My FAVORITE Velvet Dress Three Ways

Sooo... I'm ready for fall....

I know a lot of you commented last fall that you would love to add velvet to your wardrobe, but aren't sure how. I am still loving the velvet trend, and it's not going anywhere! (REJOICE!)

I have a few tips, which I guess I should post :P, but I thought that I would share this post first. A fairly basic velvet dress can be dressed up or down very easily, especially in the cooler months!

Here are three of my go-to looks for this burgundy velvet dress! (IT NOW COMES IN BLACK TOO!) :) It is stretchy, comfortable, flattering, and looks good with EVERYTHING.

I am not being sponsored or getting any payment for sharing this link, I simply adore the dress! However, if you want to purchase from Modcloth, please feel free to use my referral code for 20% off $75 or more! :) And if you were curious, they make returns super easy, which is a must for me in the online shopping world!

All right, let's gooo!

Casual:

I love how the dark neutral color allows me to mix and match with my everyday basics like my favorite utility jacket, black tights, my Sam Edelman booties, and a fun pom pom scarf!

Cozy:

Chilly days call for an oversized cardigan, a knit scarf, tights, and my uggs! I love that this dress is stretchy and sooo comfortable! I feel like I'm wearing pajamas, but it's professional enough to wear to work or cute enough to meet friends!

Dressy:

Lastly, this dress is perfect for special events! Especially during the holidays! Adding some sparkly jewelry, or an embellished cardigan helps me feel so polished! My sister even borrowed this dress for her husband's work Christmas party last year! I've also dressed this up with patterned flats and my burgundy moto jacket that has pretty rose gold hardware!

There you go, three ways to wear my favorite velvet dress! 

How do you feel about velvet?!

Do you have a dress that you can dress up or down for any occasion?

I am not being sponsored or getting any payment for sharing this link, I simply adore the dress! However, if you want to purchase from Modcloth, please feel free to use my referral code for 20% off $75 or more! :) And if you were curious, they make returns super easy, which is a must for me in the online shopping world!

XO,

Alexandra

Friday Fancy & Favorites // You May Not Tickle My Fancy!

Hi everyone! How's your week been?!

Mine has been long, long, long. 

On Thursday night KC and I got to volunteer for an international conference that we were hosting. We got to mingle, have cocktails, a dinner, and then see a fun show. We met two very nice men from Denmark who loved our city and were especially fond of all of the squirrels. 

It was really fun. Had I been less busy with work tasks I would have loved to volunteer more during the week. Kind of a bummer.

Anyway, we dressed up for the event, and we looked pretty good... if I do say so myself... so here you have a sorta-kinda fashion post. ;) 

This skirt is so so so so so so fun to wear! I highly recommend!

t-shirt: H&M, $20

skirt: Target, Clearance, $12

flats: Target, $20(?)

necklace: TJMaxx, $16

bracelets: Jeweled Gypsy Truck, $30?

Total: $98

Recent Total: $52

KC looking dapper. He may or may not be growing his hair out.

Maybe or maybe not for his Halloween costume. Maybe or maybe not for a man bun. 

hehe

We had so much fun!

I'm so excited to see Celtic Woman with him next week.

This may or may not be my 7th time seeing them live....

Lastly, I'm going to leave you guys with a link to Flula. Because that guy is ridiculously funny...

Grasshoppings and Fish in Barrel are my favorites, but this one is about Tickling Your Fancy... so there you go. I just love his commentary on the odd things Americans say. I could laugh for hours at these videos. The one about Twerking is pretty hilarious too... 

And as he is German... we've got a very international theme to this post, and no other consistency.. hhaa :) 

If we hung out in person, you would probably hear me making little flula quotes in everyday conversation. bhah

XO,

Alexandra

Garnet & Black

I love when jewel tones come back in the fall...

I especially love this red garnet color!

Black Velvet Blazer: Thrifted Old Navy, Garage Sale, $5 (at most)- old

Sequin Tee: Aerie, $20. Sold Out

Faux Leather Leggings: Target, $25  (buy here)

Flats: Payless, $10 (BOGO!) (buy here)

Black Vintage Clip-ons: Antique Mall, $5

(going to try to put them on posts!)

Outfit Total: $65

I love this outfit for fall and winter. It's SO comfortable (again, leather leggings woot woot!) but it looks really polished. I think you could make it work out for dinner, at work or even a holiday party. For a warmer look it also goes well with my heeled black boots.

I'm linking up with Danielle & Andi for Blazer week! You can linkup here! :)

Anybody else excited to pull out the dark colors and jewel tones again?

Thanks for Reading!

Alexandra

Teal & Navy: 5 Years Later

Years ago in a Redbook magazine, I saw a fashion spread that featured an outfit that was head to toe navy and teal. Apparently, it made quite the impression on me as I came up with this outfit at least five years later!

But, I think they were on to something. I like this color combo a lot, it's almost monochromatic... but not really. It just works.

Cluster Earrings: J Crew Factory Store, ~$16 on sale - Old

Navy Blouse: TJMaxx, $35 - Old

Teal Skinnies: TJMaxx, $15 -Old

Navy Flats: Payless, $15 (with BOGO!) (buy here)

Outfit Total: $81

There is something so nice about a neutral long sleeved blouse. I say go ahead and invest! This was more than I typically spend on tops, but I could tell it was well made, and it goes with so much!

What is your favorite unexpected color combo?

All for now,

Alexandra

Sometimes It's Okay to Splurge.... Right?

Hope everyone had a lovely Halloween, pictures of mine coming soon. :)

In the meantime, I thought I'd share another outfit post with all of you!

One day while walking downtown I found this gorgeous cardigan in the window of a local boutique. I walked past it several times before I went in to see how much it cost. 

When I finally went in I tried it on and much to my surprise fit really well (and this is a challenge for me when tops involve buttons!) no gaps or gaping problems. I looked at the tag and took a deep breath... $85. Whew. More than I usually spend on ANY individual item aside from winter boots or coats.

I put it back and resolved that if I still wanted it when I got my paycheck I would go back for it. And I did. 

I've got to say though I'm really pleased. It goes really well with jeans, skirts... anything! 

I especially love it with my printed heart skirt.

Embroidered Cardigan: Nick & Mo, Local Boutique $85 (buy here, for only $75..boo! :( )

Heart Printed Skirt: Francesca's Boutiques, $34 (buy here)

Your basic black sheer tights, $5-10

Navy Flats: Payless, $15 (with BOGO!) (buy here)

Outfit Total: $139

It's not quite pattern mixing, but it definitely has some contrast between the tiny repetitive print and the larger floral embroidery. I think that it really works well together and I LOVE how simple it is!

What is one of your favorite or most worn splurge items?

Thanks for Reading,

Alexandra

Black Cat // My First Fashion Post!

I have been wanting to get some fashion posts together for a while... but just hadn't had time/energy/motivation... ;) Until now!

A few things you should know about me (or will find out quickly in these posts): 

1) Blazers are the most worn items in my closet
2) I have an unhealthy amount of scarves
3) I'm a bargain shopper. We're on a budget so it's good that I am naturally one of those dig around, mix it up, garage sale-ing, wear it until it's falling apart kind of people!
4) I looooove little vintage touches in an outfit!

So here you have it, my first full blown fashion post! I hope you like it! I thought it was Halloween week appropriate. :)

Blazer: TJMaxx, $30 - Old

T-shirt: J Crew Factory, $12 (sale price) (buy here)

Cat Print Scarf: Icing, $18 (buy here)

Faux Leather Leggings: Target, $25  (buy here)

B & W Oxfords: TJMaxx, $20 

Earrings: Gift - Old

Outfit Total: $105 
(but really much less once you think of how long I've had the jacket etc. ;))

At the beginning of the school year I really wanted something with a graphic cat print on it. I don't really know why.. but I was on a mission! After a day at the mall I finally(!) came across this cute scarf. I think it's super fun, and luckily still in stock (follow the link above)!

Also, I live in these leggings... so advance apologies for many many outfit posts including them. :) Anybody else obsessed?!?

I'm linking up with Danielle & Andi for Blazer week! You can linkup here! :)

Thanks for reading and Happy Halloween week!

All for now,

Alexandra

Fall Bucket List 2013

Happy fall friends! 

I know it has been fall for almost a month now.. but let's be honest... the temperatures are still in the mid 80's here... it doesn't quite feel like fall yet! :)

I have started posting my yearly goals and summer bucket lists here, and thought doing every season might be fun and help keep me from looking too far ahead (ahem, Christmas anyone..?). 

Plus, I'm not going to lie... I'm not much of a fall girl. Don't get me wrong: it's gorgeous, the temps drop, the clothes and food are great... but it's just never been my season. But this year I am determined to make the very most of it, and fall in love with fall.

So here you have it folks, my very first Fall Bucket List!

leaf image via.

eat cider donuts from the farmer's market

watch Hotel Transylvania

get cider slushes at Reese's

visit the pumpkin patch

find a Halloween goodie to pass out at school

have a small board game night

watch Hocus Pocus

come up with some type of fall decor for our apartment

bake pumpkin bread

post my first outfit posts, with some cozy fall fashion!

make the AMAZING pumpkin waffle recipe from last year!

come up with some type of clever and original Halloween costumes & one normal one for school

go to the renaissance festival

attempt to read our palms

thrift some amazing finds

watch Clue

pick out and decorate pumpkins 

have some small dinner parties (double dates?)

play in the leaves

acquire the perfect slouchy, cozy knit scarf... and wear it daily

take pictures of the season!

come up with some type of gratitude project 

go to the Baldwin Maple Leaf Festival

try a new pie recipe

make baked goods for fall and Halloween to share at work

acquire some type of seating for our balcony for scenery watching and cuddling in the nice weather

wear my brown boots as much as possible!

have both of our families over for dinner 

cozy up with some classic novels

try 10 new soup recipes

go stargazing (with a cozy blanket)

take some cute couple-y photos

start a gratitude journal again

one last thought

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." 

-Albert Camus

What are your goals for fall?

Or your favorite fall traditions?

I want to know!

Thank you for reading!

Alexandra

Previous Fall/Halloween Posts:

Halloween 2012

Last Minute Costume Instruction

Halloween 2010

What happened to Halloween 2011? ;)

Mix and Match Fall Trends // 2013

I am more of a "wear what you like" kind of person. 

But I think that for me, I have the best results when I am mixing things that I love (old standbys, random pieces, vintage pieces etc) with newer trendy things. I always make a point to ONLY buy things that I love and that typically goes pretty well. 

Plus, buying a whole new wardrobe every season isn't economical for anyone. 

So, like with anything else, I have been searching the fall magazines (and pinterest!) for trends that fit my sense of style and can be mixed in with my current wardrobe.

Here are some of my favorites!

feminine paired with tough

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This combo works nicely with my natural preference for extremely feminine clothing and attraction to dark colors. It's so moody and gorgeous.. now I'm searching for a gorgeous motorcycle jacket!

dressy sweatshirts

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Sweatshirts are so cozy, I love curling up in Kyle's old hoodies and track pants... but I've always wished there were cute sweatshirts that would keep me warm while feeling polished enough to go out in public. This is the answer my friends! I love both the sparkly ones and the studded variety. Plus you can dress these up too!

old fashioned shapes

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Old fashioned shapes are so gorgeous, defined waists, fuller skirts, they are typically more flattering than modern shapes! I find myself drawn mostly toward the silky evening wear... but it is all gorgeous! Hoping to find some more day to day pieces in my searching.

animal sweaters

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Graphic sweaters are really popular right now, and I think I am drawn mostly to the animal variety. I've seen adorable foxes, dogs, birds etc. But my favorite is always going to be cats. :) 

mixing bright/bold colors 

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Generally I am a dark color girl; black, navy, wine, plum etc. But recently I've been adding more brights to my wardrobe to mix in with my blacks, darks and neutrals. It's going pretty well so I might end up trying this trend of pairing brights together. I especially like the fuchsia with pumpkin! I've found that teal and navy is one of my favorite combos.. even though that only includes one bright.

One magazine tip I've seen is to find a bright print that you love and take individual solid colors from that to create a pleasing combo. -Thanks Glamour!

menswear

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I have a love/hate relationship with the menswear trend. I think that it looks super cute on petite girls or girls who are super tall and thin, but for girls with curves it's often harder to pull off baggy suit pieces! I think our best bet is to pick out individual pieces to pair with girly (more flattering) items in similar tones (like image 1). Another option is to choose fitted blazers or trousers in great feminine or bold colors like the red in the middle. Above all keeping makeup and hair girly and not slacking on the accessories keeps a girl from looking too manly. 

Along the Menswear line... Oxford Flats!

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These are great because they are so comfy and come in every color combo imaginable. I've seen printed (floral and stripes), metallic, glittery, every neutral and bright out there. There is sure to be a pair to fit every taste!

Printed Full(er) Skirt (+ long sweater!)

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Long sweaters are in this fall. I love that they are being paired with flowy skirts! This layering is super romantic and can take on so many different feels with all of the color, texture and print varieties right now. You can easily go glam, feminine, modern or vintage just by the colors you choose! I am in love with the gold brocade skirt in the middle picture!!!

Full Skirts + Winter Whites

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White, white, white! White is a popular color for EVERYTHING this fall. I especially love these full white skirts! The shapes are on trend and they could be paired with so many things! If "white-white" doesn't flatter your skintone, opt for a cream or ivory, it achieves the same effect.

charlotte olympia kitty flats 

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My favorite fall trend that I would wear until I was an old cat lady.. I could go on and on .. but I'll spare you. See you in my dreams, kitty flats!

grown up polka dots

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Polka dots are still popular (yay!) Keep them in neutrals and dark colors to avoid looking like a little girl or Minnie Mouse. I LOVE this clutch!!

What are your favorite fall trends?

How are you going to work them into your existing wardrobe?

Let me know in the comments below! :)

Thanks for reading!

XO,

Alexandra

*all images via pinterest, all credit given to original sources which are linked below. all collages made by me*