Fall Dresses under 50

This summer i've been all about dresses. I just love how easy they are to thrown on and go while still looking presentable. When I was going through all of my clothes to pack up for school I realized that almost all of my dresses are meant for spring or summer. I wanted to find a few pieces that will work as the seasons shift from summer to fall. There were so many cute ones on the market but I narrowed them down to my favorite styles- the denim dress, cold shoulder dress, shirtdress, and anything olive, burgundy, or striped! To make it even better all of these dresses are under $50! I know with my college budget I don't spend a ton of money on dresses or clothing pieces in general. That's why I am so excited to share these cute and trendy pieces with you that are super affordable. 

1. Vero Moda Denim Dress // $46.00

2. High Neck Denim Slipdress // $48.00

3. Chambray Shift Dress // $19.90

Denim {or chambray} dresses might just be my favorite look for transitioning into fall or the colder months. There is something about the look that is so laid back and effortless. I had such a hard time narrowing down my favorites for this category but I can honestly say that I love the look of these three options.

I love how all of these options work for the upcoming fall months but can easily be worn right now. For nights, or days, where the weather is a bit cooler you can throw one of these on with a great pair of sandals or wedges. To transition them to fall you can add some thigh high socks {like the ones you can see peeking out in the third option} and boots or booties. My favorite way to style this dress would be with some tights, riding boots, and a cozy cardigan.

1. Perfect Situation Burgundy Long Sleeve Shift Dress // $38.00

2. Comeback Baby Burgundy Dress // $34.00

3. Crisscross Front Sweater Dress // $17.90

Over the past few months i've noticed that when i'm out shopping I gravitate towards this rich burgundy color. I personally am a fan of darker and muted colors so this fits in perfectly with my existing closet. While this color isn't the best for the warmer summer months it will work for fall and winter which is great because you can get a lot of use out of it! 

My favorite out of these three dresses is the first option with the adorable sleeve detail. For a date night look I would love to pair this dress with gold jewelry because I think it would really pop against the color! I love this statement necklace from Loft and think it would look great with the neckline of this dress. Add some nude pumps and you are set to go!

1. Everly Cold Shoulder Swing Dress // $46.00

2. Winter Cold Shoulder Shift Dress // $24.00

3. Michelle by Comune 'Walthamstow' Floral Print Shift Dress // $46.00

The cold shoulder look was huge this year and from the looks of it will be big again this coming fall. I love the long sleeve options that are popping up on the market because they are so practical for the cold weather that lies ahead {it's sad but true!} I love these three options because I think they show how versatile the style can be depending on the color and type of sleeves the dress has.

The color of the second dress is one of my favorite colors at the moment but I think the first dress option is something that I would live in throughout the fall. It reminds me of t-shirt style dresses which have been some of my favorite this summer. I really like the short booties that are paired with the dress in the picture but think the dress would also look great with some tights, boots, and {once again} a great statement necklace. 

1. Law Bender Black and Ivory Striped Dress // $38.00

2. Striped T-Shirt Dress // $12.90

3. Heir Lines Black Striped Dress // $35.00

I love a good stripe, it is such a classic and timeless pattern. My favorite striped dress at the moment is actually the second one pictured above. I got it a few weeks ago and have worn it once a week since! It is so soft, comfortable, and breezy making it the perfect option in my opinion. I also love how the color is perfect for transitioning into fall.

My favorite way to wear a striped dress in the fall is underneath a solid colored cardigan. I can't wait to wear the middle option with a cozy black cardigan and some tights and boots. Until then i've been pairing it with either my Jack Rogers sandals or white converse and it looks great every time!

1. Love, Fire 'Boyfriend' High/Low Shirtdress // $48.00

2. Golden Coast Deep V Shirt Dress // $50.00

3. Love, Fire Buffalo Check Sleeveless Shirtdress // $46.00

Shirtdresses are the best in my opinion because they you can eat huge meals and no one can tell {there is nothing worse than eating dinner in a tight dress...}! My favorite pattern for fall is the plaid/buffalo check that you see on the third dress. If that isn't quite your style you could always go for a great floral print or solid color in a rich tone like the navy blue one above.

I love how this style of dress looks when paired with a felt hat like you can see pictured on the model in the middle. Add some heeled booties and it is a picture perfect look! Once again these dresses look great worn right now with some chunky heeled sandals or even a pair of converse {they are my favorite way to dress down a look}.

1. Lush 'Karly' Shift Dress // $48.00

2. Faux Suede Mini Dress // $14.90

3. Embroidered Cold Shoulder Shift Dress // $46.00

This deep olive color is one of my favorites at the moment. I was shopping with my sister the other day and when we went to the fitting rooms she laughed and pointed out that almost everything I was trying on was this exact color. While I will wear this color year round I think it is perfect for the fall because it is very rich yet still muted.

I've been seeing the faux suede dresses everywhere so I was thrilled to see they had it in olive green {might have to stop by a Forever 21 for this...}. I actually have the necklace pictured on the model above and think it looks great with the outfit. To make this fall appropriate I would throw on a jean jacket and wear a pair of either camel or tan booties.

I hope you enjoyed this post, I know I loved putting it together for all of you! What is your favorite style dress to wear during the fall season?
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Hit Or Miss: ShopAOF

If you are a big YouTube watcher {such as myself} you may be familiar with Aspyn Ovard. She creates lifestyle videos and also runs the blog AspynOvard.com. I've been subscribed to her YouTube channel for about a year now and was surprised when she announced that she would be opening up an online clothing store with her husband.

Sometimes when bloggers or you tubers create their own products or open up shops the stuff can be pretty pricey. I was pleasantly surprised when I checked out ShopAOF on their launch day and saw that the prices were actually quite reasonable! Their products range from about $20 to $60 on average for items that are similar to what you might find at stores such as Urban Outfitters.

Some of the items sold out pretty quickly but with Aspyn's large following and reasonable prices that wasn't much if a surprise. The items didn't sell out ridiculously fast though, it seems like the popular items lasted a day or two before they were gone. In her recent vlog Aspyn and her husband Parker did address the issue of items selling out quickly. Since they didn't expect the online store to be such a success they did not order large quantities of items. Going forward they said they will have to play around with inventory levels until they figure out what works best.

While I personally have not ordered anything {yet} they seem to have a great return policy and even offer worldwide shipping. Overall if you like an easy laid-back boho look I would say ShopAOF is a major hit! Check out a few of my favorite pieces carried by the store below.

Nadia Eggplant Crop Top

 Bella Olive Tunic Top

Jayda Print Tunic Top

Ava Blue Tunic Shirt Dress

Kaia Striped Skirt

Have you purchased anything from ShopAOF? What is your favorite item carried by the store?

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My Top 10 College Essentials

Now that i'm entering my senior year of college (eek!) I feel like I finally have the whole packing thing down. Don't get me wrong I still overpack but I feel like I am finally bringing more things that I use regularly than not. Since it is now that wonderful time of the summer where so many of us are packing our lives into suitcases (and some doing so for the first time) I thought I would share with you my top 10 items that you should bring with you.

1. Steamer
This is a new discovery of mine and I have fallen head over heels in love. The past three years I brought an iron with me to school and I hated having to use it- I dreaded when things came out of the laundry wrinkled. Now that I have the steamer wrinkled clothing is no big deal. It takes about 20 seconds to heat up and the wrinkles practically fall out of the clothes when I use it.

2. Mattress Topper

Let me tell you a little secret... dorm beds are never comfortable. At school your bed will quickly become one of your favorite spots (especially if you're in a small dorm with no other seating options) which is why it is so important to invest in a good mattress topper. If you would like to get a good nights sleep this year I would 100% recommend picking one of these up. My personal favorite is the egg crate ones but there are lots of great options out there.

3. Cascading Hangers

If you are anything like me you have lots of clothes and you just love them all. I remember when I first saw the size of my freshman year closet I had no idea how I would get everything to fit. If it weren't for these cascading hangers I really don't know what I would have done! Each hanger has a tiny hook on it so that you can layer the hooks on top of each other. The hanger itself is also a felt material which helps prevent clothing from slipping off.

4. Warm Throw Blanket

I don't know what I was thinking when I left for schools my freshman year. All I brought for bedding was sheets and a comforter {it should be noted that I attend a school in the Northeast}. Within a few days my mom ordered me a soft and cozy throw blanket because I kept calling her and complaining that I was freezing at night. Even if you aren't in a colder climate I would still recommend a throw blanket. Like I mentioned earlier your bed will become one of your favorite spots and it's a pain to have to unmake your bed everytime you want to lay underneath something.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 //10

5. Command Strips

These are easily the most magical thing if you plan on decorating your dorm room at all. They will stick on just about any service including the lovely cinder block walls we have all experienced at some point in time. They can be a little pricey but I would 100% recommend using these so you don't damage the walls. I've used them to hang up bulletin boards, mirrors, canvases, and frames without ever having a problem.

6. 5 Subject Notebook

This is one of my biggest secrets for staying organized at school. It may not seem like it would make a difference but having all of your notes in one place makes things so much easier. Freshman year I used individual notebooks for each class and I found myself grabbing the wrong set of notes more than I would like to admit. Just make sure you grab college ruled and not the wide ruled option. 

7. Swifter or a Compact Vacuum

Depending on what kind of flooring your room has you will want to pick up one of these two options. No matter how clean you are your floor will get dirty quickly. This is something that I didn't initially bring with me to school so I kept borrowing my friends stiffer and vacuum until I finally got my own. If you end up getting a vacuum I would highly suggest this one! It's very compact so it's easy to store in a dorm room but it still works very well.

8. Sturdy Backpack

Tote bags are always a cute thing to carry your books in but they are very bad for your back! Since you'll most likely be lugging around lots of heavy textbooks you should opt for a backpack instead. I got this NorthFace one in black 7 years ago and it is still in fantastic shape. I can fit everything I'll need for a busy day of classes inside without worrying that the straps will break. Take my advice and ditch the tote bag, your back will thank you!

9. Planner

This is hands down the most important thing you need to stay organized this school year. In high school I didn't use a planner as regularly as I should have, but ever since I started college i've been addicted to mine. Everyone looks for something different but the most important things to me are that there is lots of room in the weekly spread as well as a large monthly spread. The Plan Better Live Better Planner by Emily of Honeybee Joyous is a great downloadable option with some fun extras like a monthly financial track. If you have no idea what you are looking or Kayla has a great post where she compares 14 different planners perfect for college students.

10. Power Strip and Extension Cord
Power outlets never seem to be placed well in dorm rooms. Add into the equation the fact that you will most likely be sharing all of the outlets with one or two other people and I can guarantee that you will want these two things. An extension cord will help you avoid setting up your room based on where the outlets are and the power strip will let you plug in more things at once. I really like the flexible power strips because I can adjust it to fit more of those bulky charger at once. 

Hopefully these 10 recommendations are helpful to you as you get ready to head back to school! What are your top items for going back to school? 

*Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for the "Plan Better Live Better Planner" and will receive a small percentage of sales made through the link. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.**

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Wishful Wednesday: Cupcakes and Cashmere

Before I started blogging I had heard of the Cupcakes and Cashmere brand once or twice. I knew they had cute clothes and that it was somehow connected to a blogger. After I began my journey into blogging I began reading up on Emily's {the creator of Cupcakes and Cashmere} blog. You could say I was pleasantly surprised when I found that the boutique I am working at this summer sells pieces from the Cupcakes and Cashmere line!

I love how all of the pieces in the collection are classic and preppy yet still very trendy. While you can find the line various places {like local boutiques!} the two easiest places to shop Cupcakes and Cashmere online are ShopBop and Nordstrom. I was very surprised to see that both website offer a different selection of merchandise! Not sure if this is on purpose or it just so happens that certain items were sold out. Either way there is such a large selection and I highly recommend checking out both sites.

ShopBop Picks

Lari Draped Vegan Leather Jacket
While I personally have never been a huge leather jacket kind of girl I think that I would LOVE this one. My problem with most leather jackets are that I don't feel feminine enough in them. That's why I love the shape of this one, it is such a unique silhouette yet is also very classic and feminine. It would look great with virtually any outfit and could be worn for years to come. 

Jakob Jacquard Blazer
This isn't something I would ever think I would like, and at first I wasn't even going to include it on this list. However once I was putting this post together I kept thinking back to this blazer. It's unlike anything i've seen and looks wonderful with the all white outfit the model is wearing. It's not something that would be worn a lot because it's so memorable, but it's still a great statement piece.

Lulu Off Shoulder Ruffle Dress
I've been loving the ruffle and off the shoulder trends that have been big this summer. While I love the look that these trends add to a shirt it's too hot in the summer and I find myself leaning towards dresses everyday. I've also noticed that the ruffles tend to be very large and overdramatic, and that's not a look that works for me on a daily basis. That's why I love this particular piece because it had all the things I want in one beautiful and feminine dress.

Elliot Stripe Dress
Stripes are such a classic pattern and i've been really loving them lately. This dress puts such a fun twist on them with the horizontal stripes in the front and vertical ones on the side. The halter neckline is also great for the warmer months but looks great under a denim jacket making this dress a great transitional piece.

Abner Jumpsuit

Recently I picked up my first jumpsuit and I have fallen in low with how easy they are to wear. This one is such a staple piece that it can easily be worn for so many occasions. Throw on some great jewelry and heels for a night out or dress it down with sandals and a denim jacket. I've been loving the halter neckline and it helps break this outfit up by showing some shoulder. 

Nordstrom Picks

Zeus Swing Dress
A white swing dress with tassel details? Yes please! The swing dress is such a comfortable and flattering style {I love it because I can eat as much as I want and nobody can tell!}. The embroidery and tassels in the back are great because they help make this dress on trend with everything that we have been seeing this summer.

Sara Long Vest
I've been seeing these sleeveless vests all over the place and am loving the look they give off, it is so chic. This one is the perfect piece to help add interest to an all black outfit like what is shown on the model above. Add a statement necklace and you are good to go! Once it gets a little colder out you could even wear it over a long sleeve shirt or turtleneck for a different look.

Cameron Mosaic Print Romper
Rompers have been everywhere for the past few months because they are the perfect summer staple. I haven't been able to find the perfect one yet {#picky} but the cutout detail in the back of this one has me in love. It's a great neutral pattern that will easily transition into fall, something that can be hard to do with all f the bright floral ones that are on the market.

Eleni Stripe Off the Shoulder Top
Lie I said earlier, I have really been loving the stripes! The off the shoulder trend is a major one this summer and I love the silhouette on this particular piece. It's a great semi-casual top that can be dressed up a little bit or worn in a super casual way. This would look adorable with white skinnies and some metallic slides.

Eden Jacquard Knit Sweater

As soon as the first sign of fall hits I live in nothing but cozy knit sweater and cardigans. My favorite ones are all gray so this one would fit into my closet perfectly! The cute pattern helps dress this sweater up and would make it look like I put some effort into my outfit even on lazy days. Pair this with jeggings and riding boots to get the perfect comfy outfit for a busy day of classes.

What is your favorite piece from the Cupcakes & Cashmere line?

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July Recap and August Blogging Goals

I can't believe that another month has already flown by! July was a month filled with lots of work and assignments for school. While I didn't get to dedicate quite as much time to blogging as I would have liked i'm still excited to recap the month of July and share my blogging goals for the month of August as part of the Blogger Goal Collaboration.

July Goals

Instagram: Reach 135 followers

Post to Instagram at least three times a week

Twitter: Reach 135 followers

Facebook: Reach 90 likes

Pinterest: Reach 185 followers

Reach 3,000 pins on Pinterest

Page views {for the month}: 500

Post twice a week to the blog

Use an editorial calendar to plan out July's posts

Add Bloglovin link to all old posts

I feel like I had such a successful month! The fact that I was able to reach 7 out of 10 goals is pretty great in my opinion! I'm still not quite where I would like to be but am making great progress.

A major high for me this month was seeing my social media followers grow! Not only did I surpass my goal numbers (by quite a bit!) but I was able to reach over 100 likes on my Facebook page and over 200 followers on Twitter!! To some bloggers that may seem like nothing, but it's very exciting for me to see how much i've been able to grow in just over six months.

My blogging low of the month was not getting quite as many posts up as I had planned for. I only got 6 posts up for the month of July although I was really aiming for a minimum of 8. I had all of these great posts planned out {including my first outfit post} yet with work I had trouble executing them all in a timely manner. Hopefully this month with a little bit more planning ahead I will be able to reach that goal for the month of August!

This month I didn't set quite as many goals as I did in August because I wanted to focus on excelling in a smaller number of tasks as opposed to overwhelming myself. I've come to realize that when I am trying to accomplish too many tasks I become overwhelmed and don't know where to begin.

August Goals

Instagram: Reach 200 followers

Twitter: Reach 260 followers

Facebook: Reach 110 likes

Pinterest: Reach 220 followers

Reach 3,600 pins on Pinterest

Page Views {for the month} 520

Post twice a week to the blog

Practice taking more flat lays

Don't forget to check out some of the other lovely ladies who are a part of this collab!

An InLinkz Link-up

Simple & Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl

The other week I was on Pinterest when I saw a post about this Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl from Simple Vegan Blog. I had never had a smoothie bowl before but am I huge fan of regular smoothies! That's why I was so excited to see how easy {and delicious} this recipe was.

The first time I made this I followed the recipe exactly. It was good but there was way too much for just me {it made two servings}. This time I decided to not only cut the recipe in half but to add a few minor changes.

Instead of using regular peanut butter, like the recipe called for, I used PBFit. If you've never used PBFit before I highly recommend trying it. It's basically a peanut butter powder which makes it so easy to add to smoothies- no sticky mess! I also added chia seeds to add a bit of texture to the smoothie itself.

For my toppings I chose some banana slices, unsweetened coconut flakes, and melted peanut butter. The melted peanut butter was the best topping I could have added! I put a small bowl of peanut butter in the microwave for 40 seconds and immediately drizzled it over the smoothie bowl. It was so creamy and warm when mixed in with everything.

In the end I really enjoyed making this! I'm not someone who enjoys to cook or bake so this was a great easy thing to whip up. I've had it for lunch a few times because it is surprisingly filling. Once I get back to school i'm thinking this might make a good breakfast.

I'm also hoping to try out more simple and easy recipes in the future! I am a vegetarian {for the most part} so I think it could be interesting for those of you who have similar diets to see what meals are not too challenging to make yet still delicious. 

Let me know if you try this recipe!

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