Thrifty Thursday’s – #PurplePurse 2014 and the Celine Luggage Inspired Tote

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Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Allstate Foundation® and Latina Bloggers Connect.  All opinions are my own.

This week, I am combining two topics for my Thrifty Thursday’s post.  Originally, I had only planned to post about the ‘Luxe for Less’ Celine Luggage inspired tote that I found at Forever 21, but then, I learned that I was selected to participate in the Purple Purse 2014 campaign.  The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse campaign is making it fashionable to talk about the domestic and financial abuse that traps women in abusive relationships. I thought it might be worth combining the two and increase exposure for this very serious topic.

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For those of you who are not familiar with the campaign, the Allstate Foundation has been working since 2005 to bring attention to the issue of domestic and financial abuse.  This year, they partnered with Kerry Washington (yes of the show, Scandal, and fitting to talk about her today since Scandal premiered tonight!!) to bring even greater awareness to their efforts and raise money for this cause.

Screen Shot 2014-09-25 at 10.04.35 PMThe beautiful Kerry Washington!

They have made quite a splash on social media, using the hashtag #PurplePurse and helped to raise over $800,000 as of this evening!!  Part of what they are doing to raise awareness is encouraging women to post pictures of their #PurplePurse style.  Add a purple purse to your outfit, or perhaps a #PurplePurse tassel (many thanks to Latina Bloggers Connect and All State for mine!) and post it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Receipt of the #PurplePurse tassel coincided with my discovery of the Celine Luggage Inspired tote.  Let me tell ya, I put them both to use immediately!  I have coveted the Celine Luggage tote for a LONG time now!  Long time.  Perhaps since I was an egg.  Take a look at the beauty that is this bag for yourself:

fall_2014_leathergoods_26Celine Luggage Tote in Light Copper

But I was not about to spend $2800 on a bag!  So, of course I was ecstatic when I found this inspired version at Forever 21:

IMG_20140922_172030My very own luggage tote!  Only $32.90 at Forever 21.

The #PurplePurse tassel is the perfect addition to what has become my favorite work tote!  It fits my MacBook Pro, fits over my shoulder, and goes with most any outfit.  Take a look at how I have styled the tote so far:

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Perfect with a classic office outfit…pencil skirt and button-down top.

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Even perfect for travel!  Cheers to my luggage and tote!

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Finally, channeling Elle Woods of Legally Blonde with my darling Murphy in tow!

Not bad for an inspired bag, right?!  Especially to use as a work tote.  Adding tassels to bags is currently very on trend, and I have contemplated getting a tassel of my own, but am glad that I now carry one that represents something.  One that helps bring awareness to the seriousness that is the domestic and financial abuse of women worldwide.

Visit PurplePurse.com to get more information, and participate in the challenge on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter between now and 10/3/14!  Before I conclude this post, I leave you with some facts and statistics to better inform you, and hopefully encourage you to participate in the challenge and/or donate to this very worthy cause.  Open your heart and wallet to stand up for domestic and financial abuse victims and those who serve them.

Finally, if you or someone you know needs immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Domestic and Financial Abuse Facts and Figures

  • Domestic violence affects one in four women in her lifetime – that’s more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer
    and lung cancer combined.
  • Most people think only of physical abuse when they consider domestic violence. Yet, financial abuse happens in 98% of all cases of domestic violence and is one of the most powerful ways to keep a victim trapped.
  • Domestic violence and financial abuse often go hand-in-hand, but nearly 8 in 10 Americans have not heard much about financial abuse as a form of domestic violence. The number one reason domestic violence survivors stay, leave or return to an abusive relationship is that they don’t have the financial resources to break free.
  • Two-thirds of Americans believe that domestic violence is a serious problem, yet just over 1 in 3 have ever talked about it. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse aims to make it fashionable to talk about this difficult topic.
  • You can help ensure domestic violence survivors – likely someone you know – aren’t financially trapped in an abusive relationship by joining the Purple Purse Challenge.
  • The Allstate Foundation is investing more than half a million dollars in the Purple Purse Challenge. The more donations each nonprofit gets, the more it can compete for Allstate Foundation incentive funding. Go to PurplePurse.com between Sept. 2 and Oct. 3 to join the Challenge and help a nonprofit near you.
  • Kerry Washington, Emmy-nominated actress and domestic violence activist, is serving as a Purple Purse ambassador to help raise awareness for the cause and has designed a limited-edition purple purse. The purse was created to represent the center of a woman’s financial domain and to inspire women to reclaim their financial independence.

Until next time!  Stay chic!

Thrifty Thursday’s – Closet Remix

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This past month, I didn’t shop a whole lot because I was saving my pennies for the Target/Altuzarra collaboration that debuted this past weekend.  I did end up getting a few items, though not the belts that I was coveting for oh, so long!  Sigh…  Anywho, as a result of my attempt to penny-pinch, I became somewhat creative with my wardrobe.

Sometimes, with clothing, you just have to think a bit outside the box.  Take for example this SheInside dress that I purchased eons ago:

Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 10.26.27 PMIt is far too tight and short to wear to work.  Because I’m a mama of 2 kiddies, I also don’t really have too many places to wear it.  So, it had been sitting in my closet FOREVER!  It then occurred to me that it was fitted enough that I might be able to layer it and wear it under a skirt.  This J Crew Factory Skirt in Citrus Lime was one I thought would pair well with the black and white stripes:

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I loved the result!  Check out the combination:

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So, occasionally, I take bathroom selfies (*blushing*).  BUT, only because the light was amazing!!

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And another look at the outfit during the Girl’s Night Out event at Gus Mayer, benefitting the Birmingham Humane Society.

Not too shabby, right?!  This combo would work with a long tunic as well, that is either too tight to wear alone, or too short to wear to work. 🙂

Here’s my second option for remixing items in your closet.  Layering a sleeveless top.  This next look was actually inspired by Sheryl Luke of the blog Walk in Wonderland.  She recently posted this outfit on Instagram, and I immediately knew I had to try to recreate it.  It occurred to me that I had a white shirt dress that  had been sitting in my closet for a LONG time; honestly, I don’t think I had ever worn it!  I purchased it at H&M for $10, but somehow always seemed to plain to wear alone:

Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 10.51.36 PMThis is not the H&M dress, but a similar one from Island Company.

Sheryl paired it with a cropped leather top and I just fell in love with the look:

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So, I took a faux-leather peplum top I usually wear in the Fall, and paired it with my summer white shirt dress and voila!  The perfect way to remix items in my closet AND transition a summer dress into Fall!  Here’s a side by side of our outfits:

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In case there’s ANY confusion about which is mine…I’m the one on the right. 😛

Here’s a closer look at the layering:

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So what do you think? Not bad, right??  Two simple ways to add some oomph to your outfits without having to spend any money on new clothes!

What other ways do you remix your closet inventory?  Comment below and share your ideas.  I always love to learn from other fashionistas!

Until next time!  Stay Chic!

A Girl’s Night Out with Gus Mayer and the Birmingham Humane Society

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Last week, I attended Gus Mayer’s Fall Fashion Preview.  It was an incredibly fun event!  I didn’t get to go to New York Fashion Week again this year, but this set up and the event in general was a close second:

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It was my first time getting a preview of a store’s Fall collection, so I was beyond excited to participate.  As per usual, my first reaction is always to figure out what I am going to wear.  No surprise there!  This time, I planned my outfit around a pair of earrings I won recently as part of a Society Social/Lisi Learch giveaway on Instagram.  Aren’t the just stunning?!

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Here I am wearing the earrings.  In case you are wondering, they are not clip-on’s!  They are about 3.5″ in length and light enough to wear for a few hours.  Not light enough to wear all day every day. 😉

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Next came the outfit styling.  I hadn’t worn this J. Crew skirt in a while, so I decided to pair it with a NY&Company flowy top and nude heels.  Since I was attending a Gus Mayer sponsored event, I also knew I had to wear the bag that I scored during their last major sale event – a chartreause, quilted, Rebecca Minkoff bag!

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Top: NY and Company (old, similar here) // Skirt: J Crew (here) // Heels: BCBG Generation (old, similar here)

I actually have to thank Nancy Nagrodzki, the Gus Mayer Handbag and Accessories buyer, for this bag.  I arrived late to their previous sales event, so by the time I got there, all of the bags that were majorly discounted were gone.  Buyers in the store could only buy one bag however, so she kept an eye out for customers who were walking around with 2 bags, and when one customer decided to take another and not this one, she got it and handed it to me!  I was SO grateful!  Isn’t Nancy amazing?! I was therefore elated to see her at the Fall Fashion Preview and learn about the new bags and accessories for the Fall.  Take a peak at some of the handbags and accessories she curated Gus Mayer buyers:

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For handbags, mixed media, such as shearling and leather will be popular this Fall. Bucket bags, clutches with a broaches, and backpacks in all colors will be on trend.

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Jeweled embellishments on belts, handbags and headbands/combs will also be big hits.  Guess what’s also back in style??  You guessed it!  The FANNY PACK!!  Rebecca Minkoff makes a quilted version that is ALL the rage!

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Scarves in floral and digital prints will be in all shapes and sizes will also be popular. Wraps, infinity scarves and cashmere scarves with fringe like the one Nancy shows us here:

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Ponchos and capes are also in. Look for versatility and neutral colors. For outerwear in general, rain coats in fun prints, like polka dots or animal prints, leather jackets in all shades are going to be very popular this Fall.

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Next, we heard from Cami Krablin, the Contemporary/Ready-to-wear and denim buyer.  I really loved many of the items she picked out for Gus Mayer’s Fall selection.  She described fall trends as “boho chic”, “leather and lace”, and “Janice Joplin meets 2014”.

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Among some of the lines she selected for Guy Mayer is a clothing line by a new, up-and-coming designer, Benjamin Jay.  Not only were all of his clothes incredibly unique and well-made, but he is also formerly a microbiologist in training!  That’s definitely a brand that I can stand behind.  Check out the distressed tee’s I am still coveting:

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Finally, Rita Lindsey – the Cosmetics and Gifts buyer – talked to us about the new “it” Chanel nail polish hue, as well as a trapper keeper/planner of sorts made by Trish McEvoy, which comes with everything you need for lips, eyes, cheeks, and even includes foundation.  Make up trends for the fall include smokey eyes and a bold lip.  My favorite part of this presentation was learning about a fantastic new line called Royal Highnies.  It’s a line of men’s boxers and women’s sleepwear, boasting 400 thread count, soft cotton boxers and PJ’s.  What awesome stocking stuffers these would make!?

The best part of the beauty presentation was that we actually got to take some samples home with us.  I’ve since tried several Chanel and La Mer face products and am a fan!  The products not only smell amazing, but they are also effective!  Definitely going back for more of these products:

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In addition to carrying a pretty amazing selection of clothes, shoes, beauty products and accessories, Gus Mayer sure knows how to host a fun event!  This one was a huge success in my opinion, but it was exclusive to bloggers.  This Tuesday, September 16th, you get a chance to shop TAX FREE and enjoy some appetizers and drinks while mingling with fellow shoppers at Gus Mayer’s Girl’s Night Out from 4-8pm.  That’s not all.  The event will benefit Greater Birmingham Humane Society with giveaways including $750, $500 and $250 Gus Mayer gift cards!  Pretty exciting, right?!  They may even have some pets on site that you can adopt.  Sounds like a win-win to me!

Here’s some additional information on the event:

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Sounds like fun, right?  AND, it’s a great cause!  If you are in the Birmingham area tomorrow, make sure to stop by Gus Mayer.  If not because you’re a shopper and lover of retail, then shop to support a worthy cause. 🙂

Until next time!  Stay Chic!