Fall Favorites

As the last of the beautiful autumn leaves fall from the trees and the temperatures drop, we will soon have to part ways with fall and prepare for another unpredictable Wisconsin winter.  Fall has always been my favorite season, and I am NOT ready to say goodbye yet. Therefore, before the snowflakes start flying, I’d like to reflect on this past fall and share with you some of my favorites things; from drinks to fragrance, clothing, jewelry/accessories, and boots too! 

Favorite Drink:

Anything pumpkin! Last year my favorite was Gloria Jeans’ Pumpkin Spice Latte and Chiller.  I work right across from a Gloria Jeans, so everyday in September I would peek in there to see if the pumpkin spice drinks were back for the season.  I was so excited because they arrived pretty early this year, and when they did I was ready for the first sip of the fall season.  Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed to find that this year their pumpkin spice latte recipe was lacking the most essential flavor…pumpkin! I tried several times for the duration of probably a month to modify it to taste more “pumpkin-y” but had no luck.  I looked elsewhere, and even tried a recipe from Lauren Conrad's website, but nothing was as delicious as Gloria Jeans' Pumpkin Spice Latte from last year.  I did really like Culver's pumpkin spice shake, but they didn't have a hot coffee type, so that was a bit of a bummer! Maybe next year everyone will up the pumpkin in their pumpkin spice lattes!  

Fragrance: 

Reb'l Fleur by Rihanna

When I heard that Rihanna came out with a perfume, I wanted to try it. I went to my local Macy's, sprayed a sample...and fell in love. I had just purchased a few perfumes around the time I tested Rihanna's though, so I waited a few months before I purchased Reb'l Fleur.  The fragrance is very intense (in a good way), it contains hints of peach, vanilla, red berries, amber, violet, and plum, with a splash of coconut water.  It's a very musky yet feminine scent, and evokes the impression of warm skin.  I wear it EVERYDAY.  LOVE.

Dress:

Dress: Wet Seal - $26.50 (regular price)
Cardigan: Forever 21 - Price unknown
Necklace: Wet Seal- $8.50 (regular price)
Boots: Wet Seal - $39.50 (regular price) 

That's me in the middle! :)

Pattern on bottom of the dress.

I love dresses, and I find a way to wear them in every season.  This year for fall I wore a lot of dresses with black leggings, boots, and a cardigan and or a lightweight fall jacket.  Picking my favorite fall dress was a very tough decision, but I decided on a dress that I bought from Wet Seal almost a month ago. It's simple and has beautiful fall colors on the bottom half.  I've only worn it once so far, and I paired it with a dark navy blue cardigan from Forever 21, a feather necklace from Wet Seal, and brown heeled boots from Wet Seal.  

Jewelry/Accessories:

Owl Nerd Ring: Charlottee Russe - $5.00 (regular price) 

Orange and Green Ring: Forever 21- $6.80 (regular price)

Anyone who knows me really well knows that rings are my best friend. Seriously, I can't get enough rings.  I have turtle rings, lion rings, bear rings, flowers, a bunny ring, an elephant ring....and I keep finding more rings that I feel as though I cannot live without. It's an addiction, but I'm okay with that!

Earrings: Forever 21 - $4.80 (regular price)

I've recently become a fan of big earrings! I loved the bright color of these pair and thought they would come in handy for this falls color blocking trend! 

Clutch: Charlotte Russe - $9.99 (clearance)
 I love how soft this gray color is, and the fact that it comes with a loop (not pictured), so it's easy to carry around! 

 Boots:

Boots: Wet Seal - $39.50 (regular price)

I just recently purchased these boots, and they are unbelievably comfortable! I worked a 5 hour shift wearing them, then went downtown with them for the rest of the night, and my feet didn't even hurt that much! I love the tiny bow near the heel, and the color! 

(On a side note, I'd like to point out that the reason I get SO MANY things from Wet Seal is because 

1) It's my favorite store, and

2) I work there and get an AMAZING discount, so I am able to spend less and get more!) 

Here’s to hoping winter forgets to happen this year and we can just have a double dose of fall!  

Hope you enjoyed! What were some of YOUR fall favorites?

XOXO,

Katie

P.S. I get paid this Friday, and I’ve been eyeing up several winter jackets at work! So stay tuned for pictures of my new finds this weekend! J

My Fashion Icons

I'll be the first to admit that my style hasn't always been so "stylish".  When I look at pictures from middle school and early high school, I shake my head in dismay because I thought I was fashionable.   Bellbottom jeans, unflattering horizontal lines, shirts two sizes too small, frizzy orange hair, and cheap jewelry.  I was a hot mess. But, it's been may years since then and I'd like to think I've got my act together now. Sure, like every fashionista I have my days now and then that I could be on a "Worst Dressed" list; but overall I feel like I have a definite style of my own. Reading hundreds of fashion magazines over the years has helped me figure out style in general, but most importantly my style icons helped me mold my style into what I dress like today. I don't know what I'd look like without these ladies! 

1) Lauren Conrad

Anyone who knows me personally knows that Lauren is not only my fashion icon, but idol.  

I've followed Lauren way back to the days of Laguna Beach, and felt a connection to her. 

In high school I wouldn't make plans on the nights that a new episode of The Hills would be on TV.

I felt and still do feel like our history with friendships and love are very similar.  

Watching Laguna Beach and The Hills, I felt like I really "grew up" with Lauren.

I watched her style emerge throughout the years,

 and would find myself in the mall holding up a dress thinking, "Would Lauren Conrad wear this?"

Lauren always emphasized having your own style, so I mixed her style with mine.  

(Which are not that different, everything she wears I seem to love.)

Classic yet trendy, simple, put together, romantic, mixed with florals and leather. 

In Summer 2009, Lauren Conrad came to the Mall of America to do a book signing for her book, L.A. Candy.  Me being the fan that I am, I grabbed my friend Stacy, booked a hotel, and drove there the night before to ensure that I'd get to meet her.  I was so excited to meet her, but a little disappointed that we weren't allowed to take pictures with her.  As the line in front of me got shorter and shorter, I started to get nervous.  I thought to myself, "What am I going to say to her? She's my style icon, my idol. This is huge, I can't believe I'm meeting her!"  As I waited patiently, I got near the front of the line.  I took a deep breath, and she smiled her Lauren Conrad smile and said, "Hi!" I was in shock. "Hi!" I said. "You are my style hero. Thank you.  I love everything you wear..like, everything!" She smiled again and said "Thank you! I love your dress by the way! Super cute!"  I think I died. Needless to say, I will never get rid of that dress. Never. And for those of you wondering, it was a dress from Wet Seal! :) 

In line to meet Lauren Conrad and get my book signed! 

In October 2010, her book Lauren Conrad Style came out.  I feel like it helped mold my style more than ever before! This book goes in detail into fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.  Building your wardrobe, how to shop, accessories, makeup hair, etc.  I'm telling you, you NEED this book! It's essential in any fashionista's life. Thank you Lauren Conrad, for everything.

2) Kourtney Kardashian

I really do love Keeping up with ALL the Kardashians, but style wise Kourtney is my favorite.  Sophisticated yet girly, she has fun with bold prints, bright colors, huge heels, and things even she has to ask her fans on her website, "Is this a bit ridiculous?" She takes risks and has fun with fashion! 

3) Rachel Zoe

I had heard of Rachel Zoe from reading magazines and seeing "styled by Rachel Zoe" in the description of many A-lister's.  But until her TV show on Bravo, "The Rachel Zoe Project", I didn't know how fantastic she really was.  This woman LIVES for fashion. High heels (even when she's preggo), big sunglasses, fur vests, huge cocktail rings. I love her, I love her style, I love everything Zoe. 

Who are YOUR fashion icons?