I Have Nothing To Wear

 

 

 

 

 

 Beanie: Forever 21; Tee: American Eagle Outfitters; Cardigan Sweater: Elie Tahari for Designation: Jeans: Old Navy; Ring: Juicy Couture; Ballet Flats: Rock & Republic

"I Have Nothing To Wear"

I love this tee shirt. I was out with my boyfriend shopping a while ago and came across this tee from American Eagle Outfitters and I said, "I have to buy this! It's so true!"

He looked at me like I was crazy.

Fashion is fun. I can't state that enough. What better tee shirt to showcase on a fashion blog than one with that statement?

Also, I was wanting a simple, casual look for this blog. Currently I am out of town, in Minnesota to be exact. And it's cold here! However, I took advantage of the "heat wave" today (30 degrees! Woo Hoo!) to throw on this fab Elie Tahari for Designation cardigan sweater over my tee and jeans.

I also decided to free my feet from wearing boots for weeks and slipping them into these fierce ballet flats from Rock & Republic (bought them a while ago...still love them)!

Other than combating the cold, I also have freezing winds to deal with. What better way to fight it than with braided hair and a black beanie from Forever 21? Perfect!

Sometimes my most favorite outfits (like this one) are the most simple: No bells and whistles (or sequins and gorgeous heels, for that matter).

Next time you are running errands or meeting a friend out for a bite to eat, remember that it doesn't need to take you a half hour to an hour to find the perfect outfit (believe me...it can happen)! Check the weather ~ that is ultra important. Being fashionable doesn't mean having to be too hot or too cold. Remember that layering is always easy (you can always add a layer or peel one off). Grab some of your favorite accessories. Throw your hair in a bun, scarf or hat if you are having a bad hair day (or combating brutal winds!) and jeans are always a great go-to, as they can be dressed up or down.

Voila!

You now have something to wear.

Liz

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I love to decorate. I am one of those post season Pier 1 shoppers, grabbing my items (that I have stalked previously) at 50 - 70% off. I love anything and everything with glitter. Ornaments, home décor (my favorite is a penguin standing with one foot in a cupcake!), stocking holders, etc. are all bought by me every year, after every season.

Now don't get me wrong. If I absolutely LOVE an item, I will buy it before it sells out, but I love a great deal on decorations after each season. My boyfriend makes fun of me every time I start to unpack all my decorations, because he says I love unwrapping each item and being surprised by things I have forgotten I'd purchased (it's true!) and it's like Christmas morning or my birthday every time.

I also like to be comfortable when I'm running around the house decorating. I love sweaters. Chunky sweaters, thin sweaters, cardigans, you name it - I love it. I am a fan of loose sweaters, those I can move around in easily. I fell in love with a sweater I bought recently at Kohl's (we all know I love Kohl's!) and it is from Simply Vera Vera Wang's newest collection. The sweater has an asymmetrical hem line and is made from linen and rayon. I love the ease, comfort and style of this sweater and I am planning on buying this in a few more colors! I can place my Santas and penguins all around the house or reach close to the top of the tree and place my glittery ornaments about. I can run up and down the steps to each of my themed rooms and carry bundles of items without any constraint.

I find that as long as I'm comfortable (and perhaps a little stylish!), it is easy to concentrate on other important things in life: my glittery Christmas decorations!

Liz

 

 

Sunglasses: Kenneth Cole Reaction; Beanie, Necklace, Sweater and Booties: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Suede Leggings: Jennifer Lopez; Cocktail Ring: Juicy Couture

Visions of Summer Dance In My Head

Snow is beautiful...in movies, calendars and ski resorts. In black and white photographs, a la Ansel Adams, or during Christmas time. It's fun to see children sled riding or driving down the street and seeing cute snowmen with twigs for arms and carrots for noses...but do you know where snow ISN'T beautiful? On my car. On my porch. Quite frankly, all around me.

Please don't get me wrong. I love winter. I love pulling out my sweaters and my boots (I LOVE my boots) and I'm excited to wear my cute gloves and scarves. But enough is enough! I look in my closet and see my maxi dresses hanging and peak in a shoe box at a gorgeous pair of white and silver sandals. I run my hand over my colorful array of tanks and pull open my swimsuit drawer. I try on my espadrilles and wedges and how could I completely forget I bought those adorable short shorts!?!? Ah, how I miss my summer wardrobe.

Then I look back outside at the snow and icicles. I can feel the frigid temperature through the window. I'm telling you right now, summer cannot come soon enough!

But like the rest of us, I must wait patiently for the temperature to rise, the days to last longer and the sunshine to be consistent. When the time comes, I know I will be prepared...at least my closet is.

 Hat: Bebe; Infinity Scarf: Unknown (gift); Locket: (Vintage) Classy Lady Jewelry; Sweater: New York & Company; Leggings: Juicy Couture; Coat: Sonoma; Ring: Juicy Couture; Handbag: Coach; Riding Boots: BCBGeneration

 Coat: Sonoma; Ring: Juicy Couture; Handbag: Coach; Boots: BCBGeneration

Hat: Bebe; Infinity Scarf: Unknown (gift); Sweater: New York & Company; Ring: Juicy Couture; Coat: Sonoma 

 

Locket: (Vintage) Classy Lady Jewelry

 

Winter Blues

What is your favorite color? Most people I ask this question to answer the same: BLUE. Honestly, almost every single person I talk to loves blue. Well, I love purple. That is my favorite color.

I'm obsessed with all shades of purple. Be it dark or light, in a print or solid, I love it. I have purple handbags, pumps, sandals, flats, jackets, tops, skirts, dresses, earrings, well, you get it. I believe that purple works well on every skin tone and works well combined with other colors.

A few months ago, something changed me. I was looking through one of my fashion magazines (like all fashionistas, I subscribe to them all) and I came across a beautiful blue, faux crocodile satchel designed by Liz Claiborne. I couldn't take my eyes off it - and not only because it was Liz Claiborne.

I have to admit I am a tad sentimental over Liz Claiborne handbags. I had interned for Liz Claiborne Inc. during my time in New York City. I worked in the LCNY Accessories division in the Product Development department. I was witness to the conception, design, sample and final stages of their handbags. It was truly a one of a kind experience.

Needless to say, after about a month, I purchased this bag. Now I can't let it go - the bag AND the color blue.

How could I have lived for so long and cared so little about the color blue!?! Was I living in some sort of alternate universe? Am I the last person to learn about the secret of blue? Was I even fully alive before this? Okay, maybe.

So, I decide to venture into my closet and after glancing at my shoe rack, I notice a pair of barely worn BCBGeneration navy suede platform pumps with an adorable jeweled detail near the toe. Seriously? Why have I barely worn these!?! They are beautiful. I must wear them now.

Speaking of accessories, I look up at my hat collection (I LOVE hats) and I have a Gap navy wool floppy hat. Maybe worn once or twice. Why? Why did I choose to not wear this color before now? I must also wear this now. Not only is it cute, but it's BLUE!

Enter Kohl's. I love Kohl's. Since I moved back to WV, this is where I shop the most. Can you guess what I gravitated towards? This gorgeous blue blouse from the LC Lauren Conrad collection. It's a must have. Done and done...and this shade of blue is stunning!

I feel like a child with a new toy. I'm excited! Purple? What's that? Blue has been my shade for a few months now. Will this love affair last? Too soon to tell. Winter has certainly brought the blues...I wonder what Spring will bring me?

Top: BCBGeneration; Pants: Gap; Watch: Guess; Charm Bracelets: Tiffany & Co.; Crystal Bracelet: Swarovski; Sterling Silver Bracelets: Style & Co; Handbag: Liz Claiborne

Pants: LC Lauren Conrad; Pumps: BCBGeneration

Pumps: BGBGeneration

Wool Hat: Gap; Heart Necklace: Swarovski; Watch: Guess; Charm Bracelets: Tiffany & Co.; Crystal Bracelet: Swarovski; Sterling Silver Bracelets: Style & Co; Top: BCBGeneration

Top: LC Lauren Conrad; Jeans: LC Lauren Conrad; Pumps: Aldo

 



Top Necklace: LC Lauren Conrad; Bottom Necklace: Blogger's own charms and chain

New State - New Coat

I'm cold. There is snow and frigid temperatures outside my window. I'm originally from Bridgeport, West Virginia, but have moved many times in my twenties and early thirties. Most notably, I lived in St. Petersburg, Florida and New York, New York.

I missed the snow terribly during my time in Florida. I was bothered by wearing shorts and a tank on Christmas day. The coldest month, if you could call it that, was January. It was then that I felt the need to break out my "winter coat." Granted, some may find it odd that my "winter coat" in Florida consisted of a buttery soft black leather jacket, but it warmed me just right. If memory serves me correctly, I owned one light scarf and a pair of gloves for when I traveled back to West Virginia. Needless to say, those stayed in my closet tucked away for those few and far between visits.

After close to five years down in Florida, I made my way up north to New York. Anyone who knows me, knows my love of New York. My father is a native New Yorker and my entire life has been consumed with love for that city. So, as hard as it may be to believe, I moved away from the beach and warm temperatures and straight into the heart of winter in New York City. Needless to say, my chic leather jacket couldn't necessarily be my "winter coat" up there, so I had to buy a REAL winter coat...or two...or three. I also quickly became aware of winter accessories, a necessity for those of us (many of us) who walked everywhere or rode the train. So off I went buying scarves and hats and gloves to mix and match with my coats. If I had to freeze in New York, I would at least freeze with style.

All in all, I am not a fan of cold weather. But I am willing to live in an area where we have all four seasons equally (for the most part). So here I am, back in West Virginia and bearing down with the rest of the US during this polar vortex, arctic blast and everything else thrown into the mix. The only good thing to come out of this winter is the fact that I can break out my winter coats (admittedly, new ones that were bought upon my arrival back to West Virginia...apparently I have a motto of "New State - New Coat") and my variety of fab winter accessories. I'm loving my latest, a Christmas gift from my sister, which is a pair of Calvin Klein Tech Gloves, which consists of "touch technology" where I can use my thumb and index fingers on any touchscreen device. I feel these gloves have replaced my favorite fingerless gloves that I was obsessed with from the Gap.

Here are a few photos taken of my favorite winter coats and accessories. Like I said in New York, if I have to freeze, I will at least freeze in style.

Hat, Scarf and Gloves: Calvin Klein; Jacket: Gap; Jeans: Gap; Boots: Madden Girl

Hat, Scarf and Gloves: Gap; Coat: St. John's Bay; Tee: Gap

Hat, Scarf and Gloves: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Coat: Sonoma; Dress: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Tights: Chinese Laundry; Pumps: Guess