Fall Under $100 - Leather and Fur

Here it is.

If you are a true follower of this blog then you knew it was coming.

The "Fall Under $100" focused on Leather and Fur.

Of course you are going to hear about my favorite trend!

For the most part, I would consider these items investment pieces.  Not only because of the hefty price tag but also because once you invest in them, they tend to last you forever.  I believe that leather pants, fur vests and leather jackets are staples for every closet and if you are going to invest, this is the year to do it. 

That being said, many designers are recognizing that not everyone is obsessed with the investment part of this trend and have therefore created some INCREDIBLE faux versions that are a quarter of the price and no one would know they were not real (for example, this little purchase I made).

BB Dakota Scotlyn Textured Faux Fur Vest - $92

Faux Leather Skirt - $69.90

Tinley Road Vegan Leather Peplum Top - $98

MICHAEL Michael Kors Faux Fur Neck Warmer - $59.50

Steve Madden Asymmetrical Faux Leather Jacket - $98

Here are Monday's and Tuesday's "Fall Under $100" if you missed them!

Fall Under $100 - The Pencil Skirt

Fall Under $100 - The Sweater

Fall Under $100 - The Sweater

For today's "Fall Under $100", I am going to focus on The Sweater.

When it comes to sweaters, I tend to lean towards oversized and neutral.  I like the idea of them fitting over whatever I am wearing AND coordinating with the majority of my wardrobe.  This way, when the temperature drops, I can have one of these ready to throw over everything without having to think much about it.  

Though sweaters are a constant staple, it has been fun to see them created with Fall trends in mind.  These sweaters are the normal "everyday" sweater with a twist.  By embracing some of the trends we are seeing, they are given a little personality, still go with everything and can give any outfit a little more style.

THML Clothing Embellished Shoulder Pullover - $69

BB Dakota Maya Lariat Cardigan - $83

Slouchy Bands Sweater - $88

French Terry Pleated Coat - $98

Tippi Sweater in Polka Dot - $89.50

For more "Fall Under $100, check out yesterday's post, The Pencil Skirt by click here.

Fall Under $100 - The Pencil Skirt

Happy Labor Day Everyone!

It is extremely sad to see summer go but I cannot help but get a little excited for all that Fall fashion has to offer.

Even though I have expensive taste when it comes to fashion, I tend to be very financially savvy on the items that I actually purchase.  I leave the big purchases to the hubby.  In order to help transition your wardrobe from summer to Fall, I thought that I would run a wardrobe updating series this week, titled "Fall Under $100".

I will share some of my favorite trends for Fall, along with some pieces I am loving, which will all be under $100.  You get to go shopping, your closet gets a pick-me-up and you don't break the bank.  PERFECT!

My first item is the Pencil Skirt.

This has been a staple in my closet ever since I graduated college.  A pencil skirt has so much flexibility when it comes to adjusting from day to night, casual to formal all the while, providing a sleek, classic look.

Though I am a huge fan of the classic black pencil skirt, I also think it is fun to shake it up a bit with different colors and patterns.  Here are some of my favorites for Fall. 

BR Heritage Silver Sequin Pencil Skirt - $98
Save 30% until 9/3 using code FALLCALLS

Greylin Viv Ponte Pencil Skirt - $75
Save 20% until 9/3 using code SPLURGE

Oasis Lace Pencil Skirt - $68.12

MICHAEL Michael Kors Jaguar Print Skirt - $79.50

Frill Peplum Skirt - $35
Save 25% from 9/2 to 9/9 using code DPFWD

Cap and Goggles

Yesterday I did something that I have not done in a LOOOONG time.

I put on a swimsuit, cap and googles and went swimming.

Not "playing around in the water" swimming, but actual swim training.

It has been years since I had been in the pool.   I first began swimming competitively when I was 7 years old.  I was in love with it from the day I started and spent the next 11 years trying to be the best that I could.  5am practice?  No problem (well, for me.  My parents was probably another story).  Two practices a day?  No problem.  I walked around smelling like chlorine and did not mind.  Swimming was mine and I wanted to be number 1.

When I got back in the water yesterday, it felt amazing.  I was actually smiling underwater for the first couple laps.  All the memories of how much I enjoyed swimming rushed back and I could not believe it has taken me this long to get back into the water.

Since swimming gives you a lot of time to think as you go back and forth, my children and their love for sports came to mind.  Do they have this passion that I did?  Is it this fun for them too?

We spend A LOT of time on the sports field.  And for the amount of time we spend watching ESPN, I know they love sports.  But I hate to say this, I do not see smiles running around on their face when it is time to compete.  I see stress, anxiety and the need to win.  In fact, their performance is never what I hear about at the end of the game.  It is if they won or loss.  Have I created this?  Sometimes I think I have.  Actually, I know I have.  Not intentionally of course.  I just think that perhaps we take everything a little too seriously compared to how my parents did.

Do not get me wrong.  My father got kicked off soccer fields.  We were an intense family.  But my dad never made me feel that winning was everything and that failure was possible.  I absolutely loss races.  But all a loss meant is that I wanted to work harder.  I NEVER heard from my dad how I could have performed better.  I never realized that until now.  I want them to be the best they can be because they want to, not because I have made them feel like they need to.  Winning should be an accomplishment, not an expectation.

I do not know if we are doing things right or wrong.  Parenting is hard isn't it.  I figure as long as we try our best, we will be okay, but I do know that when my children are parents, I want them to feel the same way about their old passions that I did yesterday and smile.

I Went Vegan

Not literally!  I could never do it!  No, I am talking about clothes.

I know that I have mentioned numerous times that leather is one of my favorite trends this Fall (have you seen my board on pinterest?) but I have really held back on pulling the trigger on anything.  This is mostly because when it comes to high priced items, I leave them for my hubby to purchase.  That way, I do not feel guilty about buying it and he basks in the triumph of getting me something I LOVE.  

One item that I have been keeping my eye on though is this Tinley Road Vegan Leather Pencil Skirt.  

Not only it is not real leather (which won't piss off my animal-loving friends) but you cannot beat the $79 price tag.  Add a few Gap rewards to the final price and you can just call me "Budget Babe" (this is a name my hubby has NEVER called me).

Rachel Bilson also agrees with me, as she selected this as one of her picks for Fall.  See, great brunette's think alike.

School

This it is.  Today marks the first day of school and no more summer.  I cannot believe it.  In past year's, I have been SO EXCITED for school to start again.  Sounds terrible but after three month's, I have usually had enough of trying to entertain everyone.  This year it is totally different.  I REALLY wish we had another couple weeks left of sleeping in, going swimming, staying up late and throwing all schedules out the window.

Today is the start of early mornings, running around, homework, practices, games on Saturdays and I do not think the children and I are ready for it.  Thank goodness it is half day all week.  We are all going to need some time to get used to this.

Farewell summer!  Until next year!  

Did you notice how much better we are getting at putting ourselves in the photos?  Next step is figuring out how to get a picture of all 5 of us together!

If Walls Could Talk

Another day, another wall to decorate.  

I continue to be on the hunt for prints, photos and art to fill our walls.  Why prints and not pictures of us?  Because as much as I love hanging photos of the family, I also love having items that represents us, the places we have been or simple memories.  And did I mention I like quirky and random?  

Thanks to Etsy (again, remember these prints for my kitchen?) and AllPosters, I have been able to find some unique prints that not only represent us, but are also something you won't see everywhere.  Also, the prices are WAY BETTER than finding something less cool at a local retailer.  

Here are a few recent purchases that I cannot wait to matte, frame and get up on our walls.

This was purchased by Loose Petals, also on Etsy.
My husband is from the Bay Area and San Francisco has become a home away from home for us.  We spend the week between Christmas and New Years in the City each year and we love sharing it with our children.  It was a must that we put a little San Francisco in our home.

This was purchased from KeyStudio on Etsy.
When I saw this photo it instantly took me back to a night in Hollywood with the Hubby and our dear friends which ended up being one of the best nights ever.   All the places we went could be identified in this photo, starting with the Hollywood Bowl right in front.  As soon as I saw this I knew I had to have it.

I ordered this Harper's Bazaar vintage print from All Posters
If you know me then you know that my favorite fashion magazine is Harper's Bazaar.
Plus, this is from my birthday month AND the red coordinates perfect with my red statement wall I just painted in our family room (more on that later).  This will bring some color on an opposite wall perfectly and is a great contrast to all the black and white family photos currently up.