The $100 Challenge: Pastels, Polka Dots, & Pops Of Color!

I’ve been up to earrings in fashion news lately, but I’ve definitely wanted to spend more time focusing on shopping tips for an affordably fashionable spring & that starts with pastel & neon jeans. I’ve yet to find a pair that works for me since I’m a little self-conscious about wearing the lighter & brighter hues on my curvier lower half, but the search isn’t over yet. One example that I need to pursue is the 1969 neon always skinny skimmer jeans ($21.99) in neon violet from Gap, which are also available in neon mint green. What I love about these is that they’re available in sizes 4-20.

I didn’t want to play down the fun color in the jeans, which is why I picked out the jumbo polka dot print shirt ($13.50) from Forever 21 & the ribbon & jewel bodyshaper tank ($8.00) in heather grey from New York & Company. Both pieces are perfect for mixing & layering with other basics like a pencil skirt, boyfriend jeans, or leggings.

For this look, I wanted to create a fashionable day outfit for any season, but with an extra punch of femininity & polish, which is why I picked Payless‘ Lower East Side Chelsea flat ($16.99) in black glitter. Also, I picked these shoes since I know that they’re super comfortable b/c I own the gold version. They’re perfect for wearing a demure LBD with opaque tights, or casually with leather shorts & a crisp white shirt. Additional accessories include the Mudd Kara triple-zip cross body bag ($23.80) in lemon from Kohl’s, carved roses Parisian charm necklace ($8.50) from Claire’s, & Forever 21‘s lacquered rhinestone studs ($3.80).

To see more affordable looks, check out more posts from The $100 Challenge, including three all-black outfits, a black & silver look with pieces from The Limited & GOjane, how to dress up with black textured accessories, a striped & tweed cocktail ensemble, & a leopard print date-ready dress from Old Navy! Happy Styling!

Accessories Access: Stay In Style With Studs From Forever 21!

In my last post for Accessories Access, I featured some super fancy drop earrings in red & blue, but time & time again, I love to share my obsession with stud earrings. Maybe it’s my long hair, the fact that I wear glasses, or love to accessorize my looks with hairclips or headbands, but I just don’t feel that for my style, oversized drop earrings are my thing.

However, I was surfing around on my iPhone’s apps, which included Forever 21 & I started browsing for jewelry, which is the inspiration for this latest post.  The spring bloom cluster studs ($5.80) in cream/pink are dainty & delicate to match with a pastel sweater dress or to dress up a turtleneck with skinny jeans. For bow-lovers out there, the lacquered bow studs ($3.80) in black/gold are perfect for any office look, date night, or casual day with the girls. Also, I love the color combination in the multi-colored rhinestone studs ($2.80) in aqua/mint, which will pick up nicely for any floral jeans look with a striped top. Lately, I’ve been feeling a Parisian inspiration & just adore the Eiffel Tower studs ($3.80) in dark grey, which are also available in clear/antique gold.

In addition, I’m loving some of the vintage-inspired details on these studs, including the bejeweled faux stone earrings ($4.80) in mint/gold. I’m always a fan of daisies in unexpected ways, which is why I selected the flowered heart studs ($3.80) in black/clear & I’d wear these for virtually any occasion with other feminine shapes for my other ear piercings. The sparkling pearlescent flower studs ($3.80) in pink/gold contain the best of so many details including rhinestones for sparkle, pearls for that demure sophistication, & a lacquered surface for any contemporary look. Flowers & bows aren’t the only shapes getting jeweled attention these days, which is why I picked the trendy metallic pyramid studs ($3.80) in pink, which are also available in lavender/dark gray & clear/silver.

Which studs are your favorites? Do you like to mix up concepts in your jewelry? Where do you like to shop for fashion jewelry? For more posts on affordable fashion, check out yellow looks inspired by Kirsten Dunst & Kate Mara, Christian Siriano’s spring collection for Payless, cute cardigans for $20 & under, & a black & silver cocktail look for under $100! Happy Styling!

Accessories Access: Sweet Studded Style From Piperlime!

In previous posts, I’ve probably revealed that I’m not a big earrings Style Darling, but this is changing.  I really prefer studs over any other type of earring, usually b/c I wear glasses, do something with my hair, & love to wear a big necklace or statement headband.  However, I’ve hit the jackpot lately with stud sets from stores like Claire’s, H&M, Forever 21, JC Penney, & Old Navy, which I love to combine since I have endured 5 piercings on both ears during my teen years.  Now with a variety to choose from, I find that I’m wearing multiple studs in all sizes & love the combinations with small stones, pearls, or balls.

I wanted to share my love of studs with readers & found myself oohing & aahhing at the selection offered @Piperlime.  Of course I’m a big fan of a bargain, but when it comes to jewelry, pieces that you can wear everyday & for special occasions, there’s nothing wrong with investing in a really special pair of earrings, which includes the Tinley Road vintage stud earring ($16.00),  Betsey Johnson celestial faux pearl and star stud earrings ($25.00), Sabine cluster stud earring ($20.00), Pim + Larkin solitaire stud earring ($16.00), Betsey Johnson ladybug studs ($25.00), & Sabine round crystal pave stud earring ($14.97).

Which studs are your favorites? Do you like studs for day & night? Where do you usually shop for your fashion accessories? For more posts in Accessories Access, check out a zebra belt from LOFT, a variety of tights from Charlotte Russe, & statement necklaces from Forever 21! Happy Styling!

9/26/2012 Darling Of The Day: Olivia Palermo- Casual Chic Is Layered With Luxury!

It’s been hard for me to decide which celeb look to feature, but I’ve been loving everything that I’ve seen reality star Olivia Palermo wearing, which is why I featured her twice in the last post for Top 10 Celeb Sightings, where she rocked some Burberry duds & an ethereal Valentino gown. However, when I spotted her latest layered look while shopping & hitting the streets, I knew that this spin on classic style would be perfect to share with readers. Naturally, I’m recreating this look for both women’s & plus sizes to enjoy, doing my best to find complimentary pieces since it’s such a versatile & anytime ensemble.

So to start, look to the left & you’ll find the pieces to create a curvy reimagining of this street chic outfit.  First, I headed to Forever 21, which helped me I find the plus size sequined yoke contrast top ($22.80). I loved the resembling details with the purple & black contrast in Olivia’s top, giving a blousy feel, as opposed to a heavy knit sweater.  Also, the rockstar jeggings ($28.00) in medium wash from Old Navy helped to complete the bottom half, especially when on a budget & they’re available in sizes 16-30.  However, it was hard to find a two-tone leather jacket with multiple textures, but pieces like leather should be an investment, one that will last for many years, thus paying you back, which is why I’m happy to share the DKNYC leather & ponte motorcycle jacket ($189.00) from Zappos.  This is a classic cut, adding an edgy feel to any feminine look.  Of course accessories can be found virtually anywhere, but I added New York & Company‘s ribbon bib necklace ($24.95), which is currently on sale for Buy One, Get One FREE.  In addition the square sunglasses ($3.80) from Forever 21, Kelsey Dagger ‘Charley’ pump ($59.95) available @DSW, & Jennifer Lopez gold-tone hammered button stud earrings ($12.00) from Kohl’s are the perfect finishing touches, playing off the different textures.

Now, for the look on the right, I like the refreshing hue of the August Silk round neck pullover ($24.99) from Loehmann’s, especially since it can be mixed with other office-friendly pieces like a pencil skirt or be worn with a sequin mini for a date.  Also, @Forever 21, I found the hooded moto jacket ($24.80) & braided collar necklace ($12.80), which only enhance the casualness of the whisker wash skinny jeans ($41.40) from GOjane.  Normally, I don’t recommend a light wash jean, but these pieces really add a modern feel to an 80′s-90′s looking wash.  Lastly, I added the posh Mossimo gradient smoked lens sunglasses ($16.99) from Target, must-have Charlotte Russe pointed toe gold pumps ($32.50), & Dana Buchman gold-tone texture button stud earrings ($14.00) from Kohl’s.

Which pieces are your favorite in recreating this look? Where would you wear this? Do you like Olivia’s choice of accessories? For more posts from Darling of the Day, be sure to check out Olivia Munn’s KMart dress, colored jeans worn by Kate Middleton & Christina Hendricks, & LBDs copied from Anne Hathaway’s press appearances! Happy Styling!

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: Stylish Earrings From Bebe!

If you’re looking to invest in some beautiful accessories to wear any time of the year, then you need to check out the earrings @Bebe.  I haven’t browsed through the website in quite some time, but I was thrilled to see these drop & stud earrings, perfect to wear for cocktail parties, going out with the girls, for a date night, & for a family party.

I have talked about affordable accessories from store like Forever 21, Target, Payless, H&M, & Kohl’s, which I will continue to endorse, however these are perfectly stylish designs for the earring lover in all of us, even though they run in price between $22.00 - $34.00. If you’re looking for unique designs to bring out some of your wardrobe staples, then I recommend the Multi Tiered Ombre Crystal Earrings ($34.00), Crystal Cluster Leaf Stud ($24.00), Multi Tier Diamond Duster Earring ($22.00), & Teardrop & Faceted Stone Earring ($24.00). Happy Styling!