Ultimate Gift Guide 2016

Shop this look: Forever 21 dress (sold out, similar here and here) // Kate Spade watch //

Halogen flats (similar here and here) // Kendra Scott earrings

The holidays are finally here! That means it's time to decorate the tree, watch Christmas movies and give gifts to your loved ones. I also can't wait to celebrate the season in festive looks like the one above. Need advice on what to put under the tree? Look no further than my second annual gift guide. And stay tuned for more holiday outfit inspo soon!

For the prep:

Shop this look: 1. J. Crew factory puffer vest // 2. Daniel Wellington watch // 3. J. Crew Factory necklace // 4. Neiman Marcus monogrammed Longchamp tote // 5. Tory Burch flats // 6. Ralph Lauren perfume // 7. H&M sweater // 8. J. Crew Factory scarf

In the words of Taylor Swift, they "never go out of style." You can't go wrong with timeless designs and quality materials. 

For the lady:

Shop this look: 1. H&M sweater // 2. Kate Spade phone case // 3. Rebecca Minkoff bag

4. Kendra Scott earrings // 5. Flower Bomb perfume // 6. BP heels // 7. Kate Spade jewelry box

8. J. Crew Factory scarf

For the girly-girl, keep things sweet with a little sparkle and lots of pink. 

For the trendsetter:

Shop this look: 1. Topshop sweater // 2. Nordstrom hat // 3. Nordstrom scarf // 4. Bauble Bar jewelry

5. H&M fur keychain // 6. Adidas sneakers // 7. Stella McCartney bag // 8. H&M skirt

We all have that friend who looks like they have one of the Kardashians' stylists on speed dial. Stick with chic, minimalist gifts. 

For the traveler:

Shop this look: 1. L.L. Bean jacket // 2. J. Crew factory hat // 3. Sorel boots // 4. J. Crew Factory passport case // 5. Urban Outfitters map poster // 6. Ray Ban sunglasses // 7. Longchamp weekend bag // 8. J. Crew Factory turtleneck

For the girl always on the go, give her the gift of well-made, versatile items.

What are your go-to gifts?

xo, Annabeth

Outfits for Every Thanksgiving Celebration

1. With the family 

Shop this look: H&M sweater // H&M denim skirt // Dolce Vita boots

Tory Burch fringe bag // J. Crew Factory earrings // Topshop scarf

A Thanksgiving at home with the family should be all about comfort — with your clothes and food. A chunky sweater and denim mini skirt are casual (and are not too tight so you can eat as much as you want). Glitzy earrings and a patterned scarf make the look more polished.

2. Friendsgiving

Shop this look: H&M dress // Sam Edelman booties // Rebecca Minkoff bag

Kendra Scott bracelet // David Yurman bracelet // Hinge hat

Friendsgiving is one of my favorite traditions because I get reunite with some of my best friends after being away at college. We catch up, cook and, of course, take lots of photos, so it's fun to dress up a bit for the occasion. This lace dress has a classic neckline so I gave it some edge with lace-up booties — I call it pilgrim chic.

3. Restaurant Thanksgiving

Shop this look: H&M dress // Bauble Bar earrings // Topshop skinny scarf

Valentino studded flats // Chloe bag // Tom Ford nail polish

I've never been to Thanksgiving at a restaurant, but if I did, I think it would be fun to experiment with fall colors and other trends. After all, if the look is a flop, at least there will not be many people out and about to see! This mustard velvet dress is very unique and I think shades of blue on a skinny scarf (worn around the neck or as a headband) and studded flats would complement it well. 

What are you wearing for Thanksgiving?

xo, Annabeth

November Neutrals

Shop this look: H&M dress // Kendra Scott necklace // Kendra Scott earrings

Tom's wedge booties // Tory Burch bag // Revlon matte lipstick

This simple H&M dress has been on major repeat lately because it is cozy and chic. It looks great with a big blanket scarf during the day and a sparkly statement necklace at night. Also, since I paired it with neutral suede booties, it is fun to add fun pops of color with an emerald green bag and purple lip. Maybe winter isn't so gray after all. 

Stay tuned for holiday outfit inspiration soon!

xo, Annabeth

A Trip to the Orchard

Location: Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch in Champaign, IL

Shop this look: Forever 21 sweater // Felt hat (similar) // Zara jeans

Louis Vuitton bag // Tom's wedge booties // Kendra Scott earrings

There is nothing more quintessentially fall than a trip to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch! The Curtis Orchard is right around the corner from the University of Illinois, so I have gone every year as a student. It always gets me into the spirit of the season when I enjoy their hot apple cider and apple doughnuts while searching for that perfect pumpkin. I think the pumpkins inspired this look — I'm loving this festive burnt orange sweater from Forever 21. It is actually a crewneck, but is loose enough to wear off the shoulder. This look will definitely be on repeat all season long.

What is your favorite fall look?

xo, Annabeth

Off-shoulder in October

Shop this look: H&M off-shoulder top // Joe's Jeans skinny jeans // Kendra Scott necklace

Kendra Scott earrings // Tory Burch tote // Franco Sarto flats

Happy fall everyone! I am so happy that the weather is finally cooling off and I can start rocking my favorite seasonal trends — like this off-shoulder top. For a list of the styles I can't live without, read my fall fashion guide in The Daily Illini. Another trend I love that I didn't mention in the article is cropped jeans that are ripped on the bottom. It is a subtle but stylish trend. Since they are cropped, they end at just the right length for a short person like myself and I don't have to worry about getting them hemmed like most of my other jeans. I especially love this dark-rinse style from Joe's Jeans. Get them now while they are on sale!

In other news, I got to go home this past weekend and see my sister before her homecoming dance. Is she stunning or what? 

Shop this look: Fringe dress (similar here) // TOMS wedge booties 

Get ready for more fall fashion inspiration on the blog soon!

xo, Annabeth

Friday Faves: Fall Edition

Friday Faves 9/16 by annabeth2 featuring vanilla candles

It's finally the best day of the week — Friday!!! I am so ready for a relaxing weekend after a busy week of classes, work and sorority recruitment. One of my favorite weekend pastimes is shopping, whether it be at the mall or online, so I've decided to start "Friday Faves" to highlight sales, trends and specific styles on my radar. Right now, I am loving darker florals to transition into fall fashion, like the H&M dress shown above. I recently ordered it online (for under $50 I might add) along with the olive green off-shoulder top. The off-shoulder style was one of my favorite spring/summer trends so I am excited to see that it is continuing into the colder season. I also cannot rave enough about this gold Kendra Scott necklace. You can wear it long or tie into a choker, but either way, it makes a statement with any outfit. And anyone who knows me is aware of my obsession with deep reds and purples in the fall. These rich hues never go out of style. Click the images to shop and stay tuned to see how I style some of these items. 

What's on your wishlist?

xo, Annabeth

Until Next Time, New York

 Location: East Village, NYC

Shop this look: Nordstrom blazer (similar) // Navy tank // Gap patterned shorts

Via Spiga sandals // Tan purse (from Italy, similar here)

As I write this post from my philosophy class in a building surrounded by cornfields at the University of Illinois,  I can't help but miss my neighborhood in the East Village this summer (and the Insta-worthy stairs of nearby townhouses, of course). In New York, you can never run out of fun things to do, between the shopping, restaurants, college bars and more. I especially loved discovering vintage clothing stores, going to free concerts and festivals in the parks and trying Afghan and Indian food for the first time. Since I worked every day 9 to 5, I would explore the city at night after my shift. I love this outfit because it was a stress-free style to quickly change into after work. The blazer from work gave the outfit polish, while patterned shorts made it a more casual, fun night look. I think this is a great outfit for the first few weeks of school as well. 

Be on the lookout for back-to-school and fall fashion posts soon!!

xo, Annabeth