Two Miracles

Dress: Anthropologie

Belt: Target

Shoes: Steve Madden

Bags under eyes: Employment

Miracle #1: 

 I wore this on my very first day of teaching 7th grade...a day that I actually survived! I left school that day feeling tired, triumphant, and overwhelmed. 

Miracle #2:

The other day Anthropologie had an additional 25% off all sale merchandise and I found this dress marked down to $9.95. In short, I paid less than $8 when it was all said and done. 

So which is the more miraculous miracle? I'll let you decide.

P.S. I'm doing a few posts over at The Date Report. Be sure to check out my very first one HERE.

Tribal Prints

              

Dress: $48

 Sweater: £40

 Necklace: $29

Shoes: $20

I want it all.

Copy Cat: Madewell Overalls

A couple of years ago, Gap began selling overalls and I was overjoyed with happiness. Despite making up a greater part of my wardrobe until I was in middle school, overalls are just plain comfy. I didn't buy the Gap pair because my coworkers still weren't keen on the idea of farmer chic being a thing.

 But these days, stores (and bloggers)  are making them look better than ever. When I saw Taza from Rockstar Diaries wearing these earlier this summer, I committed myself to finding a pair.

Madewell Chambray Overalls (no longer sold), $145.00

Then about a month later, Kyla from Blue Collar Catwalk found a pair for less than $20 at TJ Maxx and made them look cozy for fall. The problem with TJ Maxx is that you never really know what you're going to find and I haven't had any luck yet.

AE Overalls, $17 at TJ Maxx

The closest I've come to finding a pair are these from Target but they are clearly made for juniors without hips.

Any ideas? Until then, I'll keep scouring TJ Maxx for a pair.

Copy Cat: Peacoat

Remember that time Anthropologie had something you really wanted but it was too expensive? Um, yeah.

 Luisa Cropped Peacoat in 'gold', $158.00 at Anthropologie

OR...

Cropped Wool-blend Peacoat in 'cheetah', $59.94 (+15% off if you use the code ONGET15) at Old Navy

Now, who's ready for winter?

Ponchos and Capes?

Just wondering if you'll be wearing capes and/or ponchos this fall?  If so, what are you planning on wearing them with?

{1, 2, 3, 4,}

Copy Cat: Glitter Flats

Sometimes I find myself staring down at my feet when I'm walking but it has nothing to do with confidence and everything to do with the fact that I like my shoes, especially when those shoes have a few sparkles.

Steve Madden 'P-Heaven' Gold Glitter Ballet Flats, $37.99

Or get in on this action for less than $20!

Payless 'Chelsea' Flats, $16.99

Happy Walking!


{Update: Marenj of Word just pointed out that the Odell Glitter Ballet flats are back in stock at Target! I tried them on once and they were infinitely more comfortable than the Steve Madden ones I ended up getting. Best part is that they're only $12.99. Size down, they run big.}

Copy Cat: Ankle Wedge Boots

While online shopping for these, I couldn't figure out what their real name is. Are they desert boots? Are they ankle boots? Are they even boots?! Whatever they are, I like them. A lot. 

Lucky Brand 'Norice Wedge Ankle Boots,' $139

And for those of us who don't like to spend that much ca$h on a trend:

Rampage 'Adair Booties,' $49.50

I'd go for the olive ones! Anybody know of any cheaper options than this? Old Navy has some for less than $40 but I don't love them.  My bet is that Target will roll some out in the next few months.

Copy Cat: Polka Dotted Shorts

I've really been trying to avoid this whole tights-and-shorts trend but it dawned on me the other day how perfect it is for those of us living in the south where winter a) doesn't last more than two months and b)never gets too terribly cold. Wouldn't these shorts be great paired with a pair of bright tights and a mustard yellow sweater in the fall?

Anthropologie Seeing Spots Shorts, $68.00:

And here's your cheaper alternative:

LC Lauren Conrad Polka-Dot Chiffon Shorts, $26.40 (Originally $44.00) at Kohl's.

Oohhh, I might have to go get these soon!

Copy Cat: Bomber Jackets

I love when women wear bomber jackets. Wearing one appears to be the easiest way to look like a total badass without carrying around weaponry. 

Here's a bomber jacket from J.Crew that comes in at $1,195. OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A JACKET?! No way, Jose...even if it is a beautiful sight.

J.Crew Air Bomber Jacket: $1,195.00

I've searched around for a similar jacket and found several other options. Target is selling one in stores (but not online) for $34.99. The only downfall is that it's thin, which is only fair considering that it costs 1/34 of the J.Crew option.

Another option is the Zip Front Smocked PU Bomber from Delia's for $49.50. I know what you're thinking. I know Delia's is where you got all those weird graphic Ts in middle school with cheeky phrases printed on them but it appears Delia's grew of that stage and started making things more appropriate for people over the age of 14.  

Delia's Zip Front Smocked PU Bomber jacket: $49.50

Copy Cat: Steve Madden Boots

In order to keep this blog from going totally MIA, I'm going to start doing a little thing called Copy Cat where I'll show you some expensive things I really like and then show you where to find cheaper alternatives. First up are these Steve Madden boots that you've undoubtedly seen popping up on everyone in the past couple of years. 

Here's the Steve Madden version, which run about $150.

And here are a couple of alternatives that cost about half of that (and quite frankly, I can't tell the difference between these and the Steve Maddens):

 

Olsenboye "Indigo" boots from JC Penney: Regular price $70, on sale for $49.99 (+ free shipping)

Olsenboye is Mary Kate and Ashely Olsen's affordable brand that is sold exclusively at JC Penney. Even though those of us on the taller side can't really rock their dresses as anything more than a shirt, they have some awesome clothes that always seem to be on sale and JC Penney typically has some sort of coupons, too.

American Eagle Outfitters "Wedge" boots: $79.50 

From what I can tell, these boots are only sold online and look a bit darker than the original Steve Madden ones. Personally I think paying $80 for boots from American Eagle is a bit too much but compared to the $150 for the Steve Maddens, it's a steal.

Happy Boot-hunting! How excited are you for fall? I'm dying to whip out some scarves and tights.