Boxwood Clippings

There is no question that no matter the budget most people are disappointed in their closets. Here are a few tips that have helped us have semi-decent wardrobes through tight financial years.

First: Everyday, Neutral Basics

Black leggings, two pairs of great fitting jeans, two black tees…two white…narrow down your weekly basic wardrobe and spend your money maintaining basics before anything else. You’ll always feel and look great if you have an awesome pair of jeans. Make sure to sign up for emails from your basic clothing brands so you know of sales, coupons etc. Shade Clothing, Old Navy and Gap are a few of our favorites for basics.

Second: Seasonal and Colorful Accessories

We add color and fun to our outfits mostly through scarves, jewelry and shoes. Accessories are the perfect way to keep up with current trends, and requires only a small budget. Target and Charlotte Russe are our go-to shops for affordable accessories. See here, here and here.

Buy Out of Season

The best shopping deals usually come at the end of the season. If you wore out your boots this winter, now is the best time to get a steal. I just bought a similar pair to these Enzo Angiolini leather boots at Macy’s for $30.

Shop Discount Stores

If you’re a shopper like us and often feel the urge to hit the shops try the thrift store, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx instead. You’ll have to hunt for a good find, and get a thrill from spending a fraction of what you normally would. Em’s coat was one of her all-time favorite Rack finds!

If You Don’t Love it, Don’t Buy it!

If you don’t love it, don’t buy it! It doesn’t matter if it has 95% off the original ticket, guaranteed you won’t wear it if it doesn’t both look and feel great…trust us on this one and save your pennies!

Patience is a Virtue

We are big believers in if you fall 100% in love with something to buy it. However, make sure to ask yourself how often you will wear it, and what you will wear it with. If your answers are “everyday” and “I could wear this with anything” then it’s probably a good item to invest in. If your answer is “maybe if I ever go on a cruise, or “when I lose ten pounds” run away. Believe us, it is always a good idea to think about a big purchase for a week or so before purchasing.

Support Great Stores

If you can’t wait for for sales and discounts, make sure you are buying from a great store. We love Nordstrom and are happy to pay full-ticket price for a great customer service shopping experience and return policy.

Do you have any tips on budgeting for your wardrobe? We’d love to hear your thoughts! We hope our tips will help you love your wardrobe once and for all!

Charlotte Russe’s $5 Jewelry line is flippin’ incredible this spring!

Neutral clothing accessorized with a pop of colorful jewelry is never a bad idea. I try to invest in basic clothing to wear over and over and then have a few pieces of inexpensive jewelry so to mix and match so I never get tired of wearing the same thing.

Here are a few things making the list:

stacked coral rings

studded bracelet set

pink hexagon earrings

pink + gold bangle set

pale pink bracelet

gold clasp bracelet

dome earrings

simple beaded necklace

Let’s just say my shopping cart is full! Make sure to check out all the different colors and styles HERE.

A little black bag (LBB) is almost as invaluable as a little black dress. It goes with everything…rain or shine:

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Hermes or Prada would be nice, but until I win the lottery this LLB may do the job just fine:

Who knew you could get such a cute, affordable bag at amazon?! What’s your year-round go to bag?

Mint has been ‘on-trend’ for some time now, but this spring it will be here with vengeance, and we couldn’t be happier…

blouse | tote  |  leather flats  |  mint + gold earrings  |  organic baby blankets  |  infant swimsuit

 Adding just one little piece will help you feel fresh and new this spring! Mint looks great with so many different colors, our favorite color pairing is mint + navy, how about yours?

These cute flats just arrived in the mail:

The soft leather is so unbelievably comfy, I don’t want to take them off. They are going to be perfect for spring, and I may have to purchase another pair in one of these bright hues:

They are too great, I just had to share in case you needed a pair for spring too. Don’t forget to wait for a sale day…I got mine for 30% off making them only $28!

One of my favorite presents I ever received was my hobo clutch. Everyone I know who owns one simply adores theirs too. They are hard-wearing, have pockets for everything and are the ultimate, everyday luxury.

The double clutch is the original classic and is always available in a rainbow of colors.

lauren clutch in dove $110

New colors are often introduced every season, and therefor a few old colors get discounted… glittery gold is currently $73.70!

This is our number #1 for the perfect present for any special lady in your life (yourself included).

Don’t forget: Free shipping and returns online at nordstrom.com, and in-store complimentary gift wrap.

It is so super gross outside so I am inside…shopping. Maybe the current weather is making me like gray more than ever? Check out these cute stripes from Old Navy.

womens stripey hoodie $19.94

mens stipey hoodie $22.50

baby stripey onesies $14.50

chevron baby-grow $12.94

Cute and affordable for the whole family, love the Old Navy.

With Thanksgiving around the corner and Christmas parties on the horizon shortly thereafter, it’s time to start thinking about party attire! Last December I bought a fab sequined skirt, but haven’t worn it much since.

This year, I am adopting Sarah’s more classic approach, which is to invest in a little black dress (or use one you already have) and buy new accessories to dress it up to the particular occasion.

The LBD is the perfect blank canvas to start any look. Everybody needs a great black dress that they look and more importantly, feel great in. Accessories are the least expensive way to create different looks ensuring  you will wear the dress often and all year long.

I’ve had my eye on this Memo dress from J Crew:

J Crew’s Tall and Petite fittings ensure a great fit, and their clothes last well through lots of wear and dry cleaning. I think this dress would be a such a flattering fit.What do you think of it? It might be a keeper.

It is the season to sparkle and Old Navy has some fantastic accessories to glitz up the BLD. In store they have costume jewelry galore for the holidays for any little black dress, here are a few online finds:

sparkly belt

jeweled + pointed balled flats

They also have a fabulous color range of ballet flats.

Target of course, also has some fantastic and affordable accessories for the season:

gold necklace

gold sparkly clutch

Oh how the sparkly party season makes me happy!

Just like the home, being cozy this season requires layering and today I’d like to share my favorite layering looks.

A classic blazer and massive scarf is always a favorite look of mine.

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I love this combo for so many reasons. I love blazers, always have, always will! Having a few blazers and pairing them with different scarves can create a new look every day. I love a blazer and scarf for when I am out and about running errands because I hate wearing a big coat and having to take it on and off as I’m in and out of shops. With this outfit you simply unwrap your scarf when you get too hot and wrap it back up to brace the cold.

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This blazer from H&M comes in a multitude of colors and are stretchy for extra comfort. I usually get my blazers from the thrift store for just a few dollars. This herringbone blazer was $4 and is my absolute favorite.

I pick up scarves everywhere when I see them on clearance. Smaller and thinner scarves can be layered to create the “infinity scarf” snugly look.

Fur never dates (or faux-fur rather), but this season it seems to be everywhere! Has anyone else noticed this?

shopbob.com

Do you wear faux-fur? I am wishing I lived in London or New York this fall so I could pull off a statement piece. I can just imagine the stare-down if I went in my neighborhood Walmart wearing fur. I think instead, I better opt for just a hint of fur with one of these infinity scarves:

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Geometric/ikat/tribal print is so hot right now. I am dying for a geometric cardi to layer over any tee and cozy up with leggings at night.

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This Fair Isle cardi from Old Navy is only $44 (cream color $35) and will bound to be on sale soon.

My last layering favorite is manly thermal socks:

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I saw them and couldn’t resist the thick and cozy appeal. I am wearing these them every night with my leggings and in the day they are my favorite things to wear under my Hunter wellies to keep my toes nice and toasty.

How are you keeping warm this fall?

Normally I would be very unhappy to wake up on my birthday to rain clouds and blustery wind, but not this birthday…

Haha, I’m such a poser when Sarah is behind the camera! Cold weather meant I got to wear my new, lovely Michael Kors coat that the mam and paps got me for the big 3-0. I had to blog about it because Sarah and Mum found it for 75% off at Nordstrom Rack! The Rack has such a great selection right now. If you need a new coat, start here. Thanks Mum and Dad, I l-o-v-e it!

On another note, a five minute trip to Walmart over the weekend resulted in an equestrian find. An English/horsey jacket is something I’ve been coveting for Fall. Not the most flattering, but for $18.96 I will come and clean out the stables in it.

ps. The black is way cuters, but the green matched my wellies :)

p.p.s. I just realized, two coats in one week?! I got majorly spoiled this week! Thanks peeps for making the big birthday extra special xxx

About a month ago, our littlest baby brother got engaged to his wonderful girlfriend. They’ve been dating almost two years so it wasn’t really a shocker, but then they told us they’d like to wed this fall, in the woods…as in THIS FALL…like NOW!

Sally (our sissy-in-law to be) and her mother have everything under control, and have planned a wonderful fall wedding in the matter of weeks.We’ve been helping here and there, but my main concern was what to wear! On this tight student budget, there isn’t really room for to attend a destination wedding and get a new outfit, so I decided to go with a dress I already had and added just a little bling.

My classic black Banana Republic Dress:

Dressing it up a tad with some costume jewelry:

Then I decided not to break up the neckline of the dress, so I cut off the chain of the necklace and stitched it directly onto the dress.

Ta dah…the finished result.

It looks way cleaner and polished right? Plus with it stitched on it feels like a whole new dress, not just a necklace!

Now I just have to pack my hankie and I’m ready to go, wish me luck!

PS. My necklace is from HERE.

One of my styles of all time is a preppy, equestrian look. I am pleased the stores are full of it this season, and was particularly surprised by a trip to H&M this week to see such great items:

Thick, stretchy blazer in black $39.95 (currently $30 in store).

Quilted vest in dark blue $39.95.

Jodpur-style pant $12.95.

Black rounded bag $24.95.

I also think these Payless riding boot $59.99 are pretty fab.

Only one thing to say: “Giddy up!”

It is finally getting cooler around here, and I am all ready for fall with my Old Navy leopard print scarf. It’s lightweight enough for hot days, but will be great for layering when temperatures plummet.
  I also splurged this week on a pedi with friends where I found this OPI color, ‘Over the Taupe’:

I am loving this medium-brown hue. I think it’s neutral enough to be a staple all winter long, and confident that it would look great on any skin tone. How are you getting ready for fall?

I am so excited for cooler weather to start wearing my Minnetonka’s. It seems everyone is jumping on the moccasin train, including Target:

 Women’s Mossimo Kyah Bootie $19.99 Buy one get one 50%.

Cute bootie style at a great price. I’m in, how about you?

I am a huge fan of polka dots, how about you?! I am especially excited to see dots popping up everywhere lately.

While browsing through J.Crew’s new look book I discovered THESE fun cashmere sweaters. I was particularly drawn to the neutral camel color…shocker!

J.Crew Cashmere polka-dot sweater in camel $268

I know cashmere is amazeballs, but if I am going to buy cashmere it would have to be an end-of-season clearance item in a solid color I could wear year after year.

This item with its white dots and price tag do not meet the criteria! Wouldn’t it be fun though paired with a collared shirt peaking out with jeans or a pencil skirt?

I was happy when I found THIS similar look at Old Navy.

Old Navy polka-dot sweater in carmel $24.94

I’m telling ya…Old Navy is great sometimes. With frequent discount codes, free shipping on orders of $50, and most items being able to return at a store, there is no extra cost to ordering online.

I ordered this sweater immediately and was very happy when it arrived to find it so soft and the perfect weight for autumn and for layering. I actually prefer the black polka dots to the white, I think it will be easier to match with my winter clothes.

Have you found any favorite polka dots for the fall yet?

With hot August temperatures and fall look books coming out in the stores I’m already a teeny bit excited for autumn.

I’ve noticed a common theme in fall fashion: animal print. Although I’m not really a huge fan of head-to-toe animal print, I do love it as an accent piece:

jcrew.com

http://pinterest.com/pin/38562140529528589/

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Do you like animal prints? Which print will you be wearing this fall? My choice is THIS inexpensive leopard infinity scarf from Old Navy.

oldnavy.com

I will be wearing it with a plain black or white tee, jeans and brown knee-high boots in the fall. Can’t wait to get all snuggled up.

Our sis, Helen has the most amazing taste in kids clothes. Her children always look incredibly put together, I don’t know how she does it. And, to top it off she always gets a bargain.

Last year, Helen got her girls Salt Water Sandals that I instantly fell in love with.

toast.co.uk

They are cute, hard wearing, comfy, affordable, and best of all look great on boys, girls and ladies alike.

saltwatersandals.com.au

babyology.com

whool.com

Whether in fashion or in the home, classic and simple is always hard to beat! The only question is which color do you like best?

Find a store near you HERE, or online HERE.

On our last trip to Yellowstone National Park it took me approximately 1.5 days of being out in the middle of nowhere to want to add a little cowgirl/ Sacajawea to my style. Then, there they were – Minnetonka moccasins – at a little gas station in West Yellowstone, WY.

minnetonkamoccasin.com

I’ve known moccasins have been all the rage for some time (Jaime and Kristina- you guys rock them), but I had NO idea how comfortable they were! Why did nobody tell me? I could not leave the store without a pair, and now I want to wear moccasins all day, every day and want everyone else to wear them too!

I went for 100% comfort and bought soft-soled classics like these (aka heaven on earth):

basic minnetonka moccasins $39.95

I think Sarah would look cute in these:

white driving minnetonka moccasin $49.99

And How about these ones for future offspring?

baby minnetonka moccasin $19.00

Adorable! I have decided they would make AWESOME gifts. Men, grandparents, and all those hard-to-buy-for peeps on your list…seriously who wouldn’t want a pair of heavenly moccasins for slippers or everyday use?

You have to check out the whole Minnetonka collection HERE. Which ones would you choose?

The classic plaid shirt is a fashion statement that never goes out of style. This summer is no different, except I am seeing the casual plaid being dressed up in new sophisticated ways.

anthropologie.com

Old Navy has THE MOST PERFECT lightweight plaid shirts available right now.

oldnavy.com

I bought one about a month ago, and literally cannot stop wearing it…to the Laundromat with cut-offs, date night with jeans, and off to church nicely tucked in to a pencil skirt.

With its flattering cut, no layering tanks required, lightweight and durable fabric, price tag of under $25, and go-with-anything style it is my number one clothing pick this summer.

On the future hot days that will soon be upon us I think you will like it too!

Ooooh this is an exciting day over here at Boxwood. We’re happy to announce our first giveaway of the year, Switch Belts.

Switch Belts are a versatile belts that allows you to trade out the buckle, to create your own customized look.

Last Christmas they became my go-to gift for my teenage nephews, that are always hard to buy for. They were also recently featured on the Today show, as an easy fashion item you can add a pop of colour with. See clip HERE.

Although they are worn by kids and fashionista’s alike, they’re hit market has been on the golf course. Golfers have gone crazy for these fun belts, and therefore we’re thinking this is a perfect giveaway for Father’s day.

Today we are giving away one belt + one buckle, to a lucky reader. Simply visit their website HERE, and come back here and leave a comment telling us what colour combo you’d choose. Giveaway closes at Monday May 31st 12am mountain standard time, and the winner will be announced Wednesday June 2nd.

May the odds be forever in your favor!

(I know I’m a dork, but I’ve always wanted to write that!)

And just because all you guys are winners to us, Switch is offering all our readers a 10% discount…yippeeee! Just use code ‘BOXWOOD10′ at the checkout. Code is good thru Sunday June 17th (Pappy’s Day).