Yes, it's Fashion Friday!

  I have a strong affinity for fashion and can appreciate a well-styled person.  I try to stay in touch with the trends but, I am no longer a slave to them.  I can remember a time when I worked three jobs and had a side gig to try to keep up with the fashion scene while living in Chicago.  After moving from there to a smaller city,  I noticed I became a little more relaxed and instead of dressing for the runway, I now throw on whatever is comfortable to go to the grocery store.  I have become so relaxed since moving that some of my sister friends (friends that you consider sisters because of your closeness) have occasionally lightheartedly teased me.  They actually one by one started venting about it once, it was so hilarious because they called my attention to some things that I hadn't even noticed and they looked as if they were laughing on the outside but seriously contemplating calling the fashion police on the inside.

  If you could see me now at the grocery store compared to then in stilettos at the grocery store, you'd be amazed.  My aunts used to call me Glamourama and Barbie--I have come a long way.  For example, I never owned flats while living in Chicago, I only wore heels and sneakers were definitely reserved for the gym.  Now I rock ballet flats almost everyday and I am comfortable.  However, I still have a passion for fashion but now I wear what I like and not just because it's in.  I dictate what's hot and what's not and that's determined by my lifestyle and right now the look for me is comfortable, yet chic ;)

  To keep up with the trends every season you can go to the websites of some of my favorite trendsetting designers like Gucci, BCBG Max Azria, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Michael Kors, Prada, Balenciaga, and etc. If you are inspired by a look, you can always duplicate the look without breaking the bank by shopping around at stores like Marshall's, Filene's Basement, H&M, Forever 21, Express, Banana Republic, Nine West, DSW shoe warehouse, but then you probably already knew that because you wouldn't be reading this article if you didn't have some kind of passion for fashion.  What is your fashion testimony?

Here are a couple of style inspirations from Gucci:

Thankfully, leggings haven't gone out of style because I like pairing them with mini dresses, and long tees.

To get the first look you will have to spend over $5,000. The ankle boots alone are $990.00 and for the second look around $4,000.

You can find cute mini dresses at your favorite clothing store.  Express has a nice selection and a nice sale going on right now.

 I found the dress below at express.com for $29.50 and if you buy one you will get the second one 50% off.    

 I found the belt below at forever21.com for only $8.80,  the leggings at forever21.com for $4.50, the ankle boots at ninewest.com for $119.00, and the metal cuff at forever21.com for $3.80.  The total cost of the look is about $165.00.  

  I prefer the closed toe ankle boots, for some reason I can't fathom wearing an opened toe boot. Even though they are popular this fall paired with tights, I haven't been able to get into this trend.  Opened toe boots--What is that?  Isn't that an oxymoron?  I am just kidding, I've already spotted some that I liked on dsw.com.  I would also find a black cuff for the look below, I prefer that look better but this is just to give you an idea, I hope you find it helpful and inspiring.