A Pop of {cheap} Style: Forever 21 scarves

I have a love/hate relationship with scarves. Some days I find them to look fashionable on me, and others I think they look awful. Lately I've been loving pastels, and really love the look of lightweight scarves paired with a laid-back outfit such as white skinny jeans, a tank top and a denim vest. J.Crew sells perfect summer scarves, But I just can't seem to justify $150 for one accessory.

This is where Forever 21 comes in to save the day. Recently in stores are scarves that are of similar weight, and cute, pastel summer colors. I'm loving the light blues and pinks with subtle stripes. And with prices ranging from $7-$11, who could pass that up?

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The Brompton Hobo

On my list of 101 things to do in 1,0001 days, I made the pledge to invest in one good bag. Upon first moving to DC at the start of April, I quickly learned that I was going to need a crossbody bag, and one that could sustain a lot of wear. I wanted it to be something I could bring into work as well as use on weekends when I'm out with friends, which meant that it had to look professional, but at the same time seem casual in style. I knew I wanted a cognac color, and I was pretty adament about it being leather (I meant it when I said invest!) but I could not bring myself to spend over $200. Tory Burch is an investment, but I cannot imagine spending $500 on a purse.

In the end, I settled with the Brompton hobo bag from J.Crew. I knew I wanted a hobo bag, and I fell in love with the color of it. Plus, J.Crew was having a huge sale, so I got $100 off! I've been breaking it in all week, and am so happy I decided to go with this one.

Do you own a bag that you saved up for?

Elasty

When it comes to iPhone cases, I've been loyal to Incipio's dual Silicrylic case for my iPhone 4s. I'm always head over heels for the witty, colorful cases by Kate Spade and Tory Burch. But those only come in the snap on plastic cases (which I know will not save my iPhone from a fatal drop) or the all-silicone kind that stretch out over time and don't fit on my phone. The Silicrylic has a silicone cover and a hardshell that snaps on over, without looking too bulky. Am I picky? Absolutely. I won't deny that. Protection comes first for my $200 phone! (But I do think Otterbox cases are a little over the top!). So while I love my Incipio case, I've got my eye on the Elasty. How neat are these?

It's a silicone bumper with elastic straps across the back -- perfect for creditcards, folded bills, or pens. Or, you can tuck your earphones under a strap without wrapping them around your phone.

As of now, it's still in the rendering phase, but Belkin granted the case with a design award, so keep your fingers crossed that the company picks it up!

Menswear Wednesday: A turn on the classics

Ray-Ban Wayfarers are arguably the most popular style of sunglasses ever manufactured. John F. Kennedy and Roy Orbison constantly donned the frames, originally created in 1956. They created a break from the metal eyewear style of the past, and were only ever challenged by Aviators as being the best-selling sunglasses designed in history. While I love a good pair of Wayfarers on a guy, I'm currently loving this pair more. A mix of Wayfarers and Aviator look, the Ray-Ban Clubmaster's design was inspired by the lifestyle of he '50s and '60s.

They're popular for both men and women, but I think the men below pulled it off pretty well. Hey, even the guys from Reservoir Dogs donned 'em.

Kentucky Derby Week: Hats

As I said in my previous post, I found my Derby hat last year at the very last minute at Target. It was probably the most affordable way to go, but if you want a more fancy/outrageous hat for a party, try one of the hats below with a big bow, or add one of your own to a beach hat by stopping by Michaels craft store beforehand! My favorite is the Vineyard Vines one below, paired with a white or blue seersucker dress. Which one would you wear?

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post on menswear for the Derby!

xxo

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A Pop of {cheap} style: leather clutches

I've been looking for a camel brown leather clutch for some time now, and I can't think of spending over $150 on one. I have a faux leather crossover foldover from H&M that they still sell in stores, but it's half a bright/orangey color and doesn't go with everything. 

My favorite style is by Clare Vivier, but I can't pull the trigger on a clutch that costs about the same price as about a month of groceries (I'm on a tight budget!) I recently found something very similar to it at Gap, at nearly a quarter of the cost. I'm loving the brown and white one from Gap. 

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A Pop of {cheap} Style: Triangle strand necklace

Although I love Bauble Bar and all of the beautiful pieces they offer on their site, splurging on $30-$50 necklaces isn't exactly within my budget right now. I've been a fan of their Pave Tab Strand since it first came out, and was surprised to find something very similar to it at Forever 21. Of course, I gave in to it's $13 price tag almost instantly, and although it may not be as bright, big and shiny as the Bauble Bar one, it works nicely as a layering piece, or as an easy way to glam up a simple t-shirt! 

xxo

NYE-worthy: Necklaces

Necklaces are my favorite way to dress up an outfit-- especially when it comes to New Years. I recently snagged the bow necklace (the top-left from below) on sale at my local J.Crew store for only $48! It's sold out everywhere online, and down from $148, I thought it was a great deal. I've seen a few more in the store lately, because some are getting returned from Christmas... why, I'm not sure, because it is a really great statement piece. 

Any of these pieces below are under $100 (some even below $25!) and would look perfect paired with a simple LBD or even a more colorful outfit on New Year's Eve. Either way, make sure to have fun with it-- that's the best part about NYE. 

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NYE-worthy: Dresses
NYE-worthy: Pumps

Menswear Wednesday: The working man's toolbox

I stumbled across this picture of Kiel James Patrick with his briefcase yesterday, and took it as the perfect inspiration for today's Menswear Wednesday. Let's just say, getting your essentials from A to B has never looked better. Men take pride in their what they carry in the business world, and even greater men know just how to make it original.

I've never really been a fan of the ones with the combination locks along the edges. My father used to carry one like that, and it just looked too complicated. It seems as if simplicity is key, but quality should come before that. Women can understand this, as we "invest" in nice expensive purses that are durable and timeless in style. So, expensive they are, but at the same time, a man would never keep his tools in any old toolbox.

Invest away.

1. Saddleback's "Thin" Briefcase

2. Saddleback's "Classic" Briefcase 

3. Hlaska's "Scientist Briefbag" 

4. Glaser Designs' "Flaptop" Bag 

Statement Studs

I'm not a huge necklace person, but whenever I can I like to dress up an outfit with fun,

dazzling earrings. Usually that doesn't mean studs, but I have a go-to pair of gold studs with rhinestones from Banana Republic that are perfect. Here are a few of this season's

best stud earrings. I haven't realized until now how cute Madewell's jewelry is.

PS, checkout J.Crew's new Factory website, I just bought the earrings below for super-cheap,

and got free shipping too. They have some great deals right now on jewelry!

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The Loft's "Live in Pink"

In honor of October's breast cancer awareness month, cancer survivor Giuliana Rancic and Ann Taylor Loft teamed up to create a line of items to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Of course all of the pieces designed by G were cute, but what stood out to me was this Statement Necklace, a rhinestone studded necklace that symbolizes women coming together. 

25% of the purchase will go to the Foundation, along with any other item you buy from Loft's Live in Pink collection. I wore mine out this past weekend with a dress to add flair to a simple LBD, but really you can dress up anything with this piece.   

xxo

Clutch move

I've always been a fan of the Coach wristlets for when it comes to going out for the night. They slide around your wrist, so no matter what you're doing you never have a bulky purse hanging on your shoulder for the night. I love my wristlets, but lately I've been into the concept of the "fold over" clutch.

The trend has been around for a while, but recently they're making them with long straps so you can wear it as a cross body bag, and hold it as a clutch if you like. It's the best of both worlds.

I just snagged this one from H&M for just under $20. It looks a little summery, but I'll be wearing it into the fall.

H&M

Here are a few other choices I've found; the first two are from Scout & Catalogue.

Hi, Tech

Kate Spade just released their newest collection of tech-accessories on its website yesterday, meaning that all KS obsessives like myself are swooning over the just-released iPhone cases. I'm always impressed by their ability to be creative and witty in all of their case designs, but then I noticed something better this time-- they have came out with their very own earbuds. They're totally unnecessary, as my white Apples ones are just fine, but how could you not want a pair of these?

As for the iPhone cases, this one is my favorite, what about yours? Check out the collection here.

Photos from katespade.com.