Aside from the fact that I can never, ever, ever get her song out of my head (get it? Because that’s how the song goes?…), I happen to seriously love Taylor Swift’s style. While she may not be anything like the typical mommy-on-the-go that I usually pull style inspiration from, her mix of femininity and comfort is something that I adore.

Taylor / Mossimo scoop neck sweater / Volcom bag / ASOS skirt / Sam & Libby flatss

I happen to think she’s adorable and she seems genuine and sweet. I was appalled to find out that my husband is less than impressed with her (seriously, who is he impressed with?). In fact, he wants to know who she hasn’t slept with since she writes songs about so many famous boys. But just because she hangs out with someone and has a little crush doesn’t mean she sleeps with him. Right? Right?! What kind of hussies does he hang out with anyway?

I digress. No matter what you think of the girl, you can’t argue that this is a really cute look. I’m a big fan of the mustard pleated skirt and the fact that she didn’t shy away from color. In fact, she embraced it. I wouldn’t have thought to pair mustard with red and blue–but now I will!

The other thing I love about this look? Each of the pieces are incredibly versatile (with the exception of maybe the mustard skirt. OK. Definitely the mustard skirt). A dark sweater and red flats are staples for a fall wardrobe–they can be mixed and matched with so many different things! And that cobalt bag? It’s a hot color at the moment and would add a pretty pop to just about any outfit.

I love it when celebrities wear outfits that are so doable for a real girl and her real girl budget. Now if only I could find the perfect red lipstick and get someone to make my curls look like that…

Converse / Keds for Madewell / Vans

I’m a little bit of what one might refer to as a polka dot whore. I guess aficionado is more politically correct. But it’s also slightly boring.

Anyway. I digress. I love me some polka dots. Lately I’ve been obsessing pretty hard over polka dot sneakers. They’re fun and a little whimsical and (most importantly) comfortable.

But I’m cheap. Like, really cheap. So I have a hard time parting with money when I already have a couple of pairs of perfectly acceptable sneakers. Tear.

Just when I had given up on the thought of owning a pair in the near future, I remembered the cheap canvas sneakers I picked up in Walmart earlier in the summer. At first, I wanted to glitterfy them (no, that’s not a word). After a bit of a DIY fail on a glittered pair for Samantha, I started thinking maybe I’d attempt a tribal print a la a pair of TOMS I’ve been loving on. After much soul searching I realized that was a terrible idea.

I’m no artist. But polka dots I can do.

I also decided to be wild and go neon. I’m loving the trend but it’s not destined to be a classic so I’m not about to spend a lot of money incorporating it into my wardrobe. A nice, cheap DIY project is the perfect way to sneak it in there.

So here’s how I made my polka dot sneakers:

not pictured: glue gun, scissors and popsicle stick

This photo is admittedly horrific, but I thought it was necessary to show how I made my circle stamps.

Trace or draw the shape you’d like to stamp onto a piece of foam (I had a big multicolored pack of it from the dollar store). Cut it out and hot glue it to your popsicle stick. I found that gluing two pieces of foam on top of each other made a much cleaner stamp. Neat edges are important if you plan on wearing it!

Now all you have to do is dip your homemade stamp into some paint and stamp it onto your shoe. Remember that less is more–a little dab in the center will spread out when you push down. Doing it this way is much less messy than using a lot of paint.

Fun, right? I think I might have to buy another cheap pair of black canvas sneakers and stamp them too. Maybe I’ll do little hearts or stars or even stripes or chevron.

What do you think?

Summer: Forever21 shorts / Tinley Road chevron necklace / Old Navy tami (tank + cami) / Guess flip flops / Fall layers: Old Navy cardigan / Forever21 layered necklace / Forever21 striped knit tights / Steve Madden oxfords

One of my favorite things about fall is the layers that go along with it. As it slowly gets cooler, we pile on more and more pieces to stay warm–which means we really get to experiment with what’s inside our closets.

The look I put together here is the perfect example of what I mean. It’s a mish mash (which, I’ll have you know, is a seriously technical term) of some of the most versatile pieces you could own.

If you’re trying to save some money, there’s no reason to run out and buy a whole new wardrobe for fall. Instead, shop your closet and add fall colors and textures to your summer faves. Think chunky knits and jewel tones mixed with some of summer’s bright colors. Cobalt is one of the best transitional colors. It goes as well with summer’s carefree tropical palette as it does with fall’s deeper jewel tones.

I am seriously cheap and trying to get on a tight budget, so I will most definitely be using this little tip in the coming weeks. In fact, if I invest in anything this fall it will probably just be a pair of oxfords. I’m kind of obsessed.

How do you transition to cooler temperatures? Are there any pieces that are on your must-have list this fall?

With September starting to breathe down my neck, I’m getting serious about working on our summer must-do list. We took our little getaway, swimming lessons are done and summer camp is also officially checked off. We have the rest of August to get through what’s left of our little list. It includes places like zoos, a museum, and a carousel ride–all of which require a certain amount of walking.

My tried and true Gap flip flops are taking their last gasping breaths (I’m just hoping they last until the end of the summer when I plan to retire them). Plus, they kind of suck for anything that requires more than minimal walking.

So, I’ve rounded up a bunch of cute shoes (some of which are from brands that might surprise you!) that can go anywhere your feet may take you–in comfort and style.

Crocs

Dr. Scholl’s

Saucony

Payless

TOMS

Vans

Sperry Topsider

Is there a particular brand of shoe that’s your go-to when it comes to comfort? I’m pretty fond of my TOMS, they never seem to disappoint–plus for every pair you buy a pair is donated to a child in need. You can’t really go wrong with that!

The start of my daughter’s summer vacation has me scrambling to rework my schedule this week. I may be a little short on time, but I managed to put together a little bit of inspiration for your feet!

I don’t know about you, but summer makes me think of easy, breezy footwear. I want something flat and strappy that can take me virtually anywhere. These cute sandals would work at the park just as well as out to brunch with some friends. Don’t you agree?

clockwise from top left: Sam Edelman, $64.95 / Coconuts, $65 / Corso Como, $129.95
Not Rated, $29.95 / Lola Cruz, $225 / Nicole, $49.99