Accessories Anonymous

Tonight's Accessories Anonymous feature is statement earrings under $10. I LOVE earrings. One might say I'm a tad bit obsessed. I love big, bold, statement earrings, as long as they're not too heavy. Lately I'm on the hunt for a pair of big turquoise chandelier earrings, but I can't seem to find the perfect pair.

In the meantime, here are some of my pics for fabulous earrings on the cheap:

From Erickson Beaman for Target on sale for $6.98:

I love the feminine flower combined with the edgy-ness of the chains. Fabulous!

If they're not your bag, how about these cut-out wood earrings also from Target, selling for a mere $7.99:

Another $7.99 bargain, also from Target:

I'm in love. Abosolutely in love! I love Target because the prices are low enough that you can splurge on a bunch of trendy earrings without breaking the bank, but the cheap jewelry isn't so cheap that it turns your ears (or fingers, or wrist, or neck) green! Enjoy finding some statement earrings out there and if you know of a great place for other fabulous inexpensive earrings, let me know! Have a good night, everyone!

Must haves for fall

There are an infinite number of opinions on the topic of must-haves for this season, so here's my top five to add to the mix:

1.) Color: Make sure your fall wardrobe has at least one brightly-colored piece. It's a perfect antidote to dreary days. Like this great orange corduroy skirt from Gap for $49.50:

2.) Shawl cardigan sweater: What I want you to notice about this sweater from Target (available for a mere $17.99), is the draping in the front. This style is very big right now, so it's available in all sorts of colors, weights and lengths. It's an incredibly versatile layering piece that's fabulous on its own, or belted. Gap also has several styles and colors available including this adorable one in tan. This same cardigan is also available in a deep orange for those of you more interested in bold colors. At $59.50, it's a bit pricey, but it's also a cashmere blend, so it just might be worth it.

3.) Tights. Lots and lots of tights. Opaque tights are a fabulous item to keep in your wardrobe because they are the perfect accessory to help you transition your more light-weight summer dresses, walking shorts and skirts into fall and winter. A bright color tight is always fun, but not always appropriate, so make sure to have at least a few pair of neutrals like black and chocolate brown. These are all from American Apparel and are available in every color in the rainbow and then some! Ranging from $14 to $22 they're a little pricey, but you'd be hard pressed to find colors this vibrant and trendy for much less.

Wondering how to put together an outfit with summer clothes? Here's an example: Take this shirt dress from Target. You wore it to the office all summer.

Now, add some chocolate brown opaque tights and the tan cashmere shawl cardigan from Gap, pictured above. See? It's easy!

4.) Leather. Whether it's a fitted bomber jacket, a wide-waisted belt, an edge-y vest or even a fitted pencil skirt, leather will make your wardrobe look rich and luxurious. We can't all afford a lot of high-end leather pieces, but there are a lot of faux leather options out there, too.

5.) Wedge boots: I love wedges because they give you all the benefits of heels but without the discomfort and instability. On snowy, slippery sidewalks and parking lots, high heeled boots can be hazardous, but wedges are at once chic and stable. These from Endless are a steal at $71.47:

And there you have it: my top five for fall.

Project Runway- Episode 5

Wow- sewing with newspaper. That's crazy! Although, I do remember the recycled materials challenge where Jeffrey made this dress with newpaper and dye:

I remember that it moved beautifully and I was impressed with that. As for this episode, I like the history lesson they gave us about paper dresses- I sometimes forget that Tim Gunn used to work at Parsons, so he's no stranger to education. He probably knows the history of fashion better than anyone and it's about time that was showcased on P.R. Ok, now for the nitty gritty:

WON: Irina
AUF'd: Johnny

I don't even want to talk about the whole situation with Johnny sort of giving up halfway through, but I will. Part of me has my heart going out to him because it has to be an incredibly stressful situation and he is a recovering addict. For all we know, it could be extremely overwhelming for him- and I'm not just talking about the workload. Then again, it is television, and there's always the possibility that he's working his story, hoping that it will make him stand out. I hate to be that cynical, but let's be honest- we live in the age of reality TV and I'm sure the majority of people auditioning for reality TV have some angle they're hoping to play if they make it on a show. Time will tell with Johnny. What's unfortunate in his situation is that is first couple of designs were great- he's clearly quite talented and I would hate it if he felt the need to play some sort of gimmick. Also, what was with that whole story about the iron and the steamer and his first dress getting ruined? So weird.

On another subject, I'm loving the tension between Irina and Althea. They obviously have issues with each other. Cat fight! And Althea won last week and Irina won this week, so I'm sure that just adds to the tension. But now, on to the runway. I am outraged that Carol Hannah wasn't in the top. She and Christopher had similar ideas, but hers was SO dramatic! Christopher's was amazing as well- don't get me wrong- but I just loved Carol Hannah's color choice. Also, the length of Christopher's dress bothered me a little- it was just a smidge too short. On another note, I'm really getting nervous about Christopher's obsession with "play on volume." Yes, he makes beautiful clothes, but at the same time, I want to see him make something that has some other concept, you know?

My other favorite of the night was Shirin's. If she had added a little more color to her dress, I think it could have been a winner. It reminded me a lot of LeeAnn's petals from last season, but in a much more stiff origami feel- in a good way. A lot of the designers this week seemed to be inspired by origami. I admit, if I were in their shoes, I would probably have made some origami creation as well, but isn't it a little obvious? Paper. Origami. It's a natural choice, I guess.

Irina's trench didn't really excite me, but I understand why the judges liked it. I don't know if it was a winner, but sometimes those judges can be unpredictable! I was in near agreement with them on their choices for bottom 3. Their choice of Gordana, Nicholas and Johnny was decent, but I would have had Epperson instead of Gordana. His was a little too cartoon-y avant garde for my taste. The cape just kind of flapped around like a giant sail attached to the models shoulders. It was bizarre.

All in all, a good episode, don't you think?

In the trenches

This week the first signs of fall approaching have shown themselves and it's got me thinking about one of my favorite things: jackets and coats. I love jackets and coats. I can't get enough of them- raincoats, trenches, peacoats- I love them all. My absolute favorite coat is a gorgeous vintage brocade with a fur collar that I got at a shop downtown last year. But I'll make sure to devote a post to that sometime in the future- trust me, it's that special. In the meantime, I'd like to offer some assistance to those of you out there as outerwear-obsessed as me.

First of all, you need to think of your outerwear as another outfit- that's what makes the cooler months so great. Trust me, this perspective can get you through the most dreary of winter days. Think of it this way: Your indoor clothes are one outfit, your outerwear is the second outfit- you get to look twice as fabulous all winter long!

Next, you need to stock your closet- not all at once, of course. Coats are investment pieces, so don't try to stock your closet full all at once. Today's focus is on the fall coat every woman MUST have: the trench. Trench coats have come a long way over the years and are as varied as the women who wear them. I like to wear a statement coat as opposed to the standard beige or black, however those neutrals are important to have because there are times when the statement coat might not be appropriate. (Funerals are a good example of an inappropriate place for a bright floral number.)

The most important thing with any garment is the fit, so choose a shape that flatters your figure. Length is also something to consider. If you're a little short, go with a shorter coat- no longer than knee-length- so that it doesn't overwhelm you. Once you have a shape that works for you, consider the fabric and then finally the details. Military details are all over the place this season, like on this fabulous trench from Target:

It's a steal at $39.99, but if white isn't your bag, don't fret- it's available in black plaid, too. And if you're like me and you like to wear a brightly colored coat, you're in luck because it's also available in light and bright blue options. I'm personally a fan of garments with particularly feminine details. This Betsey Johnson trench has a beautiful ruffle detail at the portrait collar and the cuffs as well as a bubble hem which is oh-so-chic these days:

It's available at Overstock for $74.99, which is admittedly nearly twice the cost of the Target trench above. However, it's Betsey Johnson! Depending on your budget, you may think it quite a splurge and you'd be right, especially considering the trendy details- even in black. Fortunately, Overstock also has this fabulous red trench by Laundry with the trendy military details done up in a very classic manner:At $57.99, this coat is a steal. Military details come and go, but these buttons are done in such a classic style, you'll have this coat forever. And red is always in fashion. If you have it for five years (and trust me, you will), it basically costs you about $10 a year. Seems like a reasonable amount to me! Of course, you may want to plan on spending a little more for a winter weight trench in a nice wool. Personally, I like classic, but I prefer standing out and the easiest way to accomplish that is to wear a bold print. Plaid, floral, paisley- whatever suits my mood- I'm happy to don it. And you should be, too!

Finally, there is a coat I simply have to share with all of you. I typically try to keep my recommendations on the low financial end, but every now and then you need to see the high end if for no other reason than to be inspired by the beauty and craftsmanship. So to wrap up this post, I'd like to leave you with a trench by the folks who made the trench coat what it is today: Burberry. If money were no object, I'd have this coat in my closet tomorrow. It's available at Bluefly for a mere $1,036.00, a decent savings off the retail price of $1295.00. It may be a bit pricey (understatement), but it sure is pretty (understatement). I love everything about this coat- the color, the cut, the toggle closures, the stand-up collar, the length, the belt- everything.

I may not be able to afford it, but I can appreciate it- and so can you! Good luck searching for the perfect trench. If you are looking for something specific, feel free to leave a comment and I'll do my best to recommend some places to look. Bye for now!

Shoesday Tuesday

Ok, despite the fairly dorky pose I'm making, I kind of like this picture. But the question for you is: do you like the outfit? It's one of my favorites because it is SOOOO comfortable. It's just a cute silk polka-dot top with a pair of black walking shorts. I bought the top at SYMS (for super cheap) and the shorts are so old I don't remember where I got them. Sometimes I wear it with heels, but on this particular day I decided to go with the black ballet flats. Lately, I'm so in love with the ballet flat look. I resisted it for a long time- I must admit I was a huge fan of the "chunky" shoe style for a little too long, I'm afraid. Forgive me, dear readers. Anyway, ballet flats are so inexpensive and comfortable that I was eventually won over and I wore them all summer long. They are so much cuter than flip-flops, and just as comfy. A little insole helps add support, too. Also, ballet flats are what carried me through New York all last week and I must say that they were a flawless shoe choice for all that city walking. How do you feel about ballet flats? Obviously as fall approaches, they might not be the best choice, but I figured as summer draws to a close, there might not be many opportunities to pay tribute to the little shoe that I spent my summer in.

Project Runway- Episode 4

I know, I know- it's been nearly a week since this episode aired and I'm just now getting to it, but as you know I've been out of town for quite a while. I'm a little behind, people!

Anyway, this was such a fun episode- I always love it when they make the designers work with clients, especially demanding ones. Of course I feel bad for the designers who are paired with a client that will never in a million years want to wear one of their designs- the taste difference is just too wide. Remember Jeffrey and Angela's mom in Season 3? That was just painful to watch. At least this season, the designers are designing for clients that have perfect bodies. So often the client challenge involves "real women" and then the episode turns into the designers complaining about imperfect body types. I really don't like designers who want their clothes to hang on a woman the way they hang on a hanger. Real women come in all shapes and sizes, right? Right! I think the producers had an ulterior motive in making the models the clients- they have that new show "Models of the Runway" which I do not watch, but I'm guessing they were trying to incorporate the two shows for this episode. I could be wrong, after all, as I said, I don't watch the "Models" show.

Ok, back to the episode.

WIN: Althea Harper
AUF'd: Qristyl Frazier

I was surprised by the judges choice for both winner and loser in this episode. In general, I didn't find this runway show particularly inspired, and I guess that's why it surprised me that Althea won. I preferred Shirin's dress by far (among others), and I think there is just something about her aesthetic that speaks to me. It's very feminine with interesting details. Plus, she's cute as a button! Other favorites this week were Nicholas, Carol Hannah, Christopher, and Ra'mon.

Any of the least favorites of mine were mostly because I felt like I'd seen them before: Qristyl, Johnny, Gordana, and Louise, for example. I thought the craftsmanship on all four was nice, but none of the silhouettes were all that interesting, and the details didn't feel very fresh. Louise's huge ruffled collar was well-executed, but I feel like I've seen it before- in Christian Siriano's work, maybe? Gordana's detail on the front was really nice, but the dress was beige. Wasn't the challenge to make the model stand out? And she chose beige? Really? Johnny's was also pretty boring, the judges even referred to it as a bridesmaid dress. Ouch! In the end, I felt the worst design was actually Irina's. In my opinion, it was even more aging that Qristyl's! But the judges make the decisions and they felt that Qristyl needed to go. I'm really ok with it- she's actually been in the bottom quite a lot. If I were able to pick my favorite for a winner, it would probably be Carol Hannah- that dress was spectacular.

And on a final note, can we talk about the gratuitous shirtless Logan shots? I enjoyed them, for sure, and I think the wet hair was a nice touch as well. In the end, I'm glad his 50's goth dress didn't get him eliminated, but I do think his tight silver jeans had more to do with his staying power than his design. Until next week, then!

I'm back...

...from camping. I am sooooo sunburned and tired, but it was a fun trip. I have no fashion pictures to show from that trip- there really are some circumstances where you just have to throw style out the window and camping at the beach is one of them for me.

However, the four days I just spent in the sand and sun hasn't diminished my excitement from my trip to New York. Here I am in front of the tents at Bryant Park on the first day of Fashion Week: (ignore my hair, please! Also, it's not the most flattering angle...)

Being in the city is so inspiring because no matter where you turn, there are fashionable and chic people on every corner. It's inspiring and a little overwhelming at times, but ultimately I wouldn't change it for the world. The problem I have is that when I find myself in the midst of all that fashion, I lose a little perspective. In my little bubble here in Lancaster, it's much easier to view the trends from an outside perspective. Basically, I view them with a critical eye and very carefully decide what works on my body and what I like and want to wear. For some reason, in New York, my judgement becomes clouded. For example, emphasis on the shoulders is very big right now, and it's a trend that I hate. Not hate. Despise. However, while in the city, I tried on a sweater that basically made me look like a linebacker and for a little while I considered buying it! Fortunately, Laura talked me out of it and thank goodness for that. In retrospect, I realized it was just the feeling of being trendy that sucked me in. We're all entitled to a moment of weakness every now and then, aren't we?

Have you ever had one of those weak moments? Did you go through with the purchase or was there someone there to talk some sense into you like Laura was for me? Usually it's Beth or Melanie, two of my besties, who offer a voice of reason in the fitting room. But with them so far away, I find myself making decisions on my own. Usually I think I get it right. Leave a comment and tell me about your moment of weakness! Help me feel like I'm not alone in this!