Basics

clockwise from top:
Topshop dress, Madewell chambray top, Madewell plaid shirt, J.Brand jeans, J.Crew bracelet, J.Crew balls bracelet, Zara leather bag, Madewell flats, J.Crew jacket, Madewell sweater, J.Crew sweater

I love shopping at places like Forever 21 and H&M just as much as anyone, and probably more. These places are perfect when you are looking for a cheap outfit or trying out a new trend. Almost 50% of my wardrobe is probably from places like Forever 21. However, when your looking for classic pieces it's better to pay a little more for better quality.

 I've always had a hard time finding jeans I like, but after buying a pair of J Brand jeans a few weeks ago I think I've found my brand. They fit perfectly and are a great price and quality. For other pieces like fall/winter jackets, sweaters, leather bags, and flats paying a little more can insure that they last for a long time. J.Crew and Madewell are always great for these types of things. A great dress that can be worn casual as well as dressy is also a piece I will spend more for (though the dress above is only $44!). I'm probably the queen of cheap jewelry. I rarely buy expensive jewelry, and I never buy expensive earrings (I've lost almost every pair), but buying bracelets that are easily stackable and classic is worth the money. The ones above from J.Crew are two of my favorites right now. 

~ Caroline

Basics

Saturday, November 17, 2012

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Closet Craziness

In the last year the amount of clothes in my closet has almost doubled. Since I've stopped growing, started taking better care of my clothes, and buying more expensive clothes I have gotten rid of less and less. My clothes, shoes, and accessories have become extremely important to me but it has gotten much harder to store them all safely. 

So this summer I set out to organize my closet without spending any money. I have a dresser in my bedroom but it is very old (passed down from my great grandmother), and while I love the way it looks in my room the drawers tend to stick and not open. This means I like to keep all my clothes in my closet. I also tend to wear many items every season so I never store things. 

One of the best ways to create space in your closet is to use thin hangers. By using thin plastic hangers I can pack al my clothes in. I'm also lucky to have a closet that has built in shelves and hanging rods, but I actually needed more shelves. I added small shelves that my parents bought years ago from target. They were perfect for storing pants and shoes that wouldn't fit on the built in shelves. 

The best way to store bags/wallets, and scarves has always been a mystery to me. Now that I have many scarves and bags of all sizes I needed an efficient way to store them all. I ended up buying the stick on hooks even though I didn't want to spend any money. However, they were less than $10 and completely worth the money. I added hooks to the inside of closet so that I could hang my scarves. Then I lined up my bags and wallets on a shelf going from biggest to smallest. I'm not in love with this way though so if you have a better idea please tell me!

In the end I thought I did a pretty great job! So far I've been able to keep everything organized and I love being able to see all my clothes and shoes in the morning when I'm in a rush!

Hope everyone had a great long weekend!

~ Caroline

Closet Craziness

Monday, October 8, 2012

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Savings

Fridays, especially ones followed by long weekends, are my saving grace. After 5 school days that seem to go on for years a break is seriously needed. Today the skies finally cleared and after a wet and cold week the sun came out at it really felt like fall.

 I also got to break out some of my new favorites. Including these boots! Last weekend I went shopping for a pair a boots and prepared myself to spend almost two hundred dollars. On my budget two hundred dollars is a ridiculous amount to spend on anything, but I hadn't found any boots that I liked for less. Then I found these boots for $80 from Macy's (then reduced to $60 through my mom's Macy's card). It was like a miracle...love at first sight...and way way less than I thought I would have to spend!

I also got a new iPhone case from J.Crew. They have so many fun cases in different patterns! I couldn't decide between this french hen case and a black and white chevron. I ended up buying the french hen case and I love it! It is a fun change from a typical geographic pattern. 

~ Caroline 

ps the boots look awkward online...but they are really cute!

Savings

Friday, October 5, 2012

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