FALL MUST HAVE BOOTS

This post is sponsored by Zappos and LuckyBrand.

When fall fashion season starts I do a little happy dance because that means it's boot wearin' time! As excited I get to buy new fall shoes, I hate the process of shoe shopping. It's frustrating for size 10, narrow, flat footed people. So, I do all of my shoe shopping online with Zappos now. It's fast, easy and the online reviews help so much in determining what size is best. In fact, I've teamed up with Zappos and LuckyBrand to share with you my favorite picks and how I style them on the daily.

Not only have I learned to shop exclusively online for shoes, but I've learned to stick with a couple tried and true brands that I know fit me well. Comfort is just as high of a priority as style to me, so LuckyBrand is a go-to for me. Their leather quality is wonderful and their styles always match my west coast easy style.

I have several booties in my shoe collection already, but I just can't resist buying a black and brown pair each year. This year I chose black leather booties with a slightly pointed toe (Eesa style) and toffee colored suede wedge booties (Yamina style).

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My daily outfits no matter if it's during the week or weekend usually involve some kind of denim and simple color palettes. I just spoke at Say Hi Society about Pinterest, and I wore my gray blazer, jeans, a black t-shirt and these Eesa boots. I felt comfortable and confident the whole time.

I'm also loving head to toe blue these days. Blue hues are a huge color trend for fall. Though I don't mind mixing black and navy, brown just complements blue so well and gives that fall vibe you can't miss. The Yamina style is great for miles of walking because the wedge style is supportive for your feet. I've been wearing them while I play with the kids, shop and work, and I love that the suede material makes them wearable well into the spring.

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If you're in the market for new boots definitely give these a try. You can easily purchase them on Zappos with free shipping and easy free returns. They come in just 3-5 business days too! Let me know what you think!

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

STYLISH BACKPACKS FOR MOMS

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My favorite thing to shop for when I found out that I was pregnant with Elle was my diaper bag. In my research though I found so many bags that looked too cutesy and didn't embody the current fashion trends. This time around when I searched for a bag for Levi I didn't need to go too far to find what I wanted. Fashion for moms has gotten so much better!

I really wanted a backpack this time around because having both hands free for two kids is a must. I loved that this backpack by Fawn Designs looked like real leather, but it was actually water resistant faux leather. I also loved the gold zipper detail. It made me feel like I wasn't carrying a diaper bag at all.

The one thing that I have realized in carrying this bag verses my large Petunia Picklebottom bag is there isn't as much room and pockets as my tote bag. I would say for traveling for long days spent away from the house I need the larger tote bag. However, if you only have one kiddo or you aren't going to need the whole kitchen sink, the Fawn backpack is PERFECT.

*Product was given for a review; Photos by Gina Meola

Fall 2015 Fashion Trends

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Last week I talked about how to transition summer styles into fall, and while re-working pieces within your existing wardrobe is great, it's impossible to ignore the excitement of a brand new season and a whole new set of trends to experiment with. After scouring the Fall/Winter 2015 Runway shows and stalking all of my favorite street style stars, I've compiled a list of the 5 must-try trends for this fall.

70's Revival

70's Revival

featuring

brown leather handbags

Hat

Scarf

Jeans

 Blouse

Earrings

Sunglasses

Boots

Bag

Put on your favorite Fleetwood Mac CD and pile on the fringe, because the 70's are back in full swing this fall. We’re talking cinched waists, big flares, flowy bohemian tops, tonal patchwork, skinny scarves and suede galore.

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70's REVIVAL (2)
Schoolyard Chic

Schoolyard Chic

retro shoes

Sweater

Hat

Backpack

Shoes (Similar)

Watch

Skirt

Take a classic school uniform, add some unexpected athletic twists, and a big dose of style for this next trend. There are quite a few elements which make up this look, and they’ll all be big players for fall: 1. PLAID. It wouldn’t be fall without plaid, would it? 2. Chunky Knits. (Turtlenecks are all the rage.) 3. Edgy yet classic accessories. Swap your everyday purse out for a sleek backpack, put a spin on loafers by opting for a pair with a lug sole, or simply break out your favorite baseball cap that’s been hiding in the back of your closet.

70's REVIVAL (3)
70's REVIVAL (3)
Caped Crusaders

Caped Crusaders

urban outfitters jeans

Tee

Cape

Jeans

Boots

Sunglasses

Bag

Bandana

Hat

Who doesn’t want to parade around town in what is essentially, a giant blanket draped over their shoulders? Give your traditional coats a break this autumn and opt for the coziness and comfort of a cape. Choose between a blanket-like, poncho style for casual days, or a more structured version like the one above to replace your favorite peacoat.

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70's REVIVAL (5)
Neo Victorian

Neo Victorian

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alamilena

featuring

Topshop

Crop

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Necklace

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Clutch (Similar)

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Earrings

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Culottes

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Heels

Lace and ruffle aficionados rejoice because this next trend is taking us back centuries. Dabbling in different decades is fun, but this autumn prepare yourself for some major 19th Century drama. Neo Victorian has all the elements of classic Victorian elegance, only with a modern spin. Give it a try by matching a high-neck, lace blouse with edgy culottes and jewel-ridden accessories. If you need more inspiration, check out the

FW15 Alexander McQueen collection

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70's REVIVAL (7)
Sky High Boots

Sky High Boots

by

alamilena

featuring

black high heel boots

Sunglasses

Dress

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Coat

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Scarf

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Earrings

Bag

 |

Boots

Don't count this trend out just yet. When I say sky-high, I'm not referring to the heel height of the boots. More accurately, this fall's "it" boots are actually thigh-high, and typically flat or found with a chunky block heel. Longer boots are great because they allow you to continue to wear your shorter dresses without being bare-legged. You won't even need tights. (Although tights are having a big moment this fall, too.)

Which of these fall trends are you excited to wear? Leave a comment below & pin your favorite!

Fringe & Tie-Dye

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SONY DSC

There are two things that are hot, hot trends right now and that's fringe and tie-dye. I put them both into one outfit, so does that mean I am a hot tamale?!!! haha!

Being pregnant makes my clothing options a bit limited since I have a bump to accommodate, but this high-low navy tie-dye dress from Alixandra Collections is just perfect. It still allows me to be trendy, and it's insanely comfortable since it's made of light-weight cotton.

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SONY DSC

I've also been accessorizing a lot more since I have to stick to more basic silhouettes these days. I wear rings, bracelets, AND a necklace almost every day. I love these chunky silver pieces from Alixandra Collections because they don't look like anything else that's out there right now. In my book, jewelry should always be unique and a conversation piece.

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SONY DSC

I'm not much of a handbag person. You can probably gather that from my outfit posts. If I buy a handbag it's because I really, really, really like it and I have to have it. This fringe, leather, metallic tote is AMAZING. It's the perfect bag for summer because it can easily be a beach bag or it can be a stylish carryall. I would even use it as a posh diaper bag come September. If you are looking for a glam bag this is it. No need to look further!

Clothing and accessories from Alixandra Collections; Photos by Liz E. Studio.

Polkadots & Pearls

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When at Alt Summit dress to stand out. This is something that I have learned over the years. The outfits at Alt are always top notch, oozing with creativity and style. There definitely is an unspoken pressure to showcase your personal style, and so I decided to pack my fluorescent orange skirt for one of my outfits. I am literally a walking traffic cone, but I LOVE it! When you need to stand out and have brands notice you count on neon to do it. AveStyles-7blogAveStyles-3blog

Also, mixing patterns is always a great way to express creativity. I decided to mix my polkadot cropped sweater with my damask orange skirt to create a more dynamic outfit. (Check out my earlier post where I paired my skirt with leather). A touch of pearls and a chambray shirt underneath gave a feminine and preppy element, but it wouldn't feel like "Alex" with out a little edge. My open-toe leather shooties (get similar ones here) did just that. Of course, you could pair a classic pointy toe pump with this outfit and continue to the classic vibe, but why be predictable? I'm wearing neon orange after all.

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Photos by the AMAZING portrait photographer Sarah Deragon. 

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