Five On Friday - Five Handbag Dupes

So perhaps I'm behind. 

There is no perhaps here, I'm behind.

Sole Society. 

I've seen it at Nordstrom, bought 1 pair of shoes that promptly broke, returned and never thought about them again. But then, I wandered on to their website. I started looking at their bags and realized how many cute designer knockoffs they have, and now, now I am intrigued. Here are a my 5 favorites designer knockoffs!

1. Chloe Marcie Small Saddle Bag - $795 at Neiman Marcus

 OR

You could buy this Sole Society Thalia Saddle bag for $49.95 (what!?)

OR 

Sole Society Tova $49.95

So, let's keep going...

2. Rebecca Minkoff "Finn" Crossbody - $195

We've all seen this beauty...and maybe even considered buying her. But the idea of fringe and toddlers might have freaked you out. (ok, me. I considered it.) 

 OR

Sole Society Rose - $54.95

3. Rebecca Minkoff Sofia Backpack - $345

OR

Sole Society Francis Backpack - $54.95

4. Chloe Hudson Bag - $2390 (try not to whip out your credit card)

OR 

Sole Society Exie Fringe Shoulder Bag $59.95 (limited edition!)

5. Prada Glace Twin Pocket Tote - $2565

OR

Sole Society Farris Winged Satchel - $54.95

I could continue, but it's Five on Friday for a reason. 

Drop Waisted Ruffle Everything

As you've seen in blog posts before, I will usually buy anything with a ruffle or a drop waist, or both.
Perhaps its in my genetic makeup to choose trends that ridiculous, slightly over the top, and extremely hard to pull off. That has to be the only explanation for my love of drop waisted or cropped ANYTHING.

So naturally, when I saw this little beauty on Banana Republic.com today, (and subsequently saw it was 40% off) I fell in love. Maybe it's the ruffles. Maybe it's the discount. We'll never know. I feel like this is going to go quickly, so head on over to Banana Republic today snag yourself one! Use code BRFOREVER.

The Favorite Crop Top

Ohhhh Crop Top. I will blog about thee until the end of time. Or at least until you are no longer cool. (and even then, I might still).

So I know it's taken me a minute to get back to ya on this crop top - but no worries, the time has come. Try to contain yourself. In case you forgot about the best crop top in the world or you just totally missed it - check it here.

I know this is a trend that most, ok maybe all, of my friends make fun of. But frankly, I think it's fun. I get to deny my 31ish years on this earth and pretend that I'm 22 again. (I was way too conservative at 22...I'm just making up for lost time.) Plus I'm also taking advantage of the fact that breastfeeding left me high school skinny. (Too bad it hasn't left me a 6 pack as well)

Side Note:  (Remember all those clothes that you love but you still gave to goodwill because 'you'd never be that skinny again'? Yeah, don't do that. Keep EVERYTHING until you have kids. Because  children can make your weight skyrocket then plummet. Its nuts really)

There are several ways you can go with a crop top, and some of them are slightly Selena Gomez, but since I am 30ish, we're going to go with a more Kate Hudson-esque approach. (See, she's like 40ish...and has 2 kids. This is totally fine, guys. Embrace it.)

1. Wear a slight crop, with a high waisted bottom. If you want to be more conservative wear a pant or a longer skirt like this.

Here, I paired the crop top with a pair of white jeans for a monochromatic look.

2. If you're feeling braver, you can pair it with a pair of cut offs, my personal favorite summer staple. (second only to my crop tops.) It gives this cool California vibe, and even at 28ish I still think its a fun look to rock.

(This Elizabeth and James tank is sold out, but here is a version of it that I love.)

Here is my version of that wearing the Endless Rose Sheer Crop top

This outfit *might* have gotten me carded at the Local Taco last week ...even with a baby on my hip. #teenmom #30what

 I purchased a white cropped cami from Asos (your destination for every style of crop top)

If you still are not totally into baring your midsection, consider pairing the Endless Rose Crop Top with a silk shell underneath.

3. Go crop top Glam. I *may* have worn a sequined crop top to a rehearsal dinner. Pregnant. Feeling brave? Here's how you do it.  Make the cropped portion your only revealed skin. (keep cleavage and leg baring to a minimum)

So now you're convinced right? The earth will keep spinning, and it's really not *that* scandalous, right? I mean it's not like you're wearing a Brazilian bikini, right? (so maybe thats also just me.)

Trend Spin Link Up

This past week I picked up a great summer staple at SavVy, a local boutique in Greenville. I love it because it is jersey and easy to grab and go. I also love that it isn't just a plain old striped dress - its ruched detailing down the front makes it interesting and fun (as are most things from SavVy). Perhaps one of my biggest wardrobe pitfalls is that I stock up on dresses, and then I start to feel like my wardrobe is stagnant. It's kind of hard to change the look of a dress - and sometimes it feels like you're wearing the same outfit over and over and over again. So, today I took a basic dress and searched through my closet for some ways to make it look different. These are just two of the several that I found.

Disclaimer - I am not a "fashion blogger" (Clearly). I did not spend 3 hours in hair and makeup, and I still don't have a professional photographer following me around (seriously, though, need to get one of those). This is jsut me, on a Monday, with baby snot in my hair. Playing dress up....and perhaps posting it on the internet. Totes normal, right? Right. SO, here we go.

Here is the dress on its own paired with some heeled sandals.

Suki + Solaine - $136 at SavVy

 I threw on my distressed J.Crew Denim vest to make it slightly more trendy. I kept the sandals the same - but would also have opted to wear my Converse Shoreline sneakers.

J.Crew Vest (on sale!)

Let me just say that if I could wear a denim vest with every outfit I own, I would. I think it makes everything 10 times cuter. And, not many people will rock a denim vest. You will get to be THAT girl. The cool girl, in the vest. I promise, that's what they will say. (and if they arent saying that, its likely they won't say anything at all...to your face. But whatevs. You're in the cool denim vest. Own it.)

My favorite pairing with this dress is a sheer lace crop top that I also purchased from SavVy. This was a total impulse buy and immediately I was afraid I'd never wear it. But, I've found so many ways to incorporate this top into outfits. (I'll be posting more on it later). 

Endless Rose Sheer Crop Top - $72 at SavVy

I love pairing unexpected things together like this dress and crop top - it makes what could be a rather plain dress somethings super fun and cute! I love mixing floral prints with stripes, and this is a subtle and great way to do just that. I'm really in love with this top - and there are so many ways to wear it. Take it from me, the self proclaimed #croptopqueen that you need a crop top. Even if you don't want to show your stomach, you can still wear a crop top. 

Do it. You'll thank me later.

Shopping Bag roundup

Spring is here and that means giving your closet a quick refresh with some fun and trendy pieces. My go-to is always a fun dress, and this year it's no different. You'll notice, I fell for the girliest ruffled, embroidered items....typical. 

Saylor Ida Jumpsuit 

Ruffled Bell-Sleeve Shift Dress 

Cotton Eyelet Halter Dress

'Neville' Stripe Off the Shoulder Dress

Denim Off The Shoulder Trapeze Dress

The best shoes ever.

A few weeks ago I put my son in a mothers' morning out program, and it might be the best decision I've ever made. The second best decision - purchasing these shoes. On my first day of freedom, I decided to check out some of the adorable shops near my house - first stop was a shoe store (duh). I walked in and locked eyes on these lovelies, and I never looked back. They are great for warm days, great for cool days. They are trendy but classic and best of all -- you guessed it -- a TASSEL!

Jeffrey Campbell - Open Cut

I would have showed you a photo of the cute outfits I paired with it, but that's another post for another day. When I've showered. 

Happy Tuesday!

March Madness

For me, March Madness has everything to do with new spring trends, and nothing to do with sports. Ever. 

I'm in love with all the new spring trends - mostly because of the feminine embellishments mixed with boho vintage silhouettes.  If you'll notice, most dresses are a-line, flowy, or fall away from the body.  The fabrics are light and breezy with geometric or floral designs. The solids are far from boring with eyelet appliques or scalloped edges.  And Ruffles. Lots of ruffles. (If you know me personally you know there are 3 things that will make me pull the trigger on something - a tassel, a ruffle, or a cropped anything). I'd suggest hurrying and snatching up the items you love most, I've already noticed some things selling out! 

March Madness by mattisonave featuring a shift dress

Kendall Kylie halter dress
nordstrom.com

Banana Republic petite dress
bananarepublic.gap.com

J Crew shift dress
$115 - jcrew.com

Banana Republic petite dress
bananarepublic.gap.com

Pink Stitch sexy dress
$92 - shopbop.com

Dress
asos.com

Dress
asos.com

Zara white dress
zara.com

I'm extremely cold.

The party is over. Winter is here. So much for getting a Florida winter this year...at least I got a warm Christmas! I learned a few things after leaving South Florida. First, 40 is prohibitively cold. As in, there are 4 papers on my front lawn because I'm too cold to go outside in the morning and get them (and they are too close to the invisible fence for the dog to get them). My solution? Apparently a shopping spree.

For those of you who are currently struggling like me, here is what I suggest:

1. Buy a parka. Full length is best, but I decided over kill for SC. So I went with knee length.

J.Crew Wintress Down Puffer Coat

I got this bad boy during the black Friday shopping madness 40% off..So now it's almost back up to full price. But $278 is a small price to pay when you're facing losing fingers to frostbite (Ok, I exaggerate, but that's what it feels like.)

2. Stock up on warm sweaters

Sequin Fair Isle Sweater

This sweater is $50 off, with an additiona 40% off right now...RUN. It's warm, its cute, and it's sequined. What's not to love?

3.  Start collecting sweats. 

Sure, this *sounds* like it will ruin your marriage. And, if you buy the Hanes ones from Costco, it might. But if you'd like to stay warm and cozy and not risk looking like Sue Sylvester - I'd recommend any fleece lounge wear item from Victoria's Secret.  And, right now the VS Semi Annual Sale is going on...so hurry!

Here are some of my favorites:

Hooded Tunic - I think this runs true to size, and if you want it slightly over sized order up. I'm always a small in VS, and I ordered this in a small. (I also have one in xs, and it fits too...just snug).

VS Bootcut Fleece Pants - These are more form fitting and narrow in the leg. I always order down in their pants - I wear an XS in these and they fit perfectly. However, they are not terribly long. They are perfect for me, but I have short legs. also they will probably shrink up some, so you may want to order a tall.

VS Boyfriend Fleece Pant - Order these if you like a wide leg loose fitting sweats. I don't they like these as much as the boot cut, but they are still warm and comfy!