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!

Going Green

Somehow summer came and went and I didn't wear this breezy maxi once. In an effort to both justify my purchase as well as mix things up, I did my best to bring this baby out before its too cold to even utter the word 'sundress.' In my head, adding blazers/tights/leather can make almost anything fall and winter appropriate...have I mentioned yet that I can rationalize anything?

Dress: Diane Von Furstenberg // Sweater: H&M {similar} //
Necklace: Ben Amun // Bracelet: J. Crew

Bomber jacket: John Carlisle Essentials {beyond old but try this or this}

Nail Polish: Essie 'Chinchilly'

Boots: Forever21...until I finally get my Rag & Bone's!

French Lesson

For some reason, this outfit makes me feel like a 1960's French schoolgirl. I guess the mind works in mysterious ways (especially mine!) While I hate that its cold enough to wear a wool jacket, I do love that I get to bring this baby back (last seen here.)

I think it goes without saying that I love leather (and faux!) in any form, so when I saw this dress on Gilt I snapped it right up.

Jacket: J. Crew {love this Alice & Olivia} // Leather Panel Dress: Renvy {similar shift version here}

 // Blouse: Elizabeth and James

Necklace: Etsy 

Bracelets: Gold bangle from my parents {similar} // J. Crew Golden Gears


Hopefully this will be the last double jacket post...

Lily of the Northwest

Blouse: J. Crew {old but try this, this or this} // Sweater: J. Crew Tippi // Skirt: Zara {try this or this} 

// Bracelet: J. Crew

{Perhaps I should have titled the post 'Ode to J. Crew'?}

Collar: Asos {similar from Baublebar} // Beaded Necklace: Urban Outfitters {love this one

 from Anthropologie}

Shoes: FS/NY Passport

The surprise Lilies from my mom yesterday must have influenced this morning's skirt choice

****If you don't get the title then just listen to this so we can still be friends****

Where's Hillary?

I've realized that while my references always make sense to me (obviously), they may appear totally random or just plain nonsensical  to others. So, just in case you were not allowed to read books as a child or lived under a rock, this is referring to the outfit of Waldo in the "Where's Waldo" books. Ok, now that we got that out of the way, here is the lowdown on today's look.

Cashmere Tee: J. Crew // Long Sleeved Top: Isli // Skirt: H&M {old but try this or this} 

Watch: Michael Kors // Belt: Ralph Lauren {similar here and here}

Earrings: Low Luv x Erin Wasson 

In-Vested

My quest for the perfect army vest has made me feel like Goldilocks-- this one is too short, this one's too long, this one has a weird collar etc. I wandered into Nordstrom's Rack last weekend to browse and low and behold, EXACTLY what I had been searching for was right in front of me. Done and done!

Vest: Willow & Clay {I really like this one} // Dress: Gap {old but try this Asos one} // Tee: Isli 

Necklace: 1928 {or try this Marc Jacobs for under $30} // Cuff: Prua {try this or this one}

{close up of pen and my Stam}

Cotton Candy

I bought this dress last summer and found it was the perfect item to go from work to play. I love the perfect shade of pink and the fit and flare style, but once winter came it was relegated to storage. The recent warm weather inspired me to start unearthing some of my spring and summer favorites.

Of course, it cooled down right after, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I've found that you can make almost any spring/summer dress work in cooler temperatures by just adding a tee or button down. I'm going with the belief that "if you wear it, spring will come."

Dress: Zara {obsessed with this Tibi one} // Tee: H&M

{Totally did not mean for the liner to match my dress}

Ring: Vintage // Cuff: Belina

Necklace: Adia Kibur {sold out but try this or this one}

I'd been eyeing the necklace for months--Once it was 40% there was no way I was resisting!

The (Color) Block Party

Its no secret that I adore shiny things, sequins being one of my absolute favorites. Since I do not live in Vegas or work at a nightclub, I have to find other times to break out my sequins. Daytime sequins can be more fun than at night because if forces you to get creative.

Tee: David Lerner // Sequin shell: J. Crew // Skirt: Odille {old but this works and of course the amazing Tibi one I want} // Bracelet: Forever21 {old but love this Sorelli one}

Blazer: Theory {similar J. Crew and an amazing Elizabeth & James}

{Love the unusual shape of the sequins}

I seriously can't keep track of this weather lately, but there was no escaping the fact that it still wasn't quite springtime. None of my usual raincoats worked with a tea length skirt, so I broke out this bad boy. My parents scored this for me in California on consignment years back, and it always makes me feel so grown up wearing it!

Trench Coat: Vintage Burberry {Similar here but the J. Crew Icon Trench is great and more affordable}

I Want What She's Wearing

{Thassia}

Lately I have been drawn to monochromatic looks--the are sophisticated, slimming and statement making without being too in your face. Of course, if you're not careful you can wind up looking like a walking crayon--not a good look on even the top supermodels. Varying texture, shade, and shape help to keep the outfit fresh. Throw in the right accessory, like this animal print belt, to mix things up as well as bring the whole look together.

Lets start with the basics---

Vanessa Bruno Athé Sweater// Carven Sweater// Apt. 9 Cable-Knit Sweater Dsquared Trouser// Rachel Zoe Wide-Leg Pants// Calvin Klein Jeans

While I couldn't find an exact match for the jacket, I think this Elizabeth and James blazer would look perfect {plus its on sale!}

For the finishing touches--

Karen Walker Super Duper // River Island waist belt // Hermes Black Box Kelly Sellier 35cm

There is no substitute for a Kelly, so unless you're a Rockefeller {and in that case you probably already have five of them} just use your favorite black bag.

Disco Denim

By itself, this shirtdress feels very 1970's, but I wanted to dress it up to make it a little more work appropriate. Daytime sequins paired with denim is one of my favorite combinations-- always love a good fancy casual mash-up.

 Sequin Top: J. Crew {Could try this or this. Short-sleeved versions here and here} // Dress: 7 For All Mankind {other options here, here. Cool black version here and a fancy Burberry one} // Belt: J. Crew {sold out by try this, this or this} 

 I highly recommend buying a denim shirtdress-- I wear mine constantly and it can be layered so easily!

Sometimes sequins are just not enough sparkle for one outfit.

Pants Party

Before we get down to the very serious business of the outfit (and the aforementioned pants party), lets take a minute to look at more shiny things...

Bracelet: J. Crew Classic Pave (here) // Earrings: J. Crew (old but similar here, here and here)

I recently lifted my long-standing pants ban. These babies were just too fun to not take home with me. Of course after there I had to snap up every pair of faux leather leggings in sight, but that's a whole other story.

Faux fur vest: French Connection (old) // Pants: AllSaints Coated denim (old, but similar here, here, and here) // Sweater: J. Crew (old but similar here and here)

Pants: AllSaints Coated denim (old, but similar here, here, and here) // Boots: Pour La Victoire (Last year, but on Amazon here)