Tag Archives: affordable fashion

Fun Winter and Holiday Sparkles from Kate Spade New York!

Posted on by

I’m baaack…. or at least trying to come back. I’ll save the introspective essay of how the pandemic affected my view on style blogging and my personal style for another, more fortuitous time; however, with the seasons changing and holiday cheer jingling around every street corner, albeit Thanksgiving is less than a week away, I had some fun clicking through Kate Spade New York‘s website. Ultimately, I found these adorable, seasonal, and on sale earrings that I was excited to share:

arctic friends penguin studs @Kate Spade New York, $30, marked down from $49
arctic friends penguin pave huggies @Kate Spade New York, $35, marked down from $59

My personal jewelry collection has never really lent itself to the animal kingdom, although a few ladybug and butterfly earrings come to mind, but as a mother of a rambunctious, imaginative, joyful three-year-old girl, I find that my mommy-style is an in-progress combination of no-fuss-ease with anything I can do to excite my daughter with what I’m wearing. Of course, my hope is that one day she will embrace the extensive fashion jewelry collection that I have amassed in my life, even though I haven’t unpacked most of it in over a year since buying my first family home with my husband. I hope the special, sentimental pieces connected with holidays and celebrations, like these penguin earrings from Kate Spade, could tell a powerful and cherished story of happy times for her as well.

While I’m not in a position these days to just lavish myself with designer duds, even though the above penguin picks are priced reasonably for a holiday gift, my recommendation would be that for any reader looking to add sparkle by means of festive bling this season to check these out, along with other limited sale buys from Kate Spade New York (like the matching bow bangle and earrings set here). As a result of considering my daughter’s reaction in what I wear, I have expanded some of what I choose to wear to feature cutesy, kitchy animals because… why not? For one more animal-friendly suggestion, check out these:

arctic friends polar bear pave mini studs @Kate Spade New York, $35, marked down from $59

Where are you shopping for holiday sparkles or fun, playful jewels? Where do you stop first when it comes to pre-Black Friday deals? What’s on your list to Santa this year? I’ll take a nap any day of the week before more stuff to find space for in the house, but a little sparkle does go a long way. For more holiday jewelry inspiration, check out other fun picks from Francescas, LC Lauren Conrad Collection for Kohls, Sugarfix by Bauble Bar at Target, and INC International Concepts for Macy’s.

Happy Styling!

Summer’s Most Stylish Wristlet for $12.99!

Posted on by

I was recently in a situation where–gasp–I realized that I was not appropriately dressed for an event. My husband & I were going to a concert & even though my maxi dress & shrug combo were perfectly comfortable, rain was imminent & the weather was not about to stop us from going to the beachfront concert. So, I had a little time after work to run to @Target for a quick change of looks. I found leggings, a tunic tee, & cozy hoodie to endure the weather, but also, this yellow floral wristlet pouch by A New Day completed my look while still staying true to my style. It was the perfect way to carry only necessities, instead of my usual oversized tote bag with absolutely everything I owned.

A day or so after the event, I went on Target‘s website to share my joy about this wristlet & that’s when I found the navy & orange combo on the same wristlet, which is equally stylish for summer.

Both wristlets offer a fashionable pop of color & tropical feel in their patterns, which work perfectly with any outfit this season. Also, they’ll transition nicely for spring looks when headed out to a party or daytime wedding. My absolute favorite part of these wristlets is the price–$12.99!

What kind of small bag do you carry to special occasions & outings? Where are you shopping for great deals on summer accessories? How are you incorporating flowers into your summer style? For more stylish posts, check out Jessica Alba’s platforms, affordable tees for every size, Betsey Johnson’s butterfly inspiration, & beach / weekend totes! Happy Styling!

All About Platforms with Jessica Alba!

Posted on by

Jessica Alba has always been one of my favorite celebrities to watch out for on the red carpet because several elements of her personal style mirror my own. She loves feminine, classic pieces, never straying too far into an architectural or modern aesthetic, but still appearing current & trendy. While the actress / entrepreneur has been promoting her new series L.A.’s Finest (also starring the always exquisite Gabrielle Union), as well as her brand The Honest Company, Jessica has been all about platforms. I couldn’t help but notice the chunky shoe under many of her dresses during her promotional tour, a choice that I would not personally make, but something I love to look at with her red carpet fashion, which has a very 70s & 90s glam vibe right now.

Below Jessica goes peachy in a Giambattista Valli Spring 2019 dress with beige patent leather platforms & an Alaia cropped shirt with a striped skirt in Jimmy Choo platforms.

Also, at the Monte Carlo TV Festival, Jessica wore an orange Silvia Tcherassi belted dress with a Mulberry bag & satin platforms. For her Honest Beauty Meet & Greet, Jessica looks heavenly in a Self Portrait midi dress with rust suede Salvatore Ferragamo platforms. For the budget shopper looking for trend pieces without breaking the bank, check out some of these affordable & stylish platforms out in stores & online now.

burgundy platforms @GOjane

beige platforms @Forever 21

Mix No. 6 Trima platforms @DSW

Madeline bronze platforms @Steve Madden

Chinese Laundry red Theresa platforms @Zappos

Design Lab black platforms @Lord & Taylor

Chinese Laundry Going Haute striped platforms @ModCloth

Do you like platforms? How do you typically style platform heels? Where are you shopping for the latest shoe styles? For more stylish posts, check out classic tees from New York & Company & dressbarn, Betsey Johnson’s Vandi butterfly shoes, & weekend totes perfect for the beach! Happy Styling!

Tee Time!

Posted on by

I’m a sucker for dresses, cardigans, & big jewelry. There’s no question about it. There are some staple pieces that I love to have en masse, including cardigans, ankle pants, & blouses. However, one wardrobe must-have that I haven’t embraced so much is the classic t-shirt!

(gasp)

…Perhaps this is because I always relied on the cozy ease of a t-shirt for my sleepwear & not so much to mix with my day pieces. T-shirts are an easy way to play off of busy patterns, bold textures, & trendy companions, which is why I’m featuring some great deals on colorful, classic, & trendy t-shirts.

SHOP: navy crewneck Hampton tee @New York & Company (available in 4 colors in size XS – XXL), blue pocket tee @LOFT (available in 4 colors in size XS – XXL), coral square-neck trim tee @dressbarn (available in six colors in size XS – XL, shop 1X – 3X here, pale blue v-neck tee @Gap (available in 17 colors in size XS – XXL), A New Day white crewneck tee @Target (available in 4 colors in size XS – XXL), & green jersey tee @H&M (available in 7 colors in size XXS – XXL).

No matter what your favorite neckline is, t-shirts really are for everyone. There are so many styles to consider from crewneck to v-neck to square-neck to split-neck, which is what makes t-shirts so versatile & compatible to offset a busy look to keep in minimal with all solids. Any of these tees could be worn with jeans, tucked into a skirt, with printed pants, or under a sleeveless dress, creating a new layer of possibilities in outfit building. Consider coordinating any of these items to build your next comfy t-shirt chic look:

SHOP: beaded flower necklace @dressbarn, gold chain choker @Forever 21, blue paisley Audrey ankle pant @New York & Company, Match Made midi skirt @ModCloth, green gingham sandals @GOjane, & leopard Pixie pant @Old Navy.

How do you like to style t-shirts? Where do you shop for a variety of colors when it comes to t-shirts? What is your favorite style t-shirt? For more stylish posts, check out Betsey Johnson’s butterfly adorned heels, stylish summer totes from T.J. Maxx & Windsor, pretty pendant necklaces for any outfit from Kohl’s & Francesca’s, & Victoria Beckham’s bold neon heels! Happy Styling!

Betsey Johnson’s Vandi Pumps are Giving Me Butterflies!

Posted on by

It’s been a few days now that Facebook has been showing me sponsored posts about Betsey Johnson‘s Vandi pumps & each time I spot them, I take a moment to admire their femininity & flair. I usually get annoyed by sponsored posts (because I don’t like how social media tracks when I’m searching & then it appears EVERYWHERE). However, in this case, I haven’t searched the brand, nor have I been seeking out strappy high sandals like these, but I find them downright delightful & lovely.

SHOP: black multi Vandi pump & fuschia Vandi pump @Betsey Johnson.

They’re beyond my budget & not realistic for my current lifestyle & footwear needs, but they sure are pretty! thump thump…I imagine styling them with a little black dress, floral fit & flair frock, or even with a colorful blouse & skinny jeans. These are shoes for serious Style Darlings who love to add that extra special touch to every outfit & if they landed on my doorstep (in a size 8), I wouldn’t bat an eye at finding an occasion to wear them.

What shoes are you dreaming about? Where are you splurging this summer? What’s your favorite style of dress shoe? For more stylish posts, check out these affordable summer totes, the prettiest pendant necklaces of the summer, & Victoria Beckham’s neon Balenciaga shoes! Happy Styling!

Beach Bound & Weekend Totes!

Posted on by

For my first official summer as a mommy, I’m scouring the web for a go-to tote to run out the door with (along with my own purse & the diaper bag) for all outing essentials that aren’t a part of my day-to-day life. For example, a bottle of sunscreen, a picnic blanket, a travel water bottle, spare flip flops, & maybe a magazine or book. I love how this season has so many cute & playful options that capture the spirit of the summer, while also being very spacious & useful for a busy Style Darling like myself. Here are just a few examples of what’s out there & what I have my eye on!

SHOP: Hello Weekend tote @Windsor, Life’s A Beach tote @New York & Company, Magid multi color stripe tote @Stein Mart, Magid pink & black tote @T.J. Maxx, & City Streets bananas tote @JCPenney.

Some summer must-have items that I have my eye on for inside my go-to tote include:

SHOP: eyeglass case @Walmart, red sunglasses @Forever 21, silver braided flip flops @Charlotte Russe, watermelon makeup pouch @Rue 21, travel water bottle @Five Below, Neutrogena sunscreen @Target, & tropical beach towel @H&M.

What are your summer must-haves? Where are you headed on weekends for some fun in the sun? Where are you shopping for affordable travel pieces? For more stylish posts, check out pretty pendant necklaces from Kohl’s & LOFT, Victoria Beckham’s neon high heels, & New York & Company’s most popular maxi dress! Happy Styling!

Pretty Pendant Necklaces for Any Summer Look!

Posted on by

I’m all about the statement necklace with chunky gemstones & layers of chains, but for summer, I like lighter pieces that don’t cling too heavily to my skin, which brings me to my latest jewelry favorite: pendant necklaces. They’re perfect for a boho look with a maxi dress & sparkly sandals or for more professional workwear looks in a sheath dress & pumps. Also, consider mixing a pendant necklace with a blouse & pencil skirt, or solid tee & floral shorts with wedges. Pendant necklaces are also great for layering in length, especially when you want to mix stones, beads, pearls, & metal tones (rose, gold, & silver) to create a dynamic way to use your accessories!

SHOP: Farah filigree necklace @Francesca’s, teardrop bead necklace @Forever 21, Universal Thread geometric half circle necklace @Target, LC Lauren Conrad silver flower pendant @Kohl’s, & stone cluster necklace @LOFT.

Of course, pendant necklaces aren’t just for summer either. They’re an accessories essential all year long, as seen by just a handful of the ways I’ve worn mine the last few seasons (@styledarlingdaily on Instagram).

Where are you shopping for the best jewelry buys? What does your favorite pendant necklace look like? How do you like to style pendant necklaces? For more stylish posts, check out Victoria’s Beckham’s neon inspiration, maxi dresses for every summer, & Old Navy’s crazy flip flop sale! Happy Styling!

06/19/2019 Darling of the Day: Victoria Beckham’s Modern Neon Inspiration!

Posted on by

Victoria Beckham is always flawless. This isn’t news, but I just had to start there. The Spice Girl-turned-designer recently stepped out in what starts to look like a minimalist summer look with a white tee & black cuffed jeans, accessorized with classic pieces like a sleek black envelope clutch, pendant necklace, a chain link gold watch, & Celine sunglasses (shop here)… until you see the heels! They’re Balenciaga Square Knife neon pumps (shop here) that make a wild style statement, but it all works seamlessly, especially on Victoria!

Of course, this look would’ve worked with pink, orange, red, or really, any color heel. She could’ve surprised us all with neon ballet flats, which would have been equally successful & exciting to post about. I’m always finding new ways to mix up my favorite wardrobe items in my collection, playing with different colors & patterns to pop, which is why I love Victoria’s inspiration so much.

However, we all don’t have the kind of budget needed to recreate this high-end, luxury look… but have no fear! Because so many of the pieces are staples, they’re not hard to find without breaking the bank! Even imitation-inspired heels are available to peruse (in several other colors too) to bring Victoria’s posh style back to life!

SHOP: Prologue short sleeve crew neck tee @Target (available in XS-XXL), black straight jeans @Old Navy (available in 0-20), neon green high heels @Stylentol, ASOS DESIGN clutch @ASOS, tinted sunglasses @Forever 21, hammered pendant necklace @Forever 21, & gold pave square link watch @New York & Company.

What celebrity inspires your summer style the most? Who are you always watching for the latest trends? Where are you shopping to recreate street style looks? For more posts about Victoria Beckham, click here, here, here, & here! For more stylish posts, check out classic maxi dresses from New York & Company, fabulous flip flops from Old Navy, & fashionable resin earrings!

Why Say “Or” When You Can Say “And” (For These Maxi Dresses)?!

Posted on by

I know I’m not the first to say that buying “one in every color” is worth the investment, but if there’s a staple piece of clothing (or accessory) that you love & just can’t live without, when why not? I have this philosophy typically when ti comes to cardigans & ballet flats, but with a busy summer ahead, I’m also applying this philosophy (& maybe fashion addiction excuse?) to the Goddess maxi dress @New York & Company.

I was first introduced to this dress last year & have since bought it in EIGHT different colors. It is super fashionable, very comfortable & breathable, & really, a classic maxi dress style that I will continue to wear for more summers to come. Truth: I bought it when I was very VERY pregnant last summer, which gave my big baby belly lots of room, but this is not a maternity dress. The banding underneath the bust was very forgiving & even now (not pregnant), I’m loving the flowing long skirt, which flatters my shape now. Not to mention that this dress can be style in a multitude of ways, easy breezy for weekend errands or dressed up for a special occasion! Most colors are available in sizes XS- XXL, which means that this dress really is for everyone!

I love accessorizing this dress with any number of cropped cardigans, long necklaces, oversized earrings, a denim jacket, & studded sandals. Every color of dress is a great foundation for some summer fun, coordinating with playful watermelon or pineapple accents, gawdy golds, or crisp white pieces.

SHOP: black pointelle shrug @dressbarn (shop plus size here), rimless gradient sunglasses @Forever 21, rose gold strappy sandals @David’s Bridal, stone pendant necklace @LOFT, large drop earrings @H&M, & charm bracelet @H&M.

How would you style these bold, feminine maxi dresses? What style dress is your favorite for summer? Where you headed on vacation this season? What stores are you shopping for best deals on summer must-haves? For more stylish posts, check out Old Navy’s cute flip flops, trendy resin earrings, & stylish summer hats inspired by Jessica Alba & Suki Waterhouse! Happy Styling!

Reasons to Love Resin Earrings!

Posted on by

During the warmer months, I always have to rethink my jewelry game to avoid feeling weighed down or having to deal with anything fussy. Here’s when I typically stray away from heavy statement necklaces, but to still make a style statement in my accessories, there’s always a big earrings, which I love to wear when my hair is down. However, one of the biggest earring trends this summer is resin, which is available in not just a classic tortoiseshell, but also fun, bold colors to mix & match with summer favorites like maxi dresses, rompers, or casual separates needing a glam touch.

colorblocked resin earrings @LOFT outlet

Deisy resin hoop earrings @BaubleBargoldtone resin hoop drop earrings @New York & Company

resin luxe earrings @Charming Charlietortoiseshell resin drop earrings @Forever 21Alin turquoise resin hoop earrings @Lulus

Where are you shopping for your favorite summer accessories? What jewelry trends are you following this season? Do you like the resin trend? How would you style any of these earrings? For more stylish posts, check out floppy hats inspired by Jessica Alba & Jennifer Lopez, spring skirt inspiration from Emilia Clarke & Gemma Chan, & watermelon accessories from Old Navy! Happy Styling!