Ladies' guide to daily outfits and accessories that you can afford with items even from your own closet
 
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In honor of Hart of Dixie being back on TV tonight, I felt it only appropriate to do a post about Rachel Bilson's fab looks. Since The OC, Rachel Bilson has always had the girl next door look, and she still does to this day. Her looks are always so simple and chic like the one pictured here.


Get the Look

 
If you're looking to add something a little funky and unique to your wardrobe, I've got just the item for you! This is definitely only something that the right teacher, author, or editor could pull off. This skirt is from Anthropologie and it's their Archival Collection: No. 2 Pencil Skirt for $118. It comes in both regular and petite sizes. If you're thinking that's a little too steep to pay, you could always wait and see if they still have it when it goes on sale. But...why not just check it out by clicking on the picture below?    I know you want to;)

Thanks to my sister for letting me know about this quite unique, but fun, item! It definitely takes the term "pencil skirt" to a whole new level!
 
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Here's my new skirt that I just bought for only $19.98 at Francesca's. I wore it the other day and got quite a few compliments on it. It's great paired with black tights and a black top, or you could even do a pop of color top to compliment it. In addition, I wore it with a black scarf and my new Lauren Conrad pearl earrings that my sister got me for Christmas (check them out below), but you could also do a pearl necklace or a cream colored necklace. 


*If you'd like this skirt to your collection, just click on the picture and the link will take you to the page where you can order it!

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LC Lauren Conrad Gold Tone Simulated Pearl Cluster Stud Earrings - Kohl's for $12
 
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The Original Look
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My Look
Get the Look
- Chambray Button Up Shirt - TJMaxx
- Yellow Skirt - Target (Thanks to my sister for getting me this skirt for Christmas!)
- Camel Color Flats - Target
- Camel Color Belt - Target (comes in a pack of 2 for $14)
- Necklace - This was actually my grandmother's, but you can go with any chunky neutral color necklace.
 
My absolute FAVORITE movie is The Wizard of Oz. So it was no surprise that after ordering a blue gingham shirt, Dorothy automatically popped into my mind and I thought, "why not put together a modern day Dorothy outfit?" So here it is! Check out the items below to put together your own modern day Dorothy look. You can always mix and match your own bottoms by wearing jeans, white pants, or a skirt to complete the look.
 
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Mossimo Supply Co. Boyfriend V Tee - Target for $9.00
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Merona Long Sleeve Ultimate Crew Tee - Target for $7.00

1. White Short-Sleeve Tee and White Long-Sleeve Tee

These go with absolutely anything. You can dress them up or down, and wear them in the winter and the summer. Throw in any pop of color with a necklace, scarf, pants/skirt, shoes, etc. Major plus, you  can always find these for cheap. You can find them at Target, Marshall's, TJMaxx, Gap, absolutely anywhere. It all depends on what you feel comfortable in and paying.

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Mossimo Skinny Denim (Modern Fit - 3 washes) - Target for $27.99
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1969 Destructed Always Skinny Jeans - Gap for $69.95

2. Skinny Jeans

This can be a very difficult for some to wrap their minds around, but believe me you can find the right pair. It all depends on trying different ones out and seeing which ones you feel most comfortable in. Skinny jeans are great to go with boots, heels, flats, and sandals. Like white tees, you can wear them in the winter with boots or the summer with sandals and rolled up. My favorite jeans are from Target, but I know they don't necessarily work for everybody. I've also heard good things about Gap's jeans, American Eagle's (especially if you're tall), and Buckle's. This is an item that can get pricier, but it's worth it to spend more, especially if you're comfortable in them and you're planning on keeping them for sometime, and if they're of good quality and going to last. However, if you're really not comfortable buying a pair of skinny jeans, then I would go for a bootcut. It's still quite wide legged, but has a bit more width to it than the skinny jean and it isn't right on your skin.

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Shawl Lapel Blazer (2 colors) - Forever 21 for $32.80
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Merona Oxford Blazer (7 colors) - Target for $34.99

3. Blazer

Doesn't matter what color you choose, blazers are great! You can dress them up or down by wearing them with jeans, skirts, dress pants, you name it. It's especially important to have a blazer in your collection for job interviews. This is a must have dress to impress. As previously mentioned in my post Back to Basics: Blazers from 11/27/2013, I LOVE blazers. I currently own five and I am always able to find ways to match them with different outfits I have. They're an especially great touch when you're either going out on the town or it's casual Friday at work and you pair them with skinny jeans and heels.

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Graphic Crew Sweater - Old Navy for $25.00

4. Striped Top

This is the biggest trend I'm noticing on Pinterest lately. It's the horizontal striped top in black and white or navy and white. I've seen it paired with jeans, khakis, black pants, skirts, yellow, coral, and more. This is such a versatile print that I don't see how you can't have it in your closet. It's easy to find and a subtle way to include prints into your wardrobe.

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Mossimo Supply Co. Bootcut Chino Pants - Target for $24.99

5. Black Pants

Whether you're a working girl or spending a night on the town with the girls, black pants, in any style, are a necessity. Black is a color that can pretty much go with anything else. They're also great because you can find them in skinny, bootcut, flare, straight leg, etc. There's no excuses as to why you can't own a pair. If you just go looking in the right places, you'll be able to find one that fits you and your style.

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ELLE Dot Pleated Skirt - Kohl's for $28.80
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Flounce Crepe Skirt - Ann Taylor for $89
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Madison Skirt - Ann Taylor for $59

6. Neutral Skirt

Khaki pants are out and neutral color skirts are in. Also, it's nice to mix it up and not always wear pants. You want to feel more feminine and skirts are a perfect way to do so. Make sure you find one that fits your body type/height. Skirts come in so many different lengths and styles and if you're primarily wearing it for work, use the fingertip rule. Lay your arms flat against your sides while you're wearing the skirt. If your fingertips go past the bottom of the skirt, it's too short and not appropriate for work, but if the skirt goes past your fingertips, it's perfect and you're good to go. Also, if you are on the shorter side, you want to make sure the skirt isn't too long that it makes you look shorter and stocky. Before you wear it out, look at yourself in a full-length mirror to see or ask somebody else for their honest opinion. Never spend money on something you're not going to feel comfortable in or that doesn't fit your body type.

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Fashion Two-Row Beaded Necklace - Target for $16.99
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Boatneck Cotton Tee - Ann Taylor for $19.99

7. Pop of Color

This is the perfect way to jazz up any outfit and add spice and flare to your wardrobe. If you haven't already noticed, a lot of the must haves are whites, blacks, and neutrals. That's why it's important to have at least one item in your wardrobe to break this up. In addition, this one item will go with anything that's on this list that falls in one of the color schemes. What else is nice is that there's no rule about what the pop of color is. The options are endless from it being a shirt, shoes, skirt, pants, necklace, scarf, you name it! The choice is yours and that's what's so great about it. It gives you the freedom to be you and express yourself.

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Merona Spotted Print Scarf - Target for $14.99
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Jersey Knit Fashion Scarf (3 colors) - Target for $5.00

8. Scarf

This is a great staple to have, especially during the fall and winter months when you just want something extra to complete the look, stay warm, or you're just not feeling a necklace. Scarves are great because you can find them in such a wide range of colors, prints, styles, and materials. You could truly have a scarf for every day of the year. Obviously, this is a bit far fetched, but it's nice having at least a few to choose from, but if you want to start off small, you must have one and make sure it fits who you are as a person and your fashion sense.

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Merona Ultimate Crewneck Cardigan Sweater - Target for $19.99

9. Neutral Cardigan

Cardigans are great for layering, and neutral goes with anything. When you need something quick to go over a dress, short-sleeve top, or you just want the layered look, cardigans are the way to go. In addition, you can button them up or leave it open. I have several in neutral colors and I love them. They come in handy in all seasons and for anytime I need something extra. 

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Mossimo Vivian Pointy Heel (Also available in nude) - Target for $14.98-$25.48
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Mossimo Supply Co. Ona Side Scrunch Ballet Flat - Target for $16.99
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Merona Bella Genuine Leather Cap Toe Flat - Target for $19.98

10. Nude and Black 
Flats or Heels

Everybody can always use more shoes, but these are two colors that everybody should have in their closets. Black and nude can go with any outfit you may put together. I give the options of heels or flats because I know not all people are comfortable wearing heels and sometimes you don't necessarily want the look to be overly dressy. You can always mix it up and have black heels and nude flats or nude heels and black flats or both styles in both colors. As long as you have one of each color in some way, shape, or form, I'm happy and you should be too!

Stay tuned for more essentials once it gets closer to spring!


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