Style Setters: Effortless Outfitter Reese Witherspoon

You know those girls that you secretly hate a little bit because they always look so put-together without looking like they expended ANY energy at all? Well Reese Witherspoon is one of those girls. Whether she's running errands, heading to a meeting, or on the red carpet, it looks like a stylish breeze just blew threw her house and poof!; she's ready to go. Unfair. 

I love the way Reese can blend her signature preppy style with some edgier pieces, slouch it out just a teeny bit, and look like a million bucks.  Check out some of her easy street-style looks.

{Reese looks chic in casual black with a Rebecca Minkoff cross-body bag, images from InStyle}

{Strolling LA in a swingy skirt and simple tank, image from People}

{Beating the heat in an easy belted shirtdress and flat sandals, image from People}

{Getting her shop on in a slouchy black tee, grey hobo, and 3.1 Phillip Lim skirt, image via InStyle}

{A true prep at heart, Reese can wear stripes polished or casual, images from People}

Get inspired by some of these more polished looks.....maybe for a lunch date or a mid-day meeting!

{Looking completely pulled together in a printed dress and Current/Elliott denim jacket. Image courtesy of InStyle}

{Reese proving that a blazer makes any outfit complete, with a 3.1 Phillip Lim bag, image from InStyle}

{Looking chic-as always!- in a black blazer and black tights, set off by a dove grey tulip skirt, via InStyle}

{Looking easy-breezy en route to the White House Easter Egg Roll, from InStyle}

Reese carries her effortless style on to the red carpet with these chic and easy ensembles.

{Lovely in Lace on the red carpet in a Jason Wu mini, image from InStyle}

{Taking a risk (that paid off big!), Reese rocks an edgy Rodarte frock on the red carpet, image via InStyle}

{Demure in a lady-like red dress by Temperley London, image courtesy of InStyle}

{Pulling of a Gucci suit (a suit!) like no other woman could, image from InStyle}

{The look that put Reese back on the style map, in Nina Ricci at the Golden Globes, from InStyle}

One thing that Reese is never, ever without? Her trusty aviator glasses......a preppy girl's best friend.

{Reese rocks Mosley Tribes 'Raynes' aviators, image from People}

Love Reese's style just like I do? Then get this Look!

Reese is on the street in a chic, all-black look with a J. Crew cardi, Stuart Weitzman boots, and her trusty Rebecca Minkoff cross-body bag

{Image courtesy of InStyle}

{Clockwise from top left, J Crew Infinity Cardigan, about $40; Steve Madden Bnikki Bag, about $60; Old Navy Rockstar Super-Skinny Denim Leggins- I own these and they are AWESOME!-, about $40; White Mountain Tall Tale Boot, about $100 from Piperlime}

Lace It Up

Boots. Boots. Boots. Three cheers for Boots! One of the most quintessential things about cold weather, and certainly one of the most versatile as well.  And what's 'the look' in boots for fall, you ask? Lace Up. Whether worn all tied up, or un-done and slouchy, the combat look is hot. 

{January Jones from InStyle}

{Shenae Grimes from InStyle}

{Victoria Beckham from UsWeekly}

Take a peek at these beauties that I've been lusting after...and trying to save up for.

{H by Hudson Alba Combat Boots, about $430, from Shopbop}

{Frye Veronica Motocross Boots, about $290}

{Nine West Rivit Boot, $200}

{The celebrity favorite, All Saints Damisi boots, about $250}

{Cat Deeley and Fearne Cotton in All Saints boots, from Marie Claire UK}

Something a little bit more my (financial) speed? How about these pairs from Steve Madden and Baker's...both under $100!

{Steve Madden Commbat boots, about $70, on sale!}

{Embrace the military trend with a peek of camo, Baker's Combat boots, about $90}

Now while I've been dreaming about rocking boots like these on the weekends while I'm strolling around town, I came to a realization last week while at the mall. After trying on a few pairs of lace-up combats (including the kick-ass pair from Baker's!), I had to admit to myself that, sadly, I'm just not that edgy. 

This is a great time for me to launch into my mantra.....what is trendy is not always a perfect fit for you. It's important to stay true to who you are and make the trends work for your personal style. You just won't feel comfortable if you feel like you're dressed in a costume. 

When you're comfortable, you're confident, and when you're confident, you look like a million bucks.

Now back to the boots....

So once I came to grips with the fact that I'm just not the combat type, I started scouring the shoe racks for something that would work for me. The result? The Motorcycle Boot!

They are still cut at the ankle, just like a lace up, but without the laces they seem to be a bit more tame.

Check out these examples

{Miley Cyrus in motorcycle boots, from People}

{Rag and Bone Moto Boots, $550, on Shopbop}

{Jeffery Campbell Brit Wrap Strap Booties, about $230, from Shopbop}

{Nine West Maeble Boots, about $100}

These styles are for sure more my pace....still a bit rugged, but not quite as tough as the lace ups. And the best part of all.....I found this perfect pair for just $60 at the mother-ship for shoe addicts, DSW!

{Zigi Soho Tellie Boot}

I love the semi-slouchy structure, the strap and buckle details, and the well-worn blackish-gray color. These boots will, without a doubt, be the permanent weekend replacement for my Uggs this year! 

DIY: Necklace Trends

Anyone who knows me understands my penchant for crafting. I mean, I have a craft cart in my bedroom that houses all of my supplies (sewing machine included).  So naturally, when I see something I want, the words "oh, I can make that" often come out of my mouth. Sometimes, this turns out to be a total disaster.....but in other cases, my DIY projects work out.  And this little undertaking was one of those success stories.

I spotted this necklace in the Anthropologie catalogue not too long ago, and I fell in love. But if I'm not willing to spend $200 on an article of clothing, then I'm certainly not going to spend it on a necklace!

{Sugared Lace Necklace, about $200, from Anthropologie}

So instead, I headed to my local craft store and picked up the supplies I would need to create my own version. 

A little snipping, and a few jump rings....

...and I've got a hand-made version that's perfect for me...for only $25!!!

Clearly this design is Booter approved :-)

Now of course I couldn't stop with just one DIY necklace. Once I finished my lacey piece, I was on a roll and I wanted to keep going. I've also had my eye on quite a few Hive and Honey pieces on Piperlime. 

{Left: Metal Woven Chain Necklace, about $30, Right: Mist Layer Necklace, about $60}

While the price tags on H&H's awesome pieces are much-less cringe inducing (about $30-$80), you can always spend less by doing it yourself. By purchasing a $3 chain and taking apart an old necklace that I never wear....

I've got this chain-link beauty that's totally on-trend and practically free!

Projects like this are much easier than they seem. All you need is a good chain, some jump rings for connecting the pieces to the chain, and then whatever you want to use to adorn the chain. (Think about repurposing old pieces of jewelry that you don't use anymore) Be sure you have a pair of needle-nose pliers, and some hot glue for emergencies....

Happy Crafting!

Cargo Chic

I'll be the first to admit that I rocked a pair of cargo pants in the seventh grade, and thought I was totally "in" with my wardrobe. Thank god my seventh grade baggy cargos (with hammer loop!), wouldn't fit the bill with this years trend...incredibly un-sexy. This season, slim is in and hammer loops are for construction workers only.

Check out these flirty, feminine cargo looks on Leighton and Victoria.

{Leighton Meester in AG Adriano Goldschmied, image via Lucky}

{Victoria Beckham, image via Instyle}

One of the reasons that I'm embracing the cargo trend is that I'm in desperate need of a jean substitute these days, especially now that the weather is getting chilly. I wear denim more days a week than I care to admit and now there is finally a pair of pants that is just as versatile as my dark-wash toothpick ankle jeans. And I love the fatigue-green color and how it's plays off the oh-so-in military trend. Here are a few versions on the pricier end. 

{The celeb favorite, AG Adriano Goldshmied Slim Sateen Cargo, about $200, found on Piperlime}

Love the moto-cross style stitching under the knees on this pair!

{Current/Elliott The Skinny Cargo Pant, about $250, found on Piperlime}

The ankle zippers on this (more affordable) pair are a great detail!

{Free People Skinny Military Pants, about $100, via Piperlime}

Now I don't want to toot my own horn.....but I had THE most gratifying day of shopping yesterday that I have ever had in my life. Not only did I pick up 2 pairs of boots for under $150 combined (a post about those is coming later!), but I found the best pair of skinny cargos for a price that allowed me to treat myself to lunch after....Penne Rosa at Noodles & Co., whoop whoop.

Now I have a very specific lower-body (read: big butt), and it's important to make sure that there are actual pockets on the back of my pants. The little slash pockets straight across the top of my cheeks just aren't flattering....at all. So I needed to find a pair of skinny cargos that satisfied my need to camouflage my rear end. 

Enter......The Cargo Jegging from American Eagle Outfitters!

Now I know what you're thinking, and I couldn't believe it either. I found the perfect pair of skinny cargos in a store that I haven't set foot into since 2001. But sometimes finding a great deal means looking in the most unexpected places. 

These pants have so many great details....the moto-cross stitching under the knees, perfectly-proportioned side pockets, ankle zippers.....and ass-minimizing back pockets, all for only $60! 

Hallelujha!

Plus, the super-light cotton & spandex blend fabric makes the pants thin enough that I can roll up the bottoms (even with the zippers!) and wear them cuffed with my grey oxford booties.

Can you tell I'm excited?