Cozy Fall Layers

Burberry Brit quilted jacket, purple cardigan by Charter Club, blouse by Missoni x Target, pants from Ann Taylor, Cole Haan heels, Botkier handbag, Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses, Zoya Casey nail polish

Finally a nice day to take photos! Sorry it's been so long. Here is a very layered outfit for a morning in the 30s. I love this dark-plum, jellyish nail polish, but it doesn't love me, it chips pretty quickly.

Spooky Girl is Spooky

Theory tweed blazer, t-shirt from Target, oxblood knit pants from Ann Taylor, Enzo Angiolini riding boots

My definition of business casual is something like this outfit, which has formal elements like a blazer but casual parts like the t-shirt and riding boots. 

Why are blazers so expensive? I have been building up my wardrobe by purchasing great-quality blazers on eBay. This tweed jacket was in pristine condition, and only cost me $40 with shipping. (A new Theory blazer is close to $400.) 

I am so excited for Halloween! Bring on the spooky.

A Tale of Two Textures Leopard and Houndstooth

grey leopard scarf from The Limited, blazer by Sandra Angelozzi, skirt from LOFT, white shirt by Splendid, Calvin Klein suede booties, OPI You Don't Know Jacques! polish

Here's a classic black and white ensemble that is office chic. No new purchases, I've had all these pieces for a while. Just looking for new ways to wear them! Have a great weekend, my friends.

Autumn Mustard Blouse

mustard blouse from Banana Republic, skirt from Ann Taylor, thrifted necklace, V Italia boots, Nixon watch

Just a simple autumn outfit. I love warm gold tones, even if they are difficult to photograph in bright morning sunshine!

New Burberry Brit Jacket

Burberry Brit Copford Jacket in deep claret 

I love Burberry! So when I had saved enough, and waited for Bloomingdale's Family and Friends event, I splurged on this gorgeous fall jacket. It's size medium so I can wear sweaters and layers underneath. 

The Burberry brand is so cool. I remember moving to Chicago, and every workday I would look out the bus window at the Mag Mile store as we passed by. British preppy luxe at its warm and quilted best!

My 3.1 Phillip Lim x Target Scarf

3.1 Phillip Lim scarf from Target, sweater by August Silk, J. Crew corduroy pants,

 Donald J. Pilner booties, Nixon watch

Submitted to Cute & Little's Color Brigade!

What I really wanted from the Lim x Target collaboration was a new dress. I tried on two: the turquoise shift dress with half-jeweled collar, and the black and white drop-waisted dress. I liked both, but didn't love them, they looked very boxy on me. Overall I loved the collection, and I don't have a mustard scarf, so I chose this piece to take home. I'm still experimenting on how to wear such a large square scarf in a casual manner, so excuse the safety pin!

Chambray and Corduroy

shirt from Banana Republic, pants by J. Crew Factory, Via Spiga giraffe calf hair pumps, OPI You Don't Know Jacques nail polish

Here is a light ensemble with lots of texture! The shirt is chambray, the pants are a thin corduroy, the pumps are calf hair. To dress up the chambray for work, I added pearl necklaces (one worn outside the collar, one inside) and pearl earrings. I am also wearing a bright lipstick on my thin lips, it looks too bright in person but is just right in photographs: Chanel Rouge Coco in Cambon.

Fall First

blouse from Ann Taylor, oxblood knit pants from Ann Taylor, sling backs from Ann Taylor

It's the first outfit post of Fall, and I was so excited to wear this blouse that I didn't even iron it! It's supposed to be big and blousy, which is why I can wear an Xtra Small.

An Unlikely Pairing

blouse from LOFT, skirt from Club Monaco, Swatch watch, Delman Mona flats, Rimmel London "Hot Cocoa" nail polish

I continue to combine summer and fall clothing. I wanted to wear this new blouse, but with what? I passed right over the skirt in my closet, thinking, they will never work together. But the orange in both brought me back to it, and when I tried them on, it worked! I think it's because both are made of a silky fabric. I threw on a cardigan and it's off to work!

Sun Avoidance

cropped blazer by BCBGMaxAzria, sweater from J. Jill, pants from Ann Taylor, Rockport heels, Paradox nail polish

The sun is so bright in the morning, I am avoiding it so I can get a good photo! But in the shadows you can't see the beautiful oxblood color of the knit skinny pants I just purchased. They are very dark red, almost black, and allow me to start transitioning my wardrobe into Fall.

A Sporty Black White Pink Combo

Rhonda sweater from Club Monaco, t-shirt by Splendid, skirt by Alfani (Macy's), Franco Sarto shoes, necklace from Guess, Paradox nail polish

Here's a new combo that looks decidedly sporty: I added a stripe of bright pink to my black-and-white outfit. When paired with my decade-old perforated Franco Sarto mules, the effect is just right. I will say this sweater bunches up in an unflattering way, but I love it. I have it in navy blue as well. Have a great weekend, my friends!

Repetto in Action

sweater by Nine West, Joie tuxedo track pants, Swatch watch, Repetto pumps

My New Repetto Tartan T-strap Pumps!

T-strap Pumps by Repetto

The perfect Fall 2013 shoe. Oh yes, you'll be seeing a lot of these beauties.

Short Haircut Bright Shirt

thrifted shirt, linen pants by I.N.C. (Macy's), Milly handbag, MICHAEL Michael Kors shoes, Zoya Harley nail polish, Pucci sunglasses

I love my new haircut! And it only cost me $37. How much are you willing to pay for a haircut? I don't want to pay over $40. Anyways, I am still hanging onto summer with pairing bright tomato reds with white linen pants. I could have been really matchy by painting my nails the same color, but I went with a silvery grey, part of that ease into Fall.

Sorry the photos are blurry/grainy, I am having a hard time taking photos in the bright morning light!

Warm Grey on a Hot Day

t-shirt from Club Monaco, open-knit vest from Express, floral jeans by Free People, necklace from Anthropologie, Nixon watch, Chloé heels

A 100-degree day and I don't care! I'm wearing a long sweater, high heels and skinny denim to work. This outfit is from last Friday, before I chopped my hair off and before the fabulous weekend. I love neutral, tone-on-tone looks, don't you?

As the summer lingers on, I am at the end of new outfits I can pull together to show on the blog. Sometime this month I will take my fall/winter clothes out of storage and begin the transition. I have some exciting purchases to showcase in the next two weeks and beyond, so please come back and visit!

Navy and Black Pants

silk tuxedo pants by Joie, Rhonda sweater from Club Monaco, Ann Taylor slingbacks, Nixon bracelet watch, necklace from Tiffany & Co.

This very-coordinated outfit is a new fave, I am really getting into navys and blues recently! This sweater is a perfect match for my new silk pants. These awesome tuxedo-striped pants are drawstring-waisted, have a tapered leg and POCKETS. I am sure if I was five inches taller they would fit even better, but they are a great end-of-summer, autumn pant.

If You Are Going to Save, Save for This

Gucci 'New Hollywood' Open Toe Platform Pump

$615 at Nordstrom

I could totally wear this shoe: reasonable heel height, peep toe style, perfect leather, silver horsebit embellishment. It's so classic, one could wear it their entire lives. However, at $615, I will never buy this shoe. And I'm OK with that. 

I have a internal compass that limits what I will spend and what I will wear. Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton? I'm not in that league. Where am I going to wear a pair of Christian Louboutins? My next red carpet premiere? 

It's cool. I can still admire and dream about beautiful things like this shoe. It comes in all colors and styles: logo-embossed, 4 inch heel, mule, etc. It's fabulous, and unless I can find it for 90% off like my last "If You Are Going to Save" post, it will remain the stuff of dreams.

Ready for Fall with The Most Beautiful Blouse in the World

 

blouse from LOFT, Calvin Klein skirt, slingbacks from Ann Taylor, Decree watch (thanks Mom!), Pucci sunglasses

I have found the top top, the best blouse, the most sublime shell, and I am so excited to share it with you. This silky top is perfect in every way: I love the modern scarf print, the flowy cut, the V-yoke (not too low-cut), the fresh fall colors. Who can stop me from wearing it every day this autumn? No one.

LBD to the Office

Adrienne Vittadini dress, Joie cardigan, Frye shoes, cuff by Leighelena, pendant locket necklace by Trois Petits Points

This LBD is very versatile, and today I am wearing it to work, paired with some brights, including a necessary cardigan. I am not comfortable having bare arms in the office, not only is it too much skin, I usually freeze in the air conditioning. 

Two Sweaters Two Choices

Photo 1: sweater by Calvin Klein. Photo 2: sweater by Kate Hill, shirt from Express

navy skirt by BCBGMax Azria, Repetto shoes

I changed my mind after getting dressed this morning and snapping my outfit photo. Even though I like the red shirt with the red shoes, I wanted something a little looser, so I put on the striped CK sweater instead. Not as matchy-matchy but it still works.

Grey and Gold with New White Sandals

sweater by Pink Tartan, knit blazer by Majestic, A-line skirt from LOFT, Belle by Sigerson Morrison sandals

Today I wore this outfit that features light grey, dark grey, white, a touch of yellow at the collar and a touch of gold on my feet. I love my blazer but it is a little formless and saggy.

I have been looking for white leather sandals for two summers now. I wanted a low heel, a non-thong style with lots of coverage that I could wear to work. I think I finally found them, though they are a bit casual with their gladiator style. I will be happy when the ankle-strap shoe trend passes, I think ankle straps make me look shorter and are not always comfortable. Enjoy your day my friends!

Mostly Black Some White

Tank jersey dress by Firth, tie-neck blouse by Nine West, Eric Michael Nemo espadrilles, old white bracelet, Swatch watch, onyx heart necklace from Tiffany & Co., Nicole by OPI polish

I wore this tie-neck blouse over a casual midi-length dress to make it office-appropriate. Inspired by my white nails, I added a plastic bracelet, just a few touches to lighten up all the black I was wearing. My ring is a gift from my sister-in-law, who took a spoon from her mother's silver and had it made into a ring. It's fabulously heavy; I love wearing personal items.

Anniversary Kors Shoes

MICHAEL Michael Kors Amelie Mule

It was our 5th wedding anniversary last month, and my husband and I exchange traditional gifts. This year is wood. In a stroke of genius, my husband reasoned that there were wood shoes out there, and got me a gift card to go find them. And find them I did! 

Warm Tones

sweater from Jones New York, dress by BCBG, Pucci sunglasses, Chloé heels, Milly purse, Nixon watch

It feels fabulous when I pair clothing in new ways: for example, today's sweater over a dress. So comfortable and easy.