In My Closet: Addicted to Floral?



Abercrombie & Fitch multi-colored floral tank (spring 2010, similar here), American Eagle shell necklace, mixed bracelets, A&F Rylie navy culotte shorts (summer 2011, $19.90 here)

I think I've started to OD a little bit on the florals. Sure, I love 'em--they're pretty, girly and completely unique from piece to piece--but still. Out of all the patterns currently in my closet (stripes, polka dots, plaid), florals are the most abundant. I'm not quite sure why, but it seems like I'm just drawn to florals and end up buying them more than other patterns. Now that I've realized I have a "problem", I'm staying away from the florals in favor of stripes (both vertical and horizontal) and solids. I don't have a lot of solid pieces in my closet, but I know that they make up the basis of a great outfit. I'd love to buy some really flashy jewelry (such as a jewel-embellished owl necklace at American Eagle) but since most of my clothes are patterned, they would take away from the "wow factor" of the necklace. During my most recent shopping trip, I think I did a great job of staying away from florals and prints in general. Everything I bought is neutral enough to be able to wear with almost anything, and that's definitely something I've been needing for awhile!

(More examples of my extreme floral love below)




Hollister blue/white floral tank dress (spring 2011, similar here)




Hollister lime green babydoll tank (spring 2010), VS PINK coral bandeau bra (summer 2011), Gilly Hicks light blue floral skirt (summer 2010, similar here), American Eagle pink polka dot headband  



Hollister light green floral dress (spring 2011, similar here), American Eagle pink crystal necklace, mixed bracelets 



Abercrombie & Fitch yellow belted floral dress (summer 2011, similar here), American Eagle pink suede and leather T-strap sandals (spring 2011)


Are you obsessed with a certain pattern?

A Tale of 5 Handbags

If you own or have ever owned a designer bag, you'll know that attachment you feel to a high-end purse. When you first get it, you'll usually handle it with a lot of care, to make sure it doesn't get dirty or lost. You might get a lot of compliments about it at first. As time goes on, and maybe you acquire more purses, you might forget about your first bag a little bit, but it'll never be totally neglected. I think a lot of females have this kind of experience with their first (or tenth!) designer bag.

I got my first designer purse on Christmas of 2008. My mom had gotten her first one a few months earlier and decided it was time that I could have my own. I had no idea that I was getting one, so I was really excited. It was a Coach hobo-style purse, with many different colorful Coach patterned patches.

The next Christmas, I got the Fossil Hathaway Glazed Tote in brown. Even though I love bright and patterned bags, neutrals are always a necessity and I love how simply stylish this tote is. It can hold a lot, too!

A few weeks later, my mom's friend bought a lot of clearanced designer bags from Dillard's and was going to give them to some of her friends. When I found out she had an orange one, I asked my mom to get it for me. I ended up getting the Gianni Bini orange leather hobo bag. The color is so fresh and works in all seasons, and I love the zipper detailing on the body of the purse and the handle.

For my 18th birthday last year, my sister gave me a pink Steve Madden bag. Pink is my absolute favorite color, and since I have so many pink things in my closet, it goes with a lot. It's also very huge (which I like) so I can fit school stuff in there. It worked perfectly on campus last year.

This year for my birthday, I really wanted a Coach backpack. I originally was drooling over the gold sequined one, but when I realized it was going for at least $400 on eBay (!) I decided to find a cheaper one. When I discovered the Coach Poppy Daisy Graffiti backpack, I instantly put it on my wishlist. It was even cuter than the sequined one. This was the only designer bag I got that I wasn't totally surprised by, because a week or so before my birthday, my dad asked me to pick out a specific one, since each backpack had a slightly different pattern. Even though it was a surprise, I still love it a lot.

Honestly, if I had to pick a favorite designer, I think I'd go with Coach. I love their signature hang tags and they have so many different bold designs that I fall in love with every season. But I love my other bags, too :)

What was the first designer bag you ever got? Favorite designer?

[Small] Mall Haul

Shopping is one of my favorite activities, but I really don't buy anything that often, maybe 6 or so times per year. Mostly, I end up getting one or two things at a time to add in to my closet but every once in a while, I have an unexpected haul. In my last haul earlier this summer, I snagged a few items for a great price and I've been able to wear them many times since. This shopping trip, I was determined to avoid anything too summery (since I won't get too many more chances to wear it) and instead find a few pieces that can transition well into fall and also work right now. I think I was pretty successful!

HOLLISTER




(sorry about the iPod photos!) multi floral tank top (A&F, 2010); Tecolote Canyon twill shorts in navy (HCo.)

When I saw that these were only $15 (originally $29.50), I snapped them up. They also have them in white and khaki, but I've got a pair of khaki shorts already and white isn't practical for me. They also have the Brooks Beach shorts for $15, which are similar but are cuffed. My sister bought the same shorts (even the same color!) earlier in the summer. Now we can be shorts twins ;)




Orange cropped hoodie (HCo., similar here); navy/orange floral button-down babydoll cami (HCo., 2008); destroyed denim miniskirt (HCo., 2010)

When I saw this cropped hoodie, I was a little confused. I had bought the exact same hoodie (but in aqua) a year ago on clearance--why was this still in stores? But when I saw the price ($7.90) I knew I couldn't pass it up. I can always use a little more orange in my closet.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH




April ruffled tank in pink (A&F); Deidra cuffed twill shorts in dark brown (A&F)

I had just discovered these shorts while browsing online just before I left to go shopping. I fell in love because brown is my favorite neutral and I have a new obsession with twill shorts. Plus these are cuffed, making them even better for nicer events. Also available in light grey (they didn't have my size, unfortunately), light pink (I like pink but I shy away from very colorful shorts) and white, all $20 (originally $40). These shorts will work great in the fall because of their muted color. I also found this tank for just $26.60 (30% off original price of $38) and liked how pretty it was. The color is totally different than anything in my closet, but it's very girly, which I love. This is available in light grey, drak grey (would have bought if I had had more money to spend), navy and white. I had a 20% off entire purchase card, so the two items cost just under $40. 

Do you wear shorts in the fall? Favorite neutral shade? 

Weekly Outfit Highlight: July 21-July 28

This week was a busy one for me, between a picnic with my family, going to a waterpark and my birthday on Wednesday, I haven't had much time for outfit pics but I did take a few that I'd like to highlight this week (along with a few of my favorite birthday gifts)!

1st: hot pink babydoll tank (A&F), pink/orange plaid scarf (AE), pink polka dot headband (AE), brown woven leather belt (A&F), denim cuffed sh, orts (A&F Kids), mixed bracelets

2nd: white pearl and jewel necklace (AE), navy ruffle tank (HCo.), blue plaid shorts (HCo.)

3rd: light green floral dress (HCo.), coral bandeau bra top (VS Pink), pink crystal necklace (AE)

4th: shell necklace (AE), mixed bracelets, yellow/pink floral babydoll tank (HCo.), denim destroyed miniskirt (AE)


I did wear this same scarf last week, but it was with a very different outfit. I'd love to get more scarves to mix and match with, though!

Above is the pair of pajamas I got from Gilly Hicks for my birthday. They didn't come as a set, and the tee isn't technically a sleep shirt, but I think it's super-cute with the koala applique. The shorts are very girly, which is right up my alley.

I've already started reading this book, and it's very useful. I never knew the history of so many things I wear so it's really an interesting read.

This is probably my favorite present: the Coach Poppy Daisy Graffiti backpack! I love how it can work as a school bag and as a purse and the graphic black & white design mixed with a burst of red and magenta. This is my 5th designer bag, and I know it's gonna get a lot of use, just like my other ones.

What is the best birthday present you've ever gotten? Favorite handbag designer?

Lust Looks of [August]

With my birthday this week, the beginning of August in just a few days and another school year starting in about a month, I've been thinking a lot lately about what I want my style to be this fall. There are so many new pieces I'm lusting after in my favorite stores, but how can I create foolproof outfits from them? I turned to Polyvore to round up a few of my current fashion obsessions and combine them to make the perfect look for any occasion.

SURF PREPPY

(From left to right): Zuma Beach sweatshirt (in navy, HCo., $39.50, Epic Only), Beacon's Beach striped cotton skirt (HCo., $49.50), Classic Beach Flip Flops (in navy flower, HCo., $39.50), Classic Messenger Bag (in navy, HCo., $49.50), turquoise retro sunglasses, Victoria's Secret Eau de Toilette in Fresh and Clean ($15), OPI Nail Polish (in blue shatter)

RUGGED CHIC

(All items from American Eagle): AEO Desert Boot (in sand, $59.50), AEO Studded Concho Belt ($19.95), AEO Floral Scarf ($24.50), AE Distressed Denim Cutoff Shortie ($29.95), AE Off-Shoulder Dolman Sweater (in heather ice, $49.50)

PRETTY POLISH

Nina Vannah pink espadrille sandals (zappos.com, $90), Embellished Leather Belt (in navy, Abercrombie Kids, $34.50), hot pink plastic bangle, Summer Beach Totes (in navy ruffle, Abercrombie Kids, $29.50), Maddy lace tank (in white, Abercrombie Kids, $79.50), Gwyneth polka dot skirt (in navy, Abercrombie Kids, $29.70)


What are you lusting after for August?

Weekly Outfit Highlight: July 13-20

Now that I've figured out how to create a page featuring all the outfits I've had on the blog (check out the 'Lookbook' tab under the header), I decided that I want to do a photo collage highlight of my outfits of the week. I also discovered how cool Picnik is for editing photos, so these won't be boring collages. I hope that by doing this every week, I can really narrow down my personal style, and avoid wearing something too often! And I hope that maybe you'll get some inspiration from them :)

Top Left: pink ruffly lace tank (Abercrombie Kids), pink/orange plaid scarf (American Eagle), unpictured khaki twill shorts (Hollister)

Top Right: sparkly bauble necklace (AE), coral bandeau bra (Victoria's Secret PINK), navy floral/bird dress (HCo.), mixed coral and pink beaded bracelets (Aeropostale)

Bottom Left: light yellow belted floral dress (Abercrombie & Fitch), white pearl and jewel necklace (AE), mixed metal bracelets (AE)

Bottom Right: burgundy plaid sheer blouse (A&F Kids), navy cami (HCo.), navy culotte shorts (A&F), chain and jewel necklace (AE), mixed metal charm bracelets (AE), silver bow headband (Target)

These were my favorite outfit from this week, and I think I did a good job mixing things up. I do tend to wear some of the same jewelry (especially bracelets) day after day, so I need to work on switching those up. I also love dresses, but I'd like to limit wearing them to twice a week, so I can get some other things in there, like shorts and skirts.

What is your "go-to" outfit? 

OOTD: Preppy Princess



Abercrombie Kids pink lace ruffle tank (similar here), American Eagle pink/orange plaid square scarf, Hollister twill khaki shorts (similar here), mixed bracelets




New haircut and color



Side view

Considering some of my favorite stores include Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister, you might assume that I have a very preppy style. However, I think I'd classify my style as a mix between girly, preppy and boho. I'm not one to wear polos with khakis, but I have a few "preppy" pieces in my closet. These twill shorts are a relatively new addition. I don't think I've ever owned khaki shorts, so it was definitely time to include some in my wardrobe. I love that they're dressier than denim, but just as versatile. Today, I decided to take them in a girly direction, pairing them with a ruffly pink tank and a pink plaid scarf. I usually wear necklaces, but I'd love to add more patterned scarfs into my life. They're a fun statement accessory. This outfit works perfectly for both casual and nicer events. The tank is from Abercrombie Kids, which may seem a little silly, but they have similar items to A&F at a fraction of the price, and often their pieces fit a little better. I'm a "straight-up-and-down" girl so kids clothes definitely suit my frame better. My only complaint about this tank is that it's a little long to wear with these shorts, but I'm petite so I'm used to things being too big. I also have longer legs than torso, so I'm on the lookout for shorter tops to wear with my short shorts.


How do you wear twill shorts? If you're a petite, where do you shop for tops (so they're not too long and loose)?