Best of 2013: Clothes

It's so hard to believe 2013 is almost over! I've been reminiscing on the past year a lot lately and honestly, 2013 treated me pretty well. There's always ups and downs but this has definitely been one of the best years form me thus far! It's so weird to think next year I'll be halfway done with my first year of law school and living in unknown city (as of now). So many changes! Since clothes are one of my biggest passions (I would argue that shopping is a hobby, maybe even a sport) I decided to compile a list of all my favorite clothes I've gotten within the past year.

1. The first item is SO easy. My roommates and I call this dandy "the magic sweater." I have never been so obsessed with an item of clothing like this sweater. I own three out of the four colors, only because I haven't been able to find the fourth color in my size. On the hanger it looks pretty ordinary but I picked it up because it was so incredibly soft. The second I tried it on, I was sold. It's THE perfect oversized sweater and surprisingly so flattering on. It's long enough to wear with leggings (love) so that's what I pair it with as well as a scarf and riding or combat boots. Seriously the easiest outfit to throw together, I probably wear that combo at least twice a week. I buy my sweaters from a store in Minnesota called Len but I found it online and that's actually less expensive too. I have the black, grey, and navy ones! If you're in need a sweater, I would highly recommend this one. I believe Nordy's also sells this brand but I couldn't find the exact sweater on their website.

2. I'm a pretty avid riding boot fan but I invested in these babies this fall and could not be happier with them. I feel like the combat boot trend kind of hit last year but every single shoe store and department store started carrying them this year. I found it difficult to find a pair that was different than the one (Steven Madden) pair I saw literally everyone wearing. Finally I found this pair at Aldo and fell in love with the dark burgundy color. I wear a lot of black and grey so I thought these would be a nice pop of color for my wardrobe. I loved this pair from Aldo as well but I already have a few pairs of boots in that color. I've had a lot of fun incorporating these combat boots into my wardrobe!

3. Every girl needs a little black dress and I stumbled upon this classic at Nordstrom Rack. I've always been a fan of Diane von Furstenberg but this was my first DVF purchase! Her clothes are absolutely beautiful and so well made, which usually means they're out of my price range. I certainly wasn't looking for a LBD but it was so gorgeous and I knew this style of dress would look great on. This is why I generally don't try something on if it's out of my price range because I guarantee, it will ALWAYS look amazing. Definitely was an investment to say the least but it was worth the splurge and because it's such a classic, I know I'll have it for a long time.

4. I've never been much of a watch person but that has certainly changed this year. Another steal from Nordstrom Rack, I wear this Kate Spade watch everyday now. I actually wear more gold jewelry than silver, I think gold is making comeback :) I like pairing it with other bracelets and it's pretty much an essential to my wardrobe now. A black Kate Spade watch is next on my list! Please and thanks Santa.

5. This one is easy too. I really hate jeans, HATE them. They're terribly uncomfortable. I do think leggings are pants (as long as your butt is covered) and I wear leggings wayyy more than I wear jeans...until now. These are the softest pair of jeans I've ever worn and if I didn't know better, I would think they were pajama jeans. Super flattering on too so that's just another plus! I got this pair of Hudson's at a boutique in my hometown and I don't think I'll ever be able to wear a different pair of jeans again. Since I don't wear jeans that often, it's hard for me to justify paying $189 per pair (mine were 50% off at the boutique). Nordstrom Rack and Off Saks Fifth Avenue are usually my go to for designer jeans and they do carry Hudson's but I've yet to find a pair as soft as mine. Hopefully if I keep looking, I'll find another pair!

Side note: I also recently discovered AG Jeans and they are wonderful. I got this pair from (surprise, surprise) Nordstrom Rack, didn't realize how obsessed with that store I was! The olive color looks great with all my black/grey/cream tops. The material is a stretch sateen so they're soft, almost velvety, and unbelievable comfortable. Didn't realize comfort was such a stable for me either! I'd definitely recommend trying Hudson or AG for denim if you're looking for a new brand.

That pretty much sums up my favorites from 2013! I guess these are all more fall and winter clothes but it's hard to even remember wearing summer clothes right now! I am looking forward to Spring Break when I can break out my Lilly, colored denim, whites, and Jacks though :)

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays.

Xoxo,

rFe

A quick hello and today's steals!

Hello loves!

Wow seriously how long has it been since my last post?! This semester is just flying by, I can't believe it's almost winter break (and my birthday!). I really miss the blogging world and I'm definitely going to try and make this blog more of a priority starting now! With finals week approaching, I don't feel nearly as prepared as I should for my exams but hopefully it'll be a productive week :) In more exciting news, my sorority's initiation week was absolutely amazing and I got another little! She's absolutely adorable and we are two peas in pod so I couldn't be happier. We are both avid country fans and are attending the CMT Jake Owen, Love and Theft, and Florida Georgia Line concert this Thursday in Minneapolis! SO beyond thrilled to throw on my cowboy boots and see all those sexy men perform live. I'm anticipating it will be an amazing concert and I'll definitely let you guys know how it went on Friday.

Now, I love bargains just as much as the next shopaholic but today I got some incredible (and unexpected) deals from the one and only Ann Taylor! I consider myself kind of an expert in finding great clothes for affordable prices. I would much rather catch an Ann Taylor/J. Crew sale than buy things for the same price at Forever 21. Not trying to knock Forever 21, I do like to buy certain things there but for me, quality always comes before quantity. My first rule of thumb for finding good deals is to shop in stores, working retail has taught me that the actual stores ALWAYS have better deals than the websites do. Case in point, I bought a dress from Banana Republic this summer for $12 in store while it was still "on sale" online for $70. Craziness I know and I see it happen all the time. Anyway, today Ann Taylor had 25% off their sale items so these are the dandies I picked up!

This blouse is actually navy blue with the coral and white details, not black, which gives it a much more preppy/nautical look! Totally my style so obviously I had to get this at a mere $11. 

This adorable sweater is going to go with some Banana Republic burgundy cigarette pants for Christmas :) unfortunately, you can't see the back detail but there's a bow tie at the top and the whole back is sheer - love! This again was only $11. 

My last sale purchase was this burgundy top (can you tell I'm obsessed with this color?) which is a great causal top for me to wear to class! I seriously wear these kind of oversized, comfy tops to class everyday and how could I not buy it for $7?!

I couldn't resist putting up some of Ann Taylor's new arrivals as well. They're featuring this mint color, which is my absolute favorite color of all time. I couldn't justify buying any of it though because 1.) my budget would not allow this and 2.) I don't think it's a very season appropriate color (especially the pants) I just wouldn't feel right wearing pastel before Spring came! Call me crazy but it's almost as bad as wearing white this time of year...almost...

Anyone else finding any awesome deals lately? Let me know what you think about mine!

Oh, it's good to be back :) xoxo,

rFe

Fall finds!

As quickly as fall is approaching, I can't help but feel sooo much excitement about the upcoming season! I love everything about fall - school starts, it's football season, the weather is gorgeous, but most importantly I LOVE fall clothes. The layering, scarf, and boot possibilities are endless! I'm always looking at Pinterest to get ideas for future outfits.

I seriously live to wear riding boots, they go with everything! Another fall favorite of mine is wearing dresses and tights. I have a pair of cashmere tights that are to die for :) I highly suggest them y'all. Mine are Betsey Johnson from Nordstrom Rack and they were like $12! Easily worth the luxurious feeling I get when I wear them. Last year I wore my over the knee, Vince Camuto boots pretty much everyday. As a result of that, they've gotten pretty beat up so I've had to invest in another pair...

Cue Frye boots. I've been obsessed with Frye boots ever since I discovered this magical place I like to call Nordstrom's shoe department. Not only are they great quality boots but they are SO cute. They are however, ridiculously expensive. They finally went on sale enough during this year's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that I could justify buying them. Aren't they amazing?!

Another fall essential is a great trench. I got my black one last year from the Banana Republic Factory Store for a steal of about $20! I think they're so classic and again, look great with riding boots! Since I wore mine so much last year, I wanted to get another this year but a little bit thicker (mine's particularly thin). I didn't want black either, khaki was option until I saw this gorgeous trench at Banana while I was working. 

The burgundy color looks so good on and I think it will be a really popular color this fall. I also love that it's a little shorter than traditional trenches. I'm pretty thin so those usually overwhelm my figure too much. Ahh I'm just in love with this coat :)

Next on my fall list: a pair of good flats! I'm thinking Tory's... As always, let me know what you think! I love love love hearing from y'all!

xoxo,

rFe