Product I LOVE: Lauren Conrad 'Style'

Don't judge me, but I've always been an avid fan of Laguna Beach & then The Hills! I've always had a love for beautiful coastal environments such as Cali thanks to my appreciation for my family roots back in Portugal. 

And of course you can't beat the fashion of the West Coast! GASP! I know most people feel the East Coast & New York is where it's at when it comes to fashion, but I would gladly shed my boots, long sleeves & coats in a heartbeat to base my wardobe around that Cali lifestyle. Loose but chic looking clothing.

And that's exactly the insight Lauren gives in this book. It's a straight up guide to everything from her gorgeous makeup & hair to the basic essential pieces every girl should have in her wardrobe. She shows you her basic pieces, how to wear/switch specific outfits up for different events & the importance of keeping your clothes fitted as well as taken care of. And there's still so much more to this book that you wouldn't believe. I wish this book had come out when I was in middle school..I could've surely avoided some horrid outfits.

In regular bookstores, this goes for $20. I picked up my copy from Target and it only cost me $13.

Happy reading everyone! xox

Wishlist: Target

When it comes to budget buying for basic trendy pieces, surprisingly, stores like Target are the way to go. Now I have to say when it comes to which is the better quality in clothing I prefer Target over Walmart (as for shoes, Walmart's quality is not bad). 

It seems like every 3 weeks Target updates it's floors with the newest next best thing of the season. In my opinion, when I'm buying a piece that has just evolved as the new trend, I have no shame in  testing it out on a lower budget as long as some quality is there.  I'd rather not invest a bigger amount of my $ on a trendy piece from let's say Zara, Ann Taylor LOFT or J. Crew unless I decide it's a trend that I might just stick to for awhile.


First up, the 'Xhilaration Moto jacket in Dark Chocolate Brown.' ($35)
Now here is a trend I've always been wary to try b/c I don't want to end up looking like a biker. In order to do so, I prefer a darker brown to the traditional black. I also wanted a more fitted look to it, as well as the extra fabric on the collar.

Next up, the 'Merona Wool Pea Coat in Gazelle Brown.' ($50)
I wanted to get in on the whole 'camel' colored basic pieces for Fall. I wanted to stick with the pea coat version of this since I'm a fan. Now, the pea coat I've been sporting every fall/winter for the past 3 yrs was a higher end brand & the color black. It was a Christmas gift and it cost about $100. 

Now, I always justify spending a good amount of $ on wear and tear pieces like a jacket since it's something I have to use pretty much everyday from Nov - March, but b/c I'm not sure how crazy I'll be about the camel color, I'd rather not spend alot of $ to test it out. I also wanted a fitted look that stopped right at the waist.

The 'Xhilaration Karima Leather Boots in Black.' ($50)

These are another wary buy due to not wanted to rock the whole biker look. As long as I keep it seperate from my Moto jacket I don't think I'll have too much of a problem. I don't have any black boots that don't have a heel on them which is why I have been on the hunt for boots such as these.

Let me know what are some of your fall must-haves that you're ready to try out! xox

OOTD: Jewel Tones

 Who doesn't love a rich warm jewel tone for the fall?

Ruffle dress: Urban Outfitters on sale for $17.99 originally $68!

(See my post on Urban Outfitters here.)

Black cardigan: Vera Wang for Kohls

Black wedges: Aerosoles 

(See my post on Aerosoles here.)

Ruffle top: Body Central (website only)

Camel cardigan: Old Navy

Jeans: House of Deron

Shoes: Aersoles

Silver ball bracelet: Ralph Lauren

Tiny heart necklace: Kohls

Casual top: TopShop (closest store is in NYC)

OOTW: Boots, sweaters & blazers

Here are a few quick outfits from this week. Enjoy!

Dark grey lightweight blazer: Target $25 (these run big!)

Top: Alfani (vintage)

Cropped pants: Zara

Shoes: Aerosoles (see previous posts)

Watch: Target $14

Below is how the outfit started in the morning since it was chilly out. When it warmed up I took off the sweater.

Sweater dress: TakeOut @ TJ Maxx $20 (I've seen this @ Target as well!)

Boots: Walmart (see previous posts)
Dark brown sweater: The Limited

B&W cardigan: Candies @ Kohls $25 (GREAT quality material, not flimsy & thin!)

White button top: Old Navy

Jeans: House of Deron

Black wedges: Aersoles (see previous posts)

Product Dupe: Chanel's Le Vernis nail polish in Particuliere

There's been a lot of buzz about Chanel's Le Vernis polishes, especially the shades in Particuliere & Paradoxical. These are a purple based color.

Definitely gorgeous fall colors, but for $23 each it's not exactly the price I would pay for a nail polish. (..a lipstick YES! but a nail polish NO!) 

The dupe I came across is for Particuliere which is a more muted purple w/ the slightest hint of brown & grey. If you see the color swatch online here it looks much darker than it is in real life. The image belows helps depict a much more realistic color.

$23

So where did I come across a great dupe for this color? ULTA & it only cost me $7.50! But be aware I am referring to Ulta's Professional Nail Lacquer polishes and not their regular $3 polishes.

See the colors on their site here.

$7.50

OOTW: Still in denial

Slowly but surely I'm bringing out the sweaters & scarves...I refuse to wear a coat until the temperature hits below 40 though! Sure I have a scratchy/sore throat & a head cold...it's worth it right!?...right? 

Soooo whether I get the flu or wear a coat first...we'll see who wins...me or the weather...

 

Olive green collared button-up: Charlotte Russe $30

Belt: Urban Outfitters $15 (on sale)

Chunky necklace: Charlotte Russe $12

Gold watch: Target $14

Cropped jeans: Macys

Wedges: Aeropostale (see previous posts)

Cropped jacket: Know Style $30

Scarf: from a festival $5?

Gold watch: Target (see above)

White top: Miley Cyrus for Walmart (don't judge me haha!)

Jeans: House of Deron @ TJ Maxx (see previous posts)

Wedges: see above

Navy blue sweater: Zara $10! (on sale from $40)

Cream top: see previous posts since I wear this to death

Watch: see above

Jeans: American Rag

Wedges: see above

Grey top: WestKei @ TJ Maxx (see previous posts)

Jeans: American Rag

Wedges: above

Pink top w/ pearl embellished shoulders: TJ Maxx $40

Leggings: Zara $40

Shoes: Franco Sarto @ TJ Maxx $40

White watch: Target $12 (good dupe for the Chanel watch)

Chunky necklace: see previous

White & Black top: Forever21 $18

Leggings: Zara $40

Wedges: Aerosoles (see previous posts)

Black sweater: Vera Wang for Kohls $35

Striped sequin top: Royal Love @ TJ Maxx $25

Jeans: Zara $30

Wedges: see above
Silver glitter hoop earrings: from Portugal

Black boyfriend blazer: Express $80

 Top: New York & Company

Jeans: Guess $40

Shoes: see above

Product Dupe: MAC Villians Nail Polish

MAC just came out with some gorgeous product and colors in their 'Disney Villians' collection. For once it seems their nail polishes might just be worth the $$$..or are they? ;)

I started eyeing 2 of the nail polishes, Mean & Green and Formidable! However, for $13 a pop it's a little too pricey for me plus they seem to be SOLD OUT EVERYWHERE. So I began my search and came across some Orly 'Cosmic FX' collection polishes in no other than CVS believe it or not. 

If you check these out online here, the pictures do not do them justice. You need to go into the store and swatch away! These are usually $10, but @ CVS they were on sale for $7 each! I ended up buying Galaxy Girl, but def loved Space Cadet & Out Of This World.

Just for fun!

I was looking through the sale items online @ Urban Outfitters and came across this...too funny. And if anyone needs one they're still available in every size lol. Not sure why these aren't sold out yet...hmmm.

ENJOY!

OOTW: I'm Back!

I'm backkk! Unfortunately, I was away for only 5 days and the weather wasn't as cooperative as it usually is there. The first day I was there it rained and the next 2 days it was super windy and cloudy = not a lot of sun or pics. But here's a few pics & only 2 OOTD's. 

This is the South of Portugal aka Algarve.

The pup was not happy staying behind

Military jacket: Ann Taylor LOFT $40 (on sale from $85!)

Cream silk tank: Charlotte Russe $22

Black silk shorts: Charlotte Russe $10 (on sale from $28!)

Silver pewter sandals: TJ Maxx (see previous posts)

Chunky necklace: Charlotte Russe $12

Jacket: see above

Navy blue pearl top: Charlotte Russe $20

Dark wash stretchy skinnies: TJ Maxx $30

Sandals: see above