It's Spring! Wear Some COLOR!!!

Whether temperatures agree or not, SPRING IS HERE! I'm determined to believe that, anyway. So, what better way to feel like the season, than by adding some color to your wardrobe? I've done plenty of posts encouraging you to wear head-to-toe color, but this time my aim is to incorporate it in small pops. That's basically Step 1 of incorporating bold color into your wardrobe and a great way to ease yourself into the idea.

I've done a little online shopping to help you find some fabulous pieces that, when added to an otherwise simple, neutral outfit can really add some pizzazz to your look. Try adding JUST ONE of these pieces to an outfit this week. You'll thank me!

Bold Gem Necklace, Banana Republic, $59.50

I love a bold, statement necklace, especially when it's in a fun color like this lemon yellow. 

Mint Rose Studs, Bauble Bar, $22

Not every splash of color needs to be huge- these simple mint studs add an unexpected hue to your outfit. Small in size doesn't always equal small impact. 

Linen Scarf, J. Crew, $49.50

I'm obsessed with this shade of blue- it's so rich and it really does flatter every skin tone. 

BCBG Paris Raquel Wedge Sandal, DSW, $69.95

What's better than a fuchsia wedge? Not much, lemme tell ya. 

For the beginner, try just one of these fun pieces. For the intermediate, try to find two colorful pieces that work together and for the advanced, try to put three boldly colored accessories on today. Just give it a whirl- pops of color can make an otherwise dull, uninspired outfit come to life! 

Minty Mint

Are you guys in love with the mint color trend? I'm on the fence. I prefer bold jewel tones most of the time, but this pretty pastel is a refreshing departure for me:

Patent Skinny Belt, Banana Republic, $29.50

Hanalei Bay Top, Modcloth, $37.99

Rochas Foldover Clutch, Barneys, $650

Chloe Madeleine Bag, Barney's, $I have no idea

I love how creamy the hue is this season. It's not too bright, not too pastel, it's like Goldilocks- it's just right. I think I may have to find a way to work this color into my wardrobe pretty soon, before it's gone! What do you think of this color trend? Love it? Hate it? Already wearing it? It's so yesterday? Leave a comment and as always thank you for reading! 

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

I've been extremely fortunate that for almost the entire summer, nearly every one of my days off was blessed with beautiful weather. Today, not so much. It's rainy and cold and I just want to stay curled up in bed all day long. Yesterday, one of my coworkers commented on the fact that she doesn't own a rain coat. And now it's pouring outside, so Kristin- this post is for you!

This cool jacket caught my eye because of its great fit, textured fabric and cool pleated collar: 

Pleated Collar Metallic Cotton Trench, Ann Taylor Loft, $128

I'm absolutely drooling over Banana Republic's Mad Men Collection Leopard Print Trench. The color is subtle and not at all over-the-top, so you could feel comfortable wearing this jacket every day! 

Mad Men Collection Leopard Print Trench, Banana Republic, $198

If the pale leopard print is too neutral for you, you may want to try a bolder print. I like to wear bright colors and bold prints on rainy days- it helps combat the gloominess. This striped trench might just do the trick, especially if you had a nice bright red umbrella: 

ASOS Stripe Collarless Trench, ASOS, $137.21

Sometimes you just don't feel like wearing a trench. But what other options do you have? Well, this cape is a great start! The color is so rich and the silhouette is so retro-60's- it's perfect over a pair of skinny jeans or a fitted skirt with tall boots: 

Botany Professor Cape, Modcloth, $69.99

Another cool silhouette option is the slightly boxier swing coat style. This military-inspired version keeps the look crisp and clean while also featuring cool details like epaulets and big, silver buttons: 

Ahead of the Fleet Jacket, Modcloth, $154.99

Don't let a little rain get in the way of having a fabulous day out on the town. Just grab your Wellingtons and an umbrella and one of these fabulous raincoat options and head on out! Enjoy this rainy day, everyone! 

Mad Men-Inspired Line from Banana Republic

The much-anticipated return of the next season of Mad Men has been delayed, but the capsule line from Banana Republic will still launch this month- August 11th to be exact. Click here to view a slide show of the collection.

Critics are saying the styling of this line is more 60's- inspired than the actual clothes and accessories. I am inclined to agree, however, I think it was smart of BR to create a line that is current as opposed to a bunch of costume-y pieces. In order for the clothes to sell, they need to translate to 2011, so to the critics I say, "Shut your trap and just enjoy the line."

These two dresses are my favorite looks in the entire collection:

I am usually partial to full-skirted silhouettes, but the color of the dress on the left and the print of the dress on the right were every bit as appealing to be as the shapes. I also really adore the neckline and bodice of the solid-color dress on the left. And while I may lean towards full skirts, there is a dynamite sheath dress in an amazing oversize houndstooth print that is making me drool:

It isn't all for the ladies, though- there are suits, sweaters, ties, and even fedoras for the gentlemen in this capsule collection:

The accessories are also really appealing- I especially love the leopard print bag and the multi-strand pearl neacklace:

Skinny ties and bow ties are both part of the collection for men and I'm thrilled to see them. I hope to see some guys around town sporting such a cool, retro look.

What do YOU think of the new line from Banana Republic? Are you a fan of Mad Men? Would you have noticed this line if it hadn't been associated with the TV show? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear what you think!

Rate My Look- New BR Top

You saw my new bargain Banana Republic skirt at the beginning of the week, but what do you think of the bargain top I scored as well?

My philosophy when creating this outfit was something along the lines of, "Why not add more purple?" The top is a fabulous mix of various shades of purple- from deep amethyst to periwinkle to a dusty lavender. I tried pairing it with all sorts of other skirts in my closet, but in the end, I decided to mix it with my purple Anthropologie skirt. Purple is such a universally flattering color, so why not wear it (nearly) head to toe? It certainly worked for me! 

Rate My Look- New BR Skirt

Remember my confession last weekend about the shopping spree I went on? Well, in addition to some Ann Taylor blouses, and a new Coach handbag, I also scored the fabulous skirt in this outfit:

It's a wrap skirt from Banana Republic that I scored for about $15! I wore it to work this week and I was comfortable for a full day of bridal-alterations-mania! I love the print, the length, the pockets- pretty much everything about it. And of course, the price can't be beat. I also got a lovely printed silk blouse at the same outlet, but haven't used it in an outfit yet. I'm sure I will soon, though.

As for this outfit, some of my co-workers commented on the lack of color. Of course, the bag is a nice pop of bright blue, but I didn't exactly carry it around all day at work. Without the bag, it's a very neutral outfit, but  I think it's good to shake things up and do something unexpected every now and then. The shoes pictured are pretty much my favorite work shoes for the summer. The neutral color makes them ideal for just about any outfit and the wedge adds just enough height that I'm not in flats. Have you figured out yet that flats are not my favorite? I've also got a favorite ring- my new seashell ring. It is certainly eye-catching and a great conversation piece. I think I've worn it nearly every day since I bought it. 

What's your favorite new summer piece that you simply can't stop wearing? Obviously, for me it's the seashell ring, but I want to hear what you're wearing this summer! Leave a comment and tell me all about it! 

Rate My Look- Shopping Spree Stuff

First I want to congratulate "Anonymous" for correctly guessing which handbag I bought over the weekend. I opted for the smaller of the two and I'm very happy. The price I paid? Well, let's start by talking about the original sticker price- $348. It was marked down to $269.99 and then with a 50% discount followed by a 30% discount the final price was (drum roll, please).... $94.50!!!

And here I am sporting not only my new handbag, but one of the 5 new tops I bought as well. This one happens to be from Ann Taylor LOFT (as is the skirt):

Skirt and Top: Ann Taylor LOFT

Bag: Coach

Shoes: Payless
Necklace: Stella and Dot

Ring: Some little shop on Nantucket... 

I loved this top so much when I saw it in the shop, I actually bought it not only in this fun summer-y print, but I also got it in three other solid colors- peach, white and brown. I've already worn the peach one and I'm certain I'm going to get a lot of wear out of all four of them. I realized the other day that while I have a lot of great skirts, I don't have that many great tops. When I decided to stop at the outlets on Sunday, I had that goal in mind- to find great tops. I'm happy to say I was so successful. In addition to these tops from Ann Taylor, I also scored a fabulous printed silk top from Banana Republic. Maybe I'll post a photo of that one soon! 

Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday, everyone! 

I'm Back

If you visited my blog over the holiday weekend, you may have noticed a distinct lack of posting. I decided to give myself a little bit of a vacation over the long weekend and didn't even think about blogging. Actually, that's not true, I thought about it a lot, but every time I did, I decided to think instead about what I was doing- which was spending time with family and friends. Everyone deserves a little vacation every now and then, right?

I had an excellent, relaxing weekend spent at a BBQ one day and at the beach the next. I even got a little bit of sun- just a little. I even had an accidental shopping spree. I swear it was a complete accident. Honest! My bank account isn't impressed, I'll tell you that much. On the drive up to northern New Hampshire to visit some friends, I stopped to get gas. I just so happened to be getting gas off an exit that also boasts the state's best outlet mall. It appeared from the crowds that there were some major sales going on, so I decided to just "pop in" to a couple of my favorite stores. An hour later and I had a shopping bag from Nine West, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor LOFT and Coach. Yup. I did some serious damage in a very short amount of time.

I'll be posting outfit photos so you can see the great pieces I got, but just to be clear, I walked away having spent almost exactly $200 and I had quite the haul on my hands- a total of 8 new items. No joke. The hardest decision was when I was in the Coach outlet. The entire store was 30% off. I saw an amazing bag on a table that was labeled "50% off." I asked a sales person about that and she informed me that the 50% discount was IN ADDITION to the 30% discount. Honestly, at that price, how could I NOT get the bag? Trouble was, I couldn't select a size. Here are the two- side-by-side:

They may appear similar in size in the photo, but I assure you, the bag on the left is significantly larger than the bag on the right. I fell in love with the shape and the color and the fact that both bags have an unusually high number of pockets. You know I love bags with pockets, right? For the organizing, of course.

So, while you wait with bated breath to find out how I managed to score 5 tops, a skirt, a pair of heels and a Coach bag all for just $200, why not leave a comment guessing one of the following three things:
1.) Leave a comment guessing which bag I purchased.
2.) Leave a comment guessing what I paid for the bag. Seriously, you'll be in awe when I tell you!
3.) Leave a comment telling me about your latest and greatest bargain shopping spree.

Rate My Look- Emma Pillsbury Style

Ever since I purchased my new glasses, I've been faced with the challenge of incorporating them into my outfits. While I love how fun and funky they are, that same funky-ness is what makes them a challenging wardrobe element. There is not doubt about the fact that they are a statement and a bold one at that. I've found myself struggling not so much with the major elements of my outfits as I do with the accessories. Honestly, I've hardly worn earrings since I got these glasses. Accessories are the part of creating an outfit that I find most interesting and enjoyable. Earrings are often my "go-to" accessory along with large cocktail rings. Sometimes I mix it up with a bold necklace. This week, I decided to channel Emma Pillsbury and use a chic plaid scarf tied in a prim bow to accessorize my look:

Dress: Banana Republic

Boots: Marshalls

Sweater: Old Navy

Scarf: Vintage

On this particular day, I was pretty disappointed with the temperature- it was about 37 degrees Fahrenheit that day- just a smidge too chilly for my taste at this point in the year. I'm starting to go beyond feeling sick of wearing tights. My feelings toward them currently border on hatred, but I keep reminding myself that it's not their fault I live in New England and winter sticks around until April. I have to remind myself that they've served me well for many months now and if they had feelings, they'd be just as sick of me as I am of them. I decided to finish the outfit with one of the six cardigans I bought at Old Navy not too long ago. I'm a little sick of cardigans, too, but since this one is new, I don't mind it. But tights and cardigans aren't the point today. Nope- it's all about accessorizing those glasses. In a subtle mix of prints, I've combined the florals from my glasses with the plaid on my scarf-they really complement each other nicely, don't you think? It helps that they both have a teal/blue color scheme and the prints are on the same scale. As much as I enjoy wearing my glasses, I'm looking forward to getting back into my contact lenses in a couple of weeks. I think I'll have worked my accessorizing muscle enough by then and I'll be ready to get back into earrings.

Do any of you glasses-wearing readers have similar issues with your glasses? Even if they aren't quite as bold a statement as my floral frames, do you sometimes feel as though your glasses add a challenge to creating your daily look? Leave a comment and let me know!

Rewarding Shopping

For the last couple of weeks I have felt very busy. Nearly every single "day off" has been filled with lots of things to do. I know that doesn't make me very different from most people, I'm not complaining- just explaining. Today is another day off and I'm about to go see my cousin in the hospital- she just had a beautiful baby girl! But first, a stop at the Baby Gap for a little "Welcome to the world" present for baby Gianna. (Isn't that a pretty name?) Anyway, my last day off was spent helping out at a photo shoot. I'd made a few dresses for a faux-wedding photo shoot for a photography class and I basically spent the day fluffing and tweaking and modeling my designs for the students. It was a fun day, but after the long drive to Waltham, MA, followed by the long day of photography, I decided I was going to treat myself to a trip to the Burlington Mall. It was technically "on my way" home, and since my drive home coincided with rush hour, I decided to take a break from the traffic on the streets and instead experience some pedestrian traffic in the mall. The Burlington Mall is definitely one of the nicer malls I've ever been to. It's not quite as grand as the KOP mall, but it does have a Cheesecake Factory Restaurant.

After a couple of hours wandering the mall, I had made a decent dent in my checking account, but nearly everything I found was a bargain.

Bath & Body Works- Lotion & body spray for my mom- $10 (I had a coupon)

Banana Republic- Silk blouse- $19.97 (they gave me an extra 25% off because it was slightly damaged)

Victoria's Secret- None of your business. Sorry

Anthropologie- Fabulous new skirt for $39.95 (60% off!)

Sephora (not pictured)- New lip plumper and gloss- the only items I paid full price for

On my way out, I breezed through the shoe department at Nordstrom and was tempted by quite a few options, but in the end I was strong and decided not to get any new shoes. Overall, it was a highly satisfying and rewarding shopping trip. And if you're wondering about the silk blouse and the fabulous Anthro skirt, well, check 'em out:

Love? Hate? Indifferent? Leave a comment and tell me what you think of my shopping finds and my outfit. You know how I love comments. 

Rate My Look- Hell Froze Over

Dress: Banana Republic

Sweater: Marshall's

Boots: Payless

Boots not pictured: Ugg

Sunglasses: Chinatown, NYC

You may be thinking, "What's up with the title of her post?" I don't see anything major in her outfit. And you'd be right. But what you don't know is that I actually wore this outfit with a pair of real- that's right, REAL- Uggs. Not even my F'Uggs that I occasionally break out, but real, honest-to-goodness, authentic UGGS. And that, my friends is how you know that hell has frozen over. Why aren't the Uggs pictured? I changed into the sleeker boot for work and didn't have time to snap photos of both outfits, that's why. Some other time, I'll try to snag a picture, but let's be honest, you all know how I feel about Uggs, so it's not likely to happen anytime soon. The thing about Uggs, is that while I may not ever appreciate them for their aesthetic value, I certainly do appreciate them for their warmth and comfort. Shearling-lined boots are never a bad thing when you live somewhere that has single-digit temperature readings for several weeks in a row. 5 degrees Fahrenheit? I think I'll break out the Uggs, in spite of how they look, thank you very much. 

Reader Question

Happy New Year, everyone! I am so excited for 2011- I feel like this year truly has some good things in store, not just for me, but for my family, friends, coworkers, etc. As I reflect back on 2010, I realize I definitely made the right decision to pack up and move out of PA and back to NH. Even though it has made the blog more difficult to maintain, I realize it was the right thing to do for my career, my personal life and even for my mental health. If you are the type to make New Year's resolutions (I'm SO not), then I encourage you to resolve to make change in your life where you need to. It is not always an easy decision to make a major change, but I promise you will not regret it. Whatever it is in your life that is causing you grief or pain, take steps to resolve the issues- it is the only way you will move forward in your life.

Ok, I'm stepping off my soap box now! I don't mean to get too preach-y here on the blog, but sometimes I really feel compelled to say what is on my mind, even if it is not fashion related. But speaking of fashion-related things, I received the following message from reader Miguel a few days ago and I wanted to take a moment to respond:

Hello from the internet! I just want to say I enjoy your blog, and that I appreciate some of the guy tips you have thrown out there. Especially the holiday outfit suggestions... so that brings me to a question I have... :-) What's the rule for wearing black dress pants with a not matching black jacket? It looks like a no-no to me, but is there a time when that would makes sense? Should you ever wear a blazer with anything other than light colored slacks or jeans? Thanks! Miguel :)


First of all, I want to thank Miguel for writing to me- I LOVE to hear from the people who read my blog and I truly want to know what questions you have about fashion, style, sewing, or anything else. I always encourage you to leave a comment and I hope you feel as though I respond to them when appropriate. Additionally, I try to avoid badgering people into "following" or "subscribing" to my blog- I don't want you to feel as though you have to be a follower in order to be appreciated. 


And now to address Miguel's question: Can you wear black slacks with a non-matching black blazer? My opinion is this: if you are choosing to wear two non-matching black items, make sure they are decidedly different. For example, wear a solid black jacket with a pair of black pin-stripe trousers or vice-versa. If you pair two very similar, but ever-so-slightly different pieces, you run the risk of looking as though you simply mis-matched your black suits at the dry cleaner. Other distinctions can be fabric/textile choices: a pair of woolen dress pants with a cotton sateen jacket- the contrast in texture will distinguish the two from each other, but it will still look put-together and polished as opposed to looking like a mistake. 


Here are some great combinations of black pants and black blazers: 

 Both items available at Banana Republic (jacket, pants). 

You can find the blazer at Gap and the pants at Express. 

You all know how much I love dark jeans with a nice, tailored jacket, right? Let's not exclude that option OR its opposite- a denim blazer with trousers: 

The jacket is from Zara and the jeans can be found at Neiman Marcus. 

Zappos sells the jacket and the pants are the same ones from Express that are pictured above. 

While this post is geared specifically towards men because of Miguel's request, it also has applications for women. Check back in a day or two for the womens edition of monochromatic black outfits. 

In conclusion, I want to address Miguel's last question about only wearing blazers with light-colored pants or jeans. The answer is no- you can wear a blazer with any pair of pants that work- dark, light, cotton, wool, heavy, light- if it looks good, you can wear it- ignore the rules of your grandfather's generation. I personally love black blazers with charcoal or even light grey pants- it's a polished look without being a matching suit. Pair a navy jacket with chocolate brown pants for a twist on the more classic khaki/navy combination. And don't be fooled into thinking white or blue button-front shirts are the only options, either. But that's another post for another day. 

Miguel, I hope this has answered your question! Feel free to submit any other fashion/style questions you may have and I'll do my best to answer them! Happy New Year! 

Top 5 Must-Haves for Fall

If you've been following my blog recently, you know I've been focusing on fall trends. And then this weeks episode of Project Runway did the exact same thing- the entire challenge was based around fall trends in both fashion and hair style. So, to break up my (very) long-winded posts about specific trends, I though I'd give you a couple of short lists to get your fall fashion wardrobe kick-started- My Top Five Must-Haves for Fall (mens and womens editions).

First up, ladies:

1.) Suede shoes: Pick your favorite style- booties, pumps, flats, tall boots- but find a pair in a luscious suede or faux-suede finish.

Suede Wedge Booties, Gap, $79.50

Chinese Laundry Women's Nixon, Shoes.com, $59

Bamboo by Journey Women's Platform Rosette Pumps,Overstock, $34.99

2.) A trench-inspired piece: Whether it's a skirt, a dress, or even a traditional jacket, the trench is hot this season. It's a part of the oh-so-popular military trend right now, so get on board!

Trench Dress, Ann Taylor Loft, $98

High Waist Belted Dress, YesStyle, $43.40

Christian Michaels Button Pencil Skirt, 6pm, $79.35

3.) A leather bag in olive: I am dying for bags in this color right now.

Rebecca Minkoff "Devote" Shoulder Bag, Bluefly, $254.99

MiMo "Anita" Handbag, eBags, $120

Fashion Express Distressed Bag, Buckle, $43.20

4.) Quirky tights: whether a fun pattern or a bold color, adorn your legs in fun and funky tights this fall.

Chevron Patterned Tights, Old Navy, $9.50

Diamond Pattern Tights, Jockey, $10

Super Sheer Spiral Tight, American Apparel, $14

5.) RED! Shoes, tops, pants, dresses, jackets- it's all hot if it's a bold red this fall.

Steve Madden Caryssa Pump, Nordstrom, $129.95

Worn Red Turtleneck Dress, Target, $24.99

Lennon Coat by O'Neill, Lulu, $83

And now for the gentlemen:

1.) A great 3-piece suit: Great on its own or broken up and used in a more casual way, the 3-piece suit is not just this seasons trend. It's also a great classic investment piece.

Tessori Milan Pinstripe 3-piece Suit, ShopNBC, $142.99

Jones New York Black Suit, Mens Wearhouse, $499

2.) Corduroy: Nothing says "fall" quite like corduroy. Go for classic, clean shapes like straight or boot-cut pants.

Straight-leg Pants, Old Navy, $29.50

Straight-fit Cords, Banana Republic, $55

Corduroy Blazer, Gap, $88

3.) Lace-up boots: "A dressy version of a hiking boot" is the best description I can come up with.

Aldo Umphrey Boots, Zappos, $150

Fitzwell Carson Leather Boot, Zappos, $92.12

4.) Plaid: Whether flannel or lined in fur, plaid is the "it" print this fall. (That's actually true for both men and women.)

No Retreat Men's Plaid Woven Shirt, Overstock, $13.99

Treemont Plaid Shirt, REI, $49.50

5.) Leather outerwear: An amazing leather jacket is never out of style, but this season, keep an eye out for sleek blazers and motorcycle styles.

French Connection Washed Leather Jacket, 6pm, $280.80

Pentagon Blazer, Undergear, $220

There you have it- my top five must-haves for fall for both men and women. Let me know what you think!