My Perfect Halloween Is...

not a costume: BB Dakota jacket, purple top from Nordstrom, skirt from Anthropologie, Sam Edelman Calypso camo flats, OPI nail polish

Happy Halloween! It's one of my favorite holidays, and I am so excited it's finally here. I am dressed up as Rosie the Riveter here at work, I hope to get a few photos up later.

Our house has been decorated for weeks, with pumpkins and blinking orange lights on the front porch and lots of other scary items inside. I have my candy for the trick-or-treaters, and I am looking forward to tonight. I rented the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Unfortunately I will have to watch it alone, my husband doesn't like scary movies.

I am on a huge belt hunt right now. All I want to buy are belts. My friends, where do you shop for belts? Do you have any that you love? My perfect belt would be quilted black leather, 1" thick only, with a large squarish silver buckle.

Dressing for the Halloween!

orange cardigan by Jones New York Signature, black pants from Banana Republic, black t-shirt by Splendid, Cole Haan Miranda pumps, OPI Heeeere's Jack nail polish, Nightmare Before Christmas brooch

I love Halloween! I love horror movies and the creativity of dressing up, the eating of sticky sweets and  the spooky decor. This year we're having a bonfire and going on a haunted hayride. I can't wait!

Purple Shirt Purple Shoes

shirt, Missoni for Target, pants from Victoria's Secret, purple suede peep-toes by Rockport, OPI Romeo & Joliet nail polish on toes

Fall is here, but it's going to be 85 degrees today! Time for a simple button-up and some platform peep-toes. 

If you're wondering what that green thing is behind me, my husband built a winter cat shelter for Oliver. Now ask if he likes it and goes in it. He doesn't. Maybe some neighborhood stray will take advantage of it this winter!

The Black and the Hat

corduroy fedora by Calvin Klein, sweater unknown, skirt from LOFT, Ralph Lauren tights, Stuart Weitzman flats, OPI You Don't Know Jacques! nail polish

Warning: texture overload and a hat! This is what happens when you put a heather sweater with a micro-houndstooth skirt, heather tights, and flannel flats... lots of texture, which somehow works. I have this hat, I only wear it a couple of times a year. I got lots of compliments on it this time!

In Blue Pursuit

cashmere cardigan from J. Crew, black t-shirt by Splendid, paper bag trousers from Madewell, Trois Petits Points pendant necklace, Via Spiga patent heels

I am in pursuit of more cobalt blue for my closet! Or even navy blue to pair with my cobalt blue. These are the only blue items in my Fall/Winter wardrobe. Any suggestions?

Possibly Perfect Pants

sweater from Rugby (Ralph Lauren), Jimmy pants by Bishop of Seventh, Repetto flats, onyx heart necklace from Tiffany & Co., OPI You Don't Know Jacques nail polish

Behold, a new pair of pants! These are grey straight-legs with a bit of stretch, and they are possibly perfect: fitting snug but not tight, even through the thigh, low-rise, and can be rolled or worn long with heels.

Can we talk about knee-high stockings for a second, my friends? I always need nude knee-highs to wear with flats and heels in the fall and winter. Last year I paid $16 for one pair of Falke nude knee-highs. They were so delicate, they developed runs and holes in 2-3 wears. I still wore them, but then this year I replaced them with HUE knee-highs, two for around $11. These HUEs win! They are  sturdier and do not leave marks around my calves at the end of the day. So those are the ones I recommend.

Strange and Neutral

crewneck sweater by Dallin Chase, pants from LOFT, thrifted necklace, Franco Sarto wedge pumps

I know oversized sweaters are very in fashion right now, but I usually prefer mine fitted. Here is a new sweater I ordered from Shopbop; I really like the ambigious neutral colors in it. It's grey, it's cream, it's pale green, it's wonderful. And it perfectly matches this necklace I picked up, which has very similar taupey neutrals in it. 

Intergalactic Planetary

corduroy jacket and long corduroy skirt by XCVI, metallic v-neck top by Love Amour, Circa Joan & David riding boots, Deathstar Debris necklace by Deka Ray, Essie Midnight Cami nail polish

Black and greened-out greys with some metallic shine make up this cozy outfit. I have a constant battle with v-neck tops, they are always too low-cut. I hate having to put on an extra layer underneath, in this case a black tank top, but it's worth it. 

I do love this time of year in the Midwest. And I love wrapping up in Fall clothes! It makes my still-air-conditioned office much more tolerable.

Grey and Purple

silk blouse by Adam, corduroy pants from Victoria's Secret, grey croc rain boots by Aquatalia by Marvin K., Essie Midnight Cami nail polish

I love corduroy! And I love bright colors! Behold, they get married in this outfit! I am seriously going to get some colored corduroy pants soon. I just have to find the perfect pair.

A Classy Pendant Necklace

pendant locket necklace by Trois Petits Points, sweater from LOFT, pants by Jones New York Signature, Circa Joan & David patent pumps

I had been waiting to buy one of these enamel lockets for months. At almost $100, it was hard to justify it. When I saved up the money, I decided to go for it. These lockets come in an array of bright colors, and are the perfect size and length for me. The only down side is I thought it would be a lot more heavier and substantial. But overall I really think it's a great accessory to have.

blazer by Sandra Angelozzi, blouse by Missoni for Target, Joe's Jeans The Cigarette, Rosegold suede booties, Revlon Perplex nail polish

Here's a perfect dressy casual for me, in a STL way, pairing a structured jacket with straight-leg jeans. If I were still in CHI, the boots would change to my black suede/stiletto heel booties!

Cosy Cable Knit Cardigan

cardigan by Free People, t-shirt by Splendid, pants from LOFT, Franco Sarto almond wedge heels, necklace from White House Black Market, OPI Romeo and Joliet nail polish

This cardi is almost too big and too casual to wear to work, but I tried it anyways. I love this color combination, it's atypical but I think it works well together!

Dressing in A Color Family

button-up shirt by Calvin Klein, paper bag pants from Madewell, Donald J. Pilner ankle booties, OPI Romeo and Joliet nail polish

Very little in this outfit actually matches, but by keeping the colors in the same family makes them work. The focus here is the waist with the colorful belt and the paper bag pants. Slouchy and comfortable!

Cashmere and Houndstooth

cashmere sweater by Magaschoni, skirt from LOFT, Loeffler Randall skull flats, Deathstar Debris necklace by Deka Ray, OPI Romeo and Joliet nail polish

OK, enough with the crazy colors tights! I had to get back to simpler combinations. Though I do think I have a weakness for tights. I bought three more pairs this past weekend at DSW. Hmmm... may need to do another WWWF post about it!

It's hard to see my favorite pair of flats in this post. For a closeup, check out this post!

What Not To Wear: Green Tights

sweater from Banana Republic, skirt from Anthropologie, HUE tights, Rosegold booties, Revlon nail polish

Green tights, my friends, are like green nail polish: sounds good in theory, and on other people, but doesn't look good in person, on your way to work. Maybe it's the booties I paired it with, but I can't help feeling all Robin Hood all day. Steer clear, because it's not easy wearing green.