Hi, fashionista friends! Hope all is well and you are enjoying my crazy clothes rants. Here is my outfit for today. I wanted to wear something "cute" for my best friend's jewelry party she was hosting. I had a dress picked out until I found out the high for today was 44 degrees and rainy. Yucky spring weather! I had to switch up my options, which like I said only takes five minutes tops to pick out something new. I needed an outfit that would keep me warm yet still have that "springy" look. I decided to start with the basics; a pair of jeggings. Yes I know, jean leggings; they are very versatile, and look great when worn correctly. They look perfect when tucked into boots; especially with a body type like mine. I have very large calves from years of playing sports (tennis and softball). Because of this straight-legged jeans and leggings don't exactly work unless they are tucked into boots. It all just depends on your body type and what you feel comfortable in. If you like the look and feel comfortable in it, then strut your stuff and let no one tell you differently. Fashion is all about taking risks and loving every minute of it. But back to my outfit I was describing.  I then found a sweater to pair with the jeggings, since it was along the same color scheme chose. I was wearing dark blue/almost grayish, green, white, and brown. I tied the whole outfit together with silver jewelry. It was a perfect outfit for the occasion; nothing considered "dressed-up," but flawless for an afternoon with the gals browsing at gorgeous jewelry. I have to side-track a little bit and talk about my wonderful boots I wore with this outfit. Like I stated before, I have VERY large calves (almost the same size as my thighs). For years I have struggled with not being able to fit into skinny jeans or boots. No boots would fit over my enormous muscular legs. That is until I went to Macy’s and found this magical pair of boots. They are made for “athletic” legs. They have a separate zipper extender for when your legs are bigger than the average size. All the hours spent trying on hundreds of boots finally paid off. For all those girls who have been struggling with this ridiculous problem like me, you know what it feels like. Some say, why not just give up on looking for a pair? Umm, maybe because I want to wear boots like every other “normal sized calf” person out there. Thank god I finally can now.

Ok, so here are the items in my outfit (starting from the bottom layer):

-Jeggings: Aerie, $9.99 (there was a sale, and I had a coupon... most perfect jeggings EVER)

-White cami: Aeropostle, $6.99

-White flowered, button-up shirt: Gilly Hicks, $14.99 (on sale for spring)

-Grayish/blue and green striped sweater: Gilly Hicks, $9.99 (clearance rack)

-Brown belt: Aerie, $5.99

-Brown Aerosoles boots: Macy's, $79.99

-Silver Guess watch: Macy's, $$$ (gift from my grandmother for Christmas)

-Silver owl pendant: Jcpenny's, $25

 There are so many things that can be interchanged in this outfit. Any white shirt can go underneath a sweater and then belted. You can chose not to belt it, but the belt helps to create a waistline. Furthermore, belts work for all shapes and sizes; they create a perfect hourglass look. Also, any sweater can be used that you have in your closet. If it is warmer out, you can wear flats instead of boots. The only rule of thumb is to use the same color scheme throughout your outfit; it helps to bring everything together. The same goes for the jewelry; you can chose all silver or all gold, and work it from there. There are times when gold and silver can be mixed together, but with this outfit it wouldn’t work too well. If you decide you are missing something or need more jewelry, Target and Forever 21 have cute, and extremely cheap, options.

It is so easy to create simple, adorable outfits. Hope this blog post helped in some way or another. I will be posting many more outfits in the future! Any comments or questions send them my way!

Peace, love, and (fashion) happiness,

Belle

Ok, so this is my first attempt at a blog; please forgive me if it is horrible. I made this to help all those college girls out there in a fashion rut. I have been told by my friends that it probably takes me hours and tons of money to put together what I wear. My response, "No and no." It is so much easier than some people believe to look fashionably cute on a college (aka poor girl) budget. Most of the time you have everything you need in your closet, it's just pairing the right things to get the great outfit.

To start off, I am going to describe myself a little bit. I am about 5'8, size 4-6 (completely depends on the brand, as most girls would understand), and have a very athletic body type. Since everyone is different what I wear and post might not be what would look best on you. I will try to include some variations to what else would look good for others, and why I feel the outfit "works". I will also post where I got the clothes (some stuff might be a few years old), and how much it was. Strangely enough I remember where 99% of my clothes were bought and for how much money; it is definitely an odd thing to be able to do.

So here is my first outfit, nothing too special. I wore this out to lunch and house hunting with my aunt; so exciting!

I was in the mood to look casual  and comfy. Since it was a bit chilly out today the blazer helped to add a little warmth without looking bulky or out of place.  The blazer has a "man" look to it (especially paired with the watch), so I added a cute blouse and some curve hugging jeans to give it a "feminine" touch. The jeans I am wearing are by far the comfiest jeans I own, and because I was doing some walking around I chose flats as my shoes of choice. The leopard print fits in just nicely because of the color scheme I chose; black, cream, and gold.

Here are the items in my outfit (starting from the bottom layer up):
-Cream colored lace cami: Aeropostle, $6
-Cream colored blouse: Target brand Xhiliration, $4.99 (clearance rack)
-Jeans: Abercrombie, $35 (store-wide sale during Christmas, best time to buy)
-Black blazer: Forever 21, $22
-Leopard print flats: Forever 21, $6 (yellow tag deal)
-Rose gold Fossil watch: Lord and Taylor, $115 (however, I got mine for $86.50 because I had a 25% off coupon for the store and it conveniently worked on watches!)
-Rose gold heart necklace: Tiffany, $$$ (gift from my boyfriend, and he still won't give me the price)

In terms of the jewelry, let's just say that any cute, cheap rose gold (or just gold) necklace will work in it's place. I know Forever 21 has some great $1.50 necklaces, and Target has cheap (yet adorable) watches. I posted the links to them below.

This outfit was perfect for my day. It was casual, but I felt put-together. Add a cute handbag and some sunglasses and you are ready for anything the day has to throw at you. Also, this outfit can easily interchange from afternoon lunch with the girls to a night out. For something more dressy change out the jeans for a pair of solid black pants. Ta-da! It is as simple as that, nothing else to do.

Hope this first post sounds alright, and I don't sound like a crazy, clothes-obsessed lunatic (haha). Feel free to leave any comments about what I should change or include, or anything you have on your mind. I am always glad to answer any fashion questions!

Peace, love, and (fashion) happiness,
Belle






P.S here are those links I promised:
Target watch:
http://www.target.com/p/Round-Mother-Of-Pearl-Dial-Case-Gold-Finish-Bracelet-Watch/-/A-13145340#?lnk=sc_qi_detailimage

Forever 21 necklaces, $1.50 and up (how could you go wrong?!)
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Category.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_necklace&SORT=3