make a statement x 5!

A new wardrobe every season can be expensive. But rock these statement-making pieces with your already-in-your-closet fashion staples and voila! You have a whole new look...on the cheap! (our favorite part!) ;)


1st statement: bold necklaces!

You can't go wrong with this season's jewelry. And you don't have to pay a ton for it, either! I'm loving bold, chunky, bib-style necklaces, long, skinny rose gold chains that graze your waist, fun and bright beads, and the new friendship-bracelet inspired jewelry that reminds me of 5th grade when I made "custom" friendship bracelets  for all my friends!

to the left is one of my favorite new necklaces. It's got everything from leather cords to turquoise and coral beads. it's got plenty of fresh personality! Wear this with a white sundress, or dress it down with a white v-neck tee and jean shorts! (necklace, 14.99, Target)


to the right is another one of my current favorites. It's "friendship bracelet" inspired design has braided thread intertwining with a chunky, brushed-gold tone necklace. it adjusts with two leather cords on each end, adorned with beads. the "adjuster" is just as cute as the necklace...for a funky look, position the leather cords on the side instead of the back and show them off! (necklace, $8.90, Forever 21) sorry the picture is not the greatest!






statement #2- Keeping with jewelry, another great current trend is lots of bracelets. Paired together in a funky "mashup", or just one or two paired with a great menswear watch, I'm LOVING bracelets right now -- and oddly, I was never a big bracelet wearer! The key these days is to mix and match! no longer does gold have to go only with gold, or leather cuffs have to be worn only with dressed-down outfits! While I wouldn't wear ALL of these bracelets shown together in real life, mixing more than one style together makes you look fresher and very on trend. :)
(bracelets, from top to bottom: whiskey leather and gold tone bracelet, $20, Target; "jade & pearl" beaded bracelet, [sold in set of 2], $7, JC Penney; sterling silver beaded bracelet, Kohls [gifted]; large rhinestone bracelet in blue-tone, $35, J. Crew; turquoise, silver, & leather bracelet, $9.99, Target)




What goes great over dresses, cardigans, and pencil skirts...but also looks equally great looped into denim shorts and used to accentuate your waist?! statement #3, a braided leather skinny belt! (of course!)

My pick comes from American Eagle ($24) - a good hint is to buy the belt a size or two larger than you actually wear..this works with a braided belt because 1) there's no "holes" for the pin, you can adjust it as loose or as tight as you'd like, and 2) because braided belts look the best looped through and tucked under. Use it to create a waist in a shift-style dress, or as an accessory to break up this season's hot 'color blocking' trend. Skinny belts are in style in general this season...pick up a bright orange or bright pink one as well. But when picking out a leather braided style, stick with a neutral color that goes with everything. You can dress this baby up or dress it down. You'll be wearing it with everything!


statement #4 is something I've been wearing A LOT of since Spring began. If you follow me on twitter or friend me on facebook...chances are you've seen a picture (or two!) of me wearing these. I'm talking hats! I LOVE hats, sports related or otherwise, so i was so excited to see fedora-styles were back and bigger than EVER! I love the straw-fedora for spring. They're in every store these days from Wal-Mart to American Apparel and everywhere in between, so you're sure to find one in a price point you like. And it's not just straw hats - cowboy-inspired straw hats are huge right now, and also big, floppy hats to wear to the beach (so you don't ruin your dye job in the sun!) I think a hat can instantly change your look and definitely makes a fun statement! (hats: top $13, Target; bottom $8, WalMart)



and finally, statement #5 is a bright, bold, coral lip! Even if you shy away from lipstick (I did for the longest time! it's really ok!) you must try this trend. Start by exfoliating  your lips (no more dry, flaky lips!) by mixing sugar and water into a paste, rubbing a large quantity onto your lips, then rinsing off. (or you could use a lip exfoliator by Lush Cosmetics or Mary Kay's "satin lips"). Then line your lips with a nude pencil (the brighter the lipstick, the more tendency to run...not cute). Then apply lipstick from the tube or with a lip brush. Add some clear gloss on top for some slickness and you're done! Just make sure the rest of your makeup stays simple and fresh - no smokey eyes with coral lips please!) *(lipstick, $5; 'Coral Crush' by Maybelline)


Can't wait to share more of my favorite summer trends! (: