An April Favorite - Water Repelling Wellies!

April Showers...are here.  And I don't know about you, but I HATE when the bottoms of my pants get soaking wet from the rain.

After moving from a home to an apartment, I forgot how much I would be going in and out letting my 2 boys Snickers and Rufus out.  I also didn't realize that Memphis gets a lot of popcorn showers...and of course the area that the dogs love is always flooded.  I basically ruined my UGG slippers from stepping in a huge puddle.  Ugh.  That's why I have been on the search for some Wellies and let me tell you that there are some great pairs out there.  

Now when it comes to a purchase like this, I have to go with function over fashion.  Fortunately, there are some brands that offer both.  I've tried the cutesy ones, and let me tell you - they don't keep all the water out!  Gross!  Nothing worse than trapped, damp feet. 

I have eyeing the Hunter Classic rain boots for quite some time now.  When I lived in Indianapolis, snow boots were a need over rain boots, so I could never justify the purpose.  However...with all of this moisture down south it is getting harder to resist.  

Hunter Classic Tall High Gloss, $125

Now these babies are not cheap - so you better get a lot of use out of them if you decide to purchase.  The boots run $125 and have extras like socks for the colder weather months which range from $30-50.  Like I said, it better be a need!

A few friends have pointed me in the direction of Tretorn.  For about half the price, you get a great boot that is already lined - no needed for the boot socks.  My cousin's favorite attribute of these boots is the optional style with the "converse all star" white sole - allowing you to wear them all day.  

Tretorn Skerry Rubber Rain Boot, $60 

Not a fan of the white "tennis shoe" bottom?  No problem!  Here's something a little more traditional - also from Tretorn.  

Tretorn Kelly Rubber Rain Boot, $65

Still need something with a little extra something.  Well, Kamik offers rain boots in patterns and bright colors as well - for those of you who need a little girly in your rain boot.

Kamik Janis Plum, $48

Now you'll actually forward to the rain when you step out in any of these great boots!  Who wants to jump in puddles? 

XOXO, Allison

High for Tie Dye!

Tie Dye is no longer just for the hippies.  In fact, many brands are coming out with styles that take this 70s trend to the runway.  So here are some of my favorite throw back looks that awake the free and easy lifestyle of the flower child in all of us!

GAP Impressionist Print Tank, $24.95

Patterson J. Kincaid Tie Dye Hampton Tank Dress

Monrow Tie Dye Vintage Shorts

Vince 'Little Boy' Tie Dye Tee

Peace and Love, Peace and Love.  

XOXO, Allison

The Perfect Spring Trench

The up and down temperatures of the spring are here, and nothing looks better than that perfect spring trench.  It's been the accessory of Hollywood's elite, but not all of us can afford to go spend 1k on the perfect Burberry look like Kate Middleton and Kim Kardashian.  However, the great thing about the trench is that you can get the same luxe look for a fraction of the price!

One of my favorites for the Spring 2011 collections is this fabulously chic coat from J.Crew.  The Matinee Trench (also available in Khaki) is a great modern piece that has the classic cut of the trench.  I love the hood for those rainy or windy days, and the belt that allows you to cinch in the middle.  For $158 this piece is a steal and a staple for any closet.  I just picked it up in the khaki and I'm in LOVE!  

Even brands like target are jumping on the trench train!  This Merona water repellent trench is one of my favorites.  For only $49.99 you get a great piece that you can wear season from season!  

And if you've just run into a small fortune, why not go all out and purchase this gorgeous Burberry trench.  It's BANANAS!  

Marystow Double Breasted Trench, $1095

There aren't too many times in the year where I'm excited to wear a jacket...however, I'm kind of hoping those 60s are back so I can sport my new fantastic trench!  

XOXO, Allison

An April Favorite - New Fashion Line Twenty8Twelve

You have to admit that any fashion line backed up my Sienna Miller would be a success...but with her designing the line and modeling for it - it's a sure in.  Sienna has been a style icon more well known for her bohemian style rather than her acting chops.  Well, and there is that relationship with Jude.

Twenty8Twelve is a fashion line created by Sienna and her sister Savannah.  The goal of the line was to bring the natural coolness factor of young London to life in a clothing line.  The line offers something for everyone - with funky high waisted shorts, bold patterned dresses, and a romper that I would buy in a heartbeat if I could pull it off.  Honestly, I don't know how you could possibly look uncool in this line.

Here are some of my favorite pieces - enjoy!

Bow Shorts, $315

Ava Romper, $395

Marigold Dress, $180

Auriole Crochet Skirt, $280

Now if only I could look like Sienna Miller.  A girl can dream...

XOXO, Allison

An April Favorite - BRIGHT Separates

As Joan Rivers said on Fashion Police, "who would have thought Sinbad had it right all of these years?"

Well, bold and bright separates are in right now - and the bolder the combination the better.  Stars have recently been shown pairing purple pants with orange tops - and making the best dressed lists!  If done right, this look can be exceptional!

Joe Jonas ex, Camilla Belle

One of my favorite sites, Shopbop has dedicated an entire lookbook to this trend and here are some looks that I am dying to emulate!  

I'm obsessed with how chic and fun this Rachel Roy blouse and skirt look together.  It looks like the perfect look to hit the town on for a casual luncheon with the girls.  Unfortunately, most of us aren't on the Real Housewives of (Insert your city here) so we can afford $700 on a "social" outfit.  So here's how to mimic this look for less. 

Frenchi Silky Sleeveless Tunic, $32

Express Quilted Wristlet, $15.90

T-Bags Skirt $160

Another look from the look book that really stood out to me was this gorgeous purple and pink  ensemble.  Now as most of you know, purple is my favorite color so perhaps I am a bit biased.  Again, a bit expensive for the girl on a budget.  

So here's how to achieve the look for less. 

Purple Skirt, American Apparel - $54

Clear Frame Sunglases, $16.99

Loft by Ann Taylor Woven Back Pullover, $20

So say hello to  brights and jump on the bandwagon. This is when my engineer mind needs to walk out the door and my very minute artsy side needs to take over - the more eclectic the better!

XOXO, Allison

The Chunky Heel - It's Come Back

Don't you remember when the thought about heels was the thicker the better?  Well...it looks like we may be heading back in that direction.  This season designers are emerging with chunky heeled sandals, pumps, and boots - who would have thought?

When choosing a chunky heel, look at the height.  The higher the heel of this style, the more casual it's going to be - but that can also be fun!  For example, check out this 5" knock out from Tory Burch.  They just make me want to throw on some bellbottoms and a crocheted top and hit the town!

Tory Burch Tatum, $350

If you are looking for something a bit more delicate, go for a lower heel.  I've had my eye on these Louboutins for awhile.  I don't like the price, but I like the concept.  The cutouts and shape of the shoe modernize it, but the colors allow it to be a more classic style that will be around for years.  

Christian Louboutin Creve Couer Cutout Pumps, $695

Now don't get rid of your stilettos just yet...who knows long the chunky heel will be here to say.  As long as they don't come back with the heeled jelly I'll be okay!  

Yuck - I can't believe I WANTED these!

XOXO, Allison

Piperlime - A Site Worth Looking Into...

Some websites are so overwhelming so when you start perusing through them you find a dress or top you love only to find out it's $200.  How frustrating!  That's why I am a big fan of Piperlime because they definitely have the consumer in mind.

In the last several years, Piperlime has gone from a site that sold shoes and accessories to a site that has it all.  They offer just about everything you need to step out into the newest season looking FABULOUS!  

Piperlime has several sections that are bananas!  Why do I say that?  Because celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe actually contributes to the selection at Piperlime and has her own section on the site for her picks.  Every season, she goes through the new collections and selects her must have items - and normally she is dead on.  One of her current favorites?  This adorable embellished top.  However, as you can imagine, many of Rachel's great picks are a little pricey - so beware!  

Love Sam Embellished Top, $183

One of my other favorite sections is coined, Girl on a Budget.  This is great for those trendier items that you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on.  Sometimes they also have great classic pieces that are so affordable you can't pass them up.  I'm a big fan of this Collective Concepts ruffle dress.  Price?  Only $49!  

Lastly, they always have a trend guide for the season, and the Spring Trend Guide is amazing.  In this case, they have chosen 10 big trends for the season which include colorful dresses, wide leg jeans, ladylike jackets, and wedges.  I love this linen jacket, and it's a great buy for $94.  

Aryn K. Linen Fitted Blazer, $94

So that's your quick tour of Piperlime's amazing website.  Trust me, if you are looking for something new to enhance your wardrobe - this is a great spot to go.  One of my favorite things about the site?  It seems like they have some of the same items as department stores...and Piperlime tends to put them on sale faster!  Oh how I love a good deal!  

XOXO, Allison

Perfect Bags for Less

Yesterday was a big day for me.  In case you haven't noticed - I have expensive taste.  When it comes to clothes or trendy items...I can normally control this taste.  However, when it comes to handbags I have a hard time settling.  Perhaps it's because I love the smell of the real leather and the soft feel of it.  And I love all of the little details and the wonderful compartments.  Handbags make the world go round for me.

I blame the Fashion Mall at Keystone in Indianapolis for this.  The mall (my go to spot for everything great) is filled with fabulous shops and anchored with Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue - i.e. a recipe for disaster.  When I moved to Memphis, one of the most disappointing aspects was that there was no longer my Fashion Mall - and therefore none of my favorite shops.  My husband and mother seemed excited about this; they both like to give me a hard time about my champagne taste.

Well, since I'm here in Memphis by myself and need something to do, I sometimes go to the nearby mall.  It's a nice, roomy mall with an amazingly huge food court and some common stores like Forever 21, Ann Taylor, and Gap.

While I was at the mall yesterday (looking for goodies for my April Giveaway) I walked by the Aldo window and did a double take.  In the window was this fabulous looking bag and I just had to go in and look at it.

Aldo EREKSON Crossbody Bag 

I picked up the bag from the store display expecting to be disappointed with the quality.  However, I was shocked with how buttery and soft the leather felt and how well done the hardware was.  "Great," I thought, "even great stores like Aldo are carrying expensive bags now."  - Right?  I mean, I assumed for a bag that looked and felt this nice had to be at least $150 - if not more.  So, that's when I nearly passed out when I saw the price tag - $45....$45!  You don't even want to know the last time I spent $45 on a handbag!  I was flabbergasted and bought the bag right away before they decided that the bag was worth more.  

Doesn't the bag look familiar?  I thought so too.  So when I came home from the mall I immediately got online and found the below - one of the structured bags I mentioned in my post a couple of months ago.  The price tag?  $365!  And I have seen this bag in person...and from the horse's mouth...no noticeable difference in quality.  

Badgley Mischka Melissa Bag

So, I learned a big lesson today (that I'm sure some of you savvy fashionistas already knew) - some stores offer the same fabulous looks as the higher end brand at a similar quality level for 1/10 of the price!  Man...now I can buy like...10 handbags!

XOXO, Allison

A March Favorite - Spring Scarves

I am an accessory girl.  Now I'm not the person who loads up all of her accessories on one outfit, but I do like to spice up an outfit with 1-2 fun pieces.  In the past few years I've been addicted to scarves, but being petite I have a hard time finding scarves that aren't too bulky or too long.  Therefore, I love the spring scarf trend because they are airy, light, and normally the perfect length!

One of the great things about spring scarves are the variety of colors that they come in.  Sometimes you don't see certain shades on thicker scarves but on the lighter fabrics brought to you in the spring scarves you get every color and pattern imaginable.

Currently, my favorite is this Burberry one.  Obviously, this item is a splurge because for $275 you want to be in love.  However, the silk, cashmere blend still makes it incredibly soft and the signature check pattern in gorgeous spring shades adds a little something extra to any outfit - allowing it to still be a classic for years to come.

I'm also a big fan of some of the styles Tory Burch has come out with for her Spring 2011 collection.  She has tons of bright colors for the girl who wants to make an outfit pop, and some neutrals when you just want to accent your look.  At $95 you will want to make sure you are going to get plenty of use out of this piece!  

And of course, for those of you looking for a steal here are some options that I love.  They have the same concept as the high end designer items without breaking the bank!  

Target has some amazing spring looks ranging from $10-30 from brands like Merona, Global Girlfriend, and Xhilaration.  I really love this look from Global Girlfriend.  It is available in several shades and is a great buy for $17.99.  It's a classic piece with enough detailing to make it stand out from some other scarf options. 

My other favorite stores for great fashionable items on a budget are H&M and Forever 21 - especially for accessories.  They have great items for hair, jewelry, and of course scarves.  I love this look from H&M - it definitely mimics the look of the Burberry. And for about $15 it's a great deal!  Unfortunately, it's only available in stores; so if you have an H&M nearby hit it up!    

There are several options from Forever 21 that need to be in my closet ASAP!  And for under $10 how can you resist!  These two are my faves.

Tri Striped Scarf, $7.80

Ikat Woven Scarf, $8.80 

(I love how this looks Missoni-esque)

So there you have it - a variety of spring scarves to tickle your fancy!  And if you haven't jumped on the scarf trend yet what are you waiting for?  It's the easiest way to dress up a look and appear effortlessly chic while doing so!  Plus, it's a great way to hide those love bites... ;)

XOXO, Allison

Hats - you either love 'em or you hate 'em

Before I get into the topic of this post, I wanted to let everyone know that I made it to Memphis safely!  So far I love the apartment and the area that I am in.  I will be only 10 minutes away from work and there is a McAlister's across the street!  Now back to the post...

Some people are hat people.  My mom claims that I look great in hats and that she can't pull them off.  I tell her it's because I have a very large head and therefore more to work with!  Either way, when you invest in a hat you have to be a little more critical than some other apparel purchases simply because you have to consider how much use you will get out of it.  For example, I am always purchasing hats to wear in the winter time, and then I never wear them because I don't want my hair to be flat that day or I just forget.  Even though I got a great deal on the hat it ends up being thrown into the donation pile the next winter.  Therefore I wasn't critical enough when I purchased it.

However, there are some occasions when a hat is more than worthwhile.  I have to have a hat for the beach.  My forehead ALWAYS burns and wearing a cute hat is the only way to prevent it in style.  I'm so glad that the trucker hat trend is over because I had a hard time pulling that off.  Fortunately, hats with a floppy structure and an airy fabric are the big trend right now - making them perfect for those summer months.

Now when I say large floppy hats I'm not telling you that I think you should get a hat that's fit for the derby.  I mean, if you're going to the derby I certainly encourage you to buy a hat that is derby and summer appropriate.  However, the best approach in looking for these great hats is to find one that can be worn on many occasions that you love!  With hats, if you don't see yourself in it on more than one occasion, you probably shouldn't buy it.

One of my favorites is this Eric Javits hat.  His hats always have the best structure but are a little pricy.  If you choose a style like the one below, you can wear it for years to come.

Eric Javits Squishee Swinger Hat - $350

On a budget?  I also love this alternative from Target.  For only $12.99 it doesn't break the bank and you don't have to feel bad if you only wear it on a beach trip or to a summer outing.  

Merona Wide Brim Floppy Hat, $12.99

And who could forget the easiness of the fedora and trilby styles?  For several years these looks have emerged as a trendy way to dress up any outfit or beach attire.  It's a look that you will get lots of use out of if you opt for the right style.   This Burberry look does just that - it has a classic, fitted structure that you can pair with a white top and jeans, or your favorite swimsuit.  

Burberry Woven Trilby, $250

And for the savvy girl who wants to create the same image for a fraction of the price, there are these great options from...you guessed it, Target!  

Merona Floral Band Straw Fedora, $12.99

Mossimo Black Straw Fedora, $12.99

So there you have it - whether your hat is extravagant or simplistic...you've got to work it right!  It's all about the attitude!  

XOXO, Allison

A March Favorite - Colorful, Bold Earrings

Some girls can get away with colorful, bold earrings and look amazing.  However, until recently I did not feel like I was one of those ladies.  I'm not going to lie, I try to buy them...but I end up opting for my pearl or diamond studs most days.  It's not that I don't love them, it's just that I think I look silly.

Well, recently colorful, bold earrings also have some delicate detailing that makes them less overwhelming.  By combining many strings of smaller elements you still get a statement piece without it looking tacky - which is great when you have that simple black top or dress and want to add a little pizazz to the outfit.

Now unless you find a pair that you are in love with or you are one of those unfortunate individuals who has to spend more on earrings due to the reaction from your skin - I would not spend a lot on this trend.  Definitely no more than $200 on a pair of earrings.  One of the bad things about these looks is that you just never know how much use you will get out of them and how many seasons they will stick around.

When I'm looking for some trendy fashion jewelry, I normally turn to brands Alexis Bittar and Kenneth Jay Lane.  Both designers provide alternatives to the traditional jewelry looks - but some of their pieces are a little too out there for me.  I tend to be a less is more girl when it comes to jewelry, but if you are looking for over the top they have that too!

I was surprised how drawn I was to this pair of Alexis Bittar earrings, because I normally wouldn't go for something so bold.  However, I think the color combination is soft and is perfect for the spring and summer "hippie" trend.  Can you imagine these with a simple airy blouse and dark flare jeans with your wedges?  LOVE.   They are definitely on the higher end of fashion jewelry, but I do think that you would get a lot of use out of these if you pair them with a lot of basic pieces in your wardrobe.

Alexis Bittar Elements Long Semiprecious Cluster Earrings, $295

If you're looking for something with a little more drama I love these Kenneth Jay Lane Three Drop earrings.  The color goes amazingly with the gold, and for $80 you won't feel as bad if you don't wear them every day.  Again, I personally believe that if you opt for a statement piece like these earrings, the rest of your outfit should be fabulous but understated, like a black summer dress.  

Kenneth Jay Lane Three Drop Earrings, $80

One of my favorite things about some sites is that they show you on the model what the earring looks like on your ear.  That will give you a better idea of the actual size if you are unable to find the style some place locally.  Here's the Kenneth Jay Lane look up close.  

Another look that I love (and a collection I think is great)?  The Rachel Zoe for QVC collection.  I love these beaded doorknocker earrings.  Available in 3 colors (coral, light blue, and white) this pair of earrings is affordable and fashionable - a great first step to this trend - only $54.

Rachel Zoe Goldtone Beaded Doorknocker Earrings, $54.12

So there you have it...perhaps you've found a set you love here...or you're still wanting to see the trend up close and personal.  The next time you're at your favorite store, head to the jewelry section and give a few a try.  It might seem weird at first, but these are the pieces that will get noticed - and if you wear it well...for all of the right reasons!  

XOXO, Allison