A Western Winter Look on a Budget

Meet Alexis -- Top Button's Fashion Cents coordinator. She specializes in making fashion affordable for any budget and she's also known for bringing the most unconventional colors and patterns alive throughout any season.

Her floral denim jacket was purchased last winter at American Eagle with a gift card that she received for Christmas. Alexis only feels comfortable to splurge on one item when she gets to spend her gift cards, but even this jacket was on sale for $25.

Today she wears a cream lace Papaya dress that she purchased for only $6 at Goodwill. The inspiration of this whole outfit was centered around this dress.

The pink-ish tan tights were just $2 brand new from Goodwill, but were originally from Target.

Last, but certainly not least, are her genuine cowgirl boots purchased for just $3 at Salvation Army during their 50% off sale. Every season, Alexis  creates a "fashion must-have wish list" and a pair of cowgirl boots made the cut. When she spotted these shoes and they were the perfect fit, she felt like she was caught in the middle of a western Cinderella story.

The total cost of this outfit was just $36! 

(However, if you keep in mind that the jacket was purchased with a gift card, this outfit only cost Alexis $11 total!)

For more fashion features of great deals, celebrity looks for less, and thrift shop hauls, comment below with what you'd like to see Alexis post next.

Fit For A Princess: Creating Princess Moments One Dress At A Time

 On a recent Instagram post the Top Buttons community of followers got a sneak peek on Alexis' involvement with something called Fit For A Princess. Here's the scoop:

Fit For A Princess (FFAP) is an organization in Lakeland, FL whose purpose is to create 'princess moments' for underprivileged high school students who would normally be unable to attend their prom. FFAP has carried out this vision by previously holding dress collections throughout the academic year to donate to the girls of Kathleen High School.

While founder Rachel Kelly was studying in her undergrad at Southeastern University, she read an article about a local high school student who couldn't attend her senior prom because she couldn't afford a dress.

“I realized in that moment that I wasn’t going to let a dress be the reason a girl would miss out on a Princess Moment,” says Kelly.

Since then, Rachel Kelly's dream for these girls became a reality. Currently, FFAP has over 200 dresses in their collection, although they are still looking to expand the variety of not only dresses but now accessories too. In addition, FFAP has received a lot of positive publicity, expansion, and donations. Miss Teen Florida has even offered to collect and donate pageant dresses from fellow pageant contestants and she has promised her presence at the dress give-away event in February.

“I got the call when I was in the store shopping. I literally threw the cart down the aisle and almost dropped my phone,” says Kelly. “You wouldn’t believe how many people are backing this. I have so much support."

This movement to create 'princess moments' has now been adopted by Florida Southern as well. Because two universities have now teamed up to make this event possible, Kelly expects to collect double the amount of dresses and even provide dresses for double the amount of girls by opening up their event to the students of Lakeland Senior High School as well as maintaining their involvement with Kathleen High School. To ensure that this vision is possible, Top Buttons is also supporting FFAP's endeavors and will be assisting in collecting dresses as well.

On February 22, 2014, Top Buttons will be teaming up with the FFAP team to transform Southeastern University's Sportsplex into a fancy boutique full of dresses, where high school students are invited to shop the dress selection completely free of charge with the opportunity to become a princess. On the day of the event, Top Buttons stylists and FFAP volunteers will be dressed as personal fashion consultants to create a dream come true.

More information regarding donations or volunteering can be found by emailing Alexis Gauthier at Alexis@topbuttons.org, or by contacting the founder herself -- Rachel Kelly -- at FitForAPrincess1@yahoo.com or visiting their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/fitforaprincess1

Holiday Gift Guide: Fashion Editor's Picks

Gold and white is a match made in heaven in my opinion. I love the fresh and feminine feel that it gives to my home. Here are some accessories that are on my holiday wish list this year. 1. Good Morning Beautiful Mug, $10.00

2. Chevron Glasses, $48.00 (set of 4)

3. Kate Spade Phone Case, $29.00

4. Gold Pig Bookends, $29.00

5. Diptyque Candle, $60.00

6. Gold Flatware, $29.00

What's on your holiday wish list? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy Styling,

Rebekah

Top 3 Favorite Gift Ideas for Christmas

For those Insta Lovers

Turn those favorite insta captured moments into memories to last, $14.99 for a set of 9! www.stickygrams.com

For those with an appreciation for Handcrafted Accessories

Stacked Rings –Set from Andy's House of Design. $52.00

 For EVERY on trend young woman

Acrylic Block Monogram Necklace. $58

This necklace won't make it to you by Christmas, but you can find -single initial monogram necklaces, rings, and bracelets ready to be taken home from the store or overnighted to you -everywhere!

DON'T STRESS!  We have Stocking Stuffer Ideas and other Cool Picks for those of you LAST SECOND SHOPPERS. Whatever your Christmas gift purchases are; add a personal touch by writing a simple homemade card or note. People love an encouraging word, reliving an old memory, and seeing your effort to make the gift you give them meaningful.

Holiday Accessory Ideas

Holiday celebrations are in full swing. Add some glamour to your party attire with accessories. Tis the season to sparkle! Incorporate some holiday flair to your up-do with these crystal beauties!

Make a lasting impression with a statement necklace.

Don't forget to throw a sparkly arm party.

A cocktail ring is the perfect companion to a stack of bracelets.

Show off your holiday makeup with a pair of statement earrings.

Top off your ensemble with a sequin clutch.

Never underestimate the power of a little sparkle. With the right accessories, it's easy to add a little holiday glitz to your party outfits. Dust off your LBD, add a few accessories and your ready for a festive night out.

What accessories will you be wearing this holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy Styling! Rebekah

Images via Pinterest: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Best Picks for Stocking Stuffers: Good Things Come in Small Packages

With the holidays approaching, everyone is rushing to buy gifts for all the people on their shopping lists. This can become very difficult and costly when the steep price tags add up. Why not give your parents a cost effective list of stocking stuffer ideas? Here's 10 different areas of ideas all under $25!

1. Clothes – Not many clothing items can be stuffed into a stocking, however, a cute graphic tee or leggings will do the trick.

This tank combines a couple great popular styles by incorporating ombre, flying birds, and the infinity sign. For about $24, this shirt or other similar shirts can be purchased at Delia*s

A couple pairs of leggings can be bunched up to stuff your stocking with enough remaining room for tons of other cute goodies. CottonOn is currently selling these in a variety of colors for 3 for $20

2. Ballet Flats - Hence the name "flats", these shoes are very slim, therefore they'd fit great. CottonOn sells both of these styles for about $5 each.

3. Small Purse/Pouch - Coin purses and make-up bags can be the perfect addition to any day-bag. They come in handy when you need to grab-and-go a few items in a hurry, or simply when you want to keep things organized.  Here's two great selections from Forever 21 & CottonOn.

4. Socks - They may have been the dreaded stocking necessity as a youngster, but they're making a comeback -- especially the cute ones with lace, embellishments, or quotes.

5. Gum - It's as simple as that. It's not just about looking fresh, but it's about smelling fresh too. This 50-pack of Mentos is a perfect pack to share, plus it's minty and long-lasting. This can be purchased at any grocery or convenient store.

6. Skinny Belt - These thin-width belts are super trendy. So why not incorporate TWO trends by adding animal print? This specific belt can be purchased at CottonOn for just $2.

7. Sunglasses - Owning these doubles as both a fashion item and a necessity. CottonOn offers these WayMax Sunnies in a variety of colors - 2 pairs for just $10

8. Bling - Every girl needs a little jewelry in her life to spice up any outfit. Here's three different options, whether you want a glamorous necklace, classy earrings, or a sleek watch.

9. Hair Accessories- Cute headbands and bows are the perfect way to spruce up your hair-do in a rush. Floral and galaxy prints are among the most popular patterns incorporated in this look. Forever 21 offers a wide selection of hair accessories. The options provided below are all under $4 a piece.

Another great stocking stuffer in this department is hair-ties. A girl can never have enough of these in her life. Forever 21 offers a decorative cupcake set of hair-ties for just a couple bucks.

If you want to drastically color your hair without the commitment of long-lasting colored locks? Ask your parents for some hair chalk in your stocking. Alexis tried some and loved the results.

10. Beauty Products - Whether you need lip color, nail color, or a sweet scent, beauty products are an essential.

Cover Girl offers a large choice of colors and combinations in this combo lip color.

Target sells lots of nail polishes. In this gift box, this set may be the only thing fitting into the stocking. To fit more items, purchase nail polishes separately for inclusion.

If you're ever caught in the middle of a fashion crisis, this kit will save you. Alexis has carried one in her purse for years. It is compact and functional.

Bath and Body Works sells the best scents. These lotions are currently Buy 3, Get 3 Free. Persuade gift-givers with this deal to maximize the amount of people being gifted to.

Mad for Plaid: Fall 2013 Trend

Plaid is in and we are not just talking about plaid shirts. Plaid scarves, jackets, pants, purses, and leggings are all statement pieces that add a fresh and stylish edge to your Fall and Winter outfits. Here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate this iconic pattern into your wardrobe this season.

Go bold with a plaid coat to keep you warm and stylish.

Accessorize with a plaid scarf to add depth to your outfit.

Incorporate some holiday glam into your outfit by mixing plaid with sequins.

Add an edge to your look by mixing leather and plaid.

Don't be afraid to mix patterns. Plaid and leopard are a combination that work well together.

Plaid is the perfect addition to your Fall and Winter wardrobe. Though it may be highlighted as a trend this season, it is a solid investment that will never go out of style.

Images Via Pinterest (1, 2, 3 , 4, 5, 6 )

Fashion Finds at the Dollar Tree

Want cute styles and beauty products without breaking the bank? Never underestimate the potential of the Dollar Tree or other dollar stores! Featured below are just a few of the awesome items Fashion Cents Contributor, Alexis,  found while roaming the racks at her local Dollar Tree.

1. e.l.f. Lip Color - Alexis often purchases this brand of cosmetics at Target because of its great quality combined with its appealing price, however, when she saw this lip color at the Dollar Tree, she just HAD to invest. At other stores, all of e.l.f. cosmetics are typically priced between $1-5, which is still a bargain.
2. Animal-Print Sleep Mask - Get your beauty sleep and look cute doing it. Animal prints make a BOLD statement. For just $1, you can block out light to maximize your sleep quality.
3. Scented Rose-Shaped Soap - Wake up and smell the roses. Not only do these soaps smell luxuriously good, but they're aesthetically decorative aswell. Every girl should pamper herself with this soap.
4. Fleece-Lined Polyester Hats - Take advantage of this season's cold weather and rock a beanie. The Dollar Tree sells these hats in a variation of colors, sizes, and prints. Find one, two, or a few that suit your desires in a hat.
5. Ladies' Boot Socks - Every Dollar Tree has their own selection of socks. Alexis purchased a pair of black polka-dotted knee-high socks to pair with her favorite riding boots. Visit your local dollar store to see what kind they have to offer.
6. Sassy & Chic Foam Hair Rollers - Want no-heat curls? Purchase these hair rollers. They're made of foam, so you can sleep in them comfortably. Alexis uses foam hair rollers all the time to create voluminous curls that don't damage her hair. About 10 come in a pack, so use your discretion in purchasing as many as you need to confidently curl your locks.
7. Donna Michelle Salon Basics 4-Piece Manicure Set - This is a neccessity to carry with you in your purse. Alexis is happy she bought one because it sure has saved her from alot of unwanted hangnails or unclipped nails.
8. Heel & Ball-of-Foot Gel Cushions - As women, our heels are just as high as your standards, so we need some extra cushion and support to get us through the day. These gel cushions provide extra comfort and can be easily inserted and hidden in your favorite shoes.

The Baseball Cap Trend

Baseball caps are getting a makeover this season. They are being adorned with studs, jewels and draped in luxurious leather. A hat that was once worn only to sporting games or to cover up a bad hair day, is now being considered as a statement piece. Wear them with leather pants, a skirt or skinny jeans, baseball caps can be worn dressed up or down. Here are a few ways that you can wear the baseball cap trend.

Baseball caps are a great addition to the Fall and Winter wardrobe. They are a versatile accessory that can be worn with several different looks and silhouettes. We all need a go-to hat that we can quickly throw on for those days when we want to look stylish and put together, but don’t have a lot of time to spend on our hair. The baseball cap is perfect for this.

Who knew baseball caps could be so chic! Will you be wearing this trend? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Styling!

Rebekah

Images via Pinterest: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Thrift Shop Haul

Thrift-shopping can be often overlooked for many reasons. Some people are turned away by the overwhelming chaos. Other people can't stand the smell. Some shoppers get impatient searching, while others simply want the latest fashion and fear that second-hand stores are just too out-dated. This article is designed to provide hope when searching the racks of thrift stores by showing just a few of the many things Alexis, our Fashion Cents Contributor, purchased on her most recent thrift shop hauls.

Alexis went to Salvation Army for their 50% off Wednesday sale and continued her thrift adventures at Goodwill a couple days later. On both occasions, she brought good company with her to keep her spending limit accountable, to have some fun, and to assure that she didn't purchase anything too outlandish.

The red blazer with blue trimming featured both above and below was purchased at Salvation Army during their 50% off Wednesday sale. Alexis saw this blazer upon entry and wore it throughout her entire thrift hunt through the store. When she arrived at the cashier, she realized she could not part with it. What a steal for just $3, here is at least two ways she can wear it.

The Jones New York jeans were found mixed in on an unexpected rack at Goodwill. These pants were brand new and fit so perfectly. Alexis could not pass them up! They were the perfect addition to her crazy pants collection. While at Goodwill, Alexis quickly researched the brand on her smart phone and discovered that these jeans range anywhere from $60-90 full price.

The blue lace dress was purchased at Goodwill for just $6, but originally can be found at Old Navy, whose dresses are usually between $20-30 originally. (FUN FACT: When these two items are paired together, Alexis receives a lot of comments in which she's compared to a politician or the First Lady.) On that day, Alexis really had a propensity to purchase cute dresses. Aside from this dress, she also bought 4 other dresses that will be posted in a later article.It's not fall without a plaid flannel button down in your wardrobe. It's both comfortable and warm. Purchased at Salvation Army, Alexis' friends enlightened her on how to score shirts like this. The secret is to raid the MENS SECTION! Similar Converse shirts can be found at Target for a lot more money, so sifting through Salvation Army racks is worth the bargain.

Sometimes a cozy neutral sweater is all one needs to rock the fall look. This gray sweater is oversized in width, but can be paired well with a cute undershirt because of its crop-top quality. Don't be afraid to try on different shapes and shades of sweaters.

To stick with the sweater theme, this one fulfilled Alexis' long lasting desire to have something army print in her wardrobe. Although it wasn't purchased at a traditional thrift-store, Plato's Closet does offer great deals and styles. A long sweater like this is versatile because it can be worn with regular jeans or even jeggings for a more flexible fit. She bought these blue jeggings for just $3 to appropriately accompany the sweater. The jeggings even had the tag left on it from Target!

Stay tuned for PART 2 of Alexis' Fall Thrift Shop Haul where she unveils more trendy dresses and sweaters. Now that you know what kind of cute clothes you can score for great deals, HAPPY THRIFTING.

Black Friday Deals

It's that time of year when everyone is scouring the store ads to see what kind of deals they can get! Christmas lists have been made and it is the perfect time to check some items off of the list! Today, we have compiled a few of our favorite Black Friday deals to help make shopping easier! Ulta will have door-busters and a ton of sales this year! Look for their exclusive $10 Bare Minerals Kits (a $44 value) and the Benefit Cosmetics Lip Lotto, for $18. The deals are available on-line Thursday 7pm CST and in-store starting at 8pm. You can click here for more details.

Sephora is offering $10 specials that include lines such as Tarte, Bite, Buxom, and Jose Maran. They will be available on-line and in stores Nov. 29 while supplies last. Check out their Pinterest board for a sneak preview of their deals.

H&M will have deals from $2.95 starting Nov.29. The first 100 people in line will receive scratch off tickets worth up to $300. To preview more deals from H&M click here.

Old Navy is having some pretty impressive specials this year!  They will be open Thanksgiving (Nov.28) 9am-4pm. Doors will re-open at 7pm and stay open through 11pm Friday night. The entire store will be 50%. Also, one shopper will win a million dollars! The first 100 in line Thursday night will have a chance to win. To see more deals click here.

Target  is having a ton of deals! Stores open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving; Online sales begin at 12:01 a.m. on Black Friday. To preview the ad click here.

Forever 21 is starting early and having deals leading up to Black Friday 2013. From now until November 29th, Forever 21's Pre-Black Friday sale will offer 50% off a ton of select items. To see today's deals click here. On Black Friday, it is rumored that Forever 21 will launch its "yellow tag deals" with items starting out as low as $3.00.

Gap also started their Black Friday sale early. Each daily deal is different and those who sign up for emails can get an additional 25% off. To see the Black Friday sale click here.

As you can see the deals are on! Let us know in the comments below if you score some amazing finds! Ready, set, Save!

Clarasonic Mia 2 Review

After hearing so much about the Clarisonic brush, I felt as though I had to try it in order to see if all of the hype was true! And....I have to say that it is! I absolutely love my Clarisonic Mia 2 and could not be more happy with it.

The Clarisonic Mia 2 is a professional caliber brush that cleans the skin deeply. It clears pores and cleanses skin thoroughly so that your skin care products can absorb better. According to the company, results include 6x better cleansing than manual cleansing, reduced pores, fine lines, and wrinkles and improved skin tone.

My Mia 2 came with an extra brush head, a travel case, a magnetic charger, and two cleansers. Just to warn you ahead of time, it takes a full 24 hours to charge. Those 24 hours felt like forever to me; I could not wait to try it out! The Mia 2 is simple to use. It has a built-in timer that is pre-set with the amount of time that you are supposed to use on different parts of your face. Genius!

Here is how easy it is to use the Mia 2:

• Remove your eye make up.
• Wet your face and the brush.
• Apply cleanser to the brush head or directly onto your face.
• Turn Mia 2 on and select which speed you want: low or normal.
• Follow the timer prompts. 20 seconds of your forehead, 20 seconds on your nose/chin, and 10 seconds on each cheek. Mia 2 will turn off automatically after one minute.
• Rinse face, dry and apply moisturizer.

After using the Mia 2, my skin has never felt so clean! Not only does my skin look and feel great, but the Mia 2 is actually fun to use. I find myself looking forward to cleaning my face, instead of dreading it like before. The results from using the Mia 2 are that my skin is clean, clear, and soft. Another perk is that my makeup goes on smooth and looks great. The Mia 2 is definitely worth the money; I look at it as an investment in my skin.

Ipsy: November 2013 Glam Bag Review

I don't know about you, but I LOVE trying new beauty products! When I heard about Ipsy, an online subscription that sends you customized beauty products each month, I was thrilled! For a mere $10 a month I receive 4-5 deluxe samples and full size beauty products. I recently signed up and today I am sharing the November Ipsy glam bag with you! In this month's bag I recieved two lipsticks, eyeshadow, nail polish, eyeliner, and bronzer. The first lipstick is from Michelle Phan's new beauty line EM in "Hug Me ". It is a sheer nude that gives you that barely there lip. It is creamy, rich, and glides on smooth. In the photo below I am wearing this lipstick a long with the Pixie bronzer in "Subtly Suntouched". This shade of bronzer was a bit on the pale side. I would only use this to give a subtle, warm glow to my skin. I would not be able to contour with this color. Overall, the finish was nice.

The second lipstick in my bag is from Be a Bombshell. It is a bright red lipstick that is perfect for the holiday season. It could be paired with a natural eye or something a little more glam such as the Starlooks gem eyeliner in "Amethyst!"

This eyeliner is also an excellent makeup staple for the holidays! It is a beautiful silver liner that is perfect for adding a touch of sparkle to the inner corners of your eyes. I can't wait to try this look using this liner!

I received Galaxy Chic baked eyeshadow from BH cosmetics in the shade "Aphrodite." I was impressed with the quality of the shadow. It has excellent color pay off and glides on smooth. The eyeshadow color however is not a shade that I would wear. I would love to try it again in a different color.

The Nailtini nail polish was a pleasant surprise for me. I received the color "Champagne." It is not a color I would have normally picked for myself, so I am happy this was the polish chosen for me. It is definitely fun and glamorous!

 I loved trying all of these products! 6 beauty items for $10 is a great deal. I am already looking forward to my December glam bag! Have you tried Ipsy before or any of the above products?! If so, leave a comment below and let us know how you liked them!

One Dress = 11 Outfits

  Having Fashion Cents is not just about knowing how to shop, but it's also about knowing when to stop shopping and start revamping the awesome pieces that are already in your closet. Alexis' fashion skills were put to the test when she committed to wearing the same dress for 11 consecutive days. The goal was to see how creative she could get with a basic grey dress she purchased at Rue21 on sale for just $5. The rest of the items and accessories were things she already had in her closet.

 Pictured here are three different looks (from left to right): grunge, fall, and plain. 1. The first look includes a beaded flower belt from WetSeal, an old grey cardigan, and her versatile black studded loafers. 2. The second look screams fall with the floral denim jacket gifted from American Eagle and Alexis' signature tan boots. 3. The third look is self explanatory. Just plain and simple, shoeless & all.

Pictured here are three very diverse looks (from left to right): business casual, fairytale fall, and flowy over-shirt. 4. Alexis is wearing a long sleeve blue button up that she purchased for $1 at a thrift store underneath her dress to add a professional dynamic. Her belt was $1 at CottonOn and her black bootie wedges were $6 at Goodwill. She wore this outfit to a business dinner. 5. Alexis named this look 'fairytale fall' because she fashions a Peter Pan collar underneath her shirt and pairs it with a cardigan for a cool fall day. 6. Alexis wore a flowy sleeveless blouse atop the dress and cinched it in at the waist with a belt that offered a pop of color.

Three more looks are added to the book featuring (from left to right): a knit sweater frenzy, rustic punk, and galaxy gal. 7. Alexis purchased this oversized knit sweater at Salvation Army. Oversized tops work well over dresses. Sometimes a belt can be added so the sweater doesn't swallow you up. Her boots were purchased at Goodwill. 8. Vests are always a great dynamic to spice up a dress. This studded denim vest was purchased for only $6 at Rue21. 9. Leggings are a must when it comes to versatility! They permit women to do more activities when wearing dresses, and in this case, they make Alexis seem 'out of this world'. These galaxy print leggings are a must-have. Alexis won hers in an eBay auction for only $2.

The finale of looks (from left to right): army hipster, and sparkled swag. 10. Alexis wore an oversized sweater over the dress to add a comfortable dynamic. The sweater was only $6 at Plato's Closet. She paired this with a black straw fedora that was $1 at CottonOn and her favorite black combat boots. (This look is Alexis' favorite.) 11. A beaded crop top added a fresh twist to this simple look. The beaded shirt was found at a local Goodwill.

Now, the challenge is yours! Pick a dress -- any dress -- and style it different ways using Alexis' techniques. What's amazing is that no one noticed Alexis' was wearing the same dress every day, except the people she told. Change up your shoes, add a hat, wear something over or under it. The possibilities are endless. Create your own infinity dress.

5 Steps To Finding Your Personal Style

Personal style is a journey. It always changes and evolves with you and your lifestyle. One season you may lean toward classic styles and the next you may love bohemian prints and silhouettes! Your fashion choices can change from day to day. That is the fun of fashion; it is self-expression and it is meant to be fun. Here are some tips to help you a long the way as you find your personal style:

What is style? It is an effortless confidence in being yourself, it is a way of putting yourself together according to what you want to project.  -DVF

1. Create a Pinterest account and start pinning images of outfits that you like. This will help you to identify your likes and dislikes. It will also help to train your eye in how to put together a complete look. The images should also serve as an inspiration for mixing patterns and colors.

2. Gather your favorite fashion magazines and tear out pictures of outfits that you like.

3. Take these images with you when you go shopping and look for similar pieces. Try them on and see if the style works on you.

4. Know your body type. Once you know what styles and silhouettes work for you, it will make shopping so much easier.

5. If you get stuck, enlist the help of a friend. Think of someone whose style you admire and ask them to go shopping with you. Having a second opinion can be extremely helpful.

 After all, style is something each of us already has-all we need to do is find it. -DVF

The key to finding your style is first gathering inspiration; whether it is from fashion magazines or from friends that you admire. The next step is to know your body type. Inspiration and knowledge are the seedbeds to creativity.

Photos via Pinterest: ( 1| 2 | 3 )

Tips for Packing from Tori's Suitcase

Article by: Tori Mills// She knows the feeling. There is a big trip coming up and she has to pack...Maybe it's a business trip she must fly to attend, vacation with family, a weekend visit away to an old friend’s house, or a best friends sister’s wedding.

Whatever the purpose of her trip, packing is an inevitable and sometimes daunting feat she must accomplish.  First things first, she must decide: what in the world is she going to take to wear? Dress is a decision which impacts her packing and…often prevents it from occurring.

Tori's Trip

A business trip to a cool southwestern state, four days at a conference and two days of flight traveling. Airplane regulations, weather, and length of conference are all factors included in the decisions she makes of what clothes to pack.

She determines and so she begins the packing process, knowing that; when crunched for time to make it to the 7:30 am breakfast before the 8am meeting, she will be ready to walk out of her hotel room classy and…on time.

 Tori's Packing Tips

• Pick pieces that can be worn several different ways
• Clothes should be packed in outfits
• Choose shoes that are comfortable and classy
• Dress in layers since it is often cold inside and warmer as the day progresses
• Accessorize for professionalism

Thinking of ideas for pieces that can be worn several different ways, she decides on her favorite new black/brown platform ankle boots and black zipper jeggings. The brilliancy of jeggings are: they can be worn under dresses/ skirts and again as pants under a longer mid length sweater, the best part: they are small and easy to pack and show no wrinkles after that long flight.

Tori's favorite tricks to make your stay at the hotel clean and simple

1. Be organized when you pack-fold your outfits in piles. This keeps you both organized and ensures you have not forgot anything!
2. When you arrive at the hotel, un pack and hang up all outfits in groups. This can help you to visualize your outfits and be prepared the night before. This also will help reduce an wrinkles that may have occurred during your travel.

Day 1: Travel

OUTFIT TIP:  Dress comfortably, but in layers as the airport and airplane may be cold.

For travel day she decides on her Cotton On burgundy owl sweater, light brown shrug, jeggings, leg warmers, and knee high black boots. Accessories: black stud earrings, and her everyday fossil watch. (All purchased from JCP with the exception of the Cotton On sweater) What’s great about this outfit? If she gets warm she can take off the leg warmers, or the outer sweater.

Day 2: School Visits and Conference Opener

OUTFIT TIP: In order to make a great first impression, choose to wear your best outfit on this day.

For day 2 she decides to wear Ann Taylor Khaki dress slacks, paired with a light pink blouse and Ann Taylor ¾ length suit jack, and black/brown platform heels. What’s great about this outfit? It’s versatile and packs well without wrinkles, after the school visits and conference opener she can take the jacket, add a sweater, and change to jeans to transition to a more casual dinner attire.

Day 3: First full day of conference meetings

OUTFIT TIP:  Second day of conference, this will be a long day so be prepared.

For day three she chooses to pair her Express striped button down shirt with red dress slacks from the Gap and a rose colored Mossimo jacket. Highlights of this outfit? It is wearable for those long days of meetings and yet, both classy and professional. She pairs with it her black/ brown platform heels again (repeating from the day prior as to pack less shoes), small hoop silver earrings, and of course her everyday Fossil watch.

Day 4: Last day of conference, and sightseeing

OUTFIT TIP:  This is the last day so end with an outfit that will leave a lasting  impression.

For day four she decides on a funky and feminine look. She picks a champagne Loft dress, paired with gray tights, and a black and white patterned suit jacket (Notice the repeating pattern of jackets daily) wearing a blazer or light jacket over an outfit adds style and warmth for those long days in colder conference centers! She accessorizes with her black knee high boots, blue chunky necklace, and Fossil watch.

 Day 5: Travel home

OUTFIT TIP: Be comfortable and relax, you're going home!

For the last day and travel home she picks her favorite 7 straight leg jeans, black flat knee high boots, gray oversized Gap sweater, and her Faved Fossil watch. She loves to be comfortable and yet stylish.  Highlights of this outfit: This is the time to be relaxed as she travels through the airport and to her final destination: home. It's an easy pair!

A messy suitcase is a waste of time and it's crippling when you are in a hurry. Remember wherever you are traveling:  to a business conference like Tori, a vacation, or other- pack your outfits in groupings! But most importantly, show your personal style! It is you after all you are representing on the trip.

Tori Mills, 24, is a 2011 graduate of Southeastern University who currently lives in Sioux City, Iowa where she teaches 5th grade Dual Language. Tori is an outgoing, adventurer always looking for a new experience and an outfit to accompany! She embraces life and desires to set an example in all areas though she may be young! Tori will be a writer for other articles on Top Buttons in the future including: Health and fitness, DIY, and Spiritual Inspiration.

On The List: Try the White Jacket Trend

Just because it's fall, doesn't mean you can't wear WHITE!  Why go for the traditional black blazer or denim jacket when you can add an unexepected white outer layer instead?   As seen in style magazines for summer and fall, people everywhere have been spotted wearing this trend. You could even do all dark colors and add this soft splash of white on top.

When shopping for a white jacket, don't think large and oversized like a doctor coat. Think tailored and detailed.  Maybe consider a white vest instead of the jacket.  It will prove to be a guaranteed hit for year round use!

Photo Credit: Casey Taylor

Shopping on a Budget

Hello again! It’s Alexis with your latest FASHION CENTS.

One complaint I often receive from people who want to get good deals is that they aren’t willing to wear old clothes worn by strangers. The thought of someone else once wearing those clothes somehow grosses them out, and while for some, that’s a reasonable excuse not to thrift shop, I personally think it adds character to the clothes. On a similar note, today I’m going to enlighten you all on some stores where you can shop for brand new clothes that are still VERY affordable. My effort is to appease those of you who want to dress both affordably and fashionably, but aren’t willing to wear used clothing. Here are some of my favorite affordable retail stores:

 1. CottonOn

When I first started college, I naturally visited the nearest mall soon after. On that first mall trip is when I discovered CottonOn. While I was there, I purchased two dresses for $5 a piece and was blown away by their prices and style! At the time, they didn’t have an online American store, but I quickly signed up for their mailing list so I would be the first to know when they did.

Fortunately enough, they launched their online shopping about a year ago, and their online selection and prices are even better. All of their clothes are super versatile and comfortable because they are made with cotton. To shop online visit CottonOn.com and make sure to check out their sections called “Nothing Over $5” and “Nothing Over $10”.

2. MadRag

I discovered this store while I was on vacation. We had extended our stay for a few extra days and I hadn’t packed enough clothes to last the trip, so I walked into MadRag with $25 and walked out with two pairs of shorts and three shirts. Unfortunately this store doesn’t offer online shopping, but if you visit their site, you can find a location near you. http://10spotplus.com/storelocator.aspx

3. TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls

These are three stores I thoroughly adore. Their collection of clothing is very wide, with selections for everyone in the family.  They each sell name brand clothing at discounted prices. Brands like American Eagle, Coach, Nike, Calvin Klein, and more can be spotted on their racks. I’ve bought everything from Prom dresses, to church dresses, to work out clothes, and even to cute casual shoes.

A great tip that saves me tons of money is that I go straight to the sales racks before even sifting through any other sections of these stores.

Ross  |  TJMaxx  |  Marshalls

4. Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Juniors Link 

Many people overlook Wal-Mart as a place for fashion, but every year for Christmas and my birthday my grandpa would give me a $25 gift card and I grew to love it more and more each time. Recently, camo skinny pants were on my fashion must-have list. Most places would sell them for at least $30, but I found them at Wal-Mart for $16.88. Here’s some ideas of things you can get at Wal-Mart.

  Floral Peplum Top

Check out the concept of this bargain! You can mix and match fashionable tops with bottoms to get an affordable and adorable bundle deal!

Mix-n-Match Denim Shirt and Colored Pants Bundle Deal

Now you know to never underestimate a store’s potential to carry cute clothes!  Just think about the next time someone compliments your clothes and asks where you got it, and you can confidently say Wal-Mart or CottonOn or any of the other stores many people overlook. You’ll know you scored a great deal.

For MORE FASHION CENTS POSTS CLICK HERE!

Thank you all for tuning in to read yet another blog about affordable fashion. Remember to comment on this post with your thoughts or ideas on this article or suggestions on future articles.

Get the Celebrity Look For Less

Hey Girls! I know that finding the perfect fall look can be pretty difficult, especially when you’re not sure where to look to find affordable and appropriate fashion choices, but have no fear, Alexis is here. Today included in my Fashion Cents blog is a feature called The Look For Less, where I present celebrity-inspired looks for much cheaper prices.

I’ve found three very versatile looks that would look great on most body types that are really in style this season.

1. Demi Lovato’s comfy-casual look

Boots  |   Leggings  |  Sweater  |  Fedora

One thing that I’m certain about is that maroon/burgundy pants and leggings are so in style this season. A great pair of leggings is always closet staple. What’s super convenient about this outfit is that all of the items are solids, so they can be paired with a variety of other outfit options. Demi’s oversized black sweater completes the look because it adds warmth, edge, and comfort all in one.

2. Taylor Swift’s Sailor Look

Striped Shirt  |   Red Skinny Jeans  |  Leather Cross Body Bag  |  Headband  |  Yellow Ballet Flats

Sailor stripes are climbing their way back up on the style spectrum. A ¾ sleeve striped shirt is the most popular variation of this trend, but really you can never go wrong with simple sailor stripes to complete a look. They look best when paired with the primary colors (yellow, red, or blue), just like Taylor’s outfit.

3. Zooey Deschanel’s Western-Chic Look

Lace Dress  |  Cowgirl Boots  |  Belt  |  Leggings

If lace were a color, it would be my favorite color. Lace is something that every lady should have in her closet. Zooey pulls off this western look really well by pairing a lace dress with cowgirl boots. Cowgirl boots are definitely trendy and come in all sorts of styles to accommodate the fashionista’s personal preferences.

 Don’t be afraid to look up outfits on Pinterest from fashionable celebrities like Kari Jobe, Candace Cameron Bure, or other celebrities I included in this post. Then, search piece-by-piece for items like theirs. One feature I really love on Google is the ‘shopping’ section, where it pulls results from all kinds of online stores and I can compare prices.

So there you have it! Three great fall looks, whether you’re feeling comfy, like a sailor, or a little bit of country twang. If there’s a look you want to rock, but need help finding affordable and appropriate items, feel free to comment below so I can feature it in my next article on The Look for Less.

The Modern Manicure

I remember when french manicures were "the thing" to do. Picking out polish at the nail salon was simple... pink and white! Fast forward to the present and we have a gazillion nail colors to choose from. The color of your nails have become as important as the color of shoes you wear! With nail art in the spotlight, the traditional pink and white manicure is taking a back row seat and creative color combinations are stealing the show. I decided to ditch my comfort zone and take a risk with the "modern manicure." I chose this gold and black combination. Surprisingly, I really like it! It has to be paired with the right outfit for it to work. But, it is a look that I would actually wear on occasion.

To achieve this look I used Essie's Good As Gold and OPI's Black Onyx. I love both of these nail polishes combined and on their own. All you need to do is apply 1-2  coats of gold and then apply the black polish to the tips.

So there you go, the "modern manicure!" I am looking forward to trying a few different color combinations. I think the next look will be a sheer, milky white nail with gold tips. What would you suggest?! Let me know what you have tried or what you would recommend for colors in the comments below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Happy Styling, Rebekah