Totally Tortoise

This is not even close to the most tortoise I could cram into one post to truly show my love (er, obsession???) of it, but I think you still get the idea. Its classy and sophisticated, but with a healthy dose of unique and retro. Plus, it goes with EVERYTHING, so how could I not love it?

The same love affair could be said of the wonderful sweater dress and the flat riding boot, but nobody likes a broken record. So-- they rock. Really, what more proof do you have then below? Anything that is both so comfortable and appropriate to leave the house in is incredible.

Dress: Gap {try this, also love this Tibi} // Long Sleeve Shirt: Isli // Jacket: Asos {almost identical}

Necklaces: J. Crew // iPhone Case: Casemate

{details}

Watch: Michael Kors 'Oversized Runway' // Ring: Ambiance // Nail Polish: Essie 'Blanc'

Boots: J. Crew {similar though you can never go wrong with Frye!}

Heavy Metal

As much as I adore my Stuart Weitzman 5050's, my only complaint is that they are really more 'cover the knee cap' not 'over the knee.' At 5'7, I'm not exactly super tall {wish I were} but apparently enough so that they aren't mid-thigh like on all those cute little bloggers. The solution couldn't have been easier {or cheaper}: thigh high black socks. Bam! Instantly the boots stay up better and I get the thigh high boot action I so craved, minus the price tag of new boots...or the fear of resembling a hooker. Win-Win!

Sweater: Asos {similar here and here}  // Skirt: Max Studio

Nail Polish: Essie 'Shearling Darling' // Ring: H&M

Coat: BCBG // Boots: Stuart Weitzman '5050' // Thigh high socks: H&M

I am OBSESSED with these socks and am on a mission to buy out every pair H&M has, such a steal 
and the perfect length!

Fancy Friday

{Atlantic-Pacific}

You know how there are just some people who, no matter what, always just seem to look stunning and perfectly dressed? These are the same people who can make even leather overalls seem slightly not crazy {though I'm still not on board.} Blair Eadie just kills it every single time. I can't think of one look that I haven't immediately wanted to run out and try. I could go on and on, but by now, the secret is long out and I am just one of many many many other girls who love her looks.

That being said, this combines some of my absolute favorites-- black, black and white stripes, 'Sex and the City' and of course TULLE. My full skirt obsession knows no bounds {other than my wallet.} Plus, I do love the thrill of the chase...its good to have goals right?

So its Friday, next week is a super short week, and its about 50 degrees. If that isn't enough to put a smile on your face than I don't know what will!

Have a great weekend!

Tuxedo Time

I bought this tuxedo jacket on a whim years ago, not knowing if I would wear it a lot but loving how elegant it was so much that I didn't care. Well, my somewhat impulsive and indulgent purchase now could have cost $1,000 and it STILL would have paid for itself. Luckily of course, it did not. Even I have my limits guys {so I say now....} This year, I may or may not have also acquired a white one from Target and a longer black one from J. Crew....

While I usually throw it on as a perfect lightweight going out jacket, sometimes its the perfect little something to perk up a work outfit. Blazers are nice and all but I just can't stand being head to conservative unless its truly unavoidable. I always feel much more put together wearing it, and in the morning when there is never enough time, that's crucial!

Jacket: French Connection {similar here and here} // Dress: Trina Turk {try this or this}  // Scarf: Zara

Necklace: Banana Republic {similar} // Rings: Vintage, H&M

Nail Polish: Essie 'Shearling Darling'

Coat: J. Crew // Heels: Prada

Technicolor Time

Fact: I bought these amazing Wolford tights way way back in 2008 when I was in Paris with the parents...and they still have not a run or scratch to them. Usually I got through tights faster than I can drink a cup of coffee, but Wolford's truly are worth it. Granted, I'm not wearing cobalt blue tights every day {actually its probably been a year or two} but still very impressive wouldn't you say?

Its pretty obvious I've been into the monochrome look of late, especially my go to all black, but I felt like mixing it up today. While I may love my feathered skirts and leather shorts, I usually shy away from colored tights for some reason. My world has been rocked though and there is no going back. Bring on your purple, your burgundy, you red, I'll try 'em all {at least once...}

Dress: James Perse

Hat: Target // Coat: H&M (similar here and here)

{Ok so technically this was Saturday, but way better shot of the coat than this morning's attempt!}

Earrings: J. Crew // Nail Polish: Essie 'Midnight Cami' // Ring: H&M

Bracelets: Saks Jandel 

Boots: Stuart Weitzman 5050 // Tights: Wolford {similar here, or try these or these}

{up close}

Fancy Friday

{image}

Now that the holiday season is semi sorta almost upon us, my brain is again becoming a jumble of sequins, sparkles, metallics and well, anything that sparkles. Granted, I tend to stockpile party dresses like there is a sequin famine on the horizon, but I rarely end up wearing them. This year I will attempt to change that, if only so I can justify buying more of them!

I'm no longer living in fear of D.C.'s crazy temperature mood swings {I swear, this city changes its mind more than ME} and ready to embrace what little left we have of the year. Of course, yet again my Fall bucket list went largely unchecked, but there's always next year right?

Not quite sure what is on tap for this weekend, but in a good way. I've done enough overplanning for the rest of my life, so letting things just 'happen' every once in a while is a refreshing {and much needed} break.

Hope you have a great weekend!!

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'

Layer Cake

No, this has not all of a sudden turned into some fancy dessert blog {though man do I love sugar!} Its still all about the clothes...and my ramblings. This is my semi-attempt to demonstrate all the different layers I wore to attempt to keep warm without looking like a marshmallow.*

I got this coat for Christmas, oh maybe 5?6? years ago and it is still one of my all time favorites. Aside from the wear-with-anything check pattern, the giant collar is pretty much perfection. Its such a retro inspired coat, which always makes me feel a lot more ladylike than I usually feel. Did I mention the 3/4 sleeves mean I get to wear elbow length gloves too? Because there's that as well...

Ok, so not quite the perfect chronological depiction of the layering, but one of these is not like the other...and obviously this is more about aesthetic than logic!

Coat: Betsey Johnson {in love with this Zara one}

Long-sleeved tee: Free People // Sweater Dress: Theory {try this or this}

Blazer: Theory // Necklace: random brand scored at Loehmanns! {try this or this}

Boots: Stuart Weitzman 5050 {more budget friendly here...and I have them in brown and love!}
Bags: Forever 21, 3.1 Phillip Lim

*Ok so maybe I shouldn't write posts when I'm hungry...

Its a Plaid, Plaid, World

I've been eyeing this scarf for ages and yet couldn't pull the trigger with the weather being in the 60s and 70s! This of course meant the color I wanted was sold out (now back in stock and purchased.) However this blue green version is an absolute dream and I literally didn't take it off once today, till I changed into pj's right after I got home of course.

So this one scarf started a shopping chain reaction...not only did it make me want more scarves, but more plaid, more coziness and more oversized anything!

Sweater Dress: J. Crew {similar here and here} // Scarf: Zara 

Earrings: Fenton Fallon for J. Crew {old} // Lipstick: Model Co 'Party Proof'

Nail Polish: Opi 'Got the Blues for Red'{manicure thanks to my amazing sister!} // Ring: Charlotte Russe 

Coat: J. Crew {similar} // Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim // Boots: Ash {try these}

{LOVE these boots-- so comfy and they convert to taller shafts too!}

Fancy Friday

{olivia palermo}

If Olivia Palermo has ever made a fashion misstep, she's certainly left no photographic proof! While I could go on and on about how much I love her outfits etc, what girl doesn't? The main thing here is the dress. I am OBSESSED with leather in every form but am sadly lacking in the leather dress department. This is the perfect example of wearing major leather with a lot of class and a little sass. The hunt is on....

After last weekend's Halloween and birthday festivities, I'm looking forward to some serious chill time...as well as playing with my girlfriend's out of this world cute puppy. What goes well with girls and puppies? Champagne obviously. Just like black, it goes with everything :)

Have a great weekend!

Greyscale

Lately, I've been all over monochrome/tonal dressing. OK, yes, it makes getting dressed in the morning a million times easier (always a plus), but it also feels like it makes outfits automatically a little chic-er. While you can't go wrong with head to toe all black, I find myself (gasp!) buying all grey everything lately. It feels slightly newer but still has the same crispness and cleanness of all black.

Top: H&M // Jeans: H&M {Black version}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Lollipop // Ring: H&M // Cuff: ebay

{details}

Booties: Schutz {similar} // Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim

{Super high AND easy to walk in? Yes please!}

Fancy Friday

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I had a different image planned but considering the weather, I thought this was appropriate. This has got to be the chicest rainy day outfit I've seen, and the glove/umbrella combo? Badass in a ladylike way!
Everyone and their mother can't believe its already November so I won't even go there (although I guess I just did!) What's important is that this means its my birthday Tuesday, aka my favorite excuse for rationalizing any and all purchases I make (before, during and um after.) Hello thigh high suede boots! But I'm getting ahead of myself as usual...

While apparently I missed the memo that the whole world was celebrating Halloween LAST weekend, my friends and I are luckily still planning on dressing up tonight. I get to wear something I've been dying to for over a YEAR, so you can bet I'm as excited as kid before diving into their stash of candy. Only of course, now candy really means cocktails.

Have a great weekend!

Channeling Chanel

While to some degree, I play dress up every day, Halloween obviously takes this love to a new level. Sadly, I'm not in elementary school anymore, where wearing crazy costumes is de rigeur. Still, I couldn't resist at least having a theme to my outfit for Halloween. When in doubt, go Chanel right?

Dress: Asos {try this or this} // Peplum Jacket: J. Crew {similar}

Headband: Anthropologie {try this or this} // Necklace: Baublebar {try this or this}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Ballet Slippers' // Ring: H&M // Bracelet: J. Crew

Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim // Shoes: Chanel {try these}