Fun Appetizer/ Dessert Plates

West Elm is bringing back fun dinnerware!  For a while there, they only offered the plain white dinner plates (which I love and have).  But check out their site now!  Little plates with big personality.  I love the prints and the shiny graphics.  Unexpected and so pleasing to the eye.  They are too cute to save for a special day.  I love serving post-dinner munchies, such as nuts or dark chocolate, on these fun plates.

Fall Trends

I am starting to see leaves on the ground. That means, there are new trends in the stores!

This fall, designers have been paying lots of attention to fabrics and textures. From smooth and tough motorcycle leather jackets to soft and playful leopard print flats to warm and furry jackets.

I picked out the top four trends and worked them into every day outfits that you probably already wear. Remember, trends come and go and can end up costing a fortune! However, using your existing wardrobe and adding/removing trendy pieces can be very affordable and stylish.

1. Bears, tigers and... LEOPARD PRINT! Nope, it's not leaving. In fact, it's expanding to belts, shoes and purses. Please avoid wearing a huge leopard piece that covers more than 50% of your body (like a dress or a long jacket). Use it sparingly for best results!

(1) Magenta & Black Bangle Set, $8, Wet Seal (2) Always skinny jeans (saturated dark wash), $69.50, Gap (3) Satin Leopard Tunic, $19.80, Forever 21 (4) Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Ukita Hobo, $398, Von Maur (5) Sandra Convertible Boots, $257, Shopbop.com

2. That in-between-weather is perfect for SLEEVELESS SWEATERS. Layer it with a long or short sleeve shirt for best results. It keeps you looking fall-ish without making you sweat!

(1) Calvin Klein Jeans Cowl Neck Vest, $69.50, Nordstrom (2) Short Linked Leaf Necklace, $10.11, Asos.com (3) Perfect-fit ruffled scoopneck tee, $34.50, J. Crew (4) Drew Plainweave Flare Pant, $69.50, The Limited (5) Martinez Valero Blaine, $143, Zappos.com

3. If you invested in FAUX FUR last fall, good call! It's still a big trend and looking more chic than ever. Revamp your faux fur jacket/sweater by adding a belt or wearing it with a dress.

(1) Kenneth Jay Lane Earrings, $67.39, Bluefly.com (2) TECLA L/S DRESS, $159, Miss Sixty (3) Faux Fur Vest, $98, LOFT (4) Argyle Sweater Tights, $18, Bare Necessities (5) Seychelles 'Bismuth' Bootie, $119.95, Nordstrom

4. Always stylish and very practical LEATHER has always been a sound investment. This trend is very versatile and can range from a hardcore motorcycle jacket to a subtle brown pair of boots. Want to try "leather rock"? Look for leather pieces that use hardware and metal finishes, such as the skirt below, which uses metal stud embellishments.

(1) Cotton Cashmere Wrap Sweater, $58, Victoria’s Secret (2) French cuff shirt, $59.50, Banana Republic (3) Tahari Foster, $129, Piperlime (4) Studded Leather Miniskirt, $595, Neiman Marcus(5) Irene Neuwirth Chrysoprase Earrings, $4,580.00, Barney’s New York

Crate and Barrel for Dogs

As most of you know, my fiancé and I got a new puppy about a month ago - an adorable sweet little boxer girl!  As I started searching for cute things that Izzy is (definitely) going to need, I discovered that Crate and Barrel came out with a new line of dog accessories.  Perfect timing.  Here are some of my favorites.

Row 1: (1) Woof Dog Lead, $19.95
Row 2: (2) Name Charm, $9.95 (3) Set of 4 Dog Bone Toys, $39.80
Row 3: (4) Red Large Dog Bowl, $14.95 (5) Woof Treat Jar, $19.95
Row 4: (6) Houndstooth Dog Bed, $39.95 small/ $69.95 large

I also found the perfect dog tag for Izzy's name and contact info.  So cute and stylish!  It's smooth, shiny and the matches Izzy's red collar/leash.  From pettags.com.

My Kind of Band-Aids

I am a huge fan of using fun Band-Aids.  I mean, if you happen to get a cut, the only good thing about it is getting to use a fun Band-Aid to cover it up!  My current favorite: Disney's Tinker Bell and Friends.

But I just found out that Cynthia Rowley teamed up with Band-Aid to come out with a Limited Edition line that is fun, fashionable and, if that isn't enough, charitable ($1 of every purchase goes to Design Ignites Change).   

Fall Jackets

Along with the fall weather, comes lots of light-weight jackets!  Here are some of my favorites.

Row 1: (1) Herringbone band blazer, $98, Gap (2) 3/4 Sleeve Tweed Jacket, $148, The LOFT
Row 2: (3) Milly Ruffle Jacket, $425, Piperlime.com (4) Baracuta® G10 slim-fit jacket, $325, J. Crew

Laptop Cover

What would you think of using a pretty scarf as a cover for your laptop?  Although pretty, I'm not sure I'm sold on this idea...

Peachy Outfit

While browsing some blogs, I came across photos of some women having fun, playing "dress up".  I fell totally in love with the peach dress and its corresponding accessories. 

So I searched out all the pieces to re-create this outfit.  

Row 1: (1) Roll Sleeve Dress, $34, asos.com (2) Stretch Flower Belt, $24.50, The Limited
Row 2: (3) Pearl & Fabric Puff Bobble Necklace, $65, Betsey Johnson