The Retail Therapy Diaries: October 2012

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Wicked Beauty

We are officially less than a week away from the spookiest day of the year! Hopefully you've found your perfect costumes by now, but if you're running a little behind, I've come up with a few more options! I previously posted some Disney princess inspired costume ideas, which you can find here if you haven't had a chance to check them out yet. If you are looking to stay away from the sweet and sparkly this Halloween, today's post is perfect for you. Inspired by some of my favorite Disney villains, I've put together some outfits that will be sure to get you a few screams! Again, I tried to put together looks that can work for the other days of the year as well. With a quick switch of accessories, you can take these outfits from downright scary to polished princess perfection! Good luck with the costume search, and have a Happy Halloween!

Disney Villains Themed Costumes/Outfits

Top: Velvet Bustier $30.00 (General Pants)
Skirt: Innocence Black Pleated Maxi Skirt $24.00 (New Look)
Cardigan: Cream Fluffy Cardigan $48.00 (River Island)
Shoes: Lipstick Red Pointed Toe Pump $16.99 (My Hot Shoes)
Bag: Leopard Print Cross Body Bag $35.00 (Wallis)
Earrings: Turquoise Stud Earrings $12.00 (Etsy)

Captain Hook
Top: Silky Tie Neck Blouse $50.00 (French Connection)
Jacket: Basic Blazer $48.00 (H&M)
Shorts: Karen Millen Colorful Denim Shorts $19.95 (Karen Millen)
Shoes: Larissa Peep Toe Platform Heels $24.00 (Style Me TV)
Ring: Dagger Knife Double Ring $9.90 (Amazon)
Headband: Felt Feather Headband $8.99 (Gap)

Mr. Smee
Top: Striped Lace Racerback Tank $2.00 (Wet Seal)
Skirt: St. Stephen's Green Textured Skirt $35.99 (Ruche)
Shoes: Larhonda Wedges $55.99 (Aldo)
Necklace: Miso Bling Glasses Pendant $6.40 (Republic)
Bow: Red Hair Bow $5.00 (Etsy)

Top: Peplum Fishtail Top $50.00 (Miss Selfridge)
Jacket: Ichi Blazer Soga $65.00 (We Like Fashion)
Leggings: Gunmetal Zip Leggings $31.00 (Witchery)
Shoes: Off White Slingback Wedge Sandals $40.00 (Debenhams)
Necklace: New Predator Necklace $12.00 (Threadsence)
Ring: Beatrice Top Hat Skull Ring $20.00 (Boohoo)

Dress: Strapless Color Block Stretch Taffeta Tube Dress $69.99 (Pacific Plex)
Shoes: Sparkle an Interest Heels $39.99 (Modcloth)
Clutch: I Heart Mesh Clutch $41.00 (The Iconic)
Necklace: Carriera Necklace $20.00 (Aubin & Wills)
Bracelet: Candie's Gold Toned Bracelet $16.00 (Kohl's)

Body Suit: The Perfect Body Suit $37.50 (Isabella Oliver)

Skirt: Ribbed Peplum Mini Skirt $45.00 (Topshop)

Shoes: Michael Antonio's Pink Love Me Suede $49.99 (Heels)

Earrings: Gold Look Fat Cat Studs $5.20 (Dorothy Perkins)

Ring: DJ by Dominic Jones Gold Plated Enamel Claw Ring $89.38 (My Wardrobe)

Inspired? Look for these items here:

www.generalpants.com
www.newlook.com
www.riverisland.com
www.myhotshoes.com
www.wallisfashion.com
www.etsy.com
www.frenchconnection.com
www.hm.com
www.karenmillen.com
www.stylemetv.com
www.amazon.com
www.gap.com
www.wetseal.com
www.shopruche.com
www.aldoshoes.com
www.republic.com
www.etsy.com
www.missselfridge.com
www.welikefashion.com
www.witchery.com
www.debenhams.com
www.threadsence.com
www.boohoo.com
www.pacificplex.com
www.modcloth.com
www.theiconic.com
www.aubinandwills.com
www.kohls.com
www.isabellaoliver.com
www.topshop.com
www.heels.com
www.dorothyperkins.com
www.my-wardrobe.com

Monday, October 22, 2012

A Pop of 'Collar'

Embrace the sparkle in this fun fall trend! This season, it's all about embellished collars. From spiky studs to glittery gems, pretty accents are injecting some much needed glam appeal into your boring old button ups. If you tend to have trouble picking out just the right accessories to complement your outfits, this trend is perfect for you. The statement collar acts as an accessory which helps to do the hard work for you. Great for highlighting your face, having so much sparkle up top will definitely help you make a statement.

These versatile collars can be dressed up or down with the right accessories. Paired with some dark wash skinny jeans, this trend works perfectly for a sophisticated yet casual look for class. Combined with a banded skirt and some heels, you have yourself a festive outfit for an upcoming holiday party. So the next time your getting ready to head out the door, skip the jewelry and slip on an embellished collared shirt instead!

Celebrities Wearing Embellished Collars

Alexa Chung

Hailee Steinfeld

Outfit Ideas

Top: Neutral Embellished Collar Top $40.00 (Warehouse)

Skirt: Crinkle Textured Skater Skirt $50.00 (Miss Selfridge)

Shoes: Fergalicious Bratty Oxford Bootie $49.95 (DSW)

Bag: Beige Pyramid Studded Satchel $35.90 (Windsor)

Bracelet: Gold Wave Bangle $24.00 (Bauble Bar)

Top: Sonia Rykiel Jewel Collar Blouse $348.54 (Farfetch)

Leggings: Jersey Leggings $22.00 (Oasis)

Shoes: Sole Society Chandra Pump $49.95 (Nordstrom)

Bag: Twist Lock Satchel Bag $37.00 (Debenhams)

Earrings: Rose Gold Heart Studs $35.00 (Bauble Bar)

Top: Shirt with Embellished Collar $24.99 (Ally Fashion)

Shorts: Miso Plain Skort $16.00 (Republic)

Shoes: Lulu Townsend Ilene Glitter Pump $49.95 (DSW)

Bag: Urban Expressions Manhattan Clutch $29.95 (DSW)

Ring: Miso Deco Cocktail Ring $10.00 (Republic)

Inspired? Look for these items here:

www.warehouse.com

www.missselfridge.com

Image Credits:

Saturday, October 20, 2012

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

It's that perfectly spooky time of year once again! Leaves are losing their summer luster as they scatter tempting piles across the ground, waiting to be crunched under your favorite pair of worn in boots. The perfect weather for cozy scarves, scrumptious lattes, and darker shades of nail polish, fall has made its grand entrance and we've definitely taken notice!

October has sneaked up behind us like spine-tingling ghosts in the graveyard, as stores have embraced the Halloween spirit! Oddly shaped pumpkins with that absolutely perfect shade of orange have settled comfortably outside of neighborhood grocery stores, waiting to be de-gooped and sawed into frightening jack-o-lanterns. Shelves are stacked to the max with yummy candy bars, and my personal favorite, caramel apple pops! Less than two weeks separate us from the fall fiesta we call Halloween. Soon the streets will be filled with ghouls, miniature political candidates, and adorable princesses as they clutch their trusty flashlights, on the prowl for some delectable treats.

Have you found that perfectly creative costume that is 'oh-so-you' yet? If you happen to be one of those rare gems that find costumes under pressure nights before the thirty-first, lucky you. But for those of us who actually need time to make such an important decision, I decided to help you out with some costume ideas! Being on a bit of a Disney kick lately, I decided to surround my costume ideas on some of our favorite Disney princesses! Be the 'Belle' of the ball with one of these easy ideas! Not wanting to spend moolah on a costume you'll only wear once? No problem! Incorporating some classic accessories into the looks, I've attempted to create outfits that can work double duty as costumes for Halloween, and looks for non-holiday themed occasions. Who wouldn't want to look like a princess everyday of the year?

Disney Princess Themed Costumes/Outfits