Fashion Look Book # 1: What's trending in my closet? (#OOTDs)

What are my current favorite trends? See below! How to style, mix 'n' match? Where to buy? See below! 

My favorite fashion items are definitely slouchy printed super soft sweaters, sheer loosely fit button down blouses, dark washed skinny jeans, military light-weight jackets, gold accessories, and nude and/or cognac handbags and footwear. Lately, some of my favorite fashion colors are cobalt blue, mint, military green, black 'n' white, orange-red, and fuchsia. 

Check out Express for their new selection of solid as well as printed sheer button-down blouses and soft and cozy printed sweaters. Francesca's and Target have an amazing selection of jewelry as I have displayed in my jewelry and accessories haul(s) before. Francesca's has a boutique style fashion collection at affordable prices. I don't need jewel-mint, stella 'n' dot, j.crew, or any other online subscriptions. I can see and select items in person. The quality is nowhere near the cheap quality of Forever 21 accessories.

Although I don't wear dresses too often, I always find affordable and beautiful dresses at Belk, suitable for both cooler and warmer weather. The Celebrity Jeans brand, available at Dillard's and select Macy's and Belk, is an affordable brand for quality jeans. This brand offers a broad selection of colors and the material of the jeans is tremendously comfortable, flexible, and feels gentle on your legs. 

Leopard Print, Skinny Jeans, and Cross-body Handbag? 

Diamond-cut Earrings (Target), Leopard Sweater (Express), Michael Kors Handbag (Belk), Nude Flats (Dillard's), Gold Chunky Chain Link Bracelet (TJ MAXX), Black Camisole (Express) 

Chevron and Red-Orange, Nude Handbag and Flats? 

Navy-Orange, Chevron-print Dress (Belk), Orange Earrings (Target), Coach Handbag (Dillard's), Nude Flats (Dillard's), Juicy Couture Gold Chain Link Charm Bracelet (Juicy Couture Outlet) 

Hearts, Leopard, Long Comfy Big Print Sweaters, Black Jeggings, Cobalt Blue? 

Floral Jumper (Target), Heart Sweater (Target), Gray Leopard Sequins Sweater (Express), Duo-metal Tribal Design Cobalt Blue Dress (Macy's), Gold Mint Bracelet (Francesca's), Pink-Blue Earrings (Francesca's), Black High-Waste Jeggings (Express) 

Floral and Cognac Platform Wedge Sandals? 

Floral Dress (Belk), Wedge-sandals (ALDO), Floral Jumper (Target), Jewelry (Francesca's) ... and one of my best friends... miss you! 

Mint and Cognac Platform Wedge Pumps?

Mint Dress (Selah Collections), Mint Wedge-sandals (Belk), Mint Earrings (Dillard's), Brown Platform Wedge Pumps (DSW) 

Tribal Minis, Duo-Metal, Cinched Waistline?

Colorful Tribal Stretch-band Mini Skirt (Dillard's), Yellow Sheer Button-down Blouse (Dillard's), Flat Brown Gladiator Sandals (ALDO), Yellow Crystal Earrings (Francesca's), Brown Wedge-sandals (ALDO), Duo-metal Tribal Design Black Dress (Macy's), Michael Kors Handbag (TJ MAXX), Gold Hoops (Kohl's)

Leopard Sheer Blouses, Turquoise, Gold, Coral, Nude Pumps, Skinny Jeans? Oxblood Lips? 

Leopard Shirt (Kohl's), Blue Jeans by Celebrity Jeans (Dillard's), Nude Pumps (DSW), Michael Kors Handbag (TJ MAXX), Gold Chunky Chain Link Bracelet (TJ MAXX), Turquoise-Coral Earrings and Necklace (Hand Picked) 

Cobalt Blue and Pistachio Green?

Green-Blue Dress (Belk), Earrings (Francesca's), White Gladiator Flat Sandals (ALDO), Mint Gold Chain Link Bracelet (Light Years) 

Black 'n' White and Nude Wedges?

Black Jeans by Celebrity Jeans (Dillard's), Coach Handbag (Dillard's), Wedge-sandals (ALDO), Palm-tree Shirt (American Eagle), Statement Jewelry (TJ MAXX) 

Military and Mint?

Cat-winged Sunglasses (Kohl's), Mint Pants by Celebrity Jeans (Dillard's), Mint Earrings (Bass, Co.), Michael Kors Handbag (TJ MAXX), Palm-tree Shirt (American Eagle), Army Green Jacket (Selah's), Brown Platform Wedge Pumps (DSW) 

What are your favorite trends? Comment below! 

I rarely post about fashion look-books or outfit(s) of the day(s). Please let me know if you like them, find them helpful, and would like to see more. 

Please support StrawberryHeartsChocolateDarts @

BLOGLOVIN'

FACEBOOK

SHESAIDBEAUTY

GOOGLE+

NETWORKEDBLOGS

TWITTER

Your friendly comments and feedback are much appreciated. 

Thanks!

Meesha 

Summer to Fall Jewelry Haul (Francesca's, Light Years, Charming Charlie, Ross, Kohl's, Target, TJ MAXX, Macy's, Dillard's, Hand Picked, and Genealogy)

Brands such as Kate Spade, J. Crew, Henri Bendel, Stella and Dot are known in the fashion world for releasing hot designs, spreading like wildfire - "bubble" necklace, "bib" necklace, etc. Obviously, I would love to own such designer jewelry, but the prices seem slightly unreasonable for costume jewelry. I believe I have found some great alternative brands and boutiques that offer trendy and quality jewelry items within a reasonably affordable price range. If you are a fan of designer costume jewelry, I would recommend taking a look at the jewelry and accessories sold at boutiques such as Francesca's, Light Years, Hand Picked, and Genealogy. At times I find a nice selection of items at Charming Charlie's. However, I think Charming Charlie would be an option for someone who likes Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe jewelry, yet desires better quality and wider color-oriented selection. TJ Maxx and Ross carry original designer brands at very affordable, nearly clearance level prices, but their stock varies so I either find unique treasures or waste my time. Macy's and Dillard's are my least favorite places because the selection is sometimes too mature for my age and prices are too steep for my liking. Macy's and Dillard's rarely have sales. Last, but not the least, and my favorite two places are Target and Kohl's. Kohl's always has sales and additional coupons. 

During the last few months, I have purchased quite a few beautiful pieces of jewelry. I wanted to share these colorful discoveries with you all and provide a preview of the items and deals that are currently available at these stores. 

I am definitely not a fashion expert on the current trends by any means whatsoever, but I have had a passion for "dressing up" and "looking fancy" since I was a little tyke. My mom says that she would dress me up in several different outfits throughout the day. My mom has so many pictures of me posing in at random outdoor places, in front of rusty orange and crimson trees in the Autumn or blooming gardens in the Spring. I loved wearing gold jewelry at a very young age, middle to high-school, back when only "aunties" used to rock the gold bling bling. Not everyone will understand that! I was stacking bangles and bracelets, showing off my arm candy in 6th grade, while the "cool girl" Ms. Snooty Bottoms next to me worn her little hair tie on the wrist. 

Although I find many fashion trends enticing, I feel like I have always been a little late in the game. Also, I like an array of style and like to add a unique twist of my own. I cannot seem to categorize my sense of style because I like it all - the grudge look of flannel and plaid, the retro chic motorcycle jackets, the classy military jackets, shape flattering peplum, dark wash skinnies, sexy sheer button downs, high-waisted pencil skirts, pearls, hoops, gold, mixed metals, Audrey Hepburn sunglasses, etc. 

All of the jewelry items below are my current favorites. I have been wearing these pieces for the past few months. I adore the bright pop of color and glamour these add to my rather semi-casual outfits. Some day, one day, in the future, I would love to own the original Audrey Hepburn Ray-bans and a Louis Vuitton handbag. 

Make a Statement, Flirty, Classy, Bright, Ethnic 

Macy's $28 (sale price) 

TJ Maxx $30 (necklace); $20 (bracelet) 

TJ Maxx $30 (necklace); $20 (bracelet) 

Hand-Picked $18 (necklace); $15 (earrings) 

Mixing Metals, Statement Chunky and Chain Link Bracelets 

TJ MAXX $24.99 

Francesca's $19.99 

Francesca's $19.99 

Francesca's $14 

Charming Charlie $9.99 

Kohl's Sonoma under $10 

Golden and Delicate, Arm Candy for Stacking 

Top to Bottom: Mint Gold Chain Link Bracelet $8; Navy Filigree Gold $9.99; Love Tag Chain Link Bracelet $12 

Target $14

(This is truly my love, go-to, favorite of all my bracelets. It reminds me of the Tiffany's ball bracelet. I pair this with the gold ball studs by CHAPS from Kohl's pictured below.) 

Ross $9.99 

Light Years $8

Light Years $9 

Charming Charlie $10 

Colorful, Trendy, Gemstone, Danglers, Hoops, and Studs

Left to Right: Kohl's CHAPS Gold Studs (under $10), Francesca's Druzy Stone Circle Danglers ($12 each), Genealogy Turquoise Teardrops ($15), Kohl's Sonoma Antique Gold Leaf-like Danglers (about $4), Kohl's CHAPS Gold Hoops (under $10), Francesca's Colorful Fuchsia Blue Gemstone Danglers ($14). 

Charming Charlie $4.99 

Summer to Autumn Transition Colors, Cobalt Blue, Fuchsia  

$15 each / Buy 2 - Get $10 Off (I got the cobalt blue and black earrings [below] for $4 each on clearance.) 

Dillard's $15 each / Buy 2 - Get $10 Off 

Festive Glamorous Gold for the Holidays 

Francesca's $12

Francesca's $14

Kohl's Sonoma under $10 

Meijer $5.99 

Target $7.99

Warm and Cozy, Plum and Berry, Autumn  

Target $7.99 

Target $7.99 

Keep an eye out for sales at these stores. Francesca's occasionally has a BOGO (buy one, get one 50%) sale. Target recently had 20% off earrings and 10% off necklaces. Other than the typical 10-20% off, Target sometimes has a buy three for "x" price deal on its jewelry. Kohl's always sends out coupons and marks down its jewelry by 40-60% off retail price. I have never bought anything full price at Kohl's. 

I hope you all liked the jewelry collection displayed above. Thank you for stopping by, until next time! 

Please support StrawberryHeartsChocolateDarts @

BLOGLOVIN'

FACEBOOK

SHESAIDBEAUTY

GOOGLE+

NETWORKEDBLOGS

TWITTER

Your friendly comments and feedback are much appreciated. 

Thanks!