spend vs. save: midi skirts

I've been a fan of midi skirts since they resurfaced on the runways in the past couple of years, but have yet to try one for myself. I feel like they're somewhat hard to find, but maybe it's because the kind I'm lusting for are the colorful, full midis and not the slimmer-fit calf skimmers. A big, billowy skirt and a pair of heels would be enough to make me feel like a princess for a day, and luckily not blow my budget - thanks to some budget-friendly options. Here are a couple of beautiful, higher priced midis and a few of their less-expensive counterparts (plus, how to wear them).

SPEND:

alice + olivia - $395 (on sale for $277!)

Tibi - $395

SAVE:

Topshop - $96

ASOS - $51 

Space 46 Boutique - $92

HOW TO WEAR IT:

jacket, skirt, top, clutch, sandals

I'm in love with this tulle midi skirt. The princess-y feel of the skirt calls for balancing out the look with an edgier motorcycle jacket and a mock neck crop top. A bright envelope clutch adds some much needed color and the heeled sandals (always wear heels with midi skirts) add some height and make the legs look taller despite the skirt's longer hem.

xo-ally

windowpane

J. Crew top (on sale!) | Marc Jacobs sunglasses (similar) | Italian leather jacket (similar) | Nordstrom arrow bracelet | J. Crew enamel link bracelet (similar) | GJG jeans | Tory Burch flats | Laurenly ring | Longchamp bag

Anything checkered/gingham/windowpane/whatever has always been my favorite pattern (stripes are a very close second). Bold, graphic windowpane patterns have caught my eye for a while and when I saw this black and white top from J. Crew, I knew I had to add it to my wardrobe. I added shiny and sleek accessories (leather jacket, Longchamp, and Tory Burch patent Revas) with a couple pops of pink to complete the look.

xo-ally

bumblebee

 Dress Vivid Collection (totally loving this similar one!!) Jacket from a market in Italy (here's a cool, trendy take on a leather hoodie with color blocking) Tights F21 Wedges Tory Burch (similar) Bag Tory Burch (similar) Ring Henri Bendel Nail Polish Essie "Playa del Platinum"

Unlike yesterday, I woke up to a gray sky and drizzling rain. It felt like Seattle...ick. Instead of wearing the black peacoat I intended to wear, I threw on my black leather hoodie from Italy! I realized I haven't worn it in a while since it has been so cold. The leather material is soft and as smooth as butter. Also the material makes the outfit look a little more dressed up than a cotton or velour hoodie would. It's nice to pull it back out of my closet!

As you can tell, I am wearing mostly black with a huge pop of yellow in my dress. I love wearing bright colors in the winter! I played up the black in the rest of the outfit, and bounced off the yellow with gold accessories like my bow ring and the chain strap on my Tory Burch bag. Beige nail polish added a subtle, yet clean touch.

Happy Thursday - almost the weekend!

xo-ally

PS - to the girls that commented asking for a hot rollers hair tutorial - I am definitely considering it! I would need to practice the style more, however.....we'll see. I'll keep you updated if I do one. :)

pun-kin patch with dance team

Outfit: Jacket H&M Shorts Nasty Gal Boots Ralph Lauren/DSW Tank Nordstrom Bag (kind of hidden behind me!) Tory Burch (old)

xo-ally

a bright blue tank to match the bright blue sky

Tank: Nordstrom Jacket: Italian leather market Necklace: H&M Black jeans: Hudson Flats: Report

Okay, so my tank isn't quite sky blue, but I love the rich, saturated cobalt color and the contrast with the black and silver. "Black and blue don't go together?" Think again! That rule has been outdated for a while now, and I am glad. Because I like this color combo a lot.

Awkward story: On a day I wore a cobalt dress with black tights in high school, and a friend said to me, "You look like a bruise! Okay, well you don't look like a bruise, but you're wearing bruise colors. So, kind of." Thanks for the observation...

Enjoy the lovely day today. :)

xo



My "Personal Vintage" Collection

I saw a tweet earlier today that asked, "What are your pieces that are 'personal vintage,' as in you've been wearing them for years?" It was something like that - I thought it was from Refinery 29, but I couldn't find it when I went back to their profile! Anyways, it made me think about what my personal vintage items are. There are quite a few items in my closet that I've had for what feels like ages (I know, seven years isn't a lot to some people, but right now it feels like it to me!)

Building a classic wardrobe that lasts can be simple. Just find what pieces are comfortable, flattering, good quality, and most importantly ones that you LOVE! Below are a few items of clothing I feel like I've been wearing forever.

CLOTHING

L to R: Pink tank from Nordstrom, leather jacket from an Italian market, white and gold tank from Macy's, and dress from Nordstrom.

LBD - Little (Lace) Black Dress

I've had this LBD for about four years now, and have worn it so many times. I've worn it to class in both high school and college, to run errands in, to parties, to celebration events, and just about everything else. It shows up in so many photos from the previous years that I debate whether or not I should wear it so often! I like switch up my tights and boots with it in the winter or wear sandals and stacked bracelets in the summer.

Long Pink Tank

I've had this tank also for about four years. I love the bright pink color and its surprising versatility - yet, I usually wear it with the same similar outfit combos that I love so much. In the summer I pair it with shorts; in the winter I like it with leggings or skinny jeans.

Leather Jacket

[folded in the photos]

I just bought this jacket over the summer so I'm not sure if it would qualify as "personal vintage" quite yet but it is quickly becoming one of my wardrobe staples. I wear it often and with just about anything - jeans, dresses, skirts, over a sweater, etc. It's a great jacket, perfect for the season, and has been durable thus far with the weather.

White and Gold Sparkle Tank

I've had this tank for SEVEN years! I got it when I was 13 in junior high and wore it about once a week and still wear it from time to time. This tank has remained a consistent piece of my wardrobe all the way back in the awkward "Myspace mirror pic" days (see first, below) up until recently in college (see second, below).

Come on, you have to admit you took MySpace "mirror" pics too...(give me a break, I was 14 here)

I'm still wearing the same shirt, so many years later!

SHOES & ACCESSORIES

L to R: Boat shoes from Sperry, Grey boots from Chinese Laundry

Pink Boat Shoes

I've had these Sperrys almost as long as the white and gold tank - SIX years! I got them on my 14th birthday during back-to-school shopping. They're a little beaten up from wearing them everywhere with everything for years, yet are still ultra-comfortable and in great condition. I like wearing them with jeans the best, but they're a great alternative to flip flops in the summer as well.

Grey Boots

I got these boots four years ago and was ecstatic when I was wearing them the same time I saw the Gossip Girl season one episode where Serena was wearing them! Blake Lively has a similar taste in shoes as me?! (Yeah, I know, it's a character and they have wardrobe stylists. Whatever.) I like how they can fold up or down from knee-high to over-the-knee boots. They work well over tights with skirts and dresses or paired with skinny jeans.

Diamond Stud Earrings

Earrings from Claire's

These aren't as old as the previous pieces, but I've had these (faux) diamond earrings for about two years now and wear them almost every day. I was with my friend Jenn when she got her cartilage pierced and she got a free pair of earrings - how generous of her to give them to me! They go with everything and will never go out of style. It's the perfect way to add a touch of sparkle to everyday outfits.

What is in your "personal vintage" collection? I'd love to know!

xo

indecision, as per usual

Skirt and Tights: Forever 21 Tank: J. Crew Sweater: Nordstrom Bracelets: Forever 21 Ring: Nordstrom Rack Watch: Michael Kors Boots: Corso Como

aaand a shot up close of the bracelets/tights/boots:

So I put this outfit on, took a couple photos, then looked out the window and saw the rain. And looked in my closet and didn't see any rain-appropriate jackets that went with this outfit. So I changed my outfit because of the weather, four times, slowly getting farther and farther away from Outfit #1. I eventually came up with this:

Jacket: Italian market in Florence Tanks: Nordstrom Skinnies: Forever 21 Scarf: Urban Outfitters Boots: Corso Como

I have a feeling I'm going to be wearing this jacket a lot! I love it and it's perfect for the weather these days.

Earlier this week I went to a meeting about Public Relations (which is also what I am majoring in for school) and I loved it. I just had a really good feeling. Then I read a couple of articles in the handout they gave us and I knew that I was in the right place doing the right thing. Isn't that feeling the best?

xo

rainy days

Jeans and Tank: Forever 21 Flannel Shirt: Splendid Jacket: from a leather market in Florence, Italy

Oops, I accidentally cut my shoes out of the picture - I was wearing white lace-up Vans! I also decided to take today's outfit photo in my room instead of the dining/family room of my apartment. I still would love to take photos outside, but as I said before, I don't have much extra time.

Taking the photo in my room also allowed me to play around with the edits - I couldn't do much with the lighting and floor color with my previous ones! I'll probably continue to do my outfit posts in here for a while.

It rained this morning, so I wore this fantastic leather jacket that I got when I studied in Italy this summer. It hasn't gotten much wear yet because of the heat, but since it is waterproof (and fireproof apparently, according to the salesman), I pulled it out of my closet today. It also has a detachable hood...so basically it's the perfect jacket for me with weather conditions - warm, waterproof, has a hood to protect my hair in rain/snow, AND it's fashionable. I like the contrast of the black with the dark green of the flannel and pop of white.

So since it rained today ... can I get these yet? ;)

xo