Brights in Fall

First off, today was a better day, so thank God for that.  Ended with some spectacular, albeit, unexpected news, so that was just the cherry on top!  Funny how things can turn around on a dime :)

I had a comment on my Facebook page for WorkdayWeekend that asked, basically, if pastels and brights can be worn in fall and winter.  My answer was a resounding "Absolutely, yes!" so with that in mind, I put this outfit together this morning.  Like I've mentioned before, I try and purchase items that can be worn year round.  Of course there are a few sweaters and furs thrown into the mix, but for the most part, I love to put together pieces from all seasons.  You've seen every item I'm wearing in today's post on the blog before, actually.  To avoid looking like an Easter egg in, which I find perfect acceptable when it's warm out, it's nice to pair brights with similar shades of jewel tones.  You know I wear my J.Crew Linen Tippy Sweater all the dang time, so I wanted to show it paired with maroon (whoop!) jeans to make it appropriate for fall.  Although my vest is kelly green, it's still a fall item, and I felt very cheerful today in such bold and fun colors.  Maybe that was me sending the universe a message that I needed a happy day.  

Hope yours was happy, as well!

Sweater: J.Crew Linen Tippi Sweater (cashmere option)

Blouse: J.Crew Liberty Perfect Shirt (thrifted) and new print

Vest: thrifted, similar at Target!

Denim: F21 Zippered Denim Ankle Skinnies

Bag: Louis Vuitton Musette Salsa (ret.)

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Necklace: J.Crew Factory Brass-Plated Crystal Necklace

Bracelets:  J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, Kate Spade, Banana Republic (in store)

Battlefield

So.... I need a vacation from my vacation y'all!  I arrived back in town after a loooong day of flying and although my puppies were extremely happy to see me, they were also extremely needy and I got zero sleep that night.  The past two days of work have been nothing short of a war zone, but that's what I get for stirring up business all week before I took off for paradise.  I've felt a little beat up the past couple days, but as I'm writing I can feel the weight lifting off my shoulders a bit.  This is my little piece of sanity, my happy place (here and the mall), so thank you all so much for giving that to me.  It's great to be back!

Jacket: Zara (no longer avail.) similar styles here, here, and here

Blouse: J.Crew Blythe Blouse

Denim: The Limited (old)

Necklace: J.Crew Factory Brass-Plated Crystal Necklace

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, Kate Spade

Bag: Alexander Wang Emile

Heels: Banana Republic Madmen Collection

Headed Home

I will be making my way back to the land of the living today and, I must say, I am completely exhausted.  My trip has been one of the best ones ever; no fighting, no broken bones, and no one got arrested or caught some sort of illness. Overall, that's a pretty successful vacation.  I will be posting regularly again tomorrow and have been planning to super cute outfit posts, so stay tuned!!

Today

via

Thank you for keeping me inspired and motivated to keep this little blog going.  It's an absolute joy and I have no one to thank more than you guys.  And J.Crew...

Holiday!

Hi lovelies!  First off, thank you all for the sweet comments you made on my Swan Song post.  I knew you'd have my back ;)  I'm on vacation this week and had fully intended to post from afar, but the wifi here is a bit sketchy, so I am trying to connect when I can.  If I don't post before, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  Remember what you are thankful for...

Swan Song

I've professed my undying devotion to Target lately and have spent more money there than I care to admit, but every time I go in, I'm completely blown away.  I got this freakin' adorable, not to mention, soft and perfectly lightweight sweatshirt there last week.  I am so in love with it and want to wear it every single day!

I also want to mention something that's been on my mind.  Someone threw the word "pretentious" at me the other day and it's really had me thinking about what that means.  The word typically has such a negative connotation, but I couldn't help to think that maybe I would turn the tide and take it as a compliment instead.  So, the word was directed towards me in an office setting, and I was kind of taken aback because I am very conscious and really think about my attitude, actions, and demeanor in the office.  I feel that I'm almost always helpful and kind, I stay away from the gossip if it rears it's ugly head, and am pretty much friends with all of my coworkers.  The difference is that I dress nice, wear expensive shoes (sometimes), and carry a different bag every other day.  Does that make me pretentious, exactly?  I really don't know.

Sometimes guys people say things with a laugh afterward to make their backhanded comment lighthearted.  They think it's cute or funny, or want to look a certain way in front of other people. In this case, I was a little pissed at first, but after thinking about it, here's my take:  the only reason that anyone in my office would call me pretentious is because of the things I mentioned above.  I love fashion, clothes, shoes, jewelry, curly hair, and lipstick.  Stuff basically.  I also love my friends, my family, my dog, my coworkers, and my job, tremendously.  If that makes me pretentious, then I am very proud to be so.

Sweatshirt: Mossimo Women's Long Sleeve Sweatshirt w/ Nailhead Swan @ Target

Blouse: J.Crew, similar @ Factory extra 30% off: SCOREMORE

Pants: Zara Camouflage Trousers with Zips

Heels: Banana Republic Mad Men Collection

Bag: LV

Earrings: Kate Spade Gumdrops Stud 

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave Link, Kate Spade, vintage Hermes, Banana Republic

AgSwag

This outfit was part of my expedition to Loft that I blogged about a few days back.  You guys loved the jade striped sweater, so here is another one.  How adorable is this maroon peplum sweater?  Gah!  I wore this on Monday as part of my "AgSwag".  I am a very, very, very proud Fightin' Texas Aggie and as a show of support after our win against top ranked Alabama last Saturday, we all wore maroon to the workplace.  This has been an epic year of college football so far and it ain't over yet!  WHOOP!

Sweater: Loft Peplum Hem 3/4 Sleeve Sweater

Denim Shirt: H&M, similar

Pants: Loft Marisa Straight Leg Pants in Optic Dot

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Alexander Wang Emile

Necklace: J.Crew Factory Brass-Plated Crystal Necklace

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, vintage Hermes, Kate Spade, Banana Republic

Guest Posting for Eileen at A Creative Day

I am incredibly delighted, not to mention honored to have the opportunity to guest post for Eileen and the lovely readers of A Creative Day! Eileen is blessed with an amazing aesthetic for both interiors and fashion.  A Creative Day is one of the few places that I can always depend on for inspiration, great style, and great perspective.  We thought it would be fun to put together an outfit for a favorite holiday outing: picking out a Christmas tree.  This is always one of my very favorite events of the holiday season so I always give it the credit it deserves with fabulous, yet affordable and cozy style. Enjoy!

Jacket: J.Crew Downtown Field Jacket

Vest: thrifted, similar at Target!

Flannel: Old Navy

Denim: Ann Taylor Ivory Modern Slim Corduroy Pants

Boots: Sam Edelman Pierce Boot in Whiskey Leather

Necklaces: J.Crew Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace, J.Crew Factory Brass-Plated Crystal Necklace

Ring: F21 (old, but love, love, love)

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, vintage Hermes, Kate Spade, Banana Republic (in store)

Loft Girls

Some say their most beloved past time is baseball, but in our family, it's shopping.  Duh.  Dallas really has a phenomenal mix of stores, boutiques, and selection so you can imagine the madness that ensues when my mom visits from Ohio, the land of no Neiman Marcus, Zara, or Tory Burch to name a few (boooooo!).  Thursday morning, we received an online coupon from Loft, so we decided to check things out, and we had an absolute ball in our local store at Willow Bend.  The girls who were helping us were an absolute riot and we basically played Fashion Show in the dressing room for two hours straight.  I picked several items, all of which were an additional forty percent off, including this gorgeous jade sweater.  Cha-ching!

If you need to make a trip to Loft, please visit the Willow Bend store in Plano.  These ladies and fabulous and so much fun to shop with!

Sweater: Loft Wide Striped Chunky Sweater in Deep Teal Bay

Blouse: Banana Republic, similar for $39

Skirt: Thrifted, dream option from Joie

Heels: Banana Republic Mad Men Collection, no longer avail

Bag: LV

Rings: F21, pretty, pretty, pretty

Necklace: J.Crew Factory Brass-Plated Crystal Necklace

Glasses: Rayban