Necklaces are Making a Statement

Statement necklaces have been all the rage lately and there are more and more styles and ways to wear them than ever. A simple top can be totally revamped and color blocked with the addition of a statement necklace. You can even layer statement necklaces with layered shirts and sweaters for more contrast.

Necklace (Pree Brulee), Sweater (JCrew)

Necklace (JCrew Factory), Silk Button Down (Madewell)

Necklace (Kate Spade), Dress (French Connection)

Necklace (Karma Loop), Peplum Top (Nordstrom)

Necklace (Baublebar), Top (JCrew Factory)

How do you wear your favorite statement necklace?

-Lauren

In Honor of Hurricane Sandy

In honor of Hurricane Sandy, which left me without power for about 20 minutes, I'm taking my first attempt at an outfit picture. I love layering a silk shirt with a long sleeve sweater and pairing it with a chunky necklace. It's easy to wear and warmer than just wearing the silk shirt by itself. 

Sweater (Madewell, similar), Silk Shirt (Madewell, similar), Purple Jeans (Paige), Flats (Tory Burch, similar), Necklace (Madewell, similar)

Note: I quickly changed out of these flats into my furry moccasin slippers from LLBean...those are a life saver!

Stay safe during the storm!

-Lauren

Things To Do on a "Snow Day"

Today, because of Hurricane Sandy, my office is closed, along with many other offices and schools in Massachusetts. Because of the unexpected "WAH" or work at home day, I thought I should take the time to do a few things I've been meaning to do around the house.

Here are some ways you can pass the time while you wait out the storm.

Paint your nails

Find a great fall color and do that manicure you've been meaning to sit down and do. Don't forget base and top coat!

Gold: Essie (Good As Gold)

Purple: Sephora by OPI (Just a Little Dangerous)

Teal: Sephora by OPI (Teal We Meet Again)

Red: Essie (Leading Lady)

Organize your tangled jewelry

Invest in an earring/necklace tree and a jewelry organizer so you can see and find everything without tangling it.

Jewelry Tree, Bed Bath & Beyond

(Also available at Marshall's/TJ Maxx or The Container Store.)

Put away summer clothes

Time to say goodbye to sundresses, tank tops and shorts. Find some good bins and categorize by type of clothing. Stackable bins are good for storage in closets or under your bed.

Storage Bins, The Container Store

Watch a movie, read a book or start a TV series

I highly recommend Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, it's the ultimate page turner and mind game.

Gone Girl, Amazon.com

Stockpile clothes for consignment

Go through your clothes, accessories and shoes and anything you haven't worn in over a year should go into the pile. At most places you can make between 30 and 50% on your items. Second Time Around pays quarterly and places like Buffalo Exchange will pay you on the spot.

Stay safe during the storm!

-Lauren

The Week in Instagram

I'm looking forward to dinner and a movie tonight, haven't done that in a while! I also need to find a Halloween costume for a party tomorrow night. I might just recycle last year's costume and be chess club champion again, all it requires is a plaid skirt, a button down, suspenders and tape over my glasses, plus it's a pretty fun costume.

Here are my top 5 Instagrams of the week! Check me out on Instagram: lbrousell.

Gap Colorful Smoking Slippers,  JCrew Spring 2013 Bow Pumps,  Amanda Seyfried in Prabal Gurung,  Rachel Roy Spring 2013 Pastel Dress,  JCrew Spring 2013 Preview

Have a great weekend everyone!

-Lauren

Office on the Go

So many people these days have the flexibility to do a lot of their work on the go. Many are business travelers or work remotely, others are independent business owners, freelancers or...bloggers! With the popularity of smartphones, tablets and computers comes the need for really cute tech and office accessories. I love a cute iPhone case but I'm still a traditional girl who loves pens and notebooks too.

Here are my favorite "office on the go" items!

Tory Burch card case, Kate Spade ear buds, Lilly Pulitzer pen set, Kate Spade USB flash drive, Coach smartphone wristlet, Kate Spade iPad case, Marc Jacobs laptop bag, Lilly Pulitzer notebook, JCrew iPhone case

Happy almost Friday!

-Lauren

Gorgeous Gossip Girl Style

I've been reading the Gossip Girl books and watching the show for years. The one thing the show has that the books didn't are the amazing outfits! Blair, Serena, Chuck, Nate and all the other characters are dressed to the nines in every episode. Since this is the final season of Gossip Girl, I thought I'd dedicate this post to my favorite looks from the show over the years.

The Best of Blair:

The Best of Serena:

The Best of Chuck Bass:

The Best of Serena and Blair: 

The Best of Blair and Chuck:

Honorable Mentions:

Click here for all the looks from season's past and my Pinterest board dedicated to GG style.

What is your favorite fashion moment from Gossip Girl?

-Lauren

What's In My Bag?

Most days I carry a fairly large purse to work because I never know what I'm going to need in the course of a day. I make sure there's enough room for a notebook or a snack but I always have a bunch of essentials packed just in case. Right now I've been using my Tory Burch Robinson tote bag, which I got in silver at Bloomingdale's last winter on sale.

Tory Burch Robinson East West Tote Bag (similar)

Here are things I keep in my bag and never leave home without!

Cover Girl concealer - for the occasional blemish or quick cover up
Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick (Pink Sand) - sheer lip color, I use it over chapstick
Kate Spade wallet (similar) - a great carry-all wallet, I keep business cards in here too
 Ice Breaker sour mints - burst of flavor to zap the taste in your mouth
 Tory Burch iPhone case - sturdy and stylish
 BCBG sunglasses (similar) - love these classic square frames, I've had them for a few years now
Lancome Juicy Tubes lipgloss - lasts a while and provides nice color and shine
 Renu contact lens drops - for long days staring at a computer screen
 Shea Butter lotion (similar) - I use this several times a day to keep my hands moisturized

What items do you always have in your bag?

-Lauren

The Perfect Flats

I've been in love with Tory Burch flats for years. The signature T's on the toes are the perfect addition to a comfortable flat shoe that works for dressing up and dressing down. Tory has been diversifying the traditional flats this season with different fabrics such as velvet and boucle and changing up the design on the toe with bows and diamonds. Check out my favorite Tory Burch flats this season...trust me they are worth the investment! 

Tip: buy them snug, because they can lose their shape through wear and tear. They are also worth a visit to the cobbler. I took mine and they added an insole and repaired the worn out leather and they are good as new!

Tory Burch

From left to right:

Boucle Flats (Similar)

Black Velvet Flats

Burgundy Suede Flats

Jeweled Toe Flats

Suede/Leather Nude Flats (on sale now!)

Gold Lizard Print Flats

Red Leather Flats

Purple Leather Flats

Suede Bow Flats

At the end of each season, select styles and colors will be on sale. Also, check the Tory Burch outlet for pretty good discounts.

What are your favorite Tory Burch flats? 

Happy Monday!

-Lauren

Friday Five

It's Friday and I can't wait to start the weekend. Going out for tapas tonight and planning to watch lots of football this weekend. Fall foliage is at its best so maybe I'll also find some time to go for a drive.

Check out the five things I'm loving on Instagram today. If you haven't followed me yet, check me out @LBrousell on Instagram.

Platform Sneakers, Kate Spade iPhone case, Frye flats and sandals, Stella McCartney purse, Rebecca Minkoff purses and accessories

Who do you love following on Instagram?

Happy Friday!

-Lauren

Loving Lilly Pulitzer

I went to Florida last month and found the greatest little boutique, C. Orrico, near the beach that sells Lilly Pultizer clothes and accessories. After that I was hooked! The styles are beachy and preppy yet classic and easy to wear. You can incorporate them into any season or any outfit, they are great quality and very versatile. Plus they have all the matching accessories to finish out your look!

Sweater, Agenda, Wedges, iPhone Case w/Credit Card Slots

Water Bottle, Belt, Tunic, Purse

What are your favorite items from Lilly? Do you prefer them in summer or another season?

-Lauren

The Many Coats of Kate Middleton

I pretty much love anything that Kate Middleton wears, she has such a classic, ladylike and sophisticated style and always wears the right thing with that little bit of princess touch to it. This fall she has been wearing the most fabulous coats and jackets and by adding a belt and boots, she is all set for the cooler weather and appropriate for whatever event she's attending.

Here are my favorite fall styles from Kate!

What is your favorite Kate look?

-Lauren

Shopping Smart for Sale Items

Shop smart with the latest fall fashions and their sales! Fall has fallen, and the latest trends are out in full swing. As a college student, I try not to buy items at full price, and I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade. Here are some examples of items I used to create a fall outfit, and everything was recently found on sale. 

Booties on sale now at Nordstrom

Dolce Vita $79.90 (original was $99.95)

Plum colored Paige Jeans, exact pair found at TJ Maxx for only $70

Original was at Nordstrom for $179

JCrew Necklace in Sea Mist on sale at the factory outlet for $16.50

Original was $29.50

JCrew bangle on sale at factory outlet for $22.50

Original was $32.50

Black BCBG wrap sweater, found at BCBG outlet store for $118.40

Original was $248

Must-have Theory white scoop neck t-shirt, always at the Theory outlet store for around $40

Original for $63

Kate Spade cross-body bag, found on sale last season for around $90

Original at Nordstrom for $178

JCrew stud earrings on sale at factory outlet for $11.50

Original was $16.50

OPI nail polish (in pamplona purple) on sale at Nordstrom Rack for $8

Original was $8.50

Tips on how save on the latest trends:

1. Check TJ Maxx & Marshalls often. The good ones always have designer fashions, and if you’re lucky you can find items that are still full price in the store.
2. Keep tabs on your favorite stores and their websites by checking back often to make sure you catch the sale.
3. Look for free shipping, or often times stores will offer free shipping every few weeks, or an extra percentage off online orders.
4. Items always go on sale eventually. If you can hold off on buying those cute boots for another few weeks, they’ll either go on sale or you can a similar version somewhere else for less. 
5. OUTLETS.
6. Have fun with it! :-)

Where do you go to look for bargains? What are your favorite designers to look for at a lower price?

-Ali

Fabulous Fall Picks from Madewell

My friend Devon over at Beachy Brunette wrote a recent post about her obsession with Madewell and her fall wish list that I thought I'd share with you!

She just bought these two pairs of skinny ankle jeans there. I love Madewell jeans, they last forever and come in a great variety of cuts and colors. Devon got the ankle jeans because they can be great for any season really. In the fall you can wear flats until it's too cold and then hide the length with boots.

Devon also compiled a fabulous wish list while she was at the store.

Safari Print Skirt, Leather Boots, Fedora Hat, Plaid Button Down Shirt

What are your favorite things from Madewell? How do you style them?

Have a great weekend everyone! And don't forget to check out Devon's blog, Beachy Brunette! 

-Lauren

How to Accessorize on a Budget

Hello Pretty Pieces readers!  I’m so honored to be contributing to my friend’s awesome blog!  Welcome to my first post!

As a full-time graduate student, working part-time and spending any of the extra income on nights out catching up with friends, it’s hard to update my wardrobe to take advantage of the new fall trends.  

No matter how much I want to buy the amazing Nanette Lepore gold and bedazzled dress that epitomizes “night out on the town” perfection, I can’t even rationalize purchasing a sweater let alone a dress that costs more than my weekly groceries (and you’d be surprised at the amount of food I can consume in one sitting!).  So what is a budget strapped fashionista to do?

…ACCESSORIZE!

1. Spike Necklace (A-Thread), 2. London Bangle (Kate Spade), 3. Tiger Cuff (Baublebar), 4. Brooch (Anthropologie), 5. Chain Link Necklace (Baublebar), 6. Black and Gold Bangle (Kate Spade), 7. Cocktail Ring (Anthropologie), 8. Drop Earrings (Stella & Dot)

New bangles, necklaces and earrings can not only transition an outfit from work appropriate to cocktail hour, but it can also update a look by adding a couple trendy items to a classic staple.  I always bring a pair of fun earrings or statement necklace to work if I know I’m going out after.  

Like I said, I’m on a serious budget, so the easiest way for me to update my wardrobe without breaking the bank is by adding a couple new statement jewelry pieces to my wardrobe.  Websites like Baublebar, Stella and Dot and Piperlime make it really easy for someone like me to shop a variety of different styles cheaply and quickly.

So what do you guys think? What’s your favorite accessory for fall?

-Caitlin

Ode to Rebecca Minkoff

Over the last year Rebecca Minkoff has become one of my favorite purse designers. The mini mac came on the scene and I've been obsessed with them since the first time I saw them...pretty amazing that I still haven't bought one though! The holiday season is coming faster than you think and Minkoff bags are topping my list (a few are on sale already!).

Box Clutch, on sale for $227.50 in purple, Clutch/shoulder Bag, on sale for $177.99 in turquoise, Swing Shoulder Bag, on sale for $355.99 in red, Mini Mac Crossbody Bag, $195, Quilted Shoulder Bag, $395, Woven Clutch, $350, Top Handle Bag, $495 , Chain Wallet, $225, Change Purse, $55

What are your favorite Rebecca Minkoff styles?

Happy Monday!

-Lauren

DIY Nails

Nails are one of the accessories you can change as many times as you want without paying too much. This fall, the burgundies, deep purples and black shades are in and there's unlimited outfits you can pair them with.

Essie, (Swing Velvet)

JCrew corduroys

Essie, (Jamaica Me Crazy)

Athleta sweater dress

Sephora by OPI, (Go My Own Way)

Tory Burch flats

Sephora by OPI, (Looks Like Rain Dear)

Kate Spade tote

Butter (The Black Knight)

JCrew jewel neck top

What are your favorite nail polish colors? What do you wear them with?

-Lauren

Crazy for Polka Dots

Polka dots are becoming quite trendy this year. They are pretty easy to incorporate into your wardrobe as well. You can have polka dot shoes, a shirt or even an iPhone case. Here are a few ways you can get this trend for less.

Polka dot sweater

JCrew, $268

The Look for Less: Gap, $44.95

iPhone case

Kate Spade, $40

The Look for Less: Amazon, $1

Polka dot slipper flats

Kate Spade, $255

The Look for Less: Dorothy Perkins, $9

Polka dot silk button down shirt

JCrew, $128

The Look for Less: Hurley, $45

What are your favorite ways to wear polka dots?

-Lauren

Clutches & Wristlets - The Look for Less

Clutches or wristlets are essential for a night out. No one wants to lug around their big purse to the bar so most ladies opt for something smaller and more manageable that holds just the necessary items: phone, lip gloss, money, ID and keys. But phones nowadays are more clunky, causing a lot of girls to ditch the traditional Coach wristlet. There are so many cute wristlets and clutches out there, but who wants to pay a few hundred dollars for a DVF or another designer accessory? You can find the look for less at places like TJ Maxx or just opt for something not designer.

iPhone case card holder

Lilly Pulitzer, $28

The Look for Less: Speck, $18.50

iPhone wallet

Tory Burch, $155

The Look for Less: Michael Kors, $78 (also at TJ Maxx)

Envelope clutch

BCBG, $68

Forever 21, $24.80

Crossbody bag

Rebecca Minkoff, $195

Forever 21, $24.80

What accessories do you use for a night out?

Happy Monday!

-Lauren