Mission Impossible? (Ankle Booties)

Since earlier this fall, I have been lusting after ankle booties. Maybe it's because I hardly have any really cute shoes for fall and winter. Sure, I can wear my Bearpaw boots every once in awhile, but it would be nice to have a dressier option.

I had a lot of trouble deciding what exact pair I wanted to invest in. I didn't want it to break the bank, so I was steering towards a price range between $30-$60. I wanted it to have a low wedge heel, preferably around 2-3 inches, so I can (attempt) to wear it to my classes and on errands. And it must be in a neutral color, most likely brown, taupe or grey.

I also had problems figuring out which style would be most flattering. I am pretty petite, and I know that ankle booties can be hard to pull off for smaller women. Originally, I wanted a pair that I could wear bare-legged in early fall with dresses and miniskirts, but I'm thinking that I should stick with wearing them with skinny jeans and tights or leggings. I'm also considering wearing them with cuffed boyfriend jeans.

The one pair I found that I really loved were the ALDO Pirnie booties. They have a hidden wedge heel (wedge is always easier to walk in) and a chic corduroy construction with a leather wrap-around buckle in a contrasting shade. I fell in love with their quirky but cute look, but I wasn't quite willing to drop over $60 for them. I almost forgot about these booties. But then I was graciously gifted with an Amazon gift card...and the wheels started turning. I looked them up on Amazon's website and lo and behold, there they were, in grey (my preferred shade) and for only $27.99! What a steal, right? I wasted no time and snapped them right up. 


I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived just a few days later and I was eager to try them on. When I finally got home for Christmas break, I got the opportunity to test them out--and I gotta say I love them even more in person! I ordered a size up from my usual 6 and they fit perfectly, with just a little slippage that can be fixed with some socks. The instep is ruched, which adds a cute touch, and I love the flared top part. They look a little weird, because the opening is too wide for my ankles, but I still like them a lot. I can't wait to wear them with grey tights and even possibly jeggings/skinny jeans. Overall, I think the booties were a very smart buy!

Do you like ankle booties?

OOTD: I'll Have a Blue Christmas

Navy/white striped sweater (HCo., NEW); navy culottes (A&F, summer 2011); navy opaque tights (Target, fall 2011)

Silver bangles (AE, summer 2010)

"OMB!" nail polish (Nicole by OPI, red); "Give Me The 1st Dance" nail polish (Nicole by OPI, silver)

Set of three silver sparkly rings (AE, winter 2010)

Can you believe it's only 25 days til Christmas?! I can't believe how fast this year's flown by. I am super excited for the holidays, though, and getting off from school for a whole month. College is great :) Except for the finals, of course. Since coming back from Thanksgiving break, I've been pretty busy with last-minute tests and projects. I can't wait to get a break from all this school stuff!


I scored this pullover sweater for only $20 the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It wasn't even Black Friday yet, and the stores were already rolling out their deals. I'm not complaining though--it was nice to get some steals without having to deal with the crowds. I like this sweater because I have nothing like it in my closet--I usually stick with thinner stripes and all my sweaters are cardigans. But a change every once in awhile is nice, and I really like the look of this new sweater. The purchase was inspired by my sister, who bought a similar one from Abercrombie & Fitch recently. 


What are you most looking forward to this holiday season?

H&M Coming to Denver!

Good news for all you Colorado-based frugal fashionistas out there--H&M is coming to the Denver Pavilions!

The wait will finally be over as of next Thursday, the grand opening of the state's first H&M store. It's moving into the former Niketown store. Devoted fans who show up early enough will be rewarded with a free t-shirt and gift cards ranging from $10-500 in value.

H&M is a retailer headquartered in Sweden that specializes in "fast fashion", or high-end trends for low prices. The store often features special designer lines at a fraction of the cost.

I know I'll be hitting up H&M as soon as possible--probably not on opening day, as school (unfortunately) has to come first--but Thanksgiving break a week or so later will be the perfect opportunity to get my shop on...without breaking the bank!

Some things I Like from H&M...



Tunic, $29.95



Sequin-front skirt, $19.95



Cream legwarmers, $14.95



Oversize sweater, $19.95



Faux leather bomber, $49.95



Graphic sweatshirt, $24.95



Gold sequin tee, $34.95



Poncho sweater, $19.95

 Do you like to shop at H&M?

The Rainbow Connection [of Outerwear]

Why can't winter be colorful? Lately, a lot of retailers are offering shoppers an array of options when it comes to outerwear, especially when it comes to colors. Almost every color of the rainbow, in many shades and hues, can be found and easily worn. Wearing a bright orange or yellow jacket, for instance, might seem too scary and extreme, but both look great when paired with khaki pants or dark wash skinnies. Purple leather gloves can amp up a dreary cold day look. Scarves in royal blue and hot pink make adorable accessories that go with almost anything.

So this winter, don't let your accessories and outerwear be blah and colorless--stand out in a rainbow of shades!


What's your favorite bright color?

OOTD: Prepalicious



Cream knit wool cardi (HCo., *NEW*); burgundy plaid tunic (A&F Kids, hand-me-down); navy culottes (A&F, summer 2011); navy sparkle tights (AE, Christmas 2010); silver satin bow headband (Target, fall 2010)




"It Starts With Me" nail polish (Nicole by OPI, bronzy-pink); "Give Me the 1st Dance" nail polish [on index finger] (Nicole by OPI, silver)




Silver jewel-studded braided ring (AE, fall 2010)





Royal blue/pink glasses (summer 2011)


Haven't you heard--nerds are in! Sometimes, you just gotta let your inner geek shine through. Today I did just that with this outfit. Okay, I think it's pretty cute and preppy, but it's kinda school-girl ish, which makes me feel like I'm a "nerdy" straight-A student. But who says straight-A can't be chic? I added in plenty of accessories, from my favorite headband to a wrist full of bangles, and the sparkly tights are always a good addition. The glasses add to the whole "school girl cool" look that I was going for with this outfit. It was so cold today (which I loved, btw) so I paired the tunic and shorts/tights with my brand new sweater I got on Sunday. It's simple but cute, and I've been needing something warm and in this shade for quite some time. It pairs nicely with the whole outfit and makes me feel okay with being a preppy "nerd"!

Do you like the geek chic or school girl cool trend?

OOTD: Shades of Grey [& Red]



Feelin' grey





Grey knit duster cardi (A&F, winter 2011); grey lace-fron tee (HCo., fall 2011); silver sparkly fireball necklace (AE, winter 2009); coral red culotte shorts (A&F, fall 2011); light grey sweater tights (Target, winter 2010)

 What's your favorite neutral? A lot of people will probably say black for its elegance or some kind of brown/tan for its ruggedness but for me, it's grey. Say what? I know grey seems boring, blah and downright depressing to a lot of people, but it's not like you have to go around in an all-grey ensemble. Neutrals are for mixing and matching, after all. So I decided to put my never-before-worn coral culottes (I ordered them probably a month ago but hadn't gotten the opportunity to wear them) to good use and pair them with a few grey items. The shorts themselves are very vibrant in color, and I thought they could easily be toned down with a nice neutral. I think grey goes very well with coral--it lessens the impact without making the shorts seem average. It allows them to stand out, in a tasteful way. I also mixed and matched the shades of grey I used. The lace tee is a very dark charcoal, the sweater is a medium heather grey and the tights are a light almost-blue grey. I also wore my Bearpaw boots, which are about the same shade as the sweater. I know it may seem weird to be wearing all these different hues and with a very bright color, but it works because the outfit is grounded in one neutral tone.



Closeup of lace tee (to show detail)



How do you "punch up" your favorite neutral shade?

OOTD: [Fall] in Love



Orange off-shoulder sweatshirt (HCo., from sister); owl pendant (AE, fall 2011); brown twill shorts (A&F, fall 2011); brown opaque tights (winter 2010)




"Love" two-finger ring (Forever 21, summer 2011)




Emma 10" Sheepskin Boots in chocolate (Bearpaw, Christmas 2009)





"It Starts With Me" nail polish (Nicole by OPI, bronzy-pink); "Give Me the 1st Dance" nail polish (Nicole by OPI, silver)



Fall is finally here, I can feel it in the air and see it in the 10-day weather forecast! Today was the first day in quite awhile that it was below 70 degrees and it felt perfect!

I was able to wear my brown tights for the first time since spring...and also my neglected Bearpaw boots. Once you start wearing those, you know it's fall. I kept my outfit mostly neutral (brown) but added in a pop of color with my slouchy sweatshirt and beloved owl pendant. I love spice shades in autumn, and pairing them with neutrals (especially shades of brown) always looks put together.


What is one thing that always says "fall" to you?