Green, Gold & Coral

This outfit sort of fell into my lap today. I had never thought much of doing a coral/green combination but I think it turned out looking great. I had originally pulled a different tank out of my closet that had green accents on the buttons (I'm so matchy-matchy all the time, I'm trying to loosen up with my colors), but this one fell off its hanger at the same time. I went to put it back and had a total light bulb moment.

The gold on the top matched the gold on my shoes and belt, and the design on the tank was just enough to keep up with the loud bright green pants.

Just a super fun and super easy outfit. It was great for the warmer weather we have been having.

Pants: Old Navy Rockstar Skinny Jeans (buy here, similar, similar)
Tank: H&M, but its the type of tank you can walk into any Forever 21 or similar store and find a simple variation of, the main point being the gold and coral accents
Shoes: Target (buy here)

3 things that are great

1. Fashion in Charity
ssekodesigns.com

These super cute sandals that support a great cause! "Sseko Designs is a sandal company based in Uganda. We make beautiful leather sandals with interchangeable fabric straps that can be styled in hundreds of ways." The profits go to allowing the women who make the sandals to continue at university. It's really a great cause and the sandals are super cute.
On the website, they have about a hundred videos with how-to's on tying the sandals straps in about a hundred different ways.

2. Fashion Online

My sister-in-law, the beautiful Lindsey Wynans, turned me onto this and think its pretty great for people who are constantly busy, or maybe aren't too great at finding the right types of clothes for their style and whatnot.
Basically, you sign up, fill out a thorough survey about your sizes/what kind of clothes you typically wear and then they send you clothes!
Each month, they send you five pieces of clothing/jewelry and you keep what you like and send back what you don't.
Sounds great, right? Right!
They charge you $20 automatically, but if you keep any of it, they deduct the $20 from the price. Most of their items are between $50-$75, which is a little pricey for college students such as myself, but if you've got some extra money each month, it couldn't hurt.

3. Fashion On Your Phone
 TrendStop (TrendTracker App)

This is a great app that is fun to check out every once in a while. The free version of it gives you access to only some of the trend details and others are only available in the premium version, but I don't see that it is necessary to buy it.
It also gives a lot of interesting fashion news.
Basically that's it.
I just really enjoy it.
Also check out the Stylish Girl App. It's basically an a closet in your pocket. It was featured at Fashion Week and all kinds of other stuff.

Chino shorts, y'all

So this might seem kind of obvious to certain people, but just feel the need to talk about how great chino shorts are.

1. They are just super cute.

2. The cut is flattering on just about everyone.

3. They come in all kinds of patterns and colors.

4. They're not super skanky, always a good, modest length.

4. They can be dressed up. (On a summer night out in the South, sometimes pants just are not gonna work out. Wear dark colored chinos with a nice top and heels! Your legs will look super long and hot.)

5. They can be dressed down. (They go great over a bathing suit! and are super comfy for walking around the mall.)

I was in Target yesterday and they had some super cute (not expensive) chino shorts! (Target chinos) Obviously, J. Crew (J. Crew chinos) has the best chino shorts, but let's face it, ain't nobody got da money for dat. Except for, you know, the people who do (i.e. not me).
Not to mention, if you're looking to really splurge on some high quality shorts, Anthropologie has some in really cute colors. Unfortunately, I cannot find them online. Happy searching.

Celebrity Style Inspiration

Starting now, I plan on posting about a celebrity whose style I appreciate every month or so. For this first one, the choice was pretty obvious. The lady of the hour, in more ways than one, is the beautiful, hilarious, incredibly fashionable, Jennifer Lawrence!

I mean, c'mon, she's freaking awesome.

As for the style side of things, I really appreciate how she is always dressed appropriately for the situation. She can go casual while she's hanging out with some friends.

In this situation, there is no pressure to over-dress or look professional. So the maxi dress and chambray shirt are perfect. It's casual, but cute and perfectly shows off her bohemian-type personal style.

In more official, public situation (like leaving the airport/hotel/wherever for an event), she pulls off casual chic flawlessly.

This outfit is so classic with the black blazer and fitted pants. Not to mention those great heels she has paired it with, chunky but chic at the same time.

At an event that calls for more reserved fashion then, say, the SAG Awards, she is perfect at knowing how far to go with her outfits.
Whether it is more dressy or not, she always looks fantastic and appropriate for the occasion. I wish I could say the same about myself.
BUT she is definitely never, ever under-dressed. It's so easy to under-dress, and one of the things that I love about J-Law is that she does not fall into this trap.

And let's be honest, who wasn't LOVING her dress at the Oscar's? I don't even care that she tripped or that she was drunk during her winners' interview. That dress was perfect for her, and the skirt was amazing. I still can't get over it.

Also, she is just about the funniest celebrity out there today.

Pretty in Pastel

As the bluebonnets begin to appear all over Texas and Spring begins again, I'm really digging the pastel colors.

It's just that time of the year, you know? For fun, flirty clothes that make a girl feel pretty, such as the gorgeous Kendra Scott jewelry here:



Looking for something cheaper than Kendra Scott? Me too... Check out these awesome etsy finds!
Bauble Necklace, Teardrop Necklace, Statement Necklace

Jewelry is great and all, but what about the clothes, man?!

Well, in my spare time, I took a turn around a couple of awesome online stores, and found some great pastels that I really wish I had the money to buy right now.

Forever 21 is doing some super cool stuff with pastels by adding a more grunge look to them (my favorite!) such as these pants and this sweater

 

The sweater is such a pretty color, but the cutouts on the sleeves give it an certain edge. It also comes in a the color of now, mint. The pants are just super fun. I don't really think I could pull them off, but if I could, I would totally rock it.

 

 

After that you should check out the yellow sperry topsiders at jcrew.com, they are a great pop of color to go with more reserved outfits.

 





Spring, for me, is all about having fun with your clothes. It is cool enough outside to layer with a cardigan, but warm enough to dress it down if you want. Don't be afraid to try new colors or patterns. Just go for it!

Alyssa Has Style?

Maybe, maybe not.

I just like clothes. I think they are great. They give us the ability to express our personality, individuality, creativity and all those wonderful things (Yes, I'm looking at you Cypress Christian School!).

The inspiration for the title, Scarlet&Purple, comes from Proverbs 31. When describing a Godly woman, the Psalmist says in verse 22 "her clothing is fine linen and purple" and in verse 21 "all her household are clothed in scarlet". Thus, purple and scarlet.


Going into a blog, I think it's important that readers know where the blogger is coming from in relation to the subject of the blog. In this case, fashion. 

If I had to define my typical look, which I hate to do (style doesn't fit into a box), I would say it's a girly-grungy-casual-glam mess. I like to pair pearls with my leather jacket and a baby blue top with combat boots. I'm basically a total rebel. I just wear what ever feels good that day and rarely actually plan my outfits (which is why it is not unusual to catch me in jeans and a t-shirt when I'm running late). It's as if my style has multiple personality disorder.

And that's how I like it.

On top of that, I am a broke college student which seriously limits my shopping abilities. So to clarify something, this is not a couture/designer fashion blog (although I do love couture and designer clothes). This is a low-budget show, people. Bargain hunting is what I am all about. Target and Forever 21 are my go to stores.

I admit, there is the occasional splurge (like that Kate Spade skirt that I got on sale the other day. Sale does not mean cheap.) 

Overall though, I keep it simple and I work with what I have. Therefore, this blog will focus a lot on day to day fashion and what people are wearing around campus. 

Hope you enjoy it.