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.



D.I.Y

I love the accomplished feeling I get when I finish something or cross a task off of my never ending "to do list". On my list, was to attempt to make a lace and leather bracelet. One of my best friends has a leather cuff with lace material wrapped all the way around and I never seem to find one like it so I took matters into my own hands and made my own.

 The cuff is made out of an old leather belt, ie; Eco friendly.

Scraps of lace material.

Leather and lace is just what I need for this "country chic" fall season.

I love my leather cuff and I have one more "scratch off" on my "to do list". Hopefully you all are enjoying these projects as much as I do. I'm off to make another cuff for my sister. (I'm definitely thinking about making some more and selling them on here so check back soon.)  



You'll see me wearing this soon!

Coco & Lolly

RIP Coco & Lolly. This adorable retailer opened a location here at La Cantera about a year ago and is now closing down. "Tear". "Coco and Lolly" focused on stylish accessories varying from necklaces, earrings and charms to purses, scarves, and headbands. Their clothes are what you need if you follow up on fashion constantly. When you walk into their store, you automatically feel the ambiance of New York City or any other major city. I'm sure the fashionistas of Texas are heartbroken with the closing of "Coco & Lolly".



However, I did make a trip to Coco & Lolly as soon as I heard that they were closing down. Ladies, finish reading this post than plan a visit to see them. They have dropped their prices to unbelievable numbers. I couldn't believe what I paid for all the perfect items I brought home. Your getting quality merchandise for more than half off of their prices. Check out some of the darling items I bought myself.

I saw the fringe on this purse and almost knocked over a rack trying to reach this purse.

Bows make me smile.

Remember when I mentioned I'm obsessed with cardigans?

This chunky, sparkly and heavy necklace is a perfect way to make a t-shirt glamorous.

All wrapped up in pink and beige tissue paper and thrown in these pretty bags.

I also bought some leggings and thigh high laced and knit socks as well as a nude colored purse for my sister, which she loved. Check out Coco & Lolly for some amazing deals and beautiful items. Happy shopping.

xoxo.





Weekend Getaway

Since most of my weekend was spent on a four wheeler, skeet shooting and enjoying the quietness of the country, I only had a limited amount of time to shop especially because our guy friends didn't have much patience for us girls to shop in town so we had to work fast. I will definitely be going back to explore some more. There were a few old country stores on the way into town that consisted of trinkets and treasures, as well as vintage clothing, hats and records. One of my friends bought three amazing old records for just 60 dollars. While she was paying, I thought I'd be leaving empty handed since I didn't find anything that I fell in love with, I walked to the front to wait for her and I saw this at the end of the counter.

It's a more brassy, shiny color, but the picture doesn't do it much justice. I'm not sure what it was originally but I'm going to use it as a ring or earring holder.

The outside of one the stores.

I felt like playing dress up when I walked into this vintage store.

Onto some more of my purchases. I went into a store called "Fredericksberg Marketplace" on Main Street, now one of my favorite stores on Main street by far and one of the reasons I'll be heading back soon. A couple stores are extremely overpriced, it's a small town so many residents only shop there because they don't want to make the drive to a different town but "Fredericksberg Marketplace" was reasonably priced and had a variety of accessories ranging from unique pieces to everyday items you would need.

This silver bracelet was bought at a different store on Main street. I had one just like it that my dad had bought for me but I broke it so hopefully I'll be more gentle with this one.

These pair of earrings were bought at Fredericksberg Marketplace from a brand called "Katie's". If your looking for a pair no once else has, you'll probably find something to suit your style and if your looking for simple like the bottom pair, you'll find that as well.

Let me know if any of y'all visit Fredericksberg, TX and if you checkout "Katie's", mention that they are mentioned on Pretty Outlaws. :)

First "self outfit post"

I'm back. Fredericksberg is a beautiful little town and I had a great time. It was pleasant to get away. Unfortunately this post will not be about my trip. Come back tomorrow! I didn't take as many pictures as I had planned because it's difficult to hold a camera, all my amazing finds and still manage to take pictures when your trying to be the first one to find the best goods especially while shopping vintage. (I promise I'll get better at it.) Nevertheless, I do have some notable pictures of the ranch I stayed at and the shops we visited.

Anyways, yesterday after I got off work, I was invited to dinner last minute so I had to go home and put together an outfit in a matter of minutes. I wanted something casual but not too dressed down. (forgive me for the poor quality of this photo, me on the phone and all, that's how much of a hurry I was in.)

I wore denim shorts to keep my outfit casual, added a white v-neck and a cardigan from "Nordstroms". To dress it up a bit more, I wore black ankle platform boots, that I received for my birthday from my sister. They are from a magnificently coordinated store, "Charming Charlie's"

(Charming Charlie's)

I finally wore my Givenchy pin I bought a couple weeks back.

I will hopefully have more "self outfit posts" soon.

P.S. If your reading my blog, you don't need to have a blog in order to follow me. You can follow it with your email. My friends are just now realizing this after having me saved under their "bookmarks" for the past month. :)

Fredericksberg, TX

As I had said in my recent posts, I will be spending this weekend in Fredericksberg, Texas at a friend's ranch. Fredericksberg is a small town in the hill country so I'll be spending the weekend fishing, hunting, mudding and other outdoor activities that require getting "down and dirty", so of course I'm trying to bring some outfits that will look cute for the outdoors but I wont mind getting grungy in. We will also be attending a wine and cheese tasting at a vineyard down the road from my friend's ranch. This small town is known for it's unique shopping, lots of boutiques, vintage stores and one of a kind trinket stores, that means I will also be spending some time shopping. I should be packing as I write this but just thought I'd do one last post before the weekend. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and take notes on the shopping and hopefully have some recommendations for y'all if any of you ever head to Fredericksberg.

As I am packing, I am trying to take outfits that are planned for each activity. This top Katherine Heigl is wearing, is perfect for some shopping during the day. The color of the shirt alone says "country darling", the lace just makes it even more darling.

Fur vests are taking over this Fall. They are everywhere in different styles. This picture has encouraged me to buy one. I wish I could have had it for this weekend as well as this gorgeous patterned dress, it would have looked great for some wine tasting.

Have a great weekend and check back with my on monday.

Quick DIY

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate one of my best friends, Ashley Ellison, for competing in the Miss Texas USA 2011 pageant. She looked divine and her personality is absolutely charming not to mention, how wonderful of a friend she is.

Onto my little DIY project. I have always loved the Chanel word bangles from 2007. These black and white bangles had words and phrases, in English and french, about design, style, and luxury. I had read about a DIY article on how to make your own word bangles so I went ahead and tried it.

I bought this vintage Lucite bangle a couple weeks ago, with the idea of making it a "word bangle".

I had these rub on transfers with a french theme and cut out the "j'adore" to use on the bangle.

Here is the finished product. The "j'adore" is in red letters. Chanel focuses more on black and white but I thought the red would look more chic for Fall whereas black and white is a bit more reserved and classic. I will definitely be making more of these and piling them up like Chanel did on the runway in 2007.

Chanel 2007

I know y'all might be thinking about why I'm into items "so three years ago" but bangles/bracelets are always a simple and well-liked approach to accessorizing. Connect with your creative side and make fashion your own. Enjoy my project.

Don't Rain on my Fashion Parade.

It's pouring here in Texas and will continue to all week long. Rain can be a bit of a downer on fashion. I know I don't like getting my suede boots wet or ruin my leather shoes with water stains and open heels or flats will just leave your feet cold and wet. I have yet to go buy a pair of these but I certainly will! Rain boots. You know those goofy boots we wore as children with matching raincoats? Now there are so many designs out there that you are sure to find some that fit your style and believe it or not, they don't look as goofy as they used to. Here are some of my top picks.

HUNTER ORIGINALS GLOSS BOOTS IN VIOLET

It's a cowgirl thing. Nomad Zebra Print Boots

Jefferey Campbell Rubber Boots

Rain boots have become sleeker and stylish. Considering all this rain for the rest of the week, I'm going to have to buy some especially since I'll be spending the weekend in the gorgeous small town of Fredericksburg, TX at a friend's ranch. I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures. Enjoy the rain!