Cuckoo for Cocoa

I consider chocolate one of the essential food groups, so I must have had my favorite (dark!) on the brain while getting ready today. Even though I don't really think white chocolate counts, it helped prevent me from looking like a walking chocolate bar (or crayon.) Throw on my trusty gold chains and over the knee boots and I'm good to go!

Sweater: James Perse // T-Shirt: Isli // Skirt: Zara
// Vest: Members Only {try this or this}

Necklace: Vintage // Bracelet: Vintage // Ring: Vintage {notice a theme??}

Nail Polish: Zoya 'Giovanna'

Bag: J. Crew 'Tillary' tote // Boots: Vince Camuto 'Karita'

Fashion Freedom

As much as I absolutely adore pretty much any and everything vintage, one of the few negatives from 'back in the day' were those pesky fashion rules. No open toes in winter! No white after labor day! And of course, NEVER pair navy with black. I'm not sure when exactly these rules went out the window, but no one bats an eye anymore these days if you break one of the 'cardinal' fashion sins of the past.

Do any of those rules still really exist? Maybe, don't wear white to a wedding, though I've seen that done and in rare cases encouraged. There are a lot more 'important' things to be thankful about living in present times --hello longer life expectancy...and technology of course-- but I still think our fashion freedom is something to be celebrated!

Sweater: 3.1 Phillip Lim {old but try this or this} // Skirt: Asos {similar here and here} // 

Jacket: H&M // Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim

Necklace: Baublebar {similar} // Nail Polish: Essie 'Wicked'

Heels: Zara {sold out online in black, but gold version here}

I've been lusting over these heels for ages, and finally scored on Black Friday for almost HALF off!

Fuzzy Wuzzy

This jacket makes me feel like I'm getting a giant bear hug, but by a friendly stuffed animal version. I have no problem admitting that on more than one occasion I've found myself stroking my jacket. Totally normal, yes?! Also, totally normal to literally have every piece of your outfit be the same color, right?

Other than perhaps taking my outfit inspiration from chocolate bars, I was dying to wear my new boots and just went from there. The fact that I managed to wait three whole days actually may be a record. Doesn't get much more fun that breaking out a new purchase...unless of course its a new to me VINTAGE find! I've fallen down the fur {real and faux} vintage coat rabbit hole many a time.

Jacket: Beth Bowley {similar} // Sweater: James Perse // Skirt: Forever 21 {try this, this or this}

Fishnet tights: Wolford // Ring: H&M // Bracelets: J. Crew

Boots: Vince Camuto 'Karita'

Criminally Cozy

This is one of those wonderfully magical outfits that technically looks like I'm wearing real clothes, but feels like I'm wearing dreamy pajamas. Ok, to be more precise, I hope it looks like I'm wearing real clothes... This sweater is oversized, wide, swingy, and I couldn't love it more. Its as if a dress and sweater had a baby-- the best of both worlds in my opinion. Sure some people may think I'm wearing a linebacker's discarded sweater...or that I am secretly pregnant and trying to hide it (um NO), but I couldn't care less.

While I love flat over the knee boots since they make it much easier to avoid the pirate meets 'Pretty Woman' vibe than heeled ones, I think these are ladylike perfection and need to get in my closet ASAP...

Sweater: H&M {similar} // Leggings: Zara 

 Nail Polish: Essie 'Devil's Advocate' // Ring: H&M // Cuff: Baublebar

Bag: Forever21 // Purse: 3.1 Phillip Lim 'Medium Pashli'

Over the knee boots: Aldo

{Can't wait till I finally get my Stuart Weitzman 5050's for my birthday!}

A Mini Midi Moment

Ok, so this is not my first (nor will it be my last) ode to the midi, but I truly am hooked on them and I'll take any excuse I can to use alliteration. While this is not as voluminous as the midi's I've been sporting lately in everything from neoprene to leather, it still counts.

Sweater: Forever21 {try this} // Skirt: Anthropologie {similar} // Earrings: Betsey Johnson

Ring: H&M // Bracelet: J. Crew // Nail Polish: Essie 'Devil's Advocate'

{I love this nail polish color because its such a deep plum that its almost black, but not quite.}

Boots: Frye {similar style here}

{My love affair with Frye boots knows no bounds and I am totally ok with that!}

Buried Treasure

As much as I adore this skirt (worn multiple times and in the pink as well), for once this post is not on the clothes but on the most incredible shoes I own. No not the most practical, not the most comfortable and they sure don't go with much, but the details are out of this world! I found them buried amidst the clearance racks of DSW ages ago... when I thought nothing of wearing shoes a size too small. 

Even though I don't wear them a lot (again, too small) it makes me happy just knowing they are tucked away in my closet. The fabric alone is perfection-- Pucci prints are a weakness of mine-- but the details on the heel and sole are what make them out of this world.

I know I'm not the only one holding onto items like this, right??? Not in the 'one day it will fit me again' way, but those few pieces that are just too unique and beautiful to part with. 

Sweater: Mago // Skirt: Asos

Heels: Pucci {try these}

The details on my shoes are just INSANE. Silver sculptured heels and soles with drawings of Italians? Yes please!

Jean Jacket: Zara

Broken Record

Penguins, Oreo's, old movies...there are a lot of fantastic things that are black and white. A perfect combination, perfect contrast, perfect...oh wait, I've done this before here already! So instead of rehashing how much I love black and white together, I'll just direct you to the photos below. Me? I'll be enjoying my milk and cookies.

Blazer: Theory // Sweater: Aro {try this or this} // Coated pants: Zara {identical}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Blanc'

Ring: Consignment {similar} // Cuff: ebay {There's Hermes obvi, but try this or this}

Heels: Topshop

For the Love of Leather

I am obsessed with leather in any form, be it real or faux, natural or colored, I'll take one of each! This skirt just happens to be faux, as well as one of my favorite colors (if you can call nude a color of course.) It goes with everything AND it even has pleats. Literally the only thing that could make it better would be pockets.

Excuse me while I twirl again...

Blazer: Theory {similar} // Tank: Paige Premium Denim //
Sweater: Forever21 {similar}  // Skirt: Asos {adore this MSGM one}

Bracelets: J. Crew // Nail Polish: Essie 'Naughty Nautical'

Ballet Flats: Sam Edelman

Camo Chameleon

While I had an army vest, 2 blouses and a jacket, what I didn't have was a camo jacket. Shocking I know. I'd been wanting one for while, but just wasn't sure if it really would work on me, which means I wasn't about to spend a lot. Wonder of wonders, I stumbled into Urban Outfitters while killing time before a haircut and BAM! Just what I had been looking for. Oh, and did I mention it was 75% off?

Fate, I tell ya, fate.

Jacket: ByCorpus // Sweater: 525 America {try this or this} // Pants: Zara {try these or these}

Necklace: Target {try this or this} // Bracelet: Forever21 {similar}

Nail Polish: Essie "Penny Talk"

Metallic Loafers: FS/NY {try these or these}

Hello Yellow!

For some reason lately I have been really into the monochromatic look, not sure if its boredom with my wardrobe or some new type of creativity, but I can't seem to get enough!

While I love yellow, I often shy away from it because it does not pair well with my old standby black--way too easy to venture into bumblebee territory (only kids at Halloween can pull that look off.) Yellow and navy however feels crisp and bold, with maybe a touch of prep. I can't help but have a brighter outlook wearing a sunny yellow....although the fact that tomorrow is Friday doesn't hurt either.

Blazer: Theory {similar} // Sweater: Alice + Olivia {try this or this} // Skirt: J. Crew {similar} 

// Necklace: Vintage {try this}

Cuff: Asos {try this or the dreamy Pucci version}

Ballerina Dreams

I wanted to be a lot of things growing up-- actress, fashion designer, spy -- but never a ballerina. Sure it would have been nice, but being the next James Bond was the real dream (ok, it still kind of is.) Apparently today though I was channeling my long lost inner ballerina. Between the nude color, the twirly skirt, and of course, ballet flats, I feel like I should be pirouetting to the metro.

Sweater: Trina Turk {try this}// Skirt: Forever21 {similar here and here}

Nailpolish: Opi Cha Ching Cherry and Essie Lilacism // Rings: Both vintage from my grandmother 

 Cuff: H&M {try this or this}  // Necklaces: Vintage Ben Amun {similar here and here}; Italian chain from my parents

Shoes: Pour La Victoire

P.S. Go buy these shoes now, seriously! They are on sale and crazy comfortable

Jailbird

Sweater: J. Crew Tippi // Skirt: Torn by Ronny Kobo {Sold out, but this and this are very similar} 

// Necklace: Spike the Punch

{unfortunately couldn't get a good shot of the awesome fishtail back of the skirt}

{stare at this too long and you'll get dizzy}

{Spike the Punch amazingness}