Below Zero

"Below Zero" two words I never thought I would hear living in Dallas.  Sweet Baby Jesus it's cold y'all.  I don't mean forty-two degrees I know I'm being a huge titty baby cold. I mean two pairs of pants, three shirts, a scarf, boots, freeze your ass off, don't want to go to work cold.  Now, I lived in Chicago as a kid so don't you think for one minute that I don't know what cold is.  I really think this is karmic retribution for me making fun of the Green Bay Packers coach's choice of head gear while watching the game last night.  I even spilled coffee all over my cream sweater on the way to work... and it was already cold!!  FML!

I only own this one flannel shirt and this one really warm heavy sweater, both purchased this year and blogged previously, so I apologize for the close proximity repeats.  I was just at such a loss this morning that I couldn't pile on enough clothes.  I was crazy enough to go to the gym at 5 am, but it was a whole 'nother deal getting dressed for work.  How do you ladies do it, up in the frozen north and Midwest.  I am thinking about moving to Brazil for half the year at this point!

Jacket : Forever 21 | Sweater : Banana Republic | Flannel : J.Crew Factory | Pants : J.Brand | Boots : Dolce Vita

Bag : Louis Vuitton Monogram Idylle 30 in Sepia (retired) | Gloves : Lululemon (in store only) | Bracelets : Stella & Dot

xoxo,

sarah

Fair Isle

Isn't it funny how things that we used to think were lame and uncool are now trendy and stylish?  That's exactly what I think every time I see a Fair Isle sweater.  While they used to be what your scary Uncle Bob wore to Sunday dinner, they are now staples in numerous collections from J.Crew to Isabel Marant.  My girlfriend and I actually pondered last week, "What does Fair Isle really mean?  Is it a place?"  The answer to that, my little wiki-lovers is this: Fair Isle is not only a style of knitting with multiple colors of yarn, but it's also a tiny island in the north of Scotland.  They were made famous by Edward VIII who wore Fair Isle tank tops in the 1920's.  Sounds hot huh?  I bet he had some short-shorts on with that snazzy tank top.  I need to holla at him! 

How's that for a history lesson dolls?

So, this sweater isn't the traditional picture that comes to mind when I think Fair Isle, but it's as close as I feel comfortable getting.  It doesn't have knitted snowflakes or any of that crap on it, but I love that it has 3/4 sleeves and that it's gray.  Two of my favorite things in a cold weather top. The other super cool thing about it is that it looks like it's knitted inside out so it has a deconstructed feel.  Too bad my accessories get stuck in it every two seconds, but I can deal.  The real find of the century were these boots.  I have been looking for a perfectly simple and chic pair of cognac boots for years.  Not too brown and not too red. Cognac, y'all.  The leather is so soft and you don't feel like you are wearing ankle shackles.  They're like butta'.  Do yourself a solid and type in BRSALE40 for 40% off.  My little Christmas gift to you!

Sweater: J.Crew | Blouse: J.Crew | Vest: J.Crew | Skirt: Banana Republic | Bag: K. Sera | Boots: Banana Republic | Necklace: Factory | Bracelets: Stella & Dot, Cara's, Bauble Bar

xoxo,
sarah

Cable knit

Merry Christmas, y'all!  I wish you all a lovely day surrounded by friends, family, food, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!

Jacket: Burberry | Sweater: Banana Republic | Skirt: J. Crew | Boots: Dolce Vita | Bag: Louis Vuitton | Glasses: Rayban |Bracelets: Stella & Dot, J.Crew, Bauble Bar | Earrings : Benevolent Jewels (old)

xoxo,

sarah

Straight Hair Don't Care

I've written, cried, complained, and whined about my straight hair on many, many occasions.  It's baby fine, stringy, and plastered to my head, but sometimes I just don't have the time or energy to spend on curling every.single.day.  I've tried dry shampoo, I've tried volumizing shampoo, I've had layers cut, I've tried not washing it for a week and nothing ever gets me the beautiful, long, thick tresses that Jennifer Anniston has. See the third picture?  My futile effort at back combing left a rat's nest on the back of my head.  Awesome. Nothing like the appearance of wallowing in the bed all day, right?  Bed head ain't for me, y'all. I long for thick hair that has oomph!  Do you any of you fine hair beauties have any suggestions, products, techniques that seem to work?  I'm probably well beyond repair since my hair feels like straw from heat and product exposure, but it couldn't hurt right?

Also, I wanted to give a little shout out to Benevolent Jewels, the company that I purchased this necklace from.  They have such a super cool concept and donate money back to a different cause every 3 months. What a wonderful way to pull in two passions: accessories and charity!  They have a fabulous selection of pretty things, all at an unbeatable price point,  so be sure to check them out :)

Dress: Banana Republic Tweed Fit and Flare Dress 

Jacket: F21 Street Chic Faux Leather Jacket $18.90 on sale!!

Boots: Zara, old

Bag: American Apparel Large Leather Carryall Pouch

Tights: Merona Opaque Tights

Necklace: Benevolent Jewels Frost Garden Collar Necklace use code JEWELS25 for 25% off!

** Style Note - I am very high waisted, so in BR I buy petites because the waist and hem are both way too long in a regular size**

xoxo,

sarah

Skull Candy

One of my top lust items is an Alexander McQueen skull scarf, but at $800 and higher, it totally breaks the bank.  I was thrilled to find this gorgeous substitute at Zara a few weeks back and with the weather finally getting cold, scarves are a daily staple for me.  

Have you guys found any good designer stand-in's?

Sweater: Banana Republic

Tee: H&M

Scarf: Zara

Denim: Paige Skyline Ankle Destroyed (similar)

Heels: Jessica Simpson (very similar)

Bag: Chanel, no longer avail.

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

Ring: F21

xoxo,

sarah

Dust Bunny

I think I've told y'all before, but I purchased a home back in May that needs quite a bit of work in just about every aspect.  I decided that I wanted to tackle the kitchen this weekend, so pulling down cabinets and removing those awful drywall soffits from above was first on the agenda.  I won't bore you with the details, but I will say that a baseball bat may or may not have been used in the destruction. Regardless, I am so thrilled that the kitchen is more open and my plan is to tile the entire wall and add open shelving.  That's a few weeks out though, for sure.

Before

After

Not much of an improvement, but it will look pretty freakin' sweet, pretty freakin' soon!

So, after a full weekend of being covered in drywall dust and other bits of dirt and grime, I was very happy to girl it up with a spray tan and a un skirt.  This is one of my boutique finds from a few months back and, as cute as it is, I've only worn it once before.  Do you ever buy something that you fall in loe with and style ten thousand outfits around and then neglect to wear it?  ugh.

Sweater: Banana Republic (old)

Blouse: thrifted, Theory

Skirt: Freeway from Milk & Honey Dallas

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: gift from my mom from Italy

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

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