I don’t know about you, but I can never get enough of Sienna Miller’s style.

Sienna is definitely one of my top five fashion inspirations right now, and when I saw this shot of her sporting one of the must-haves of the season, I had to gush about it…

What I love about the denim vest as a staple in your closet is that it is so versatile. I have one very similar to Sienna’s (for a fraction of the price, I’m sure… mine is Levi’s), and I wear it over a cute sundress or a racerback tank with khaki shorts for a carefree summer look, but I can also picture myself wearing it in the fall with a maxi skirt and long-sleeved tee…

Best of all, budget-friendly options are virtually everywhere (every option below is under $50.00!) right now, so if you’re looking for a piece that not only gets you many-an-outfit, but which will also carry you into fall, this is it, girls!

More Calvin Klein Jeans…

This whole day still feels like a dream to me, but luckily they captured some of the best moments on video so I can stop pinching myself…

I know many of you wanted to know more about the outfit I wore in the magazine, so here’s more about that look and one of Fall’s biggest trends…and you can see some of the other outfits and outtakes from the shoot by visiting http://virtualstore.elle.com

Finally, I’m so excited to announce this…

For the next three weekends I’ll be visiting various cities as a part of the ELLE Style Station tour to do mini-styling sessions at an H&M near you! To find the full list of locations and dates, check out the virtual H&M store here!  And if you happen to live in one of the cities on the tour, please stop by! I’d love to meet y’all in person!

UPDATE: Save an additional 30% off at JCrew.com with code SHOPNOW! Thanks Hannah!

Shorts might be the last thing you would think to buy as a transition piece but I’m telling you, they are Perfect! You still have at least a month on the east coast and months/forever on the west until shorts start getting retired.

When the leaves start to change it will be the perfect time to pull out your blazer but the temperature will be just a little too high to be completely covered up, that where the legs come in. Longer shorts provide the coverage you need to keep it appropriate and the air you need to keep it cooler.

Right now J. Crew has their Broken-In Chino Boyfriend Short for only $34.50!!! The most exciting part is that the shorts come in this falls must have colors! These shorts are fabulous for transition because they are not short, shorts. No tushy hanging out here. The will become a staple in your closet for years, as most J. Crew clothing goes it just doesn’t go out of style.

The perfect Fall Transition Look consists of longer shorts, a blouse, a blazer, bobby socks and chunky platforms. For now while it’s still HOTT, match these shorts with a pretty tank and your favorite summer sandals.

More Asos…

I couldn’t be more obsessed with these! They’re just the thing to wear with jean shorts, tucked into flirty skirts, with jeans or over leggings.  I know some people borrow theirs from their BF’s or husbands but I’m super petite and they never seem to look quite right on me.  I was so excited to find these button-downs in a much more feminine cut…and a much softer fabric.  They make everything in my closet look effortlessly chic…sub them in for your Summer T’s and you’re on your way to transitioning into the new season!

L to R: Placket Shirt, $22.80; Chiffon Button-Down, $58; Silk Blend Shirt, $22.80

With summer in full swing, I’m constantly looking for ways to remain stylish and cool. I pretty much live in dresses during the months of July and August – seeing that they are the coolest (and easiest) options!

What I love about the one shoulder dress is that the asymmetrical neckline is almost an accessory in itself! So not only can you throw on a dress, but with the added attention at the neckline, you don’t even need a necklace! So simple – so summer!

This long-sleeved ASOS cut out dress $43.80, would be perfect for a night out when the temp drops a few degrees. Wear it very simple with layered bracelets on your “free” wrist and a pair of leopard chunky wedges… so chic! This could easily be a whole outfit for less than $100!

There are soooo many variations of this style dress out there right now! Use this flirty and inexpensive trend to your advantage– the easier the outfit, the more time you have to soak up the summer fun!

More Asos…

This summer has been one of the worst on record for me…in terms of breakouts.  I don’t know if it’s because of my age, hormones or what but I feel like every week I have a new breakout.  I started getting facials on a very regular (and expensive) basis to help calm down my overly active skin and I threw out all of the “bad” make-up that my dermatologist thought might be the culprit.  The actual zits were pretty mild, but they left unsightly red spots once they were gone and that’s what drove me crazy!

I’m like a skin sergeant when it comes to AM/PM cleansing- I don’t go to bed without washing my face (ever) and I always treat the slightest sign of an oncoming pimple with my Dermalogica drying cream, but no matter what I was doing, it wasn’t good enough!

Thankfully, for the last two weeks all of this skin stuff has started to calm down significantly and the only thing that changed, was adding a Clairisonic Mia to my cleansing routine.The spin brush helps get rid of all the make-up, dirt, oil and more importantly the dead skin cells (exfoliating is what’s making the biggest difference for me) that regular cleaning left behind.  It’s so easy to use and you can even use it in the shower…and I love the 1 minute timer!  I doubt many of us wash our face for one whole minute so this makes sure you do! My skin feels so much cleaner, softer and best of all it looks so much better. I’ve even noticed that my pores look smaller and my skin is less oily throughout the day.

The Mia has become an essential part of my skin care routine and for the first time in months, I’m finally happy with the way my skin looks. Thank God! I have this kit and while I know $149 is not cheap, it’s an investment in good (clear) skin and is there anything more important?  Considering I was spending about $100 for my monthly facials, I see this product as a total steal!

If you’re on the fence about this, just get it…trust me, adding it to your skin-care routine will visibly improve the look and feel of your skin!

When you think of Olivia Palmero on Mtv’s “The City”- you immediately think villain. But if you can look past her catty remarks, backstabbing moves, and the evil eye she throws her co-worker Erin, you’ve got one fashion forward chica!

Polka dots have always seemed so dated to me, but when I saw Olivia sporting this sheer polka dot dress by Michalsky…… I was smitten!

The sheer look is huge right now and this dress exemplifies why. It’s sexy, cool, and still fabulously sophisticated! Olivia accessorized with a skinny, tan, braided belt (another big summer trend), snakeskin heels, and a hot pink flower clutch.

I found this dress from Forever 21 that had that same sheer/polka dot feel and it’s under $25!! Wear it with a strappy heel (snakeskin, like Olivia’s or even a tan wedge) and use that braided belt you’ve been wearing all summer to get the same look as The City starlet!

And if like us, you’re a big fan of her style, you can check out the August edition of ASOS magazine where the girl that everyone loves to hate is featured!  There are plenty of looks to drool after!

More Delia’s…

This was a second take for me. I had to look and then look again. And to be honest I’m still up in the air with this one… But I’ve been seeing it more and more, so I had to give it a shout out!

This slightly bizarre accessory trend has been picking up speed in Hollywood as seen here with Victoria Beckham. She sported her Louis Vuitton Messenger Bag ($2,640) and Foxtail Charm ($1,120) as she strolled through the airport. Personally, I would only sport a faux foxtail and I definitely cannot spend over $1000 on furry tail accessory!!! So I attempted to find some reasonable faux foxtails to clip onto my (not Louis Vuitton) messenger bag…

This online boutique, La Dama, offers up this faux foxtail for $42. I love that it’s a clip on because it would look great with several of my bags. I also prefer the white over Louis Vuitton’s colored tails, too. White is much more versatile.

I knew one place that would be sure to have some foxtails would be Etsy. This shop carries a faux red and white clip on foxtail for $38. Pretty cute!

I found real foxtails for much cheaper – but I love animals and I am willing to shell out a couple more bucks for the fake foxtail!! What do you think of the furry foxtail trend…cheap or chic?!

Forever 21: Woven Racerback Tank Dress, $22.80

Click it/Skip it: Click it!

This dress looks really plain in the picture and it’s totally basic, but that’s what I love about it! I was hesitant when I first saw it in store but upon closer inspection I was ready to purchase!  Despite the solid color and simple silhouette this is definitely not a shy dress thanks to some fun details! Note: if you prefer patterns I found this dress in store in a soft floral.

Fit: I typically wear a small at most stores, but at Forever21 I tend to wear a medium because things always run short or tight.  In this dress however, I opted for a small because the armpit holes and the top were a bit baggy in the medium.  The M  made the top look a bit awkward on me and you could see my bra–and not in a good way!

Keep in mind, if you have a larger bust…the neckline is a scoop so there will be some cleavage involved.

Shopper’s Notes: Notice the subtle details in this dress…the back has an exposed zipper and the skirt has pockets! Overall, I found this dress very slimming and flattering. It is a “laid back sexy” and ideal for summer nights, promising to keep you feeling comfortable and cool.

Go ahead and bookmark this one! Spottedmoth.com is an adorable online boutique with equally adorable clothing and accessories. Their motto is “Be chic and sweet in clothes that are rich in style but not in price!”  And we couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

Based out of Orange County, CA, this has quickly become one of my go-to online stores. They feature feminine dresses, cute tops and bottoms, and have a great collection of unique accessories also. I love when I can shop and fill my “cart” full of goodies and not spend tons of money!

This Lilac Romper $29.99, is one of my favorites, as well as this Abel Brown Dress $36.99, which is perfect for a day at the beach. And I’m really into rope and braided belts right now – so this was a winner for me!  Accessories include cutesy necklaces, like the Measure with Love necklace $14.99 and this gorgeous Carpenter Bee Bag $54.99.

Low prices for a Cheap Chica and cute styles for the fashionista in me! And be sure to check out their equally cute blog….Love it Spotted Moth!!

I have to admit that my favorite piece of clothing in my closet is my Boyfriend Cardigan. Those who know me would attest to that, considering how much I wear it. So, the one thing exciting me about the brisk nights ahead is that I get to take my sweater out of hiding.

The Boyfriend Sweater is the perfect Transition Piece! When you are sitting on the beach in late August until 6 pm and that chill from the water starts to hit you, a light-weight, over-sized  sweater is the best thing to be able to pull out of your beach bag.

You can utilize a light-weight sweater almost all year long,  especially if  you work in an office that is air-conditioned.  I prefer to buy my boyfriend cardigans at least two sizes too big because, oddly enough, I think the over-sized look is more flattering.

If you are worried about looking sloppy because the sweater is too big, put a cute belt around the waist and roll up the sleeves. This trick turns a sweater from comfy casual to put-together cool.

But, if you’re like me and don’t want to dish out $89.50 for the cardigan above from J. Crew,  LOFT has one that’s just as cute for about half the price… and if you wait for one of their amazing sales, you can probably get it for way less!

These are my favorite for transition purposes because they are so light weight they are a little translucent. Buy them fast before they all go out of stock.  If they do, no worries, there are plenty of other places selling great inexpensive cardigans. H&M is another place that sells some of the best cardigans at fabulous prices.

It’s one of those must have items that you need in multiple basic colors. So find your favorite kind and buy it in three colors to get you through the entire season!

I have been dying to share something with yall since June and now I finally can!!

Earlier this summer the fabulous Karen Blanchard of wheredidugethtat.com (follow her on Twitter: @KarenBritChick) and myself were asked to be a part of an H&M spread in the September issue of ELLE magazine–with JULIA ROBERTS on the cover! To say that I was shocked and totally honored to be asked is a total understatement! Even having the issue in my hands today-I’m still in total disbelief!

We spent the day “modeling” (I will never refer to myself as an model…you have to be taller than 5′0″ for that!) and playing dress up in H&M’s new Fall collection and it was seriously a dream come true.  Everyone from ELLE was incredible to work with (Eddie and Rebecca, y’all are THE best!)–and the entire team from H&M made me feel so welcome!

Now let’s get to the the clothes…we shot three looks and the first one was my favorite!  It’s the one that ended up in the magazine (pictured right)! All of the clothes perfectly suited my style and y’all are going to LOVE the entire Fall collection!

Here’s what I’m wearing: Cobalt Blazer, $32; Ruffle Blouse; Bow Skirt $29; and Fold-Over Boots.  I’m missing prices on two things, but everything on set that day was under $99…God I love H&M! I’m pretty sure everything I wore is in-stores now and I can’t wait to mix and match these pieces with my wardrobe!

I’m so excited to share this with all of you and look out for some very cool behind-the-scenes and trend videos to come later this week!  And if you want to see some bonus pics from the shoot just click here… [click to continue...]

I know, I know..it goes against everything we’ve ever been taught! NO ONE wears sandals and socks except the occasional tourist at Disneyland. But lately I’ve seen this look popping up on girls everywhere – including on one of my favorite bloggers, Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere- and it can actually be really cute! So I’m ready to give this trend my stamp of approval.

The best part about this trend is that it’s a really inexpensive way to jazz up a pair of wedges or sandals that you’ve been wearing all spring. It creates an entirely new look –and all you need is a pair of $8 socks from Urban Outfitters!

This trend is pretty simple and sooo versatile! Keep it pretty with a pair of nude or tan wedges and a pair of dainty white socks folded over at the ankle for a feminine flirty look. I also like a ruffle sock with a strappy heel or these sparkly socks from American Apparel $9, which would look adorable with a pair of tan wedges or even some black open toe booties.

And if you still think I’m crazy, check out this shot of models taking a break from walking the runway at Burberry…

I just found out that this year at my high school we aren’t going to have lockers anymore, which means I am going to have to carry around all my books in a backpack instead of a purse! Aaaah! Do you know of any backpacks out there that are cute but still functional and reasonably priced?
Alexa

Alexa, think of this as an opportunity to really flaunt your style! There are some really cute backpacks out there, but I would say the way to to go is a super hot messenger bag. Don’t be worried about finding the biggest bag you can, you don’t need all your books all the time…consolidate your notes into one big binder or notebook…you want to lighten your load. Then if you’re out shopping on your own make sure your biggest item fits inside and that strap is strong enough to prevent your bag from snapping in the middle of the hallway.

Like I said, keep your eye out for messenger bags. They are are so hot for fall and this Proenza Schouler PS1 Leather Satchel has been popping up on celeb’s shoulders everywhere…everyone from Mary-Kate Olsen to Leighton Meester have been sporting this carry-all.

The buckles and hardware are utilitarian inspired and I have to tell you, I love the utilitarian look for fall! This bag is the perfect way to incorporate one of Fall’s biggest trends into your everyday look.

For some fun options, check out ASOS–I found a very similar option for $100 that would be great for you!

And, while Mary-Kate Olsen might be able to buy the PS bag in every color under the sun for $1,595 a pop, the rest of us can’t! But scroll through some of the options I found and get the look for a fraction of the price!

More Topshop…