The Chic Backpacker: No Camping Necessary

Not sure if you guys have noticed but backpacks are hot right now. Not just Herschel or those cool Jack Spade ones your boyfriend wears. Even better some of the high end backpacks can also be worn as a shoulder bag. (Givenchy nailed that one!) Not convinced? How much more convenient would it be if your hands and arms could be completely free of a purse while shopping? Also great for traveling. Carrying a purse plus luggage is a pain in the neck. (Yes I know a cross body bag could be convenient too but even that gets in the way some times) Here are my 5 must have back packs right now: 

Deux Lux Evette Faux Leather Backpack 

$72 SaksOff5th.com 

Lock & Key Tote Backpack $65 Dailylook.com

Danielle Nicole Sloane Backpack $70 Macy's 

Marc by Marc Jacobs Leather Backpack $528 Shopbop.com (Splurge)

3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Backpack $975 31philliplim.com (Splurge!!!!) 

Tis The Season to be Jolly....for Black Friday!

Yes it's time for family, turkey, and steal deals also known as Black Friday! I personally go for all of the midnight madness at Urban Outfitters and the Gap or cyber Monday deals to beat the crowds. Fortunately enough for us many of our favorite stores have had some disappointing margins this year and are starting their sales early! Get on those mailing lists and check out these sales! Here's a head start: 

Ready. Set. Parkas.

"Every high end designer has a parka in their fall collection. The prices for them in regular stores are about to sky rocket." - Me via Twitter July 31, 2014

 One of the fun things about personal shopping and being in fashion school is you get to see and pick up on the trends before they go mainstream. Needless to say it's cold. No seriously, the real kind of cold. Yes, all of the jackets I've previously told you guys about are "cute" but not quite that warm. Parkas on the other hand are made with down feathers (well most) which makes them extremely warm and sometimes light weight. The fur hood and the fit depending on the brand makes them fashionable. Definitely be prepared to spend a pretty penny on a parka if you want it to last you through a few years of tough winters. Here's a few I've found under $200. 

Gap $168 

Rachel Roy $180 SaksOffFifth

TopShop $196

Zara $189

Cheap Approved: Co-Ords are Co-ol

Remember those matching outfits from head to toe when you were a kid? Or those denim on denim sets from the 90's?? Fashion repeats itself of course so co-ords are back. These matchy- matchy fits aren't just made for the office and can be worn as every day street style. 

An easy transitional piece from the office to happy hour without feeling over dressed. Available in prints or solids in pants or a skirt and even shorts if you're one of those people that wears shorts year around. 

You can find these matchy- matchy fits at TopShop, Boohoo.com, Zara, and Asos.com. 

Fall/ Winter Essentials

Unfortunately the season has changed and yes this means layers and bundling up. This is my favorite time of year because you can get creative within layers. So here are 8 wardrobe enhancers that are must haves for the Fall/ Winter seasons (some can even be worn during the Spring season). 

1. White or Black Button Down Shirt: This piece is versatile in so many ways. Tucked in with a blazer or worn as a oversized shirt dress with tights and boots; you can't go wrong with this piece in your closet.

2. Sweater Tights/ Colored Tights: I'll be the first to admit that some of those dresses I wore during the Spring/ Summer months fit so well that I wish I could wear them everyday. Well you can. With sweater tights or even leggings, boots, and an over coat. 

3. Leather Jacket: Besides the obvious reason that leather will never go out of style; Leather Jackets are perfect for those not so cold days. Warmth and chic can both be accomplished in a leather jacket. And lastly they just make you look bad ass.   

4. Moccasins: Not to replace your winter UGGs. Moccasin are another comfy and hip option. Let's admit it every outfit should not be paired with UGGs. Moccasins are also warm and available in different heights. 

5. Rain boots: It doesn't only shower in the Spring. Sorry. The waterproof boots are also good for the snow. Just make sure you invest in some of the wool socks as well (we don't want your toes to fall off) 

6. Booties: I use booties as a substitute for my loafers/ flats on those days when its just too cold to wear them. The best part is they can be accesorized with fun socks/ tights or perfected with cigarette skinny jeans. 

7-8. Hats & Scarves: With the trends high for hats over the last few seasons I think we in the fashion world are becoming more hat friendly. Whether it's a fedora or  a sloppy knit hat have fun with it. Hats and scarves add to that creative layering. Accessorizing made easy while keeping you warm and sick free. (No they don't have to match) 

Cheap OOTD: Fall/ Winter Pastels

Who says you can't wear pastels after April? The light hues of pinks and blues are everywhere this Fall/ Winter season; from over coats to 2015 Resort collections on the runway. Let's just say if you're spotted in Canary yellow pants you'll be asked where you snagged them from verses crazy stares. Here's how I'm wearing pastels today: 

Top: $30 J. Crew 

Cords: $35 Gap

Printed Scarf: $15 H&M 

Caption Clutch: $30 Zara

Shoes: $398 Manolo Blahnik @ Bergdorf Goodman (Splurge!)

Trend-tervention

"When I try to wear too much of a trend, I end up looking the opposite--like I spent way too much time in front of the mirror. It's important to know which trends are for you and which ones you should watch walk down the runway and right on by." - Sophia Amoruso (CEO of NastyGal) 

In the world of fashion new trends are created just about everyday. Every month when fashion magazines hit news stands, every fashion week season, every time Rihanna or Beyoncé uploads a picture on Instagram there's a new trend. Which is wonderful! Recreate your look as much as you want but the trick is ultimately knowing which trends work for your body type and which ones don't. 

People watching in FlatIron as well as my own fashion no no inspired me to share my point of view on trends vs body types. The seasons are changing which means more layers and being creative with showing off that cute fit while being warm. Oversized garments normally fits the bill for Fall/Winter seasons. On Instagram I came across a fashionista wearing an oversized turtle neck sweater with a pleated midi skirt that was done really nicely. 

And in normal fashion I tried my own rendition of the look. Big no no! Now I stand 4'11, 165 pounds, busty, with enough baggage in the back for it to be hard to hide. My shape was lost in the all over flowy look and I looked frumpy and uncomfortable(because I was). Given my shape/size I should have paired the over sized sweater with tights/ leggings and boots. Lesson learned. 

(Apologies for the bathroom pic but it was only fair to show you guys how crazy I looked) 

A plain tee with jeans, a scarf, and blazer or the fitted midi skirts paired with a nice button down blouse and pumps are trends that any one can wear; no matter your height or size. Now if your peplum skirt does that high in the back-low in the front thing where it almost shows your goodies if you bend over, try the midi peplum skirts. If you're curvy you can't pull off [all] of the looks of a slimmer figure. (i.e. Oversized/flowy top and bottom at the same time, anything that makes your shape disappear completely) If you're short you can't pull off [all] of the longer garments like the taller ladies. (i.e. Super long maxi dresses/skirts without slits, thigh high boots with dresses that cover 75% of the boots, etc.) Lastly if you don't feel like you look good or if you're uncomfortable(not in reference to high heels because at some point they're all uncomfortable) don't wear it. Be confident in your look. Own your look. 

Cheap Approved: & Other Stories

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a New York shopping introvert because if I can avoid it, I'd rather not venture to Soho. (Too many people and tiny side walks) A foreigner to the neighborhood I walked past this gem of a store &otherstories. The store itself is super chic snd super organized with 4 rooms filled with clothing, shoes, accessories, and beauty products. Each portion of every room is a different color story which I loved the most. The clothing was reasonably priced starting around $40-$50 as well as the accessories priced around $20. Definitely a must shop. Check them out online @ stories.com or 575 Broadway if you're in Soho. And of course I took pics of everything that caught my eye. 

Cheap OOTD featuring J. Crew

My latest brand obsession has been none other than the classic J. Crew. I've always been a fan of the quality of the brand. Mainly shopping just their basic t shirts and cashmere sweaters collection, I used to consider J Crew a tad bit too preppy for my everyday wardrobe. The latest creative director Jenna Lyons has thrown a trendy twist to the work wear brand and I like it! Here's my cheap outfit for today: 

Jeweled Sweatshirt: $40

Bomber Jacket: $72

Joggers: $35

(All items were on sale. Prices reflect 40% discount) 

Metallic Flats: $30 @ TopShop

AW x H&M Top Picks

The long awaited Alexander Wang and H&M collaboration hit stores today at 8am and 10am for the online consumers.

I attempted to stand in line and be one of those people to experience this huge launch so I could tell you guys all about it. But then at 4am it started to rain in NYC (Me + rain + suede shoes - an umbrella = no Bueno) so I politely got out of line and headed back to Brooklyn. Had I found patience (and an umbrella) these were my had to have items:

Pros: I love that Mr. Wang stuck to the aesthetics of the brand with the black/ white/ and grey combination with a hint of color. The price range was beyond reasonable unlike some of H&M previous collaborations. 

Cons: I'm more of a subtle gal when it comes to brands and logos on clothing. The huge WANG across most of the collection was a bit of an eye sore. The fit. Given this is an athletic collection and was mostly scuba inspired, but the sweatshirts were a tad bit too boxy. In fashion you have to know what trends work for you and which ones don't. 

Congrats to those of you whom snagged those items you wanted and happy shopping to those currently in store fighting (not literally) for those last few pieces. 

That's A Bomb(er) Jacket!

It would be impeccably awesome for the male species if we as females dressed to the nines every day all day. Fortunately enough for us we don't. (Sorry guys not sorry) Yes us ladies need to be comfortable too. So ladies what do we wear over top of our chill day sweatshirt, skinny jeans, and Chuck Taylor Converses? The trench coat with the super warm lining? Not quite. If you don't own a Bomber jacket or "Varsity Jacket" now is the time to get you one. Known for that sporty look the bomber is best for those dress down days. J. Crew, TopShop, Gap, Zara, and even Forever 21 have a variety of feminine prints and even fur/ sherpa options to choose from.

TopShop $152

Or if you're into higher end designers definitely check out the selection at Opening Ceremony and Alexander Wang for those all black unisex pieces. 

T by Alexander Wang $475

Shopping on a budget? Here a few of my favs under $200 bucks:

Forever 21 $38

TheHut.com $64

Lucky Brand $130 @ Macys.com

And I snagged this one today from J.Crew on sale for $120 but if you shop in store all sale items are an extra 40% off!