Currently Craving: Fall Fashion Trends

September 17, 2018 by Virginia 10 Comments

You know, I really love fall fashion! I thought I was going to be so sad to see summer go but I’m done with the humidity and ready for the cool fall days! Yesterday when we were at a local coffee shop I noticed that they had two outdoor fireplaces that I’d never noticed and it got me really excited about fall sweaters and blankets!

I’ve been itching to head over Clyde’s Cider Mill, a local favorite for apple cider and apple cider donuts. It’s nestled in among the trees and looks like it’s straight out of an autumn Hallmark Movie! Just thinking about visiting got me searching all over the internet for fun fall sweaters.

Since I’m always interested in what others have on their fall fashion shopping list, and since I’ve been spending so much time searching, I thought I would share some of the things I have my eye on! (For only the exact items pictured, see “Items from Collage” at the end of the post.)

This post does contain affiliate links, which means that if you click and/or make a purchase through these links, I may make a small commission at no cost to you. For more information, see my Privacy Policy. Thank you for supporting the retailers that make this blog possible!

Rich Reds and Greens

I gravitate towards the richer tones in the winter and fall because of my darker coloring. I am THRILLED that emerald-green is showing up all over this fall and that the rich burgundy color is back again for another season.

Sweater – I really want an emerald sweater like #1 and #8 above and I’m looking for one with an over-sized fit or over-sized sleeves. I ordered this one and I also love this one, if the one I ordered doesn’t have the right fit.
- *UPDATE* I got the green sweater in the mail. It’s a little darker than the picture and it’s true to size if you want a regular fit. I returned it and ordered 2 sizes up so that it will have more of an over-sized fit!
Skirt – I’m obsessed with this adorable ruffled skirt but I’m not confident it would fit if I ordered it. Instead, I’m going to try this Layered Ruffle Trim Solid Skirt which seems like it has slightly bigger sizes available.
Satin – I think a nice rich green satin dress is just stunning against fall leaves. What do you think?

Metallic Shoes

Shoes are my favorite accessory and as I started to think about what I wanted to pair with an emerald dress, I kept coming back to copper and rose-gold. I think these colors pair beautifully with the rich greens and reds and would be the perfect addition to a fall wardrobe this year. Plus, it’s an easy way to add some personal flair to an everyday work outfit.

Rose Gold Dress Pump
Rose Gold Glitter Sneakers (these are SO affordable and they will be mine)
Rose Gold Block Sandal

Animal Print

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of leopard print, especially leopard shoes ( 1| 2 | 3 ). This year though, I want to branch out a little more. There’s just something in me that just wants to push the envelope a bit and that means taking my animal-print love beyond the shoe level.

Leopard Tie Shirt Dress. Or what about this Leopard Ruffle skirt?
Snake-skin Cami Top

Plaid Blazer

Plaid blazers are all the rage this year. I love how they look paired with a Gucci belt (or dupe) and jeans. I’m looking for a great plaid blazer. I also love this blue one, this gray one, and this tweed one!

Fall Fashion Items from the Collage:

Sweater
I bought this bakerboy hat last week at Target and I am IN LOVE! It’s so cute and so affordable. Similar here.
Glitter Sneakers
Layered Ruffle Trim Solid Skirt
Rose Gold Dress Pump
Leopard Tie Shirt Dress
Plaid blazer
Green Sweater
Cranberry Ruffle Dress
Snake-skin Cami Top
Green Ruffle Dress
Rose Gold Block Sandal

For some fall outfit ideas, make sure to check out this post.

What’s on your fall fashion wishlist? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Virginia

Over-the-knee Boots for Work & Floral Top for Spring

March 12, 2018 by Virginia 11 Comments

Hello Friends! I’m really excited about today’s post for a few reasons: 1) I’m finally sharing my new suede over-the-knee boots for work (which I love and can’t wait to tell you about) and 2) I finally found some look-alikes of my favorite floral top for spring!

*This post does contain affiliate links, which means that if you click and/or make a purchase through these links, I may make a small commission. For more information, see my privacy policy. Thank you for supporting the retailers that make this blog possible.

Over-the-knee boots for Work

One item I really wanted to get this winter was a new pair of over-the-knee boots that I could wear to work. When the Stuart Weitzman suede over-the-knee boots first became popular, I knew I wanted a look-alike pair. It took awhile for more affordable brands to come out with copycats so when I found a great pair of gray over-the-knee boots at Forever21 (featured here), I grabbed them. However, over the years they stretched out and would fall down my leg. Plus, the pointed heel just wasn’t realistic for my now more mobile job.

I went on a hunt for a new pair of over-the-knee boots for work. The great thing about buying a replacement pair is that there are so many options out there for an affordable over-the-knee boot. You can get them in flat versions and block heel versions, in a ton of different colors. My stipulations for over-the-knee boots for work were that they be wide enough for my calves (many options are made for skinny calves), a block heel (added comfort and traction for my long walks across campus), and a tie at the top that would keep the boot from falling down my leg even if it got stretched out. This Steve Madden pair from DSW fit the bill. Plus, I got them on sale (right after I featured them in this post)! They are still pretty tight on my calves and because of that, there is some bunching right at the ankle, making for a funny fit. But, I can’t even explain how comfortable they are and, for the price, I just couldn’t pass them up.

This is a great time to buy a pair of over-the-knee boots, as many retailers are starting to clear their stock to prepare for summer. You’ll get a great deal and still get quite a bit of wear out of them throughout the spring.

Floral Blouse for Spring

I bought this blouse from Shein ages ago but it’s still one of my favorite tops for work. It goes with jeans, pencil skirts, black pants (seen here), you name it! My favorite way to wear this floral top is with white skinny jeans, as pictured here. I haven’t featured it recently on the blog (even though I wear it all the time) because I don’t like featuring something that you can’t buy and doesn’t have a similar replacement. But Friday I was looking at new arrivals at H&M and found a ton of great options to get a similar look. I tried a bunch on in-store and have some size recommendations in the widget below. This version is a great, soft fabric and is on sale. Be aware that the sleeves run tight.

This is the perfect kind of spring look for me in the classroom. I feel bright and cheery and fashionable, yet comfortable. That’s a winning outfit combination! In fact, make sure to check out another way I wore these white skinny jeans in the classroom HERE.

Get the Look:

Have you tried floral blouses for work? Where did you find your favorite one? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure to check out last week’s post on my Top 5 Favorite Teacher Shoes!

-Virginia

My Weekend Wishlist: Great Sales and Teacher Outfit Finds

January 15, 2018 by Virginia 9 Comments

Hello friends! Today’s post will be short and sweet! Since our rental units have been empty for the last 6 months, my fashion budget has become pretty much non-existent. I read other blogs but I have tried to stay away from the mall and haven’t done a whole lot of online shopping. You know, kid-in-a-candy-store and all that! But it has been SO HARD! After Christmas is one of the best times for sales as merchants are trying to clear the shelves and start to transition into spring items.

Weekend Wishlist Great Sales Teacher Style Blogger

This weekend I found myself drooling over and dreaming about a ton of items on sale and decided since I spent all this time researching and saving items, just because I can’t buy them now doesn’t mean someone else can’t take advantage of my “research” and try them out! I wish I would have posted this early because a lot of great weekend sales have ended or items have already sold out (like this amazing blazer for spring). But, with everything on my plate right now I’m trying really hard not to beat myself up if I can’t do everything!

When I saw Kileen sharing this Gucci dupe, I knew I wanted it. As soon as our other units get rented, it’s going in my cart!

Teacher Outfit Wishlist

My teacher work wardrobe is starting to feel stale. I’m really missing being able to wear jeans to work. Last week I got the idea that maybe I need to add a pair of coated skinny jeans to my wardrobe. They’re comfortable like jeans but look more classy.

Then, I started browsing on Shein and boy oh boy…talk about heading down the fashion-rabbit-hole. Forgive me for all the links without pictures but it would have taken me way too long to show all of them in the image. I’m obsessed with this high-neck peplum blouse, and I would totally try this Chartreuse dress if I had any idea where I would wear it! This white ruffle top is probably a little too sheer on its own but how fun would it be for work?! Definitely a different take on the white blouse! This ribbed peplum top comes in three colors and is les than $15! The stripe skirt from the image above gets all the heart-eyes from me but probably my favorite find is this yellow bell sleeve blouse with bow for less than $15! Last but not least, I have seen pants with this kind of belted/tie waist all over. What do you think? Wearable for work or too much for a classroom teacher?

What I Did Buy

The only buy I did end up making this weekend, against my better judgement and which will probably get me in trouble with my husband, is this pair of OTK boots. Ever since I got rid of my gray OTK boots from this post, I’ve been looking for an alternative with a tie in back so they will still stay up even after they get stretched out. I tried these on in store last week and couldn’t BELIEVE how comfortable they were, even with the heel. I dreamed of all the ways I’d wear them here in New England as we struggle through the cold weather on our way to spring and so when DSW’s 20% off clearance event meant I could take an extra $10 off the price I went ahead and ordered them. These were pretty comfortable too, without a heel. These are similar to the ones I ordered and are available in grey, but they weren’t available to try on in store and I wasn’t quite willing to risk them not fitting.

Lastly, how cute are these tassel earrings?! They’re only $6 and free shipping! Jump on that!

Ok, that was longer than I planned…ha! Apparently I had more items on my wish list than I realized! What are you drooling over right now? Or, even better, what sale finds did you snag this weekend? I’d love to know!

-Virginia