Back to school haul

I recently did some back to school shopping and I am going to share with you guys what I got as well as tips on styling these pieces for the fall.


The first thing I got was a polo from Old Navy for (drum roll please...) $8.00, what a bargain! I can't wait to wear this for school with a pair of white skinny jeans, khaki  pants or riding boots. I also love wearing headbands, chunky bracelets, pearls, or a watch with polos to add a little touch on the classy and simple shirt.

I got these skinny jeans from Gap, these are so great because they are so versatile and are wearable with almost anything.

I got these khaki pants from American Eagle. These are (as well as white skinny jeans) very versatile. You can wear these with riding boots, flats, sandals ( or Jack Rogers), Sperry Topsiders, or even Keds.

The next clothing item I got was a new black Patagonia fleece(aka the coziest, softest clothing item I have ever gotten.) Three words to describe this fleece are comfy, cozy, and classy. Comfy and cozy come into play because of the soft material that the fleece is made of. It is classy because of the black, which is one of my new favorite colors! You can wear this with leggings, white skinny jeans, khaki pants, even sweats(yes I just said that) for those lazy winter days around the house. You can also wear this to exercise, I know I'll be wearing it quite often during my after holidays, early January workouts! 

The last clothing item I got was a polka dotted button down from Banana Republic. Button downs, also known as oxfords, are probably my number one fall essential. If you want to see how I style them, go check out my post on how to style an oxford button down!


The last item I got in this haul were a pair of riding boots from Target. Riding boots are such a great shoe to have in the fall, even if you're not riding a horse! I got the black and brown pair and I love them to death. I can't wait to wear them this season.

Life with Lulu!

Now, I know this post is not fashion related whatsoever, but I just had to share my favorite little girl with you guys.
My family and I recently got a puppy named Lulu! She is a 12 week year old cavanese with white and apricot coloring, I love her to death.
Her breeder drove her up from their hometown yesterday in the car, and as soon as she arrived, she jumped right out of the crate and into my arms. I was quite unsure of what her first reaction to me might've been like. I didn't know if she would be shy and unfriendly at first, but she was the complete opposite! She loves being outside and running around our back yard. Although, she does get quite tired, so she definitely needs her naps. She loves playing with her toys and being with me and my family, I couldn't be happier to finally have her home.

Here is a photo of Lulu when she first arrived home...look at that adorable little face. If she wasn't my dog, I would've thought she was a stuffed animal!

Here is a photo of Lulu laying down in the yard after running around.


 

This is a photo of Lulu laying underneath my kitchen table playing with one of her favorite toys!

Well would you look at this little fur ball, taking a little nap in my lap after a long day. Puppies have it so rough right?

Trip to Banana Republic!

I recently took a trip to Banana Republic to check out their new fall arrivals and I just had to take some photos of my favorite items in the store!

 
Banana Republic store front.


Beige trench coat and navy pea coat! I love how they paired the navy pea coat with their maroon skirt, so cute and great for fall. 





 I love this gorgeous statement necklace! I would love to wear this with a solid sweater and an oxford button down. First day of school outfit, anyone?



You guys know me and my button downs! I love the variety of colors you can choose from at Banana Republic and how they look so classic. I bought a black and white polka dotted button down today and I can't wait to wear it with white skinny jeans, so perfect.

This red and blue striped coat with golden buttons hands down has to be my favorite find at Banana Republic today! I love the way that the light blue undershirt and white skinny jeans looks with it as well.

Of course, I couldn't pass up the shoes. I love these flats and the different varieties of colors, from hot pink to nude. Now that I think about it, I might need some new Banana Republic Shoes...

School Uniforms: From Boring to Bold!

All of you reading this who go to a private school, prep school, or any school that requires you to wear plain old uniforms, listen here for a way to change your uniform from boring to bold!


Here is a plain polo from Vineyard Vines. Although this may just be a solid navy tee, look at the bottom right corner or the photo, notice that the model has a chunky yellow bracelet to add a little extra color to her uniform. A great way to spice up a uniform is to add pops of color using accessories! Another pop of color you can add is a bright yellow headband, statement necklace or even a scarf in the colder months.



This bright yellow,polka dot headband is from Skoose Design
This yellow bubble statement necklace is from Statement Bubbles

   This yellow scarf is from Saachi Style and would look great on top of a navy blue blazer in the colder months.

Now we can't forget about the guys!


The photo above shows a navy blue blazer, often worn by the guys for school uniforms. Although what I love about it is the red and black striped tie underneath. Another way to add some flair to this blazer is a pocket handkerchief to match the tie, in this case it would be either red or black. You can also switch out the neck tie for a bow tie as well.  
These pocket handkerchiefs are from Brooks Brothers

   This bow tie is from Brooks Brothers as well.
 

A Little Retail Therapy Never Hurt Anyone

       Whenever I am feeling a little blue and in need of some cheering up, I find that a little retail therapy always does the trick. During my most recent trip to the mall, I saw some of the most gorgeous items from the store's new fall collections and I just had to snap a few photos.


 I snapped this photo above of an outfit from The Limited . I love how the Blazer matches with the red pants; I also love the crystal statement necklace, such a great way to dress up any outfit!




Of course, just like any mall trip, I could not pass up the opportunity to visit Michael Kors. They have such great quality clothing, purses, watches, shoes, bags, and lots more.




 I snapped this last photo from the department store, Lord and Taylor. I was walking through their shoe department and I could not resist the urge from looking at these gorgeous penny loafers, I just have to get my hands on these this fall!
 

Fall Staples

        Sadly, Summer, the season of lemonade and poolside parties, is coming to a close. But, that's okay because Fall is right around the corner! The season of pumpkins, apple-picking, crisp air, thanksgiving, and the most important part,THE FASHION! Fall has to be my favorite season because of the clothes there are to wear, from vests to riding boots!
During the beginning of every season, I have a list of five staples to wear during that season. Here are my Top Five staples for Fall: 







 The first staple of mine is a J. Crew puffer vest, or any puffer vest in general. You can also find ones like the one shown above for less at Old Navy and Gap! I think these vests are great for the early season of Fall, when it is too chilly to wear a sleeveless cover up but still too warm for a heavy winter jacket! Another thing I love about these vests is that they are so versatile! I like to wear mine with an oxford shirt under it or over a sweater with skinny jeans and riding boots. You can wear them any way you want!


    The Second staple of mine are Riding boots! I love love love riding boots, especially for the fall! These beauties shown above are by Tory Burch. Although if you're not looking to splurge on a new pair of boots, you can definitely find ones just like these for less from Aerosoles ,Zappos, and almost any department store! I love my new pair from Lord and Taylor and I cannot wait to start wearing them!


 The third staple of mine are of course....the oxford button downs! I talk about these on my blog all of the time, mostly because they are so classy and there so many different ways to wear them. You can wear them under a solid sweater with the collar poking out for a little pop, under a puffer vest on those chilly fall days, or tucked into skinny jeans with a statement necklace for a more casual yet put together look! These again are so versatile yet very classic. I'll tell you this: If you walk into work/school on the first day this season, you will definitely make a good, long lasting impression on your boss/teacher. I guarantee you they will think, "mature, put together and classic." 


 The fourth staple is a traditional and again classic, Black Pea Coat. These will never go out of style, at least not in my book. The are perfect for a chilly day of shopping, going to lunch with friends, or even a walk in the park! You can wear them so many different ways. With leggings, skinny jeans, heels, boots, or flats! (I especially love how the model in the photo above added a white beanie to her outfit, so cute!) You can find these at almost any store this season; I recommend Old Navy and Gap for the best deals. 


  The final staple is a Patagonia Fleece. Now believe me, I know these might not be everyone's style, but they are so great for the late fall weather! When it is still too warm for a heavy jacket but too chilly for a puffer vest. I can see these being worn most in the late October and early-mid November. These can be worn also many different ways. I especially love when people wear them with leggings, duck boots, and a pair of freshwater pearl earrings. It is a casual look for those lazy days but the classic pearls definitely dress it up! I can't wait to start wearing my black Patagonia Fleece this year. I keep asking myself.....Is it Fall yet?

My Style Icon: Blair Waldorf

In case you've never heard of Blair Waldorf, she is a fictional character in Gossip Girl,Queen B in my favorite show of all time. She also happens to be my style icon, I love her sophisticated, classy, put-together yet trendy style. She can wear a plain gray suit and spice it up with a few jeweled bracelets and add a pop of color with a colorful headband!
Here are some of my favorite outfits that Blair wore throughout the show:


I love how Blair made this outfit bright and colorful with the Kelly green pea coat, which in my book is a very important staple to have in a wardrobe, and how she added the yellow headband, scarf, shoes, and handbag for some more color!




















I love this photo of Blair because it makes me remember all of her outfits early on in the show, when she was still attending a private prep school in Manhattan, New York. Usually, school uniforms can be pretty plain and boring, so I love how Blair took it to the next level by adding bright red tights,a red button down under her navy blue blazer, a red and white bag, and black ballet flats with crystals at the tips. Everything in this outfit is so well put together,she is definitely on fire!

European Fashion!

My family and I traveled to Paris this past Spring and the one thing that caught my eye, besides the accents of course, was the fashion. The two words I would use to describe it are: Classic and Trendy, two words that aren't usually paired together. The striped shirts, berets, pea coats, Longchamp Pliage Purses and Chanel bags, can it get more perfect?

          

Here are some non-fashion related photos of some of the amazing architecture in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and  Arc de Triomphe, and the delicious Laduree macrons I tasted while on my trip!

    

How I style Oxfords, and No, Not the Shoes.

              The common mistake with the word, "Oxford," people automatically think the shoe! Although when I hear it, I automatically think of the classic button downs. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but when I first started wearing them, I didn't know how to style them. That's why I'm here to help you!
               The first way I love wearing them is just plain and simple, buttoned almost all the way to the top, but one or two unbuttoned to make the look a bit more relaxed and casual, you don't want to seem like you're trying to hard. I often like to wear them with J. Crew Chino shirts and Sperrys. A great way to transition this look for Fall is to switch out the chinos for leggings and Sperrys for a pair of duck boots or riding boots. I also love to accessorize with a statement necklace OR a chunky gold watch (notice how I said OR, you don't want to over do it with a statement necklace and a watch. Although, complimenting the watch with a small pearl necklace never hurt anyone.)
                The other way I love wearing oxfords in the Fall and Winter is under a cable knit sweater or a cardigan with the collar of the oxford poking out. I find that it really dresses up the look of the sweater. I usually pair this with a pair of leggings and riding boots or even white skinny jeans and Sperrys (if it's not to chilly where you live.) I also like to accessorize with a pair of pearl earrings and a statement necklace over the collar.

The Preppy Girl Tag!

 Question 1:Whats your definition of preppy?
 I feel that there are many different views on the term "preppy." My take on in is a very classy, together,, and mature style. Consisting of button ups, cable knit sweaters and (my favorite part), the pearls.
Question 2.Whats your all time favorite brand?
This question is so hard for me because I have so many different brands. Although my all time favorite has to be Lilly Pulitzer. I love the girlieness of her clothing. Although, I also love Vineyard Vines and J.Crew
Question 3. What is your favorite Lilly Pulitzer print?
My favorite Lilly Pulitzer print is Lobster Roll. It reminds me of my favorite vacation sport, Newport, Rhode Island, where my family and I vacation every year, because we woud always eat lobster rolls while vacationing there. It also reminds me of where I live, New England, where I hope to stay and raise my family one day.
Question 4. Favorite preppy Blogger?
My favorite preppy blogger has to be Sarah Vickers, ClassyGirlsWearPearls. I love her fashion sense and style! She takes amazing photos as well :)
Question 5. Jack Rogers or Sperrys?
I actually don't own a pair of Jack Rogers, well not yet anyways ;) So I would have to say Sperrys. I wear mine basically wih every outfit, because they're so versitile! You can wear them with a Vineyard Vines polo and leggings for a more causal look, or an oxford button down and J, Crew chino shorts to dress it up for a dinner out with friends!
Question 6. Jeans or Khakis?
Hands down, Jeans! I have so many pairs of skinny jeans in a variety of colors from white to Kelly green!
Question 7. Opinion on Oxfords?
The button down I'm assuming? In that case, I;m in love with them! I wear them so many different ways and I have so many of them! (Keep a look out for a post on how to style oxfords, that will be coming soon.)
Question 8. Duck boots, Riding Boots, or Hunters?
This question was actually my most recent dilemma in back to school shopping. I kept asking my self, "WHat should I get? A new pair of Duck boots, Riding boots, or Hunters?" I finally decided on Riding boots but I love all three so much because they're so different from each other! 
Question 9: Navy or Black?
My final answer is: Navy in the Spring and Summer and Black in the Fall and Winter.
Question 10. Scale of 1-10 how much do you love J.Crew?
Can we say 10 billion?
Question 11. Favorite Ralph Lauren clothing item?
Definitely their polos, I love them so much!
Question 12.Pearls or bows?
 Pearls, I can't imagine a day not wearing my freshwater pearl earrings and bracelet!

About Me!

  Hi, I'm Elise! I'm preppy fashion blogger, shopaholic and chocoholic, my favorite color is pink, my favorite sweets are macarons, and I'm a New England girl at heart. Hope you enjoy my blog!