Your Ankles May Be a Bit Chilly This Winter...

The boot of the season just happens to be the ankle boot. I'm not saying tall boots are out of style, over-the-knee boots are definitely in style now. But if you want to be a step ahead then ankle boots are definitely next. Unfortunately they don't give you quite as much protection or warmth as a taller boot, but fashion is not without suffering every now and then. I think these will also make a nice transition from winter into spring because they don't cover as much leg, so they can be worn when it's warmer out.

There are tons of styles to choose from. Platform, flat, wedge, pump, etc. Personally, I just acquired a pair with a wedge, and I am obsessed with them. My room mate also just bought an adorable pair of ankle boot pumps. I also like the flat leather ones, that have some type of bedazzlement (<- this is actually a real word) on them. I'm not sure I like the suede ankle boots because they turn people into elves, but go with whatever you feel.

I would advise to get a pair of closed-toe ones, at least for winter. They are easier to wear tights with, and look more like boots. If you're looking for a pair of pumps, they can be found everywhere. It just depends on specifically what you're looking for. Ross and Marshalls have cute ones, but so do department stores.

Wedges are almost impossible to find, I spent forever looking. Definitely check this link, they have tons of ankle boots. I think they will start coming out with more soon though if you would like to hold out for those.
Depending on what your kind of style you have, these can be worn many ways. I think it's cute when you can see your ankles, so I like to wear them with leggings or skinny jeans. But they are just as cute with tights and a dress/skirt. If it wasn't so darn cold up here (and if I ever decided to shave my legs...), I would love to wear them with shorts and a worn out tee.

I find mine to be pretty comfy, but I don't have any experience with the platforms. However, pain is beauty so you probably don't really worry about comfort all that much.

Happy Boot-ing!

Tighten Up

A necessity to any closet. And a cheap necessity at that. Tights might quite possibly be my favorite thing invented. And I say that about a lot of things. But this time I really mean it.
They have a million names: tights, stockings, hosiery, and sometimes they can be mistaken for leggings. Which they're not. But we'll get to that later. Whichever you would like to call them, you should definitely wear them. And patterned ones are ones of the best ways to dress up a boring outfit. Heck, you can even wear them with shorts. But only under certain conditions with certain outfits.
But first some fun tights that I love but you can only get them in stylish places like New York and Paris. </3

Maybe one day...

Anyways, even if you think these are a bit crazy you should still buy some tights. Black ones are the easiest because you can wear them with everything. However there are two different kinds: opaque and normal. 

Opaque tights are more sheer and should never be worn under shorts. Regular ones are a bit more durable, and you can't see your legs quite as well through them. They are super cute under shorts with boots or heels with a big sweater. 

They also have sweater tights, which are amazing in the winter to say the least. The name is literally what you are getting, sweaters for your legs. I have also found that Target makes  fleece-lined tights. Other retailers probably manufacture these as well, but I have only notice them at Target. These are also amazing when winter rolls around. Nothing gets through these babies. I even wear them under jeans when it is freezing out.

Colored tight have also been very popular. These neon colors definitely draw the attention to your legs. Just be careful, bright colors make your body appear larger, so if you're not comfortable with that then I wouldn't recommend buying these. If you do decide to go for it, make sure you pair them with mostly neutral colors, but instead of just black try beige or gray. 

I'm  not a huge fan of fishnets unless it's Halloween. I'll leave that to the steam-punk princesses. They definitely can be worn, just with the right outfits. I don't really want to recommend one because I would hate to send you in the wrong direction.

Nude stockings are cute if you need to wear them to work, and also you can hide your un-shaved legs. Just make sure you match your skin tone accordingly.

Spanx are also very popular, they help you if you're not super confident in your hips, stomach or thighs. They give you a slimmer looking figure without having to wear a girdle.

I blew through that. My crash-course on tights, and why you should own at least two or three pairs. If you're looking for a super good deal on tights, I have always found the best ones at Ross or Marshalls. They have patterned, black, and sweater tights. No reason to stress about the price.

Don't be afraid to be creative!

Fur Flurries

While I'm not a member of PETA, I'm not a card-carrying member of the hunting club. Personally, I have no problem with wearing fur. I know others do, so everything I suggest is made with faux fur. But if you would like to wear real fur, then be my guest.
If not this winter then absolutely next, fur is on the climb. It had been deemed tacky for a little while, but it is back and in more forms than ever. Plus it's cozy and versatile. It will definitely keep your warm, not to mention feeling cozy when other people are close to you.
While the snow hasn't been abundant here, I'm told it will be so I've been trying to stay as warm as possible. A few -3 degree mornings have definitely put me in my place. I assume it can only get worse. I have found that the parts of me that gets the coldest are my fingers, ears, and face. Fingers are easy, you just wear gloves. Ears are a bit tricky. Obviously a hat is the best option. Why not a fur or fur-lined hat?!

 I have seen quite a few cute little fur trapper hats. This one hailing from Urban outfitters, which has been abundant in faux fur accessories. This definitely solves the frozen ear problem. However, I have thin hair and it isn't very long, and underneath a hat like this I would probably look bald. So instead this is the kind of hat I'm dying for:

Laugh all you want, but I think it is adorable and functional. And I want one. Once I find one that isn't $400.
So both of these are definitely options for keeping your ears toasty warm. Even if you don't live in the snow, these are two accessories that will keep you looking adorable this winter.
Now to fix the last problem. A frozen face. I could just wear ski mask and walk around looking like I just robbed a bank or I could invest in a giant scarf. A giant fur scarf. Hold on to your furry hats, they make fur scarfs?! Why yes, they do.
And I've tried it on and I have fallen in love with it. And I think I could just walk around with my face buried in it, and my nostrils wouldn't freeze every time I inhaled.

It's just a big circle you wrap around your neck. I'm not a scarf person. Not even a little bit. I wear scarves on my head, not around my neck. So the fact that I am so infatuated with this scarf is a bit surprising.
I think investing in fur accessories is your best bet. Those are the things that will be most in style, as opposed to a dress or purse or jacket.
Although, I'm definitely not opposed to a jacket. At many a retailer I have seen some cropped faux fur jackets, and I think they are a fabulous holiday accessory. Yes, I'm back on the holidays. They definitely should be worn when being somewhat dressed up. Unless you want to go for a grunge 70's groupie kind of look. I think they adorable. So definitely don't refrain.
Go get your fur on!

Beige Craze

I am so infatuated with this color. Specifically in a trench coat. But just in general as well. I am a neutral-color hound. Grey, black, white, beige. If it is plain and boring then I love it. That's a bit of  dramatization, but you understand.
I think for spring beige is going to be a big item on the shelves, so I definitely recommend investing in some now before it's overpriced and sold out. I think it is ingenious having a beige trench coat, because it allows this large coat to not be the key piece in your outfit. Also you can wear it with really dramatic colors and prints without looking ridiculous.
I also think a dress with a beige crochet overlay is adorable and very girly. My favorite colors to pair this with could have to be a light pink and soft gold. Oh, and pearls. I think it's a really put together look, and the color is definitely very mature.
So you should go get a/an:

• Beige trench coat
• Off-white with crochet/lace dress
• Gold ballet flats
• A short string of large pearls
• A light pink bow for your hair or light pink wayfarer sunglasses

Those are my favorites. I wish I owned all these items so I could put this outfit together and demonstrate how adorable it would be.
Now I should probably discuss an outfit to wear this with that isn't quite so girly, since not everyone loves bows and pearls like I do. So let's compromise...
How about:

• A beige trench coat
• Dark denim cigarette jeans (slightly high-waisted)
• A worn-in vintage tee from your local goodwill tucked in
• Ankle boots with a wedge
• and layered gold necklaces

See, I can give both sides of the coin. I definitely think both of these outfits are do-able. And not for outrageous prices either.