There's Always An Excuse To Not Do What You Love

Wow! I have been a bad blogger. The days have gone away from me and one week of not blogging turned into two, then three and here were are almost one month later.

Every week I kept creating excuse for myself as to why I wasn't posting. Geez I cant even keep up with my hobbies.

I have a confession though, I have actually been doing way TOO much shopping lately. I'm so ahead of the shopping curve, I have my holiday party outfit and my NYE outfit! See below.

 I just kind of knew from the moment I saw it much fun is to be had in this dress!  I am throwing caution out the door about excess lbs and will hopefully be ringing in 2012 with this little number. You can find this dress and many mofre fun NYE pieces at Arden B!

I digress. I love my blog and the self expression it allows me. Then why is it hard for me to blog? Ok lets keep on looking at the clothes.


I made a wish board earlier this season. It was a fun little arts and crafts projects which consisted of me cutting out my favorite looks from magazines, pasting them on cardboard. It has helped me focus on only buying the pieces I really, really, really want/need. :)


On my board was a printed dress that was in a neutral pallete but still fun. I found this perfect dress on Piperlime.com. This was again love at first sight...You can still find it at Dillards. This dress is great with heels and a blazer for work, and can be worn with booties and fun jacket on the weekends.
Most recently I wore it with my favorite BCBG Boots and Navy Tights on Thanksgiving!

My November shopping adventure continued on Asos.com. I found the perfect secretary blouse in Leopard! Which if you ask me is the new black!!!  I wore it with black skinnies, booties. For work I wore it with a cream colored skirt and black pumps. But really this goes with EVERYTHING. haha.

Ok. So im kind of all over the place but really I did not want to go another week without posting. Besides I am actually all out of excuses!!  While you're out at it check out one of my new favorite bloggers over at Cupcakes and Cashmere

Have A Great Week!

xoxo

Betsy

Fashion Ethos

For the first time this season, I have felt the cool, crisp Fall air. When you live in Los Angeles you long for real seasons and the beauty the bring with them, orange tinted leaves, frost on windows and spring blooms. As much as I enjoyed my summer wardrobe I had been mentally preparing for Fall for a few weeks.  I haven't blogged about fashion and have been doing more "serious" career focused entries. Im still trying to figure out how I will successfully merge the two topics on here.

However I have been studying other blogs and taking mental notes of what works. There's so many great blogs out there it's important to make sure I am finding "my authentic voice" Today I read a piece on Glitter Guide ( one of  me new favorite sites). Each month they feature a different "Glitter Girl and this month they chose Laney, of Downtown Romantic. I was crushing on her cute style and her adorable apartment. In her article she discusses how a friend of hers once told said, "your style is so downtown romantic." Once she realized this friend was right she had a much easier time further developing her own style expanding on this phrase! I loved the idea of identifying your style ethos in only 2 words. My homework for the week is to try to do this for my own style. Im looking around my room and I guess the few options based on what I see would be:

Crazy Scarf Lady

Neutral Shoe Lady

Belt Collector

Jewel Tone Maven 

Skirt and Dress Gal

None of these are it!  While I put some thought and creativity into this. Take a look at how my Fall lookbook is evolving...

xoxo,

Betsy Aimee

Sally Hansen, Diamond Strength, Nail Polish/ I love the burgundy/purple color contrasting with the Leopard. I have declared Leopard to be my favorite fall neutral!  

I couldnt decide on booties! There was so many option. I was really, really trying to keep the purchase under 100 dollars.
I finally settled on these Kensie Girl Booties in "Chocolate." I liked the zipper on the side that allows me to fold them over or wear them unfolded under pants.

I fell in love with these on Asos.com (They have a sale right now!) They are a great juxtaposition of lady like and bad ass! The studs and off centered bow down play the daintiness of the bows.  I wanted to build my silver jewerly so I picked up this amazing plated necklace and metal bracelete at Forever 21.

These shoes are a perfect example of how you can incorporate existing iems and have them work for different seasons. I found these on super sale at Banana Republic this summer and they are just what I needed for Fall 2011. Im honeslty in love with these! I like to pair them with my new Navy blazer. Yes, not groundbreaking perhaps but remember we are talking about work appropiate clothes here. :)

Here are more closeups of my Forever 21 finds!! I love all these things and I probably wear too many of them at the same time. But as Rachel Zoe would say, "more is more is more."

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Fall Accents Preview

It's officially Fall. Yay! I've been looking at Fall fashions for a while so it's hard to believe it arrived a little less than two weeks ago. Last week was crazy and thus I neglected to update my blog. Which is sad cause it's so much fun. Im working on actually doing outfit shots. I'm a bit intimidated by all of the skinny, super model look alikes that blog successfully.

While I muster up the courage, I want to preview some of the make up styles I have been experimenting with and my Fall Accents. Fall accents are the things that will complement my Fall wardrobe and make it unique, (Well as unique as you can be with items that are mass produced)

I'm also looking into buying a better camera as it has recently come to my attention the one I currently own, sucks for the purposes of being a fab blogger.

I'm all over the place at the moment. I hope you caught my article on The Examiner! If not check out the previous post.

Enjoy the photos! Let me know your thoughts.  

Rocking the side pony tale and bold necklace!

Burgundy and Leopard- One of my favorite color combos for Fall.

Experimenting with bold jewel tone combinations

Layering the bracelets. The more the merrier!

Never thought I would be playing with pink eyeshadow again! lol

Put Your Best Blog/ Boot Forward...

Hey Friends,

I have been busy on my blog. No, not devising new posts. I have been working on the layout of the blog and learning all the intricacies of the Blogger site.  I have discovered so many new sites and blogs based on people's blog rolls, that I knew I wanted to provide the same on my blog. I hope to continue to add to the list/s. You wil notice that I have created a list of my favorite Fashion and Career Blogs/Websites. Yes, I read a lot of these everyday. Yes, I dont sleep as much as I should. I also created a spur of the moment About Me section. Take a look and let me know your thoughts on these new sections. It's easy to feel like my blog is an ugly duckling compared to all the awesome blogs out there. However, i'm confident this is only the beginning!  Lets move on now...

Lets talk 2011 Fall Boot Looks!

Source: blog.lescomposantes.com via VillagePsych on Pinterest

In the middle of  blog re-design I have been searching the internets for the perfect boots. I first searched for some inspiration! (See Above an below) My desired price point is 150 dollars or less.  I'm having a hard time narrowing it down from a list of favorites.  I decided it would be helpful to develop a criteria after all, my financially challenged self cannot break its own rule regarding impulse purchases!

Here are some of the things that im considering before making a purchase like this:

1) Comfort- May not seem important when you are eyeing cute styles online or at the store. Many of the boots have high heels and platforms to support them but this doesnt always equal comfort. Here's a tip read the online reviews before purchasing anything.  This also helps you make sure that you know whether or not to order a size up etc. Besides, if you're anything like me you are always rushing in to the office and uncomfortable shoes wont help you get there any faster. The pictures above and below are examples of casual work looks that are also comfortable.

Source: lookbook.nu via VillagePsych on Pinterest

These are super comfortable and versatile! The wedge heel keeps them current. JcPenney Honey Cott Boot

2) Versatility- This is key, the shoes must transfer for day to night and vice versa.

These are just so fun. I'm a sucker for boots with hardware. However, not sure about the versatility of these. I definitely need to visit them in person. Seychelles-Theory Boot

3) Material- I love suede shoes. These may work in California as we dont get much rain. But if you live in a place where weather is an issue Suede may not be worth the investment  Keep in mind things like this when you are deciding on a pair.

Love the metal detail an wood heel on these. It really makes these special and a bit unique. These are just under my desired price point. These also come in several suede colors. I think these are my favorites so far... Nine West

4) Style- You should know what fits into your wardrobe. There's riding boots that can work for the office and there's some daring styles that can work for the office if paired with the proper items.  This year there's so many styles to choose from ankle boots (cute with dresses, skirts and skiny jeans), riding boots (good with everything and super comfortable), over the knee bots, and the famous booties (similar to ankle boots). It's helpful to have a plan for example I know that I want a pair of ankle boots to wear with dresses, skirts and tights this season. I also want new riding boots cause my old pair is 3 years old.

Source: whatiwore.tumblr.com via Jeanne on Pinterest

These are basic and under 100 Dollars! Yay! I love these. Can you tell I love hardware details? Found these at Victoria's Secret-Steve Madden

Happy Shopping Everyone, I look forward to sharing what I decide to buy!

Mad About Neutrals and Basics....Fall 2011

Summer is almost over and while it is sad to see it go, its now time for one of my favorite shopping season of the year, Fall.  One of the themes for my Fall Wear to Work Wardrobe is Neutrals Mad Men Like Fashions. The Fashion Blog World has just been going crazy over this collection. The wardrobe is one of my favorite parts of the show as most of the clothes are work appropriate and have the cinched waist look that I so love as I find it to be flattering on many body types and the tailoring on the show is just superb.  Below are some of my favorite neutral and "Mad Men Like" items for this fall. These basic pieces are appropiate for more conservative work environments and the hints of leopard and color make it current and much more FUN!   For my next fashion challenge I hope to find affordable versions of expensive pieces. Stay Tuned!



The Basics: This Linen ASOS Dress is a BARGAIN at 34.99 and this color can be easily combined with anything else already in your closet such as a cute cardigan in a fun color or a stylish Men's Blazer

 



The Banana Republic Mad Men Collection is just stunning. Its stylish yet still work appropiate.  The lace shell comes in ivory, beige and black. I wanted it in every color however, I restrained myself and purchased it in black for 49.50.




This one is not part of the Mad Men Collections but it has that same feel and tailoring. Great for those fall crisp afternoons! At 198.00 this is definitely an investment piece. Vintage Blazer-J Crew





 Ok. Everyone needs something leopard this Fall. It instantly makes an outfit sexy and fun! This skirt from J Crew is a fabulous addition! Click on this link to see more colors



These Red Nine West Booties are just the splash of color and modernity that your neutral palette needs. They will instantly update any outfit and are the great transition shoe for Fall! Love, Love these.



This bag is just gorgeous and almost a bargain at 88.00 from White House Black Market. This neutral tone looks great with everything and the structured style makes it great for work but its still stylish enough for cocktail hour!

I love Chunky necklaces and bracelets. I truly feel accessories make the outfit and this GORGEOUS Kate Spade Necklace will spruce up any outfit its daring yet also demure thanks to pearls!  Its also way too EXPENSIVE for my non-profit income. I will definitely try to find a less expensive version of this. But this one is nice to admire! Kate Spade has lots of other lovelies on her site that you should check out, if only just get inspired

Here's my quote for the day, " If we fail to recognize how our choices influence the world-either by reinforcing the status quo or challenging it-we're doomed to live lives of diminished possibilitied" Gloria Feldt


Fab Career Chic: SHOES!

These shoes are my current obsession! I have been looking all summer for lace up oxfords that are office appropriate and reasonably priced!!! Last week I finally saw the perfect pair. These will instantly update my fall wardrobe but can also be worn during the summer. I  have a lot of outfit ideas for these....

Vince Camuto Shoes