American Eagle...?

I haven't shopped at American Eagle since probably my freshman year of high school. But in my elusive search for the perfect army-green anorak, I stumbled upon some surprisingly cute (and cheap) finds! What do you think?

American Eagle, $20

American Eagle, $20

Studs, Spikes, and My Actual Life

In my pretend life, I'm a young Rachel Zoe, jetting off to fabulous events and going to the most exclusive fashion shows. Essentially, places where I can wear these babies and not look like an idiot:

Sam Edelman, $176 [All 3 images, Zappos]

Sam Edelman, $200

Sam Edelman, $158

And yeah, I am kind of obsessed with all things Sam Edelman right now. Again, not that I can do much about it :) The ladylike-meets-downtown-cool thing is so addictive!

But in my actual life, I live about half a mile from where my classes are, and there are hills sprinkled all over campus. I don't care how gorgeous those shoes are, there is no way I'm walking two miles a day in 4" stilettos.

So, I'm left with 3 options: wedges, flats, and sandals. For summer, I live in metallic gladiator flats. I probably need some new ones, to be honest. But as you're probably aware, it's not summer anymore. Virginia weather likes to pretend it's still summer (and that it's a tropical rainforest), but it's basically fall.

This fall, I'm looking for some wedges & maybe a pair of pointy-toe or printed flats to spice things up (#5 and 6 on this list). Below are a couple pairs under $70 that I'm currently eying :)

Target, $30

Report, $35 [Nordstrom]

Cooperative, $59 [Urban Outfitters]

BDG, $34 [U.O.]

Forever 21, $30

Ciao Bella, $59 [Shoes.com]

Target, $25

Michael Antonio, $40 [Piperlime]

BDG, $39 [U.O.]

Big Buddha, $70 [Zappos]

Tinley Road, $49 [Piperlime]

Also:
- Patent Bow Flats, $45 [DSW]

[86] The Uniform.

Note: I'm a college student, so my uniform is typically jeans-tee-flats. I know this isn't what most adults wear on a daily basis. But I've also worked at a bank for several years, and I know that fashion ruts happen regardless of what the dress code is - my point is that getting out of your rut is (or should be) possible no matter what you wear everyday. Every uniform has alternatives.

- - -

Sometimes I just start feeling like I'm in a rut, style-wise. There are just some days when I honestly want someone to just pick things out of my wardrobe and tell me what to wear.

This morning as I was Splenda-ing up my coffee, another woman started fixing hers beside me. If outfits could feel shame or envy, mine would have. My grey boyfriend tee, turquoise scarf, dark skinny jeans and pink boat shoes (I told you, I need funding for a more imaginative closet, or a stylist) looked so amateur next to this girl in her loose-fitting scalloped nude shorts, sleeveless white blouse and leopard-print calfhair flats.

Tory Burch, $250 [ToryBurch.com]

 
It got me thinking... how can I change up my style? Accessorize, buy jewelry, buy shoes, look at magazines and style blogs for inspiration...yeah, I know. But the thing is, accessories still cost money. I'm talking about shaking up what I do every day, wearing things that I already own (or things I can make) in a way I hadn't thought of before.

I've decided I'm going to look for some ideas - I'll mark posts with an [86], cause that's how I feel about my ho-hum style right now - but I'm also interested in what you do to shake things up when your wardrobe feels tired & boring. How do you reinvent your style, or what do you do differently? I'm all ears :)

P.S. ~ Her flats were actually the Reva style, but since that's sold out (of course) and because I have a special place in my heart for pointed-toe shoes, I opted for a picture of the Celinah (both Tory Burch).

Like I Need Another Black Top...

I don't know about you, but it seems like I have at least a dozen black tees and tops (which is saying a lot, considering that my wardrobe is about the size of 2 mini fridges stacked on top of each other).

Yet somehow, I manage to swoon over another black top every single season. It has lace, or sequins, or epaulettes, or spikes, or polka dots - something to make me lust after a piece that is, more or less, already in my closet. Here are a few of my favorites this fall, divided into three categories based on price:

J.Crew, $15

 {Half My Paycheck} -- $40 and under

Forever 21, $16

Frenchi, $38 [Nordstrom]

{"Rainy Day" Savings} -- $40 - $80  

Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse, $79 [Macy's]

Ann Taylor LOFT, $69

Ann Taylor LOFT, $45

{Don't Even Think About It} --  $80 and up

Equipment, $248 [Bloomingdales]

The Tee by Joe's, $148 [Bloomingdales]

Diane Von Furstenberg, $265 [Bloomingdales]

And Right Now I Love...Everything

My fall/winter 2011 wishlist is looking something like this:

1. Red skinny jeans/pants 

J Brand, $172 [Bloomingdales]

Aqua, $88 [Bloomingdales]

2. J.Crew Cafe Capri in Wool (pick a color, I want them all)

J.Crew New Cafe Capri in Wool, $118 [J.Crew]

3. Faux-fur vest, in caramel or gray

Rachel Zoe, $225 [Shopbop]

Aqua, $148 [Bloomingdales]

4. Army green anorak/utility jacket

Vince Camuto, $50 [Nordstrom]

5. Wedge booties (or really just wedges in general), in tan or brown

Lucky Brand, $119 [Piperlime]

DV by Dolce Vita, $109 [Piperlime]

6. Pointed-toe flats

Me Too, $89 [Nordstrom]

Ivanka Trump, $130 [Zappos]

KORS Michael Kors, $167 [Zappos]

7. Navy boyfriend blazer

Aqua, $88 [Bloomingdales]

8. Seriously any kind of tweed/boucle/sequin/tuxedo jacket. Seriously.

Aqua Luxe, $148 [Bloomingdales]

Rebecca Taylor, $495 [Piperlime]

Trina Turk, $398 [Piperlime]

Elizabeth & James, $298 [Piperlime]

So more importantly, what are you lusting after this fall?

Let's Talk About Obsessions

Because my bank account is very familiar with mine.

I'm 20 years old with no real source of income (sporadic babysitting, leftovers from my summer job), but that doesn't stop me from turning down a few corners of my copy of Instyle each month, or lusting after almost everything Rachel Bilson wears.

My style is about 60% elegant, polished and classic - the other 40% is probably best categorized as edgy-ish (leather bombers, tweed motorcycle jackets, twisted metal & crystal necklaces, sequin racerbacks, drapey modal tees & long-sleeved mini dresses). Alright, maybe it's more like 70-30. At least I'm trying to inject a little rocker/Studio 54 into my otherwise simple style.

So I'll write about my obsessions, but I want to hear about yours! This is a place for drool-worthy shoes we can't afford, outrageous deals & getting the look for way, way less.