Discovering Amazon Fashion

I must say, I never in a million years did I think that I'd be buying clothes and other fashion items off of Amazon. Books, household items, phone cases? Yes. Clothes and jewelry? Eww no. But over the last few years they have done an amazing job of curating decent quality things for Amazonian prices. 

The first fashion thing I got from Amazon was a black beret. I had seen a picture of my friend wearing one and I remembered that I used to wear them all the time growing up but hadn't owned on in a while. As anyone who knows me at all knows I am obsessed with Paris and all things French, so obviously I needed a beret. Or six. I figured Amazon would be a safe place to start because I could always get a cheap one and see if I still looked as good in berets as I remembered, and then I could get a more expensive and nicer one from somewhere else later. 

I was super surprised when I found one on Amazon that was wool and had a great shape and feel. And was only $10. I then ordered my son's halloween costume from Amazon, several other different berets, skirts, jackets and jewelry for my 30th birthday trip (which has gotten postponed due to Coronavirus) and several other things. 

I've been surprised by everything I've ordered from Amazon, and I always get compliments on them when I wear them. So don't be afraid to go searching on Amazon for a good deal and a basic or interesting garment to fit your budget!! 

Women's Black Parisian Style Beret $9.99 Prime 

Yidarton Maxi dress $25.99 (Prime) 

This dress comes with it's own belt that is the same fabric, but because it has belt loops I of course had to take it up a notch and use my own belt. I also think using a wide leather belt made it drape more in the front. It also comes in a bunch of other colors, but I really wanted olive. 

Mirmaru Camel Beret with pom pom $11.99 (Prime) 

Floerns Women's tie blouse $20 (I think) 

I actually bought this blouse in two patterns I liked it so much! 

Red beret ($9.99 I think). 

Amazon seems to have forgotten that I bought this one, as it is no longer in my orders haha But they have soo many different awesome ones to choose from 

1920's flapper art deco pearl earrings $13.99 (Prime)

Art deco crystal side comb $17.99 (Prime) 

Flapper imitation pearl necklace $11.99 (Prime) 

Gatsby bracelet and ring $13.99 (Prime) 

Levaca Maxi dress $24.99 (Prime) 

This dress comes in so many colors, is super comfortable and great for summer. I had to resist buying all the colors! 

Bonus: 

I bought these awesome Dark Denim Jackets for my birthday trip. They're super comfortable, wash well and fit different body types in the same size fabulously! (Don't worry, you'll get a post on that trip whenever it gets taken!) 

I also bought several beautiful silk scarves for the trip from Amazon. I bought this pink one for myself for $8.99. But Amazon has a myriad of beautiful ones, so just search for your favorite color! 

Roll Tide - Styling with Houndtooth Checks

Houndstooth checks have always been one of my top favorite patterns to wear. I'm not sure if it was just ingrained in me as a child because my family are die-hard Alabama fans, or if it just kind of happened. My mother is from Alabama and I have wonderful memories of visiting there as I was growing up, and now Birmingham is one of my favorite places on earth. Either being an Alabama fan or an Auburn fan there is basically the equivalent to breathing. So I think now the Alabama gear (which includes houndstooth checks thanks to Bear Bryant) just gives me warm happy feelings inside. 

But associations aside, houndstooth checks are just a beautiful pattern. They're more sophisticated than gingham and less festive than plaid. They're somehow subtle and chic at the same time. And while we tend to think of them as only black and white, I've added so many other color combinations of the checks to my wardrobe. I also have a red and white checked jacket, and a tone on tone checked gray skirt that I don't have pictures of yet, and I'm always on the lookout for new items. I guess that just means that this post will eventually have a part 2! 

Houndstooth originated in the 1800's in Scotland (how appropriate for me) as a woven wool garment for shepherds. When it started it was referred to "shepherd's check" or "puppy-tooth" (because of the wonky square shape). In the 1930's the pattern became of symbol of wealth and was one the favorite patterns of Christian Dior. There is also a houndstooth tartan in Scotland. In the early 1900's the Duke of Windsor appeared in small houndstooth patterned jacket, and manufacturers all the over the world responded by adding the small "puppy-tooth" size pattern to their collections. 

Here are some of my favorite ways to style this historically rich and beautiful pattern. 

Christmas Eve 2018 

Shirt: Ralph Lauren

Skirt: Banana Republic 

Vest: White House Black Market 

Shoes: Louise et Cie 

Fall 2014 

Hat: my mother bought it somewhere 

Shawl: Charleston City Market 

Thanksgiving 2015 

Jacket: Casual Corner 

Jeans: White House Black Market 

Spring 2019 

Jacket: Nine West 

Skirt: Talbots 

Shoes: Jessica Simpson 

Spring 2019 

Dress: Karen Kane 

Vest: White House Black Market 

Shoes: Michael Kors 

Spring 2019 

Turtleneck: Banana Republic 

Jacket: White House Black Market 

Skirt: Ann Taylor 

Boots: Michael Kors 

Fall 2017 

Jacket: Stein Mart 

Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft 

T-shirt: Old Navy 

Purse: Michael Kors 

Fall 2016 

Hat: Wet Seal 

T-shirt: Rock and Republic 

Earrings: Charming Charlie's 

New Years 2009 

Blouse: Stein Mart 

Jacket: Wet Seal 

Hat Attack

If you've been around here very long, you know that I absolutely love hats. I've had some come and go over the years, but I still have a very large collection. I think they just add something a little special on top of an outfit. So here are some of my hats over the years. Berets and fedoras are my top favorite (in case you can't tell).  I'll do my best to remember where and when I got them! 

Coach Patchwork Bucket Hat (Coach Outlet - circa 2009)

Straw Floppy Hat (I have no idea where I got this one- circa 2008)

Pink Straw Bucket Hat (the hospital gift shop - circa 2014)

Black Beret (Amazon Fashion - 2019) 

Vince Camuto Fedora (Nordstrom Rack - 2019) 

Camel Fedora (Poshmark Boutique - 2019) 

I honestly know nothing about this hat except that it's cute because my mother bought it for me! (2008) 

Steve Madden Merlot Fedora (T.J.Maxx - 2015) 

I lost the Steve Madden one in my move and so I replaced it with this one. 

Vince Camuto Merlot Fedora (Poshmark - 2018)

Halogen Black Floppy Hat (Nordstrom - circa 2017)

Vince Camuto Blue Fedora (Von Maur - 2016) 

Straw Fedora (I don't remember where I got this one - circa 2014) 

The crown on my other straw fedora was too tall, so I replaced it with this one. 

Travaux Encours Straw Fedora (Paris Market in Savannah, GA - 2017) 

Houndstooth Trilby (Wet Seal - circa 2004) 

Hatattack Gray Fedora (Anthropologie - circa 2017) 

Red Beret (Amazon Fashion - 2019) 

Mirmaru Khaki Beret (Amazon Fashion - 2019) 

Legally Blond

So in case anyone was curious why I have disappeared, it's because I started law school! (Even though I've been absent from here, I've been trying to keep up with the IG so make sure you're following me at emerald.days.sapphire.nights!)

Law school has been an amazing adventure, though somewhat unexpected for my family and friends. Law school has always been something that I was interested in and wanted to do, but was never brave enough to jump in with both feet and actually do it. Though the last five years have been the worst and hardest of my life, I learned so many things. And one of the things that I learned, is that I'm stronger than I think, and I'm smarter than I ever gave myself credit for. I decided that now was the time to chase my dreams and make a change that would create a better life for and for my son.

It's been a wonderful school year thus far. It's been ridiculously hard to go to school, work three jobs and raise a child, but every minute has been totally worth it. I absolutely love law school and the material I'm learning, even on the days when I'm not entirely sure what's going on. Every day validates my decision that this is my path and this is the career that I should be in. And of course, every moment I get to spend with my son is a treasure and our favorite thing is making new memories together. It was so much fun because he also started school this year, so we had our first days of school in the same week. It was super cute and super fun.

One of the fun things that I've gotten to do this year in law school was join the Fashion Law Association. I honestly didn't even know Fashion Law was a thing! I mean, how did I not know that?? But I joined the association and learned so much from my fellow members and the guests that we had (before we all got locked up). It was also fun to find a group of people that loved the law but also loved fashion as much as I did. Last semester we even did a fashion show for charity in which i got to participate as a model. We had one planned for this semester but Corona did an awesome job of cancelling it for us. 😔

So here are my favorite outfits from the time where I was actually dressing up and attending class, and the two outfits that I got to wear for the Fashion Law Association fashion show last semester.

First Day of Law School channeling all my Elle Woods vibes

Suit: White House Black Market
Blouse: Tory Burch
Heels: Jessica Simpson

I absolutely love this skirt, and the mission of the company that makes it! Every one of these skirts is handmade in Africa and teaches women skills, gives them education and helps them support themselves in a way that they otherwise would not be able to.

Top: Gibson
Skirt: Francis and Benedict
Earrings: Vince Camuto

Can you really beat olive and merlot for the fall?

Sweater: Vince Camuto
Skirt: Elie Tahari
Heels: Trouve
Necklace: So Good Jewelry
Headband: Talbots

We had our first Fashion Law Association event in October at Leyla. It was a great roundtable mixer that gave us an amazing opportunity to meet different attorneys and ask them questions and learn from them.

Jumpsuit: One One Six (Nordstrom)
Shoes: Ted Baker
Watch: Michael Kors
Earrings: So Good Jewelry

I also discovered Amazon Fashion this year. I have to say I've been impressed with the quality and the selection!

Blouse: Amazon Fashion
Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Loeffler Randall
Watch: Michael Kors

Law school also give you some fun opportunities to dress up! This was from Fall Ball. It was a lot of fun and a great alumni mixer as well.

Dress: Scala by Ashley Lauren (Ash and T's Formals)
Shoes: Guess
Earrings: So Good Jewelry

I got to wear two amazing outfits in the Fashion Law winter fashion show. This was the first one.

Dress: Brooks Brothers
Coat: Brooks Brothers
Necklace: Brooks Brothers
Shoes: Nine West

This was the second outfit that I got to wear for the fashion show.

Shirt: Vineyard Vines
Scarf: Vineyard Vines
Pants: Vineyard Vines
Shoes: Franco Sarto

I found these amazing pants in New York on Spring Break last year, and finally got them hemmed so I could wear them!

Turtleneck: Banana Republic
Jacket: White House Black Market
Pants: Ann Taylor
Boots: Giuseppe Zanotti

You have to dress up for Valentines' Day even when you are in law school.

T-shirt: Ted Baker
Jacket: White House Black Market
Pants: White House Black Market
Shoes: Dune London

It just seemed like winter wouldn't go away this year! And when it did, it skipped straight to summer and skipped spring 🤷

Turtleneck: Banana Republic
Sweater: My mother's vintage from the 70's
Pants: White House Black Market
Beret: Amazon Fashion
Belt: Loft
Earrings: Uncommon James
Boots: Giuseppe Zanotti

I attended the Phi Delta Phi recruiting mixer and joined the honor fraternity just in time for school to be shut down. But this fraternity boasts members like Ruth Bader Ginsberg, FDR and John Ashcroft.

Blouse: Tory Burch
Jacket: White House Black Market
Skirt: White House Black Market
Shoes: Kate Spade

The last official school thing that we got to attend before lockdown was the Barrister Ball. It was Gadsby Themed which was super fun. It was a wonderful evening with the great friends that I have made at school. These ladies are my rocks and we help each other survive. Somehow this night now seems like a lifetime ago.

Dress: MacDuggal (Ash and T's Formals)
Jewelry: Amazon Fashion

Glad I got my Felix fix before lockdown! They have the best Raclette Burger and the best fries.  Now I might have to order takeout just thinking about it. 🍔🍟

Blouse: Ralph Lauren
Pants: White House Black Market
Vest: White House Black Market
Shoes: Anna Cori
Watch: Michael Kors