Blogger Must-Haves for Fall 2015

 This was supposed to go live yesterday, but my internet is down so I'm working from Starbucks. Can I just say, I love it! Why don't I do this more often? Not only can I get free wifi, but I can also grab a cup of iced coffee or green tea. And, there's no puppy whimpering at my feet begging to play. Genius.

Anyway, I posted my Fall must-haves last week, and now as promised, it is time for my blogger friends to share theirs as well. Here we go!



From sunny San Diego, Gina: Her blog is On The Daily Express
In Southern California, Fall feels similar to Summer but with less daylight and generally cooler evenings. That means the knee boots and blanket scarves that are popular on blogs this time of year are completely impractical here. I can still wear all of my summer clothes, but I do like to modify my style a little bit, and this year my fall must-haves can be summed up by this picture: Olive and Wine:

Image: Source 

I'm wearing the same lightweight fabrics and cuts as I did in the summer but I swapped out my usual greens and pinks for olive green and red wine-inspired shades.

I wear my white jeans year round, but for Summer I paired them with my Barcelona cami in coral: 

I've worn virtually the same outfit recently, but just by switching to a burgundy cami instead it makes me feel like I'm wearing a Fall outfit:

In the spring I opted for this bright green Portofino Shirt with jeans and leopard pumps:

Then I took the same outfit formula (green top + jeans + leopard pumps) but changed the top to olive green to give it a Fall look:

I'm wearing the exact same shirt and pants in the next two outfits, but changing the shoes from pink to burgundy (of course!) and the bag from yellow to leopard took me from Spring to Fall:

The Fall version:

So for me, my fall must-haves are more about color than anything else. Even if the climate doesn't change much it's nice to feel current just by making a few simple color changes to my outfits!

Next up is Rachelle from Florida. Her blog is Pinksole

Berry lips that I achieve with Estee Lauder Pure Color envy lipstick in plum berry and Nars lipgloss in sixties fan. Wearing both here:

I love any shade of deep red, so I am obsessed with my deep garnet bucket bag from J.Crew.

A utility vest is a must for Fall. I live in South Florida so this is perfect to layer without dying of  a heat stroke.

Last but not least, I love a nice pair of cognac booties, I have my eyes on this pair.





Carylee is from St. Louis and her blog is More Pieces of Me

Plaid shirts because anything plus plaid = an outfit!

Booties! All of the booties! My favorite are the Sam Edelman Petty boot. I have them in three colors - wine, putty, and leopard. They're perfect with skinnies, or even with bare legs when it's not quite cool enough yet!

The puffer vest. Oh my goodness, I bought the infamous herringbone one last year, and quickly added a few more to my collection since then. They're such a great layering piece, and surprisingly warm despite not having any sleeves!

Wine colored skinnies - I have five pairs in slightly different hues (maybe more) because they are on such high rotation.

The chambray - I do wear chambrays year-round, but I reach for them a lot more as it starts getting cooler for layering. It's lightweight but still provides enough extra warmth.





And last but not least, Zeba from Canada. Her blog is Ella Pretty Blog.

1. Shirt Dresses

2. Blanket Scarves

3. Tweed Jackets

4. Ginger tea and a good book

5. Lots of plaid!

I hope you enjoyed reading, and I also hope these lists inspire you to incorporate some of their favorites into your Fall season!

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My Must-Haves for Fall 2015

Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way, shall we? I live in southern California as you all probably know, and while I love it here, I really do wish that we could experience Fall properly like most of you do. I keep joking with all of my friends that Fall is a mythical term here, because it really doesn't exist. I do however like to pretend that I know what I'm talking about. It may not be cooling off anytime soon, but I try to incorporate as much Fall as I can by changing up my accessories and beauty products to reflect the new season.

I've asked my blogger friends from different areas of the country (and Canada) to compile their personal "must-haves" lists for Fall, but I will begin today by sharing mine. I am lumping mine into two categories, style and beauty. My list doesn't change much from year to year, but it's fun to reflect anyway. All of these are classically Fall, with one trendy piece thrown in.


1. A jewel toned bag

2. Light-weight cardigans

3. The cape 

4. Vamp nails

5. Red & wine lips

If you have any questions on specific products shown, feel free to ask! I decided not to describe why I chose these because I think they are fairly obvious and speak for themselves.

The second portion of this post will be up on Monday, and I can't wait to read how my list compares with my blogger friends.

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New LOFT Essentials

Wearing //

LOFT jeans & cardigan

Express cami

Sole Society heels, similar

Kate Spade bag, pretty option

JaxKelly necklace

Elizabeth Stone ring

Beauty //

Lips in Nars birthday duo from Sephora (obsessed)

Toes in China Glaze "Flip Flop Fantasy"

When I found out that Ann Taylor LOFT was having their friends and family sale, you guys know I had to pick up a couple things. Aside from Express and Nordstrom, LOFT is my favorite place to buy  essentials that carry me from work to weekend, and from day to night. Their denim in particular is my favorite. Ultra soft and petite friendly, I can walk in to the store and come out with perfectly tailored jeans that I don't have to bother hemming. I'm also happy that they are coming out with new washes and styles, since most of my jeans are of the dark rinse variety. I really need to get away from skinny jeans too. I love them to death, but I'm finding myself looking more and more at relaxed or flared styles. We shall see if I deviate from my usual though. Shopping for jeans can be frustrating, especially if you're pear-shaped like I am. If any of you ladies also have this little issue, try the curvy skinny style from LOFT. They are roomy in the bum, but still nice and fitted throughout the leg (although not suffocating). For sizing reference, I am a size 28 petite,

I also picked up this long grey cardigan that I love because it has pockets! It's the perfect length to pair with just about anything, including over a dress. I think longer cardigans are more flattering on me these days.

Hope you had a great Labor day!

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Trends I Want to Try

I often look at street style trends with a skeptical eye. Most trends are just too...trendy. I'd rather invest in clothes that I can wear season after season (especially since the climate is so warm here in California as compared to other parts of the country). Buying something that will go out of style in a couple of months is really not my preference. One, because some trendy pieces are actually expensive and they don't suit my current budget, and two, because I like things that are more classic anyway.

As cute as they may look on others, you won't catch me in sneakers. I've never gravitated towards them, and the only time I can bear them is when I'm working out or watching Nate play on his dirt bike. You also won't find me in the off-the-shoulder tops and dresses that are making the rounds. I don't think that silhouette is flattering on me. I'm petite and a bit curvy, so a lot of what's "in" just doesn't look "right" on my body. The same goes for beauty. The top knot looks adorable on so many girls, but I look like a space alien with an orb coming out of my head.

However, there are some trends I am willing to give a go.

Lace - up flats

TopShop

Image via Pursuit of Shoes

Girlfriend jeans

H&M shown

But I love these

Lariat Necklaces

B.P. Nordstrom

 I own this and wear it like crazy. Plus, it's affordable.

Bucket bags

Mansur Gavriel

Less expensive option here

Finally, this is a trend but one that I know will last. I have been dying (and saving) for this bag.

What trends are you loving, and which ones are you loathing? I'd honestly love to hear your thoughts!

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Favorite Wardrobe Pieces

Because I've been feeling so uninspired with my clothing this season, I got to thinking about how fortunate I am that I've finally curated a few pieces in my wardrobe that I absolutely love! As a girl who has always been interested in fashion, I've had my mishaps over the years. I've worn some God awful looks, and I've spent money on things that didn't last longer than a few washes. Now that I'm more focused on my own personal style rather than trends, I feel like I don't need to buy as much when I venture out to shop. Don't get me wrong, I blog about clothing so therefore I am in constant fear of temptation. Not to mention I'm also an avid blog reader, so whenever I see you girls looking fabulous in something, I immediately want to run out the door to buy it. I just can't afford to do that anymore, so instead I've decided to focus on wearing the things I already own and love. These pieces work for me, and they never let me down. Like a loyal best friend, I can count on them to make me feel happy and confident.

Favorite maxi skirt, also in my absolute favorite color.

Favorite coat and leggings

Favorite feminine skirt and bag

Favorite lady-like dress

Favorite jeans

Favorite little jacket, cami, and skirt. 

Essentially my favorite outfit!

Favorite pumps

Favorite Express portofino

Favorite (Dream) bag

And of course...

Favorite dress I've ever worn, and probably ever will

***I'm not sure if these items are still available, but if you would like a link or at least more information about any specific piece, please let me know in the comments. This post was not meant for monetization***

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