30 October 2015

Boots and Pants and Boots and Pants ...

boots + pants

First off, thank you Geico ad, for the three word non-song that sometimes works its way into my head and WILL. NOT. GET. OUT. This is one of those times, so thus, my post title ...

Second, for someone who has been afraid of wearing boots of any sort for ages - thank you, kid who called me "mango calves" way back when and caused me years of pointless boot-avoiding grief - I think I've finally reached the point of boot saturation. I've got them in pretty much all boot shaft lengths now and have my feet and legs well covered for the cold months.

Here's a style medley - new and old - of how I've been styling my boots. What length of boot do you favor? How do you style your fave bootwear?

Ankle Boots    ♥     ♥    
Easiest type of boot for me to wear since my legs are not involved. I tend to like to wear mine with skinny jeans rolled at the ankle - I feel like the peep of ankle at its most slender part help to slim and create length for me yeah, I am absolutely no stylist, I have no real idea what I'm talking about, but I know what I like and what I think works for me.

serape scarf, poppy coat serape scarf, poppy coat

Coat: Zara (other red coats)
Sweater: Old Navy (other printed sweaters)
Jeans: Old Navy
Scarf: Just Dawnelle (other infinity scarves)
Boots: Schuler & Sons via Anthropologie (other brown ankle boots)
Bag: Fossil (sim brown leather totes by Madewell)
Originally worn here.

Calf Boots    ♥     ♥    
Probably the hardest type of boot for me since I am short and have muscular legs. I opt for more casual boot styles with a wide leg so the boot won't usually end at my calves and make them look even wider.

 sorel boots sorel boots

Sweater: Anthropologie (other asymmetrical sweaters)
Jeans: Loft
Necklace: Anthropologie (other mixed metal necklaces)
Boots: Sorel (exact boots - other Sorel boots, other winter boots)

Knee-High Boots    ♥     ♥    
Pretty standard for me as long as they fit my calves. The only thing I normally have to worry about is that the shaft of the boot is not too tall, otherwise for a 5'2" gal like me, the boots partly cover my knee and it gets real uncomfortable when I try to bend my legs.

ruffle plaid ruffle plaid

Jacket: Zara (other navy blazers)
Shirt: J.Crew (other red plaid shirts)
Jeans: Banana Republic
Necklace: Ann Taylor (other pearl necklaces)
Boots: Frye (exact boots - other Frye boots, other brown leather boots)
Bag: Fossil (other brown leather totes by Madewell)
Originally worn here.

OTK Boots    ♥     ♥    
I've pretty much stayed clear of this style because 1) I'm short, 2) I'm not hip enough to pull it off, and 3) frankly any type of footwear that approaches the thigh area can maybe kind of look ... not-so-appropriate for everyday wear. But on a flat boot with a covered leg and some more casual pieces mixed in ... it can work (and I've totally worn these boots a bunch of times already - like here and here).

mossimo OTK boots mossimo OTK boots

Jacket: J.Crew (factory version of the vest - other quilted vests)
Sweater: Target (other long knit sweaters)
Pants: Target
Necklace: J.Crew (other pendant necklaces and medallion necklaces)
Boots: Mossimo by Target (exact boots - other OTK boots)

* Only EXACT items are affiliate linked - all similar item links are direct, thanks to my partner, Shopbop.

28 October 2015

Hidden Floral On Repeat

hidden floral + chambray

Stealing a look from the J.Crew catalog with this outfit - chambray shirts just seem to go with absolutely everything. These are still my favorite - OK, still my only - pair of printed pants. I kind of wish J.Crew would bring the turner style pant back - it's way too easy and comfortable, truly a dressed up  sweat pant.

hidden floral + chambray hidden floral + chambray

Shirt: J.Crew factory classic chambray (worn before - sim retail, sim under $30)
Pants: J.Crew turner in hidden floral (worn before - sim factory version on sale, in solid under $40)
Necklace: J.Crew (worn before - sim, fringed)
Bracelet: J.Crew (sim white, sim under $40)
Ring: F21 (sim under $5, plain under $4)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson jaide (worn before - sim, sim for $50)
Bag: Zac Posen eartha soft (worn before - same w/pewter hardware, sim)

hidden floral + chambray

hidden floral + chambray

And here are some of the ways how I've worn these turner pants before:

hidden floral hidden floral popcorn turner denim

26 October 2015

Style Lately


oct1
All these pieces on serious repeat so far this fall (exact: scarf now $10 / sim: sweater, jeans, loafers).

oct2
Light layering (exact: shirt under $30, cardigan under $20 / sim: belt, ring).

oct3
Scarf-ing around (from top left to right: sim plaid, sim animal, sim floral, sim spotted, exact striped now $10
sim animal under $15, sim tasseled, sim nautical, exact Etsy shop).

oct4
Trying out the over-the-knee boots (exact: boots under $40, cardigan under $20 / sim: shirt on sale, belt).

oct5
Spotted and striped (exact: shirt / sim: skirt on sale, clutch or in tote form, heels).

oct6
Black with gold (factory version of the vest / sim: shirt, shoes).

oct7
Chambray shirts go with everything (exact: shirt on sale, skirt now $30, bracelet under $10 / sim: shoes).

23 October 2015

Brindille Sheath

brindille sheath

I couldn't resist this fun dress when I first saw it online - the colors, print and fit sold me. And even though I've been a long-time Anthro fan, this is one of the few pieces from the retailer that I actually bought at full price (granted with a promo) recently. I foresee wearing this pretty dress well into fall, and even a dress I can throw a blazer over and wear for business-y occasions.

brindille sheath brindille sheath

Dress: Maeve by Anthropologie brindille sheath (sim with bow-tie or long-sleeved)
Top: Modcloth (worn before - sim black/blue, all-white, long-sleeved black-collared)
Sweater: J.Crew (sim printed)
Bracelet: INPINK barnacle for less than $10 (sim smaller)
Shoes: Pour La Victoire mai (worn before - sim pump for less than $30 or here for less than $12 if you're a 7/8,  sim silhouette in black)
Bag: Brahmin lincoln (worn before - sim, quilted)

brindille sheath

brindille sheath

21 October 2015

Style Lately

Oct1
#gondolastripesforever (exact shirt on sale, pumps & sim skirt, necklace).

Oct2
Simple arm party with a leather charm bracelet from Endless Jewelry (sim studded bangle, stretch, initial cuff).

Oct3
Herringbone vest love is still going strong (factory version of the vest & sim buffalo plaid shirt).

Oct4
Tomato red (sim cropped trench for under $35, polar bear or rabbit sweater, shirt on sale).

Oct5
Deez shoes (exact oxfords).

Oct6
Mixing and matching (exact scarf for $10, boots on sale & sim jacket, top).

Oct7
Go-to jacket (exact jacket & sim sweater for under $30, skirt).

19 October 2015

Flowers and Popcorn

popcorn + ponte floral

I'm keeping things pretty neutral in this fall ensemble, letting this easy floral skirt do all the talking. It's actually made of a ponte knit, so not only is it pretty, it's super comfy as well. Miss Pacey also decided to make a special guest appearance in this post as the "forlorn no-one-ever-pays-me-any-attention pup" - life's hard for a spoiled house pup sometimes. 

popcorn + ponte floral popcorn + ponte floral

Sweater: Banana Republic popcorn stitch (worn before - sim on sale, short-sleeve, as cardigan for under $25)
Skirt: Lands' End ponte a-line - also in black floral, now for less than $30
Bracelet: Rocksbox (try the jewelry subscription service yourself with code LISABBF56 for your first month free)
Earrings: J.Crew (worn before - sim, sim for $35)
Shoes: Lands' End point toe (same in leopard print - sim)
Bag: J.Crew claremont (worn before - sim, sim with chain)

popcorn + ponte floral

popcorn + ponte floral

13 October 2015

Shopbop Friends and Family Event

I've been a business tripping fool for most of this month and embark on my third international trip this week so much jet lag and dirty laundry, so I apologize for my erratic blogging schedule of late.

I'm not usually one to do sale posts but this one is too good to ignore - Shopbop is having their Friends and Family Event where almost everything on their site is 25% off! The promotion is short - only good until October 15 - use code INTHEFAM25. And for more deets about the sale, click here.

Shopbop carries a ton of designer name brands and offers free expedited shipping to most countries. Here's an idea on some retailers I'm looking at (the links are direct, not affiliate) -


Madewell: coats & jackets / boots & flats / leather bags (including THE transport tote)

MICHAEL Michael Kors: leather bags (like their jet set tote) / flats / metal link watches

Rebecca Minkoff looks like a classics hit list: the mini MACs / jules satchels / love crossbodys

12 October 2015

Long Pink Vest

pink vest

While I am a big fan of pink (quite a change since my days of no-pink-ever before my blogging days), I usually veer towards the more saturated shades since I find pastel-y hues tend to wash me out. I couldn't resist this piece from BR's new collection though, especially since it hit super-sale recently. So to keep the pale pink from looking too saccharine on me, I threw in a bit of black and denim as contrast and to "toughen" things up a bit. I think I ended up with a winning combo - I am adoring the dressed up mix with the casual pieces together, and the pink that seems "just pink" enough.

pink vest pink vest

Vest: Banana Republic double-breasted long on super-sale (sim button-less, designer)
Shirt: Lands' End long-sleeve no iron (same in pink)
Jeans: J.Crew (sim, sim for less than $25)
Bracelet: INPINK barnacle now for less than $10
Ring: c/o JewelMint (sim)
Earrings: C.Wonder (sim)
Shoes: c/o Farylrobin via Anthropologie suede tavi (worn before - this season's version)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAC in trompe l'oeil (worn before - the original)

pink vest

pink vest