forever 21

Top Gifts for Her (Or You!) | 2014

What women want– that’s a mystery men have been trying to figure out for centuries! I don’t think this topic is something I can easily sum up in a blog post, but I’m here to help you answer “what women want for christmas“!

I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but my Christmas shopping is already off to a strong start! Some of you might roll your eyes, but I live for this time of the year! I just love shopping for the perfect gift. It can be a lot of work, but nothing beats finding the ultimate gift that puts a smile on their face.

Below, I pulled together a complete collection of amazing gifts for any girl in your life. It’s important to keep in mind that every girl is different and therefore you need to pick a gift that suits her personality. Try using the collage below as inspiration. For example, accessories are a great gifting option (no sizing!), so maybe you decide to buy mittens. If your girl is a little funky, the bear mittens below would be perfect! But, if your girl is more classic, maybe a plaid print or leather gloves would be better. I love to get inspiration for ideas from the internet and then tailoring them to fit my friends and family.

Use this list to get you started, you do still have over a month until Christmas! 🙂 Love an item below? Share in the comments!

top gifts for her 2014

Madewell Blanket Scarf ($65) / theBalm Eyeshadow Palette ($36) / H&M Polka Dot Pajamas ($30) / Forever 21 Bear Mittens ($9) / kate spade Polka Dot Candle ($40) / kate spade Initial Pendant ($58) / J. Crew Polka Dot Journal ($18) / Tacolicious Cookbook ($16) / Tory Burch for Fitbit ($195) / kate spade Bow Earrings ($29) / Nordstrom Pom Pom Slippers ($34) / S’well Waterbottle ($35) / Frends Headphones ($150) / C. Wonder Buffalo Check Keychain ($18) / Old Navy Knit Beanie ($15) / Old Navy Plaid Flats ($24) / kate spade Bow Eyemask ($38) / Gap Jersey Backpack ($50)

DEALS:

Madewell– 20% off  [code- YOURGIFT]

J. Crew– 30% off  [code- SHOPNOW]

Gap– 40% off  [code- BFRIDAY]

C. Wonder– 30% off  [no code needed]

Liven Up your Wardrobe with {Faux} Leather

As the days of November steadily fly by, I continue to get creative with textures. Fall is my favorite time of the year. Yes I happen to love apple cider, plaid and the cute sweater beer koozies I pull out for football games, but I also love accessorizing with layers!

Since the weather in San Francisco is pretty mild, it’s necessary to occasionally take a step back from the typical textures of chunky sweaters and fur, and focus on the lighter layers. One of my go-to textures that adds glamour and the feel of fall is leather. It’s great for when the weather is too warm to bundle up, but you’re craving texture.

I love dressing my leather pieces down by pairing them with plaid or plain v-necks. Check out the fun leather products I pulled together below. These are great pieces to pull out for the holidays or even just a night out. Share your favorite in the comments below and click to shop!

Statement Jackets:

H&M Mixed Media Leather Jacket     Forever 21 Paneled Leather Jacket

Fun Gloves:

Target Leather Gloves Mango polka dot gloves

Delicate Tops:

Nastygal Leather Top Forever 21 Paneled Leather Top

Short skirts:

H&M Leather Wrap Skirt Zara Leather Skirt

Moto Jackets:

Forever 21 Moto Jacket Forever 21 Mixed Media Leather Jacket

Falling for Fringe

I used to associate fringe with summer, but those days are over. I no longer reserve fringe for coachella and days at the beach. Fringe is now for all seasons and all occasions, I even dress it up for special occasions!

My favorite take on the trend for fall is leather fringe. I am obsessed with the Forever 21 jacket and the Nikki Rich Fringe Top below. The leather adds a dressy, warm, fall element to the trend. And how fun is that pop of yellow fringed clutch? It’s definitely a statement piece and is the perfect accessory for that little black dress hanging in your closet.

Hoe do you feel about fringe for fall? Do you have a go-to fringe piece in your closet? Share in the comments below!

Layer with Fringe ($28-$98):

Forever 21 Fringe Blazer  Missguided Fringe Jacket  Nastygal Fringe Jacket

Fancy Fringe ($30-$48):

Forever 21 Fringe Dress   HM Fringe Dress   Nordstrom Fringe Dress

Separates, but Fringed ($20-$72):

Forever 21 Fringe Skirt   Nordstrom Leather Fringe Top   Topshop Fringe Skirt

Hands-On Fringe ($35-$40):

ASOS fringe clutch   ASOS Fringe Tote   HM Fringed Crossbody

Holiday Must Haves | 2014

The holiday season is upon us and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I love all the fun textures, patterns and warmth that comes with this fabulous season. Nothing beats getting dressed in my coziest layers and enjoying some warm hot cocoa by the fire. To help everyone get as excited as I am about the holidays I pulled together some must haves for the upcoming holiday season. Nothing screams holiday like faux fur, fair isle, plaid and reindeer prints- Enjoy!!

holiday must haves 2014

Forever 21 Fur Vest ($45) / Target Ear Muffs (On Sale for $10) / Sole Society Mini Backpack ($40) / Old Navy Patterned Socks (On Sale for $8) / H&M Jacquard-knit Sweater ($35) / Forever 21 Over-the-Knee Boots ($40) / Forever 21 Fair Isle Leggings ($18) / Forever 21 Shaggy Socks ($4) / Old Navy Buffalo Check Flannel ($22) / Forever 21 Plaid Scarf ($11) / Nordstrom Chalkboard Tumbler ($13) / Old Navy Strappy Ankle Boots ($40)

Fall Layering Piece: The Quilted Vest

I’ve been looking for a budget friendly vest for awhile now and finally stumbled upon this quilted one from Old Navy. Although it’s thin, this vest is the perfect fall layering piece. I love the olive color, but you have to be careful how you style it so you don’t start looking like a lumberjack!

Olive Quilted Vest

That’s why I chose to pair this vest with some über-feminine pieces. By styling olive with soft blush, it immediately softens the look up. I also layered it with a delicate sweater, my scallop clutch and some gold accessories which immediately brings up the sophistication level. What’s your favorite fall layering piece? Share in the comments below!

Olive Quilted Vest

Olive Quilted Vest

Olive Quilted Vest

Olive Quilted Vest

Olive Quilted Vest

Forever 21 Blush Textured Sweater ($20) / Old Navy Quilted Vest (On Sale for $25!) / Levi High Rise Skinnies ($88) / Chase & Chloe Booties ($30) / ASOS Scallop Clutch ($23) / Guess Statement Necklace ($45) / Michael Kors Tortoise Runway Twist Watch ($225) / kate spade bangles

Cool & Cozy

Fall in San Francisco is all about slowly transitioning yourself from summer into fall. Although September and October are technically fall months, we’ve had some of our warmest days of the year in these months! It doesn’t seem like Mother Nature is quite ready to embrace fall, but that doesn’t mean I’m not ready!

Cool and Cozy 1

In this type of weather, I’ve learned the best way to embrace fall without breaking a sweat is to mix your fall wardrobe with summer pieces. That way I can wear my new sweater and booties from Old Navy that I’ve been dying to wear and not have a heat stroke! I chose to pair these with my go-to chiffon skirt I got this summer, but a pencil skirt, a midi skirt or even cut-offs would work too!

Cool and Cozy 2 Cool and Cozy 3 Cool and Cozy 4

Old Navy Marled Sweater (On Sale for $18) /  Pink Chiffon Maxi- similar at DailyLook ($72) and Urban Outfitters (On Sale for $52) /  Old Navy Booties (sold out!)-  similar Simply Vera Vera Wang (On Sale for $48) and Target Buckle Ankle Booties ($35) /  Metallic Crossbody-  similar Ivanka Trump ($118) and Forever 21 ($18) /  Target Statement Necklace ($20) /  Wanderlust + Co X Ring– from my RocksBox! ($29) /  Forever 21 Cat Eye Sunglasses ($6)

Game On!

With the World Series continuing into the weekend, I already know my next few nights will be jam-packed with Giants festivities. I love showing spirit during the games, but not at the expense of style. I think it’s important to dress up the traditional team apparel, especially when the games fall on weekend nights.

My advice for taking your team gear to the next level:

  1. Pick one item with your team’s logo on it. I suggest hats, they are the easiest to dress up and down and can match back to a ton of things already in your closet! (You can’t go wrong with a baseball hat or a beanie- they are both on trend this fall!)
  2. Choose some girly items to pair with your team gear. Find a dress, skirt or even a lace top to wear with it. Any feminine details that soften the look will immediately transform it into night!
  3. Lastly, add some layers! Denim, leather, camo- any will work! You could even go further with the sporty look and wear a baseball or varsity jacket!

Check out my look below! I love the wool texture of this Giant’s hat. It’s perfect for fall and still screams Giants! (Don’t worry if you cheer for another team! They have a TON of cute team hats, with nearly every style, for every team!!) I chose to dress it up with a faux leather skirt and a hooded denim jacket. Now I’m ready for whatever this weekend throws at me! (Hopefully the Giants are too!)

take me out to the ballgame

Forever 21 Hooded Denim Jacket ($32.90) / Kohl’s Apt 9 Essential Stripe Tee (On Sale for $14.40) / Old Navy Strappy Ankle Boots ($42.94) / Everlane Twill Snap Backpack ($65) / Fanatics SF Giants Hat ($33.95) / Kohl’s LC Lauren Conrad Faux Leather Circle Skirt (On Sale for $34.99)

How to Stay Cozy and Still Feminine

Whether San Francisco weather feels like it or not, there’s no denying fall is in full swing when scrolling through my instagram feed of pumpkins and flannel.

When living in the Midwest, fall was always my favorite time of year. Nothing is more beautiful than when the leaves start turning color, apple & pumpkin desserts take over pinterest and we start running around in our coziest sweaters & boots. But to be honest, my coziest and comfiest sweaters are not necessarily the most glamorous things in my closet.

It can be hard to find sweaters that get you into the holiday spirit without sporting the hibernating polar bear look. That’s why I pulled together 9 beautiful sweaters (all under $50) that are not only fall appropriate, but completely feminine!

When shopping for cozy sweaters this season, keep these few tips in mind:

  1.  Look for feminine details– added details, like bows, hearts, dots, lace, etc. will all add a girly touch, even on oversized silhouettes.
  2. Pair it back to girly pieces– have a graphic or basic sweater? Easy! Wear it with a full skirt, chiffon maxi, or anything to keep it soft and feminine.
  3. Pay attention to shapes– I know sometimes you just want to rock a slouchy sweater and that’s totally fine, but make sure you pair it back with leggings or skinnies to keep the silhouette slimming.
  4. A little glam never hurt anyone– I added a few embellished options below, both rhinestone and sequins, because let’s be real… a little glam never hurt anyone.

Stay Cozy and Feminine

Forever 21 Heart Print Sweater ($22.90) / Express Heathered Rhinestone Sleeve Sweater (On Sale for $35.94) / LOFT Embellished 3/4 Sleeve Sweater (On Sale for $32.50) / Kohl’s LC Lauren Conrad Bow Sweater (On Sale for $29.99) / Forever 21 Watercolor Back Sweater ($17.80) / Express Sequin Front Sweater (On Sale for $47.94) / LOFT Embellished Sweatshirt Tee (On Sale for $25) / Kohl’s LC Lauren Conrad Faux-Leather Heart Eyelash Sweater (On Sale for $39.99) / Forever 21 Marled Eyelash-Knit Sweater ($19.80)

Cozy in Capes

Capes are the hottest way to update your wardrobe this season, and the fall runway shows agree! Many designers featured capes in their fall collections, and this trend comes in various forms! It can be transformed from heavy outerwear to funky knits, even incorporating fringe, fur and patterns! I compiled some of my favorite takes on the trend below, all under $100! Which one is your favorite? Share in the comments below!

Sweater Capes:

Nasty Gal ($88)

Nasty Gal ($88)

ASOS ($66.65)

Nasty Gal ($68)

Forever 21 ($29.80)

Forever 21 ($29.80)

 

 

 

 

 

Blazer Capes:

ASOS ($102.83)

Nasy Gal Blazer Cape

Nasty Gal ($68)

Forever 21 Blazer Cape

Forever 21 ($32.80)

Nasty Gal Red Blazer Cape

Nasty Gal ($68)

 

 

 

 

 

Fringe Capes:

ASOS ($41.89)

ASOS ($47.61)

ASOS ($47.61)

 

 

 

Outerwear Capes:

Nordstrom Outerwear Cape

Nordstrom ($98)

H&M ($99)

Nasty Gal Outerwear Cape

Nasty Gal ($88)

Forever 21 Outerwear Cape

Forever 21 ($32.99)

Moschino for Nordstrom

Barbie’s blonde little head seems to be popping up everywhere in the fashion world and she sure has moved up fast on the fashion totem pole. Sightings have spanned from Forever 21’s Barbie Collection all the way to Moschino’s Spring 2015 Runway Show, which was inspired by Barbie herself.  Forever 21’s items fit in nearly everyone’s budget, while Moschino’s line is something most can only dream of hanging in their closet.

But if you are one of the lucky few who love Moschino’s fun aesthetic and can actually afford it, I have good news! There’s no longer a need to wait until Spring 2015 to grab your favorite items from the collection! Moschino has partnered with Nordstrom to release a limited edition capsule including the Printed Headband, Clutch, Backpack and Crossbody Bag, Mirror iPhone Case and Biker Jacket Bag, all straight from the runway! But with only limited quantities available, you need to shop now before they sell out!

Thank pink and check out the capsule below. Which items are your favorite? I am especially fond of the Mirror iPhone Case!

nordstrom.com

nordstrom.com