Can't Afford, Can Afford: Leopard Edition (Happy Birthday, Blog!)

 I love leopard print (fun fact, I always misspell 'leopard'). I don't love it in a Jerseylicious kind of way, but rather in a more subtle way. Ha.  Add a little animalistic flair to your outfits with these picks.

Scarves:  The Alexander McQueen leopard & skulls scarf rings in at a crazy $725! It is made from cashmere & silk, but no matter what material, it's still quite pricey for a scarf.  Zara offers theirs for under $20, here.

Clutches: The Jimmy Choo Leopard Print Calf-Hair clutch retails for over $1000 & while it's currently 50% off at The OutNet, its' $647.50 price tag takes it just outside of the realm of affordability. Sarcasm, noted, I'm sure.  Why not try Forever 21's embossed leopard clutch? It's not calf hair, but it is cut long, like the Choo and still gives you the same effect.
PS: Lauren Merkin makes a gorgeous black on black leopard clutch worth checking out.

Belts: W. Kleinberg Reversible Hair-Calf Belt - $175 vs. this leopard belt from Asos.

Smoking Loafers: How do you guys feel about smoking loafers? Do you like their androgynous feel? These Dolce Vita Nariko loafers have a lot of positive reviews, but are pricey for a trend - $165.  Steve Madden's version are $89, buy here.

Happy Birthday to my little Blog!
One year ago today, my creative project, The Fashionable ESQ was born!  I can honestly say that I'm very proud of it.  It has grown so much!  It has been a really fun time.  When I first started, I noticed that other blogs that began around the same time as TFE had so many more followers! I wondered what I was doing wrong...then one day, I let go of the numbers game, and the rest just came naturally.  I now try to improve the outfit I feature and the content with every post.

I wanted to thank everyone who has helped me - all of my followers (<3 ) and a special thank you to:
Alyson of Wardrobe Oxygen, Alicia of Cheetah is the New Black, Meli of Melificent, Teresa of Delightfully Darling, Lisa of Cocobella Ballerina, Katherine of Feather Factor, Tracy of Stella & Dot.

The BIGGEST thank you to my photographer - my boyfriend and TFE's VP!  He is responsible for most of the photos that appear on the site.  He painstakingly crouched his 6'4" frame down to get the perfect shot, all the while putting up with the constant badgering from...this girl.  Always with a smile on his face...and always telling me to "stop moving!!!" :) He encourages me and supports me in all things, no matter how fashionably frivolous they may be. Love.

Gripe: my entire post was deleted by Blogger, content & all...I had to recreate it -otherwise this would have been up this morning at 6:00 AM. :(

Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC + DVF Nettine Jacket + South Florida January

Good morning! Happy Friday! I'm so excited for the weekend.  No particular plans but this just seemed like the longest week. I'm feeling under the weather but nothing like Friday to help out with that.  We're about to get ready to go into February, and I've got a giveaway lined up with my Stella & Dot Stylist, Tracy just in time for Valentine's Day.  Get ready!

I've recently gotten a string of new followers and wanted to say hello & thank you.  I'm going to post a lot more frequently this year (so far, so good).  I'm loving the creative outlet that TFE has brought me. My little blog turns ONE on Monday! It's been a really fun year. 

Design Element: Cuff Mania

I have gotten a couple of requests to do a collage on cuffs and bold bracelets - here you go!

A great, bold cuff can take your outfit up a style notch in a minute.

1. Bar III Cluster Cuff Bracelet.
2. Leslie Danzis Gold Tone Sculpted Stretch Bracelet.
3. Windsor Gold Ivory Marble Cuff Bracelet 
4. Vince Camuto Kate Thick Bangle.
5. Yves Saint Laurent Arty Gold Plated Glass Cuff.
6. Nordstrom Hammered Concave Cuff.  Similar gold version here.
7. Mulberry Bayswater Bracelet.
8. Nastygal Zipper Cuff.
9. Sataya Woven Cuff via Couture Candy.
10. Bar III Green and Resin Square Cuff Bracelet.
11. Yves Saint Laurent Ycons Enamel Cuff (sold out in red, but still available in black).  Red Ycons ring available here.
12. Jessica Simpson Crystal Infinity Cuff.

My favorite bang for your buck deal is number 3 - can't beat that price and style.

Pink + Chevron + Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac Crossbody

I Got Sunshine

Can't Afford & Can Afford: Spring is Coming

Light sweaters & cardigans are good pieces to keep in your closet to help make the transition from the colder Winter months to the more breezy & cool Spring days.

Polka Dot Sweaters: Chinti & Parker Polka Dot Cashmere Sweater ($560) vs. Old Navy Printed Pullover in "Navy Polka Dot" ($24.94).

Snow Leopard: Rebecca Taylor Leopard Print Button Hoodie ($149) at Last Call vs. Old Navy Printed Pullover in "Animal" ($24.94).

3/4 Length striped dresses are a good transitional staple; they offer lots of layering options and pair well with tights, cargo vests & bright solid print scarves.  I chose lavender skinnies as a good transitional piece (I make my own rules here).  I wear jeans all year long and am particularly enamored with the all of the color options I'm seeing lately. 

Striped Wrap Dresses: Elizabeth & James Striped Claudia Dress ($285) vs. Banana Republic Striped Elbow Sleeve Dress ($89.50) and an $11.50 Forever 21 version here. 

Lavender Skinnies: Current/Elliot The Ankle Skinny Jeans ($198) vs. Rich & Skinny Legacy Jean in Lavender ($56.99).

1 Is A Lonely Number + Stella & Dot Garden Party Chandelier Earrings - Closed

Hi girls,
These Garden Party Chandelier earrings by Stella & Dot are one of my favorites. In true me fashion, I lost one of the earrings the first time I wore them (obviously).

Fast forward: I got another pair (thanks, Tracy!) and now I'm left with a set + 1.

So, what to do with the lonely, solitary earring? That's where you come in.

Give me a great DIY idea as to what I can do with the one, single earring.  Leave me your idea in a comment below and if I choose yours, you just may just receive a little fashionable something in the mail...

Go on... be brilliant. Bring me my first DIY post idea.

xo.
xo.

UPDATE: Because I've gotten a lot of great responses to this post (along with some duplicate ideas) I've decided to make this an official random giveaway - the post will be open until Wednesday, January 18th, and will close at Midnight on that date.  Winners will be chosen using random.org.

Design Element: Neon

Currently having a major neon moment...

1. & 2. Cambridge Satchel  a more affordable take on Proenza Schouler's lusted after PS1 satchel. The       neon bright light colors on these are amazing.
3. Shashi Neon Nugget Bracelet.
4. Juicy Couture Neon Shoelace Wrap Bracelet.
5. Milly Covent Garden Lipstick Red/Fuschia Knit Polo Dress (long name!!).
6. Asos Neon Blue Plastic Watch.
7. Brian Atwood Alima Flourescent Pump
8. & 9. NEON American Apparel nail polish
10. Urban Outfitters Elastic Hair-Tie Ball.
11. Urban Eyes Neon Women's Sunglasses via Overstock.com.
12. Jil Sander Cervo Clutch.
13.Lilly Pulitzer Callahan Short.
14.Marc Jacobs Neon Star Necklace; metallic silver and bronze one here.

After I published the original collage, I came across so many more neon items that I couldn't help but updating this post with more items:

1. Giuseppe Zanotti Patent Leather Color Block Sandals
2. Amanda Uprichard Zebra Print Back Zip Tank Top.
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock Python Shine Percy Bag.
4. Ettika Vintage Ribbon Tennis Bracelet in Multi Neon.
5. Karen Walker Patsy Sunglasses.
6. Timex 80 Bright Digital Watch.
7. Diane von Furstenberg Lytton Small Neon Miniaudiere.
8. Diane von Furstenberg Kaiti Thong Flat Sandal.
9. B-Low the Belt Neon Web Belt.
10. Noir Jewelry Barbie Stackable Rings.


Oh, and I almost forgot:

My friend Jenny over at Red Soles & Red Wine owns the adorable T&J
online boutique where this woven cuff is currently for sale. 
As she pointed out, this fits perfectly with today's neon themed post and it's super affordable.
<3

OOTD: Over Accessorized

Design Element: Peplum

This feminine & extra dainty design element adds a lady-like flair to any outfit. 

Below are my peplum picks:

1. Dorothy Perkins Gathered Peplum dress under $60 and what a gorgeous color!
2. French Connection Winter Love Strapless Dress. 
3. Stella McCartney Stretch Jersey Peplum Dress  (a more affordable version by Ellen Tracy can be found here, on sale now for less than $100).
4. ModCloth Irresistible Enchantress Dress; very Mad Men.
5. Anthropologie Bird of Paradise Skirt; Styling ideas are endless with this one.
6. Alice & Olivia Satin Twill & Jersey One Shoulder Dress. On sale on Net-A-Porter right now. I had to include an Alice & Olivia dress on this post; they make so many peplum dresses!
7. ModCloth Pep-lum Tank Dress (You know I had to include my dose of green in here). There's a mint colored skirt from ASOS here that is gorgeous shade of minty green!)
8.Wyatt Blue Floral Print Peplum Cami is still available on Bluefly and now it's on sale. I own this and featured it in this post. I really like this cami, it's very versatile.

Year End Wrap Up

Happy 2012 :).

Below are some of the outfits that made up my year. 

1. Pictures with Friends, Nanette Lepore.

2. Fendi Forever Boston Bag + The Cheeca Lodge. 

3. Electric Blue Zara Sandals. 

4. Easy Boho Outfit. 

5. Art Basel 2012 + Old Navy Sweater Dress. 

6. Fedora + Miu Miu Belt + Vintage Lace Top.

7. Key West Cool. 

8. Another Key West shot. 

9. Valentine's Day.