Fall Essentials – The Fashionista Edition

Fall Essentials - Splurge
Ready to break those piggy banks??  Here is my list of splurge-worthy essentials for the Fall!

1.  Ann Taylor Shana Cutout Leather Shootie – These are currently sold out everywhere, but if you can snag a pair on eBay or elsewhere, it will be totally worth it!  I own a pair and they are incredibly comfortable!!
$148.00 – http://www.anntaylor.com

2.  La Mer Gel Creme So much better than the traditional thick, creme version.  Great for the upcoming dryer, cooler weather.
$285 – http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com

3. Burberry camel coat – A classic.  Must have item for any wardrobe.
$1495 – net-a-porter.com

4. Stella Dot necklace – Statement necklaces are a must for the fall.
$228 – http://www.stelladot.com

5. Hunter low heel tall boots – Rag and Bone collaboration with Hunter.  Don’t miss out!
$296 – http://www.nordstrom.com

6. Tom Ford lipstick – Crimson Noir is a great autumn hue.
$49 – http://www.bloomingdales.com

7. Viktor Rolf orange flower perfumeI own and love this scent!!
$165 – http://www.nordstrom.com

8. Vince sweater coat – A chunky, sweater coat is a must!  Vince is a great choice for soft, warm sweaters.
$475 – http://www.bloomingdales.com
9. Michael Kors watch – Isn’t this watch just amazing??  Stack with statement bracelets for enhanced effect!
$225 – http://www.michaelkors.com
10.  Erin Fetherston Corrine Dress | Piperlime – Looking out for my working women out there!  This is a great choice for the office or classroom.  Wear with a suit jacket during the day, or alone for after-work play.
$315 – http://www.piperlime.gap.com

Fall Essentials – The Frugalista Edition

Fall Essentials - Save
No time to peruse the myriad of websites out there for fall essentials?  I’ve gone ahead and selected a few of my faves for you!  All of these items are under $65.  Stay tuned for a ‘Fall Essentials – Splurge’ selection to be posted soon!!
1. House of Harlow 1960 leather pendant – I am coveting this! Get in my closet!
$58 – http://www.nordstrom.com
2. Forever 21 pumps – You need a statement pair of heels in a jewel tone for the fall.

3. Forever 21 taupe knee high boots – I actually own these…super comfy!

4.  Asos Batwing Dress – Love a great graphic print dress!

5. Moroccan oil – An essential for fall weather.  Keep that mane ultra soft!
$17 – http://www.nordstrom.com

6. 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target® Large Carryall T… : Target – Great work tote!

$55 – http://www.target.com

7. H&M plastic earrings – Leopard print is the new neutral.

$13 – hm.com
8. Tights – Opaque tights are a must for the fall.
$8.50 – http://www.factory.jcrew.com
9. Banana republic scarf – Add a pop of color to your fall wardrobe.
$59.50 – http://www.bananarepublic.gap.com

What NYFW means for your closet

Today marks the launch of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week!!  An event that remains on my bucket list, because I am hopeful that I will one day be able to attend (Hint to anyone out there willing to take me!!). It happens twice a year where Spring fashion is presented in the Fall, and Fall fashion in the Spring.  Fashionistas, designers, and all lovers of fashion alike are currently in attendance at many of the fashion shows currently showing in New York (Jealous much?  I am!!).

If you are like me, you will admire from afar and keep up with the happenings of each show via live feed here, as well as updates on Facebook, and Instagram, to name a few.  It’s probably a better way to keep up anyway since it would be nearly impossible for a little unknown person like me to score tickets to more than one show, much less an invite to any of the amazing after parties.  So…I live vicariously through others. 🙂

I am, however, able to indulge in the innovation presented and generated for these new lines of fashion twice of year by purchasing what trickles down (see, Reagan’s Trickle Down Theory can be applied to fashion as well, lol!) to ready-to-wear retailers like Zara, JCrew, Banana Republic, and big retailers like Macy’s and Nordstrom.  What you see on the runway isn’t always what makes it into our closets, but versions of them, as well as the ready-to-wear collections do!

For example, Zara, a Spanish-based women’s clothing store, built its success on recreating designer styles and putting them at the reach of the masses.  The owner and creator, Rosalia Mera, recently passed.  The New York Times ran a feature on Ms. Mera and the company, describing Zara the following way: “Zara changed the apparel industry, chiefly by speeding up its mass-market response to new designs coming from the leading fashion houses in Paris, Milan, New York and other cities. Zara could come up with its own variations on those designs and have them in stores within two weeks; previously, six months was the industry average.”  Although designers like Tom Ford are angered by such business practices (according to Daily Mail, so take it for what it’s worth), I am happy to have access to fashion that might otherwise be unattainable!

August was a good shopping month for me and I can’t wait to share with you some of the things that made it into the store, and eventually, into my closet. 😉  Stay tuned!!