Fall Shopping List

Hey Cats!

Fall is upon us! Well, here in Houston, fall is still working on making its entrance. It’s being a little shy, but hopefully it will be here to stay within the next couple of weeks! Until now, it’s been too hot (I’m talking still in the 90s) to wear fall clothes, so I’m a little late to the autumn wardrobe party. However, last weekend I went shopping and got a bit more inspiration for my fall must-have list. Here’s what I’m wanting this season:

1. Blanket Scarves

ALL OF THEM. Just kidding, I’m going to limit myself to only buying one (okay, maybe two) this season, mainly because I’m not sure how many opportunities I’m going to have to wear them this season. I’ve been told that it doesn’t even get very cold in Houston, and I honestly don’t like to bundle up if it’s not necessary. I have the classic, camel-colored plaid from last year (that I wore the CRAP out of), but I’m loving all of the monogrammed options from Marley Lilly! I’ve got my eye on the Jingle Green, Jade Plaid, and Royally Plaid.

2. Utility Jackets

I’ve been wanting this olive-colored outerwear for a couple of years now, so it’s probably time to get one! I love the color, and the relaxed silhouette is the perfect way to pull together a casual outfit. Plus, it looks like it’s not too heavy, which is perfect for this Texas autumn. The jacket pictured is from Sideline Sass, but I’m also loving this maroon JCrew option!

3. Patterned Open Cardigan

I love a good cardigan, and I’m in need of some variety in my collection of knits. I have about 5 oatmeal-colored sweaters, and I love them all, but they’re all basically the same. The pattern on this Old Navy cardigan is perfect for fall, and would pair well with a solid tee or a chambray!

4. Destroyed Denim

As you may have noticed, ripped jeans are back. I was actually talking to my sister about this last week, and she said she found some from high school that still fit, so she can be trendy without spending any money! Unfortunately, the first time that trend rolled around, I was in middle school and my parents bought all of my clothes, and they weren’t big fans of the destroyed denim look, so I don’t have any. Anyways, these girlfriend jeans from Gap are definitely on my list. I actually just bought a dark-wash pair a couple of weeks ago, and I love the fit! I’m also a fan of cuffed jeans with loafers or booties, so these will be perfect for my fall footwear!

5. Black Booties

Okay, so I actually already have a pair of black booties, but they have heels so obviously, I need some that are flat. My brown booties are a staple in my fall/winter wardrobe, but sometimes I find myself wishing I had black as well! This Topshop pair from Nordstrom fits the bill perfectly- simple, but the strap detail keeps it from being boring. These would pair well with a piko top and some black jeans for a sleek and chic look.

What are your must-haves for fall? Let me know!

In My Closet- The Everyday Handbag

Hey Cats!

Happy Thursday! It’s been a short week- yay! I’m definitely looking forward to the weekend, and I get to see my family on Sunday, so that’s exciting!

“In My Closet”  is a series where I feature a piece that I personally own that I believe is a staple in the wardrobe of a fashion-forward young woman. Today, we’re talking purses. I used to be a huge purse girl, but since I’ve been in college that’s changed- I’ve been carrying the same one since my freshman year!  I have an extensive collection of handbags at my parents’ house, from my Dooney & Bourke I got when I turned thirteen (my first “It Bag”), to the Juicy Couture monstrosity I saved months of babysitting money to buy, to the various other colorful totes I carried in high school. However these days I tend to carry the same bag every single day, unless I’m feeling crazy or going out or to a football game, or anywhere where it would be too fussy to carry a large handbag.

I bought this Longchamp Small Le Pliage bag in Slate with my graduation money after I graduated from high school, and I’ve carried it ever since. It was (and still kind of is) a “college girl” bag, and I was so excited about it. I love the classic shape and color; although it was a big trend at the time, it’s actually quite a timeless addition to my closet. Another thing I love about this bag is that it’s incredibly durable. I’ve carried this bag across campus through the rain, filled it to the brim, dropped it in the grass, and (gasp) set it on the ground countless times.It’s never ripped, and aside from a few stains on the bottom and a little wear on the straps, it still looks pretty good. Also, I can fit literally everything I need inside. I always have a small first aid kit, my wallet, a small notepad, and tons of other crap really important things like receipts and grocery lists. In fact, just last week I shoved an umbrella and a pair of heels inside for my ‘commute’ to work. It’s like my mom bag, except I’m definitely not a mom. It’s my single-girl bag. Honestly, I’ll probably be carrying this until it falls apart. It’s definitely no small purchase, but Lois Longchamp (yes, I named her) has been with me for three years now, and it doesn’t look like she’s giving up anytime soon. Every girl needs a dependable everyday handbag in her closet- I would definitely suggest a Longchamp, but if that’s not your style, just be sure it’s a neutral that blends well with anything, is durable, and is a bottomless pit for all your everyday necessities.

That’s all for meow!

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In My Closet- Colored Jeans

Hey Cats!

It’s my last week at work before I go back to school! I’m excited to get back to my friends and the place I love, but I’m a little sad to be leaving my job. It’s been lots of fun and I have learned so much! However, I am going to be excited to wear Norts and a tee instead of business casual every day. Anyways, today I have decided to share another “In My Closet” post. For new readers, this is a series in which I feature one item that I personally own that I feel is a staple in the wardrobe of a fashion-forward young woman. Today I chose colored jeans! These have really become popular in the last couple of years, and have become a personal favorite of mine.

I have the three pairs pictured above. The mustard and fuchsia pairs came from JcPenney last summer (so they might not have these colors anymore), and the cobalt pair came from a boutique in Tyler that is now closed (so sad!). However, colored jeans are everywhere! They have great options at JCPenney, JCrew, and Old Navy, just to name a few! I love my colored jeans, they are a great option when I want to wear something different, but still be comfortable. I typically pair mine with a neutral top, but occasionally I will be bold and try out different color combinations. I love the mustard pair for fall, and I like to pair them with a solid black long-sleeved tee, leopard flats and a statement necklace, or with my navy blazer and riding boots for a dressier look. I feel like I have a few more options with the fuchsia pair. I like to pair them with either a solid gray, white, or black tee and a statement necklace, a lace top, a navy blazer, and anything else I feel like matches! With the cobalt, I like to wear a gray solid tee, or a gray cardigan. Of course, the possibilities are endless! I also love that there are so many options of colored jeans, and everyone wears them different ways. Colored jeans have truly become a new staple in the modern closet.

What’s your favorite way to wear colored jeans?

That’s all for meow!

Summer Must-Have — Sandals

Hey Cats!

One of my favorite parts of warmer weather is being able to wear sandals. I have a big problem with my feet being squished inside closed-toe shoes, because it’s just really confining, and my toes and I enjoy our freedom. Each spring when I dig my sandals from the depths of my closet, I see endless opportunities. I also tend to find one pair I’ve forgotten about, so that’s always a nice surprise! This year, I started out with less than usual, because I’d had a few pairs to break at the end of the summer. It was imperative that I replenish my supply, so over spring break, I found these precious coral sandals from Target on sale and I quickly made them the newest member of my shoe family.

These also matched my newest sorority tee at the time, so I was beyond thrilled. In addition, I had a pair of brown and black sandals and hot pink sandals, both from Target, both no longer available. This got me through the rest of the school year, but once I returned home, I realized that my black and brown pair were breaking, and I didn’t have any that went with EVERYTHING. So, back to Target I went, picking up the same sandal in black.

These have become my favorite sandals. I can wear them with Norts and an oversized tee, any color chino shorts, and most of my dresses I wear to church and work. I also wear them to work multiple times a week, with any outfit! Now, let’s chat about sandals from Target. All of my sandals have come from Target, because they are cute and reasonably priced at $20 or less. I will admit, sometimes they tear up quickly, like my black and brown pair. But, less than $20 for a very versatile shoe for 1.5 summers? Worth it. On the other hand, I’ve had my hot pink pair since I was a junior in high school-almost 4 years! (STOP-it’s been that long? I’m old, help!). So what I’m getting at is, no one knows how long Target sandals will last, but if they’re cute and cheap, it’s definitely worth the purchase.

I didn’t intend for this post to turn into a Target Shoe Department advertisement, so I’ll share a few other pairs of sandals I’m loving this summer!

I absolutely ADORE these clear studded sandals from Steve Madden (available at Belk). I was planning to buy them for myself, and found them on sale, but when I actually tried them on, I didn’t like how they looked on my feet. But I’m sure they don’t make everyone look stubby, so if you like them, buy them and wear them for those who cannot (myself).

I also love these Sam Edelman shoes from Dillard’s. I think the mix of animal prints makes for a unique yet versatile shoe. I also love the pop of coral, and there’s something about the brown sole that I just love!

In my book, sandals are definitely a summer staple.  As you can see, there are limitless options to fit any wardrobe, taste, and budget- the only problem lies in deciding which ones you want!

What’s your favorite way to wear sandals in the summer?

That’s all for meow!