It's that time of year again!

November came and went all too quickly and of course I was MIA, but I'm back and that's all that matters right? :) 

The holidays are here and that means family and friends, lights, the tree, holiday tunes, and all things red. Red is the signature color of December. I always feel the need to wear more of the color and in deeper tones such as maroon. Although I "feel the need" to wear the vivid color, I don't always find it easy to do so. I think red looks stunning on everyone, if you find the right shade for your skin color, hair color, eye color, etc. This year I started wearing red in small doses. For my sister's birthday dinner I found this loose, black, off the shoulder top with a floral design that embraces the colors red and green.

(It's not the best picture in the world but you can see the red on the shirt)

So after wearing this I started to incorporate more red into my wardrobe. I also painted my nails a nice and bright "traditional" Christmas red. I also need to find a dress for a holiday party I will be attending that requires all the ladies to wear a red dress. If any of y'all know where I can find a gorgeous red dress, let me know!

Christmas is a lot closer than we think it is so make sure you start including more shades of red into your daily outfits. It can be anything and not only will it make you feel more cheerful but it makes you stand out and we all want to turn heads, don't we?

Happy Holidays!

xoxo



Lots to catch up on.

Since I last posted on Pretty Outlaws, I visited Las Vegas for the first time. One word; Amazing. Of course I packed last minute but managed to not ridiculously over pack, but yes I did over pack according to the rest of the people on this trip. Unfortunately, the weather was cold while I was there but I still risked the flu for the sake of fashion. Don't we all? (pictures to come later.) For now I'll show you what celebrities inspired my daily outfits.

This picture is basically what I wore to the airport except I wore leggings to be comfier on the airplane ride. My boots were a camel colored leather and my cardigan was a dark purple.

My key item of the trip was my black off-the-shoulder long sleeve blouse. It showed just enough skin, appropriate for a chilly Las Vegas night. I wore it with ripped jeans that every older woman kept staring at as they walked by.

I wore my red and black plaid Kensie peacoat, I almost didn't pack it thinking it wouldn't be cold. Luckily, it matched almost every outfit I brought along.

I took my black platform ankle boots, my new sparkly gold flats, leather flat ankle boots and metallic heels.

Las Vegas was a success. Now back to reality and writing on here more often. Stay tuned y'all!



Excited,Forever & Always

I am very easily excited. I will get excited over anything and everything. So imagine how anxious I am right now, knowing that in exactly two weeks, I will be in Las Vegas. I am in desperate need of a vacation. Sin City is calling my name and I can't wait to see what all the fuss is about, now that I am 21 and able to experience it for myself. My checklist in my planner is slowly being crossed off. All I am in need of now is a manicure, facial and a long sleeve dress since it will probably be a bit chilly at night. Here is the look I am aiming for...

Vegas is known for it's extravagant style so I am prepared for 6 inch heels and big and bold accessories.

Another excitement of mine is Target's new Mulberry purse collection. This purse collection made it's debut October 10th but unfortunately I have yet to take a trip to Target. Target has collaborated with quite a few talented designers and that is what has kept me drawn to their apparel but lately I have not been too intrigued by their selection, that was until I heard Mulberry would be designing purses for Target. Mulberry's latest sensational creation is the Alexa shoulder bag, named after British style icon Alexa Chung. Their bag styles for Target, seem to aim for a younger crowd and are, of course, easier on your wallet, all while still reflecting their signature style.

Finally, the last of my excitement goes to the brand new Zara store location that recently opened at La Cantera. I'm sure I am not the only one around here that's happy to see international brands being brought to us in person rather than online.

If your a local, make sure you check this place out and let me know where I can find a long sleeve dress. :)



Mad Hatter Monday

I don't know what it is about Mondays that everyone loathes, but I've come to realize that the way you start your week off is they way it will continue. So why not start it off getting dolled up? Luckily, I have the day off tomorrow thanks to Mr. Columbus and will be having a "no need to rush to get to work on time" lunch. On top of that I get to dress how I want on a Monday, (more on my current job in a later post) instead of the usual. Here is what I've compiled to encourage my style this week.

Tea parties are a nostalgic way to add to your style. Who doesn't remember having tea parties when they were a little girl and not realizing that we were already becoming fashionistas with our elegant hats, faux fur boas and pearls. Going to the American Girl Place was a favorite for me and my sister, with our look-alike dolls and shopping for outfits for them, including umbrellas. If any of you readers have a little girl and happen to visit downtown Chicago, go there and experience their adorable tea parties. Besides the color pink making me smile and giving me all the reason to love all things girlish, tea parties are the next best thing. Not only do they remind me of fond childhood memories but I think of the outdoors, flowers, dresses and cupcakes. Incorporate a little of this dainty style to your look this week and maybe you'll feel like throwing a tea party for your friends. (Make sure you buy the tea party set shown above, did I mention it's Juicy?)





Shoe phase

Shoes, shoes, shoes, where do I start? I have not done a footwear post so I will grace you with my first one today. :) I go through phases every so often where I only have the patience to buy shoes or purses or dresses, so on and so on. Well, guess what phase I'm going through right now?

Fall 2010 is filled with so many shoe options. We have the clogs making a comeback, the nude heel has rejoined us for another season and don't even get me started on my favorite, boots. Believe it or not, shoes make an outfit. You could be wearing jeans and a tank top and no one would acknowledge your ensemble, but you throw in some thigh high boots or red platform pumps and suddenly everyone is complimenting on your "outfit". I recently bought some boots like these that AnnaLynne McCord is wearing while combining her fall and summer look.

I also purchased some black over the knee high heeled boots a couple weeks ago, that I cannot wait to wear with a sweater dress.

My next shoe purchase will be another pair of cowboy boots. I adore boots. After all, this is Texas and the "wild west look" is in so why not take advantage of it. I will be posting pictures of my final choices of boots. I do need to mix up my boot color scheme a bit. My ankle and knee high boots are black and my flat "equestrian" style boot is a dark brown.

Enough about boots! I went out to dinner with one of my best friends Friday night and she wore her new glitter heels. Can you say glamorous? She was worried she would look over the top but it's better to be overdressed than under dressed. They look a little something like this.

Minus the bow in front. Although her shoes did have a bow on them but it was in the back and her shoes were more silver "sparkly".

I am also admiring the wedge shoe this season. When I think wedges, I always picture summer. Not this fall season ladies, wedges are becoming versatile.

Wedges are also becoming more chunky and covered up from toes to ankle, resembling a bootie but wedged in the back.

I'll keep y'all updated on my shoe obsession phase.



Medicine

It's a beautiful Saturday and we have finally began to receive some legit fall weather this past week. Unfortunately, I have been sick this entire past week as well. Luckily, I woke up feeling better today and ready to enjoy some cool breezes mixed with sunshine, but best part is I finally get to feel "pretty" again considering I've been lounging around in sweat pants and t-shirts and the only accessories I carried around this week were Kleenex and vapor rub. I needed to feel feminine again after feeling like a zombie all week. I needed inspiration (you know that thing I'm always talking about?).

This is just what I needed after feeling "sluggish" all week. Pink will always pick a girl up when she feels down. To all you stylish girls who just so happen to be sick or feeling down for some other reason, I hope this post makes you feel sparkly.



Smart Shopping

Fashionista: a person who follows trends in the fashion industry obsessively and strives continually to adopt the latest fashions.

Being a fashionista does not mean you need to spend 1000 dollars a week in order to be one. Being a fashionista is owning your fashion and style. Being a "pretty outlaw", you start your own trends and follow whichever trends you want to or don't want to.

Frankly, in these rough times, not all of us can go out and buy the newest pair of Louboutins or that Chanel purse you saw hanging off the arm of Ashley Olsen two days ago. Luckily, there are so many alternatives out there for us stylish college students. No, I am not talking about knockoffs. There are plenty of stores that carry all the latest trends at reasonable prices. Every once in a while though, save up for that expensive tote or that swanky coat because some splurges are definitely worth every penny. Make sure they are investment pieces that you can use every year and your money will be well spent.

Some great affordable places I like to shop at:

Forever 21

A great place to shop and they carry different styles and every trend to suit everyone's needs.

Target

With all the designers teaming up with Target, your bound to find some interesting pieces.

Nordstroms Rack

I especially like going there for their shoes. Designer brands at discounted prices. Nordstroms Rack is where all the discontinued, overstocked, and extra items from Nordstrom go.

TJ Maxx is always a great place to find a bargain.

Some other great places are Urban Outfitters, Charlotte Russe and last but not least, vintage. Check out your nearby thrift stores or resale shops, you never know what you'll find.

My fall wish list

Oh, the joyful apprehension of the official fall season. Chilly weather means layering, boots, tights, hats and jackets. The colors I look forward to using most are dark greens, purples, reds, browns and of course the "ever so classic" black. This fall it's all about texture, design and pattern, that means leather, denim, lace, ruffles, animal print and deep hues. As much as I love summer, I can't help but count down the days to weather below 70 degrees. (Yes, this means "chilly" in Texas.) What is on my fall 2010 wish list, you ask?

Thigh high boots

Knit sweater dress

Blazer

Lace

Ruffled clothing

Animal print pieces. (Dress, belt, scarf, etc.)

Classic riding boot

Pieces with a touch of military

What is on your fall "must have" list?



The official football season is here.

For those of us in college, when fall comes around, we all think tights, boots, sweaters and football. Living in Texas, football is religious. Whether it may be watching the NFL, college football or high school football, it's tradition. I live for those chilly friday nights of cheering on our old high school, sitting in those glaring stadium lights. Better yet, tailgating parties. Although not most of you fashionistas want to sit in jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt or jersey on a friday night, there are stylish ways to show up to a tailgating party and still support our future husbands ex: Colt McCoy. However, as much as we wish we could all get our friends to show up this way to a Longhorns tailgating party and everyone cooperate to take a gorgeous picture like this.

Let's face it, it's not going to happen.

(At least not with my guy friends, they will be to busy drinking beer, making bets, and pretty much acting like any other typical college guy during a football game.)

However, there are ways of dressing sophisticated without over doing it because after all, you will be outside, it will be chilly and it's football.

Three quarter sleeves always say casual to me. Pair a loose, three quartered sleeve shirt with a bold bangle and nice fitted shorts or jeans. You'll look a polished "casual".

Fingerless gloves are not only a great way to keep warm but these Urban Outfitters ruffled gloves are a chic way to avoid numb hands.

A simple sweater with tights or a shirt wrapped around your waist as well as any other way of layering and accessorizing is another laid back approach to dressing up more than usual for the game.

I think this outfit is classic for not only fall but to be outside during the autumn season. This look is cozy, stylish and comfortable all in one outfit, which is exactly what I need when I'm out there sitting in the bed of a truck in the perfectly crisp football weather cheering on the UT Longhorns.

I bought a lumberjack hat last fall during football season and it was a lifesaver. It would get so cold out there on those aluminum bleachers that this hat is the only thing that kept me warm at times. To my luck these hats are back in this fall, considering all the faux fur that is in this year.

Sometimes you just want to throw on something simple but accessorize. These fitted Victoria's Secret shirts are a playful and charming way to support your team. Pair them with ripped jeans and a chunky necklace or a knitted cardigan over them with shorts and boots. 

Go cheer on your favorite teams and look darling while doing it.