Fall Cravings (Episode 2)

A few more favorite things for fall...

Men's cardigan :: oversized and textured is a must to add coziness to your weekend uniform of skinnies and a tee

D'Orsay pump :: these are the perfect color and amount of toe cleavage for all those cropped trousers 

Graphic gold cuff :: imagine this over a thin sweater with a blazer on your shoulders and a pencil skirt

Leather pleated skirt :: mid-length is key for delaying the every day necessity of wearing tights

Navy leather jacket :: give your black moto jacket a rest for this one that's just as versatile yet unexpected

Gray jeans :: shading and edgy details make these jeans so much more interesting than your dark blue ones

Clockwise from top left: Koto Boucle Cardigan $89; Rebecca Minkoff Abel $295; Forever 21 Geo Cutout Cuff $5.80; Zara Coated Pleated Skirt $79.90; Tinley Road Vegan Leather Moto Jacket $149; STS Blue Moto Skinny Jeans $34.80

Double Denim

I recently came upon a new to me fashion blogger - Wendy of Thankfifi - and I'm enamored! She lives in Glasgow, which I visited in my semester of studying abroad in Manchester, England. I've already been inspired by quite a few of her ensembles and can't wait to get our own dog that can become a model in my outfit pics. 

Have a great Memorial Day weekend and I can't wait to share the details of our trip to Traverse City with you next week, but follow me on Twitter & Instagram to stay up with our fun adventures!

Denim shirt, Worthington peplum top (similar), Gap legging jeans, Jessica Simpson flats (similar here and here), Stella & Dot Lilith Fringe necklace

Longer Lengths

After holding up my new green skirt (scored with an American Apparel Groupon) to the "tops" section in my closet, I decided to wear it with this watercolor tee. Normally I would wear a cropped jacket with a maxi skirt to ensure that my waist is defined rather than pair long with long; however, the colors in this tee (green, mustard, brown, burgundy, and peach) were begging to be worn with my peach boyfriend blazer! So, why not add a wide brim hat and fur vest to really work the boho chic look? Why not indeed.

Club Monaco fur vest (similar), H&M peach blazer (similar), Simply Vera tee, American Apparel skirt, Gap hat (similar), Fownes Brothers gloves, Franco Sarto booties (similar), Hue sweater tights, Tory Burch sunnies

Favorite Gifts I Gave (For the Gals)

From top left clockwise to bottom left:

1. Stella & Dot Lapis Drop Earrings

2. Steve Madden Neenaa Boots

3. Fownes Brothers Tech Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves

4. J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt

5. Elle Lurex Tweed Jacket

6. Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick

A Sign of Growth

The combination of it being dark when I come home, my fiance starting work before I'm ready, and a non-DSLR camera have led to an overall feeling of underwhelm with the photographic evidence of my outfits as of late. I guess this is a sign of growth in my expectations of this lil blog, as pictures inside the halls of my office building were accepted as the norm this time last year. I can't well expect my co-worker (and current paparazzo) to brave the chill and take time out of her lunch hour to take my picture. Therefore, I must upgrade to an instrument that can capture the beauty of texture, shine, and pattern in fluorescent lighting. Any recommendations?

XXI skirt, Express blouse, Elle at Kohl's faux leather blazer, Club Monaco faux fur vest, White Mountain booties, Stella & Dot necklace, Skaagen watch

North of the Knee

Joe Fresh blouse, Simply Vera miniskirt, Nine West over the knee boots, Simply Vera fishnets, NY & Co leather bomber, Stella & Dot necklace, Akira and Charming Charlie bracelets

Official

While items like leather, boots, boucle, or suede might signal the changing of seasons to some, I never stopped pairing those textures with my summer staples. Therefore, once I open my tights drawer, it becomes officially fall. Even if they barely offer any coverage, as in the fishnet variety, it still counts. It doesn't hurt that they also made one of their first appearances with camel, cognac, hunter green, and a print that closely resembles fallen leaves. Welcome to Chicago, fall. I am overjoyed to meet your acquaintance once more.

Simply Vera tee, Loft skirt, Gap jacket, Hue fishnets, Nine West booties, Stella & Dot earrings

Sequin Your Day (Part I)

 I love wearing sequins; however, when I looked at my stock, I didn't have nearly enough. Still don't...I'm talking to you, you, or you  - get in my closet! When it comes to sequins, we so often delegate it for cocktail parties or date nights - why is that? They can be business and weekend appropriate too! While I've been on the "sequins for day" soap box before, we all need many examples before we make the jump into a new trend or make a change in our daily outfit choices. 

Check back tomorrow for my next "Sequin Your Day" post.

Loft trousers, Joe Fresh blouse, Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's tank, NY & Co jacket, Charming Charlie necklace, Nine West pumps

Rock of Ages

After watching "Rock of Ages" last night, I am thankful to have this outfit post on the docket since it felt very 80's and right now, I'm feelin' the 80's. If you haven't seen the movie, it's a bit like "Hairspray," "Footloose," "Dirty Dancing," or "Cry Baby" (some of my all time favorites). The premise? Boy and girl fall in love, then uppity, righteous, or selfish people try to break up the relationship and stifle rock 'n' roll, but despite the efforts, love and rock 'n' roll prevail. The lesson? Don't stop believin' in either...ever.

Elle jacket, Akira skirt & sweater, Jessica Simpson heels, vintage necklace & earrings, Charming Charlie bracelets, Revlon Cherries in the Snow lipstick, Foster Grant sunnies

Mixed Emotions

I don't know about you, but I have mixed emotions coming into a new season. I'm incredibly excited about the weather, yet completely anxious about what to wear. With questions such as: What will still be in style from last year? What will transition from summer to fall? When is it time to break out a thick sweater, leather, or a fur accent? It can leave a girl stumped in front of her closet. That's where I have been this past week...scratching my head whilst staring at my clothes, trying on eight different outfits, and then tossing them on the floor when they felt stale. I haven't determined yet how to get out of this rut, except to buy, buy, buy and consign, consign, consign. Since that option sounds expensive, I've taken a step back, repeated some outfits (the horror!) and will gain some new inspiration from Pinterest, fellow fashion bloggers, and you...my readers! What items have you found that are key pieces for this time of year? What's your favorite outfit you've put together recently?

Ark & Co trousers, Tahari lace blouse, Merona belt, Stella & Dot brooch, MRKT shoes, NY & Co jacket, Skaagen watch, Francesca's earrings