Cozy Up with #Caralase this Fall #Review + $50.00 Gift Card #Giveaway

Friday, September 12, 2014

We are inching ever so close to the official start of fall, and I, for one, can't wait for its arrival! I have to say that after speaking with my sister earlier this week, I am a bit jealous of the cooler temperatures she has been experiencing out in Oklahoma. We have started to see cooler mornings and evenings here in North Carolina, and the leaves are starting to turn yellow, so I know it won't be long before the days cool off for good!

Cooling temperatures mean that it's time to start thinking about what to wear during the cooler months of the year. As we make the transition to fall, layers and lightweight clothing can really help a gal out when trying to put together a fashionable, comfortable outfit. If you have read any of my previous fashion posts, you've already heard me talk about my need to be comfortable, no matter what I wear. When you have children, of course you want to be comfortable, and to be able to move in what you have on- after all, you have little loves to keep up with. Being a mom, however, doesn't mean that your passion for fashion has to go out the window.

As I began to look for comfortable, stylish options for the fall season, I was introduced to Caralase. Caralase comes from the Greek word Charis, which means 'grace.' This beautiful women's clothing company was started by a wife and mom to two littles, and aspires to be a model of grace in an otherwise impersonal, profit-based, business-centric fashion industry. Caralase connects women who love fashion with quality, affordable pieces, which they believe all women deserve to have.

I was thrilled to connect with the wonderful ladies at Caralase, who offered me the opportunity to select a couple of pieces of clothing from their online retail store. From dresses to tops and cardigans, there were so many gorgeous options for the fall season to choose from! I made my selections, and before I knew it, I had a pretty little package from Caralase at my door.

My items were nicely wrapped in tissue paper (and protected by plastic).

Beautiful fall colors: Black and white stripes, and gorgeous blue.

As I made my Caralase selections, I wanted to choose pieces that would make beautiful fall transition pieces, so I chose a lightweight tunic, and an open cardigan. The tunic dress was a great choice, because it was so super light, it offered coverage where I want to be covered when wearing a tunic, and it was long-sleeved. The pretty purple-blue color is perfect for fall and winter. Jewel tones are still pretty popular, and the color of this easy breezy tunic really pops!

Loving the easy-going nature of the Asymmetrical Tunic Dress from Caralase.

I loved the Asymmetrical Tunic Dress from Caralase as soon as I tried it on. It was so light and comfortable, and I loved the way it moved with me. I sort of felt like a dancer while wearing it (though spend a day with me, and you'll quickly realize that I am no dancer- I'm not that graceful!). As I walked about, I sort of felt like I was in a beautiful waltz, the sides of the tunic just dancing about with me.

Take a look at the gorgeous draping at the sides of the Asymmetrical Tunic Dress!

I paired the Asymmetrical Tunic Dress (Caralase) with a pair of black cropped leggings (Target), and my favorite pair of black flats (Kenneth Cole). I kept my jewelry simple (pearl studs), but this could absolutely be dressed up even more with a pretty statement necklace, or scarf. You might even go bold and pair this with colored leggings or tights, and booties or boots.

Here's the reason why I choose comfortable fashion pieces that are easy to move in.

I adore my son, and we spend a lot of time together, seeing as how he is not yet in school full time. My fashion choices have to carry me from working in my home office, to the playground after preschool, to teaching music class to my favorite little 3-5 year olds, to praise band rehearsals, meetings, and more. Being able to select styles that are appropriate for numerous settings in one day is truly important to me. Gone are the days of wardrobe changes! I have receive many compliments on this lovely tunic, which I can't wait to continue to wear through the fall and winter seasons!

I am also planning on building up my tunic collection. Caralase has a phenomenal selection of beautiful tops, tunics, and dresses, which I know you're all going to love! You'll love the prices, too, and my guess is that you won't be able to stop with just one item in your shopping cart from Caralase!

My second choice from Caralase, an open cardigan, of course.

Ladies, if you don't yet own an open cardigan, I recommend that you purchase at least one for the fall and winter season. Why? They are hugely popular, on trend this season (even more so than last season), they are cozy, comfy, flattering on every body type, and they are extremely versatile!

I quickly fell in love with the black and white striped opened cardigan from Caralase. There's no denying that I love cardigans. My brother-in-law has nicknamed me the 'sweater queen,' because I would be perfectly happy wearing camis and cardigans all the time, and everyone knows it. The great thing about a cardigan, especially this one, is that it's the key piece of your ensemble, without being flashy or overly obvious. It's the type of piece that you can be completely casual and laid back in, or that you can totally glam up, depending on what you pair it with.

I went for a cute and casual look, pairing the black and white striped cardigan from Caralase with some favorite from my closet.

Shown here, I paired the black and white striped cardigan (Caralase) with a black cami (Forever 21), skinny jeans (H & M), my fave cowgirl boots (Rampage), and a black and silver bauble necklace (Just Jewelry).

Change it up- wear with flats, add some shades, and you're ready to roll.

I enjoy having comfortable, versatile clothing options. Cardigans never go out of style, and they are perfect to pair with a dress, jeans, dress pants, or even shorts for a late summer look. I have worn this sweet, sweeping open cardigan with tomato red shorts and t-strap sandals, and have worn it with flats (see above: Kenneth Cole flats, Oscar de le Renta sunglasses). You can style this cardigan so many different ways! The striped look is one that you can't go wrong with, even if you're not usually a fan of stripes. Adding a few accessories or key pieces to draw you eye to can take the focus off of the horizontal stripes, if you don't want the eye drawn directly to the stripes. The great thing about this cardigan in the draping. Notice how it draws the eye vertically, rather than horizontally, which really emphasises or gives the illusion of length (this is a great trick for shorter women, or gals like me with long legs and short torsos!).

The draping style down the front of the cardigan almost gives it a blazer-like look and feel.

Cardigan Deets:

This plush open front cardigan features a cozy shawl collar and elegant, draped front panels. Lush in fabric and fun in style, this Striped Open Cardigan is great for every layering occasion. $24.00

I am wearing a size Small.

Need a quick, stylish look? Grab a cardigan from Caralase, and everyone else will be none the wiser that your look was totally effortless!

Pressed for time and want to look put together in less than five minutes? You can't go wrong with an open cardigan, cami or tee, a pair of leggings/jeggings or skinnies, and flats. Throw these items on, throw your hair up in a maintained 'messy bun,' and go do what you need to do. You will look like you spent time coordinating your outfit, and no one has to know that you just simply threw it together.

Having a couple of cardigans that you can mix and match with tons of styles and colors is a must for fall and winter! Caralase has an incredible selection of cardigans and sweaters- from funky and printed to solid and chunky, delicate and demure to bold and daring, at prices you'll fall in love with! So go ahead and splurge a bit, buying one or two styles you just can't do without this season. Don't know what to choose? Try my recommendations, or let your fashion fairy be your guide!

Take a look at some of these other great pieces I'd love to add to my Caralase collection!

Crochet Trimmed Tunic

(Fall doesn't mean you have to abandon color!)

Multi Stripe Cardigan

Sunny Aztec Draped Cardigan

Drawstring Dress

Laced Midi Skirt

Back Fringe Pullover

Border Print Shrug

With so many styles (and new items being added all the time) to choose from at Caralase, there truly is a style for everyone! Whether you like to go glam, or keep it cool and casual, you will look put together, and effortlessly chic when you wear something from Caralase! I can't wait to build on my personal Caralase collection and be super stylish this fall season!

Want It? Buy It!

Head on over to Caralase, to check out their entire selection of new arrivals, and more. Right now, there are tons of styles on sale (some as low as $5.00), so you definitely want to get in on some of those sale items while you still can! I think I am headed over to the Caralase website to do some shopping of my own, because I see some pieces that I just can't pass up! Caralase also offers free shipping on orders over $50.00. Christmas shopping, anyone? Sign up for the Caralase Newsletter, so you never miss a special sale or promotion!

Caralase is social, and would love to connect with you! Be sure to connect with Caralase through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

Want It? Win It!

I am so super stoked to announce that our good friends at Caralase are giving MBP readers a chance to win a $50.00 Caralase Gift Card! Amazing, right? Think of all the great fall looks you could create with a couple of awesome Caralase pieces! This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and over. Just use the RC entry form below to enter to win! Remember- the more tasks you complete on the RC, the more you increase your chances to win!

Special thanks to the team at Caralase for allowing me to style and share about these beautiful pieces from Caralase, and for offering this special Fall Fashion Giveaway for our readers! We can't wait to share more Caralase fashion posts with our community!

Good luck, and stay stylish!