Naming Names: Stella & Dot

Are you familiar with the names Stella & Dot? I had heard a little about their jewelry line about a year ago, but I never gave it much thought. It seemed to me like a cheesy, tupperware party type of gimmick. I wasn't sure what type of "style" could be found in something that seemed, on the surface, generic and...old-ladyish.

This was all until my friend Margaret became a Stella & Dot stylist. Marg is one of the cutest, most put together girls I know, so I had to come see the goods for myself when she and my friend Bethany hosted a trunk show earlier this week.

I was amazed by all the goodies she had for us to play with and try on! These pieces ranged from the uber-preppy pearls and diamonds (not necessarily my thing) to the gloriously art deco and vintage (now we're talking).

Heirloom Deco Bracelet, $89

Stella Vintage Link Bracelet, $79
So, I'm partial to bracelets, as you can see. But there are more ooooh and ahhh worthy accessories here to showcase.

Garden Party Chandelier Earrings, $54

Penelope Necklace, $69
Of course, you know I couldn't walk away from Bethany's trunk show empty handed...so I treated myself to a sweet little 14K gold charm bracelet to add to my stack of bangles. Here's a janky photo of my new addition:

I'm looking forward to adding on to my charm bracelet with charms like these:

Initial Charms, $34

Whimsical Charms, $39 (I especially love the feather charm!)
I can't wait to see what new styles Stella & Dot comes up with in the coming month. I guarantee my new charm bracelet won't be my only purchase from them!

Have you ever bought anything from Stella & Dot? What are your favorite pieces? And if you like what you see here or on the Stella & Dot website, please don't hesitate to contact my girl Margaret Bracey...she's at mebracey@gmail.com and would be happy to order any beautiful baubles for you!

On Trend with the New Kensie.com

I've always been a fan of Kensie...even when it was "KenZie", I enjoyed its girlish printed dresses and Victorian-inspired footwear.

When the "Z" was replaced, so was the old "KenZie" aesthetic. Gone are the days of cutesy, bright dresses and innocent looking tunics. Say hello to Kensie's edgier fashions like faux-leather and metal chain embellishments.

Just take a peak at some of the trends featured on their newly renovated website, Kensie.com.

Featured trends above: Tough Love, Military Chic and Animal Instincts
Most pieces from Kensie's fall collection don't weigh in over $100. Take a look at these individual pieces from the line. The possibilities for incorporating these styles into your current wardrobe are absolutely endless!

Chubby Fur Cardigan, $58; Printed Dress, $58; Space Dye Cardigan, $88.
If you like what you see here, there's more where that came from. And a bonus for you, dear readers! Get $25 off your first purchase over $75 when you sign up for Kensie's newsletter.

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

I'll admit it. I'm easy.

No no, dummies. I don't mean THAT kind of easy (in fact, I'm coming up on my one year anniversary with my man, so take that, you skeptics!)

I mean I love OUTFITS that are easy...synonymous with care-free, light, airy, simple, innately AWESOME. If I have to try too hard to get dressed...if I have to shimmy and shake to fit into a dress...jump up and down 100 times to squeeze into a pair of jeans...fight my way out of a tight tank...I'm over it.

Super-stylish Ilymlrs at Chictopia shows us what it's all about with a simple tunic dress, accessorized by chunky rings and Gisele-like tresses.
I quickly wanted to share some dresses that would be perfect for the upcoming fall weather. Wear them on their own or pair a fun fur vest, a denim jacket, a menswear-inspired belt, a chunky necklace (a ROARKE one if I could afford it) and your favorite flat ankle boots or knee high wedge boots. The possibilities are endless because after all, it's easy!

Jill's Day Dress by Free People, $68

A-line Crew Neck Dress by Savannah Rae, available at fab'rik starting October 22

Forever 21 Life in Progress Denim Dress, $24.80
If you like what you see by Savannah Rae and live in Atlanta, be sure to come out to fab'rik Midtown at 7:00pm on October 22 for the Savannah Rae Launch Party. Meet with the designer, Amanda Wheeler, and see her fall collection up close and personal!

Happy Birthday to Me!

In honor of my 25th birthday, I wanted to treat myself to the perfect sweater. I'd been eying this Fair Isle-style cardigan by Kensie on a certain website that had it priced at $78. "Totally 100andSouth and such a steal," I thought. I was prepared to buy it, no questions asked.

Though I can easily get inundated with emails from discount shopping sites like Rue La La, Gilt and HauteLook and sometimes delete them to a) tame the shopping beast in me and b) clear out my inbox, I happened to open a day old email from Beyond the Rack - another (and sometimes more unpredictable, less edited) discount shopping website.

And there she was. For $29.

My comfy, cozy, ideal fall sweater. Perfect for snuggling up and drinking hot chocolate/reading non-fiction/painting my toe nails beside my non-existant fireplace. I can smell the wood burning already!

My Fair (Isle) Lady will match just perfectly with the greatest birthday present of all time, my new Chloe Paddington bag! I'm so blessed!


*PERK! Visit Kensie's blog for a chance to win items from their current fall collection with their "Watch Me Change" giveaway, ending 10/14!

A New Fan of Ann

I have to admit, I've never been a big fan of Ann Taylor...perhaps its because I've always equated the store with starchy button downs, boring pencil skirts and plain ol' slingback pumps. Their look, in my mind, seemed to be that of a girl trying too hard to look too old.

But lately, Ann Taylor and her cool, hip lil' sidekick LOFT have been blowing my mind. I can now call myself a "Fan of Ann."

Just check out these tops, all of which are on my birthday wish list; all of which are perfect for work and play! I'd love to wear any of these with some high-waisted black pants for the office and skinny jeans with slinky over the knee boots and an oversize blazer for play!

From L to R: Silk Blouse With Rolled Sleeves, $88, Animal Print Silk Crepe Shirt with Back Zipper, $29.99 on sale, Oyster Sateen Twist Neck Shirt, $78

In need of accessories to blend with these blouses? Look no further than LOFT's jewelry collection benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I came across some of these designs on L.A. Stylist's Mom's incredible blog and just had to share with you all after I saw the prices and the names of the guest designers! See for yourself!

Me & Ro for LOFT Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet - $34.50 (take 25% off with code SAVE25 at checkout)


Kara Ross for LOFT Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet - $39.50 (take 25% off with code SAVE25 at checkout)

Needless to say, I'm pretty impressed with the reinvention of Ann Taylor and LOFT and will definitely be shopping there more often.

Is there a brand you think has re-invented itself for the better? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Shop for a Cause at Macy's on 10/16!

Hey gang! So I had one of THE most productive consignment shopping weekends ever this past weekend at Labels. Can't wait to give you the full report of all my treasures (5 in all, totaling...you guessed it...less than $100!)

But first, I get to share my love of fashion AND saving money with you dear readers and extend the invitation to YOU to go shopping on October 16 at Macy's (in-store and online).

You see, Macy's created this day to for all of us to Shop for a Cause. Basically, show up at Macy's (or shop online) and spend $5 on a shopping pass which grants you a whopping 20 percent off anything you purchase that day (with 10% off any sale or clearance purchases). Additionally, you can use the shopping pass for 25% off one regular, sale or clearance item in men's, women's or kids apparel or accessories. The best part? The $5 goes straight to your local charities! So you can give back to your community by getting new stuff!

I've already picked out my fave 100andSouth items (a great fall outfit when combined, I might add) for the taking!

(L to R: INC International Concepts Skinny Cargo Pants: $69, Steve Madden Slingback Suede Carnee Clogs, $67.72; Free People Barely Brushed Sweater, $98)

Find out more about this awesome event by clicking here!

Disclosure: I work with Everywhere and am helping in blogger outreach for this event,but the thoughts and opinions expressed above are solely mine!