yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back.

Our reader, Katie,  said this:

“Can you put together some suggestions for cute and comfortable shoes?  I am visiting New York for the first time in October, and I don’t want to blow my fashion by wearing comfortable “tennis shoes!”  I’ll be doing a lot of walking, so comfort is key… but style is important too!”

Katie – I am so excited for you!  October is my favorite month in NYC.  I lived in Manhattan for awhile and I hear you.   There is A LOT of walking and its NY so you want to look your best!

When I was there I wore flats flats flats!!  (I’m not a heels kind of girl).  I would suggest wearing flats and low – heeled boots.  Make sure you bring some Wellies and an umbrella just in case!  If it gets rainy just wear your Wellies walking around and slip a pair of flats in your purse in case you want to change.

When I was working downtown I had a whole drawer full of shoes and then I just wore weather appropriate shoes on my commute and changed at work.

My favorite place for cute, good quality, cheap shoes is Target.  I also have thrown in a New Balance shoes because they are supposed to be more comfortable, however, it was hard finding a cute one!

p.s. Remember everyone in NY wears black – I liked to wear basic black pieces then spice it up with a beautiful scarf or colorful shoes or bag.  Just a thought.

p.p.s. Readers who have sent emails: just a reminder that I am getting to them and to keep watching SS for your answers.  We. Heart. Emails.

Hope this selection helps:

brown boots, brown NB, black studded boots, purple flat, black snake skin wellie, rose flat, blue studded flat, yellow wellie

Camel is so in for fall.

From Left to Right:

Cardigan, Lace Dress, Trousers, Top, Pants, Top, Scarf, Faux Fur Vest, Top, Top, Maxi Dress, Tote, Bootie

Just wanted to give you guys the heads up on a couple of things:

Sephora is having a sale on their starter kits for Bare Escentuals – Wet Seal has a sale going on:  check out this military jacket, faux leather jacket, cap sleeve wrap, denim capris, rosette top - Ralph Lauren has great tops on sale: here, here, here, here and here – Overstock.com is having an inventory close out sale: anne klein suit, belted dress, plus size lace dress, draped cardigan

Also, thank you for all the fun emails!   I am working on answering all of your questions as fast as I can.   Keep those emails coming!  Send them to: livi@sensiblystyled.com

Ciao Ciao.  Happy Shopping!

image: not around photoshop right now so this is what you get: me being shocked by such great sales!

vintage, circa 2005

I’m leaving for the airport in 2 hours!! Wahoo! Then a short 10 hours later… I’ll be in Maui. Above are a few of the things that I will have in my one and only carry on. (I hate when they make you pay to check bags!)

Limericki Swimsuit, Forever 21 Top, It Jeans, DownEast Cropped Pants (I have the shorts version in my bag…) DownEast Swimsuit.

I won’t be posting while I’m in Hawaii, but I am confident that the lovely Livi will give you many good posts to look at. Have a great week!

I have been in love with Mango ever since I saw my first store in Salzburg, Austria.   I love it ALMOST as much as H&M.  almost.

I found some great stuff for sale on their online shop!!   The site wouldn’t let me open individual items in new tabs so you will just have to go look around but here is the link to their sale page.

A lot of their stuff is in larger sizes and super discounted as well so make sure you get there quick!!

Ciao Ciao!  Happy Shopping.

got this in my inbox this morning……QUICK only the first 4 girls get the code at checkout!

Ban.Do

i love accessories.

(forgive the shaky iphone shot, the serious need for a manicure and the awkward hand pose)

This is an actual shot of what i actually wear on my hands every day.  My point:  accessories can be fun, useful and add color and intrigue to any outfit.

Now I realize that not everyone is as hard core about the types and amounts of accessories as I am but that doesn’t mean that accessories aren’t for you!

I think extras for an outfit are all about trying something different and transforming a look.    Yes, I wear tons of jewelry most days but I also try and change it up.

For instance:

If you always wear big earrings, try little ones or vice versa.   No jewelry?  Try a necklace one day.  Too much jewelry? (cough, cough) try tapering it down once in a while.

Of course, accessories aren’t just about jewelry.   Scarves, hats, bags and so much more are all part of it as well.   It’s all about the style and personality of the person!

And like I always say, Go Big or Go Home!!

What are your favorite, staple accessories?  What trends in accessories do you really like right now?  Are you into the tiny 90’s box purses thing?   How about the spikes on shoes? Leopard print? Native American colors? Over-sized headbands? Leave us a comment and let us know!

My favorite accessories of the moment:

petal necklace, rainbow headband, chain and fabric necklush, two finger black ring, fabric bracelet, gold bangles

SO,

I realized that I am all out of my L.A.M.B. Fragrance and was price comparing on line.  This led to me to having lots of bits to tell you.  Click around to find the links!

ON has plus sized maternity line

lamb harem pants on sale

lane bryant has a 40% off sale everything in store!

payless has a bogo sale

ann taylor bathing suit on sale

LAMB pumps

LAMB boots

DownEast Bathing Suit Sale

DownEast skirt on sale

Torrid BOGO Sale

Red Target Dress

Any sales or finds you want to tell US and SS Reader’s about?  Leave a comment, we love them!

most of all, she loved the pants.

don’t you?  i also love when i find things on sale around the web.

pants, skirt, gray blazer, studded tee, green jacket, two finger ring, scarf, belt, cardigan

We got this email from one of our readers:

Ok, so I used to be a cool LA girl who bought far too expensive clothing and worked out.  Flash forward 4 years, a temple wedding, 2 kids (and the weight that comes with them) annnnd an invite to my coolest LA girlfriends Beverly hills wedding in October.  Black tie optional AND 3 months postpartum?  I could just die! Rule out anything empire waist.  I have been subscribing to your blog for several months now and really enjoy it.  If you have any suggestions please let me know.

Thank you,

Katy
is fashionably frustrated.

Well Katy, I don’t know your exact size but I found a few ideas for you!   My suggestion for you is wearing a solid color and play heavily (and strategically) on the accessories!   They can glam up an outfit and make you look more present and put together in an instant!

Dress Ideas:

From Left to Right:

Asymmetrical Dress, Gray Shabby Apple, Gray Jen Clothing, Daydreamer Wrap Dress

From Left to Right:

Necklace, Bracelet, Hair Piece, Ring, Stud Earrings

These “Turq Rectangular Earrings“ by dbaer have me all inspired!!  So much so that I designed an entire post around them.

These earrings make me think of Georgia O’ Keefe, cactus, Eisley (in fact I am listening to ‘Telescope Eyes’ as we type/read which I haven’t done since college), Las Vegas and fall sunsets.

Below is what I came up with.  I have included a YSL ring I loyally and regularly lust over (I owned one for about a day before I got buyers remorse and took it back) and my new favorite pair of sandals.   I also think this shade of MAC lipstick will be perfect to make the turquoise, coral and other colors pop against all the neutrals.

I try to include all types of stores, prices, sizes and tastes in my posts.  Contact me if there is more of something you’d like to see!

From Left to Right:

Earrings, Striped Tee, Cardigan, YSL Ring, Plus Size Levis, Sandals, Wallet, Levis, MAC in ‘Naughty You’

Hey all! I just wanted to drop a line real quick to introduce Livi. Yes, I know that she has done so already, but I wanted to brag about her. I am SO lucky that Livi is joining me here at Sensibly Styled! We were next door neighbors in college, and let me tell you… she was always dressed to the nines! (while I was hardly noticed for having any style at all…. probably because I didn’t…). And yes, that is me making a HORRIBLE face below, and Livi looking all cute. She emailed me this picture yesterday and it made me laugh, so yes, I am allowing you to laugh at me as well. (This was a party at her place in college-a themed/dress up party- and that is my then crush, now husband, wearing the bandanna in the background.)

Livi is awesome, she is the master “accessorizer” and she is just dang cute, all. the. time. As you can see in the side bar on the right, Livi’s email is now there… so, if you have any questions, or ideas, or even have some great finds… shoot Livi an email at livi@sensiblystyled.com Of course, I am still available as well, so shoot me an email too if you want! natalie@sensiblystyled.com

Alright, welp… I’ll see you later gators!

P.S. DownEast Basics Blog is having an awesome giveaway… check it out! (the prize is a $150 gift certificate!)

Update: Reader Mindy said:

I have really skinny legs.  Really. Skinny.  Bird legs, if you will, that measure no more than 13.5 inches at the thickest part of my calf. I am dying for a pair of knee high (or just below) boots that will actually fit me and not look like I’m wearing galoshes.  Please help!  Oh, and I can’t pay $1,234 dollars for them either.  $300 max (and that’s actually a really high amount for me…I’m just that desperate)

Well Mindy – I did some hunting for you.  Zappos.com is a good place to look because their selection is so huge, they usually have good deals and their customer service is great.    The triple narrow size (AAA) was only available for booties, not knee-highs, but there were a couple of narrow knee high options.

Try: the La Canadienne brand or this cole haan boot

What do you say readers?  Do you have any suggestions for a narrow knee – high boot?

Lets face it, I’ve gone crazy about boots.

I just got this pair at target and I’m over the moon.  Frye’s and Anthropologie’s boots can be pretty expensive, so I found some substitutes online that are just as good or even cuter!

There are a couple Frye pairs at Urban Outfitters right now but there are some other great boots on the web as well.  Hope you enjoy the selection.  Boots are so Fall 2010.

Boots from left to right: Old Navy, Frye Company, Urban Outfitters, Frye for Urban Outfitters, Bamboo by Journee on Overstock.com, Urban Outfitters, Target

Hi,

I’m Livi and I am so excited to say that I am going to be posting on Sensibly Styled!    I love shopping (just ask my husband) and especially online shopping.   I am going to have so much fun sharing my finds with you and I hope you enjoy it as well.   Some of my favorites: red lipstick, packages in the mail, bike rides, popcorn, gwen stefani, boots and more!

Feel free to email with any questions, comments or ideas!  Contact:  livi@sensiblystyled.com

I already think you’re all FABulous!

UPDATE: there is a 50% off sale going on right now at Torrid!

There are a lot of fun fall pieces out there ready to be worn and plus size is no exception!!!  Here are some of my favorite finds:

I always love the metallic like I found in the headband and striped tee.  Of course, we have a beautiful plaid for fall (my favorite part: it’s long!!)

It may be wrong to wear white after labor day but that military style jacket is also available in black.

Faith 21 provides us with that beautiful floral and black dress that would be perfect with a set of leggings and flats. (look for a shoe post coming soon!)

and my favorite: the yellow and grey cardi – yes i own it! -

red and blue plaid, metallic headband, military jacket, grey and yellow cardigan,

black and floral dress, metallic striped tee

p.s. Fashion Bug is having an 80% off sale!!!

Kacie emailed me with this: “I was thinking you should do some posts of “how to wear it” so like in my case I have this little cardigan that I got a few years ago at Anthropologie but I have never worn it because I have NO IDEA what to wear it with. I think it would be cool to show people how to take things they already have in their closet and add to them to get a cool look”

Kacie, I think that is a great idea! So, I put the outfit below together for you. Now, make sure you read what I wrote about the items, or else, just by looking at this outfit you would never trust my judgment again!

Okay, so here is what I think. First off, unless you can find a really good cap sleeve (which after a long time of searching, I couldn’t!) than you will want to wear a tank with this sweater. I would choose one that has a wider strap than the one pictured, and without any detailing on the neck line. However, the one thing I liked about this tank was the fit. I think a loose fitting, wide strapped, and gray or blue colored tank would be best. Secondly,  skinny jeans… check. With the loose fitting tank, I think skinnies would look best. And last but not least…and I’m sure you guessed it, flats. But I would definitely choose a fun color from the sweater for your flats, so either yellow or that orange-y red color would look great!

What do you think readers? Would you wear this outfit? If not, what would you do differently?

Even if I could afford it… I’m too frugal and don’t think I would ever allow myself to do it… but it is fun to dream.

Red swimsuit, Polka dot swimsuit, Red swimsuit, Black swimsuit, Purple swimsuit (my sister in law has this one and it was SO cute on her!), Gray swimsuit

Oh yeah, and I googled “old fashioned swimwear” and got the image below… I feel slightly embarrassed for this guy But if you like it, you can purchase it here.

Yay for awesome husbands who know how to fix websites! Since I am going to Hawaii in two weeks, I thought it was only appropriate for me to post accordingly.

I think if we go to a luau, I will definitely have to wear a summer dress, paired with some stellar sandals, and of course, a lei!

Hey guys! I put together an outfit for today’s post but something weird is happening with my site! It won’t let me upload the image. So, I’m afraid that I will have to wait until Zach gets home to help me figure out what is up. Sorry!

So… while I was away, we went camping near Hood River in Oregon. (Jane was SO excited to see her cousin Cash that she just couldn’t keep her hands off of him! It was so cute, and a little scary!) Then we went white water rafting in White Salmon WA. It was the first time I had been and it was a blast!

In the top picture you can see that the rafting guide tricked me and my sister and her husband into sitting on the front of the raft (I don’t know why I listened) And it was HORRIBLE! SO much water went up my nose. And you can see all the guys in the back laughing at us. jerks. Anyways, that was that!

Afterward we went up to Seattle to stay with my brother and his family. While we were there we went to Gas Works Park (top left) Then to see the troll that lives under the bridge (top right) the gum wall at Pikes Place (also shopped around but didn’t seem to take any photos) (middle left) Had a birthday party for me at my parents house (middle right… this was before we went to seattle…) And then Zach and I rented a canoe and went out on Lake Washington.

It was a fun trip!

Don’t you just love these fun cardigans from Boden? Yes. Yes. Yes. I do realize that we are in the middle of August (and clothes are sticking to you from the hot weather) and I’m already posting stuff for fall, but I can’t help it!

It’s always fun to visit my parents, but it’s also always nice to get back home and back in the swing of things. Maybe tomorrow I will post a little bit about what I did when I was in WA/OR… I usually don’t post that kind of thing, but I think I will this time Also, I will be back regularly for the next two weeks… but then Zach and I spontaneously bought tickets to Hawaii! So I will be away the first week of September! Woohoo! I’ve never been to Hawaii!

printed cardigan, funky cardigan

What the…? My friend Almira of Healthy Republic just forwarded me an email she got from Shade. (image above) Does anyone know? Does this mean they are going out of business? Sad day.

UPDATE: Thanks readers for getting me up to date! Here is the link to the formal letter.

Pretty much it says that they are closing, and don’t know when they will be back, but plan on making a comeback at some point…

Here are a few great finds from Mod Cloth!

How was your weekend? Mine was great! I turned 25 yesterday! Woah! And Zach and I are in Seattle visiting my brothers family… I’ll try to post more later this week!

Hey guys! I’m leaving out of town in one hour! So, I am posting real quick to say that posting won’t be regular until August 16th… I’m going to WA to visit my family and Zach is coming with me! So we are going camping and whitewater rafting! Yipee!!! So…  here is something to hold you over…

Raise your hand if you love these new arrivals at DownEast!

All these dresses at Shade are on sale! Yahoo!

Navy dress (only $14.99, Green Dress (28.99) , Black Dress (16.99) There is an entire post about how you need to purchase the black dress!!!

picture from Emily's post "must have dress"

I agree, that the shoes are the wrong color. Okay?  Today I was at the Library with Jane and this lady who was probably about 65 or 70 walks in with so much style! I wish I had my camera. She even had the cutest haircut I’ve ever seen on a lady her age. (no offense) So, this is me trying to re create the look of the super stylish lady. (And yes, she was wearing over sized sunglasses. I want to be her when I’m older…)

Cropped Pants, Top, Sunglasses, Belt, Shoes.

I have a question about what to wear when you’re in that awkward stage when you’re newly pregnant before you start showing, but your big bloated belly makes it look like you are.  I’m only 11 weeks along so I don’t have a baby bump, but by the end of the day I can barely do up my pants.  I’m not ready to wear maternity clothes or tell my boss that I’m expecting…what should I wear??  Any suggestions?  I have to wear business clothes to work and I’m having a hard time balancing comfort and professionalism.

Thanks for your help!
Tiffany

Dear Tiffany,

First off… congratulations! Secondly, I would check out this post that Emily did a while ago about being “barely pregnant”. Thirdly…  Dear Readers: any ideas from you that you have used?

Image from the post "barely pregnant"

Congratulations Melissa! Please email me your contact information! Thanks so much to Sara of Simple Serendipity for making such cute jewelry for us all to drool over!

If you didn’t win… now worries! Use code SENSTYLE at checkout to recieve 10% off! (You will be charged full price, but 10% will be refunded to your paypal account)

In the past, I have scored serious steals with the Tulle’s Day sales… so I’m sad to say that this will be their last one! Does anyone know why? Anyways, I hope we can all find some wonderful items Tuesday morning! Good luck!

AND don’t forget today is the last day to sign up for the Simple Serendipity giveaway! So hurry and leave a comment by midnight and I will announce the winner tomorrow!

Kristin, at Simple Sage Designs, saw the dress on the left… and made the dress on the right. I love it! Go to Simple Sage Designs to see how she did it! Thanks Emily for the link!

Who doesn’t love stripes? And, no. I’m not a dog person… but I thought that sweater was too cute not to post.

Sweater, Top, Skirt (I’m in love with this skirt) Dog sweater.

I’m kinda digging this bohemian look. And I think it would be perfect to wear out to lunch with your girlfriends! Thanks Ashlin for sending me the link to the top!

Top, Trouser jeans, Sandals

Yay for giveaways! Sara of Simple Serendipity is giving away a $20 gift card to one lucky winner to spend in her shop however you would like. I’m sure some of you are thinking… “only $20?” But… EVERYTHING in her shop is $5 or less!!! That means you are getting AT LEAST 4 items if you win!!! And everyone knows that cute earrings are perfect accessories for any outfit! Go on over to Simple Serendipity and then come back here and leave a comment letting us know your favorite item!!!

Here are some of my favorites:

All entries must be received by Thursday July 29th at midnight!!! Good luck!

Target has a great selection of modest dresses right now! And, BONUS… all of them (besides the orange one) are under $25!!! Woot!

From left to right: Black tiered dress, purple dress, green dress, black wrap dress, orange dress (it’s still only $39.99… not bad)

Have a great weekend! I’ll meet you back here on Monday… with a sweet little giveaway!

Congratulations Savannah!!! Please email me with your size (for the jeans and the top) and your address!!! Thanks so much to everyone who participated! And a HUGE thanks to DownEast Basics and Jessica for making this giveaway so great!!!

I’ll post my Friday Finds a little later… stay tuned!