The Quintessential Fall Accessories & Trends this year

Ok, I have two confessions to make.

1. Every time I look at the blog, and most specifically the entry about Dirt Candy my mouth starts watering at the sight of those Jalepeno Hush Puppies. I am so hungry right now just thinking about it (and I JUST ate) it's sick. I need to write 5 more entries ASAP to get that off the main page or I may go insane.
2. I know I said I would post pictures this week about my fall decorating of our apartment this past weekend, but I never finished decorating. We have no tape or glue gun, so I couldn't do some things, and there are no Christmas Tree Stores in California so I couldn't buy the supplies I wanted. Therefore, this weekend I am going on a hunt trying to find the things I need and will hopefully post about this next week.

Since I can't post about my Fall house decorations, I figured I could post about my favorite Fall body decorations. Scarves and Boots! Although in reality, most who know me in real life know that I will find any excuse to wear my scarves and boots any time of year. The moment it's below 70 the scarf gets broken out, and boots can be worn any time of year if you wear the right clothes with them. I type this as my husband shakes his head at me. He thinks my love of scarves makes me a freak and my dear aunt sarcastically says to me on a regular basis, "I have the shoes picked out that I want to be buried in, just like you have your scarf." And she says she can always pick me out of a crowd by looking at people's shoes. When she sees the boots tucked in jeans she knows it's me. So shoot me, I like scarves and boots! Is it any wonder that Fall is my favorite season?

I've done some reading of Fashion Blogs and have tried to pick out some fall trends. From being a steady reader of Harper's Bazaar for several years I've started to realize that each year certain styles don't go out of fashion, it's how they are presented that changes. And usually they don't change that much. It's probably best to pick out a few pieces that are seasonally perfect, but classic enough that you don't need to replace them. Depending on your budget maybe buy one new statement piece a year and save it, but otherwise you can get away with not having to update your wardrobe that much. In reality, you can get away with a lot by just changing your makeup and hair around, as long as you have those basics and your statement piece.

What are this seasons trends? You've got a little bit of every style. Bohemian, Uptown Chic, English Country Side, 70s glamor. Jewel tones, tweed cropped jackets that look very Chanel (or just tweed and blazers in general), camel and olive colored accents. Other big colors this year were red and purple. Not much has changed since last year.

Here are a few of the more wearable examples from Harper Bazaar's website:


High fashion aside, what are some of the things that I think are important to own? Well of course scarves. You've got a lot of options right now as over the last few years every kind of scarf ever has become popular.

You can go for the English countryside look and get something plaid or another mensware pattern like this houndstooth scarf from Lord and Taylor: By the way, L&T is having a sale right now. Extra 20% off of regular and sale merchandise online and in store. Code online: SALE. Go to the website for a print out coupon.

You can also go for the Bohemian look which is very big right now (the second is from ModCloth):


There's always the playful youth look, like with this camera themed scarf from Banana Republic (they are having a huge sale, by the way, and daily specials this week because of their online anniversary):


Or you can just stay warm with a solid color, or bright colored scarf like this one:


As far as boots goes right now, let me first start off by saying Ugg boots are never in style. Lord do I hate them. What is in style? Boots that look like English riding boots (note: not Cowboy boots-but boots that do have a western feel to them are ok) and boots that have a rocker flair to them. Fall is the perfect time to break out your tall boots with a dress, leggings, or jeans. But if you tuck your pants in them, just make sure it's a pair of skinny jeans otherwise they look too bunchy on top. A note of caution, it's really hard to find affordable good quality tall boots. I always buy mine when they go on sale in January. And I always go in store so I can try them on. I don't even have big calves, but it can be very hard to find boots that fit them. Here's a few options from both sides of the coin:

From DSW:


From Payless:


From Lord and Taylor:


And my personal favorite right now from Banana Republic:


Now the last important piece of fall clothing? The blazer! I don't think blazers will ever go out of fashion and if you buy the right style you can break it out again for the Spring (although generally the Olives or dark plaids don't work). I think any of these would be good for the Spring too.

From Gap (who just announced international shipping and is also having a sale. Use GAPSAVE20 to get an additional 20% off everything):


From Overstock.com:


From Ann Taylor Loft:


A word to the wise about this last jacket. The Chanel 1960s look is very big right now but don't get sucked into buying suits just like Jackie O. I love the 60s, and I love Jackie O, but a full suit looks dated. It's really hard to modernize that like you can with other things. I personally like to dress like I'm from the 60s on a regular basis, but even I won't do that one. Too obvious and not very flattering on me. I'd stick with the jacket and a solid color pair of pants or pencil skirt or jeans if it's not for work. You still look polished without looking like a Halloween costume.

Back to my real job now!

First Lesson - My love affair with coupons

(And probably an obvious one)
Know the value of coupons...

My friends know me to be the coupon queen. It's something I get from my penny pinching mother. I carry them with me in my purse everywhere I go and at any given point I have about 10. Let's face it, you never know when you'll be shopping. Whether someone suggests it during lunch hour, you forgot to get someone a gift, or you're hanging out with your friend and the plans change to shopping spree instead of a movie, you need to be prepared. Even if I don't use them, I give them out to people so they can benefit. Why waste it, they're going to go shopping anyway? But when I do use them, there is nothing more satisfying than getting a clearance item for even cheaper.

Case in point:

After my wedding last year I was so starved for new things during my little break after the honeymoon I went crazy and bought myself a whole new wardrobe. NOT SMART! But what was smart was that because it was after Christmas and I had all these coupons I bought 4 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses, 3 skirts, 2 blouses, and 3 pairs of pants for about $500. I kid you not. No, I don't shop at Marshalls, Kmart, Wallmart, or any other discount retailer. Most of that was from Banana Republic (and the outlet), BCBG, H&M, and Lord and Taylor. A good mix of cheap to expensive retailers.

So my first day back I walk into work with my Michael Khor's booties, and when the girls say, "those are so cute! But I could never afford them." I just tell them I used my coupon when they were on sale and got them for $60 (which adds up to being about 70% off). Most expensive purchase of the week, but most worth it.


Supermarket Shopping:

My dad does the food shopping in our family. And while living near my parents, after he clips them he hands them off to us. You'd think we'd get the crappy leftovers of Metamucil, $99 glasses, etc. But there's actually good stuff in there. Plenty of toilet paper, toothpaste, and (for those of you who are into that kind of thing) frozen food gems to go around. I still don't understand how he passes those up, maybe it's just the difference between a man and woman who food shop? He clips coupons just for the same things and brands he buys every week.

You must must must get a store saver's card. Every week I look at our grocery bill and our savings just about double when you add in that card. It is another gimic to get you in the door, but fortunately for us you do save money that way.

I used to work at a supermarket, so I generally know how sales work. If you cut a coupon for the expensive better quality toilet paper one week, chances are that same week or the week after the toilet paper will be on sale. And usually the store will give you store coupons too. It's how the retailers get you hooked to a product. But if you think about it, if you get a more expensive product (like Kleenex tissues) on sale with a coupon you'll probably pay close to, the same, or less than the cheap store brand paper-bag feeling crap.

Clothes Shopping

The same idea goes for shopping. My mother loves Khol's. To her credit, those prices are really cheap. I get lots of picture frames, white socks, and white t-shirts there. But a lot of times I don't like the fabrics (synthetics) or the cuts (either too big and matronly, or the clothes themselves could be for my 14 year old cousin). Let's face it, you're not going to go to Khol's to find truly stylish long lasting pieces for your wardrobe. Sure with a coupon you could buy this:


Full Price: 60.00
On Sale: 41.99
Can't find a coupon right now.
Free Shipping on $100 or more: $6.95 otherwise

Or you could go to Lord and Taylor's and buy this:


Full Price: 238.00
On website coupon 15% off: 202.30
Credit Card coupon 20%: 190.40
Sometimes you can combine them both: 161.84
Free shipping $99 or more: Doesn't matter the shipping here, we're spending more than $99.

Or even this dress:


Full Price: 418.00
Sale Price: 249.99
On website coupon 15% off: 212.49

Ok sure, I see your point that Khol's is still cheaper, but that dress is not as flattering as the other two (the embellishment around the neck and left arm will make that left arm look flabby and if you have a large chest (like myself) it will stick out and only bring more attention to the ladies) and way less stylish. And look at how much money we saved on the other two dresses (between about $40-200, depending on which route you go). And if we opened a credit card you'd get extra off and those wondering credit card coupons that come about every week (and a 20% one with every monthly statement). And that last dress is designer that you're getting for $200, Khol's can't boast that. But you can if you use your coupons wisely. And those $60 Michael Khor's booties are way cuter (and name brand friendly) than anything I've ever seen at Khol's for the same price.

Great websites for coupons:
http://www.retailmenot.com
http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com