Trendy Shoes for Less

Some Tricks of the Trade From Me to You

For months I've been dying to get my hands on a pair of Sam Edelman Petty Boots. They're so perfect, such a great staple for Fall with some black skinny jeans.

After shopping around, I found some boots that are pretty much the exact same from American Eagle on sale for $70.

 (who would've thought?!)

So, like I said in a previous post, Birkenstocks are back in style, hot and heavy. However, they are still shoes that I consider to be a trend-piece, meaning that they won't be in style for long.

Why spend $130 for a pair of shoes that you'll have no use for next year when American Eagle has some identical sandals (although in a much better color, in my opinion) for $35?!

I have been relentlessly searching for some ultra-seventies-style campus boots in the past few weeks.

I briefly contemplated the Frye boots before I searched around Etsy for an actual vintage pair that's the exact same style and color with the exact same stitching pattern for TWENTY DOLLARS. This is not a drill, people.

Yes, they're a bit worn, but I like boots to look that way.

$348 or $20? It's simple.

Target notoriously has knock-off Steve Maddens and Jeffery Campbells, but like I said earlier, both of these boots are more of a trend than a classic staple in someone's wardrobe.

I actually own the Target combat boots and I love them. I've compared them to the Steve Madden Troopas, and they're literally the exact same.

As for these, I actually like the higher heel and gold buckles on the Target shoes a lot better.

Although the heel isn't that great woodgrain, I think these H&M shoes are a good Jeffrey Campbell imitation. The heel isn't as high, so they're a bit more subtle if you're not as daring as the Lita.

In the realm of designer shoes, Steve Madden actually redesigns styles from a lot of luxury brands like Louboutin, but I'd rather not buy a pair of shoes that cost about what my car's worth, so if I'm inkling to drop some dough on a flashy pair of stiletto platform pumps, I'll definitely look to Steve Madden.

Style Inspiration: The Craft

What better way to kick off this Halloween than with some witchy style inspiration from the nineties? It's no secret that nineties styles of celebrities like Winona Ryder and Drew Barrymore and cult movies such as Clueless, Reality Bites, and Pulp Fiction have taken over the runways and racks at Urban Outfitters. Dresses and shoes that were once found in thrift stores for fifty cents are now being sold on Etsy for eighty bucks. (vintage means more than twenty years old, right?!)

While "soft grunge" isn't usually my thing, I can appreciate a lot of nineties looks, namely the "90s does 70s" era of Dazed & Confused and Boogie Nights. I love the revival of slouchy silhouettes, clogs, biker jackets, Birkenstocks, and combat boots. 

P.S. The Craft played at the Alabama Theatre this week. Did y'all go see it?

My friends and I did!

Bathroom selfie in my witchy ensemble:

Panama hat: Urban Outfitters

"Stevie" fringe kimono shawl: Urban Outfitters

Copper Galloon Lace Halter Bra: Free People (not pictured)

Heathered black t-shirt: Free People

Arrowstack Necklace: Madewell

Rings: Old Navy, rue21, Birchbox, Urban Outfitters

Black Boy Shorts: Madewell (not pictured)

Black wooden platform clogs/mules: Woodies by Jeffrey Campbell (not pictured)

And even though I was wearing pretty normal clothes for me, I won second place in the witch costume contest, and got this lovely screen-printed canvas tote bag from Yellowhammer Creative!

#TheSupreme

Let's continue...

A few things I love about the women of The Craft's styles are their gravitation toward black-on-black and their ample amount of jewelry.

Long black dresses and leather biker jackets are a must

Plaid pleated skirts, menswear collared shirts and ties, suspenders, Mary Janes, thigh-highs and blazers were a nineties staple of "alternative" school-girl punk.

Accessories include long crucifix rosaries, combat boots, spiked chokers, and leather mini backpacks

 

Dark eyeliner and vampy lips set this look off.

You obviously can't perform incantations with your witchy sisters without mixing patterns and textures in your outfits first.

Black sweaters, long skirts, sheer tops, and chunky heels

Lots of mixtures between masculine and feminine styles here as well

Black lace is essential for a complete goth look.

Breakout star, Fairuza Balk as Nancy Downs, inspired a generation of girls with her vinyl trench, wild hair, and rose-colored shades

Lately (again)...

So I'm working on a huge post about my trip to San Francisco, but I've been feeling really neglectful of my beloved blog, so here's a bit of stuff I've been up to here lately to entice you...

Been super busy at work, but I managed to get a pic of my accessories:

Free People necklace (a gift from my hunny)

Forever 21 turquoise ring

Rue 21 braided gold midi ring

So obsessed with these shoes I just bought on eBay. 

First off, Jeffrey Campbell's for fifty bucks?! Don't mind if I do!

Second, these are from his Woodies line, and they're not in production anymore, although I am still obsessed with wooden clogs, haha.

I saw them in San Francisco at a vintage boutique called Wasteland on Haight Street (my favorite from the trip), and they were $55 but were really beat up.  You might not be able to tell from this picture, but these seem really new, so I feel like I got a good deal.

What would be a return to Alabama without some fried chicken?

This plate of beauty and deliciousness is from Five in Birmingham.

I missed my sweet baby so much!!! I took the photo on the right because I was so proud of her for sleeping in her own bed the other night. Proud mama.

My Birchbox this month! 

This is probably my favorite box so far, because it's full of stuff I already use a lot.

Dry shampoo, BB cream, and cream, a chamomile facial mask (OMG YAAAS) and bronzer

Also pictured: my new laptop case!

Hunter and I got Paramount before we left. I got a pimento cheese burger with arugula

Hunter surprised me by putting together my bar-cart from Ikea! It looks so cute in my kitchen and provides a little more space when I have guests for dinner/drinks.