Happier Than a Camel on Wednesday

Even though I wore this ensemble for Black Friday shopping, it seems only appropriate that I would post it - complete with a camel coat - on hump day.

Give yourself a giggle by watching the commercial.

Recreate my look:

Vintage men's sportcoat, Gap sweater, American Apparel striped tee, Gap legging jeans, Merona boots, olive purse, green gloves, triangle earrings

Borrowed From the Boys

San Francisco has some gooooood shopping! We traversed shops from Union Square to The Haight, and I found multiple must-haves for the coming months. My favorite purchase is undoubtedly this coat from the men's section of La Rosa Vintage. I am not lying when I tell you that every day I have to stop myself from putting it on.

Recreate my look:

Vintage sport coat, Uniqlo blouse (similar), Madewell scarf, Uniqlo pants, Stella & Dot earrings, Michael Kors watch, Tildon flats, Nars Heat Wave lipstick

Vested Interest

Although I have yet to break out my fur vest, this little denim one has been getting some major exposure to add a waist line to longer sweaters or playfulness to my business casual basics. A vest, either puffer, fur, jean, or leather, is "the" transitional piece to keep your core toasty and your overcoat in the closet for a few more weeks...hopefully!

Recreate my look:

Worthington skirt (similar), gray sweater, XXI jean vest, over the knee boots, vintage brooches, Stella & Dot Renegade bracelet and Odeon stretch bracelets, Revlon Blackberry lipstick

How To Layer Bracelets

When it comes to jewelry, I consider myself an aficionado and I have a rather full jewelry armoire to prove it. Although other accessories are definitely not unchartered territory, I feel the most confident when my neck, arms, fingers, or ears are bedazzled. However, the daily decisions of what to wear on each does not come easy. Therefore, I rely on a few guidelines to make sure I'm not overwhelmed and still on time for work every morning. Last month, we talked about necklaces now it's on to bracelets and how to layer them.

A few pointers if you're just starting out:
Mix your metals 
Think of your bangles for their texture, shape, or size, rather than their metal. When you start to see your accessories as rocker, hippie, geometric, or girlie rather than viewing them as gold, silver, gunmetal, brass, or rose gold, your options are limitless
Infuse color 
If I wear a pattern or color block, I try to highlight at least one hue with a bangle or cuff, just like you would with nail polish.
Keep it odd 
Details and objects that are arranged or grouped in odd numbers are more appealing, memorable, and effective than even-numbered pairings. Odd numbers create harmony and force movement and visual interest - this rule is not just for interior design and architecture!
Add a watch
Just because a watch isn't of the "bracelet" type doesn't mean it can't be part of the party.

As you can see, I've been known to create an "arm party" or two in my time. This idea of layering baubles upon baubles and mixing materials was coined by the Man Repeller herself in 2011 on Instagram and it's still going strong. Case in point, a hashtag search of the term returned 469,802 pictures - quite an impact!  Creating your own is a very subjective experience, so don't set yourself up for needing to go big (i.e. wrist to elbow) or go home. There have been countless websites and vendors committed to showing you how to mix up your wrists. Check out Stella & Dot, Charming Charlie, and BaubleBar to create or add to your own!

A Vintage Dress

I'm a vintage/thrifting/antiquing machine lately. Dan and I are featuring brass candlesticks (among other vintage glam) accessories at our wedding and unless we want to pay a pretty penny for each, antique and resale shops are the best places to find 'em. Therefore, we've been spending a lot of time among treasures of the yesteryear. I have found, along with this drop waist dress, scarves, rings, and decor for our home at incredible prices at places like Brown Elephant in Andersonville, the Volo Antique Malls, and Randolph Street Market. 

P.S. When it comes to wearing vintage clothing, here's a "how to" to keep in mind for your next adventure! 

Vintage dress, XXI jean jacket, Adrienne Vittadini sandals (similar), Charming Charlie purse (similar), Bauble Bar necklace, vintage bracelets, MUFE #38 lipstick

No Need for Shoulder Pads

I'm a sucker for blazers (obviously), so finding a unique, vintage one is my ultimate score. I just ensure that I remove the shoulder pads since I don't need any help in the big shoulders category.

Recreate my look:

Vintage blazer (similar), Kohl's silk top (similar), XXI lace skirt (similar), similar belt, Stella & Dot necklace, Nine West sandals (similar)

A Downtown Date

To galavant around the city and its museums, dark pubs, shops, and fine dining establishments, you need to dress for the possibility of anything, which admittedly, can be hard to accomplish. The foundation of this look is a pair of cuffed jeans, graphic tee, blazer, and comfy yet chic flats; however, the add ons are what make it go from day to night with ease!

1. Scarf | We are in the Windy City after all and the temperature from waiting on the "L" platform to entering American Apparel or even while walking on different streets can change drastically. 

2. A cross body bag with handles | This allows the ability to passionately talk with your hands about Picasso's paintings and sculptures during your day at the Art Institute, while the handles can be utilized later when you are led to the quiet corner table of a seafood restaurant on the river.

3. Statement Jewelry | Once you have your first glass of wine at Elephant & Castle, it's time to roll up the cuff of your blazer and tuck your hair behind your ears to showcase your bracelets and earrings. Also, consider putting on some lipstick!

H&M blazer (similar here and here), XXI tee (similar here and here), Gap jeans, Steve Madden purse (similar), vintage bracelets and ring, leopard loafers, purple scarf, Stella & Dot earrings

Lightning Storm

Simply Vera skirt, i jeans by Buffalo blouse (similar), Anthropologie jean jacket, Sam Edelman pumps (similar here and here), Stella & Dot necklace, vintage bracelets

On a Platform

While it may appear that I am always in heels and therefore, comfortable lying about my height to passersby, it wouldn't happen without the platform. Whether it's hidden or blatantly present, it's absolutely necessary to make heels wearable all day, and almost every day. So, although these suckers are five inches tall, I'm actually only walking on three inches, Easy peasy...especially for a veteran.

Steve Madden platform sandals (similar), Converse for Target dress (similar here, here, and here), XXI sweater (similar), H&M blazer (similar),  vintage earrings (similar here and here), and mulberry leather chair from Grandin Road

Who's that Lounging in my Chair?

"Mama this surely is a dream. Yeah, mama this must be my dream." 

I have an apartment with the love of my life, a walk in closet, my own bathroom, a leopard chair, and a pillow top mattress. This most certainly is my dream.

Narciso Rodriguez for Kohl's pants (similar) and blouse, Zara blazer (similar here and here), Sam Edelman pumps (similar), vintage brooches, Francesca's earrings, Essie Sure Shot polish

Prabally My New Favorite Blouse

Ok, I promise that's the last time I use that pun. Mainly because I don't have any other Prabal Gurung for Target pieces to debut. Aren't you all (and my overflowing closet) lucky?

Prabal Gurung for Target blouse, Ark & Co trousers (similar here and here), NY & Co tee, J.Crew belt (similar), vintage turquoise  necklace (similar here and here, Stella & Dot earrings, Jessica Simpson pumps, Revlon Persian Melon lipstick

Skirt Suit

Even though I passed on the pill box hat (in favor of a cameo brooch), I felt very Jackie Kennedy in this skirt suit. The boucle texture and boxy, collarless jacket is incredibly ladylike, form fitting, and timeless while still serving a professional function. After all, Mrs. Kennedy herself did say, "There are two kinds of women: those who want power in the world, and those who want power in bed." I feel like in this skirt suit, you can be both!

XXI blazer (similar) and skirt (similar), H&M tie neck blouse (love this one), vintage cameo brooch (similar), NY & Co cape (similar), Nord tights (similar), Jessica Simpson booties