PREPPY CRICKET SWEATERS ARE A THING NOW, I GUESS

...And I couldn't be happier about it!  These sweaters are oversized, slouchy, cute, and comfortable. Bonus: you are prepared for a cricket match at any moment.  I chose to style my sweater with skinny jeans, boots, floppy hat, and a tote; I decided to leave my cricket bat at home this time around.

Here are some cricket-inspired sweaters that I think are pretty neat.  The best part is: they are all under $50.00!

Women Cricket Sweater in Off White from Uniqlo

V-Neck Sweater in Burgundy/Black from Forever 21

Chaps Striped Textured Sweater in Yellow Capri Navy from Kohl's

Stylus Short-Sleeve Tennis Sweater From JCPenny, comes in regular and plus sizes

STOP. YOU'RE MAKING ME BLUSH.

If you know me at all, you are aware that I get red in the face very easily.  What better way to accentuate that quality than wearing the color blush?  Blush is beautiful and can be found everywhere.  You do have to be careful in choosing the right shade of blush for your skin tone. Luckily, blush comes in many different varieties. 

Sam & Libby Large Bow Crossbody Handbag with Chain Strap from Target

Crochet-Embroidered Chiffon Dress from Forever 21

Quipid Cut-Out Oxfords from Charlotte Russe

Broken-In Straight Chambray Pants in Fig from Gap

Pintucked Chiffon Blouse in Blush from Forever 21

Mini Skirt in Scuba with Exposed Elastic from ASOS

Linen-Blend Boyfriend Tee in Pink For Eva from Old Navy

REASONABLE RUNWAY [DEREK LAM]

I realized that I have been doing a lot of posts that are just about my outfits, so here's one without my ugly mug.  I chose this simple and beautiful look from Derek Lam's Spring/Summer 2015 Ready-to-Wear collection (photo via: style.com).  The pieces that I found are almost identical to the real ones, but waaaaaaaaay cheaper.

Collarless Poplin Popover in White [$59.99] from J. Crew

Mimi Round Sunglasses [$26.00] from Topshop

Faux Leather Strappy Platform Sandals in Tan [$24.90] from Forever 21

Premium Wide Leg Crepe Pants [$65.00] from ASOS

HOW TO NOT DRESS LIKE A SLOB

I truly believe that looking great does not have to take a ton of effort.  You can look effortless, put-together, and cool pretty easily.  This look I'm sporting here consists of three basic pieces: a sweatshirt, jeans, and boots.  For those of you who need a little help putting together outfits, I will walk you through my styling process:

1)  I usually start out with one piece that I know I want to wear for that day.  In this case it was Racing Stripe Sweatshirt from J. Crew (exact).  That is the outfit foundation, I will build from there.

2)  I find footwear to be EXTREMELY important in an outfit.  Bad shoes will ruin everything.  For this look, I took the cream from the stripe in the sweatshirt and decided to wear my cream combat boots.  I don't always do matchy-matchy, but it worked in this instance.

3)  I chose my pants based on my footwear.  I chose the skinniest skinny jeans I had to stuff inside my boots.  Pants sagging out of the top of your boots is not a good look.

4)  This is the best part: accessorizing.  I layered two gold necklaces to compliment the gold stripe on my sweatshirt.  I decided on simple stud earrings because I was wearing two necklaces.  Then I added my watch and initial cuff that I wear nearly every day.

It may seem like a lot, but this process takes me 10-15 minutes at most.  Simply put: choose a foundation piece, add supporting elements, and accessorize. 

BUTTON DOWN + STATEMENT NECKLACE

I absolutely love button down shirts.  Nothing goes better with a button down shirt than a necktie. Unfortunately for me I'm female that doesn't want to look masculine and I'm unable to tie a necktie. Because of those facts, I must find a substitute.  In comes one of my handy statement necklaces to save the day.

Shirt (similar) MICHAEL Michael Kors

Loafers (similar) J. Crew Factory

Gold Kocoum Bib Necklace from BaubleBar

Deco Pool collar Necklace from BaubleBar

Faux Stone Statement Necklace from Forever 21

Crystal Cluster Necklace in Foggy Mist from J. Crew

INSPIRED BY MAD MEN [WITHOUT THE MISOGYNY]

I watch Mad Men 40% because it's a good show and 60% because I love the vintage fashion.  My priorities are always in the right place, but I digress.  This look is something that I hope the fabulous Joan Holloway would be proud to wear.  A sweater, pencil skirt, and heels.  All I need is a gold pen necklace and she would definitely approve.

Merona Doubleweave Pencil Skirt in Black/Sour Cream (same style as mine, different color) from Target

No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Cotton Twill in Blue Grotto from J. Crew

Windowpane High Waist Midi Pencil Skirt from Express

GOING FOR THE GOLD [FOR UNDER $50]

Gold has exploded in fashion, accessories, and home decor.  Since I don't have enough talent in anything to earn a gold medal, I must settle for surrounding myself with gilded accessories and baubles.  You can shop some of the coolest items I found here:

Foil iPhone 5 Case ($38.00) from Marc Jacobs

Mixed Crystal Diamond Pendant Necklace ($42.00) from J. Crew

Leather Envelope Clutch in Pale gold ($38.00) from J. Crew Factory

Metallic Bow Wallet ($6.99) from Target

Quilted Metallic Slip-Ons ($24.90) from Forever 21

Gold Star Dual Boar Brush ($15.00) from Sephora

Crystal Mason Ring in Gold ($28.00) from BaubleBar

Large Round Face Bracelet Watch ($46.71) from ASOS

BP. Filigree Leaf Headband ($12.00) from Nordstrom

FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY [THE COLOR]

I guess in honor of Valentine's Day and the impending movie premiere or whatever, I put together this monochromatic gray outfit.  It doesn't actually have fifty shades, but it's close enough.  If you ever have a day where you lack outfit inspiration, monochromatic ensembles look effortless and cool.

Just so you know, I am in not a fan of Fifty Shades.  I just like the color gray.

WHAT TO WEAR WHILE WANDERING IN A FIELD

Whenever I get the urge to frolic in a field, I have to make sure that my outfit is appropriate for the activity.  This time, I decided to go with some oxford shoes, chinos, and a blazer.  Practical, right?  I also make sure to bring along a trusty navajo blanket in case I get a little winded while prancing.

In all seriousness, a great way to make a blazer look less stuffy is to pair it with a cozy wool sweater. 

PLEASE DON'T SWEAT IN THESE SWEATSHIRTS

Okay, so it looks like I'm back to mean muggin' for a little while.  Smiling can be exhausting.  Today I am encouraging sweatshirts that don't make you look like you've been sitting at home for ten days straight without bathing.  There are tons of sweatshirts out there right now that are really cool and still super comfortable (and that's the entire point of sweatshirts in the first place, right?).

Comfort Comes First Top (similar) from ModCloth

Faux Leather Skater Skirt in Burgundy (similar) from Forever 21

Madden Girl Caanyon Boots in Black (exact) from 6pm

Peacock Sweatshirt from J. Crew

Apt. 9 Sequin Floral French Terry Sweatshirt (in regular and plus sizes!) from Kohl's

LC Lauren Conrad Floral Mesh Crop Sweatshirt from Kohl's

Sweatshirt in Texture and Stripe from ASOS

THE BEST TIME TO WEAR A STRIPED SWEATER, IS ALL THE TIME

As far as I'm concerned, SpongeBob was totally right when he sang about striped sweaters.  They can be worn pretty much whenever you want.  Although mine does not have a turtleneck, it looks pretty cool mixed with another print.  

By the way: mixing prints is completely acceptable, I actually encourage it.

Mixed-Stripe Sweater in Navy Champagne from J. Crew

Colorblock-Striped Sweater from Forever 21

Mossimo Supply Co. Long Sleeve Pullover Sweater in Pink from Target

Color-Block Sweater-Knit Top in Mini Mint from Old Navy

Stripe Oversized Swing Sweater from Gap

Striped Punch Mesh Sweater in Bahama Coral from Express

OPRAH'S FAVORITE THINGS [MALLORY MODE EDITION]

Everyone has pieces and products that they absolutely love.  Oprah obviously does, but I'm unable to give everyone each of these products because I'm a poor college student.  But alas, I am willing to at least divulge my secret favorite things.

(These are what I just happened to be wearing.  I like them, but not quite my favorites)

Women's Oxford Shirt in Ultra Violet (exact) from Old Navy

Leopard Infinity Scarf (similar) from Chico's

Steve Madden Troopa Boot in Natural Leather (exact) from Amazon

To quote the great Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec, “I won’t publicly endorse a product unless I use it exclusively. My only official recommendations are U.S. Army issued mustache trimmers, Morton’s salt, and the C.R. Lawrence Fein two inch axe-style scraper oscillating knife blade.”  I share a very similar view.

Iowa State Charm Necklace in Brass from Larissa Loden (other states available too!) - This is a recent purchase that I fell in love with.  It is very dainty and handmade in the U.S.

Georgia Glitz Three-Hand Stainless Steel Watch in Gold-Tone from Fossil - This is a piece I wear nearly every day.  This watch perfectly blurs the lines between casual and formal.

Serenity Stone Drop Earrings in Espresso from Stella & Dot - The earrings that go with everything.  They are big and bold and perfect.

Asymmetrical Initial Cuff from BaubleBar - I wear my initial cuff all the time.  Unfortunately, the brand that makes mine no longer exists.  This is very similar and I love it.

Marc Jacobs 'Dot' Eau de Parfum from Nordstrom - No outfit is complete without a spritz of perfume.  If you have never experienced Dot, I would recommend you try it as soon as possible.

Almay Intense I-Color Liquid Eye Liner in Black Pearl from Ulta - This is what I have been using for six years to achieve my signature cat eye.  If it is ever discontinued, I don't know what I will do.

Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Couture from Ulta - Perfect red lip that won't rub off during meals.

CoverGirl Professional All-In-One Curved Brush Mascara in Black from Ulta - This mascara is great because it's inexpensive and gets the job done well.

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color in Honeymoon Red from Drugstore.com - My go-to dark shade of red for when I actually do paint my nails.