Negative Space + #manicuremonday

Even though I've picked up a second job, and could now afford to go get my nails done, I love doing my own nails!  Not only can you save tons of money (a regular mani on Long Island can be around $20, and if you have acrylic, it could be around $50 if you have to get a fill in too!), plus I love the sense of accomplishment when people are surprised to find out I did my nails myself!

You can use a lot of things that you have laying around your house to create an awesome mani.  My favorite go-to?  Scotch tape!  You can get so creative with your nail art using plain old tape.

Using: Essie 'Tuck It in My Tux' + 'Devil's Advocate'

1.  Nail prep:  Remove all old nail polish, push back and cut cuticles if needed, cut and shape nails (I like to rinse off my hands to get any left over polish remover off and dust from filing my nails my nails to ensure a smoother, nicer looking mani).  Apply a base coat (just 1; too many layers and your nails will chip quicker!).

2.  After everything is completely dry (not even tacky to the touch), cut 20 strips of tape for the stripes (I had to use packing tape because for some mysterious reason we had absolutely no more scotch tape in the house, lol; but I'd suggest regular scotch tape); better to pre-cut beforehand than as you go because you'll wind up ruining your manicure (nothing ruins a mani like having to start all over again).

3. Likewise, it's easier to put all the tape for the first stripe on at the same time.  Place one strip of tape on each nail on a diagonal.  Always use the lightest shade of the two, first.  Paint two coats of polish and let dry completely.  Peel off the tape, and make sure first color is completely dry before moving on to the second color (otherwise when you pull the tape up, the first color will be pulled up with it).

4.  Now, place tape in the opposite direction, also on a diagonal, of the first stripe.  Using the second, darker shade, paint two coats and let dry.

5. You can stop here, after you put on the top coat.  Oooor, you can continue on to add a little bit of edginess and sparkle!

6. Add a drop of nail glue or clear polish towards your cuticle (in the center), and place one stud (so that one of the corners points up, like a diamond), and cover with a clear coat (I like to cover all the sides too, for extra hold).  Repeat for each nail, and voila!

You can check out my other manicure DIYs here:

What A Stud

Good As Gold

Star Studded

Tape It

Stellar Manicure

Happy Holidays

Sparkle and Shine

Pearls, on pearls, on gold

Shamrocks and Studs
Sprinkles

Check out my Pinterest board (follow me at @classicallycait!) here for more inspiration:

The Good Kind of Blues...and my Indiana Jones Hat!

Today was one of the first days that it was consistently cool all day; but not cool enough to be breaking out the big guns (my heavy jackets).  I went with my J. Crew denim vest (at under $100, its a great investment piece because you can wear it all year round, like I did here, during the summer!) because it was just thick enough to keep away the chill, but not so heavy as to make me overheat as I ran around at work.  Perfect for layering on top of a popover!

I'm not a big hat person, but I certainly love buying them (um...#shopaholic...oops, lol).  I do however, love wearing this H&M wool hat in the fall.  It's great to throw on when you're having a bad hair day (or even when you're having a good one!), and still look super cute.  

My dad calls it my Indiana Jones hat, haha.

This black leather saddle bag was a major thrift find at my favorite, Paper Doll Vintage Boutique (only $10!!!!).  I've only had it for a week and I've worn it everyday since!  Plus, the little gold details compliment my Fossil watch that I never go anywhere without (score!).

And last but not least, my flats.  I'm totally on the lace up flats bandwagon!  However they seem like they can get expensive, and as a girl on a budget I was super surprise, over-the-moon happy when I found a pair in Charlotte Russe, perfect for all y'all on a budget too (they're under $30 and come in black as well!)!

Vest: J. Crew || Stripe Popover: Old Navy, old; similar here || Watch: c/o Fossil || 

Lace Up Flats: Charlotte Russe (sale alert: buy 1, get one $10! Comes in black too!) || 

Saddle bag cross body: Paper Doll Vintage Boutique, vintage; similar here || Jeggings: Old Navy || Parrot Pin: Savers, thrift find || Hat: H&M, old; similar here

Dusters For Days

Lightweight, layerable (I know its not a word, buuut...), duster jackets are perfect for the cooler weather ahead!  Especially on a day like today, where the mornings are cool and crisp, but the afternoons are still warm, the duster is great for layering; when it gets warm later in the day, these jackets aren't too heavy where you're going to overheat. 

In honor of my obsession (oops...#sorrynotsorry, but I have three already!), I've done a big ol' round up my dusters, styled. 

Check out my other duster looks (and scroll to the bottom to shop them all)!

You can pair a duster with pretty much anything and wear them anywhere!

First off, I love the burnt orange color of this H&M duster, it just screams autumn!  Secondly, the shape is so relaxed and flowy that it gives your outfits a cool boho feel.  This one is my favorite and I've paired it with pretty much every type of clothing: jeggings, a dress, a jumpsuit...I just love the ease of it (and it doesn't hurt that it's super comfy either!).

Kim Kardashian-West can do no wrong style-wise; her confidence and risk taking with her outfits is amazing fashion inspiration!  She's also the person who's influenced my love for the duster jacket!  Kim K can rock a duster jacket like no other, and makes it work with any outfit. 

In my own personal styling, I've paired it with my GAP ripped boyfriend jeans and flats (or you can go sophisticated and do heels!), and also with my Old Navy jeggings and lace up flats.  The shape of this particular duster is great because of it's sleek structure; it can be belted or worn open, either way it'll make your outfit instantly chicer. 

This look was great for a girls' night out; not too dressy, but also not too casual: a great middle ground!

Okay, so this one isn't really considered a duster jacket, but it's pretty similar in the way it can be styled in my opinion.

Check out the rest of this post, here! :) 

Shop all of my looks here!

Horsing Around + WIWW

Guys I think I found my power outfit!

My major in college (go Red Dragons!), was history, and I think my love of history has influenced my love for fashion as well.  What I mean is that, some of my pieces are reminiscent of the past, but I like to put a modern twist on it.  For example, I'm really digging the equestrian look for fall (the two go hand-in-hand perfectly!); the aristocratic, old time elegance and style of the equestrian look is the perfect blend of history and fashion!  I don't know why or how, but this look just gives me so much confidence!

I feel so freakin' dapper in this outfit, like I should be at a polo match with a glass of champagne in my hand (and shouldn't every day feel like that? hahaha).

Warning: this blazer causes feelings of awesomeness; you'll be seeing this blazer many more times between now and spring time!

I scored this Ralph Lauren blazer from my favorite vintage shop, Paper Doll Vintage Boutique. They had a huge yard sale going on at the shop, and I happened to find this blazer on one of the back racks while I was waiting for my sister to get out of work (she works nearby); if my sister had come to the store earlier than she did I don't think I would've ever spotted this beauty!  When I did see it, I saw that it was a size 8 and I got a little sad because I'm usually a 10 or 12, but I figured I'd try it anyways (cuz why not???); when I put it on I was more than pleasantly surprised that it fit--and it fit amazingly!!!  I felt so good putting it on, because I didn't think it would fit me (isn't that the worst, finding something you fall in love with and then it doesn't fit?!), but it actually fit like a glove and looked good on me! :D

I wish it was fall all year round, just so I can wear my riding boots every day!

These aviators are the only ones I've ever actually liked on my face... and I've tried on a whole lot!  I found them while I was waiting on line one day at Old Navy (that's how they get you!  ...and I'm a sucker lol), and when I tried them on I'm pretty sure I could hear angels singing.  Anyone else feel that way when you try something on and it's so magically because it feels like it was made just for you?  

This pose reminds me of Captain Morgan...but my sister insisted (what the photographer says, goes, lol), haha.

Blazer: Lauren by Ralph Lauren (found at Paper Doll Vintage Boutique) || Sunnies: Old Navy find, can't get online, but similar here + here! || White popover: Old Navy || Leggings: Marshalls find, last fall; similar here || Riding Boots: Nine West (Christmas gift from mama), similar here 

For more inspiration, check out my prepster pinterest board, and follow me @classicallycait!  :)

It's Wednesday, so don't forget to join the fun and link up!

Check out the fabulous hosts:

Book of Leisure

Chic Street Style

Gracefully Made

Belt It Out

I'm totally taking a page out of Kim K's book with my recent duster jacket obsession (I already have three...sorrynotsorry); they're the super chic version of a pullover (they're comfy, but polished).  

This is definitely one bandwagon you're gonna wanna hop on!  ;)

I have to admit, as much as I love shopping, I hate spending a lot of money on cosmetics; when I splurge on them, it's usually for an Essie polish (because they have the absolute BEST colors!).  It's extremely rare that I spend more than $10 on any one cosmetic (my favorite liquid liner that I've been using for the last ten years only cost about $3, and I swear by it!).  I'd just rather put the extra money towards a nicer piece of clothing instead.

I mixed two different shades to get this dark berry color; together, both lipsticks cost under $10 (L'Oréal 'Raisin Rapture' + NYC Cosmetics 'Mahogany'). You definitely don't need to break the bank to achieve a great berry lip for fall! 

It's been so hard to find a pair of these lace up flats for a decent price!  I found this pair on Poshmark and was able to buy them with my earnings from selling pieces from my closet (such a good way to clean out   your closet and get new clothes all at the same time...and it's ridiculously easy!). 

If you haven't joined Poshmark, then you need to download the app ASAP!  Use code 'PNXBH' when you sign up and get a $5 credit! :)

Duster: Forever21 || Watch: c/o Fossil || Goreski Glasses Bangle: Kate Spade || Lace Up Flats: Poshmark find similar here || Striped Mock Turtleneck: old Old Navy find, similar here || Jeggings: Old Navy (I have them in the regular wash too!) || Aviators: Old Navy, not available online; similar here

More similar pieces here!!

Han Solo + WIWW

Fall is by far my favorite season; I love the changing of the leave, the cool temps, sweaters, riding boots, and HALLOWEEN!

I bought this Vince Camuto vest last fall, and I LOVE it!  The quilted detail and the gold and suede give the vest an equestrian feel...which happens to go great with these riding leggings and boots.  I've only ridden a full grown horse once in my life, but I love the sleek, elegant look of equestrian style pieces (I think the leggings with the suede patches on the inner thigh make my legs look thinner, a big ol' plus in my books!).

Basically, I love everything about the equestrian inspired look (that old-world, elegance makes my inner history nerd swoon).

Don't mind the hair change, lol. My hair doesn't take kindly to the rain, so it had to go up into a big ol' bun! 

These Nine West boots are an oldie, but goodie (a Christmas present from my mom a few years ago); they're my number one fall staple.  As soon as the temperature drops, I wear them almost every day until the temperatures go back up again.

A good pair of riding boots are definitely a great investment piece because you can wear them everyday of fall and even winter!  They give your fall outfits a little more of a polished feel.

I was looking through the pictures today and found this gem. It was raining this morning when we took this and a gust of rain hit me right in the face, I swear I wasn't having a tantrum or anything, haha!

So if you needed a good laugh today, here's a blooper that I just had to share with you guys because it was waaaaay to funny to keep hidden in my phone.  I've been showing it to all my friends because frankly, I'm hilarious, haha.

Shop my look, here!

And for more preppy fall fashion, swing by my Pinterest board for some ideas!

It's Wednesday, so don't forget to join the fun and link up!

Check out the fabulous hosts:

Book of Leisure

Chic Street Style

Gracefully Made