundy ones are cute, too, with their Cedric (GH's koala bear mascot) print. They would be great for warm fall nights. Now, I'm normally not a t-shirt and jeans kinda girl, but I can't help loving the Phillip Bay tee ($19.50). The koala graphic on all the colors is super-cute and I like how it looks like it was painted on. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I'm gonna go with the white/blue color (the koala drinking a cocktail is too adorable). And, I also like the Scotland Island skirt ($39.50), either in dark navy or dark pink. The dark navy version is suspiciously like a dress I own from there (maybe that's why I like it so much) and the dark pink is plaid and a great color combination.


What are you drooling over this fall?

Inspired by Nature

When I was little, my family was really big on camping. We always had a pop-up trailer, so not really hard-core or anything, but we still were able to get in touch with nature, and our wilder sides. My parents always dragged my little sister and me on hiking trails and as much as I dreaded it then, I miss it so much now, being stuck in the dorms, 300 miles from my family. Me and my sister always bonded over riding our bikes through the campground, building shelters in the woods, making up little plays at the campground's amphitheatre and even having my dad swing us around on the tire swing at the playground.

I've been missing camping and the outdoors a lot (sure, I walk every day to classes, but it's more suburban) so I decided to do a post about outdoor-inspired fashion.

I love anything plaid, from tops to skirts and even scarves. I also really like the boyfriend style, which is basically anything that's kinda long and loose, like a guy would wear, but much cuter. So I had to include the AE Plaid Western Boyfriend Shirt ($39.50). I love it in pink, and it would look amazing over a pair of long black leggings and tucked into some rugged boots, such as the AE Lace-Up Moto boots.
I'm a sucker for anything destructed, so I love Gilly Hicks's Narrabeen denim shorts ($19.89). The rips, tears and cuffs add to its tough appeal, and would look great with a girly tee, such as Mort Bay ($15.50) in white.
Dresses aren't usually thought of as outdoorsy, but this one definitely is--the Hollister Santa Margarita dress ($39.50) in blue plaid. It has a look that's part lumberjack, part adorable. I would totally pair it with a little denim jacket, such as Lake Hodges ($89.50). The collar and inside are lined with faux sherpa, so it looks authentically-rough.

And of course, no nature-inspired closet can be complete without a puffy vest! They're back and better than ever, especially from Abercrombie & Fitch. Try their Addison vest ($98)--it comes in a variety of bright colors and goes well with a simple striped thermal, such as the Alyssa knit shirt ($34) and a great pair of jeans, like the Emma boot ($53.70) in destroyed dark wash.

How do you mix style with the great outdoors? (P.S. The pictures above are some camping memories I have--one is as a baby and the other is when I was probably 10 or 11 with my little sister!)