Favorite Fall pieces

 Currently intrigued by these trends:

H&M slouchy loose sweaters

 River Island coated (faux-leather) full skirts

What Fall 2013 items/trends are you loving?

Updated Shopping Limit List

Since August 2012 till now....I've spent around $1134.88+ in clothes/accessories. Holy moly, that total sounds way more than I expected! I really need to focus now, especially since some of the items I ended up not loving anymore :(

Thus, I have devised a list below of the staple items that I absolutely adore and can wear year after year without tiring. If it ain't on this list, don't buy it! 

So here's a new list to help narrow my spending and 'keeping it my style':

BAGS:

Daytime: plum or soft pink, black

Evening clutches: black, gold

Travel: backpack

Extra: red bag, mint bag

SHOES:

See 15 essential shoes list

Extra: something cap-toe

JEWELRY:

Silver hoop earrings

Crystal stud earrings

Patent nude band watch*

TOPS:

Neutral layering tanks

Neutral short-sleeve tees (white, black, taupe, navy, blush, red, black print on white) 

Black long sleeve knits

Cardigans: cream, grey, light brown, goldenrod

Winter flannels: green color tartan plaid (aka. MacLeod of Harris tartan/James Tissot-inspired), black & white buffalo check

Spring button-ups: black or navy & white polka dots, grid print, blue & white stripes

Extra: dalmation print, fun red/white print

PANTS:

Black

Navy

Dark Green

Camel

Brown

Extra: prints (ie. culottes/palazzo) 

SHORTS:

Black, white, and olive

Black bike shorts

DRESSES:

Black

Navy/Blue

Teal/Emerald

Crimson

Ikat/geometric print

Ditsy floral print

OUTERWEAR:

Spring casual: classic denim jacket

Spring casual: orange, sage, or khaki windbreaker (preferably cropped)

Spring fancy: khaki/stone trench coat

Fall fancy: aviator/motorcycle/bomber jacket

Fall/winter casual: layering fleece jacket (black or grey)

Winter casual: light grey or black short jacket

Winter fancy: long black wool coat

Extra: fitted blazer (black)

OTHER ACCESSORIES:

Elbow black leather gloves 

Burgundy leather gloves

HATS:

Summer: wide-brim floppy hat (straw/black)

Fall/spring: pink knit hat

SCARVES:

grey

black-white

pastels

MISC:

Red & white stripes swimwear

Palm print beachwear (here, here, here, and here)

OTHER necessities:

Underwear

Pajamas 

Dri-fit workout pants/shirts

Black tights

Black trouser socks

Everyday socks

Leg warmers

Need to put on my tunnel-vision glasses!

(*asterisk mark = items I'm still trying to find or needing an upgrade)

Fruit print trend

I could not resist this strawberry print. I've been trying to refrain myself from spending frivolously, especially from trendy items, so I had to contemplate this one out thoroughly....

1. It reminded me of the sold-out J.Crew citrus print shirt, but better, since red is more flattering than orange on most skin tones.

2. I asked myself "would this be appropriate for work and play?" - yes.

3. I then asked myself "is this style something I could see at Anthropologie?" - yes.

4. Also, "would this shirt match other items in my closet?" - yes.

5. I asked my best friend for her opinion, and she said "yes, it's cute!"

6. It has positive reviews with 5 stars.

7. I google'd images of the shirt to make sure it looks good on others, and yes it does, see on Cats in My Closet and Steal her Style.

8. It's only $17.80

9. Sometimes I believe I'm meant to have certain things based on "signs.'" While randomly reading blogs, I came across this image from a 1950's film. The red dots-on-white skirt! It's a sign red & white motif is actually timeless and meant to be, haha. Thus, I finally caved in.

Forever 21 Strawberry Print Shirt 

in size Small

Right away, the only problem I had is that the arm holes are too big. Easy fix!

Here's after DIY alterations:

 

What I did...

Slimmed each side by sewing where the dotted yellow lines are.

I don't have a sewing machine, so I had to meticulously hand-stitch (took forever).

It's not the most straight or even hand-sewing, but good enough for me! Even though Forever 21 blouses tend to be made in this cheap, semi-sheer polyester fabric, they are easy to work with when it comes to alterations.  

Overall, definitely one of my favorite purchases lately! 

Lickable Trend

Trying out the sorbet trend this winter....

1. Started out with a peach shirt (from Forever21 here) and my old BDG grazer (on $39 sale here):
2. Topped off with my Forever21 lavender sweater (similar here)

 3. Added a peach necklace (from H&M as seen on Stylish Petite)
4. Then grabbed my mint clutch (vintage from Ebay)

I quite like the result! Although wish I was more tanned with a J-Lo glow in these pastel colors. Must pile on the bronzer!

Are you into sorbet-pastels lately (especially J.Crew style)?

Forever 21 Necklaces

I'm on a Forever21 high lately....thought I'd share some quick picks.

 Graduated Rhinestone Chain Necklace

$19.80
Light Blue/Silver
See on The Chloe Conspiracy


4. Bejeweled Flower Collar Necklace
$24.80
Clear/Gold
See on Closet de Jules


5. Circle Bib Necklace
$12.80
Mint/Silver
See on Ella Pretty


6. Sparkling Teardrop Necklace
$15.80
Blue/Clear
It looks beautiful online! Hopefully it looks just as nice in person.
(reminds me of Harry Winston Hall Sapphire Necklace)

Oh, here's some blurry shots of the real deal when I went to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History last year. Washington D.C. is now on the top of my list for vacation/extended getaway/future honeymoon destination...haha...because I love it that much and the neverending things to see!

It's really hard to take pictures of these gems in the dim lighting behind a blurry glass and little kids breathing and drooling at my sides, haha. The Hall Necklace is more vibrant and prettier than the Hope Diamond in my opinion.

Have you found any great items at Forever21 recently? Please share!