29 October 2014

June's Meadow in October

spring mix for fall

We'd have a few days of beautiful warm weather in the SE and I am taking full advantage of it by wearing a spring-y combo and my fave Liberty of London print. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but I feel like I've had a hard time accepting the cooler weather so far this fall - I either am in summer garb and freeze, or going into Wear All Things mode (because if it's not three shirts, a vest and a scarf, it ain't right, right?)

And time just seems to be flying by - Daylight Savings ends this weekend (November already!), so remember to turn your clocks back. Ah blissful extra hour of sleep!

spring mix for fall spring mix for fall 

Sweater: Banana Republic popcorn stitch (on sale, worn here - sim steal, sheer, slouchy)
Shirt: J.Crew Liberty perfect in june's meadow (worn here - sim, sim, bolder)
Skirt: J.Crew factory rugby stripe (worn here - sim, embellished, set)
Necklace: J.Crew-inspired via Etsy (worn here - sim, darker, over-the-top version)
Bracelet: INPINK barnacle (worn here - sim, darker)
Shoes: Pour La Victoire mai (worn here - sim, steal, stiletto)

spring mix for fall

27 October 2014

Camo and Denim

camo + denim camo + denim

I always seem to have a color I veer towards every season (remember my modern red days, or viridian green or mint?), and this fall, it seems like I am all about magenta (worn pretty continuously lately - here, here, here ... nearly head-to-toe here).

So of course these flats and this bag were no-brainer purchases for me. And it helps that the shoes are super-soft suede comfortable and Le Pliege style may be my favorite travel bag - it folds into nothing for my luggage and holds everything I need when I'm trip-bound.

camo + denim camo + denim

Shirt: Cloth & Stone via Anthropologie ombre chambray (worn here - sim steal, pricey, embellished)
Jeans: Lands' End low rise slim fit (worn here - same in pattern, sim, sim, pricey)
Belt: J.Crew factory (worn here - sim, sim)
Necklace: Lands' End gold initial (on super-sale, sim, steal, swirled)
Bracelet: J.Crew wildflower (worn here - sim simpler, lighter hue)
Ring: F21 (sim stacked, pearl, plain)
Shoes: Nine West schmakaroo (sim plain, studded)
Bag: Longchamp le pliage large (same in medium, sim, deal, plaid & bowed - fun)

camo + denim

camo + denim

24 October 2014

Navy Blazer, Midi Rings

distressed scallops

Simple does it with the outfit pieces today, so of course I had to pile on the rings and bracelets. As much as I adore the midi ring trend going on now, I am still amazed every time I wear them that they actually stay on my fingers - though I may have temporarily lost a ring or two while digging through a jean pocket, it's close quarters in there!

I hope you have a lovely weekend, ladies and enjoy some good crisp autumn weather while you still can - we broke out the electric blanket and turned on the heat recently, and the frosty mornings are some not-so-awesome reminders that bone chilling winter is right around the corner. Brrr is close.

distressed scallops distressed scallops

Blazer: Ann Taylor (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Top: Modcloth petal patch (worn here - sim in navy/white, in mint/white, in pink/white, in white/black)
Jeans: Old Navy sweetheart distressed (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Belt: J.Crew factory (worn here - sim, sim)
Bracelets: Target pearl (sim), Banana Republic (sim), J.Crew factory chainlink
Rings: F21 faux pearl midi set
Shoes: Pour La Victoire mai (worn here - sim, sim)

distressed scallops

distressed scallops

22 October 2014

And These Pants Again

hidden gingham

My coworkers may think these pants are a bit "out of the box" and they are a little less subtle from anything that I've tried before, but I can't seem to stop wearing them. I've already worn these dressy-sporty pants three times aside from this post (here, here and even once for a business event with a navy blazer).

They are really comfy, on-trend, and I adore the print - even though they've been called my "MC Hammer" pants. In fact, I like these pants so much that I also ordered them in the solid black. I guess I can't help it if the MC was ahead of his time and we flow on the same sartorial wavelength (and if you are the 0.0001% of people who have not yet seen the MC's breakout jam - and those pants -  please stop for some Hammer time here).

hidden gingham hidden gingham

Shirt: Lands' End gingham poplin (worn here - sim, sim, steal)
Pants: J.Crew turner in hidden floral (worn here - same in solid & medallion print, sim in black)
Necklace: c/o Simply Livly (worn here - sim, grander)
Bracelet: Ann Taylor modern classic turnlock cuff (worn here - same in snake & leather, sim, deal)
Shoes: Michael Kors hamilton (worn here - sim, pricey)
Bag: J.Crew factory (worn here - sim deal, pricey)

hidden gingham

hidden gingham


20 October 2014

Gingham and Olive

gingham + olive

The only way the Madewell sahara jacket looks good on me is if I belt it, so here I am again trying to reign in the wide body. I actually really like it this way. However, there's no way to squish together a lot of material without appearing slightly unkept, so I am trying to cultivate the whole I'm-too-cool-to-care-I'm-rumbled look here. (Yes, I am an oxymoron here - trying to look like I'm not trying).

Wearing the olive green hues again - this has been a favorite color of mine so far this fall. What colors do you find yourself wearing a lot so far these cooler months?

gingham + olive gingham + olive

Jacket: Madewell sahara short-sleeve (worn here - sim belted, in navy, pricey 3/4-sleeve)
Top: Lands' End gingham poplin (worn here - sim, sim, large print)
Jeans: Old Navy sweetheart distressed (worn here - sim, deal, high-rise)
Belt: Asos (sim, sim)
Bracelet: J.Crew mint spike (sim)
Rings: F21 geo set
Shoes: Seychelles ring in the new year (worn here - sim, peep-toe, ankle boots)
Bag: Dooney & Bourke equestrian (worn here - this season's version, sim on sale, deal)

gingham + olive

gingham + olive

17 October 2014

Styling Sleeves

dressed up sleeves

Other than leather shoes or handbags, my experience with wearing leather (real or faux) is fairly limited (I think this is the only two other times - here and here - that I've done so recently, and one wasn't even really worn out). Leather just seems to have an edge and attitude that I can't seem to carry off. I'm so not a slightly menacing bad ass or a chic cool girl.

Like this dress and these pants which I adore? Price and occasion aside, never could I put either on and confidently walk out of the house, even though I don't think either piece would draw particular attention. So this jacket I'm wearing in this post that I got on super-sale? Just enough leather-ishness to make me feel kind of bad, while still sticking close to my real-life studious girl persona.

dressed up sleeves dressed up sleeves

Jacket: Ann Taylor dressed up denim (additional 40% off sale right now - sim, hooded, luxe)
Sweater: Old Navy marled (sim, chiffon hemmed, tunic, long cardi)
Skirt: Banana Republic ivory box pleat (on sale, worn here - sim midi, mini)
Necklace: J.Crew crystal cluster (worn here - sim simpler, collar, black)
Bracelets: F21 (sim, sim), Target (sim pearl)
Rings: F21 pearl set, geo set
Shoes: Sole Society ena (worn here - same in suede & herringbone, kitten-heel, luxe)
Bag: Coach peyton cora (worn here - sim, w/bow, steal w/tassel)

dressed up sleeves

dressed up sleeves

15 October 2014

Different but the Same

sweater, scarf, camo sweater, scarf, camo

I like the idea of contrasting a bold color with the muted camouflage print, so a few weekends ago when I was trying to figure out what to wear with these jeans, I decided to play around a bit. I ended up putting together two visually different outfits with the same type of components that both seemed to play off well with the drab green tones (and it's finally in the neighborhood of being cool enough to wear scarves around here, so yay for the contents of my overflowing scarf drawer).

I always liked the idea of camo print pants but had always been afraid to wear them until I found this subdued pattern - now I'm wondering why I had waited so long since I want to wear them all the time. Camo is supposed to go with everything, right? Plus the legs in this pair are slim but don't strangle my thighs and calves - hallelujah for circulation!

sweater, scarf, camo sweater, scarf, camo

Look 1
Sweater: J.Crew factory merino charley (sim, zippered)
Pants: Lands' End slim leg jeans in muted camo (worn here - same in medallion print, sim, pricey)
Scarf: Joe Fresh (worn here - sim, darker)
Bracelets: J.Crew, Asos (sim), Sage K and Co (the original)
Ring: F21 cutout geo set
Shoes: Seychelles via Anthropologie raine (worn here - sim, stiletto)
Bag: Dooney equestrian (worn here - this season's version, sim)

sweater, scarf, camo sweater, scarf, camo

Look 2
Sweater: J.Crew merino tippi (worn here - sim, cashmere)
Pants: Lands' End slim leg jeans in muted camo (worn here - same in medallion print, sim, pricey)
Scarf: J.Crew factory (sim, pricey)
Necklace: c/o Simply Livly (worn here - sim grander)
Bracelet: INPINK barnacle (worn here - sim)
Shoes: Banana Republic ivonne (worn here - sim, point-toe)
Bag: C.Wonder colorblock (worn here - sim pink, multi-stripe)

sweater, scarf, camo

sweater, scarf, camo

13 October 2014

Hidden Floral Popcorn

hidden floral popcorn

My apologies for the brief blog absence, I was in Spain last week for work and pretty much spent all my non-working hours imbibing in ham and wine.

One thing that was difficult to get used to while I was there? Pretty much having to wait until nine-ten in the evenings just to start dinner (I know, I should be tapas-ing, but hungry hungry hippo here sometimes just wants to Eat). One thing I could get used to? Of course, the ham, especially the impressively massive displays and selections of the stuff at the local supermarkets (seriously - imagine the produce section at your local market and replace every single fruit and vegetable display with hammy ham ham).

So I ate my way through Madrid, but one thing I did not at all while I was on my trip was workout. There just didn't seem like there was enough hours between working all day, trying to get any sleep with the six hour time change and the late dinner hours. And I pretty much ate anything and everything that was put in front of me (croquettes, paella, so delicious), so who has the time for any real cardio, right? If you ladies have any advice on how you stay fit and healthy while on the road, I'd love to hear it!

hidden floral popcorn hidden floral popcorn

Sweater: Banana Republic popcorn stitch (worn here - sim, hooded, steal)
Pants: J.Crew turner in hidden floral (worn here - same in solid & medallion print, sim in black)
Necklace: Love Obsessed (worn here - sim, steal)
Bracelet: Ann Taylor modern classic turnlock cuff (same in snake & leather, sim, deal)
Ring: c/o JewelMint (sim, sim)
Shoes: Guess kissani (worn here - sim, sim)
Bag: Brahmin anytime (worn here - sim, sim)

hidden floral popcorn

hidden floral popcorn

06 October 2014

Black, White and Rainbow

rainbow brite

OK, I absolutely adore this outfit, but let's be honest, it is a little much for an office job. So I did wear a plain black blazer with this ensemble through the work day to tone it all down a bit, and waited until after-hours to bare my striped out best.

rainbow brite rainbow brite

Top: J.Crew boatneck (worn here - sim, steal, sim)
Skirt: Asos multi stripe w/curved hem (worn here - sim, sim, wider stripes)
Necklace: Ann Taylor pearl & pave cluster (worn here - sim, steal, rhinestoned)
Bracelet: Ann Taylor pearl & pave cluster (worn here - sim, gold)
Ring: F21 cutout geo set
Shoes: Zara cap-toe court (worn here - sim, w/bow, pricey)
Bag: Coach poppy flight in metallic mirror (worn here - sim, sim)

rainbow brite

rainbow brite

03 October 2014

Magenta Madness

monochrome magenta

Monochromatic looks are a fave of mine (ivory and green versions), so when I realized this sweater and skirt were a magenta match made in heaven, of course I had to wear it together.

The awkwardness of these backyard shots come from my realization as I was attempting to take pics that high heels and grassy lawns don't work well together - it was a constant battle to keep my heels from sinking into the soil, so I was trotting around in my tip toes pretty much the whole time (so classy, so graceful - so not). Ah, well, what's a personal style blogger with no photographer and limited patience for photo shoots to do?

Have a great weekend, ladies!

monochrome magenta monochrome magenta

Top: J.Crew factory merino charley (worn here - sim, w/peplum)
Skirt: J.Crew pleated crepe (worn here - sim, button-front, maxi length, jacquard print)
Necklace: Hawthorne Collection (worn here - sim, sim, grander)
Bracelets: J.Crew (sim), Target (sim set), Asos (sim set)
Shoes: Banana Republic ivonne (on sale, worn here - sim, sim)
Bag: Coach legacy flight (worn here - sim, sim)

monochrome magenta

monochrome magenta