Cut Outs & Crop Tops

Crop Top :: H&M similar style here

Skirt :: bebe similar style here

Clutch :: Gift with purchase bebe

Shoes :: NYLA from DSW

Whenever I tend to wear a particular garment frequently, I always try to pair it with items that haven't seen the light of day in awhile. This John and Yoko crop top has been coming out a bit more lately, but I've felt like I was running out of ways to style it. Of course, this required me to dig through my clothing to try to find something else to wear when I came across this skirt that I haven't worn in months. I knew the sleek fit with a mesh cut out would look really cute with the loose fit of the crop top, and suddenly I had an excuse to wear this shirt again. I wanted to add more edgy detail with these strappy wedge sandals and a contrasting rose gold clutch. I would personally wear this outfit for a casual day just because, but it is definitely great for a more casual night out.

Culottes and Crop Tops

Top :: Windsor Store

Culottes :: Nabee similar here

Heels :: H&M similar here

Bag :: Coach similar here

Watch :: bebe similar here

Rings :: Club Monaco

When you spend a lot of time around fashionable influences, you start to pick up an interest in the style. Having spent the last three months working for a pair of designers, I've noticed that I have a growing interest in more loose fit pants. With that being said, I was never entirely certain if I could pull of the look of a karate pant or culotte outside of the Tae Kwon Do classes I took as a kid. I recently tried these culottes on, just for the heck of it, and I was blown away by how much I fell in love with them!

As shorts like these have a lot more volume, I find that it is best to either pair them with a fitted top or a crop top. I chose to wear heels with this look to elongate my legs, but you can wear a loafer or sandals with something like this as well. 

Oh! And a little tip, don't be afraid to mix navy and black together. I was always told that these two colors were mutually exclusive (particularly with suiting) but this is completely untrue! When layered you can really play up the differences in the colors. Another option is to accessorize the look with a complimentary color of both navy and black OR to wear pieces with different textures that can make the colors really pop against each other.

Clueless

 Blouse :: H&M similar here

Cropped Sweater :: bebe similar here

Shorts :: Forever XXI similar here

Shoes :: from DSW brand Zigi Soho

If you haven't been able to tell, I'm kind of stuck in a 90s groove these days. Today's look is inspired by Cher Horowitz and her super cute style in the Clueless movie. Mixing different textured pieces can take items that you once felt you wore to death and breathe new life into them. One of my favorite things about fashion is finding new ways to wear old pieces, I was tired of always wearing this cropped sweater with high waisted bottoms but with looks like this I can get a little more creative.

Do you have any interesting ways you like to dress old looks? Let me know in the comments below, and as always thanks for reading!

xxAlli

Purple

T-shirt:: From a benefit concert hosted at my high school

Skirt:: Thrifted - similar here and here

Shoes:: Z London booties

Necklace:: Belonged to my grandmother - similar here

Earrings:: bebe double hoops

Lips:: Airborne Unicron opaque lipstick with Pisces Zodiac Glitter on top, both by Lime Crime Cosmetics

If you haven't been able to tell, I'm a tad bit obsessed with the color purple. I used to love everything purple as a child, whenever someone would ask me what lollipop flavor I wanted my response was always "purple" (such a smart child huh? lol). This love for the color has carried over into my adult life and expanded. I like to play with all shades of purple from lavenders and lilacs to deep mauves.

Here I am playing with shades of purple, white, black and gold. I think that gold really pops against purple and it just so happens to also be my fraternities colors! - yes I was in a co-ed professional fraternity in school.

My look was actually built around this skirt. I chose to wear a crop top with it so that there wouldn't be so much fabric hanging on my body as the skirt is already very full. Crop tops are always fun, but when paired with a midi skirt the look becomes more balanced and sophisticated. A sliver of skin makes the look a little bit sexier without letting everything hang out. Shiny accessories and a bold lip complete this look giving it a fun and funky edge.

I hope you like it, and see you all Monday! Don't forget, just THREE days left to enter my contest!!

Thanks for reading<33

xxAlli

Happy Valentine's Day!

bebe zip racer crop top, bebe mesh panel pencil skirt, BCBGeneration nude pumps - similar here, J. Crew bracelet - similar here and here, vintage gold necklace, Lips - Portland Black Lipstick Co. in Undead Red

Happy Friday readers!! And happy Valentine's Day!

Whether or not you actually have a date for today, holidays are always a great reason to dress up. Personally, I love being festive and today is just an excuse to wear a ton of red and pink. Of course, I usually tend to wear a lot of black and my outfit choice for today is built around this super chic skirt from bebe. I love pencil skirts, but I've seen them so many times that it can get a bit old. When I spotted this one I just KNEW I had to have it! The mesh panel adds some edge to this classic look. I love pieces like this because they silhouette will never go out of style but it still has a modern touch.

I paired the skirt with this red crop top from bebe to get in the spirit, and so as to not compete with the bright shirt I chose these nude pumps from BCBGeneration. I am in love with these shoes! I wore them for my birthday and they just feel so good on my feet! To complete the look and add some detail and sparkle, I added a diamond stretch bracelet and a vintage gold necklace. I love the way gold looks with red,  plus there is a cute gold zipper that runs down the back of the top and these accessories accent that.

What does your Valentine's Day outfit look like? Tell me about it in the comments below, and as always thanks for reading!

xxAlli

Birthday Weekend: Shiny Details & Peplum Mini

Hey all you lovely readers! Today's post is all about my birthday outfits! I officially turned 23 on Saturday and had a fabulous time dressing up and celebrating with my friends :)

Above are some pictures from my trip to Atlantic City this past weekend in a super cute neon lace bebe dress. Below is a simple look I wore for dinner and a night out.

In this look I paired a simple black peplum skirt with a basic white cropped tee-shirt and threw on my new lovely Vince Camuto heels. I am absolutely obsessed with chunky heels and had to grab them the second I saw them! A silver clutch and some cute mis-matched rings, seen below, add just the right amount of shine to finish off this look! Hope you like it!<3

bebe lace one shoulder dress (seen in first photos), bebe crop crew tee, 2b peplum mini, Vince Camuto heels, Aldo clutch - similar here, 2b ring set - similar here and here

As always, thanks for reading!!<3

xxAlli

Styling Sweats: Loungewear Done Right

H&M blazer, bebe top, Uniqlo sweatpants, vintage necklace, Call It Spring shoes - also seen here

Hello all! My apologies for being MIA this past week, but I'm back and ready to blog! Today's outfit post is a quick going out look I threw together that'll keep you warmer during these cooler months. You might be questioning my use of the term "warmer" since I'm shamelessly wearing a crop top, but believe it or not this outfit does exactly that. These lounge pants from Uniqlo, while light, definitely keep my legs nice and toasty and despite the length of the crop top, it's made from a knit so it's basically a mini sweater. To add some structure to this look, I paired my white H&M blazer. ;I completed the look with my basic black booties and a vintage necklace that belonged to my grandmother.

I hope you like the look! Tell me all about how you stay warm and chic during these winter months in the comments below! As always, thanks for reading!!

xxAlli