spend vs. save: geometric sunglasses

I've had my eyes on a pair of geometric sunglasses for a while now. Sharp, angular sunglasses take eyewear to a modern level, while traditional shades like black and tortoise keep the look from being too "out-there."

Spend:

Karen Walker - $250

Elizabeth & James - $195

Save:

Nordstrom - $24

Topshop - $32

How to wear it:

Karen Walker sunglasses, Nordstrom top, Topshop pencil skirt, Tory Burch bag

What is your take on geometric sunglasses - would you try the trend?

xo-ally

spring trend: mirrored sunglasses

As you've probably noticed, I've been LOVING my blue mirrored Ray-Bans (which can be seen in these outfits here, here, and here). To mark my one month-a-versary of having these sunglasses, I thought I'd do a quick post about the trend that's becoming more and more popular as we head deeper into spring.

Here are some styles to shop:

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Oakley

Ray-Ban

Personally, I absolutely love this trend right now. At first, I was a little wary - I hadn't seen anyone in person wearing sunglasses like these, and I knew I'd look crazy! But I went with it anyways and thought, "who cares!" The only downside is that when taking photos you can definitely see the photographer in the reflection, haha.

There are plenty of styles and colors to choose from, from aviators or wayfarers to shades of purple, green, blue...so many ways to add a fun pop of color to an outfit.

What do you think about the mirrored sunglasses trend?

xo-ally

ombre hair

The ombre hair trend has been going strong for quite some time now and I don't see it leaving anytime soon. It is a way to (in most cases) subtly add color and most of the time looks fantastic! It is low maintenance, so touch-ups aren't needed as often, especially if the color on top is your original hair color. I really like the ombre hair trend, and these fab ladies below look perfect!

Lately I've been looking through photos from when I studied abroad a couple summers ago. A few months before I went abroad I had a "trim" that turned out to be more like 5-6 inches off my hair. I love having long hair and was so sad to see my length hit just below the shoulder. So I got hair extensions. It looked great at first and it was nice to have more volume. However, during my time abroad, my extensions faded!!! The color changed to a lighter brown. A few people thought I just got highlights.....haha. My hair kind of looked ombre:

I actually like the look. If I weren't afraid of dying my hair (I've never colored it, ever) then maybe I would do this. I love my original color too much to color it, but ombre wouldn't change the roots.

HOWEVER, I saw this photo from my last night in Florence. My extensions look so fake. I just CRINGE when I see this photo!! Needless to say I took the extensions out when I got back to the US :(

There are times when I think I might put those extensions back in to get more volume and an "ombre hair" look but then remind myself of the photo above. Sometimes it just ain't pretty. Maybe I'll be able to find a way to make it look more real....hmm if you see any future photos of me with semi-lighter hair that's probably what I tried to do!!

Anyways, I am a big fan of the ombre hair trend and I have a feeling it will last longer than we think. What do you think of ombre hair?

xo-ally

blue ray-bans!

Wellllll, you can see my friend Lauren (friend and today's photographer) in the reflection, haha.

 Ray-Ban sunglasses | Free People dress (similar) | Martin + Osa cardigan (similar) | Report flats (similar) | Nordstrom bracelets (similar) | Entourage earrings

I am so loving my new blue mirrored aviators. I went to Nordstrom 4 times to look at them before actually making the purchase! They have already becoming a favorite in my accessory collection, even if they are a little crazy. I don't care, I love them anyway! It took my a while to admit that because they are a newer trend and a little "out there" ... also, my ex-boyfriend from high school used to wear mirrored aviators and I thought he looked like the biggest tool. Haha. So....

I'm also wearing the earrings from Leslie that came in my blog swap gift!! Love the subtle addition of orange next to the blue.

xo-ally

current shopping list: mint colored everything!

Yes, I know it's still January. Spring is around the corner! (In a couple months, give or take?) When stores begin to stock spring attire, my mind flashes forward to the days where I don't have to wear a coat or scrape the ice off my car in the morning. Ah, pure bliss.

I'm loving how both brights and pastels are huge this spring. I'm currently crushing on everything mint colored. It's subtle but can still be just as girly as a ballet pink.

Even though it snowed today (and yesterday, and the day before that) I can't help but get excited for the upcoming season! I already purchased white jeans recently, and here are a few spring mint pieces I'm lusting over.

Mint chino shorts. Love.

A mint hair bow!

Mint skinnies. The colored denim trend is stronger than ever and these jeans would be perfect for a cool, spring break evening!

Along with the colored denim trend, we're seeing bright colored exercise leggings in every hue imaginable. I already have avatar-blue leggings from lululemon, but these mint wunder under leggings are so adorable!

A smidge brighter than mint, but still a soft green nonetheless, this girly dress is calling my name.

Okay, okay, I'm stretching the dresses in this post a little too far with color, but this dress is great for spring too!

Let's bring it back to actual mint now. This plain tee is just asking for a statement necklace!

What's on your spring shopping list? Are you going to add mint and other pastel colors to your spring wardrobe?

xo-ally

chevron dresses

Chevron stripes are a huge trend right now, and I've subtly worn the pattern with my colored chevron bangles. With spring on the mind, however, I have dresses on my shopping list. These bold, chevron striped dresses are perfect.

[top, middle, bottom]

Are you enjoying the chevron striped trend?

xo-ally

spring trend: black & white

You know when you get really busy, time slips away from you, and life kind of gets in the way? To the point where you realize you haven't posted on your blog in two days?! That's me right now...however, I would like to take a chance to mention one of the hottest trends right now: black and white color blocking. I've seen it, worn it, and (usually) have loved it. Take a look at some of my picks that I suggest for any spring shopping list. (Click the images to go to the site.)

     

     

My favorite is the Kate Spade tote, because I love the pop of hot pink!

Will you be wearing black and white this spring?

xo-ally

statement necklaces

Statement necklaces have been on the fashion radar for a few seasons now and I think it's safe to say the trend is still going strong. Whether it is a collar necklace or the popular bubble necklace, necklaces of all colors, materials, shapes, and sizes are everywhere. My current favorites are below - click on the image for the link!

                    

              

I've been on the fence about getting a bubble necklace, but love the purple Bauble Bar one above. However, a chunky pearl necklace like the J. Crew one would go well with my outfits..... decisions, decisions! Which one is your fave??

xo-ally

fall/winter hats

Today was a day where I realized I really should've worn a hat. When did it get cold?! (A regular person would've realized that on the first snow, which happened recently. Yet I still didn't fully realize this during my weekend trip to the mountains....) Yup, today I wore jeans, flats, a tank, and a cardigan. Then ran back home to grab a coat. But I was still cold! Luckily, the coat has a hood so it acted like a makeshift hat.

I love college, but I'm moving somewhere warm and sunny when I graduate.

In the meantime, I'll wear a hat when it gets cold. Or when it acts simply as a cute accessory, like my "Blair Waldorf" hat, which you can see in this post.

Some fall and winter hats I'm loving:

This teal-green wool hat from Nordstrom would totally transform any outfit.

For super cold days, this trapper hat from J. Crew would be perfect!

Nordstrom also has this classic cloche hat in multiple colors.

Pom pom hats are so fun! I like this one from American Eagle.

I love these winter headbands! I have a older white one from Anthropologie, but this new red one subtly stands out from the crowd with the bow detail.

What hats are you wearing this season?

xo-ally

PS - one of my recent outfits is on Fash Boulevard's post on riding boots! Check it out here. I'm excited because this is one of my fave blogs. :)

printed jeans

I can't believe the week is almost over and I haven't posted since Sunday! I got hit with a cold again, right when I was finally feeling 100% from my last one. I am overworked and tired...midterms will be over soon...anyways, onto the subject of this post: printed jeans!

Printed jeans are a trend this season that are popping up more and more. Floral and intricate designs are especially popular, and I have a feeling we'll be seeing both colored and printed denim in full swing this spring.

To dip a toe in the trend....

[photo]

subtle polka dots

[photo]

large dots

To make a bold statement....

turquoise snakeskin

extreme print

beautiful bright green

xo-ally

baseball tees

During the early teen years, I used to always like it when guys wore baseball tees. I thought they looked so attractive - Chad Michael Murray and Zac Efron? Two of my celeb crushes during those years, and they both knew how to rock a baseball tee and jeans! Haha.

I've been seeing baseball tee-inspired shirts for girls lately, and I think I might add one to my fall shopping list. More casual than a blouse but more detailed than a plain t-shirt, a baseball shirt would be a fun piece to wear with jeans on a casual day, or even a skirt if it looks right.

ASOS

Free People

Nordstrom

What's your take on baseball tees for girls? Will you be wearing one this season?

xo-ally

PS - weren't Chad Michael Murray and Zac Efron adorable back in the day? I loved when they wore baseball tees. And, well, they're both still pretty cute nowadays :)

photos one, two