Look Book!

Want to define a signature style but have no clue where to start?

For me, I looked to my favorite magazines and ripped out my favorite pages to create a Look Book. I put them in a binder but they don't have to be an actual book, lots of fashionistas create shared look books online at fashion portals such as http://www.style.com/

Look Books give you an idea of what to shop, where to shop and how to style.

And they are true to you! I have pages from years ago but I still fall in love with the styles.

Here I pulled 6 of my favorite pages from my look book to prep for spring style.

From Top, left to right
I love busting out skirts and baring some leg when the weather starts warming up (not today though, it's rainy and depressing today in D.C.) Bright colors, full volumes and even matching prints makes it even more fun and feminine.

Next, I am always inspired by the simplicity of this Chanel look. The straw hat gives it a fresh young look and luckily cuban hats are everywhere this year.

A detailed look of  different take on the one shoulder look. I keep my favorite looks from my look book in the back of my mind when I go shopping or even better yet, you can take them with you as a guide!

On the right of the top row is a glam Michael Kors dress and matching fur coat. I wouldn't do the fur in the summer! but I'll be wearing bright bright colors like hot pink not only at night but in the day!

Spiegel Signature Sateen Safari Dress in Pink Raspberry, $69

Click here to buy

Keira Knightly is rocking polka dots and aviators on the bottom left. Usually I shy away from polka dots but done in a sexy pinup 50's way they actually look pretty cute.

Target Merona Polka Dot Dress, $39.99

click here to buy

The T-Strap Heel gives it a more vintage feel!

In the middle is one of my favorite all-time prints, leopard. But it doesn't have to just be leopard, animal prints are big right now and can be done in big ways! You can add a leopard print in a heel or flat to spice up a basic dress or do a whole shift in leopard or snakeskin! I also love it in a bag such as a (fake) embossed alligator tote.

Macy's, INC "Princy" Pump, $49.99

click here to buy

Christian Siriano for Payless Downtown Zip Sandal for $24.99

Click Here to Buy

On the bottom right is the lingerie as regular wear trend. And I like the being unabashedly feminine confidence of pairing it with soft hair and makeup. You don't have to bust out your Victoria's Secret but look for delicate materials like chiffon and intricate details such as ruffles and thin pretty straps.

Breezy Basics for a Steal

With the weather warming up (finally!) it's time take off the bulky layers and frolick in your favorite soft tees and tanks.

Stock up on some all-time favorite without spending a fortune.

Take this Old Navy Rosette Tank for only $12.50

vs.

Jcrew Tank for $45

Other great (sales) finds at Jcrew and Old Navy

Jcrew Cargo Pants $69.50 to $39.99

Old Navy Espadrilles for $20.00

And don't forget the denim trend and can easily be accomplished season after season with these 2 wardrobe basics

Old Navy denim jacket for $30

Old Navy Denim Pencil Skirt, $16.99-$24.99

Now add the pieces together to make a relaxed weekend outfit

You can even roll up the bottom of the cargo pants to show off the espadrille which give you some height and layer with some pretty dangly necklaces. I also like to roll up the sleeves on my denim jacket.

Total Damage?  $102.50

Not Bad

Pick of the Day!

Spiegel Colorblock Jersey Dress for $49

http://www.spiegel.com/

Sophisticated and fun, add color to your evening wear with this pleated wrap dress. Flattering on almost anyone just make sure to order one size down since Spiegel does cut big.

Not bad compared to some more expensive options:

bcbg strapless colorblock dress for $318

Aqua Sateen for $88

Must Have! DKNY French Grain Satchel

Just got this in a beautiful dark turquoise from my boyfriend for our 1 year anniversary :-D

The color really pops with the gold hardware.

But I also love it in the ivory and orange.

Super roomy with a simple design. What better way than to add color to an outfit?

And a steal for $295, it's cheaper than a Louis keychain!!

MOTHER F&a*#$@ERRRRRRRRRRR!! I HAD TO SHOP!

For those of you who do not own a TV, read the newspaper or listen to the radio, the Mid-Atlantic is in the middle of an epic snowstorm. With another 10-20 inches heading towards D.C. today and tomorrow.

AWESOME. So last Friday, my futile attempt to go home was thwarted by 36 inches of snow and ice and I was grounded in Chicago.

And there I was...4 days of clothes and 1 pair of shoes that now had to last me 11 days in all situations, work, dinner and going out. So I had no choice...

I had to go Shopping!!! don don donnnnn

you would think I would be delighted but it ended up being the most frustrating shopping trip of my life, how did I lose my Jedi shopping skills so quickly?!!

I don't think it was I lost my god given shopping talent but instead my new purchases reflected my attitude towards clothes, towards finance, towards life

After wondering aroung the Forever 21 labyrinth on Michigan Ave and fighting the accessories Minotaur, I came out with a pair of militant booties, black leggings, a soft gray knit with sequined shoulders and a short jacket trimmed with chains complete with shoulder pads.

Next at Zara's, I steered past the $70 silk YSL-esque tops (too expensive now) and straight to the racks and racks of discounts. I came out with a simple soft black turtle neck, a white silk skirt and a pair of peep-toed beige woven heels.

Last but not least, a silky drapey coral red knee-length dress from Target. Quite boho yet quite powerful.

All under $250. Miraculous. $250 would be my shopping allowance for a week before I started this resolution. And I would come out with 2 or maybe even 3 items back in those days.

However it did take me a good 3 hours and more hours of ordeal to come if I made good enough choices! Choices! does this fit me perfectly? do I already own this? How many ways can I wear this? Will this carry through all the seasons? Did I spend too much? Do I really need this?

And maybe this is a good thing. The change in me, I have to say is nice.

Now, I see I've emerged as a minimalist, disciplined and frugal. I still don't underestimate the quality you receive with a pricey designer frock.

But Style is best achieved in simplicity and on a budget

If I could Shop I would buy: Military Surplus Jacket

Hooray, it's been 21 days without any shopping! And according to Dr. Maxwell Malt, author of 'Pyscho-Cybernetics' it takes 21 days for a person to form a habit.

Well I'm about to prove him wrong! wrong! wrong! Because it still KILLS me that I can't shop. Almost painful today when I was doing my weekly Target run and they had some of their new spring items out. There were ethnic printed full skirts, festive yellow tops and some Rodarte leftovers. Poop.

However if I could buy 1 item. If I could make 1 exception for myself it would be the Military Surplus Jacket.

For me, they are hippie cool, modern and versatile all at once

And you know it's a trend if Kate Moss is wearing it

Think you can't pull it off? Well you can with these 4 looks!

Office

The military jackets toughens up the romantic cream top and makes typical office attire interesting

Day

Take your favorite flimsy summer dress, add the tough surplus tacket, add wool tights and slouchy boots. Again we're mixing sweet and tough.

Night

Compliment colors by doing a navy sequined stunner (minus the leggings this time,) the military jacket is the perfect cover up that will actually keep you warm, and last but not least, keep it sexy with some chunky stilts.

Weekend Wind-down

Comfortable and easy and fit for almost any weather. Layer your military anorak over a simple white tank and vintage wash skinny jeans. I would slip on my Steve Madden flat boots and finish with some Chunky Jewelry.

For where to buy, go to my New sister Blog

http://www.cheapcheep.wordpress.com/

Everything to look fabulous under $200!