Short Story

Blazer: H&M // Top: H&M // Shorts: H&M (this year's similar version) // Necklace: Empire of Eden // Heels: BCBGeneration

If wearing shorts with heels is something you've always shied away from, then maybe it's time to give it a shot. It's all about the pairing, and can actually look very chic and put together. As with most good things in life, this combo is all about balance. Keep the shorts at least around a four or five-inch inseam, and think sophisticated, not bare on top. Adding a blazer makes what could be over the top more grown up sexy than spring breaker. Natural makeup and minimal accessories finish off this on trend, ladylike look. By the way, the heels I'm wearing are almost an exact dupe for the Valentino Rockstuds that would set you back a grand (view here). You could get them in a few colors and make your friends think you got a raise (or won a scratch off).

Love,

The Pricey Pauper

Georgia Sunshine

Dress: Gianni Bini // Heels: BCBGeneration // Clutch: Clare V. // Earrings: Clubbing Girl c/o // Lip color: MAC Red

Bright, sunshine yellow was a huge trend at NYFW, both on street style influencers and on the runway. If you're stuck in a neutral rut, this lemony hue might be your chance to break out of your safety zone. It's surprisingly wearable, even for blondes, and will make a pop alone or paired with variations of other primary colors. Try it with cobalt, cherry red, or charcoal. When in doubt, Google image a color wheel. Generally anything on the opposite hemisphere as the color you're building from will coordinate well.

A pointed toe style with at least a three-inch heel is the freshest way to wear nude pumps, which creates a visually even longer line than the round toe styles that have dominated since the former Kate Middleton's engagement announcement. The key to nude pumps is to try to match your skin tone as closely as possible. I've always kept a summer pair and a winter pair. It doesn't have to be exact, but the closer you can get to a match the more seamless and streamlined your legs will look.

Love,

The Pricey Pauper

Gold Rush

Hiding inside from the cold this weekend? Matt's signature cocktail, the gold rush, will keep you nice and warm. The straws and tall glasses are cute, but truthfully this is more of a slow sipping drink unless you'd like to add some sparkling water or soda to tone it down a notch. It's really good in a short tumbler with a ball of ice and sipped like an old fashioned. Such an easy way to impress guests! You can use any type of bourbon, but because it's a strong drink, if you have a particular preference in brands you'll be able to taste a difference. I ordered the straws from this website.

Matt's Gold Rush for Two:

• 3 tbsp. honey


• 2 tbsp. boiling water (flat)


• 1/2 cup bourbon (1/3 cup for the teetotalers)


• 4 oz. fresh lemon juice (about 1 and 1/2 lemons)

Whisk honey and boiling water together. Pour into a cocktail shaker and add bourbon and lemon juice. Refrigerate for at least half an hour and pour over ice. Add a slice of lemon for garnish. Yield: two servings.

King of Pops

Shirt: J.Crew Factory // Jeans: A Gold E // Bag: Kate Spade // Necklace: H&M // Bracelet: John Wind // Watch: Citizen //

Heels: Sam Edelman (old, similar style) // Lip color: MAC Red

I have to admit that I have a hilarious obsession with King of Pops. If you've ever lived in Atlanta, you'll know what I'm talking about. It doesn't matter what season it is, what I'm doing, whether I just ate one 15 minutes ago, once I see that rainbow umbrella I feel like I have no choice but to get a popsicle. They're literally the most delicious things in the world. Blood orange and banana pudding are my favorite, but I've even tried all the weird ones with basil or ginger in them. Seriously, now I have to go get a popsicle.

I was going to call this post 'Canadian Tuxedo.' All the rules about denim on denim that have been in place since the late 90's or so have been recently lifted. It's cool to wear all denim again, and you get some extra style points for pairing similar washes. Hope everyone is staying warm this week!

Love,

The Pricey Pauper

Fancy

Coat // Earrings // Heels: old, but LOVE these similar ones // Lip color: MAC Red

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day full of love.

Love,

The Pricey Pauper

Queen of Hearts

Dress: Red Dress Boutique // Denim Jacket: H&M // Clutch: Red Dress Boutique (similar here and here) // Heels: old, similar // Sunglasses: Ray-ban // Necklace: Empire of Eden (sold out, but this one is very similar) // Pearl bracelet: Forever 21 // Lip color: MAC Red

I decided to do a series of Valentine's Day date night inspiration posts with increasingly dressier outfits each time. This dress would also be so cute with black tights, boots, and a peacoat or even a moto jacket. I'm always ready to break out my new spring clothes by this time of year, but most of the time it's still too cold to wear just a sleeveless dress or top. I love dresses like this one that incorporate spring prints in a thicker, more durable fabric than the typical warm weather dress. You can wear now with your winter accessories or later with sandals and a lighter topper.

My favorite piece in this outfit is my statement necklace from Empire of Eden. This one happens to be sold out, but they have a huge selection of statement jewelry, including a gorgeous bridal collection for reasonable prices.

Hope everyone is having a great week. Don't forget to let yourself have a little hump day treat. I'm going to try to perfect my Moscow Mule recipe tonight, so I'll try to post sometime soon. Anyone know where to get copper mugs for cheap?

Love,

The Pricey Pauper

Vintage Valentine

Top: Piperlime (on sale!) // Denim: BDG // Heels: BCBG (they come in every color) // Coat: Vintage

I wanted to give everyone some casual-glam Valentine's outfit inspiration a little early. I feel like it's more typical to just go to dinner and a movie or drinks than somewhere that requires a cocktail dress for Valentine's, although I will try to post something a little more dressy next week.

Whatever your plans are, I think it's better to just be comfortable and enjoy your date than to try to do something over the top. I'd love to hear where some of you are planning to go and what you're wearing for your Valentine's dates.

Love,

The Pricey Pauper

Cream of the Crop

Dress: Red Dress Boutique, sold out. Similar dress by Asos // Scarf: Red Dress Boutique // Boot cuffs (similar) // Boot Socks //

Cape: Boston Proper, old. Similar by Nasty Gal // Boots: Frye Melissa button // Watch: MK // Clutch: Social Monograms

**Edit on 3/10/15: I found another link (here) to a cape that's almost identical to the one I'm wearing in this post. I've never ordered from this site, but the prices are so great it's worth a shot.

Happy Monday everyone,

Transitioning into new seasons makes getting dressed tougher on a lot of women. We're sick of our winter clothes, especially in dark colors, but it's not exactly time to break out the cut-offs yet. I think what's so cool about spring is that you can wear new, warmer weather clothes with and underneath your winter gear even before the weather starts to warm up. I hear a lot of people say they still go by the old 'no white before Easter' rule, but it's really time to forget that fashion rule. When you wear white or pastels in traditionally wintery textures, there's no reason you can't go ahead and brighten up your wardrobe. Try layering with a cape or thick cardigan for the perfect transition outfit.

And you can bet I'm wearing Spanx underneath this and any other fitted white dress. If you still don't have a pair, it's time to invest in at least a nude, high-cut brief. Normally I love a good bargain, but this is one area where you're going to want to go for the real thing. Trust me, I've tried both the knock offs and own several pairs of Spanx brand shape wear, and even the Spanx for Target that are slightly cheaper are just a waste of money. I always wonder if I'm revealing too much when discussing undergarments in my posts, but I just don't see any point in doing this if I'm not going to be transparent. One of my goals in writing this blog has been to help other women get dressed easier, and what you wear underneath your clothes makes a huge difference in the overall effect of your outfits.

I hope everyone enjoyed the Puppy Bowl and Missy Elliott last night as much as I did! #thingsthatmatter

Love,

The Pricey Pauper