Fall Wardrobing & Window Shopping

Yes there are magazines. And yes there is Pinterest - But sometimes just a stroll thru your local mall can spark inspiration for change for a new season. After a meeting I had yesterday, I did just that - I went old school "window-shopping" at a nearby mall (Chandler Fashion Center). The magazines usually feature the top of the line, on-trend or key item pieces for a season (especially in their September issues) and Pinterest is a good source for pulling together your  look or a style, but neither one allows you to try it before you buy it. And in some cases, the look you're drawn to may be out of your budget. Window shopping your favorite specialty stores can help narrow your focus and refresh your personal look - You can get ideas of what the magazine trends and pins look like in real life. Stores like The Limited, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor are now featuring some of Fall's hottest trends and classic looks: Leopard, plaid, denim, stripes, and gold - and in some cases, a combination of them are used together...

 

Window Shopping...

Tortoise + Gold +  Leopard

Lovely Leopard at Ann Taylor

 

Leopard + Houndstooth + Brass Details

 

Camel + Black | Leopard + Stripes

 

Purple + Leopard + Gold

 

Purple is another hot color for Fall...

 

Tribal prints!

 

A tribal print maxi at The Limited..

Fantastic Fall transitional piece: Just layer with a black blazer!

 

Plaid jackets + Denim at The Limited

 

Red plaid (Hello 80's & 90's!) for the younger crowd at H&M

 

Leopard & Crimson 

 

Never mind boogie fever - It's British fever that's going around!

(New Line at Banana Republic from Isse)

 

Leopard + stripes! Love the combo.

(Great inspiration for home decor too!)

 

Leopard is so hot this Fall - it can even be spotted at Pottery Barn!

(Great storage boxes to store your Fall jewelry!)

 

Leopard and dark denim - Love!

Since we're nearing Summer's end, I did an unexpected quick revamp of my closet when I got home - pulling out and putting away Summer whites until next year. I also tried on what maxis, skirts, tops, and jackets I didn't wear this past Summer (and that also no longer fit right) and pulled together another thirty items I'll be taking to consignment. Perfect timing because even consignment stores are getting ready for Fall. One consignment store in particular - My Sister's Closet - will be having their #FallUnveiling Saturday August 24.

 

For the past three weeks of August, My Sister's Closet has been holding their bi-annual Progressive Sale to get the Summer goods out of stock and make space to refresh the floor with all the Fall goods they've been collecting. (I absolutely LOVE this store merchandising concept for consignment!) If you've been inspired by the magazines & Pinterest - And you've taken a window shopping tour of your local mall - But you're on a small budget: Fear not! Just make a shopping list and be sure to hit the consignment (or even thrift stores) for phenomenal savings for your Fall wardrobe updates. Clearing out your closet before you go will not only empty hangers for fresh finds - you'll earn a little money to put towards your new finds and save even MORE! 

 

70%off Progressive Sale - Fall Transition Finds

Some Fall transitional finds can even be picked up at end off season clearance events happening in stores now. Just have your list ready, know before you go, and take the time to try on your finds. It's early enough to find newness, styles and fits for your lifestyle. Other Fall trends are camo (camouflage) and studs (makes sense: nailhead trim is hot in home decor). After you've shopped til' ya dropped - It will be time to refresh your home for fall too - Just let your wardrobe be your guide!

Here are the hot color trends for Fall from Pantone...

What Fall colors and wardrobe trends are you drawn to?

Happy Fall Wardrobing!

Thanks for stopping by

CONSIGNMENT, DONATIONS, FAB FINDS & STYLE TIPS

If you're looking for a few wardrobe updates, now is a great time to shop for them. Some of the best deals of the year happen now at the major retailers for their end of the season summer clearance sales, but you can also find some great deals at thrift and consignment shops. Before embarking on a major shopping excursion, take a deep breath, do a closet purge and keep these 3 tips to keep in mind:
 
1. Take time to try on what you have, especially denim.
2. If it doesn't fit, let it go.
3. Re-evaluate your wardrobe with your lifestyle today.

While donating to Goodwill (Central AZ info here) is great, there are also other organizations that can benefit from clothing donations. After a recent closet purge, I split my purge into two groups: Casual and Business. The casual pieces I brought to my local consignment shops: My Sister's Closet and Turn Style Consignment. The money I earned from My Sister's Closet was a great way to save additional money when I picked up a few pieces for summer - consignment (chain) stores usually carry better brands 75% off retail. The other batch of my purge was more business types of dresses, pants and jackets which I donated to Dress For Success, Phoenix Chapter. Dress For Success is an organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

It really doesn't take much to update an existing wardrobe with a few on trend colors or patterns. Along with checking out the latest trends on Pinterest or featured in fashion magazines - stay true to yourself. For example: Denim is a hot trend, and so are skinny jeans, but if trouser or boot-cut fits your figure best, go with it in an updated finish and you'll be set. You can even find on trend looks and styles at thrift stores, or even on clearance. Besides bermudas  or circle skirts for summer, keep an eye out for deals on denim for fall. Here's a few finds I've gotten this year from shopping thrift, consignment, and end of season deals...

 

Brands like J.Crew, Gap, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor - all from Goodwill. A monthly 20% off coupon helps with extra savings, unless you brave the crowds on a 50% off Saturday Sale (those events have Black Friday crowds!) When your cart is filled with the styles and brands you like, again - try on your finds. There's not point spending money on brands to take up space in a closet.

 

Mix what you have with a new find to create your look. The straw bag was last years find at My Sister's Closet. Paired here with a pair of dark denim shorts from Goodwill ($5), a sleeveless denim top from TJMaxx, and wooden bangles - also from thrift a few years back.

 

At retailers - Shop clearance racks for the best deals:

Nothing like finding a great pair of jeans that fit perfect and are on sale for a fraction of retail - The RL retail on these jeans was $75. I got them for $15 because of a $10 off certificate I used at TJMaxx...

Back in the Spring, I spotted this super deal on a Ralph Lauren linen jacket at Goodwill. Linen is perfect for hot weather climates...

 

 This polka dot skirt (another hot print trend) was $3 at Goodwill and the straw bag was a find at My Sister's Closet...

 

The stripe & polka dot wedges I got last year from My Sister's Closet and they are so comfortable! They worked great with this knit polka dot skirt and black tunic tube top - both from Goodwill for $7. (The scarf I had) I wore this on Jeff's birthday when I went golfing with him - I was his caddy girl :)

 Light weight woven tops in the summer are a great option to a jean jacket or a wrap for a layered look. I wore them more often this summer, tied in a knot at the waist. Black & white stripes continue to be on trend and are just a classic. A great way to wear black & white stripes is to vary the scale or add a graphic print scarf.

 

Goodwill find for $4...

 

Spotted these fun bags at Turn Style consignment when they opened earlier this year. The patent with white top stitch is good for fall, while the stripe bag with  bamboo handles was great for summer. Although chevron was cute too, I left it for another fashionista to find...

 

Another sad market-up from a retailer - but another person who purged their closet brought these to consign, so I scored them for $18 (and again, fit great and better than any jean I already had and donated)

Is it possible to have too many stripes? I don't think so - especially after all the years I only wore solid black and nothing else. All of these prints are welcomed changes - changes based on lifestyle - and a fun challenge to find (but doable!) on a small budget. Sunday you can make your small budget stretch a little further a the JCP "Friends & Family" event at all stores from 5pm - 10pm. Save an extra 25% off select purchases in store & online. Get and print the coupon here.

 Details about the My Sister's Closet Progressive Sale & Fall Unveiling

Monday, August 12 kicks off the progressive sale at My Sister's Closet. Twice a year, MSC purge their stores of the previous season's goods by having a progressive sale. A progressive sale starts off with a low discount, and works its way up to a higher discount over the period of the sale. The day after the MSC progressive sale, they close the store to re-merchandise the floor with all the Fall goods they've collected from people dropping off clothes to consign. The following day is again like Black Friday, with crowds storming the store to get their hands on the latest brands and deals.

I hope these tips incentified you to purge your closets, donate, consign and shop this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Friday Show & Tell

Dorm Decor Inspiration From Back To School Denim Fashions

Whenever I think of back to school shopping, I immediately think of denim and right now, it's not too soon to be thinking of back to school shopping for your next dorm diggs. Late last August, I had collaborated with nine other design bloggers and we shared our dorm decor tips (You can link to them and read my tips and tricks at DORM DECOR: Planning Your Residence Hall Space.) With some schools starting school in early August, July is actually a great time to take advantage of extra savings from stores (like an extra 20% off your purchase Big Lots held yesterday) July is also a good time to stock up on other back to school basics (sheets & towels). Besides getting all the necessities (an iron, a mini fridge and extension cords) take a little time to plan out your dorm decor style. This year, as an alternative to the saturated brights and zebra prints, go for something different for your Dorm Diggs: Mix your love of denim with a pop of leopard. For storage, go for baskets and ottomans that can perform double duty: Storage ottomans can hold extra blankets plus be a comfortable foot rest, an extra seat for a friend or add a tray and an ottoman becomes a tabletop to hold your (non-alcoholic) beverage. Replace a single level open desk with vertical storage: a tall cabinet with doors and shelves can become an closet extension to store & display your stacks of denim. Mix your denim duds with wicker & wire baskets gathering necessities like the iron, toiletries or extension cords.(multipurpose your iron to melt a grill cheese or heat up yesterdays pizza!)

 

Merge & mix your fashion & decor for your next dorm diggs:

Your favorite blue & white stripe top can translated into a pillow. Add a pop of leopard just like an accessory: but don't over-do: just pick one or two items (at most) like an area rug or make your own leopard pillow covers from fabric you can pick up at a store like JoAnns.

For furniture finishes, go vintage: Think rustic & raw woods - weathered and worn. For sheets, back to school season is a good time to find the extra long twin sheets in a soft jersey (just like your favorite tee!) Pinterest can have a plethora of ideas for denim DIY projects -- from rugs to pillows to cushion covers for a chair. Shopping thrift you'll probably come by all the denim you'll need for your DIY projects, plus maybe even a few finds for your wardrobe - like a denim shirt you can dip in bleach to ombre or a cool new denim jacket to layer up with in the fall.

 

Splurge on a denim stripe euro pillow by Dash & Albert available at Layla Grayce. If you sign up for their email specials, you can get a coupon to save $25 off your purchase.

Online retailer House To Home has leopard toss pillows for only $34.99

On Trend - Dark Denim featured at Macy's

Besides fashion inspiration...

Here are a few other items and tips to layer into your dorm decor...

 Denim blue finds at Big Lots - Bowls are great to catch keys, rings, or hoops.

 

Add color to blank walls by making your own wall art.

Big Lots has several sizes of blank canvas available.

 

Make your own push-pin wall art...

Big Lots also has a GREAT 4x6 denim rag rug for only $20! 

 Anchor your dorm diggs with an area rug like this leopard rug from Martha Stewart...

Shop thrift for denim DIY projects and wardrobe updates.

Get inspired by a denim pillow and make your own patchwork pillow covers from denim pockets...

 

 Utilize corner space with stackable wicker storage trunks...

 

Just as comforting as your favorite tee shirt, so too can be some jersey sheets on sale at PBTeen...

 

 

Splurge at Zinc Door or make your own message center by painting an old globe with chalkboard paint.

Create your own unique suitcase drawers side table from collected vintage suitcases... 

Create the look of a denim ombre shirt from a DIY zip tie lamp...

 

Replace a single level open desk with plenty of vertical storage by making a stylish rustic bookshelf... 

For additional dorm decor tricks & tips, check out some of my Pinterest boards...

 

JEWELRY ORGANIZING

DORM DECOR

  

DOSE OF DENIM

 With a little pinspiration, planning, thrifting and DIY now, you'll have the most stylish dorm diggs you can create yourself inspired from home decor & fashion trends...

For additional dorm decor and back to school ideas and tips, see my previous posts:

TIPS TO GET YOUR BTS GROOVE ON 

STYLE STUDY SLEEP DORM DESIGN TIPS

 

ORGANIZING ON A BUDGET? SHOP BTS SUPPLIES NOW! 

PLANNING YOUR DORM SPACE 

 

 Take the time to plan your space.

 

Take notes and create your own stylish dorm decor!

Hope you're inspired!

Thanks for stopping by...