Boot Camp

The weather has finally taken a turn for the worse, and the one and only good thing about winter is boots.

This season I have gone a little boot crazy, but one rule I make for myself is to stick to the basics. I have a couple pairs of brown, black and grey. These three colors cover all my bases for the winter months. The key is to mix up hues. There are a million shades of brown and grey.
Almost any store carries boots, and prices go anywhere from $30-$300. But I'm here to help you save money, not spend it! (Although you have my permission to splurge on a pair of Uggs, you warm toes will thank you if you find yourself trudging through a snow storm.) I personally am a fan of department stores. You can almost always find a good deal.
If you are looking for variety at a good price, H&M is the place. I bought a pair of lace up short boots last spring and absolutely love them.

H&M has any style you are looking for and the most expensive boot is $65.95.  My favorites—

 These show H&M's boot diversity, but they also have tall boots, fur lined boots, and heeled boots. Boots are a very versatile shoe, able to be worn with dresses, skirts, leggings, jeans; anything. They can also be accessorized.
Adding leg warmers under your boots adds contrast, as well as warmth. The look works best works with taller, calf-length boots.
If they weather has to get ugly, you might as well look cute.

Go Wild

I'm killing three very important points with this post.

1. Animal print is a must right now.

2. You can dress like a celebrity without going into debt.

3. Forever 21 is my heaven on earth. 

Animal prints like zebra, cheetah and snake have always made an appearance now and again in the accessory world. Occasionally they have been added to clothing in small doses. This season, however, animal print is only done right if it is all out.

Full printed tops, dresses and shoes have been making a statement and we are not to blame, we're only following in our favorite celebs foot steps. 

Of course Katy Perry can rock just about anything she dons, but her outfit here is easy to repeat for a quarter of the price. 

Before I show you how to copy Katy, there are two things to note. First, minimal accessorizing is required with animal print. Another cheaper way to have an incredible outfit for less!

Secondly, let the animal print have the most say in the outfit. Katy's makeup is light. A really nice contrast to the print. You want the clothes to have the animal affect, not your scary face!

So where are you to find a dress so trendy and wild? Only my favorite store on the planet! While browsing Forever 21's website to find you the best printed dresses they had to offer (its tough research, but someones got to do it) I found countless animal printed dresses (literally I stopped counting after about 10). But these made my top couple.

This sleeved cheetah print sells for $22.80. I love Forever 21 because you can get stylish pieces like this one for a reasonable price.

I also like her bracelets balancing out the bare arm.

Below, her dress is a snake print, which hasn't become quite as popular as leopard or cheetah, but still shouldn't be ignored. Snake has had huge success in the purse, bag and shoe department, and I hope it receives as much love in outfit form.

Thank you Forever 21, this dress is a mere $12.80.

So there you have it. A way to get the wild look for less.