Sunday, September 11, 2011

Tied Up

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I LOVE this new fall trend! The tie-neck blouse is a simple yet chic way to add a touch of sophistication to your wardrobe. Perfect for a day at the office paired with a solid colored pencil skirt or for the classroom with a cozy cardigan and skinny jeans, this piece will get you noticed! Seen on several celebrities, this trend can work for both day and night. Paired with some flats, leggings, and an oversize bag, you'll look pulled together yet comfy taking a trip to the grocery store. Wanting something fun for a night out? Look for a flowy dress version of the trend and belt it to create a sleek silhouette! I'll certainly be adding this fun trend to my closet this season. What fall trend are you most excited to try?

Celebrities in Tie-Neck Blouses


Kourtney Kardashian
(Wearing another fall trend, the striped blazer! I'll do a post on this trend tomorrow!)


Katie Holmes


Olivia Palermo

Tie-Neck Inspired Outfit

Untitled #55

Top: Short Sleeve Tie Neck Blouse $45.00 (Warehouse)
Shorts: Second Female Shorts Cute $43.00 (We Like Fashion)
Shoes: Steve Madden Sparkle Flats $39.00 (American Eagle)
Bag: Tassel Handbag $34.90 (Windsor)
Earrings: Floridita Rose Crystal Stud $14.00 (Dorothy Perkins)


Tie-Neck Options:


Bow-Tie Top $26.94 (Old Navy)


If You Dot it Top $44.99 (Modcloth)


Neck-Tie Blouse $19.80 (Forever 21)


Peach Pit Crop Jacket $48.00 (Nasty Gal)


Lush Tie Front Chiffon Top $34.00 (Nordstrom)


Chiffon Sleeveless Pussybow Blouse $23.78 (Asos)


Pussybow Short Sleeve Blouse $45.74 (Asos)
(This is the one I'm planning on purchasing!)


Pussybow Playsuit $64.03 (Asos)
(So torn on this one! I really want it but thinking I won't have much time to wear it for the remainder of this year since it'll  start to get cold soon.)

Inspired? Look for these items here:

Friday, September 9, 2011

Lavender Fields

Lately I've become a fan of the soft and romantic lavender hue, especially on flowy silk and chiffon pieces. Adding a touch of lavender to your outfit automatically adds a feminine touch and softens a look from appearing too bold or sharp. With the cooler months ahead of us, throw on an oversize lavender sweater for a cozy look. Don't want to look too precious? Try pulling on a black leather jacket for sweet look with an edge.


Celebrities in Lavender


Taylor Swift


Hayden Panettiere


Kristen Cavallari

Lavender Options:


Sunday Wrap Dress $24.00 (Nasty Gal)


Shredded Crop Knit $48.00 (Nasty Gal)


Bouquet of Lavender Polka Dot Top $37.99 (Ruche)


Sweet Little Lilacs Tank $34.99 (Modcloth)


Lush Lavender Floral Romper $31.50 (Threadsence)

Inspired? Look for these items here:

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Branded

For as long as I could remember I was convinced that there wasn't a difference between designer jeans and regular jeans at affordable prices. I just believed that denim was denim and that all jeans were basically the same, aside from styles and washes. However a pair of dark wash skinny jeans caught my eye on the display table at Nordstrom and I decided to give them a try. Boy was I wrong. Slipping into those Hudson jeans were something else. Right when I stepped into them, I could tell the difference in fabric quality. Those had to be the softest and most comfortable jeans I had ever tried on! Plus they were rather flattering, which is always a plus! Though I still do believe that jeans found in the discount racks can still be just as wonderful, investing in a great pair of designer jeans may not be such a bad idea! I could tell that the material was durable and would last for a long time. They would be a great investment so I wouldn't have to constantly replace my other jeans that would wear down at the knees after a few months. Obviously those cute pairs of designer jeans will cost you more, but if you look carefully, you can actually find some for a lot cheaper! I've attached a few links that will direct you to discounted designer brands so you too can experience the magic of luxurious denim without burning a hole in your wallet!

Here are the jeans I purchased! Interested? Let's be twins!



Nico Mid Rise Super Skinny (Hudson Jeans)

Looking for discounted designer denim? Check out these links!


From Joe's to Citizens to 7's, this site has you covered. Providing you with the best deals, they have a wide selection of both used and new jeans that you can purchase. Not only do they provide links to these different brands, they also have a handy guide to help you differentiate between the real deal and the knock-off! 


I know Bluefly isn't known to be super affordable, but if you look under their denim section and click to view the different selections from low prices to high, there are actually some great deals! I even came across a pair of Michael Kors skinny jeans for $60! Now that's a steal!


Like the link above, if you take a look at the sale and reduced jeans, you can get a great deal on something cute! Usually they sell the jeans from the previous season that didn't sell, and try and sell them for cheaper in the hopes that eventually the will sell out. Like I said before, denim is denim so even though they may not be the newest pieces for the season, they will still look great now! And really. Who's really going to be able to tell anyways? It can be your little secret!

Here are a few links to some of the hottest designer brands of the moment!



Audrina Patridge



Ashley Tisdale



Rachel Bilson



Vanessa Minnillo



Hilary Duff



Selena Gomez

Inspired? Find this item here:

Monday, September 5, 2011

Wishful Thinking

We recently had a family friend stay with us from abroad so we were able to visit all the fun tourist spots around the city. It had been a while since my last trip up the space needle! We also had the chance to go and take her shopping which I quite enjoyed myself! Among the different stores we went into, I found myself spending the longest time in Sephora. I'm not usually a huge fan of trying new products that are on the higher end, but there were a few products that had caught my eye! I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you in hopes that you would share some of the things on your wish list with me as well! I figured I'll be headed back there soon to stock up on my regulars for the new school year anyways so maybe I'll add in another new product to my rotation.

TRTD's Sephora Product Wishlist


Dior Addict Ultra Gloss $27.50

I've had my eye on this product for a while now but was always on the fence when it came down to purchasing it. I figured I could find another decent gloss for cheaper but the gloss comes in such a cute tube it's hard to not want it. There was a really pretty plum colored one that was particularly tempting, and would be great for the fall. Perhaps I'll have to consider investing in a tube.


Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil $24.00

Always being a fan of the clear gloss, I decided that I wanted to step out and try something a little different. I want to add a touch of color to my lips without it being ridiculously out there, so I figured  a peach or  dusty rose color would be subtle enough. I read in a recent fashion magazine that peach is a universally flattering shade and adds just the right amount of color. Having a colored pencil like this might be handy for a fun night out or a fancy dinner. 


Sephora Collection Nail Patch Art $12.00 

There has been a growing trend with nail polish strips which provide you with the lasting features of a regular liquid nail polish, but without the mess and waiting period. I always see the Sally Hansen ones whenever I go to the store but some of the prints are a little out there. I saw this pink polka-dotted one on the Sephora website and thought it looked so adorable! Plus the idea of just sticking a strip on your nail seems like it would be fun to apply!


Escada Taj Sunset $43 (1 oz.)

I'm more of a body spray fan than a perfume fan just because I don't want something super strong and long lasting, but I was drawn to the pretty bottle and decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised with a fruity and fairly light scent and it reminded me of a lotion I used to really like. If I were to purchase this product I'd probably go for the mini spray bottle which is $20 since I probably wouldn't use it all the time.



Paperself Eyelashes $19.00 (Deer and Butterfly Design)

This product isn't technically on my wishlist just because these are a little too wild for me, but I thought they looked so cool and pretty and deserved a little blurb on this post. There are a couple of different designs but all of them are super intricately cut and are just really fun to look at. Not quite sure where someone might be able to wear these, but they would be cool for a fun party or even a Halloween party, since it'll be the end of October before we know it!

Inspired? Look for these items here:

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Be Inspired

Whether you tend to follow trends or start them, creating a style all your own can be a fun experience! Pulling inspiration from celebrities, fashionistas on the street, or the nature around you can be a great way to form your own style if you feel like you haven't quite found one that fits you yet. Whenever I'm having a hard time putting together outfits or just in need of some inspiration, I look to some of my favorite fashionable celebrities. With their girly yet timeless looks, my top five never fail me when I'm in need of some fashion advice. Who's in your top five? Who do you look to for inspiration? Let me know either by email or by leaving me a message on my facebook page!

TRTD's Top Five Celebrity Fashion Inspirations


Lauren Conrad

From my numerous posts featuring her laid back California style, it's safe to say that she's my number one fashion inspiration! From her more flowy tops and dresses for casual wear to her more fitted and structured pieces for evening, she never fails to look chic and polished!


Rachel Bilson

Ever since she first played Summer Roberts on The OC, I've been in love with her style. She always knows just how to dress her petite frame, which can be handy since I'm on the short side as well. Mixing girly pieces with edgier pieces, she always creates a style all her own.


Olivia Palermo

Having recently discovered this stylish celebrity, I've noticed her style not only in fashion magazines here in the U.S. but I've also seen her style featured in Japanese fashion magazines as well! Her sophisticated style always looks so effortless! Whether wearing the hottest designer brands or simple affordable basics, by mixing and matching pieces, she makes it easier for others to create similar outfits that only look expensive. 


Emma Roberts

In a world where young celebrities feel like less is more, this stylish celebrity is paving the way for a more modest and sophisticated look that is both fashionable and age-appropriate. Everything that she wears goes so well together whether it be a leather mini with a red polka dotted blazer, or a elegant beaded gown for a special event. Though she may still be a younger fashionista, she definitely still inspires those older than her as well!


Alexa Chung

Known for her ability to mix feminine pieces with masculine pieces so well together has helped her to become an icon in the fashion industry! All her pieces are so versatile so she can create so many different looks from just a few pieces. I've become a big fan of structured pieces lately so I've been looking to her for inspiration.   

Let me know who inspires you!

Email: theretailtherapydiaries@gmail.com

Friday, September 2, 2011

Red Delicious

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! I guess you could say I've been taking a mini vacation from blogging. But I'm back and will hopefully do a better job of staying on top of things! Today's post was inspired by the crisp and juicy red delicious apples I passed by this afternoon at the grocery store! Looking through my closet, I noticed that I was lacking the bold and vibrant color between the blacks, blues, neutrals, and pinks. Continuing my back-to-school shopping expedition, I've been on the hunt for more red but haven't been very successful. Are you a fan of the rich, intense hue or is it just a little too loud for you? Let me know what you think!

The Inspiration


Celebrities in Red


Kim Kardashian


Emma Roberts


Hayden Panettiere

Red Options:


Ditsy Leaves Romper $22.90 (Forever 21)


Red Crinkle Pussybow Short Sleeve Blouse $75.00 (Topshop)


Double Lines Knit $58.00 (Nasty Gal)


Solid Military Pea Coat $34.99 (Charlotte Russe)


Camille Dress $11.34 (Abercrombie)


Motel Gemma Cut Out Waist Contrast Dress $45.74 (Asos)

Inspired? Look for these items here: