This is my Edgy

I've been a blog stalker for several years now and it's always interesting to see how the style of some of my favorite fashionistas has evolved over the years.  Some go from preppy to edgy, some go from casual to dressy, and some go from obtainable to downright expensive as they become more and more popular.  The latter is super annoying in my opinion, simply because I feel like that person becomes less and less approachable and their choices can alienate parts of their audience.  Success comes with it's perks, especially in an industry that thrives on materialism.  I've caught myself (on several occasions) being addicted to "stuff" and having to really take a look at myself and scale back.  Whether it's quality over quantity, or it's simply revisiting why you decided to write your blog in the first place, it's always good to come back to earth periodically. 

I got an email from a reader and it basically said "Do you always look like this? Do you ever wear flats? Is your hair always curled?  What's your secret?" It got me thinking about who I am as a blogger and who I am as a person.  I've read a thousand posts from different gals about the "bubble effect" of a fashion blog.  It's a snapshot of how you want other people to see you from afar.  Is it biased?  Maybe a little.  Is it unrealistic?  In my case, no. My clothes, accessories, and "stuff" are a representation of who I am as a person.  I like some expensive things, but I absolutely destroy them and get the most wear for my buck.  No matter how successful or unsuccessful I am or am not, I will always shop at Target and Forever 21.  I thrive off seeing an expensive outfit in a magazine or on a website and recreating it from a lower price point so everyone can wear the look.  I'm preppy, quirky, classic, edgy about once a month, and live in my workout clothes, no makeup, and dirty hair on weekends.  Hell, I've had these boots for two years and I just started wearing them this season because I just couldn't see how they would look halfway decent on me.  There is absolutely no method to my madness and no formula to the way I dress.  I just get up in the morning and do it, solely based on how I feel that day.  And by the way, these are the most comfortable jeans I've ever worn.  For real.

One last note - I wear a ton of stuff over and over again, just in different ways, that's not necessarily a new item every single post.  These items are eventually no longer available, so I have added similar items at the price point that I purchased my item in the banner below my actual links.  If the item is still available, it will be in both places.

Tank: One Clothing via TJ Maxx

Denim: Rich & Skinny Relaxed Balboa Ankle Cropped Jeans

Boots: DV Dolce Vita Jamison Bootie via Ross

Bag: Alexander Wang Emile

Necklace: Factory Brass Plated Crystal Necklace 

Glasses: Ray Ban Aviators

Bracelets: Stella and Dot, F21

xoxo,

sarah

More stripes

With all the house madness going on over the past several months, I haven't exactly been the picture of health.  Eating out became a way of life simply because we were too exhausted to cook and couldn't make it to the grocery store.  Since moving, things have gotten to about 70% normal, but things aren't fitting me the same.  I wanted something super easy and comfy to just throw on and not feel like a stuffed sausage.  That's where this awesome tank dress from Target came in.  Not only was the price tag perfect, but it has a little style with the longer hem in back.  I've worn it about 30 times in the past two weeks, even getting a raised eyebrow when I wore it to bed a couple nights ago.

Getting back into shape is going to be tough, especially in the middle of bikini season.  I've already thrown in the literal towel for this year, but hopefully by next year, I will be back to feeling good again.  I've joined a new gym since moving, which I absolutely love, and just need to make better choices with portion control and what I eat.  I'm not one of those naturally thin girls, I definitely have to work at it, and since I turned 30, it's become about 50% more difficult.  How do you guys do it????

Dress: Xhilaration

Jacket: H&M in stores (love this one!)

Wedges: Steve Madden Westii

Wallet: Kate Spade Wellesly (newer version)

Necklaces: Francesca's, in store

Ring: Francesca's, in store

Bracelets: Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster, F21 similar

xoxo,

sarah

Hemingway

Brrrrrrr y'all!  It's dang cold!  I had to break out my Ernest Hemingway sweater, the warmest one I have in my closet.  Doesn't look like some sort of sailor's sweater?  I just need a pipe and a white sailor's hat and I will have a perfect Halloween costume.  

In going through my closet this morning, I realized that I really don't have that many snuggly, cozy sweaters and that's really all I wanted to wear today.  I feel a trip to the thrift comin' on!

Where have y'all gotten your favorite cold weather gear this season?

Sweater: J.Crew (old)

Top: Brooks Brothers

Denim: Forever 21 Animal Print Denim Skinnies

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Alexander Wang

Necklace: J.Crew Factory Brass-Plated Crystal Necklace

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, Kate Spade, Banana Republic (in store)vintage Hermes

Glasses: RayBan

xoxo,

sarah

I got a gold chain

A literal "Oh my God" flew right out of my mouth when I saw this Chanel belt in the window of a vintage store in Columbus, Ohio last Thanksgiving.  Instead of wearing it as a belt, I like to thug it out as a gold chain instead.  As if that's not enough, this fabulous leather skirt was thrifted, too.  Boom.

I get a lot of questions pertaining to where and how I find my vintage goodies, so I thought I would share my two secrets about the "Where" aspect of thrifting/vintage shopping :

1. Do your research - thrift in' ain't easy, y'all.  It's hard work and you need to take the time to scope out several places before you move on to secret number two.  I have been to every Goodwill and Salvation Army from here to the Mississippi so I know what type of goods are placed in each, what their price points are, and even when they get shipments and stock the store.  Psycho? Yes.  Do I find the good shit, though? Yes.  I have a store that I always find great clothing in, one for furniture, and another for household goods.  For consignment stores, I subscribe to the same model.  

2.  If you are looking for vintage goods, thrift or consign in older neighborhoods - this is a big one for me.  I am never looking for newer items, so if a thrift store is full of some teenagers F21 castaways from 2007, I'm out the door.  I want granny's old dresses, papaw's old belts, and the beautiful furniture they used to sit on whilst having afternoon cocktails Mad Men style.

Hope this helps in the treasure hunt!!

Sweater: F21

Skirt: thrifted, no brand

Bag: Chanel

Belt (worn as necklace): vintage Chanel

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Glasses: Rayban

Bracelets: Hermes, J.Crew

Have a great start to your week!

xoxo,

sarah

Staple

My number one go-to staple for just about every wardrobe situation is an off-white silk blouse.  It makes any outfit look effortless and chic, and since I prefer mine to be a size too big, it's always comfortable for days when I don't feel like being buttoned up all day.  I have a couple that I rotate between, which you've seen here on the blog several times.  One is a button down with pockets and no collar from NY&Co. and the other is a very lightweight cotton button down with a collar from Old Navy.  Bottom line, they were both less than $10 and through wear and tear are completely shot to shit.  

Although I couldn't justify spending $200+ on a great silk shirt by Equipment or Joie, I did find this gorgeous option at Zara for $59.99.  It has a lightweight fabric that you can't see through and the stud detail gives it a little shine.  I am completely in love with it and am glad to have a replacement for the other two.  I'll move them into my layering rotation and probably wear them until they turn into threads.

What is your go-to wardrobe item?

Blouse: Zara in black but white avail. in stores

Denim: J Brand

Bag: Alexander Wang

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Earrings: F21

Ring: H&M (old)

Bracelets: J.Crew, vintage Hermes, Kate Spade, F21

Necklace: West Avenue via Max and Chloe

Have a lovely Friday!

xoxo,

sarah

A Quickie

Not too many photos in this shoot turned out great, but I still wanted to brag about my $14.99 sale rack blouse from Zara.  This print showed up on several of my favorite blogs in springtime and I just had to have it.  The colors are so vibrant and I love the way it looks like a late 1960's illustration.  It's a great work option with different colors of pants and skirts, looks great with other patterns like stripes and polka dots, and it will be a great pop underneath a sweater as the weather cools down.

What versatile pieces are you loving right now?

Blouse: Zara (no longer avail, but similar from Equipment)

Pants: Ann Taylor (old, but similar)

Clutch: American Apparel

Heels: BCBG (old)

Necklace: vintage

Bracelets: vintage Hermes, Kate Spade, J. Crew, F21

xoxo,

sarah

Sammy Love

Have y'all heard of SammyDress.com?  I got this email in my work inbox a few weeks back and it was a link to their website.  The ad looked interesting enough, so I thought I would check it out.  Low and behold it's the holy grail of cheap but chic F21 style fashion, but less expensive.  Yes, really.  

Now, I'm never a proponent of filling your closet with inexpensive garbage, but there are times when certain "low" pieces can be mixed with "high" ones.  This jacket, for example was $8.98.  It's not leather, it's almost the same material that liquid leggings are made from, from I totally dig the tight fit and the snake print.  I also love the tough juxtaposition against my sweet mint skirt (last seen here)

I would definitely recommend you take a look at the site just to check it out.  There are great styling pics for almost every outfit and they even have shoes and accessories.  

***Disclaimer: I am not being paid to promote SammyDress.com (sadly) and the above comments are my own experiences and feelings.***

Jacket: SammyDress.com

Skirt: F21

Tank: Old Navy

Bag: Alexander Wang

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Necklace: H&M (old)

Bracelets: Ann Taylor, unknown

Watch: Citizen Eco Drive

xoxo,

sarah

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Light Layers

The weather is finally turning here in Texas and the temperatures are in the mid to low nineties.  I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but that's a cold front to me.  Of course, the second I have any opportunity, I'm gonna do some layering, even if it is silk.  

I've been really wanting a black and white chevron dress in the same style as this one, but it seems like every time I find one, it's not my size, not to mention more than I want to spend.  In my F21 haul a couple weeks back, I found this dress, which comes in both black and navy (mine is navy if you can't tell) for $15.80.  It's a great lightweight silk-like fabric, not the shiny kind, and I'm thinking it's pretty versatile.  I'm picturing it with a denim jacket, a blazer for the office, with tights when it actually gets cold here.  It also looks great with any color belt and neutral shoes.  A great buy and a comfortable look for the office or for work.

Have y'all found anything that you are super excited about lately?  I'd love to know your shopping secrets and bargains!!

Dress: F21

Blouse: J.Crew Factory

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Belt: vintage but Asos makes great alternatives

Bracelets: J.Crew, Kate Spade, F21, vintage Hermes

Have a good day kids!!

xoxo,

sarah