Hot Bottoms

J. Crew, Cafe` Trouser in Wool, $110.00

Color blocking is a trend that I have yet to really dive into because I have yet to find a way to do it that I really love. This summer in Dallas a lot of our clothing reps were talking to us about how major brightly colored bottoms were going to be this year. I had all but forgotten about these comments until browsing J. Crew on Cyber Monday. Let's just say, I fell in love. (Yes, it is a regular occurrence.) With what you might ask? Red trouser pants. These bad boys are absolutely to die for. Not to mention, with my additional 30% off and free shipping, my credit card wasn't hating me either.Pair these bad boys with a neutral top, and everyone in the office will be talking.

Feeling more adventurous? Try hot pink or even a leopard print would be fire. Whatever you do, make sure you get a pair of these, or something colorful into your winter wardrobe. Color is the new black. 

Tis The Season For Giving Thanks

The holiday season is just oh so inspiring to me in every aspect of my life.Mainly it inspires me to give thanks, not for the amazing things I have hanging in my closet to keep me warm, but for the people that I get to enjoy in my life (While wearing those fabulous clothes, of course!). 

But seriously, what a great group of people I have! Especially the strong women who surround me here on Earth and watching out for me up above. Not to get all sentimental on you here, but now a days too many young girls are lacking strong role models. My grandma always taught me that when it comes to dressing "less is more" and "when in good company, never discuss money, politics, or religion if you want to keep them good company". I could seriously go on for days with her little sayings and rules, she was just fabulous! My mother as well.

I digress however, because it was also a rule to never get overly personal in mixed company (A rule social media should take into consideration more often!). My point is, this holiday season, be inspired & be thankful for what you have now, not what you think you need. Less is always more in the end....

Except when it comes to stuffing and cashmere. Those, my dear, are always served in heaping helpings :) Happy Holidays!

A Week in Washington D.C.

While I didn't get many photos of fashion I found in D.C., I do have some photos of the places we went. It was a fabulous trip and we walked a good 10 miles site seeing in the city. Oh, and to address the fashion aspect, I was of course looking stylish in all the photos:) Enjoy!

 At the World War 2 Memorial

Again!

Planking the Lincoln Memorial

Washington Monument (insert Reflection Pool, they were apparently re-doing it?)

The Best Accessory You Won't Find In Your Closet

Now, don't take this the wrong way, there are some absolutely fabulous accessories that you can only find in your closet. However, the best way to complete any outfit, whether it be straight off the runway or from a second hand shop is confidence, which I fear is getting harder and harder to find now a days. I can say this with certainty because I used to be completely lacking of it. No worries though loyal followers, I have the remedy! (Or at least something that has helped me).

I used to loathe the gym! I would rather eat spinach and cardboard for the rest of my life than get on the elyptical. But, freshman year of college, something snapped. I was going through some of the growing pains associated with getting to college and trying to figure it all out. One night, I was feeling overwhelmed and had read something in a magazine about exercise being a stress reliever. My apartment had a 24 hour gym, so I thought what the heck! Needless to say, I have never looked back and have yet to find anything that makes me feel better every time. My usual routine is to hit up the elyptical for a bit and do some light weight lifting and toning work. However, with as busy as I am lately, I sometimes don't have time. Below is a great work out I found on Pinterest.com that take only 4 minutes and is said to burn as many calories as a 45-60 minute run! (In perspective, that's a LOT of ice cream!) Try it out & let me know how it goes!!

0:00-0:20 secs: Squat Jumps
0:20-0:30 secs: Rest
0:30-0:50 secs: Mountain Climbers
0:50-1:00 min: Rest
1:00-1:20 min: High Knees
1:20-1:30 min: Rest
1:30-1:50 min: Jumping Jacks
1:50-2:00 min: Rest
2:00-2:20 min: Squat Jumps
2:20-2:30 min: Rest
2:30-2:50 min: Mountain Climbers
2:50-3:00 min: Rest
3:00-3:20 min: High Knees
3:20-3:30 min: Rest
3:30-3:50 min: Jumping Jacks
3:50-4:00 min: Rest

Good luck, readers:)

Meet Judith March

In preparation for my first encounter with an Alabama football game day that I will be attending next weekend, I had to get some really crucial details ironed out... What in the world am I going to wear!? Through my pageant connections, I know a few girls from the south that attend some of the big SEC schools. I figured, who better to ask than some of the girls who I know are the best dressed at tailgate. (It's in your blood if you're a pageant girl.) Time after time, the girls directed me to a local southern designer, Judith March. 

"You will die for everything she designs. Bible." 

Like I ever should have doubted them, I was bananas for literally, every piece in her collection. Even if it wasn't anything I could wear to show my newly acquired Crimson Tide pride. Her collection is a must have.
After essentially drooling all over my keyboard flipping through clips of the fall collection, I ventured on to the about page. I always love to read the stories behind the brands and in a way, begin to create a relationship with the designer. Again, I was dying. Stephanie Nichols, the designer and founder of the company, is now on my list of fashion industry idols. Even after the little I read over her, I knew I liked where she was coming from. I feel like a designers collections, like paintings from an artist, are a small glimpse inside their soul. You look at the clothes and feel their passion. I felt Stephanie's and I will now have to purchase and advocate for Judith March everywhere I go.

 Check out the Judith March website to see some of her collections and find a retailer near you! http://judithmarch.com/about.cfm

Great Finds at Rue-La-La

It occurred to me the other day while showing off my latest Rue-La-La purchase that not everyone is aware of this fashion gold mine!

So, what is Rue-La-La? Rue-La-La is an online store that negotiates private sales with some of the most sought after design houses in the country. They use there retail know how and bartering skills to bring the invite-only members of the site to die for fashion at to die for prices. In addition to clothing, Rue-La-La also offers great deals on home decor, food & wine, and some sick vacation spots.

Want an invite? Look no further than the comment box:) Leave me your addy and I'll get you into the club. Still not convinced? See for yourself at ruelala.com

Happy shopping bloggers!

faux fur faux me

Along with boots, all this cold weather is getting me really ready to start sporting one of the hottest fall trends, faux fur. Showing up on the runways this past spring in literally every style imaginable, my favorites would definitely be the outerwear, vests & ponchos to be exact.

My current must-have for my fall wardrobe comes from the design studio of Kristen Blake. It's a gorgeous brown-multi vest, with a great little extra in a  detachable faux-leather belt. Throw this bad boy on over a great tunic (personally I would go with black), some flare cords, and great ankle boots and you will be ready to take on anything that mother nature throws your way. Not to mention, at the price, who could say no!? (See link below)

Kristen Blake Faux Fur Vest- 110.00 @ Nordstrom

You can bet your bottom dollar (or your 110 dollars, plus tax, shipping&handling) that this little guy will be in my posession sooner or later this fall. And I cannot wait!

Fall Boots

This past weeks cool weather has gotten me in the mood to purchase a new pair of fab fall boots. But, which ones?! Tall, sleek, leather riding boots? Chunky, suede, short booties? Or maybe even a pair of lace up, news boy like, mid-boots? So many choices!!! In a situation like this, I turn to the one and only Rachel Zoe (I am slightly obsessed with everything she does).

Recently, Zoe has extended her empire to her very own clothes line, which is absolutely everything. Unfortunately, it does not include boots (Insert dramatic sigh here). Fear not though! Zoe also teams up with the ever wonderful www.piperlime.com where there is section dedicated specifically to all things "Rachel Zoe". 

While, naturally I want everything labeled as a Rachel Zoe Pick, the boots I am most lusting after this fall have to be the 'Huette' boot by Kelsi Dagger. Coming in my two favorite colors, black and leopard (Yes, I consider leopard a color) you can't go wrong with either. Pair these boots with a pair of leggings, long tunic, to die for blazer and some chunky jewels instant ah-maz-ing outfit. Don't believe me? See for yourself:)

Furthermore, check out www.piperlime.com , along with Rachel Zoe, they feature celebrity fashion picks from some of the best dressed ladies in Hollywood like Rachel Bilson and Olivia Wilde. Not into any of those ladies styles? No worries, www.piperlime.com has a plethra of other things that will surely fit somewhere into your style persona and help you gear up for fall. 

Happy boot season fellow bloggers:)

my inspiration

Coco Chanel is arguably one of the most influential women in the world of fashion, even 40 years since she has passed. From the classic Chanel suit to the always sexy Little Black Dress (LBD), women around the world look to her for fashion inspiration, my self included.

This blog will be about things that inspire, things I desire, and anything that catches my eye. I hope you enjoy!

http://duffysreview.blogspot.com/