Trend Tuesday - In the Army Now

Recently all I can think about is how over my summer closet I am. I walk in there every morning and stare helplessly around me at the masses of clothing that I no longer have any desire to wear. I am SO over summer. Summer clothing, summer weight, summer colors...remind me of this fact in February when I'm complaining about how cold I am, but I'm ready to move on and moving on means updating my closet. 

So, I was at the gym last night and "In the Army Now" with Pauly Shore became absolutely instrumental in helping me get through 45 minutes on the elliptical. Since I got home, now all I can think about is hunting down and adding some cute, military inspired items of clothing to my closet....here are a few of my favorites....

 Skinny Cargo Pant with Destruction & Embellishment from Victoria's Secret - $88

I love this next jacket...the 4 in 1 Cargo Jacket from Victoria's Secret. The sleeves can come off to create a vest or you can unzip the two front panels to make it a short jacket or a short vest....super cool and economical!

 

 Melissa Slim Cargo Pants from Anne Taylor Loft - $39.99

 Fifth Ave Cargos from Anthropologie - $118

 

 O'Reilly Jacket from Anthropologie - $128

 Staring at Stars Henley Tunic from Urban Outfitters - $54

 Urban Renewal Cuffed Army Shorts from Urban Outfitters - $38

And now I have a little shameless self promotion....Why Not Boutique has begun a Customer Rewards Program. Here's the details.... 

Every time you buy something at Why Not Boutique, we'll record your pre-tax purchase amount on an index card with your name on it (don't worry...we'll keep it here at the boutique!). Once you've made six purchases, we'll add them all up and give 10% of your cumulative purchases back to you in the form of Why Not Store Credit....simple as that!

All you have to do is follow this link HERE, fill out the form, and your rewards card will be waiting at the shop the next time you stop in...check it out...you can't lose!! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!! 

Trend Tuesday - Wearing Your Watch Around Your Neck

As I was surfing around the internet the other night for Friday Finds inspiration, I started noticing a trend - Watch Necklaces. Am I the only one that thinks this is the best idea since cell phones and Facebook? I haven't worn a watch since 2001 but what better way to get back into the habit that than adorning yourself with one of these timepieces? So 19th century of us...

Watch Globe Pendant by Urban Outfitters - $34.00

 Toucan Tell Time Necklace by ModCloth - $23.99

Wind Me Up Necklace by Modcloth - $24.99

Timed Race Watch Necklace by Modcloth - $27.99

Time Flies Vintage Brass Owl Watch Necklace by RingRingRing on Etsy - $28.00

Skeleton Key Watch Necklace by TheBumblingBird on Etsy - $25.00

Romantic Cluster Clock Necklace by Urban Outfitters - $28.00

Trend Tuesday - Oxford Shoes...without the Poodle Skirt....

I know. I know. We're late again. Maybe we should just call this week Trend Thursday instead of Trend Tuesday....it would be more accurate! As anyone who has been in the shop over the last few days knows, we're having some computer issues. Poor little guy picked up a virus and unfortunately it's not the kind that a little bit of nyquil and cough drops will fix. Lucky for us, we have a very generous IT guy in the family (Monica's super awesome hubby Louis) who has so wonderfully donated a few hours of his already limited free time towards helping us. Fingers crossed, everything should be worked out by the end of today.....

So let's talk about a shoe trend that I'm totally hating right now, but seems to be carrying over from summer and is firmly entrenched in all the fall fashion mags....the Oxford shoe. 

 Image from Urban Original

 I admit...my hatred of this particular shoe may stem from the memories it invokes....think saddle shoes, Catholic school uniform, and wool sweaters...ick. 

Regardless of my personal feelings on this particular style, it's pretty much impossible to deny that the trend has grown some legs and seems to be sticking around. So here are a few of, in my opinion, the lesser evils out there right now...

 "Goolia" by Aldo $50

"Lubbs" by Aldo $90

"Lady Stardust" by Modcloth $59.99

"Scholarly Method" by Modcloth $119.95

"Candy Dipped" by Modcloth $64.99

"Off the Lot Oxfords" by Anthropologie $198

Happy Shopping Ladies!!

Trend Tuesday - What we saw at Market

Yes, yes...I know...today is Wednesday not Tuesday. So sorry about that! I seem to be having trouble getting back into the swing of things after a weekend of no holds barred shopping at Atlanta Market. Monica and I came home with about 15 extra pounds of cash and carry jewelry in our suitcases! Everything else that we ordered will begin to be delivered around the middle of September, but in the mean time....here are some trends we noticed emerging for fall:

• Camo green, skinny cargos, and anything military inspired. 
• Lace. But subtle lace. Think sleeve detailing or simple ruffles.
• The updated sun dress. Dresses never go out of season, but we saw the turquoise from summer morph into a rich teal for fall. Purple is here in a big way as is greens and browns of course.
• Embellishments. But again in a subtle way. Sparkles and/or sequins on cuffs or hems. Ruffles and sassy bows. 

And that's that! Keep an eye out on our facebook pages here and here for new merchandise pictures in the very near future as well as party announcements (we have one planned every month through December)!!

Happy shopping!!!

Trend Tuesday - Act Like a Girl, Fight Like a Girl, Dress Like a Girl

I don't know about the rest of you, but today is really feeling like fall for me. Kiddos are back in school. The weather is iffy. Makes me want to go rake leaves (something I've never done), and eat a freshly picked apple (I don't even like apples). 

But since I'm feeling like it's fall....I'm going to talk about a fall trend I'm seeing in a lot of the fashion mags this month...frilly, lady like styles with just a touch of coy and sexy. I'm definitely not what you would describe as "girly" or "frilly" but if I was...here's a few things I would be in my closet in a heartbeat!

I'm in love the flowy, bubbly shape of The Ellipsis Dress from ModCloth. With just a touch of retro, it's an updated, 1950's debutant look that I just adore. 

Frankly, the idea of an actual corset just scares the living daylights out of me....but I think I could possibly manage to face my fears with these corset inspired tops from Anthropologie...

 Corseted Cypress Blouse $168

Bayou Gingham Cami $178

And my personal favorite...

 Wildflowers in Flight Top $78

I'm one of those very unfortunate, short-waisted women who has a VERY hard time finding any sort of dress or top that flatters my natural waist instead of accentuating the fact that I really don't have one. Lucky for me, girly fall fashions are all about faking an hourglass shape with waist cinching styles...

Traced Twirls Dress from Anthropologie $158

The Marion Dress from ModCloth $54.99

The color of this Betsey Johnson dress is a bit much for me, but I love the contrasting black band which breaks up the bubble gum pinkness AND creates a waistline...

Evening Sweet Caroline Strapless Dress from Betsey Johnson $425

Delmy Zip Vest from J.Crew $128 

And my absolutely personal favorite..... 

Reina de la Fiesta from ModCloth $89.99

And of course...what better way to dress up something simple than with a few well placed, girly accessories...

Unicorn Princess Heels from ModCloth $119.99

Love Me Knot Printed Platforms from J.Crew $295

 

The Antique Mall Necklace from ModCloth $23.99 

Docile Bloom Bracelet from Anthropologie $30

Happy Shopping Everyone!!

Trend Tuesday - Not your Grandmothers Lace

Lace embellishments are one of fashions key players in fall trends for 2010. When done right lace can be feminine and sexy. Too much lace especially black lace will have you looking like a your ready to go on stage at the Moulin Rouge. In contrast, also be careful when donning white lace. White lace implies bridal so unless you are hitting the altar wear it with caution. 

 Marie Claire suggests that when wearing lace, "Don't overdo the froufrou: Wear one thing lace and accessorize minimally." which we think is a great suggestion. We don't want to look like we are wearing our grandmothers old tablecloth...

Here are a few of our favorites...

Dress for success...

 Discovered Lace Dress - Anthropologie - $158

 Dress Come True - ModCloth - $47.99 

 Last Train Out Dress - ModCloth - $74.99

Veil Veil Vanish Dress - ModCloth- $74.99

 Damson Lace Blouse - Anthropologie - $99.95

Whites Done Right

Just Say Bow Top - ModCloth- $44.99

 High Tea Blouse - Anthropologie - $98

With lace bottoms, be sure to keep the top simple...

 Tatted Tides Skirt - Anthropologie - $148 

Water you Waiting For - ModCloth - $54.99


Happy Shopping!!

Trend Tuesday - How to Sparkle

We really wanted to name this blog post "How to NOT sparkle like a Las Vegas Showgirl" but we really felt that was just too long a title....so we refrained.

Anyway....something we're seeing a lot of in magazines and in stores is an influx of glitz, not only for night, but for everyday wear too. The question becomes...like we wanted to name this post...how to add a little glitz to your glam without going to far? Here are a few suggestions we've come up with to answer that question...

Focus on soft neutrals. Pairing glitz with muted fabrics allows the "sparkle" to pop without being overwhelming. Think denim, soft greys, pinks, nudes, blues and greens. This also makes your "sparkle" more daytime appropriate.

Knits & Tees - Clothes - Anthropologie.com, $78

See by Chloe Low-rise skinny jeans, $74
Tough As Nails Flats, $145

We've professed out love of the denim jacket here and we think it totally fits here when you're trying to play down your glam a little bit. We're not really feeling the whole "bootie" as a shoe trend, but we gotta admit...it does look pretty darn good in this mix...

Adam Sequined tank Dress - theoutnet.com, $1,050
Women's AE Denim Jacket - American Eagle Outfitters, $16 
STEVEN by Steve Madden Women's Partey Open Toe Pump, $10

Think outside the box, but keep it simple. Work clothes can be sooooo booooring. Here's a simple way to take a basic white blouse and black skirt, and jazz it up a bit with some embellished, glitzy shoes. Still totally work appropriate...at least in our opinion...

MCQ BY ALEXANDER MCQUEEN QLI900191901 WHITE COTTON / ELASTANE E3131, $150
Skirts - Clothes - Anthropologie.com, $98
Jessica Simpson 'Lepolia' Flat, $79
Black Rhinestone Bangle Set - Teen Clothing by Wet Seal, $14

Every woman knows the importance of owning a little black dress....the problem is that, EVERY woman knows the importance of owning a little black dress. It's hard to find one that has that wow factor to differentiate itself (and you) from every other black dress wearing woman out there. Search for something a little extra next time you're looking to replace or add to your LBD collection...

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI DESIGN E00131 BRONZE LEATHER 1857301, $770
Balmain Night Punk studded suede clutch, $2,710
14k Yellow Gold Bronze Crystal Ball Stud Earrings | Overstock.com, $40
Brazilia Beading Dress, $346.50

And sometimes, you know...all you need is a little bit of glitz and sparkle on your fingers, ears, or wrists to make getting out of bed every morning worthwhile!

Fossil Sparkling Turtle Ring - Size 7, $30

VINTAGE SPARKLING NECKLACE, $380

belle of the ball leverback dangle earrings, $95

kate spade 'queen bee' long station necklace, $145

Noir Metal Bracelet, $118

Juicy Couture - Coral Flower Studs (Gold) - Jewelry, $42

Melissa Vintage Rose Ring, $95

Happy Shopping!!