Bring on the bling!

Big girls need big diamonds.
~ Elizabeth Taylor

Everyone wants to look their best when it's back to school time. I always feel like I need to go buy a whole new wardrobe. But lets be honest shall we? No one has that kind of money that day. So how can you add some spice to your look without breaking the bank? Accessories are the way to go! My go to place for accessories is Forever 21. Forever 21 has variety for many different styles and they are also super reasonably prices. So with out further ado, here are my top ten accessories for school from Forever 21!

1. High Waist Bow Belt $4.80
- This belt is not only super cute but also can make major changes to an outfit. Belting a flowy dress or adding it to a tank can change up the whole feel of an outfit and highlight your waist at the same time. Plus how cute it that bow!

2. Rose Duo Clip $2.50
- This hair clip would be super cute on top of a messy side bun. This simple clip adds a touch of whimsy to just a normal outfit. So girly and romantic. This will make you feel pretty when you wear it. Plus I think this specific color pink will go very well with all hair colors.

3. Braided Bead Necklace $8.80
- This necklace it sorta fascinating to me. I think I would want to play with it a while before I wear. Anyway.... I also think its very pretty. Its chunky enough to make a statement but short enough to be easy to wear. Because its not sparkly of voluminous, it can be worn with any type of look, dressed up or dressed down. I could see it with a pretty sundress or with a tank and shorts.

4. Upper Eastside Bracelet Set $5.80
- This is a pretty substantial bracelet and the size might irritate some people, but I think its the perfect piece if you need to dress an outfit up. Because it has pearls and its pretty elegantly put together it will draw the eye and make even simple outfits look well thought out and posh.

5. Peacock Glamour Earrings $5.80
- OK I know I know these are a bit gaudy. However my personal taste does tend to run a bit to the gaudy side. I can see these with a cool black shirt. I have a shirt with cut out on the shoulders and cowl neck that is just plain black that these would look ridiculous with. These will most definitely be making an appearance in my personal collection.

6. Damask Knuckle Ring $5.80
- I almost didn't put a ring on here because I don't really feel like a ring can change your whole outfit. However with this ring I will make an exception. When it starts to get chilly and long sleeves come back into our thoughts this ring will be perfect. A light sweater with long tight fitting sleeves will pretty much point straight to this ring. This is so pretty you might just stare at it all day.

7. Floral Tips Scarf $8.80
- This scarf is perfect for this time of year because it is sooo light weight. This is going to be a huge statement piece and add alot of color but not make your neck sweat. Which is good because neck sweat is soooooo not chic... seriously... it's not.

8. Denim fedora with Leatherette Trim $10.80
- I like the idea of a denim fedora because it isn't too dressy and you can wear it to school. I think this hat does look a little masculine so I would wear it with something ultra feminine wither a floral dress or blouse thats a little flouncy. I think this fedora would look good with a low side pony with quite a bit of texture to it.

9. Diamond Web Tights $5.80
- These tights may not work on everyone. It may be too big of a print for some shorter people but I felt like the print could work on most average height people. I like tights because it enables you to move alot of your dresses from summer into fall. Take any summer dress add a cardigan and a pair of tights and viola! a perfect fall outfit!

10. Rose Bouquet Earrings $4.80

- I like these because I feel like most people just wear studs everyday and these are studs just a little more elegant and blingy... its that's even a word. These have a little bit of a victorian feel which I really like.

 

Ok those are my top picks for back to school bling!!!

 

Love, Laughter and God's Blessing

Lauren

HATily ever after

"I enjoy hats. And when one has filthy hair, that is a good accessory."

~ Julia Roberts

I think hats are a great fashion piece. They have a long and strong history, and while I personally think that hats are always in fashion, they have recently been brought back into the forefront of fashion by the highly popular Kare Middleton. So since this week I'm doing wedding themed blogs I decided to discuss an aspect of wedding I feel that is sadly neglected and that hats could totally fix. The leaving outfit! You know the outfit that you go to the airport in or leave your reception in. I know we all want to stay in that glorious wedding gown as long as possible but just wear it on your anniversary or something. I think it is very important to have an outfit to wear as you are leaving the reception and going on to your next stop. I mean its one more opportunity to look absolutely fabulous... why pass it up?!?

In my head I have always seen myself leaving my reception running under the rice or bubbles or whatever in a fabulous hat with a veil and all that jazz. It's probably because my mom wore a hat and I have seen it in pictures. For whatever reason it has always been an unshakable idea in my head. And with the royal wedding coming soon, and it being mandatory to wear a hat to the big day I think its the prefect time to explore the world of hats. Here are my top five favorite types of hats to wear with a simple outfit to make sure you look elegant whether spectating or fleeing!

 

1. The Wide Brim

- This is a classic shape for a hat. I like wide brims, but i like them with only simple adornments. Sometimes people have a tendency to think that the more stuff you put on them the more rich and fashionable you look. I think you eventually you just look like you are wearing a craft closet on your head. A simple bow will do you. This hat can go with a wide variety of outfits but try to keep whatever it is form fitting. With all that size and shape on your head if you wear something with a lot of volume on the bottom you will just end up looking spacious and not elegant.

2. The Pillbox with a Veil

- The pillbox hat is a style that always reminds me of the 40's and 50's and small little white gloves. Its such a feminine little accessory and I adore it. I feel like for a wedding it really needs a veil. If veils are not your thing you could certainly wear it without it. But let me tell you when I get married I need everyone to know I am the bride and the veil helps me accomplish that. Plus I think short veils like this are super flirty and intriguing. ( credit for picture "The pillbox photo was me (Katie Greiner) taken by Christa Taylor in Portland, Oregon, and is by Unveiled Designs - MUAH Caprice Hammon")

3. The Fascinator

- The fascinator has become widely popular lately all thanks to Kate Middleton. She has rocked the fascinator at several different appearances and I say keep it coming. They are perfect for people like me who have slightly bigger heads and have a hard time finding hats that fit. Fascinators come in a wide variety of shapes sizes and colors. they are the perfect thing to add some sparkle to an outfit. I sorta want to wear one like everyday....

4. The Cloche

- This hat is originally from the 20's but it is making a resurgence. I think this hat is suited for a more subdued personality. But just because there are no feathers doesn't mean that this hat is any less elegant or alluring. I do however think this hat is more suited to the winter months or maybe if its in a jewel tone the spring. In the summer it may look a little silly. I can see this hat paired with a tailored skirt suit in a cool color. Tres chic!

5. The Fedora

- This hat is a little more casual yet still elegant and interesting. Floral is really in right now and I really like the idea of a floral or some other pattern instead of boring old straw or felt or whatever else. This is for your wedding, we cant have hum drum we must have fabulous!!!! I like the fedora and it goes well with a ponytail. Which if you had a really elegant hair style for your ceremony a pony tail will be a welcome comfort.

OK those are my top picks for hats. And while I picked these for after a wedding, these can be options for a multitude of other occasions. I think hats are magnificent are seriously neglected. So go find a hat and put it on!

Love, Laughter and God's Blessings

Lauren