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August 17, 2013

We've Moved
Hi there!  If you’re visiting from happyfitdiaries.blogspot.com, we’ve moved!  You can find us at happyfitdiaries.com.  Make sure to bookmark or subscribe to our happyfitdiaries.com page to keep up with future posts!


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2013 Fall Trends Wishlist

August 16, 2013

2013 Fall Trends Wishlist

This week’s wishlist is a follow-up to yesterday’s 2013 Fall Trends post.  As you may notice, almost all of these pieces are actually pretty timeless.  That’s because I’ve never been a huge “trend dresser”.  I may incorporate versions of each season's trends into my wardrobe, but most of the pieces I purchase tend to lean toward a timeless look.  Reason being, like most people, I have a budget to stay within.  I think about how much wear I’ll be able to get out of a piece before making a purchase.  But when I do decide to purchase super trendy items that have few timeless qualities, I get them from retailers like H&M and Forever21 so that if I tire of that trend, or quickly realize that it was a bad idea, I’m not out a huge investment. 

2013 Fall Trends Wishlist


1. Faux-Fur Panel Knitted Vest / Trends- layering, statement outerwear

2. Tweed & Leather Jacket / Trends- leather, statement outerwear

3. Cobweb Beanie / Trend- knit beanie

4. Felted Wool Swing Coat / Trend- statement outerwear
5.  Asos Peg Let Pants with Soft Pleats / Trend- slouchy pants
  6. High-Waisted Leather Skirt / Trend- leather

7.  Tailored Trouser / Trend- winter white

8.  Long Flowy Skirt / Trend- emerald green


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2013 Fall Trends

August 14, 2013

2013 Fall Trends

Fall is my favorite season to dress for.  I love everything about traditional fall pieces- the colors, textures, and the endless possibilities that come with layering.  It gives you a chance to be creative while transitioning from the lighter fabrics of summer attire to the heavier winter staples.

Not all trends translate well from runway to street style or casual every day wear.  The following are my top picks for 2013 Fall trends.  Anyone can pull off a version of these trends while remaining comfortably chic and stylish, without looking overly fussy.

2013 Fall Trends

Leather

Leather was everywhere this summer- from flouncy skirts and dresses to leather leggings.  That is one of many spring/summer 2013 trends that are being carried over into the fall season. I love leather because it can add an edginess to practically any outfit.  However, few people are able to pull off a head-to-toe leather look without looking like a dominatrix.  Unless that is the look you are going for, mix and layer leather with lighter pieces like lace and sheer fabrics.  
Photo credit- ASOS


2013 Fall Trends

Emerald Green

Pantone named emerald green as the 2013 color of the year, describing it as “Lively.  Radiant.  Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”  This is another trend that was present during spring and summer 2013, with no signs of slowing down.  Help usher this gorgeous hue into fall by pairing it with other rich jewel tones like amethyst, sapphire, and citrine.  If you really want to amp up the elegance factor, pair this look with heels and a structured clutch.  
Photo credit- fashiondistrict.org


2013 Fall Trends

Layering

It’s hard for me to refer to layering as a “trend” since it’s a fall staple, but if Harper Bazaar says it is, it must be so.  Done correctly, layering is a great way to achieve a casual, effortlessly chic look.  Mix it up when layering- pair heavier fabrics like leather, wool, and velvet with light fabrics like lace, sheers, and silk.  Careful when mixing patterns- the goal of layering this fall is to achieve an effortlessly linear look, not like you couldn’t decide what to wear this morning, so you put on every one of your favorite pieces.  When in doubt, start with a base of a well-fitting tee and a pair of boyfriend jeans.  Build from there.  Choose one statement piece- perhaps a fitted blazer or jacket (to contrast the bagginess of the boyfriend jeans), add a pair of heels or booties and a chunky scarf.  Instant casual perfection!   
Photo credit-FABSUGAR


2013 Fall Trends

Knit Beanies

I love this trend because it’s simple, practical and inexpensive.  But don’t limit wearing knit beanies only with casual looks.  Throw one on with a streamlined dress or tailored pants and a fitted blazer.  The contrast makes it ultra chic!   
Photo credit- lamodellamafia.com, ontheracks.com, and focusonstyle.com. 



2013 Fall Trends

Slouchy Pants

I can’t tell you how much I adore this particular fall trend.  After being immersed in a sea of skinny jeans, skin tight ankle grazers, and the (unfortunately) ultra popular high-waisted booty shorts all summer, slouchy pants and trousers are a welcomed change!  This cut is tight around the ankles, loose through the legs and hips, and sits higher on the waist.  Pair this gorgeous cut with heels, and a Comme des Garcons leather pouch, the “must-have statement piece for fashion insiders” according to Lucky Magazine.  
Photo credit- Mango



2013 Fall Trends

Statement Outerwear

Another major statement piece this fall is outerwear.  Retailers are responding to this trend by offering fall jackets and coats in bold colors, interesting textures and dramatic cuts.  However, when choosing a statement piece, keep to one particular detail.  Go for a bold color, interesting texture, OR a dramatic cut.  Not all three.  You want a statement piece, not a museum piece.  Just be sure to keep the rest of your outfit simple when wearing a statement coat.  
Photo credit- thefasihontag.com, Asos.com, and Topshop.com.


2013 Fall Trends

Winter White

This one is more of a timeless classic, but I had to include it.  Most people associate dark colors with fall and winter fashions, but I’ve always loved winter white for both seasons.  Just be sure to keep to seasonally appropriate fabrics.  Save your lighter fabrics for spring and summer.  Stick to heavier fabrics like tweed, wool, and chunky knits.  
Photo credit- Silvia Olsen Photography


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Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

August 13, 2013

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

Since we eat so much of it around here, I’m always on the lookout for delicious, yet simple chicken recipes.  And it’s a major plus when even my 3-year old picky eater approves!  This recipe checked off my usual meal prep requirements-  healthy, simple, quick, and less than 10 ingredients.
 
I found this recipe on a great blog called goodlife {eats}.  She has plenty of amazing, yet simple recipes as well as great lifestyle posts.  She’s also a mother of two, so she completely understands the need to keep it simple in the kitchen, as well as how to cater to picky eaters!

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Baked Honey Mustard Chicken


Recipe credit:  goodlife {eats)

Click here for recipe.


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Velvet Detail Treggings and Leather Biker Bag

Velvet Detail Treggings

First there were leggings, then jeggings, but my personal fave are treggings. They are fitted through the legs and thighs like leggings, but the material is thicker- like a pair of trousers.  I particularly love this pair because of the velvet textured detailing.  Since these treggings are constructed from such a rich, textured fabric, I paired it with a sheer blouse with according pleating in the back.

I absolutely love leather bags.  I love the texture of a quality leather bag, and how it ages.  They are one of the few materials that actually improve with age, as long as you take good care of them.  This is one of my faves- a buttery soft Linea Pelle leather bag.  I call it my biker bag because of the classic jet black leather that reminds me of a motorcycle jacket, zipper detailing and long leather fringe.  Who knew a leather bag could be so sexy?  Oh wait, I did.

Velvet Detail TreggingsVelvet Detail TreggingsVelvet Detail TreggingsVelvet Detail TreggingsVelvet Detail Treggings


Blouse- Forever21(Sold Out) / Similar here
Long Sleeve Tee- Splendid via Hautelook / Also here & here
Treggings- Topshop (Sold Out) / Similar here & here
Booties- Martinez Valero via Nordstrom (Old) / Similar here and here
Bag- Linea Pelle Alex Zip Speedy (Old) / Still available here (via ebay) & similar here

Photographs by Jill Iles


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Deck of Cards Workout

August 12, 2013



This is a great workout for vacation- when you may not access to gym equipment, or to just mix things up every once in a while.  All you need for this workout is a deck of cards and either a carpeted area or a fitness or yoga mat for the jumps.  You’re going to perform two sets of each exercise.

 

Workout Breakdown


  • Grab a deck of cards.
  •  Flip 3 cards.  Add up the 3 cards and perform that amount of reps for that exercise.  Face cards = 10, Aces & Jokers = either 1 or 11, depending on how ambitious you are feeling.
  •  Rest 60-90 seconds between sets.  Repeat that process for a total of 2 sets for each exercise.  (You flip out 3 new cards for each set.  So for example, for Jump Squats,  you could end up doing 15 your first set, 21 for your second set).


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H&M Online Shopping- Wishlist!

August 9, 2013

H&M Online Shopping Wishlist

H&M is finally offering online shopping to the US!  Hooray!  I have been waiting for this for a while now.  Although I truly value being able to actually touch an article of clothing to feel it’s fabric and quality in person and be able to see how the piece fits and falls on my body, I love the selection of online shopping.  There’s no other instance where you can have thousands of options at your fingertips to browse through in a short amount of time than online shopping.  As you can see, I must have been in a rather classic mood when making my picks.  I actually didn’t mean to pick all black pieces, but sometimes you just can’t go wrong with that clean, classic hue.

H&M Online Shopping Wishlist

 


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