Be a Gem

Jewel tones epitomize fall, don't they? From deep navy to burgundy and emerald, these shades look good on anyone with any skin tone. The best thing about gem-toned hues is that they always add color to your complexion, even if you're as pale as me : )

This navy blue Anytime Wrap Top from Shabby Apple is about the best thing ever. It's non-maternity, but at nearly 35 weeks, the design and cut made it a home-run for my baby-bumpy silhouette. It's a classic piece that's going to be a staple in my fall rotation now and well after Ainsley arrives.

The breakdown:

Felt Floppy Hat in Burgundy
Anytime Wrap Top in Navy Blue c/o Shabby Apple
Tassel necklace via Evereve last year (similar here and here)
Fitight leggings in Dark Green
Boot socks here
Try to Explain Boots in Whiskey c/o Riffraff (sign up for re-stock notify here!)
Prada Saffiano Tote in Caramel (similar bags here and here)

(Sizing reference: I'm 5'4" and wearing a size 4 in the wrap top.)

I like to pair these colors with gold jewelry instead of silver because I feel like it balances out the coolness of the jewel tones. But, it's your world, so go with silver if that's more your thing.

For more outfit inspiration, you can follow Shabby Apple on Instagram (username: shabbyapple). I like to keep up with them for daily outfit ideas, which is great when I'm feeling a little uninspired - easy to do when the weather gets colder!

Until tomorrow, gals--

The Duster Cardigan and Why You Need One

Oh, duster cardigan. Where have you been all my life, dear friend? You cover all the right places and give the perfect amount of attitude to the classic jeans 'n' heels ensemble. (And, you make me feel taller!)

Really, you're what I've always been looking for and never knew it.

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And friends, the duster is just what you've always been looking for, too.

Duster cardigan c/o Savoir-Faire (sold in-store, but very similar here on their website) // tank c/o Savoir-Faire (sold in-store, but I love this one, too!) // jeans via Destination Maternity // heels here 

Maybe you've purchased one of these trendy jacket things this season or maybe you haven't. Point is, fall and cooler weather are here, and you need a duster cardigan, like, yesterday. My girls at Savoir-Faire have quite the collection of amazing duster cardigans.

Like this one...

Cat Call Long Cardigan

And this one...

Cream Long Lace Duster

Oh, and this one.

All the Way Lace Hooded Duster

My favorite way to wear it? Over a tank, paired with jeans and worn with heels or booties. It works for the office or out to dinner. I found mine at SF in-store, but they have several very similar online.

Want to spice it up? Put it over a mini shift dress with some over-the-knee boots. Instantly sexy without being too crazy, since the length of the duster leaves lots to the imagination. See? It's the perfect fall item.

Couple things to keep in mind with duster jackets:

1) Make sure to pair it with a shoe with at least a little bit of heel to it. I'm not saying you need to run out and purchase a pair of 6-inch stilettos; something as subtle as a wedge bootie, like this one, will give you all the height you need to pull off the duster.

2) Make sure it fits around the shoulders and arms - not tightly, but enough that it's a little snug. Nothing sadder than a beautiful girl (like you) pulling at her top or jacket all night because it's too big. The duster jacket should fit (somewhat) around the shoulders, then flow around the waist, thighs and butt.

The other rule?

WEAR it. Walk with confidence and stand tall. It's a statement piece. So make a friggin' statement.

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That's it, ladies. That's all I've got today. Get yourself a duster cardigan and, if you do, show me how you style yours on Instagram. My username is @ablondeambition and I'd love to see what you do with yours!

Buy This - Not That: {October Edition + Blanket Scarf Video Tutorial!}

Lipstick I'm wearing is here. I also use a 1-1/4 inch barrel Hot Tools curling iron. 

I'm loving the bargain hunting aspect that comes along with this monthly post series. I've scored so many designer look-alike items through research for these posts. Not sure my bank account is thrilled, but my closet is way happy ; )

Behold (!!) My picks for October:

Jessica Simpson Beagan Boot in Bourbon Fudgie ($99) vs. Frye 'Shirley' Over-the-Knee Boot ($478) 

3.1 Phillip Lim Medium Pashli Bag ($825) vs. Ann Taylor Pebbled Signature Crossbody Bag in Taupe Latte ($98)

Tinley Road Pleated Fit-n-Flare Dress ($89) vs. Milly Fit-n-Flare Textured Dress ($450)

Via Spiga Quilted Trapunto-Stitch Leather Jacket ($269) vs. Maurice's Quilted Faux Leather Jacket ($69)

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Finally, I wanted to show y'all how I tie my blanket scarf. These babies can be a little bit daunting because, well, they're massive. Hopefully, this will help if you're struggling to tie yours!

Also, I mentioned in the video that I got mine from Heart & Home Collection. Unfortunately, it looks like they're sold out : ( (They do have it in a very pretty red color, though!) CORRECTION: Megan says she still does have some - yippee!! Looky here!

My girls at Riffraff also stocked this scarf, the Mad for Plaid scarf in Multi, last week and, though it's currently sold out, they will be getting more. Simply enter your email address on this page to be notified when they have arrived.

Also, can we please take a minute to appreciate the incredibly moronic look on my face in the still shot of this video? Thanks, YouTube. 

(The lipstick I'm wearing in both photos and the video is called Plum Velour by Revlon and can be found here.)

I'll see you back here tomorrow for Confessional Friday!

P.S. - If anyone else knows of stores that have the blanket scarf in stock, leave a comment telling where! I know lots of ladies that are still looking to get their hands on one, so I thought that might be helpful!!

Buy This - Not That: {September Edition}

The Buy This, Not That post that I wrote back in July seemed to be a hit, (plus it was a lot of fun to research), so I thought I might make this a monthly installment. I friggin' love the challenge of finding a cheaper version of a designer item; it's the ultimate life hack.

So, consider September hacked. Here are my picks for the first month of fall, y'all:

Givenchy Grecian-Inspired Long-Sleeved Dress ($369) // Old Navy Poplin-Crepe Long-Sleeved Dress ($36.94)

H&M Handbag in Black ($39) // Henri Bendel Carlyle Tote Bag ($478)

Kate Spade Delise Flats ($198) // Sam Edelman Becker Leopard Slip-On ($79.90)

Skies Are Blue Checkmate Print Pant ($89) // DSquared Checked Slim Fit Trouser ($729) 

Rebecca Minkoff Snake Chain Bracelet ($148) // Bauble Bar Snake Chain Bracelet ($32)

My Answer to the Birkenstock Trend

My answer to the Birkenstock trend is a hard and fast NO.

Forget it.

Happened in the nineties.

Not gonna happen again.

Ever.

My philosophy toward trends that resurge from my pre-teen years is that they should never, not ever be repeated. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

-Rope sandals
-Tie dye anything
-Butterfly clips
-Schoolgirl skirts (see collage for reference below)
-Utilization of feather pens (a 'la Cher Horowitz...youknowwhichmovie)
-Anklets

But not all of the nineties were bad...oh no, they had their good parts, too...

However, I know some of you are all, "But they're so comfy, Leslie! Give a girl a break!"

I understand and, as a mom who's on her feet 90 hours a day, even sympathize. But y'all, for the love...just don't with the Birks. Yuck. And yes, I'm aware that they come in metallics (!!) and, at least to me, that doesn't boost their appeal enough for me to schlep around in those boats.

For what it's worth, I do understand that doctors and nurses may wear them for comfort. They're saving lives. They get a pass.

If you're in the market for a comfy, easy-on/easy-off sandal with oodles more appeal AND for less moo-lah, check these out.

Bodhi sandals in Honey Leather from Riffraff

Neary Sandal by Dolce Vita from Riffraff

Seychelles 'So Far Away' Calf Hair Sandals in Leopard

Sam Edelman 'Carnie' in Natural

Splendid Congo Sandal in Midnight

Splendid Congo Sandal in Light Tan

Thrilled for Phil

Mark your calendars - or don't, so there'll be more goodies for me - for the debut of Phillip Lim for Target on September 15. I cannot tell y'all how thrilled I am that Mr. Lim has decided to jump on board the Target (or Tar-jay, if you're fancy) bandwagon. Apparently, just like the rest of us, Phillip shops at Target, so it was a natural choice for him to partner with the retail powerhouse.

And you should be excited, too.

Because if it weren't for Target, I'd probably never be able to own a piece of his very chic, very expensive pie.

Behold, mavens:

The sweet simplicity, the structure, the perfect blend of edgy and classic...it's enough to make this clothes horse click her heels.

How I Wear My Leather Leggings

via 9to5chic.com

It's Trend Watch Wednesday! And we're talking about...leather leggings. Two words that may strike fear into the hearts of women. Two words that also evoke pure joy and excitement in the hearts of me – er, other women : )

I love a good leather legging, boot, handbag, skirt or skinny pant.

I do not love leather biker pants, leather vests or leather chaps, (unless Brad Pitt is wearing them, circa the Jesse James movie.)

Those two items fall into the creepster/carnie category. Remember the carnies at your local county fair? Mine wore leather. They were fashion forward like that.

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I decided way back in the summer that I’d give leather leggings a “go” for fall and, last week, I did just that. I bought mine at Forever 21, because they were cheap and I figured if I hated them, it was only 11 bucks down the drain-o. You can find them below!

Ignore the disheveled appearance...this was taken at 10:30 last night. 

I paired it with my pointy ballet flats with the snakeskin accents and presh ankle straps. They came from Savoir Faire and I’d suggest hightailing it over there and buying them if you know what’s good for you. They were a steal at $35.

The top? A mega-slouchy, long(ish) sweat shirt from Forever 21 in an oatmeal color. I wanted the pants to be the focus on the outfit, you see.

Coated Leggings

(P.S.- Savoir Faire also has a great pair, which I plan to scoop up this week, now that leather leggings and I have established a committed relationship.)

The top? A mega-slouchy, long(ish) sweat shirt from Forever 21 in an oatmeal color. I wanted the pants to be the focus on the outfit, you see.

Let’s take a simple quiz to see if…YOU + LEATHER LEGGINGS = SUCCESS

1. Are you self-conscious about your booty? Leather is meant to be tight. If you’re self-conscious about your legs or bottom, these are not the pants for you.  

If your answer is yes, thank you for playing. You may want to opt for wax jeans, which have a leather-like look, but feel like denim.

If your answer is no, proceed to question #2.

2. Are you familiar with any of the following bands Iron Maiden, Heart or Styx?

If your answer is yes, congrats! Move to question #3

If your answer is no, then you have no place wearing leather – period.

3. Do you prefer skinny jeans or bootcut jeans?

If your answer is bootcut jeans…this is a serious question. If you don’t like how your body looks in skinny jeans, you won’t like leather leggings. So you may want to vie for a skirt instead.

If your answer is skinny jeans…congrats! You and leather leggings may have chemistry.

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Avoid the following pieces when sporting leather leggings:

-Any large statement jewelry with spikes or points. I’m serious, this stuff is “in” right now, but unless you’re going as Billy Idol for Halloween, it will appear a bit over-the-top.

-Avoid leather jackets with leather pants. You'll have yourself a leather tuxedo. Or you’ll look like The Crow. Or Batman. Or any other fictitious character in dark comics.

-Keep the entire rest of the outfit super simple. Go simple with the top, sleek with the shoes and don’t overdo the jewelry. It’s all about the pants with these puppies.

So yeah, leather leggings...a "do" for fall 2012. Try it if you dare.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Cover Up

circa Vicki's Secret last year, I think

It's one of the most often forgotten summer pieces, yet a staple for beach-loving babes the world over. What is it?

The cover up, my dears.

I'll admit, it's about the last article of clothing I remember to purchase each year. Frankly, I just refuse to spend a ton of money on something that's going to be taken off the minute I get into the sun. But these cover ups are adorbs - and cheap to boot.

My favorite, this blouson romper cover-up by V.S. could almost be worn by itself, no? The floral is presh, too.

This little number by stylista Jessica Simpson is only $26. And almost as fabulous as J.Simps herself.

Miranda Kerr is sexy and she knows it in this striped cover-up by V.S.

All in favor of buying this beauty, say "I"! (I wish I could buy her pretty ombre highlights, too!)

I honestly think you could layer a cami underneath this cute sweater cover-up for a fall look. Double the wear, y'all.

Blogger fashion confession: Know what I've been opting for lately? Stephen's massive college t-shirts. Not so sexy, but mucho comfy. 

I need to upgrade in bad, bad way. I'm off to snatch up one of these cutie-pie cover-ups!

Be blessed, lovelies-