Cheap Thrills

Lately, more so than usual, I have been finding great deals on exceptional pieces. Some items are on sale, while others are well priced to begin with. I have always believed that looking amazing on a daily basis does NOT have to cost a fortune and can be done on any budget. I never discount (no pun intended) sale racks and lower price point retailers. Below are pieces that I found to be pretty remarkable for the price!

Forever 21 - $14.80

H+M - $19.95

Dolce Vita $48 - on sale.

Turquoise Rhinestone Necklace and Gold Rhinestone Ring- Forever 21, both under $7.00. Rhinestone and Tortoise Shell Necklace - J.Crew, on sale $20.00

Fall Faux Real

So the time for Fall clothes has finally arrived. Hooray! I was getting so tired of sandals and sweating. (come January I will be eating my words.) For now I am excited about this change in seasons and welcoming the cooler temps with arms that are ready for a coat. We went out this past weekend for an awesome dinner and I grabbed the chance to wear boots and a faux fur vest so quickly, I almost started to sweat (again). I am totally embracing the variety of colors that are being offered this Fall for bottoms: pants, skirts, shorts etc.. Wearing them with a patterned blouse, faux fur vest, and gold jewelry has a certain exhilarating luxury that can only be felt in this time of year.

One collar wasn't enough, I wanted two!

Blouse: Urban Outfitters

Vest: Forever 21

Necklace: BCBG

Pants: Anthropologie

Booties: Sigerson Morrison

Ring; Marc by Marc Jacobs

The Edge of Lace

I went away this past weekend for quick romanticesque trip.  I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to wear this leather skirt I had been dying to wear. I decided to pair it with a lace top giving the edgier skirt a feminine contrast. The different textures of the outfit played off each other nicely and more importantly the whole ensemble was insanely comfortable!

Outfit Details:

Top: Forever 21

Skirt: Free Peple

Booties: Belle by Sigerson Morrison

Rings: Vintage and Louisa

New Combinations

It is inevitable that color blocking is not going anywhere this Fall. Wearing solid colors mixed together was so strong for Spring and Summer and with Fall this trend is still present.  However, with Fall’s new color palette this allows for some amazing color play and great combinations that are pleasing to the eye. The colors are still vibrant and strong, just not so electric, but richer and more jewel like. (as I discussed here) Wearing gray and orange seems like a perfect match. I am loving the burnt orange, instead of the fluorescent variety and switching out white sandals for neutral flat boots, adding a cropped jacket really completes the outfit. Especially for this days when it is 77 and sunny during the day and then the temps drop below 65 at night. A few of my other Fall color combinations are Mustard Yellow and Navy and Orange with Camel. These pairings are classic will undoubtedly last far beyond the Fall 2011 season.

Outfit on Left:

Sweater, H + M, $25

Necklace, LUV AJ,  $99

Pants, 3.1 Phillip Lim, $350

Handbag, Melie Bianco, $64.99

Booties, Chinese Laundry, $89.95

Outfit on Right:

Tank, T by Alexander Wang, $46.50

Jacket, T by Alexander Wang, $80

Jeans, CIMARRON, $135

Handbag, Alexander Wang, $875

Boots, Forever 21, $27.80

Stocking Up for Fall

Ahh there is a crisp in the air, can you feel it? Well maybe not yet, but I know it is on it’s way. Prior to each season I have a tendency to stock up on new items and then taper off with my shopping as the season begins, just filling in the gaps with pieces here and there. I love buying items before the season it makes me feel prepared for the upcoming season and for those random Fall days in late August. One shopping mantra that I always follow is, Buy it when you see it because it will most likely not be there when you go back. Then that shoe, shirt or coat will be haunting you the rest of the season.

Jewel Tones and Luxe Fabrics

The gloomy weather that we had the past few days had me thinking of Fall, crisper days and layering pieces. This Fall I am turning to rich jewel and luxe fabrics and textures to fill my closet. Almost every Fall jewel tones are shown, but this year they seem more intriquing, vibrant and alluring. I think the mix of rich colors against interesting fabrics makes for a fascinating outfit. If the trend of metallic snakeskin or wearing a jewel tone doesn’t seem quite you, then you can start by warming up to the trend with an accessory, shoe or even wear a jewel shade on your nails.

1.Clutch, Marc by Marc Jacobs $158

2. Dress, Diane Von Furstenburg $465

3. Leopard Flat, BP Shoes $59.95

4. Evil Eye Bracelet, House of Harlow $55

5. Road House Blues, OPI, $8

6. Tripe Finger Ring, ASOS, $25.86

7. Boyfriend Cardigan, Topshop $80

8. Cargo Blouse, Madewell, $110

9. Leather Shorts, J Brand, $205

10. Perforated Suede Platform Sandals, Belle by Sigerson Morrison, $350.

Outfit Details

Below are the details of the outfit I wore for the Fashion Week video submission.  I wanted to wear something comfortable, not too complicated, and an ensemble that wouldn’t be distracting to viewers. I chose colors that are easy on the eye, so the focus wouldn’t be too much on what I was wearing, but on what I saying.  Most importantly I wanted to exemplify the topic of the video, How to Transition an Outfit from Summer to Winter. I know the skirt may look summery, but with an addition of a blazer or even gray tights (and a shoe exchange) this outfit could easily work in the Fall or even the Winter. In the dead of Winter, I love wearing a piece that it is wispy and ethereal. It is such a refreshing contrast to the grey, dreary days.

Here is the link to the video: talenthouse.com/adahliavolk  Voting begins tomorrow!

Outfit Details:

Skirt: BCBG Generation

Blouse: Red Haute

Ring: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Shoes: Prada