Initial Transitions

The weather in Texas is finally getting down to the low 90's, which is what we call "mild" or "fall" here in the Lone Star State.  I have been so jealous of all my fellow blogger friends in different parts of the country who've been sporting snuggly sweaters and boots, so I decided that I would jump on the bandwagon today.  Although I was kind of sweating by the end of the day when I got in the car, the office was fa-reezing all day, so it kind of worked out for me.  I love the transitional time of year, as I'm sure you can see by my first article for DeltaStyle, and this outfit is the perfect example.  I wore this J.Crew skirt all summer long and it goes right into fall by replacing my airy tanks with a flannel button down, and switching strappy sandals for booties.  Easy peasy!  

So, an update from my Atlanta shopping expedition last weekend - Swank was a total tank!  I hope y'all enjoyed that rhyme.  They did have some beautiful pieces, but it was pretty scarce and there was really not too much to see and try on.  They did offer some great Mara Hoffman dresses, which are hard to come by, but other than that I was pretty disappointed.  I did visit some other boutiques close by that were more in my price point wheel house, but the best part (and a total surprise) was my visit to C.Wonder.  In case you don't know, C.Wonder was founded in 2011 by J. Christopher Burch, Tory's ex, and both the line and the store are pretty similar in terms of decor and product.  C.Wonder is at a lower price point and offers a lot of customization with monogramming, initials, etc. which this southern gal lurves.  The store was like happiness exploded in 1000 square feet!  Everyone was in a great mood, the colors were beautiful, and everything just put me in a good freakin' mood.  I so wanted to blow my wad on the home decor stuff, but I had no way of packing it in my already packed to the gils wheelie bag.  I was super psyched to see the initial belt buckles in different colors and double sided belts to go along with them.  I got my new initial-to-be in navy enamel with gold accents.  I'm being proactive people!

Top: Theory (thrifted) but love this option and this colorful plaid

Skirt: J.Crew Double Crepe Skirt

Booties: DV Dolce Vita Juju 

Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - search ebay!

Belt: C.Wonder Reversible Nappa Leather Belt

Buckle: C.Wonder Enamel Letter Belt Buckle

Necklace: J.Crew Twisted Hammock Necklace

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, Stella & Dot Renegade Cluster

xoxo,

sarah

Polka Dot Pop

I actually took outfit pics yesterday, can you believe it?  I can't seem to find any extra time in the day with this insane schedule I'm keeping, but hopefully it will get back to normal soon.  Or maybe this is my new normal.  That's a consideration that I'm not sure I'm 100% ready for, but I've been ok with it for the last 4 months or so.  Maybe this is what it takes to be successful and to make things happen for yourself, who knows.

Onto the outfit!  We have totally bipolar weather here in Dallas.  It's 88 one day and then 50 the next day.  I'm completely over my fall/winter wardrobe, so I've prepared myself with a spray tan and about 15 new pairs of shorts and skirts.  The J.Crew Factory sale got me over the weekend with a 50% off coupon on the entire store.  Of course, I was too busy to go myself, so I sent my poor mother with my credit card and her iPhone and we shopped that way.  How lame.  I can't even enjoy weekend shopping!  ARGH!

Top: Factory Polka-Dot Popover

Skirt: Factory Linen Cotton Mini

Necklace: Factory Multicolor Chandelier Necklace

Heels: Christian Louboutin Simple 120

Bag: Louis Vuitton Pouch 26

Belt: Target

xoxo,

sarah

MIA

So, I've been majorly MIA and suck at life and blogging.  I'm renovating two houses, am busier than ever at work, and have gone without hot water for a solid week.  Needless to say, this has all culminated in the perfect storm of shitty blogging conditions.  I managed to eek out a few photos today after an emergency trip to J.Crew last week.  I hadn't been shopping in weeks and felt that I should reward myself with a little present for my troubles.  I got this super adorable tweed- front tee and have about a thousand outfits ideas for it.  

Miss y'all!!  Thanks for hanging in there with me! I can't wait til things calm down and are back to normal.

Top: J.Crew Tweed-front Tee in Navy

Button Down: H&M

Pants: J Brand Maverick Skinny Cargo

Bag: Alexander Wang Emile 

Heels: Banana Republic Mad Men Collection, new version

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade Cluster, J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, Banana Republic

xoxo,

sarah

Perfect Print

I'm sitting here in bed underneath piles of blankets, chicly dressed in not only sweatpants but also a sweatshirt, drinking coffee.  Why?  Because the temperature dropped 50 degrees in the past 12 hours and I just can't manage to go anywhere besides the kitchen and back.

So, I am going back a couple weeks on my looks to find something to warm me up!  I absolutely had to have this dressed when I saw it in F21 about a month ago.  Not only was it $29.99, but it reminded me of all the gorgeous Mary Katrantzou prints that showed up earlier this year.  Since I wasn't about to throw down the Visa for one of those, I was thrilled to find this great alternative.  I was lucky enough to be invited to Fashion Group International of Dallas Night of the Stars honoring the beautiful and talented Lela Rose, and this is what I wore.  

Dress: F21 (in store only)

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Target, no longer available, similar option

Necklace: J.Crew Factory Brass Plated Crystal Necklace

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

xoxo,

sarah

Texture upon texture

I mentioned yesterday that I was racing around town all weekend trying to find a dress for my company Christmas party and, like a huge dingbat, this is what I decided to wear.  Cute? Um, duh.  Warm? Perfect amount of layers.  Practical? B*tch, please!  Who wears three shirts, knee high boots, and the skinniest skinny jeans with zero stretch ever placed on planet earth to the mall while speed shopping for a dress in an hour and a half timeframe?  THIS GIRL.   It took way longer to get undressed and redressed than it did to try on the 15 or so dresses that caught my eye.  Silly little blonde girl...

Anyways, I've been loving the look of the jackets that are out with canvas bodies and leather sleeves.  Instead of running out and buying one, I decided to create the illusion of one with a vest and faux leather jacket.  I think it actually works!  

Vest: J.Crew (old) very similar for $18.97!

Jacket: Sammy Dress, awesome alternative here for $34

T-Shirt: H&M, similar

Denim: Current Elliott - The Rolled Skinny Low Rise in Wager Wash (best jeans EVER)

Boots: Sam Edelman Pierce Boot

Clutch: Kate Spade Harrison Street Travel Wallet - ostrich option here

Bracelets: J.Crew Classic Pave' Link, Kate Spade - look at this one!!  Love it!, Banana Republic (in store only)

xoxo,

sarah

Hemingway

Brrrrrrr y'all!  It's dang cold!  I had to break out my Ernest Hemingway sweater, the warmest one I have in my closet.  Doesn't look like some sort of sailor's sweater?  I just need a pipe and a white sailor's hat and I will have a perfect Halloween costume.  

In going through my closet this morning, I realized that I really don't have that many snuggly, cozy sweaters and that's really all I wanted to wear today.  I feel a trip to the thrift comin' on!

Where have y'all gotten your favorite cold weather gear this season?

Sweater: J.Crew (old)

Top: Brooks Brothers

Denim: Forever 21 Animal Print Denim Skinnies

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Alexander Wang

Necklace: J.Crew Factory Brass-Plated Crystal Necklace

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

Glasses: RayBan

xoxo,

sarah

Millionaires Club

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending an event hosted by Madison Hildebrand of Bravo's Million Dollar Listing LA.  He was so incredibly sweet and humble and I really enjoyed the event.  In my business, I attend a lot of networking type get-togethers, and it's always a question of how to dress.  The events are generally held in a bar or restaurant, but always on a work day, so I usually end up in something business-y, yet something that stands out.  The whole point is to make new connections and business opportunities, so my pop of red in this particular outfit was the little something extra.

Dress: Classiques Entier via Nordtrom (old) other great tweed work dresses here, here, and here

Belt: J.Crew

Heels: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Valentino Rockstud Single Handle (no longer avail.)

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

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)