massmusings

Can I just say how happy I am that baseball shirts are back in style? For me they never left, but I'm happy to see that retailers are reinventing the classic baseball tee and giving me so many more options now! Gone are the days of the plain, primary colored tee. Now there are sweaters, pullovers, and wild colors and patterns to satisfy any style sense. 

The Splurge is J.Crew's Merino baseball sweater in Scallop Intarsia. For $90, it's a bit expensive, but I absolutely love the detailing on the sleeve and appreciate that you can easily dress it up or down. 

The Save is the American Apparel (through ASOS) Neon Baseball Tee. The neon blue color is bright enough to make a statement, but not so overwhelming that you will detract from the rest of your outfit. For $45 I would say it's a good investment to take you all the way through next fall!

The Steal is the Forever 21 Striped Baseball Tee. Adding a stripe to the classic red baseball tee was a solid idea so kudos to the design department at Forever 21. I think it would add some extra visual interest and depth to any outfit you pair it with. Definitely worth the $10 to add it to your closet! 

HAPPY SHOPPING! 

I seriously can't get enough of printed pants.To me, they are the perfect piece for any outfit that needs a little something extra. They can be dressed up, they can be dressed down. You can pair them with heels, you can pair them with flats. No matter how you look at it, printed pants are the bomb and they are here to stay. 

The Splurge is the Kate Spade Broome Street Capri. It's definitely on the higher end of most people's budget at $228, but who can say no to this fantastic fruit pattern? It's light and fun, making it the perfect pant for all Spring activities. Pair it with flats (as shown in the picture) or spice things up with an espadrille wedge and you're ready for a night out!

The Save is the Tile Cigarette Trouser from TOPSHOP. At $90 they are still a tad bit expensive for my taste, but justifiable because the print is uncommon and they have a higher waist; a fit that I sometimes struggle to find. These would go great with a crop top and statement jewelry and could be easily worn well into Fall. 

The Steal is the J.Crew Factory Skinny Jean in Printed Twill. $49.50 is not a bad price for quality pants and I personally always love the fit of J.Crew jeans. Not feeling this pattern? No worries, it comes in other prints as well! 

What are you adding to your Spring wardrobe? Are you loving printed pants and shorts as much as I am?

I can't even tell you all how HAPPY I am that it is Spring! This Boston Winter has been absolutely brutal and unfortunately it doesn't look like it's over just yet. However, the weather has been much warmer and the sun has been shining longer, so I'll take it! In honor of Spring, today's SSS features some great shorts with fun prints and patterns. 

The Splurge might be one of my favorite articles of clothing that I have discovered in a while. Reminiscent of the 60's and flower power, these psychedelic bad boys are covered in sequins and boast fabulously bright colors. They're definitely an investment at $205, but if you can rock them, I say bite the bullet and buy! 

The Save comes from my all-time favorite brand, J.Crew. I love these shorts for Spring because the print is subtle enough that you can pair it with anything. I may even pull a Jenna Lyons and dub these shorts a neutral. Grab them for $60 before they sell out!

The Steal this week is a nostalgic throwback for me. They're from PacSun which used to be one of my favorite stores growing up. I may have to start shopping there more frequently because they are definitely stepping up their game! I adore these flowered shorts and for only $27, they're a great, inexpensive item to refresh your wardrobe for the warmer seasons. 

HAPPY SPRING BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE! 

P.S. Please help a sister out and go favorite (click the heart) my picture on People Magazine's Real Beauty Contest! I will be eternally grateful!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

With warmer weather coming our way (I'm trying to stay positive regardless of the snow outside in Boston), it's time to start considering your Spring/Summer wardrobe. I know it's hard to imagine sunny days full of denim shorts, tanks and flip-flop but I swear it's going to be here sooner than we think. Thus, this week's SSS is graphic Tees!

The Splurge is Brian Lichtenberg's Homies cotton t-shirt coming in at $60. I'll be honest, I would never pay $60 for a t-shirt, but if this is something you're lusting after, I say go for it. In my opinion, there is nothing better than a quality t-shirt that you can dress up or dress down.

The Save is Jawbreaking.com's Live by the Sun Flowy Tee. I love the message of this shirt and it's perfect for pairing with your favorite pair of shorts for a concert or lounging outside with friends. At a fair price of $32, I'm considering making this a staple in my summer wardrobe. 

The Steal is brought to you by American Eagle. AE has been stepping up their game recently! I love this Pink Floyd muscle tank and the good news is that it's not the only graphic tee they are offering. $20 can buy you this or a plethora of other great shirts that make for great beach cover-ups or layering pieces. 

What will you rotate into your warmer weather wardrobe? I'd love to see your ideas, so post them in the comments! 

It's the time of the year when I start to get really sick of this weather. I like snow as much as the next person but only when it is a fresh, powdery, winter wonderland and it's around the holidays. Sometimes I can make it all the way through January, but typically once mid-February rolls around, I'm out. 

To lighten my mood and heighten all of your spirits, I have decided to showcase a few options of tan, suede boots for the coming months. Yes, I know, suede is so easily ruined by water. However, if you brush out your booties once in a while, I have found that they actually hold up pretty well against the slush and snow. 

The Splurge is Tory Burch Leena Suede Mid Heel Booties. At $385, they are definitely at the high end of this spectrum, but not bad enough that they are completely out of reach. I love the quality and classic design of Tory Burch apparel, so this was a sweet find. 

The Save is MICHAEL by Michael Kors Silvy Ankle Boot. These are a solid option especially because they have a side zipper which many people prefer and, I'll admit, makes it much easier to slip on and off. Coming in at $130, it's not a bad deal either. 

The Steal is H&M Suede Boots at $48. A fair price for a solid pair of booties. I have a similar pair that I purchased last year and still wear routinely. I have to say mine are beat up but that's only because I have been way too lazy to clean them regularly. If you're like me and don't make time for footwear care, I suggest purchasing these at this low price so that you don't feel guilty when they get dirty. 

Happy Shopping!

P.S. Today is the final day of the kensie giveaway. Make sure you enter if you haven't already as winner's will be announced tomorrow! 

This week's SSS is dedicated to my favorite kind of hat- the beanie. Beanies in my opinion have always been great but lately they have been making a serious fashion comeback. You can dress them up, dress them down, and you do NOT have to be a "hipster" to wear them. The Splurge this week is the Rag & Bone Daviana Ribbed Beanie. At $150, it's definitely on the expensive side but the color is a great neutral and can be worn with essentially anything. The Save is much lower in the price rang at $20. This TOPSHOP Shorter Turn Up Beanie is in my favorite winter color and just looks effortlessly cool when paired with a leather jacket and riding pants. The bonus this week is that the Steal is not much cheaper than the Save, making both very affordable and attainable. This Downtown Beanie is $15 from nastygal is in classic black and is perfect for committing to a beanie before you become addicted and rush out to get one in every color. 

I hope you all have big things poppin this weekend! Personally, I can't wait to celebrate Kelsey's birthday!!! Have a fabulous weekend humans! 

IT'S FRIDAY! You know what that means, another great SSS coming at you! This week I chose to showcase some great options for the boyfriend jean trend. The price range doesn't vary as much as typical SSS segments, but if anything that's a good thing.

The Splurge is the Rag & Bone boyfriend jean. Coming in at $220, it's a little more pricey but I love the distressed details and the wash. The Save is the TOPSHOP MOTO Boyfriend Jean, $84 (shown here in petite). For a boyfriend jean I typically prefer a lighter wash. However, this dark wash doesn't bother me. In fact, I think it's a great shade for mixing and matching. The Steal is H&M Boyfriend Slim Jeans at $49. As you know, H&M is my go to if I want to try out a trend without dropping a lot of cash to achieve the look I want. If you're going to purchase your first pair of boyfriend jeans, these are the way to go. 

As I mentioned before, over the next few weeks, the new layout should be implemented. Until then, have a FABULOUS weekend and make sure you tell your family and friends you love them!

This week's SSS features three great gold cuffs to wear for the holiday season and well after. The Splurge is a big one this week. Coming in at $11,500, this Paloma Picasso Olive Leaf Cuff from Tiffany's is at the top of most people's budgets. However, if you can afford to splurge on a nice piece of jewelry, this is the one to get. I love the details and slight curve to the shape. The Save is more affordable at $195. This Madura Fret Cuff from Tory Burch is my favorite. The tortoise shell with the intricate gold design is a perfect combination for all seasons. Classic and timeless with a twist of unique detail - love it. The Steal is a great starter cuff if you are just trying out this style of bangle. I like the thin lines that come together to form the overall cuff shape. For only $21, if you are going for a non-commital trial cuff, this Lori's Shoes Gold Wrap cuff is the way to go!

I hope that you all have a great weekend and are more on top of your Christmas shopping than I am! Speaking of that... these cuffs would make fabulous gifts. Happy Friday!

It's FRIDAY! WOOHOO!!! You know what that means, another great SSS coming atcha! This week I'm choosing to keep in line with the holiday theme and concentrating on fabulous red lips. I'm a huge fan of a bold, matte lip and these three choices will give you just that for your holiday event. 

The Splurge is Nars Semi-Matte in Jungle Red. I adore the deep, rich pigment and love that it stays in place for more than 20 mins.  The Save is Topshop lips in Screen Siren. Not only is the packaging adorable, but the hue is vibrant and perfect for those last minute outfits that need some extra oomph! The Steal is Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in On Fire Red. The fact that such a great product is only $6 needs to be celebrated. My experience with Maybelline has always been positive so it makes sense that I would love this lipstick. Perfect for trying out a new color and not wanting to commit to a hefty price tag.

I would love to know if you all find any other awesome lip products so feel free to email me at mass.musings@gmail.com. Have a great weekend!

I'll admit, I jumped on the leather pants train pretty early. I think they are sleek, stylish, and can dress up an outfit with the perfect amount of edge. The splurge this week is PREEN Leather Front Ted Slim Pants. I love that they have a little bunching to create a more casual, slouchy look. Pair these bad boys with a baseball T and some chunk jewelry and you have yourself a unique take on the boy trend. The Save is Juicy Couture Faux Leather Jeans. This particular pair has a normal cut of a jean with the pockets, belt holes, and buttons to boot. If you are going for a more classic look, these are your pair. The Steal is the H&M Imitation leather trousers. As you know, H&M is my go to for on-trend styles at a lower price point. If you're looking to ease into the leather pants fad, this is your way. They're comfortable, fun, stylish, and perfect for a new twist on your going out ensemble. Enjoy!

I added a little something extra too, in case you didn't notice haha. We all know about my literal obsession with J.Crew, so of course I had to throw in the Schoolboy Blazer. 

Look out for more of the SSS segment next Friday on the blog. Until then, have a great weekend and Happy Shopping!

This week's SSS features the classic black pump but in suede. I am a firm believer that every woman needs a solid pair of black heels. They go with everything, are neutral, and look sleek and professional. The Splurge is Christian Louboutin So Kate 120 suede pumps. There's not really much to say about them because Louboutins, in my opinion, are pretty much perfect. The Save is Stuart Weitzman for Scoop Suede Point Toe Pump. This pair has a sturdier heel and a slightly more rounded toe. The Steal is Zara Suede Leather High Heel Court Shoe With A Pointed Toe. Zara is my go-to for fashion at a lower cost. The quality is still good and you can pair these shoes with everything and let's be honest, this pair is the quintessential black heel. You can't go wrong.

Look out for more of the SSS segment next Friday on the blog. Until then, have a great weekend and Happy Shopping!

xoxo

Today marks the day of a new segment starting on the blog: Splurge, Save, Steal. Simply put, I will be picking an item each Friday and featuring three price points to successfully incorporate the trend into your wardrobe. Splurge is the most expensive- one of those designer pieces that you dream about but may not be able to just drop everything and buy. Save is the middle group- you want something a little more high-end, but you'd rather save your money because you also want those new designer shoes. Steal is the lowest price point- you're looking for a new addition to your wardrobe, but you don't know if you're ready to invest so much into a trend. 

This weeks SSS features burgundy bags! I am obsessed with this color for Fall. I think it's the perfect compliment to the Fall color pallet and is more versatile than it might originally seem. The Splurge is the Givenchy Antigona Leather Tote. I love the structure and simplicity of this bag. The Save is the Michael Kors Hamilton EW Saffiano bag. This one still has structure but adds a little more detailing with the gold accents. The Steal is the Franco Sarto Lafayette Hobo. I absolutely love Franco Sarto shoes, so the fact that he has this fabulous bag for such a great price makes me giddy! 

Look out for more of the SSS segment next Friday on the blog. Until then, have a great weekend and Happy Shopping!

xoxo