Seeing double

You know you've hit the jackpot when you're able to find two of the same item of clothing in one thrift trip. Usually thrift stores are run on whatever people happen to drop off and donate, and usually people don't have two of the same thing. My sister Monica and I came home anything but empty handed after luckily finding the same pair of H&M leather shorts in different colors in our own respective sizes. If this doesn't call for a collaborative photo shoot I don't know what does.

 As you can see, the shorts are almost identical but worn in such different styles. Pleather is easily dressed up or down depending on how you accessorize it so leather shorts and tights are a perfect starter for any kind of outfit you put on this winter.

blouse: delia's

cardigan: abercrombie

shorts: h&m @ buffalo exchange

belt: sears

earrings: mode land bijoux

tights: payless shoes

flats: sears

sweater: target

necklace:  ny & company

belt: wet seal

shorts: h&m @ buffalo exchange

tights: urban outfitters

boots: flea market

sweater: tommy girl

belt: marshall's

necklace: ralph lauren @ buffalo exchange

leg warmers: wet seal

boots: burlington coat factory

Here is a master outfit that can be worn with either pair of shorts.

Get yourself into another layer of (fake) skin; the weather now calls for pleather (;

- nali xo

Someone's always watching....

Ever wish you could have an extra set eyes on the back of your head? This #manicuremonday I have found you a fix for that. With Halloween just around the corner I bet you're looking for something spooky to adorn. Even if you aren't, you've come to the right place for Halloween-ready unearthly nails. 

Don't limit yourself to decals and decorations made specifically for nails. Think outside the box and try a craft store for nail enhancement. I've finally come up with the best way to dress up your nails, Halloween style, have the most creative nails at the costume party and freak out your friends all with one style.

Two words: googly eyes (although I'm not sure if that counts as two words because I'm not sure if googly is actually a word. oh well)

Eyeballs are this season's perfect charm, didn't you hear? Black and white nails can go with any costume, especially the scary ones, and no one else will have thought of this inventive ornament. If you're looking to match it with something other than a Halloween costume, black and white all over works fine,  but I took it to the next level and played with an eye theme.

sweater: forever xxi

shorts: h&m @ buffalo exchange

tights: urban outfitters

necklace: claire's

sneaks: converse

Think outside the box this Halloween and every day. Manicures are the easiest and most fun way to express and decorate yourself. Paint responsibly.

"I... am a Star"

"You might laugh because every time I sign my name I put a gold star after it, but it's a metaphor. And metaphors are important. My gold stars are a metaphor. For me. Being a star."

Who remembers the days when Rachel Berry from Glee was geeky and defensive, strong-willed and argumentative? Since the beginning of the series, it is clear that as Rachel's character grows and develops, so does her ability to dress herself fashionably. Where plaid and tweed patterns used to adorn her, now are replaced by leather and tighter fitting clothing. Don't get me wrong, Lea Michele and Rachel Berry are both smoke  shows, but I'm flashing back this Friday to season one to appreciate the underrated art form that is 'original Rachel Berry'.

 Here are a few refreshers for all the folks at home who can't remember what this diva used to dress like. Notice the argyle and other preppy patterns.

And here is a lovely timeline of how the style has grown and how much yellow Rachel used to wear.

 After many hours spent tearing apart mine and my mother's closets searching for hideous prints in the hopes of making them desirable, I present to you my own interpretation of vintage Rachel Berry.

vest: daily habit (vintage)

pants: bdg @ urban outfitters

tank: aeropostale

boots: sm @ sears

Although it may not look like it, this checkered vest has a rocker/grunge feel to it when it's hanging loose unbuttoned. 

tank: hollister co

sweater: marshall's

skirt: j.g.hook (vintage)

shoes: forever xxi

A huge Rachel trademark was plaid skirts with knee socks and flats. I chose to stray away from the socks so it doesn't seem like I'm advising any of you to go back to your schoolgirl days.

shirt: piazzitalia

collar: forever xxi

vest: dakota blues

shorts: h&m @ buffalo exchange

shoes: sm @ sears

This outfit is a blend between old and new Rachel. Only old Rachel would wear argyle socks but I used them in this punk-y outfit as leg warmers with combat boots and leather shorts.

Although adopting Lea Michele's character's outfits doesn't include her voice as a package deal, it's safe to say she rocked it and so can you.

- nali xo 

A Dollop of Daisy

No, the title for today's post doesn't refer to Marc Jacobs' fresh, summery scent (that deserves a whole post to itself) and it most certainly is not in reference to the goodness that is Daisy sour cream because I'll never stop if I get started on that. As I've mentioned before, I adore any kind of floral print or accent in my wardrobe; daisies in particular. One might even say that I'm daisy crazy (; There's no flower quite like a daisy, simply for the effortless simplicity of it. While on one of my excursions at Buffalo Exchange, I was lucky enough to dig out these studs from the back of the jewelry rack. 

My one-of-a-kind find screams promise to any kind of outfit, whether it be dressy or casual, monochrome or color-blasted, and is a great addition no matter what season you're dressing for. I'm a sucker for quirky earrings because they help fashionistas express themselves without screaming for attention. I thought the best way to wear these earrings was to always tie an outfit together with something yellow.

shirt: mossimo @ target

flannel: aeropostale

leggings: target

boots: target

sunglasses: topshop

shirt: h&m

dress: brandy melville

tights: forever xxi

sneaks: no name

vest: dakota blue

blouse: forever xxi

button-up: american eagle (mens)

shorts: h&m @ buffalo exchange

shoes: steve madden @ marshall's

tights: me moi @ marshall's

Homework for the weekend: go decorate your house for Halloween, drink at least two pumpkin spice lattes, and find yourself some flowery/statement earrings. Your wardrobe will thank me later.

- nali xo

TGIF

Congratulations to each and every one of you for making it through another week.. it's Friday!!! And according to instagram, it's also #flashbackfriday

If I could've chosen any other era to live in besides the one I do I would 1000% choose the 80s. The music, the rebellious teenage years and most of all, the fashion. One of my favorite trends from the 80s was the leather trend. As always, trends change and then revert back and leather is one of those trends that has come back in our fashion circulation.

Some of the biggest fashion icons of the 80s were team leather. It's so funny to see how much one specific style can change so much over the course of 30 years. Here's my tribute to current day leather

tank: miley cyrus & max azria @ walmart

sweater: forever xxi

shorts: divided @ buffalo exchange

sneakers: converse

 jacket: young and reckless @ pac sun
shirt: forever xxi
scarf: honey
pants: target

shirt: rolla coaster @ t.j.maxx

skirt: one clothing @ t.j.maxx

leg warmers: target

shoes: no name

necklaces: forever xxi

earrings: claire's

Now go out and enjoy the leather!

- nali xo

Thursday Thrift Find!

nali·rucci [nah-lee-roo-chee; Italian] 
noun
1. Nickname of 'goodbetterdressed' blogger
2. Avid toaster strudel eater
3. Professional sleeper
4. Semi-professional thrift shopper


The dictionary doesn't lie ^^^

HA if only. Until my semi professional status becomes officially ordained I make use of my time spending all my shopping money on clothes that were previously worn as attire during other people's memories. My favorite thrift/consignment store right now is Buffalo Exchange. It's perfect for regular thrifters as well as people who aren't as comfortable buying used clothing because the store has a filtering system when accepting clothing that accepts fashionable and name brand items. To learn more about Buffalo Exchange or to find a location visit http://www.buffaloexchange.com for thrift finds of your own! Here's my favorite item I found there this week:

tank: h&m

blazer: rue 21 @ marshall's

skirt: 21 trachic clothing & accessories @ buffalo exchange

boots: wet seal

 I know this skirt seems a little random and many people would probably not even think twice when seeing it on a rack but it was the only thing on the rack I saw that actually stood out and I have a thing for that. It also instantly reminded me of something one of these lovely ladies would wear so I loved it even more.

 This was my first instinct on how to wear it, very grunge. 

 And then I played with more subtle ways to wear it

sweater: h&m

boots: sears

earrings: buffalo exchange

lace shirt: eyeshadow @ marshalls

cardigan: piazza italia

shoes: lower east side @ pay less

denim button up: american eagle

shoes: no name

Go out and spice up your life!

- nali xo

#shoesdaytuesday

Happy #shoesdaytuesday !

So I went thrift shopping the other day and stumbled upon these gems.. it was love at first sight. Obviously I had to make them mine and $19.50 later the two of us have been spending a lot of time together.. I see this relationship going places. Here is my favorite way to wear them.

Shoes like these should be accentuated so if you're lucky enough to find a quirky pair of flats in your shopping excursions try lots of black and neutral patterns.

jacket: forever xxi

blouse: paper crane @ marshall's

leggings: target

leg warmers: wet seal

shoes: misbehave @ buffalo exchange

OR

Try your luck in a completely opposite direction and allow the shoes to be a mere fragment of an overall expressive outfit.

Sweater: DIVIDED @ h&m

tee: mr. chips @ buffalo exchange

jeans: jennyfer

necklace: ralph lauren @ buffalo exchange

sunglasses: topshop

shirt: rolla coster @ t.j.maxx

skirt: one clothing @ t.j.maxx

tights: memoi @ marshall's

hat: michael kors

necklace: you & i @ emporium's costume jewelry

headwrap: claire's

sweater: weathervane (vintage)

necklace: forever xxi

tights: marshall's

**Warning: These shoes will not actually make you fly. If you are looking for means of levitation please stop by your nearest convenience store and pick up a Red Bull or buy yourself a one way ticket to Hogwarts.

Thanks for reading!

- nali xo