Save or Splurge: Bow Loafers

One of my favorite designers is Kate Spade! The brand is so cute and quirky. Think bows, bows, and more bows... and a lot of color! It has me written all over it. Isn't this pair of Kate Spade New York Almond Toe Bow Loafers adorable? I love it but my wallet certainly doesn't. Because I can't afford it, I always have my eyes peeled for similar style products that fall within my budget.

Then, I saw these lovely Simply Vera Wang Tuxedo Bow Loafers at Kohl's! The plum suede gives it a luxe look without breaking the bank. Problem solved!

DIY Minnie Mouse Costume for Dogs

DIY Minnie Mouse Costume for Dogs by theclosetbychristie

It's almost Halloween and if you're like me, you're wondering what your dog is going to be. Whether you are dressing your child, pet, or yourself- costumes are so expensive these days! Why not DIY using a few items from your local craft store or your own closet?

Last year, my dog Paisley was Minnie Mouse and I proudly DIY'ed her costume! Here's our DIY Guide for a Minnie Mouse Dog Costume!

What You'll Need:

- Black Felt

- 2 Red Bows

- 2 Metal Clips

- a Hot Glue Gun

- Scissors

- White Crayon or Silver Sharpie

Quick Tip: I bought all of the above mentioned items from my local Michael's craft store and likely cost under $10. They often have great coupons listed on their website. Check out their Deal's Page for coupons- among them is a 50% off any one item coupon!

Create mouse ear clips in just 4 easy steps!

1- Use your white or silver marker to draw a small circle. The size of the circle will vary based on the size of your dog.

2- Fold the felt sheet in half and cut along the line you stenciled. When you're finished, you'll have two identical felt circles!

3- Hot glue a red bow on the front of each felt circle, towards the bottom.

4- Once dry, hot glue a metal clip on the back of each felt circle. This should be placed exactly behind the red bow.

Now that the ears are complete, you're probably wondering about the skirt. I bought this adorable Minnie Mouse tutu at Petsmart last year. I waited until just a few days before Halloween to get it and they had already marked it down to $4! Here's a cute alternative for just $5 on Etsy- Red Dog Tutu.

And... voila!

 

Friday Favorites

House of Harlow Teepee Triangle Ring // Tom Ford 'Bruised Plum' Lipstick
 Kate Spade 'Nice Girl' iPhone 5 Case // Feather Masquerade Halloween Mask  (similar)
Jennifer Lopez Faux Fur Throw

1- House of Harlow Jewelry: I'm obsessed with Nicole Richie's 'House of Harlow' jewelry line! It's so boho-chic and has a unique quality. When I see one of these pieces, I immediately recognize the style. It's a little expensive for costume jewelry, but I found a way around that- Rocksbox! I just signed up for this service because I saw that they lend out House of Harlow jewelry. I hope I get a piece in my first box!

2- 'Lorde' Plum Lipstick: Lorde is the epitome of too cool for school. She's flawlessly unique and I love how she embraces that. She also has her own style! It's hard to say for sure but seemingly soon after Lorde started rocking deep purple lipstick, it caught on like wildfire.

3- Kate Spade 'Nice Girl' iPhone 5 Case: As you all know, I'm totally in love with anything Kate Spade. The brand is so cute and quirky! My current iPhone 4 is wearing a black and white polka dot Kate Spade case, but I have been in need of a major phone makeover. I want to upgrade! I'm currently debating which iPhone I should upgrade to; 5S or 6? I think this case is tipping me in favor of the 5S!

4- Feather Masquerade Halloween Mask: About a month ago, I bought a gorgeous hot pink and black feather masquerade mask from Michael's. It was so pretty that I just had to have it! I'm so excited to wear it for Halloween, but I'm not sure what to be. Any ideas?

5- Jennifer Lopez Faux Fur Throw: I am 100% absolutely positively in love with this throw! It's also my dog Paisley's favorite blanket. I bought it on impulse last year while holiday shopping in Kohl's. I loved it so much that I rushed back to get it as a gift, but they were sold out! I'm thrilled to see they have it in stock, again. It will make the perfect gift this holiday season; for yourself and your loved ones! (to my family: forget you read this)

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1. Grab a Button- 
or link back to The Closet by Christie to help promote this fabulous link-up

2. Link-Up!

Friday Favorites is all about sharing and promoting your favorite things! Whether it's an outfit post, a round-up of new obsessions, or a new DIY project- I want to hear about it. Every Friday I'll post my current favorites and you can link-up to share yours!

3. Socialize!

Check out some of the other fabulous bloggers linking-up with us and let them know you found them here!

An InLinkz Link-up

Make a Statement with 5 Bauble-Inspired Costumes

5 Bauble-Inspired Costumes by theclosetbychristie 

It's almost Halloween and if you're like me, you're still scrambling to come up with a costume. The goal is to pick something classy, fashionable, and unique. I've found that the key to creating a fashionable costume is the baubles! I prefer to DIY using items from my closet or items from the store that I'll likely wear again. I was able to find 5 pieces from Baublebar that will really add some style and glam to your costume!

1- Ice Queen: Crystal Cascade Bib

2- Indian Princess: Polynesia Drops

3- Flapper: Snake Chain Tassel Necklace

4- Cleopatra: Threaded Jurassic Collar

5- Peacock: Emerald Agave Amulet

Are you going to pair statement baubles with your Halloween costume this year?

How-To DIY This Halloween: Top 3 Tips & Rosie the Riveter

DIY Halloween: Rosie the Riveter by theclosetbychristie

What are you being for Halloween this year? It's always a challenge to come up with something new and original. I prefer a DIY costume because the party store costumes tend to be cheesy and overpriced- AND I like to be unique! How can you create a look from your closet while clearly in costume?

Here's my Top 3 DIY Costume Tips:

1- Statement Pieces: Be sure to include your best statement pieces, whether it be a bold necklace or a sassy pair of leather shorts. The options are endless!

2- Costume Accessories: Don't hesitate to spend a little bit on accessories that you don't already own. A tutu, feather mask, or cat ear headband can go a long way! Then you can re-style your accessories year after year to create a new costume or a different take on your original costume.

3- Style Differently: Try to see your clothing in a new light! The best way to be someone else is to style your pieces in a way that you wouldn't normally. Let your guard down and have fun!

Between the He for She and Ban Bossy campaigns and Emma Watson's infamous speech to the UN,  I thought it would be great timing for a femme Rosie the Riveter costume! The idea was inspired by this gorgeous photo of model Alessandra Ambrosio. It can likely be created using pieces from your closet!

GET THE LOOK: Modcloth Rustic, Scholastic Chambray Top // H&M Imitation Leather Shorts

Modcloth Through the Wire Headband // Jessica Simpson Claudette Lipstick Suede Heels

ASOS Creole Ridge Hoop Earrings // Lancome Bare-Lip Sensation Lipstick

Fabulously Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

1- H&M Soft Bear Slippers // 2- H&M Wool Blend Coat // 3- H&M Quilted Skirt 

4- Essie 'Spin the Bottle' Nail Polish // 5- ALDO Hendon Clutch // 6- NARS 'Striptease' Lip Gloss 

7- Topshop Lace Collar Top // 8- ASOS Loose Change Ballet Flats 

9- River Island Satin Box Pleat Midi Skirt // 10- H&M Biker Jacket

It's October- which also means it's Breast Cancer Awareness month! It seems like everyone is painting the town pink to raise awareness for this incredible cause. This even includes bloggers! My friend Amy, of Amy's Fashion Blog, leads the Blogging for Breast Cancer campaign. She has been wearing pink all month in honor of breast cancer awareness! I really think everyone coming together for a cause is a beautiful thing, so I just had to join in.

So- here's my 10 Ways to be Fabulously Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness list! 

Friday Favorites Link-Up

Friday Favorites- 10/10 by theclosetbychristie 

1- bareMinerals: I'm loving this make-up right now! After mooching off my sister for a few weeks, I decided to head out to Ulta to get my own. I got the Up Close & Beautiful starter kit, which is actually a fabulous value. It came with primer, two powder foundations (original and matte), a powder veil, bronzer, and a make-up brush. Plus, it happened to come with a free gift- a hot pink case with make-up samples!

2- Nude Tights: I love getting dolled up for work! I always wear skirts and dresses, which means I go through a ton of stockings! I love them because it covers any flaws I may have on my legs, but they don't last long. If you're lucky, you might get 2 or 3 wears out of them before they begin to stretch or rip. Then I discovered nude opaque tights! Why haven't I thought of this before? It has a longer lifespan AND it's super soft and comfortable. I have been buying the no nonsense brand at my local grocery store, but these J.Crew Factory opaque tights look pretty amazing!

3- Ben & Jerry's Cheesecake Brownie: Anyone who knows me knows that I love ice cream! I've been getting the Ben & Jerry's pints so I can sample new flavors. I have fallen in love with the cheesecake brownie flavor! Yum!

4- Python Flats: I'm obsessed with these python pointed-toe flats! The silhouette of a pointed-toe flat is classic and beautiful. The python adds a lovely texture to it. This pair of Seychelles flats from Nordstrom Rack gives you that amazing luxe effect without breaking the bank. Only $35!

5- Unique Spiral Earrings: It's so fun to find a unique piece that just makes you say 'wow.' These earrings are exactly that! I love the accessory store Ten Thousand Villages because the pieces are unique and handmade in villages around the world. A portion of the revenue goes back to these communities to help them flourish. It's a great cause and these spiral earrings, made in India, are so cool! I love that the hook appears to be part of the swirl.

What's trending in your life right now?

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1. Follow Me, Your Host!

Bloglovin'

Instagram

Twitter

2. Grab a Button- 
or link back to The Closet by Christie to help promote this fabulous link-up

3. Link-Up!

Friday Favorites is all about sharing and promoting your favorite things! Whether it's an outfit post, a round-up of new obsessions, or a new DIY project- I want to hear about it. Every Friday I'll post my current favorites and you can link-up to share yours!

4. Socialize!

Check out some of the other fabulous bloggers linking-up with us and let them know you found them here!

An InLinkz Link-up

Long Live Floral! Dark Florals for Winter

Inspired by Midnight Garden: Abercrombie & Fitch Contest Entry by theclosetbychristie

Floral is one of the most classic prints. No matter what year, what season- you can almost bet that it'll be 'in.' It just never goes out of style! We have even found a way to incorporate our beloved florals into our year-round wardrobe. How? Well dark florals, of course! It really is amazing how much the color palette effects the overall look.

Abercrombie & Fitch has a lovely new line called 'Midnight Garden' that is centered around this concept. And it's on sale right now!

Back to the Basics: Simplicity at the Office

Simplicity at the Office by theclosetbychristie

It's easy to get carried away with fashion! There are so many fun trends and it's always evolving and changing. When we see the new looks and styles going down the runway, it's tempting to run out and buy them all! But the truth is, every woman needs to have the basics in her closet. And more often than not, a simpler silhouette made up of basics creates a fabulously chic look.

So today, we're going back to the basics!

THE LOOK: The Original Long-Sleeve Essential Shirt, Express  

Red Houndstooth High Waist Pencil Skirt, Express // Merona Natasha Mid-Heel Pump, Target

Bar Accent Envelope Clutch, Express // Movado Bold Luxe Chronograph (c/o Movado)

Gold Curb Chain Status Link Necklace, Express (similar) // Pave Leopard Dome Ring, Express

Basics, in fashion, are essential. One of my favorite quotes is: "simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication." It's so true but easy to forget!

When you have plenty of basics in your closet, it's easy to mix and match. Each of these pieces can be styled about a million different ways and would go with almost anything. So ladies, channel your creativity and these pieces will transform your style so it looks like you're wearing a new outfit everyday... without breaking the bank! 

Bonus Tip: Don't forget to look for quality when shopping for your basics. It will really make your dollar go the extra mile!

Linking-up with Pumps and Push Ups, Feel Great Fashion, and The Pleated Poppy!