Inspiration - Cold Weather Layers

This time of year, moving in and out of the cold when you're doing errands or shopping can be a challenge. The key is layers. You can easily warm up or cool down by quickly adding or removing layers. I love the style of these ladies.

photo credit: stockholdstreetstyle.com

I love everything about the look above, the skinny jeans, the wool biker jacket, the slouchy hat and the sneaks. Fantastic! 

photo credit: trendfashiondesign.com

What's not to love about fur, leather and boots!

photo credit: ministryoffashion.co.uk

Words can't describe how much I want to find this coat. It's perfection.

Frugal Fashion Friday - On My List (For Black Friday and Cyber Monday)

It's Black Friday and Cyber Monday is fast approaching. Today I'm hosting a fun Black Friday event with Noel Giger and Jamberry! There will be great deals all day, be sure to check it out. I love a bargain but I look for lasting good bargains. Nothing is a bargain if it doesn't last or it never leaves your closet.

Convertible Coat from Elloquii - Entire Site 50% off with code: BLITZ

Two coats in one! It's a great buy and I know I'd wear it often all winter.

Faux Leather Midi Skirt from SimplyBe - All Regularly Priced Items are 40% off!

I'm going to finally take the plunge and buy myself a leather (faux) midi skirt.

Jamberry Rose Gold Metallic is on my list!

 Jamberry nail wraps last a week to 10 days or more! One sheet can do two manicures and a pedicure or three manicures!  The sheets don't dry out like other wraps. You can use them and then store the rest for later use.

 

Midnight Celebration is perfect for NYE or my birthday!
 

There are great deals going on today through Monday! Check out the facebook page. If you don't do facebook, just go directly to the online party.

Silver Penny Loafers from Zara - Entire Site is 30% off, no code needed!

I wear my silver oxfords constantly. I know these would get tons of wear. They'd be a great purchase.

Before you hit the stores to score those great deals, make sure to set up an ebates account!  You'll be rebates to shop. No catch. I just got a check for $15 the other day. Check out this post, where I break it down for you.

Where are you shopping today? Or are you waiting for Cyber Monday?

Inspiration - Leopard Print Coat

Last year, I got my birthday wish and my mom gave me the leopard coat I'd been coveting. I love it so much and wear it often, during cold weather.

ASOS - my Leopard Coat (no longer available, similar here)

Leopard is sophisticated and statement making. It's easy to style with a dressy outfit like an LBD or a leather skirt. For me it's not as easy to style it when I'm going casual. It should be easy because a casual outfit can be a blank canvas. But on casual weekends I usually amp up my simple look with rhinestones or over the top shoes. My thinking has always been that I need to keep the rest of my outfit simple and let the coat be the star. I went in search of some inspiration in the form of other bloggers.





Click the photos above to go to their great blogs.



 

As you can see there are some very simple outfits but others begin simple and amp up the style with shoes and accessories. Now it's my turn. This is how I think I will style my coat this weekend. Casual but still a standout.

 

 ASOS leopard fur coat, / Old Navy chunky cable sweater / NYDJ jeans / ASOS black leather booties / Coach Willis handbag / Stella Dot Portia / Stella Dot silver Renegade / Stella Dot gold Renegade

Now my styling brain is on turbo and I can't wait to come up with tons of casual outfits for my leopard coat.

Frugal Fashion Friday - My Picks for Fall Coats and Jackets

Over the years I've built quite a collection of coats and jackets. One of the reasons I like fall and look forward to the change of seasons is great jackets and coats.  If it weren't for these fun toppers, I might consider moving to a warmer climate. When the weather starts to get cool, I begin to create my list of must have coats and jackets. Here are a few of my favorites, this year.

A leopard car coat has been on my list for several seasons.  I just haven't found quite the right coat, I wanted low fur pile, tan with black accents. This one from ASOS is perfect. I love motorcycle style jackets.  These two, one in tweed and one that's a mix of faux leather and knit are fresh takes on the traditional style.  A trench with faux leather accents is a fun twist on the classic.  Tweed added to a white denim jacket gives polish to an easy weekend jacket. A sequin bomber is glitzy and statement making, enough said.  The graduated profile of a traditional blazer will work well at work and with jeans. This Victorian style coat looks modern in a red floral print.

Do you love coats and jackets as much as I do? Make sure to check back next week.  I'll be announcing a fantastic giveaway of one of my favorite Stella & Dot jewelry pieces!

Happy Friday Real Girls!

When Life Gets in the Way

As much as I hate to admit it, this has been a bit of a lack luster this week here on RGR. We got home from vacation on Monday evening and my paying job has been non-stop ever since.  I've been getting home late from work and haven't managed to get to bed until late every night, trying to catch up on personal things.  I've also been working on a guest post I'll be doing tomorrow for the DC Goodwill Fashionista. These are pathetic blogger excuses, I know and I promise to make it up to you all next week.

Because of all of this craziness I was inspired to talk about getting dressed in the morning  Since I've been blogging and folks know I have a fashion blog, I feel a little more pressure to pull off great daily outfits. That being said, there are days when I'm just not feeling creative or fashionista like. I've gone to bed without a thought of my outfit for the next day.  I get up late or I'm in a hurry. To avoid the boring old office uniform of a black skirt and white blouse, I've devised a couple of quick dressing strategies.

Pick a Simple Base
I have a couple of dresses that are like a blank canvas. They are solid colors, gray, blue, raspberry, etc.  A great fitting dress can take you from day to night and you only have to grab that single item to get started. If you aren't feeling the dress, use a monochromatic, pants and top base.  The top and pants don't have to match exactly but the same color range helps.  And bonus, a monochromatic look is slimming on all figures.

Spice It Up With Accessories 
Adding accessories doesn't just mean jewelry.  With a basic dress, you can add an interesting or contrasting belt, standout shoes and a colorful bag.  You can also never go wrong with a statement necklace and an arm party of bracelets.


Choose a Great Topper
If it's still cool outside, you can pick a jacket or coat that will get you noticed. I'm a big fan of print coats in bright colors.  If your dress is a neutral, you could choose a bright colored trench.

Using these three simple ideas, it makes getting dressed a bit easier. When I'm in a rush or feeling uninspired, it keeps me from losing my mind.

Do you have quick dressing strategies of  your own?  I'd love to know what they are, please share.

Animal Attraction - It's All Leopard

In looking for ways to spice up my wardrobe, you can never go wrong with a little animal print.  My hands down favorite is leopard.

I have the following on my list of leopard items to add to my wardrobe, in no particular order:

• shoes
• belt
• faux fur coat

There affordable options out there. They are easy to find with a little searching.  Here are my picks.

The Merona Marlis Sliver Wedge, $24.99 at Target.

The hair calf belt from Talbots, $44.00.

Leopard print, faux fur coat, $299.00 from Fabulous Furs.  This is great coat but the price is a little higher than I would like. I'm still hunting for the best coat.