Around the World

I may or may not be obsessed with faux leather - not the shotty kind that looks like plastic, the good kind that passes for the real deal.  I picked this pleather skirt up at Banana Republic's Factory Outlet a few months ago.  It was a total bargain, and I lucked out because I stumbled upon it by chance.  I was looking for a new one because my BCBG version died.  I wore it so much that it ripped in several places.  It got a lot of wear though, and it was like, 8 years old so I'm over it, ha.

For today's outfit of the day, I paired my new skirt with a simple, white top for a crisp, clean look.  I threw on another Banana Republic find to top off the ensemble.  I purchased this (also at the outlet mall) for $40.  Its retail price was well over $150 - sorry, I forget the exact price because I tore off the tag - so it was a practical purchase.  You guys know how much I adore blazers.  They add polish and sophistication to any and every ensemble.

Skirt & Blazer:  Banana Republic Factory Outlet || Bag: Kate Spade || Top: Deb || Necklace:  Kitsch || Shoes:  Aldo

Look for Less: Steve Madden Fringe Booties

I'm totally excited to share today's post with you guys because I haven't done a "Look for Less" in AGES.  For those of you who have been following along, you all know that I'm utterly obsessed with my Shoetopia fringe boots - I styled them HERE not too long ago.  How is this relevant, you ask?  Well, I went window-shopping recently, and I saw these Steve Madden booties at the mall.  I couldn't help but notice how similar they were so here we are!

The SM booties (pictured above) are currently selling for $99.99, while my shoes only cost $36.99 + free US shipping.  Since I've worn both pairs, I can give you guys an accurate breakdown.  The differences between the two are small, but let's discuss them anyhow.  Let's start with color! They're both taupe, but as you can see, the SM version is darker.  Obviously that boils down to personal preference, but in my humble opinion, the lighter color's easier to style.  Moving onto heel height, SM's version is 3" high, while Shoetopia's is 3.25" high.  I go with the latter again - since they're equally comfy, I prefer to have the extra quarter inch.  Note: both have side zips.

The main difference lies in the fringe detailing - which you can see clearly in the shot above and below - and material.  The SM version is made of part-suede (the top segment), while Shoetopia's is faux-suede.  Some may actually prefer the latter since it's animal/vegan friendly, and as a plus, there's fur inside for max comfort and warmth.  All in all, I'd go with the "steal."  The design's equally cute and comfy so I can't really justify spending the extra $63.  That's up to you guys though!  Clicky HERE if you'd like the purchase the "splurge" and HERE to cop the "steal."

The Cashmere Scarf

Oh how I love Workwear Wednesdays.  I centered today's outfit around my new dress from TJ Maxx.  It's Betsey Johnson, and I got it on sale for $39.99.  I don't usually wear her designs, but I instantly fell in love with this dress because it's simple, classy, and comfortable.  The color's extremely chic, and as a plus, the piece feels like a sweatshirt.  This will definitely be a cold weather staple because it'll keep me nice and warm, while still making a stylish statement.  I accessorized with ivory pieces to match - I've been loving neutral tones as of late.  My necklace is an oldie but a goodie.  I got it at Lemon Drop Boutique HERE a while back, and it's still one of my favorites.  They take the classic pearl necklace and give it a trendy twist with layers and extra bling.

Moving on, let's take a closer look at my new Chicory scarf.  This piece oozes luxury, but then again, cashmere always does.  For those of you unfamiliar with the brand, they're based in San Francisco, and they're all about high quality accessories.  They carry three different kinds of scarves:  cashmere knit, cashmere woven, and silk twill.  My scarf is 100% cashmere, and it's hand made in Italy.  Yeah, it doesn't really get much better than that... until you see that there's a mini-bow on it.  Isn't it super cute?  I feel like this is something Blair Waldorf would totally wear.  I may or may not have a TV crush on her, ha.  

Dress:  Betsey Johnson || Scarf:  c/o Chicory || Necklace:  Lemon Drop Boutique || Shoes:  Qupid