Rate My Look: Cashmere and Suede

I had a bit of a shopping spree the other day. My red pants were part of the haul. I also managed to score some major luxury pieces at bargain prices. In total, I spent just under $140 and I came home with a belt, a sweater, a skirt, my red velvet pants and an awesome pair of suede boots. Not too shabby, right?

You see, my theme for 2013- in all areas of my life, not just shopping- is to "elevate." I'm going to apply this theme to everything I do- from work to my social life to my hobbies to my home life- everything! From now on, everything I do will be a notch above what it used to be. I don't have to reach the sky in everything, just elevate a little, but do it across the board. So there it is: elevate.

The idea came from that period last year when I felt no desire to purchase anything for myself. I still loved shopping, but I had no reason to buy. I was perfectly content with the contents of my wardrobe. After living through that period, I was able to reflect back on it and realize that my feelings of contentment came from knowing that I had great pieces in my closet, great accessories to match with them and great shoes to finish it all off. I'd stopped spending my money on cheap junk. It was a bit of an epiphany for me.

It's so easy to get caught up in bargain shopping that we often end up spending money on cheap junk that doesn't last, either because it's a silly fad or because it's so poorly made that it only survives a few washes before you have to toss it. Once I realized this, I resolved to only purchase quality pieces from now on. My logic is simple: spend a little more for a higher quality piece, and in the long run save money because I'm buying fewer pieces. However, "elevating" doesn't always mean spending more. At consignment shops, sample sales or just really great store sales, I can find high end pieces at bargain prices. As long as the items themselves are quality, that's all that matters.

My Kate Spade bag is a perfect example of this. It's a classic color and style and the quality is good enough that I won't have to buy another brown handbag for quite a while. And while I bought it for about $200, it would normally retail for closer to $500. I've already gotten several months use out of it and it still looks and feels brand new. I purged my handbag collection a while ago and only kept the best ones- the real leather, the high-end designers, the classic ones that will last for years.

On my recent shopping spree, I kept my "elevate" theme in mind. I knew I needed a new sweater or two, so I decided to only consider cashmere. And as for the boots, well, that's a whole other story that has little to do with my "elevate" theme and more to do with luck. I'd tried them on at TJ Maxx several months ago, when they were about $100. Typical retail price is closer to $200, so they felt like a decent deal at the time. However, I passed on them because I had just bought a couple pair of boots, and even though these were really nice ones, I just didn't need them. Well, the other day on my shopping spree, I stopped into a Marshalls and saw them for $48. I tried them on and they were a little too big- my foot was wiggling around inside them. Again, I passed. Even at $48, they're not a deal if they'll be too uncomfortable to wear. On my way home, I popped into TJ Maxx and there I found not only a gorgeous Cynthia Rowley cashmere sweater, but the same boots for just $39 and they were my size! It was kismet!

So, now that I've give you the world's longest description and shopping explanation, here's my outfit with the sweater and boots:

I should have taken a shot of just the boots while I had the on. Fail. Instead, I have this terrible photo, but at least you can see the cool details: 

I love how the heel and toe have the darker shading on them and I also love the buckles. The heel is a little high for work. I had to switch to flats about half-way through the day, but maybe once they're broken in I'll be able to last a little longer. We'll see. 

So there you have it: one of many elevated looks to come in 2013. How do you plan to make 2013 better than 2012? Did you make resolutions or are you happy with the status quo? Leave a comment!

Rate My Look- Getting Back in the Groove

I have been really terrible about taking photos of my outfits lately. Call me lazy, call me forgetful- either way you'd be right. But the past couple of days, I've been ready for work a little bit early AND the weather has cooperated for some nice outdoor shots with me and my tripod. (Side note: I love my tripod.)

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I spent the weekend with my friend Melanie and we did a bit of damage at good ol' Marshalls. I promised to take pictures of what I bought and then I never did! SLACKER!!! Well, yesterday I finally decided: today is the day I photograph myself in at least ONE item I bought on that shopping trip. So here it is after much anticipation, the new Cynthia Rowley felted wool jacket:

Is it precious or what? I love it- I've been wearing it ever since I bought it. Not only because I like it, but also because I have yet to unpack the wardrobe case that is currently holding all of my winter coats as well as my hats, gloves, scarves, etc. I have a feeling I'll be unpacking them very soon. Not every day is going to be as gorgeous as this one. In fact, get a better look at the amazing blue sky in the photo: 

The leaves may be past their peak, but I actually like how easy it is to see the blue sky between the empty branches of the tree. My favorite, though, is when those branches are covered in a layer of snow and the ground around them is pristine white. I enjoy the beauty of snow, if not the shoveling of it. 

Happy Monday, everyone! 

NYFW Favorites- Half-way done

Last night marked the half-way point of Fashion Week, so I thought I'd do a round-up of my favorite looks up to this point. Much as I expected, there aren't any collections that compare to Christian Siriano's, at least for me. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there with a different style sensibility who think there are lots of shows that are more exciting than Christian's, but if you know me at all, you know my style and you know that Christian's show was chock-full of looks I die for.

That being said, there were still plenty of amazing looks on the runways at Lincoln Center. The show that came the closest for me was Carolina Herrera. Her looks all seemed to be inspired by antique flower and plant prints like these. Some of the designs integrated the prints in really clever and interesting ways. Other seemed to simply be tacked ono the dress. In most cases, it was a stunning effect. Herrera also featured a slim, 60's style silhouette, much along the lines of what Joan Holloway would wear. I drooled over so many of her looks:

The gowns were also really stunning. I loved Herrera's use of prints:

Jason Wu's show was also quite beautiful. I loved some of his more formal looks as well as his separates. He also featured the slim 60's silhouette, but in a slightly shorter hemline. I also fell in love with the oversize bows done in soft sheers. The two ruffle-y cocktail dresses below are both reminiscent dresses shown in Christian Siriano's Project Runway show, so that's probably why I like them so much.

Few designers had me falling in love with more than a couple of looks, but I still took the time to scroll through nearly every picture of every show that's happened thus far. Here are a few of my favorite looks so far:

Cynthia Rowley's collection featured lots of round cut-outs in nearly every look. Sometimes I loved it, other times not so much. I did like these two looks:

Erin Featherston featured gorgeous fedoras with super-feminine dresses in prints and solids. Her fabric choices and prints were simply luxurious:

Z Spoke by Zac Posen and Vivienne Tam each had one look that I loved, too:

I loved the criss-cross blue fabric draping on this dress by Zac Posen:

It's not often you see lace like on this Vivienne Tam dress:

So far, the most notable aspects of the shows I've seen are the abundance of neutrals. So many of these shows are nearly or completely devoid of color. Whether resort, couture or ready-to-wear, I've seen a lot of beige, cream and grey. Not that I mind, a lot of it is really beautiful.

Do you have any thoughts on the designs that have shown already? Leave a comment! And enjoy the rest of fashion week!