Our Top 3 Fall Wardrobe Essentials

Pumpkin patches, apple cider, light jackets and plaid shirts. Yes, that's right! Fall is well on it's way and we are excited to bring you this year's trends all season long. For those of you who want to prep your closet for fall, but aren't exactly sure where to start – look no further! We are here to help by bringing you our top 3 essentials. Start building your autumn wardrobe today! 1. The Long Sweater This trend is one of our favorites. Comfortable and classy - this cardigan is sure to keep you warm all season. You can find a similar style here at The Limited.

2. The Perfect Pair of Skinny Jeans A well-fir of skinny jeans are a year round staple. Experiment with different brands and find your favorite fit. Right now, we are in love with the high-waisted skinny jeans from Guess,  The Loft, J.Crew, and Banana Republic!

3.  The Neutral Bootie This is the ultimate accessory for every autumn outfit. Dress these booties up or down - either way, your sure to amp up your look with this stylish essential. Choose from a large selection at SoleSociety or DSW!

So there you have it, three fall wardrobe essentials to kick off the season! The thing we love best about each of these pieces is their versatility! Mix and match them with different looks to create your own style. Fall will be here before you know it, and when it arrives you will be ready.

Written by: Anastasia Jones Photos via: Pinterest

5 Shopping Tips To Save You Money

Shopping and saving money are both things that we enjoy doing. Preferably at the same time! Whether you're shopping in-store or online, there are ample opportunities to both save money and buy the things you want. 1. Clearance Events / Major Holidays - A few times a year stores have major clearance events and blow-out sales. Often times, these sales can take place on or around major holidays. Keep an eye out for super low deals, and be sure to snag them as soon as they are available.

2. Cash Back Rewards - Some stores have cash back rewards programs. Once a customer purchases a certain amount of items, the store will give a percentage or dollar amount off of their next purchase. For example, when you reach 2,000 points using your Ann Taylor card, you are given a $20 off rewards card to use on any purchase at Ann Taylor, Loft, or either of their factory outlets. The $20 reward is able to be used on any purchase within the allotted period, and can be combined with any other coupons or sales. Ann Taylor also offers customers the chance to earn double points during certain events throughout the year. It's fantastic!

3. Coupon Apps - Apps like RetailMeNot, Spendless and Shopkick are just a few coupon apps that are amazing for saving time and money. Don't check-out at the register until you have searched for coupons using one of these apps, you never know what deals they will find for you.

4. New Subscriber Deals - We are constantly discovering new online boutiques, and almost all of them offer money-saving coupons when you subscribe to their website. So make sure to always check and see what the perks are for joining a store's mailing list. A 10-20% off coupon may be sent to your inbox just for signing up.

5. Check Tag & Receipt - Always check the price tag and compare it to the receipt. This may sound like a no-brainer, but in the long run this tip may save you hundreds of dollars. Retail is always subject to human error, and a shirt that was tagged at $10, could end up costing you the original value simply because it was not logged into the computer system properly. Now, why should you have to pay for that error? The answer is - you shouldn't.

We hope these tips come in handy when making future purchases. Whether you're in the market for new clothing, textbooks or electronics, keep these money-saving tips in mind and keep more money in your pocket!

Written by: Anastasia Jones 

Image: Pinterest

5 Tips For Achieving Your Best Internship Look

Congratulations! You knocked your interview out of the park, and have officially landed the internship of your dreams! Your first day begins next week, and you have absolutely no idea what to wear. You have a few classic pieces that are appropriate for the office, but the majority of your closet consists of faded skinny jeans and other items you wore throughout college. Don't fret, we are here to help!

Achieving your best internship look shouldn't be stressful, it should be fun! It's your opportunity to bring your own sense of style to the workplace. To start, follow these 5 tips:

1. Begin with the basics. It is all about versatility. Blazers, dress pants, and a tote bag are all great places to start.

2. Pay attention to clothing quality. There is nothing worse than a poorly timed wardrobe malfunction in the office.

3. Layer, layer, layer. Offices are notorious for dramatic fluctuations in temperature. Having layers can create a more comfortable working environment for you throughout the day.

4. Add your own personal flair to each outfit. Add a statement necklace, or a chunky bracelet to amp up your look.

5. Determine the appropriate attire for the industry you are in. An internship at the White House and an internship at the local newspaper may call for two different wardrobes.

Now you look great and you feel great! You're ready to take on your first day at the office. Remember, you didn't get the job because of the clothes that you wear. You got the job because you are brilliant, hard-working, ambitious and kind. Those traits, coupled with a stellar wardrobe, are sure to bring you success wherever you go!

Written by: Anastasia Jones

Photos via Pinterest

Boston Beauty with a Skyline View

My name is Anastasia and I am from Boston, Massachusetts.  I love shopping, reading, meeting new people and being active! What is the craziest thing that I have ever done? Skydiving from an altitude of 14,000 feet! I received my undergraduate degree at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Attending college has opened up many doors and given me some amazing opportunities. In the summer of 2011, I was chosen to intern for the Department of Defense in Washington D.C. Going to work in the Pentagon everyday was definitely one of the most surreal experiences. I absolutely loved my college experience at Southeastern, which is why I decided to continue on in pursuit of my Masters in Business Administration there as well. I will graduate with my MBA in December of 2013.

My mother worked hard to instill in me an appreciation for modest clothing choices at a young age. Middle school was rough, and thinking back on my middle school experience, I can remember having a difficult time navigating through a desire to fit in with my peers and a genuine curiosity as to the different trends in fashion. While the desire to fit in began do dissipate during high school, it was replaced by an overpowering and increasing desire to truly discover and embrace my own uniqueness and independence.

Looking back on both of my middle school and high school experiences, I can offer two pieces of advice to anyone curious about how to make it through the complicated social politics of middle school and the increasing desire to gain independence during high school:

Tip #1: Your clothes will never make people like you. It is the way that you treat people which will truly shape how others see you and who you will one day become.

Tip #2: In life, it is not about “fitting in.” It is about standing out. And what will truly separate you from everyone else will be your courage to do what is right, determination to make your dreams a reality, and standing firm in your values and beliefs.

It is important to understand that modesty is not only evident in the clothes that we wear, but also in each decision that we make. I mean, that is what life comes down to: a series of decisions. We all mess up.  It is not about being perfect.  It is about learning from our mistakes and the mistakes of others. My boss always tells me “Try. Fail. Learn.” It is that simple.

Being a part of Top Buttons has been an amazing opportunity, and without a doubt one of the best decisions that I have ever made. Let Top Buttons truly be a resource for both fashion and inspiration. Ask questions. Do not just succumb to the definition society assigns you.

Stand out and soar!

Love, Anastasia

My beanie in the photo was made by a friend of mine! Email her if you would like to order for just $12.00! Merutledge_msw@yahoo.com

Photos by: Taylor Flumerfelt