To the Maxi...

So it's Thursday and I am really looking forward to this weekend because I finally have a Saturday off (those are hard to come by in the retail world). So my bf and I are planning a trip down to Chicago for the day and I am freaking out about what to wear but that's not why I am here :) It's because I have been loving maxi dresses lately!! I don't have a ton of options but every time I put one of the few I have on I wonder why I am not always in them. Maxi dresses are like the easiest summer uniform ever! Just slip it on and add a few different accessories and viola you are ready to go. It's really cute though, every time I've worn one this summer my boyfriend thinks I am dressed up when really I am feeling casual to the max ;).

So I am wondering how I can take my maxis into the beginning of fall without looking like a freak. Maxi dresses with blazers, leather bomber jackets, and cardigans are sounding like the way to go. Also adding the right jewelry can totally take a maxi into fall, for example throwing on a long strand of pearls, an arm full of cuffs, or an obnoxiously large cocktail ring can do the trick. Another great way to transform your maxi is putting a long sleeved tee underneath it!

Pair some great ankle booties or the "it" boot for fall and you are comfy and stylish! Who knew?! Just make sure if your maxi is printed that it's not too summery of a print otherwise you'll just look crazy!

p.s. I am thinking of doing "outfits of the day" and maybe I'll start with my outfit for Chicago saturday! YAY

Pretty in Barbie Pink...

Hiiiii! I have been sort of bored with my nail polish collection lately but haven't found a color worth purchasing either so I decided to take two colors and combine them and see what happens! Here are the results...

The base was Essie "Need a Vacation" with Essie "Kisses and Bises" as the topcoat

I love it! I think I am going to try "Kisses and Bises" over some of my other colors, especially shades other then pick. Essie "Tart Deco" might look pretty with the pink iridescent over it! I am so obsessed with nail polish it's upsetting! 

I also wanted to share my kitty Meowf with you, she is precious! 

Snuggled up in Coach silk scarves! Such a little diva! 

Style Anyone?

Ok so Monday is almost over and I slacked major this weekend posting anything but I wanted to post about this before the day was done. So I absolutely love books not Kindles or Nooks with books loaded onto them but actual books they look better stacked on a coffee table or book shelf; but that's besides the point. There are three style books that I think are worth investing in.

 The first is Who What Where by Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, these two women founded the website whowhatwear.com which is also great for outfit ideas and trend alerts. The book takes celebrity and runway style and shows us how to translate that into real life. This is one of the biggest challenges when interpreting runway looks because they are meant to be viewed as art but are not practical for running to the grocery store. With chapters that help you learn to shop vintage, clean out your closet, decide which beauty products are worth splurging and which are not, and how to choose which trend is right for you this book is a good guide for creating your signature look.

My second book I love is What to Wear, Where, also by Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, Hillary was an Associate Editor at Elle and has written for Teen Vogue, Maxim, and Nylon while Katherine Power was formerly the West Coast Editor of Elle and Ellegirl; in case you were wondering why you should listen to what these women have to say. This book is the perfect book if you're always wondering what to wear and if what you've got on is appropriate for a specific occasion. The chapters go in alphabetical order by occasion with examples of what each girl would wear to the occasion, a few other appropriate options, and what to stay away from. The great thing about this book is even if your style isn't exactly that of Hillary or Katherine's it gives you the silhouettes or basic shell of the appropriate outfit and let the details be your own. It has seriously been a life saver for me a couple of times.

The third book I wanted to talk about is Style by Lauren Conrad. So Ms. Conrad is one of my favorite celebrities and I adore her style so it was only natural I would acquire her Style book. I will warn you if you're not a fan of Lauren you may not like this book but I absolutely love it. It combines fashion, beauty, and lifestyle to help the reader create a style that transcends clothes (one of the last things Lauren leaves you with is the importance of writing thank you notes to people who have done something for you). My favorite part about this book is editing and organizing your closet to make it easier to "shop". I forget things I can't see so I am constantly going through my closet and getting rid of what I don't wear anymore so I can see what I have. Style is a good read for those getting their own personal look together but still want to be timeless and comfortable.

Happy reading! 

Holy Heat Wave!!!!

Ok I am over the sweltering heat already! A heat wave has hit the Midwest this week and it makes me miss my two favorite seasons even more-fall & winter! I've already started shopping my closet for new looks for fall and winter, plus working retail we're always a season ahead so fall colors are trickling their way into the store. While picking up a few essentials at Target I found some really cute pleated crop pants in camel...

With some ankle booties and some cute tops tucked in, maybe striped or something black. I just thought they would be easy to dress up for nights out or dress down for running errands. And decently priced @ $24.99 :). With the pleated top it tends to thin out the waist and make you appear thinner, always a plus. I have some wide-leg trousers with a pleated top and tie belt similar to these and I adore how easy they are to wear so a skinnier cropped pair would be a nice addition to my closet.

So after work yesterday I was bored so I wandered into J.Crew and found a sweater on sale that I couldn't take my eyes off of. In my fall mind I thought why not! My boyfriend thinks I am crazy for buying a sweater in the middle of July but I just couldn't help myself and he should know how I just love fall & winter, right?

Much like the pants this sweater can be dressed up or down! You can find the sweater on the J.Crew factory website but I bought mine in-store and got it for 50% off the lowest price! I love getting a bargain! J.Crew has become one of my favorite stores and I will definitely be going back for great oxfords and sweaters for the upcoming season.

For now I'll be hanging out in the pool but watching the leaves for any hint of color change ;)

-A

Good morning! It's finally Tuesday and hopefully you know what the means...PRETTY LITTLE LIARS is on tonight! I love this show for so many reasons the mystery, secrets, hot guys, and even better outfits! I know most people see Aria (Lucy Hale's character) as the standout in the fashion department, her outfits are always different and fresh. Aria is the one who inspired my obsession with feathers (earrings and extensions) but it's Hanna (played be Ashley Benson) who I relate to more as far as taste.

From her ever changing nail polish color, sometimes even mismatched (hello, soulmate) to her hair and leather jackets Hanna is usually who I cannot wait to see for inspiration. My favorite outfit from Hanna so far is this...

From Season one in the episode "Know your frenemies", I cannot get enough of blazers and love that this trend ended up becoming a staple for any girls wardrobe! The look is definitely pulled together without being boring, I need to work more red into my closet for sure.

So far season two has not disappointed in so many ways but Hanna has gotten a lot more glamorous, if thats even possible. Thus far I am loving this look from Hanna

From the episode "My name is trouble", the details on this fairly black and white outfit give it some interest. The chain pin on her jacket roughs up the sweet skirt without being too flashy or overbearing. I love the feminine with a touch of rough, it keeps people guessing! Can't wait for tonight to see what the girls have in store, I'm sure I'll be blogging about it tomorrow

*I also have to do a pic montage of Aria's feathers :)

Love!!!

ABC: All about you

A-Available? Happily, no!
B-Birthday: September 8th
C-Crushing on? Besides my boyfraand...Robert Pattinson <3
D-Drink you last had? Coffee (yum)
E-Easiest Person to talk to? My bestie Kasey
F-Favorite song at the moment? um anything new Britney!
G-Girl or Boy? Lady
H-Hometown: Born in Lake Villa, IL and moved to Kenosha, WI when I was about 7yrs old.
I-In love with...My puppies Zoey and Talayla (her real name is Taylor but I want Tinsley so I refuse to call her by her real name), my kitty Meowf, my fish Gabana, and my orchid Bella
J-Juggle? I can just two things at once but definitely not three
K-Killed someone? Heck no
L-Longest car ride: From Florida to Wisconsin, it took about 18hrs if I do recall
M-Milkshake flavor? Banana
N-Number of siblings: 1 older brother
O-One Wish: That I could save all the tortured, unloved, and forgotten animals and keep them at this big huge sanctuary where they could live w/o fear
P-Person you last called: My brother I think, or maybe Molly
Q-?
R-Reason to smile: Because I woke up today still healthy with everyone I love in my life safe
S-Song you last heard: I wanna go by Britney Spears (I don't think I've taken her Femme Fatale album out of my car CD player since I bought it)
T-Time you woke up? 8am I love to sleep in on my days off but lately I feel guilty wasting the day
U-Underwear:Right meow, black and hot pink zebra
V-Vegetables: Yum, I love. I am mostly vegetarian so vegetables are my main food of choice!
W-Worst Habit:Laughing at everything. It's hard to take me seriously when I very rarely take myself too seriously
X-X-ray you've most recently had: Last March when I got back from Vegas I had an x-ray on my foot and I guess I fractured one of my the bones from my sandals. Heels or sandals, you're feet are not safe in Vegas either way.
Y-You are: wishing for fall! I love fall fashion way more than spring and summer
Z-Zodiac sign- Virgo

Currently Coveting...

So this post is going to be a little picture heavy but you have to see what I am becoming obsessed with lately!

If you haven’t checked out Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s new handbag line from The Row then shame on you. The bags are classic silhouettes made out of leather and exotic materials. Textiles like ostrich, lizard, alligator and leather in colors like tan, gray, blue, teal and black thus far create an exquisite collection.  Total perfection.

“We didn’t do too much branding; we didn’t want an IT bag” Mary-Kate Olsen

Harper’s Bazaar June/July 2011 pg 72

Regardless of the lack of branding a lot of these bags will be "IT" bags nonetheless. Working for a well established handbag company I have seen many trends come and go but there is nothing like a classic silhouette in enduring materials. The Coach Classics collection continues to be some of the best selling bags Coach has produced and having seen Coach’s archives in New York City (not open to the public but hopefully one day) I have seen how some of the classic bags keep coming back in updated materials and hardware. The Row’s handbag line has all the ingredients to establish themselves in the industry. Mary-Kate and Ashley are fashion icons with the Midas touch, whatever they carry/wear sells out instantly. Seeing these girls carrying their favorite silhouettes is sure to create their best sellers and a clear vision for the future.

Here are a few of my favorite silhouettes from the debut collection!

Photos courtesy of Stylepantry.com feel free to head over and read their take on The Row handbag collection.

Also check out:

http://celebs-style.blogspot.com/2011/06/trend-report-mary-kate-ashley-olsen.html

 And see more photos of the Olsens are rocking their new line.

Leggings are NOT pants...

Hey guys! So anyone who knows me knows how I feel about this topic, leggings as pants=yuck! Now this is just my opinion so I don't expect everyone* to agree with me but there is just something not right about leggings with shorter shirts. I feel like if your shirt or sweater does not cover your bum (thats right I said bum) then it should not be worn with leggings!

For example,

This girl is way too cute to be this over exposed

The Olsen twins are perfect examples (as always) of the proper way to wear leggings whether it be running errands or dressed up for a night out. Does anyway else just adore their big sunnies and coffee to go uniform? It makes me happy...and crave coffee :)

Getting to know you! 32 Questions

1) Do you think it's cute when a guy kisses your forehead? Absolutely, any guy can just kiss you on the lips but it seems to mean more when he kisses you lightly on the forehead.

2) A big poofy dress or a short party dress? Yikes, tough call but probably a short party dress.
3) Are diamonds a girl's best friend? I am obsessed with jewelry so yes but diamonds can't give you advice when your boyfriend is a jerk...hmmm
4) Is your hair up or down today? Down...which it usually is but lately I've been curling it with a curling iron sans the clamp and it's becoming my fav way to style it. 
5) Do you straighten your hair? My hair is naturally pretty straight but I have to smooth out my bangs and my ends.
6) Favorite Mascara? Great Lash Mascara with the BIG brush
7) Do you get your nails done? I try to get a manicure at least once a month to get control of my cuticles but I am OCD about when my nail polish chips so as soon as it does I change the color. It gets expensive to keep getting manicures/polish changes every time it chips
8) Small or large purses? Large for sure, I find when I down size I end up needing the stuff I took out the very next day.
9) Jeans or sweats? If I am going out to run errands or anything like that jeans but if I am just hanging out at the house sweats for sure! 
10) Do you wear clothes/jewelry/shoes that are uncomfortable? What girl that loves fashion doesn't sometimes?! I prefer to be comfortable but if the outfit calls for some obnoxiously uncomfortable pieces I'll bear it. 
11) Do you text a lot? I try not to but yes I do. I find it more convenient than calling
12) What is your favorite color? Blue, mostly like the lighter blues and teals
13) Heels or flats? Ugh I love heels but my boyfriend is only 3 inches taller than me so I usually end up settling for flats.
14) Would you ever leave the hour without makeup? I actually do this quite a bit. I find that if I am just running errands a big pair of sunnies will do and I know my skin needs a break from all those chemicals! 
15) Walmart or Target? OMG Target! I cannot get out of that store w/o spending at least $50
16) Do you think lip gloss is best? Yes, there is something about glossy lips that just pops! 
17) Do you own any big sunglasses? Um all my pairs are pretty big
18) How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Depending on what I am doing I can take 10 minutes to an hour and a half
19) Gold or silver? Silver but I am trying to work more gold into my jewelry line up
20) Do you like to wear dresses? Yes, I find them so easy for summer. Just throw on a few amazing accessories and you have an amazing outfit.
21) In the last 48 hours have you hung out with a guy? Yes, my boyfriend, my father, and my brother
22) What do you notice when you first meet a guy? His smile because if he doesn't have a good one I'm betting he doesn't have a good sense of humor which is the second thing I notice.
23) Do you like making eye contact? Yes, it tells me that he's listening and it shows him I'm listening. 
24) Would you kill for chocolate? Nope
25) On a scale from 1-10 how much fun is shopping? Umm they don't make a number high enough
26) Do you yell a lot? Eh, not as much as a curse...bad I know!
27) Do you wear sweatpants/pajamas to school/work? Well for work I absolutely cannot unless I am coming in to do stock on my day off and they tell me I can. I have to school sometimes but it makes me feel bad about myself so I very rarely did.
28) Have you ever dressed unlike yourself to impress a guy? Yes! I dated a guy who was like skater type and I am definitely not...I do not own a pair of Vans to save my life. But I started buying more of those brands just to make it seems like we had something in common. Needless to say the relationship did not work out.
29) What makeup could you not live without? It's a toss up between mascara and lipgloss
30) Do you fall in love easily? No
31) Do you have cramps? um not always?!
32) Do you think you have the bestest friends in the world? Of course! My friends are like my family and I'd be lost without them. 

What's in my bag?

Hey guys! This is my very first blog ever so I am extremely excited! I want to write about fashion because it's something I love and have a passion for! So for my first post I want to talk about what is in my handbag! I find this really interested, it's like seeing a new friend's room for the first time-always a unique experience. Plus it's a good way to get to know me. So here goes...

First let me tell you I work at Coach so a lot of what is in my handbag is Coach. I am currently carrying a Coach Sequined Poppy bag, it's white/iridescent sequins and reminds me of fish.

The one thing that comes with me everywhere, much like a lot of people in this world is my iPhone! I am literally lost without for so many reasons but mostly because I use the Map app at least 5 times a week. It is my life line and favorite gadget I own.

Next is my Coach Universal wristlet that matches the bag because it fits my phone and has 3 credit card slots that are perfect for my essentials-debit card and drivers license. I use this more than my regular wallet because my regular wallet is big.

On that note my Coach Slim Envelope wallet in the Ocelot print. If anyone knows me they know I am obsessed with Coach's ocelot print, it's perfection; I have a pair of shoes, a scarf, and wristlet in this print as well.

Chanel and Coach sunnies are always in my bag. The Chanels because they're a perfect for most situations but I love them for when I'm a little more dressed up. The Coach Lorileis are more wayfarer-esque so I love them for casual days. I also have two pairs of brown sunnies but I very rarely wear brown so they usually end up at the bottom of my bag. I also have regular glasses that I never wear because I need to get my prescription changed I think?! I should check that out huh?

A notebook for when inspiration strikes! Coach gave out Poppy notes book with the first Poppy collection and I carry one with me everywhere. I like it because it's pretty to look at and always useful.

I carry a bag of essentials like Evian Mineral Facial Mist, Oil Control blotting wipes, Shout wipes, asprin and allergy medicine, Theraflu powder medicine (for when I feel the sniffles coming on), hair-tie, eyebrow brush, and mascara.

Finally, tons of lipgloss! Smashbox lipgloss in Pout is my absolute favorite and my go-to most days/nights, I usually play up my eyes so this is a nice subtle pink that doesn't overwhelm my face. Revlon Bitten lipstain in Passion, Too Faced lipstick in Free Love (two tubes), and Too Faced lipgloss that changes with my "mood" but it's mostly bright pink which is good when I'm tan ;)