shrug sweaters-what could be more comfy??

As I'm sure you all know, shrug sweaters are back in style this fall/winter! If you have no idea what I am talking about, take a trip to a place like the mall and any oversized sweaters you see girls wearing demonstrates this fall look. Though it is a fall must have, here are a few tips to pulling off this look the best way possible(and not look like you just rolled out of bed)!

• The sweater-yes it may be the main part of this entourage, but even it has some guidelines to follow. When getting that oversized sweater, go for a more neutral tone. Not only will you be able to put almost any color with it, you won't look "overwhelmed" after you put on the accessories.
• The pants-shrug sweaters, or oversized sweaters, look best with skinny leg jeans/pants. Skinny legs show off your curves and balances out the lack of curves showing from your sweater. Because we are going with a neutral tone for the sweater, you can wear those coveted colored pants to give it some pop and fall fun...just don't go too crazy! I try and stay away from skinny jeans that have print on them-not everyone can pull them off and they restrict what you can and cannot wear with them.
• The accessories-go for a printed scarf and bold monotone jewelry! The accessories are where we are having fun and making this outfit fall ready.Find a scarf that has pops of the pant color in it, along with other colors that compliment it as well. I reccomend the scarf be the "infinity shape" due to its bulky and unshapely form, but if all you have is a regular scarf that works too! From that scarf, pick out two other colors that appear(if it only has two colors total, then pick the color opposite that of the pant) and these will be the colors you play around with for your jewelry and your bag. Do not pick out a printed bag to go with this look...go with a monotone bag. For the jewelry, keep it simple...go for jewelry that has the same shapes as the scarf(remember-all you need for this is earrings and bangles, no necklace is needed).
• The shoes-definitely wear boots. Finding knee high boots this year won't be difficult and they can be worn many many times, all while creating totally different looks. If you don't have a pair of boots, but are planning on getting some, I reccommend getting ones that comfortably hug the calf...any bigger and you can't wear them under bootcut or flare jeans and any tighter and you can't tuck in your skinny leg jeans. Brown or black boots-get whichever pair will match more of what you already have. There's no need in buying brown if you only have stuff that will match black(be smart and sensible about it).

Overall, if you keep to a neutral sweater, colored pant, printed scarf, accenting accessories, and neutral boots, you will be able to pull off this fall/winter trend. Use the template "shrug sweater love" to assist you on your shopping trip if you want to go out and get this look. As always, you don't have to go out and buy the most expensive brands on the market to look good. You can go thrifting and get the same great look for less than half the price!

Your Fashionista,
Justina

shrug sweater love

shrug sweater love by justina-4cute featuring tear drop earrings

Cable knit sweater
$130 - coggles.com

Slim jeans
$105 - witchery.com.au

Qupid boots
amazon.com

Steve Madden pencil bag
stevemadden.com

Kenneth Jay Lane tear drop earrings
mytheresa.com

Mimco bracelets jewelry
$72 - mimco.com.au

Clinch silk shawl
$150 - zenggi.com

feeling beautiful...inside and out

I was at a make up party this past week and was getting all pampered, trying out new looks, figuring out just what type of make up suits me best, etc...and I realized every time I finished out doing part of the process, the consultant said, "wow! that really looks great on you!" or "this really makes you look beautiful!" and I felt amazing on the inside and out. Now, yes, I know that what they say is part of their "job", but it felt good just to have that reassurance that was I was putting on made me look and feel beautiful. Everyone needs an extra boost of self-confidence and esteem, no matter how good they feel about themselves.

When I say I want girls to feel good about their bodies and love what God gave them, I don't mean just your curves. I mean all your facial features, personality, character, and whatever else you might personally be struggling with right now. "Beauty is within the eye of the beholder"...and how true that is. If you cannot fully love yourself, then how beautiful do you think you are going to feel and look and appear to someone else, friend or stranger? Before you can start becomig beautiful on the outside, you have to be and feel beautiful on the inside. The beauty on the inside will reflect the beauty on the outside. No one will be able to slow you down or kill that self-confidence and esteem and beauty that you have gained...it really will take you far in life.

That being said......stay pure and beautiful inside and out, find that inner beauty, confidence, and esteem, and then let the world know about it! It's time for you to feel beautiful and love being you, not some celebrity the world wants you to be!! Go be beautiful and confident girls!!!

Your Fashionista,
Justina

P.S....remember you don't always have to wear make up-when you really feel beautiful, make up will just be an accessory that helps show the world how beautiful you feel; make up will never make you look beautiful by itself!

your haunted house date night

My best friend called me up the other night and said she had a date night with her "future husband" coming up in a couple days and needs an entirely new outfit to wear. They are going to the haunted house/park in St. Louis, but she didn't want to wear jeans...she wants to wear a dress and leggings with boots. So here it is-the haunted house date night dress with leggings and boots.

Now for why I picked what I picked. The dress is one of the in colors for the fall. I love how the belt hits just a little above the waist which is super flattering, and then it flows out from there. The leggings, even though they are blue, provide that pop of color that draws attention to you, but its not so bright and obnoxious that it takes away from the entirety of the outfit. Boots-perfect for putting on many layers of socks or leg warmers with to stay a little warmer! And yes...the boots and belt do match :) As for the bag, I recommend doing one that goes over the shoulder. Not only does it allow you to keep your hands free, gotta be able to hold your date's hand, but it's not behind you either so no one can steal anything! The cream color tones down and makes the outfit a little more fall oriented instead of summer looking. You can easily add a blue jean jacket and a scarf to really keep warm.

It may be great for a date, but it would be great for a fall photo shoot as well! Dress up, but be comfortable this fall...and stay warm, too!!

Your Fashionista,
Justina

P.S.......I know the prices and companies of each piece I choose shows up below the picture, but please please please please don't go out and buy it is outrageously priced! Remember...you can create an outfit that is really similar to the one I make as a template for half the price!

haunted house date night

haunted house date night by justina-4cute featuring a cross body shoulder bag

H M flared dress
$24 - hm.com

Legging
carters.com

Short heels
windsorstore.com

Cross body shoulder bag
$28 - debenhams.com

Thrift of the Week

"Thrift of the Week" time!!! This week the thrift comparison is between Charlotte Russe and Plato's Closet. The first outfit pictured is from Charlotte Russe. The pants-$30, shirt-$20, and jacket-$14, for a total of $64. The second pictured outfit is from Plato's Closet. The pants-$10, shirt-$7, and jacket-$8, for a total of $25. Now....I don't know about you, but I would much rather spend $25 to look cute than $64! Even though it is not directly from the retail store, there is no sacrificing of quality to look cuter for cheaper.

When it comes to thrifting at stores like Plato's Closet, make sure you have plenty of time for shopping. I knew what I was looking for so it didn't take me as long to make this outfit, but for those who don't really have a good idea leave a good hour or two for shopping. Why an hour or two? You can't find the good deals if you just skim over the clothes. Take the time to look through them. Skimming doesn't allow you to see the design and shape of the shirt, let alone the shirts that get stuck between two other shirts(who knows...that shirt might be the one you end up buying!).

•  For shirts, I recommend not spending anything more than $ 7-$10...any more than that and you are getting back to retail prices.
• For pants, I wouldn't spend more than $20(this is a little more to right at the average price for your favorite brand of jeans-Maurices, Aero, American Eagle, etc).
• For jackets, I suggest spending a max $15. It may not seem like that leaves a lot of room to work with, but you would be surprised at how many of their jackets are under that max price(example: the jacket I used for this outfit).

Hopefully this gives you a good idea about how much you can still look good and keep with the latest trend, but not break the bank getting there!

Your Fashionista,
Justina

Classy Casual-the Low Down

Here's the first outfit that's up for inspiring you! "Classy Casual" is for those girls night out dates, work outfit, or for that little black dress party that you don't want to wear a LBD for. Both outfits have the same exact shirt, but I wanted to show you how you can get two totally different looks with the same clothing items.

The first outfit is for those who don't particularly want to wear a skirt or dress pants. Dark wash jeans that are bootcut are key in making any look more dressy! Stay away from light wash jeans when going for the classy look. I picked the neclace and shoes to be the statement pieces. When doing two statement pieces, make sure that they coordinate in their looks. Both the necklace and shoes have crystal like beads and have the base color of beige-gold. When picking out the final accessories, go for colors that compliment the statement piece(s). The dark army green compliments the beige-gold, but also tones down the brightness of the red shirt to give it more class. The ring has the gold and beige tones in it, but picks up the circular shapes that are on the shoes and necklace. When doing jeans, you can either pick flats or heels to wear, hence why I included them both. If you choose flats, make sure that they are a statement piece(the ones I picked out are all glitter; if you don't care for glitter, go for ones that have big jewels, flowers, etc on them).

The second outfit is for those of us that love to dress up just a little bit more than normal. The statement piece is now the skirt. If you choose the statement piece to be an article of clothing, that needs to be the only statement piece you are wearing. Accessories need to be your accent pieces that compliment the article of clothing that is making the statement. The necklace I chose has the same tones and shimmer as the skirt. The bracelet and earrings provide the complimentary color to accent the skirt. I went for a more neutral, pearl-like white color for the shoes and clutch so not to override and take away from the statement piece and accenting colored accessories. The clutch is a snake print, completely different from the skirt's print. When putting two prints together, you have to make sure that one print is monotone and does not clash with the loud print already being used. It works in this case because the snake print is so subtle that it doesn't clash with the loud sequins of the skirt.

Now for the thrifty part of all this.....
-You should already have a pair of dark wash jeans or a bold print skirt-$0
-Chances are that the plain colored shirt you wear with the skirt goes perfectly with those jeans-$0
-The shoes you may or may not have, but a good pair of heels/flats won't break the bank-$15
-Accessories: layer a few necklaces to get the skirt outfit look or bring out that one bold necklace for the jean outfit look; one statement piece won't break the bank either(it will change the look of any outfit and make it look completely new)-$7
-A clutch is a great purse to have because it carries the essentials and nothing more, plus it doesn't take up much space! Neutral colored clutches will take you a long way!-$15

Total all of that up and the max that you could possibly spend for both looks is $37! And that is shopping at the regular retail stores...if you decide to go to Goodwill or Plato's Closet you will spend a max of about $25. Two looks for $20 or less each-you can't beat that!!

Your Fashionista,
Justina

classy casual

classy casual by justina-4cute featuring sparkly flats

AllSaints mini skirt
allsaints.com

Rachel Zoe boot cut jeans
$185 - farfetch.com

Party heels
$880 - cricket-fashion.com

BCBG Max Azria sparkly flat
bcbg.com

INC International Concepts flat platform shoes
macys.com

Fold over clutch
glam-net.com

Miu Miu clutch purse
$720 - flannelsfashion.com

Irene Neuwirth teardrop earrings
ylang23.com

Michael Kors chain jewelry
couture.zappos.com

Chan luu jewelry
zappos.com

Isharya mother of pearl jewelry
$130 - austique.co.uk

J Crew neon bracelet
jcrew.com

The start of something new...

And the first blog post is here! I don't want it to sound like the typical "first time blogger," but you get what you get for the first post. So without procrastinating any longer, I'll let you know what my blog will be all about.

My goal for this blog is to provide some tips and tricks to get the latest looks for a lot less...yes that means thrifting! I will post outfits on here to use as guides and inspiration, as well as to demonstrate the tip(s) of the week. I will also post the thrift outfits vs. the name brand outfits to show how easy it is to achieve the "in style" looks.
Feel free to ask questions! I am happy to answer them and blog about it for others to see(you may not be the only one with that question). Also, if you have a specific look that you like, but don't know how to get it, that's what I am here for.

Another part of this is to make the actual shopping experience better as well. Most people hate the process of shopping, don't try anything on, and have a set "look" that they stick to. While that can be good in some aspects, it limits all the other possible clothing styles and looks that would suit your body type as well. Never settle for a set "look" because you don't think you can pull off the other trends, you might be really suprised at how good you will look and feel in something other than what you have on. But, you also have to expand your horizons and try stuff on that you normally wouldn't! The lack of critical aspects self-esteem and confidence are the main causes for these set "looks" that most people get stuck in wearing and cause them to never try anything on. You have to feel good about your body in order to dress it. If you get nothing else out of this blog, I hope that you at least get a higher boost of self-esteem and confidence for the beautiful body that God has blessed you with. "There will never be a more beautiful you!" :)


Your Fashionista,
Justina