fashion friday : how to layer for fall

in most places autumn can be a tricky time of year to dress for. a lot of times it will be cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon and chilly in the evenings. the best thing to do is layer your outfits in a way that lets you adjust for the changing temperatures. plus, layers just look cool. duh!

blazers

if you have a dress from the warmer months that you're just not ready to part with just yet, don't even worry. you can always layer a blazer over it and pair it with some booties for fall! i love the subtle colors of this outfit.

crop top it

throw on a crop top over your favorite summer dress to make it fall appropriate. or put a crop over a collared blouse for a really interesting look. 

vests

i have a recent developed love for vests. i wear them all the time these days. they are just so versatile and make your outfit look so much more polished and put together! wear a flowy vest over your favorite tee or blouse and if it gets too hot you can always shed a layer.

collared shirts

i think we've probably all worn this sweater-over-collared-shirt combo before, but if not maybe this is just the inspiration you were looking for. one idea maybe you haven't tried is layering this look over a fitted skirt. the look on the left is so cute.

lightweight scarves

a scarf looks good layered over so many different outfits! this dress would be super boring without the pop of color and texture this scarf adds. wear them over dresses or combined with your favorite cardigan and jeans. the options are endless!

all images via pinterest, kendi everyday and little blonde book.

xoxo, 

ashley

fall's must-have accessory

THE LEOPARD CLUTCH

yep, leopard went from being trendy to a staple in everyone's closet in a matter of a few years. and i'm ok with that! i say every girl needs to invest in a leopard clutch for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. you'll get a ton of use out of it and it'll go with damn near everything. 

leopard + chambray + pencil skirt

great for a night out or even a work day. 

plaid button up + statement necklace + leopard clutch

image via prosecco & plaid

my goodness i just love mixed patterns. especially leopard print and plaid, there's just something so perfect about it. plus, plaid is quintessential autumn attire.

jumper + leopard clutch

yes, please. i know it's past labor day and there's an age old rule about not wearing white pants. there's also an age old saying that rules were made to be broken! ammiright?!

flowy blouse + wide leg trousers + leopard clutch

see above comment.

blazer + tee + leather mini + leopard clutch

in my last post i believe i said something about every girl needs a leather mini in her closet. case in point, ladies. 

blazer + tee + ripped jeans + leopard clutch

comfy casual all the way. actually maybe the blazer makes it dressy casual? is that a thing?

fur + leopard clutch

ok, so i guess this is more late fall because typically it's not cold enough for fur, but i couldn't leave this beauty out of the mix. 

comfy sweater + leopard clutch + red lip

image via color me courtney

just perfect. and her blog is insanely adorable.

jean jacket + stripes + leopard clutch

stripes and leopard print go together like sprinkles and frosting.

flowy blouse + strappy heels + leopard clutch

this is a great combination of colors. i love all the neutrals and the way the ripped jeans give the outfit an edge.

all images are found via pinterest unless otherwise noted.

well everyone, i hope you guys like fall as much as me because for the next two months i'll be posting non-stop autumn related things i'm pretty sure. i hope you all had a fantastic weekend! 

xoxo, 

ashley

how to style a midi skirt

it's kinda funny, the one article of clothing that i love the most looks the very worst on me: the midi skirt. i'm not sure if it's my short legs or my full calves, but it's just hysterically frumpy. 

however, the midi has been around for a couple of season's now and it looks great for pretty much any occasion if styled appropriately. i've rounded up some outfit ideas for you all. 

for work:

this skirt is great for work being that it's a modest length and just dressy enough without being over the top. it would work at a creative environment or a more conservative workplace as well. just tuck in your favorite button up shirt or t shirt and add a pair of heels. accesorize with red lipstick and a cute bag. 

for a night out:

my faaavorite look is a fancy midi with a crop top. it's such a fun, but classy combo! this would be so cute for a date night or a night out with your girls. if you're going for classic, pair your skirt with some stilettos and a black top. if you're going for a more fun look, wear a pair of cage heels and a high pony like the girl in the middle. 

for everyday:

for a more casual look, pair your midi with a casual striped tank, graphic tee or chambray button down. either tuck your shirt in or tie it in a knot over your skirt. you've got options.

well, that's the roundup for today! maybe these ideas will give you the confidence to try this trend and if not, it's still fun to look at pretty pictures, right? i think so! 

images via kendi everyday, pinterest and un-fancy.

xoxo, 

ashley

spring wardrobe essentials

i find that when shopping, especially for clothes, it's best to have a list. otherwise, i get completely overwhelmed and either leave with things i already own or nothing at all. odds are if you're going shopping it's because you're wardrobe is lacking in some area so why not make life a little easier and go prepared? 

that being said, the best thing to spend your money on is....wait for it....BASICS. this has taken me a lifetime to learn. literally. i've always had a closet full of nothing to wear and it's because i have always avoided spending my money on plain jane basics. come to find out, they are a lot easier to mix and match to create a variety of outfits than statement shirts with crazy patterns or bright colors. that shouldn't have been that difficult for me to figure out, but it was. so, maybe i can help you get the most out of your wardrobe without fighting the uphill, nothing to wear battle. 

TOPS: 

1. every girl needs a basic white blouse. it's the essential of all essentials and can be mixed and matched to no end. find it here.

2. a chambray shirt adds color to an outfit, but is still very versatile and can be paired with everything from florals to neons. find it here. 

3. some sort of polka dot blouse is necessary in a girl's wardrobe. This shirt would look great tucked into shorts or a skirt. find it here. 

4. if you are interested in mixing patterns in your outfit, a no brainer would be beginning with a striped shirt. find it here. 

bottoms:

1. white jeans will change your life. ok, that was dramatic. but, they will add so many options for your wardrobe and help make use of shirts you never wear. find them here. 

2. i think most people think of florals when they think of spring. at least i do. this is a closet staple that you'll get lots of wear out of. find it here.

3. colored denim will add options to your wardrobe and give you a pop of interest. there are a lot of shirts that just simply look blah with regular denim. find these here.  

4. i know a black pencil skirt doesn't seem like a spring essential, but with the right shirt and shoes it can be great to have. it can be dressed up or down and would look great with any of the above shirts. find it here. 

shoes: 

1. nude heels are a must. they go with anything and can add that polished touch to any outfit. find these here. 

2. who says ankle boots have to be just for winter? a neutral ankle boot in a gray or tan will go with anything. find these here. 

3. it may be your instinct to go with black or nude flats, but metallic flats are fun and act as a neutral that will pair well with basically anything. give them a whirl and add some interest to your outfit. find these here. 

4. ok, if you're going to invest in any wardrobe essential it should be a basic, everyday pair of sandals. splurge on genuine leather and something of quality in this department. find these here. 

outfit ideas:

okay, so that's the roundup! you probably already have many of these items in your closet, honestly. if not, i hope this helped. now for the fun part, here are some outfit ideas incorporating each of these basics:

white jeans + striped top

this outfit is so simple, but chic. you can pair virtually any of the shoes in this post with this outfit. you can bring in color either with your accessories or a bright pump that you may already have in your closet. this outfit is from stylecaster.

white jeans + polka dot top + metallic flats or nude heels

so this outfit can easily be duplicated with the essentials in this post. pair a polka dot top with white jeans and either the metallic flats, nude heels or neutral ankle boots mentioned earlier. this image was found via pinterest. 

striped top + floral skirt

i love an outfit with mixed patterns! you can never go wrong with florals and stripes together. just make sure your floral skirt has some of the same tones as the shirt. this image was found via pinterest.

white top + red, pink (or any) colored denim

does lauren conrad ever have a bad outfit? i have yet to see one. she's always so fresh faced and adorable! anyway, pair your white blouse with pink denim and either the nude heels, ankle boots or metallic flats from this post. you can't go wrong. image found via pinterest.

polka dot top + black pencil skirt

whether you opt for a black pencil skirt or midi, this outfit looks great with a classic black and white polka dot top. this is great for work or a lunch date with someone special. image found via pinterest.

white blouse + floral skirt + ankle boots

even thought this outfit has a gray shirt and polka dot skirt which weren't on the list of essentials, we can definitely borrow ideas from it. this outfit can be achieved with the white blouse, floral skirt and ankle boots from the essentials list. i love this look! image found via pinterest.

chambray shirt + black pencil skirt

ahh, i love this look! it's so simple and wearable. i would wear the neutral ankle boots with this outfit for a casual look or black pumps for a dressier occasion. this look was found on ellesappelles. 

so there are some ways that you can mix and match these wardrobe essentials into super cute, practical outfits. these are some great pieces that can go with you into cooler weather with the right layering as well. now all i want to do is go shopping! 

xoxo, 

ashley