Sail Away

For some reason, I am always drawn to almost anything nautical themed. I wouldn't say it's the most chic of all the styles, but it's so youthful and fun. Here are a few nautical items that should get you excited for spring/summer!

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1.  Dress - $37 http://www.lulus.com/

2.  Hoodie - $78 http://www.jcrew.com/

3.  Belts - $48 http://www.anthropologie.com/

4.  Shorts - $17.80 www.forever21.com

Oscar Worthy

Let's interrupt our regular program and focus on the gorgeous dresses from the Oscars. I know everyone had mixed feelings about the show, but I actually really enjoyed it. I mean, it's the Academy Awards, it's not supposed to action packed? Nonetheless, it was a great night for fashion. My faves of the night are below.

Accessorize Me

So, I'm an accessories freak. Jewelry, bags, wallets, scarves.. you name it. But, I'm looking to update my accessory collection. I want to stock it full of statement necklaces, practical leather bags that can work for any season, and scarves that are pretty and just make me feel like a girl. Here are a few items I've found that I think will really do the trick.

1. Metal motion necklace $65 - http://www.madewell.com/

2. Suede skinny belt $39.50 - http://www.madewell.com/

3. Black oversize round glasses $32  - http://www.topshop.com/

4. Juicy Couture Ikat scarf - $68 http://www.bloomingdales.com/

Super Cheap and Chic Find

I am going use this header when I find something dirt cheap that you simply must purchase because it's such a great steal!

This simple knit dress is perfect for the season. It can be belted and worn on a warm, sunny day - or for those cooler Spring days, throw on a blazer and flats and you're good to go! Oh, and did I mention that it's $13.50?!

I'm purchasing as we speak.

www.forever21.com

I'm back.

Ok, so I've been pretty slack with this blog pretty much since I started. I swear I'm going to get better.

For now, I'm going to leave you with a few fabulous pieces that won't break your piggy bank. xoxo



 

* All items can be found at http://www.piperlime.gap.com/ for under $100. Don't ya just love it?!

PS- Who else is loving the fact that designers are now making computer bags and cell phone accessories. This girl definitely is!

Longing for Summer time.

The weather here in HOTlanta hasn't been so hot this winter. In fact, it's been frickin' freezing. It's currently about 30 degrees and has been pouring rain all week. Because of this heinous weather, I've decided to brighten my day with things that remind me of warm sunny days and the pure bliss of summer.

1. Blue onyx tear drop earrings - $92   http://www.giveapennydesigns.com/

2. Farmer's market tote - $42.50  http://www.jcrew.com/

3. Peach short sleeve dress - $95  http://www.topshop.com/

4. Leather toe thong sandals - $21.52  http://www.asos.com/

Lip Service

I'm excited to write a beauty post! Unlike clothing and accessories, beauty deals are a little more difficult to find, due to the fact that most beauty counters aren't giving out coupons or a certain percentage off. However, there are wonderful beauty stores, such as Ulta, that give out coupons and carry their own brands, which quite honestly, are pretty great. So see, there is always a way!

On to the point of this post. I'm currently all about the lips at the moment. Now granted, I don't rock red lips every day, nor do I think it is appropriate to do so, but I am a fan of lip glosses, sticks, balms, and pretty much everything else you can think of. This is mainly true during the winter because my lips are always, and I mean always, chapped - so annoying. There is nothing worse than peeling, red lips. Here are a few things that not only make lips look pretty and pouty, but save them from chapped misery!

1. Sugar Plum Tinted Lip Treatment - $22.50

2. Buxom Lips (in Trixie) - $18

3. Rosebud Salve - $6

4. YSL ROUGE lipstick - $30

5. DuWop Lip Venom - $16 

*Everything is available at sephora.com

JCrew Chic

Since I've started my "big girl" job, I have really come to love comfy clothes and shoes.  It only took me about 2 hours on my first day to realize that I need clothes that are professional AND versatile. It's so key to buy work clothes that can transition into evening/weekend clothes. Otherwise, Courtney is a very poor girl.

Cue JCrew. But let me start by saying, there was a period of about 3 or 4 years that I didn't like JCrew. Too preppy. Too mommy. But, over the past couple of years, JCrew has changed its' image and really stepped it up. Now don't get me wrong, it's always going to be super vanilla, but I feel like it is a tinge more chic these days.

I'm loving everything they have right now. And they actually do have a ton of pieces for under $100.

                                                                     1. Silk blouse - $98

                                                                    2. Striped bandeau top and bottom - $48 & $46

                                                                                          3. Wool Scarf - $59.50

                                                                                    4. Metallic Cardigan - $89.50

                                                                                        5. Notted necklace - $75

The Swan Queen

I finally saw Black Swan last week. It's only taken like 2 months! All I have to say is hot.crazy.mess. Seriously, this movie is a psychological thriller on steroids. Nonetheless, the actors, especially Natalie Portman, were superb and the dancing was absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, I won't be attending a ballet anytime soon.

However, during my moments of utter dismay, I couldn't help but notice the dancer-like fashion that Natalie and co. rocked throughout the movie. From shrugs to cashmere leg warmers, leggings and comfy little skirts, I'm thinking I want to sport the just-got-off-the-bar look (bad ballet joke). Here are some looks for the inner ballerina in all of us.

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                                               1. Black feathered headband - $5.80   www.forever21.com
                                                               2. Dawn on Me Dress - $57.99   www.modcloth.com
                                                               3. Kinnetic ballet flats - $59.95   www.stevemadden.com
                                                               4. Gray lace mohair shrug - $65   www.etsy.com
                                               5. Long leg warmer - $16  www.americanapparel.com


                                                 

Candy Striper

As I browsed through my drawers this morning (while failing miserably to get ready for work), I had a realization. Forty to fifty percent of the tops/sweaters I own, are striped. And the funny thing is, I'm not sure why. It's not like striped tees are the most glamorous and flattering things in the world. But for some reason, I am always drawn to stripes. With that being said, here are a few of my faves at the moment.


                                 Irregular Striped Scarf - $7.50
                                                     www.forever21.com

         Sailor Sweater - $88

          www.jcrew.com

 set sail shorts - $88
www.madewell.com

    saint james aviso tee - $85

                                                                                                                           www.madewell.com

Striped 3/4 Slv Dress - $19.80

                                                                                                  www.forever21.com

The British Are Coming!

Since I can remember, I have always been interested in British culture. However, after studying abroad in England during college, I thought I was completely done with the place. I, being the brainiac that I am, chose to begin my abroad experience in January, yes January, of my Junior year. It was cold, wet, and dark by 4pm - no me gusta. The people weren't that friendly and I stuck out like a sore thumb. However, amongst the American girl awkwardness, I did find one thing that I particularly liked about the English: their fashion. In a nutshell, they just don't give a shit. They wear what they want, whenever they want. We definitely aren't talking about your stereotypical Burberry trench coat wearing Jude Law type either. The common person usually had an edgy hairstyle (often with a rainbow streak somewhere in there) and was wearing something an American might only wear to play "dress up" in. And that's what I liked about it. They weren't afraid to be themselves.

Because I have continued on with my British fashion love affair, I feel that I need to let you in on my two of my best "deal" websites, that just happen to be British ones. ASOS and Topshop. Most of you probably recognize Topshop because it has become fairly popular in the US, with stores opening in NYC and other major cities. ASOS is a little less common - it was introduced to me by a friend and it is a site that I visit quite often. ASOS seems to be a smidge cheaper and usually more of my style, but Topshop still rocks, nonetheless.

Here are a few pieces that I feel that you, me, and everyone else should have in their wardrobe this season:

Cream Crepe Ruffle Dress - $100

                                            www.us.topshop.com

A Wear Striped Box Tee - $27.58
              www.us.asos.com

  ASOS Plain Drape Crop Top Dress - $68.96

                                                                                         www.us.asos.com

MOTO Blue Black Jamie Ultimate Skinny Jeans - $80

                                         www.us.topshop.com

ASOS Portfolio Clutch - $34.48

                                                                                      www.us.asos.com

Mustard Short Sleeve Cupro Tee - $65

www.us.topshop.com

 

Topshop gave me some tiny images. Sorry, for that.

God Save the Queen!

The Colors of Winter

When I think of winter, the first things that come to mind are cold days, gray skies, and over sized jackets that scream "giant marsh mellow". I definitely don't envision deep greens and navys that seem to make anyone look regal and elegant, along with shades of pink that make us ache for summertime and freshly tanned skin. The truth is, I have light hair, light eyes, and fair skin. The usual drab colors of winter are not attractive on me (i.e. gray sweater dresses that seem to hang on every rack, no matter the store). So, the color palette for this season has really gotten me excited!

As promised in my last post, I have found some great pieces that keep with the emerald/navy/sherbet theme of the Golden Globes.

                                                                 
         Emerald City

                                                                              Knitted Fluted Maxi Dress - $77.58
                                                                                                 www.asos.com

                                                                               

                                                                       

                







Precious Particulars Blouse - $98

      www.anthropologie.com

     

                                                                                                             

                                                                    Emerald Earrings - $15
                                                                                                 www.etsy.com

                      

  Pretty in Pink

                                                       
                                                                             Rubbish Mixed Knit Infinity Scarf - $20
                                                                      www.nordstrom.com

525 america Silk Ruffle Cami - $68
         www.piperlime.gap.com

The Royal Navy 

Stereo Love Navy Blue Shorts - $26

                      www.lulus.com

           

Sequin Twist-Neck Tank - $59.99

www.bananarepublic.gap.com

Mind Bow-gling Dark Blue Dress - $34
                       www.lulus.com

                          

  

So, I realize that I'm not the best at putting together pretty picture montages yet, but all in due time! A wonderful friend has agreed to tutor me in all things blog this weekend. 

And to anyone reading (I'm afraid that might only be about 3 people at this point), that is proficient in blog, any help would be much appreciated!                                                   

A Night at the Globes

So, for those of us who live on planet Earth, we know that the Golden Globes were held in Beverly Hills last night. Y'all, I live for awards shows. It's pretty much everything I obsess over: film, fashion, and celebrities. What's not to love?? But, I have to be honest - I was a little disappointed this year. Don't get me wrong, the films of 2010 were pretty amazing. "The Fighter" "The Social Network" "Inception", and from what I hear "The King's Speech" and "Black Swan" - (both of which I will be seeing this week). While these films rocked, I feel like the fashion from this usually glamorous night was just mediocre. Cue Angelina Jolie's thrift store-esque, emerald gown. Or how about Anne Hathaway's shoulder padded, penny-shaped sequin clad frock? Not cute, ladies.

Okay, I'll stop my fashion ranting for now and get to the point. There was definitely a repetitive color palette at the GG this year - one of which I happen to love. Jewel tones. Striking emerald greens, sherbets as pretty and tasty as the delicious treat, and deep navys that seemed to light up the faces of the A-listers sashaying down the runway. While all the shades of the night were simply gorgeous, there were 2 shades that really stood out in my mind: the emeralds and the sherbets. They couldn't be on more opposite ends of the color spectrum, and are normally worn in completely different seasons, yet, they both seemed to work on the red carpet last night. Now don't worry, I haven't gone AWOL and forgotten my purpose on entry #2. My goal for post #3 is to find pieces (under 100, of course) that are inspired by these jewel toned shades, and are equally as chic and practical as the designer duds worn last night. Because honestly, how many of us attend awards ceremonies or go to important benefit dinners on the reg?

For now, let's take a look at the loveliest lady of the night.. that didn't suffer a couture malfunction:  Claire Danes in Calvin Klein

All I have to say is bravo. Not only is the dress perfect and neon pink (these pictures don't do it justice), but her hair and make-up are both flawless. Definitely my favorite of the night.

More to come in post #3. For now, I think it's safe to say that Calvin Klein always prevails and you're never too old for pink.