Spring Trend: Clear!

  The season ahead looks very clear!  Pops of transparent bags and straps on shoes filled the runways, showing us what Spring and Summer 2019 accessories will be all about (and not talking about those clear bags to get into NFL games).
And even if you aren't totally cool with revealing all your insides, there are baby steps towards the trend you can take. Like this semi-transparent holographic bag that I got last summer after my good friend Katie inspired me with the cute way she styled hers. 

{holographic bag from this outfit here}
My recent clear/white leather bag has been one I have been eying for awhile! I love the mod style, and how easy it is to use with any outfit.  I shared more about it - and this look - here.

The other half of the clear trend I'm seeing everywhere are on your feet! I love love love these clear sandals (more sizes here & here), but decided to take a cheaper route to this trend with these ones (more sizes here). These clear sandals are actually comfortable and the studs break up all that clearness. I love that they can really be worn with anything, and add a little something extra to a look. 

A round up of these and other cute clear sandals and bags (at all price points) to try this season:

Are you trying out this trend this season?

Round-Up: Summer Purses & Clutches

Summer outfits require less clothing, no layers and little thought. Simple summer dresses, a flowy skirt and sandals are all you really need.  I like to play up my accessories in lieu of playing with textures and layers that fall and winter bring.  One of my favorite accessories to play with is the purse: a bag for day and a clutch (or smaller purse) for night.  This is such a great piece to add a pop of color or texture to an outfit, and especially in summer when the fabrics are lacking.
Here are a few of my favorite purse picks from day to night:
Day:  Leather Tote The Bucket Bag (I have this, and LOVE it) Woven Stripe Tote Backpack (I have a similar one, so easy to cary around)
Night: Straw & Leather Lock Clutch Elephant Clutch The Perfect Metallic Foldover Clutch Summery-Fun Flamingo Bag Geometric Clutch (reminds me of my favorite skirt)
What is your favorite way to make a splash to your summer outfit?

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The Bucket Bag Round-Up

I've been intrigued by the trending "Bucket Bag" for a few months now, and after looking at tons of different examples for how to style them (fav looks above) and then different versions, sizes, colors and brands available - I've ordered one from Shopbop for myself!  
One thing I love about this type of purse is that it's EASY. No snaps or zippers to fiddle your way into your bag, just a draw string type contraption.  This might sound super lazy (and it probably is), but when you're carrying 3 other bags, finding your keys, your phone, lipstick, a cracker for your kid, etc can be cumbersome.  So, without further ado,  I've rounded up some of my favorite picks, including the one I got (to be styled and shared soon...):

{hover over each purse to click through to the exact one}
There are so many options:  Black Bucket Bags | Red Bucket Bags | Tan Bucket Bags | Pink Bucket Bags
top image sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 This post in partnership with shopbop!

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Handbag Heaven Giveaway (yes, another one!)

I warned you - lots of fun giveaways going on at here blog, including now the second Handbag Heaven purse giveaway!  Chasing Davies is lucky to be part of their 12 days of Christmas with 12 different bag giveaways going on at 6 different blogs!  This time, we have a festive little clutch (that can convert to a cross-body/shoulder bag with attachable chain) that I love all the gold nailhead detail on the front of!  Take this little baby to any holiday party or simply grab and go for your weekend errands (like me!).  Enter through the rafflecopter at the bottom of this post!  Check back in a week to see who won!

{Outfit Details: Houndstooth Sweater Coat - Madewell last year (similar); Tee (30% off with code GIFTNOW); Leggings; Necklace - from Hello Cheeseburger; Earrings; Lips}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Handbag Heaven Purse Giveaway!

 
Tis the season for fun giveaways for you dear readers!  And who wouldn't want to win this bright & cherry purse from Handbag Heaven!?!  They are giving away a different bag a day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas, and I'll have two of those bags to giveaway here to Chasing Davies readers, today's being the first one!  
I picked this bag because I think it's the perfect pop of color to add to your outfit!  And the bright coral color is rich enough for winter time and bright enough to carry through the spring and summer - so this bag is for all seasons!  And don't worry, winner will receive a brand new bag - not the one I'm clutching on to for dear life in the above photo - that one is mine! :)
Ok, so want to win? Easy ways to get entered through the below Rafflecopter widget!  I'll announce the winner with the next giveaway (for a different bag) on 12/19.  Also, if you choose to tweet about this giveaway, you'll receive $10 from Handbag Heaven to start your own shopping with!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Favorite Wears: Royal & Rust with a Classic Bag

Currently crushing on the mixture of rust/burgundy with royal blue ever since I spotted this sweater (you can see more pieces in these colors at the bottom of this post).  It's the perfect mixture of warm and cool tones and easy to accent with other colors, like turquoise, in my necklace's case.  

I chose to colorblock these colors and ground with a classic black bag and little black flats.  This is a fun way to wear two colors you are loving. What colors are you currently liking paired together?

{Outfit Details: Sweater - old from Loft (see similar option at bottom of post);  Skirt; Bag - c/o Handbag Heaven; Shoes; Turquoise Necklace - oldie Banana Republic (similar); Triangle Necklace - Hello Cheeseburger; Pyramid Bracelet; Zebra Bracelet - Forever21 (similar); Lips}

Get your Rust/Burgundy and Royal Blue fix:

Linked up over a Trendsetters!

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10 fall fashion pieces to buy from Target (all under $40!)

Looking for an inexpensive way to add a few of this season's fall trends to your wardrobe? Or just craving a few fresh pieces to add to your rotation?  Target is killing it this season (often have great finds, so not surprising) with tons of affordable and adorable pieces. 
I've found 10 must-haves, all under $40! Talk about a steal...
1. Polka Dot Blazer (the plaid one is super cute, too) 2. Hot Pink Zip Around Wallet 3. Ponte Skater Dress w/ (faux) Leather Inserts 4. Classic Plaid Shirt (right now only $15!) 5. Satchel Handbag in Bold Cobalt 6. Textured Back Zipper Sweatshirt 7. White Tux-Styled, (faux) Leather Trim Blazer 8. Tribal Print Sweater Dress 9. Ankle Booties with Leather Wraps 10. Faux Leather-Sleeved Moto Jacket
Now tell me - what are YOU loving at Target right now? 

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Leopard for the daytime

Last time I wore this full on leopard dress was a bit dressed up with a few pops of yellow for a sweet wedding.  So I wanted to dress it down a bit, to make suitable for work. Layering it upon denim and adding a touch of playful pink seemed to do the trick.

Keep reading to see how I style my leopard dress for day...

Mixing plaid with unexpectedness

It feels like every time the weather turns a bit cooler and Holidays creep even closer, plaid is the key to winter styling, especially J.Crew.  My favorite thing about plaid, is that it's so fun to mix with unexpected patterns and materials.   Keep reading to see how I mixed my red plaid shirt with a summer metallic maxi dress (and my new HallsKC bag purchase)...

$50 Giveaway to R Treasures Online Accessory Boutique!

Today is a special day for all you accessory lovers!  {and who doesn't love a gorgeous new cocktail ring, a statement necklace, pretty earrings or even an-obnoxious-when-trying-to-type-but-I-love-em-anyway arm party??} I bring you a $50  Giveaway to one of my fav online accessory's shop, R Treasures Boutique... and it's run by a fabulous Kansas City local lady exuding style herself {so she knows her stuff}.

They even have purses and belts... and I'm really wanting to try a headpiece like the beautiful one above.

So you want to win $50 to this gorgeous shop or what? Perfect time to start thinking about gifts... or what you'll wear to those holiday parties... or a little something special for yourself {shh, I won't tell}.

This giveaway is via Rafflecopter (if reading through a reader, you may need to click through to my site to view the easy entry form). Open to US only, though no giveaway scammers, giveaway-only profiles or any inappropriate entries will be accepted. You have now until Tuesday, November 20th to enter. Check out all the fun ways you can get entered to win (and earn extra points) below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The full Fall press

Doesn't matter that the temps are still in the 70s (and 80s) here in the the middle of the country, at my office it's always fridged and being the end of September, I'm fully embracing Fall.  No hiding it here, the faux fur and sleeves are out. Keep reading to see my first completely Fall like outfit (and find out more about this great clutch!)...

It's an everything bag

{Tank - Loft (similar style); Jeans - Limited (similar or for less); Bag; Necklace- Gift; Sandals, Watch}

This bag has been going with me everywhere since I bought it. It was one of my Madewell purchases (the other being this dress) from a few weeks ago. I bought it thinking I'd use it for baby stuff, a sorta mama+baby bag instead of toting around a baby bag and purse.  I'm using it for that, but also finding it to be my work bag and pool bag and camera bag. You'd be confused of all the randomness you found inside this bag now - a little bit of everything.  I guess that means it was a pretty good (and needed!) purchase.

Mamas - What do you use to tote around all the stuff that comes with kids?

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Lots of Color

{Turtleneck & Skirt - Anthropologie; Vest - Thrifted; Clutch - gift/ASOS; Watch - gift/MK; Boots - Endless.com}

If you follow along with my friend, LuLu's blog, you'll see our weekly feature of "I See, You See" and with this week's theme of "color" you'll have gotten a glimpse of some of my closet color.  Here I really pushed the color envelope all in one outfit...green, navy, pink and orange. Gray being my grounding neutral.

Now all I need is my new lipstick on my lips!  I'll wear it soon! :)

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Shopping Online? Save more $ by using Ebates!

By Invitation Only

The perfect party accessory, the invitation {envelope, portfolio} clutch.

Let's go shopping....

Teal Invitation Clutch - J.Crew; Hinge Metal Envelope Clutch - Nordstrom; Dentino Leopard Clutch - Aldo; Hot Streak Clutch - Anthropologie; River Island Snakeskin Envelope Clutch - ASOS; Slot Through Portfolio Clutch - ASOS

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Pressure for the Perfect Diaper Bag

I'm on the search for the perfect diaper bag.  I've been putting this off because it's a lot of pressure.  I'm sure at many times this bag will replace my typical purses (that I love) or be seen way more than my own fashionable accessory, so it needs to be a good one!  Hey, babies come with a lot of stuff!

Neutrals: 1. OiOi Blue Ikat Hobo Diaper Bag; 2. Striped Ikabags via Etsy; 3. Preppy 2 Tone Tote Wool Herringbone Bag by infusion via Etsy; 4. Pleated Stripe Bag by Marbled via Etsy; 5. Blue-Gray Timi & Leslie Diaper Bag; 6. Pewter Timi & Leslie Diaper Bag

Unconventional: 1. Tribal & Leather Messenger Hudson Bag; 2. Leather Twist Lock Vintage Style Satchel in Green from ASOS; 3. Sustainable Sunflower Bag from Anthroplogie; 4. River Island Tartan Print Buckle Satchel from ASOS; 5. Leather Color Block Satchel from ASOS

I think a neutral bag will take me further for various outfits (since switching bags with all the baby stuff probably won't realistically happen). I can tote a more neutral bag regardless of what I'm wearing or where I'm going.  Plus, most of these options are actual diaper bags - made for this whole baby stuff carrying purpose.  

But on the other hand, I love a bright and fun accessory (and yes, I'm considering this baby bag another accessory) to have fun with.  If I went with the unconventional route (a real bag, not necessarily made to be a diaper bag), I could wear it again or use sans baby things.  Also, I can stay on trend and use it as a fun accessory, instead of just necessity.

Update: The husband will have his own Diaper Dude, so no sharing for this mama.  

Mamas out there, do you have a favorite baby bag or recommendation?  Non-mamas, would one of these bags look less diaper stuffed? What do you guys think of my options?

Last day to enter THIS giveaway, and ANOTHER Giveaway coming up later today... Your lucky day! :)

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I Told You I Like Blue

Consider yourself warned back in this post.  I love blue.  So instead of mixing colors today - I went for all blue with a bit of pattern.  What I probably haven't mentioned before, though you probably figured out from the wrinkles on this skirt: I hate ironing.  So much so I don't do it. Ever. Actually we didn't even own an iron until about a year ago when Husband decided we needed one just in case. It's still in the box, never been opened, somewhere in the basement.

{Gingham Button-Down - J.Crew Outlet, Blue Skirt - Talbots, last worn here & first here), Necklace - J.Crew oldie, Black Bow Heels - Simply Vera via Kohl's and Bag - Theit}

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