Fashion Beauty Friend Friday: Fall Trends

 Falllllllllllll!!!!!!

My second favorite season (I will always be a California Summer Girl at heart) is almost upon us. I am excited for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Cooler evenings and the gorgeous Golden colors of the season. The MOST exciting thing about Fall is that it is the most influential season in Fashion and 2011 has some incredible and fun trends. This week I will be sharing what I am MOST excited to wear!

I am linking up on Modly Chic and with the other FBFF bloggers.

Be sure and check out what trends my fellow bloggers are looking forward to!

I wanted to really make sure that I honed in on what matters most to me. I read a lot of online article, stalked style.com and have about 10 September Issues sitting on my coffee table. These trends are what get me the most excited for Fall.

1. Colored Pants: I definitely want to add to my jegging collection since I only own a red pair. I would love some wide leg trousers and some cropped, skinny trousers to dress up in the colder months.

 {images via peoplestylewatch.com}

 {Images via atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com and brooklynblonde.com}

2. Leather Skirts/Shorts/Pants: THIS is the season that I will FINALLY find a pair of shorts and a skirt for my wardrobe. I will take a pair of leather leggings too!

 {images via starstyleinc.com}

 {images via mystylepill.com and thistimetomorrow-krystal.blogspot.com}

3. Capes/Ponchos: I am so excited to see this trend again. I have a couple from Fall and have already bought two different styles. I bought a knit poncho form Nordstrom during the Anniversary sale and I bought a trench cape from the K-Dash line that has been seen on Kourtney. 

 {justjared.com, peoplestylewatch.com, officialkourtneyk.com}

4. Chunky Knits: Cozy sweaters are always a must have in my book. I am most excited to pair them with a maxi skirt. That is a look I have never tried before.

5. Animal Print: My love for leopard never dies. I am going to expand my animal print collection with some snake print! I am loving the more neutral shades of taupe and gray that snake print offers. My ultimate would be in a wide leg, knit pant.

{image via justjared.com}

6. Gem Tones: I LOVE jewel tones but I am most excited about the green shades. I would LOVE some jade and emerald hued pieces.

 {images via peoplestylewatch.com}

7. Fur: I know that this trend is never without controversy. I love it all, real or faux! I bought a leopard print coat that I am DYING to wear and I already have a Chinchilla print. I could have a closet full of coats and still want more!

 {justjared.com, peoplestylewatch.com, starstyleinc.com}

8. Braided/Long Hair: I have been growing my hair out for years and I think I may resort to extensions for the length that i desire. Braiding is the funnest way to look chic and pulled together!

 Screen Print from Pretty Little Liars episode

 Hairdresseronfire.com

Thebeautydepartment.com

9. Bold Lips and Nails: My nails are always in the latest, boldest colors. this is the best way to experiment with a trend or color. I JUST bought onto the strong lip. I am excited for a bold red look to add some sass to any outfit!

 

{Fox News}

Let's make this interactive...

What trends are YOU looking forward to the most???

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday: Locational Influences

I am so excited for FBFF because I talk about this topic all of the time. I am so glad that I am not the only one. FBFF is a way to connect with others and I love that it is focused on what is in our heads :)

Locational Influences... Katy was in New York this past

weekend and it dawned on her that she dressed differently when she lived

there as opposed to when she lived in St. Louis. And then as she watched

all the people rushing by she could identify the Europeans from the

Americans and the true New Yorkers from the tourists, it got her

thinking, where we live has a lot to do with how we dress, or at least

it can. So these questions are along those lines. 

1. What part of the world do you blog from? (feel free to be as

specific or as vague as you are comfortable with.) 

 I live and blog on the borderline of Orange and Los Angeles counties in Southern California. I have also lived in San Diego, Seattle and NYC (for 4 months).

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live

what would you say? 

  Overall the style here is California Casual. People tend to live in flip flops, jeans and sundresses. You do see people more fashion forward in LA. But Beach influence is dominant in all cities in So Cal.

3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the

mold? 

 I think that overall I fit the look. I do tend to wear heels more than flip flops, dress up and accessorize a lot more. My Dad and BF say that people always look at my "weird". haha. It doesn't bother me and I don't even notice. I find it funny that they do!

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world

did your clothing choices evolve? 

 YES...I definitely had a slight change in dressing and think that I grew in my personal style and choices. I also had to change my look depending on the weather. I learned not to walk to work in Flip Flops in Seattle and I always wore stilettos in NYC.

5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what

would you be?

 I call my look California Casual. I like to think that I am a mix between Lauren Conrad and Nicole Richie. Comfy, Casual and Chic with a slight Boho edge at times.

 {all images via peoplestylewatch.com, starstyleinc.com}

Visual FBFF: What's in my bag???

I have been linking up to Fashion Beauty Friend Friday for a couple of weeks. I started posting right when Katy decided to change the series to every other week. Many of the girls missed the weekly posting so they once again got creative! I LOVE this week's choice. Handbags are my true love and I like showing this "personal" side of me. Working in Handbags for 6+ years truly showed me how personal AND emotional handbags and wallets are to people.

I am linking up on A Pretty Nest.

Onto my Handbag....

 

This is my first NON designer handbag that I have purchased in 8 years.

CUH-Razy!! 

***I chose not to buy handbags unless they were from my place of work. I quit in May and this was my first purchase. I LOVED spending $25 on a trend bag. This bag makes me happy*** 

 I carry so much stuff! You can see that I LOVE my sunglasses and you should know that I am NEVER in the sun without them. I also cannot live without my rosebud salve, it is multi purpose! I HAVE to have a charger for my iPhone because I drain the battery quickly (I am always on it)!! I try to always be prepared with hair things, tampons and with a Tide stick. You just NEVER know!

- Handbag is from H&M

- Trident Layers: AKA the BEST gum ever

- A pen, Tide Stick and iPhone charger

- JPK make up bag in my favorite color

- THREE pairs of Sunnies: 

• Prada (in case) 
• Ray Bans (without case) 
•  House of Harlow 1960 (shown w/case)
  - Reading glasses: Oliver Peoples
  -Camera and mini Tripod
  - Wallet is Marc by Marc Jacobs
  - Deposit envelope and a Nail card
  - iPhone 4 in a J. Crew case
  - Hair band and bobby pin
  - Abas credit card stacker (full of gift cards and club cards)
  - Tampons, Rosebud salve and Vaseline
  - Travel size Moraccan Oil
  - Car Key (Toyota Prius)

Go ahead...SHARE what is in your bag!

OR...let me know what you carry!

Happy Friday

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday: Labeling

The main reason that I like participating in FBFF is because it is so real! This weeks topic is about "labeling". The entire world is based upon other people's labels, expectations, ideas of how/what/why we should be like. Many times I see tweets or even whole blog posts about how many followers they have, what things they DON'T have, jealousy, envy etc. I think it is sad. I think most people start blogs to have an outlet for their passion and it turns into so much more. YES we would all love to have thousands of followers, freebies, modeling, guest hosting, designer opportunities. BUT it isn't going to happen for everyone. That doesn't mean that you are a bad blogger, you are boring or uninteresting, a bad dresser, awful style etc. It is LIFE. Stay true to why YOU blog, love your material and smile.

With that said...

Onto the questions.

1. As a someone who writes/blogs about fashion, have you placed yourself into some sort of blogging category? 

The only category that I put myself in is "Fashion Blogger". I know that I have been labeled a "Plus Size" fashion blogger and a celebrity style blogger by others but I try NOT to make that an emphasis in my material, outfits or posts. I do not want to pigeon hole myself into any specific category so that I can talk about whatever I want.

2. What keeps you from or encourages you to label yourself as a certain kind of blogger? 

The main reason that I don't label myself anything besides a 'Fashion Blogger' is because I am constantly changing and growing. My style is evolving, my love for different trends/styles/colors changes with my mood and my icons and inspiration is different every week! That is the beauty of style and fashion! 

3. When picking blogs to read and follow are you drawn to ones that indicate a certain group or way of thinking/being? 

I follow and read so many blogs. I tend to follow and comment on Fashion blogs the most. I read a lot of lifestyle blogs and some DIY or decorating blogs but I don't comment or interact on those very often. Everyone that I follow has different thoughts and opinions. I don't read based on their opinions. I read mostly for inspiration, to find new ways to wear things and to motivate!

4. Do you think there are benefits in labeling yourself or others? 

I do think that there are benefits to labeling. But for every benefit is an opportunity or downfall. It happens whether we want it to or not. We all like to be labeled when we like the label! We hate to be labeled when it isn't what or how we see ourselves. Truth or reality labels can hurt!

5. Agree or Disagree - We're all just people; we don't need all the labels.

I agree that we don't NEED labels. I do know that living in a label-less society probably isn't realistic!

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday

I am FINALLY participating in Fashion Beauty Friend Finder. Jenn and Amber have been linking up and I wanted to join in! I am really excited about this week's topic, Outfit Formula! Click on Modly Chic to check out what everyone else had to say!

1. What’s your go-to outfit formula?

My go-to outfit is generally a flowy top with jeggings and a HIGH, high heel or Wedge. Then I dress up ANY outfit I wear with A LOT of jewelry and accessories!

2. How did you come about this formula?

Well...I came to this formula by not liking my middle section. Flowy tops tend to accentuate my chest and hide my belly! I have very muscular legs and I like to show them off so jeggings are thick enough and tight enough to suck everything in. I like my pants to hit just at my ankles to show off a fabulous pair of shoes!  

3. Do you have different formulas for different occasions in your life?

I DO! I tend to wear some kind of cardigan, pencil skirt and skinny belt when I cannot decided what to wear for work or know that I need to look sophisticated yet stylish. I also throw on a maxi dress for any kind of occasion that I want to feel "dressed" for but don't want to have to think about putting together an "outfit".

4. Has it morphed over the years?

My uniform has definitely morphed over the years. I have always tried to stay "trendy" or "in style" since I was little. It wasn't until my last couple years of college and working 8 years in the Fashion Industry did I learn how to hone my personal style and not follow every trend that hit a magazine. Blogging has really helped me be "me" and find out how I want to represent my personal style!

5. Which other blogger’s outfit formula would you like to swipe?

This is SO hard for me to answer. While I LOVE many blogger's style I don't know who has the best "uniform". They tend to be super creative and wear different things. I pretty much LOVE anything Alicia, from Cheetah is the New Black, wears. I am OBSESSED with animal print and she tends to incorporate Cheetah/Leopard in anything she wears. I choose her. :)

 I am also really into celebrity style and am generally most inspired by them. Two celebs that stand out as having a uniform (and that I have talked about in many posts) is Kim Kardashian and Hilary Duff. Kim is obsessed with Blazers and  super, high heels while Hilary is always wears a combination of jeans, HUGE statement earrings and/or a scarf.

Alicia

{Images via CheetahistheNewBlack.com}

Kim Kardashian

{images via gossipcenter.com}

Hilary Duff

{images via justjared.com and starstyleinc.com}