spring splurge vs. steal

long time no post! it has been a busy several+ days for me and i think my mind has had a million thoughts a minute. today's post is all about fashion on a budget! i love when i can find a good steal that looks almost like the designer splurge. some trends are such a quick fad that really investing in it isn't worth it, so its always great to look for similar styles that save you a little but still give you that same look!

floral pumps / manolo blahnik ($695) vs. kristin cavallari ($129.95)

structured bag / céline ($3100) vs. target ($39.99)

crop top + midi skirt set / milly top ($295) + skirt ($375) vs. vince camuto top ($99) + skirt ($129)

jelly bow sandals / valentino ($295) vs. dizzy ($29.99)

xoxo,

clp

talking trends: spring 2015

statement spots: diane von furstenburg top & skirt / mules: vince / cropped wide jeans: j. crew / matching separates: j. crew hoodie & shorts / fringe: j. crew sweater / espadrilles: tory burch / trenches: gap / midi skirts: j. crew / paper bag pants: gap / florals: tory burch dress & j. crew cuff

here's to hoping spring gets here sooner rather than later.

xoxo,
clp

nyfw - favorite looks

i already posted some of my favorite looks from the kate spade and j. crew spring shows, but i couldn't limit myself to just those two, even if they are two of my favorite lines. between classes (and yes, i did watch one live stream DURING class - oops) and battling this late summer cold that has brought me down, i have found myself poring over the photos from new york fashion week. spring, you are going to be fabulous, and wallet, you are warned.

so what was on the spring runways in new york? crops tops are here to stay another season, this time paired with light, airy, high-waist midi-skirts and fabulous high-waisted pants. gingham was out and about, staying sweet but with a modern edge with cutouts for spring. the slouchy trend was all over the runway, with light spring layers ready to blow in the spring breeze. skirts were all the rage, with designers making them long, short and every length in-between. matching separates took the stage in structured and loose silhouettes.

lela rose

lela rose 

diane von furstenburg

diane von furstenburg

diane von furstenburg

michael kors

michael kors

michael kors

michael kors

oscar de la renta

oscar de la renta

zac posen

jenny packham

jenny packham

(all images via fabsugar) 

spring is going to be coming up roses. 

xoxo,

clp

target: on target for fall

target may be my achilles' heel. i have been too many times to admit since i have been in knoxville and each time, i come out with something i didn't go in for. still, i needed it all right?! this fall, target has yet the fashion bullseye (see what i did there?), especially with trendy items at great prices that may not be in your closet forever. and they have great basics and layering pieces for transitioning seasons. i also love their workout brand and i always make a trip through that section as well! so what have i added to my ever-expanding closet (i know i have a problem) from target? see the pictures below and then head to your closest target to see what is in store!

sam & libby ashland studded sandal

knit jumpsuit

split hem tee

high waist flare jean

before you go, make sure you have the target cartwheel app if you don't already! to date, i have saved over $100 using the app! its so easy to use and so worth it! happy shopping!

xoxo,
clp

favorite fall trends

the fact that i applied for graduation yesterday freaks. me. out. where did the time go? i remember moving into homey little humes and the struggles and triumphs that came with my freshman year as if it were yesterday. and now, i am a week away from moving into my new apartment for my senior year. time really does fly by...

on another note, if you have been to any retail store lately, i'm sure you have seen new fall items hanging on the racks! i know it is still hot as H-E-double-hockey-sticks out and hard to think about sweaters and scarves and boots, but i am dreaming up fall outfits! there are some great trends this fall season that i am obsessing over and can't wait to incorporate into my closet.

• wide-leg pants: skinnies are still in style, but a great wide-leg will be nice this fall to loosen things up a bit. they are free and easy and ultra-flattering. i plan on tucking my high-waist styles into a fitted top such as a crew neck sweater and then pairing them with chunk heeled shoes. 
• midi-skirts: like with the wide-leg pants, midi-skirts are easy and free. they are back in style, with ideal lengths ranging from below the knee to mid calf. since they cover more leg, i may try pairing a high waisted one with a crop top or sleeveless blouse, or keep it classic with a button-down
• track pants: fall seems to be all about letting loose. track pants offer an elastic waist (hello new favorite) and are easy to dress up or down. cute paired with tennies or pumps, i plan on wearing mine just about everywhere with either a simple tee or a silk top!  
• print on print: popular for a few seasons now, print and print is better than ever this fall. from matching separates to contrasting prints paired together, the fashion world is embracing prints for fall in chic and modern ways. 
• capes and wrap coats: outerwear was all over the runway, with capes and wrap coats making many appearances. i have my eye on a few capes that are great fall transition pieces and am ahead of the game because i have a great camel-colored wrap coat in my closet! 
• fur and animal prints: as always with fall ready to wear, fur was present. i personally love fur, especially fur outerwear (you may have noticed my rabbit fur vest from past OOTDs). don't skimp and buy cheap fur though! make it an investment piece or find really good-looking faux fur! animal prints were also in full force. i love leopard print so i can't wait to add more of it to my wardrobe! 

happy shopping y'all! 

xoxo,

clp

lusting after leopard

i love shopping. in-store, online, catalog - doesn't matter. and i can usually find something to buy even if i don't really need it. i am loving all the fall collections and trends. one of my favorite fall trends is leopard. to me, leopard never goes out of style, knows no age and is classic. i already have a few leopard-clad pieces in my closet but am just dying to add to my collection and it definitely is showing its spots even more than usual this season. i am seeing it in multiple designer's collections and fashion magazines and it somehow keeps making it onto my shopping list. here are just a few of the leopard pieces i am currently coveting:

j. crew collection janey calf hair flats

topshop lexi animal print coat from nordstrom

kate spade new york broome street slim stretch jean

kate spade new york cedar street luciana handbag

i am all thrown off this week since we had monday off. not complaining about a short week though! since i stay on campus, i had to pack my lunch today (rather than eat the mostly unhealthy food that campus offers). i had seen similar recipes on pinterest and came up with what could be considered a panzanella salad with a southern twist. it is great for a light lunch or could even be altered slightly to serve as a side. 

cornbread avocado bacon salad

serves 1

1 cornbread muffin, crumbled 

1/2 avocado, diced

3 slices crisp bacon, crumbled

grape tomatoes, sliced in half

spinach

1 tbsp plain greek yogurt

pepper, to taste 

1. Combine ingredients in bowl and stir to combine. 
2. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

i hope this post leaves you lusting after leopard and running to the store to make your own cornbread salad. happy hump day everyone!

xoxo,

clp