SIMPLY STYLISH

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I love looks that aren't trying too hard.  An outfit that isn't full of so many prints and patterns.  Ones that are simple, but yet so chic.  Styles that look effortless, those are some of the best looks, in my opinion.  I love the cropped skinny jeans she's wearing above paired with those beautiful nude flats and simple white on top.  She looks gorgeous even without the outfit being super fancy.

I think black and white pieces are the easiest ways to pull this off.

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Little to no accessories, 

help with getting this look just right.  

You don't need a lot of extra things

 to distract from a great look.

                   

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Is this a type of style you try to achieve?  

Do you have a go to outfit

 for when you want to look effortlessly stylish?

FALL FAVORITES: FOOD OR FASHION

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Fall weather is just around the corner and you know what that means.... Time to bring out those blazers, your favorite chunky knit sweater, and a scarf or two.  It's about time to bring on the stylish, yet cozy layers.

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It seems most people enjoy fall.  Not too hot, not too cold, just right.  Plus you get to indulge in everything pumpkin.  Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread..... Pumpkin everything. 

recipe here

  Even those that say they can't stand when pumpkin flavor hits the stores, are secretly eating pumpkin brownies late at night.

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Yeah, I'm looking at you!

Although, I must confess, my all time favorite fall drink isn't actually pumpkin flavored!  It's always been hot caramel apple cider!  GASP! I know right?!  Oh, but it's so delicious!  But a tall cup of hot caramel apple cider and a comfy look like above, or a more sophisticated look like below and I'm good to go. 

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What's your favorite thing about fall?  The food or the fashion?

  Or are you like me, and love both?

 Love the layered look below with the collar!

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Lastly, I adore the cream shades below!!

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What are some of your favorites?

OVER OVERALLS?

I haven't liked overalls since I was a young girl.  Although, I've seen them 

 make a little comeback from time to time throughout the years, I myself haven't had any interest in putting a pair back on.  Until now that is.  I came across this:

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I love this look!  I never thought I'd say that about an outfit involving overalls!  I think it's the fit of them that really caught my attention.   They aren't baggy or unflattering.   They have a nice skinny fit throughout the legs.  She paired them with feminine strappy heel and a solid black tee.  She didn't over do it. A cute messy bun and super chic sunglasses with a fabulous little purse and she's all set!  I really do love this look!  Would I actually go out and buy a pair of overalls?  To be honest, I'm not sure if I would.  Only, because I don't think I could pull this look off!  

What about you?  Would you wear overalls?  Or are there any certain fashion trends that you love, but don't actually indulge in, because you don't think you could make it work for you?

LAIDBACK & CHIC

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I wish I could look this effortless and cool.

Laidback and chic.

Comfortable yet super stylish.

All hard things to pull off, yet she does it so well!

HOW HIGH DO YOU WAIST IT?

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Don't you just love this look?  I love everything about it!  The gorgeous skirt paired with a simple white tee, so the skirt can be the stand out piece.  And those pale pink high heels are so pretty and lady like!  LOVE!!

I love high waisted skirts, do you?  Most of the time that style can be super flattering, especially if you have an extra pound or two around your stomach area, that can often times be hidden beautifully by a high waisted skirt.

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The black tulle high waisted skirt above is so pretty!  I love skirts made of tulle, so feminine and fun!  The hue below is so pretty! Sort of peachy, sort of a coral shade, either way, gorgeous!  And did you notice those bow high heels?!?

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I love how the girl above accessoriesed her high waisted maxi with a belt!  And the girl below looks great pairing a navy blue high waisted skirt with a striped button down and bright red high heels! 

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What's your favorite look?  
Do you wear high waisted skirts?  
What's your favorite way of styling them?

ALL "HALE" LUCY

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Lucy Hale has always been my favorite prettiest little liar, on the show and off.  I didn't realize I could love her style more until she chopped off her hair this last year or so and has been unstoppable ever since!

Her short do looks great in any shade. 

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And her style is always on point.  

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She's definitely someone I would love to swap closets with! 

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 Her haircut is also perfect for summer!  What do you think?  Anyone else have a little style envy?

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SHAPE UP WITH LILY COLLINS

I was excited to see Lily Collins on the cover of my Shape magazine that arrived the other day.  I haven't had a magazine subscription for a few years and when I saw a special for a year's subscription of Shape for $3 I had to get it!  Now to make sure I take some me time to sit down and read it!

One of my favorite ways to sit down and read a magazine is with a good cup if tea, like the one shown in the picture above.  It's a Bavarian chocolate creme and it's as delicious as it sounds!  We recently went on a family vacation to the Cape Cod area in Massachusetts and we came across this cute little tea house called the Dunbar House.  Although, I didn't have time to sit down for a fancy cup of tea and scones, I was able to take some loose leaf tea home with me, and I'm sure glad I did!

I also purchased Earl Grey Vanilla creme and Winter While Earl Grey.  I love a good cup of Earl Grey so I was happy to see some variations of it to try out!

Do you have any favorite teas or have a favorite way to read a magazine?  Coffee makes me happy too! I also enjoy reading by a pool but now my days are spent swimming with the kids rather than relaxing and working on a tan! Haha

LILY COLLINS: JULY'S STYLE ICON

Lily Collins never disappoints. 

Whether it's a casual outfit to run errands or a more glamorous look on the red carpet, Lily is someone who always looks fantastic! 

She's been one of my style icons for a while now.  Take a look below at some more recent looks from the past few months and let me know what you think.

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Maternity Style: How To Style That Bump

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Maternity style doesn't have to be frumpy!  One can definitely look chic with a growing belly.  That belly can become your cutest accessory!  Love this printed pink dress below!

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When styling your bump, comfort is most important.  When wearing more form fitting clothes, make sure the material is soft, stretchy, and comfortable.  Adding a blazer makes a nice touch to a simple outfit like below!

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Cotton is breathable and soft, which makes for a great choice.  Leggings are also perfect when you want something with a nice fit but a good stretch.  Add a leather jacket, like below, and you are rocking that bump!

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Or opt for loose fitting tunics and dresses instead.  Maxi dresses with an empire waist are perfect for warmer temps when something nice and flowing suits your needs better.

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As you can see, dressing that bump doesn't have to be boring!  Add some fun prints or cute low heeled shoes and you are good to go!

Hot Topic: Lea Michele

I don't know about you but it seems like every where I look, there is Lea Michele hitting some red carpet or premiere.  She's one of the celebs here lately who has been catching everyone's eyes when it comes to her evolved fashion sense.  She always seems to wear just the right dress, and always looks gorgeous!  

Along with noticing how beautiful her outfits are, you can't help but notice the weight loss. 

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Lea has mentioned her Vegan diet is responsible for her weight loss.  I didn't find anywhere how long she has been vegan.  So it made me wonder since she said the vegan diet is responsible for the weight loss, that she must have just recently become vegan?  Do any of you know?

What do you girls think about her weight change?  Is it too much like some people have been saying?  Or do you think it's an improvement?  Hopefully she didn't feel any pressure to lose weight! 

I think she looks really pretty in all the photos here.  I really love her sense of style and the gorgeous outfits she wears to events.  I look forward to seeing more of her on the red carpets and such.  At the blackberry event and the Teen Choice Awards she may have looked semi too thin, but hopefully she is healthy and feeling good.  

Another thing I love:

She's only 5'2!!!  

I would have never guessed her height by seeing her in these photos!  She looks so much taller than 5'2.  I myself am 5'3 so it's nice to see someone slightly shorter than me becoming such a fashion icon! 

What do you girls think about Lea Michele? Her weight?  Her style?

pictures: www.yahoo.com and www.bing.com search engines