Boots McGoots!

Is it just me or is everyone else just dying for cooler weather? Maybe it's the 113 degree days and the record-breaking heat we are having in Dallas, but I am so ready to break out my scarves, gloves, peacoat, and especially my boots! (And not to mention all my Fall Must-Haves that I already bought...shh!)

It seems all the magazines and stores have already put out their Fall items and I think to myself..."eh, I'll wait til October when it's actually cool enough to wear these and THEN they'll be on sale!" But alas, some bargains are too good to pass up. Like right now, Victoria's Secret is having their "Fall for Boots" 20% off sale. And who says you can't save now, wear later?!

JS Buckle Clog

 VS offers every brand under one roof, and in every height, from the ankle to the mid-thigh (yow-za!). Whether you want comfy Uggs for around the house (who are we kidding, we wear these everywhere), or those stilettos and pumps for tha club, you can find every style imaginable! I, myself, am eyeing Jessica Simpson's Buckle Clogs (only $89!). That girl is a hot mess but I am lovin' her shoes! Whatever your style, make sure your feet are all 'booted' up for fall!

Naughty Monkey

Trending now... 

- wedge heels

- grommets, buckles, chains...all things hardwear

- neutrals or bold colors


-lace-ups

 

I got the hook up, holla if you hear me....

Steve Madden is having their sneak peak on new fall styles  and they are all 40% off!

Check out Elevaate and Discco, they're my faves! Also, if you don't see anything you like on the sneak peak list, don't worry, I still got your back...I mean feet. I happen to know a little coupon code that will still get you 20% plus free shipping on all regular priced items. 

Coupon code SHOPIT20. Hey, it's the least I can do for my followers :)

Top Six Picks for Fall

I recently read an article in the NY Times (Shoppers on a Diet) about a group of people who challenged themselves to pick six (SIX!) items from their wardrobe and wear only those pieces for an entire month. While I don't think it would be possible for me to get away with only six pieces of clothing, I do think it's important to have the on-trend basics for every season; six or so items that you can mix with everything else in your closet and have several different looks. I'll sometimes splurge for more expensive pieces (don't worry, these are all under $100) if I know they are styles that will never go out of fashion. And let's be serious...every style comes back around anyway.

In the fall and winter, it definitely gets easier to find more ways to wear something, because it's all about layering. Pair a summer top with a fun jacket and you are all set. Bottoms are easy too, because the perfect pair of jeans can go with any outfit. Therefore, I have come up with my top six picks you should consider adding to your wardrobe for the fall, and chances are they are pieces you can wear for years. With these six new items, see how many outfits you can come up with in a month, just by mixing them with something you already have. And hey, it's gotta be easier than wearing just six items period. 

*Note, if you already own something similar, replace that item with something else! And remember, accessories can change any outfit just as easily.

Top Six Picks: 

1. The Military Jacket
2. Grey Denim
3. The Denim Jacket
4. Statement Cardigan (sheer, patterned, or animal print)
5. NauticalTops
6. Chambray anything

 

 Gap Denim Jacket Classic Wash, $69.50

 Gap, $89.50

BR Slouchy Skinny Jean, $89.50

BR Animal Print Cardigan, $69.50

Ann Taylor Loft, $39.50

J. Crew Chambray Top, $79.00

The Denim Blues

In keeping on trend, thought this new 'I got the Denim Blues' Collection from Ulta was perfect for my previous mention of blue being the 'it' nail shade for fall. Colors include Acid Wash, Stone Wash, Indigo, Vintage, and The Skinny. With denim being the staple item for everyone's closet, it seems only fitting that your nails should match. Stayed tuned for my 'All Things Denim' post!

($9.95, Ulta)

I'm pretty sure I thought of this first...

We've all had those nights...or maybe weekends. You're out late, you crash at a (boy) friend's and the next day...well, let's just say you look like you've been run over by a dump truck. Twice.

I know in college I would see just how much I could stuff into my teeny tiny clutch and still get the zipper to close all the way. If it fit, there was usually some kind of concealer, mascara, and lip gloss. If there was more room, in went the blush, eye liner, and possibly even eye shadow. You can't escape to the bathroom for more than five minutes without getting a questionable look upon your return, so time is of the essence and you touch up with whatever you have. I learned over the years that cover up was usually priority number one, with mascara a close second. 


As I got better at knowing what was essential, I modified my purse choice a little to include a small make up case with everything I thought I'd need for rockin' that walk of shame. It's as if Benefit knew there were other girls out there just like me...

Introducing Benefit's new Sunday Funday palette, including bronzer, lip & cheek stain, lip shine, eye liner, four eye shadows, three brushes, AND a make up lesson (and chances are, we need every bit of extra help the morning after). It's everything you could possibly need in a 5x3 case. And it gets better....it's also available in Scene Queen, with four other shadow options to give you those smokey eyes, lip shines, and luminescent color for your cheeks. You could pack for an entire weekend trip with just these two small cases. 

I personally think I had the idea first...but I'll give them the Benefit of the doubt.

($38 each, Sephora)


 

What LiLo's Known for...

You're probably thinking prison, drugs, and ankle bracelets, but I'm referring to leggings and tights. They've made their way back on the shelves each year with new innovations in stretch, texture, and design, and are now even available in denim (a.k.a. the jegging). What better way to stretch your fave summer dress into fall by pairing it with a cute pair of legwear.

Now, if you're high class like LiLo (oxymoron?), and can afford to  drop quite a bit on your leggings and tights, she's got some really cute styles in her 6126 collection, ranging in price from $48-$264; I particularly like Lady Bird, $55 (see right).

LiLo's Leggings

If you're anything like me though, one night out at the bar and you've probably got a tear or two in your tights. If you want to be old school and try to prevent that tear from spreading up your thigh with the clear nail polish trick, by all means go for it! For me, the cheaper something is, the more replaceable it is, and torn tights mean a trip to Target! For $6 to $9, you can get equally cute pairs that you won't cry over when you snag them on a bar stool. Here are some of my faves:

Merona Graphic Leaves Tight $6.30

Merona Patchwork Net Tight $6.30

BR Everyday Knit Legging $38.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For legwear that won't tear, leggings are best, and they can even take over the role of pants most of the time. My favorite is the cotton Everyday Knit Legging from Banana Republic. I own three pairs and they are amazingly soft and durable. Great with oversized sweaters and boots, they are my go-to item when transitioning into fall and my legs are just not quite ready to be fully covered up!

There are, of course, many other options available, with chains, buttons, glitter, rips, and so many other embellishments. What you like depends on what you are wearing them with, and the look you are going for. Don't be afraid to try pops of color; Target and Urban Outfitters are big on the neons! I stick to black and brown, in solids and patterns, but I am really feeling the leather legging this season. Now I just have to figure out where I can get my hands on (and legs in) a pair.

Mariana's Must-Haves

Besides the fact that this is THE cutest compact, the colors look natural enough that your summer tans can fade into fall with a sun-kissed look....get it...?  

(Avon Sunset Glow Bronzer, $10)
http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=39493 

You can't read a magazine or celeb website and not see someone wearing some shade of blue on their nails. I know what you are thinking, and I had my doubts at first, but this blue is subtle enough that you won't get too many questionable looks at work. Plus it will remind you of all those poolside memories from the summer. Unless of course, there are some you would like to forget...

(Essie, Turquoise and Caicos, $8) 

Have you ever bought eye shadow and gotten home and realized you have about 5 others in almost the exact same color? I am that girl. I always gravitate towards the brown/gray/purple color scheme, but Revlon makes it easy. This is their new color palette, called Coffee Bean, and whadaya know? There are four shades right there, all in the same color family. I like it a latte...

 (Revlon Eye Shadow Color Palette, Coffee Bean, $7)

My girlfriend once said to me, "Mariana, you are always so glossy." But lately, I've been more of a Carmex girl, plus the bf doesn't like all the stick that comes with the pretty gloss, so sadly, I gave it up. This new Revlon Luscious Lip Gloss in Shine City is all the pink, minus the stick-factor. But with lips like that, who wouldn't want to be stuck to them?

(Revlon Luscious Lip Gloss, Shine City, $7)

 Last weekend I asked a woman at the pool how she got her lashes so long and black. Her boyfriend turned to mine and said "they think we notice that?" She said she was wearing false lashes, but she could save 10 minutes of prep-time if she didn't have to wear them...lucky for her, Falsies just came out. And believe me, the guys would notice if we didn't have it on.

(Maybelline Falsies Mascara, $8)

When it comes to trends, cosmo ain't got nothin to do with my selection...

I was flying home from New York (or to be really cool, "the city") yesterday, and after leaving the fashion mecca of the world, I picked up four magazines and decided it was time to pick my style and settle on it. That's not to say I've been clueless up to this point, I just considered my style to be Banana Republic-meets-Urban Outfitters-meets-Target/Gap/Zara, etc. Some may call this a fashion identity crisis, and I can't say I disagree.I have trouble sticking to one look that works for me, because in reality, I'm not sure what does work for me. Case in point...

While walking to work the other day, I looked back on my clothing choices of the week and realized that on Monday I had worn a crisp, A-line pencil skirt with an embroidered orange top from Banana. Tuesday I had on skinny jeans, a white tank, and a black vest with beads and studs. Wednesday was my bohemian day, with a linen top with chained embellishments along the neckline and black skinny jeans. Thursday was what I like to call "I-probably-shouldn't-have-worn-this-short-of-a-skirt-to-work" day. I'm fairly certain that when I step into my closet I suffer from temporary ADD and make the most inconsistent of choices.

Here's the thing...I want my choices to be easy. I don't want to read 15 magazines a month just to make sure that what one magazine is calling the "new trend for fall" really is just that, and the other 14 agree. I don't want to be bombarded with ads and pop ups and fold-outs. I want simplicity. I want to know what the top ten items in my wardrobe should be for fall, and I want to see a price and not have to worry about a second job at McDonald's to be able to pay for it. Is that too much to ask?

With that being said, the point of my blog is for one thing and one thing only: making it simple to be in style. And I will do all the work for anyone who wants to follow. You'll be able to find clothing, accessories, and beauty items all at prices that won't make your mouth fall open. And yes, I realize this has probably been done before. But hopefully I'll be able to bring something different (and easier) to the table...or should I say the closet?

x's and o's, 

Mariana Klara