The Things I Bought

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Fall 2011 Trend: The Satchel

Mocha dress bliss by aliciablyyours featuring a polka dot dress

Here is another fall trend that I find myself obsessing over. The satchel. In fact, I wasn't even sure it was a trend, I just have been looking for the perfect, yet inexpensive satchel since May, but then my search started to get easier because satchels started popping up everywhere. They're so cool, even though they look like the things little newsboys used to carry around their school supplies in. But that's ok, there a lots of models on the runway that look like little newsboys, it makes sense. The best thing about this bag though is that you can wear it with literally anything. I styled this outfit around a pretty little dress, but it also looks great with jeans and a sweater (which Ashley Olsen will show you in next week's outfit clone.) I've picked a couple of my favorites, some on the expensive side, others pretty affordable. Enjoy!

Satchels for you and your friends by aliciablyyours featuring satchel bags

ASOS satchel shoulder bag
$82 - asos.com

Pieces vintage leather handbag
$70 - asos.com

Satchel bag
£55 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Moon Collection satchel bag
$50 - modcloth.com

Miss Selfridge satchel bag
£32 - missselfridge.com

Oasis mini handbag
£22 - oasis-stores.com

Asos Clean Line Buckle Satchel
$46 - asos.com

Dorothy Perkins polka dot dress
£25 - dorothyperkins.com

Zara shoes
$80 - zara.com

ASOS leather satchel
$82 - asos.com

Forever21 wide belt
$6.80 - forever21.com

Oversized aviator sunglasses
$32 - topshop.com

french connection Womens Magic Garden Beige Multi Printed Tunic Dress
£24 - vanmildert.com

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Outfit Clone: Katie Holmes

Outfit Clone: Katie Holmes by aliciablyyours featuring cropped jeans

You know that thing they do in fashion magazines where they take a celebrity's outfit and give you affordable options to imitate them, but then the "affordable" options are still hundreds of dollars and you kind of wanna cry?

Yeah. It's that annoying.

So I'm adding a feature to this blog to try and attempt the same type of gimmick, but actually include affordable options for those of us that can't waste over $100 on a white blouse.

This week is Katie Holmes with her chambray shirt & red cropped jeans. Two items that you might not think would go together, but do beautifully.

All affordable options are below $50 (maybe a little more with the items from the UK)

Oasis cropped jeans
£45 - oasis-stores.com

Bdg shoes
$39 - urbanoutfitters.com

Clutch bag
$30 - modcloth.com

Plastic shades
$32 - topshop.com

Denim Button Up Shirt - Tops - Blouses & Shirts - 2000022278 -...
$20 - forever21.com

Outfit Total: $136.00

3 very different outfits with 1 favorite t-shirt

3 very different looks with my favorite t-shirt by aliciablyyours featuring steve madden shoes

The graphic t-shirt. Everybody has one, but how do you pull it off without looking like you stepped straight out of the 12th grade? Well, the secret is to accessories and combine pieces that you wouldn't think would go together initially.

Outfit 1:
My first outfit is the epitome of casual to give off that laid-back "I just threw everything on and it just happened to come out perfectly" vibe. Pairing a t-shirt with a printed scarf is one of my favorite things to do. Usually you want to go for a plain white or black tee to really make the print pop, but because the print on the t-shirt isn't too overwhelming, it still works in this outfit. Next I threw in the skinny jeans, because they're still my favorite to wear, and of course, the TOMs shoes, my red pair are my favorite (and the most comfortable, since they're canvas) but any bright, unexpected color to contrast the scarf will give the outfit a little more zing. A small shoulder bag keeps the simplicity, but still looks nicer than a backpack, and the leather jacket on top throws it all together.

Outfit 2:
Depending on where you work, a t-shirt may or may not be career-friendly. However, if you are allowed to experiment on Casual Fridays, a blazer always preps up any look. The blazer gives the t-shirt a more tailored look as well which allows the wearer to go with a wider leg pant, either super-flared jeans, boot-cut, or a black/twill editor pant (if jeans are still a no-go, even on Fridays.) Any shoe with a heel will help you get the most out of your flair, even though you won't really see most of the shoe anyway. A great piece of jewelry and an office styled bag will keep the outfit a classy casual, and not sloppy.

Outfit 3:
Another casual option, but this time with knit leggings instead of jeans. My new favorite pair of leggings are from Lauren Conrad's line at Kohls and they only cost me $15 (they were on sale.) I like these leggings because they have a zipper and button, which makes it more of a stretchy pant than a pair of tights. Throw your favorite plaid shirt over the tee, unbuttoned, which will add some color. Then pull on some over the knee boots, (mine are black suede from Steve Madden) a bangle and favorite tote bag.

Styling several outfits around one piece will help you simplify your wardrobe, and also create new looks you never thought of. It also makes packing for a week-long trip a little easier sometimes.
But make sure if it is a trip, you have access to a washing machine.
Wearing the t-shirt three days in a row without washing it is never a fashion do.

Hollister Co plaid top
$23 - hollisterco.com

Blazer
$56 - lulus.com

Oasis bomber jacket
£20 - oasis-stores.com

Free people jeans
$128 - bloomingdales.com

Hollister Co. skinny fit jeans
$25 - hollisterco.com

Lauren conrad
$36 - kohls.com

Mod Retro Vintage Clothing & Indie Clothes | ModCloth.com
$16 - modcloth.com

Steve Madden over the knee flat boots
$100 - heels.com

Steve madden shoes
$41 - amazon.com

TOMS leather flat
£33 - office.co.uk

Tote bag
$40 - amazon.com

Volcom perforated bag
$35 - tillys.com

Kate spade jewelry
$130 - nordstrom.com

Marc Jacobs floral shawl
$202 - neimanmarcus.com

John Lennon - New York T-Shirt- JiGGy-Clothing-Men's-Shirts
$19 - sears.com

6 GREAT Scarves for under $10

6 GREAT Scarves for under $20 by aliciablyyours featuring fringe scarves

Continuing on this trend of finding really great buys, but not actually purchasing them, I've come up with 6 really great scarves to go with your really great rings you ran out and bought after my last post. ( I wish I could have ! )

The scarf is a fall (and winter for that matter) fashion staple. You can dress up any plain white tee and jeans in an instant and walk out the door looking simple but lovely. And there are so many variations on tying a scarf that the look never has to become boring.

It's silhouette is classic but still can prove to be an unexpected look when styled with the latest trends, or a cool graphic tee and converse low tops. Yet the scarf can also take a turn for the super chic when tucked under a blazer over a crisp white button down with cropped black pants and a pair of suede pumps. Whatever look you choose to show off your scarf with, I promise you it'll look put together.

Frenchi dolman sleeve top
$28 - nordstrom.com

Aerie fringe scarve
$20 - ae.com

Fringe scarve
$20 - modcloth.com

Striped scarve
$20 - delias.com

Sheer shawl
$10 - pacsun.com

Fringe scarve
$20 - modcloth.com

Forever21 fringed shawl
$8.80 - forever21.com

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

10 GREAT rings for under $50

10 of the great rings for under $50 by aliciablyyours featuring antique jewelry

I am all about fashion jewelry. Really. All about it. In the past I've owned so much of it that three jewelry boxes weren't enough to contain it all. There is a downside to owning costume jewelry though, or rather, a couple of downsides. Not all of it lasts as long as we'd like. Even if you do happen to nab a nice piece that goes with the majority of outfits in your wardrobe, it may only last for a year, or less than that. Some of it looks cheap, even if it is supposed to be trendy rather than classic.

But the upside is that there are some really great pieces of fashion or costume jewelry, for under $50, that are worth the purchase. To prove it, I found 10 really awesome rings from some of my favorite jewelry sites that are all under $50 and are guaranteed to add some bling to your tailored classics. Also, the ceramic jewelry holder from anthropologie is really, really cute.

For the record, I don't own any of these rings just yet, but I've got my eye on the turquoise wire ring by Kenneth Cole & the leopard print ring by Miss Selfridge. Also, ANYTHING that I have purchased from Fantasy Jewelry Box has held up pretty nicely.