A Fall Day at the Beach

We know that summer has come to an end, but some of you ladies may live in a warm place, or may find yourself in a tropical place, like this one:

I am currently in a climate that is far from fall, and this weekend I went to the beach for a day of relaxation. In the fall, beach attire looks a little different but I have some key tips on what to wear over those swimsuits.

Take your favorite tunic for instance, a long sleeve, light weight one is perfect to throw over your swimsuit (you can find this one at Free People).

Don't forget your sunglasses, and a beach bag, in our case we brought backpacks because our trip included a hike.  Try to keep your accessories minimal so you don't have to stow too much jewelry away when you hit the water.

Another alternative is to pair your favorite floral top with cut-offs or jeans on those cooler beach days to keep warm before you hit the water.

The key is light-weight pieces and layers. This drop-waist button up shirt dress is perfect for all shapes and light minimal colors are perfect for beachwear (this top is from H&M)

Cover your one piece with a sheer lace top, and you are dressed up enough to hit a restaurant on the boardwalk before you head for the water (you can find tops similar to this at American Eagle).

Whether you are planning a picnic by the water or packing for your upcoming tropical vacation, these tips are sure to help you to hit the beach in style. Keep it simple, lightweight and layered and you're sure to have a great time!

Written by: Jenna Howell Photography by: Kristie Wuttke 

Pinterest Inspired Thrifting

Before I go to Salvation Army (or any thrift store), I like to search Pinterest for current specific trends and outfit ideas. I usually create a Pinterest Board, and then I venture off to the thrift store with these items in mind.

My most recent trip to Salvation Army was a success! I spent about $28 during their 50% off sale and purchased 10 items!

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This lace pencil skirt is Forever 21!

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This sweater from Salvation Army is Banana Republic. It features a slight high-low style, with frontal pockets, and  two different knits on the front and back.

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This might have been the biggest steal of the day! It had the ORIGINAL Nordstrom tag for $89.99 still on it, but was purchased for just $2.50. The brand is a vintage Jeffrey & Dara and therefore can no longer be purchased in retail stores.

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Most people are familiar with the classic Burberry plaid, but its high price is a quick deterrence. This plaid shirt is actually a MEN's shirt, but it has a similar eye-catching plaid pattern with its tan-red-and-black color scheme.

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Free People is pretty notorious for its flowy oversized and worn-looking tee's and sweaters. When this high-low oversized sweater was found in the plus-size* section at Salvation Army, I saw so much potential in it. By belting it mid-waist, it creates an A-line fit.

(I starred plus-size because I want to encourage you to PAY NO ATTENTION TO SIZE NUMBERS or SECTIONS while shopping at thrift stores. Don't let a number throw you off, some items at second-hand stores are so vintage that they may have shrunk, may have been tailored, or can vary in fit depending on brand. Try EVERYTHING on and wear what fits and looks right.)

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Tribal, Aztec, Southwestern – these diverse ethnic prints have risen in popularity for long enough that they aren't considered a fading trend.  This sweater is a great find because of its beautiful multi-colored pattern.

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Army green and studded anything are two trends that are popular apart from each other, but combining them together in ONE LOOK is even better!

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"Overall, I had a great day" -- My favorite thing to say every time I wear a great pair of overalls.

This overall dress is a rare find. It is a vintage look that may not be popular with everyone, but I proudly admit to owning about 6 pairs of overalls all together. They're so comfortable, versatile, and easy to wear!

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Waterfall cardigans are great because they can be thrown over almost any outfit to transform it from something simple to something styled. They are flowy and are perfect for those days you just want to cover-up a little more. This one I purchased is Forever21 brand!

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So, not everyone loves the "School Girl" look, but it can definitely be classy when worn right. I love this Pinterest-inspired outfit. I've been looking for the right plaid jumper for a while, but they are hard to come by. I lucked out when I finally found this one. The cashier checking out my items even complimented my find.

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All together, I was very satisfied with my purchases. After only spending 28.38 on ten items, each one averaged out to $2.84!

How To Shop The Latest Trends Without Breaking The Bank

It's not always affordable to keep up with all the trends, especially when the brands marketing the hottest new items are typically expensive and the trends change so quickly that by the time we make one investment, something new is in stores.

Something I love to do is go to designer websites like Free People and Levi for my fashion inspiration, and then Google search the key words from those items to find something similar but more in my price-range!

By no means am I saying to stop shopping at the more expensive stores altogether, because the truth is they have QUALITY long lasting products... but I am suggesting you choose wisely which trends you're willing to invest more money in than others.

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Here's two side-by-side comparisons showing just how much money you could save by purchasing your items elsewhere!

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If you like what you see, here's where to purchase:

Free People Exaggerated Fringe Necklace | Walmart Fringe Statement Necklace

Levi Boyfriend Jeans | Walmart Boyfriend Jeans

Get the Best Look for July 4th with Overalls

Today we salute to the red white and blue! We count our blessings and celebrate our freedoms even though our fingers may be dripping with watermelon juice.

Amidst the fireworks, BBQ, and picnics stands a tradition that deserves a little dusting off, the true blue, DENIM. But to stand proud this holiday, we say "Redefine your Independence", and go for the overalls!

Even when the celebration ends, you will surely have other opportunities to showcase your patriotic side in these scarves: plaid | stripes | floral | American flag

The best part about overalls is that they are a top find at local thrift shops!

*Don't forget! Being able to adjust the length of the straps can solve length issues*

If you still are on the fence about overalls, go for an alternative such as a jumpsuit.

Denim Jumpsuit | Sleeveless Denim

Effortless hairdos are made easy with head-wraps (can be found in an array of different colors)!

So what will it be? The Grand Ole Overalls or a Jumpsuit we all Salute to! The choice is ultimately yours!

Happy Fourth of July!

-Jenna O.

Photo credit:  Sarah Powers

Images Edited by: Jen Duarte