new for spring... JCrew!

Hello Spring! 

It's almost here... I can feel it in my bones!  I've mentioned before, ahem, quite a few times now... how much I love peeping out what retailers have in store (quite literally, actually) this time of year.  Spring and fall are the absolute two best shopping seasons.  

So far I have checked out American Eagle, Lands End Canvas, Old Navy, Gap, LOFT, and Fossil - you should check them out as well.  But today I have JCrew... 

They never disappoint on new goodies and while the items are classic to JCrew (and classic in general, think: stripes, florals, white jeans and rockin' swimsuits) - I'll never tire of their new take on classics each season.

(swimsuit, floral scarf, striped top, gladiator sandals, white jeans, simple black skirt)

sweet nothings...

Valentine's is one of my most favorite holidays... all the pink and red. How can you resist? I love showering my kids with treats and trinkets... and hopefully there will be a sweet little something for mom as well (ahem, dear).

(twirl, bow earrings, purple sweater, pink nail polish, nude lace bralette, dot purse)

What are your plans for this lovey-dovey holiday?

shopping guide: warm up!

Brrr baby! The temps are dropping... it's time to warm up in style with these fun cold weather accessories! I find each season I need to refresh my scarves, gloves, mittens and hats. They tend to get A LOT of use through out the season. These fun pieces would add tons of fun and personality to the coats and jackets you already own!

(1. Ribbed Beret, JCrew, $39.50 2. Chunky Arm Warmer, Topshop, $24 3. Faux Fur Trapper, Gap, $24.50 4. Slubby Snood, Topshop, $36 5. Faux Fur Wrap, Limited, $39.90 6. Popcorn Knit Mittens, Gap, $24.50 7. Minimalist Effort Gloves, Modcloth, $47.99)

shopping guide: orange-you-glad?

It's Halloween week and not only are my kids already buzzing on candy (that is probably my fault!) - so am I! How can you resist those miniature bites of sugary goodness? If you have read this blog for a while you know that one of my obsessions is candy. This year I am particularly enjoying the Sponge Bob Crabby Patty gummis. I know, 32 going on 7. That's how I roll.

I thought it would be fun to do an orange themed Shopping Guide this week... in case you are going to be stylishly dressing the part. I don't usually do costumes... but a touch of orange I can definitely do!


(details: 1. Flamingo Flat, Seychelles, $90.65 2. Merino Wool Sweater, Forever 21, $24.80 3. Nixon Time Teller, shopbop.com, $60 4. Essie Nail Polish, beauty.com, $8 5. Time-In Time-Out Belt, Anthropologie, $30 6. Cotton Desert Shirt, JCrew, $65 7. Cambridge Shawl Collar Sweater, JCrew, $59.99)

How do you celebrate Halloween!?!?

good look for less, Alice!

Today I have another great wardrobe consult... you may remember Alice from earlier this fall, she was ready to update her wardrobe for fall and wanted some really great investment pieces as well as classic and mix and matchable pieces (her previous consult is HERE). She recently contacted me for some winter wear (and to update her Christmas list)... Let's take a look at some of her outfits.

Alice is mom, so she needs simple outfit combos that work on the go! She already owned this gorgeous white puffer coat. To that I added some classic and simple pieces like a chambray top and cords. It's instant classic with no fuss.

(hat, cords, top, boots, jacket)

Alice loves the simplicity of skinny jeans, as do I. Here some super cozy Uggs and a puffer vest make for a great warm layer over a simple striped top. I love this look!

(scarf, jeans, top, boots, vest)

Mmmmm.... cozy sweaters and cute hats! If it weren't for all the snow, it would be fun to dress for winter! Although... this outfit makes it bearable! Alice owned these jeans already and wanted to include them with the outfits. I am huge fan of wide leg pants this winter - and that is great news for all of you that don't really care for skinnies!

(jeans, hat, sweater, boots, vest)

And just one more outfit because they are all so darn cute... a variation of all of the above... super simple, super cute!

(jeans, hat, top, boots, jacket)

Happy Shopping Alice!

~~~

Interested in learning more about my wardrobe consultation services? Click here!

hi & lo (JCrew inspired!)

It's time for another hi & lo post! You all know how much I am loving JCrew lately... but let's be honest, sometimes their prices are a leeeetle tough to swallow. Today I am featuring some of my favorite JCrew finds... and their "stunt doubles", that also happen to be a little easier on the pocket book!

JCrew Toothpick Cords, $79.50

Old Navy Skinny Cords, $34.50

JCrew Tissue Turtleneck Tee, $34.50

Old Navy Jersey Turtleneck Tee, $14.50

JCrew Drapey Sequin Tee, $69.50

Old Navy Embellished Tank, $14.50

JCrew Cambridge Cable Sweater, $74

Old Navy Cable Sweater, $29.50

JCrew Stretch Wool Minnie Pant, $98

Old Navy Skinny Trousers, $25

JCrew Sequin Mesh Bell Skirt, $128

Victoria's Secret Sequin Skirt, $79.50

So what do you think? Could some of these be a good alternative?

good look for less: EXPRESS!

Today's consult is for Gena... she and her husband are celebrating 15 years of marriage and are heading to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a long weekend together (no kids!) to celebrate. How fun! She wanted outfits for walking around and spending time with her husband. I checked the weather there for this time of year (because I'm nerdy like that and I have this dream that I will live in Tennessee someday, I'm weird obsessed with it. Weird.) The temps should be in the 60s and 70s during the day and cool in the evenings. So layers are key.

Let's take a look at the outfits I pulled together for her!

My goal was to pull together cozy, chic, casual looks together. This is one of my favorite of the three looks. It's refined but casual and while it's perfect for a weekend away, it's also perfect for everyday wear. This scarf is so perfect for fall and Gena mentioned she tends towards and apple body shape - so this pair of Long & Lean jeans are perfect for that body shape. This style is UNIVERSALLY flattering. I just LOVE this style jean.

(earrings, jeans, top, flats, scarf, bag)

I love the look of these loose layers over a slim pair of pants. Gena said she wanted to try a pair of slimmer pants like these... a cropped pair is very flattering if it's your first venture away from a bootcut look.

(ring, pants, top, bag, sweater, shoes)

Just for fun I wanted to throw in a nice dressy outfit for a nice dinner or cocktails. A wrap style dress like this with an emphasis on the waist is another great option for apple shaped bodies. It shows off the waist (not the hips!) in a very flattering way. And I just love the subtle print on this dress.

(dress, clutch, bracelet, shoes)

Have a great weekend Gena!

~~~

Interested in learning more about my wardrobe consultation services? Click here!

my outfit: recuperating!

This was my "back to reality" outfit... after arriving late the night before from Vegas and then waking at the crack of dawn to get the kiddos off to school and back to my own schedule after vacation. I am also still battling a nasty cold and cough - yuck! I was actually pleased when the weather decided to play along with my mood... mild temps, cloudy, thundery and a little bit of rain. SUPER cozy!

And really, what can't an armful of bangle-y bracelets not fix? Perfect to perk up a rainy day!

I picked up this sweater at LOFT in Vegas and it reminded me of my cozy duvet when I got out of bed this morning... so I snuggled back into it for the day. I had actually hoped to do MORE shopping while in Vegas - but this is about all I got. Well, make that more "buying" - we definitely did lots of shopping. But once I started shopping I didn't know exactly what I wanted or needed and felt indecisive.

That must mean it's time for another looks:book - is anyone ready for a winter version? I need to get organized about what is good to buy for winter. Am I alone?

Cozy sweaters like this one are definitely a must! And I busted out the puffer vest that I (almost!) forgot I had! This is an oldy-but-goody from JCrew. That is what I love about JCrew - so classic and high quality that the pieces last for years. This one is seriously from like 2004. Perfect for a cozy, rainy day!

I love to see the sunshine... but sometimes I enjoy a "down" day when the clouds roll in. What about you?

Details:

Puffer Vest, JCrew (similar)

Sweater, LOFT

Jeans, Forever 21 (similar)

Bangle Bracelets, various stores

Clogs, UGG

work it wednesday: sequined sweatshirts!

I just LOVE all of the sequined sweatshirts I have been seeing in the shops and online recently... I fell in love with one at Urban Outfitters while shopping in Vegas and I am regretting not buying it now! The thing I love so much about them is they have the casual and dressy textures so well balanced for an everyday appeal.

I thought I would have some fun pulling together looks based on sequined sweatshirts Work It Wednesday style - and the next time one crosses my path I'll be very likely to snatch it up!

(shorts, top, jacket, clutch, boots)

(ring, pants, top, purse, scarf, boots)

(necklace, jeans, top, purse, jacket, flats)

Are you loving the sequined sweatshirt for fall and winter?

shopping guide: puffers!

A few weeks back I featured some great winter coats that were dressier. I like to have a few styles in my arsenal and a puffer coat is definitely one of them. They are so warm and cozy and this season I am loving the slimmer and sleeker versions that I have been seeing. Here are some great examples. I would wear EACH of these... they are all so cute!

(1. Lodge Puffer Vest, JCrew. $118 2. Puffer Vest, Gap, $59.50 3. Coffee Shop Puffer, Target, $59.99 4. Callie Nylon Puffer, Delia's, $69.50 5. Long Belted Puffer, Gap, $128 6. Puffer Jacket, Gap, $98)

what to wear: Happy Weekend!

Happy weekend gals! I'm leaving on a jet-plane for Vegas soon so I am feeling a little celebratory! How about this amazing outfit this weekend??? Make sure to celebrate in some small way yourself this weekend!

(skirt, top, clutch, necklace, bracelet, shoes)

my outfit: au naturale!

Something about the combo of this leaf necklace, the swingy cardi and curly hair and I'm feeling good in my skin. I would own a million flowy sweaters like this one (that is, if I had the money and the closet space). So comfortable and simple for the usual busy-ness that life brings. And these clogs, I mean... are you sick of them yet? I wear them pretty much every day. I just LOVE them.

Kendi had a great post on perfectionism and blogging and it really rang true to me - and likely many other bloggers that put their "real life" out for all to see (judge, critique and otherwise). I do it for you and me in what is usually a healthy balance... but sometimes it makes me second guess myself. Will they be sick of this top, do they hate these jeans, what about the clogs, do they think they are silly????? And the mind-talk goes on and on and on. But through all that I need to remember to be true to myself. I hope you like my true self... but if you don't I have to be fine with that too.


Is perfectionism something you battle with? It can be tough to overcome... I know I go through phases with it. Where nothing is good enough and I am easily down on myself.


But isn't that such a waste of time? We should be focusing on the amazing things we can and do accomplish and the amazing life we live - not the lack of. Somehow this post took a serious turn... but it's true.

To lighten things up a bit... I have eluded to a little Vegas trip I have coming up. And Jackie over at Sweetie Pie Pumpkin Noodle spilled the beans on her blog yesterday - She and I have a fabulous little blogger meet-up planned in Vegas this weekend! How fun is that? My husband goes for work every fall and I tag along and she and I happened to be emailing back and forth about a way to meet in person. I suggested she and her husband meet us there - since it's in her (relative) neck of the woods and voila! Everything worked out and we are set to finally meet and hang out this weekend! I couldn't be MORE excited! Of course we will fill you all in on our shopping, sunning and sipping of cocktails together when we return! I still have to pack and do a million-trillion things before leaving, but I am so excited to meet my long time blogging buddy!

Details:

Cardi, Pure & Simple (similar)

Necklace, courtesy of Linkel Designs

T-Shirt, JCrew (similar)

Jeans, Seven for all Mankind

Clogs, UGG

Bracelets, Charlotte Russe (similar)

check it out: madewell!

Many of you are probably familiar with Madewell... a branch of JCrew that embraces a more "bohemian" or simpler feel than the more highly stylized and fashion forward pieces that JCrew has come to embody of late. It seems like the two "brands" have similar price points and perhaps a little overlap in their offerings... but Madewell does have a decidedly laid back feel (perhaps an homage to the former JCrew casual-chic now turned chic-chic). I had heard of them in passing and seen their items featured in magazines, etc but had admittedly not spent any time on their website or really checking out their offerings. So I decided to dig in and check out all they had to offer.

I guess you could sum it up this way... JCrew is very "Monday thru Friday"... Madewell is very "Saturday and Sunday". Does that make sense?

No matter how you "define" them... they do have really great offerings (albeit a little pricey) and also great collaborations with other brands and designers. So they are definitely worth checking out!

Here are some of my faves!

Zippy Striped Top, $48

Silk Cargo Shirt, $110

Twin Button Cardigan, $49.99

City Slouch Jeans, $110

Suede Duffel, $198

West Way Clog, $168

So do you own any Madewell pieces? Have you been to their stores? Will you?

shopping guide: camel!

The color camel has long been a classic (think London Fog or Burberry). And it's making a swing back through "trend" status this season. I still have some camel pieces from the last go round (which was maybe only 6 or 7 years ago?!). Pieces like scarves, shoes, classic sweater silhouettes and wool coats are great investments in classic colors like camel. They will NEVER go out of style and are always easy to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe.

I happen to love this color... it's very "fall in Paris" to me. Plus it's a great neutral - it's a true win - win. So invest in a new camel piece for your wardrobe this fall or bring out an oldie-but-goodie!

(1. Ultra Soft Cardigan, Gap, $49.50 2. Vintage Bateau Top, JCrew, $42.50 3. Square Hold All, TopShop, $70 4. Corset Peacoat, Express, $148 5. Lightweight Scarf, Forever 21, $5.50 6. Fitzwell Leslie Pump, Zappos.com, $62.10 7. Shawl Collar Belted Sweater, Express, $78)

shopping guide: faux fur vests!

Faux fur vests seemed to poke their head out last year... but this year they are back with a vengeance. They are available at all price points and several styles and have a very "off duty model just stepped off the runway/Rachel Zoe/Olsen twins" vibe to them. I happen to like this type of je ne sais quoi relaxed but chic look. Plus they look super cozy!

And if you are at all interested in how I would style one... well DO check back! I found one second hand and diy-ed it a bit to get it where I wanted it and will be showcasing it here on the blog very soon!

It's almost impossible to choose a favorite here... so many great options!

(details: 1. Faux Fur Vest, Old Navy, $29.50; 2. Eight Sixty Faux Fur Vest, Piperlime, $92; 3. Faux Fur Vest, LOFT, $98; 4. Faux Fur Belted Vest, Rachel Roy, $149; 5. Janika Vest, BB Dakota, Piperlime, $69; 6. Charlize Vest, JCrew, $595)

my outfit: fall chic!

Last week I had to turn the A/C back on for a little heat wave and this week it's back to my favorite chilly fall temps where I almost need to turn the furnace on. 50's in the morning and 60's and 70's in the afternoon - bold blue skies and bright sun - albeit getting lower in the sky. The tricky part is having an outfit that can do all the variances of one day like that... a 20 degree swing is no easy feat.

I was at the bus stop at 8:15am and then volunteering in my son's class that morning and then errands in the afternoon... whew. All in a day's work!


This outfit was perfect for all that they day brought... there is nothing like an outfit of basics pulled together thoughtfully to deliver a stylish and practical outfit. Then for a bit of glamour I added my new Kate Spade bag. I am SO in love with this bag. I have many unstructured bags - so that makes the ultra-structured-ness of this bag so appealing.


It's perfect for all the basics, maybe even a magazine or two and even my laptop slips in nicely too! Bonus! Especially since I seem to be carrying it to coffee shops, etc more and I've got a trip coming in a few weekends that this will make the perfect carry on. win-win-win!


Details:

Scarf, NYC street vendor (similar)

Jacket, Gap (similar)

T-shirt, JCrew (similar)

Pants, Old Navy (similar)

Clogs, UGG

Purse, Kate Spade (from GILT)

good look for less, EXPRESS!

I've got another good look for less EXPRESS consult for you today! Jennifer is a nurse that spends tons of hours in scrubs... when she's off work she wants a classic, preppy and practical wardrobe that is easy to pull together but still very stylish. She's a self-proclaimed clothes horse (nothing wrong with that!) and admitted that she has most of the basics, but just wanted more ideas on pulling together outfits quickly.

What I worked to do for Jennifer was pull together "ideas" for outfits... and to keep in mind that the actually pieces could be swapped out for items that she already owns.

This first look is a classic outfit to pull together. A day dress, with a jean jacket and boots. The specific items I pulled here are gorgeous, but you could easily swap them out for pieces in your closet already - that is Jennifer, or any one else reading this!

(dress, jean jacket, boots, earrings, tote)

In keeping with that theme... I really love this outfit. But if you look at the individual pieces of it, it's really quite basic. A great pair of jeans, a boyfriend cardi, belt and flats. If you are a busy lady, it's great to have looks like this in your arsenal to quickly pull on!

(belt, jeans, t-shirt, cardigan, tote, moccasins)

One of my favorite silhouettes for fall and winter is skinny or straight jeans with an oversized or super chunky sweater. It's not only practical (warm!) but it is also very flattering to most body types, especially when the top has a longer profile like this one.

(bracelet, jeans, top, clutch, sweater vest, flats)

~~~

Best wishes Jennifer!

Interested in my wardrobe consultation services? Click here!